IMEE PRODS PRESIDENT TO ASK US FOR MORE EDCA BENEFITS, PAYMENTS

Senator Imee Marcos has asked her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to push for better terms and conditions before extending the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which gives US troops access to Philippine military bases, when he meets with US President Joe Biden next month.

The senator, who heads the Senate foreign relations committee, said the President could use the meeting with Biden as an opportunity to talk about the possible renewal of EDCA.

Although she has yet to talk to Mr. Marcos about his official trip to meet Biden, Sen. Marcos said it is but proper to talk about EDCA, which was signed in 2014, as the 10-year effectivity of the agreement will soon expire.

The President’s older sister said Mr. Marcos should ask Biden for better terms and conditions – such as payment from the US government for using the Philippines’ military facilities under the agreement.

The goal of EDCA, Sen. Marcos noted, is for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to obtain earnings to help modernize its equipment. At present, she said the US government does not pay the Armed Forces of the Philippines any rent, nor for their electricity and water consumption while in the country.

“Our soldiers have also volunteered to work for them free of charge in case they need additional staff,” Sen. Marcos said.

The senator also questioned why the government is so generous to foreigners “while they (government) still owe our teachers, health workers, and the poor.”

So that the Philippine economy and communities can benefit from the EDCA sites, the senator proposed to press a commitment from US forces that they will buy food from local farmers.

POWER BILLS TO RISE WITH ‘STRONG, DRIER’ EL NINO AS DSWD VOWS TO PROVIDE AID

The expected El Niño weather phenomenon could reach “strong” intensity by the end of the year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday.

The country may expect a “drier” El Niño, the weather agency said, adding that the El Niño will possibly develop in July, August, and September and might last until 2024.

Making things worse is the projected spike in Filipinos’ electricity bills as people use more power for their airconditioning and cooling devices, an industry spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) vowed to assist people who would be directly affected by the protracted dry spell.

Meanwhile, Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines spokesperson Isidro Cacho said the industry knows that when the country experiences a heat wave, as it has in the last two weeks, cooling systems also kick into high gear.

This would lead to prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the marketplace where power retailers and cooperatives get their additional supply, to spike in anticipation of the increased demand.

Cacho noted that leading power retailer Manila Electric Company bought a third, or 32 percent, of its power supply from WESM, thus consumers no doubt would feel a rise in market prices.

AS COVID-19 CASES RISE, DOH SAYS MASKS NOT A MUST

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday disputed circulating reports on the revival of the mandatory face mask policy in the National Capital Region even as the COVID positivity rate in the NCR has risen anew.

Contrary to reports, the DOH said Metro Manila is still under Alert Level 1, “which means restrictions remain to be in status quo.”

“The DOH continues to remind the public to be mindful of the information we share and source information from reputable sources,” the DOH said in an advisory.

The DOH noted that the current alert level system is still under discussion by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

According to false information circulating online, face masks must be worn at all times both indoors and outdoors, in private and public establishments, and in public transportation, the DOH said.

But existing policy provides that wearing face masks in indoor and outdoor settings shall be voluntary, except in healthcare facilities, medical transport and public transportation by land, air or sea.

The DOH, however, reiterated that local government units have the power to implement particular policies in their respective areas.

ARROYO BILL: 4 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL, 2 MORE YEARS TO GET INTO COLLEGE

MANILA — As a response to senior high school graduates' difficulty finding employment, Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga) has filed a bill making grades 11 and 12 mandatory only for students entering college, effectively returning secondary education back to four years in basic education.

The measure replaces the current K to 12 cycle in basic education with "K + 10 + 2" — which refers to 10 years of basic education, followed by two years of post-secondary or pre-university education "compulsory only as preparation for professional degree studies," the bill noted.

According to a copy of the still-unnumbered bill sent to media late Wednesday night, the bill aims to give students the option to graduate "soonest" from high school amid the apparent bleak job market awaiting senior high school graduates despite the assumption that they are "job-ready."

"Unfortunately, the reality of the market seems to be that the private sector continues to prefer hiring college or university graduates over those who finish the K-to-12 program," the explanatory note of the bill stated.

The bill added that "the failure of the K to 12 program" to deliver on its promised advantages adds to the burden of parents and students, who are required to take grades 11 and 12 before earning a high school diploma.

In the current DepEd basic education curriculum, those who finish grade 10 are given certificates of completion and are officially referred to as "completers," not graduates. Diplomas go to those who finish grade 12.

“In a country like the Philippines where the poverty incidence is 18%, there should be an option for the young to graduate from basic education soonest, after four years of high school, so that they can help their parents in their farms or micro-businesses,” the bill stated.

The proposed measure aims to give high school graduates the option to enroll in grades 11 and 12 only "if they want to go on to a professional education" to "enhance their chances of succeeding in college or university and onward to professional licensure," the bill added.

Under the measure, professional education refers to any program that requires a bachelor’s degree.

AGRI GROUP WARNS 'RICE CRISIS' POSSIBLE DUE TO EL NIÑO

MANILA — A farmers' group on Wednesday warned of a possible rice shortage brought by a looming El Niño phenomenon later this year.

Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) National Manager Raul Montemayor said farmers may have lower yields this year due to lower rainfall levels.

Montemayor said the start of El Niño will coincide with the second and third months of the wet season when water is vital for palay growth.

Aside from possible lower yields locally, a rice supply shortage may also be expected internationally, as El Niño may affect other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, a major source of the Philippines' rice imports.

"If it affects [the] whole ASEAN area, iyong supply ng bigas baka maapektuhan. Kukulangin ng supply, magmamahal sa international [market], parang rice crisis na naman. Hopefully hindi mangyari," Montemayor said during a food security forum.

"If we are to rely [on] imports, iyong pumapasok na imported ngayon ay medyo mahal. (The imported rice coming into the country is quite expensive.) That also explains why palay price is going up. That's another thing we have to watch out for—imports," he added.

Montemayor underscored the need to surpass the harvests in the lean months from July to September when rice production is low. This is the planting period before local farmers get to harvest again.

"May critical period na wala masyado production. Assuming makalusot tayo na ma-weather natin lean months, next problem natin next year," he added.

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) chair Danilo Fausto, meanwhile, is calling on the government to allot a larger budget to the National Food Authority (NFA) so it could procure more rice for buffer stock.

This, Fausto said, would be useful should a rice shortage occur.

PROCESS TO DESIGNATE TEVES AS TERRORIST STARTS

MANILA — The Anti-Terrorism Council has created a panel to recommend their action on the designation of Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Negros Oriental), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

Designation of people and organizations as terrorists is a power given to the council by the Anti-Terrorism Act and could leave Teves, who is believed to still be abroad, unable to access his bank accounts.

Remulla, a member of the council by virtue of his post, said the ATC met on Wednesday morning. “I’ve made a case already for the designation. We started the process of designating [Teves] as a terrorist,” he said Wednesday.

The justice secretary first floated the move at the Senate hearing into the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, where eight others also died.

Remulla named Teves the likely mastermind behind the killing, although the lawmaker has denied this.

Teves and his lawyers have questioned the basis of the move to tag him as a terrorist, but Remulla insisted that the provincial lawmaker can be designated due to the brazenness of the crime that can "terrorize" others.

"Gov. Degamo is the highest locally-elected official in the whole of Negros Oriental and for that person to be killed in his own home by a group of professional soldiers and of course recorded for posterity by the CCTV system, it shows us how brazen the crime was," the justice chief said.

Three others, including military reservist Marvin Miranda who is also tagged in the killing of Degamo, will be included in the designation, he added.

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'WALA NAMANG OUTBURST': VILLAR EYES LEGAL ACTION OVER VIRAL BERATING VIDEO

MANILA — Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday said she was considering legal action against the person who filmed her berating security guards at a village in Las Piñas City.

"I will go to court," Villar told reporters, adding that she has already identified the person who uploaded the now viral video, which she said was taken without her consent.

She repeatedly denied having an "outburst" with the guards and maintained she was only "talking to them to remove the gate."

"We have been there for a long time. We were sitting and waiting... wala namang outburst. They are just inventing that. There's no outburst. I was just telling them to remove the gate because it's for public use. It's not for me. I don't need that," she stressed.

It took Villar more than a week before breaking her silence on the April 17 incident, which took place at the city's BF Resort Village (BFRV).

She did not disclose more details on the video upon the advice of her lawyer, as a case related to the "friendship sticker" that allegedly caused the altercation was pending in court.

Villar claimed the viral heated argument stemmed from BFRV officials' refusal to heed a Las Piñas ordinance allowing motorists with "friendship stickers" to pass through the said community.

Despite the issuance of friendship stickers, the BFRV homeowners' association was allegedly selling different stickers priced at P2,500 each.

Villar, a BFRV homeowner since 1977, said she filed a court petition on the matter to allow people to access the village's road as an alternative to the Alabang-Zapote Road that is often plagued by heavy traffic.

The petition she filed could have earned the BFRV association's ire, Villar said.

POWER SUPPLY DEAL TO EASE OCCIDENTAL MINDORO BLACKOUTS

MANILA — The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has entered into an agreement with Power Systems Inc. (PSI) to provide additional power supply to residents of Occidental Mindoro starting April 29.

NEA said PSI agreed to operate its diesel power plant in San Jose town, which has a capacity of five to six megawatts (MW).

NEA said this would give residents roughly six to eight hours of electricity per day.

Based on the agreement, NEA will contract PSI for two months as a form of subsidy from the national government.

“NEA will cover the cost of operation for the first two months. That is the help we’ll get from the national government,” NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said.

Occidental Mindoro has been placed under a state of calamity due to 20-hour daily power outages for more than a month now.

Aside from leasing the PSI power plant, NEA said other measures are being undertaken to resolve the power crisis in the province.

20 RESCUED AS CHINESE MERCHANT SHIP RUNS AGROUND OFF EASTERN SAMAR

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said a Chinese merchant ship ran aground off the coast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with authorities preparing to salvage the vessel.

In a Facebook post, PCG said all 20 Chinese crew members of the ship were safe, and no oil spill was expected following the incident.

The Chinese crew also confirmed that the vessel did not suffer any leak or damage after it ran aground.

The Chinese bulk carrier, identified as M/V Zhe Hai 168, was transporting nickel ore from Homonhon Island, Eastern Samar to Caofeidian District in China when it accidentally ran aground on the evening of April 18, PCG said.

Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government of Eastern Samar inspected the ship the following day. A marine casualty investigation was also launched soon after.

As of writing, the PCG said it was waiting for a team from Singapore to arrive and conduct the salvaging of the vessel. The team will temporarily transfer the cargo to a barge and pull out the ship.

"The Coast Guard Sub-Station Guiuan will supervise the salvage operations and ensure no spillage will occur by installing oil spill booms," the PCG added.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ELLEN ADARNA OPENS UP ABOUT GETTING PREGNANT THIS YEAR

MANILA -- Ellen Adarna is enjoying her well-balanced life now as a mother to 4-year old son Elias and wife to Derek Ramsay, describing it as “very peaceful.”

“The life I have now is the life that I’ve always imagined and prayed for,” Adarna said in an interview during the launch of Shinagawa Diagnostic and Preventive Care Center in Taguig City.

She also said it was her decision to take a break from her showbiz career to focus on the formative years of her son. “I want to be there on his formative years. He’s turning 5,” she said.

“Well-exposed siya kahit hindi pa siya nag-start [pumasok] sa school. At naiintindihan niya ang sitwasyon. Two years pa lang siya, nakasanayan na niya (that I am is his mother and John Lloyd Cruz is his father).

“He (Elias) spends time with John Lloyd. I make sure that he has good relationship with John Lloyd. He needs John Lloyd as much as he needs me. So parenting is okay naman,” she said.

Asked how many times Cruz should meet his son, Adarna answered, “He has 12 days a month. I’m very fair.”

Describing Elias as very hyper, Adarna admitted that when it comes to playing with her son, she lets her husband do it.

“Thank God, high energy si Derek. Hindi ko kaya ang boys energy. Hindi ako marunong makipaglaro [sa] lalaki. Siya (Derek) ang sumasalo. Kapag hyper na masyado, ibato ko na kay Derek. Hanggang sa nurturing lang ako— pakain, paligo, hanggang diyan lang ako,” she said.

New baby this year

Adarna also admitted she’s planning to have a baby this year.

Asked if she wants another boy, she said a baby girl would be a great addition to the family.

“Sana girl para tapos na ang boxing. We have both boys na. We want one na lang. Pero if it’s a boy, okay lang din,” she said.

Adarna’s last TV appearance was a sitcom with John Estrada.

“Ayaw ko mag-tape. Ayaw ko mag-soap. Alam naman natin na it requires a lot of energy. It is really my choice to take a break,” she explained.

She added, “It was fun when I was young and it was only me and I had a lot of energy. Talagang go, go, go. Gawin natin ‘yan. But now iba na talaga.”

Ramsay’s wife ended: “Wala pa talagang plan na magbalik.”

SPORTS

LARGEST NBA STORE IN PHILIPPINES TO OPEN AT MALL OF ASIA

MANILA — The NBA and Titan, the country's leading basketball specialty concept store, are set to open the second and largest NBA Store in Metro Manila next week at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

On Thursday, May 4, at 5 p.m., NBA and Titan will open the doors of the all-new NBA Store at the second floor of the South Wing Entertainment Mall, facing Seaside Boulevard.

The store features more than 500 square-meters of interactive retail and community space. It will have an extensive range of official NBA merchandise and memorabilia, including jerseys of current and former players, fan apparel, headwear, footwear, basketballs, and accessories from major brands such as Nike, Mitchell & Ness, New Era, and Wilson.

There will also be NBA Philippines-branded apparel, including a limited edition shirt for the store's opening.

Apart from the merchandise, there will also be a number of interactive fan elements in the store, including an NBA 2K gaming corner, footprints of notable NBA players and players, and a half-court with a viewing area featuring a 2.5-meter LED screen across a locally designed mural inspired by basketball's influence in the country.

The Larry O'Brien Trophy will also be on display during the store launch and for a limited way trhoughout May.

“We’re incredibly excited for Titan to open the largest NBA Store in the Philippines in one of the largest shopping malls in Asia,” said NBA Asia Head of Global Merchandising Lesley Rulloda. “Our second NBA Store in Metro Manila will be designed as a destination for our passionate fans to come together and experience a premium retail environment that showcases the most comprehensive selection of official NBA products in the country.”

“Elevating the experience of every Filipino basketball consumer is an objective that we’re focused on achieving as we recreate an authentic NBA retail atmosphere in our largest store,” said Titan Managing Director Mike Ignacio. “Building on the success of our first brick-and-mortar store and e-commerce platform, we’re committed to leveraging our interactive space as we inspire Filipino fans to celebrate their love for the game and express their NBA fandom in style.”

Starting May 4, the NBA Store at the Mall of Asia will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Fans can also visit the NBA Store in SM MegaMall, and the official online NBA Store at NBAStore.com.ph.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.62

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Bhagavad-gita was the first of books; It was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson