PHILIPPINES MARKS 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARBITRAL VICTORY OVER CHINA

MANILA — The Philippines on Wednesday marked 7 years since its legal victory over China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on a territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo described the country's move to take China to court as taking "the path of principle, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes."

"An affirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its dispute settlement mechanisms, the Award definitively settled the status of historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and declared without legal effect claims that exceed entitlements, geographical, and substantive limits set by UNCLOS. It is now part of international law," Manalo said.

"The Award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable," he added.

Manalo thanked the "growing number of partners" that have expressed support for the Philippines' 2016 legal victory.

He also said he hoped it would continue to serve as an inspiration for other countries involved in similar disputes to strive for both a peaceful resolution and adherence to a "rules-based international order."

"We are honored that the Award stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations. It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to the progressive development of international law. It is ours as much as it is the world’s," Manalo said.

"We will continue to translate the positive outcomes of the Award into positive gains for our people to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain, and to promote peace, security and prosperity in our region," the country's top diplomat added.

On July 12, 2016, the PCA in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines' claims in areas of the South China Sea that are part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which have since been called the West Philippine Sea.

16 COUNTRIES BACK PH CLAIMS IN WEST PH SEA

Sixteen European countries are supporting the Philippines in asserting its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a joint statement they issued said Tuesday.

This was as the world commemorates this month Manila’s victory against Beijing relative to the South China Sea dispute through the 2016 Arbitral Ruling rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden backed the Philippines’ territorial integrity in the busy waterway.

This is as China continues its rejection of the historic arbitral ruling over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

The embassies of the 16 countries cited the significance of the ruling, which was based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), by saying it is “a significant milestone” in contributing to the maintenance of rules-based order and the settling of dispute.

According to them, it is “legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between parties.”

“The EU (European Union) reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights, and duties established in UNCLOS, in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight,” the European nations, which are also members of the EU, said.

US URGES CHINA: CEASE ROUTINE HARASSMENT, INTERFERENCE IN DISPUTED WATERS

The US State Department on Wednesday urged the Chinese government to comport its maritime claims with international law 7 years after the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the resource-rich South China Sea.

In a statement, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller urged Beijing "to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states’ sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region."

He added the United States will continue working with allies and partners "to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law."

INCREASED US AIRCRAFT PRESENCE IN PH DUE TO COPE THUNDER DRILLS: AIR FORCE

MANILA — The increased presence of US air assets in the Philippines is due to the bilateral exercises between the 2 countries, an official said on Tuesday.

More than 10 types of aircraft from the US Air Force are participating in the ongoing Cope Thunder exercise, said Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, spokesperson of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

All the aircraft involved in the exercise are covered by diplomatic clearances, Castillo said.

"As long as they are covered by diplomatic clearances and communicated to us by the DFA, there is no threat because it went through the proper process. All those involved in the training went through the proper process of getting the proper diplomatic clearance," Castillo told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The PAF made the statement after Sen. Imee Marcos questioned the arrival of more US air assets in the Philippines.

The senator called on concerned government agencies to monitor the presence of US military aircraft and Chinese naval ships "equally."

But Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said there was no "discrimination" in the military's monitoring of aircraft and vessels entering Philippine territory.

"When it comes to monitoring, inherent sa trabaho namin na i-monitor lahat. In the entry of aircraft, there is a process involved. Dumadaan siya sa tamang proseso," Aguilar said.

"But with due courtesy to the good senator, she deserves to receive a response directly from us," he said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian meanwhile said the US should respect Philippine protocols, adding that Manila was "not a garage" of Washington.

"Dahil meron tayong EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation) with them, may agreement tayo with them, meron tayong military exercises with them through the Balikatan. Dapat respetuhin din nila iyong proseso natin. Hindi tayo puwedeng gawing parang garahe na any time puwedeng pumasok at lumabas nang walang paalam," Gatchalian said.

MARCOS JR. COMMITS TO ‘IMPROVE BUREAUCRATIC PROCESSES’ IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR

JABONGA, Agusan del Norte — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to “improve bureaucratic processes” to entice more investors in the renewable energy sector.

The President gave the statement during the inauguration of the 24.9-megawatt Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant, which is expected to provide cheaper electricity to some 45,000 households in Caraga.

This government will work to “improve bureaucratic process in the energy sector to make it easier for investors to come in,” Marcos Jr. said in his speech.

“I urge the local government to provide all the necessary assistance to ensure the safety and productivity of this hydro power plant,” he said, noting that the project would “serve as an encouragement to potential investors to invest in the country, especially in the power generation and renewable energy sectors.”

Marcos Jr. has been pushing to improve the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix. He told leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) last year that half of the Philippines’ power would be sourced through renewable power plants by 2040.

Under the Philippines’ renewable energy plan — a requirement under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 — the country targets to increase to 35 percent of the share of renewable energy in the power mix by 2030.

“As our power demand continues to increase, initiatives and projects such as this are most welcome as they improve our energy supply,” Marcos said.

“It is also expected to generate socioeconomic opportunities for the people of Agusan del Norte and Mindanao,” he added.

511 MORE ROCKFALL EVENTS AT MAYON

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded a total of 511 rockfall incidents in Mayon Volcano in Albay over the past 24 hours.

The volcano had three volcanic earthquakes and 38 pyroclastic density current (PDC) events from 5 a.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday.

It continued to have a very slow effusion of lava flow from its crater which reached as far as 2.8 kilometers along the Mi-isi Gully.

The lava flow stretched to 1.4 km along the Bonga Gully.

There were also lava collapses along the Basud Gully that reached four kilometers from the crater.

Mayon Volcano emitted a moderate 800-meter-tall plume that drifted south-southwest and southwest, generating 721 tons of sulfur dioxide flux on Monday.

The volcano’s edifice is still inflated.

Phivolcs maintained that the permanent danger zone should be kept off limits.

DOUBLE WHAMMY: NO POWER, WATER

Half a million customers of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in Metro Manila and nearby areas experienced an eight-minute power outage after the San Lorenzo Natural Gas Power Plant tripped, leading to an automatic load drop. The load drop occurred due to a yellow alert declaration by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in the Luzon grid. The NGCP lifted the yellow alert as power reserves became sufficient. The country's water supply also faces challenges due to the El Niño phenomenon, with water levels in major dams decreasing. The declining water levels could impact hydroelectric plants and lead to more brownouts. Meralco activated the interruptible load program and secured de-loading commitments from big-load customers to prevent service interruptions. The government is preparing contingency measures to address the effects of El Niño, including potential assistance for affected farmers. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian suggested mobilizing local government units to address water shortage in affected areas.

SC REQUIRES PAO CHIEF TO EXPLAIN WHY SHE SHOULDN’T BE DISCIPLINED OVER POSITION ON LAWYERS’ CODE

MANILA — The Supreme Court has called on Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta to provide an explanation for her opposition to a new code governing lawyer conduct. Acosta and other PAO officials had requested the deletion of section 22, Canon III of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA). The new code, which replaced its 34-year-old predecessor, allows other PAO lawyers to represent the opposing party in cases involving conflicts of interest, with the affected client's informed consent. PAO argued that this provision would create disorder and undermine trust, competency, and efficiency within the office. They also claimed a violation of the equal protection clause and argued that PAO was being singled out. The Supreme Court reminded PAO of its primary duty to provide free legal assistance to indigent litigants, emphasizing that denying them access to PAO lawyers due to conflicts of interest would contravene their mandate. The Supreme Court's decision was made unanimously on July 11, 2023.

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SUSPECT IN MINDORO BROADCASTER'S KILLING ARRESTED

MANILA - Authorities have arrested the alleged gunman in the fatal shooting of Oriental Mindoro radio broadcaster Cresenciano Bunduquin, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano identified the suspect as Isabelo Bautista Jr. Clavano said Bautista was served arrest warrants issued by the presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 39 in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro last Friday, July 7.

Before the arrest, Bautista "succumbed to the pressures and eventually voluntarily submitted himself for investigation to the NBI-NCR on June 27, 2023," the justice official said.

The alleged gunman, who is facing murder and attempted murder charges for the killing of Bunduquin and the shooting against the broadcaster's son, is detained at a National Bureau of Investigation detention facility.

"The appropriate Return of the Warrant of Arrest is already prepared and will be transmitted to the court in the soonest possible time," Clavano said.

Before his demise, Bunduquin hosted a program on radio station 101.7 DWXR as well as on Facebook, said station manager Jester Joaquin, who described the broadcaster as "hard-hitting" on local issues.

He had been outspoken about a recent oil spill affecting the province, illegal gambling, and politics, despite receiving death threats.

Investigators are looking into Bunduquin's work or a personal quarrel as possible motives for the killing, Oriental Mindoro Provincial police chief Col. Samuel Delorino said earlier.

Bunduquin is the third journalist to be killed since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr took office last June.

The latest killing comes less than a year after radio personality Percival Mabasa was shot dead in Manila as he drove to his studio.

SURVEY: TAMING INFLATION STILL PINOYS’ TOP CONCERN

The second quarter Pulse Asia survey reveals that controlling inflation remains the top concern of 63% of Filipinos, consistent with the first quarter. Other priorities include increasing workers' pay (44%) and creating more jobs (31%). The survey also indicates that 76% of respondents believe the government is protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. Filipinos are concerned about issues such as graft and corruption, enforcing the rule of law, addressing involuntary hunger, and providing assistance to farmers. In a separate development, the Department of Labor and Employment announced a P40 increase in the daily minimum wage for the non-agriculture sector in the National Capital Region (NCR), effective July 16. Wage increase petitions have also been filed in other regions, with wage boards currently discussing the merits of the requests.

VILLAR HAILS ROLE OF COOPERATIVES VS. POVERTY

Senator Cynthia Villar has praised the role of cooperatives in addressing poverty and supporting communities. Speaking at an event, Villar acknowledged the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as a partner in establishing cooperatives in various industries. She highlighted the advantage of social enterprises and cooperatives in understanding and meeting the needs of marginalized segments of society. Villar emphasized the wide reach of micro, small, and medium enterprises, including cooperatives, and their impact on communities across regions and provinces. She also recognized the "Bayanihan" spirit embodied by cooperatives. Villar's Villar SIPAG program awards 20 cooperatives annually, aiming to inspire and encourage their work in uplifting communities. The awards recognize outstanding models of income poverty reduction and highlight initiatives that create jobs and increase household income, particularly in vulnerable sectors. Villar addressed 390 cooperative leaders representing 1.5 million coop members from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

COMELEC DISQUALIFIES AURORA VICE GOV

MANILA, Philippines — Aurora vice governor Gerardo Noveras has been disqualified as vice gubernatorial candidate in the May 2022 elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division ordered Noveras’ disqualification in a 48-page decision issued on Monday, saying he committed a fraudulent scheme when he asked a casual employee of the provincial government to print his campaign materials.

“The activity was done using a printer found in government premises and the act of printing the materials was conducted within the premises of a government-owned compound,” the Comelec said.

The petition for disqualification filed by Noveras’ rival, Narciso Amansec, alleged that Noveras, who was the governor of Aurora at the time, “took undue advantage of his position by utilizing and using the tarpaulin printer of the provincial government of Aurora for his own personal interest and for the benefit of his campaign.”

The commission said it found that Noveras ”coerced, compelled and influenced his subordinates to advance his campaign.”

PARAÑAQUE TOP PERFORMING LGU – ARTA

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Parañaque was again recognized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) as one of the top performing local government units in the country in implementing its electronic business one-stop shop.

During ARTA’s fifth anniversary celebration, Parañaque and seven other cities were among the first awardees of the Accelerating Reforms for Improved Service Efficiency (ARISE) Awards.

The ARISE Awards are an overarching award for all national government agencies and local government units (LGUs), recognizing their efforts in pursuit of President Marcos’ directive to improve bureaucratic efficiency in the country.

During ARTA’s annual compliance inspection, the agency’s director general, Ernesto Perez, underscored Parañaque’s efforts to streamline its business permit and licensing procedures.

The compliance inspection is part of the mechanisms to evaluate LGU performance as required under Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018.

Perez recognized the various innovations implemented by Parañaque’s business permits and licensing office, headed by lawyer Melanie Soriano-Malaya, specifically its online services to clients in the renewal of business permits and licenses.

Other ARISE awardees are Manila, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Navotas, Marikina, Valenzuela and Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BELA PADILLA WRAPS UP NEW FILM WITH JC SANTOS

MANILA -- Actor-director Bela Padilla has completed her latest film project titled "Wish You Were the One," directed by Derick Cabrido. This film marks her fifth collaboration with JC Santos, and it is scheduled for release in September. Padilla faced a challenging period when she experienced hormonal acne while in London, which affected her self-esteem. She discovered that she had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism, which contributed to the hormonal imbalance. Padilla made changes to her diet and skincare routine and now endorses the Aera skincare line. She emphasizes the importance of taking a gentle and protective approach to skincare, rather than resorting to harsh treatments. Padilla is also pleased to partner with I-White, a Korean skincare brand that adapts to the Philippine weather. Despite the challenges, Padilla remains focused on her career and aims to create lasting impact through her films.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. – Voltaire