MARCOS AT APEC LEADERS' WEEK

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in San Francisco, California to attend the 30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

The chief executive's plane landed at 9:06 a.m, Wednesday, Manila time, and he was met by the city's officials.

In a speech delivered at a meeting with the Filipino community, he said San Francisco is important to the Philippines as it is the historical, cultural and economic link of the Philippines to the continental US.

In the meeting, the President introduced his delegation, among them the country's business managers and tourism, trade, energy, and transportation officials.

He laid down part of his team's itinerary, including meetings his team would hold on the sidelines of the APEC meetings, where they would seek mutually beneficial exchanges and partnerships.

Marcos said energy, especially clean energy, is also a priority of his administration.

"By the end of this four-day visit to San Francisco, we hope to have witnessed the signing of agreements with various American businesses in the fields of digital infrastructure and connectivity, renewable energy, electronics manufacturing, health, and tourism," he said.

PH READY TO TAKE OFF AS LEADING INVESTMENT HUB OF ASIA: MARCOS JR

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conveyed to potential investors in the United States that the Philippines is poised to become Asia's leading investment hub. Speaking at the Philippine Economic Briefing during the APEC Summit in San Francisco, he highlighted the country's robust economic growth and solid reform agenda. Despite global challenges, Marcos Jr. expressed confidence in achieving a 6-7% GDP growth for 2023, surpassing major Asian economies. He emphasized the government's commitment to fostering a favorable business environment through legislative reforms and outlined strategic initiatives, including amendments to key laws, fiscal incentives restructuring, and simplification of public-private partnerships for infrastructure development.

PH LOOKING TO FINANCE 80 INFRA PROJECTS THROUGH MAHARLIKA FUND: MARCOS JR

The Philippine government has identified at least 80 potential infrastructure projects that may be financed through the Maharlika Investment Fund, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

During his remarks at the Philippine Economic Briefing at the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco, President Marcos Jr. touted to potential investors in the Asia Pacific region the country’s first ever sovereign wealth fund, which he says will “serve as an additional source and mode of financing for priority projects of the government, including the infrastructure flagship.”

“These projects offer high returns and significant social economic impact. Currently, we have identified about 80 potential infrastructure projects that are financeable through that fund, the Maharlika Investment Fund,” Marcos Jr. said.

The Philippine leader said he is looking forward to the MIF’s operationalization, which he earlier said the government is targeting to happen by the end of the year.

“With a solid reform agenda and unabating growth amid headwinds, the Philippine is ready to take off as a leading investment hub in Asia,” Marcos Jr. told investors.

“A wealth of opportunity awaits you in the Philippines. And we are ready to explore new horizons or investments in the coming years.”

PHILIPPINES 'EMBRACING' FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: MARCOS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines is embracing the future of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance economic competitiveness. Speaking to technology investors at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, he highlighted the country's readiness for the AI revolution and its commitment to navigating challenges. Marcos emphasized the development of the National AI Strategy to upskill Filipino talents and position the Philippines as an AI center of excellence. Additionally, the government signed an agreement with AI meteorology firm Atmo Inc. to implement a high-resolution weather forecasting system, powered by AI, making it Asia’s largest AI-driven weather program.

MARCOS JR. TO MEET WITH US VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, CANADIAN PM TRUDEAU

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet Wednesday with US Vice President Kamala Harris at the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed in a text message.

The Philippine envoy did not give details of the agenda of the meeting, but said that Marcos Jr. and Harris “are good friends.”

The two leaders last met in September at the sidelines of the US-ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia where Harris “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad alliance commitment to the Philippines, and highlighted the role the U.S.-Philippines alliance plays in ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

In a tweet, Harris said that she and US President Joe Biden look “forward to welcoming leaders from the Indo-Pacific and working together to promote economic growth and prosperity in the region.”

Apart from Harris, Marcos Jr. will also meet with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Wednesday, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday.

DUTERTE FACES SUMMONS OVER GRAVE THREATS; NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR PERSONALLY

For the first time since leaving office, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is summoned to respond to allegations of grave threats filed by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro. Quezon City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola issued a subpoena directing Duterte to appear on December 4 and 11, 2023. The complaint arose from Duterte's televised advice to his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, stating, "Ang una mong target d’yan [sa] intelligence fund mo, kayo, ikaw France, kayong mga Komunista ang gusto kong patayin" ("Your first target in your intelligence fund, you, France, you Communists, I want to kill you"). Castro welcomed the development, urging Duterte's participation in the preliminary investigation.

However, Duterte's former spokesman, Atty. Harry Roque, clarified that the former president is not required to personally appear. Lawyers can represent him, receive the complaint, and have affidavits sworn before any public prosecutor, Roque stated. The subpoena instructs Duterte to submit his counter-affidavit and supporting documents, and Castro is also summoned with her witnesses to reaffirm the allegations' truthfulness. Roque emphasized that Duterte's immunity from suit has expired, and they intend to respond to the complaint. Roque questioned whether Duterte, as a retired 78-year-old president, is in a position to carry out the alleged threat, indicating it may not be a clear and present danger under current political conditions.

This development comes amid the broader context of Duterte facing legal challenges, including an International Criminal Court investigation over alleged crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign.

HOUSE: ARREST DRIVERS OF ‘8’ PLATE VEHICLES

MANILA — The House of Representatives yesterday asked the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to apprehend the drivers of vehicles bearing “8” license plates.

The number “8”is commonly used as a protocol plate for House members, with the President as “1,” the Vice president as “2,” Senate president as “3,” House speaker as “4,” chief justice as “5,” Cabinet secretaries as “6” and senators as “7.”

House Secretary Reginald Velasco is seeking representation with the LTO and MMDA to also confiscate “the expired and spurious plates.”

“The House of Representatives has not released or authorized the use of official plates for vehicles of House members,” he said in a statement.

Velasco added this makes all “8” plates “illegal and unauthorized.”

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday morning, the MMDA said that its enforcers apprehended a Toyota Land Cruiser supposedly owned by former Ako Bicol party-list representative Christopher Co, who belonged to the 17th Congress, for entering the EDSA Bus Carousel yesterday morning

But in a statement, Co denied owning the vehicle and insisted that he never used the “8” protocol plate.

Co has asked the MMDA to investigate the incident thoroughly and to file appropriate charges against the violator.

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TAAL LOGS NEW RECORD-HIGH SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSION

MANILA — Sulfur dioxide emission in Taal Volcano has reached a new record high.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said 11,659 tons were recorded yesterday compared to 11,499 tons logged on Thursday last week.

Phivolcs said a mild sulfur stench was monitored in Banyaga, Agoncillo yesterday.

State volcanologists said no volcanic smog or vog was observed over the Taal caldera due to favorable weather condition.

However, visual monitoring showed continuous pronounced upwelling of volcanic fluids in the main crater.

Phivolcs said continuous degassing of high concentration of sulfur dioxide has been observed since March 2021.

Moderate seismic activities, including  686 volcanic earthquakes, have been recorded since Sept. 1.

Taal remains under Alert Level 1.

Phivolcs said this means the volcano is still in abnormal condition. This means sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulation or expulsion of volcanic gas can occur.

SAN JUAN LAUNCHES SINGLE TICKETING SYSTEM

MANILA — The San Juan city government, led by Mayor Francis Zamora, inaugurated the single ticketing system as part of a unified approach to traffic violations and penalties in Metro Manila. The system, implemented six months after its pilot run in May, eliminates the need for individuals to reclaim confiscated licenses at the city hall where the violation occurred. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) provided 30 handheld devices for city traffic enforcers to issue tickets for 20 common offenses under the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023. Offenses include illegal parking, reckless driving, and overspeeding, with fines ranging from P500 to P5,000. Motorists can pay on the spot using GCash, Maya, and credit/debit cards, with a minimal convenience fee of P7 for GCash, Maya, and Landbank transactions, and a one percent fee for card payments.

3 COPS HELD FOR EXTORTION

In Rodriguez, Rizal, three policemen, including Senior Master/Sgt. Jose Reyes, were arrested for allegedly beating and extorting money from a man during a law enforcement operation. The victim reported being handcuffed, beaten, and threatened with drug charges. The police demanded P100,000 not to arrest the victim's partner. In an entrapment, the officers were apprehended with P37,000 in marked money, three handguns, and six mobile phones.

In Zamboanga City, armed men posing as police officers stole P2.1 million in cash and valuables from a businessman's house. Claiming to serve an arrest warrant for the businessman's father, the suspects, wearing police uniforms, took cash and eight cell phones. The Zamboanga City police chief, Col. Alexander Lorenzo, confirmed a manhunt for the suspects is underway.

FISH KILL MONITORED IN CAVITE

MANILA — Cañacao Bay in Cavite City witnessed a fish kill affecting seven tons of tilapia, attributed to a drop in dissolved oxygen levels and high ammonia nitrogen. The decline in dissolved oxygen resulted from water pollution and abrupt temperature changes. Although a connection to a reclamation project was suggested by the fishermen's group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) stated that evidence linking the incident to the project is lacking. The BFAR is collaborating with the Cavite city government to properly dispose of the deceased fish, and the public is advised against consuming fish from the affected area. Residents reported a foul smell, leading 31 families to relocate to an evacuation center.

VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN DAVAO DEL NORTE AS NEWLY-ELECTED KAGAWAD SHOT DEAD

A suspected gun-for-hire targeted and killed Jay Glen Dela Rama, a newly-elected barangay councilor in San Isidro, Davao del Norte. Dela Rama, a retired member of the Philippine Army, was shot multiple times in his store. Security footage captured the assailant fleeing on a motorcycle. Authorities are investigating the incident and its possible connection to Dela Rama's recent election.

TAGUIG TAKES CHARGE AS 'EMBO' BARANGAYS SHIFT JURISDICTIONS

Businesses in the enlisted men’s barrio ("embo") barangays, formerly under Makati City's jurisdiction, are now advised to register in Taguig. Taguig's business permits and licensing office will facilitate registrations and process the replacement of Makati business permits. Additionally, traffic regulations, including the no-number coding policy, will cover the 10 barangays transferred to Taguig's jurisdiction. The Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Taguig settled the territorial dispute with Makati, but recent tensions arose over the ownership of public schools in the "embo" barangays.       

SHEAR LINE TO BRING RAINS IN CENTRAL, SOUTHERN PH

The shear line will drench parts of central and southern Philippines while scattered rains are forecast over Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga, PAGASA said Thursday.

Flooding and landslides remain likely, especially in areas which have received prior significant rains.

The Amihan, on the other hand, will bring light rains in Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, and Aurora. Cool and generally fair weather with isolated light rains are expected in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, and the rest of Cordillera, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON.

Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Northern Quezon, Camarines Norte, northern and eastern Catanduanes, eastern Albay and Sorsogon, northern and eastern Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and eastern Surigao del Norte are no sail zones for small sea vessels due to the big waves generated by the Amihan.

Palawan and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao may experience humid conditions with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile, weather forecaster Patrick del Mundo said that the low pressure area (LPA) outside of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is less likely to re-intensify into a tropical depression in the next two days but may enter the PAR in 24 hours.

It will be assigned the local name Kabayan if it forms as a storm inside the PAR.

Del Mundo added that regardless if the weather disturbance remains an LPA or develops into a storm, it will bring widespread rains, along with the shear line, that may cause serious flooding and landslides in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga on Sunday.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MICHELLE DEE WOWS WITH ‘FILIPINAS’ INTRODUCTION IN MISS UNIVERSE 2023 PRELIMS

For what appeared to be the first time in recent pageant history, the Philippines is being introduced as “Filipinas” by candidate Michelle Dee in Miss Universe 2023.

The 28-year-old Makati beauty impressed fellow Filipinos when she introduced herself with the term as the preliminary competition of the beauty pageant’s 72nd edition officially kicked on Thursday, November 16 in El Salvador.

The Miss Universe Philippines organization posted a clip of her introduction video with the caption: “‘Michelle Marquez Dee, FILIPINAS!’ And the nation goes wild.”

Some fellow Pinoys found the term “Filipinas” refreshing and different from the usual “Philippines” used in previous editions of the pageant.

“Oyyyyyy, ganda nung Filipinas!!!!” a user on the X (formerly Twitter) platform exclaimed.

“Buti alto si Michelle Marquez Dee, Filipinas! ano. Hindi masakit sa tenga. Hahaha,” another user commented.

“The way she said Filipinas! Chef’s kiss talaga,” a different Pinoy said.

“I love the Filipinas!” commented another user.

Michelle has been using “Filipinas” in her Miss Universe-related posts before.

According to the Philippine bet, she is using the traditional Spanish word for her home country in light of the host country’s official language.

El Salvador natives communicate in Spanish.

Michelle also said the Latina representatives took notice and were appreciative of her introduction before.

She is competing against more than 80 delegates in the beauty pageant with the hopes of winning the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.

The grand coronation will happen on November 19 in Philippine time.

SPORTS

PBA COMMISSIONER'S CUP 2023-24 NOV 15, 2023 GAME RESULTS

TerraFirma def. Blackwater, 97-87 (24-22, 50-40, 69-64, 97-87)

NLEX def. San Miguel, 117-113 (OT) (24-27, 47-62, 74-82, 105-105, 117-113)

NBA SCORES OF GAMES PLAYED ON NOV 14, 2023

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Hawks

6-4

38        26        33        29        126

Pistons

2-10

29        31        31        29        120

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. Murray ATL PG

32 PTS , 5 REB , 9 AST

M. Bagley III DET C

22 PTS , 10 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pacers

7-4

36        27        32        37        132

76ers

8-2

30        24        40        32        126

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Haliburton IND PG

33 PTS , 7 REB , 15 AST

J. Embiid PHI C

39 PTS , 12 REB , 6 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Heat

7-4

24        33        30        24        111

Hornets

3-7

32        16        32        25        105

Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Butler MIA SF

32 PTS , 4 REB , 5 AST

P. Washington CHA PF

32 PTS , 6 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Magic

5-5

24        36        26        18        104

Nets

6-5

33        24        31        36        124

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

F. Wagner ORL PF

21 PTS , 8 REB , 5 AST

S. Dinwiddie BKN PG

29 PTS , 5 REB , 8 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Spurs

3-8

25        23        18        21        87

Thunder

7-4

28        30        33        32        123

Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Champagnie SA SF

13 PTS , 3 REB , 3 AST

S. Gilgeous-Alexander OKC SG

28 PTS , 6 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Mavericks

8-3

26        28        31        25        110

Pelicans

5-6

33        37        44        17        131

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

T. Hardaway Jr. DAL SG

17 PTS , 1 AST

J. Hawkins NO SG

25 PTS , 6 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Trail Blazers

3-7

28        30        28        13        99

Jazz

4-7

36        31        28        20        115

Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Grant POR PF

26 PTS , 2 REB , 1 AST

J. Clarkson UTA PG

30 PTS , 1 REB , 3 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Clippers

3-7

26        26        32        24        108

Nuggets

9-2

28        32        24        27        111

Ball Arena, Denver, CO

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

P. George LAC SF

35 PTS , 7 REB , 3 AST

N. Jokic DEN C

32 PTS , 16 REB , 9 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Timberwolves

8-2

22        32        22        28        104

Warriors

6-6

30        29        24        18        101

Chase Center, San Francisco, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

K. Towns MIN C

33 PTS , 11 REB , 2 AST

B. Podziemski GS SG

23 PTS , 7 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

2-9

26        25        35        21        107

Lakers

6-5

37        37        33        27        134

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

S. Aldama MEM PF

24 PTS , 5 REB , 4 AST

D. Russell LAL PG

24 PTS , 3 REB , 5 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.82

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It's the most unhappy people who most fear change. - Mignon McLaughlin