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July 04, 2023 10:30 PM

The nuclear safety watchdog's final report paves the way for Japan to greenlight the release of the treated wastewater within weeks.

YOUNG shuttlers will get a shot at developing their skills further with the revival of the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) grassroots program, which is set to be implemented in 10 provinces across the Philippines.

The revival of this endeavor means players from different age groups can expect local tournaments that will help them elevate their skills and competitiveness further.

“We are delighted to revive our grassroots program and provide aspiring young athletes with the necessary training and support to excel in badminton,” said PBAD head of development Melvin Nubla.

“Through this initiative, we aim to discover and develop the next generation of Filipino badminton champions who will proudly carry our nation’s flag on the international stage.”

The PBAD will implement a juniors ranking system that is aligned with international standards and is patterned after successful badminton programs from the likes of the sport’s powerhouses Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The program will commence this August in Pampanga, a province renowned for its vibrant sports community and passion for badminton.

“PBAD extends its gratitude to the local government of Pampanga for their invaluable support and partnership in hosting the inaugural phase of the program,” said PBAD secretary-general Christopher Quimpo.

“Recognizing the significance of identifying and developing talent from an early age, PBAD aims to cultivate future champions who will proudly represent the Philippines on the international stage with this program,” said MVP Sports Foundation executive director Jude Turcuato.

PBAD will be sending delegates as well to the upcoming Badminton Asia Juniors Championship in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from July 7 to 16, 2023.

A CLOTHING and apparel industry player is pushing for the immediate implementation of strategies under the new export blueprint to bring down the cost of doing business in the country and boost competitiveness, as plans of reshoring or onshoring of manufacturing pose a risk of extinction of the local industry.

Robert Young, a trustee for the textile, yarn and fabric sector of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., said global events such as the recent pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine, the dependence on Asia, and the orientation for imports and apparel production are now transforming the sector.

“(These) have resulted in a plan of reshoring or onshoring the manufacturing sites, which means bringing back business operations and processes to a neighboring site or right on the location of the importing country,” said Young, also president of the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines.

He said plans of reshoring or onshoring of manufacturing can result in the imminent closure of the present apparel manufacturing for the export market and its related industries in the Philippines, as well as the massive displacement of apparel workers.

“Thus, it may cause the extinction of such (an) industry,” he added. “This is a big red flag for the Philippine apparel and clothing industry.”

To deter the transfer of the manufacturing firms, Young particularly cited the need to address the basic root causes of the uncompetitiveness of Philippine apparel in international markets, such as restrictive cost of power, labor and logistics.

“The biggest challenge is the concern of a much higher labor rate component in importing economies,” he said.

Under the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028, export stakeholders aim for adequate support for export firms’ infrastructure requirements, such as in power, transport and logistics, and telecommunications connectivity.

“The new digital and robotics manufacturing that will play a significant role in the reduction of labor cost is also part of the plan,” Young said.

“The government and the private sector must realize the negative impact of these reshoring scheme plans and should join hands in seriously implementing solutions urgently as per the PEDP report for the survival and competitive advantage of the Philippine clothing and apparel manufacturing, thus saving it from extinction,” he added. / PHILEXPORT NEWS AND FEATURES

FORMER Gilas guard RJ Abarrientos is moving on to play in Japan’s B.League, signing with the Shinshu Brave Warriors.

The former ace guard of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and the Gilas Pilipinas was released from his contract with the Korean squad, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis. It didn’t take long for the crafty guard to find a new home in Japan where he will team up with another Filipino, Matthew Aquino, who plays as a local.

“I am very excited for this new journey with the Shinshu Brave Warriors and will do my best to win as many games as we can this season. I can’t wait to play in front of our fans and see you soon!” said Abarrientos.

Abarrientos had a phenomenal first season in Korea, averaging 13.29 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.77 assists and 1.34 steals in 56 games played. He was eventually named the Rookie of the Year.

SPORTS and other outdoor activities like “scouting” are effective ways to keep young people away from illegal activities, said a grandmother who witnessed her grandson joining the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP).

Rebecca Nardo was among the guests who attended the ceremony where 30 young football athletes, aged eight to 15, received their neckerchiefs and wooden carabao heads as symbols of BSP on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Camp Zubu in Golden Heights, Sitio Ylaya, Talamban, Cebu City.

Nardo said parents should support their children in playing sports instead of allowing them to wander around without guidance from them. She believes that allowing children to engage in sports would really change their bad habits, that is, through self-discipline.

“Sports is the important thing now. If they would not avail themselves of that, most likely they would just play computer or worse, do drugs,” Nardo explained.

Nardo would like to invite all parents and grandparents to allow their children to play sports and be engaged in other outdoor activities.

“I would like to challenge all parents and grandparents not to allow their children to wander outside without their guidance. If their children would express that they like this sport, support them,” said Nardo.

Learnings

One of the new scouts, Martine Daep, a member of Junquera Football Scouts, expressed his happiness to be part of BSP in an interview with SunStar Cebu on Sunday, June 25.

Daep shared that scouting taught him the values of respect and discipline, and that he could apply these values when playing football.

James Clarck Glariada, a fellow of Junquera Football Scouts, said that just like Daep, he also acquired the values of respect and discipline from scouting.

Glariada added that he could practice these values at home by being self-disciplined and respectful to his elders.

Another member of Junquera Football Scouts, Bruce Vincent Jimenez, explained to SunStar Cebu how he would balance his studies and extracurricular activities. He said he would use time management by making a list of tasks to do.

Background

Junquera Football Club Scouts started way back in 2016 under the name Kamagayan Football Club. The club was composed of talents from Barangay Kamagayan and won several games during its humble beginnings. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the team to stop playing.

In 2022, the club rose from its long rest, this time bringing a brand-new name, the Junquera Football Club, when the club welcomed new members from other barangays within Junquera Street.

In 2023, the name Junquera Football Club was changed to Junquera Football Scouts, which speaks of their being members of BSP who play football.

Johann Sebastian Sandil Caparas, Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Cebu Council member and recipient of two prestigious awards, Eagle Scout and Ave Maria, was the brains behind the admission of the 30 young football athletes.

Purpose

Caparas shared that he was motivated to do scouting activities for these children because he knew what scouting could do for them, especially as someone who has gone through it personally.

He said he would not reach what he has achieved now without the values that he acquired from scouting.

“To others, scouting might seem a hobby with outdoor activities such as camping, but once you really get to be a part of it, a part of the brotherhood that it is, you will learn so much more and it will help you discover so much more about yourself. That’s how it was for me, and that’s what I want for the kids here also,” Caparas explained.

“I want them to push for even greater, greater purpose, greater sense of belongingness, greater sense for things that they may do for others,” he added.

Caparas shared that he sees great potential for the growth of these children and believes that they are the future nation-builders in the community. Therefore, it is crucial to properly guide them. Caparas wanted these children to be able to merge their lives as football players and as scouts, eventually as citizens of this country that could do better.

“I also want them to realize that they would always have a sort of home, a brotherhood, and a family to come back to, which they may build through scouting,” Caparas added.

The United Nations on Tuesday warned the world to prepare for the effects of El Niño, saying the weather phenomenon which triggers higher global temperatures is set to persist throughout 2023.

We join labor groups in expressing their dissatisfaction over the meager wage increase. We believe the measly P40 wage increase in Metro Manila falls very short of the “recovery wage” and is very far from the living wage sought by labor groups. Even as a hard-fought wage increase should help alleviate workers and their families’ conditions, the amount should at least approximate serious losses in real incomes as a result of inflation. This is the recovery wage labor groups have been calling for.

The regional wage board in the National Capital Region (NCR) has approved a P40 increase in the minimum wage, bringing it to P610 per day for non-agricultural workers. The stingy increase is way below the P170 increase urgently needed by workers to recover the real value of wages. Ibon databank analysts estimate that the family living wage is P1,160. However, minimum wages since wage regionalization in 1989 don’t just fall far short of the ever-rising living wage—they haven’t even kept up with inflation. A family of five in the NCR should receive a wage of P25,226 a month to live decently.

A hallmark of the modern Roman Catholic approach to economic justice has been its advocacy for the workers’ right to a family living wage. We support the call of the Church as amplified in its various social teachings the workers’ right for a wage that would sufficiently cover the needs of a family and would ensure a decent standard of living. This includes water, housing, education, health care, transportation, clothing and other essential needs, including recreation and provision from unexpected events.

We support House Bill 7568 that proposes a P750 across-the-board hike in the daily wages of private sector (for both agricultural and non-agricultural) employees. We believe that when enacted into law, this wage increase could sufficiently help workers and their families cope with the high prices of commodities and could cover the eroded value of the peso due to inflation.

Lastly, we reiterate our stand that a living wage is necessary and just and is fundamental to Catholic Social Teaching because it is closely linked to human dignity.

The disbarment of a profane, enigmatic lawyer in the person of Larry Gadon by the Supreme Court (SC) is noteworthy. More noteworthy still is that it came at no better time, when the man has just been newly appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, oddly.

“The privilege to practice law is bestowed only upon individuals who are competent intellectually, academically and, equally important, morally. There is no room in this noble profession for misogyny and sexism. The Court will never tolerate abuse, in whatever form, especially when perpetrated by an officer of the court,” the High Court ruled. Wow!

“I have no regrets” was Gadon’s immediate reaction. But the fact that he has no regrets and is unrepentant, notwithstanding the resounding unanimous SC decision to rebuke him aside from the public condemnation he has been receiving for his misdemeanors, it makes the man all the more unfit and unworthy to hold a public office.

Gadon asserts that he would continue with his “adviser” work because the SC decision has “no bearing” on his position since the Malacañang post doesn’t require a lawyer. Such a sensible reasoning -- as if every government position requires a lawyer and as though a public office is not a public trust and requires proper conduct and right thinking.

The private life of a public servant (morally) is by far more telling as to how he will perform and behave than all the other qualifications he has in his resume, whatever position in government he occupies. Gadon’s guilt goes far beyond his offensive words. It mirrors him as a person. Matthew 12:34-40.

The Court’s judgment on Gadon shows that the justices of our present SC are not beholden to any political power (past and present) as they ought to be, since they must be beholden to no one -- but to the Filipino people and to the sacredness of their sworn duty - to render justice.

More decisions like that in the future, dear SC justices, and your names may earn the worth of being etched on marble stones to be forever remembered and esteemed by the present and coming generations. Unprecedented.

Dear Mr. President, it is proper that all Filipinos (including those who didn’t vote for BBM like yours truly) should support you all the way as the chief occupant of Malacañang -- in recognition of and submission to the biblical admonishment for people to submit to governing authorities (not evil authorities).

However, with due respect, your honor, it is not proper that you simply hand out positions in government like you personally own them -- out of political gratitude. The vicious habit and cycle must end.

Wow! Supreme Court.

P.S.

What about disbarring lawyers that concoct stories just to win a court case?

A glittering affair marked the launch of the NUSTAR Convention Center, the biggest event venue in the Visayas and Mindanao. The place is massive with its high ceiling, spacious lobby and expansive pre-function hallway and foyer which is ideal for cocktails and the like. It can accommodate a total of 2,000 guests.

The pillarless ballroom was ablaze with lights and beautifully bedecked with flowers that star-studded night of the gala. With a modern Filipiniana theme, the party turned out colorful and festive. On the frontline was Frederick Go, chief executive officer and president of Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc. (owner of NUSTAR Resort and Casino) and NuSTAR chief operating officer Alan Teo. In perfect attendance were the sales and marketing team and the rest of the NUSTAR family. Guests came from different sectors of Cebu society and others flew in from Manila.

The sit-down dinner began with the waiters dramatically marching in with gleaming food trays in hand and then pausing for formation at the center of the hall. In keeping with the party theme, the evening’s menu featured native classics but tastefully tweaked for that modern touch. Think Busay greens with Guadalupe mango vinaigrette and crispy Taboan dilis; Malunggay and kalabasa chowder with green-lipped mussels; Braised “bistek” with caramelized onions, calamansi citrus jus, butterflied prawns and mashed potatoes. Of course, Lechon was served, too. For dessert there was Purple Yam (ube) layered Joconde, cream cheese mousse purée.

It was a lovely musical evening headlined by songbird Lani Misalucha who came all the way from her home base in Las Vegas. Her front act, John Willace Tubalde, became an instant crowd favorite with his mellow singing voice dishing out all-time favorites. Dance numbers added flair to the festivities.

Music and magic filled the air that red-letter night at the NUSTAR Convention Center!

PUBLICLY LISTED Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, filed for a voluntary suspension of trading of its shares as it moves ahead with its plan to go private.

MPIC said its board including all four independent directors “unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for voluntary delisting with the Philippine Stock Exchange.”

The PSE approved the request of the MPIC for a voluntary trading suspension of its shares from July 4, 2023, at 9 a.m. to July 5 at 9 a.m.

The voluntary trading suspension is requested to allow the disclosure to be disseminated to the investing public (including shareholders in different time zones) who may learn about the disclosures at a later time, and to give the trading participants and the investing public time to study the company’s recent disclosures before transacting the common shares of the company.

MPIC received an updated tender offer from a consortium consisting of Metro Pacific Holdings Inc., GT Capital Holdings Inc., Mit-Pacific Infrastructure Holdings Inc. and MIG Holdings Incorp., at a “best and final” price of P5.20 per share, up 12 percent from the earlier offer of P4.63 per share on April 26, 2023.

MPIC last traded at P4.63 per share on July 3.

The improved price, according to GT Capital, one of the members of the consortium, represents a premium of 37 percent over the one-year volume-weighted average price of P3.80 per share and a premium of 57 centavos over the earlier offer price. If successful, the tender would result in MPIC’s delisting.

“We regard this new offer as the best and final price the bidders are able to deliver to MPIC’s minority shareholders,” said Christopher Young, executive director of First Pacific Company Limited. “Due to the transaction timetable, approvals and regulatory requirements of the entire process across multiple jurisdictions, there will be no further opportunity to adjust the price.”

GT said under the tender offer, the bidders would spend up to approximately P54.8 billion or US$986 million for the remaining shares held by the minority shareholders of MPIC. The tender offer values MPIC at P149.2 billion or $2.7 billion in equity value.

MPIC also said the board “unanimously approved to schedule the holding of a Special Stockholders’ Meeting (SSM) on Aug. 8, 2023, with a record date of July 18, 2023.”

Should the shareholders approve the resolution to delist MPIC from the PSE during the SSM, the bidders will launch the tender offer immediately thereafter.

MPIC is an infrastructure investment company with holdings in Manila Electric Co., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Metro Pacific Health Corp., among others.

I’m no fan of Maria Ressa, but she definitely does not, and for that matter nobody does, deserve the virulent attack made on her person by Larry Gadon. The Supreme Court has rightly disbarred him for crude and unprofessional, to say the least, behavior.

Yet, the virulence is not what got my goat. Steamed up as I was by Gadon’s vile behavior, President Bong-Bong Marcos (PBBM) heated me up some more when he stood pat on Gadon’s appointment to a Cabinet position, alleging insensitively that the position does not need the one holding it to be a lawyer. But doesn’t a Cabinet position need to be held by a decent and not a muck-raking professional?

But what really got my goat was the public’s deafening silence on the PBBM’s continued trust of a person with such despicable behavior. Besides being a vile and rabid defender of the Marcos family, what other qualifications does Gadon have that could make us accept the President’s claim that he will do a good job of the anti-poverty program?

PBBM showed a lack of moral sensitivity when he stood pat on Gadon’s Cabinet appointment in spite of the latter’s disbarment. But the Filipino public demonstrated the same moral numbness when it allowed the President to big-foot Gadon’s appointment to a Cabinet position. If this were to happen in morally sensitive countries, like France or Germany, there would already be mass protests, riots even.

It is bad enough that our officials do not have sound moral values. It is worse that we let them get away with it. This is a classic instance of our elitist political and inequitable economic systems being shielded from becoming democratic, equitable, and moral by our colonial culture of submission to and acceptance of whatever those in authority want for us... in our mistaken belief that they are representatives of God.

Thus, we submit to incompetent officials with a distorted sense of values who promote only their self-interests. We allow them to run (ruin?) our lives. We accept their unjust and corrupt ways without even a hint of a whimper. We not only let them get away with all kinds of vile actions we also, for our own selfish interest, vote them back into office to ruin the lives of many others.

The public’s failure to be horrified by PBBM standing pat on Gadon’s appointment to the Cabinet in spite of being disbarred by the Supreme Court tells me this society is losing its sense of decency. Without a moral social compass, we drift aimlessly in the stormy sea of political and economic ambiguity.

Meanwhile, the guardian of morality, the Church, just looks on, copping out with the lame excuse it should not get involved in politics. It would rather settle the issue of how to pray the Our Father than emphatically remind authorities that their subjects are equals they must serve justly and morally.

Finally, we ask the world to “Love the Philippines” when we really don’t love it, and love only ourselves.

Within the art of bonsai lies a miniature marvel that mirrors nature’s grandeur. As bonsai artists meticulously shape and nurture these living sculptures, they unlock a world where time shrinks and beauty flourishes in scaled-down form. Still, many people have yet to appreciate the enchantment of holding a whole tree in the palm of their hand.

On July 7 to 10, 2023, a dedicated group of bonsai artists called the Cebu Bonsai Society (CBS) will be mounting the First Visayas Bonsai Competition and Exhibit at the Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu.

The event will offer a rare opportunity for the general public to immerse themselves in the world of bonsai for free. In a city where public bonsai gardens are few and far between, this exhibition opens the doors to accessibility, inviting everyone to experience the serenity of these living masterpieces.

“The Cebu Bonsai Society has been conducting biannual competitions held in malls in Metro Cebu for over 20 years. We should have had an exhibit in 2021 but had to forego it because of Covid. This First Visayas Bonsai Competition is a milestone because it will be the first time that there will be a competition among clubs in the Visayas. Prior to this, our competitions were just within the club,” said Jess Cuenco, president of CBS.

The four-day event will bring together clubs from Bohol, Dumaguete, Bacolod and two bonsai clubs in Cebu. One can anticipate a visual feast of over 100 exquisite bonsai trees showcased by the participating clubs in the Visayas. Adding to the prestige, three esteemed judges from Luzon and Mindanao, sent over by the national association, the Philippine Bonsai Society Inc. (PBSI), will grace the event with their expertise.

“Around 40 members from the participating clubs will showcase their trees. Basic criteria for the entries: First, the tree should not be over 105 centimeters high measured from the base of the trunk to the highest live portion. Second, pots should not exceed 100 centimeters in length,” explained Jess.

Jess said the trees will be judged by their age, intricacy of design and presentation during the show proper. But more than the competition, CBS is promoting not only the spirit of competitiveness but also camaraderie among the bonsai community in the Visayas.

Since its establishment in 1977, the CBS has passionately fostered the art of bonsai, attracting a flourishing community of members from the region. As a non-profit organization, its dedicated efforts aim to nurture and promote the timeless craft of bonsai. Moreover, being affiliated with the esteemed PBSI, they enjoy recognition on the international stage, further solidifying their commitment to this revered art form.

“The show will hopefully encourage more people to learn the fascinating art of bonsai. Bonsai requires diligence, time, and resources. It is a hobby that combines nature with artistry. A bonsai tree requires years of cultivation and care and can be handed down for generations,” said Jess.

After all, the beauty of growing a bonsai tree cannot be rushed, as its essence flourishes through the passage of time. It is through the intricate process of careful pruning, shaping, and manipulating nature’s raw materials that this exceptional art form unfolds.

“In China and Japan, it is not unusual to come across bonsai which are over 100 years old. Our bonsai culture is still very young compared to theirs, but we hope to foster that same kind of appreciation for this art form and hobby for generations to come,” added Jess.

Through devoted commitment and the unfurling of time, bonsai trees unveil movements of life within its fragile branches. The intricate process of pruning, shaping and sculpting these living artworks may seem as complex as rocket science, yet the enduring allure lies in the ability to lose and release oneself in the art.

Approval of Chinese group’s investment in Australian nickel producer shows there is ‘no blanket ban’ on Chinese investments in Australia.

July 04, 2023 8:35 PM

No reasons were given for the cancellation.

A NEWBORN boy was abandoned in front of the house of the barangay captain of Sambag, Bogo City, northern Cebu early on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Barangay Captain Virgilio Terado Jr.'s wife noticed a carton in the garage outside their home, and following closer inspection, discovered that it contained a newborn infant with its umbilical cord still attached.

They quickly called the police, who immediately responded and took the child to the hospital for medical attention.

Lieutenant Colonel Joan Guia Arnoco, the chief of Bogo City Police Station, said they are conducting an investigation to identify the mother of the child.

Arnoco added they will check the CCTV camera at the house of her husband’s brother, which is adjacent to theirs, to find the offender.

They will also check if any expectant women have given birth recently in the barangay and nearby communities.

Currently, the abandoned baby is doing well at the hospital.(AYB, TPT)

Governments around the world are increasingly recognizing the necessity of robust social protection programs, and Jordan is no exception.

In 2019, Jordanian authorities introduced the Unified Cash Transfer Program (formerly Takaful) to supplement

July 04, 2023 8:00 PM

It successfully nominated its House Speaker candidates for the posts.

MANILA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will intensify its efforts to fight against tuberculosis in targeted areas as the Southeast Asian country grapples with a resurgence of the highly infectious airborne disease, Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said on Tuesday.

"The Philippines continues to be one of the top countries with the high burden of tuberculosis," Herbosa told a news conference, adding

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Xinhua) -- OCBC Bank on Tuesday foresaw ASEAN-China connections to continue to deepen over the medium term.

In an OCBC treasury research provided to Xinhua, OCBC Bank's economists Tommy Xie Dongming and Lavanya Venkateswaran said that increased linkages between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China will foster deeper connections.

Despite a marked deceleration i

Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should also focus on developing sovereign digital currencies, President Xi Jinping has said

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an increase in the use of national currencies in trade between members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

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