Philippines News

MANILA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The performance of manufacturing production in the Philippines sustained its growth in May, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.

Based on the preliminary results of a monthly survey, the PSA said the year-on-year value of production index (VaPI) and the volume of production index (VoPI) increased by 10.3 percent and 8.1 percent in May, respectively.

The PSA

The marketing arm of the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, said it is complying with the rules and regulations of the Commission on Audit after it was flagged for some of its practices in its 2022 audit report.

United Filipino Global (UFG) president Gemma Sotto said that all local and international airline companies are guilty of inducing flight delays and cancelations on Overseas Filipino Workers.

THE two men who attacked a dentist inside his clinic in Queens Road, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City have already been identified.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesman for the Police Regional Office (PRO 7), the victim, Dr. Charles Pactol Sia, 41, of Cebu City, has already identified the perpetrators, whose names are withheld pending further investigation.

The Abellana police are now preparing the charges against the criminals,

who hit the doctor’s eyes with a blunt object while he was attending to a patient around 2 p.m. last Wednesday, July 5.

Sia was rushed to a private hospital in Mandaue City after the incident.

He is now in safe condition. (AYB, TPT)

MANILA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' unemployment rate in May dropped to 4.3 percent from 4.5 percent in April, with 2.17 million labor force out of job, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.

The May unemployment rate was the second lowest since April 2005, following the 4.2 percent unemployment rate in November 2022, PSA head Dennis Mapa told a news conference.

National Economi

Officials from the United States government have rushed to call out the alleged harassment of Chinese vessels against Philippine vessels that were on a support mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday enacted a law that is seen to unburden farmers from decades-old debts under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, which distributes land to tillers but not for free.

THE Globe Group, the Philippines’ leading digital solutions platform, welcomes President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s Executive Order (EO) No. 32, which streamlines the process of obtaining government permits for the construction of telecommunications infrastructure.

The President’s order is seen to pave the way for greater digital transformation in the country, aligned with the government and private sector’s shared goal of bridging the digital divide by increasing access to digital resources, services, and opportunities.

“We are grateful to President Marcos for issuing this EO, which will allow the telco industry and the adjunct TowerCo industry to further ramp up infrastructure builds that will provide life-enabling connectivity in an equitable way across the country. This will help accelerate the country’s digital transformation and open doors for more opportunities to Filipinos in the areas of education, employment, and innovation,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

The EO, issued on July 5, mandates streamlined guidelines in obtaining permits to build ICT infrastructure, eliminating redundant processes. By cutting through red tape, it fosters an environment conducive to rapid digital infrastructure development.

With its substantial network infrastructure investments, Globe is primed to support this digital pivot. The company is committed to delivering a #1stWorldNetwork to Filipinos, aligned with the nation's growing demand for robust, reliable, and inclusive connectivity.

In addition to the EO's immediate benefits, Globe also appreciates the long-term implications of the order. By setting up a one-stop shop for construction permits and implementing a zero backlog policy, the EO encourages transparency and efficiency across all government agencies and local government units (LGUs) involved in the process.

"This EO isn't just about expediting processes. It's about setting the stage for a long-term, sustainable digital transformation in the Philippines. It fosters a more inclusive and competitive business environment, spurring innovation that ultimately benefits Filipinos,” Cu said.

Globe is optimistic about the future and is ready to capitalize on opportunities provided by EO No. 32.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised on June 8 the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 after it showed an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.”

Abu Dhabi [UAE], July 7 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a phone call with Enrique Manalo, secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, discussed the prospects for further expanding cooperation across all sectors. The two sides reviewed their collaboration in combatting climate change, especially with the UAE hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties

(Beirut) - Bahraini authorities blocked Shi'a worshippers from attending Friday prayers, Bahrain's largest Shi'a mosque, on two Fridays in June, Human Rights Watch said today. Imam al-Sadeq Mosque, which is in al-Diraz neighborhood, is the main site for Shi'a Friday prayers in Bahrain.

The access restrictions followed the Bahraini authorities' bri

Source: Beehive

TELECOM and internet service providers in the country on Thursday, July 6, 2023, lauded the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 32, s. 2023, streamlining the process of obtaining government permits for the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure, saying it will speed up the country’s digitalization and encourage transparency and efficiency across government agencies involved in the process.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order signed on July 5, is seen to pave the way for greater digital transformation in the country, according to Globe Group president and chief executive officer Ernest Cu in a statement.

EO 32 mandates streamlined guidelines in obtaining permits to build information and communications technology infrastructure, eliminating redundant processes.

Red tape

Cu said cutting red tape fosters an environment conducive to rapid digital infrastructure development.

“This will help accelerate the country’s digital transformation and open doors for more opportunities to Filipinos in the areas of education, employment and innovation,” said Cu.

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. president and chief executive officer Alfredo Panlilio stressed the need to address the bottlenecks in the permitting, licensing and authorizations involved in the energization of telecommunications towers in the Philippines, and to improve connectivity in far-flung areas.

He said the EO will allow them to “ensure the highest possible quality of service for all Filipinos, and consequently support the government’s digitalization efforts.”

Empowered

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. founder and chief executive officer Dennis Uy in his Facebook post said the presidential directive is “aligned with the private sector’s push for the creation of policies and programs promoting the development of digital infrastructure and services.”

“We believe EO 32 will empower us in further improving our facilities and allow us to respond to our customers faster,” said Uy.

Cu said the order has long-term implications. He noted that by setting up a one-stop shop for construction permits and implementing a zero backlog policy, the EO encourages transparency and efficiency across all government agencies and local government units (LGUs) involved in the process.

“This EO isn’t just about expediting processes. It’s about setting the stage for a long-term, sustainable digital transformation in the Philippines. It fosters a more inclusive and competitive business environment, spurring innovation that ultimately benefits Filipinos,” Cu said.

Cu, a member of Marcos’ Private Sector Advisory Council, said the industry has renewed its call to the government to institutionalize the joint memorandum circular (JMC) of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta).

The JMC, set to expire in September, calls for the adoption of simplified requirements and procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite business and non-business-related transactions in government.

Cu earlier said the Arta’s efforts to improve and streamline the permitting process paved the way for the completion of close to 4,500 Globe cell sites between 2020 and 2022, twice as fast as network builds from 2017 to 2019 and more efficiently than in previous years.

Cu said the EO will guarantee that LGUs will avoid imposing burdensome permit requirements, which has been the case in the past, and allow the mobile network operators and tower companies to roll out the network more efficiently and deliver connectivity more effectively to the Filipino people.

5G network

Local telco players are currently expanding their 5G footprint across the country.

Globe launched 66 new 5G sites across 74 cities and towns in the Philippines in the first quarter of the year. This brings its 5G outdoor coverage to 97.21 percent in the National Capital Region and 90.28 percent in key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. This expansion has enabled Globe to log 4.3 million devices on its 5G network in March 2023.

Globe’s 5G is already present in Cebu City, Minglanilla, Talisay, Mandaue, Liloan, Lapu-Lapu (Opon), Cordova and Consolacion.

As for rival Smart, as of end-March 2023, its 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G network covers 97 percent of the country’s population.

Smart’s 5G mobile network is now available in 4,400 sites nationwide. In Cebu, Smart’s 5G network is available in almost all cities and towns of the province.

Cutting down permits

EO 32 simplifies guidelines for the issuance of permits, licenses and certificates for the construction, installation, repair, operation and maintenance of Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure; and erection of poles, installation of aerial and underground cables and facilities, underground fiber ducts, ground terminals and other transmission telecommunications and Internet infrastructure and facilities.

It is aimed at ensuring the continuous development of the country’s digital infrastructure.

According to the EO, “no other national or local permit or clearance shall be required in the construction, installation, repair, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure,” except for the building permit issued by the Office of the Building Official; Height Clearance Permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), except when the proposed structure is outside Caap Critical Areas and below 50 meters in height above the elevation of the ground; homeowners associations and other community clearances; clearances from other government agencies, when applicable; and other requirements as mandated by the Constitution and existing laws.

Zero backlog

The order also directs cities and municipalities to set up a one-stop shop for construction permits, for applicants securing building permits and other related certificates.

It also organizes a Technical Working Group on Telecommunications and Internet Infrastructure as an oversight body to ensure efficient implementation of the order.

All covered government units are enjoined to implement the zero backlog policy in all applications for permits and clearances covered by EO 32, which also requires them to annually submit their list of pending applications and compliance to the Anti-Red Tape Authority. (SunStar Philippines)

TO REDUCE the backlog of over 600,000 license plates that still need to find their rightful owners in the region, the distribution of license plates will now be handled by the vehicle dealers.

Glen Galario, the newly installed director of the Land Transportation Office in Central Visayas (LTO 7), made this announcement during his first press conference on Thursday, July 6, 2023 since assuming his position, during which he also dropped the bomb that 40 percent, or around 400,000 of the estimated one million vehicles in Central Visayas, are unregistered.

Galario also vowed a crackdown on “colorum” public utility vehicle operators and choosy taxi drivers.

“For those who have not received their vehicular plates yet, you can inquire at the dealers since we’ve already assigned them for the distribution of the plates,” Galario said at the press conference held at the LTO 7 office on N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City.

Of the license plates ready for release, 528,772 are for motorcycles while 71,564 are for motor vehicles.

The LTO 7 said since its implementation of the new approach to distribution using the dealers last Monday, July 3, around 5,000 plates had already been distributed to the vehicle owners.

In contrast, during the individual distribution setup in recent years, when individual vehicle owners went to the LTO distribution center to claim their license plates, only 50 to 100 released plates were made available each day. The distribution center in Cebu was at SM Seaside City Cebu in the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

By September, Galario expects the region’s plate distribution backlogs to have significantly decreased.

Marching order

This comes after Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista met last June 9 in Manila with the three regional directors who had the most license plates pending release.

In an interview with SunStar Cebu, Galario revealed that other LTO regional directors asked to fly to the DOTr central office in Manila were those of the National Capital Region and Eastern Visayas.

Galario said the license plates pending distribution are those accumulated in the past years, without specifying the months or years these license plates were from.

Galario said the agency’s target is to finish releasing all the unreleased license plates this year, as it has become challenging for LTO 7 to distribute the plates, especially with more license plate registrations coming in daily.

“Whatever the reason is, all license plates must be disposed of within the year,” Galario said.

Galario did not give other reasons why the unreleased license plates reached such large number.

However, national news reports trace the start of the problem to a shortage of license plates after the Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance in 2015 against the deal by the Department of Transportation and Communication with the company tasked to supply 15 million pairs of license plates for vehicles and motorcycles from 2013 to 2017, for having been awarded without a specific allocation in the 2014 national budget.

From then on, it became a game of catch-up, with the license plates becoming available only years after vehicles had been purchased from the dealers.

Unregistered vehicles

Galario also bared his plans to ensure “road safety,” reminding motorists driving unregistered vehicles that they will be apprehended and penalized accordingly.

According to LTO 7, 40 percent or around 400,000 of the estimated one million vehicles in the region remain unregistered.

LTO 7 will intensify roadside inspections to verify vehicle registrations and apprehend violators.

“We have to prioritize road safety. This is exactly why we have to make sure that the vehicles being driven in public roads are actually worthy and have passed through proper inspection. We never know what kinds of accidents might happen because a certain vehicle was defective or any other issue it might possess,” Galario said.

Acting Chief Aden Belza of the LTO 7 operations division said they have a designated impounding area for unregistered vehicles, a warning to motorists who believe that there is not enough space to accommodate apprehended vehicles.

The LTO 7 has a three-hectare impounding area in Talisay City. The area was a former Japanese tile factory.

Zero tolerance

Galario also said he would not tolerate anyone breaking traffic or land transportation laws.

Zero tolerance is applied to non-compliant vehicle dealers and even transport operators. Galario said the agency will look into complaints and, if any laws were broken, impose penalties.

He said he will strengthen the campaign against colorum or illegally operating public utility vehicles.

“Our operations division is on top of this campaign as we continue to strictly implement this drive to eliminate any kinds of illegal activities present on our roads, especially the colorums. I have instructed them to do random roadside inspections to catch these culprits,” he said.

He added that LTO 7’s law enforcement team will also implement “Oplan Isnabero,” the crackdown against taxi drivers who refuse to render service to passengers.

LTO 7 apprehended 9,557 individuals in the first six months of this year. Top offenders include people who drive recklessly, those that do not use their seatbelts as directed, and have vehicles with defective parts or accessories.

Plastic license cards

Galario assured motorists who were issued the temporary paper driver’s license that the regular plastic card versions will soon be released. LTO 7 is currently giving priority to the issuance of plastic driver’s license cards for overseas Filipino workers.

“We are still waiting for the arrival of plastic cards. When those arrive, we will start working on our backlogs and print them. Once they’re ready to be claimed, we’ll contact the recipients immediately,” he said.

Free TDC

Galario said LTO 7 will also continue offering the free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) with the aim of issuing more free certificates to deserving individuals. He said local government units can request his office for a schedule for the TDC lecture to be conducted in their area.

Galario replaced Victor Caindec, who served the LTO 7 for over five years, last June 20. Galario was a politician in Bukidnon before entering the agency. (WITH CTL AND MIGUEL ANGELU LUMEN, CNU INTERN)

THE local chapter of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) has condemned the violent attack on a 41-year-old dentist that left him with eye injuries inside his clinic on Queens Road near the Redemptorist Church in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

PDA Cebu Chapter immediate past president Dr. Adam Alviar said on Thursday, July 6, 2023, that their group “does not condone criminality in society and any course of action leading to violence and disorder to the sanctity of life.”

The statement came after two unidentified men broke into the clinic of Dr. Charles Pactol Sia and struck his eyes with a blunt weapon on Wednesday afternoon, July 5, 2023.

“I have no derogatory remarks or issue about him. He is a good practitioner and he is a member of the education community,” Alviar said.

He said the community was surprised by the incident, and it is now demanding justice for Sia.

Before Sia was attacked, the men entered his clinic, pretending to deliver an item to the dentist, according to Rose Rosell Bardisco, the dentist’s secretary who reported the incident to the Abellana Police Station.

One of the suspects was dressed in a black jacket, while the other in a green one. They were both wearing masks.

The suspect in green jacket pulled out a weapon and barged inside the doctor’s room where a foreigner was being operated on, according to Bardisco.

The suspects tied the hands of the victim, Bardisco and the patient. Afterwards, they struck the victim’s eyes with a blunt object until they bled.

An adjacent establishment’s caretaker said upon hearing the foreigner’s cry for help, they rushed to the clinic and immediately contacted an ambulance. Upon arrival, they found Sia bleeding profusely from both of his eyes.

The doctor’s clinic did not have a security guard on duty during the day as he had been shifted to the night shift due to incidents of theft in the vicinity.

Sia is now in a safe condition, according to the police.

Investigation

Abellana Police Station Chief Alfred Leanza said they are still gathering more information to identify the perpetrators.

They also examined the victim’s cellphone with the hope of obtaining leads for the investigation and gathering statements from individuals in the area, including potential witnesses.

Leanza said one of the suspects might have been angry with the victim since he told him, “Dako kaayo kag atraso sa akoa (You have done me a great wrong).”

Cebu City Police Office Director Ireneo Dalogdog has ordered his men to speed up the investigation. He will ask the Investigation Detection Management Unit to help the Abellana police.

The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas has started assisting in the investigation for the immediate resolution of the crime.

Attacks on members of the medical community in Cebu are rare.

On April 16, 2000, Dr. Alfonso Bayani, a dentist, was killed by his three helpers inside his house in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City. The motive behind the incident was robbery.

In 2006, internist Dr. Jane Lim-Chua, 51, was shot to death inside her clinic at the Cebu Doctors’ University Health Sciences Center by her former patient, Dutch national Oleg Parfenyuk, 52, who was believed to be schizophrenic. In 2013, Canadian John Pope, 66, killed pediatric surgeon Dr. Reynold Rafols and the doctor’s lawyer, Jubian Achas, inside a courtroom at the Palace of Justice. Rafols, Pope’s neighbor, had filed cases of grave threats and malicious mischief against him.

In 2014, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Cris Cecil Chan Abbu, 56, was killed inside his clinic at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City by Wilfredo Sabonsolin, 71, a former seaman he had been treating for spinal problems. It was believed that Sabonsolin might have suffered from depression due to his medical condition. (EHP, BBT, AYB, TPT)

THE group Carbon-hanong Alyansa has questioned the legality of a backfilling project near the viaduct of the South Road Properties and Carbon market redevelopment, asking the Cebu City Government if such activity had undergone competitive bidding.

However, an official of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) said that the City does not have to spend a single centavo on the project.

On July 3, 2023, Carbon-hanong Alyansa raised concerns through a Facebook post about rumors that some tenants from The Barracks would be transferred to the backfilled project.

Cebu2World Development Inc., a subsidiary of Megawide Construction Corp., which is responsible for the Carbon Public Market redevelopment project, denied any involvement in the ongoing backfilling project.

In an interview on Wednesday, July 5, C2W deputy general manager Lydwena Eco also refuted rumors that the ongoing project would serve as a new relocation site for the Puso Village tenants who currently conduct business inside The Barracks.

DEPW’s Construction and Maintenance general foreman Guillermo Viola told SunStar Cebu on Thursday, July 6 that Mayor Michael Rama had ordered the backfilling of the area as it had become like a “dump site” and was deemed “unsightly.”

Viola further stated that the area served as a “catch basin” for water and also served as a drainage outlet.

“His instruction was to fill this area up,” he said in Cebuano.

Viola said the City did not incur any expenses for the project, as the materials used were excess from previous projects by private corporations.

He also clarified that there is no specific completion date or information regarding the subsequent project following the backfilling.

Attempts were made by SunStar Cebu to reach Rama and Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell to inquire about the project’s purpose, but texts and calls went unanswered at the time of writing.

In its Facebook post, Carbon-hanong Alyansa questioned the legality of the project and whether it underwent an open and competitive bidding process.

The group also raised concerns about the awareness of the City Council regarding the ongoing activity.

The ongoing backfilling project is located at the back of the mechanical parking area and is near the disputed Compania Maritima area that both the Cebu Port Authority and the Cebu City Government are claiming ownership of.

Nature couldn’t have been more taunting. The day before Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was scheduled to deliver his State of the City Address (Soca), it rained more heavily than usual and, as usual, some of the city’s most-used thoroughfares were flooded again.

It was not necessarily Rama’s fault. Many other mayors have governed the city before him and none of them did a better job of keeping our streets afloat. In fact, worse things have been wrought upon the city’s residents by overflowing waters before his watch.

But since it was Rama who openly declared war against floods (Gubat Batok sa Baha), it is not unreasonable -- or “destructive,” to use the description that he reserved in his Soca for those who criticize him -- to expect his administration to show better results in combating flooding. Sadly, we still have to see that.

Even more sadly, we still have not seen how his administration plans to win the war and conquer flooding. Obviously, the practice of installing bigger culverts does not suffice. It worked in Urgello, but it did not in Bonifacio. Obviously, something more has to be done. I hope the City has not run out of aces in its sleeves.

I wish Mr. Rama well. I’m sure there are many others who, like me, are rooting for him, praying that he would succeed where his predecessors have failed. Nothing could make us happier than him accomplishing his North Star -- making his and our city like Singapore.

But it is still hazy from where I sit. The journey has not even taken off yet. Again, I say that it is not Rama’s fault alone. We share the burden, but the mayor has to show us the way, not by sloganeering like BARUG but by a coherent action plan.

How does he plan to address the traffic problem, for example? Yes, the Bus Rapid Transit system construction is ongoing, but while it can make commuting more comfortable can it really fully solve the problem of clogging in the streets?

I want to say yes, but it is delusional. Our roads remain small. And our drivers remain undisciplined. Abolishing the jeepney did not work because we did not also abolish the drivers.

Don’t take that literally. We reduced the number of jeepneys plying our roads and replaced them with bigger bus-like ones but we did not replace or retrain our drivers. We simply promoted them. Thus, the guys at the wheels of the “big ones” are the same ones who used to drive the old smaller jeepneys like they were kings of the road.

I encountered one of them yesterday. He stopped in the middle of the road near Southwestern University to wait for the students coming out of the university’s back gate. He must have stayed there for around four to five minutes before he discovered his conscience and left. I could only sigh.

It was not an isolated incident. I’ve been through similar experiences in the recent past, but yesterday was the longest that I’ve been made to wait. It does not happen in Singapore.

Amid the controversy involving the Department of Tourism (DOT) over an “irresponsible and erroneous” production of a tourism campaign video, I am hopeful that Philippine tourism will recover and prosper.

The essence of the DOT’s slogan “Love the Philippines” as a message of love from the Philippines and the Filipino people to the world should not be lost on the public.

Hangad ko po na kasabay ng ating pag-usad mula sa masukal na usaping ito ang pagkakaisa ng lahat sa ilalim ng iisang bandera: ang pagsulong ng turismo ng Pilipinas bilang mamamayang Pilipinong pinagbubuklod ng pag-ibig sa bayan.

(I hope that as we recover from this controversy, we will unite under our flag to promote our country’s tourism as Filipinos who love their country.)

As a member of the Senate’s tourism committee, I am one with the Filipino people in wanting to see a resolution to the controversy that hounded the DOT’s tourism campaign video, as well as making sure those liable are punished.

I believe in Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, as well as the DOT’s prompt action on the issue.

Bilang inyong lingkod bayan at miyembro ng Komite ng Turismo sa Senado, kaisa ako ng bawat Pilipino sa paghahanap ng kalinawan sa naging kakulangan ng de-bidyong kampanyang inilunsad ng Kagarawan ng Turismo. Kinikilala rin natin ang agarang aksyon ng DOT para tiyaking may pananagutan ang sinumang may pagkakasala.

(As your public servant and member of the Senate’s tourism committee, I am one with Filipinos in looking for a resolution to the campaign video mess -- even as I acknowledge the prompt action of the DOT to ensure those who are liable are punished.)

Ang lahat ng makabuluhang ambag ni Secretary Frasco at ng lahat ng bumubuo ng DOT ay hindi dapat maisantabi at matabunan ng kontrobersiya. Kaya naman hindi po matitigil ang ating suporta at tiwala kay Secretary Frasco at sa Kagawaran.

(Secretary Frasco’s contributions, as well as those of everyone in the DOT, should not be disregarded because of the controversy. That is why I still support Frasco and the department.)

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano rallied the public to move forward and join hands in promoting the country amid the controversy surrounding the new tourism branding campaign called “Love the Philippines.” This after the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday, July 3, 2023, terminated its contract with an advertising agency that was found to have used stock footage taken from foreign countries in promoting tourism in the Philippines.)

Issues have been brought out and discussed, mistakes have been acknowledged both by the DOT and the advertising agency. Isn’t the purpose of criticism to correct? So mission accomplished!

I commend the country’s vibrant democracy for enabling the exposure of such issues to light, causing both the DOT and the ad agency to acknowledge both their mistakes.

However, there needs to be a balanced view in this issue where partisan and political interests may be present.

Once a wrong is exposed (or explained) and mistakes are acknowledged and remedied, do we keep pounding on it, shooting ourselves in the foot in foreign media... or do we come together and, with the corrections, promote the beauty of our country and people?

In promoting tourism in the Philippines, part of the draw should be the country’s number one asset: the Filipinos.

God created such a beautiful country, such talented people! Yes, beautiful mountains, hills, valleys, islands, beaches, modern cities etc., yet our number one asset is our people!

The problem is not many people around the world know much about the Philippines! Yet many love the Filipinos! With more than 10 million Filipinos abroad, the first insight about the Philippines comes from the Filipino!

The public should be wary of the prevalence of fake news that similarly penetrated social media platforms during the country’s successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2019, which I headed as chairman of the Philippine SEA Games Organizational Committee.

Remember the allegation that kikiam (pork) was served to Muslims during the SEA Games? It turned out to be fake news! It was chicken sausage! We found out there was a big PR firm launching the attack. It all turned out to be fake news, a political agenda packaged as constructive criticism.

This fake news hurt the Philippines, and the country’s hosting scared off many sponsors due to the negative news in Southeast Asian countries.

I have confidence in Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco’s handling of the tourism campaign issue.

I know the DOT secretary, she listens! She cares about people’s views and ideas! Let’s try communicating, not for her, but for the country which we all claim to love. Let’s go to the next phase! Support DOT, promote the Philippines!

REGIE Suganob came home empty-handed, literally.

Not only did he fail to claim the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight belt after losing to defending champion Sivenathi Nontshinga last weekend, but he also went home with no money in his pocket after Rumble Africa Boxing Promotions (Rap) failed to pay him his purse.

“Negative. We didn’t receive anything,” Suganob’s promoter, PMI Boxing head Floriezyl Echavez Podot, told SunStar Cebu. “We just went on with the fight because we were there already and Regie was determined to get the belt. He said he would fight even though he hasn’t been paid.”

Rap owes Suganob $28,000, around P1.5 million, for his world title fight with Sivenathi, but up until now he hasn’t received a single cent.

He was guaranteed a purse of $30,000, but the promoter deducted $2,000 from it for the sanctioning fee.

Car instead of money

“He was supposed to get $30,000, but they deducted $2,000 for his share of the sanctioning fee. In our promotions, we won’t deduct money that’s agreed upon in the contract. That’s usually how it is,” said Podot.

According to Podot, the African promoters tried to pay them with a car. They also promised them later on that they were already processing the payment.

“There in the fight. They told us that they didn’t have available funds. And they asked if we were okay if they paid us with a car. We couldn’t take that home,” he said. “The promoter also said they have already processed it in the bank. But up until now they haven’t given us anything, not even a transaction code or an application for bank transfer to prove that they made a transfer.”

Podot has already emailed Rap and sent the IBF a copy about the situation.

“We’ll wait until today (July 6). If they won’t pay, we will ask assistance from the Games and Amusements Board,” said Podot.

Suganob challenged Nontshinga for the IBF light flyweight strap last Sunday, July 2. He lost to Nontshinga by unanimous decision in a fight wherein the South African was just content to run, hug and throw the occasional counter punches. (EKA)