Senate OKs creation of OFW department on 2nd reading

A bill seeking to create a separate department for Filipino migrant workers is now only a step closer to the Senate’s final approval.

This, after senators on Monday, approved on second reading Senate Bill No. 2234 or the proposed Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

The passage of the measure is certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte. With the certification, the Senate can immediately proceed with the third reading approval of the bill without waiting for three days after it was approved on the second reading.

But to allow more senators to vote on the passage of the bill in the chamber, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate will set the measure’s final reading approval on Tuesday.

This, to also let senators read a clean copy of the bill which includes adopted amendments.

Among these changes include the amendment proposed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who proposed changing the name of the agency from the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos to the Department of Migrant Workers.

This, in order to limit the new department’s jurisdiction to overseas employment and labor migration and let the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continue its authority over other Filipinos abroad.

Drilon also introduced an amendment that would require written authorization from the Philippine president, through the DFA, before the new department can pursue any international meetings or negotiations on treaties or executive agreements on matters within its mandate.

Senator Joel Villanueva, sponsor of the bill, accepted Drilon’s proposed amendments. Senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, said Drilon’s amendment would stress the DFA’s “primordial role” in treaty negotiations.

Drilon also sought to ensure that the DFA would retain its assistance to national and legal assistance funds for the benefit of other Filipinos abroad and for consular services.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1527332/senate-oks-creation-of-ofw-department-on-2nd-reading

Everything is grand at SM’S 78th supermall in historic Caloocan City

Caloocan is known as the Makasaysayang Lungsod, the Historic City. This was the place where the Katipuneros, a secret militant society, was formed during the Spanish colonization in the country. It was here where they held their clandestine meetings, and where the members of the Katipunan, made their historic “Unang Sigaw” which served as the starting point for the Philippine Revolution.

It’s another date with history in Caloocan on November 26, 2021, when SM City Grand Central opens its doors, bringing great shopping, leisure, and entertainment to this storied city. SM City Grand Central is SM Prime Holdings Inc. 78th supermall and second SM mall in Caloocan after SM Center Sangandaan in 2015.

Caloocan today is a first-class and highly urbanized city, the fourth most populous in the Philippines. It is among the top cities in the Philippines with the highest equity ratings due to infrastructure, transportation, communications system, and educational attainment of human resources. The city continues to enjoy rapid economic growth today from new waves of investors coming in including shopping malls.

Strategically located in a 22,901.80 square-meter site along Rizal Avenue Extension corner Bustamante Street in Caloocan City, SM City Grand Central will serve shoppers in Caloocan, as well as those from other parts of the CaMaNaVa sub-region – Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela; Manila, and Quezon City. More than that, it will be a catalyst for employment and business opportunities in the area.

The six-level mall 116,000 square meter mall is a destination to everything grand. A series of dynamic geometric forms create a bold backdrop that emphasizes a strong street presence.  The random, vertical pattern provides a playful touch further enhancing the main elevation with dynamic flair.  Colors are bold and powerful, strategically applied to enhance the grand, impressive building frontage.

The interiors of SM City Grand Central are organized around a large, curved atrium and a perpendicular mall corridor that intersect to create a clear line of sight to all shops on all levels at all times. Carefully placed bridges provide access to all portions of the mall, supplemented by a centrally located glass elevator, dynamic stairs, and elevators for optimal customer convenience.

The main interior features a sophisticated, modern palette of colors and materials with light gray and wood accents. Pops of color are provided through planting and seating. Large skylights above the main atrium and wrap-around clerestory provide glare-free daylight to all areas of the mall.

The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Grand Central’s major anchors along with SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus Shop, Sports Central, Pet Express, Uniqlo, The Body Shop, Crocs, and Miniso. It will also have fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, bookstores; as well as a Cyberzone and service and wellness centers.

Eating out options include a Food Court, specialty restaurants like Hawker Chan, Mesa, and Nono’s, and international and local food chains like Kenny Rodgers, Classic Savory, Pancake House, Caramia, Café Mary Grace, Breadtalk, and Goldilocks.

SM City Grand Central will also have four state-of-the-art cinemas and two Director’s Clubs that offer a premium movie experience, leather recliners, and a crystal-clear laser projection system.

The top floor of SM City Grand Central features the Skylight Park, an indoor sky garden with open green spaces. Shops and restaurants line the curved, circular paths where customers can shop and dine while enjoying the Skylight Park ambiance. A Chapel and Multi-Purpose space bookend and anchor additional green space. These spaces are designed as complements to the overall concept and further enhance its unique and grand character.

For the customer’s convenience and enhanced malling experience, SM City Grand Central has a total of 700 parking slots including regular car slots, PWD car slots, and motorcycle slots.

SM City Grand Central’s project team includes DSGN & Associates, Design Consultant; WCY Architects, Architect-of-Record; Constech Management Group Inc., Project Management; and Monolith Construction Development Corp., General Contractor.

Sana magkaroon din po sa SM City Grand Central ng: DINE IN TENANTS: Dairy Queen, Potato Corner, Hong Kong Style Noodles, Kuya J Restaurant , Odd Balls, Vikings, Max Restaurant, Dakasi, Siomai King, Shawarma Shack, Quickmelt, Bakers Fair, Eng Bee Tin, Bon Chon, Siomai House, Kettle Korn, Polland, Bowl Master, Lugaw Republic, Waffle Time, Gemki Sushi, Ramen, Zarks Burger, Razons, Baskin Robbins, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, The Lost Bread, Red Ribbon, John Lemon, Wendys, Mang Inasal, Adobo Connection, Boulangerie, Cara Mia, McDonald's, Giligans, Seafood Island, Pizza Hut, Shakeys, Bulalo World, Kabalen, Gong Cha, Mulach Ensaymada, Tropical Hut, Dunkin', Salazars Bakery, Tim Hortons, ChizMozza, Banana Leaf, Blakes; OFFICE AND SCHOOL TENANTS: Copy Trade, Expressions, Merriam Webster, Pandayan, Office Warehouse and Papemelrotti; DRUG STORE: South Star Drug; OTHER: Unisilver, Rusty Lopez, Mother Queen Salon, Karaoke Hub, Toy Kingdom, Tickles, Blue Magic, Inisfree, Saint Paul, G Shock, Urban Smiles, Tom's World, Japan Home, H & M and Moridu Art.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/11/26/everything-is-grand-at-sm-city-grand-central/

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SM City Grand Central in Caloocan set to open on Nov. 26

SM Prime Holdings said Wednesday its latest mall SM City Grand Central is set to open on Nov. 26 in Caloocan City.

With 6 levels of retail space, it will add 116,000 sqm of gross floor area (GFA) to the company's mall portfolio, the Sy-led group said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

SM City Grand Central is located in Caloocan with connections to various transportation terminals such as the LRT 1 through the Monumento Station. 

"As the economy starts to re-open given the improving COVID-19 condition in major key areas in the Philippines, primarily here in Metro Manila we are pleased to welcome customers to our newest mall, SM City Grand Central," SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said in a statement.

The group said it would implement safety protocols for comfortable shopping and dining experience. 

It will house 700 parking slots, and an indoor park, among others.

"As when this pandemic started, SM will continue to support the government's COVID-19 response program so that we can all look forward to a better and brighter year ahead," Lim said.

The retail sector, particularly malls, was among those hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as mobility restrictions significantly reduced foot traffic.

Mallgoers are slowly returning to malls, including children, after Metro Manila's restriction was eased to Alert Level 2. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/24/21/sm-city-grand-central-in-caloocan-set-to-open-on-nov-26

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10 aspirants file COC as substitutes for nat’l posts

 By Ferdinand Patinio

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte as well as Senator Christopher “Bong” Go were among the 10 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) as substitutes for national positions in the May 2022 polls.

Based on the data released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, a total of 22 individuals withdrew the COCs they filed during the filing of COC from Oct. 1 to 8.

Duterte decided to file COC to run for senator, replacing replaced Mona Liza Visorde under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) during the final day of filing of statements of withdrawal and substitution at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday.

Sara opted to withdraw her COC for third term bid as Davao City mayor and filed another COC for the position of vice president, replacing Lyle Uy under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

Go, on the other hand, dropped his vice presidential bid and filed COC for president, replacing Grepor Belgica of PDDS.

Other aspirants for president who filed statements of withdrawal include Anna Capella Velasco of Lakas-CMD and Orlando de Guzman of Partido ng Masang Pilipino.

Aside from Sara, Walden Bello also filed a statement of substitution, replacing vice presidential candidate Raquel Castillo of Partido Lakas ng Masa.

Others who filed their statements of withdrawal for vice president are Bienvenido Lorque of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino; Joel Sison of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan; and Benedicto Jose of PDDS.

For senator, Antonio Valdez also withdrew and was substituted by Antonio Parlade Jr. under Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino; Manuel de Castro Jr., who was the first to file the statement of withdrawal on October 13, was substituted by Joseph Peter Sison for Aksyon Demokratiko; Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar under Partido para Sa Demokratikong Reporma (PDR) replaced Paolo Redemptus de Andres; Ramon Mitra of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino replaced Jesus Durian Jr.; People’s Reform Party Herminio Harry Roque Jr. filed COC as substitute of Paolo Mario Martelino; and Joseph Ross Jocson of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino replacing Loreto Tenolete Jr.

The senatorial aspirants who also withdrew their COCs include Marianito Roque Jr., Christopher Cruz, Ricky Formiento, and Catherine Cruz of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino; and Darwin Logronio of Philippine Green Republican Party.

In a press briefing on Monday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said those who would like to withdraw may still do so.

“After this day, they can still withdraw. Withdrawal is a matter of right. You can withdraw at any time. The issue is whether you can be replaced or substituted,” he said after the filing of statements of withdrawal and substitution ended at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.

“After this date, you can only be substituted if withdrawal is involuntary, which means death or disqualification. You cannot be substituted if you voluntarily withdrew,” he added.

Jimenez, however, said in case of death or disqualification, the replacement has to have the same surname as the one that is being replaced.

“If you were involuntarily withdrawn, meaning you died or were disqualified, you can be replaced by someone of your last name. No longer necessary to be a partymate or relative, as long as you have the same last name. That's the prevailing rule on substitution now,” he added.

He said the final list of the qualified candidates for next year’s polls is expected to be released next month.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159956

WOW ! SM GRAND CENTRAL READY NA ! ME LOGO NA ! | MONUMENTO CALOOCAN CITY...

2 LPAs spotted; ITCZ to bring rain showers across PH

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

Two low pressure area (LPA) were spotted embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) that is expected to bring rain showers over most parts of the country, the weather bureau said Tuesday.

In its 4 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said one of the LPAs was located inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), about 335 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

"It has a slim chance to develop into a tropical cyclone, as it is considered as a shallow LPA," weather forecaster Benison Estareja said.

The other LPA was last tracked 1,500 km. east of Mindanao, outside PAR.

Estareja said it has a slim chance to develop into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours. It is expected to enter PAR by Wednesday, increasing the chance to develop into a tropical cyclone as it nears the landmass.

"Somewhere along the ITCZ or over the Sulu Sea, an LPA may also develop," he added.

The ITCZ will cause scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The shear line and the northeast monsoon will also bring rains over Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Aurora and Quezon. On the other hand, the northeast monsoon will bring isolated light rains over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over northern Luzon.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159865

Duterte names Nograles as acting Palace spokesperson

By Lade Jean Kabagani

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday named Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles as acting presidential spokesperson, replacing Harry Roque who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the 2022 national and local elections.

"So kung maaari ikaw na lang sana ang acting [spokesperson] na muna (if you could be acting spokesperson for a while) until we find a [replacement]. I do not want to burden you with so much, alam ko 'yung paperwork dadaan sayo eh (I know the paperwork pass through you)," Duterte told Nograles during his prerecorded “Talk to the People” aired late Monday night.

Nograles, a lawyer, once served as spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and is currently the head of the Task Force on Zero Hunger, a government’s campaign to fight hunger.

Citing Roque's decision to seek a Senate seat, Duterte said the law stated that any government officials are automatically resigned after filing their COC before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"Alam mo once you file a certificate of candidacy, automatic iyan – out ka sa gobyerno (You know, you are automatically out of the government once you filed a COC). No order or formal ritual is needed, except that when you file – at that moment you ceased to be a government employee," Duterte said.

Roque bid goodbye as presidential spokesperson and IATF-EID spokesman during his last Palace press briefing on Monday before heading to the Comelec to file his COC on the final day of filing of statements for withdrawal and substitution.

Roque, a former congress representative, is running for senator under the People’s Reform Party, substituting Paolo Mario Martelino.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159860

How to comply with Covid-19 filming guidelines in the new normal

By Liza Diño-Seguerra

On June 7, 2020, Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd, and I, as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson and CEO, signed with immediate effectivity the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2020-001 on the Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During Covid-19 Pandemic.

The DOH-FDCP-DOLE JAO outlined sector-specific guidelines for companies, producers, and workers as the film and audiovisual industry resumes operations within various levels of community quarantine. The Order also prescribes the necessary prevention, detection, and rapid response measures in the absence of a vaccine or definitive cure for Covid -19.

The Order covers all film and audiovisual companies; workers regardless of employment status (including contractors and freelancers); all contents (including motion picture, film, television, animation, and advertising); all stages of production (including pre-production, principal photography, and post-production); all venues of production (including locations, production and animation studios, workplaces, production sites, and post-production facilities); and all others concerned with the conduct of film and audiovisual production shoots in all stages.

The JAO’s guidelines also provide for the Safe Filming Program that will be implemented by the FDCP in partnership with the DoH and DoLE to centralize the submission of requirements, monitoring, and coordination with stakeholders. Aside from ensuring the strict compliance of industry stakeholders to the JAO, the Safe Filming Program will provide information on working safely in the Philippines by creating a resource website with the guidelines, systems, forms, documents, issuances, updates, and best practices from international film commissions.

The guidelines call for the compliance of producers and employers with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and DoH minimum health standards for Covid-19 mitigation by increasing the physical and mental resilience of workers, stopping transmission, decreasing contact rate, and reducing the duration of infectiousness.

The mandatory control measures that promote the safety and health of workers are as follows:

• Reduce. Limit the number of workers and create alternative work arrangements. A maximum of 50 individuals will be allowed in production sites. Those who can work from home are urged to do so as only essential workers are permitted to go to workplaces and production sites. No visitors will be allowed.

• Modify. Necessary revisions of scripts and production executions must be done. Producers and employers must consider reviewing and revising scripts, creative executions, and production schedules to allow for the safety measures to be implemented in production sites and workplaces.

• Distance. Maintain physical distancing. Workers and other authorized individuals must observe social distancing measures. The specified distance varies between 1 to 2 meters as there will be controlled spaces that employ strict safety measures (1 meter), uncontrolled spaces where there is an expectation for workers to interact with external spaces and people (2 meters), and even close contact spaces for tasks that entail person-to-person contact (e.g., hair and makeup, and intimate scenes) which would need additional control measures.

• Install. Employ engineering controls for limiting physical contact and hygiene. There must be hand washing stations, footbath mats in all entrances, and physical barriers in common areas. The sanitation of workplaces and production and shooting sites, as well as the disinfection of equipment, wardrobe, props, and vehicles, must be done regularly. There must also be a designated Covid -19 isolation area in locations and workplaces for all stages of production.

• Enforce. Effective implementation of the JAO through Administrative controls. Producers and employers must disseminate all Covid-19-related information and health and safety protocols to workers and must plan their work and productions to comply with the requirements of the JAO. Safety orientations must be conducted before the resumption of production work.

• Protect. Proper use of PPE. Workers must wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) like surgical masks, face shields, and gloves at all times. They should use alcohol or hand sanitizer religiously, on top of washing their hands properly. Producers and employers must provide ample amounts of PPE and alcohol or hand sanitizer.

To ensure compliance with the minimum standards of the JAO and the occupational safety and health (OSH) of workers, an OSH Officer must be present in workplaces and production sites at all times.

Moreover, even with the mandatory control measures in place, there are still specific control measures that will need the cooperation of workers, producers, and employers for the successful implementation of the JAO.

For monitoring and contact tracing if needed, among the important forms that the Order has set forth include the following:

1. Project Registration Form (for all projects) – The Production Registration Form may be filled out and sent online to safefilming@fdcp.ph. The form, which contains specific details of the planned production shoot, must be submitted to the FDCP at least seven days before the first day of the shoot.

2. Covid-19 Health Declaration Forms (for all workers) – All workers must fill out the Covid-19 Health Declaration Form for reporting on their medical status and known and unknown contact with the novel coronavirus. As a preventive measure to mitigate the risk of an outbreak in the workplace, workers must provide their contact details, describe their recent travel history, list people they have come into contact with, and check off any symptoms they may be experiencing. This must be submitted to the workers’ respective production prior to the start of the production shoot or to the workplace before returning to work and will be kept as a record pursuant to the Data Privacy Act.

3. Health and Safety Commitment Declaration Form (for all producers) – This form is for production companies to manifest their compliance with Republic Act 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act and JAO No. 2020-001. This also spells out their commitment to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all workers. This must be submitted to the FDCP prior to the start of the production shoot.

The Covid-19 Health Declaration Forms will help determine those with underlying health conditions as they are discouraged from working on production sites along with pregnant women and senior citizens. Such vulnerable population groups have a higher risk of contracting Covid-19; that is why producers and employers are enjoined to develop alternative work arrangements for them with no diminution in benefits or talent fees.

Workers must abide by the guidelines implemented in production shoots and workplaces as their compliance will affect the health and safety of not just their colleagues but their loved ones as well.

Health Secretary Duque noted, “These minimum health and safety protocols will ensure that our workers in the film and audiovisual industry are protected. Furthermore, by implementing these guidelines, we likewise ensure that this protection extends to their families and communities.”

The comprehensive guidelines of the JAO, with 13 Annexes so far, were drafted by the DoH, FDCP, and DoLE in consultation with professional guilds and stakeholders. These guidelines create specific health and safety protocols that promote and prioritize the safety of our workers with the threat of the virus still looming above us. It will be effective for the duration of the pandemic and due to evolving circumstances, terms and protocols will be updated or revised based on the most recent evidence.

As the film and audiovisual industry is part of the country’s hardest-hit business sector due to Covid-19, it is empowering that our lead government agencies have joined forces with the FDCP in alleviating the woeful situation of the industry. We thank the DOH and DOLE for their all-out support for the film and audiovisual industry in transitioning to the new normal of performing works while ensuring a safe environment amidst the pandemic.

(UPDATED, as of March 3, 2021) The ABS-CBN daily primetime drama series such as FPJ's Ang Probinsyano starring Coco Martin and Make It with You starring Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano which aired at 6:30 and 7 p.m. after TV Patrol and before weekly shows, at the same time when Make It with You was canceled with an incomplete, unfinished story as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ABS-CBN shutdown and franchise denial.

For the first three weeks of Make It with You's return, a 10-episode recap will be aired for burning off before the new episodes are released beginning March 6, 2023.

The first season runs from January 13 to March 13, 2020, and February 13, 2023, to February 9, 2024, while the second season runs from February 12, 2024.

According to the network's press releases, "Kick-starting the line-up for ABS-CBN Primetime Bida is the return of Make it with You with a recap and fresh episodes to ring in Valentine's Month. Make it with You is the high-rating soap top-billed by Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano."

Instead of MIWY, Huwag Kang Mangamba starring Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Kyle Echarri and Francine Diaz comes at 7 p.m. after Ang Probinsyano.

I hope I can go back to lock-in taping of 'Make It With You' because I can't accept that this drama series has been canceled. Because it's hard to accept the viewers and it's sad. Hopefully, they can go back to taping in Croatia because there isn't much COVID-19.

After "HKM" / "MIWY", at 7:30 p.m. is Marry Me, Marry You starring Janine Gutierrez and Paulo Avelino.

Sabi ni Ricky Calderon "Kailan kaya matatapos ang Huwag Kang Mangamba? Para maparusahan na si Deborah at mga kasama niyang masasama ang ginagawa."

"paabutin naman natin kahit kalahati ng Ang Probinsyano."

Ian Veneracion was originally cast to play the role of Elias, but he backed out of this show because of scheduling conflicts for the upcoming new season. Christopher De Leon took over the role of Elias.

Marry Me, Marry You moved to the new timeslot replacing HKM and Viral Scandal comes at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/06/14/weekly/the-sunday-times/filipino-champions/how-to-comply-with-covid-19-filming-guidelines-in-the-new-normal/731557/

Transcript of interview of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III with Cely Bueno and Raoul Esperas of DWIZ

Q: Maaari po bang malaman kung ano ang inyong pangunahin na tututukan sa pagbabalik ng session sa Senado?

SP Sotto: Siguradong yung mga naka-pending na period of amendments like yung Public Services Act at saka yung Foreign Investments Act, tapos yung mga naka-pending na bicam report. May mga ilan na kailangan iratify ng bicam. Yun siguro, and then of course, we expect the budget to be reported out by Sen. Angara, the chairman of the Committee on Finance. Ang mangyayari doon, malamang magtatawag kami ng caucus either Monday or Tuesday para lang mapagusapan yung agenda sapagkat bilang na bilang yung linggo hangang December 16. So, kailangan linawin naming mabuti yung mga scheduling ng mga interpellations ng budget at saka ng passage niya.

Q: So, kapag naisponsoran na ni Sen. Angara yung proposed 2022 budget sa plenary, magkakaroon po ba ulit nung nakasanayan na na marathon hearing, yung Monday afternoon? Talagang budget lang po ang inyong tututukan?

SP Sotto: Oo, magiging Monday to Thursday yun, baka kung kakailanganing Friday, pati Friday, pero morning and afternoon. Yan ang mangyayari doon, usually. So, medyo gipit ito, dapat ay naguumpisa na kami ng interpellations nung first week pa lang. Bali delayed ng isang linggo, kasi yun yung napagkasunduang schedule, after ng SONA, nung aming mga leaders sa majority. So, expected ko, Monday to Thursday, siguradong morning and afternoon, ewan ko yung Friday kung papayag yung iba or kakailanganin. Iba yung papayag at saka kakailanganin eh.

Q: So, papakiusapan ninyo yung ibang tumatakbo na, busy na pag-iikot na Thursday at Friday, hangga't maaari, eh wala muna na pag-iikot sa iba't-ibang lugar?

SP Sotto: Bahala sila kung ayaw nilang pumasok, problema nila yun. Hindi ko pakikialaman yung pag-iikot nila sapagkat hindi pa naman campaign period eh. Meron naman tayong campaign period na tinatawag, which is February 6. After February 6, campaign period na yun, naka break na kami noon hanggang sa after elections, so bakit kailangan ngayon umikot? Ngayon, kung gusto mong umikot ngayon, okay lang, may mga imbita-imbitasyon din naman kami. Kaya lang, basta hindi makakasagabal sa trabaho mo. Trabaho muna ang mahalaga. Sa bagay, okay lang yun, para nakikita ng mga kababayan natin kung sino ang nagtatrabaho at hindi. The best na kampanya is magtrabaho ka.

Q: Ito na po yung last budget under the Duterte administration, at sakali pong pagpalain kayo ni Sen. Ping Lacson sa 2022 election, kayo na po ang magpapatupad ng mga programa at project under the 2022 budget doon sa second half of the year. So, dahil po dito, Titiyakin ninyo na itong proposed 2022 budget, eh talagang tama yung mga programa at proyekto na paglalaanan ng pondo?

SP Sotto: Correct. Dapat yung recovery program madiin, pagkatapos yung tamang pag-gamit at pag-gastos para hindi nagkakaroon ng mga unused, at para hindi rin nagkakaroon ng mga mapapagbintangan na maling gamit, maling pag-gamit, di ba? Kailangan talaga yun, lalo na kung... pero talaga kung sino man yung umupo sa second half ng 2022, kung ano yung mga napasa namin, yun na yun eh, walang magagawa yun. Ang susi ngayon diyan, ay yung budget sa 2023, kung sino man yung mananalo sa 2022, hopefully, kami ni Sen. Lacson yun, eh pagdating sa budget, at saka si Sen. Lacson ang may hawak, yung National Expenditure Program, makakaasa yung mga kababayan natin na manggagaling sa baba ang pangangailangan, hindi nasa taas pagkatapos, (unclear) yung mga kababayan natin, pati yung mga local government (unclear), lalong hindi magiging ganoon. Siguradong ayun na, yung budget reform advocacy niya, ay manggagaling sa baba. Ang tanong, sa barangay, ano ang kailangan ninyo? Yun ang ilalagay natin sa National Expenditure Program. Ganoon, bottom up. Galing sa baba. Galing sa zero. Hindi yung (unclear) style nung nakaraan na ilang presidente na yan, yung style, ewan ko kung bakit ganoon yung mga economic managers nila. Mahirap magbintang, pero bibigyan ka ng ceiling, pagkatapos yan ha? Magsubmit kayo ng mga project ninyo, heto ceiling ninyo, ganyan. Hindi effective eh. Ang nangyayari pareho ngayon, maraming mga local officials ngayon, hindi mo ba napapansin, maraming tahimik? Hindi sila nagdedeklara kung kanino sila? Eh paano, hinihintay nila yung NEFLR eh. Yung for later release. Hinihintay nila yung budget nila.

Q: Maraming inipit na mga budget.

SP Sotto: Yun na nga, kasi nga yung policy of mendicancy na nakabaon na sa atin ng Napakatagal nang panahon. Dapat alisin yun, tigilan na yung Imperial Manila na yan. Tigilan na yung national government lang ang nakakaalam at may hawak ng pondo. Kailangan nasa mga kababayan natin. Ganoon yung makikita. Gusto namin sana, sa 2022 budget, ganoon na.

Q: Sa 2023? O sa 2022?

SP Sotto: Hindi, sa 2022 pa lang. Kung ano yung pwedeng gawin na kaagad para yung economic recovery natin, di ba, maayos at tama yung magiging paggamit nila.

Q: So, doon sa tinatawag na bottom-up, mula sa baba, dito, matitiyak natin uunlad na yung mga nasa countryside? Yung mga dating napapabayaan, yung mga poorest of the poor, yung mga... hindi na mapapabayaan, mabibigyan sila ng budget sa pangangailangan nila para umunlad ang komunidad nila?

SP Sotto: Correct, at saka naka diretso na sa kanila yung budget, hindi nag (unclear) doon sa mga nakaupo sa Malacañang.

Q: Maiba naman ako. Kung sakaling manalo kayo, isa sa mga tututukan ninyo, itong laban kontra illegal na droga. Isa sa mga senatoriables, si Raffy Tulfo, ang sabi niya, itong war on drugs ng administration is a failure. Ano ang masasabi ninyo doon?

SP Sotto: Well, failure in prevention and rehabilitation siguro, pero pagdating sa enforcement, maraming gains na nagawa yung administrasyon ni President Duterte pagdating sa enforcement. Sa prosecution there is much to be desired siguro dahil marami pa ring dismissed cases eh. Pero kasi, it has to have a wholistic approach. Alam mo, nung huli kaming magusap ni President Duterte, sinabi ko sa kanya. Sabi ko, kung ako papalain na maupo diyan, ako, di ko kailangan bigyan ng trabaho, pag vice-president ka, alam mo ang gagawin, marami kang magagawa. Hindi mo kailangan ang bigyan ka ng trabaho. For example, yung issue ng illegal drugs and drug abuse, concentratan mo yung drug abuse, which is prevention and rehabilitation. Siguro, kaya siguro nakapagsalita si Raffy ng ganoon, kasi ineexpect niya na dapat nga kailangan wholistic yung approach katulad nung sinasabi ko. I was successful in Quezon City eh. So, kung successful ako sa Quezon City, I can do it nationwide. Hindi ka pwedeng magyabang na ganito ang gagawin mo, ganito, ganyan-ganyan, tapos duon sa city mo, hindi mo magawa, di ba? Hindi mo magawa sa maliit, paano mo gagawin nationwide, di ba?

Q: Kabilang sa mga pinakamainit na balita ngayon ay yung paglabas ninyo ng warrant of arrest kay Christopher Lao. Ano po ang latest dito?

SP Sotto: Ministerial sa akin yun as Senate President. Merong request ng any committee on any let's say subpoena or subpoena duces tecum, or contempt charge, therefore automatically may warrant of arrest kung merong request ang committee. Kung walang nag-oobject, kailangan pipirmahan ng Presidente yun.

Q: Ano po ang balita, nasa bansa pa ba itong si Lao o nakalabas na?

SP Sotto: Hindi ko alam eh, pero wala akong balita so far. Bahala na muna yung OSAA, meron naman silang mga strategy. Eh kasi nagkamali kami kay Dargani eh. Dapat, bago nag motion for contempt, dapat nadeploy na. Alam naman namin kung nasaan sila noon, eh biglang nawala.

Q: Eh dito kay Lao, ilang araw nang hindi nag-aattend ho ng hearing so hindi natin alam kung nasaan na rin ito.

SP Sotto: Oo, eh meron talagang mga ganoon, mga bina-balewala ang Constitution eh, yun ang batas ng Pilipinas eh. Congress is an equal branch of government. Siguro bina-balewala nila.

Q: Dito sa pagbaba na ng Covid cases, latest kahapon, 2,000, isinailalim daw ho agad sa Alert Level 2 yung NCR. Kumporme po ba kayo na immediately ibinaba na tayo, talagang pwede na, or dapat maghintay-hinay muna?

SP Sotto: Basta, panalangin ko, magtuloy na sana yung pagbaba or ma-maintain na sa below 1,000, 1,000 or below. Yung whether kumporme ako or hindi, wala namang sinunod ang IATF sa mga rekomendasyon namin eh. Noon pa, sinasabi ko na, yung face shield walang pakinabang yan, tayo lang ang gumagamit sa buong mundo, ipinilit nila. Pagkatapos malalaman namin na napakaraming binili nila Lao, di ba? Doon sa PS-DBM. Kaya kung tatanungin ako tungkol sa mga diskarte ngayon nila, eh diskarte nila yun, bahala sila, hindi naman kami pinakikinggan eh.

Q: Kagaya nito, akala ko nagkaroon ng commitment doon sa inyong panawagan na parang dagdag gastos lang at tayo lang ang gumagamit ng face shield, pero hindi rin naman napagbigyan ano po?

SP Sotto: Wala, oo. Tapos ngayon, biglang naisip na nila, baka nauubos na kasi yung nabili.

Q: Yung gawin ng mandatory itong vaccination, mismong Department of Health ang nagsabing kinoconsider nila na gawing mandatory, uubra po ba yun?

SP Sotto: Last time I heard we are still a democracy. Kung ayaw ng kababayan natin. Ako, payag ako sa akin, eh nagpa immunization ako, di ba? Nagpa vaccine ako. Meron tayong mga kababayan na ayaw, bakit mo pipilitin? Parang... hindi... sa America nga, ganoon, all parts of the world, I don't know if there is a country that says mandatory.

Q: So, pwede po ba yun, pag sabihing mandatory... kinakailangan ng legislation?

SP Sotto: Hindi ko masabi, hindi ko kasi gustong pagusapan yan. Anyway, siguro, ang tanong, o, mandatory ano ang gagawin ninyo kung ayaw? Ipasagot natin yan sa hearing namin, ano ang gagawin ninyo pag ayaw, ikukulong ninyo? Eh punong-puno nga yung Bilibid eh. Punong-puno nga yung BJMP, ano ang gagawin ninyo ngayon? I-etsa-pwera ninyo sila? Hindi sila pwedeng pumasok sa ganito, hindi sila pwede sa ganyan, hindi pwedeng ganoon, gagawin ninyo? Oh, di wala na yung civil rights natin, freedom of whatever.

Q: So, pwedeng ma-question yun just in case?

SP Sotto: Sigurado, siguradong maku-kwestiyon yun. Pinaka magandang diskarte, information-dissemination.

Q: To convince?

SP Sotto: To convince, hindi ba? Ang daming pamamaraan na pwede. Sina Sen. Villar nga, ang daming pakulo sa Las Piñas, ang daming nagpapa-vaccine. Hindi ba? Strategy yan. Ang Quezon City, wala ring problema eh. Magaling sila Mayor Belmonte eh. Ang daming nagpapa-vaccine, wala namang problema, wala namang umaangal doon sa may ayaw, pero maganda ang information-dissemination drive.

Q: Kayo po, yung swab test at antigen, wala bang plano na dapat ito, ibigay na ng libre?

SP Sotto: Dapat talaga yun, libre. Dapat yung inubos na pera doon sa kung kanino-kaninong kumpaniya ng China, dapat doon din binuhos, diyan sa PCR, swab, antigen, ganoon, kaya libre dapat yan. Isang kababayan natin, kinakabahan, uubo-ubo, punta kaagad sa barangay, icheck, di ba? Libre dapat. Kaya ayaw nung iba, P3,000 eh. Pinaka mura na yung kina Janette Garin, P1,000, P1,500 ba yun?

Q: Hindi syempre gagastos ang tao, lalo na sa panahon ngayon.

SP Sotto: Oo, isipin mo yun, tatlong libo? Aba, ang bigat noon. Yung limang daan, ang bigat sa kababayan natin, tatlong libo pa?

Q: Yung makukuha mo in one hour, bente-mil?

SP Sotto: Ang alam ko, P8,500, pupuntahan ka sa bahay mo tapos within 12 hours, malalaman mo, yun ang alam kong... meron pa palang ganyan, hindi ko narinig yan.

Q: Pinatigil nga yun. In fairness naman, narinig ko na pinatigil ng IATF. Katabi lang ng airport, doon sila nag ooperate eh.

SP Sotto: Baka hindi nga accurate yun.

Q: Kaya pinatigil kasi nag reklamo yung mga OFW, mga umaalis na pasahero na napaka mahal.

Q: Ngayon po ay November 6, so ilang araw na lang, ilang linggo na lang, deadline na for substitution. Kayo ba, may nakikita pa na magiging pagbabago dito sa mga maglalaban-laban sa 2022 elections pagsapit ng November 15?

SP Sotto: Siguro. Baka marami pa yan, kaya pag may mga nagtatanong sa akin, ini-interview ako, alam mo naman marami tayong kaibigan na gusto tayong interviewhin, nandiyan si Karen Davila, nandiyan si Cheryl Cosim, nandiyan si Pinky Webb, lahat sinasabi ko, tutal mga kaibigan ko naman yang mga ama nila, sinasabi ko na ano eh, after November 15 pag tinanong ninyo ako tungkol sa pulitika, alam na natin kung sino-sino yung tumatakbo, kung sino yung ano, di ba? Sa ngayon kasi, pag pinagusapan ang pulitika, walang kasiguraduhan eh. Mula nung July hanggang ngayon, kami lang ni Sen. Lacson ang may kasiguraduhan eh. Kami lang yung desidido, kami rin yung nagsabi nang maaga eh. At kami rin yung nakahanda eh. Yung iba, hinihintay pa natin, mga placeholder eh.

Q: Pwede pang magkaroon ng substitution.

SP Sotto: Oo, mahirap magpa interview tungkol sa pulitika.

Q: So hindi pa ninyo masasabi sa amin yung possible surprise senatorial candidate under your slate?

SP Sotto: After November 13.

Q: 13?

SP Sotto: Eh November 13 siya pwede eh. Nadulas ako.

Q: November 13 pa siya magre-retire sa kanyang position?

SP Sotto: I refuse to answer.

Q: Hypothetical question po. Kung tutuloy si Mayor Inday Sara sa pagka bise-presidente, ano ang magiging plano ninyo, tutuloy pa rin ba kayo? Sabi nila perfect tandem yung Bongbong Marcos at Sara Duterte.

SP Sotto: Hindi namin iniintindi kasi. Sabi ko nga, July pa nung mag desisyon kami ni Sen. Lacson, di ba, umikot muna kami ng ilang... sa mga local officials. Mula noon, we don't really care who else is running. Basta kami, nag meet kami sa taong bayan, ang programa namin eto, eto pinaka tingin naming pinaka pag-asang magiging takbo ng bansa natin, kaming dalawa. Hindi namin iniintindi kung sino ang tumatakbo, kahit magpalitan pa sila, basta yung programa namin ang importante sa amin, at kami, ino-offer na min sa tao. Pag ayaw ng mga kababayan natin, eh pasensiya, di ba? Pwede naman kaming mag retire eh. Pag nagustuhan, ay, makaka-asa sila na siguradong-sigurado trabaho nito dahil ito pa lang ito maaga pa lang, desidido na. Hindi ito, ika nga, nanghuhula or nangangapa eh. So, it does not matter. It does not matter kung sino yung tumatakbong presidente, sinong tumatakbong bise-presidente, does not matter to us. We will keep on campaigning, and we will keep on ika nga eh telling the people what we stand for, what we have done, and what they can look forward to, ganoon.

Q: Sa mga survey, consistent na kayo ang nangunguna sa mga vice-presidentiable. Malaking challenge po ba yun kung paano ninyo ireretain hanggang sa araw ng elections?

SP Sotto: Iba-iba naman yung mga survey eh. Syempre, pagka meron kang percentages na nakukuha, and then we Always try to use the survey as a guide. Pinaka importante kasi, maraming kung anu-anong survey na lumilitaw eh. With due respect to some of them, I don't know how they do it eh. Ang alam ko lang, Pulse Asia at SWS eh, at saka yung kina Junie Laylo, yun lang ang alam kong patterned, alam ko kung paano ginagawa, alam ko rin kung paano ine-eksplika yung mga surveys nila, paano nila kinukuha. So, doon ako nagbe-base. Yung nakikita kong survey nila, yun ang ginagamit naming guide. Yung mga survey na internet, meron sa isang grupo, mga ganoon, actually, di ko na binabasa eh.

Q: Nabanggit na ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson last week na pagdating sa inyong senatorial candidate, parang magkakaroon kayo ng purging, parang iwa-one-on-one ninyo, dahil hindi uubrang more than twelve ang inyong kandidato. So, parang ang inyong pipillin at ireretain ay yung susuportahan lang ay yung Lacson-Sotto tandem.

SP Sotto: Oo, may plano kaming ganoon, kakausapin namin sila at pag talagang nakarinig tayo ng alam natin na ang endorsement nila or talagang gusto nila, ay pareho ng programa namin, eh yun yung talagang ipupursige natin. Katulad ni, kahapon, sa Cavite, si Raffy, di ba? Dineklara niya na si Sen. Lacson ang presidential candidate niya.

Q: So, pasok na siya.

SP Sotto: Oo, pagka ganoon, oo.

Q: So ngayon, gagawin pa po ba yung pakikipag one-on-one ninyo sa mga nasa listahan ninyo?

SP Sotto: Malamang. Baka unahin ko muna yung aming anim na NPC. (Unclear), NPC, anim eh. So, upo muna kami, tapos yung aming mga leadership din ng NPC, plano namin, after November 15 uupo na kami at paguusapan din namin yan kasi napakalawak namin, ang hirap kontakin eh, 1,800 ang mga miyembro, 1,834 ang huli kong count ang miyembro ng NPC, na incumbent officials, ha? Hindi mga member lang. Yung mga member, nasa libo rin yun, pero hindi incumbent. Ang incumbent, 1,800. Fifty-four congressmen, daan-daan na mga mayor, daan-daan ang vice-mayor, mga konsehal, walong governor, tatlong senador, mabigat ang consultation eh, pero kailangan unified as much as possible, so, we will find out very soon.

Q: Kapag nag start na young kampanya sa February, is there a need na mag leave po kayo bilang Senate President o wala naman pong ganoong pangangailangan?

SP Sotto: Hindi siguro. Baka mahirap pa nga pag bigla kaming magkaroon ng pagpapalitan sapagkat medyo madidistrungka yung mga opisina. Pagka mangyari yun, malamang magpapalitan din ng committee, di ba? So, palagay ko, kung saka-sakali lang... di naman makakaabala kasi ano na, tried and tested naman ako as a Senate President nila. So, kahit na naka break kami, sa February 6 naka break kami, kahit itong mga naka break na ito, eh pumapasok din ako, di ba? Eh nakakapagtaka naman siguro kung biglang maisipan namin na eh kasi tumatakbo ito, palitan natin, ano? Yun bang ipapalit natin, papasok din? Eh nakabakasyon din. Kaya lang hindi mapapabayaan yung mga papeles doon, mabigat eh. Bawat opisina ng mga senador, ako ang pumipirma eh. Yung mga opisina nung iba't-ibang departamento, ako din ang pumipirma eh. So, hindi pwedeng pabayaan.

Q: At kaya ninyo yun, kahit na kampanya, yung ganoong obligasyon magagampanan ninyo kahit magkakampanya kayo.

SP Sotto: Oo, 23 years ko nang experience, malapit nang mag 24 years, ang experience ko sa Senado eh. Ang pinagdaanan ko, siyam na Senate Presidents. Nakita ko yung the best and the brightest, nakita ko rin yung may mga mali. Kaya alam ko kung ano dapat ang sundin ko.

Q: Wala naman kayong naririnig na nag a-attempt na papalitan?

SP Sotto: Wala naman, awa ng Diyos, wala naman akong naririnig. Kung meron man, magsasabi naman kaagad sa akin yung mga yun. Magkakaibigan naman kami, wala naman kaming... ni isa sa twenty-three senators, ano, wala akong ni-isa na alam na magtatago sa akin kung may galit or naiinis eh. Naguusap-usap naman kami Nung minsan ngang nagkasagutan kami ni Sen. Villar, nung gabi, magkausap kami sa telepono. Di ba na-Youtube nung minsan yun? Wala, ganoon lang yun, masyadong mahaba na yung experience ko diyan. You have to master not only the rules and parliamentary procedures, but you have to master the art of compromise. Experience ang dala-dala natin, kaya malakas ang loob namin ni Sen. Lacson i-offer yung sarili namin sa mga kababayan natin, kasi alam namin, hindi kami mapapahiya pagka pinagtiwalaan nila kami.

http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2021/1106_sotto1.asp

Former Maguindanao representative Didagen Dilangalen passes away

Former Maguindanao lawmaker Didagen “Digs” Dilangalen passed away on Saturday morning, his family announced.

News about the former lawmaker's death was announced by his daughter Bai Donna Dilangalen on her Facebook page. 

"My father has already passed away at around 8:38 in the morning... We sincerely ask for your prayers in this trying time," his daughter shared on Facebook. 

No other details about Dilangalen's death were disclosed.

Dilangalen served as the lawmaker representing the 1st district of Maguindanao for three consecutive terms from 1995 to 2004. He was also the lone representative of Shariff Kabunsuan in the 14th Congress from 2007 up to 2010.

In 2016, Dilangalen was legal counsel to former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the canvassing of votes for president and vice president in Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers.

He also became a spokesperson for deposed president Joseph Estrada in 2004.

Dilangalen ran but lost his senatorial bid in 2004.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/06/21/former-maguindanao-lawmaker-dilangalen-passes-away

5 patay sa pamamaril, pagsabog sa Camarines Sur

Lima ang patay matapos paulanan ng bala ang dalawang bahay sa Barangay Tarusanan sa Milaor, Camarines Sur, Biyernes ng hapon.

Kinilala ang mga nasawi na sina Romeo de Leon, 72-anyos, dalawa nitong apo na edad 6 at 4, kapitbahay niyang si Samuel Cobilla, 21, at isang 7-taong gulang na bata.

Isa pang menor de edad ang nasugatan sa insidente.

 

Ayon kay Capt. Rosalinda Moises, hepe ng Milaor Municipal Police Station, nasa loob ng bahay ang mga biktima nang biglang dumating ang suspek at pinagbabaril ang mga ito gamit ang isang M16.

Unang pinasok ang bahay ng pamilya De Leon at sinunod ang kapitbahay kung saan may hinagis pang granada.

Patuloy na pinaghahanap pa ang suspek na ayon sa pulisya ay kaanak ng mga biktima.

Alitan sa lupa ang tinitingnang motibo ng suspek sa krimen, ayon sa pulisya.

- Ulat ni Karren Canon

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/06/21/5-patay-sa-pamamaril-pagsabog-sa-camarines-sur

Is IKEA PHILIPPINES More Expensive?

House panel approves PSALM extension beyond 2026

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

The House Committee on Energy on Wednesday approved the measure extending the corporate life of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation for another 30 years.

The panel, chaired by Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, approved the committee report and substitute bill to House Bill 10006.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, one of the authors of the bill, said it will help the government avoid having to shoulder around an estimated PHP198 billion worth of PSALM liabilities by 2026, when the corporation is set to expire under its original charter.

“We were supposed to have exhausted all of PSALM’s debts by 2026, if it were not for the Covid-19 pandemic. The privatization of certain assets was delayed due to this crisis," Salceda said.

Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), was enacted in 2001 to ensure the solvency of then severely financially troubled National Power Corporation (NPC).

PSALM, which was established through the EPIRA, has the principal mandate of managing the orderly sale, disposition, and privatization of the NPC generation assets, real estate and other disposable assets, and Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts to optimally liquidate all NPC financial obligations.

The financial obligations include stranded debts and stranded contract costs, which were transferred to and assumed by PSALM, pursuant to the EPIRA.

At the end of PSALM’s life, all its assets and outstanding debts, and IPP contract costs will revert to and be assumed by the national government.

Salceda said there are remaining power assets and real-property assets that need to be privatized by PSALM, and that the extension of its corporate life would allow more time for it to complete the privatization of its remaining power plants and IPP contracts.

He cited as an example the proposed development of the NPC property in Diliman, Quezon City into a mixed-use commercial complex, which would warrant the corporate life extension of the state-run corporation.

“The Quezon City estate is not insignificant, mind you. It’s a 5.2-hectare property owned by the National Power Corporation, and will be converted into something like BGC (Bonifacio Global City). But because of Covid, PSALM had to make certain readjustments to the development plan,” Salceda said.

He, however, noted that PSALM has to have a plan for the use of proceeds from privatization efforts over the course of the 30-year extension of its corporate life.

“I’d like to emphasize to PSALM that this is not a blank check from Congress. We want certain milestones and benchmarks," he said. “Certainly, over the course of the extension, PSALM will begin to be on the green. So, I want to know how these gains will be allocated."

He stressed the need for a radical reorientation of the power sector, away from coal and other volatile commodities, including investments in indigenous renewable energy and modernizing energy infrastructure.

“Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants will be critical in this regard. The PSALM continues to own them, and Napocor will continue to operate them once the rehabilitation is completed. The World Bank is already financing the project,” Salceda said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157976

DINIMOLISH NA LAHAT ! ANG SIKAT NA HARRISON PLAZA | MALATE, MANILA UPDATE

SM CITY GRAND CENTRAL | DRONE SHOT | OCTOBER 23,2021

PATAPOS NA! SM CITY Grand Central Tour sa Loob #constructionlife #SMGran...

S Residences Tour and update

Facebook plans to change its name - The Verge

Social media giant Facebook Inc is planning to rebrand itself with a new name next week to reflect its focus on building the metaverse, the Verge reported on Tuesday, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg plans to talk about the name change at the company's annual Connect conference on Oct. 28, but it could be unveiled sooner, the Verge reported.

A metaverse refers to shared virtual world environments, which people can access via the internet. The term can refer to digital spaces, which are made more lifelike by the use of virtual reality or augmented reality.

The rebranding would likely position Facebook's social media app as one of many products under a parent company, which will oversee groups like Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and more, the report added.

Facebook said it does not comment on rumor or speculation. (Reporting by Shivam Patel in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Anil D'Silva)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/20/21/facebook-plans-to-change-its-name-the-verge

Facebook is planning to rebrand the company with a new name

Mark Zuckerberg wants to be known for building the metaverse

Facebook is planning to change its company name next week to reflect its focus on building the metaverse, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

The coming name change, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to talk about at the company’s annual Connect conference on October 28th, but could unveil sooner, is meant to signal the tech giant’s ambition to be known for more than social media and all the ills that entail. The rebrand would likely position the blue Facebook app as one of many products under a parent company overseeing groups like Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, and more. A spokesperson for Facebook declined to comment for this story.

Facebook already has more than 10,000 employees building consumer hardware like AR glasses that Zuckerberg believes will eventually be as ubiquitous as smartphones. In July, he told The Verge that, over the next several years, “we will effectively transition from people seeing us as primarily being a social media company to being a metaverse company.”

A rebrand could also serve to further separate the futuristic work Zuckerberg is focused on from the intense scrutiny Facebook is currently under for the way its social platform operates today. A former employee turned whistleblower, Frances Haugen, recently leaked a trove of damning internal documents to The Wall Street Journal and testified about them before Congress. Antitrust regulators in the US and elsewhere are trying to break the company up, and public trust in how Facebook does business is falling.

Facebook isn’t the first well-known tech company to change its company name as its ambitions expand. In 2015, Google reorganized entirely under a holding company called Alphabet, partly to signal that it was no longer just a search engine, but a sprawling conglomerate with companies making driverless cars and health tech. And Snapchat rebranded to Snap Inc. in 2016, the same year it started calling itself a “camera company” and debuted its first pair of Spectacles camera glasses.

I’m told that the new Facebook company name is a closely-guarded secret within its walls and not known widely, even among its full senior leadership. A possible name could have something to do with Horizon, the name of the still-unreleased VR version of Facebook-meets-Roblox that the company has been developing for the past few years. The name of that app was recently tweaked to Horizon Worlds shortly after Facebook demoed a version for workplace collaboration called Horizon Workrooms.

Aside from Zuckerberg’s comments, Facebook has been steadily laying the groundwork for a greater focus on the next generation of technology. This past summer it set up a dedicated metaverse team. More recently, it announced that the head of AR and VR, Andrew Bosworth, will be promoted to chief technology officer. And just a couple of days ago Facebook announced plans to hire 10,000 more employees to work on the metaverse in Europe.

The metaverse is “going to be a big focus, and I think that this is just going to be a big part of the next chapter for the way that the internet evolves after the mobile internet,” Zuckerberg told The Verge’s Casey Newton this summer. “And I think it’s going to be the next big chapter for our company too, really doubling down in this area.”

Complicating matters is that, while Facebook has been heavily promoting the idea of the metaverse in recent weeks, it’s still not a concept that’s widely understood. The term was coined originally by sci-fi novelist Neal Stephenson to describe a virtual world people escape to from a dystopian, real world. Now it’s being adopted by one of the world’s largest and most controversial companies — and it’ll have to explain why its own virtual world is worth diving into.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/19/22735612/facebook-change-company-name-metaverse

SOON TO OPEN WORLD LARGEST IKEA SOFT OPENING NALALAPIT

SM to open new mall in Daet, Camarines Norte on Oct. 15

SM Prime Holdings said it will open SM City Daet on Oct. 15, Friday. 

The new mall will be the company's first in Camarines Norte, and its third mall in the Bicol Region, the company disclosed to the stock market.

SM City Daet will be situated along the bustling Vinzons Avenue in Barangay Lag-on and will have three levels of shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations, SM Prime said.

“The opening of SM City Daet marks another milestone for SM Prime as we continue to weather the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that the opening of this mall, with safety protocols in place, will provide convenience, comfort, and entertainment to our fellow Bicolanos in Camarines Norte,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

The SM Cinema and other amusement centers will be open to the public once allowed to operate by the Inter-Agency Task Force, the company said.

Cinema operators have called on the government to allow theaters to accept fully vaccinated people subject to health protocols. 

SM Prime's consolidated net income hit P11.6 billion in the first six months of 2021, up 12 percent from P10.4 billion in the first half of 2020. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/13/21/sm-to-open-new-mall-in-daet-camarines-norte

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