PBBM TO PUSH SECURITY ISSUES AT ASEAN MEET

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave for Labuan Bajo, Indonesia today (Tuesday afternoon) for the 42nd ASEAN Summit, where he is expected to push for regional security, food and energy security, efforts toward economic recovery, and combating transnational crimes.

He is also expected to press for the upgrading of technical and vocational education training; adopting climate and disaster-resilient technologies and transitioning to renewable and alternative energy technologies; and protection of migrant workers.

The Summit began on Monday with the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM).

“The SOM will discuss a number of issues including the priorities of Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah.

ASEAN Leaders will begin discussions on Wednesday of a number of important issues in order to encourage a stronger ASEAN region in facing challenges, as well as strengthening the bloc’s economic resilience.

These are in line with the theme of the Indonesian chairmanship, “ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth.”

The ASEAN leaders will hold interfaces with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the ASEAN Youth Representatives, ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), and the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision.

The ASEAN leaders are also expected to adopt a roadmap on Timor Leste’s full membership in ASEAN.

The Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Taur Matan Ruak, is expected to attend the Summit as an observer for the first time.

Meanwhile, President Marcos will also participate in the 15th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit to be convened on May 11 under the chairmanship of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

JOINT PATROLS BY US, PH IN WPS BY Q3—ENVOY

Joint patrols between the United States and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea might start in the third quarter of this year, Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said on Monday.

“We’re already at a… I would call continuing discussions on this joint patrol with the United States. I could guess, an estimate would be no later than the third quarter of this year. We should have that in place,” Romualdez said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri was at the Naval Shipyard in Cavite City as the guest of honor of the Philippine Navy for the christening of two new patrol gunboats and the blessing of the newly upgraded Naval Shipbuilding Center.

The Navy said the arrival and christening of the two brand-new missile capable Shaldag Mark V (Acero-class patrol gunboats in the PN service) will greatly boost the service’s capability to protect the country’s littoral (near-shore) zones.

Both countries had emphasized the need to reaffirm commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty to address both current and emerging threats.

AX POISED OVER 4 ‘NINJA COPS’

Two generals and two colonels in the Philippine National Police face administrative and criminal charges for their alleged links to the illegal drug trade, while 32 senior officers face further investigation and 917 others were cleared by an advisory group that screened the top ranks of the police force.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. revealed this Monday even as the fate of the policemen involved in the missing drugs from the record P6.7-billion shabu haul seized last year will be released within the week, the PNP said.

In a separate briefing at the Department of the Interior and Local Government office in Quezon City, Abalos also said the advisory body “recommended the non-acceptance of the courtesy resignations of 917 police officers” and further investigation on 32 other officers.

The non-acceptance effectively means these generals and colonels were cleared from the extensive anti-drug probe ordered by the DILG, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo added during a public briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Abalos also noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. already declared that he is accepting the courtesy resignation of two generals.

The Interior Secretary said the National Police Commission (Napolcom) also issued a resolution to proceed with the pre-charge investigation against two colonels suspected of being so-called “ninja cops.”

“The Napolcom will recommend to the President that he should accept these colonels’ courtesy resignations as well, without prejudice to their administrative liability,” he added.

These measures, Abalos said, were based on the recommendations of the advisory body that looked into the involvement of PNP third-level officers — from colonels to generals — in the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ordered another revamp of senior police officials, two weeks since he was appointed as the country’s top cop.

GCASH SAYS 'NO FUNDS LOST' DESPITE SYSTEM GLITCH

MANILA — Mobile wallet service GCash on Tuesday said there were no funds lost from its users following complaints of missing money due to alleged unauthorized transactions.

GCash vice president for corporate communications Gilda Maquilan told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo that users' funds would return to their accounts by 3 p.m. Tuesday.

"There is no fund loss at doon po sa ating mga na-inconvenience, ito pong amount na ito ay mare-reflect, maba-balance out sa kanilang account. Bigyan lang po kami ng until 3 p.m. today at ito'y mare-reflect back doon sa kanilang mga account," she said.

Maquilan said that since Monday, GCash has received several complaints from customers about unauthorized transactions, where some of their funds were allegedly transferred to bank accounts ending in the number 5239.

In a separate statement, GCash said its systems were not hacked following an investigation.

"We wish to further assure the affected customers that their funds remain safe and secure. We would also like to remind customers never to share their OTP and MPIN," its statement read.

As of writing, GCash remained inaccessible for some users, despite a Facebook advisory posted 10:19 a.m. saying it had "restored our services."

Maquilan said a system maintenance, which had been in effect since 12 midnight Tuesday, was taking "more than usual."

GCash later said it extended its maintenance following the complaints.

DOUBLEDRAGON FOUNDERS LAUNCH MOBILE TRADING PLATFORM DRAGONFI

MANILA — DragonFi Securities Inc, the web and mobile trading platform backed by DoubleDragon founders Tony Tan Caktiong and Edgar Injap Sia III, has officially launched on May 8.

In a statement, DragonFi said it uses "leading-edge" technology including fully customizable trading experience on its web platform, as well as advanced charts and virtual trading from different widgets.

“We share the same cutting-edge technology as some of the largest brokerages in the US, built for the most demanding financial markets," its co-founder and CEO Jon Carlo Lim said. Other co-founders are Sia and Tan Caktiong.

DragonFi said it also has a mobile and responsive app. The app is synced across devices while its intuitive interface enables fast order entry, it said. The app is currently available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

The platform said its offering could boost participation in the Philippine stock exchange.

"With our technology-drive approach, we believe that we can expand the investor base and help us achieve a value turnover of P100 billion coursed through DragonFi within out first 24 months in operation," Lim said.

Users just need about 30 minutes to open and fund their DragonFi account. Investors can now open their trading account with a minimum deposit requirement of P25,000, DragonFi said.

DEPED EXTENDS PUBLIC REVIEW OF DRAFT K-10 CURRICULUM

MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) has extended until May 13 the public review of the draft revised curriculum for kindergarten to Grade 10.

A few days after original deadline for public feedback ended on May 3, the DepEd on Friday said has received feedback from 4,843 respondents.

These were composed of 4,499 individuals and 344 organizations, including sectoral groups, professional associations, government agencies, private schools associations, higher education institutions and non-governmental organizations.

“The extension of the public review intends to provide enough time for interested stakeholders to give their feedback on the shaping papers and draft curriculum guides for the Language and Literacy, and Reading learning areas,” it said.

The shaping papers and the draft revised curriculum guides may be accessed at https://bit.ly/CGandShapingPaperPublicReview, while feedback may be submitted through the online survey form at https://bit.ly/Kto10CG.

In the draft general shaping paper, the DepEd identified congestion as a primary issue in the basic education curriculum.

“Results show that only a few teachers reported having adequate time to teach all learning competencies. The percentage varies by learning area, grade level and quarter, but typically fewer than 20 percent of teachers reported having adequate time to teach all the learning competencies assigned to a quarter,” it added.

Some key proposals include a redesigned kindergarten curriculum, merging of Araling Panlipunan and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health and the removal of a separate mother tongue subject in Grades 1 to 3, and the incorporation of the engineering design process in various learning areas.

LTO, DICT TO LAUNCH DIGITAL DRIVER’S LICENSE

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office will tap the services of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in launching an electronic version of the driver’s license as part of the agency’s efforts to digitalize its services, LTO chief Jay Art Tugade announced yesterday.

Tugade said the digital license would serve as an alternative to the physical driver’s license card, which would be integrated into the “super app” being developed by the DICT.

“The advantage of the digital license is that motorists can present it to law enforcement officers during apprehension. It is equivalent to the physical driver’s license,” Tugade said.

“We appreciate the way the super app functions similarly to a wallet, containing all government identification cards, among other things, within your mobile device,” he added.

He said the digital license aims to replace the official receipt as a temporary driver’s license currently printed on paper.

According to Tugade, the public will be able to utilize the digital license for various transactions with the LTO, including license and registration renewals as well as online payments.

“Simplifying and digitalizing more services will aid the LTO in eradicating corruption,” Tugade said.

He emphasized that the e-governance partnership between the LTO and DICT demonstrates the agency’s commitment to digitalizing as many services as possible.

PINOY SWORN IN AS VATICAN SWISS GUARD

MANILA — A 24-year-old Filipino from Davao was among 23 recruits of the elite Pontifical Swiss Guard, who were sworn in as protectors of the pope during a ceremony at the Vatican on Saturday.

The CBCPNews, the official newsletter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philipines, said that Sebastian Esai Eco Eviota was the first full-bloodied Filipino to join the “world’s smallest army.”

The recruits were joined by their families and delegates of the Swiss Confederation and Swiss Bishops during the ceremony held at the Courtyard of Saint Damascus.

The ceremony commemorated the sacrifices of the 147 Swiss Guards, who died protecting Pope Clement VII in 1527.

The recruits attended mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and met with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace.

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POWER OUTAGES HIT PARTS OF LUZON AS MASINLOC PLANT TRIPS

MANILA - Power outages affected parts of Luzon on Monday following problems at a power plant in Masinloc, Zambales, the Philippines’ grid operator said.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has put the Luzon grid on red alert after a transmission line and 2 units of Masinloc Power Plant tripped off at past 1 p.m. today affecting the Luzon grid.

The red alert will last from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A yellow alert has also been issued from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement,” the NGCP said.

“A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s regulating and contingency requirement.”

While the available capacity of the Luzon grid is at 12,186 megawatts, the peak demand is estimated to be 12,468MW, the NGCP said.

It said 5 power plants are on forced outage, while 3 others are running on derated capacities, for a total of 1,354MW unavailable to the grid.

“Manual load dropping ongoing. Some areas in Luzon including Meralco franchise area are experiencing power interruption due to insufficient power supply,” the NGCP said.

Meralco also said that parts of its service area were affected by power outages. The power distributor earlier said that outages may last 10 to 15 minutes, but later said that its restoration activity is “taking longer than expected.”

Commenters on Meralco’s Facebook page showed that outages allegedly hit parts of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan and Metro Manila.

STARLINK DOWNLOAD SPEEDS IN PH 'FASTER' THAN ALL FIXED BROADBAND COMBINED', SAYS OOKLA

MANILA — The median download speeds for SpaceX's Starlink satellite broadband in the Philippines is "faster than all other broadband providers combined," according to data from connectivity insights platform Ookla.

In its Speedtest Intelligence Report for the first quarter, which examined the Q1 Starlink Net Promoter Score (NPS) in new markets, Ookla said the Starlink median download speed in the Philippines was at 110.78 Mbps.

But Starlink also had a much higher latency than fixed broadband providers in the Philippines at 162 milliseconds in the first quarter, Ookla said.

Latency is the time it takes for data to be transferred between its original source and its destination. Lower latency is preferred.

Ookla said it would continue to monitor connectivity this year "as 2023 continues to shape up as a pivotal year for satellite internet providers."

"We’ll be watching the sky to make sure providers are providing the connectivity consumers need," it said.

Elon Musk's Starlink, which uses low earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology, became available in the Philippines in February 2023.

MANILA BARANGAY WANTS CERTIFICATE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER

MANILA — The Manila city council has declared unconstitutional a barangay ordinance in Malate, which requires certificates of good moral character from new tenants.

Ordinance No. 006, Series of 2022 of Barangay 731, Zone 80 in Malate compelled owners, administrators and operators of residential as well as commercial buildings to demand proof of good moral character from tenants.

Property owners were also required to prepare a record of their occupants and submit the lists to the barangay.

The ordinance also requires property owners to allot parking spaces for their tenants.

Barangay officials will not issue the necessary permits to property owners who fail to comply with the ordinance, the city council said. Under the measure, violators will be fined up to P1,000, render community service or face suspension of business permit.

Members of the Manila city council denounced the ordinance approved by officials of Barangay 731 Zone 80, led by chairman Ariel Dakis, on July 18, 2022.

During the city council’s session on May 4, District 3 Councilor Ernesto Isip Jr. said the measure violates Article 3, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution that guarantees a person’s liberty of abode.

City legal officer Veronica Nakpil-Lladoc said the ordinance “infringes one’s constitutional right to liberty of abode as well as statutory right of ownership.”

“Sa ginawa ni barangay chairman Dakis at ng mga council members, sila na nagiging judge without due process. If the tenants cannot present certificates of good moral character, automatically there is presumption of bad faith at hindi na papayagang manirahan sa kanilang barangay,” Isip said.

Dakis said they just wanted to protect their constituents from criminals.

SPORTS

SEAG PHILIPPINES MEDALISTS

GOLD

No.       Medal   Name                           Sport                                                    Event                                        Date

19         Gold    Ernest John Obiena                   Athletics pictogram.svg Athletics  Men's pole vault 08-May

18         Gold    Xiandi Chua                  Swimming pictogram.svg Swimming           Women's 200m backstroke        08-May

17         Gold    Robin Catalan               Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator            Men's combat 50 kg      08-May

16         Gold    Carlos Yulo                   Gymnastics (artistic) pictogram.svg Gymnastics         Men's artistic all-around 08-May

15         Gold    Fernando Casares                     Triathlon pictogram.svg Endurance race   Men's individual triathlon            08-May

SILVER

No.       Medal   Name                           Sport                                                    Event                                        Date

31         Silver   Carlos Yulo                   Gymnastics (artistic) pictogram.svg Gymnastics         Men's artistic team        08-May

                        John Ivan Cruz

                        Jan Gwynn Timbang

                        Justine Ace De Leon

                        Juancho Miguel Besana

30         Silver   Geli Bulaong                 Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator            Men's combat 60 kg      08-May

29         Silver   Ariel Lampacan             Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator            Men's combat 55 kg      08-May

28         Silver   Kylie Mallari                  Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator            Women's combat 60 kg 08-May

27         Silver   Mariane Mariano                       Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator Women's combat 55 kg 08-May

26         Silver   Andrei Tugade              Sailing pictogram.svg Sailing            Windfoil IQ:Foil Youth    08-May

25         Silver   Jasmine Alkhaldi                       Swimming pictogram.svg Swimming           Women's 100m freestyle           08-May

24         Silver   Chloe Isleta                  Swimming pictogram.svg Swimming           Women's 200m backstroke        08-May

23         Silver   Hergie Bacyadan                       Vovinam pictogram.svg Vovinam  Women's 65 kg 08-May

22         Silver   Arianne Brito                 Karate pictogram.svg Karate            Women's team kumite   08-May

                        Jamie Lim

                        Junna Tsukii

                        Remon Misu Villanueva

21         Silver   Ariana Evangelista                     Cycling (road) pictogram.svg Cycling    Women's mountain bike eliminator         08-May

20         Silver   Kim Mangrobang                       Triathlon pictogram.svg Endurance race   Women's individual triathlon       08-May

BRONZE

No.       Medal   Name               Sport    Event    Date

32         Bronze Denver John Castillo                  Sailing pictogram.svg Sailing     Windsurfing RS:One      08-May

31         Bronze John Harold Madrigal                 Sailing pictogram.svg Sailing     Windfoil IQ:Foil 08-May

30         Bronze Jerome Alidon               Vovinam pictogram.svg Vovinam            Men's 55 kg      08-May

29         Bronze Jessa dela Cruz            Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator            Women's bare hands form (team/trio)     08-May

                        Angel Gwen Derla

                        Shara Julia Jizmundo

28         Bronze Mitz Jalandoni               Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator            Women's single phkak form       08-May

27         Bronze Zandro Jizmundo                      Bokator pictogram.svg Kun bokator Men's bare hands form (team/trio)          08-May

                        James El Mayagma

                        Rick Ortega

26         Bronze Kim Remolino                Triathlon pictogram.svg Endurance race      Men's individual triathlon            08-May

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.25

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a fruitful flower. - John Ruskin