Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 1163

AI-driven manufacturing may unlock more growth in PHL

BW FILE PHOTO

By Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter

PHILIPPINE MANUFACTURERS should adopt regenerative processes driven by artificial intelligence (AI) to capture growth opportunities more effectively, according to global management consulting firm Kearney.

“Regenerative manufacturing presents an opportunity to optimize cost advantages and tap into the expanding domestic market, reinforcing the country’s position as a key player in regional manufacturing,” Keat Yap, a partner and Asia-Pacific co-lead for Operations and Performance at Kearney, told BusinessWorld on Tuesday.

He noted that while the Southeast Asian nation is in track for strong manufacturing growth, it lags peers like Vietnam and Malaysia in capturing macroeconomic trends including avoiding investing only in China.

Regenerative manufacturing is a strategy that not only tries to lower the ecological footprint of production but also seeks to restore ecosystems, communities and economies.

Mr. Yap, who co-wrote a report on the strategy for the Southeast Asian region released on Tuesday, said a product design-led value chain and faster adoption of AI would help Philippine manufacturers maximize opportunities.

“Our view is that ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) manufacturers, including those in the Philippines, should think of AI beyond manufacturing automation, but also leverage AI to reimagine and optimize value chains to best yield benefits of regenerative manufacturing,” he said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

Kearney expects the Philippines’ gross manufacturing output to reach $400 billion by 2030 or 5% growth, compared with 6% growth for ASEAN to $1.2 trillion.

“It is imperative for ASEAN manufacturers to use their competitive advantages and capitalize on the favorable tailwinds to capture this growth opportunity,” according to the report.

Mr. Yap said AI forms the basis of the operating model for any company aiming to adopt regenerative manufacturing.

Kearney said ASEAN companies are nonleaders or followers in AI, which is unsurprising given its cost and novelty. “However, it is promising to see that 41% of the Philippines’ manufacturers recognize the criticality of AI implementation, which can lead to further investment in the future,” he added.

A quarter of Philippine industry leaders in manufacturing rated their companies as “leading” in AI adoption, the highest in the region, surpassing Indonesia (22%), Singapore (21%), Vietnam (20%), Thailand (20%), and Malaysia (18%).

MISSING OPPORTUNITIES
“Our study revealed that despite only 23% of ASEAN manufacturers rating their businesses as leading in AI, AI implementation was the topic at the top of their minds, with nearly 50% of them identifying it as the most crucial manufacturing trend they see today,” Kearney said in the report.

Mr. Yap said regenerative manufacturing is a “mid-to-long-term play,” especially when it comes to AI adoption. It takes time for companies to identify and invest in areas that will benefit from AI.

Except for Singapore at $68 per capita, ASEAN nations lag global peers in terms of AI investment — $2 per capita versus $155 per capita in the US and $21 per capita in China, Kearney said.

Karthik Chandrasekaran, principal for client engagement at IBM Technology, said the Philippine manufacturers lag in AI adoption compared with countries like Singapore, which leads with advanced integration driven by strong government support and a robust digital infrastructure.

“Without proactive measures, there is a risk of missing significant opportunities presented by AI advancements that other countries are already capitalizing on,” he said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

Mr. Chandrasekaran cited the skill gap and limited technological resources that hinder Philippine progress, even as he expects a considerable rise in AI adoption in manufacturing next year. “As organizations recognize technology’s critical role in maintaining competitive advantage, there will be an increased focus on strategic investments in AI.”

In the report, Kearney urged ASEAN manufacturers to think beyond production floor automation and explore how AI can drive product design and transform the entire supply chain.

By embedding AI from the beginning, manufacturers can achieve “significant improvements in processes and outcomes to meet the growing regulatory demands for sustainability and climate action,” it said.

John Paolo R. Rivera, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said AI adoption should be reinforced.

“This may be due to lack of full understanding on how to leverage the technology,” he said in a Viber message. “Ethical concerns in the use of AI also add to the hesitation.”

He said adequate capacity-building, information dissemination and proof of AI’s benefits could speed up its adoption. “Adoption cannot be forced. Instead, it can be facilitated through evidence-based research, effective information dissemination, and appropriate training on its ethical use,” he added.

AI will transform philanthropy, too

FREEPIK

IN AN AGE of accelerating progress in artificial intelligence (AI), everyone is debating AI’s implications for the labor market or national security. There is far less discussion of what AI could or should mean for philanthropy.

Many (not all) insiders now say AGI — artificial general intelligence — stands a good chance of happening in the next few years. AGI is a generative AI model that could, on intellectually oriented tests, outperform human experts on 90% of questions. That doesn’t mean AI will be able to dribble a basketball, make GDP grow by 40% a year or, for that matter, destroy us. Still, AGI would be an impressive accomplishment — and over time, however slowly, it will change our world.

For purposes of objectivity, I will put aside universities, where I work, and consider other areas in which philanthropic returns will become higher or lower.

One big change is that AI will enable individuals, or very small groups, to run large projects. By directing AIs, they will be able to create entire think tanks, research centers or businesses. The productivity of small groups of people who are very good at directing AIs will go up by an order of magnitude.

Philanthropists ought to consider giving more support to such people. Of course that is difficult, because right now there are no simple or obvious ways to measure those skills. But that is precisely why philanthropy might play a useful role. More commercially oriented businesses may shy away from making such investments, both because of risk and because the returns are uncertain. Philanthropists do not have such financial requirements.

Another possible new avenue for philanthropy in a world of AI, as odd as it may sound: intellectual branding. As quality content becomes cheaper to produce, how it is presented and curated (with the help of AI, naturally) will become more important. Some media properties and social influencers already have reputations for trustworthiness, and they will want to protect and maintain them. But if someone wanted to create a new brand name for trustworthiness, and had a sufficiently good plan to do so, they should receive serious philanthropic consideration.

Then there is the matter of AI systems themselves. Philanthropy should buy good or better AI systems for people, schools, and other institutions in very poor countries. A decent AI in a school or municipal office in, say, Kenya, can serve as translator, question-answerer, lawyer, and sometimes medical diagnostician. It’s not yet clear exactly what those services might cost, but in most very poor countries there will be significant lags in adoption, due in part to affordability.

A good rule of thumb might be that countries that cannot always afford clean water will also have trouble affording advanced AI systems. One difference is that the near ubiquity of smart phones might make AI easier to provide.

Strong AI capabilities also mean that the world might be much better over some very long time horizon, say 40 years hence. Perhaps there will be amazing new medicines that otherwise would not have come to pass, and as a result people might live 10 years longer. That increases the return — today — to fixing childhood maladies that are hard to reverse. One example would be lead poisoning in children, which can lead to permanent intellectual deficits. Another would be malnutrition. Addressing those problems was already a very good investment, but the brighter the world’s future looks, and the better the prospects for our health, the higher those returns.

The flip side is that reversible problems should probably decline in importance. If we can fix a particular problem today for $10 billion, maybe in 10 years’ time — due to AI — we will be able to fix it for a mere $5 billion. So it will become more important to figure out which problems are truly irreversible. Philanthropists ought to be focused on long time horizons anyway, so they need not be too concerned about how long it will take AI to make our world a fundamentally different place.

For what it’s worth, I did ask an AI for the best answer to the question of how it should change the focus of philanthropy. It suggested (among other ideas) more support for mental health, more work on environmental sustainability, and improvements to democratic processes. Sooner rather than later, we may find ourselves taking its advice.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Michael Jackson, Hendrix, Oasis items on sale at Propstore music auction

RICKMANSWORTH, England — From Michael Jackson’s jackets to Noel Gallagher’s guitars, music memorabilia will head to auction next month in a sale estimated to raise around £2 million ($2.61 million).

Entertainment memorabilia auctioneer Propstore is offering more than 350 music items used by or that once belonged to megastars at its Nov. 15 sale, as part of a four-day event that will also sell film and television props and costumes.

Highlights from the music lots include a Jimi Hendrix master tape featuring four unreleased demo recordings in a box on which the musician wrote their titles.

Framed “Beat It” lyrics, handwritten by Jackson, will also go under the hammer, as will some of his jackets. A black and gold military style one has a price estimate of £200,000–£400,000 ($261,000–$522,000), while his red “Thriller” tour rehearsal jacket comes complete with multiple famous signatures.

“It has been not only signed by Michael, but on the inside, on the back lining, it’s signed by John Landis, who… directed the ‘Thriller’ video, and his wife, Deborah Landis, who designed the jacket for Michael to wear,” Propstore’s music specialist Mark Hochman told Reuters.

“(At the) end of the day, it’s a ‘Thriller’ jacket that Michael’s worn.”

Also for sale are 15 guitars previously owned and played by Noel Gallagher, in what Propstore says is the largest collection of Oasis guitars to come to auction. This includes his first while with the band, a cream Hohner JT60 (estimate £25,000–£50,000 pounds), it said.

“Oasis guitars do come up for auction… primarily they’re Noel’s guitars and they’re hugely sought after by collectors,” Mr. Hochman said.

“The (Oasis) reunion has taken that interest to a different level.”

Other lots are John Lennon’s 1962 Fawn JMI Vox AC15 Twin amp (£100,000–£200,000) and a synthesizer Prince used during the recording of “Purple Rain” (£50,000–£100,000 pounds). — Reuters

Regulator tells UBS to strengthen crisis plans

REUTERS

ZURICH — UBS must improve its emergency plans following its takeover of Credit Suisse to ensure the bank can be wound down or sold without risking financial stability and taxpayer cash, Swiss regulator FINMA said on Tuesday.

FINMA said it had suspended the annual approval of UBS’ recovery and emergency plans while Switzerland’s last globally systemically important bank develops its approach as it integrates Credit Suisse.

“Based on the experience of the Credit Suisse crisis, additional options for action are required to further strengthen crisis preparations and resolution planning for systemically important banks,” FINMA said in a statement.

UBS said it had already begun work on further developing its existing emergency plans “in a targeted manner.”

“As FINMA confirmed in its press release, UBS meets the current requirements to be resolvable in accordance with the preferred restructuring strategy in the event of a crisis,” the Swiss bank said in a statement.

FINMA said UBS’ emergency plan must ensure the Swiss entity can continue to operate without interruption even if there were a risk of insolvency.

“In its emergency plan, UBS must in particular revise the liquidity planning and the refinancing of the Swiss entity when the emergency plan is activated,” the regulator said.

The Credit Suisse crisis had highlighted problems related to the speed and extent of deposit withdrawals, and there needed to be a stronger focus on measures to generate liquidity, it added.

UBS bought Credit Suisse in an emergency rescue in March 2023 after the latter a liquidity crisis.

The collapse of the country’s second-largest lender prompted deep soul-searching among Swiss financial authorities and promises to make the system more robust.

FINMA has repeatedly called for greater powers to oversee banks, after it was accused of doing too little to prevent the implosion of Credit Suisse. — Reuters

Alixia Marie PH creates modern fashion using weaves from Filipino craftsmen

FACEBOOK.COM/ALIXIAMARIE.PH

By Edg Adrian A. Eva

ALIXIA MARIE PH, a young Filipino fashion brand, is supporting local artisans by using indigenous weaves from various regi ons in modern casual fashion.

“One of our taglines is ‘Carry your culture,’” company owner Alixia Mercado said in an interview. “We want to bring their weaves into the spotlight.”

Alixia Marie PH started as a thesis project in 2022, aiming to gain profit while helping local weavers. The startup curates pieces that embody Filipino craftmen’s rich heritage and skill, offering a platform for their work to shine.

The company started creating fashion pieces using solihiya — thin strands of rattan woven into sunburst patterns which, when used as the backrest and seat of chairs, lets air through, providing comfort from the heat.

Alixia Marie PH is working with local weavers from Cebu to source solihiya and turn it into trendy bags.   

The company also gets indigenous weaves from other provinces including Yakan from South Cotabato, Binakol from Ilocos, T’nalak from Mindanao to create women’s tops and dresses.    

They have also partnered with Marikina artisans to assemble their custom-designed shoes and bags.   

“Our goal is to focus not only on one local community but also on different communities altogether,” Ms. Mercado said. “We want to showcase a different community that has their cultural weaves.”

In her work with local weavers, she noticed that some of the weaving traditions are at risk of dying out due to threats from counterfeiting and lack of interest among the youth, primarily due to their unprofitability.

“Local weaves were dying at some point, so brands like us help revive the local weave industry and help them continue it for the future generation,” she said. 

In the preservation of Filipino indigenous weaving culture, Ms. Mercado hopes that more brands will support local weavers. 

“It should not stop here. We want our next generation to celebrate our culture and to celebrate Filipino identity in terms of Filipino weaves,” she added.

Ms. Mercado sees a silver lining in state initiatives to revive indigenous weaves through trade fairs organized by the Department of Trade Industry.

These efforts could be bolstered with more funding and support for weavers to elevate their craftsmanship, she added.

Philippine Seven Corp. opens 4,000th 7-Eleven branch

BW FILE PHOTO

LISTED Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC) has opened the 4,000th 7-Eleven store in the country.

The new store is in Newport District, Pasay City, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

PSC is the exclusive licensee of the 7-Eleven convenience store brand in the Philippines.

PSC opened its first 7-Eleven store in February 1984, located at the corner of EDSA and Kamias Road in Metro Manila.

PSC also opened another store in Angeles City, Pampanga on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, PSC shares rose by 0.42% or 30 centavos to P72.30 apiece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

VAT meets the Cloud: RA 12023 redefines the digital economy in the Philippines

FREEPIK

The Filipinos’ growing reliance on online platforms has driven massive growth in the Philippine digital economy. This is evident in the 7.7% increase in the gross value added to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). More Filipinos now engage with digital services, such as streaming, e-commerce, and online banking. Platforms like Netflix, Lazada, and GCash are now integral to their daily lives, making digital services a lifeline for education, work, and retail. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated this trend.

With this surge in digital services, the Government found the opportunity to raise tax revenues. It was also necessary to provide similar treatment between local and foreign-based digital service providers. These laid the foundation for the enactment of RA 12023 imposing VAT on digital services. It stands as a significant response to the evolving digital landscape.

Digital giants like Netflix, Amazon, and Google are now subject to VAT on their services. The law describes them as service providers through the “Internet or other electronic networks with the use of information technology and where the supply of the service is essentially automated.” Online educational services are not covered provided they are accredited by the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Banks and non-bank financial intermediaries remain exempt from VAT even on their online services.

The law brings up an interesting nuance on the services abroad rendered by foreign businesses. Are digital services a subset of the controversial cross-border services, which the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) coined early this year? The BIR, in its issuances, refers to activities performed abroad. RA 12023, in turn, refers to services that are digital in nature. Only services that are essentially automated and delivered through the Internet are subject to VAT. For instance, consulting services delivered through the Internet may be considered cross-border services but these are not digital services.

A significant feature of RA 12023 is how it handles VAT collection, especially for foreign-based service providers. Their clients who are VAT-registered must withhold and remit VAT. The service providers must remit the VAT on their services to clients that are not subject to VAT. If they are e-marketplace operators, they must remit the VAT on the transactions coursed through their platforms. To incur this obligation, they must, however, have control over the key aspects in the conclusion of the transactions, specifically in the setting of terms and conditions for the supply of goods, or in the placing of orders or delivery of such goods.

So, how exactly will they remit VAT? The answer lies in a forthcoming innovation. The BIR is set to roll out a simplified, automated registration system specifically for them. This streamlined process will play a crucial role in easing compliance for foreign-based service providers.

Both foreign and local-based service providers should register as VAT taxpayers. They face the possibility of being temporarily prevented from engaging in their activities should they fail to comply with this obligation. The BIR may block these digital services through the National Telecommunications Commission. The regulations need to clarify if foreign-based providers still need to register if their clients are VAT-registered.

What makes RA 12023 even more intriguing is its stance on how digital services by foreign-based service providers are considered to be performed in the Philippines if they are consumed in the Philippines. However, this opens a lot of questions: what exactly defines “consumption”? Is it the residence of the consumer or the location of payment? The law remains vague on this point, leaving us in suspense until the regulations clarify things.

Beyond VAT, this raises another critical issue — will this definition of consumption influence where income tax is levied? Under Section 42 of the Tax Code, services are taxable where they are performed. Now that digital services are subject to VAT, does this mean the income earned will also be subject to income tax? The courts have ruled that tax statutes should be interpreted strictly against the government and in favor of taxpayers, meaning tax statutes should be clear when a tax is imposed. Until then, income tax and VAT should remain distinct unless otherwise specified.

At present, RA 12023 only amends the VAT provisions of the Tax Code, leaving the income tax provisions unchanged. But as the digital economy continues to evolve, this balance may shift if Congress decides to amend the income tax provisions in the future. Until then, the law sits at the crossroads of VAT and income tax, leaving us to wonder what the future holds for the digital tax landscape in the Philippines.

As we wait for further regulations, the digital tax landscape feels like it is awaiting a major software update — until then, we will be watching closely to see how this new feature will function in practice.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and not offered as and does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion.

 

Jill Eileen P. Cabais is an associate of the Tax Department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

(632) 8830-800

jpcabais@accralaw.com

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 15, 2024

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Overseas Filipinos’ Cash Remittances

CASH REMITTANCES from overseas Filipino workers (OFW) rose by an annual 3.2% in August, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. Read the full story.

Overseas Filipinos’ Cash Remittances

Philippines says Chinese maritime militia boat sideswiped fishery vessel

AN AERIAL VIEW of what Philippine Coast Guard alleges were Chinese vessels, manned by Chinese maritime militia, loitering within the vicinity of Thitu Island, one of nine features occupied by the Philippines in Spratly Islands, in the disputed South China Sea, March 9, 2023. — REUTERS

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES’ Bureau of Fisheries said a Chinese maritime militia boat deliberately sideswiped one of its two vessels that were conducting a routine maritime patrols near Thitu island in the South China Sea last Friday.

The vessel had sustained dents in its starboard bow, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said in a statement issued late Monday.

China and the Philippines have been at loggerheads over confrontations near disputed features in the South China, with Manila accusing China’s coast guard of aggression and Beijing furious over what it calls repeated provocations and territorial incursions.

The Philippines has also accused China of maintaining a maritime militia to bolster its presence in the South China Sea. Beijing has maintained they are civilian ships.

Video shared by the bureau showed the Chinese boat with bow number 00108 approaching its vessel, BRP Datu Cabaylo, moving in close proximity before it collided with it.

“Despite the incident, the BFAR vessel maintained its position and was able to continue with its… mission,” the fishery bureau said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including the Philippine-occupied Thitu, and has rejected a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague that Beijing’s expansive claims have no basis under international law. The case was brought to the court by the Philippines.

Last week’s maritime run-in comes in the wake of a regional summit of Southeast Asian leaders where Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called for negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea to be fast-tracked.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez urged the US to donate its USS Philippine Sea warship to augment Navy and Coast Guard patrols around the archipelago, including in the South China Sea.

“I am sure that it will be a big asset in our efforts to defend our territorial waters, our sovereign rights and our personnel and fishermen from intruders,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The congressman said he wrote separate letters to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson asking for the donation. The warship is set to be deactivated in 2025.

The USS Philippine Sea is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser in active service with the US Navy.

The lawmaker in his letters said the USS Philippine Sea was “named for the Battle of the Philippine Sea during World War II.” The warship has been deployed many times including in Operation Enduring Freedom, the US global counterterrorism efforts from 2001 to 2014. 

It was also recently deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Josue Raphael J. Cortez, an international relations instructor at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, noted that if the US agrees, it could improve relations with the US.

“It can be an implicit signaling that the US is more than ready to assist us in times where our sovereignty and security are threatened, such as the ongoing tension with China over the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat, referring to areas of the South China Sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“On the other hand, this might affect the international relations dynamics of the country vis-a-vis China in such a way that the latter may view it as a security dilemma, and in turn deploy more and more naval ships capable of undertaking attacks within the disputed territories,” he added.

Mr. Rodriguez underscored the ship’s significance in Philippine history and its role in rescuing 26 Filipino crew members in a 2011 pirate attack off the coast of Yemen when the warship responded to the distress call of a supertanker.

“Given its historical significance and name, which directly relates to the Philippines’ current territorial challenges in the West Philippine Sea, I am urging the US government to consider donating this vessel to our country,” he added.

The US Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment. — with Reuters

Marcos urges regional leaders to support green and blue bond markets

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. delivers his speech during the official opening of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday. — PPA POOL/ NOEL B. PABALATE

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday urged regional leaders to help advance his country’s green growth financing, particularly the green and blue bond markets, amid the worsening impacts of climate change.

He made the statement as Asia-Pacific leaders gathered in Manila for a four-day conference on disaster risk reduction.

Mr. Marcos said his country has issued guidelines on the issuance of green and blue bonds. “Our green bond market has been recognized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its potential to expand even further,” he said.

He was referring to an ADB survey in 2022 that found institutional investors have limited awareness and resources to expand their green portfolios and underwrite more green bonds.

Mr. Marcos said the country’s “most promising sectors for growth comprise renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable agriculture and water management.”

He said investing in the Philippines’ blue bond market is also essential given the country’s archipelagic nature, which makes it more vulnerable to climate change.

The blue bond market will facilitate the “sustainable growth of industries like fisheries and tourism,” he added.

Mr. Marcos’ remarks send “a strong signal to both big and small businesses, as well as for the general public, to do their share in environmental, social, and governance efforts,” Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“To think that the private sector would be willing to engage in these investments without government support is just driving false hope,” Leonardo A. Lanzona, who teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University, said via Messenger chat.

He added that investment in disaster- and climate-resilient programs and infrastructure “will involve costs and even higher taxes, which this administration has decided not to do.”

In the ADB survey, respondents agreed on the importance and potential of renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable agriculture, and water management — sectors that the multilateral lender said accounted for majority of investors’ portfolios in the Philippine green bond market.

Mr. Marcos said a southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Gaemi had caused more than $82 million (P4.74 billion) in agricultural damage.

“We must significantly increase our investments and develop financing mechanisms in disaster risk reduction,” he added.

This entails ensuring that developing countries, particularly the least developed ones, landlocked nations and small-island developing states have greater access to these resources to advance their policies and build disaster resilience, Mr. Marcos said.

In the latest World Risk Index, the Philippines, which faces an average of 20 typhoons yearly, remained the most disaster-prone country for a 16th straight year.

Mr. Marcos cited the election of the Philippines as host of the Loss and Damage Fund Board, vowing to improve the board’s operations and to “contribute to the success of its institutional architecture.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos said Malaysia wants closer ties with the Philippines in disaster response and rescue efforts.

Kuala Lumpur could send a special disaster group called SMART team to the Philippines during disasters, his office said after a “productive meeting” with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi in Manila late Monday.

“We talked about how both our nations can work together to strengthen disaster resilience and develop skilled workforces, in line with technological advances through technical education,” Mr. Marcos said.

Citing the huge number of Filipino workers overseas, he said the Philippine government has adopted skill training for plumbers, electricians and carpenters.

Mr. Hamidi, for his part, said Malaysia wants to learn from the Philippine education system, particularly its technical and vocational education and training.

Marcos says 143 Filipinos in UAE pardoned, released

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PCO.GOV.PH

THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned 143 Filipinos in jail, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Tuesday.

The pardon was in line with the Muslim celebration of this year’s Eid al-Adha.

“I expressed my gratitude for the kindness extended to them, particularly their generous pardon of 143 Filipinos, which has brought relief to many families,” Mr. Marcos told UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed by phone, based on a press release from the presidential palace.

Their offenses ranged from drug abuse, theft and immigration-related violations such as absconding and overstaying, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. de Vega said in a WhatsApp message, citing the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

There were no death penalty cases, he added.

The pardon came days after a Filipino was executed in Saudi Arabia for murder.

Mr. De Vega said the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi “always appeals for the grant of humanitarian pardon/mercy to Filipinos incarcerated in the UAE for a range of different offenses.”

The embassy usually requests pardons on joyous occasions such as Eid’l Fitr, Eid al-Adha. “As a general rule, some pardoned individuals are allowed to go home on their own if they have valid passports,” he added.

“If they do not have valid passports, the embassy issues travel documents,” he said. “The list provided by the UAE Embassy contains only the names of the pardoned Filipinos and no other details were shared. In fact, the names were written only in Arabic,” he added.

The embassy has no specific information on each case and has tried to translate their names so it could reach out to them, Mr. De Vega said.

“We were formally informed of this by the UAE Embassy last August, and the Philippines appreciates this kind of gesture of our friends from the UAE,” he separately told reporters in a Viber group message.

“This act of compassion and understanding brings immense relief to the families of those pardoned and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jose Pimentel “Jinggoy” Ejercito, Jr. said in a statement.

The UAE was the second-leading destination of overseas Filipino workers in 2023 in Asia, according to the local statistics agency.

Mr. Marcos also recognized the UAE’s support for the Philippines in recent natural disasters. “Our nation’s share strong bonds, rooted in the values and aspirations of our peoples, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership in the years ahead.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

1...1,1621,1631,164...12,866Page 1,163 of 12,866
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube