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Safety of Iraq-based Pinoys sought

BW FILE PHOTO

THE SENATE is bent on conducting a comprehensive review of existing protection mechanisms for Filipinos based in Iraq, which has been saddled with years of conflict and political strife.

Filed by Senator Ferdinand “Robin” C. Padilla on March 14, the proposed Senate Resolution No. 969 seeks an inquiry in aid of legislation with the aim of making refinements to existing measures safeguarding Filipinos in Iraq.

“It is imperative to conduct a comprehensive review of the efficacy of measures in place to safeguard the well-being of Filipino nationals in Iraq, including the evaluation of the country’s overall security situation,” it said.

Last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed a delegation of Iraq officials who asked the Philippines to lift a deployment ban on Filipino workers to aid Iraq’s need for healthcare sector workers.

The Iraq delegation had also invited Philippine Foreign Affairs officials to assess what they called an improving security situation in the country.

In 2021, the crisis level in Iraq reached Alert Level 3, prompting the Department of Foreign Affairs to call on Filipinos there to voluntarily return to the Philippines. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Heat can force class suspensions

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE PHILIPPINES’ El Niño Task Force on Monday urged local governments and school heads to consider suspending classes in cases of extreme heat for the health and physical wellbeing of students.

“If students cannot concentrate because it’s too hot, if you are experiencing extreme heat in your locality, it is within your power to shift your face-to-face classes to online classes,” Joey Villarama, the task force’s spokesperson, said in a televised news briefing, citing a Department of Education (DepEd) advisory.

Earlier, nearly a dozen local government units mostly in Western Visayas had suspended classes on April 1 and 2 due to extreme heat conditions. The areas include Iloilo City, Bacolod City on Negros Island, and Roxas City in Capiz.

Also suspending classes until Tuesday were Silay City, Bago City, Isabela, Hinoba-an, E.B. Magalona, and Kabankalan, all in Negros Occidental. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Births, deaths declining — PSA

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

BIRTHS and deaths from January to October 2023 declined from the previous year with newborn figures dropping below 1 million over the 10-month period, preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday showed.

Births recorded by the PSA for the period reached 971,002, fewer than the 1,190,520 births in the first 10 months of 2022, reflecting an 18.4% drop. On the other hand, registered deaths fell to 484,961 from 565,344 for a year-on-year decline of 14.2%.

Marriage statistics also decreased by 17.5% to 305,375 in the same reference period from 369,967 in 2022.

In a separate release, ischemic heart disease, neoplasms, and cerebrovascular disease remained the top three causes of death in Filipinos over the same period last year.

Ischemic heart disease accounted for 19% of the total deaths with 91,936 cases, down 10.8% from the 103,058 cases in 2022.

The rest of the five causes of death were neoplasms (10.6% share), cerebrovascular diseases (10.1%), diabetes mellitus (6.3%), and pneumonia (6%). — Andrea C. Abestano

Zubiri not running for office in ’28

SENATE President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri is mulling retirement from politics at the end of his elective term, revealing on Monday that he plans on not running for public office in 2028.

“To dispel any rumors that may arise, I would like to make it clear that I will not be running for any public office in 2028,” Mr. Zubiri told reporters through Viber. “I am in fact contemplating on my retirement from almost 30 years of politics.”

The Senate President spoke ahead of any speculation that he would seek higher office, following a Pulse Asia survey published on Sunday in which 7% of Filipinos would likely vote for him as vice president in 2028.

The list was topped by Senator Mary Grace N. Poe-Llamanzares who polled 35%, followed by Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos who garnered 16%. 

Former senator and boxing legend Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, Sr. tied with Senator Ferdinand “Robin” C. Padilla at third with 14%, followed by Mr. Zubiri who ranked fourth.

“Rest assured that my last four years of service will be dedicated to uplifting the lives of every Filipino through meaningful legislation,” Mr. Zubiri said.

Mr. Zubiri is in his third term as senator and was previously Bukidnon’s third district representative to the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2007. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

P21-M smuggled cigarettes seized

IMPORTED cigarettes seized by police in Sarangani on Saturday are prepared for turnover to the Bureau of Customs. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — Police seized P21 million worth of cigarettes from Indonesia, intercepting the boat loaded with the contraband in an anti-smuggling operation in Glan, Sarangani last weekend, authorities revealed on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Percival Augustus P. Placer, Police Regional Office 12 (PRO-12) director, said his men impounded the P1.7-million watercraft that was carrying the 1,075 cases of cigarettes from Tongkil Island in Sulu province.

The interception by joint police units came following a tip-off that the merchandise was being transported through Tampat Point in Batulaki area in Glan on Saturday afternoon and was due for distribution to buyers in Sarangani and General Santos City.

The seized cigarettes have been turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

The island municipalities of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, both in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, are known transshipment points of cigarettes from Indonesia, brought in by Tausug and Sama seafarers. — John Felix M. Unson

Makati files graft raps vs. Taguig city treasurer, 2 others

THE MAKATI City government has filed graft charges against the Taguig City treasurer and two other employees for allegedly holding out on tax clearance paperwork for three land properties purchased by Makati amounting to over P146 million.

In the 10-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, the Taguig City government executive and two employees are being charged with grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service — all violations under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail S. Binay, in a statement, scored Taguig City for allegedly disregarding the law by delaying for 11 months the release of tax clearance documents covering the three parcels of land purchased by Makati City from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The complaint accuses the officials of intentionally delaying the process without giving a valid reason and cited the Taguig Citizen’s Charter, which states that the City Treasurer’s Office needs only three days for individuals and five days for corporations to process such requests.

Sought for comment, Taguig’s Public Information Office told BusinessWorld that the case filed by Makati is baseless and “intended only to harass Taguig officials.”

“The cases filed against the officials and employees of Taguig will not detract them from giving the EMBO residents transformative programs that they deserve,” the Taguig PIO said in an email.

The two cities are at odds over jurisdiction of the 10 Enlisted Men’s Barrio or EMBO villages even though the Supreme Court (SC) had already issued a ruling that they are part of Taguig and had been illegally occupied and used by Makati for 30 years.

As a result of that ruling, many public service facilities established and funded for years by the Makati City government are now turned over to Taguig City.

Last month, four Makati employees were trapped in a park previously maintained by Makati City when Taguig City employees locked it up. The Makati City government resorted to suing Taguig City Mayor Laarni L. Cayetano. – Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BuCor releases 783 prisoners in March

BUCOR

THE BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) announced on Monday the release of 783 prisoners across all its facilities in the country last month.

BuCor Chief Gregorio P. Catapang Jr. said 132 of those released have been acquitted of the crimes they were charged with, while four were freed on bail and two granted conditional pardons.

As part of efforts to decongest the country’s jails, the BuCor also released 528 prisoners whose maximum sentences had expired, along with 20 more granted probation, and 97 granted parole.

Breaking them down by BuCor facility, Mr. Catapang reported 149 convicts freed from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)-Minimum Security Compound, 146 from the NBP Maximum Security Compound, 99 from the NBP-Medium Security Compound, 96 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 65 from the Correctional Institution for Women and Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 55 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, 48 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, 44 from the Leyte Regional Prison, and 16 from the NBP-Reception and Diagnostic Center.

The releases allowed the BuCor to move 500 prisoners from the NBP to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City to aid decongestion efforts. It also recently transferred 500 prisoners from the NBP to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro.

According to the BuCor, a total of 12,836 prisoners have been released since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took office.

“The release of these [prisoners] not only addresses congestion in our prison and other detention centers but allows them to reintegrate into mainstream society,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla in a statement of Monday.

He urged those released to “march forward with unwavering determination” and never to return to the life of crime.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to conduct 2024 annual meeting of stockholders virtually on April 23

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of stockholders of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) will be conducted virtually via http://www.ayalagroupshareholders.com/ on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 9:00 A.M., for the transaction of the following business:

  1. Call to Order
  2. Certification of Notice of Meeting, Determination of Quorum, and Rules of Conduct and Procedures
  3. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders on April 27, 2023
  4. Approval of Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements
  5. Ratification of the Acts of the Board of Directors and Officers
  6. Election of the Board of Directors (including the Independent Directors)
  7. Election of External Auditors and Fixing of their Remuneration
  8. Consideration of Such Other Business as May Properly Come Before the Meeting
  9. Adjournment

Stockholders of record as of March 4, 2024, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting.

Stockholders may attend the meeting by remote communication or by appointing the Chairman of the meeting as their proxy.

Duly accomplished proxy forms shall be submitted to the Office of the Corporate Secretary located at 28/F Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2, Paseo de Roxas Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-Air, Makati City or by email to bpi-asm@bpi.com.ph not later than 5:00 P.M. of April 12, 2024. Validation of proxies is set on April 15, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.

Stockholders intending to participate by remote communication should notify the Bank by email to bpi-asm@bpi.com.ph on or before April 12, 2024. Stockholders may vote electronically in absentia, subject to validation procedures. The procedures for participation in the meeting through remote communication and for casting votes in absentia are set forth in the Bank’s website and Information Statement.

For this purpose and in accordance with Article XII of the Bank’s Amended By-Laws, the Stock and Transfer Book of BPI will be closed from March 23, 2024 to April 22, 2024.

Makati City, March 12, 2024.

FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Sgd.) MARIA LOURDES P. GATMAYTAN
Corporate Secretary

EXPLANATION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING – APRIL 23, 2024

  1. Call to Order

Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of the BPI Board of Directors, will call the meeting to order.

  1. Certification of Notice of Meeting, Determination of Quorum and Rules of Conduct and Procedures

The Corporate Secretary will certify the date when written notice of the meeting was sent to all stockholders of record as of March 04, 2024, and the date of publication of the notice at a newspaper of general circulation.

The Corporate Secretary will further certify whether a quorum is present for the valid transaction of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. Pursuant to Sections 57 and 23 of the Revised Corporation Code which allow voting in absentia by stockholders, the Bank has set up a designated online web address which may be accessed by the stockholders to register and vote in absentia on the matters for resolution at the meeting. The holders of record of a majority of the stock of the Bank then issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, represented by proxy or participating through remote communication or voting in absentia, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The following are the rules of conduct and procedures for the meeting:

(a) Stockholders may attend the meeting remotely through the online web address (URL) provided. Questions and comments may be sent via e-mail prior to or during the meeting to bpi-asm@bpi.com.ph, and shall be limited to the items in the Agenda of the meeting. Other channels may be opened to address questions and comments.

(b) Stockholders must notify the Bank of their intention to participate in the meeting by remote communication, by sending an email to bpi-asm@bpi.com.ph, to be included in the determination of quorum, together with stockholders who voted in absentia and by proxy.

(c) Voting shall only be allowed for stockholders registered in the Bank’s Voting In Absentia & Shareholder (VIASH) System or through the Chairman of the meeting as proxy. Detailed requirements and instructions pertaining to the VIASH System and the use thereof are provided in the Bank’s website and Information Statement. Stockholders may also contact the BPI Stock Transfer Office for information and assistance.

(d) For items on the agenda for approval, the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least a majority of the issued and outstanding capital stock is required. Each outstanding share of stock entitles the registered holder to one vote. The election of directors will be determined by plurality of votes and every stockholder shall be entitled to cumulate his votes. All votes received shall be tabulated by the Office of the Corporate Secretary and the results shall be validated by the Bank’s auditor.

(e) The meeting proceedings will be recorded in audio and video format.

  1. Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders on April 27, 2023

The minutes of the meeting held on April 27, 2023 are available at the Bank’s website, www.bpi.com.ph.

  1. Approval of Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2023

The audited financial statements (AFS) as of December 31, 2023 will be presented for approval of the stockholders. Prior thereto, the Chairman, Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and the President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco, will deliver their report to the stockholders on the highlights of BPI’s performance in 2023 and the outlook for 2024.

A copy of the Bank’s AFS is posted on the Bank’s website.

  1. Ratification of the acts of the Board of Directors and Officers

The acts and resolutions of the Board of Directors and its committees were those taken or adopted since the annual stockholders’ meeting on April 27, 2023 until April 23, 2024, contracts and transactions entered into by the Bank, credit/loan transactions including to related parties, projects and investments, treasury matters, manpower related decisions/approvals, including programs of the Bank’s employee stock incentive plans, corporate governance-related actions, and other matters covered by disclosures to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). The acts of Management were those taken to implement the resolutions of the Board or its committees or made in the general conduct of business.

  1. Election of the Board of Directors (including the Independent Directors)

Any stockholder, including minority stockholders, may submit to the Nomination Committee nominations to the Board of Directors not later than March 5, 2024. The Nomination Committee will determine whether the nominees for the Board, including the nominees for independent directors, have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications to serve as members of the Board. The profiles of the nominees to the Board will be provided in the Information Statement and in the company website.

  1. Election of External Auditor and Fixing of their Remuneration

The Audit Committee will endorse to the stockholders the appointment of the external auditor for the ensuing year as well as its proposed remuneration.

  1. Consideration of Such Other Business as May Properly Come Before the Meeting

The Chairman will open the floor for comments and questions by the stockholders, and take up items included in the agenda received from stockholders in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.1

  1. Adjournment

Upon determination that there are no other matters to be considered, the Chairman shall declare the meeting adjourned.

 

1SEC Memorandum Circular No. 14, series of 2020 or “Shareholders’ Right to Put items on the Agenda for Regular/Special Stockholders’ Meetings”

 

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Cone turns to Bennie Boatwright as backup for Justin Brownlee

TIM CONE — PBA.PH

IN SEARCH of additional ammo, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is turning to the talented import who helped San Miguel Beer dethrone his PBA club Ginebra in the last Commissioner’s Cup — Bennie Boatwright.

Mr. Cone said Mr. Boatwright, who ultimately powered the Beermen to the championship after their 3-0 semis sweep of the Gin Kings, is a perfect fit for Gilas, much like Justin Brownlee, the naturalized player he will back up in this pool.

“I was the one who asked for him,” Mr. Cone said of the 6-foot-10 prospect on Sunday.

“I think he is a tremendous talent. He’s got great size. And he can play in and out. He is very versatile. Kinda reminds me of a young Justin, just three or four inches taller,” he added.

Mr. Boatwright, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Alfredo “Al” Panlilio, has agreed to come on board as a naturalized player.

“We will start the process,” said the SBP chief.

Like Mr. Brownlee, the 27-year-old Mr. Boatwright will have to go through legislative proceedings, which could take several months.

“It is usually a long process — three, four, maybe eight months, we don’t know. It took Justin a long time to get his,” said Mr. Cone.

The Gilas mentor maintained it would still be Mr. Brownlee in the lead role in his four-year program.

“Without a doubt and this is written in stone right now — Mr. Justin is our guy. And Bennie is going to be his backup, just like Justin was the backup to Jordan Clarkson in the (FIBA) World Cup. So we are going with that at the moment,” said Mr. Cone.

Pending Mr. Boatwright’s naturalization, Mr. Cone said it would be ideal if they can have him in training.

“When we go to Latvia (for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July), it’s going to be Justin being the guy doing it,” he said.

“But if we could get him (Mr. Boatwright) into practice and get him involved in the system (we would) so that if something, God forbid, happens to Justin, he can be ready to step in. So that’s the plan. We don’t know when he’s going to be available or when we can do it. It’s not going to happen ‘til he gets his naturalization papers in and that’s still a long process.” — Olmin Leyba

PLDT, Choco Mucho gun for share of PVL lead against Akari and Galeries Tower

PLDT HIGH SPEED HITTERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PLDTHIGHSPEEDHITTERS

Games Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. — Akari vs PLDT
6 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Choco Mucho

PLDT and Choco Mucho eye a victory over Akari and Galeries Tower, respectively, today and a piece of the lead in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

Both coming off empathic victories in their last games that propelled them to joint second with 5-1 records, the High Speed Hitters and the Flying Titans will shoot for another one with the former battling the Chargers at 4 p.m. and the latter tackling the Highrisers at 6 p.m.

A victory for both league powerhouses would catapult them back to the top alongside six-time league champion Creamline, who owns a 6-1 mark.

Akari and Galeries Tower tote identical 2-4 marks and should be desperately seeking victories also for semifinal survival.

PLDT is expected to draw strength anew from Savannah Davison, who did most of everything with 21 points including 17 kills and three blocks while helping preside over their floor defense by chipping in seven receptions in a 25-9, 25-13, 25-21 win over Farm Fresh on March 23.

But the do-it-all Ms. Davison deflected the credit to their setter, Kim Fajardo, for serving as the adhesive that kept the High Speed Hitters’ attack relentlessly flowing. “Personally, Kim is really a good setter, I just kind of pick up where she wants me to go,” said Ms. Davison of Ms. Fajardo.

For Choco Mucho, expect another Sisi Rondina show after the reigning Most Valuable Player went supernova in a 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 win over Akari also last March 23 when she dropped 13 hits on top of 17 digs and eight receptions.

Choco Mucho mentor Dante Alinsunurin stressed everything starts from their rock-solid blocking. — Joey Villar

Saso fades and settles for joint 13th at Ford Championship in Arizona

YUKA SASO — LPGA YOUTUBE CHANNEL

FILIPINA-JAPANESE Yuka Saso faded in the final push for the inaugural Ford Championship crown and settled for joint 13th on Sunday at the Seville Golf and Country Club in Arizona.

Ms. Saso, who started the day just one shot off the pace, submitted an ending one-under 71 while rivals surged forward and closed out in the high 60s.

The former US Women’s Open titlist finished at 15-under 273 for a take home of $30,795 (about P1.7 million).

World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the US triumphed for the third consecutive event after firing 65 for 20-under 268. Korda beat rookie Hira Naveed of Australia (270 after a final 66) by two.

Korea’s Mi Hyung Lee (68), Denmark’s Frida Kinhult (68), US’ Lexi Thompson (69), Sweden’s Maja Stark (66) and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda (70) shared third at 271.

Ms. Saso’s bid was stymied by early bogeys on Nos. 1 and 4.  She recovered and didn’t drop a shot again but managed only three birdies (fifth, 11th and 18th) the rest of the way en route to that one-under round.

The 22-year-old Ms. Saso missed a Top 10 finish by one stroke. Still, it was her best for 2024 after winding up 16th, 17th and 27th in her first three events. — Olmin Leyba

TECNO partners with RSG to bring esports competitive gaming

TECNO and RSG announced plans for a year-long partnership to support competitive gaming and the esports communities in the Philippines and Malaysia.

As part of this year’s initiative, TECNO will continue to support RSG Philippines and kick-start support for RSG Malaysia in their esports tournaments. The partnership aims to elevate the standards of competitive esports, increase engagement between esports players, content creators and the public, and inspire esports communities in Philippines and Malaysia.

Pulse Nova Entertainment, a full-service gaming entertainment marketing agency and the exclusive rights-holders of RSG’s players, partnerships and sponsorships, worked closely with the two brands to develop the partnership.

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