Dairy farmers seek more funding for school milk feeding program

January 15, 2025 | 8:17 pm

DAIRY FARMERS are calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) to raise its budget for the school milk feeding program, which it said would assure producers of guaranteed volume sales.

“The extension of the milk feeding program duration would provide dairy farmers with a guaranteed market that would lead to higher incomes while addressing the nutritional needs of schoolchildren,” according to Danilo V. Fausto, president of the National Federation of Dairy Farmers and Stakeholders’ Association (Dairy NatFed).

Republic Act 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act, requires the incorporation of fresh milk and dairy products in school meals for a limited period of the year.

Dairy NatFed is calling for the extension of the milk feeding program to at least 120 days, from the current 55 days.

DepEd has allocated P11.78 billion for its school-based feeding program this year, which also involves the distribution of milk.

DepEd currently runs a 120-day feeding program involving hot meals. The milk feeding component of the program is 55 days.

“It is imperative that milk is provided consistently throughout the 120-day period. Milk should not be left behind in the program,” Mr. Fausto said in a statement.

He added that extending the milk feeding program would also help address the concerns about malnutrition in schoolchildren.

According to the Philippine Dairy Industry Roadmap 2020-2025, the expansion and extension of DepEd’s milk feeding program was among the measures intended to boost dairy-farmer incomes. — Adrian H. Halili

Transmission rates to rise in December

January 15, 2025 | 8:17 pm

electricity pylon-tower — JEROME CMG-UNSPLASH

TRANSMISSION CHARGES for the December period, which will be reflected in the January electricity bills, increased by 5.5%, according to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

“In general, our consumers can expect an increase in the overall transmission charges in their electricity bills this January 2025,” Julius Ryan D. Datingaling, head of business and regulatory development, said in a briefing on Wednesday.

Overall transmission rates rose 5.5% to P1.1243 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the December supply month, the NGCP said in a presentation.

Transmission charges reflect the cost to deliver electricity from power generators to the distribution system.

Mr. Datingaling said transmission wheeling rates, or what NGCP charges for its primary service of delivering power, rose 7.22% month on month to P0.5315 per kWh.

Ancillary services (AS) charges, on the other hand, rose 4% from a month earlier to P0.5928 per kWh.

AS charges reflect the cost of power sourced from the reserve market and providers holding bilateral contracts with NGCP who step in when supply from long-term providers is inadequate.

It has said that it does not earn from AS and did not benefit from the increase in prices as it is a pass-through cost paid to generation companies.

For the February billing period, customers may expect an increase in AS cost as the NGCP collects the remaining P3.05 billion for power generators that supplied the reserve market in March.

“In the next billing statement of NGCP to the customers next month, we will see the 70% charge for AS that generators were not able to charge from the March 2024 billing period. It will now be collected from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao,” Mr. Datingaling said.

The reserve market allows the system operator to procure power reserves from the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) — the trading floor of electricity — to meet the reserve requirements of the grid.

Referring to issues raised by legislators, the company’s representative said that the presence of Chinese nationals on its board “does not pose a threat.”

NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia P. Alabanza said that the presiding dispatchers are Filipino citizens.

“Naiintindihan ko, Filipino rin ako, nakakabahala rin ’yung issue sa WPS (West Philippine Sea), kaya kong sabihin na walang ganung threat sa look ng NGCP (I understand, as a Filipino myself, that the WPS issue is worrying, but I can say that there is no threat from within the NGCP,” she said.

The NGCP has said that it is a Filipino-led company, with 60% of its shares owned by Filipinos.

The consortium that controls the company — Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power Corp., and State Grid Corp. of China — won the bid to operate the transmission grid for $3.95 billion.

Monte Oro Grid Resources and Calaca own 60% of the company while State Grid Corp. of China holds 40%, meeting the law’s requirement for foreign investors.

Ms. Alabanza said that the NGCP has six Filipino citizens and four foreign nationals who sit as board directors, which is a “proportionate share” to its investment.

The grid operator’s board is led by Zhu Guangchao, a Chinese national, as its chairman. The members are Robert G. Coyiuto, Jr., Henry Sy, Jr., Jose T. Pardo, Francis Chua, Anthony L. Almeda, Paul P. Sagayo, Jr., Yao Yousheng, Wang Lijin, and Liu Xinhua.

“Is the chairman of the board more important? Is his vote heavier than the others? No,” Ms. Alabanza said. “In fact, kailangan presiding officer lang siya (he serves only as a presiding officer).”

The NGCP officially started operations as a power transmission service provider in 2009, it said. Under a congressionally granted 50-year franchise, the company has the right to operate and maintain the transmission system and related facilities, and to exercise the right of eminent domain as needed to construct, expand, maintain, and operate the transmission system. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Here comes the VAT refund for tourists

January 15, 2025 | 8:16 pm

2025 has finally rolled in and social media posts about the possible long weekends throughout the year brought about by the declared regular and special non-working holidays are all over the place. Of course, when we speak of long weekends, people tend to see these as possible out-of-town holidays or even long haul flights to other countries. One good way to get ideas and to plan for these holiday vacations, particularly for those overseas, is to watch content from travelers regarding their latest trips, which often showcase their budols or splurges.

One thing that has always captured my attention whenever I watch these vlogs is when the travelers are able to save on their luxury purchases by having the value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax refunded. I see their delight at getting the refund, enabling them to save money to spend on their other expenses during the trip. Also, certain vlog entries have been very helpful in sharing tips on obtaining VAT refunds, highlighting the ease and smoothness of the process, which is a factor they considered in pursuing the VAT refund.

Shopping is a huge part of tourism, not only in other countries, but also here in the Philippines. Indeed, having a portion of the total price paid, such as the VAT, returned to the buyer, can definitely be an incentive for tourists to procure more locally made pasalubongs for their loved ones.

Fortunately, tourists coming to the Philippines are now entitled to a VAT refund for the goods that they purchase, thanks to Republic Act (RA) No. 12079, which was signed into law on Dec. 9 and took effect on Dec. 24.

Under the law, non-resident tourists are eligible for a VAT refund provided: (1) the goods are purchased in person by the tourist in duly accredited stores; (2) such goods are taken out of the Philippines by the tourist within 60 days from the date of purchase; and (3) the value of goods purchased per transaction is at least P3,000.

The VAT can be refunded either electronically or in cash. The VAT refund system is to be operated by one or more reputable, globally recognized, and experienced VAT refund operators providing end-to-end solutions to the government. The Secretary of Finance, in consultation with the other administrative agencies and departments, is tasked with issuing the rules and regulations to faithfully implement the provisions of the law.

The VAT refund for non-resident tourists is definitely a welcome change considering the projected increase in revenue to boost the economy and the growing level of tourists. However, like all changes, there are challenges to be overcome.

From a tourist’s perspective, the weight of the benefits of the refunded VAT over the cost or burden of going through the refund process is one of the main challenges once the refund system is implemented.

Taking into account that the VAT refund threshold amount is just P3,000 per transaction, 12% of that amount may be too small for a non-resident tourist to bother with a cumbersome process. Establishing a refund system that is quite simple and easy to follow would be a key success factor for this government initiative, particularly if the price of the goods to be purchased barely exceeds the P3,000 threshold.

On the other hand, the option to refund the VAT electronically and the engagement of a VAT refund operator for the implementation of this refund system aligns with the BIR’s ongoing efforts to digitalize tax administration. To further modernize the process, the Secretary of Finance in the law’s IRR can also explore the option for an automatic or on-the-spot VAT refund, where tourists can avail the refund by just presenting passports and return tickets. A streamlined process will encourage tourists to purchase more goods in the Philippines by refunding the VAT outright, which will allow them to use the savings to further increase their domestic spending, thereby boosting the economy.

All in all, the idea of a VAT refund for tourists is a gesture of reciprocity for what our own residents have been enjoying in other countries. However, in order to fully realize the potential of the system, its implementation should consider both efficiency and effectiveness, which are part of the considerations of tourists in availing of such opportunities.

In the meantime, all we can do is wait for the implementing rules and regulations, which would hopefully include a more detailed process and procedure that the law has kept broad and open. Fingers crossed that in the next long holiday weekend, we would see more social media content where non-residents share their positive experience with our VAT refund system, enticing other tourists to visit our country.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

Maryanne Patricia Uno is an assistant manager at the Tax Services department of Isla Lipana & Co. the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

maryanne.patricia.uno@pwc.com

Djokovic flattens Jaime Faria in second round of Australian Open

January 15, 2025 | 7:12 pm

Teenager Fonseca crushes Rublev in dream Slam debut

MELBOURNE — Novak Djokovic continued to build into the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in the second round on Wednesday, taking another step towards a 25^th Grand Slam title.

For the top players, the first week of a major is all about finding a groove in the full heat of competition and Djokovic could not have wished for more from his first two opponents, both making their Grand Slam debuts.

On Monday, inspired American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy gave the 10-time Melbourne Park champion the runaround for the first hour of their first-round clash, and 21-year-old Faria presented another set of problems for Djokovic to solve.

Faria’s victory in the opening round was his first at tour level, while Djokovic moved out of a tie with Roger Federer to claim another record merely by taking to the court for his 430^th Grand Slam match.

The gap in experience looked like a chasm in a one-sided opening set but Faria stormed back into the contest by winning the second set in a tiebreaker on the back of some fine ball-striking and all-court athleticism.

Djokovic, with one-time adversary Andy Murray again in his coaching box, broke for 4-2 in the third set, however, and fully quashed the threat offered by the world number 125 in the fourth to set up a meeting with Czech Tomas Machac.

TEENAGER FONSECA CRUSHES RUBLEV
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca launched his Grand Slam career in spectacular fashion as the qualifier took down Russian ninth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) in the opening round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Fonseca became the last player to book a second-round spot but the wait was well worth it as the 18-year-old delivered a stunning display that lived up to the hype.

He looked completely at home on his Grand Slam main draw debut having waltzed through the qualifying draw without dropping a set and all those who stayed late on Margaret Court Arena will not forget him in a hurry.

One almost felt a little sorry for Rublev who became Fonseca’s first victim at a major. The Russian, well-known for chastising himself on court, often painfully, could do little to stem the flow of brilliance across the net.

The Brazilians in the crowd loved it and so did the neutrals as a new star of the men’s game illuminated the night. Fonseca is only the second teenager since 1973 to defeat an ATP top 10 player in their maiden Grand Slam main draw match.

Fonseca arrived on court on the back of a 13-match winning streak at all levels and brimming with confidence.

There was nothing between the players in the opening set with the only break point being saved by Fonseca at 3-4.

But the tiebreak was one-way traffic as Fonseca’s forehand left Rublev reeling.

There was a swagger about Fonseca in the second set as he used the energy of the crowd to surge further in front of a player who reached the quarter-finals last year.

Rublev, 27, was not about to be humiliated though and provided some stiff resistance in the third set, perhaps hoping to hang in and wait for any dip in Fonseca’s energy levels.

But the Brazilian answered every question in emphatic fashion, showing not the slightest hint of nerves despite playing on the biggest stage of his fledgling career.

Rublev smashed a racket in frustration in the third-set tiebreak but offered a warm embrace and a smile as he congratulated Fonseca at the net after a 51^stwinner from the Brazilian flashed past him on match point.

Fonseca, ranked 112 but surely heading much, much higher in a hurry, will face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego next. — Reuters

UP grabs volleyball star Casiey Dongallo with bevy of UE standouts

January 15, 2025 | 7:11 pm

THERE’S no stopping the University of the Philippines (UP) from bolstering its entire sports program — more than just basketball.

In a massive move, UP scooped up the services of development coach Dr. Obet Vital and rising volleyball star Casiey Dongallo alongside a bevy of other standouts from the University of the East (UE) to shore up its rebuilding stage for the UAAP volleyball tournament.

A high school MVP in PNVF and SSL national leagues, the 5-foot-7 spiker Ms. Dongallo has completed her transfer this week to finally end rumors of UE’s core breakup for good.

She (Dongallo), along with pals Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero and Jenalyn Umayam, will redshirt this upcoming tournament before being eligible in Season 88 for UP women’s volleyball team (WVT) backed by Strong Group Athletics (SGA) and business tycoon Frank Lao.

All the said players made up the core of the fancied California Acacemy in Antipolo, which ruled multiple junior competitions, under the watch of Mr. Vital before their collective transition to the UAAP collegiate play with UE.

Mr. Vital, known for his scientific methods in developing budding players, served as deputy of head coach Jerry Yee in UE and will fill the same role under Benson Bocboc in UP, while manning Diliman’s grassroots program.

Former pro standout Alohi Robins-Hardy is also part of Mr. Bocboc’s staff as UP stamped seriousness in snapping an eight-year title drought.

“Their arrival is a sign that Mr. Frank Lao, SGA, and OASD (Office for Athletics and Sports Development) are really sincere in developing the UP volleyball program. Their addition to our roster, together with our recruits this year, will definitely make our team a contender in the following years,” said UP volleyball program director Oliver Almadro.

“It’s about time to make our volleyball teams strong because they have great potential to be another source for unity ng UP community. We welcome the entry of Doc Obet and his players to women’s team, but to also show that we’re turning serious about competing in volleyball,” added UP OASD Director Bo Perasol.

UP is coming off a championship in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball and the hope is similar for the WVT down the road starting with a Final Four bid this season since last making it in 2017 led by now pros Isa Molde and Tots Carlos.

With Ms. Dongallo and company still serving residency, responsibility will be on former Second Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang and former UAAP juniors MVP Kianne Olango alongside veterans Nica Celis and Irah Jaboneta, as well as youngsters Yesha Noceja, Bienne Bansil and Kassy Doering. — John Bryan Ulanday

Zheng stunned at Melbourne Park, Sabalenka battles through

January 15, 2025 | 7:11 pm

MELBOURNE — Zheng Qinwen was the first big name to exit the women’s draw at the Australian Open on Wednesday after the Olympic champion was stunned by Laura Siegemund while top seed Aryna Sabalenka made heavy weather of her second round match before going through.

Jessica Pegula, who lost to Sabalenka in last year’s US Open final, safely advanced while Tokyo Olympics champion Belinda Bencic moved on after a brief spell of rain delayed proceedings on the outer courts on the fourth day.

China’s Zheng had been bidding to emulate compatriot Li Na’s 2014 triumph at Melbourne Park but her hopes evaporated at John Cain Arena, where unseeded German Siegemund pulled off a stunning 7-6(3), 6-3 victory.

The fifth seed left the court looking like she was about to burst into tears while world number 97 Siegemund was beaming from ear to ear after a famous win.

Zheng said it was just not her day.

Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman to win three straight titles at Melbourne Park since Martina Hingis from 1997-99 and while the Belarusian beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5 she did not have it all her own way.

After easing through the first two games of the match on Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka twice swapped breaks with the world number 54 before taking control for a 5-2 lead and closing out the opening set on serve.

The three-time Grand Slam champion’s serve came under intense pressure in the next set and she found herself trailing 4-1 as an inspired Bouzas Maneiro began hitting stinging winners on both sides of the court.

Sabalenka found a spark from somewhere and fought back from 5-2 to level at 5-5 and fired a backhand winner to break again in the next game before wrapping up the contest to extend her win streak at the hardcourt major to 16.

American seventh seed Pegula beat Belgian Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2 on Margaret Court Arena while Bencic beat Suzan Lamens 6-1, 7-6(3) after Olga Danilovic stunned 25^th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-2. — Reuters

Middle blocker Risa Sato transfers to Chery Tiggo from Creamline

January 15, 2025 | 7:10 pm

MULTI-TITLED middle blocker Risa Sato has crossed over to Chery Tiggo from Creamline.

The transfer was made official on Wednesday after the team announced it on social media and Ms. Sato could suit up anytime for the Crossovers, who will resume their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference campaign against Galeries Tower on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

“Yokoso Risa-san,” it said. “To our new addition to our growing family, welcome. Your skills and energy are a game-changer and we can’t wait to have you on the court with us.

Ms. Sato had amicably parted ways late last year with the Creamline franchise where she was part of its 10 storied championships in the league.

This has allowed her to sign up with any club and it turned out it was Chery Tiggo, which is eyeing its second championship and add to the only one it had won in the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte bubble four years ago.

Ms. Sato will join a team that is already loaded with talent like Mylene Paat, Ara Galang, Abigail Maraño, Jasmine Nabor, Pongay Gaston, Jen Nierva and Princess Robles among others.

She could also fill in to the massive void vacated by Eya Laure, who has also left the team late last year.

Chery Tiggo is currently at No. 4 in the standings with a 4-2 record and there is hope Ms. Sato could help it improve even higher. — Joey Villar

Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers avenge loss to Indiana Pacers

January 15, 2025 | 7:09 pm

DONOVAN MITCHELL scored 27 of his game-high 35 points in the first half, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Indiana Pacers 127-117 in Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Darius Garland added 24 points and seven assists, while Evan Mobley had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Cleveland, which avenged a 15-point home loss to the Pacers on Sunday. Jarrett Allen chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds, and Max Strus had 13 points off the bench.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points, followed by 19 from Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner’s 17. Jarace Walker scored 11, while Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell each had 10 for the Pacers, who had their six-game winning streak snapped. Nembhard added nine assists.

After leading by one point at halftime, Cleveland extended it to eight on a 3-pointer by Strus at the 5:02 mark of the third quarter. Indiana took a timeout, but Cleveland had seven straight points. Strus made one of two free throws, and Georges Niang and Mobley nailed 3-pointers widened the cushion to 92-77 with 3:36 remaining in the third.

McConnell scored the final two baskets of the third for Indiana, trimming the Pacers’ deficit to 100-89 entering the fourth quarter.

Sam Merrill’s triple gave Cleveland a 111-99 advantage with 8:49 left, but Thomas Bryant hit a 3-pointer, Mathurin scored on a put-back layup, and Walker made a midrange jumper and pulled Indiana within five with 7:11 remaining.

Garland answered the run with Cleveland’s next six points, beginning a 12-5 run for the Cavaliers to push the lead back to 12 points. Turner’s dunk trimmed Indiana’s deficit to 10, before Allen’s dunk and Garland’s finger roll iced Cleveland’s victory.

After Turner’s free throws tied the game at 26 with 3:17 left in the first quarter, baskets by Niang and Mitchell began a 9-2 Cleveland run, pushing the Cavaliers’ lead to 35-28. Mitchell’s midrange jumper with 5.6 seconds left gave him his 19^th point of the opening quarter and extended Cleveland’s first-quarter advantage to 37-30.

Walker’s dunk to open the second quarter was followed by Mitchell’s layup. From there, Bryant’s layup jump-started Indiana’s 9-0 run, taking its first lead on Siakam’s layup with 9:55 left in the second quarter.

Mitchell’s three-point play then began an 8-0 Cleveland spurt, as the Cavaliers grabbed a 47-41 lead at the 8:03 mark.

Mitchell’s floater gave Cleveland a 59-51 advantage, but Siakam’s layup with 33.6 seconds left capped a 10-3 run by the Pacers to finish the first half with Cleveland on top 62-61.

Mitchell led all scorers in the half with 27 points, while Siakam paced Indiana with 21. — Reuters

ZUS Coffee resumes its quest for gain in PVL All-Filipino Conference

January 15, 2025 | 7:08 pm

AFTER claiming its first two victories in its infant Premier Volleyball League (PVL) life, ZUS Coffee is hoping to sustain what it has significantly gained in the PVL All-Filipino Conference that resumes on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.

But they would have to live by their battle cry — progress, not perfection.

“Good sign that we progressed,” said a proud Jovelyn Gonzaga, ZUS unquestioned leader.

Under Ms. Gonzaga’s battle-scarred Ms. Gonzaga’s leadership, the Thunderbelles have accomplished what they haven’t done in their first two conferences in the league — win games.

The fledgling franchise’s two triumphs came at the expense of Galeries Tower and Nxled.

But what was astonishing about the Thunderbelles’ resurgence was the fact that their three defeats in this conference weren’t a straight-set blowout just like in the past.

They succumbed to Akari and Farm Fresh in four sets while staring undefeated and powerhouse Creamline eye to eye before falling via the full, five-set route.

The best though is yet to come as ZUS resumes its quest for more upsets against Choco Mucho on Saturday. — Joey Villar

Bucks ride massive first quarter to victory over Kings

January 15, 2025 | 7:08 pm

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO and Damian Lillard combined for 25 points during a 47-point first quarter that propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to a 130-115 win over the visiting Kings on Tuesday night, snapping Sacramento’s seven-game winning streak.

Antetokounmpo finished with a game-high 33 points and Lillard totaled 24 for the Bucks, who rebounded from a 34-point loss against the New York Knicks on Sunday to earn their fourth win in the past five games.

DeMar DeRozan had a team-high 28 points and De’Aaron Fox recorded a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Kings, who lost for just the second time in nine games since Doug Christie took over as interim coach after Mike Brown was fired.

The Bucks wasted little time taking control of the game, outscoring Sacramento 30-11 over the final 6:30 of the first quarter to build a 47-26 lead. Antetokounmpo had 15 of the 47 points, while Lillard drilled three 3-pointers, one of which he turned into a four-point play.

Sacramento’s best run came early in the fourth quarter, when Fox and Keegan Murray hit 3-pointers during a 14-3 spurt that cut a 22-point deficit in half with 8:28 to play. But Brook Lopez countered with a pair of 3-pointers while Lillard and Ryan Rollins added one apiece as part of a 16-5 rally that produced the one-sided finish. — Reuters

S. Korean investigators arrest impeached President Yoon

January 15, 2025 | 5:55 pm

SEOUL — South Korean authorities arrested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday over insurrection allegations, with the embattled leader saying he agreed to comply with what he called an illegal probe to avoid “bloodshed.”

His arrest, the first ever for an incumbent South Korean president, is the latest head-spinning development for one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies even though the country has a history of prosecuting and imprisoning former leaders.

Since lawmakers voted to stand him down after his short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, Mr. Yoon has been holed up at his hillside residence, guarded by a small army of personal security that blocked a previous arrest attempt.

A defiant Mr. Yoon said he submitted himself for questioning to avoid any violence after more than 3,000 police officers marched on his residence to arrest him from the early hours of Wednesday.

“I decided to respond to the CIO’s investigation — despite it being an illegal investigation — to prevent unsavory bloodshed,” Mr. Yoon said in a statement, referring to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) that is heading the criminal probe.

Mr. Yoon’s motorcade was later seen leaving his residence in an upscale area known as Seoul’s Beverly Hills. It arrived at the investigators’ office but was quickly surrounded by security and moved to the back of the building, where Mr. Yoon slipped in, evading the waiting media.

Authorities now have 48 hours to question Mr. Yoon after which they must seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days or release him.

Mr. Yoon’s lawyers have said the arrest warrant is illegal because it was issued by a court in the wrong jurisdiction and the team set up to investigate him had no legal mandate to do so. A warrant to search Mr. Yoon at his residence, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, referred to Mr. Yoon as “ringleader of insurrection.”

Mr. Yoon’s declaration of martial law shocked South Koreans, rattled Asia’s fourth largest economy and ushered in an unprecedented period of political turmoil in one of Washington’s key security partners in the region. Lawmakers voted to impeach him and remove him from duties shortly after on Dec. 14.

Separate from the criminal investigation, the Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to uphold his impeachment by parliament and permanently remove him from office or restore his presidential powers.

The United States remains committed to working with the government in Seoul and appreciates all its efforts and citizens “to act in accordance with the Constitution”, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said in statement.

The top government spokesperson in neighboring Japan, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a daily news briefing that Tokyo was following developments in South Korea “with particular and serious interest.”

YOON SUPPORTERS
The latest arrest attempt that began before dawn gripped the nation with hundreds of thousands glued to live feeds showing bus loads of police arriving near the presidential residence, pushing past Yoon supporters and then walking towards the gates of the compound carrying ladders and wire cutters.

As local news broadcasters reported that Mr. Yoon’s detention was imminent, some minor scuffles broke out between pro-Yoon protesters and police near the residence, according to a Reuters witness at the scene.

Throngs of those protesters gathered in sub-zero temperatures, some wrapped in foil blankets and others waving flags bearing “Stop the Steal” slogans referring to Mr. Yoon’s unsubstantiated claims of election fraud — one of the reasons he gave to justify his short-lived martial law declaration.

Some of Mr. Yoon’s supporters have drawn parallels with his plight and that of US President-elect Donald J. Trump, who also claimed voter fraud contributed to his election defeat in 2020 but recovered to make a stunning political comeback.

“It is very sad to see our country falling apart,” said Kim Woo-sub, a 70-year-old retiree protesting Mr. Yoon’s arrest outside his residence on Wednesday.

“I still have high expectations for Trump to support our president. Election fraud is something they have in common but also the US needs South Korea to fight China,” he said.

Despite polls showing a majority of South Koreans disapprove of Mr. Yoon’s martial law declaration and support his impeachment, the political standoff has given oxygen to his supporters and his People Power Party (PPP) has seen a revival in recent weeks.

Support for the PPP stood at 40.8% in the latest Realmeter poll released on Monday, while the main opposition Democratic Party’s support stood at 42.2%, within a margin of error and down from a gap of 10.8% from last week, the poll said. — Reuters

Gaza ceasefire appears close as US, Egyptian leaders put focus on deal

January 15, 2025 | 5:48 pm

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA-BORDER — Smoke rises over Gaza, as seen from Israel’s border with Gaza, in southern Israel Oct. 28, 2023. — REUTERS

DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM — Negotiators were near to hammering out the final details of a ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday after marathon talks in Qatar, and the US and Egyptian leaders promised to stay in close contact about a deal over the coming hours.

More than eight hours of talks in Doha had fueled optimism. Officials from mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US as well as Israel and Hamas said an agreement for a truce in the besieged enclave and release of hostages was closer than ever.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari earlier told a news conference that both sides were presented with a text and talks on the last details were under way.

But a senior Hamas official told Reuters late on Tuesday that the Palestinian group had not delivered its response yet because it was still waiting for Israel to submit maps showing how its forces would withdraw from Gaza.

US President Joseph R. Biden, whose administration has been taking part alongside an envoy of President-elect Donald J. Trump, said a deal was close after the war decimated Gaza, killed tens of thousands of people and triggered conflicts in the region.

Mr. Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi talked about progress in the negotiations on Tuesday.

“Both leaders committed to remain in close coordination directly and through their teams over the coming hours,” the White House said in a statement after the leaders’ telephone call.

The two presidents “emphasized the urgent need for a deal to be implemented.”

Hamas said the talks had reached the final steps and it hoped this round of negotiations would lead to a deal.

An Israeli official said talks had reached a critical phase although some details needed to be worked out: “We are close, we are not there yet.”

White House National Security adviser Jake Sullivan said hopefully a Gaza hostage deal will be reached this week.

Visiting Rome, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday he believed a majority of Israel’s coalition government would support a Gaza deal if one were finally agreed, despite vocal opposition from hardline nationalist parties in the coalition.

Militant group Islamic Jihad, which is separate from Hamas and also holds hostages in Gaza, said it was sending a senior delegation that would arrive in Doha on Tuesday night to take part in final arrangements for a ceasefire deal.

If successful, the phased ceasefire — capping over a year of start-and-stop talks — could halt fighting that decimated Gaza, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, made most of the enclave’s population homeless and is still killing dozens a day.

That in turn could ease tensions across the wider Middle East, where the war has fueled conflict in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and raised fears of all-out war between Israel and Iran.

Israel would recover around 100 remaining hostages and bodies from among those captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas that precipitated the war. In return it would free Palestinian detainees.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who gave a speech in Washington outlining a vision for governing the Palestinian territories after the war, said it was up to Hamas to accept a deal that was already set for implementation.

CHILDREN, WOMEN HOSTAGES WOULD BE RELEASED FIRST
“The deal … would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started,” Mr. Biden said on Monday.

Despite the efforts to reach a ceasefire, new Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 15 people on Tuesday in attacks on Deir al-Balah and Rafah, medics said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations said it was busy preparing to expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza under a potential ceasefire but uncertainty around border access and security remained obstacles.

Families of hostages in Israel were caught between hope and despair.

“We can’t miss this moment. This is the last moment; we can save them,” said Hadas Calderon, whose husband Ofer and children Sahar and Erez were abducted.

An Israeli official said the deal’s first stage would see the release of 33 hostages, including children, women including some female soldiers, men above 50, and the wounded and sick. Israel would gradually and partially withdraw some forces.

A Palestinian source said Israel would free 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first phase over 60 days.

Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas-led fighters stormed across its borders on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.

Both sides have been committed in principle for months to the prospect of a ceasefire accompanied by a swap of remaining hostages for detainees. But Hamas rejected any deal that stopped short of bringing a permanent end to the war, while Israel said it would not end the war until Hamas is dismantled.

Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration is now widely seen as a de facto deadline for a ceasefire agreement. — Reuters

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