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Style (10/11/21)

Vans x Horror Collection out in time for Halloween

THIS SEASON, Vans partners with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to bring classic, well-known horror stories to life with the Vans x Horror collection, launching Oct. 1, through interpretations of some of the scariest moments in movies across iconic footwear and apparel pieces. These include the terrifying twins of The Shining, the possessed characters of The Exorcist and The Lost Boys, to the maniacs in Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and IT. The shoes have a SRP ranging from P4,298 to P5,998. The Vans x Horror collection is available at the Vans stores in Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, SM Megamall, Glorietta 3, Robinsons Place Manila, Ayala Malls Cebu, Alabang Town Center, Market Market, Festival Mall, Up Town Center, SM North EDSA, SM Fairview, and Robinsons Galleria For more information, visit @vansphilippines on Instagram.

Singapore’s cult-fave Dumpling Bag at Shangri-La Plaza

THE CULT-FAVE Dumpling Bag is an icon among Singapore’s functionally stylish is now exclusively available in the Philippines at Beyond The Vines in Shangri-La Plaza. The bag features a distinct dumpling-like ruching, hence the name. Made with lightweight water-resistant nylon, this packable bag is spacious enough to fit daily necessities. It’s designed with handles of two lengths so it can be carried as a handbag or a messenger bag. The Dumpling Bag also has more practical features like elastic opening, a large flap pocket, and a D-ring for attaching keys. First introduced in 2019, it is currently available in nine colors from practical black and khaki to playful terracotta and sage, and in four sizes: XS, Micro, M and XL. Beyond The Vines at the Shang — the brand’s only branch in the Philippines — also has womenswear, other bag designs and lifestyle products. The store is at the Mid-Level 2/3, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza.

Tod’s Pre-spring 2022 Women’s Collection

SEASON after season, creative director Walter Chiapponi injects a touch of the unexpected into Tod’s lifestyle. The Pre-Spring 2022 collection is a reinterpretation of sportswear archetypes in a glamorous key. Classic pieces include Bermuda shorts, as well as the five pocket trousers or the parka, are made of technical moiré. The trench in heavy cotton has a sculptural back flap; contrasting stitches run through the coat and the red shiny leather skirt. The weaves of carpets become wearable on ponchos and fringed tunics; Ts and lions, distinctive elements in the iconography of the brand, multiply as ton sur ton jacquards on the blouses. The handmade characterizes the accessories: sandals and shoppers in crocheted raffia, T Timeless bags with bandages on the shoulder strap, the Tod’s Oboe bag in jacquard canvas. Large contrasting stitching is featured on the generously shaped maxi bags. The T is a distinctive sign on the clogs and on the loafers that alternate rounded toes with sharp tips. The elongated pumps are enriched with the Kate maxi chain detail and have conical kitten heels. The same heels return on the canvas and leather sandals that wrap the ankle leaving the foot almost bare. In the Philippines, Tod’s is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., with stores at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Shangri-La Plaza and online at Trunc.ph, Rustans.com, Zalora, and Lazada.

Design Story opens new showroom

DESIGN Story, one of Manila’s premier furniture shops carrying global brands, has opened a new showroom which combines the features of a furniture shop, exhibit, and café bar. The new showroom, located at The Alley at Karrivin Plaza in Makati, is a gallery-style enclave that invites people to check out carefully curated designer furniture, light fixtures, and home accessories. The showroom offers the latest pieces from Design Story’s flagship brands HAY, &Tradition, Stellar Works, and Verpan. Upon entering the ground floor hallway, visitors are greeted with iconic Flowerpot pendant lights by Verner Panton. The new furniture offers plush and elegantly simple lines of Scandinavian design. One can also go bold with style choices; mixing the Asian aesthetics of StellarWorks’ chairs with the midcentury-modern character of &Tradition and Verpan furnishings, the latest brands offered in Design Story’s strong portfolio. The top floor features designer pieces. Displayed on a platform are pieces like &Tradition’s Little Petra, StellarWorks’ Kite, and HAY’s Palissade chair. The showroom also has a dedicated lightroom showcasing a wide variety of pendant lights, table lamps, and portable lighting fixtures from different brands. The showroom also has a cafe + bar concept that offers signature dishes like beetroot hummus, smoked salmon toast, roast beef sandwich, and vongole pasta to name a few, plus hand-crafted signature coffee and cocktails. Design Story is located at Unit C-11, 2nd floor, building C Karrivin Plaza, Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City. For details visit www.designstory.com.ph and follow their socials @designstoryph and @threesquarescafebar

Exclusive Bb. Pilipinas merch out

BINIBINING Pilipinas has created an exclusive line of merchandise that says “I am Binibini,” ranging from shirts, caps, to jackets. The women’s tees come in two colors, and are available in sizes S to 2XL. For a touch of cool, there is the Bb. Pilipinas Classic Bomber Jacket, while the baby pink “I am Filipina, I am Binibini” Hooded Jacket is another option. For sportier fans, there is the Bb. Pilipinas Embroidered Twill Cap. Back issues of the Bb. Pilipinas souvenir program are also up for grabs at the store, plus there are three versions of hygiene kit. The kits come with a two-ply customized washable face mask in three different designs and two sizes, a 75ml bottle of ethyl alcohol, and zip lock packaging. Prices of Bb. Pilipinas merch start at ₱449 and can be purchased by visiting https://bbpilipinas.ticketnet.com.ph/. Orders will be delivered and can be paid for through credit and debit cards, GCash, GrabPay, CoinsPH, and BPI Direct Debit.

Meycauayan Jewelries offers handcrafted jewelry

MEYCAUAYAN Jewelries (MJ), which opened in 2019, has a strong commitment to constantly improve and refine its product designs and services, offering a personalized customer experience. “At Meycauayan Jewelries, we offer a personalized customer experience to ensure that every client invests in the right piece,” said MJ founder and CEO, Maria Aleta Dionisio in a press statement. Quality and Trust are key values for MJ, says the statement, along with “the zeal to preserve the traditional art of fine jewelry making.” Ms. Dionisio is an Applied Jewelry Professional (GIA AJP) with extensive knowledge in Colored Stone Essentials, Diamond Essentials, and Jewelry Essentials; and all the sales staff are GIA-trained. MJ is commissioned mostly for wedding and engagement rings, but does not limit itself to that, catering to customers who have different needs and preferences in terms of jewelry design, gemstones, and hard materials. Clients can choose from a wide range of options for center stones that include but are not limited to natural diamonds, lab-grown, and colored gemstones. This year, MJ launched two new additions to its collection of wedding rings — the yellow gold Elena Wedding Ring Set and the Cadena white and yellow gold bridal ring set. Both made to order and available in 14 karat and 18 karat gold. For details visit https://www.meycauayanjewelries.com/.

Travel via scent with Diptyque’s Le Grand Tour collection

IN CELEBRATION of its 60th anniversary, French luxury fragrance house Diptyque has announced its new travel-themed Le Grand Tour collection. This series of limited-edition candles, perfumes, and scented ovals was inspired by the favorite destinations of its founders. Since 1961, the trio of Christiane Montadre-Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet, and Yves Coueslant had used global cultures to nurture their creations and, to this day, Diptyque continues the legacy of intersecting travel with art and fragrances. The special anniversary collection is now available in the Philippines exclusively through Adora Department Store. The collection features five destinations expressed in limited-edition fragrances: Paris, via a 190-gram scented candle which channels fragrances of polished wood, the pages of old books mixed with the mineral notes of cobblestones, finished up with a touch of smoky notes evocative of tobacco and the city’s open fires; Venice, expressed in a perfume travel set evoking an earthy fragrance mingled with bell peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and basil; Milies in Greece, through a scented oval blending the fragrances of fig tree fields bordered with cypress trees and immortelle bushes; Kyoto, via a perfume that strikes a subtle balance of incense, rose, and vetiver; and, Byblos in Lebanon, with the ancient coastal city’s scents are reworked in a candle that evokes notes of roasted cardamom coffee and cedar wood.

Givenchy’s Cut-out Bag for Fall-Winter

THE FUTURISTIC Cut-Out handbag by Givenchy Creative Director Matthew M. Williams is now available in new versions for Fall-Winter 2021. This season, its distinctive V-shaped signature becomes even more directional in padded, grooved lambskin inspired by vintage car seats. First revealed on the Fall-Winter 2021 runway, this treatment is achieved using an intricate process of high-frequency wave techniques. The Cut-Out features a silver-finish G-Cube chain. For the first time, a longer, cross-body G-Cube chain also is available as an add-on for this and selected other Givenchy handbags. The Cut-Out in padded leather is available in mini and small sizes, in padded matte lambskin (black) or patent leather (lilac). It is also available in smooth box leather with a subtle glossy sheen, in black and chestnut. Givenchy is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall East Wing, Greenbelt 4, and Solaire Resort & Casino.

Swarovski’s newest Wonderlab creations

SWAROVSKI’S Wonderlab goes technicolor with Collection II. As with its predecessor, Collection II is ripe with symbolism, simultaneously telling Swarovski’s brand story whilst playing with colors, textures, and cuts to create pieces for individual self-expression — classic, punk, sweet, striking, and every personal expression in between. New Collection II families include: Dextera which features intermix with precision-cut pave in unisex designs; Imber, which is a reinterpretation of a jewelry staple – the chain – with a Swarovski twist; Studiosa, in which architectural angles meet mathematical mechanics with pierced stones; Signum, featuring the brand icon, the Swarovski Swan, in full-spectrum color; Stella, distinct star-shaped pieces that play with proportion. Collection II can be viewed across digital channels and available in-stores and online.

Banana Republic reinvents itself for Fall 2021

THIS FALL, Banana Republic reintroduces its new brand identity, positioning, and brand promise — winking at its heritage while reinventing itself for today’s modern world. The 43-year-old global lifestyle brand is reimagining every detail of the customer experience in the form of democratic, approachable, and inclusive luxury. The Fall 2021 campaign brings back this spirit of Banana Republic brand origins and expresses them in a modern way: the fun, witty, and optimistic spirit that once was the heart of the brand; presents inclusive luxury through competitive price points, an emphasis on quality, luxurious fabrications, and responsible design and production. Part of this reimagining is the increased use of sustainable fabrics. The brand aims to use more sustainable denim by 2023, focusing on water savings, using at least 20% less water in the garment, sourcing more sustainable fibers, using more sustainable dye methods, eco-friendly finishes and trims made from recycled materials. By then it plans to use 100% sustainable cotton, sourcing more sustainable cotton including recycled, Indian-grown organic, and American-grow cotton; and, to use 50% sustainable fabrics, sourcing recycled and responsible wool from vendors that are compliant under the Responsible Wool Standards; linen and recycled polyester. By 2025, it aims to reduce water impact and promote cleaner chemistry. Currently, 50% of its products use techniques that save at least 20% of water at its facilities and use cleaner chemistry in its supply chain. For this season, Women’s Sustainable Styles include straight-fit ankle pant, flyweight cargo jogger with core temp, high-rise straight organic jean, high-rise slim jean, slub cotton-modal crew-neck T-shirt, off-the-shoulder sweater dress, fitted ribbed tank, and classic-fit poplin shirt. Men’s Sustainable Styles include Motion Tech short, Motion Tech jogger, Organic French terry hoodie sweatshirt, double-knit zip sweater hoodie, untucked standard-fit double weave shirt, authentic SUPIMA crew-neck t-shirt, and Slim Luxe traveler rinse wash. Banana Republic VIP customers can enjoy exclusive offers, VIP access, Plus, other benefits: P1,000 welcome voucher, Annual milestone vouchers, and a special birthday treat. To learn more about the VIP Program, go to http://bananarepublic.com.ph/pages/vip-page.

PSE posts 39% year-on-year market cap growth in August

PSE posts 39% year-on-year market cap growth in August

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 8, 2021

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Friday, October 8, 2021.

Peso to go up on remittance data

BW FILE PHOTO
THE PESO is expected to climb versus the dollar on expectations of strong remittances. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO may strengthen versus the greenback this week on expectations of upbeat remittance data and as the market awaits more signals from the US Federal Reserve on the timing of its tapering.

The local unit closed P50.58 per dollar on Friday, depreciating by two centavos from its P50.56 finish on Thursday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

Still, the peso strengthened by 21 centavos from its P50.79 close on Oct. 1.

The peso depreciated on Friday due to safe-haven demand for the dollar amid rising oil prices, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

Reuters reported that fuel prices increased nearly 5% last week after some industries started switching to oil from gas amid uncertainty whether the US government would release oil from its strategic reserves.

Brent crude futures jumped $1.07 or 1.3% to $83.02 a barrel by 0643 GMT on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose $1.11 or 1.4% to $79.41 per barrel.

Meanwhile, UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said market sentiment improved last week following the release of data showing slower inflation in September.

The consumer price index rose by 4.8% in September, easing from the 4.9% logged in August but faster than the 2.3% print recorded in the same month last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported last week.

Headline inflation averaged at 4.5% for the nine months through September, still above the 2-4% target and 4.4% forecast of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for this year.

For this week, Mr. Ricafort said remittance data will affect market sentiment. August remittance data will be released by the central bank on Friday, Oct. 15.

Cash remittances increased 2.5% year on year in July to $2.853 billion. This was the highest monthly inflow since the $2.89 billion logged in December 2020.

This brought inflows for the first seven months to $17.771 billion, up by 5.8% from the same period in 2020. The BSP expects cash remittances to grow by 6% this year.

Meanwhile, Mr. Asuncion said investors will also be looking for leads from the minutes of the previous Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) policy review, which will be released on Thursday.

The Fed last month kept its policy settings unchanged, although officials signaled that they may start reducing asset purchases as soon as November.

For this week, Mr. Ricafort expects the local unit to move within P50.30 to P50.80 per dollar, while Mr. Asuncion gave a forecast range of P50.40 to P50.90. — Luz Wendy T. Noble with Reuters

Stocks to move sideways ahead of key reports

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

STOCKS may move sideways this week ahead of scheduled data releases from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and as the country’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation continues to improve.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) lost 44.44 points or 0.63% to close at 6,906.86 on Friday, while the broader all shares index went down by 16.33 points or 0.37% to end at 4,338.52.

Week on week, the benchmark PSEi inched up by 16.74 points from its 6,923.60 finish on Oct. 1.

“The week started strong as investors welcomed the reports of an improving COVID-19 situation in the country, as well as cheering over the recently released inflation data for the month of September,” Timson Securities, Inc. Trader Darren Blaine T. Pangan said in a Viber message on Friday.

The PSA reported on Tuesday the country’s inflation print eased to 4.8% in September from the 4.9% recorded in August.

Meanwhile, the PSEi broke past the 7,000 level on Wednesday as COVID-19 infections in the country went below 10,000 last week. However, the index declined anew on Thursday and Friday due to profit taking.

For this week, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the market is awaiting the government’s decision on restrictions for the rest of the month as the pilot implementation of the Alert Level System in the National Capital Region will lapse this week, Oct. 15.

Mr. Ricafort said investors will also monitor the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

According to the Health department’s national vaccination dashboard, the country has administered nearly 48.93 million COVID-19 jabs, with over 22.87 million individuals fully vaccinated as of Oct. 7.

“Market sentiment could also be shaped by some election-related leads, in view of the filing of certificates of candidacy,” Mr. Ricafort added.

The filing of candidacy for the 2022 national elections ended on Friday, with 97 candidates vying for the country’s top post, 29 individuals seeking the vice presidency, and 176 filing for their senatorial bids, among others.

“Investors may be looking forward to the string of economic reports scheduled for release in the coming week, to get a clearer picture of the current state of the local economy,” Timson Securities’ Mr. Pangan said.

The PSA is expected to report August trade data this week. Meanwhile, the BSP will also be releasing latest data on the country’s gross international reserves and remittances from overseas Filipino workers.

“Moving to another week, nearest support may be placed at the 6,780 area, while resistance can be drawn at the 7,065 level,” Mr. Pangan added. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Metro might shift to ‘low risk’ class this month

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

MANILA, the Philippine capital and nearby cities might become at low risk from the coronavirus by the end of October amid decreasing infections, researchers from the country’s premier university said on Sunday.

Virus cases in the capital region have peaked at a seven-day average of 2,000, Octa Research Group fellow Fredegusto P. David told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

“Based on our criteria, the classification for the National Capital Region might shift to low risk by the end of October,” he said in Filipino. “We don’t see any threatening variant of concern that could enter the country. I think this trend will continue until Christmas.”

Hospital occupancy in Metro Manila is expected to decline he said. The entire country daily average could fall to less than 10,000 in the coming weeks from 11,000 now, he added.

The capital region now has a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reproduction number of 0.6, or the number of people infected by a single virus patient, while the positivity rate is 13%, Mr. David said.

He traced declining infections to herd immunity. At least half of the capital region’s adult population has been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the government on Sunday took delivery of 918,450 doses of the coronavirus vaccine made by Pfizer, Inc., the state-owned People’s Television Network said in a Facebook post.

The shipment was donated by the United States under a global initiative for equal access, it said.

The Philippines last week recorded daily virus cases of fewer than 10,000 for two straight days.

The Health department earlier cited a downtrend in virus cases in Metro Manila, even as cases increased in the Bicol, Mimaropa and Zamboanga Peninsula regions.

Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos Region remained at high-risk, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told an online news briefing on Friday.

Congressmen have criticized OCTA Research for what they called its inaccurate coronavirus projections. The group has said it uses data from the Department of Health.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said it had approved American and Swiss-developed Ronapreve for the emergency treatment of the coronavirus.

The drug may be used for people aged 12 and above, FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo told an online news briefing.

Ronapreve could cut the risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus by at least 70%, he said, citing the results of initial clinical trials.

An inter-agency task force also cut the quarantine period for inbound travelers from countries with low to medium coronavirus infections.

Fully vaccinated travelers need only to undergo a five-day quarantine at a facility and five more days in their homes, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing on Friday.

The requirements for unvaccinated people are higher at seven days at a facility and seven days at home, he added.

Foreign passengers must pre-book their own accommodations for a quarantine period of at least six days for the fully vaccinated, and at least eight days for unvaccinated ones.

The old requirement was a 10 to 14 days of quarantine inside a quarantine facility.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said this was an “encouraging development for the country’s tourism industry.”

It would make travel more appealing to tourists, she said in a statement. “The faster we are able to adjust to this situation, the faster we can bounce back better and regain our position in the global tourism market.” — K.A.T. Atienza

Robredo needs wider support to win next year, analysts say

VP LENI OFFICIAL ROBREDO FB PAGE

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

VICE-PRESIDENT Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo has a better chance of attracting more votes by running as an independent candidate, but she needs broader support to beat the ruling party’s presidential bet, political analysts said.

“The vice-president’s campaign should prioritize inclusive strategies that will appeal to all colors,” media research expert Jay L. Bautista said in a Facebook Messenger chat at the weekend. “If she can go beyond a change in color then we will see improving numbers in future surveys.”

Ms. Robredo, who heads the Liberal Party, on Thursday filed her certificate of candidacy for president, ending months of speculation about her political plans for next year. She will run as an independent candidate.

She should reach out to undecided voters and people who criticize the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte but do not identify with the opposition, said Victor Andres Manhit, president of think tank Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies.

“The challenge for her followers is to transform their enthusiasm into broader support across sectors, especially those who belong to class D and E,” he said.

Social media turned pink last week after Ms. Robredo announced her presidential bid wearing a pink ribbon pinned on a blue blouse. She was flanked by her two daughters who wore pink masks.

On Facebook, profile photos showed bright pink circles, while some showbiz personalities shared photos where they wore pink clothes.

“What we are witnessing are strong mainstream and social media coverage with her announcement, but the greater challenge is to translate and convert this into voter preference,” Mr. Manhit said.

Ms. Robredo’s ratings in opinion polls would probably improve in the coming months after she made her political plan official, Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor from the University of the Philippines, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Now they can weigh on her candidacy clearly,” Cleve B. Arguelles, a political science lecturer at De La Salle University, said in a Messenger chat.

Her ratings could go up by as much as 5%, said Antonio Gabriel La Viña, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University. “It could be more if this was not limited to a few social media bubbles.”

But Ms. Robredo should improve her campaign strategy to sustain the trend, Mr. Bautista said. She should also target voters outside the capital region and “go outside the realm of social media,” he added.

“They should know which voter segments they are weak in and which national issues they need to be identified with.”

Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso were the top three choices for president in Pulse Asia Research, Inc.’s recent poll.

Ms. Robredo and her supporters should capitalize on the Duterte government’s poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Manhit said.

She should also explain to ordinary voters how state corruption and the Duterte government’s ties with China could affect their daily lives, he added.

Ms. Carpio is seeking a third and final term as Davao City mayor but her father said she is running for President next year.

“Sara’s rating may be affected by the confusion generated on whether she is running or not,” Ms. Franco said.

The government’s approval rating fell across all national issues in September from a quarter earlier, including on fighting criminality, protecting migrant Filipino workers and defending Philippine territories, according to a Pulse Asia poll.

Ms. Carpio may substitute for Senator Ronald M. de la Rosa, the presidential bet of the ruling PDP-Laban, for as long as she becomes a party member. Parties have until Nov. 15 to substitute candidates who either withdrew, died or got disqualified.

For the Bangsamoro, choice of president would be a vote for region’s new transition leaders

MEMBERS of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, along with government officials led by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, raise the peace sign during their oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang on Feb. 22, 2019. — PCOO.GOV.PH

THE PHILIPPINE president who will be elected next year will have the power to appoint a new set of 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, who will lead the regional government for three years.

This is provided in the Congress-approved bill postponing parliamentary elections in the autonomous region. It is awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who has previously expressed support for the extension of the transition period. 

The current transition leaders, appointed by Mr. Duterte based on nominations from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government as provided under the peace deal and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, will step down with him on June 30, 2022. 

The winning presidential candidate will then have a major hand in the course of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until 2025, when the first parliamentary poll would be held in sync with the mid-term elections. 

Political analyst Ramos C. Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform in the Philippines, said the Bangsamoro needs a president who will be able to listen and negotiate through the complexities of a region that is undergoing political transformation.

“Generally, it’s all subject to negotiations because during the campaign, you will be able to talk to them, but of course they should be watched that they do not have hardline positions, and with a willingness to listen,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino during the Oct. 7 Alerto Bangsamoro radio program co-hosted by International Alert Philippines.

He said while the presidential candidates have yet to present a clear platform on the Bangsamoro, he noted that Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos could prove to be challenging given his father’s legacy of aggravating the unrest in Mindanao during the martial law period.

“I have suspicions that it will not be that easy during engagements if he wins… because the policies of his father before, President Marcos, was among the factors that worsened the situation in Mindanao,” Mr. Casiple said.

He also cited potential challenges with Senator Panfilo M. Lacson for his background as a top-ranking law enforcer.

Mr. Casiple said next year’s election opens many “possible negotations” concerning the BARMM and the interest of Mindanao as a whole. He stressed, however, that the overriding issues that would dominate people’s choices would be addressing the pandemic and its resulting economic downturn.

There were 2.173 million registered voters in the BARMM as of 2019, based on data from the Commission on Elections. Voter turn-out during that year’s mid-term election was 73.9% or 1.607 million.

LOCAL CANDIDATES
Meanwhile, the MILF, through its political party United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), is fielding local government candidates for the first time.

BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo, in a post in Filipino on his Facebook page, said the party’s candidates aim to carry on with the regional government’s goals embodied in the peace agreement.

“The UBJP intends to transform the politics in Bangsamoro into one that is based on principle, platform and programs, and not on mudslinging, family, ties to power, and money,” he said.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the MILF and the government, signed in March 2014, paved the way for the creation of the BARMM in 2019. The establishment of a new autonomous region is part of the overall peace process that aims to address security, social justice, and economic development. — Marifi S. Jara

Storm Maring to bring strong rains, winds in northern PHL

TROPICAL STORM Maring, with international name Kompasu, will bring strong rains and winds in the northern parts of the country on Oct. 11 to 12, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In Sunday morning’s update, PAGASA weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said Maring was absorbing the remnants of tropical depression Nando, which has already weakened into a low pressure area. 

“That is why we expect strong rains and intermittent strong winds in northern Luzon on Monday to Tuesday,” Mr. Bulquerin said.

“The merger event (between Maring and Nando) has completed. The merger cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify and may be upgraded to severe tropical storm category within the next 24 hours,” according to the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

With Maring’s wide berth, typhoon signal #1 was up in provinces in northern Luzon as well as in parts of the Visayas in central Philippines and in Northern Mindanao in the south

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, Maring was located 730 kilometers (kms) east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 85 kms per hour (kms/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kms/h. 

Its tropical cyclone winds extend outwards up to 750 kms from the center, according to PAGASA.

Meanwhile, damage to agricultural produce caused by tropical depression Lannie, which preceded Maring, amounted to P31.7 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In its latest bulletin dated Oct. 8, the DA said damage to rice production totaled 1,377 metric tons (MT). A total of 1,953 farmers and 2,084 hectares of rice farms in Western Visayas were affected.

“The DA, through its regional field offices, is conducting further assessment and validation of damage and losses brought by Tropical Depression Lannie in the agri-fisheries sector,” the DA said.

Lannie is the 12th typhoon to enter the Philippines in 2021. It made 10 landfalls across northern Mindanao, Visayas, and Palawan before exiting on Oct. 6. — Marifi S. Jara and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

CoA flags Court of Appeals for failing to submit monitoring reports for P59M worth of contracts

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

STATE AUDITORS said the Court of Appeals (CA) failed to properly monitor the procurement of supplies for its offices worth P59.228 million.

In its 2020 audit report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said the CA did not prepare and submit procurement monitoring reports (PMR) and agency procurement compliance and performance indicator (APCPI) for 12 completed contracts.

The contracts involve security services, photocopying machines, and cybersecurity software, among others.

CoA cited that the failure to prepare the procurement reports was due to “unawareness” of the requirement and lack of capacity to prepare the documents, based on inquiry with the head secretariat of the CA’s bids and awards committee (BAC).

The commission also said that the list of complete procurements projects submitted as an alternative to the reports “does not support formal tracking and monitoring” and did not provide information on the progress of ongoing projects by the court.

“While the audit team acknowledges the predicament of the BAC Secretariat, we believe that accomplishing and submitting the PMR and APCPI provide the efficient tracing of specific procurements… as well as the identification of strengths and weaknesses in the Court’s procurement system,” auditors reported.

CoA has recommended for the CA to provide proper support to the BAC secretariat and possibly share the task of preparing procurement reports with the court’s Management Audit Division.

They also said that the BAC Secretariat should provide a more efficient and effective procurement reporting system that can function even during calamities or emergencies along with mandatory submissions of the PMR, APCPI, and the annual procurement plan.

Lawmakers from both chambers of Congress have sought to effectively transfer full responsibility of the procurement process to concerned government agencies with bills seeking to abolish the Budget department’s Procurement Service and the Philippine International Trading Corp. — Russell Louis C. Ku

8 hurt after MRT-3 train catches fire

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A TRAIN COACH of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) caught fire near Guadalupe station Saturday evening, injuring at least eight people.   

The MRT-3 management said in a statement that the incident was reported at 9:12 p.m. with fire out declared at 9:51 p.m.

“At 9:31 PM, the fire brigade arrived at the area to suppress the fire. At 9:42 PM, mainline technicians were able to uncouple the two other cars from the defective car. At 9:51 PM, the defective car was declared clear from fire,” they said.

Eight people sustained bruises in their legs and arms from jumping off the train to the rail tracks.

In a separate statement published by MRT-3, maintenance provider Sumitomo Corp. said that “all angles are being thoroughly examined” on the cause of the fire and countermeasures are being taken to ensure safety of operations in the rail line.

Provisional service until Shaw Boulevard station was implemented following the incident. MRT-3 has since resumed full operations on Sunday which runs until Taft Avenue station. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Human rights home

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE URN containing the remains of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Martin ‘Chito’ Gascon is brought on Oct. 11 to the CHR office, where daily masses will be held for the wake until Oct. 16. Mr. Gascon passed away on Saturday due to COVID-19 complications.

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