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Bermuda ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional, London tribunal says

PIXABAY 

A London tribunal on Monday ruled that a 2018 Bermuda law that bans same–sex marriage in the British overseas territory is constitutional, a departure from the broad trend towards legalization of gay marriage in the West.

Bermuda‘s top court in 2018 ruled that the 2018 Domestic Partnership Act, which allows same–sex couples to form partnerships but prohibits them from marrying, violates constitutional freedom of conscience.

London‘s Privy Council, the highest court of appeal for British territories, ruled on Monday that the constitution does not in fact require the state to recognize same–sex marriages, in response to an appeal by Bermuda‘s government.

“Our supporters often say ‘love wins.’ This time it didn’t,” said Roderick Ferguson, lead co-plaintiff in the legal case against the law, in a statement by LGBTQ advocacy group OUTBermuda. “Our work as a society is not done until everyone’s humanity is recognized both in law and in life.”

OUTBermuda called on the government to clarify how it will treat same–sex marriages that had been lawfully performed since 2017. The Bermuda court’s 2018 ruling had suspended the prohibition.

“The Government is pleased with the outcome of the appeal,” Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Kathy Simmons said in a statement. “The Government will now take time to consider the full judgment and its impact.”

Authorities in Bermuda, a wealthy, socially conservative island in the Atlantic of 60,000 people, have said that domestic partnerships provide the same rights as marriage. Thousands of people support the gay marriage ban. – Reuters

Anti-war protester in studio disrupts live Russian state TV news

LONDON – An anti–war protester interrupted a live news bulletin on Russia’s state TV Channel One on Monday, holding up a sign behind the studio presenter and shouting slogans denouncing the war in Ukraine.

The sign, in English and Russian, read: “NO WAR. Stop the war. Don’t believe propaganda. They are lying to you here.” Another phrase, which looked like “Russians against war“, was partly obscured.

The extraordinary act of dissent took place on day 19 of the war which began when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what he called a special military operation. Read full story

“Stop the war. No to war,” the woman protester could be heard shouting, as the news anchor continued to read from her teleprompter.

The protester could be seen and heard for several seconds before the channel switched to a different report to remove her from the screen.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the protester in his nightly video address:

“I am grateful to those Russians who do not stop trying to convey the truth. To those who fight disinformation and tell the truth, real facts to their friends and loved ones,” Zelenskiy said. “And personally to the woman who entered the studio of Channel One with a poster against the war.”

Kira Yarmysh, spokeswoman for jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, wrote on Twitter: “Wow, that girl is cool.”

She posted a video of the incident, which quickly racked up more than 2.6 million views.

 

PRO-KREMLIN CHANNEL

State TV is the main source of news for many millions of Russians, and closely follows the Kremlin line that Russia was forced to act in Ukraine to demilitarize and “denazify” the country, and to defend Russian-speakers there against “genocide”. Ukraine and most of the world have condemned that as a false pretext for an invasion of a democratic country.

The woman was named by OVD-Info, an independent protest-monitoring group, and by the head of the Agora human rights group, as Marina Ovsyannikova, an employee of the channel.

Pavel Chikov, head of Agora, said Ovsyannikova had been arrested and taken to a Moscow police station. Tass news agency said she may face charges under a law against discrediting the armed forces, citing a law enforcement source.

The law, passed on March 4, makes public actions aimed at discrediting Russia’s army illegal and bans the spread of fake news or the “public dissemination of deliberately false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”. The offense carries a jail term of up to 15 years.

In a video recorded before the incident and posted online, a woman who appeared to be Ovsyannikova described herself as a Channel One employee and said she was ashamed to have worked for years spreading Kremlin propaganda. She said her father was Ukrainian, and her mother Russian.

“What is happening now in Ukraine is a crime, and Russia is the aggressor country. The responsibility for that aggression lies on the conscience of only one man, and that man is Vladimir Putin,” she said.

“Now the whole world has turned away from us and the next 10 generations of our descendants will not wash away the shame of this fratricidal war,” she said.

She urged Russians to go out and demonstrate.

Authorities have broken up anti–war protests. According to OVD-Info, which monitors protests and provides legal assistance to those detained, a total of 14,911 people have been arrested. – Reuters

E-commerce startup ITOOH Homestyle champions Filipino design through tech

A wave of new promising markets has emerged as the digital transformation that has swept the globe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to empower consumers and entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved communities. E-commerce has reached its tipping point, and is now projected to eclipse previous forecasts to be worth $363 billion by 2025 as more people learn to utilize the potential of digital platforms to ply their trade online.

Beyond this, however, Jules Veloso, Andrew Bercasio, and Enah Baba, co-founders of furniture and home lifestyle e-commerce platform ITOOH Homestyle, recognized the potential for e-commerce platforms to do something more.

ITOOH Homestyle co-founder Andrew Bercasio

Mr. Bercasio, who had previous experience working as one of e-commerce giant Lazada’s first employees, and has expertise in business development and marketing, said that they have decided to offer a platform for quality, locally-made furniture online.

“During the pandemic, my two co-founders and I were aggressively looking into various segments in the local e-commerce industry. We were looking into a market that we considered was underserved, especially in the beginning,” Mr. Bercasio said in an interview.

At the time, the e-commerce market was saturated with gadgets, accessories, and fashion items sold through marketplaces. There was not quite a market for bigger ticket items, they noticed.

“When you buy furniture, it’s really a commitment. It’s like buying a car. When you purchase a dining table, you plan to use it for the next five to 10 years. It’s not a decision that you can make with just a few clicks, but we hope that as a community, we are slowly learning how to make these purchases online,” Mr. Bercasio said.

ITOOH Homestyle aims to change this perception by offering a “one-stop shop for frictionless discovery and purchase of everything homestyle.” The platform showcases a variety of quality Filipino brands and merchants, catering to the entire spectrum of budgets and lifestyles through careful curation.

Since launching in July 2021, ITOOH Homestyle has grown to offer 60 brands, with an inventory of around 2,000 unique products ranging from home to outdoor furniture. All of the items are presented with detailed descriptions, precise measurements, maintenance instructions, and a meticulous photo gallery for accurate representation.

“Furniture is an investment piece and people really take their time before they buy them. We’re a touch-and-feel market. That’s the main barrier that we’re trying to break, to educate and hopefully have people trust us and our website, trust the product photos we post online. We make sure to take all of our product photos, refrain from using filters, we don’t edit. We are very clear about our descriptions and we want to make sure that we’re truthful with our offering,” Mr. Bercasio said.

ITOOH Homestyle also offers a consumer-friendly return and exchange policy, which encourages buyers to unbox their orders upon delivery for easy returns should they be dissatisfied with the product.

Mr. Bercasio understands the importance of trust in the digital ecosystem, and an accessible and frictionless user experience is one of the most effective ways to build that trust.

“We have a very friendly return or exchange policy. If we deliver the items to you, we encourage our customers to unbox it as soon as it gets delivered so they can see it, sit on it, feel it. And if they end up not liking it, we can accommodate and take it back,” he said.

“Our standards of returns and exchanges have also dramatically changed, thanks to the influence of all these foreign brands coming to Manila. I think it’s very healthy for consumers. And we don’t want anyone to have something from our website that they don’t like or don’t want to have. That’s the trade-off of an e-commerce website, you have to be accommodating,” he added.

Creating a platform to showcase Filipino artistry

One of ITOOH’s goals is to work with a variety of different creative industries such as interior designers, architects, and craftsmen to build its platform. At present, the website offers interior decorating services, in partnership with Grupo Santamaria, an established design firm with a 20-year history.

Mr. Bercasio revealed that the company is working on offering art pieces next, tapping into artists from all over the country and offering them a platform to showcase their work. As with their furniture offerings, ITOOH Homestyle wishes to become a platform in which the creative spirit of the Filipino artist is properly recognized and showcased.

“We all have so many good local brands. We are such good craftsmen that are artistic and creative, and we see that with our furniture design,” he said.

He added, “The goal of the company is to be a sort of home online website that everyone will use and love. We want to continue to offer quality home furniture and quality home accessories. We want to champion local designers and craftsmen.”

Currently, ITOOH Homestyle offers free delivery to the National Capital Region and Greater Manila, but the company is working on establishing coverage in certain key cities in Visayas and Mindanao, with the target of representing Filipino pieces abroad. They also currently have sale running from March 15 to 31 for selected summer pieces, going up to 50% off retail price.

 

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Facebook owner to help train Australian politicians, influencers in run-up to election

BYCGZR-FREEPIK AND RAWPIXEL.COM-FREEPIK

SYDNEY – Facebook owner Meta Platforms FB.O will help train Australian political candidates on aspects of cyber security and coach influencers to stop the spread of misinformation in a bid to boost the integrity of an upcoming election, it said on Tuesday.

Australia has not yet set a date for its next election, which is due by May. Authorities are already on high alert for electoral interference, having previously highlighted foreign interference attempts aimed at all levels of government and targeting both sides of politics. Read full story

“We’ll stay vigilant to emerging threats and take additional steps, if necessary, to prevent abuse on our platform while also empowering people in Australia to use their voice by voting,” Josh Machin, the company’s Australian chief of public policy, said in a statement that is to be posted online.

The social media giant added that it had drafted in a university to help with fact-checking operations in Australia and would require disclosure of the names of those paying for election-related advertisements, in what it called its most comprehensive election strategy.

The steps show how social media firms are seeking to combat online distortion and abuse of information during the lead-up to an election, a time when such efforts are typically at their most heated.

The Facebook Protect security program for high-profile individuals launched in Australia in December, with the company vowing to work with election officials and political parties to offer training for candidates on its policies and tools and ways to keep safe.

To avert hacking, it will prompt candidates to upgrade security to two-factor authentication. The company said it would also coach influencers, or those who earn advertising income from online commentary, to spot fake news.

People seeking to run election-related ads will need to furnish government-issued identification, as well as mandatory disclosures of funding sources for them, it said.

Ads by unauthorized parties, without funding disclosure, would be taken down and stored in a public archive for seven years, it added.

RMIT University, which joined Meta’s third-party fact-checking effort, said it would review posts the company identified as potential misinformation and try to verify them via interviews with primary sources and checks of public data.

“A continuing focus of our work is to identify the super spreaders of misinformation and the ecosystems in which they operate,” said RMIT FactLab Director Russell Skelton in a statement.

“High impact misinformation disrupts evidence-based public policy and debate and so it is crucial we gain a better understanding of what drives this.” – Reuters

ZTE awaits judge’s ruling after U.S. probation hearing

An FBI agent testified on Monday that Chinese nationals brought to the United States under research visas went to work for ZTE Corp 000063.SZ in New Jersey – a possible sign the Chinese tech company violated its probation from a 2017 U.S. plea deal.

At a hearing in federal court in Dallas, FBI special agent Marcus Wondergem said Chinese nationals came to the United States under the guise they would be doing research at the lab of Georgia Tech professor Gee-Kung Chang, but spent little time there and moved to apartments near ZTE in Morristown, New Jersey.

“Is it true that some of these individuals spent months without entering the lab?” Assistant U.S. Attorney John de la Garza asked Wondergem.

“Yes, it is,” Wondergem replied.

U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade said he hoped to issue a written ruling in a matter of days.

ZTE is on probation from its guilty plea in a case tied to illegally shipping American technology to Iran. Kinkeade summoned the company to his courtroom over the possible violation involving an alleged conspiracy to commit visa fraud.

ZTE‘s shares declined after word of the hearing surfaced about a week ago, falling more than 12% last week in Hong Kong and then slipping 7% further on Monday.

Chang and Jianjun Yu, a former ZTE research director in New Jersey, are accused of conspiring to bring Chinese nationals to the United States to conduct research at ZTE between at least 2014 and 2018, according to an indictment unsealed in March 2021.

The Chinese nationals were in the United States on J-1 visas, which are intended for work and study at sponsoring institutions like Georgia Tech.

During his testimony, the FBI’s Wondergem said he checked the door logs for the Georgia Tech lab and produced leases for apartments in Morristown.

On cross-examination by Dallas lawyer Scott Barnard, who represents ZTE, Wondergem acknowledged that the sponsor of the J-1 visas – Georgia Tech, not ZTE – was responsible for the accuracy of the visa applications and that “research scholars” are permitted to work at more than one location.

Wondergem also said that, despite years of investigation in the Georgia Tech case, neither ZTE nor a U.S. subsidiary was indicted.

No other witnesses were called at the hearing.

In closing arguments, Robert Buehler, a lawyer for ZTE, said Yu was a professor at Shanghai’s Fudan University and, in many cases, recommended former students to Georgia Tech. He described their work at ZTE as an “informal internship.”

Buehler also argued that Georgia Tech was responsible for the visas and for the conduct of scientists and engineers in the United States.

“If anyone here should have done more, it was Georgia Tech,” Buehler said.

De la Garza argued that Yu and Chang conspired to use J-1 visas for people to work at ZTE because it was a “cheaper, faster, easier way” to get foreign nationals into the United States.

“It’s a sham,” de la Garza said.

Chang has pleaded not guilty. A lawyer for Chang, Robert Fisher, declined to comment. Yu’s status is unclear. ZTE said he left the company in 2019. – Reuters

Wilcon Depot launches third store in Antipolo City

Wilcon Depot, the Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, opened its third branch in Antipolo City on March 11, 2022.

The retail giant first entered the city with the opening of Wilcon Depot Antipolo and Wilcon Depot San Isidro.

Wilcon Depot Mayamot is the company’s first branch to open this year. It serves as its 5th store in the province of Rizal and 74th store nationwide.

With a total selling area of over 9,000 square meters, the newly-opened store carries the wide product selection that Wilcon offers ranging from Tiles, Sanitarywares, Plumbing, Furniture, Home Interior, Building Materials, Hardware, Electrical, Appliances, and other DIY items.

Grand store opening celebration

Wilcon brings top-of-the-line products and home solutions with the highest quality standards, innovative, and sustainable features to all Rizaleños.

Wilcon Depot AntipoloThe store opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by (L-R) Kent Floors President Jerry Tiu, Boysen Paints Vice President for Sales & Operations Justine Ongsue, Fellow and Chairman for Marketing of the United Architects of the Philippines Arch. Romulo Reyes, Wilcon Depot President & CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, Rizal Province 1st District Representative Roberto Puno, Antipolo City Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, Wilcon Depot SEVP-COO Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Wilcon Depot Ambassador Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Matimco President & CEO Charlie Liu, and Kohler Country Manager Mary Ann Rabonza.

Wide product offering

Wilcon Depot Mayamot offers limitless home and building products and solutions. Discover the various exclusive brands and in-house brands like GROHE and KOHLER Sanitarywares, FRANKE Kitchen Systems, POZZI Bathroom Solutions, Sanitarywares, Whirlpool Bathtubs, Ceramics, and Shower Enclosures, ARISTON Water Heaters, GEBERIT Monolith Puro, MACROAIR HVLS Fans, RUBI Tile Cutter, and REHAU Premium PPR pipes.

Premium quality Italian tile brands such as NOVABELL, ENERGIE KER, GARDENIA, IMOLA, HERBERIA, OPERA, CASTELVETRO, KERADOM, NAXOS, DOM, and VERSACE alongside with Spanish tile brands ALCALAGRES, GRESPANIA, ROCERSA, CIFRE, EMIGRES, KEROS, TESANY, ONIX, OSET, VITACER, GRUPO HALCON, MYR, ECO CERAMICA, and ETILES are showcased in their Tile Studio.

Asian tile brands are also available like ARTE, SOL, LOLA, HUANQIU, VERONA, PICASSO, ROMAN, MULIA, KIA, CHINA NATURAL GRANITE, BASEL, SAIGRES, and GEMMA.

HERITAGE and NOBIZZI Furniture and HEIM Home Interior, Furniture, and Decor are exhibited at the Home Living Showroom. The Appliance, Kitchen, Lighting section displays HAMDEN Kitchen Appliances, KAZE Ceiling Fans and Air conditioners, and ALPHALUX Lighting Solutions.

HOMEBASICS and INTERDESIGN Housewares, BIRKE faucets and Bathroom Accessories, SEFA Specialty Bathroom Faucets, Bathroom Accessories, Shower Heads, and Kitchen Organizers, SUNCRUST BBQ Grills, LANDJACK Bicycles, CROWN and PRUSSIA Kitchen Sink QUARTEX Quartz Kitchen Sink, ELECTRON Generators, DIRECT HARDWARE, TRUPER Tools, P.TECH Builder’s Aid and Quartz Stone, FOREST Wood Products, Woodland flooring, IGLOO and RUBBERMAID coolers, UNITED SOLUTIONS Outdoor trash bins, and SOLUTHERM PPR pipes and 304 stainless Steel Pipe Fittings are displayed in the DIY Section of the store.

Bigger and better home shopping experience

Wilcon Depot Mayamot also provides the utmost customer satisfaction. It has redefined the home and building shopping experience through its Design Hub, Home Living Showroom, Tile Studio, and Architects, Builders, Contractors, Designers, and Engineers (ABCDE) Lounge, including their value-added services such as ample free parking spaces, reliable delivery service, and tile cutting service.

For a bigger and better home shopping experience, valued customers can also shop online at Wilcon by visiting shop.wilcon.com.ph. Shop for all your all-around home needs and have your items delivered right at your doorsteps or choose to pick-up in store. Online store customers can conveniently pay with their credit card, debit card, BancNet, and GCash.

To ensure a safe and convenient shopping environment in all Wilcon stores, the company continuously prioritizes the implementation of safety protocols for the health and well-being of both employees and valued customers. Wilcon also offers Browse, Call, and Collect or Deliver, and Wilcon Virtual Tour services to complement the in-store shopping experience. In addition, Wilcon provides contactless payment options like bank transfers, GCash, PayMaya, Instapay, PesoNet, WeChat, and Alipay for customers’ convenience.

Wilcon makes loyalty more rewarding for their valued customers by offering exclusive perks and discounts. The Wilcon Loyalty Mobile App allows customers to earn and check their points and convert their purchases to rewards after signing up. The Wilcon Loyalty Mobile App is available for download at the Google Play Store and App Store for free.

Store expansion plans

Wilcon Depot now has 18 branches in Metro Manila and 56 stores in key cities and municipalities of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The newly-launched store represents Wilcon’s relentless commitment to providing its valued customers a more convenient and better home shopping experience by offering thousands of high-quality home improvement and building needs and excellent customer experience.

Every store opening is part of their #FlyingHighTo100 store expansion campaign, wherein the company aims to have 100 operating stores nationwide by 2025, barring any unexpected external factors.

Start building big ideas for your home and shop now at Wilcon Depot Mayamot at Lot 1-9 Marcos Highway, Brgy. Mayamot, Antipolo City, open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

 

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P470 hike in NCR daily wage sought

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS
Crowds are seen in the public market in Marikina City, March 1. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES’ largest group of labor federations on Monday filed a petition seeking for a P470 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in the capital region, bringing it to P1,007.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) cited hunger, malnutrition, and the rising costs of fuel products and other basic commodities as reasons in its petition filed before the National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

“(TUCP) respectfully prays for the granting of P470.00 daily wage increases for all private sector workers in the NCR to be given across-the-board since all need healthy food and are subject to the same changes in the prices of goods and services,” it said in its petition.

The labor organization said its proposal must be considered by the government since no wage hike has been implemented since the P25 increase in basic pay granted in November 2018.

The TUCP cited the soaring prices of fuel and its impact on basic goods. Based on the February consumer price index, it noted that the purchasing power of the daily minimum wage of P537 is only P494.02 in NCR.

It also noted the current monthly minimum wage of P13,962 is “far below” the P16,625.00 a month poverty threshold for a family of five in Metro Manila.

Citing a study from the Ateneo Policy Center, the group said that daily food requirement amounts to P734 for a family of four, P917.50 for a family of five, or P61.17 per person.

“The current minimum daily wage of P537.00 can only accord workers and their families nutritionally deficient survival meals, which if continuously unaddressed by an army of undernourished Filipino workers, will have greater repercussions in the future of the country and of the economy,” the petition read.

The TUCP also said that the P3,874 from the monthly salary of workers is inadequate to cover health, transportation, communication, and education, among other nonfood requirements.

Although there are industries that still need to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the group said “there are gainers too such as finance and insurance; information and communication; public administration and defense; compulsory social activities, among others.”

“Clearly, our minimum wage earners and their families have fallen from the category of low-income to newly poor. This is a sad commentary on the social condition in our country where those who break their backs to sustain and expand the economy are now wallowing in poverty,” TUCP President Raymond Mendoza said in a statement.

TUCP officials said in a press conference that they will also file wage hike petitions in other regions, including Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and Davao Region.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said by telephone that microenterprises, which account for 90% of businesses in the country, may not afford a wage increase for workers.

He noted many enterprises have been facing difficulties due to the pandemic, leading to business closures and layoffs.

Mr. Ortiz-Luis said the government should step in and provide assistance if small enterprises could not afford a pay increase.

Meanwhile, the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) renewed its call for a P750 minimum wage across the country.

The BMP, through its member organizations and regional alliances, has filed wage petitions in various regional wage boards, particularly in the NCR, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

“The group is also preparing the filing of petitions in other regions,” BMP Secretary General Mike Garay said in a statement.

“Big businessmen have been using small enterprises to prevent a substantial wage increase. For us, the government should implement the necessary increase and extend wage subsidies to micro, small, and medium enterprises,” Mr. Garay said.

Limited ties to Russia, Ukraine may minimize war impact on PHL

PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS
A motorist gets his tank filled at a gas station in Marikina, March 14. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE crisis may have a less severe impact on the local economy due to the country’s limited exposure to both countries, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said.

“The Philippines’ geographic distance and limited economic link to both Russia and Ukraine, as well as its strong macroeconomic fundamentals, could insulate the domestic economy during the current risk-off episode,” he said in a Viber message to reporters.

He noted that exports to Russia and Ukraine stood at $120 million and $5 million last year, saying these are “negligible.”

Based on data from the BSP, cash remittances from Russia and Ukraine in 2021 amounted to $2.261 million and $121,000, respectively. Both are relatively small compared with the $3.745 billion worth of inflows that come from Europe and the $31.417-billion total from all over the world.

However, Mr. Diokno acknowledged the conflict could hit global growth prospects through the spike in commodity prices.

“I think the impact of this Russian invasion of Ukraine is number one, it will slow global growth. It will raise the price of oil and other commodities, like for example, wheat and metals. And of course, it will shake a little bit financial confidence,” he said in a separate interview with ANC on Monday.

Russia is a major exporter of crude, metals, wheat as well as fertilizer. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top exports include corn, wheat and some metals.

Since the conflict started, oil prices have surged to multi-year highs, raising inflation concerns.

Last month, the central bank said the assumed Dubai crude average price for this year is at $83 a barrel. The inflation forecast was raised to 3.7% from 3.4% previously, mainly due to rising oil and commodity prices.

“Doing sensitivity analysis, we arrived at the following forecasts: if average world price of oil is $95 per barrel, domestic inflation will be 4%; if $120 per barrel, it will be 4.4 %; and if $140 per barrel, it will be 4.7%,” Mr. Diokno said.

He noted their assumptions did not include the second-round effect of inflation on transport fares and wage increases. Transport groups have filed a petition to raise minimum fares, while a major labor group is seeking to increase the daily wage in the National Capital Region by as much as P470.

Dubai crude was priced at $113.25 a barrel on Monday, based on Bloomberg data. Its two-week average is at $110.72.

Mr. Diokno said they will consider the impact of longer-term price movements for possible adjustments in its monetary policy settings.

“We don’t decide on the basis of one or two weeks’ movement. We look at futures because monetary policy is supposed to be long term or medium term not based on past events,” he added.

He said price increases are considered “sustained” if they remain elevated for three months.

Mr. Diokno said that initial inflation situation in economies prior to the war in Ukraine will determine how central banks may respond to the crisis.

“For example, US inflation is at 7.9%, UK at 5.5%, and Euro area at 5.1%. The Philippine [February] inflation is at 3%, well-within the forecast range of 2% to 4.0%. The highest inflation is Argentina’s 50.7%. There is greater sense of urgency to act for countries with high inflation,” he said.

The US Federal Reserve is meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday and is expected to raise its benchmark overnight interest rate to quell a four-decade high inflation. Meanwhile, the BSP will have its policy review on March 24.

The BSP kept rates at record lows for the 10th straight meeting on Feb. 17. Mr. Diokno last week said they will continue to prioritize supporting economic recovery, but assured they are ready to respond when needed to address inflation risks.

DIGITAL CURRENCY
Meanwhile, Mr. Diokno said the BSP is now open to looking into prospects of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), particularly on a wholesale basis.

However, he also noted they do not see it as an “urgent” matter, saying its implementation will depend on the outcome of their study.

“There’s no urgency for this. Our settlement and payment systems are working very well. So, I think we will maximize the benefits from our existing payment system,” he said.

The governor said the BSP is talking with regional counterparts to assess the prospects for a CBDC, most likely on a wholesale basis.

“This [wholesale CBDC] means maybe we’ll deal with government agencies and specific banks, not down to the individuals,” he said.

Based on the BSP’s exploratory assessment, benefits of CBDCs include the facilitation of financial inclusion and a possible decline in cash usage, an additional option for monetary policy tools, as well as boosting competition and innovation in the payments system.

However, they also recognize the possible threats from financial crimes, cybersecurity issues, and a loss of privacy for consumers that can be brought about by CBDCs. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

As pump prices surge, DoE summons oil firms

PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSEL PALMA

By Marielle C. Lucenio

THE ENERGY department on Monday summoned oil companies to explain the higher-than-expected fuel price hike, and to ask them to consider staggering this week’s price increase.   

“[Energy] Secretary (Alfonso G.) Cusi met with the oil companies after some of them have announced their price advisories,” DoE Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Director Rino E. Abad said in a Viber call.

However, Mr. Abad said oil firms decided against staggering the price increase.

On Monday morning, Mr. Cusi said the price increase per liter for diesel should be less than P12 and less than P7 for gasoline.

Pump prices were expected to increase for an 11th straight week on Tuesday. Some fuel retailers announced gasoline and diesel prices will increase by P7.10 and P13.15 per liter, respectively. The price of kerosene will go up by P10.50 per liter.

“The oil companies are deregulated. It is within their discretion, so we appealed to them. In the end, all we can do is wait and verify their decision,” Mr. Abad said.

Since the start of the year, gasoline, diesel, and kerosene prices per liter have risen by P13.25, P17.50, and P14.40, respectively.

Energy Undersecretary Gerardo D. Erguiza, Jr. said during a Senate hearing that local gasoline and diesel prices are expected to soar to as much as P86.72 per liter and P81.10 per liter, respectively, if Dubai crude hits $140 per barrel.

He said the price of kerosene is projected to reach P80.50 per liter, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is expected to hit P119.53 per kilogram if the international price of crude oil continues to surge.

Dubai crude oil price is at $113.35 on Monday, according to Bloomberg.

“The DoE has been strictly monitoring the sufficiency of supply, the quality of what’s being sold in the market, and sees to it that there is no short selling,” Mr. Erguiza said, adding that there are no supply issues.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DoE) reiterated its call for Congress to amend the oil deregulation law and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, in order to address the elevated oil prices.

At the same hearing, oil companies thumbed down the DoE’s proposals to increase the minimum inventory requirement (MIR), unbundling of pump prices, and to give the government the power to regulate prices.

During the Senate hearing, Petron Corp. Assistant Vice-President for Corporate Affairs Mia S. delos Reyes said the company doesn’t see the immediate need to increase the MIR to 30 days or more.

Ms. Delos Reyes said there are several factors like the volatility of international prices before they can consider increasing the inventory.

“We don’t really think the situation will persist for a long time, if that’s the case then better, but [one of our concerns is that] what if we consider buying now [when prices are high], then prices will drop dramatically?” she said, adding that Petron already has a 30-day inventory in place.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. Advocacy Manager Paulo B. Gavino said there is no need to increase the MIR as the company is confident of its current inventory of 32-day stock cover.

The DoE has been pushing to increase the MIR since last year, a measure to “ensure a level playing field” within the oil industry. It wants importers to maintain 30 days or as much as 40-60 days of inventory if possible.

Meanwhile, Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA) President Fernando L. Martinez said setting higher MIR is not realistic given that not all fuel depot locations have enough physical tank storage capacity to support 30-day inventory. He noted this will also add to the cost of domestic fuel.

Mr. Martinez also told the Senate committee there will be no benefit for unbundling prices as there are more relevant factors that cause local price distortions such as limits on the number of retail competitors, real estate cost, and delivery costs.

On the proposal for the government to regulate oil prices, he said this will just “bring chaos to the market,” citing the experience with Oil Price Stabilization Fund.

On the other hand, IPPCA agreed that the country should have a national strategic petroleum reserve as long as the government will fund and own the fuel stocks and to suspend the excise tax once Dubai crude oil reaches above $80 per barrel. — with inputs from Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

PEZA pushes for hybrid work scheme for IT-BPO firms amid high fuel prices

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE FISCAL Incentives Review Board (FIRB) should consider extending the hybrid work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms following the surge in fuel prices, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

PEZA Director-General Charito B. Plaza said in a statement on Monday that a hybrid WFH work arrangement should be implemented due to the continued surge in fuel prices, which makes transportation more expensive for workers. 

“We need to consider that we are not only dealing with the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but also the domino effect of the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia on the global market. The least we can do is help bring back our thriving economy, but not at the expense of our investors who help keep protect our economy afloat,” Ms. Plaza said. 

According to PEZA, a hybrid work arrangement is a method where employers and employees agree on “a percentage of WFH and those physically reporting to office depending on the position or functions of the employee.”

During a Feb. 21 meeting, the FIRB rejected PEZA’s proposal to extend WFH arrangements for registered IT-BPOs until Sept. 12 without the required on-site capacity and without the risk of losing incentives. The FIRB said employees should return to on-site work due to the country’s increasing vaccination rate and to help economic recovery.

Under FIRB Resolution 19-21, IT-BPOs located in economic zones are allowed to conduct a WFH arrangement of up to 90% of its total workforce until the end of March while still enjoying tax incentives. 

Meanwhile, Ms. Plaza said PEZA is coordinating with the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to push for FIRB’s consideration of a hybrid work scheme, with three schedules proposed to adopt the ratio of a 60% WFH: 40% on-site; 40% WFH: 60% on-site; or 50% WFH-50% on-site staggered implementations.

“PEZA and IBPAP are doing their best effort to have the FIRB consider immediately the hybrid work scheme … and let the new administration determine the appropriate work scheme considering the suggestion,” Ms. Plaza said.

Ms. Plaza said PEZA also supports the proposal of IBPAP for IT-BPO firms to adopt a WFH arrangement from April 1 until the end of December this year.

She added that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet despite the implementation of Alert Level 1 in Metro Manila, which is the lowest restriction in the alert level system.

“IT-BPOs invested during the pandemic for the equipment and enabling their workers to do WFH in a way that going back to 100% on-site should not be a sudden and immediate move; and adopting WFH also has benefits for decongesting traffic,” Ms. Plaza said.

“We are constantly in talks with IBPAP to still look into ways to include WFH or a hybrid work model in the IT-BPO sector’s operation in the Philippines. We should learn from the likes of India, one of our top competitors for IT-BPOs, wherein they are adjusting its policies and tax breaks to adopt hybrid work arrangement,” she added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

The Power of the Dog, Dune triumph at BAFTA Awards

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH in The Power of the Dog — IMDB.COM/NETFLIX

LONDON —  Dark Western The Power of the Dog scooped the top two honors at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, winning best film and director for Jane Campion, while sci-fi epic Dune picked up the most prizes.

New Zealand filmmaker Ms. Campion wrapped up a successful weekend for her comeback feature film, after winning the top honors at the Directors Guild of America awards in Beverly Hills the day before.

Based on the 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, the critically acclaimed movie set on a 1920s Montana ranch marks the return of Oscar winner Ms. Campion to feature films since 2009’s Bright Star.

“Jane … you are a visionary whose trail blazed through the last 30 years of cinema with stories about the silenced, the under-represented and the misunderstood,” producer Tanya Seghatchian said as she accepted the award on behalf of Ms. Campion, who was absent.

“You’ve inspired legions of women to find their voices. We’re here because of you.”

Ms. Campion later briefly appeared via a video call on the phone of one of the film’s producers during the winners’ press conference, and said she was “overwhelmed.”

Hosted by Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson, this year’s ceremony, known as the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) returned as a usual glitzy red carpet event at London’s Royal Albert Hall, following a virtual event last year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

There were references to the war in Ukraine, with some nominees wearing ribbons and badges in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag or speaking about the crisis on the red carpet and on stage.

Dune, a mammoth adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, had lead nominations with 11 nods, mainly in the creative and technical categories. It won five awards.

Belfast, Kenneth Brannagh’s semi-autobiographical black and white comedy drama set at the onset of Northern Ireland’s three decades of conflict, won outstanding British film.

Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake won two awards, including best supporting actress for Ariana DeBose.

Fresh from his win at the Screen Actors Guild awards, Troy Katsur, who is deaf, won supporting actor for CODA, a coming-of-age story about the only hearing member of a deaf family.

“This is a historic moment because it’s been an extremely long time for folks to really accept a different perspective of the deaf community and deaf actors,” Mr. Kotsur told Reuters on the red carpet via an interpreter.

“Finally, they look at me not as a deaf person, but as an artist and an actor who happens to be deaf.”

An absent Will Smith won the leading actor award for playing the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard, while Joanna Scanlan won leading actress for portraying a widow who discovers her late husband’s devastating secret in After Love. — Reuters

 

And the winner is…

LONDON — The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) held its annual film awards on Sunday, in a glitzy ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Below are the key winners of Britain’s top film honors.

Best Film: The Power Of The Dog

Outstanding British Film: Belfast

Director: Jane Campion, The Power Of The Dog

Leading Actor: Will Smith, King Richard

Leading Actress: Joanna Scanlan, After Love

Supporting Actor: Troy Kotsur, Coda

Supporting Actress: Ariana Debose, West  Side Story

Original Screenplay: Licorice Pizza

Adapted Screenplay: Coda

Film Not In The English Language: Drive My Car

Documentary: Summer of Soul

Animated Film: Encanto

Original Score: Dune, Hans Zimmer

Ee Rising Star Award: Lashana Lynch

— Reuters

Discovering a new voice

A STABLE internet connection, a smartphone’s recording feature and camera, and a passion for music (and hopefully, talent) are all people need to share their music with the world. With the growth of the online music performing community, the livestreaming app Kumu latched on to the phenomenon and launched Sing for the Stars, an all-digital international singing competition.

Launched in 2018, Kumu currently has more than 10 million registered users from over 55 countries. Creators on the app share content ranging from gaming to food and cooking, financial tips to music and entertainment. The app currently houses the reality show Pinoy Big Brother and has also hosted auditions for Miss Universe Philippines 2022, and collaborated with the Star Cinema film Love at First Stream (2021).

When the live events sector shut down during the pandemic, musicians went online and held regular livestreams on Kumu to augment their income.

“We felt that it is only right that we create an opportunity that enables our artists to really shine,” Kumu Senior Vice-President for Strategy and International Anand Roy said in an online conference with press from Southeast Asia and the United States on March 11.

Departing from the conventional singing contest where performers travel to one venue and sing for the judges live, Sing for the Stars’ setups are done from the performers’ respective locations.

“I think the first and most prominent way that’s going to reshape the way talent searches are conducted is via the dissolution of geographical boundaries,” Mr. Roy said.

The contest also gives free rein of the performance to the singer. “The performer decides the setting, the background, and the setlist,” Mr. Roy said.

Joining Sing for the Stars as performance judges are four-time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Michael Bublé, and Tony award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga.

In the competition, both judges said they are on the lookout for the performer with a unique vocal tone.

“I’ll know who was exceptional to me the moment I hear that voice. And it won’t be because their pitch was so much better or because they can do these incredible runs. It will be because they have something in their voice that is so unique,” said Mr. Bublé during the online press conference.

“We’re looking for that voice, that tone that just makes you kind of stop and listen. I mean, there are great singers with wonderful voices. And then, there are the Frank Sinatra’s of the world,” Ms. Salonga said during the same Zoom session. “It isn’t that they’re more talented than the next guy, but there is something very special and unique that makes them who they are.”

Auditions began in February and the Kumu Music Team chose the Top 30 on March 12.

The next episode of the contest will be livestreamed on March 19, during which the Kumu Music Team and Warner Music Philippines will whittle the 30 down to 15 performers.

The Top 11 will move on to the final leg of the competition, while the remaining four will compete to secure their last chance to enter the finals.

The second runner-up will win a cash prize of $2,000; the first runner-up gets $4,000; and grand champion will take home $10,000, a one-year record contract with Warner Music, and have their own mini-concert inside the Kumu app, plus a one-on-one coaching session with Mr. Bublé.

“I think they can learn by being open and listening and studying and loving all kinds of music,” Mr. Bublé said of his advice to aspiring performers. “And if you’re an artist, and someone who has the ability to understand what makes other singers, great singers… you do have the ability to borrow and to grow into that.”

The livestream of Sing for the Stars is on www.kumu.live/kumumusic. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kumuPH. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

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