Faces of the News: July 28, 2024
Raphael Lotilla
Renewed calls to introduce changes to the 23-year-old Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) received strong backing in the government—from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the head of the country’s key department on power, Energy Chief Raphael Lotilla. Talks on this possible amendment to the country’s main law on electricity were floated anew during Marcos’ third SONA as widespread outages and power issues continued to plague the sector. Lotilla was quick to support Marcos, stressing that failure to do so could end the life of state-owned Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm), which he warned could result in the government shouldering P300 billion worth of financial obligations. The energy secretary, however, did not mention how many years were needed for Psalm to settle its debts and dispose its assets. But, for him, amending Epira with Psalm’s life extension could mean private players have the chance to rehabilitate crucial energy assets, subsequently providing the needed power supply boost. – Lisbet K. Esmael
Sara Duterte
INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
As Supertyphoon “Carina” and a southwest monsoon battered Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon with torrential rains and strong winds, Vice President Sara Duterte and her family were seen in a CCTV footage leaving Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the wee hours of July 24. An airport official later in the day told the Inquirer that the family was taking a connecting flight to Munich, Germany. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) did not immediately explain the nature of the trip, until the next day, when it confirmed that it was indeed a “personal trip.” OVP stressed that the timing of the trip was “unfortunate” and assured that Duterte’s staff had been extending assistance to displaced families and individuals in Metro Manila. But the statement did not seem to appease netizens who continued to slam Duterte for her glaring absence during a calamity. As Rep. Edcel Lagman puts it: “The sincerity of public leaders must be gauged by their selflessness and support in times of nationwide calamities and emergencies.”—Kathleen de Villa
President Marcos
President Marcos capped his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) with a bombshell pronouncement that ended speculation about his stand on the controversial Pogos, or Philippine offshore gaming operators, which mainly cater to Chinese nationals. On July 22, the President ordered a ban on all Pogos effective immediately, citing their links to financial scams, money laundering, prosti-tution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture and murder. “The disorder that it caused our society as well as the desecration of our country must stop. Effectively today, all Pogos are banned,” he said toward the end of his Sona before a joint session of Congress. This directive, however, was not in the text of an advance copy of the Sona that Malacañang released to reporters while he was still delivering the speech. The President instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to “wind down and cease the operations of Pogos by the end of the year.” He also told the Department of Labor and Employment and the government’s economic managers to “use the time between now and then to find new jobs for our countrymen who will be dis-placed.” —Julie M. Aurelio
Kamala Harris
After weeks of growing dissent among Democratic party members about President Joe Biden insisting on his reelection bid, Vice President Kamala Harris stepped into his shoes. Biden quit the race after polling consistently showed him trailing Republican rival Donald Trump-although he never really said why he was dropping out. He only said it was time to “pass the torch” to a new generation and endorsed Harris in his place. But even before Biden suspended his campaign, Harris had increased her visibility in the media and in the states, criticizing Trump and the Republicans and echoing her party’s advocacies-notably abortion rights. When the president did step aside, she was ready. The Associated Press said that “In only a few days since taking over the campaign, Harris has put her distinctive stamp on the election operation.” The Democratic campaign noted stronger party unity and an outpouring of support from Democrats who donated $81 million within 24 hours of Biden quitting. Recent polling shows her closing the gap with Trump, who insists Harris would still be easier to beat than Biden.
Robert Bolick
When the PBA announced that it would implement a four-point line starting in the 49th season next month, reaction was mixed from fans who felt the new rule could either be revolutionary or a source of ridicule.
Regardless of where observers stand, the added line measured at 27 feet from the goal is something not a few stars of the league may take advantage of. One of them is NLEX’s Robert Bolick, who’s no stranger to knocking down shots from the parking lot. It would be more interesting if there was an official data on his marksmanship from way beyond the standard three-point arc, but Bolick can no doubt hit those long-range attempts with little difficulty, which has been his trademark since joining the PBA in 2019 in a NorthPort jersey. Bolick also hit the majority of his league-high 25.3-point average last season from downtown. Whether the four-point shot can revitalize the league or not, expect Bolick and another premier shooter, in Magnolia’s Paul Lee, to go for those long shots more frequently and without hesitation.
—JONAS TERRADO
