BusinessMirror September 22, 2020

Deutsche sees BSP keeping policy rates till ’21

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

T CANDLELIGHT illuminates the names of the disappeared and those found dead during the martial-law years, as engraved on the Bantayog ng Desaparecido, inside the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, also known as the Redemptorist Church or Baclaran Church, in Parañaque City. Monday marked the 48th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country. The memorial was set up in memory of Redemptorist priest Fr. Rudy Romano and other missing persons. NONIE REYES

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to keep key policy rates at the same level until next year, according to a study.

The Deutsche Bank research noted in a report on Monday that the Central Bank is not seen changing its policy stance until the third quarter of 2021.

Currently, the overnight reverse repurchase facility is at 2.25 percent after the Monetary Board (MB) implemented a series of policy cuts—totaling 175 basis points—to inject liquidity into the weakening economy.

Overnight deposit and overnight lending rates, meanwhile, stood at 1.75 percent and 2.75 percent, respectively.

The BSP had been trimming interest

rates since the beginning of the year to aid the market, but changed its tune during the August monetary policy meeting. It took a “prudent pause” last month from releasing liquidity as the inflation is seen settling within the government target band of 2.04.0 percent until 2022.

The German multinational investment bank, in an earlier report, said it expected the BSP to bring down interest rates to 2.25 percent as the Covid-19 pandemic slows down the economy.

“With the economy contracting much more than the government expected, and inflation at the bottom of the Central Bank’s target band—and the currency strengthening— we think there is still more room for BSP to cut rates,” the bank said in June. At the time, key policy rates stood at 2.75 percent.

Deutsche, meanwhile, observed that the Philippines is struggling to contain the coronavirus despite placing lockdown measures.

Still, the financial services firm noted that the country has been easing the mobility restriction to help pump the local economy.

“However, the tolerance for extended rigorous social distancing appears to be weakening, with new social-distancing regulations being in most places milder and imposed for shorter durations,” the bank said.

“India, like Indonesia and the Philippines, has yet to get the outbreak under control but pushed ahead with easing of lockdown measures nonetheless, allowing for a recovery of economic activity,” it added.

Metro Manila and other areas were recently placed under the more relaxed See “Deutsche,” A2

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

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‘CALAMITY’ EXTENSION RAISES SPENDING ALERT www.businessmirror.com.ph

n

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Vol. 15 No. 348

RESIDENTS of Barangay San Dionisio in Parañaque City are greeted Monday morning with a “fountain” from a busted water pipe in the middle of the road, and, notwithstanding the heavy traffic, took the opportunity for an outdoor shower as they lined up containers to collect the freebie. ROY DOMINGO

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By Cai U. Ordinario

HE extension of a declaration of national calamity for one year bodes well for the economy, economists said, but they strongly advised the government to practice judicious spending.

They said the extension of the national calamity status will enable both the national and local governments to immediately tap funds for Covid-19-related projects that have the potential to stimulate spending.

Under Proclamation 1021, the extension will allow the national and local governments to tap the Quick Response Fund for basic necessities and provision of basic services for affected populations.

“Extending the state of calamity until September 2021 is meant to cement the foundation for future economic recovery,” University of Asia and the Pacific Economics Dean Cid L. Terosa told the BusinessMirror. “It serves to ensure that economic recovery will have enough momentum in the medium to long terms by allowing swift response to signs of possible outbreaks and the mobilization of Continued on A2

Travel tax take seen to fall to ₧1.2B in 2020

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

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RAVEL taxes paid by citizens and visitors leaving the Philippines are projected to fall by 83 percent this year, owing to the continued international travel restrictions implemented to contain the spread of Covid-19.

This was the estimate of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) Chief Operating Officer Pocholo D. Paragas at the recent House Appropriations Committee’s hearing of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) budget for 2021. “Based on our computation, we are actually pro-

jecting a drop of 83 percent for this year, which is totaling roughly about P1.2 billion. This is a difference from 2019 that the travel tax collection was P7.2 billion,” he said.

Of total travel taxes collected by government, Tieza, the infrastructure arm of the DOT, gets 50 percent—or P3.6 billion in last year’s case—70 percent of which goes to fund its operations. The remaining 30 percent or P1.98 billion was supposed to have funded Tieza’s projects.

Paragas said they project the collection of travel taxes would probably normalize by 2024. He made this disclosure as several lawmakers followed up on their

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.4100

respective infrastructure projects which had been promised to be funded out of Tieza’s budget.

“The moment travel tax collections increase again, we can start reviewing [your project] and possible implementation,” he said, responding to a question by Baguio City Rep. Mark Ocampo Go on a project in his city. Last November, the Tieza board approved P400 million to rehabilitate Burnham Park.

Tieza, however, has been heavily criticized by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, who said the agency had been slow in implementing projects. “They have been hoarding it,” Dominguez told the BusinessMirror last year, refer-

encing some P14 billion in travel taxes collected by Tieza since 2009.

The finance department eventually took over said Tieza funds for initial Covid-19 projects.

Data obtained by this paper showed, of the P2.95-billion share in travel taxes of Tieza in 2017, it was only able to disburse P568.97 million for infrastructure projects that year. In 2018 Tieza received P3.18 billion in travel taxes, of which, only P730 million was disbursed for infra projects. In 2019 Tieza’s share in travel taxes was P3.43 billion, but it only disbursed P845.13 million for infra projects.

This reflects an average disbursal See “Travel,” A2

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AMRO SEES PHL ECONOMY REGAINING PRE-COVID STATUS, BUT FLAGS RISKS

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HE Philippine economy is expected to return to its pre-pandemic growth path in 2022, according to the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro).

In an e-mail to the BusinessMirror on Monday, Amro country economist for the Philippines Zhiwen Jiao said, however, that this recovery hinges on the government’s policies to respond to the crisis and the recovery of the global economy.

Zhiwen said Amro still expects the Philippine economy to contract 7.6 percent in 2020 and to rebound by 6.6 percent in 2021.

“The economy is likely past its worst stage and a nascent recovery is already under way, as the economy gradually reopens and policy stimulus takes effect,” Zhiwen said.

“The trajectory and pace of the recovery will hinge on the development of the Covid-19 [coronavirus 2019] pandemic, the recovery of global economy and policy responses,” he added.

In an analytical note titled, “Another ‘Unprecedented’ Crisis? This, Too, Shall Pass,” Amro said post-crisis recoveries may be “deceptive” based on what happened after the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Based on Amro’s findings, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore would have “recovered” back to their previous GDP levAMRO country economist el trajectories, immediately after the AFC. for the Philippines Zhiwen Jiao: “The However, data showed that the GDP levels of all regional economies, except economy is likely past for the Philippines, started diverging its worst stage and a nascent recovery is away from trend following the shock of already under way, as the AFC. The same trend was observed the economy gradually in the GFC. reopens and policy stimulus takes effect.”

See “Amro,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4631 n UK 62.6087 n HK 6.2465 n CHINA 7.1506 n SINGAPORE 35.6428 n AUSTRALIA 35.3199 n EU 57.3416 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.9076

Source: BSP (September 21, 2020)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Deutsche…

Continued from A1

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Duterte to raise WPS and human Travel… rights issues in address at UNGA Continued from A1

general community quarantine for one month.

This is to help the economy by lessening disruptions in business activities. Still, protocols on social distancing and other safety guidelines are being followed to avoid further rise in Covid-19 cases.

“In India, Indonesia and the Philippines, social-distancing restrictions were lifted before the Covid-19 outbreaks had been at all contained—the economic cost was proving too great to bear—and new infections have, predictably risen faster,” Deutsche said.

House row may derail budget work –Drilon Continued from A8

The Senate Minority Leader pointed out that the annual budget provides the spending authority for the government. “If there is no spending authority because of the delay in the budget, what would happen is, there will be a re-enacted budget, and a re-enacted budget would mean new programs will not be funded or would have to wait until the budget is passed.”

More than any other time in the past, the senator stressed, “it is critical that the budget be enacted on time,” adding that “we cannot delay the budget for 2021 because of the condition we are in today.”

The opposition senator also acknowledged that the 2021 national budget seeks to address the pandemic, unemployment and the imminent economic contraction, projected to be in a range of 6 percent to 9 percent by the end of 2020. “If the budget for 2021 is delayed, the country’s recovery from the pandemic will be derailed, too.”

He recalled how “a power struggle and bickering” over infrastructure funds in 2018 delayed passage of the 2019 national budget for over four months, which the economic managers then blamed for the slowdown.

At the same time, Drilon declined to link “bickerings” over infrastructure funds to the upcoming 2022 elections, saying he would rather “attribute good faith,” even as he conceded that “you cannot discount that this is part of the preparations for 2022.”

Drilon said he has been in Congress “long enough to know that if there is anything you should exercise extra vigilance, it is what is called the election year budget.”

He thus suggested that the P469billion lump-sum allocations in the DPWH budget be “disaggregated in the spirit of transparency.”

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By Samuel P. Medenilla

RESIDENT Duterte will raise the issue of the country’s arbitration award in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as well as the government’s war on illegal drugs during the virtual general assembly of the United Nations (UN) for its 75th anniversary on Tuesday.

In an online briefing, Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Borje said on Monday Duterte will articulate these controversial issues in his speech.

He said the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision in 2016, which nullified China’s nine-dash line claim and recognized the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS, will be contained in the President’s discussion of geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific.

Meanwhile, the issue of the government’s anti-drug campaign is part of Duterte’s discussion of justice and human rights.

The European Parliament recently threatened to revoke its preferential trade treatment for Philippine exports unless it abides by international conventions on human rights.

The President’s speech at the UNGA will also contain highlights of the country’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic; peace and security, including terrorism; sustainable development and climate change and reforms in the UN.

“I would encourage everyone to

watch the President and not just the President but all of the speakers who will be engaged in the High-Level Debate and that begins tomorrow, 9 am New York time; but for the Philippines, that’s 9 pm,” Borje said.

First time

THIS will be the first time the President will participate in a UN general assembly since he started his term in 2016.

Borje said Duterte opted to join the UN general assembly this year because of its 75th anniversary and to address “intense and urgent” issues

before an international forum.

“The President recognizes that the Philippines cannot do it alone and the United Nations is the world’s biggest platform where one country can articulate a country’s principal position on many items,” Borje said.

Duterte was picked as the 12th of the 196 speakers in the UN general assembly from September 22 to 29, 2020.

Borje said the President was very fortunate to be given the “prime spot” since the UN makes use of a complex algorithm in determining the order of the speakers.

THE case regarding the Philippines and China on the South China Sea is heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague, the Netherlands, in July 2015. The tribunal ruled in a sweeping decision that China has no legal basis for claiming much of the South China Sea and had aggravated the seething regional dispute with its large-scale land reclamation and construction of artificial islands that destroyed coral reefs and the natural condition of the disputed areas. Clockwise from top left: Registrar and PCA Senior Legal Counsel Judith Levine; Judge Stanislaw Pawlak; Professor Alfred H. A. Soons; Judge Thomas A. Mensah (Presiding Arbitrator); Judge Jean-Pierre Cot; Judge Rudiger Wolfrum; PCA Senior Legal Counsel Garth Schofield; former Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Albert F. del Rosario; former Solicitor General Florin T. Hilbay, Counsel for the Philippines; Paul S. Reichler; Professor Philippe Sands; Professor Bernard H. Oxman; Professor Alan E. Boyle; Lawrence H. Martin. PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION VIA AP

House leaders say budget work on track, halt session Continued from A8

“The unprecedented P4.5-billion confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the President is of course presidential pork. The P19.1-billion budget of the NTFELCAC [National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict] parked in different departments are generals’ pork. Even the apparent disparity in the allocations of funds to the different departments, mainly the Department of Public Works and Highways, are of course a matter of pork,” said the Deputy Minority leader.

This, he added, is also why many lawmakers “are questioning the supposed huge allocations of projects to some areas while others did not get as much.”

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas also said the ongoing squabble among some House members over their respective allocations in the proposed 2021 budget is clear proof of the persistence of pork barrel in the national budget despite the lingering Covid-19 pandemic.

Brosas said this apparently stems from the P397-billion initial lump sum “parked” at the DPWH

Central Office, which the opposition exposed at the start of the budget deliberations, and “now sliced unevenly” among districts and regions.

“These are projects which are not originally included in the DPWH’s budget in the 2021 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and that will be inserted in the still unprinted General Appropriations Bill (GAB),” she added.

“These multiple infra-pork slices, cumulatively amounting to P397 billion, is three times the budget of the Department of

Health (DOH). These allocations are primarily for the construction, repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, flood-control projects, and not for the construction of hospitals and other health facilities.

This is apart from the P38-billion Right-of-Way allocation in the 2021 budget, which is also vulnerable to corruption and arbitrary spending,” she added.

She said the delay of the 2021 budget approval is very likely, “especially if this squabble translates into a major shakeup in the House leadership.”

‘CALAMITY’ EXTENSION RAISES SPENDING ALERT Continued from A1

resources to arrest anything that can destabilize or jeopardize economic recovery.”

De La Salle University economist Maria Ella C. Oplas said having quick access to funds is important in the fight against Covid-19 and would be “good for everyone.”

Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (Acerd) Director Alvin P. Ang also said the extension served a “facilitative purpose” that will allow the government to act fast.

In both houses of Congress, however, minority lawmakers warned that a brewing battle over the House speakership and the infrastructure allocations for legislative districts could derail efforts to finish the 2021 national budget on time, a matter with serious implications in a time of pandemic.

See related stories on page A8.

It may be noted that government spending is an important

part of the country’s economic growth. In the second quarter, despite the 16.5-percent contraction of GDP, government consumption grew 22.1 percent and accounted for 20.6 percent of GDP.

“It depends on how it is used,” Ang said. “However, they have the right idea. [This] can help the government act fast.”

Concerns

THE extension of the state of national calamity raises a few concerns among the country’s economists. Oplas said she is concerned that this would have negative implications on the budget.

She said Covid-19 could be used as a gate pass to enter “a faster lane” in the budget, even if these items are not related to containing the spread of the disease.

Oplas also expressed concern that giving LGUs access to quick disbursing funds could worsen patronage in certain locations.

“I am assuming that once we

lift the lockdown, the economy will slowly go back to normal. We just need economic activity. So I’m wary that it’s the whole Philippines that is placed in that state. Maybe it would be better to implement this only in areas with high incidence,” Oplas said.

Procurement rules

MEANWHILE, Luis Abad, economics lecturer at the Ateneo School of Government, said procurement rules remain intact except for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other critical medical equipment.

With this, infrastructure projects, which account for a significant amount of government spending, will still have to follow regular procurement rules.

Ultimately, the extension of the state of national calamity will not have a direct impact on the economy. Abad said economic recovery can only begin if consumers and businesses regain their confi-

dence to buy and sell.

“This can only be achieved through a decisive set of actions that will mitigate the continued increase of infections. As long as infections continue to increase, consumers and businesses will be wary,” Abad said.

For his part, Foundation of Economic Freedom (FEF) President Calixto V. Chikiamco said if at all, Proclamation 1021 is an admission that the Philippines is not out of the woods yet in terms of recovering from the pandemic.

“Certainly, the declaration means that the Philippines hasn’t gotten out of the pandemic and conceivably will have to deal with it for one more year,” Chikiamco said.

Last Friday, President Duterte decided to extend the declaration of state of calamity nationwide for another year.

In his Proclamation 1021, President Duterte said his new order extends the declaration of a state of calamity from September

13, 2020, to September 12, 2021, “unless earlier lifted, or extended, as circumstance may warrant.”

He made the declaration after his Proclamation 929 issued in March, placing the entire country under six months of a state of calamity, expired last Wednesday.

The President said the extension aims to allow concerned government agencies and local government units to continue using their supplemental budget, such as their Quick Response Fund, for their Covid-19 measures.

The measure will also allow the government to monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities during the pandemic.

He also directed law-enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure the peace and order situation in the country during the crisis.

The President signed Proclamation 1021 on September 16, 2020, but it was only released to the media on September 18.

rate of 21.67 percent every year.

Tieza recently figured in the tiff between DOT and House leaders who were pushing to have P10 billion in Bayanihan 2 funds allocated to the agency for tourism infrastructure projects. This, as stakeholders had been arguing that they needed working capital more than infrastructure to help them survive the pandemic. (See, “Tourism sector loses P190 billion in MarchJuly,” in the BusinessMirror, August 13, 2020.)

At the same recent budget hearing, DOT Assistant Secretary for Tourism Resource, Coordination and Revenue Generation Arturo Boncato said the P1 billion allocated for tourism infrastructure projects under the Bayanihan 2 Act will be “spread equally among regions,” or P70 million per region.

The P1 billion was allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and, in an agreement between its secretary Mark A. Villar and DOT chief Bernadette Romulo Puyat, “to hasten the use of said funds we will be continuing roads identified in 20162021” under the agencies’ Tourism Roads Infrastructure Program.

Boncato explained that the long-standing convergence program between the DOT and the DPWH identifies projects using a bottom-up proposal scheme, starting from the municipal level to the regional development council. “Not one project emerges without the approval of the RDC,” he underscored, before these are elevated to the technical working group of both government agencies, for final approval and implementation using DPWH funds.

Amro…

Continued from A1

“What is usually less obvious is the damage wrought on an economy during a severe crisis. Some economies may take a long time to recover their previous growth potential, while others suffer permanent impairment to GDP levels,” Amro said.

Amro also warned that “even if an effective vaccine is found, the pandemic will likely have permanently changed the structure of each economy in some way.”

The note said the lockdowns and the need for social distancing bared vulnerabilities in economies in the region. However, this also paved the way for new ways of conducting economic activities.

Amro said the ability of countries to adapt to the changing environment and seize opportunities will spell the difference when it comes to how successful they are in recovering from the pandemic.

“There are still many pitfalls to traverse in the current crisis, but as with previous crises, it will eventually pass and economic activity will recover—to varying extent across economies,” Amro said.

Amro said the AFC, GFC and Covid-19 pandemic are considered the three “unprecedented” crises of the last 25 years.

The AFC was widely considered to have begun on July 2, 1997, when the Thai baht de-pegged from the US dollar and depreciated by almost 20 percent within a day.

Most economies started posting negative year-on-year growth in two to three quarters into the crisis. The Philippines and Singapore posted three quarters of contraction.

Meanwhile, the GFC was seen to have started in the third quarter of 2007 when BNP Paribas and Bear Stearns had to close down funds exposed to the subprime market and the Northern Rock sought emergency funding from the Bank of England. However, Amro said, it took the GFC some time to manifest in economic activity.

Many countries in this region posted negative year-on-year growth between 4 to 6 quarters after the crisis initially hit. However, Indonesia and the Philippines continued to record positive growth throughout the crisis.

Cai U. Ordinario

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Mindanao terror group ‘recruiter’ arrested in QC

By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

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OLICE intelligence operatives have arrested over the weekend a local “recruiter” for the Islamic State (IS) in what was seen as a major setback for the international terrorist group to beef up its ranks with “imports” from outside of Mindanao.

Kevin B. Madrinan, who goes by the aliases Ibrahim Abdullah Madrinan and Ibrahim Khalil Al-Garaba was arrested at around 4:50 p.m. along Atherton corner Burbank Streets, North Fairview, Quezon City, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Camilo Pancratius Cascolan.

Madrinan, a Balik-Islam convert, is the recruiter for Luzon of the Daulah Islamiya (DI), the local front of the IS, which figured in the occupation of Marawi City in 2017. The DI is a name given for collective members and groups who have pledged, or allied themselves with the IS. “Madrinan is a Balik-Islam convert who is the contact person and liaison in Luzon of Daulah Islamiya members coming from Maguindanao under Esmael Abdulmalik aka Abu Turaife and Salahuddin Hasan aka Abu Salman, and those coming from Sulu under Mundi Sawadjaan,” Cascolan said.

Abdulmalik and Hasan led two factions that broke away with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and allied themselves with the IS. There are other groups or factions, including with the Abu Sayyaf Group that have also toed the line of the IS. Sawadjaan is tagged as one of the brains behind the recent twin suicide bombings in Jolo, Sulu, that killed more than a dozen people, eight of them soldiers and more than 70 people wounded, most of them civilians.

Cascolan said that Madrinan, who yielded a .45 caliber pistol and fragmentation grenade during his arrest, became DI’s Luzon recruiter after the arrest of Datu Omar Palte, alias Allan Palty in Quezon City on January 1, 2020.

“Madrinan is also responsible for the recruitment of Balik-Islam converts and facilitating their travel to Mindanao for training and jihad exposure,” Cascolan said during a news briefing on Monday.

“Madrinan has links with Yusuf Macoto of Cavite and Muhammad Paras of Bulacan but he was left behind in Luzon when Macoto and Paras joined Daulah Islamiya forces in the siege of Marawi City in 2017 where they both died,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cascolan directed the Drugs Enforcement Group to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Corrections regarding the alleged continued operation of illegal-drugs activities by a convicted drug lord even while inside the Bilibid Prisons.

The PNP chief made the order following a drug buy-bust operation in Cebu City on Sunday that resulted in the arrest of three suspects with 7 kilos of shabu worth P47.6 million.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, September 22, 2020 A3

Duterte allows HCWs with contracts as of Aug. 31 to work abroad but retains total deployment ban

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

A

N additional 1,500 health-care workers (HCW) have been allowed to be deployed abroad.

This developed as President Duterte approved the proposal of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to extend the exemption period for the said workers from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) temporary deployment ban from March 8, 2020 to August 31, 2020.

The announcement also came a day after a BusinessMirror report that more than a thousand Filipino skilled nurses who have been accepted to work in German hospitals remain stranded in the country since April due to the deployment ban on HCWs. “Health professionals, who were able to complete their documentation as of August 31, 2020 were allowed by the President to work abroad,” Presi-

dential spokesman Harry Roque said in an online briefing on Monday.

“According to DOLE, this will benefit 1,500 nurses and other health professionals,” he added.

Roque explained the President made the decision in consideration of those medical workers, who already spent for their processing only to be covered by the deployment restriction.

However, President Duterte currently still has no plans to totally lift the deployment restriction for medical workers, according to Roque.

Last April, POEA released an issuance stopping the deployment of workers from 14 medical categories.

The measure, which was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), is part of the government’s initiatives to ensure the country would have sufficient number of medical workers for its Covid -19 response.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the President’s decision would

allow more Filipinos to work.

“I will advise POEA administrator [Bernard] Olalia to facilitate processing of the papers of the nurses and medical workers under the August 31, 2020 exemption,” Bello told the BusinessMirror in a text message.

For the past five months, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has been vocal regarding the ban on health-care workers. The foreign affairs chief said he had appealed to all concerned agencies to lift the ban.

Locsin tweeted that nurses have the constitutionalrightstotravelandencouraged them to find employment abroad sincelocalhospitalspaythema“pittance.”

Recruitment expert Manny Geslani said one of the requirements to be accepted in Germany is to be able to speak German and these stranded nurses studied the language—funded by German employers—in order to qualify. However, their proficiency to speak German has slowed down due to lack of practice.

“Since these nurses have been out

of work for the past two years and out of the national health-care system in preparation for their German job offers, finances of the nurses have also virtually dried up,” he said.

“Their German employers who funded their language studies and who sent them allowances to tide them over while waiting for the government to lift the deployment ban to Germany have grown tired of waiting,” Geslani added.

Geslani said that the nurses took 10 to 12 months to study the language, with a few retakes, and have been issued visas for Germany.

“However, with the onset of the deployment ban for health-care workers the nurses could no longer pursue their overseas travel.”

Sen. JV Ejercito earlier asked the IATF to lift the ban, tweeting, “Some facts regarding the issue on the ban on health-care workers particularly nurses.”

He said there are more than half a million nurses in the country but both public and private hospitals can only

B

Scrap total deployment ban

PRISONURSES, an informal group of nurses affected by the deployment ban, also, meanwhile, thanked the President for extending the exemption period.

The group, however, said they remain hopeful President Duterte would eventually decide to scrap the total deployment ban, which they said, continue to hinder many health-care workers from finding employment abroad.

“The deployment ban which has been existing for more than six months already has brought numerous sacrifices and struggles for most of our nurses and their loved ones,” the group lamented.

“So we implore your help and beseech you (Mr. President) to lift the ban totally, so the rest of those who are still affected can start with their lives anew,” they added.

DepEd told: Tap ₧4 billion in Bayanihan Group blames DENR, mining firm 2 law to invest in information technology for death of corals in Alcoy, Cebu

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

T

HE Department of Education (DepEd) was told to tap the P4-billion funding in the Bayanihan to Recover as One law 2 to invest in information-technology tools for teachers upgrading to alternative learning modules.

Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian made the suggestion during a Senate hearing to assess preparations for the opening of classes on October 5.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, pointed out that under Bayanihan 2, the P4-billion fund was allocated to bankroll DepEd’s projects to put up information technology and digital infrastructure, implement digital education, and use alternative learning modalities, including the printing and delivery of self-learning modules.

During the Senate hearing, DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla explained they were still waiting for the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) official communications on the availability of the P4-billion fund before the department makes its implementation guidelines.

Presiding over the Committee hearing Gatchalian’s panel was informed that considering the “funds limitation,” DepEd needs to decide on what items to prioritize, whether the funds will go to teachers’ laptops, self-learning modules, or other items.

Gatchalian, however, affirmed he would “strongly suggest to allocate that [P4 billion] to our teachers, especially in technology that our teachers can use even after the Covid-19 pandemic.”

He noted that the Bayanihan 2 law, likewise, contained provisions to support implementation of the Basic

Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), adding that these included provisions for “loan assistance, subsidies, discounts and grants for the purchase of distance learning tools, including computers, laptops, tablets and other information and communications technology [ICT] devices.”

Gatchalian affirmed that the law likewise authorized utilization of a portion of the Special Education Fund (SEF) of local government units (LGUs) to support use of alternative learning modalities, digital education, and digital infrastructure.

Under Bayanihan 2, he assured that the SEF can also be used for “safe schools” infrastructure, equipment, and facilities, including handwashing stations, noting that public health supplies, such as soap, alcohol, sanitizers, thermometers, face masks, face shields, and other disinfecting solutions can also be purchased under the SEF.

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HE fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is blaming the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and a large-scale mining firm over what the group termed as “environmental degradation” in Alcoy, Cebu.

In a news statement issued on Monday, Pamalakaya National Chairman Fernando Hicap said the extraction of dolomite, part of which were used as dumping material to produce a Boracay beach-like appearance at the Manila Baywalk area are to be blamed for the dwindling marine life in the coastal town of Alcoy.

He said the fact that the DENR allowed this to happen can be considered an abandonment of its mandate of environmental protection.

“The Mineral Production Sharing Agreement between the gov-

ernment and the mining firm involved in quarrying must be revoked, and hold these environmental plunderers accountable,” Hicap, a former lawmaker, said.

Citing reports, Hicap said corals within the 500 meters of seawater in Barangay Pugalo, Alcoy, Cebu may have perished because of heavy siltation from the dolomite mines.

The dolomites were used as overlay materials to fill the 500-meter stretch of the Manila Baywalk for the controversial “beach nourishment” project.

Pamalakaya, along with other environmental groups, assailed the project, which they described as an “artificial rehabilitation focusing on aesthetics.”

The fisherfolk group is demanding an assessment on the environmental damage the extraction operation has caused and to hold those behind it accountable. Jonathan L. Mayuga

CSU donates 622 hectares of agricultural lands to DAR for distribution to farmers

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

T

HE Cagayan State University (CSU) has donated 622 hectares of agricultural lands for distribution to landless farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) 2.

CSU Vice President Fr. Ranhilio Aquino met with Department of Agrarian Reform Officials led by Secretary John R. Castriciones on September 17 where CSU official signed the deed of transfer for the governmentowned agricultural land.

Present during the signing of the deed of transfer were DAR Support Services Office (SSO) Undersecretary Emily Padilla, Policy, Planning and Research Office Undersecretary Virginia Orogo, Field Operation Office Undersecretary David Erro, Special Concerns Office Carim Panumpang, SSO Assistant Secretary Milagros Isabel Cristobal, Cagayan Valley Regional Director Samuel Solomero Assistant Director Alfredo Lorenzo Jr. and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Arthur E. Faeldon.

In a news statement, Castriciones said the signing of the deed of

transfer signifies the “beginning of empowerment” of our agrarian reform beneficiaries in Cagayan.

Government-owned lands are distributed for free—which means the beneficiaries need not have to worry about the annual amortization.

Moreover, Castriciones said, DAR, the agency tasked to implement CARP, would provide the necessary support services to the recipients to make their lands productive and improve their economic lives, as well as to contribute in ensuring food security in the country.

Provincial agrarian reform offi-

cer Faeldon said the department is committed to improve the lives of the people in the countryside, the very reason why the DAR Provincial Office worked hard to make this undertaking happen.

“I requested an area of 549 hectares from CSU Lallo and 73 hectares from CSU Piat, which is the subject of the Deed of Transfer that would be covered and awarded to qualified beneficiaries under Executive Order 75. I am grateful that the officials of CSU understand the needs of our farmers and granted our request,” Faeldon said.

BuCor chief Gerald Bantag Michael Braganza Peloton, lawyer and IT tests positive for Covid-19 expert, appointed new poll commissioner UREAU of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag confirmed on Monday that he tested positive for Covid-19.

Bantag made the confirmation two days after BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaglag disclosed that he also contracted the virus following a swab test conducted last Tuesday.

Before Bantag’s confirmation, Chaglag said two personnel of the BuCor director general earlier also tested positive for Covid-19, prompting the latter to undergo swab test.

Bantag admitted that he experienced symptoms of the virus

employ 89,000. “It will be cruel not to let the 400,000 nurses seek employment, currently idle, lift the ban,” the senator said.

for two nights such as chills and high temperature.

He said he took paracetamol and vitamin C, and noticed that the symptoms were gone on the third night.

The BuCor chief also confirmed that his driver and close-in security also tested positive for the virus.

Earlier, nine high-profile inmates, including drug convict Jaybee Sebastian—one of the accused-witnesses in the illegal-drug trade case filed against opposition Sen. Leila M. de Lima before the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City—died reportedly due to the virus. Joel R. San Juan

A

NOTHER lawyer with a background on information technology (IT) joined the ranks of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as one of its commissioners.

In a news statement issued on Monday, Comelec Chairman Sheriff M. Abas lauded the nomination of Michael Braganza Peloton to become one of their commissioners, replacing Comelec commissioner Luie Tito F. Guia, who retired last February.

Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea informed Comelec about Peloton’s nomination last Thursday.

Peloton previously served as a board

member of the Philippine Reclamation Authority.

“Commissioner Peloton is a timely addition to the Commission en banc as his vast experience in the field of law and information technology will highly contribute in our thrust to further improve and revolutionize our electoral processes,” Abas said.

Among Comelec’s incumbent commissioners, only Comelec commissioner Marlon Casquejo, who is a lawyer and computer engineer by profession, has a background on IT. Comelec has already started its preparation for the automated 2022

National and Local Elections.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez explained since Peloton’s new designation was made during the regular session of Congress, he must first gain the approval of the Commission on Appointments.

“He can’t assume office immediately. He must first be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments,” Jimenez said.

“Contrast this with an ad interim appointment, which is made while Congress is not in session. Such an appointeecanimmediatelyassumeoffice, subject to subsequent confirmation by the CA,” he added. Samuel P. Medenilla

Executive Order 75, Series of 2019 was signed by President Duterte on February 15, 2019, directing all departments,bureaus,offices,andinstrumentalities of government to identify lands owned by the government devoted to, or suitable for agriculture, for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.

During an online news conference, Erro told the BusinessMirror that some government agencies continue to defy President Duterte’s order.

He said government agencies are giving DAR the runaround when sought to transfer agricultural lands to DAR.

A4 Tuesday, September 22, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

PHL keeps top intl franchisers’ destination rank despite Covid

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

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HE Phi l ippines has re tained its position as one of the top destinations for international franchises on the back of an industry expected to recover from the ill effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the opening of Franchise Asia Philippines 2020 on Monday, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) Chairman Richard V. Sanz disclosed the country remains to be a contender in attracting global franchises. According to a United States-based think tank, the Philippines got a score of 2.1, in a census where the highest is 1 and the lowest is 4.

Based on ratings made by EGS,

the Philippines bested all Southeast Asian nations in terms of securing investments from franchise firms.

“We got an average of 2.1, with 1 as the highest, 2.5 as fair and 4 as the lowest,” Sanz said. “I say still because ever since we landed on their list, we have always been among those on top.”

“In fact, among Asean nations, we were always on top,” he added.

Citing EGS, Sanz said the EGS rankings judged economies based on GDP growth, market size, intellectual-property (IP) protection, ease of entry and ease of starting a business. It also assessed the country’s corruption index, political situation, economic factors, long-term investment level risk and projected Covid-19 recovery.

According to Sanz, the Philippines scored best in market size, IP protection, economic factors, longterm investment risk and projected Covid-19 recovery.

“The world believes that the Philippines will rise again,” he assured franchisers. “Shouldn’t we also share the same confidence?”

In a speech, PFA President Sherill Quintana asked franchise firms to change their mindset in a time of crisis like this to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.

She said the franchise industry has been contributing at least 7.8 percent to the country’s GDP before the health crisis erupted.

Further, it is employing some 2 million workers nationwide and is accounting for about 8 percent of total taxes collected by the gov-

ernment, Quintana added.

“At least, this is how it is before the Covid-19 crisis, but by changing mindset, this can also mean that this is the potential of the franchising sector if we are able to manage the difficulties of the said crisis,” Quintana said.

Franchise Asia Philippines will run up until Friday. Initially scheduled in March, the annual event was postponed by its organizers as Covid-19 started spreading across the archipelago.

This year’s edition will showcase 12 seminars on various topics, two keynote messages and 35 speakers who will delve on how the franchise industry can make it through the pandemic and how they can take advantage of the opportunities in the age of “new normal.”

Oil companies adjust fuel pump prices upward after last week’s rollback

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

O

IL firms are raising fuel pump prices this week following last week’s price rollback.

In separate advisories, oil companies are increasing gasoline prices by P0.60 per liter, diesel by

P0.20 per liter and kerosene by P0.55 per liter.

Pilipinas Shell, Petro Gazz, Seaoil and Cleanfuel said they will implement the price increases effective Tuesday, September 22 at 6 a.m. Other oil firms are expected to follow suit.

The latest of fuel price changes resulted in the total year-to-date

adjustments to stand at a net decrease of P58.22 per liter for gasoline, P11.19 per liter for diesel and P15.94/liter for kerosene.

Last September 15, gasoline prices were reduced by P1 per liter, diesel by P1.55 per liter and kerosene by P1.45 per liter. Prior to that, they also reduced gasoline prices by P0.30 per liter, diesel by

P0.45 per liter and kerosene by P0.55 per liter.

At the start of the month, they raised gasoline prices by P0.10 per liter but reduced diesel and kerosene prices by P0.10 per liter each.

They adjust their prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BAI data: Meat imports rise 2% from Jan to Aug to 552,509.226 MT

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

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HE country’s meat imports from January to August rose by 2 percent to over 550,000 metric tons (MT) on the back of 30-percent expansion in purchase of chicken meat and beef from abroad, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data showed.

Latest BAI data showed that total meat imports during the eightmonth period reached 552,509.226 MT, which was 10,405.507 MT higher than the 542,103.718 MT recorded in the same period of last year.

BAI data indicated that higher chicken meat and beef imports were the driver for the increment during the reference period.

The double-digit growth in both chicken meat and beef were more than enough to offset the 40-percent reduction in pork purchases abroad.

Chicken meat imports during the eight-month period rose by 33.73 percent to 267,855.466 MT from 200,292.678 MT on the back of higher mechanically deboned meat (MDM) purchased by local meat processors based on BAI data.

Chicken MDM grew 33.81 percent to 181,560.553 MT from 135,689.677 MT last year, BAI data showed. Chicken MDM is one of the primary raw materials of local meat processors in producing products,

such as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, siomai and other canned products.

BAI data also showed that beef imports expanded by nearly 40 percent to 126,951.254 MT from 90,851.661 MT recorded in the same period of last year.

Bulk of the beef imports were combined cuts and choice cuts which accounted for two-thirds of the total volume, or about 95,232.337 MT, based on BAI data.

BAI data showed that the country’s pork imports declined by 39.3 percent to 137,131.272 MT from 225,917.601 MT due to higher international prices of the meat product caused by tight global supply.

Netherlands was the top meat import source of the Philippines accounting for 17.6 percent of the total volume during the eight-month period, or about 97,240.502 MT. Bulk of the meat imports from Netherlands, or about 82,916.434 MT were chicken meat products, majority of which are MDM, BAI data showed.

The European country was followed by Brazil at 92,924.306 MT, with more than half of which being chicken meat products, mostly MDM, BAI data also showed.

The country’s eight-month meat imports from the United States reached 89,311.252 MT, with more than half being chicken meat products, especially chicken leg quarters, based on BAI data.

Cross-border data transfer rules–What now? monetary fines are possible, as is fallout with vendors and partners, potentially leading to negative impacts on the business.”

What should businesses do now?

By Henry J. Schumacher

T

HE regulatory environment affecting crossborder data transfers continues to fluctuate, leaving many organizations without clear guidance when exchanging customer and employee data. Why? Because, the European Court of Justice invalidated the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework as an approved mechanism for cross-border data transfer at the end of July, stating that it neither prevented US intelligence agencies from mass-collecting the personal data of EU residents, nor provided effective judicial redress for those whose data was collected.

Dan Frank, principal, Daniel Sutter, senior manager, and Stephen Sharon, manager, all with Deloitte Advisory Cyber Risk Services at Deloitte & Touche LLP, discussed the implications of this latest shift for organizations around the world. I would like to share their views with you, given the fact that the Philippine Business Process Management (BPM) industry continues to expand and is affected by these changes.

Does this decision require a response? What are the risks of inaction?

Frank: “Ignoring the invalidation of Privacy Shield exposes organizations—and any vendor partners that have leveraged Privacy Shield for transferring data—to multiple risks.

They may face enhanced scrutiny and regulatory actions by the various EUbased supervisory authorities, for example, or blocking, or suspension, of existing data transfers. Increased

Sutter: “Organizations that participated in Privacy Shield should continue to follow the contractual terms to which they are bound. A failure to do so could result in regulatory action related to deceptive and unfair trade practices.

Another step is to catalog data transfers that currently rely on Privacy Shield. If an organization regularly conducts privacy impact assessments, creates data flow diagrams, or uses privacy-enhancing tools, those mechanisms may assist with this task. Simultaneously, it’s a good idea for companies to refer to their data transfer strategies, drafting one if not already documented, to identify other potential data transfer mechanisms, such as standard contractual clauses (SCCs), or binding corporate rules (BCRs), that align to their organizations’ operations.”

What should they do next?

Sharon: “At present, there is no documented grace period. As a result, organizations should migrate to alternative transfer mechanisms expeditiously, suspend data transfers, or risk noncompliance. Implementing BCRs or SCCs can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Historically, SCCs—which support data transfers to third parties—are the more versatile and popular option, but they were indirectly challenged by the recent decision. While still an approved mechanism, organizations should now and in the future conduct due diligence before relying on SCCs. The fatal weakness that resulted in Privacy Shield’s invalidation is not intrinsic to Privacy Shield, so organizations are encouraged to collaborate with internal affiliates and data processors to determine whether the existing clauses in the SCCs or BCRs provide adequate protections to EU personal data based on their organizations’ operations. Also advisable is determining whether the laws in recipient countries provide adequate protections, including whether they

provide a means of recourse for EU residents. Based on what they learn, organizations can then implement additional safeguards and/or data transfer mechanisms as needed.”

How about down the road?

Frank: “In the coming weeks and months, more clarity will be available regarding which countries are deemed to be the riskiest to receive EU personal data, and what kinds of additional legal, technical, and/or organizationalsafeguardscontrollers andprocessorsshouldadd.Inaddition to staying abreast of these developments,organizationsshouldalsolook ahead and prepare for the following: The release of updated SCCs, as the current set has not been updated since before the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was announced.

As-yet-unknown implications of Brexit; the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement expires at year’s end.

Additional data transfer requirements and restrictions, particularly those involving the United States.

The European Court of Justice has stated that the acceptability of transfers going forward will depend in part on the adequacy of the legal, technical, and organizational data protection safeguards put in place by data controllers and processors. The protections afforded by the laws in the recipient country will also play a role in determining whether SCCs or BCRs can be relied upon. The privacy landscape continues to evolve, so organizations should be prepared to update remediation plans as needed.”

What about the APEC CrossBorder Privacy Rules (CBPR)?

GOOD question. It has to be assumed that the APEC CBPR will be adjusted once the EU and the US are coming up with new cross-border privacy rules.

In the meantime, BPM companies in the Philippines, dealing with APEC countries in cross-border data flows, may want to have a look at the APEC CBPR and the certification that is issued by Accountability Agents.

Hopefully, the Philippines will have its first Accountability Agent soon.

If you need more information, please contact me at schumacher@ certitrust.asia

The World

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

A5

China’s rejection of Taiwan buffer zone raises risk of war

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hina is ratcheting up the risk of military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing seeks to deter Taipei from continuing to deepen ties with the US and other like-minded democracies.

People’s Liberation Army aircraft repeatedly breached the median line between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland last week, in the latest of a series of military exercises in the area. The Chinese pilots signaled a willingness to continue the practice, telling Taiwanese personnel who attempted to warn them away that “there is no median line,” the Taipei-based China Times newspaper reported on Friday, citing unnamed military officials.

The report was widely circulated by Chinese state media, with the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command responding to one post by urging citizens to “discard any illusions and prepare to fight.”The PLA Air Force separately released a video on Saturday showing H-6 bombers making a simulated strike on a runway that looked similar to one at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam, a key staging area for any US support for Taiwan.

“The risks of war are rising considerably, and redrawing the map over the median line in the Taiwan Strait is a very obvious step by Beijing to not only raise the pressure, but also justify use of force,” said Malcolm Davis, a former defense adviser to the government and now a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra. “These aggressive probes are perhaps designed to provoke the Taiwanese air force to ‘shoot first’ and then Beijing has all the justification it needs.”

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a senior US diplomat and a Japanese delegation in Taipei last week in the latest show of international support for her government. The officials attended the funeral Saturday of Taiwan’s first democratically elected president, Lee Tenghui, whose policies toward Beijing were at the center of the last big military showdown between China and the US in the strait in the late 1990s.

Beijing regards the island as part of its territory, and reserves the right to annex it by force, even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than 70 years and have deep social and economic ties. Tsai, who views Taiwan as a sovereign nation, has courted greater US military and economic support since her election in 2016.

The incursions across the median line, which the US established in 1954 to prevent a conflict, signal Chinese President Xi Jinping’s displeasure with Trump administration overtures to Taiwan, including the visit last week by US

Undersecretary of State Keith Krach. Nineteen Chinese warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, crossed the center line on Saturday, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.

Taiwan scrambled fighters and deployed an air-defense missile system, following similar action the prior day. Chinese military aircraft have crossed the median line five times since March 2019, after respecting the buffer zone for two decades. No planes breached the boundary on Sunday after Krach’s departure.

“These actions don’t help China’s international image, and they also put the Taiwanese public even more on their guard. They make the public better understand the true nature of the Chinese Communist regime and make other countries in the region understand the threat China poses,” Tsai told reporters on Sunday. “The Chinese Communists must restrain themselves, and not provoke.”

The Japanese delegation to Lee’s funeral was led by former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who conveyed Yoshihide Suga’s wishes for “smooth and peaceful” relations with Taiwan. The Dalai Lama, who China views as a separatist leader, also paid his respects via video to Lee, who died in July.

China’s “scenario-based” military exercises in the Taiwan Strait were intended to promote the country’s “security and sovereignty,” Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a Defense Ministry spokesman, told reporters Friday in Beijing. Ren blamed US and Taiwan for “frequently stirring up trouble.”

The Communist Party’s Global Times newspaper went further, warning in a tweet that the Taiwan side was “playing with fire.” Tsai “will be wiped out,” if she violated a 2005 Chinese law barring Taiwan from taking formal steps toward independence, the newspaper said.

Such military incursions can help planners learn about a target’s defense capabilities, divert attention from an actual strike or put political pressure on a rival. For Xi, they also serve to galvanize domestic public opinion around his leadership at a time of economic and geopolitical unease.

Tsai has so far sought to avoid any actions that could provide Xi a pretense for an attack. Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei, said the incursions were aimed at whipping up nationalistic fervor at home.

“Beijing manipulates nationalism. Especially in the face of internal contradictions, nationalism can shift the focus and pressure,” Su said. “There is a greater risk of escalation and a military confrontation occurring, but currently it doesn’t benefit Beijing to do so.” Bloomberg News

Melbourne to ease lockdown as India seen surpassing U.S.

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ELBOURNE, Australia—Australia’s secondlargest city, Melbourne, has moved close to easing severe lockdown restrictions after recording only 14 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday.

It was the second day in a row new infections fell below 30, after 21 were reported on Saturday, the lowest daily number since June 19. There were also five deaths recorded on Sunday.

Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions are due to be eased next weekend when childcare centers will be allowed to reopen and gatherings of up to five people from two different households will be permitted. But that depends on the rolling 14-day average of new cases being below 50.

With the lower numbers this weekend, the rolling average is now 36.2.

Victoria state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos praised residents for adhering to lockdown rules.

“The huge sacrifices made by Victorians are saving many lives,” Mikakos said. “The new cases keep trending down with your efforts.

Thank you to all Victorians. You are amazing. We can do this,” she said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described an unexpected fall in Australia’s unemployment rate to 9.3 percent—down 14 percentage points from its peak during the pandemic—as “pleasant encouragement.”

The figures show about 400,000 Australians recently have returned to work.

“We’re just over half of the way back,” Morrison told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “Those who had been reduced to zero hours are starting to get their hours back.

There’s still a long way to go.”

Meanwhile, India has registered 92,605 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours and is expected to surpass the United States as the pandemic’s worst hit country within weeks. The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 1,133 additional deaths for a total of 86,752.

Sunday’s surge raised the country’s virus tally to over 5.4 million. India, however, also has the highest number of recovered patients in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University. Its recovery rate stands at about 80 percent.

Over 60 percent of the active cases are concentrated in five of India’s 28 states—Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has faced scathing criticism for its handling of the pandemic amid a contracting economy that left millions jobless.

Other developments:

Myanmar tightens restrictions Myanmar, faced with a rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths, has announced the tightest restrictions so far to fight the spread of the disease. The new measures,

announced Sunday by Health Minister Dr. Myint Htwe, cover Yangon, the country’s biggest city and main transportation hub. Measures effective Monday allow just one person per household out of their homes for shopping, and two for hospital visits, although a driver is also permitted when traveling by car. Wearing facemasks is mandatory. All office staffs must work from home, while factories, finishing and construction enterprises must halt operations from September.

24 to October 7. Travel out of Yangon was already banned and all domestic flights grounded on September 11. Until an upsurge in coronavirus cases last month in the western state of Rakhine, Myanmar had appeared to have largely been spared from the pandemic, having recorded just 353 virus cases as of the beginning of August. The country as of Sunday has 5,541 cases, including 92 deaths.

Japan’s ‘Silver Week’ holiday

Train stations and airports in Japan are filled with people traveling over the “Silver Week” holiday weekend, in a sign of recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The surge in domestic travel is in contrast to previous holidays, when pressure was high for people living in urban congested areas to stay home and avoid areas with fewer infections. The new daily cases in Tokyo have recently fluctuated around 200, but Japan does not have widespread testing and many cases are likely going undetected. Baseball games, stores and theaters are open again with social distancing, mask-wearing, hand sanitizers and temperature checks. A study by mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo showed crowd size at a domestic terminal at Tokyo’s main Haneda airport, as well as train stations and shopping districts nationwide. Japan, with about 1,500 deaths related to Covid-19, has banned almost all overseas visitors and requires quarantine and virus checks for returning Japanese. The Silver Week includes this weekend and two national holidays, Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumn Equinox.

South Korea cases drop

South Korea’s new coronavirus tally has fallen below 100 for the first time in more than a month. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Sunday that the newly counted 82 cases took the country’s total to 22,975 with 383 deaths. The drop is likely partly driven by the fact that authorities conduct fewer tests on weekends.

But even before Sunday, South Korea’s daily tally has held in the 100s for more than two weeks, down from 400 in late August. Health officials say the downward trend is a result of stringent social distancing rules imposed on the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area. Those rules were recently relaxed. The government is urging the public not to lower their guard as small-scale clusters are still being reported. AP

A6 Tuesday, September 22, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Covid-19’s remedy is with us

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E have entered the sixth month of community quarantine, imposed at various levels across the archipelago, and still we are seeing the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia.

As of September 20, the total number of infected persons in the country had reached 286,743, with the daily reported new cases averaging above 3,000 this month. While painfully recognizing that every single death is a tragedy for all, the one mitigating note in the Philippines’s Covid situation is the relatively low death rate. As of September 20, the death toll stood at 4,984. And yet, the danger is so real to the vulnerable populations that businesses have had to tiptoe around imposing strict protocols—sometimes revised at a dizzying pace—as they try to reboot.

Blaming the government and concerned state institutions has become the favorite pastime of many Filipinos on social media. People tend to look outward and put blame on others, instead of focusing on what they can do on their own to help curb the spread of the disease. Despite the consistent public calls of local and international government and health agencies, some people still choose to ignore protocols in practicing the minimum health standards.

It has not helped that the safeguard deniers have clothed their defiance of protocols with the apparent double standard—certain powerful people were not sanctioned for their own breaches of quarantine rules.

Beyond enforcement, we also must consider the violations as a reflection of the nation’s health-seeking behavior and attitude; nay, a combination of several factors, not least of which is the overwhelming need of those impacted by lockdowns to go out and do something, anything, to earn something to feed families forced into begging the past months.

Meanwhile, it is good to note that some groups have already risen above the blame game and elevated the Covid-19 discussions to what every individual can contribute while the world scrambles for medicines to cure the infected and vaccines to end this pandemic.

Just recently, the Acting President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, said that a more holistic approach to the responses to the pandemic should consider proactive promotion of a positive mindset that gives flesh to the values of love, compassion, prudence and patience. This, most especially at a time when many people are experiencing uncertainty with the unprecedented loss of lives, jobs and economic slowdown. While some would probably question the relevance of the church in the pandemic issue, recall that even Justice Secretary Menardo Jimenez acknowledged the capability of the faith-based sector in helping Filipinos undergoing mental health and psychosocial problems. “Pananagutan sa bawat isa [Looking out for each one],” David had said, will give rise to the consciousness of accountability; that our actions, or inaction, will affect other people. Every Filipino can help by channeling the spirit of bayanihan (concerted effort and heroism) and our demonstration of malasakit (concern) to each human being. In fact, these core values were actually communicated in a public service ad by Filipino company Unilab with the tag line, “Malasakit ang kailangan upang Covid-19 ay mapigilan.” The simple but powerful campaign constantly reminds the people around us—from family members to strangers—to always practice the minimum health protocols, and to gently nudge anyone who fails to comply. With a smile that conveys an earnest desire to protect the other—and not to impose—one can simply signal even a stranger in a public place to put on a mask or face shield, or at least wear this properly, and to practice physical distancing. In a word, the message is simple: “I protect you, you protect me.”

We sink or swim in this country so we have no other choice but to move as one. And we cannot simply pin all our hopes on the discovery of a vaccine that is supposed to provide immunity. This is the best time to let the Filipino spirit take us through this pandemic. As one Facebook post said, “Pandemic ka lang, Pilipino kami.”

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

‘The worst is over for the Philippines’ Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

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welling on the negative and being pessimistic about everything will not help us overcome the psychological effects of the pandemic. One way to get past the health crisis is look at the other side of the coin. Many positives in the economy are actually emerging simply because we are already over the hump.

Much has to be done, of course, to fully overturn the economic recession. But to say that the economy will fare worse in the succeeding quarters, to me, is unthinkable. The gross domestic product contracted 16.5 percent in the second quarter following a 0.7-percent drop in the first quarter, or 9 percent in the first half of 2020. Are we to believe the economy will sink deeper in the succeeding quarters and a year from now? I don’t think so.

The severe lockdown episodes that started in mid-March and lasted through May are over.

The economy started reopening in June and workers have slowly trooped back to their jobs as the restrictions eased. I can understand the recent sentiment of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno after reading about the latest Social Weather Stations survey. The poll showed

40 percent of Filipinos believed the economy would worsen in the next 12 months.

I can only agree with Mr. Diokno after the SWS released the result of its survey based on the perception of 2,000 adults. He himself cannot imagine how the economy will be worse off 12 months from now, coming from a record contraction in the second quarter of 2020 when virtually the whole nation was locked down in March, April and May. The administration of President Duterte gradually reopened the economy in the third quarter, allowing certain business activities to resume and more public transportation to operate. The way I see it, the government is now being aggressive in opening the economy further as the months wear on.

Mr. Diokno correctly observed that the worst is over for the

Expecting the boom?

N

Consumer demand through all economic groups is strong. But two things need to happen.

People have to fully go back to work for their income to increase and they have to have a place to spend that income. That is obvious. Unfortunately, there are forces that are working against that in the name of public health.

They had better be right.

As a result, government lost the trust of the business community.

Now we have another occurrence that eroded trust with the announcement and then un-announcement of the public transport social distancing.

How do I know? On August 3, the local stock market closed at 5,715.

The August 18 close was 6,156.

Now we are around 5,800. The first thing is that the market started pricing in the go-stop-go situation just around the time we went back to GCQ from MECQ. But more

The third quarter corporate numbers are not going to be good, as I said. But then again, I could be pleasantly surprised. The problem is that we have been under siege for so long without the “invaders taking over” that we are beginning to doubt the severity of the crisis.

Despite the very negative view of the Philippines’s response, the nation still ranks number 95 in deaths per 1 million population and ranks 103 in cases per capita. Even the increasing number of cases is not being reflected in hospitalizations as we were warned in July that the health-care system was being overwhelmed. July 29, 2020: “Hospitals running out of Covid-19 beds—DOH.”

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Philippines, with the infection rate starting to flatten, the virus reproduction now below 1 and the government shifting from a general lockdown to granular or localized containment.

One of the positives in the economy, meanwhile, is the revitalization of the hard-hit tourism sector.

President Duterte’s government is now allowing “staycation” guests in hotels in areas placed under general community quarantine. The arrangement, defined as a “minimum overnight stay for leisure purposes” in an accredited Department of Tourism accommodation establishment near one’s residence, is a significant step in reducing the country’s unemployed.

Many hotel workers, from waiters and waitresses to chambermaids and janitors, lost their jobs at the height of the lockdown. The economy needs these workers back to spur consumption.

Tourism workers, along with mall employees, were one of the first to suffer the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic as airline operations grounded to a halt. I am glad to learn that our displaced tourism workers could soon find alternative jobs while domestic and foreign travels remain in limbo.

Over 10,000 jobs in the business process outsourcing industry, according to the Department of Tourism, are being offered to displaced workers in the tourism sector in a job fair this month. Our tour guides

aturally, we can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We should have had some favorable or neutral corporate numbers coming in for the third quarter. Unfortunately, that shutdown of the NCR in early August was an economic disaster. Apparently, the decision-makers had no clue how real world businesses operate. It takes at least a few days to get supply chains, employees, and other logistics in order before a company can reopen. Then a week or so later to shut it down again was beyond comprehension. importantly, the realization came that policy announced on Saturday could be changed a week later.

September 12, 2020: “Relaxed physical distancing in public transport starts September 14.” September 19, 2020: “Duterte keeps 1-meter distancing in public transport.”

Every parent, elementary school teacher, and company president knows you cannot do that. Not once. Not ever. The credibility lost from that sort of U-Turn takes an equally incredible amount of time to recover.

and frontline service providers are certainly qualified to work in some BPOs because of their proficiency in the English language.

I am confident that our skilled tourism workers can blend easily in the BPO sector as customer service representatives, supervisors, trainers, managers and employees in the human resources and recruitment, finance, IT and marketing departments.

As Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat remarked, both the tourism and the BPO industries are people-oriented. Tourism employees have the talent and skills that can make them rise above the health crisis through a new and equally challenging job. For one, our tourism workers, because of their experience in the sector and their customer service orientation, have developed an ability to interact with foreign nationals.

The economy as I see it is slowly finding its way to the recovery path. The government pretty soon will move to ease further the operations of restaurants and malls, and reopen amusement parks, bars and even clubs subject to social distancing rules. We need the small entrepreneurs and their workers to revitalize the economy. They serve as the positives that will cancel out the negativity that pervaded during the lockdown periods.

For comments, e-mail mbv.secretariat@gmail. com or visit www.mannyvillar.com.ph.

While we are still restricted, particularly in restaurants and the like, people are starting to go out. Some restaurants in some “rich” areas are reporting good sales despite the 50 percent seating protocol. Customers are willing to wait in line for an outside meal. In the past two weeks, mall traffic is slightly higher.

Consumer demand through all economic groups is strong. But two things need to happen. People have to fully go back to work for their income to increase and they have to have a place to spend that income. That is obvious. Unfortunately, there are forces that are working against that in the name of public health. They had better be right.

Metro mayors have been very reluctant to allow businesses to reopen.

They, too, better be right. When they count their cities’ 2020 revenues and have to significantly cut programs in 2021, they may wish they had been a little more proactive in finding economic answers in the face of health concerns.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Visit my web site at www.mangunonmarkets.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stockmarket information and technical analysis tools provided by the COL Financial Group Inc.

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Introducing a new document called ‘Notice of Discrepancy’

The feminism and judicial activism of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A legal icon

Atty. Rodel C. Unciano

Manny F. Dooc

Tax Law for Business

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he 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. In line with this constitutional mandate, the 1997 Tax Code guarantees due process rights of taxpayers in tax investigation cases. Thus, the Tax Code requires that when the Commissioner or his duly authorized representative finds that proper taxes should be assessed, he shall first notify the taxpayer of his findings, except only in few instances where a pre-assessment notice is not required.

Consistent with the above mandate of the Constitution and of the Tax Code, the Department of Finance (DOF) issued on September 6, 1999 Revenue Regulations (RR) 12-99, prescribing among others, the due process requirements in tax investigation cases. It prescribed the issuance of Notice for Informal Conference (NIC) and Preliminary Assessment Notice (PAN) prior to the issuance of Formal Letter of Demand (FLD) and Assessment Notices.

Note that it is the FLD that will become final, executory and demandable if taxpayer fails to respond within the time prescribed under the rules. Taxpayer’s failure to respond to the NIC or PAN will not render the assessment final, executory and demandable. The NIC and the PAN are actually advance notice to taxpayers that a tax assessment is forthcoming.

This is part of taxpayer’s rights to due process before issuance of FLD, if warranted.

Thus, if the BIR finds that a taxpayer is liable for deficiency tax or taxes, it shall first notify the taxpayer of the noted tax deficiencies and give the taxpayer an opportunity to present his side of the case. Under RR 12-99, the taxpayer must be able to respond to the NIC within a period of 15 days from the taxpayer’s receipt of the NIC. Otherwise, the taxpayer shall be considered in default, paving the way for the BIR’s issuance of PAN. More than 10 years thereafter, the DOF issued RR 18-2013 amending the due process requirement in the issuance of deficiency tax assessment. Specifically, it deleted the requirement on the issuance of NIC but retained the requirement on issuance of PAN as a pre-requisite on issuance of FLD. Then, on January 22, 2018, the DOF, under RR 7-2018, reinstated the requirement on the BIR’s issuance of NIC. It even extended the period within which to conduct informal conference with the taxpayer to 30 days, from the original requirement of 15 days previously prescribed under RR 12-99.

Just recently, a new regulation was issued amending the rules one more time. Under RR 22-2020, the DOF again deleted the issuance of NIC as part of due process requirement in tax investigation cases.

However, in lieu of the NIC, the BIR is now required to prepare and issue a document called Notice of Discrepancy (ND), instead of a NIC. And so, what’s new in the ND as prescribed under RR-2020?

In essence, the ND is similar to the NIC as it gives the taxpayer an

opportunity to present and explain his side on the discrepancies noted by the BIR within 30 days from the taxpayer’s receipt of the ND. Similar to the NIC, the ND should be in writing, should state the Revenue Officer’s initial report of his findings of discrepancies, and should give the taxpayer an opportunity for discussion on the noted discrepancies. Similar to the NIC, the ND must be issued to taxpayers under investigation to notify and invite them for discussion of the BIR’s initial findings. This is part of due process requirement afforded to taxpayers before issuance of deficiency tax assessment, if warranted.

What’s new perhaps in the new rule is the requirement for submission of supporting documents during the discussion or in case the taxpayer needs more time to submit documents after the discussion, the taxpayer must submit all necessary documents that support his explanation within 30 days after receipt of the ND. This is expressly provided in RR 22-2020. There is no similar provision on this under RR 7-2018.

But of course, even if no requirement for submission of supporting documents was expressly provided under the old rule, common sense dictates that supporting documents must also be submitted during the discussion to fully ventilate the taxpayer’s position.

The discussion of discrepancy under RR 22-2020 should be conducted within 30 days from the taxpayer’s receipt of the ND. If the investigating office still finds the taxpayer liable for deficiency taxes, it shall endorse the case to the reviewing office for issuance of deficiency assessment in the form of PAN within 10 days from the conclusion of the discussion. There is likewise similar provision on this under RR 7-2018 but the period has been extended from seven days under RR 7-2018 to 10 days under RR 22-2020.

Tax rules do change over time.

But whatever reasons are behind these changes, taxpayer’s rights to due process should remain a paramount consideration.

The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm of WTS Global.

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at rodel.unciano@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 140.

TELLTALES

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wo weeks ago, wearing the mandatory mask and a face shield, I bought the latest book on US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) at the Fully Booked shop in BGC. A national best seller, “Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life,” written by acclaimed historian Jane Sherron de Hart, is an account of RBG’s extraordinary life and her passion for justice marked by her meticulous legal scholarship to promote gender equality and minority rights.

RBG was born to a Jewish couple in Brooklyn, New York at the height of the great depression on March 15, 1933. She was of humble origin and her family suffered financial hardship following the severe downturn of the US economy.

RBG was hyperactive as a child and kicked so much that her elder sister, Marilyn, nicknamed her “Kiki” which she carried throughout her life. Her father, Nathan Bader, was a Russian Jew, while her mother, Celia Amster, was a Jew from Poland. Her mother was stricken with cervical cancer through all the years that RBG was in high school. A day after Celia was buried, RBG delivered the commencement remark on behalf of the high school graduating class. She attended college at Cornell University in NY where she met her future husband, Marty Ginsburg. She later on pursued law in Harvard where Marty was already an upper class student.

She had a formidable intellect and the family shared an obsession for academic achievement. A classmate recalled that if there was a B on her report card, the Ginsburg household

“went into mourning.” She graduated at the top of every class she attended in all levels. When she moved from Harvard Law to Columbia University to join her husband who found a job in a power law firm in NY, students in Columbia Law were concerned that the brightest law student in the East had transferred to their college. Harvard during her time was a very different institution from the present Harvard, which is now a model for gender equality and human rights.

When she enrolled in the school in 1956-1957, there was even no women’s room in Langdell Hall where her law classes were conducted. She had to make a mad rush to the nearest toilet, which was one block away.

Some professors completely ignored the very few women in the class and would sometimes hold “Ladies Day” where women were called to recite

Bloomberg Opinion

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lthough the political debate surrounding abortion often seems most heated in the United States, recent data suggest that global public opinion on this thorny moral and medical issue is more fluid than one might think.

Ipsos has been tracking views on abortion annually since 2014. This year’s poll of 17,500 adults across 25 countries indicates that, on average, 70 percent think abortion should be

permitted—down from 75 percent in 2016, and 2 percentage points lower than in 2014. (These figures include all abortion; when asked if abortion should be permitted “whenever a woman decides she wants one” the global acceptance rate falls to 44 percent.)

Regionally, abortion is most widely supported in Europe (80 percent) and North America and Asia-Pacific (71 percent), compared with Latin America (62 percent) and Africa and the Middle East (60 percent). Of the countries surveyed, the highest rates

to provide comic relief. She served in both the Law Reviews of Harvard and Columbia Law Schools. She joined the law profession when female lawyers were marginalized. She could not find a prestigious clerkship and land a job in a topnotch law firm despite her outstanding qualifications.

Former President Bill Clinton nominated RBG as the second female justice of the US Supreme Court in 1993. Speaking at the White House Rose Garden, Clinton said: “People will find, as I have, this nominee is a person of immense character. Quite simply, what’s in her record speaks volumes about what is in her heart.”

And he added that RBG, by way of a lasting compliment to the nominee, has stood “for the individual, the person less well off, the outsider in society, and has given them greater hope by telling them that they have a place in our legal system.”

RBG accepted her nomination with all humility knowing that she would be blazing a path that would pave the way for people of her gender, and rightly predicted that more would follow. And remembering her own mother, a brave and strong woman whom RBG idolized, she said: “I pray that I may be all that she would have been had she lived in an age when women could aspire and achieve, and daughters are as much cherished as sons.”

Her seminal work at the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had greatly motivated feminist lawyers in the 1960s to work for and secure gender equality in American society. She personally handled landmark cases before the US Supreme Court and

succeeded many times to convince the SC to strike down oppressive and discriminatory laws against women and the minorities. She handled these cases while teaching law at Rutgers University and Columbia University where she became one of the first tenured female professors of law in America. Unarguably, RBG was the foremost and most successful litigator for women’s equality. She had written many legal briefs on test cases that reached the US SC. Her work on the test case, Reed v. Reed, persuaded the Court for the first time that gender-based discrimination had breached the equal protection clause of the constitution. RBG is to the women’s cause what former Justice Thurgood Marshall was to the African American movement.

Now, RBG is dead at age 87. She would have wanted to serve until a Democratic president sits in the White House to continue her judicial philosophy and ideology. With her death, the high court lost a leader of the liberal bloc which constitutes a minority in the current SC. The highly polarized court will, if Trump succeeds to appoint RBG’s successor during his term, fortify its growing conservatism.

She grew up during the Holocaust and survived the atrocities committed against her people. As a daughter and husband of a Jew, central to her life was the Hebrew concept of “Tikkun Olam,” which means “to repair the world.” RBG devoted her entire existence doing it and America’s womenfolk and minorities are now in a much better lot than their forbears generations ago. Thanks to the feminism and judicial activism of RBG.

Boris Johnson stumbles into yet another crisis

By Therese Raphael | Bloomberg Opinion

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oris Johnson is right back where he was six months ago: faced with a choice of how far to clamp down on freedoms in order to suppress the coronavirus’s transmission. Only then the strategy was simple. Britain’s lockdown was to protect the capacity of the National Health Service in order to save lives. This time, the goal is more complicated and so are Johnson’s choices.

There may be disagreements on what exactly a second wave is—the UK has come a long way from seeing 500 deaths a day in March (there were 27 were recorded on Saturday)—but the arrow is moving in the wrong direction and the question is how the government will respond. In Britain infections are doubling about every week. Only the US, Brazil, India and Mexico have had more deaths from the virus.

A second wave was “inevitable,” Johnson has said. Perhaps so, but it’s also the result of clear mistakes. The worst of these is the failure to ensure that the country’s Covid testing system could meet the inevitable surge in demand that would come with people resuming normal activities.

Britain isn’t alone here. France, Spain, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe are facing second waves too, with the World Health Organization saying last week that Europe’s infections are now higher than the peak in March. The causes are similar: the lifting of restrictions, people returning from holiday travel, and the reopening of schools, com-

bined with testing problems and in some places poor compliance with social distancing, especially from younger populations.

On the face of it, things ought to be easier this time. We have a better handle on how to prevent transmission, how to treat hospitalized patients and how to protect the most vulnerable. That ought to mean fewer fatalities. And yet, in other ways this period could be even more dangerous.

The narrative that Britain’s NHS is coping with this crisis downplays the enormous costs. While it may be more prepared in terms of beds, personal-protective equipment for staff and knowledge of the virus, it’s also struggling with employee fatigue and a massive backlog of non-Covid cases to plow through.

For people who have been living with undiagnosed or slow-moving cancers, hips that need replacing or other illnesses, this period has been torturous. Even if it manages to avoid a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations this winter, the NHS could well face a different kind of crisis as

Global public opinion about abortion is shifting

By Ben Schott

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 A7

of acceptance were found in Sweden (88 percent), Belgium (87 percent), France (84 percent), and Great Britain, Netherlands and Spain (83 percent); the lowest rates were found in India (63 percent), Turkey (56 percent), Brazil (53 percent), Peru (48 percent), and Malaysia (24 percent).

The acceptance rate of the United States was 64 percent—in line with Mexico and South Africa.

However, a look at Ipsos’s sevenyear trend data suggests that views on abortion are not as settled as one might imagine for a debate that has

played out over generations. In South Korea, for example, the rate of acceptance has seesawed dramatically between 2014 and 2020, rising and falling by double digits from year to year; whereas in Mexico the rate of acceptance has gradually risen from 51 percent to 64 percent, despite a slight dip in 2015.

Perhaps the most surprising finding is the number of countries, many in Europe, where acceptance of abortion has declined over the years, in some cases quite significantly—as illustrated in the chart below.

it tries to meet non-Covid demand.

When it comes to implementing new lockdown restrictions, the public health situation suggests erring on the side of caution, but doing so would be economically and politically difficult. The U.K. government’s decision to end its popular furlough scheme at the end of October means a sharp rise in unemployment is likely. The economy is forecast to shrink 10 percent in 2020. Almost any action that Johnson is considering—including a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown in October to coincide with school holidays—will carry economic costs that will worry the Treasury, which already looks set to extend some business support loans due to the new lockdown pressures.

The government’s strategy—to suppress the virus to keep education and the economy open, as Health Secretary Matt Hancock described it Sunday—may seem logical, but there’s very little agreement on how that can now be accomplished. The hope that limited, geographical lockdowns—with contained economic fallout—will be enough seems to be fading.

From Tuesday, more than 13 million Britons will face a host of new lockdown restrictions, including 10 p.m. curfews. There will be hefty new fines for those who break these rules.

Hancock says Britain is at a “tipping point,” leaving little doubt that other parts of the country will be affected too. London mayor Sadiq Khan is ad-

vocating tougher lockdown measures in the capital, where case numbers are rising again. One thing is clear: In the absence of a working testing and tracing system, both the public health and economic costs will rise.

All of this comes as criticism of Johnson grows within his own party and among the public. The first wave of infections came soon after he won a resounding election victory and celebrated Britain’s exit from the European Union. He was riding high in the polls, promising to unify and “level up” the country.

But repeated errors, confused messaging and policy U-turns have left many voters disillusioned.

More people now think opposition leader Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister. And that has unsettled many Johnson supporters, who had grown used to his using most situations to his political advantage. Even the magazine Johnson once edited, The Spectator, normally a bastion of unwavering support, has grown impatient and wondered if he has the stomach for the job.

Johnson still has an 80-seat majority and is firmly in charge. But a potential second wave of the virus has brought the first real opposition he has faced since the December vote.

If he doesn’t get the response right this time, the Tories may eventually decide the man they backed so enthusiastically to get Brexit done is no longer the leader they want.

A8 Tuesday, September 22, 2020

4 big PPP projects swell PHL contingent liabilities to P312B

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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HE country’s contingent liabilities stock increased to P311.8 billion due to four big-ticket Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects, according to the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

In its Fiscal Risks Statement for 2021, the DBCC estimated that there was a P78-billion increase in contingent liability stock due to Cavite-Laguna Expressway, MRT Line 7, Metro Manila Skyway (Stage 3), and Clark International Airport Expansion Project—EPC. With this, the report said, the contingent liability flow rose to P33.1 billion in 2020 from P22.8 billion last year.

“The NG [national government] has continued its management of contingent liabilities and fiscal risks arising from Public-Private Partnerships projects through constant monitoring and enhancing the valuation of contingent liability stock and flows,” the document stated.

Contingent liability stock, the report explained, referred to the aggregate contingent liability amount in the worst-case event that it is made to provide termination payment for all PPPs. This takes into consideration each project’s implementation status.

Meanwhile, the report explained

that contingent liability flow referred to the amount of contingent liabilities that may materialize within the fiscal year, taking into consideration each project’s risk factors.

For 2021, the DBCC said 25 PPP projects currently in the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) pipeline are expected to be awarded by the end of 2021 if the tender for these projects begins no later than February 2021.

These are all unsolicited projects except for the Road Transport Information Technology Infrastructure Project Phase II (LTFRB-IT) and San Ramon Newport Project (SRNP), which are solicited proposals.

The projects include 11 projects under review by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Infrastructure Staff and six projects under review by the ICC Technical Board (TB).

The projects being reviewed by the Neda Infrastructure Staff includes the Philippine National Railway’s (PNR) unsolicited proposals for the MRT 7 Airport Access-North Line and MRT 7 Katipunan Spur Project; the Operation, Maintenance And Expansion Of Busuanga Airport and Kalibo International Airport; and the unsolicited Proposal of Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) for the Development of Former Manila Seedling Site Owned by the National Housing Authority (NHA), among others.

COA rejects ₧228.7M more of tax credits for textile firms

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Commission on Audit (COA) slapped another set of Notices of Disallowances (NDs) on tax credit certificates (TCCs) granted to four textile firms from 2008 to 2011.

The Department of Finance (DOF) said on Monday total COA disallowance notices on tax credits to four textile firms have already reached P606 million after the agency issued a new batch of NDs worth a combined P228.71 million.

The new set of NDs issued by COA was on top of the P377.27 mil-

lion in illegal tax perks granted to the four “errant” firms by the OneStop Shop Inter-Agency Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center (OSS) that COA earlier disallowed.

In a letter to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, COA said these four textile firms are Capital-Roll Knit Corp. (CRC), Uni-Glory’s Knitting Corp. (UKC), Primeknit Manufac-

turing Corp. (PMC) and Tai-Cheng International Resource Inc. (Ticiri).

Of the new batch of disallowed TCCs issued to these firms, P85.36 million was issued to CRC from 2010 to 2011; P62.99 million to UKC between 2010 and 2011; P40.13 million to PMC from 2008 to 2009; and P42.02 million to Ticiri between 2008 and 2009.

In a letter to Dominguez signed

by COA-SAO Officer in Charge (OIC) Gloria Silverio, the audit body again thanked him “for the usual support and assistance extended” by the DOF to the COA as it conducted its audit of the OSS. Several officials and employees of the DOF, Board of Investments (BOI), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and OSS who were responsible for processing and approving the illegal TCCs, as well as their recipients and claimants from the four companies, were held liable

by COA in various instances when the TCCs were issued.

Created under Administrative Order (AO) No. 266 issued in 1992 to process TCCs and duty drawback applications, the OSS is a composite body managed by the DOF, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), BOC and the BOI.

Incentives

Ta x credits were offered as in-

cent ives under t he Omnibus Investments Code (Executive Order or EO 226) to exporters and manufacturers of BOI-registered products for export that have actually paid duties and taxes on the raw materials and supplies used in manufacturing these goods.

Approved applications meant refunds on their duties and taxes that were used to pay other tax liabilities due the government.

In July 2018, the DOF reported that the COA uncovered a bigger scam, in which the OSS granted TCCs worth P11.18 billion to 33 ineligible or even nonexistent textile companies from 2008 to 2014.

Of this amount, P8.85 billion worth of tax credits were granted to 29 claimants despite the absence of proof of payment of duties and taxes and the export of finished products, and of importation records with BOC. The other four claimants got TCCs worth P2.34 billion, even as their entitlement to the fiscal incentive had already expired.

Upon the receipt of the report on the P11.18-billion tax credit scam, Dominguez had signed Department Order (DO) No. 039-2018 forming a task force to investigate and run after those involved in these illegal TCC transactions.

House leaders say budget House row work on track, halt session may derail budget work –Drilon

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House of Representatives on Monday assured the public of the timely passage of the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 despite the “coup threat” against the current leadership and the budget row among some lawmakers.

Despite the assurance, the House leadership immediately suspended session on Monday, a day after word spread that Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte might seek to have all positions declared vacant.

The session wasopened at 3 p.m. with 299 members present both physically and virtually. With this, a quorum was declared by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu. But after the reading of measures on first reading, the session was immediately suspended. Abu announced that it will resume at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (today).

On Sunday, Deputy Speaker Duterte was reported set to ask the Mindanao Bloc to declare the seat of Speaker and Deputy Speakers vacant on Monday. But no coup was done during the session, which was suspended after 18 minutes.

The President’s son said lawmakers are calling him to express their disappointment and consternation over the fate of their respective allocations and budgets from the hands of the current House leadership.

Pass on time

Meanwhile, Committee on Appropriations Chairman Eric Go Yap said the House will finish the 2021 national budget deliberations before the Congress break on October 14 amid the issues hounding it.

Yap also clarified that the budget disagreements among lawmakers are over parochial concerns.

“For example, I’m in Benguet, I am the representative there. I have

the right to ask the executive [thru agencies] if they can give us funds for roads, bridges, things that we need in our province,” he said.

“But it doesn’t mean that these are pork [barrel]. This is for the roads, for hospitals,” Yap added.

At the earlier budget briefing of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves questioned the agency’s basis for the budget allocation per district of congressmen. Teves was complaining that his district will only receive almost P2 billion while Taguig and Camarines Sur are getting P8 billion and P11.8 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, Yap said he is “99 percent” confident that Cayetano will keep his post.

However, the lawmaker, a close ally of the President’s son, clarified that Rep. Duterte never said he would personally declare the Speaker’s post vacant and “he does not want to get involved.”

“What he [Duterte] said was that complaining members of the House can declare leadership posts vacant,” he added.

Under the term-sharing arrangement brokered earlier with encouragement from the President, Cayetano was to lead the House for 15 months up to October this year, while Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will serve the remaining 21 months of the Spea ker’s three-year ter m of office.

By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

A

Meanwhile, House Deput y Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said Malacañang’s apparent “unequal distribution of pork slices” may derail passage of the 2021 proposed national budget.

A similar scenario formed the basis of a warning by Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Monday. Story at right column, “House row may derail budget work—Drilon.”

BREWING “power struggle” among pro-administration factions for the coveted Speakership of the House of Representatives, aggravated by bickerings over multimillion-peso allocations for congressional districts, is feared to derail timely approval by Congress of the P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon aired this apprehension on Monday amid reports on stepped up jockeying by certain lawmakers to install Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, who is supposed to take over the post by October under a term-sharing deal with incumbent Speaker Alan Cayetano.

T he brew ing House power struggle, aggravated by “bickering among congressmen supposedly over infrastructure funds of legislative districts lodged under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), could affect their timetable and derail the passage of the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021,” Drilon said in an interview with cable channel ANC. At the same time, he warned against the misuse of billions tucked into “soft projects” under an unprecedented funding to end the communist insurgency, which he said state auditors may find hard to track, as they are to be implemented by 800 local government units.

On the House leadership battle, Drilon said that “certainly, a power struggle in the House of Representatives will affect our timelines [for approving the national budget], and I hope not, because we are still in the middle of a pandemic and we have about 10-percent unemployment.”

Continued on A2

Continued on A2

Derail

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Megawide, Korean partners bag deal for Phase 1 of MCRP

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By VG Cabuag & Lorenz S. Marasigan

@villygc @lorenzmarasigan

he Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has awarded the P28-billion Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) Package 1 to Filipino engineering conglomerate Megawide Construction Corp. and its Korean partners.

Megawide said it will undertake the said project along with Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. and Dong-ah Geological Engineering Company Ltd. The notification of award was issued on September 18, the company said.

“ Megaw ide, toget her w it h our world-renowned consortium partners in the field of engineering, Hyundai E and C and Dongah, is committed to deliver the highest standards of construction and engineering excellence for the MCRP. This will be another

first-world infrastructure in the making,” Edgar Saavedra, chairman and CEO of Megawide, said in a statement.

The estimated project cost of P28 billion is equivalent to more than half of Megawide’s current order book of P48 billion. The company said the project will boost the company’s construction segment revenue in the next 3 to 4 years during the development phase.

Considering that precast materials and construction ancillary services will be major components for these kinds of development, the project will also benefit Megawide’s business units and support expansion plans in this area, it added.

Under the deal, the group will build approximately 17 kilometers of viaduct structure, including elevated station buildings in Calumpit, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga.

“We are honored to be working with the Philippine government on the MCRP. Not only will this project, once totally completed, spur growth in Central Luzon, it will also increase connectivity and unlock exciting commercial opportunities between Metro Manila and Clark,” Saavedra said.

MCRP is part of the larger NorthSouth Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, one of the big-ticket projects under the "Build, Build, Build" Program. NSCR is a 163-kilometer suburban railway network connecting the regional center of Clark in Central Luzon with Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna.

The MCRP comprises: MalolosClark section (51.2 km) from Malolos to Clark and Clark International Airport, and Blumentritt extension (1.9 km) connecting Solis and Blumentritt stations in Metro Manila District I (City of Manila).

‘Fiber to speed up PHL digital shift’ W

ithin the nex t 18 months, customers of PLDT Inc. who are still using copper-based Internet connectivity will be migrated for free to fiber to provide better services amid the ongoing national health crisis.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chairs the telco titan, said his Covid-19 has set the group’s agenda for the foreseeable future: To help rebuild the country through the digital economy.

“At the outset, our task was clearly to keep people connected as the country went into lockdown. Moving forward, we will grow our business by helping our customers—and the

country—rebuild their lives and livelihoods with powerful connectivity like fiber, 4G and now 5G, combined with innovative digital solutions,” he said.

This, Smart Communications Inc. President Alfredo S. Panlilio explained, entails modernizing its network to meet the demand for connectivity, a very critical aspect for those who are working from their homes or studying remotely.

“With this modernization program, PLDT sets out to reinforce the drive to install new fiber connections and meet the ever-increasing demand for high-speed internet ac-

cess for more homes and businesses.

It is an essential need, especially in these times of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

The program will benefit both consumers and enterprises.

As of the first half of 2020, PLDT has reached 7.8 million homes through its 3.67 million ports. It likewise has a total fiber optic network footprint of about 360,000 kilometers.

PLDT is the Philippines’s largest and only integrated telco company. Through its principal business groups—from fixed line to wireless—PLDT offers a wide range of

telecommunications and digital services across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone, and fixed line and cellular networks.

The company said last month that it hopes to sustain growth momentum throughout the rest of the year, even as it expressed concern over the prospects for the second half due to the technical recession. In the first half, PLDT booked P13.9 billion in telco core income, a 5-percent increase versus the P13.2 billion registered the year prior as its individual, home, and enterprise businesses also posted positive results during the period. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Concepcion backs Xurpas board OKs deal with Wavemaker Partners breath testing L for Covid-19

P

RESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion said he supports breath testing for Covid-19 from an Israel-based tech company to help detect infection in business sectors badly hit by the pandemic.

Concepion made the pronouncement a few days after his exclusive meeting with SeaOil President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Yu to explore the use of the saliva Covid-19 test.

According to Concepcion, this new testing innovation will enhance the country’s testing arsenal while keeping the economy open.

The breath test, a technology developed by BioSafety Technologies Ltd (a subsidiary of TeraGroup), on top of the saliva Covid-19 test, will deliver a fast clearance solution for determining if a person is negative to the infection.

It can detect asymptomatic individuals as early as one to two days after being infected. Within a minute, a person can undergo an easy non-invasive test, to determine if he or she is Covid-19 Clear (negative) or suspected (further medical tests required).

Concepcion noted that this user-friendly process does not involve medically trained personnel. Also, it has an optimal cost and performance per test.

Both saliva and breath tests have a potential in creating greater visibility against the virulent illness, most especially in the tourism sector.

“The faster we can have the latest testing technology that brings quick results within minutes with the highest possible accuracy will save this sector.

The tourism sector is a huge sector of our country and it caters down to many of our MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises]. This is one of the sectors that have been hard hit. The airlines are greatly affected,” Concepcion said.

“We have the responsibility to ensure the safety of the Filipino people which is why we have been advocating enhanced targeted mass testing through different testing innovations. We need to help our MSMEs which serve as the backbone of our economy and which will play a major part in our national recovery.” Roderick L. Abad

ocal technology company Xurpas Inc. on Monday said it has paved the way for the eventual take-over of Los Angeles-based venture capital management firm Wavemaker Partners US. The company said its board of directors has approved the transaction which will use a reverse-takeover scheme in which Xurpas will acquire Wavemaker.

Previously, Xurpas board has allowed Wavemaker’s general partners Frederick Manlunas, Benjamin Paul Santos and James Jordan to acquire some 1.7 billion in new common shares of Xurpas at a mere P0.10 per share. The said shares are equivalent to about 48 percent of Xurpas.

The said deal will all require stockholders' approval.

“This acquisition significantly expands Xurpas’ technology base and gives Filipino shareholders and investors access to an entire portfolio of promising venture-backed early-stage companies in the United States. Through Wavemaker US, Xurpas shareholders can now participate in the significant potential upside from investments in the early-stage technology space,” Nico Jose S. Nolledo, the company's chairman, said.

Wavemaker US will appoint Eric Manlunas

and Buck Jordan to the Xurpas Board after closing of the deal.

Primeiro Partners acted as the sole financial advisor on the transaction.

Under the deal, Xurpas will acquire 100 percent of Wavemaker Group Inc., a newly formed holding company that consolidates interests of the General Partners in Wavemaker's US business.

The local company will pay some P170.7 million in cash for the US venture capitalist.

Wavemaker Group Inc. has rights and title to the following companies: 56.50 percent of the membership interests of Siemer Ventures; 63.67 percent of the membership interests of Wavemaker Partners; 95 percent of the membership interests of WMP GP V; 100 percent of the Manager Units of Wavemaker Global Select; and 95 percent of the membership interests of Wavemaker Management.

The deal is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2020.

“Xurpas considers Wavemaker Partners US as a strategic partner that will help improve Xurpas' long-term outlook. Equity ownership in the

holding company that will consolidate all of the General Partners rights in Wavemaker Partners US will give Xurpas access to high- value, emerging, innovative and disruptive technologies and platforms for its enterprise business and shareholders,” Xurpas said.

Wavemaker Partners US is managed by Manlunas, Santos and James Jordan.

After a couple of successful exits of his own as a technology startup founder, Malunas, a Filipino-born entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, founded Wavemaker US as an early-stage venture capital fund in Los Angeles in 2003.

“Together, the acquisition of Wavemaker US and the subscription of outstanding shares will not impact the cash position of Xurpas posttransaction. This transaction does not include Wavemaker’s Southeast Asia practice. Wavemaker SEA will remain independent and wholly-owned by the management of Wavemaker SEA,” it said.

Wavemaker US is one of the most active venture capital firms in Southern California, and also represents Southern California within the Draper Venture Network, a leading venture collective, founded by venture capitalist Tim Draper, with 24 funds across four continents with over $2 billion of assets under management. VG Cabuag

AllHome opens 46th branch in Isabela

A

llHome Corp. on Monday said it opened its 46th branch in Santiago City, Isabela, despite the series of lockdowns which stalled economic activity in many parts of the country.

The new branch is near the established community of Lessandra and the company said it will serve both the homeowners and homebuilders of Santiago and nearby provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino and the neighboring cities of Cauayan, Ilagan, Tabuk, Tuguegarao, and the rest of Cagayan Valley.

This 46th branch is in keeping with AllHome’s thrust for expansion, reflecting the optimism of the company for the remainder of the year, despite the pandemic, it said.

“We have a solid pipeline of new stores around the country and have the ability to fast track construction of those stores given AllHome’s synergistic affiliation with Vista Land,” Manuel B. Villar Jr., All Value chairman, said. “We are just timing the opening of those stores given the recent situation."

The new store is the fifth store of AllHome in Luzon outside of Mega Manila, where the company has 36 branches. The company has 2 branches in the Visayas and 3 in Mindanao.

All of its stores employ strict safety and sanitation measures to assure shoppers and its employees that every location is safe, clean and compliant with stringent protocols, over and above government regulations. All-

Home’s employees are monitored to ensure fitness for work.

“We are confident with the pipeline of All Home, especially with the easing of community restrictions. AllHome’s strength of being close to residential communities makes it a go-to place during quarantine periods and even after the community quarantine," AllHome President Benjamarie Serrano said.

“It is important to consumers to shop closer to home, in a space that is not overly crowded for their own safety. As a home essential provider, AllHome will continue to serve those who are fixing their own homes or contractors who have resumed construction activities.” VG Cabuag

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

B1

Solon pushes measure giving online businesses access to cheap loans

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

leader of the House of Representatives is pushing for the passage of a bill providing a broad range of support measures, such as loans, training, grants, and registration assistance, for small online businesses.

In House Bill 7698, or the Online Small Enterprise Support Services Act of 2020, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said small online businesses are “the saviors of the Covid-19 economy.”

“Small online businesses are the saviors of the Covid-19 economy. We would see far more unemployment and far more poverty if Filipino households did not turn to small online businesses,” Salceda said.

Under the bill, small online businesses, which would be online firms with less than P1 million in annual sales, would be eligible for cheap loans from government banks, free credit reports, grants and training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other benefits and assistance.

The measure aims to provide adequate capital and credit access for individuals seeking to operate small online enterprises by mandating the government banks to offer small business loans at competitive rates, and by providing small online businesses with free credit reports and credit scores. It also aims to facilitate the registration and operation of such enterprises, and streamline government support services relevant to their needs, by creating a small online business one-stop portal for all support services.

The measure mandates the set up of an Online Negosyo Center. The bill will assist small online enterprises adapt to new trends and developments in the digital space by mandating TESDA to provide training programs on supply chain management, marketing, packaging, maintenance of online selling spaces, consumer relations, laws and regulations on online selling, and other aspects of online entrepreneurship.

Grants will be given to displaced workers and other sectors in need, upon completion of the TESDA training programs.

The bill also calls on the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry to help existing businesses migrate to the online space.

It encourages the creation of online enterprises among rural communities by mandating the Agricultural Credit Policy Council to create and develop a credit facility for farmers seeking to become small online entrepreneurs specializing in agricultural products. The bill also mandates the Department of Agriculture to help farmers and fisherfolk find direct market access online, and, if they should want to, become online entrepreneurs themselves. “Many online businesses sprung up over the past few months because of Covid-19. Unfortunately, many of them are still unregistered. Instead of punishing them for simply trying to make a living, my approach is to make registration worth it. If you’re a small online business, you serve the economy, whether registered or not. But we will offer generous benefits if you register and pay taxes. It’s a fair and humane deal,” Salceda said.

Citing the April 2020 Labor Force Survey, the lawmaker added the class of workers the survey calls “Self-employed without any paid employee,” are saving the economy.

“In fact, as a share of the labor force, 28.7 percent of all workers in April 2020 were from this class of worker, up from 27.3 percent in April 2019,” he said.

“In practical terms, the 'self-employed without any paid employee' are primarily the online entrepreneurs, who have initiated new online businesses, via social media and other platforms. In fact, during the quarantines, many microfirms proved resilient. According to the ADB Philippine Enterprise Survey on Covid-19 Impact, about 44 percent of businesses fully open were micro enterprises, while only 25.5 percent were small businesses, 17 percent were medium, and 13 percent were large,” Salceda added.

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

September 21, 2020

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH

45.15 90 64.15 21.5 8.17 36.15 8.44 23.45 49.5 16.38 94.8 54.1 25.6 3.02 1.3 0.285 665 0.59 156

46.15 90.1 64.2 21.7 8.18 36.2 9.49 23.55 49.95 16.5 95 54.2 26.9 3.14 1.32 0.31 740 0.62 158

46.15 88.85 65.5 21.3 8.26 36.4 9.45 23.85 49.95 16.42 95 54.15 25 2.9 1.37 0.285 710 0.61 156

46.15 90.85 65.6 21.9 8.26 36.5 9.49 23.95 49.95 16.44 95.05 54.2 27 3.35 1.37 0.285 720 0.62 157.9

45.25 88.5 64.1 21.3 8.11 35.95 9.44 23.45 49.95 16.36 94.4 54.05 25 2.9 1.18 0.285 650 0.59 156

45.25 90.1 64.2 21.5 8.17 36.15 9.49 23.45 49.95 16.38 95 54.1 26.7 3.14 1.32 0.285 720 0.62 157.9

1800 1156350 1742420 21600 243000 2900000 22400 580200 400 48700 137780 25820 137500 467000 384000 220000 520 11000 30

81630 103942151.5 113183650 466080 1981816 104946580 211875 13762885 19980 798784 13042071 1398105.5 3553240 1439780 505660 62700 352300 6590 4699

-77015 12043679.5 -88801776.5 -75450 -832737 6778295 -1350325 -705274 -7023106.5 -582030.5 120400 -4130 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 3.17 3.18 3.1 3.21 3.08 3.17 24638000 77784260 ALSONS CONS 1.27 1.28 1.23 1.27 1.23 1.27 1714000 2148510 ABOITIZ POWER 26 26.1 26 26.4 26 26 304700 7946105 BASIC ENERGY 0.157 0.163 0.162 0.169 0.157 0.157 4250000 673510 24 24.6 24.65 24.7 24 24 1375400 33352720 FIRST GEN 59.95 60 60.8 61 60 60 80050 4811576.5 FIRST PHIL HLDG 275.8 276 278 278 273.2 275.8 134200 37015130 MERALCO MANILA WATER 14.22 14.3 14.36 14.42 14.08 14.22 836600 11899900 PETRON 3.03 3.04 3.08 3.08 3.03 3.04 747000 2272630 PETROENERGY 3.12 3.2 3.12 3.24 3.12 3.12 27000 84810 10.96 10.98 10.74 10.98 10.74 10.98 65100 713422 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 17.36 17.4 17.58 17.58 17.36 17.4 193900 3371722 9.48 9.5 9.29 9.5 9.28 9.48 227200 2138918 SPC POWER VIVANT 14 14.2 14 14 14 14 200 2800 AGRINURTURE 7.79 7.9 7.96 7.97 7.76 7.9 53000 413830 AXELUM 2.45 2.46 2.59 2.59 2.43 2.46 1861000 4645210 76 92.45 76 76 76 76 20 1520 BOGO MEDELLIN CNTRL AZUCARERA 11.52 12 11.5 12.98 11.5 12 17400 209828 CENTURY FOOD 17.28 17.3 17 18 17 17.3 2506200 43673934 DEL MONTE 4.67 4.69 4.71 4.74 4.69 4.69 110000 517820 DNL INDUS 5.57 5.62 5.58 5.7 5.55 5.57 8178100 45846477 EMPERADOR 9.88 9.89 9.9 9.9 9.78 9.89 274600 2708346 63.5 63.55 64 64 63.5 63.5 84640 5378071 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.64 0.65 0.64 0.64 0.63 0.64 649000 412280 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.2 1.21 1.25 1.26 1.2 1.21 18737000 22866960 GINEBRA 49.05 49.5 50.75 51 49.05 49.5 8450 423012 JOLLIBEE 131.9 132.9 132 134 131.7 131.9 544140 72132064 MACAY HLDG 7.72 8.06 7.5 8.13 7.5 8.06 17300 132769 4.9 5 4.91 5 4.83 5 550000 2702040 MAXS GROUP 0.128 0.133 0.127 0.127 0.127 0.127 10000 1270 MG HLDG SHAKEYS PIZZA 5.91 5.93 5.93 5.93 5.9 5.93 161400 953941 ROXAS AND CO 1.13 1.14 1.14 1.17 1.11 1.13 3089000 3487420 ROXAS HLDG 1.8 1.84 1.86 1.89 1.71 1.8 92000 168240 UNIV ROBINA 133.9 134 134.1 136.4 133.9 134 911150 122506916 0.77 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.77 0.77 4175000 3237370 VITARICH 52 53.5 52 52 52 52 130 6760 CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 51.4 55.6 51.8 58 51.05 55.6 2590 133914 CEMEX HLDG 1.46 1.48 1.53 1.54 1.44 1.46 30341000 44900790 DAVINCI CAPITAL 3.15 3.38 3.15 3.38 3.15 3.38 6000 19130 EAGLE CEMENT 13.7 13.88 13.9 13.9 13.7 13.88 92400 1275522 6.5 6.53 6.65 6.65 6.4 6.5 575100 3719845 EEI CORP 5.35 5.36 5.78 5.84 5.28 5.35 3633800 19948402 HOLCIM 7.5 7.51 7.49 7.65 7.36 7.5 7519400 56456664 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 8.5 8.74 8.74 8.75 8.74 8.75 1100 9615 TKC METALS 0.72 0.74 0.75 0.75 0.71 0.71 504000 362130 VULCAN INDL 0.73 0.74 0.73 0.74 0.73 0.73 1084000 793040 1.89 1.9 1.91 1.91 1.89 1.89 21000 39860 CROWN ASIA EUROMED 1.82 1.85 1.85 1.86 1.8 1.82 819000 1485690 LMG CORP 4.21 4.8 4.35 4.35 4.2 4.21 1550000 6525760 MABUHAY VINYL 4.4 4.47 4.33 4.33 4.31 4.31 5000 21610 PRYCE CORP 4.1 4.17 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 11000 45100 GREENERGY 2.1 2.11 2.12 2.17 2.11 2.11 10695000 22728050 6.01 6.02 6.05 6.06 5.9 6.01 513700 3080291 INTEGRATED MICR 0.97 0.99 0.98 1.01 0.97 0.99 250000 245120 IONICS PANASONIC 4.51 4.87 4.41 4.91 4.41 4.88 4000 18690 SFA SEMICON 1.38 1.4 1.47 1.47 1.38 1.4 1467000 2073090 CIRTEK HLDG 5.75 5.76 5.96 5.96 5.65 5.76 21803100 127246563

12428210 -712470 -5659480 -28878770 -2189602.5 -15838082 -627924 -1079620 -619213.9996 -177799.9999 24588 -12500 -16885466 -79960 -23928878 -398456 -3863024 57050 -61612 -29340392 9680 -27203 1150 -31154064 -27300 9071010 32333 1189599 -10129977 14550 -364015 262550

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.465 0.47 0.47 0.475 0.465 0.465 10330000 4833400 ASIABEST GROUP 7.79 8.09 8.08 8.09 7.75 8.09 10900 87538 AYALA CORP 713 718 718 718 705.5 718 94540 67415320 ABOITIZ EQUITY 47.35 47.6 48 48 47.2 47.35 199200 9450155 7.16 7.17 7.25 7.25 7.11 7.17 4301400 30792068 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 2.42 2.43 2.42 2.44 2.32 2.43 2906000 6997280 AYALA LAND LOG 0.56 0.58 0.55 0.59 0.55 0.56 885000 504220 ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.58 0.56 0.58 1590000 910070 ATN HLDG B 0.56 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58 100000 58000 COSCO CAPITAL 5.06 5.07 5.04 5.27 5.04 5.06 156600 801751 4.03 4.04 4.02 4.06 4.01 4.03 2467000 9938660 DMCI HLDG 3.35 3.5 3.34 3.34 3.34 3.34 6000 20040 FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC 0.188 0.2 0.188 0.188 0.188 0.188 220000 41360 GT CAPITAL 399.2 400.2 402.6 403 399.2 399.2 98230 39327470 JG SUMMIT 61.6 61.65 62.1 62.1 61.3 61.6 936900 57715921 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 4.27 4.86 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 2000 8500 0.61 0.62 0.62 0.62 0.59 0.61 855000 517430 LODESTAR 2.35 2.37 2.37 2.38 2.3 2.3 1203000 2794540 LOPEZ HLDG 8.87 8.89 8.89 8.89 8.76 8.87 1236600 10949239 LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG 0.47 0.495 0.475 0.5 0.475 0.5 30000 14500 METRO PAC INV 3.47 3.48 3.45 3.49 3.44 3.47 11348000 39366040 PRIME MEDIA 0.77 0.8 0.8 0.81 0.77 0.81 825000 646860 0.98 0.99 1 1 0.99 0.99 21000 20800 SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS 874 879.5 880 889 865.5 879.5 88180 77009190 99 99.35 100.1 100.1 99 99 522500 51882315 SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER 124 127.5 124 127.5 124 127.5 3110 385675 WELLEX INDUS 0.188 0.197 0.187 0.188 0.187 0.188 110000 20600 ZEUS HLDG 0.135 0.137 0.138 0.139 0.135 0.135 1850000 254470

-1394750 -14656035 -6685090 10968817 2541300 -102577 721420 -16538428 -13393144.5 11800 523140 -2727630 -7940180 -19155640 -13160847 -75675 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.53 0.54 0.55 0.55 0.52 0.53 342000 182870 AYALA LAND 30.35 30.5 30.8 30.9 30.3 30.5 4836900 147251070 ARANETA PROP 0.95 0.98 0.99 1 0.94 1 272000 259960 AREIT RT 25.65 25.7 25.9 25.95 25.6 25.65 1403700 36171460 1.35 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.36 1.36 652000 887440 BELLE CORP 0.77 0.78 0.79 0.8 0.77 0.78 2887000 2264060 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.76 0.8 0.78 0.78 0.76 0.76 29000 22460 CROWN EQUITIES 0.128 0.133 0.13 0.135 0.125 0.133 3090000 399600 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.87 4.98 4.97 4.98 4.85 4.98 159000 783640 CENTURY PROP 0.365 0.37 0.365 0.37 0.365 0.365 1350000 494250 0.265 0.28 0.27 0.27 0.265 0.265 630000 167200 CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON 13.92 14.2 14.3 14.42 13.9 14.2 1509800 21313318 5.62 5.65 5.66 5.67 5.6 5.62 558500 3150274 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.26 0.265 0.255 0.27 0.255 0.265 1540000 407750 EVER GOTESCO 0.086 0.092 0.085 0.085 0.085 0.085 10000 850 FILINVEST LAND 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.93 0.91 0.93 5187000 4779130 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.75 326000 247200 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 6.92 6.99 7.18 7.18 6.9 6.92 77600 543732 1.15 1.16 1.2 1.2 1.12 1.15 6432000 7427060 PHIL INFRADEV MEGAWORLD 3.09 3.1 3.13 3.15 3.07 3.1 14523000 45075470 MRC ALLIED 0.236 0.238 0.24 0.244 0.228 0.236 43010000 10123000 PHIL ESTATES 0.28 0.3 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 20000 5600 1.12 1.13 1.11 1.13 1.11 1.13 152000 169190 PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND 14.6 14.68 14.94 14.98 14.6 14.6 747800 10975084 0.216 0.226 0.219 0.219 0.214 0.214 670000 145480 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.5 1.55 1.52 1.52 1.5 1.5 133000 199560 SHANG PROP 2.62 2.67 2.69 2.69 2.69 2.69 42000 112980 STA LUCIA LAND 1.85 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1000 1950 29 29.05 28.2 29 28.15 29 5867900 168141935 SM PRIME HLDG 3.93 3.94 3.71 4.1 3.71 3.93 534000 2112840 VISTAMALLS 1.16 1.17 1.22 1.22 1.15 1.17 4875000 5700520 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 3.4 3.41 3.31 3.42 3.31 3.4 3356000 11335720

26500 -48298625 -49500 -14811320 -49300 73750 -11070858 -866788 402800 -97720 219440 -33068360 239490 -3616686 -0 7110945 108320 200 151110

SERVICES ABS CBN 7.03 7.05 7.01 7.06 7 7.04 541100 3802169 GMA NETWORK 5.08 5.11 5.16 5.16 5.07 5.08 444900 2269012 MANILA BULLETIN 0.39 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.39 0.39 1000000 390800 MLA BRDCASTING 11.16 11.96 11.98 11.98 11.8 11.8 1000 11962 2114 2118 2118 2130 2110 2114 12615 26683950 GLOBE TELECOM 1375 1380 1375 1404 1375 1375 99530 138501995 PLDT 0.056 0.058 0.059 0.059 0.055 0.058 22330000 1265140 APOLLO GLOBAL DFNN INC 2.87 2.99 2.91 3.09 2.87 2.87 17000 50100 DITO CME HLDG 4.12 4.13 3.8 4.19 3.79 4.12 124208000 497210920 IMPERIAL 1.28 1.4 1.31 1.42 1.28 1.4 5000 6690 0.071 0.075 0.068 0.075 0.068 0.075 6740000 497400 ISLAND INFO 1.55 1.63 1.58 1.64 1.55 1.64 52000 81520 JACKSTONES 3.58 - 2.68 3.58 2.59 3.58 172184000 535368450 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.216 0.217 0.181 0.25 0.18 0.217 135310000 29308620 PHILWEB 2.22 2.25 2.27 2.3 2.19 2.2 687000 1521880 2GO GROUP 8.5 8.51 8.68 8.68 8.5 8.51 16000 136807 3.99 4 3.76 4.07 3.76 3.99 5969000 23237540 CHELSEA 36.5 36.6 37 37 36.25 36.5 159700 5851935 CEBU AIR 107.7 108.9 108.5 108.9 106.6 108.9 603720 65250770 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 15.16 15.48 15.22 15.22 15.16 15.16 3700 56126 MACROASIA 4.73 4.74 5.03 5.04 4.56 4.73 6737000 32198860 METROALLIANCE A 1.75 1.78 1.8 1.84 1.74 1.75 2541000 4516680 1.95 2.19 2.25 2.25 1.95 1.95 8000 15950 METROALLIANCE B PAL HLDG 5.73 5.75 5.83 5.83 5.72 5.75 47300 273416 1.05 1.06 1.09 1.09 1.02 1.05 6481000 6797740 HARBOR STAR BOULEVARD HLDG 0.026 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.026 0.026 92100000 2402900 GRAND PLAZA 10.58 11.62 10.64 10.64 10.64 10.64 500 5320 WATERFRONT 0.38 0.395 0.375 0.385 0.375 0.38 840000 316550 0.335 0.34 0.35 0.355 0.33 0.335 16360000 5520100 STI HLDG 3.12 3.13 3.21 3.26 2.98 3.12 2333000 7288580 BERJAYA 6.76 6.78 6.76 6.85 6.67 6.76 1780200 11989005 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 1.88 1.96 1.93 1.96 1.9 1.96 32000 61490 LEISURE AND RES 1.26 1.31 1.33 1.33 1.25 1.32 1177000 1478530 PH RESORTS GRP 2.15 2.29 2.16 2.16 2.16 2.16 23000 49680 0.315 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.315 0.32 12070000 3851900 PREMIUM LEISURE 5.8 5.84 5.9 5.9 5.77 5.84 1228500 7125119 ALLHOME 1.37 1.38 1.4 1.4 1.36 1.38 1772000 2456310 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 47.2 47.25 48.3 48.45 47.2 47.2 859000 40749065 ROBINSONS RTL 67.85 68 68 68.55 67.7 68 316250 21471114 PHIL SEVEN CORP 119 124 124 124 120 124 810 99830 1.09 1.1 1.13 1.13 1.07 1.09 14251000 15623540 SSI GROUP 15.5 15.54 15.6 15.78 15.5 15.5 2095300 32837576 WILCON DEPOT 0.3 0.305 0.295 0.31 0.295 0.305 2560000 773000 APC GROUP EASYCALL 7.53 7.79 6.65 8.7 6.6 7.79 2768900 21487773 GOLDEN BRIA 285 308 308 308 308 308 20 6160 PAXYS 2.06 2.22 2.02 2.06 2.02 2.06 5000 10180 0.221 0.224 0.226 0.226 0.22 0.224 9610000 2137000 PRMIERE HORIZON 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 7000 30100 SBS PHIL CORP

-7954330 -29306705 -1120 9571080 -8029.9999 -1580 24207600 -203510 -8600 822670 -1534375 1547824 -7779080 29000 122100 -3100 68410 1460957 1066000 31500 -865881 84900 -8496290 -10974696 1683630 -3233348 6000 -9436 334500 -30100

MINING & OIL ATOK 7.17 8 7.9 8 7.11 8 8900 66899 APEX MINING 1.51 1.52 1.55 1.55 1.51 1.51 6211000 9436560 -33810 ABRA MINING 0.0008 0.0009 0.0008 0.0009 0.0008 0.0009 890000000 728000 20000 4.35 4.39 4.11 4.5 4.11 4.4 1802000 7935050 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 2.61 2.68 2.77 2.85 2.6 2.61 273000 757200 BENGUET B 2.67 2.74 2.66 2.82 2.66 2.75 17000 45650 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.22 0.227 0.226 0.227 0.216 0.227 530000 117310 DIZON MINES 7.6 7.7 7.89 7.89 7.65 7.7 10900 83894 FERRONICKEL 1.21 1.22 1.28 1.28 1.21 1.22 87309000 110311780 -89604540 0.227 0.231 0.231 0.231 0.228 0.23 380000 86960 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.142 0.143 0.142 0.143 0.14 0.143 13810000 1950700 LEPANTO B 0.143 0.145 0.144 0.144 0.144 0.144 30000 4320 MANILA MINING A 0.0096 0.0097 0.0095 0.0096 0.0095 0.0096 11000000 105400 MANILA MINING B 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 15100000 158100 MARCVENTURES 0.87 0.88 0.91 0.93 0.85 0.87 3971000 3532360 213200 2.01 2.05 2.04 2.12 2.01 2.01 1200000 2432740 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 3.04 3.05 3.08 3.11 3.03 3.05 7261000 22157110 -3038070 0.365 0.38 0.365 0.38 0.365 0.38 40000 14750 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 0.53 0.55 0.54 0.56 0.53 0.55 635000 340320 PX MINING 4.28 4.29 4.3 4.32 4.26 4.29 1448000 6215390 2229300 SEMIRARA MINING 9.85 9.9 9.87 9.9 9.8 9.86 1056000 10,412,664( 4,190,271.9999) 0.0048 0.0049 0.0048 0.0049 0.0048 0.0048 17000000 81800 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 5.82 5.99 5.9 6.08 5.75 6.03 82500 492745 ORNTL PETROL A 0.0084 0.0087 0.0086 0.0086 0.0085 0.0086 10000000 85900 ORNTL PETROL B 0.0082 0.0083 0.0083 0.0083 0.0083 0.0083 11000000 91300 PHILODRILL 0.008 0.0081 0.0083 0.0083 0.008 0.008 34000000 276100 -8000 PXP ENERGY 5.24 5.26 5.28 5.34 5.21 5.26 678000 3571373 405523

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 100 101.5 101 101 101 101 4900 494900 ALCO PREF B 100.6 103.4 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 260 26130 AC PREF B2R 506 512 506 506 506 506 110 55660 DD PREF 100.6 101 101 101 100.9 101 150200 15170199 106.5 108 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 6280 668820 FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C 505 510 505 505 505 505 100 50500 GTCAP PREF B 1020 1030 1020 1020 1020 1020 1095 1116900 MWIDE PREF 101.2 101.5 101 101.5 101 101.5 37830 3837245 PNX PREF 3A 96.8 98.25 98.25 98.25 98.25 98.25 1000 98250 PNX PREF 3B 100.4 102.7 102.7 102.7 100.4 100.4 1620 165966 942 946.5 941 946.5 941 946.5 900 851605 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3B 1080 1088 1088 1088 1088 1088 100 108800 SMC PREF 2C 78.1 78.3 78.4 78.4 78.1 78.1 5830 456470 SMC PREF 2E 75.3 76 75.5 75.5 75.5 75.5 10 755 SMC PREF 2F 77 77.3 77 77 77 77 32800 2525600 -600600 SMC PREF 2H 75.8 76 75.8 75.8 75.8 75.8 3700 280460

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 6.64 6.8 6.9 7.15 6.8 6.8 105200 746900 -102000 GMA HLDG PDR 5.01 5.04 5 5.01 5 5.01 376300 1881545 -1477500

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 0.61 0.62 0.63 0.64 0.61 0.62 112000 69680

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 10.32 10.34 10.56 10.6 10.32 10.34 321200 3337678 ITALPINAS 1.86 1.87 1.96 1.96 1.86 1.86 9879000 18608230 49190 KEPWEALTH 5.14 5.15 5.24 5.24 5.11 5.15 120300 621572 25750 MERRYMART 2.92 2.93 3.05 3.05 2.9 2.93 32591000 96578460 1651740

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 89.3 89.8 89.6 90 89.3 90 8060 722274.5 129350

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Meralco settles fine, appeals discounts for lifeline users

T

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) paid the P19-million penalty slapped by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for violating the billing advisories imposed on distribution utilities (DUs) during community quarantine from March to July this year.

“Meralco paid the P19-million penalty imposed in the decision,” it said Monday.

The ERC’s August 20 decision stated that Meralco failed to clearly indicate that the bills it sent out to its customers were estimated and it also did not comply with the mandated installment payment arrangement set by the commission.

The ERC said these failures reflect a "serious neglect" on the part of Meralco that resulted to a multitude of complaints.

“Meralco’s neglect to provide accurate and timely information especially during this time of pandemic has created chaos and confusion to most of the electricity consuming public,” ERC Chair Agnes Devanadera had said.

In the past months, Meralco caught the ire of lawmakers, regulators, government agencies and consumer groups who all complained of “confusing and hard to understand” electricity bills. In July, the ERC said it received 47,000 complaints related to “bill shock” and non-compliance with ERC advisories. Majority of the 47,000 complaints came from Meralco customers.

Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel welcomed Meralco’s payment.

“Meralco’s action demonstrates good corporate citizenship that should be emulated by all firms in highly regulated sectors, especially those enjoying exclusive congressional franchises,” Pimentel said.

The lawmaker is hoping that

Meralco would no longer impose the P47 convenience fee for online payments.

While Meralco has suspended the convenience fee and has refunded customers, it did not say if this is temporary or permanent.

Meralco, meanwhile, contested the ERC’s directive to provide a retail rate discount to lifeline customers, or those whose monthly energy consumption does not exceed 100 kWh for one month billing cycle.

The ERC, in the same order, directed Meralco to set to zero the Distribution, Supply, and Metering (DSM) charges of lifeline consumers. The DSM comprised of 22.4 percent of the total retail rate. The total discount to be provided to all lifeline consumers is approximately P230 to P240 million. Meralco was also prohibited from recouping the same from non-lifeline consumers.

Meralco, in its Motion for Partial Reconsideration, said to set the DSM charges of lifeline customers to zero is unconstitutional and illegal because there is no law, not even the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), that compels a DU to grant discounts by setting DSM to zero.

“On the contrary, the EPIRA mandates that DUs should be able to recover just and reasonable costs and a reasonable return to enable them to operate viably. Had the legislature intended to grant this Honorable Commission the power to impose discounts and subsidies on the ground of economic recession, a

Converge ICT gears up for expansion

By Ashley Manabat @ashleymanabat

Correspondent

C

ity of San Fernando—To meet the increasing demand for fast and reliable internet service, Converge ICT continues to ramp up its capabilities for fast and reliable internet service.

Described as the country’s premier pour end-to-end fiber internet service provider, Converge ICT recently purchased a fleet of service vehicles from the LausGroup to augment its workforce. The larger fleet is set to accelerate installation and repair in different coverage areas.

Converge ICT Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony H. Uy noted that the upswing in essential transactions and activities being done online has led to a surge of inquiries and service requests.

“To meet consumer needs effectively, we are continuously working on improving our response times, investing in our people and addressing last-mile connectivity challenges,” Uy said.

The acquisition comes on the heels of the company’s efforts to

strengthen its support capabilities through the hiring and training of more call center agents, as well as engaging third-party providers for additional call center support. The total capacity of Converge’s hotline number has also been increased to accommodate more subscriber inquiries. “Stable internet connectivity has become vital for families working and studying at home.

Likewise, an uninterrupted connection is key for enterprises who are striving to complete their own digital transformations,” said Uy. While the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine implemented in March hampered the company’s service delivery, considerable operations adjustments enabled Converge to bounce back and mobilize quickly as restrictions loosened.

Converge began expanding its network beyond Luzon to the rest of the Philippines in 2019. The company believes that it is well-positioned to substantially complete its primary nationwide backbone loop, which will connect Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao by the end of 2021.

Converge ICT is set to go public next month.

provision to such effect would have been expressly included in the EPIRA or in any other law. Thus, with due respect, this Honorable Commission may not arrogate upon itself powers not conferred in its enabling laws,” said Meralco.

Meralco branded the unilateral imposition of the retail rate discount as “unduly oppressive and confiscatory,” saying this sets a “dangerous precedent” and will only result in “regulatory instability”.

“For then, any public utility maybe compelled to absorb the cost of providing a public service whenever the economy takes a downturn,” it said.

Moreover, the ERC directive unlawfully singled out Meralco. “Of the 150 DUs in the country, only Meralco was required to grant discounts due to the pandemic.”

The utility firm also pointed out that setting the DSM to zero amounts to rate-fixing which may only done through the procedure provided for

mutual funds

under EPIRA and the Public Service Act with the required notice, publication and public hearing.

“In this case, the retail rate discount was imposed in a proceeding not intended for rate-fixing. In fact, prior to its receipt of the assailed decision, Meralco was not aware that this Honorable Commission would use this proceeding as a venue to fix the DSM charges of lifeline customers because this proceeding only concerned “bill shock” complaints,” Meralco said, adding that no application was filed, nor was there are any public hearing set.

Pending the resolution of Meralco’s appeal, the DU will implement the retail rate discount in its October billing.

“Nonetheless, we committed to implement the retail rate discount in the October 2020 billing subject to the resolution of the motion for partial reconsideration,” said Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga.

September 21, 2020

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 194.73 -24.21% -11.75% -5.3% -22.68% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.0771 -31.18% -13.49% -3.09% -22.06% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.6102 -34.48% -16.25% -7.15% -29.04% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.6691 -30.47% -12.69% n.a. -25.49% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6743 -21.27% n.a. n.a. -20.61% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.1855 -22.94% -9.98% -4.92% -21.45% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.6532 -25.03% -12.55% n.a.

-23.48% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 82.83 -29.53% n.a. n.a. -19.76% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 38.9765 -25.17% -10.52% -4.17% -24% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 419.41 -22.52% -9.8% -4.28% -21.28% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 0.8687 n.a. n.a. n.a. -15.67% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 0.997 -23.93% -9.94% -3.86% -22.53% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 29.2126 -24.24% -9.53% -3.52% -22.92% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.7691 -25.42% n.a. n.a. -24.46% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 3.9796 -24.8% -9.98% -3.45% -23.81% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 665.3 -24.7% -9.98% -3.58% -23.7% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6022 -34.08% -13.78% -7.49% -29.27% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0717 -28.36% -11.4% -4.92% -27.02% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.7623 -24.9% -10.17% -3.64% -23.83% United Fund, Inc. -a 2.7861 -24.82% -9.11% -3.38% -23.74% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 89.3621 -24.56% -9.54% -2.79% -23.59% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0633 10.73% -0.2% 3.8% 3.39% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.4936 14.96% 7.48% n.a.

8.33% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5571 -5.68% -5.1% -2.93% -0.36% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.0347 -11.26% -5.51% -1.46% -6.71% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.3807 -10.34% -4.17% -2.83% -9.53% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.172 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-24.73% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.8243 -6.89% -2% -0.04% -7% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.4381 -9.19% -3.67% -1.27% -9.26% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 15.3388 -9.6% -3.93% -1.4% -9.56% 1.8994 -11.53% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a -4.74% -1.43% -10.49% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.2331 -16.77% -6.02% -2.63% -16.32% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9263 -9.15% n.a. n.a.

-8.8% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.8226 -18.51% n.a. n.a. -17.44% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.7988 -20.65% n.a. n.a. -19.57% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.7924 -19.71% -7.29% -3.51% -18.71% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.0391 1.9% 2.7% 2.03% 2.36% 0.68% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.0463 5.73% 3.36% 3.39% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.1073 8.97% 5.23% 5.6% 5.03% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.1613 4.73% 2.78% n.a.

2.89% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 367.72 3.91% 3.06% 2.57% 2.73% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9492 1.76% 0.83% 0.28% 2.48% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.1998 3.8% 4.81% 5.01% 2.63% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2899 3.85% 2.68% 2.2% 2.99% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4455 4.85% 3.31% 1.92% 3.66% 7.82% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.6203 4.18% 2.5% 5.66% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3094 5.89% 4.32% 2.44% 4.19% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9451 5.5% 4.06% 2.3% 4.14% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0328 8.8% 3.48% 1.82% 7.1% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1699 5.1% 4.65% 2.79% 3.07% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

1.7346 3.95% 3.92% 2.23% 1.97% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $478.4 2.92% 2.48% 2.81% 2.14% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є217.17 -1.34% 0.79% 1.19% -1.19% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2384 3.48% 3% 2.7% 2.58% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0264 2.33% 1.7% 1.59% 2.33% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0886 -0.67% 0.21% 0.34% -0.46% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4961 3.52% 3.56% 3.33% 3.85% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.061276 2.04% 2.19% 2.07% 1.62% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2058 1.58% 1.91% 2.48% 0.96% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 129.06 3.59% 3.29% 2.51% 2.57% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0446 2.2% n.a. n.a.

1.78% 2.84% 3.03% 2.61% 1.97% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2899 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0487 1.57% n.a. n.a.

1% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.0168 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.95 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-4.04%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 2 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 3 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019.

4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 5 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund). 7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

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Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Demand for T-bills stays, allows govt to raise ₧20B

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

T

he Bureau of the Treasury raised P20 billion on Monday’s auction of Treasury Bills (T-bills) despite the increase in the rates on the back of expectations that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will continue to pause on monetary easing.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters “demand remains strong with oversubscription in all tenor buckets.”

“Full award for all tenors as rates for 182-day and 364-day slightly pushed up with expectations [that the] BSP will keep policy rates steady for the remainder of year,” De Leon said.

The 91-day T-bills were auctioned off at an average rate of 1.156 percent, inching up from 1.150 percent in the previous auction. The security attracted a total of P26.931 billion, more than five times the P5-billion offer.

The 182-day T-bills fetched a higher average rate of 1.615 percent, 2.6-basis points up from 1.589 per-

cent previously. Total bids for the tenor amounted to P14.007 billion, more than twice the P5-billion offer.

The 364-day T-bills posted an average rate of 1.850 percent, rising by 4.3 basis points from 1.807 percent in the previous auction. Tenders for the debt paper reached P31.961 billion, more than three times the P10billion offering.

De Leon also announced that they are set to hold the “Premyo Bond” 3rd-Quarter Raffle Draw in the afternoon of Friday.

For this month, the Treasury is set to borrow a total of P160 billion from the local debt market this month.

This is slightly lower than the P170 billion it programmed in August.

The government borrows to finance its spending requirements as well as cover its budget deficit.

As tax collections are down amid the pandemic, the Development Budget Coordination Committee is projecting the country’s budget deficit to more than double to 9.6 percent of gross domestic product or P1.815 trillion from only 3.4 percent of GDP or P660.2 billion last year.

Taking stock of PERA

B

eing able to retire comfortably is a goal of many Filipinos. After many years of working, many look forward to a type of retirement life where one can live on his or her own terms.

Unfortunately, many Filipinos are not able to have enough in retirement.

A study by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reveals that only around 20 percent of Filipinos aged 60 years and above are covered by the government pension schemes in the form of the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pensions. Clearly, there is an urgent need to augment retirement preparations.

The Personal Equity and Retirement Account, which is more popularly known as PERA, is a voluntary retirement saving program. It is a complement to the existing SSS and GSIS pension programs. It aims to aid Filipinos in retirement planning. The legal basis of PERA is Republic Act 9505, which is known as “The Personal Equity and Retirement Account Act of 2008.”

Unfortunately, the public response to PERA has been lukewarm. Only a small number of Filipinos have PERA and the bulk of them are locally-employed.

Recent developments though with respect to the promotion of PERA may potentially reverse the trend.

Is PERA for everybody?

It can be for every Filipino who has a Tax Identification Number and who has the capacity to participate in contracts.

PERA can be an option for Filipinos who are locally-employed since not all companies have retirement programs. PERA can be an option for entrepreneurs. PERA can be an option for the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers who may have limited retirement programs abroad.

Saving is usually a first step toward attaining financial literacy and retirement goals. Saving practices are most likely going to evolve.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to certain key trends like physical distancing, limited travel and conversion of the home as the place of work.

The digitalization of PERA is a welcome development as it will allow Filipinos to tap connectivity in being able to save. Providing both physical and digital alternatives with respect to account opening of PERA can hopefully attract more Filipinos to save.

There are a number of advantages of PERA.

Genesis Kelly S. Lontoc

personal finance The first advantage is that it provides a convenient saving tool.

Filipinos based in the Philippines can save a maximum annual contribution of P100,000 while overseas Filipino workers can save higher at P200,000. One possible opportunity in the future is to further raise the maximum annual saving contribution amounts.

Another key advantage would be the different investment alternatives covered by PERA based on the results of risk tolerance assessment.

PERA also provides benefits in the form of tax benefits.

First, there is a 5-percent income tax credit on the actual PERA contribution. This can come in handy in the eventual settlement of tax liabilities. Second, there is tax exemption on investment income. This is a distinct advantage of PERA versus other investment alternatives where gains are taxed.

Third, in terms of estate planning, the amount involved in PERA will not be subject to estate tax. These tax advantages help make the gains from PERA maximized over time.

However, there are certain considerations.

If liquidity is desired, then PERA may not be the right vehicle. To make the most out of PERA, lumpsum withdrawal or monthly pension mode can happen when one reaches 55 years of age and when one has made contributions for at least five years. Withdrawing early is not advised since it is subject to penalties.

One also has to be aware of the associated costs of PERA like administration fees and custodial fees. When one avails of PERA, there is commitment for the long haul.

There is simply no investment in the world that can be described as being perfect. Every investment has its advantages and costs. PERA can be a good addition to the investment portfolio especially in the Philippines.

If done right, PERA can significantly improve the retirement condition of more Filipinos.

Gemmy Lontoc is a registered financial planner of the RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal financial planning, attend the 86th RFP program this October 2020. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text <name><e-mail> <RFP> at 0917-6248110.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 B3

Uptick in FDI, external debts strengthening peso–expert

T

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@Tyronepiad

he recent increase in foreign direct investments (FDI) and external debts are providing strength to the local currency, ING Bank Manila Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said.

Mapa said in a report on Monday the country’s legal tender has remained the best performing currency in the region this year.

“A modest pick-up in FDI coupled with a surge in foreign borrowings have also helped support [Philippine peso],” he said.

In June, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that FDI net inflows climbed by 7.1 percent year-on-year to $481 million from $440 million in the same month last year. The increase was attributed to the gradual reopening of advanced economies that are eyeing investments in the Philippines, “coupled with the country’s robust macroeconomic fundamentals.”

The June growth tempered the cumulative contraction in FDI to 18.3 percent in the January-to-June period from 21.9 percent during the first five months. All FDI com-

Lower rates of interest on pawned goods urged

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

senior lawmaker is urging the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to mandate lower interest charges for pawnshops during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In House Resolution 1212, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez invoked BSP Circular 938 in asking the regulator to prescribe lower interest charges.

The circular provides that “the rate of interest including surcharges on any loan or forbearance of money extended by a pawnshop shall be in accordance with market conditions. However, such interest rate shall not be iniquitous, unconscionable or contrary to morals, if not against the law as may be determined by the court. These shall also be properly declared in accordance with the Truth in Lending Act.” According to the lawmaker, the public health crisis and the lockdowns imposed by the government have prevented millions of Filipinos from working and tens of thousands have lost their jobs.

“Because of this, many are deprived of their opportunity to earn, resulting in them being unable to pay their bills, including rent and utilities,” he said.

The lawmaker said the jobless and those without income are thus forced to go to pawnshops to obtain funds by pawning valuables.

He added that people prefer these lenders because they are more accessible and they impose lesser and more lenient requirements than banks.

In recent months, the solon said there were long lines of borrowers in pawnshops, sans citing sources.

He said this situation gives unscrupulous pawnshops the “opportunity to take advantage by raising their lending rates.”

“During this pandemic, it is just proper for the BSP to help our fellow Filipinos and mandate that pawnshops charge lower interest rates. Our people are already facing many problems right now, and high interest rates should not be one of them,” Rodriguez added.

ponents saw improvement in June, with net investments in equity capital taking the lead, according to the BSP data.

Meanwhile, the BSP reported this month that the Philippines’s outstanding external debt rose by 7.4 percent to $87.5 billion in the second quarter from $81.4 billion three months earlier. “[B]ut as the peso continues to strengthen, we lament lost potential output with the investment boom now gone,” Mapa said. “Foreign investors have exited in troves [$3.7 billion] as foreigners may have turned skittish after the economy fell into recession.”

He said that the “fast-fading investment boom” was evident as the economic outlook remains bleak after entering into a widespread recession amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mapa explained that for the

This file photo shows the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas building in Quezon City. In June, the BSP reported that foreign direct investments (FDI) net inflows climbed by 7.1 percent year-on-year to $481 million from $440 million in the same month last year. This recent increase in FDI, as well as external debts, is what ING Bank Manila Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said strengthens the peso. Nonoy Lacza

investments to go up again, there should be resurgence of imports with raw material, among others.

“Import demand has dried up as a result and so has the demand for the US dollar, translating to a relatively ‘stronger’ peso; at the expense, however, of the vaunted investment boom of yesteryear,” the ING economist said.

The BSP earlier said that peso is seen to remain stable for the rest of the year on the back of ample international reserves and manageable inflation.

In 2020, the Central Bank is projecting the peso to trade within the P50 to P52 range. The local currency is seen to move within the P50 to P54 level next year.

B4

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Art

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Tom Felton, 33; Bonnie Hunt, 59; Andrea Bocelli, 62; Joan Jett, 62.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Being smart with your money will be essential this year. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you cannot afford. Helping others out of your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goodness is an admirable gesture, but not at the expense of causing personal problems or financial difficulties. Make positive changes that stabilize and secure a better future with less stress. Your numbers are 8, 17, 23, 25, 31, 37, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Listen to your inner voice when dealing with controversial issues.

Keep your opinions to yourself, and someone will offer you enough information to make the best decision regarding your lifestyle and the path to follow.

Romance is featured. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

â?ś â?ś MONDAY,

Rodel Tapaya, 2020, 26â&#x20AC;?x20,â&#x20AC;? acrylic on unstretched burlap

â?ˇ BLUE

MARBLES AND BROWN BLOTS, Marina Cruz, 2020, 48â&#x20AC;?x36,â&#x20AC;? oil on canvas

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A diligent approach to better health and fitness is encouraged. Taking an unnecessary gamble will lead to anxiety. Focus on what you can do without jeopardizing your health. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover a smart way to live up to your obligations without risk. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

â?¸

â?ˇ

Rodel Tapaya, Marina Cruz partner in first show together in years

â?¸ SUNDAY,

Rodel Tapaya, 2020, 26â&#x20AC;?x20,â&#x20AC;? acrylic on unstretched burlap

P

HILIPPINE art power couple Rodel Tapaya and Marina Cruz join hands in their first exhibition together in more than 10 years, taking on the sweeping changes in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily lives brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The distinguished and humble pair welcomed the new year with high hopes. As with most people, however, their plans, including upcoming shows, got derailed by the worst global health crisis in more than a century. The two remained composed, collected their thoughts, and are now presenting their reflections in the two-artist exhibition, titled Everyday,

mounted by Artinformal Gallery.

Tapaya and Cruz crossed fates at the College of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2000. They both went on to carve illustrious careers in their own right, with Tapaya becoming a notable figure for his expansive paintings both in size and symbols, while Cruz is celebrated for photo-realistic oil renditions of babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing.

Their patented styles come to sharp relief in Everyday.

Beyond the stunning visuals of Cruzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still-life paintingsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;brought to life in masterful texture and depth, wherein every crease and piece of fabric can almost be felt by the eyesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the works evoke a heavy sense of nostalgia. After all, clothes can be identified as much by its color as with the memory attached to it, such as the day it was worn, how its wearer was like, or even the political climate during the period it was in vogue.

In her latest show, Cruz takes seven pieces of clothing from her familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast archive. One is a 1960 blouse, which is tied to an anecdote of being worn during a flood, with family members on a boat on their way to receive vaccine shots from

soldiers. Another is a Christmas dress from 1966, and a grade six graduation dress recycled into a college uniform.

While Cruz centers on vessels of the everyday, Tapaya captures scenes of daily life.

The artist renders all his paintings for the show on burlap, a material he recently reunited with, which is marked by roughness as if to signify how things, particularly in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pandemic-stricken world, rarely go smooth. Tapaya depicts quotidian proceedings, such as doing laundry or riding a bike, but featuring distorted characters apropos to the times.

Both artists present works on smaller scale as well.

Tapaya has seven creations that portray disfigured headshots titled after the days of the week. For her part, Cruz produced mixed media works consisting of paint and textile on unstretched canvas.

Perhaps in creating pieces using materials and sizes outside their conventional choices, but keeping true to their artistic identities, the dynamic duo is reminding everyone to stay strong no matter how the days, at a tough time like this, shapes out.

Everyday runs until this Saturday, September 26. â&#x2013;

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stick to the facts, and refuse to let anyone entice you to do something detrimental to your status, reputation or a meaningful relationship. Someone will offer a false impression as to how well a person is doing emotionally or financially. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put greater emphasis on how you handle your responsibilities. Doing a job to the best of your ability will alleviate criticism. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t argue with someone who is trying to make you look bad. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do what comes naturally, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop until you reach your destination. How you handle situations will dictate the results. Use your charm, and give a friendly nudge to someone you need in order to complete your journey. Romance is on the rise. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A change at home will relieve tension. Keep your finances in order, and refuse to get involved in joint ventures that have a risk factor. A hasty decision will lead to repercussions. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be motivated to make changes in your life where relationships and personal goals are concerned. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t back down because someone is enticing you to indulge or is using manipulative tactics to change your mind. Romance is on the rise. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): How you present yourself and your ideas will matter.

Leave nothing to chance, pay close attention to detail and be prepared to make last-minute changes as you move forward. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Taking on a mental or physical challenge will pump you up and encourage you to make a lifestyle change.

Listen to your heart when it comes to love and romance, and plan to spend quality time with someone special. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

Philippine Pastel Artists organizes first online art auction and raffle DALI HEIST by Grandier Bella

DURING a time when art has taken a back seat to community and health concerns, the Philippine Pastel Artists group continues their mission to unite all Filipino pastel artists through meaningful creative engagements in art and the pastel medium. The PPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Trustees and Officers assembled 39 of their best works for PPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first online raffle and auction.

The public is invited to participate by purchasing a raffle ticket worth only P5,000 per ticket; each ticket entitles the holder to a painting and an opportunity to bid on a painting of their choice.

Premier pastelist and abstract painter Salvador â&#x20AC;&#x153;Budsâ&#x20AC;? Convocar leads the auction with paintings portraying a spectacle of color and chaos in his Permutation series.

Other highlight pieces of the collection are by PPA founder Julius Legaspi, including Habour II. Another centerpiece is his large 18 x 28 inch artwork in dark

Montanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own series of dramatic still life (one of which is titled Somber Mood) and alluring landscapes.

Several works in Filipiniana are contributed by top women pastel artists. Bold and intense colors are seen in Celeste Lecarozâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portrayal of Filipino Women with Earthern Jars, while Phoebe Beltran-Almazanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harvest-themed paintings are intriguing with her bold strokes and use of a primary color palette.

Also included is Roland Castroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charming landscape highlighted by bright-yellow flowers, titled Hazy Afternooon.

All these master pastelists are joined by contemporary pastel artists Glenn Perez, Tessa Punzalan-Brodeth, Iris-Babao Uy, Rosanne Hugo and Nell Belgado.

The artworks are on view at www. philippinepastelartists.com and www.facebook.com/groups/ ppaartauction.

green and crimson, titled Majestic Red Arowana.

The collection also has the delightful and whimsical still life paintings by Grandier Bella, as seen in his painting Dali Heist. This is also Alvin

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You can do things your way as long as you stick to basic rules and regulations. If you exaggerate or make promises you cannot keep, you can expect repercussions. A change at home will affect your finances. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spend impulsively. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An opportunity to use your skills, talents and experience to increase your income looks promising. Be open with someone you love, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come up with a plan that will allow you to spend more time together. Romance is in the stars. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stick to facts, do whatever it takes to keep the peace and avoid getting involved in matters that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t concern you. You can be a good listener without meddling. If you offer suggestions, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the one blamed if things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work out. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026; BIRTHDAY BABY: You are empathetic, proactive and creative.

You are ambitious and charismatic.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ďŹ ve-spotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BY DAVID LEVY The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 One may be checked on a news show 5 Energy company that went bankrupt in 2001 10 Knee bend in ballet 14 Baseballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Felipe, Matty or Jesus 15 Cut finely 16 Local speaker series 17 Spot for a comedian 19 Quarreling 20 Kind of pole with figures 21 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything is clear now!â&#x20AC;?

23 ___-Caps 24 Spot for a product 29 Biblical preposition 32 Fib 33 Having a dog may raise it 34 Gift that helps a teen go places?

35 Auction shout 36 Chutzpah 39 Spot for someone in a jam 43 Rot 44 Addresses with dots 45 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where ___ I go wrong?â&#x20AC;?

46 48 49 50 54 55 56 60

Vigeland Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scandinavian capital Fellow Some are twins but not siblings Spot for a vehicle Strange Golf peg Runs (off) Name that becomes a number when â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eâ&#x20AC;? is added 62 Spot for a dermatologist 66 Beget 67 Twitter alternative, slangily 68 Auction platform since 1995 69 Otherwise 70 Gradually narrow 71 Got up DOWN 1 Speedy 2 Saxophone type 3 You may hang one on a tree 4 Find with a dial 5 Big bird 6 Quick drink 7 Single-stranded molecule 8 ___â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s razor

9 10 11 12 13 18 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 35 37 38 40 41 42 47 49 50 51 52

Deep down?

School meeting org.

Does nothing about something Frozen II star Menzel Glorify Org. with a large waiting room?

Concert venues Sicken with sweetness Lubricates People pay to hear what they see Popular gadget review site La Jolla sch.

Silver who analyzes elections Star Trek scanners Illuminated like an atrium Cancel, as a check Periods, for many sentences Aging site Word after â&#x20AC;&#x153;sandâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;steelâ&#x20AC;?

Arm bone At all Benz alternative Entourage Popular pain reliever Davis who founded an Institute on

53 57 58 59 61 63 64 65

Gender in Media Yell out Baja resort, informally Periods Terrier variety French for â&#x20AC;&#x153;bornâ&#x20AC;?

Snake by the Nile Salt Lake City collegian Road repair goo

Solution to Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, September 22, 2020

B5

❶ Jimmy

Kimmel appears with a screen filled with nominees during the 72nd Emmy Awards broadcast.

PHOTOS: AP

❷ Annie

Murphy (from left), Catherine O’Hara, Noah Reid, Sarah Levy, Karen Robinson, Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy accept the award for Outstanding Comedy Series for Schitt’s Creek.

❶

❷

‘Schitt’s Creek’ sweeps comedy categories at Emmy Awards L

blackpink

Catch Hallypop wave on Philippine TV BRACE yourselves for a more exciting viewing experience as GMA officially brings Hallypop, the newest and first-ever digital channel that’s a onestop shop for K-pop, lifestyle, and entertainment in the Philippines which made its debut last September 20.

This groundbreaking partnership between GMA and Jungo TV gives Filipino viewers 24/7 access to the hottest shows including international concert tours, trendy music videos, and live performances of today’s biggest global superstars.

K-entertainment aficionados took their excitement to social media with the arrival of Hallypop in the country.

One fan tweeted: “The partnership makes GMA Network the first media organization in the Philippines to distribute channels from Jungo TV, specifically its concert network Frontrow and Asian Pop network, Hallypop. And now, it’s available on GMA Affordabox. Thanks for this, GMA Network.”

“Hi Filo K-pop stans! There’s a new channel in GMA called Hallypop and they will broadcast a bunch of K-pop content and Korean variety shows.

It would be nice if y’all could watch and support it,” another netizen tweeted.

Last Sunday saw the premiere of the top-rating South Korean variety show Running Man. Catch the guestings of Korean heartthrob Park Bo-gum and Korean group BTS in the widely-popular reality variety show.

In Hallystage, witness the breathtaking concerts of Grammy-award winning performers U2 and Beyoncé that will surely keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, jaw-dropping performances from the nation’s top musicians take the spotlight on Music Bank.

The network advises GMA Affordabox owners and other digital TV receivers to perform a rescan of channels to not miss these exciting programs and performances and more on the newest digital TV channel in the Philippines, Hallypop.

By Lynn Elber The Associated Press

OS ANGELES—Schitt’s Creek, the little Canadian show about a fish-out-of-water family, made history at Sunday’s Emmy Awards with a comedy awards sweep, something even TV greats, including Frasier and Modern Family failed to achieve.

The Pop TV show’s awards included best comedy series and awards for its stars, including Catherine O’Hara, and father-son Eugene and Daniel Levy.

“Our show at its core is about the transformational effects of love and acceptance, and this is something we need more now than ever before,” said cocreator and star Daniel Levy, who encouraged people to register and vote to achieve that goal.

O’Hara accepted the award virtually in the pandemic-safe ceremony, which included a number of winners who made a point that the November 3 general election was near.

“Though these are the strangest of days, may you have as much joy being holed up in a room or two with your family as I had with my dear Roses,” O’Hara said, surrounded in a decorated room by mask-wearing costars who play the Rose family members.

Levy called it “ironical that the straightest role I ever played lands me an Emmy for a comedy performance. I have to seriously question what I’ve been doing” for the past 50 years.

Moments later, Levy’s son Daniel won the award for comedy writing for an episode of Schitt’s Creek, then shared a directing award and captured the supporting actor comedy trophy. The supporting actress trophy went to his costar Annie Murphy.

Daniel Levy thanked his father and O’Hara for teaching an extended “master class” in comedy. The show’s sweep came for its much-acclaimed final season. References to coronavirus were an ongoing part of the ceremony, with essential workers— including a teacher and a UPS deliveryman— presenting awards and Jason Sudeikis ostensibly

getting a Covid-19 test onstage.

In a year with a record number of Black nominees, 35, there was a notable lack of diversity in the show’s early going. With Schitt’s Creek gobbling up comedy awards, that left Insecure and creator Issa Rae emptyhanded on Sunday.

That was also true of Ramy Youssef, creator-star of the semiautbiographical comedy Ramy, about a young Muslim American’s love and religious life. Youssef tweeted a video of a haz-mat suit-wearing person clutching an Emmy and waving goodbye after he lost the lost the comedy actor category.

There was a sign of change with the drama awards, which came in the latter part of the ceremony.

The powerful series Watchmen, a graphic noveladaptation steeped in racial pain, was voted best limited series and star Regina King won lead actress for her work on the HBO show.

She was showered by confetti as she accepted in an armchair, wearing a T-shirt that honored police shooting victim Breonna Taylor. “This is so freaky and weird,” said King, who regained her composure and called on viewers to vote. Her costar, Yahya AbdulMateen II, won the Emmy for best supporting actor in a limited series. Uzo Aduba won the counterpart actress award for her portrayal of Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America. Anthony Anderson, a nominee for black-ish, came on stage to make his disappointment vigorously known, saying the awards should have been “Howard University homecoming Black”.

“This isn’t what it should have been.... But Black stories, Black performances and Black Lives Matter,” he said, urging host Jimmy Kimmel to shout with him.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was again honored as best variety-talk series, with David Letterman announcing the award after being abandoned roadside by an annoyed ride-share driver.

Oliver joined the ranks of winners calling for Americans to vote, as did Mark Ruffalo, who won the limited series acting trophy for I Know This Much is True. Kimmel opened the show with a monologue that appeared to be defiantly delivered in front of a packed,

cheering theater—until it was revealed they were clips from past Emmy shows.

“Of course I’m here all alone. Of course, we don’t have an audience,” he said. “This isn’t a MAGA rally.

It’s the Emmys.” With more than 100 long-distance video feeds with nominees ahead, “what could possibly go right?” A minor gaffe marred Saturday’s virtual Emmys for technical and other honors, when Jason Bateman’s name was announced for a guest acting award that belonged to Ron Cephas Jones of This Is Us. Other guest acting honors went to Eddie Murphy and Maya Rudolph for Saturday Night Live and Cherry Jones for Succession.

Bateman was one of the few people on hand at the Staples Center for Sunday’s show, sitting in the audience during Kimmel’s opening monologue.

Bateman sat stone faced amid a collection of cardboard cutouts, trading jokes with Kimmel after the host pointed out he was there.

The producers of Sunday’s broadcast have said gaffes could occur. Kimmel is on stage at downtown LA’s Staples Center, central command for camera feeds relayed from 130 nominees socially distanced at home or elsewhere in 10 countries and 20 cities.

Other recent awards shows, including the BET Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards, bowed to the coronavirus with a mix of pre-taped and live segments. How the Emmys fare may influence Hollywood’s awards season.

The creative Emmys that were handed over five days, culminating Saturday, underscore the point: awards have been collected by 29 outlets representing cable channels, streaming services and broadcast networks. So far, longtime leader HBO and rising Netflix are tied with 19 awards each, followed by Disney+ and NBC with eight honors apiece.

The Mandalorian, home of the character dubbed “baby Yoda” by fans, earned the bulk of the Disney service’s honors, seven to date. Watchmen has a matching number, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel led among comedies with four awards going into Sunday’s ceremony. n

Soaring higher with their songs

CREATIVE juices continue to flow naturally for many Filipino artists despite the countless limitations brought about by this worldwide pandemic. Singers, songwriters and music collaborators take inspiration from everything around them to work on new offerings that will hopefully allow music to serve any purpose it may have during these times.

Singer-composer and puppeteer Jessa Mae Gabon has just released her digital single “Ngunit Dahil Sa Iyo,” a mid-tempo classic originally penned and sung by 1980s musical artist Marizen Yaneza.

More than just doing a cover version, Gabon prefers to call it a reinterpretation. “It is important for me as an artist to be able to give an old song my own soul so that it will sound contemporary. The 1980s are like 40 years ago, and things have changed tremendously. The song lives on because it is

beautiful and timeless. I am just giving it a new lease on life, and hopefully give justice to the wonderful lyrics and melody.”

Singing is Gabon’s true passion, but during these uncertain times, a relatively new singer like her will never be able to sustain a comfortable life.

Gabon shared that she is currently working as a project development officer for the Department of Agriculture. “My job brings me to the most remote areas in the country so that we can improve the state of agriculture in these places and reach out to those who are deserving of the latest in science and technology programs of the government. Having a regular job certainly helps at this time.”

Gabon shared that she likes creating music. She was an active fixture in the puppet theater company Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, which gave her many chances to perform around Asia as a puppeteer. For many years, she also found fulfillment in composing songs for children. “I had the opportunity to work for a popular children’s show in Singapore called Junction Tree, where I cowrote and coproduced songs for children. I also performed for the show from time to time.” Her paths crossed with the head honcho of RJA Productions, Rosabella Jao Arribas, before the pandemic and the connection opened a bigger door for Gabon. This year alone, she was able to release two singles, “Ensayado” and “Ikaw ang Tanging Alam.”

“Music lives on. Times are difficult, but difficult

situations often challenge the mind to be more creative and resourceful, like creating music, and singing can really soothe the tired spirit.”

Meanwhile, a young dreamer from Sorsogon has also jump-started his musical career during these pandemic times. Nineteen-year-old Vincent Jao III has also just released his latest song “Sayaw ng Buhay,” an upbeat, jazzy piece that was recorded in his hometown.

This Bicolano student, who also plays the piano and the guitar, shared that he couldn’t contain his excitement when this original composition of Nathaniel Cabañero was presented to him.

“I felt it was a perfect piece that is relevant to the times,” he said, adding, “It’s about life. Often the rhythm and the tide bring us to places where we are not so familiar with, but we thrive and we survive.

There are times when the volume of music is up and there are situations when everything becomes slow and suspended. But is is up to us to cope and to dance with the music.”

Gabon and Jao are both promising young artists and they know that by associating themselves with the right people, their God-given talents can find a nurturing place in this oftentimes crowded industry, where success can be fleeting and only the tough and those who are prepared survive.

We wish them both the best as they soar higher with their songs.

B6 Tuesday, September 22, 2020

PRC resumes first aid, BLS training courses during the pandemic

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HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the leadership of its Chairman & CEO, Sen. Richard Gordon, resumed first aid and basic life support (BLS) training, with the aim of leading communities to be first aid-ready amidst COVID-19 challenges.

PRC Safety Service issued its guideline in holding first aid and BLS training to avoid any transmission and observe health precaution guidelines. Safety Services coordinated with local authorities to ensure that the training venues are

inclusive for the people to be trained, conducive and well ventilated for training.

PRC set an interim qualification during this time of pandemic to prevent the possible exposure of any individual to COVID-19 risks. Aside from being mentally and physically fit, only those 50 years old and below are allowed into the course. Persons with heart and respiratory problems, immunocompromised and/or pregnant are advised not to participate. PRC is likewise highly vigilant with participants who exhibit flu-like signs and symptoms.

For the instructors and volunteers, Red Cross upholds a no/incomplete PPE, no training policy. There is pretraining preparation; and on the training proper, physical distancing at all times is maintained.

As the training began to roll out among the chapters, PRC Safety Services hosted the first webinar session, “COVID-19 First Aid Adaptations” in light of the2020 World First Aid Day themed with Adapting First Aid Practices to the Pandemic. Two webinar sessions is also scheduled to follow within the month. Speakers from Safety Services and Welfare Services will discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on first aid management and mental health of frontliners, individuals, families, and communities.

PRC training sessions consider the venue, time, health precaution guidelines, and the health of the participant in its preparations. Red Cross chapters nationwide have always been proactive in providing first aid and basic life support training. “Red Cross training equips communities and individuals to be first aid-ready. This gives us the confidence to help when the need arises,” Chairman Gordon said.

Taiwan launches Online Higher Education Fair in the Philippines

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MID the havoc caused by Covid-19, Taiwan continues to build a bridge for higher education exchange between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Taiwan Education Center in the Philippines (TEC-PH) officially launched the 2020 Online Taiwan Higher Education Fair on September 15, 2020, until October 15, 2020. This is the first time the event has taken the online form due to the dire situation created by the global pandemic.

The fair presents a total of 66 quality public and private universities and colleges in Taiwan, the most ever in any Taiwan Education Fair. The 2020 online website features a clean and intuitive interface for Filipino students who are interested in studying in Taiwan. Students can search by field of interest or by location.

Students can also post further inquiries on participating universities’ information pages and will receive timely responses

from university representatives.

In his opening remarks for the event, Ambassador Michael Peiyung Hsu of TECO celebrated the close collaboration in higher education between Taiwan and the Philippines, and encouraged Filipino students to experience the quality higher education in Taiwan. Dr. YingYao Cheng, President of National Sun Yat-Sen University added that Taiwan has done a remarkable job preventing the threat of Covid-19, thus making it not only a convenient location, but a safe and smart choice for Filipino students wishing to study abroad.

Director General Andy Bi of the Department of International and Crossstrait Education, Ministry of Education, Taiwan, also announced the good news that more Taiwan scholarship positions have been opened to students from the Philippines.

The 2020 Online Fair also holds a weekly raffle for opportunities to study Mandarin in Taiwan for free. Participants need only like, share and post a message on TEC-PH’s Facebook page to qualify for the draw. Prize winners will be announced each Friday throughout the month on the Taiwan Education Fair official website.

As higher education institutions in Taiwan strive toward internationalization, colleges and universities are actively promoting global exchange and collaboration through education and research. The 2020 Online Fair edition hopes to become a gateway to more opportunities for students in the Philippines.

Link to Virtual 2020 Taiwan Education Fair in the Philippines: https://2020tecphfair.nsysu.edu.tw/?fbcl id=IwAR2VDI3gddJULTB8eBYHICKWvi0uv lu-tILnSO6OFAEzsBnwmd-2HvTPvfQ

SM provides thousands of relief goods to transport groups, communities

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M Foundation (SMFI) distributed 58,100 Kalinga or relief packs worth Php 26.5 million to transport groups and communities across the country through its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program.

The distribution of Kalinga packs, each containing rice and other food essentials, aims to relieve the plight of those whose livelihoods came to a grinding halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Operation Tulong Express, 144 jeepney transport groups, 61 UV express transport groups, and 94 tricycle transport groups, and 46 communities/barangays received Kalinga packs.

SMFI tapped SM Malls and SMDC employees in order to reach out to more transport groups and communities all over the country, to promote the spirit of volunteerism within the SM Group.

Leonardo Taguiam, a jeepney driver in

Tuguegarao, expressed his gratitude to SM Foundation as the Kalinga packs were a big help for them. He shared that during the implementation of the nationwide transport shutdown, his family was just relying on his wife who was lucky enough to remain employed despite the crisis.

Another recipient, Nanay Salvacion, from Imus, Cavite, said, “Napakalaking tulong nito sa amin. Hindi naman kami basta-basta makakakuha ng pambili nito lalo na ngayong pandemic. Kaya maraming salamat sa SM dahil naglalaan kayo ng panahon para sa aming nangangailangan ng tulong!”

OPTE is a social good program of SM Foundation in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets that provides relief and support in communities affected by calamities and crisis.

Since 2014, the program has distributed over 260,200 Kalinga packs nationwide.

Pizza Pedrico’s now available for online deliveries

The Manila Hotel joins Manila Restaurant Week

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REAT food and great company are two of life’s simplest pleasures. So mark your calendars and get ready to feast on scrumptious food as The Manila Hotel’s famed Café Ilang Ilang participates in Manila Restaurant Week happening beginning September 20 to 27, 2020.

Indulge in a choice of starters like the savory Spinach-Ricotta Ravioli in light Parmesan Cream Sauce or PomeloPrawns Lumpia in Calamansi Honey Dressing; main course of sumptuous Beef Tenderloin in Balsamic glaze with marble potato and market vegetables or Pampano cooked in Tandoori Oven with Peas Pilaf rice and stir-fried Asian vegetables; and dessert of Fresh Fruits Salad with Ube ice cream or Mango panna cotta as dessert. The startermain-dessert set is offered at only P980 nett per person, but cannot be availed of in conjunction with other promos or discounts.

Manila Restaurant Week is an event under the “Manila, Support Local” Campaign, launched by the Bureau of Permits and City Government of Manila.

The city-wide project aims to promote local food establishments in Manila that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. About 80 restaurants will be offering prix fixe menus at affordable prices during Manila Restaurant Week.

Launched on September 15, The Manila Hotel played one of the hosts of the multi-venue simultaneous kick-

off, which was livestreamed on social media platforms. The other hosts were Bayleaf Hotel, Lucky China Town Mall, and Robinsons Place Ermita. The virtual launch was marked by an online performance of Lea Salonga who sang her new single, “Dream Again,” the official theme song of the campaign.

“I believe we can do a lot in restoring the City of Manila back to its former glory under the leadership of Mayor Isko Moreno. We in the private sectors will always support you in this very worthwhile undertaking. Soon, Manila will be great again,” said Atty. Joey Lina, The Manila Hotel President, in his opening remarks during the launch.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña gave their respective speeches before checking the 11 restaurants

that showcased their dishes at The Manila Hotel’s Roma Salon—namely Café Ilang Ilang, Century Park Hotel, Scorched, Golden Fortune, Luneta Park Hotel, Ilustrado, Tanabe, Jus & Jerrys, Patio de Conchita, Pares Kimchi, and Harbor View—and visiting the other venues, which was watched by thousands via livestream.

The Manila Hotel and all its outlets operates in strict compliance to health protocols, so our guests are assured of the highest standards of food safety and sanitation measures in accordance with the government guidelines.

For more information, you may check us out on Facebook or Instagram (@ TheManilaHotel), or call 85270011 or 09989501912. For reservations, email resvn@themanilahotel.com.

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna at the launch of Manila Restaurant Week at the Manila Hotel

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NJOY your favorite stay-at-home pizza in the comfort of your own home! Pedrico's is now available for pickup/delivery thru Foodpanda, Grabfood, Storehub, Mr Speedy, ShopBuddy with Getmo, Pasugo, and Maxim in select areas nationwide. Also available online at (www.frozenmnl.com) Give in to your paborito craving! Make your day or week extra special by ordering your paborito stay-at-home pizza and bake them anytime you like it. No more long waiting for pizza delivery. Excite your family and friends by sharing your paborito flavors while living the moment together. Perfect for any occasion 'dahil ang Pizza Pedrico’s ay paborito ko, ng pamilya ko at ng barkada ko!'

Pizza Pedrico’s is the largest pizza network in the Philippines with over 1300 serving stations nationwide. Live the Pizza

Pedrico’s paborito pizza experiences for the whole family and barkada with its signature 4Pizza in a box concept.

Pizza Pedrico’s is recognized as one of the Top 13 Philippine Brands in the Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise Hall of Fame.

We are also opening more stores to serve you nationwide. For your Paborito Pizza business opportunity, you can reach us thru these hotlines: Manila [02] 8442-9444; Cebu [032] 520-8811; Davao [082] 2957943 or 0925-511-9444 for mobile users.

Be sure to follow us on our social media pages for your paborito updates: Facebook (facebook.com/PizzaPedricosOfficial), Instagram (@pizzapedricos), and Twitter (@ PizzaPedricos).

Choose Pizza Pedrico’s and make it your pizza paborito! #PaboritoKo’to #PizzaPedricos

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph / Editor: Jun Lomibao

Sports BusinessMirror

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 B7

PBA players, coaches see positives in new SMC airport in Bulakan

Bambol in forum

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HILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) President, Cavite Eighth District Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, is returning as the exclusive guest on Tuesday of the now online weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

Tolentino is expected to talk about the November 27 POC elections, the recent signing of the Bayanihan Act 2, the vaccine being developed for the COVID-19 pandemic and the preparation of Filipino athletes for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Tolentino will also tackle cycling in the 10 a.m. session—in his capacity as head of PhilCycling—presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and powered by Smart with Upstream Media as official webcast partner.

The Forum is aired live via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

Martinez named to POC polls body

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ALENZUELA District 2 Rep. Eric Martinez was named to the three-member Elections Committee that will supervise the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elections on November 27.

Martinez will join lawyer Teodoro Kalaw IV, who will head the polls body, and Francisco Elizalde, the former International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines in the body.

POC President, Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, announced recently that the body is going on with its Olympic cycling elections on the last Friday of November of an Olympic year.

Tolentino is expected to seek reelection with archery president Clint Aranas as his most likely opponent.

“I agreed to be part of the Elections Committee and my job tasks to make sure the POC elections go on smoothly,” Martinez said.

Martinez heads the House Committee on Youth and Sports and has been a staunch mover in Congress to provide P180 million funds for Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes and those who are still trying to qualify for the Games.

The Philippine Sports Commission is cash strapped and has sought the help of Congress to guarantee the funding for the country’s Olympic campaign. The Tokyo Games are set in August next year.

Martinez said a House sub-committee on budget will tackle the Olympic funding in a hearing this week.

“The sub-committee will discuss the budget for our athletes who will compete in the Olympics,” he said. “We have to ensure the funding by January.”

“PSC Chairman William Ramirez informed Congress that the Olympic funds won’t last beyond December, so I told the Chairman that I will push it hard for the funds to help win that first Olympic gold medal under President Duterte’s administration,” he added.

Annie Abad

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THE Lakers’ Anthony Davis shoots the marginal three-pointer over the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic. AP

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AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida—Anthony Davis has never been this deep in the playoffs, never had the chance to take such an important shot.

It’s nothing new for the Los Angeles Lakers, though.

So when Davis’s three-pointer swished through the net as time expired to give the Lakers a 105-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night and a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals, Coach Frank Vogel thought of a Laker who had done it before.

“That’s a shot Kobe Bryant would hit,” Vogel said. “To me, AD coming off, just flying to the wing like that, catch-and-shoot with the biggest game on the line of our season, nothing but net, it’s a Mamba shot.”

The Lakers were wearing their Black Mamba jerseys. They were co-designed by Bryant, their Hall of Fame guard who died Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash. Davis said wearing the jerseys that mean so much to the team made his winner feel even better.

“In the jersey we wore tonight, it just makes it even more special,” he said.

Davis finished with 31 points. He scored Los Angeles’ last 10 points and had 22 in the second half to help the Lakers avoid becoming the latest victim of a Denver comeback.

LAKERS TRIUMPH ON DAVIS’S TRIPLE “Special moment for a special player. Happy to be a part of it,” said LeBron James, who had 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The Nuggets had trailed by as much as 16, but Nikola Jokic scored 11 straight Denver points down the stretch, including a basket that made it 103-102 with 20 seconds to play.

Alex Caruso then missed a 3-pointer and Jamal Murray blocked Danny Green’s shot out of bounds with 2.1 seconds to play. Rajon Rondo inbounded under the basket and found Davis curling toward the sideline, and the All-Star forward swished it to put the Lakers halfway to the NBA Finals.

Jokic said there was miscommunication on the final play, when it appeared center Mason Plumlee let Davis drift free believing there was going to be a switch. Jokic raced out to him, but

too late.

“Great players make great shots and he did it, so he’s a really good player,” Jokic said.

Jokic had 30 points and nine assists, and Murray scored 25 points.

Game Three is Tuesday night.

James carried the Lakers early, with 20 points in the first half. But they went more in the second half to Davis, who had 37 in an easy Game One victory.

This one was much tighter and appeared it would be another huge rally by the Nuggets, who were down 16, 19 and 12 in the final three games against the Clippers, when they erased a 3-1 deficit.

They had climbed all the way out this hole when Murray scored for an 87-86 lead with 7:26 to play. But Green and Rondo hit 3-pointers and,

after a basket by PJ Dozier, Kentavious CaldwellPope made another three to make it 95-89.

It was 100-92 after another three by Davis before Jokic answered with nine straight, tipping in a miss by Murray to give Denver a 101-100 edge with 31 seconds to play. Davis put the Lakers back on top with a basket in the lane, but Jokic backed him down on the other end to put the Nuggets back on top with 20 seconds remaining.

James started five of six while the rest of the Lakers missed their first 12 shots before Green’s lay-up 7 1/2 minutes in gave them a 14-12 lead.

The lead was five midway through the second quarter before the Lakers had an 11-0 run that featured a steal and dunk and a 3-pointer by Alex Caruso that pushed it to 52-36 with about 4 minutes remaining in the half.

Denver trimmed it to 60-50 at the break. AP

GO TO PBA: FOLLOW PROTOCOLS

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go supports the pro league’s return but stresses the importance of health and safety.

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EN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to follow health protocols before resuming its 45th season in a bubble at the

in fact—as he supports the league’s stepby-step application with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for the season’s resumption.

“I am willing to assist the PBA. In fact, all communications by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial in the previous months were submitted to me before I informed the IATF,” added Go, the Senate Commitee on Sports chairman.

“If I am willing to be the bridge between the PBA and the IATF, I am very willing to do it,” he said.

The IATF already allowed starting last August 24 individual and small group training for PBA players, but still prohibits collective training specially scrimmages.

Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Pampanga on September 26.

A big fan of the PBA since 1983— particularly Crispa hotshot Atoy Co—Go expressed his all-out support for the resumption of the pro league that was stalled last March 11 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“They [PBA] need to follow first the strict health protocols implemented by the government because it is so hard to get sick this time. So after further study, and when they get the approval, that’s the better time to begin the bubble,” Go told the BusinessMirror on Monday in a phone interview on Monday.

The senator from Davao City said he is in constant communication with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial—everyday,

Go said that despite being fully supportive of the PBA’s return, it’s still the IATF which has the final say.

The senator said he cannot watch the games live in the bubble because of his hectic schedule as a senator.

“And I don’t like to compromise the safety of all the individuals who will be staying there in the bubble for two months without going out,” Go said.

“I will just watch the games on the television,” he said.

“The PBA is really a big help for everyone, for the people. They stayed for so long in their homes during the quarantine, let’s give them some entertainment. It’s a mental health issue,” he said. “The PBA will help the people fight depression and anxiety.”

Taekwondo body expels Olympian, illustrious Geisler

REyes bags online poomsae gold

HE Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) expelled former Olympian and now coach Donald Geisler from the association because of a breach in the association’s charter.

PTA Sanction Committee Chairman Manolo Gabriel wrote the bemedaled Geisler on the termination of his services in the association due to violation of Article XXIII Section 1 (F) of the PTA bylaws.

The PTA said that Geisler violated association rules by operating an online

ODOLFO REYES bagged a gold medal in the 2020 Lents Taekwondo Worldwide Online Poomsae Open-held over the weekend.

Reyes, a gold medalist in the Philippine 30th Southeast Asian Games, topped the men’s under-30 event with 7.350 points, beating Choo Rok Oh of Korea who clinched silver with 7.235 and Chiou Mu En of Taiwan who settled for the bronze with 7.185.

Another national athlete, 30th SEA Games

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taekwondo school under his name and invited former and present national team members to provide inspirational talk to his Students.

The PTA said it accorded Geisler due process but didn’t heed the call.

“Accordingly, it is respectfully recommended that Mr. Geisler be expelled from the Philippine Taekwondo Association and that all rights and privileges granted to him as a PTA member be deemed, forfeited and terminated,” the PTA letter, signed by Gabriel, said.

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Geisler said that he will continue to fight for his rights and take actions against the association.

“We will not take this sitting down. I will fight for my rights and take actions on these attacks against me. I will release my public statement tomorrow,” he posted in his social-media account.

Geisler competed at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics. He clinched silver at the Bangkok Asian Games and World Cup in 1998. He also owns three Southeast Asian Games gold medals. Annie Abad

silver medalist Patrick King Perez, wound up fourth with 7.150 points.

“For flag and country,” said the veteran internationalist Reyes, fighting out of University of Santo Tomas, said in his socialmedia account.

Former world champion Ernesto Guzman Jr., meanwhile, pocketed the silver medal in the men’s over-30 7.130 points. Korea’s Ji Ho Chul (7.245) and the US’s Minki Seong (7.020) finished 1-2 in the event. Annie Abad

Gawilan can’t wait to hit pool

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ERNIE GAWILAN is confined to training offshore at the Island Garden City of Samal.

SIAN Para Games 2018 gold medalist Ernie Gawilan couldn’t help but train and stay in shape within the bounds set by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“As of now, I could only wait for instructions from our federation on what training regimen we are allowed to do during the [Covid-19] pandemic,” Gawilan told BusinessMirror. “They [federation] knows what’s good for us athletes.

A veteran of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Gawilan was born with underdeveloped extremities in Paquibato district in Davao City. He harnessed his training skills in nearby Island Garden City of Samal.

At the moment, the 29-year-old Gawilan continues to make Samal Island as his home base.

“I do outdoor activities, but they’re limited. I swim in the open water, too, and do group training online with my teammates and coaches,” he said.

Swimming in a pool has become scarce since

quarantines were implemented last March.

“There are a lot of procedures before you get to swim in an Olympic-size pool here in Davao,” he said.

“There are protocols and they are very stricty.”

Gawilan is the first Filipino para swimmer to win gold in the Asian Games in 2018 in Jakarta. He also bagged gold at the Singapore 2015 Southeast Asian Para Games, before earning a ticket to Rio 2016.

He was a favorite at the Philippines 2019 Para Games but the event was canceled because of the pandemic.

Gawilan will be seeing action in the postponed Tokyo Paralympics where he will be the country’s torch bearer. He thanked the Philippine Sports Commission for relentlessly attending to all athletes during the quarantine. Annie Abad

ITH sports events still shuttered, several Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players and coaches—specifically those from Bulacan and Pampanga—expressed high hopes that San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) P734-billion new Manila International Airport project in Bulakan town as part of the country’s post-Covid-19 recovery, will give Philippine sports a big shot in the arm.

“It will definitely be a big help for sports.

We already have the biggest sports venue in Philippine Sports Arena. With the new airport, we can now host any major local and even international sporting event,” said Bocaue, Bulacan native Jonas Villanueva, coach for the Bataan Risers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and former player for the San Miguel Beer and Purefoods in the PBA. His fellow Bocaue native, Billy Mamaril of San Miguel Beer believes that the airport will promote sports tourism.

“Having an airport in Central Luzon will boost all sectors. Sports and sports entertainment in general will be elevated because the ease of traveling by air will be easier. Having games abroad and having foreign athletes compete in the Philippines will be even more possible. Even fans from abroad could come here to watch major sports events. It will make us Filipinos very proud,” Mamaril said.

Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok Coach Chito Victolero, who hails from Sta. Maria town, said the new airport could eventually make Bulacan province a go-to place for sporting events.

“If the economy in the area improves, it follows that gyms and sports facilities will keep sprouting. Then there will be more sports activities and programs, especially basketball,” Victolero said. “And who knows, a coliseum or arena will soon rise here.”

They agreed that the Bulakan airport will not only benefit sports, but it will improve the standard of living among locals through the jobs that will be created during its construction and actual operations. Jobs will also be generated at the adjacent development, the Bulacan Airport City economic zone.

“The airport will boost the economic growth of the area. People will be more willing to do business in the Central Luzon district because traffic and overpopulation will be at minimum compared to Manila. At the same time, with employment for thousands of people, residents of the area will have more spending capability, and that will improve the local economy,” Mamaril said.

Magnolia Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang, meanwhile, said that people from his hometown Pampanga will no longer need to go to Manila to look for job opportunities.

“The new airport means new job openings, then there will be countless food chains.

Pampanga sis close to Bulacan, giving my fellow Kapampangans job opportunities within their reach,” the Magnolia forward said.

“The airport will help resuscitate the businesses that were shut down because of Covid-19. Many Bulakeños will get those jobs they are looking for,” Barangay Ginebra’s Arthur de la Cruz, who traces his roots to Hagonoy, said.

Victolero and Aris Dionisio, a Magnolia rookie from Bustos, said that Bulacan’s businesses and tourism will also benefit from the airport project.

Dionisio said the project will give hope and new opportunities for a lot of people who lost their jobs during the lockdown.

The Bulacan airport will be capable of handling up to 100 million passengers each year and is seen to create about 30 million tourism-related jobs, on top of generating more than a million direct jobs for host province Bulacan and nearby provinces.

SAN MIGUEL Beer’s Billy Mamaril has high hopes for upcoming airport in Bulakan.

Sports BusinessMirror

B8 Tuesday, September 22, 2020

‘Joker’ just couldn’t keep temper in check in Rome R

OME—Novak Djokovic knows it isn’t model behavior when he loses his cool on the tennis court.

Yet he just can’t help himself.

Exactly two weeks after he was defaulted from the US Open, and a day after he was warned by the chair umpire for breaking his racket in a fit of rage, Djokovic, sometimes nicknamed “Joker,” received an obscenity warning midway through a 7-5, 6-3 win over Casper Ruud in the Italian Open semifinals Sunday.

The obscenity came in the third game of the second set, by which time Djokovic had a running dialogue with the chair umpire over a series of contested calls.

“I deserved the warning,” Djokovic said. “I didn’t say nice things in my language.

“I had a couple of disputes with the chair umpire with those calls,” Djokovic added. “As I understood, I was three out of three right, but doesn’t matter. Everybody makes mistakes. It’s fine. It was a kind of the heat of the battle. There is a lot of intensity on the court. A lot of pressure for him, for both players. It’s kind of whatever happens, happens.”

As opposed to his previous two outbursts, this time there were fans in the stands who could clearly hear how Djokovic dealt with his frustration.

With 1,000 spectators allowed in to the Foro Italico for the first time this week, a large proportion of those in attendance were children.

“I don’t want to do it, but when it comes, it happens,” Djokovic said Saturday. “That’s how I, I guess, release sometimes my anger. And it’s definitely not the best message out there, especially for the young tennis players looking at me. I don’t encourage that—definitely.”

Ruud was Nick Kyrgios’s opponent during last year’s Italian Open when the Australian walked off the court and threw a chair onto the red clay, leading to him being defaulted and fined.

“Some players, or especially Djokovic, [are] very passionate,” Ruud said. “Some players just by nature can show more emotions than other ones.

That’s part of the game.”

Djokovic’s behavior once again overshadowed his performance, in a match where he had to save two set points when Ruud served for the

first set at 5-4—one of them with a delicate backhand drop-shot winner.

The top-ranked Djokovic also served five aces in a single game to take a 6-5 lead in the first.

Ruud, 21, the first Norwegian player to contest a Masters 1000 semifinal and a product of Rafael Nadal’s academy, put up plenty of resistance and also produced the shot of the day: a leaping over-the-shoulder hook shot for a winner as he raced back to chase down a lob— earning a thumbs-up from Djokovic.

“He has that pattern of play on clay with a lot of spin,” Djokovic said. “I’m sure we will see more of him in the big tournaments, especially on this surface. He’s got the game.”

Djokovic improved to 30-1 this year. His only loss came when he was thrown out of the US Open for unintentionally hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball during his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreño Busta.

In Djokovic’s 10th Rome final on Monday— he has won four—he’ll face eighth-seeded Diego Schwartzman, who edged 12th-seeded Denis Shapovalov, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4), in a match that lasted three hours and 15 minutes.

Schwartzman, who will play his first Masters 1000 final, beat nine-time Rome champion Nadal late Friday in the quarterfinals.

If Schwartzman also beats Djokovic—he’s lost in all four of their previous meetings—he’ll enter the top 10 of the rankings for the first time “That was in my mind all the match,” Schwartzman said. “I was fighting.”

In the women’s final, top-seeded Simona Halep will face second-seeded Karolína Plíšková, the defending champion.

Halep reached her third Rome final by beating Garbiñe Muguruza, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, to improve her record in tennis’ restart to 9-0.

Plíšková defeated fellow Czech and last year’s French Open finalist Markéta Vondroušová, 6-2, 6-4.

The French Open starts next weekend. AP

DECHAMBEAU BLASTS WAY TO U.S. OPEN TITLE M AMARONECK, New York—What was supposed to be a typical US Open produced a most unconventional champion.

Bryson DeChambeau was not the least bit concerned by the narrow fairways or the ankle-deep rough that shape Winged Foot into historically the toughest of all US Opens. With his extra 40 pounds of muscle and mass, he wanted to pound it into submission with his driver, even if his errant shots were buried in deep grass.

That’s how he plays the game. And for skeptics who said that wouldn’t work in a US Open at Winged Foot, just look at that shiny silver trophy he kissed, and the record score he posted Sunday in a six-shot victory.

This victory was as much about validating his out-of-the-box approach to the royal and ancient game.

“One hundred percent, no doubt,” DeChambeau said. “For me, it’s about the journey of can I execute every shot more repeatable than everybody else. I was able to do that this week. That’s why I won by six.”

Part of this course’s fame is the “Massacre of Winged Foot” in 1974 when the winning score was 7-over par.

Tadej Pogacar will bring home all but one of the coveted jerseys— yellow which he’s wearing as the overall champion, the best climber’s dotted jersey and the best young rider’s white jersey.

Only the green jersey escaped his grip—he’s not a sprinter. AP

TOUR DE FRANCE: THERE’S A FUTURE!

By John Leicester

ARIS—In a first, the Tour de France winner wore a face mask on the podium Sunday, bright yellow to match the color of the iconic jersey so snug on his young shoulders.

But at least there was a winner.

Three weeks ago, when 21-yearold Tadej Pogacar set off with 175 other competitors that he ended up beating, not even race organizers were sure they would make it through the storm of France’s worsening coronavirus epidemic and reach Paris.

“Really, I was scared we wouldn’t get to the end,” Race Director Christian Prudhomme conceded at the finish.

And so it was that Pogacar, up there on that podium, backlit by the pink hues of a Paris dusk, not only became the Tour’s youngest champion in 116 years but also a symbol of resilience, of can-do, of learning to live with—but not surrendering to—the virus still causing so much pain.

Sure, it all felt weird, as so many things do these days. Example: Pogacar’s mask puffed in and out, like an octopus glued to his face, as he sang the anthem of his native Slovenia, played in his honor.

But so liberating and invigorating, too, in this most horrid of years.

The rumble of the riders’ wheels hammering over the cobblestones of Paris’ Champs-Elysees.

Alive, like heartbeats, on the famous boulevard that during lockdown just months ago was deserted.

The applause from the roadside crowds that, when they were all confined indoors, cheered only for doctors and nurses, coming out on their balconies each night to yell “Bravo!”

In towns and villages across France, that word has been heard again, over and over, these past weeks—this time for the Tour’s riders as they zoomed past in a kaleidoscope of colored jerseys, the yellow one most prized of all.

And against the virus that doesn’t care how old or young its victims are, how hopeful it seemed that the Tour’s winner should come from the same generation asking itself: What is life going to be like for us?

“It’s super. I adore that,” said Lea Tilhac, a 23-year-old student who got to the ChampsElysees hours early to be sure of being among the 5,000 people allowed to line its length, the socially distanced limit this year. “It shows there’s a future.”

For Pogacar, the future now looks brighter than ever. The victory on the eve of his 22nd birthday and the way he went about it during 3,482 kilometers of racing—with an intoxicating mix of youthful insouciance and steely grit—transformed him from prodigy into cycling superstar, a Tour rookie so talented he KO’d the race on his first attempt.

He is Slovenia’s first winner and the Tour’s

the previous five US Opens at Winged Foot.

It didn’t stand a chance in this one.

“You can’t take Bryson out because obviously he won, but shooting even par for four rounds at Winged Foot is pretty exceptional,” Wolff said.

That describes DeChambeau this week. It was a breathtaking performance, four rounds at par or better, the first player to manage that at Winged Foot.

His victory really began last October, when he closed out his 2019 season in Las Vegas and said with a mischievous grin, “I’m going to come back next year and look like a different person.”

He added 40 pounds through intense workout and a diet of 6,000 calories a day.

The Covid-19 pandemic shut down golf for three months, leading to the US Open being postponed from June to September. It also gave DeChambeau more time to execute his plan of swinging faster and harder, stretching the limits.

His work ethnic borders on insanity, and the eve of the final round was no exception.

Unhappy with how he played Saturday, hitting only three fairways, DeChambeau had the lights turned on so he could stay on the range well past 8 p.m., pounding driver, searching for the right swing. Temperatures were in the 40s. He

was in a short-sleeve shirt.

He didn’t find fairways, but he seemed to miss in the right spots. That was key for a player who hit only six fairways on Sunday, 23 out of 56 for the week.

Skepticism turned into admiration, with a healthy dose of disbelief.

“It’s a game we’ve never really seen before,” said Harris English, who shot 73 and finished fourth.

Louis Oosthuizen birdied the 18th to finish alone in third.

“I don’t think they can set it up for him, to be honest,” Oosthuizen said. “I don’t know what they can do really, because he’s hitting it so far. He’s so strong out of the rough. And he’s probably one of the best putters out there, which a week that he really putts well, you’re going to have a lot of trouble.”

In six US Opens at Winged Foot among 894 competitors, DeChambeau is only the third to finish a tournament under par. His six-under 274 was the lowest score, and no one saw it coming this week.

Wolff, the 21-year-old Californian who can drive it past DeChambeau with a lower flight and more roll in the fairway, gave him a good run in his quest to become the youngest US

P

NOVAK DJOKOVIC gets an obscenity warning from the chair umpire in his semifinal victory. AP

This was a massacre, all right.

DeChambeau rolled in a seven-foot par putt and thrust those powerful arms in the air when he capped off a three-under 67 on a course that didn’t allow another round under par. Two shots behind Matthew Wolff at the start of a chilly September afternoon, he caught him in four holes, passed him in five and pulled away along the back nine.

From the fairway. From the rough. It didn’t matter.

“I don’t really know what to say because that’s just the complete opposite of what you think a US Open champion does” Rory McIlroy said. “Look, he’s found a way to do it. Whether that’s good or bad for the game, I don’t know, but it’s just not the way I saw this golf course being played or this tournament being played.”

Call him a mad scientist in a tam o’shanter cap. Call him a game-changer in golf.

Any description now starts with US Open champion.

Wolff, trying to become the first player since Francis Ouimet in 1913 to win the US Open in his debut, closed with a 75. He made a 10-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth to stay within one shot.

That was his only hole under par. Wolff finished at even-par 280, a score that would have won four of

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph / Editor: Jun Lomibao

The Associated Press

second-youngest behind Henri Cornet, who was just shy of 20 when he was crowned in 1904.

Pogacar sealed the win in a high-drama time trial on Saturday, the last real day of racing for the title. In an astounding reversal, he dethroned race leader Primoz Roglic, his countryman who had held the yellow jersey for 11 days. Pogacar held it for just one day, the last and most important, on the processional ride to the finishing line in Paris, with yellow bike to match.

On the podium, Pogacar’s mask hid his smiles, but the creases around his eyes gave them away.

“This is just the top of the top,” he said. “It’s been an amazing three-week adventure.”

With jets trailing plumes of red, white and blue smoke above Paris as the riders raced, organizers could finally breathe free. None of the 176 starters, or 146 finishers, tested positive for the virus in multiple batteries of tests, validating the hermetic bubble of measures that shielded them from infection and the decision to postpone the race from July to September, but not to cancel it.

The only Covid-19 positives touched a handful of team employees and Prudhomme, the director, even as infection numbers soared across the country.

Prudhomme was back after a week of selfisolation. Wearing a mask, he signaled the start of Sunday’s stage at Mantes-La-Jolie west of Paris with a

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU turns the US Open at Winged Foot into an eventual one-man show. AP

wave of his flag through the sunroof of his car.

One of the pandemic-defying Tour’s most enthusiastic backers was also its most powerful: French President Emmanuel Macron. With his government trying to revive France’s Covidbattered economy, Macron praised the race as “the pride of the country” and an example of how it must learn to live with the virus and the restrictions it imposes.

“Even in September, the Tour de France is magic!” Macron tweeted Saturday after Pogacar’s demolition of Roglic in the time trial.

Largely deprived of racing as the epidemic tore across the globe, and with those in lockdown only able to keep fit on home trainers, riders arrived at the Tour somewhat race-rusty but with pent-up energy, their disrupted seasons reconfigured to make them peak physically on cycling’s biggest stage.

After a slow-burn start, with multiple crashes, the racing became increasingly furious. Roglic, the winner of last year’s Spanish Vuelta and a pre-Tour favorite, was backed by a powerful Jumbo-Visma team of star riders devoted to putting him in yellow—achieved on Stage 9—and then keeping the jersey until Paris.

But Pogacar, riding for UAE Team Emirates, hadn’t read their script.

And, as for the virus, well, it only got a bit-part, as a gatecrasher. Unwanted and troublesome, yes, but not able to force the party’s cancellation.

As the French say: Vive le Tour!

Open champion since Bobby Jones in 1923.

The US Open was still up for grabs for a fleeting moment around the turn. DeChambeau and Wolff each got out of position on the eighth hole and made bogey. DeChambeau was at three under, one shot ahead of Wolff. Ahead of them, Oosthuizen and Xander Schauffele were lurking at even par.

Still to play was the back nine, where so much has gone wrong at Winged Foot over the years.

Not this time.

DeChambeau and Wolff blasted drives down the fairway on the par-5 ninth.

DeChambeau rolled in a 40-foot eagle putt with perfect pace.

Wolff, who had pitching wedge for his second shot, matched his eagle with a 10-foot putt.

Just like that it was a two-man race. And then it was a one-man show. AP