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Meralco, other power firms told to refund users’ excess payments Co. (Meralco) to refund electricity charges to consumers including overTHE Energy Regulatory Commis- payments during the enhanced comsion (ERC) has ordered distribution munity quarantine period. In an advisory, ERC directed utilities such as the Manila Electric

By Alena Mae S. Flores

the distributors and electric coop- actual meter reading. eratives to refund overpayments of ERC received over thousands of consumers arising from monthly complaints due to high electricity billings issued based on estimated bills during the ECQ period. consumption and verified against Next page

Cebu Pacific set to lay off 800 employees in August Story on B1

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 136 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘SHAKEDOWN CRUISE’. The country’s first missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (shown during its launching ceremony), will have its performance put to the test in a ‘shakedown cruise’, when it takes part in the Rim of the Pacific military exercises next month. Story on A2

Localized lockdowns pushed DILG chief wants more aggressive quarantine controls in Metro

By Willie Casas, Rey E. Requejo, Che Santos and Maricel V. Cruz

WORLD ROUNDUP

TOP government official on Thursday said more aggressive localized lockdowns must be imposed in Metro Manila as health authorities reported 1,396 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing total infections to 51,754.

“Our point here is if even we only have one case, let’s implement a lockdown immediately and we need to pull

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JULY 9)

51,754 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,395 NEW

1,184 FRESH

1,314

DEATHS

NEW

12,813

225

RECOVERIES

NEW

them out and test the people with whom they had contact, so that we can get them and they will be put in our isolation facilities,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said in Filipino during a radio interview. Año, also vice-chairman of the National Task Force for Covid-19, said he raised this matter in his meeting with Metro Manila mayors, officials of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and some members of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) as part of measures to contain the spread of disease while gradually reopening the economy. “What we want now is a faster implementation of localized lockdowns, whether it is a community, neighborhood, a street or a building or one household or one barangay,” he said. “So that we will be able to eventually reopen jobs and offices and our countrymen will be able to return Next page

• WHO laments US pullout • 5m Aussies under lockdown

COPING WITH COVID. MRT-3 has suspended its operations for several days to make way for its maintenance men to disinfect the train stations and facilities after 203 of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

Pillion riding only for married couples

TIKTOK’S exit from Hong Kong was met with a shrug among many locals who distrust the Chinese social media platform, but the app had been embraced by many foreign domestic workers as a way to creatively escape the drudgery of their toil.

“RIDING in tandem” or pillion riding – with face masks, helmets and proper speed limit—will now be allowed in roads of Metro Manila starting today (FRIDAY), but only to

BACK RIDE. While pillion riding, commonly known as ‘riding in tandem’ will be formally allowed starting today,

this couple in Caloocan City beats the others to the draw and cruises along Camarin Road. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Infectious Diseases prescribes the rules for pillion riding, among them that the motorbike has a divider and handle between the rider and passenger to avoid virus infection. Robert Alfiler

Sandigan upholds Sabio’s conviction By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has affirmed its November 2019 decision convicting former chairman Camilo Sabio of the Presidential Commission on Good Government of graft. Next page

Plasma potential cure for coronavirus—Health By Willie Casas, Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja, and Joel Zurbano ABOUT half of COVID-19 patients who received convalescent plasma showed speedy recovery, the spokesperson of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) said on Thursday. PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario, during an interview on GMA Next page

HK drops TikTok, OFWs sad

By Vito Barcelo

WORLD Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday that a divided planet could not conquer the coronavirus crisis, after the US formally started its withdrawal from the UN agency. “We cannot defeat this pandemic as a divided world... Together is the solution unless we want to give the advantage to the enemy, to the virus that has taken the world hostage,” he said at the agency’s Geneva headquarters. Faced criticism for its handling of the coronavirus crisis, the WHO had launched an independent pandemic response panel headed by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Elusive comet captured on camera A SURPRISE comet that has continued to light up the sky worldwide well into summer— which may not be seen again until 8786, according to experts – has been snapped by the camera in Bataan, west of Manila, facing the Philippine Sea. According to the Washington, D.C.based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Next page

Photo by Anthony Mungcal

News

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH warship joins US at-sea games T

HE Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal will take part in the Rim of the Pacific or RIMPAC Exercise scheduled next month, Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said Thursday.

“We will first join the RIMPAC 2020 this August 17 to 31, then later on it is going to be a strategic asset, which means she will only be deployed when necessary,” Bacordo told reporters. “The ship will leave by July 29. She will leave for Guam and then Hawaii to join RIMPAC 2020.”

BRP Jose Rizal, the country’s first missile-frigate, and its crew, will use the two-week (RIMPAC exercises as its “shakedown cruise,” where its performance will be tested. “We can say it as part of the shakedown cruise where we can test the seaworthiness and performance of the FF-150 while

Meralco,... From A1

Localized... From A1

“The said overpayments shall be accurately and clearly reflected on the billing statement,” the regulator said. Consumers who are entitled to refunds due to overpayments may, in lieu of cash refund, request to apply the amount to be refunded as credits that will be applied in the immediate future billings, the ERC said. ERC also called for a refund of overpayments resulting from the nonimplementation of the installment payment scheme prescribed by the commission. The regulator previously ordered distributors to implement a four-month installment scheme for bills of consumers with a monthly consumption of 200 kilowatt-hours and above and a six-month installment scheme for consumers with consumption of 200 kWh and below during the ECQ period. “For consumers who already paid in full their monthly billings that fell due during the ECQ or modified ECQ that is covered by the mandated installment arrangement, they shall also have the option to seek a refund and avail of the mandated installment payment,” it said. The ERC said distributors and cooperatives should also refund customers who were billed the feed-in tariff allowance for the billing months of March and April as directed in the advisories of the commission dated April 15 and May 5. The regulator said consumers billed with the universal charge-environmental charge (UC-EC) should also be refunded. The ERC directed the temporary collection of the UC-EC in its May 22 advisory. It required the distributors and cooperatives to submit a report on overbillings, by month, and to undertake the pertinent refund on or before Aug. 15.

to work, we need to act fast,” he added. Año encouraged those who suspect that they’ve been in contact with a possible COVID-19 patient to come forward and get tested. “Don’t wait for you to be traced. Come forward because we have enough testing kits and expenses for that would be shouldered by PhilHealth if you are a member,” he added. Año said the possibility of Cebu City being placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) or general community quarantine (GCQ) depends on the data analytics of the COVID-19 cases in the city, which has seen a spike in recent weeks. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier sent Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to lead the government’s efforts in curbing the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City. The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported 1,396 additional COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 51,754. In addition to the 1,184 fresh cases, 211 late cases were also reported today. Today’s fresh cases are based on the daily accomplishment reports submitted by only 62 out of 74 current operational labs, the DOH said. Fresh cases refer to those whose test results were released within the last three days, while late cases are those whose results were released four days or more ago. There were 225 new recoveries, bringing the total number of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to 12,813. No new deaths were reported, and the death toll remained at 1,314. Of the fresh cases, 390 are from the National Capital Region, 243 from Region 7 or Central Visayas, 67 are among repatriated Filipinos, and 484 are tagged as “others,” which may refer to cases from outside Metro Manila and those without location data.

Plasma... From A1 Network’s Unang Hirit, said the health facility was now conducting a clinical trial for convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19. Del Rosario said the treatment was more effective when administered to patients before their condition worsened. As they continue with the clinical trial, Del Rosario said PGH would also give plasma treatment to moderate COVID-19 cases. However, the PGH is short on convalescent plasma supply as some survivors did not want to go back to the hospital due to the fear of catching the virus again.

Borders closed

Malacanang said the country’s borders remained closed to foreigners due to the pandemic, as it allayed fears of another deadly virus from China, the bubonic plague that killed millions of people in Europe in the mid 1300s. Palace spokesman Harry Roque said foreign tourists and foreigners wanting to visit the country without valid reasons were not yet allowed to enter the country as part of the government’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Sandigan... From A1 The anti-graft court’s Fourth Division, in a resolution dated June 25 but released only on Thursday, said Sabio’s motion for reconsideration on his conviction was his second appeal, and was thus a “prohibited pleading.” Sabio was convicted for attempting to influence the decision of his brother, former Court of Appeals Justice Jose Sabio Jr., in a case involving the Government Service Insurance System and Manila Electric Co. “The motion fails to persuade. Pursuant to Section 2, Rule 52 of the Rules of Court, no second motion for reconsideration of a judgment or final resolu-

Pillion... From A1 couples or man and wife, according to a Malacañang official. Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday the government allowed back-riding on motorcycles because of growing clamor for pillion riding. However, motorcycle taxis such as Angkas will remain prohibited because they don’t have an existing franchise to operate. In televised press briefing, Roque said only couples are allowed because that was what the public asked for during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period when no public transportation was operating.

Elusive... From A1 the comet’s close approach to the sun was cooking its outermost layers, causing gas and dust on the surface to stream away and create a tail of debris The comet, officially known as C/2020 F3, was spotted by NASA’s NEOWISE – an acronym for Near Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Extion by the same party should be entertained. It is conspicuous that the instant motion is a prohibited pleading under the above cited rule,” the court said in its resolution. “Being a prohibited pleading, the second MR does not have any legal effect and does not toll the running of the period to appeal. In light of the foregoing, the Court has no reason to reverse, amend or modify the assailed Resolution.” National Bureau of Investigation agents earlier arrested Sabio due to his graft conviction. The Sandiganbayan justices ruled that Sabio made the judicial admission that he received a call from lawyer Jesus Santos, a member of the Board of Trustees of the GSIS.

Palace sees no urgency for Bayanihan 2

the ship is still under warranty,” Philippine Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a message late Wednesday when asked why the ship was selected to participate in the exercises. A shakedown cruise allows the crew to familiarize themselves aboard a new vessel and to ensure all of the ship’s systems are functional. RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise. This year’s exercise will be sponsored by the US

Navy. The biennial maritime exercise will be an at-sea-only event in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Pacific Fleet said this year’s exercise would include multinational anti-submarine warfare, maritime intercept operations and live-fire training events, among other cooperative training opportunities. BRP Jose Rizal has a crew of 65 and is commanded by Captain Jerry Garrido. It is scheduled to depart the country by July 29 to participate in the biennial maneuvers.

Of the late cases, 53 are from NCR, 47 from Region 7, three are repatriates and 108 are tagged as others. The Philippines reached a record-high number of additional COVID-19 cases on Wednesday evening as the Department of Health reported 2,539 cases. The number of additional cases has been increasing in the last week. The DOH has attributed this to the easing of community quarantine restrictions as the country gradually reopened the economy. While Metro Manila remains the epicenter of the outbreak, parts of Cebu island have been identified as hotspots or areas with an increasing number of cases. The DOH has assured the public that the health sector is still able to manage the rise in cases. Some 12 million people worldwide have been infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus dashboard. More than 6.5. million of those people have already recovered while almost 550,000 have died. The DOH said Wednesday that it accepts the projection of 100,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of August, but said the estimate should be taken with caution. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the projection by University of the Philippines professors could still be affected by other factors. The steady and sometimes sharp rise in COVID-19 cases has been putting a strain on some Metro Manila hospitals. Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has stopped accommodating severe and critical COVID-19 cases for now as its intensive care unit (ICU) is almost fully occupied, a spokesman said on Thursday. In an interview with the morning talk show Unang Hirit, Dr. Jonas del Rosario said PGH has an up-to-95 percent occupancy rate with at least 172 COVID-19 patients admitted. On the other hand, the PGH has enough health care workers who can attend to COVID-19 patients, Del Rosario said. He also said PGH assumes that the COVID-19 virus may become airborne

during clinical procedures and is taking measures to keep its health care workers safe. Meanwhile, an official from the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila said its COVID-19 ward was almost full. Following the easing of lockdown restrictions, the hospital has seen an increase in the admission of COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms in the last two weeks, Dr. Rontgene Solante, chief of the infectious diseases division, said on ABS-CBN TeleRadyo. San Lazaro Hospital allocated 65 beds for coronavirus patients. Fifty-two patients with the respiratory disease are currently admitted, Solante said. In Cebu, a Health official said positivity and mortality rates in the city were improving, showing a decreasing trend during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said they were trying to build up the health care system’s capacity once Cebu opens up its economy again. On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Cebu City will remain under ECQ, citing the increase in cases and short doubling time. As of Tuesday, Cebu City recorded a total of 7,015 cases of COVID-19, of which 3,852 are active. Vega also said DOH had a meeting with Cebu City hospitals to advise them the standard allocation of hospital beds for COVID-19 cases, which is 20 percent with a 10 percent allowance in case of surge of patients. But for the biggest referral center for COVID-19 in the city Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the DOH advised the hospital to allocate more than the standard allocation. On Wednesday, the Justice Department ordered the lockdown of its antitrafficking offices at the three terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after four of its personnel tested positive for COVID-19. The four were said to have had regular dealings with the general public, and contact tracing has begun.

He said couples would have to present an identification card and a photocopy of their marriage contract to authorities should they be flagged down. Roque added a prototype shield model for motorcycles submitted by Bohol Governor Art Yap has been approved by the National Task Force on COVID-19. He said motorcycles should have a transparent partition that serves as a shield between the two riders designed by Yap. Couples would also have to follow public health standards and road safety standards like the wearing of face masks and helmets and observing the speed limit. He said married couples should be prepared to present a photocopy of their marriage certificate at checkpoints or if police officers check that they are indeed married.

Roque said live-in partners, siblings, and other family members would not be permitted to travel via motorcycle back-riding. Meanwhile, Roque said he did not see the need for management of Metro Rail Transit-3 to undergo disciplinary action for negligence after operations at the MRT-3 were temporarily suspended beginning July 7 due to an increase in the number of personnel testing positive for coronavirus disease. Roque said most of the personnel who tested positive were working in the depot and barely had any contact with passengers. “I don’t think there is a need for disciplinary action because many of the personnel who got infected work in the depot. The ones who work at the depot have no contact with the riding public,” he said.

The globally popular video-sharing app was used by many of the city’s 370,000 foreign helpers, as they are commonly known in the finance hub. In between cooking, cleaning and childcare duties in Hong Kong’s cramped family homes they filmed creative, witty and sometimes scathing insights into their daily lives. But this week TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, said it would no longer work in Hong Kong after a new security law imposed by Beijing gave authorities sweeping powers to police local users. Joane, a domestic worker from the Philippines, said she was “a bit sad” to see the app go. “It also helped me release some stress,” she told AFP. “Being away from family, financial problems, stress from work” are among the challenges faced by helpers in the city, she said, adding that the app’s popularity had taken off since the coronavirus pandemic meant workers like her were often stuck at home. Poorly paid domestic workers, primarily from the Philippines and Indonesia, are the cogs that keep Hong Kong’s economic engine running, enabling both parents of a family to hold down full-time jobs in the notoriously expensive city. AFP

plorer – satellite in March this year and is expected to remain visible to the naked eye throughout July. While astrologers cannot precisely predict when and where the ‘surprise’ comet can be spotted, it’s suggested to take a look outside approximately 80 minutes before sunrise and 80 minutes after sunset—and it’s recommended skywatchers make the effort to do so, as the comet may not be visible again until the year 8786. The elusive comet was located 194

million miles (312.2 kms) from the sun, and did not hold a second thought to the astronomers who had first discovered the comet—until it survived the flyby approach to the sun and began appearing as a perfectly circular object, visible with only the naked eye, comet experts said. “Theoretically, the comet shouldn’t still be brightening noticeably, as its distance to the sun is undergoing only a small reduction day-to-day at this point, making me think that the comet’s cur-

rent brightness is not being governed mainly by its distance from the sun but, rather it is experiencing some manner of progressive slow outburst,” comet expert John Bortle of Stormville, New York, told Space.com. The comet may become even more visible in the evening sky as soon as July 12. The comet has been spotted in Russia, Australia, and the United States, and will make its closest approach to Earth between July 12 and July 25.

World... From A1

nounced a further 165 new cases Thursday, has been effectively sealed off in an effort to preserve the rest of Australia’s success in curbing the virus. However, a rush of travelers across the border into neighboring New South Wales on Wednesday has raised concerns those efforts could be torpedoed. Police said about 30,000 cars made the crossing in less than 36 hours. Queensland state announced Thursday it would turn away all travelers from Victoria – removing an option that had allowed them to spend 14 days in quarantine on arrival.

“Through you the world will understand the truth of what happened and also the solutions to build our future better as one humanity,” Tedros added.

5m Aussies under lockdown

Five million people in Australia’s secondbiggest city began a new lockdown Thursday, returning to tough restrictions just weeks after they ended as Melbourne grappled with a resurgence of coronavirus cases. Residents have been told to stay at home for six weeks after other measures to contain a spike in COVID-19 failed to prevent the virus spreading. The state of Victoria, which an-

By Maricel Cruz THe Executive branch is still assessing the need for a special session of Congress to tackle the proposed “Bayanihan 2,” which contains a stimulus package to revive the economy after the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang said Thursday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement a day after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the Senate was no longer keen on a special session to pass Bayanihan 2. Sotto said this was because Congress was set to resume its second regular session on July 27. In an online forum on Wednesday, Sotto said the Palace’s plan to call for a special session “will not really have a big effect at this point.” Roque, in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4, agreed with Sotto. “We are evaluating whether there is still a need to call for a special session because Congress’ regular session is scheduled to open this month. Let’s see,” Roque said. He made the statement even as a party-list lawmaker urged the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit of all the funds spent in the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the foreign loans and grants secured by the Philippines to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo said the government should ensure that all those funds would be judiciously spent for the country’s COVID-19 response efforts. A lawmaker from Mindanao, meanwhile, urged the Department of Health to include the funds for the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine in its proposed budget for 2021.

HK... From A1

The United States topped three million confirmed coronavirus cases as President Donald Trump pushed for schools to re-open amid a COVID-19 resurgence in many southern hotspots. The US remains by far the worst affected country, with over 132,000 deaths, while Brazil – whose virusskeptic President Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for the disease – is a distant second with close to 67,000 deaths from almost 1.7 million cases. Trump called for students to return to their schools in the fall and lashed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for issuing guidance that he Global cases breach 12m mark said was too restrictive. Global coronavirus cases have surged The agency’s head later said the guidepast 12 million Thursday, according to lines were “not requirements” and that the an AFP tally. CDC would soon update its advice. AFP

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FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ABS franchise backers appeal for calm By Maricel V. Cruz and Wilie Casas

ROPONENTS of the ABS-CBN franchise bills on Thursday appealed for sobriety as they noted that the issue has become toxic due to the introduction of non-essential issues during the hearings.

During the virtual Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel, Reps. Lawrence Fortun of Agusan del Norte, Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, Joy Tambunting of Parañaque City and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna claimed that ABS-CBN clearly won in the hearings and debunked all allegations levelled against the media giant. Oppositors of the franchise renewal application led by Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta raised eight issues against the network. These were dual citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts of ABS-CBN Holdings to foreign nationals, the reacquisition of the Lopez family after EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, the 50-year constitutional limit on franchises, digital

migration, alleged labor malpractices, various tax issues and biased reporting. Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives’ joint committee that is deliberating on ABS-CBN franchise bill will decide on Friday on the fate of the Lopez-led broadcast network. House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday delivered a summation of the arguments aired during the deliberations conducted by the Committees on Legislative Franchises and on Good Government and Public Accountability. At the summation hearing, Reps. Rufus Rodriguez or Cagayan de Oro and Rodante Marcoleta of Sagip party-list group delivered the final arguments for and against the grant of a 25-year franchise to the network.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro urged fellow lawmakers to defend press freedom and renew the ABS-CBN franchise especially during this time of a pandemic. The solon said the Duterte administration has taken away so much from the Filipino people. By shutting-down ABSCBN, it took away the people’s right to information, press freedom and social services for the people. “After a series of long hour hearings on whether or not the House of Representatives will renew the ABS-CBN franchise, we are nearing the time to vote. We urge our fellow lawmakers to vote for press freedom, for the people’s right to information and renew the ABS-CBN franchise,” Castro said. “The renewal of the franchise of ABSCBN goes beyond personalities and politicians whose feelings may have gotten hurt by news reporting and the presentation of facts on what is happening in our country. This is about the jobs of 11,000 workers, the access to information for millions of Filipinos and our freedom of the press,” she said.

MANIFESTATION. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez delivers

his manifestation during the Joint Committee Meeting of Legislative Franchises and Good Government and Public Accountability at the plenary of the House of Representatives. Romualdez appealed to the Filipino people to respect whatever judgment is rendered by the House of Representatives on the issue of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Ver Noveno

IN BRIEF Rody appoints Montano as new PCW commissioner ‘Du30 tagging By Vito Barcelo Expect more informal workers this year—Angara PRESIDENT Rodrigo SENATOR Sonny Angara on Thursday warned of a further increase in the number of informal workers this year because of restrictions imposed on the movement of people, and the impact of these on businesses in general due to the lockdowns. To provide protection to the informal workers and to ensure they receive aid from the government in times of emergencies, he called for the creation of a national database of all members of the informal economy. “The availability of comprehensive data on this vulnerable group would provide government agencies a clearer picture of their needs and concerns and better targeted assistance programs, particularly in times of crisis,” Angara said. He said members of the informal economy suffered just as much or even more than their counterparts in the formal economy and yet they missed out on the assistance that was provided by the government. Macon RamosAraneta

Duterte has appointed Philippine Commission on Women commissioner Sandra Sanchez-Montano as the agency’s chairperson, replacing Rhodora Bucoy who resigned from her post on July 7, Malacañang said Thursday. Montano, a nurse by profession and

founder of Community, Health, Education, Emergency Response Services Corporation, was appointed as PCW commissioner representing the science and health sector last year. Palace spokesperson Harry Roque made the announcement in a public press briefing. Bucoy, a former university professor,

served as PCW chairwoman since her appointment in October 2016. The PCW likewise denied reports that President Duterte fired Bucoy, who was appointed in October 2016. The commission is the government’s policy-making and oversight agency tasked in promoting gender equality and women empowerment in the country.

Maynilad resumes work on new sewage system TO HELP reduce water pollution in the Manila Bay, west zone Maynilad Water Services Inc. has resumed the P1-billion construction of a new sewage system in Metro Manila. Ramoncito Fernandez, Maynilad president and chief executive officer, said the water firm continued the establishment of the P1-billion sewage treatment plant in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, following the implementation of the general community quarantine in the National Capital Region. He said the sewage treatment plant, which is called the Cupang water reclamation facility, is part of Maynilad’s long-term plan to expand sewerage coverage in its concession area. Moreover, he added, the construction of the treatment facility would help reduce pollution loading in the Manila Bay. Once completed by end of 2020, it could serve 281,000 Muntinlupa residents, Fernandez said. Rio N. Araja

BI to install CCTVs in international airports THE Bureau of Immigration will install additional Closed Circuit Television cameras in all of the country’s international airports as part of efforts to improve its passenger monitoring capability, and prevent corruption among its port personnel. BI Port Operations Acting Chief Grifton Medina disclosed that more than a hundred CCTV cameras were already installed at Terminals 2 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), and Clark International Airport (CIA). According to Medina, the CCTVs operate 24-hours a day in all immigration counters at the arrival and departure areas of the four airports, where all activities and movements of people captured by the cameras are recorded on a real time basis. Medina added that rehabilitation of old CCTVs previously installed at the NAIA Terminal 1 will soon be undertaken in the second phase of the project, which will be followed by the putting up of new cameras in several other international ports. BI commissioner Jaime Morente welcomed the successful implementation of the project which, according to him, was launched in compliance with the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte who wanted the BI to institute more effective measures to monitor passenger movement at the airports, and the actions of immigration officers while they are on duty. Vito Barcelo

TENTS FOR LSIs. A total of twenty-eight (28) tents have already been assembled at the social hall of the NAIA Terminal 3 in an effort to provide comfort and convenience to locally-stranded individuals who are currently lodged at the airport while waiting for their flights. This forms part of the overall plan of the Manila International Airport Authority to put up 100 tents for LSIs

‘Pinoys won’t travel abroad amid global pandemic’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta AT least two senators doubted that Filipinos would be encouraged to go on trips abroad in the middle of a global pandemic after the Philippine government lifted the ban on non-essential travel. While recognizing that Filipinos are innately “adventurous,” Senator Nancy Binay, chairperson of the Senate tourism committee, said she doesn’t think many people would brave the risk of travelling outside the country. “We can see in the worldwide trend that there’s a problem now in the tourism

industry globally, so I think there’s not many among our countrymen who will travel, “ she said. Senator Panfilo Lacson also believes that Filipino tourists would not fly out given the health situation. “I do not see this encouraging Filipinos to travel. Who would be encouraged to travel in the middle of a worldwide pandemic?” he said. He agreed with the lifting of the suspension on non-essential travel of Filipinos as long as “conditions are complied with and protocols are strictly observed, particularly on quarantine procedures

upon their return to the country.” Meanwhile, Binay urged Filipinos to go local first before patronizing tourism in other countries. “My appeal to fellow Filipinos is instead of traveling abroad, why not prioritize for now local tourism spots,” she sald. “Whether it be tourist sights, tourist destinations, or local products made here in the Philippines, this should be something that we should push for,” she added. However, she said local government units should not be pressured to open their spaces to tourists if they know that they are not yet prepared.

NPA terrorists his opinion’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta TWO senators who were former police chiefs said President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of the communist rebels and other terror groups as “terrorists” is his personal opinion and not official. Senators Panfilo Lacson and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said if in “declaring” a group, organization or association as a terrorist organization, the President was referring to its proscription, which means there is a judicial process involved. Lacson noted that there is full court intervention via the Court of Appeals complete with due notice and hearing. On the other hand, Dela Rosa said the court- the CA will still proscribe although it’s the Anti-Terrorism Council which will designate. Under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Lacson said only the CA can order the proscription - not the ATC nor the President. He also said that the burden of proof lies with the Department of Justice. “Even membership in a proscribed terrorist group goes through the same due process which the DOJ has to prove,” he said On the other hand, if the President is referring to the designation of a terrorist individual, group and organization by the ATC, Lacson said it does not involve arrest and detention but a mere signal for the ATC to request the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue a freeze order of the accounts and assets of the designated terrorist person or group. Lacson also said that the designation for the purpose of freezing the accounts and assets is not exempt from judicial scrutiny since the said designated individual or group can still file a petition with the CA to appeal such freezing of their accounts. “Designation follows the guidelines and standards set by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373. It is not absolute or discretionary on the part of the ATC,” he said. Dela Rosa said there are two processes under the ATL: the designation as terrorist organizations by the ATC and the proscription of CPP-NPA as terrorist organization by a court since it is a judicial process. “Technically, it is the ATC who will designate CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization and the court that will proscribe it as a terrorist organization. ‘Yung sinabi ni President, sa kanya yun,” Dela Rosa said.

Fil-Chi group backs Villar’s relief efforts By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippine Fujian General Youth Association, Inc. met with Senator Cynthia Villar recently and turned over protective materials and food supply to support her relief operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Headed by its president, James Go, the group donated 600 pieces of cup noodles, 21,000 pieces of face masks, two gallons of alcohol, two gallons of disinfectant, and electric sprayer. Villar, who has been leading the efforts of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance to help alleviate the suffering of those badly affected by the health emergency, said the group’s donation will be part of her relief operations in Cebu. “In these uncertain times, we are re-

minded how interconnected we all are through the outpouring of support from individuals and groups of people who stepped up and helped us meet the challenges of this unprecedented health crisis,” Villar said. “I thank the group for their generosity and appreciate their efforts to contribute to our relief operations. Their donation will go a long way in helping stop the further spread of the virus in communities,” she added. Also present during the meeting with Villar at the Courtyard of the Villar SIPAG Complex in Las Pinas were other officers of Philippine Fujian General Youth Association, Inc., namely, Lucio Ang, executive vice president; Chen Wen Xiong, vice president; Jeff Bernal, secretary-general; and Vincent Tan and Willy Wang, executive directors.

MORE BUSES. The MRT-3 Bus Augmentation Program kicked off Thursday to

accommodate passengers affected by the temporary shutdown of the MRT-3. Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) personnel led by Team Barracuda, together with Philippine Coast Guard marshals, were on hand to facilitate order and dispatching of the buses. The MRT-3 was temporarily shut down to give way to a wide RT-PCR (swab) testing of all its employees, including its maintenance providers and subcontractors.

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

LSIs mistakenly ferried to CdO By Nash B. Maulana

OTABATO CITY—Some 414 locally stranded individuals (LSI) from Manila would have yet to spend more days in their journey back home, as the vessel chartered by the government to ferry them to Zamboanga City had instead dropped them off in Cagayan del Oro City Port on Tuesday. Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, interior and local government minister of the Bangsamoro Region, said the vessel MV St. Pope John Paul was contracted by the government under the Hatid Tulong Probinsiya Program to transport the LSIs to Zamboanga, the nearest port

city to their home provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Efforts proved futile to reach the management of the chartered vessel for explanation. Neither has it issued a statement as to why the vessel captain had to divert its port-of-call. MV St. Pope

John Paul is owned by 2-Go Shipping Lines, is a subsidiary of the Cebu Citybased Aboitiz Company, Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong promptly sent his staff working for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to respond to the needs of the locally stranded persons. Sinarimbo said the Hatid Tulong Probinsya Program apparently lacked ground works with LGUs of the home provinces of the stranded persons. “I cannot understand why this Hatid Tulong Probinsya has not made sufficient ground works to ensure that the

provinces are prepared to receive the LSIs or at least the drop off points are in the actual provinces of the LSIs or are reasonably near thereof,” Sinarimbo pointed out. Jennie Alonto Tamano, head of the Provincial Information Office, said the LSIs were hosted in Cagayan de Oro City by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP). The provincial government of Lanao del Sur and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were catering to their needs including daily meals.

BJMP-NCR cites 3 cities for no-swab, no-release orders THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology National Capital Region (BJMP-NCR) announced that three Metro Manila cities will enforce mandatory coronavirus testing of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) before commitment and prior to their release from jail facilities. Mayors Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Edwin L. Olivarez of Paranaque and Jaime R. Fresnedi of Muntinlupa have each issued executive orders to that effect. “For that we are grateful, and we hope other cities will follow suit,” said Regional Director C. Supt. Ignacio S. Panti of BJMP-NCR. Concerned about the safety of Metro Manilans from the contagion of the dreaded coronavirus, Regional Peace and Order Council Chairman Edwin Olivarez, together with NCR Regional Task Force COVID-19 spearheaded the passing of a joint resolution supporting the BJMP-NCR’s intention to have the Executive Order No. 71 of Cebu City to be adopted in all cities and town in Metro Manila. The initiative resulted to Belmonte’s issuance of Executive Order No. 30 to address the rising COVID-19 cases in the BJMP and Philippine National Police detention facilities in the city, while Parañaque implemented the City Resolution No. 10 Series of May 1, 2020, and Executive Order No. 17 in Muntinlupa. “The implementation of the new safety protocols issued by the three local government units is a major development in the pursuit of the BJMP-NCR in containing the spread of coronavirus in the jail facilities,” Panti said. The coordination between the BJMP and the local health department is imperative in the successful implementation of the measure.

NATIONAL Task Force on COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday commended the Manila City government for its efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso's directives, the Manila City

By Jess Malabanan PORAC, Pampanga—Thousands of cases of smuggled frozen Peking ducks and tons of other imported meats were destroyed by Bureau of Customs Port of Clark through a private waste disposal facility situated in a remote village here late Wednesday afternoon. The condemned meats including imported pork, chicken parts such as liver, feet and gizzard and fish balls were confiscated by BoC during last month raid in a warehouse situated at Barangay Anunas, Angeles City. Port of Clark District Collector lawyer Ruby Claudia Alameda earlier ordered the destruction of forfeited food and non-food items temporarily placed under a cold storage and warehouse of a businessman in the city after the seizure last June this year. "The seized items are believed to have been smuggled into the country because of the standing restriction banning importation of poultry products from China due to bird flu virus," said Alameda. She said these imported goods should pass stringent requirements and tests by the Customs and other government regulatory agencies such as Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). NMIS director Orlando Ongsoto who was present during the transfer of frozen meats to Green Leaf Waste Management Facility, said the seized items are not fit for human consumption due to the fact that it was merged with banned items while at the cold storage.

MPCALA donates P1.5m to expand Santa Rosa church

STAYING THE NIGHT. Workers from the Lanao Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office come to the aid of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who were mistakenly dropped off in Cagayan de Oro City instead of Zamboanga City. Inset shows male LSIs settling down for the night at USTP Campus Stage in Cagayan de Oro. Nash B. Maulana

Pasay gears up for rainy season via DRRMO gab By Joel E. Zurbano THE Pasay City government is gearing up its disaster preparedness measure to ensure the safety of residents in the event heavy rains hit the National Capital Region. Mayor Imelda Rubiano convened members of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) and discussed contingency plans during emergency situation as the country battles the coronavirus disease pandemic.

Heads of the city's Health Department Office, Public Order and Safety Unit, Police Station and other frontline offices were alerted and ordered to be prepared to provide immediate relief and assistance 'in the event of heavy rains, flooding and other adverse climate-related occurrences, and the diseases they usually cause, which may heap greater difficulties on the people." “All year round, we constantly beef up our capacity and efforts to reduce the risks of calamities and mitigate and manage their impacts in our com-

munities. But the task ahead for us in this concern is so much bigger now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the season of rains and typhoons,” said Mayor Rubiano. She added “even as our offices and departments, and the Pasay LGU as a whole, are routinely and continuously boosting our city’s preparedness and response capacity to any adverse occurrences—natural or so-called manmade, we are even doubling our efforts now on this task especially in these current trying times."

Galvez lauds Isko, Manila’s city gov’t efforts to fight coronavirus By Willie Casas

‘Hot’ meat destroyed in Pampanga

government was able to construct 12 quarantine facilities and one COVID-19 testing laboratory. The city government also consistently carried out mass testing operations through rapid tests and swab tests. As of July 8, 157,816 rapid tests and 15,794 swab tests have been conducted. A total of 1,532 Manila City residents

already recovered from COVID-19, while 165 died from the disease. Meanwhile, about 1,431 Manilenos were identified as confirmed cases after the Manila Health Department (MHD) recorded 359 new active cases this week. Some 746 residents were tagged as “suspects” while 43 residents were tagged as “probable.”

Manila Water’s prompt service hailed MANILA Water customers and stakeholders recently expressed generally positive feedback with regards to the company’s efforts to return to normal business operations after community quarantine restrictions were eased last month. To avoid customer confusion and to help ease the burden of settling ECQ bills, Manila Water, through the guidance of its regulator, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO), came up with a carefully-studied scheme to avoid bill shock and to give customers, especially those from low-income communities, longer payment period. Although inquiries on billing expectedly increased in June as the company issued a special statement of account (SOA) detailing adjustments made after actual meter reading begun middle of May from previous ECQ billing based on average consumption, Manila Water’s social media pages reflect general appreciation for the billing scheme and the special (SOA).

Manila Water also made sure that questions and complaints received through the social media channels are responded to and resolve, as evidenced by customers’ feedback. Out of the one million customers who received their bills in June, only 2% or 21,129 sought clarification on their billing. Of these, 90% were resolved by the call center or by business area frontliners. Only 0.2% of customers, or 2,614, have cases that were endorsed for further handling and of these, 1,980 were verified to have been billed based on actual consumption of customers. There are 147 cases wherein the spike in billing was caused by undetected underground leak in the customers’ plumbing system. Manila Water also ramped up its stakeholder engagement activities post-ECQ, as it conducted meetings with key local government units while still strictly observing health guidelines and protocols under the “new normal.” Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto took to Twitter to send a short note of appreciation.

The Manila City government was also the first local government unit in the country to pass an anti-COVID-19 discrimination ordinance. The initiatives were part of the Mayor's CODE COVID-19 or the "Contain and Delay" action plan to test, trace, isolate and treat COVID-19 patients in the nation's capital.

SANTA ROSA, Laguna—MPCALA Holdings, the concessionaire of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), has donated P1.5 million to a church here. Fr. Roger I. Tamares, SDB, Parish Priest and Rector of St. John Bosco Parish and Center for Young Workers, received the donation from Christopher C. Lizo, Group Chief Financial Officer of Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corporation (MPT South), the parent company of MPCALA Holdings. “MPCALA Holdings understands the need for various sectors to come together and help our host communities, especially during this difficult time. We shall continue to extend assistance however we can to support our partners in all sectors,” Lizo said. In cooperation with the local government of Santa Rosa under Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, the fund shall be used to improve the church’s parking space, and to construct an additional 70 parking slots for churchgoers. Aside from parking, the space will be used for church initiatives, such as youth fellowships and donation drives to support nearby communities, especially during calamities. “The local government of Santa Rosa continuously forges partnerships with civil society and the private sector—especially now that we are facing a global health crisis— with the goal of strengthening our communities. This donation will truly help our church in shaping the faith of every churchgoer here in Santa Rosa,” said Mayor Arcillas. St. John Bosco Parish, which is under the supervision of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco, Manila Province, is grateful for the donation. Roy Tomandao

APPRECIATED.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto took to Twitter to send a short note of appreciation to Manila Water's work to satisfy customers in the city. Mayors Menchie Abaalos of Mandaluyong and Kit Nieto of Cainta also took to social media to thank the firm's prompt efforts.

Opinion The real challenge of COVID-19 A jubilant Presidential spokesman Atty. Harry Roque declared the Filipino people the winner as last June’s total cases fell 2,850 short of UP Octa’s prediction of 40,000. The UP research group comes up with helpful data that offers scientific guide to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of emerging infectious diseases in improving its community quarantine policies to contain the coronavirus contagion.

POINT OF IMPACT

ERWIN TULFO JUST what is up with these people wasting time harping on the Anti-Terrorism Act in the middle of a worsening public health crisis? Isn’t that what they were criticizing the Congress for, pushing the anti-terrorism bill instead of focusing on the coronavirus pandemic and the ABS-CBN franchise issue? Well then, the opposition and rabid critics should train their brilliant mind and energy on helping figure out how to stem the tides of daily rise in COVID-19 cases. At the rate we are going, the Octa research group at the University of the Philippines Institute of Mathematics would likely be right in their projection that the total cases would hit 60,000 to 70,000 by July 31. It is 20 days from the time of this writing with a total of 50,359 cases reported on Wednesday. At least 12,588 recovered and 1,314 died. With at least 1,000 cases per day, that will be 20,000 additional cases for a total of 70,000 plus by the end of the month. The UP research group goes on to say that COVID-19 cases will have skyrocketed to 100,000 total in August, although not suggesting an apocalyptic-like scenario. Not just yet. With over 3,500 health workers themselves getting sick, including 35 dying of COVID-19, it is feared that such scenario might overwhelm the country’s inadequate public healthcare system. If these figures do not terrify those protesting the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Supreme Court gate, I do not know why a law meant to protect them scares the hell out of them. In fact, we all must realize that the real challenge now is to keep the numbers of COVID-19 cases down. The real challenge is not at the Supreme Court where the most honorable justices are cowering in terror that amid the epidemic a bunch of people are picketing the SC gates, not even observing social distancing and blasting their mouths with virulently name-calling President Duterte. We must challenge ourselves to peg the total number of COVID-19 cases at 60,000 by July 31.

Over 90 percent of those who tested positive are actually mild cases. They urged the IATF to take time easing the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine to General Community Quarantine last June 15. Unfortunately, the IATF has no choice but to open the economy just as drastically as the panel urged the President to lockdown Luzon in March, leaving hundreds of thousands jobless stranded in Metro Manila with no means of transportation to go back to their home provinces. Modesty aside, we have in this corner since February suggested solutions—mass testing, contact tracing, prompt treatment, mass information campaign—everything the President just summarized in his public address of late. I agree with UP Octa that the Department of Health should do 20,000 to 30,000 tests every day. Note there is still only one DOH-accredited laboratory in Mindanao, which is not even enough to serve the large Davao region alone. If only we can all share Atty. Roque’s contagious optimism, it is impossible for us to beat the UP mathematicians again or, at least significantly minimize the increase rate of COVID-19 case. It is worthwhile to note that over 90 percent of those who tested positive are actually mild cases and at least 12,588 have recovered as of Wednesday. If over 12,500 Filipinos could beat it, there is no reason why more cannot defeat COVID-19. And that we can achieve if we own the responsibility of keeping ourselves healthy and seriously cooperate to observing establish health and safety protocols. It is for our own good and our family’s well-being.

EvEryman

Coronavirus overwhelms Venezuelan oil hub By Luis Bravo with Margioni Bermudez in Caracas THE pain of breathing made butcher Elkin cry. He caught the coronavirus in a street market where he works in Maracaibo, the main city in a once-prosperous oil producing region of Venezuela that has been left destitute by a fuel shortage and frequent blackouts. It's also a virus hotspot. The outbreak of cases in the western Zulia state that borders Colombia unleashed a "horrible" situation in Maracaibo's Hospital Universitario, a nurse of 15 years experience who asked to be called by her first name, Pilar, told AFP. "We've collapsed," she said. Several wings of the building have become a "hell" with no air conditioning in an area where temperatures can surpass 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and which is plagued by blackouts that can last hours, she said. A lack of water and supplies complete the nightmare scenario for medical professionals, who trudged the hospital corridors drenched in sweat. "If you don't bring water from your home, you can't wash," Pilar said. Staff come to work carrying five liter bottles of water. The situation is so dire that some 20 patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus have fled the hospital, she said. Official figures—considered improbable by groups such as Human Rights Watch— show Venezuela's cases jumped from 1,500 on June 1 to 7,000 a month later. President Nicolas Maduro's government has acknowledged the "worrying" increase. It took 70 days to reach 1,000 cases from the first one reported, but just four to pass from 6,000 to 7,000. Zulia, Venezuela's most populous re-

gion, accounts for almost a quarter of country's COVID-19 cases. Venezuela has been battered by seven years of economic recession and soaring inflation. Prices for oil, its main export, remain low, and there is no end in sight to the country's crippling political crisis.

Depressing

Flies hover over stacked pieces of meat at Elkin's stall in the vast Las Pulgas market. After catching the virus Elkin, 45, infected his wife, five of his eight children, his 84-year-old mother, and a nephew. Multitudes of shoppers, many without face masks, used to flock to the hundreds of stalls in Las Pulgas, buying from vendors including some selling contraband smuggled in from Colombia. "Seeing my whole family in hospital depresses me," said Elkin, who spent 40 days himself in the Hospital Universitario. He was admitted on May 23, one day after authorities closed Las Pulgas due to the virus outbreak—a move that sparked protests among traders, who were met in response by police firing tear gas. With no reopening date set, police and military are in charge of monitoring the trucks that queue up to enter the market to pick up merchandise. State workers have entered the market to spray the site with chlorinated water, pick up trash and debris, and fix leaking sewers.

Fear of infection

Pilar has seen 14 colleagues leave her hospital "for fear of getting infected." She's waiting for her own COVID-19 test results, but the most reliable PCR tests take weeks. There's only one laboratory, in Caracas, performing PCR virus tests, while the less reliable rapid tests often produce errors.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

EDITORIAL

Saving the economy and restoring jobs

HE spikes in COVID-19 cases should not be an outright excuse to go slow on reopening the Philippine economy. Restricting economic activities is not a guarantee that the pandemic cases will decline. The virus is here to stay until a vaccine to stop it is discovered.

President Rodrigo Duterte was circumspect in his response to suggestions to fully reopen the economy. The Philippine economy cannot fully reopen because there are certain sectors that will not be able operate within the social distancing rules of health authorities. Mr. Duterte favored a slow reopening amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, mentioning the examples of the United States, Brazil, Japan or Korea. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, on the other hand,

cited a need to strike a “reasonable balance between safeguarding public health and restarting the economy.” Palace spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, said the Philippines had to partially reopen the economy or people would have died from a lack of livelihood.

Filipinos need work to feed their families. It is simple economics. President Duterte and his two Cabinet officials do not differ much on the issue of reopening the economy. The three support the move to restart the economy. Their divergence lies on how fast the economy should reopen. Mr. Dominguez himself is not going all-

out to reopen the economy quickly. But Filipinos, he says, cannot keep retreating from the virus at the cost of their livelihoods, especially in Metro Manila and the Cavite-Laguna Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (CALABARZON) region that collectively account for 67 percent of the domestic economy. Mr. Dominguez has favored a select reopening of the CALABARZON and the capital regions for obvious reasons, stressing the stark reality that COVID-19 will not just go away. Filipinos, he says, must get back to work while staying safe. The finance chief added the government would not take the threat posed by COVID-19 lightly, as it must continue protecting lives in ways that do not prevent people from earning a living. The long queues in train stations and bus stops speak volumes about the determination of Filipino workers to reclaim their jobs. They need work to feed their families.

Raising a constitutional question EVERY time there is an unpopular bill which is perceived to violate rights and oppress individuals, people come out and protest. If the public or mass action is unsuccessful in swaying the Chief Executive from signing the bill into law, it opens the floodgates to cases being filed in the Supreme Court that question its constitutionality. Does the act of filing a petition in the Supreme Court that questions the constitutionality of the law sufficient to consider it unconstitutional? The answer is in the negative. The petitioners will have to identify the particular provisions which they claim to be unconstitutional and the legal bases for the challenge. This is very different from the challenge posed by those going to the streets to express their advocacies, or by commentators who give opinions and post on social media. Once in court, parties will have to file their pleadings and may be required to orally argue their cases. Persuading the public to side with you regarding an issue through the different media platforms does not ensure winning your case in court. The next question is this – what legal vehicle must be used to question the constitutionality of a law? The Constitution states that judicial power includes the duty of the courts not only "to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable" but also "to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government” (Section 1, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution). Under the said provision, it is within the powers of the courts of justice “to determine the limits of the power of the agencies and offices of the government as well as those of its officers. In other words, the judiciary is the final arbiter on the question of whether or not a branch of government or any of its officials has acted without juris-

Elkin, for example, passed five rapid tests despite showing COVID-19-like symptoms before finally having his infection diagnosed by a PCR test, which includes a nose swab. Enrique, a Hospital Universitario maintenance worker, has shown no symptoms but fears contracting the disease. "I don't think I'll be going to hospital any more," said Enrique, 65. Like Pilar, he complains of the lack of personal protective supplies in the hospital. The United Doctors of Venezuela NGO claims that seven of the 10 deaths among health workers in the country have been in Zulia state. "There are a minimum of three changes per shift but they only give us one surgical suit, one surgical gown, two normal face masks, not the N95 face masks we should be using, and a pair of gloves," said Pilar. The hospital's new administration has tried to improve things, but it's not enough. Pilar has been keeping tabs on an infected colleague who has spent 30 days in a hotel converted into a quarantine center. "One day she called me at five in the afternoon. She hadn't eaten all day," said Pilar. Authorities in Zulia are struggling to cope with the growing pandemic and have started turning sports stadiums, universities and even libraries into isolation centers for asymptomatic patients. AFP

FOOTNOTES

TRANQUIL G.S SALVADOR III diction or in excess of jurisdiction, or so capriciously as to constitute an abuse of discretion amounting to excess of jurisdiction or lack of jurisdiction” (Araullo v. Aquino, G.R. No. 209287). Hence, the initiatory pleading or the legal vehicle is a Petition for Certiorari under the Constitution, but not under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court which is only limited to grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction of a tribunal, board, or officer exercising “judicial or quasi-judicial functions.”

What legal vehicle must be used to question the constitutionality of a law? No constitutional question will be entertained by the court unless the following requisites are present, namely: (a) there must be an actual case or controversy; (b) the case is ripe for judicial determination; (c) the question of constitutionality is raised by the proper party; (d) the issue of constitutionality is raised at the earliest possible time (Funa v. Villar, G.R. No. 192791) The first requisite demands that there be a dispute or controversy that requires court intervention. The Araullo v. Aquino case declared that the incompatibility of the perspectives of the parties on the constitution-

ality of the law satisfies the requirement of conflicting legal rights. Related to the requirement of an actual case or controversy is the requirement of "ripeness," meaning that the questions raised are already ripe for judicial determination. A question is ripe for adjudication when the act being challenged has had a direct adverse effect on the individual challenging it (Araullo v. Aquino citing Belgica v. Executive Secretary Ochoa). Simply said, the court cannot resolve hypothetical questions presented before it but rather, real or threatened injury to parties as a result of the challenged action. This is known as the case-or-controversy requirement, which bans the courts from deciding abstract, hypothetical, or contingent questions (Lozano v. Nograles, G.R. No. 187883). There are various standards to determine the existence of legal standing in court on matters of constitutionality to be considered as the proper party to bring the action. One is the “direct injury test” when the person who would assail the validity of a statute must have "a personal and substantial interest in the case” such that he has sustained or will sustain direct injury as a result of the law (Araullo v. Aquino citing People v. Vera). In another case, the Supreme Court exercised leniency when it applied "transcendental importance" in controversies whose petitioners did not pass the direct injury test (Basco v. PAGCOR, G.R. No. 91649). The Supreme Court also decided to resolve the issues raised in a petition due to their "far reaching implications," even if the petitioner had no personality to file the suit. This permitted ordinary citizens, legislators, and civic organizations to bring their suits involving the constitutionality or validity of laws, regulations, and rulings (Araullo v. Aquino citing Aquino v. Comelec). Full version at www.manilastandard.net

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The voices of reason and enlightenment

Going back to ECQ

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ABOUT TOWN

ERNESTO M. HILARIO

Anti-terror law one step backward for democracy

TONY LOPEZ No full reopening of the economy

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George Floyd said officers would ‘kill’ him GEORGE Floyd said he couldn’t breathe more than 20 times, called out for his children and late mother and said officers would “kill” him before he died in Minneapolis police custody, new evidence showed. Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death has unleashed a massive wave of protests against systemic racism and police brutality in the United States and inspired demos across the world. At one point, as Floyd insisted they were going to kill him, officer Derek Chauvin shouted, “Then stop talking, stop yelling, it takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk.” According to the transcript, Floyd’s last words were, “They’re going to kill me. They’re going to kill me. I can’t breathe.” The transcript was submitted Tuesday by Thomas Lane, one of the officers involved in Floyd’s death, to have the charges that he aided and abetted in the murder thrown out by a judge. He and the other three officers involved – Chauvin, Tou Thao and Alexander Kueng – were all fired from the Minneapolis police force one day after Floyd’s death and charged in his murder. They each face up to 40 years behind bars. AFP

NEW BEGINNINGS. Newborn quadruplets (left to right) Adriel, Zoe, Ulises and Jeziel are seen with their mother, Adriana Beramendi, at the Ramon Sarda Maternity Hospital in Buenos Aires amid the new coronavirus pandemic. Beramendi gave birth to the babies about 1,500 km away from her Bolivian husband, who is not allowed to enter Argentina since the borders remain closed to prevent the spread of the virus. AFP

SC to rule on Trump’s finances C

AN Donald Trump refuse to hand over his financial records to Congress and New York prosecutors simply because he is president of the United States? The Supreme Court will rule Thursday on two related cases to answer this, with potentially widespread political implications.

Australia offers safe haven to Hong Kongers AUSTRALIA on Thursday offered protections for Hong Kongers living in the country in response to China’s imposition of a tough national security law for the territory. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government was suspending its extradition agreement with Hong Kong and offering thousands of Hong Kongers in Australia on temporary visas a pathway to permanent residency. He said the decisions were taken because the security law “constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances,” adding that Beijing and Hong Kong authorities had been notified of the plans. China slammed Australia’s decision as “gross interference” in its affairs. “China strongly deplores and opposes the groundless accusations and measures announced by the Australian government with regard to Hong Kong,” said a statement from a spokesperson at China’s embassy in Canberra. Morrison’s announcement came a day after China opened a new office in Hong Kong for its intelligence agents to oversee implementation of the law imposed last week targeting acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion. AFP

Police in the southern New South Wales border city of Albury check cars crossing the state border from Victoria after authorities closed the border due to an outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus. With the city of Melbourne going into lockdown for the next six weeks, the entire state of Victoria will effectively be sealed off from the rest of the country. AFP

SOUTH Korean President Moon Jae-in, who promised to be a “feminist leader” during his election campaign, was under fire Thursday for sending condolence flowers to the funeral of a convicted sex offender’s mother. Moon and dozens of senior politicians—almost all of them male, and from both sides of the aisle, but mostly from his ruling center-left Democratic Party—sent bouquets for this week’s ceremony for Ahn Hee-jung’s mother. Former provincial governor Ahn was

Standard

FIRST INVITATION TO BID Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative, Inc, through its proposed CAPEX intends to apply as sum of 5,660,000.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Acquisition of Mini Dumptruck and Aerial Platform Manlift, broken down into the following:

once a rising star and came second to Moon in the race for the 2017 Democratic presidential nomination, but was convicted last year of sexual intercourse by abuse of authority after his female assistant accused him of repeatedly raping her. He is serving three and a half years in prison. The controversy over the funeral laid bare the attitudinal gender divide in a society that remains highly patriarchal—it has the highest gender wage gap in the OECD club of developed economies.

continue looking for survivors

And women hold only 19 percent of seats in its newly elected parliament, which would put it 116th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s previously published 2020 ranking. Sexual harassment victims often face JAPAN’S Fire and Disaster Managepressure to stay silent for fear of public ment Agency said rising floodwater shaming, but signs of change emerged after or roads damaged by landslides had the country’s own #MeToo movement— blocked access to more than 3,000 sparked in 2018 by a prosecutor who pubhouseholds, mostly in the hardest-hit licly accused a superior of groping her at a southwestern region of Kumamoto funeral, prompting many to share their stowhere fresh downpours were forecast. ries. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Foreign students in US fear deportation

TODAY

Lot No.

Description

ABC

1 unit Aerial Platform Manlift, Dimension (LXWXH): 5,495X1,910X2,410 mm; Driving Height: Less than 2.45m; Boom Operation Method: Hydraulic Cylinder; Boom Type: 1st, 2nd articulated; Boom Material: Hight tensile steel (1st, 2nd boom); Maximum Working Height: 10.2m; to bucket top: 9.2 to bucket floor: 8.2m, Maximum Outreach (until bicket end) 3.17m/120 kg; 3.7 m/85 kg.

2,800,000.00

1 Unit Mini-Dumptruck, 4 Cylinder, Turbo, Direct Injection, Warranty : 100,000 kM or 3 years (whichever comes first), Tint, Free Labor on Periodic Maintenance, Service first 1,500 and 5,000 km check-up

2,860,000.00

BISELCO Bids and Awards Committee now invites bids for the acquisition of Mini Dumptruck and Aerial Platform Manlift. The guiding principles for this project shall be based on the affordability and applicability while conforming to the requirements of the line construction and maintenance. Delivery of the vehicles (each lot) is required within a period of Ninety (90) calendar days for each lot from the issuance of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed within five (5) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

Bidder shall offer amortized mode of payment most advantageous to the electric cooperative.

Bidding schedule is as follows: ACTIVITIES

sia, and also whether he has used questionable accounting loopholes to avoid paying taxes in the 1990s and 2000s. Attorneys for Trump claim the president enjoys total immunity during his time in office, and that this is necessary so he can concentrate on his work without being “harassed” by prosecutors or lawmakers. During the proceedings, one of the attorneys even argued that the president could shoot someone on 5th Avenue in New York and not be prosecuted until he left office – echoing a Trump 2016 campaign boast claiming that he would not lose any voters if he committed such a crime. AFP

Moon under fire over sex offender’s family funeral Japan rescuers

Manila

The decision by the nine justices could lift the veil on Trump’s finances ahead of the November 3 election. Unlike all of his predecessors since Richard Nixon in the 1970s, New York real estate mogul Trump refused to release his tax returns, despite promising to do so during his 2016 White House campaign. Trump made his fortune a key component of that campaign, and his lack of transparency raises questions about his true worth and possible conflicts of interest. Congressional investigations have raised questions about whether Trump has sensitive financial exposure to Rus-

SCHEDULE

Issuance of Bidding Documents

July 6, 2020 after payment of 10,000 PhP

Deadline for Receipt Bids/Opening of Bids

July 20, 2020, 2:00 at PM BISELCO Board Room

Bidding will be conducted through Public Bidding procedure using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the NEA Memo 2017-019 Revised Procurement Guideline and Simplified Bidding Procedures for Electric Cooperatives. Bidding is open to all interested bidders subject to the conditions for eligibility provided at NEA Memo 2017-019.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from BISELCO Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat at Mobile No. 09176396436 or email at biselco79@yahoo.com

Approved for Posting:

RUTH L. FORTES General Manager MS (JULY 10, 2020)

PAKISTANI student Taimoor Ahmed is one of hundreds of thousands of foreigners enrolled in American universities now fearing for their future after Donald Trump’s administration threatened to revoke their visas. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced this week that foreign students whose entire courses have moved online because of the coronavirus pandemic must return to their home country. “I might be affected if they don’t offer any sort of in-person class,” said Taimoor Ahmed, an information technology student at Cal State University in Los Angeles. “I’m concerned. This can potentially change my future and plans,” the 25-year-old told AFP.

Harvard and MIT launched a lawsuit Wednesday, asking the court to revoke the order that Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said had thrown higher education in the US “into chaos.” But the action has done little to alleviate the worries of foreign students, of which there were more than one million in the United States in 2019, a doubling in 20 years, according to the Institute of International Education (IEE). “I’m kind of scared actually,” said an Indian graduate student at a major Texas university, who asked not to be named. He planned to continue with online classes in the fall but is now obliged to return to the campus – in a state where COVID-19 cases are soaring—or face deportation. AFP

Hire Buckwheat for your next Zoom meetings THE coronavirus pandemic has led millions of people to embrace meetings via Zoom, but admittedly, those can be as tedious as in-person conferences. So one animal sanctuary in Canada, in dire need of cash after being forced to close to visitors, found a way to solve both problems. Meet Buckwheat, a donkey at the Farmhouse Garden Animal Home, who is ready to inject some fun into your humdrum work-from-home office da—for a price. “Hello. We are crashing your meeting, we are crashing your meeting—this is Buckwheat,” says sanctuary volunteer Tim Fors, introducing the gray and white animal on a Zoom call. In the video application’s signature window panes, the call attendees offer some oohs and aahs as they realize what’s happening—and then erupt in laughter. “Buckwheat is crashing people’s meetings in order to make some money,” Fors tells AFP. “They donate to the sanctuary when they want her to crash a meeting, so it’s mostly a fundraiser so we can feed the cows, especially during COVID.” The Farmhouse Garden Animal home in Uxbridge, about an hour’s drive northeast of Toronto, used to rely on visitor donations and paid on-site activities to make ends meet. AFP

This undated handout photo shows Buckwheat the donkey at Farmhouse Garden Animal Home, a sanctuary for animals near Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada. The animal sanctuary, in dire need of cash after being forced to close to visitors, found a way to solve both problems with Buckwheat crashing Zoom meetings for a price. AFP

An AFP reporter in the cut-off village of Kuma saw parts of the road collapsed into the river and scenes of devastation in flood-affected houses. In one home, an elderly man was struggling to clear up the debris and furniture littering the mud-caked floor, his traditional straw tatami mats in one room ruined. The rain front started in the southwest in the early hours of Saturday and has since cut a swathe of destruction across Japan, dumping record amounts of rain and causing swollen rivers to break their banks. Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said “heavy rain will likely continue at least until July 12 in a wide area” of the country, calling for “extreme vigilance” on landslide risks and flooding in low-lying areas. AFP

Business

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slumps; Jollibee declines T HE stock market sank Thursday on profit-taking and amid rising cases of COVID-19 that may delay the full reopening of the economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 92.92 points, or 1.5 percent, to 6,192.58 on a value turnover of P5.1 billion. Losers beat gainers, 104 to 87, with 39 issues unchanged. President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not gamble on fully reopening the economy and follow the lead of other countries now grappling to contain a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group fell 3.9 percent to P30.50, while parent SM Investments Corp. declined 3.1 percent to P945.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, dropped 4.5 percent to P140, but GMA Network Inc. advanced 4 percent to P5.71. The rest of Asian markets rose Thursday following another record close on Wall Street as concerns about a new spike in coronavirus infections around the world were overshadowed by optimism for the economic recovery. The giant wall of money stumped up by governments and central banks was also providing crucial support to nervous equity traders, even as some countries re-

imposed certain containment measures. Analysts expect the colossal cash back-up will likely continue to push asset prices higher. As long as central banks “have the intention of continuing to try to provide stimulus to the global economy, markets will continue to drive higher even as they dislocate from the fundamentals that would otherwise normally drive earnings and stock prices,” Shana Sissel, at Spotlight Asset Group, told Bloomberg TV. Shanghai rallied more than one percent as data showed a pick-up in inflation that indicates the world’s numbertwo economy continues to improve. Tokyo ended 0.4 percent higher, while Sydney added 0.6 percent following

Wednesday’s sharp drop as Australia’s second-biggest city Melbourne imposed a fresh lockdown on five million residents to combat a new virus outbreak. Hong Kong edged up 0.1 percent, while Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta were also higher. However, Singapore and Wellington fell. The broad advance came after all three main New York indexes rose, with the Nasdaq rallying 1.4 percent to its fourth record in five sessions. The easing of lockdowns and a healthy run of economic data have provided a boost to world markets in recent weeks―with some up around 30-40 percent from March lows―though the major driver has been the trillions of dollars in stimulus and cheap credit. With AFP

PSEi July 9, 2020 TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

United Airlines set to terminate 36,000 workers on October 1 NEW YORK―United Airlines warned Wednesday it could lay off as many as 36,000 workers on October 1 as the US carrier fights for survival amid the coronavirus crisis. The big US airline emphasized that it must cut costs due to a severe drop in demand for air travel, but although it will notify frontline employees of the potential job cuts, it does not expect everyone who receives the notice to be furloughed. “The reality is that United simply cannot continue at our current payroll level past October 1 in an environment where travel demand is so depressed,” United said in a memo to employees. That level of job cuts would account for close to 38 percent of United’s total headcount as of the end of March. United does not expect travel to normalize “until there is a widely available treatment or vaccine” for COVID-19, the memo said. The “involuntary furloughs come as a last resort, after months of companywide cost-cutting and capital-raising.” United is targeting 15,100 staff cuts in inflight services, including flight attendants, and 2,250 pilots. Other groups affected include catering, airport operations and technical operations. The company extended a deadline under a voluntary departure program until July 15, and said it was “hopeful” that program would reduce the number of involuntary departures. United also said it was in talks with unions “about creative ways to help reduce furloughs.” Faced with deep declines in revenues, major US airlines have delayed new jet orders, retired older aircraft and grounded much of their fleet to try to limit cash burn. As part of the Cares Act relief program for airlines, United received $5 million in payroll support and loans but under the terms of the program cannot lay off workers until after September 30. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, called the United announcement a “gut punch” and warned that layoffs will be repeated by other carriers unless Congress extends the payroll support program (PSP). AFP

MOST ACTIVE

United Airlines planes sit parked at San Francisco International Airport on July 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. As the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues, United Airlines has sent layoff warnings to 36,000 of its front line employees to give them a 60 day notice that furloughs or pay cuts could occur after October 1. AFP

Eight contenders battle for leadership of beleaguered WTO GENEVA―Three last-minute contenders on Wednesday joined the race to become the next head of the beleaguered World Trade Organization, meaning eight candidates in total are vying for the daunting position. Britain’s first post-Brexit international trade secretary Liam Fox, former Saudi economy minister Mohammed al-Tuwaijri and Kenya’s former WTO General Council chair Amina Mohamed all threw their hats in the ring in the final 24 hours before Wednesday’s deadline. They join candidates from Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria and South Korea, a WTO official confirmed after the close of nominations. The WTO General Council will meet from July 15-17 to hear their presentations and quiz them on their plans for the global trade body, which was beset with mammoth challenges even before the pandemic-driven global economic crisis struck. “As the world seeks to recover from the shared challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of free and fair trade has never been more crucial,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in his letter to the WTO, nominating Fox.

He said the former defense minister, 58, could implement the necessary reforms “to ensure the global trading system truly delivers for all WTO members.” The new chief must revive stalled trade talks, lay the ground for the 2021 ministerial conference―one of the WTO’s major events―and thaw relations with the United States. The WTO finds itself caught in the middle of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. The United States, which has threatened to leave the WTO, has blocked the organization’s dispute settlement appeal system since December, and wants China moved up from the developing economies category. The Geneva-based organization is staging a swift contest to replace outgoing director-general Roberto Azevedo. In a surprise move in mid-May, the Brazilian career diplomat announced he was stepping down one year early at the end of August. Azevedo, 62, said he was ending his second four-year term early for personal reasons, forcing the WTO’s 164 member states to come up with a successor

in just three months instead of the usual nine. Rather than an election, the selection procedure relies on finding consensus, with candidates gradually being eliminated in turn. Besides the three late entrants, the other candidates are South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee; Mexico’s former WTO deputy director-general Jesus Seade Kuri; former Nigerian foreign and finance minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala; Egyptian former diplomat Hamid Mamdouh; and former Moldovan foreign minister Tudor Ulianovschi. Since the WTO was created in 1995, three of its directors-general were from Europe, while one each came from Oceania, Asia and South America. Africa fancies its chances this time, even though there is no regional rotation principle at the global trade body. However, African nations have so far failed to convene around a single candidate. Mamdouh, 67, a veteran former senior WTO official who is also a Swiss national, is the only contender from the continent with any express backing from the African Union. AFP

China’s factory gate prices decline at slower pace as economy recovers BEIJING―China’s factory-gate prices fell at a slower-than-expected rate in June, official data showed, as the country works towards recovering from the coronavirus while grappling with a heavy blow to global demand. The producer price index (PPI) fell three percent from a year ago, according to National Bureau of Statistics data, but remains weak owing to the COVID-19 pandemic fallout. PPI has been at four-year lows recently, shrinking 3.7 percent in May. June was also the first time that producer prices rose since the COVID-19 outbreak struck in January, noted Martin Rasmussen, China economist for Capital Economics. He said this adds to evidence that industrial demand mostly recovered by the end of the second quarter. China is working to bounce back from a historic economic contraction in the first quarter caused by the coronavirus, which shut down much of the country. But the world’s second-largest economy now faces a threat from weakening global demand as the virus hammers key trading partners.

This file photo taken on June 30, 2020 shows employees working at a welding workshop in a car factory in Weifang in China’s eastern Shandong province. AFP

The PPI pick-up comes as prices of international commodities saw some recovery in June, and as the domestic manufacturing industry and market demand improved, said NBS senior statistician Dong Lijuan in a statement. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had expected PPI to fall 3.2 percent. China’s consumer price index (CPI) came in at 2.5 percent, a 0.1 point rise

from May, on the back of a pick-up in food prices and in line with forecasts. In particular, pork prices, a driving factor behind surging inflation last year, rose 81.6 percent on-year in June, a similar pace to the month before. Dong said a slower rate of pig slaughtering, epidemic-prevention restrictions and a drop in imports had led to tighter supply of the staple meat.

Lu Ting of Nomura added that vegetable prices surged as well in June, partly driven by floods in south China. Xing Zhaopeng, economist with ANZ Research, told AFP that PPI is unlikely to turn positive this year and there is little that Chinese policymakers can do to change that since much relies on international prices and factors. “Many Chinese companies have revenues from overseas markets. If the US, for example, is suffering from COVID-19, I don’t think their business outlook can turn positive,” he said. Xing said whether Chinese stimulus steps will help the situation remains “debatable”, adding that lingering uncertainty will cause many companies to exercise caution in business decisions. Moody’s Analytics said in a recent report that although production activity and exports continue to recover, domestic demand remained relatively soft until May. “While an increase in economic activity should improve employment conditions and aid consumption, we expect confidence to stabilise gradually,” said Moody’s. AFP

Venezuela’s inflation rate still high at 3,500% CARACAS―Venezuela ended June with a year-on-year inflation of 3,500 percent, according to a statement published Wednesday by the opposition-controlled legislature. The figures show inflation is gradually decreasing, having hit almost 3,700 percent in May and 4,200 percent in April. However, June’s inflation of 19.5 percent was higher than May’s 15.3 percent, opposition legislator Jose Guerra said during a video press conference. The National Assembly has been publishing monthly inflation figures since 2017 due to a lack of official statistics from the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Inflation over the first six months of the year was just over 500 percent the statement said. Venezuela has been in recession for almost seven years and is in the midst of the worst economic crisis in its history. And it may get worse, according to Guerra, who said hyperinflation could be given “a new impulse with the depreciation of the bolivar.” The local currency has lost 77 percent of its value in 2020 and depreciated three percent in each of the last two days, he added. At the end of April, Maduro increased the minimum wage by 77 percent, which includes mandatory food stamps, but that it still amounts only to the equivalent of $3.80 a month. A family of four needs $250 a month to buy the basic necessities, according to Guerra. A study published on Tuesday by three main universities found that four out of five Venezuelans could not afford the basic necessities. Venezuela ended 2019 with inflation of just over 9,500 percent, according to the Central Bank, although the National Assembly calculated it to be 7,300 percent. AFP

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

B4 FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

Business

Gov’t withdraws proponent status of NAIA group THE government withdrew the original proponent status it granted to NAIA Consortium for the upgrade and rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “Upon the recommendation of the NAIA government negotiating panel, the Manila International Airport Authority on July 7, 2020 has terminated negotiations with the NAIA Consortium and withdraws/revokes its original proponent status,” the Transportation Department said in a statement. NAIA Consortium in a letter sent to the National Economic and Development Authority on July 6 said it would have difficulty in obtaining financing for the NAIA Rehabilitation Project under the terms and conditions approved by the Investment Coordination Committee and the NEDA board, unless they were revised in accordance with their proposal. The P102-billion NAIA rehabilitation project was proposed by NAIA Consortium that included Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Holdings Inc. Metro Pacific Investments Corp. earlier backed out from the consortium over unresolved issues with the government. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier said the Transportation Department was in talks with two more potential proponents for the NAIA project. “These two other proponents are willing to get into agreement with the government which are very similar to the terms of agreement with Clark airport,” Dominguez said. The NAIA project aims to alleviate the worsening air traffic congestion at the main gateway and resolve capacity constraints by reconfiguring and renovating facilities and enhancing operation and maintenance. This will allow for the accommodation of more traffic. The rehabilitation project also aims to broaden NAIA’s role as a key economic and tourism driver for Metro Manila and the whole Philippines, deliver capital infrastructure investment to improve the airport’s efficiency and increase its capacity to meet the growing passenger demand from the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region. Darwin G. Amojelar

Kia expects auto sales to rebound in fourth quarter By Othel V. Campos KIA Motor Philippines said it expects automotive sales to reach 275,000 units across all brands and models this year on the back of sales rebound in the fourth quarter. Manny Aligada, president of Kia Motor Philippines, said the company decided to maintain the aggressive sales projection for the industry on the road to recovery from COVID-19, with the turnaround expected to happen by the fourth quarter. “Our forecast for the industry this year is a more aggressive 275,000 unit sales. We are confident that the industry will recover at 275,000 [units] by the end of this year. This is about 35-percent drop from 420,000 outlook for this year and about the same percentage over the 470,000 sales last year,” Aligada said in a virtual round table discussion on Thursday. Before the lockdown, the industry was hitting more than 30,000 units in sales every month. Kia expects to sell 4,000 units or about 1.2 percent of the projected industry sales for the year. Aligada said there was already a pickup in demand in May. “And then in June, and the forecast for July onwards are towards close to normal levels to end of the year in Q4,” he said. “Why do we have aggressive forecast? One, we believe that the Filipino is resilient people, used to adapting to crisis. Businessmen are used to recreating themselves, and making sure that they survive, whatever challenges face them. So it’s the Filipino grip that we are banking on and that we are confident on that normalcy will be achieved soon,” he said. Meanwhile, local vehicle production fell 26.8 percent in the first five months to 23,781 units from 32,484 units in the same period last year, reflecting the impact of the health crisis.

PSE INDEX

Thursday, July 9, 2020

92.92 PTS. 6,192.58

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,423,502,155 91,511 5,091,883,573.28 87 104 39

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.5500

Japan

Yen

0.009325

0.4621

Pound

1.261500

62.5073

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.3935

Switzerland

Franc

1.065417

52.7914

Canada

Dollar

0.739645

36.6494

Singapore

Dollar

0.718804

35.6167

Australia

Dollar

0.698000

34.5859

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

131.432

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266631

13.2116

Brunei

Dollar

0.716230

35.4892

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.032020

1.5866

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.4911

Euro

1.133400

56.1600

Korea

Won

0.000839

0.0416

China

Yuan

0.142757

7.0736

India

Rupee

0.013344

0.6612

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234357

11.6124

New Zealand

Dollar

0.657200

32.5643

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033999

1.6847 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Peso among most stable Asian currencies MPCALA’S DONATION. MPCALA Holdings Inc., the concessionaire of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, donates P1.5 million to a church in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. Fr. Roger Tamares (right), parish priest and rector of St. John Bosco Parish and Center for Young Workers, received the donation from Christopher Lizo (left), group chief financial officer of Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corp., the parent company of MPCALA Holdings. Witnessing the event is Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas.

Cebu Pacific set to lay off 800 employees in August By Darwin G. Amojelar

EBU Pacific said it is laying off more than 800 employees by August as it does not expect recovery in the short term amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said the COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact the global airline industry and recovery would likely take a long time. “Over the past several weeks, CEB has had to review and redefine its long-term plans around the changing needs of customers, employees and the travel industry as a whole,” the local airline said. “It was clear after this process that CEB was too big for the operational requirements and expected new

norms in the industry,” it said. Cebu Pacific said it was constrained to retrench more than 800 employees by August, a “difficult but necessary decision for CEB in order to fulfill its long-term commitment to provide affordable and accessible air transport services to the public.” “Rest assured that this process was undertaken with utmost transparency, sensitivity and responsibility to all CEB stakeholders,” it said. The budget airline earlier laid off

150 newly-hired cabin crew. Cebu Pacific had 4,352 permanent full time employees as of end-2019. They included 3,499 employees in operations, 350 in commercial and 553 in support departments. The airline reported a net loss of P1.18 billion in the first quarter, a reversal from the P3.35-billion net income it posted in the same period last year. Revenue tumbled 25 percent in the first quarter to P15.91 billion from P21.77 billion a year ago following the cancellation of regional flights. Passenger revenues decreased 27.4 percent to P11.38 billion from P15.679 billion. The group saw a 16.5-percent drop in passenger traffic from P5.3 million to 4.4 million, as flights decreased 14.7 percent and load factor declined 2.9 percentage points from 84.2 percent to 81.3 percent.

SEC preparing guidelines on Corporate Debt Fund By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it is drafting the rules on Corporate Debt Fund—a new investment vehicle that will invest in debt paper of large corporations and medium-sized enterprises. It said in a draft memorandum circular that the proposed rules on CDF aimed to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “With the proposed regulatory framework, we hope to help avert credit and liquidity crises that may arise from the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and support the recovery of businesses and the overall economy therefrom,” SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said. “The new investment vehicle called Corporate Debt Fund will be particularly helpful in providing for the liquidity needs of large- and medium-

sized corporations for repayments, emergency spending and investments necessary to sustain their operations and preserve jobs in these challenging times,” he said. Under the proposed guidelines, CDF will be classified as a closed-end investment company that will invest in the portfolios of corporate debt papers. Subscription in a CDF is done only on initial public offering and redemption is at maturity although it can make periodic distribution of income to investors on a pro-rata basis. It may also pay out the proceeds of the underlying investments of each share/ unit class upon their liquidation until the termination and maturity of its securities. To incorporate, the CDF should have a minimum subscribed and paid up capital of P50 million. The CDF may issue its shares or units in tranches. It will issue the

first tranche within six months from the approval of its simplified prospectus and product highlight sheet, and the subsequent tranches within three months from the filing of a current report outlining the material changes in its prospectus and the updated prospectus. The CDF may offer the securities to qualified buyers such as banks, pension funds, insurance companies and registered investment houses under private placements, or to not more than 19 nonqualified buyers in the Philippines during a 12-month period. It will invest the proceeds from the issuance of securities in corporate debts such as bonds and promissory notes of large corporations and medium-sized enterprises. However, it may also invest in deposits and money market instruments, pending the deployment of the proceeds in accordance with its investment objectives.

THE peso remains one of the most stable Asian currencies despite the rising risks heightened by the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted global financial markets since the early part of the year, the Department of Finance said Thursday. Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said in an economic bulleting that as of July 8, 2020, the peso ranked first this year among the four currencies in Asia that maintained their value against the US dollar. “During the year, the peso appreciated by 2.21 percent relative to the dollar, ranking first among Asian currencies including the Hong Kong dollar, Taiwan dollar and Japanese yen which appreciated by 2.07 percent, 1.68 percent, and 0.87 percent, respectively,” Beltran said. “Despite the rising risks in the global economy, heightened by the spread of the COVID-19, the collapse of global markets, the extreme volatility in currencies and the downgrading of credit ratings of many economies, the Philippine peso remained firm, appreciating from the year-end 2019 level,” he said. Juito G. Rada

PECO told to respect Supreme Court ruling ILOILO City officials called on Panay Electric Co. to wait and respect the final ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue surrounding the city’s electricity distribution system to avoid confusing the consumers. Rep. Julienne Baronda said PECO was confusing Iloilo residents on who is the real and legitimate distribution utility that manages the city’s electricity distribution system. PECO was not granted a congressional franchise to operate as the power distributor of Iloilo because of numerous complaints from consumers. Its provisional permit to operate was also not renewed by the Energy Regulatory Commission in the absence of the franchise. “It is clear that the company does not accept the verdict of Congress regarding its franchise and has even filed several legal cases. The Ilonggo community is unsure as to who is the legal electric utility distributor of the city. It is advised that they wait for the final verdict of the Supreme Court to avoid more confusion,” Baronda said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Vivant names new chairman and CEO PUBLICLY-LISTED Vivant Corp. named Ramontito Garcia as its new chairman of the board and chief executive amid several changes to its board and management structure, including the addition of Edgar John Garcia as vice chairman and the promotion of Arlo Sarmiento as the president of the company. Emil Andre Garcia was appointed senior vice president for power. He is also executive vice president and chief operating officer of subsidiary Vivant Energy, which serves as the holding company of Vivant Corp.’s interests in the energy sector. Garcia expressed confidence in Vivant Corp.’s ability to adapt and thrive amid the challenges that industries and communities currently face. “As I take the helm of Vivant, it is important to note that our mission, vision and values remain. We have always maintained a future-facing approach to how we do business with an emphasis on adaptability in order to face challenges and grab opportunities to improve the everyday lives of the Filipino people,” Garcia said. “While this year has seen more unpredictability than any other year in Vivant’s history, I am confident in the abilities and resilience of our team and the strength of our relationships with our partners and communities to know that we will overcome these obstacles and emerge even stronger than before,” he said.

Cavitex spending P8b on 2 expansion projects

SAP DISTRIBUTION. Smart Padala by PayMaya agents in select areas around the country are now equipped with QR codes for faster and safer contactless way to encash funds for beneficiaries of the second tranche of the Department of Welfare and Development’s Social Amelioration Program. PayMaya was tapped by the DSWD to distribute the financial aid, which ranges from P5,000 to P8,000, depending on the beneficiary’s location, through the PayMaya accounts of the recipients.

CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. said it is spending more than P8 billion to build two new segments of the Cavitex C5 Link Expressway. The operator of Manila-Cavite Expressway and the Department of Public Works and Highways are scheduled to break ground Friday on the P7.03-billion Segment 3A-2 and P1.80-billion Segment 2 of the Cavitex C5 Link project. “These projects will decongest EDSA and Sales Road in Pasay City by about 50,000 vehicles per day, and connect major business districts in Taguig and Makati to Parañaque, Las Pinas and Cavite,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said. Segment 2 is a 1.9-kilometer, 2x3 lane expressway that will run from R-1 Expressway to Sucat Interchange, while Segment 3A-2 is a 1.6-kilometer, 2x3 lane expressway that will run from Merville to RSG Subdivision in Parañaque. These two segments are expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2022. Upon completion, Segments 2 and 3A-2 are seen to reduce travel time to Makati

and Taguig cities from Parañaque City, Las Pinas City and Cavite province by 30 minutes and play a huge role in economic development. CIC and the Philippine Reclamation Authority signed a contract with the consortium of A.M. Oreta & Company Inc. and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. for the construction of Segment 2 and Segment 3A-2. DCCD Engineering Corp., KE Asia, Inc. and Ove Arup and Partners Hongkong LTD (Philippine Branch) were tapped as project consultants. “Once operational, Segments 2 and 3A-2 of Cavitex C5 Link Expressway will help provide fast, safe and efficient movement of people and goods, and create at least 1,000 new jobs in construction, operations and maintenance,” CIC president and general manager Roberto Bontia said. Cavitex-C5 Link Expressway is a 7.70-kilometer dual three-lane expressway that runs from R-1 Parañaque Toll Plaza to C-5 Road in Taguig. Darwin G. Amojelar

Sports

Animam set to join Taiwan hoop team JACK Animam will give it her best shot when she suits up for a school that invited her to see action as an import in the Taiwan’s University Basketball Association. Animam, who led the Philippines to two gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, said this in a recent podcast. “Iyung leadership ko po sa laro. Iyun po ang magiging puhunan ko sa Taiwan,” said the 21-year old Animam, who is set to join Shih Hsin University (SHU) when she finally gets cleared to travel. It was her dominant game on the f loor which allowed her to help steer the National University Lady Bulldogs to six straight championships in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament. And with the 6’5” Animam around, the Lady Bulldogs were able to establish a league record of 96 straight wins. “I’m looking forward to my games in Taiwan,” added Animam. Animam is best remembered for controlling the shaded lane when the national women’s team won the five-a-side crown during the SEA Games, and the 3x3 championships as well. “I’m excited. This is the first time that I’m playing abroad (as an import),” said Animam. Animam was recently honored by the Philippine Sportswriters Association when she won the title of Ms. Basketball during the 2019 PSA Annual Awards Night. She has represented the Philippines in the national squad for the last five years, beginning with the 2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championship. She got her break with SHU when the NU Lady Bulldogs returned from Taiwan, and the coaches asked her if Animam will an accept an invitation to join the Taiwanese squad. “Dun na po nag-simula iyun. Nung nag yes ako,” said Animam. Peter Atencio

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in this file photo taken November 27, 2019 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP

GAB wants volleyball to resume activities next By Peter Atencio

HE resumption of activities in volleyball is the next concern of the Games and Amusement Board. GAB chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra said this before joining meeting with the Interagency Task Force for Infectious Diseases. The GAB, according to Mitra, will help the IATF in deciding when practices and tournaments in volleyball can happen. “Nagtatanong na kasi ang volleyball sa amin. Nung una kasi, wala silang binigay na proposal sa amin,” said Mi-

tra during yesterday’s weekly online session of TOPS: Usapang Sports via Zoom. Mitra met with officials with Philippine Super Liga officials during a meeting of a joint committee on sports that was created by the IATF. Officials of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department joined the gathering. The PSL, through their president Dr. Ian Laurel, is making an appeal, and is hoping to get clearance for member teams to be able to return to practice. The IATF’s meeting comes a week after clubs from both the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Football League were given the green light to return to training. And this will be done under strict

health protocols that were passed with assistance from the GAB. “The protocols of in professional football and professional basketball have been approved. And we’re happy sa pagpayag sa mga pag-practice. Pero hindi pa rin maglalaro,” said Mitra. The GAB is also trying to find out the status of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, which has not them sent a proposal. Aside from volleyball, the GAB is also seeking the nod for the staging of closed-door boxing events. Mitra earlier revealed that the GAB is pushing to have pro boxing done without the presence of spectators. And this is as part of efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, the possible spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Rahm can pass McIlroy for World No. 1 with PGA win WASHINGTON, United States— Spain’s second-ranked Jon Rahm can overtake Rory McIlroy and become world number one for the first time with a victory at this week’s US PGA Workday Charity Open. The 25-year-old Spaniard tees off Thursday (Friday Philippine time) alongside reigning US Open champion Gary Woodland and Norway’s Viktor Hovland at Muirfield Village in Thursday’s opening round. Four-time major champion McIlroy of Northern Ireland has topped the rankings since February, just before the start of a three-month hiatus due to the global coronavirus pandemic. But with McIlroy idle this week ahead of next week’s Memorial tournament over the same mid-Ohio layout, Rahm has a chance to swipe the top spot with a victory in the new event, created to fill a gap in the schedule after the John Deere Classic was called off due to COVID-19 issues. The only Spaniard to hold the world number one ranking was the late Seve Ballesteros, who was there for 61 weeks, exchanging the spot with Australian Greg Norman from 1986-1989.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

Jon Rahm of Spain plays a shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 28, 2020 in Cromwell, Connecticut. AFP

Rahm credits his willingness to fight for every shot as a reason his results have been consistent enough to give him a chance to reach the top. “I fight on the golf course for every shot I hit every single day,” Rahm said

Wednesday. “That never give up attitude, even if I’m starting 30th in the final round and I’ve got no chance of winning, I still want to finish as high as possible. “It’s important to fight for those shots.

Top 10s are still top 10s. And the better you play, the more chances you are in the top 10, the more chances you will have to win.” The Workday will be the fifth event in a row played without spectators, who were to have returned to the PGA at next week’s Jack Nicklaus-hosted event before spiking coronavirus cases in the area forced officials to scrap that plan. Rahm was charging earlier in the 2019-20 season, winning last October’s Spanish Open and the World Tour championship at Dubai in November, taking Race to Dubai and European Tour Player of the Year honors. He was a runner-up at Torrey Pines in January and third at the WGC Mexico Championship just before the shutdown. Since returning from the layoff, Rahm has a missed cut and shares of 33rd and 37th. “I don’t want to be a player who gets maybe a couple wins and everything else is missed cuts or T40s because that’s not who I am,” Rahm said. “Every time I tee it up I fight my hardest on every shot. That’s why that grind kind of translates to consistent play.” AFP

Players reach Orlando bubble ahead of NBA training camps MIAMI, United States—NBA players have started arriving in Orlando to face life in the league’s “bubble” at Walt Disney World ahead of Thursday’s (Friday Philippine time) start of training camp workouts. Airplane-style food trays have brought mixed reviews as 22 teams prepare to restart a 2019-20 season that was shut down March 11 when Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Players are tested for coronavirus upon arrival at the quarantined zone designed to prevent outbreaks even as Florida becomes one of the latest US epicenters of the deadly virus. They must pass another test at least 24 hours later to leave isolation, and partake of hotel restaurants with more than pre-packaged offerings. “No way Bron eating this. LOL,” tweeted Los Angeles Clippers guard Isaiah Thomas, hinting that LA Lakers superstar LeBron James would have a superior menu when his team arrived Thursday (Friday Philippine time). “Food is actually a lot better than what I expected,” tweeted Orlando Magic swingman Evan Fournier. The Frenchman also offered a quick tour of his typical-looking hotel room on social media, complete with a balcony. Teams can begin training camp workouts once they have completed bubble arrival quarantine. Teams will start to scrimmage each other on July 22 ahead of the planned July 30 restart. Some players have been outspoken in their lack of confidence in the NBA bubble plan, which was assembled in consultation with the players’ union and medical experts as well as local and state officials. “I don’t like the idea,” Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid said. “I still don’t believe in it and I don’t think it’s going to be safe enough.” The Cameroonian center said he considered not playing but did not want to let down his teammates as they try to capture an NBA title. “You don’t want to be in a situation where you put your life at risk and all that stuff for just what, the money?” he said. “At the end of the day, basketball is not all that matters.” AFP

Adiwang would fight Johnson now if offered FILIPINO mixed martial arts sensation Lito “The Thunder Kid” Adiwang is only in his sophomore year in ONE Championship, but he’s already taken the promotion by storm. Despite being a relative newcomer to the elite levels of the sport, Adiwang believes he has what it takes to hang with the best, and that includes taking on the legendary Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson should the opportunity present itself. “Yes, it’s been my dream to fight Demetrious Johnson since I started training in martial arts. He’s been one of my idols in this sport. I want to test myself against the best in the world, and DJ is it,” said Adiwang. After graduating from Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series in early 2019,

Adiwang made an immediate impact in the ONE Circle, stopping highly-regarded opponents Senzo Ikeda and Pongsiri Mitsatit in a pair of exciting contests. “I know I’m new to the game, and just arrived in ONE Championship. But if given the chance to fight DJ now, I’d take it. I’ll be ready with a great game plan.” Spending years competing in North America, becoming the 12-time former UFC flyweight world champion, Johnson joined ONE Championship in late 2018, and made his debut with the promotion shortly after. He scored a submission victory over Yuya Wakamatsu in his promotional debut in March 2019, and followed up with a victory over Tatsumitsu Wada months later. Johnson then went on to beat Adi-

wang’s Team Lakay teammate Danny Kingad by unanimous decision in the final round of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, winning the tournament. Adiwang believes he can confidently deal with the American if they ever lock horns. “DJ has great cage control. He can dictate the pace of the game and loves to put on pressure. He knows exactly how he can maneuver his opponents to fall into his traps, and he can transition quickly to take advantage of them. That’s what he’s really good at,” said Adiwang. “As far as weaknesses go, he doesn’t have many. But one thing I think he has a hard time with is fighting backwards. I’ve analyzed some of the fights he lost, and opponents were always on the attack. He has a tough time dealing with

Filipino mixed martial arts sensation Lito Adiwang works out in the gym in preparation for his next ONE Championship fight.

pressure, especially against hard-hitting opponents.” Adiwang is currently fixated on facing the best that strawweight has to offer in ONE Championship, and a move to

flyweight is nowhere near on his radar. He’s rumored to be facing the number two-ranked Yoshitaka Naito next, and “The Thunder Kid” has even called out the former Japanese world champion.

Sports

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

DPWH thanks PSC for use of facilities THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) thanked the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for its help, recognizing the sports agency’s initiative of offering its facilities as support to the government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. “We at DPWH recognize your unwavering support for the conversion of the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex facility as a designated quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients,” said DPWH Undersecretary for UPMO Operations and Technical Services Emil Sadain in the DPWH’s letter to PSC. In the letter addressed to PSC Chairman William Ramirez, Usec. Sadain praised the sports agency’s prompt response to the inadequacy of health facilities due to the influx of Covid-19 patients. The DPWH official, who also heads the Task Force on Augmentation of National and Local Healthcare Facilities praised the cooperation of the public and private sector. “The combined efforts of public and private entities have helped in the swift implementation of the national and local healthcare facilities as one of your urgent measures in addressing the current health crisis,” said Sadain. In response, PSC OIC Ramon Fernandez thanked the DPWH on behalf of Ramirez and the PSC Board and assured DPWH the sports agency’s continuous support to fight this global health crisis. “We thank DPWH for trusting us and working with us. Rest assured that the PSC will always be supporting this fight against COVID-19 in ways we can,” said Fernandez. The PSC turned-over its three major facilities—Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS), Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC), and Multi-Purpose Arena (MPA) in PhilSports Complex—early this year and were converted to “We Heal as One Centers.”

GM Barcenilla targets stint in FIDE online Olympiad 2020 GRANDMASTER Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. will chase an Olympic stint in the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020. Barcenilla—a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania—will lead the six-player cast in this in this weekend’s two-day qualifying tournament to the first ever FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 scheduled July 22 to August 30. The Chandler, Arizona-based Barcenilla will test the mettle of New York based GM Mark Paragua (replacement of Dallas, Texas based GM Julio Catalino Sadorra), GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, International Master Paolo Bersamina and IM Haridas Pascua. “I hope to do well in this event,” said Barcenilla, the pride of Barangay Malamig in Mandaluyong City under the leadership of International Billiards Champion Marlon Manalo. Barcenilla won the 2019 Philippines National Chess Championship dubbed as Battle of the Grandmasters in an impressive fashion held at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE), 2nd floor, No. 56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6 in Quezon City last November 26. Due to the global pandemic caused by Covid-19, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) decided not to push through the actual or over the board chess competition but rather to continue the game of chess through an online chess competition. According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) executive director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, only the top four players gets to make the team. Only two men can play per round. Each team is allowed to play six players a game. The other four will be two women, one male junior player aged Under-20 and an Under-20 girl. The tryout for boys Under-20 players is also set this weekend while those for the women and girls will have a separate schedule.

PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (center) is with Smart President and CEO Al S. Panlilio, Smart VP for Consumer Market Development Lloyd Manaloto, PlayBook CEO Richard Brojan and NBA 2K Team Pilipinas players.

PLDT, Smart power Team Pilipinas in 2020 FIBA NBA 2K journey

EMBERS of the NBA 2K Team Pilipinas were recently given recognition by top executives from PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) in celebration of their topnotch performance at the justconcluded FIBA Esports Open 2020, where they scored a 5-0 win against Indonesia. This was the first international esports tournament sanctioned by FIBA. PLDT provided the Philippine team the fiber connectivity that they used in the competition. PLDT Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan and Smart President and CEO Al S. Panlilio met with PlayBook CEO and NBA 2K Team Pilipinas

Manager Richard Brojan, along with some players of the NBA 2K Team Pilipinas. “First of all, I am very proud of our team for winning all five games against Indonesia. Also, it’s a collaboration between sports and technology. We are grateful to FIBA for allowing us to be a part of this historic event,”

said Panlilio, who also heads the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). Just like Gilas Pilipinas, the NBA 2K Team Pilipinas will also be supervised by SBP. Panlilio added that e-sports is becoming part of the new normal. “I think technology brings a lot of these things together, that even amid a pandemic, we’re able to host this kind of tournament. So, we’re looking forward to more tournaments like these in the future,” he said. Brojan said that they are very happy that PLDT Fibr powered their studio in Libis, Quezon City, where the players competed in the tournament. “(They) made sure that we had the

highest bandwidth, and it was optimized during those playing days, which translated to better gameplay for the event,” he said. “This will boost the growth, not just only of our team, but also the growth of esports community in this country, especially in 2K as PLDT and Smart helped showcase the Filipino gamers’ play style and competence throughout the whole world, through FIBA,” said Philippe “Izzo” Herrero IV, who plays center. “To esports fans, basketball fans, Filipinos in general, thank you for the support last FIBA Esports Open. Hope you can support us more in future tournaments,” Herrero added.

NBA’s Mills donates $1 million to Aussie social justice causes Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois in this file photo taken January 27, 2020. AFP

MIAMI, United States—San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills said Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) he will donate his salary from eight upcoming NBA games—more than $1 million— to social justice organizations in his homeland. The 31-year-old Australian standout, who helped the Spurs capture the 2014 NBA crown, said in a social media video his salary for the club’s eight scheduled games in the COVID-19 protected Orlando bubble will go to Black Lives Matter groups. “I’ve made the decision to go to Orlando,” Mills said. “And I’m proud to say that I’m taking every cent earned from these eight games that we’re playing – which for me will turn out to be $1,017,818.54 – and donating that directly back to the Black Lives Matter Australia, Black Deaths in Custody and to a recent campaign that’s called ‘We Got You’ dedicated to ending

racism in sport in Australia.” Mills has been active in social justice movements during his 11 NBA seasons and said the chance to help the causes influenced his decision to play in Orlando, where 22 teams will gather at Walt Disney World in an environment safeguarded from Covid-19. “I’m playing in Orlando because I don’t want to leave any money on the table that could be going directly to black communities,” Mills said. At 27-36, the Spurs have only an outside chance of grabbing one of the last Western Conference playoff berths available. All 22 teams in the bubble will play eight final regular-season games to decide the qualifiers for the NBA playoffs. The season was shut down in March with nearly a month remaining. Mills is averaging an NBA careerhigh 11.7 points this season as well as 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists a game. AFP

Boxing nurse fights COVID-19, dreams of Olympics TOKOROZAWA, Japan—Olympic boxing hopeful Arisa Tsubata is used to taking blows in the ring but it is during her work as a nurse that she faces her toughest opponent: coronavirus. The 27-year-old juggles a brutal training regime in boxing gloves with long, irregular hours in surgical gloves at a hospital near Tokyo. Tsubata mainly treats cancer patients but she said the virus was a constant threat, with medical experts warning at the peak of the pandemic that Japan’s health system was close to collapse. “We always face the risk of infection at medical facilities,” she told AFP. “My colleagues and I have all worked under the stress of possibly getting infected.” Like most elite athletes, the virus played havoc with Tsubata’s training schedules, meaning she welcomed the postponement of this year’s Tokyo Olympics until 2021. “It was a plus for me, giving me more time for training, although I wasn’t sure if I should be so happy because the reason for the postponement was the spread of the infectious disease,” she said. Tsubata took up boxing only two years ago as a way to lose weight but quickly rose through the ranks.

“In a few years after becoming a nurse, I gained more than 10 kilos (22 pounds),” she laughed. “I planned to go to Hawaii with my friends one summer, and I thought I wouldn’t have much fun in a body like that. That is how I started boxing.” ‘I was scared’ She quickly discovered a knack for the ring, winning the Japan national championship and a place on the national team. But juggling her medical and sporting career has not always been easy and the first time she fought a foreign boxer came only in January, at an intensive training camp in Kazakhstan. “That made me realize how inexperienced I am in my short boxing career. I was scared,” she admitted. Japanese boxing authorities decided she was not experienced enough to send her to the final qualifying tournament in Paris, which would have shattered her Tokyo 2020 dreams—if coronavirus had not given her an extra year. Now she is determined to gain the experience needed to qualify for the rescheduled Games, which will open on July 23, 2021. “I want to train much more and convince the federation that I could fight in the final qualifiers,” she said.

Arisa Tsubata (right) trains with her coach Masataka Kuroki at a hospital’s gymnasium in Saitama in this photo taken June 4, 2020. Olympic boxing hopeful Arisa Tsubata is used to taking a barrage of blows in the ring but she faces her toughest opponent as a nurse every day: coronavirus. AFP

‘Defense!’ Her coach Masataka Kuroki told AFP she is a subtle boxer and a quick learner, as he put her through her paces at a training session. She now needs to add more defensive technique and better core strength to her fighting spirit and attacking flair, said Kuroki. “Defense! She needs more technique for defence. She needs to have a more agile, stronger lower body to fend off punches from below,” he said. AFP

Entertainment S

Carrying an ambient vibe, “Right Next to You” exposes the power and beauty of Keiko’s production while maintaining her signature emotive sound. The singer’s emotion is front and center in “Right Next to You,” her affecting vocals supported by impeccable instrumentation. It’s the first song off her upcoming album Ready, Let Go, which coming out later this year. “This was the very first track we recorded in Baguio for the sophomore album, so it set the mood and vibe of the whole body of work. ‘Right next to you’ has such a powerful sound and message that I think captured what this album speaks about, just by it being the first track," Keiko shared. "From the first line in the chorus chorus, I found home when I found you, this says a lot about my journey now as a human being with dreams and hopes and goals and a purpose. I found

YouTube to feature everyone’s ordinary day at extraordinary time in new docufilm

YouTube Originals are award-winning, creative, and engaging scripted and unscripted series and films across music, personalities, and learning for fans all over the world.

based project asks the world to share what one day looks like through their personal camera lenses. All footage must be filmed on July 25 only; participants will then have until Aug. 2 to upload their content to be considered for the final film. Additional information and guidelines on participation can be found at lifeinaday.youtube. Once submissions close, a 30-person team of multilingual reviewers stationed around the world will begin reviewing and translating submitted videos. The film's three principal editors – Mdhamiri Á Nkemi (Blue Story, The Last Tree), Sam Rice-Edwards (Whitney), and Nse Asuquo (The Stuart Hall Project, The Jazz Ambassadors)—will then undertake an enormous post-production effort, working alongside director Kevin Macdonald to shape the film's final narrative out of submitted footage. The original Life In A Day film was filmed in July 2010 to mark YouTube’s 5th year and brought the YouTube community together for what was one of the biggest participatory feature film projects ever made. The documentary attracted 80,000 submissions, received critical acclaim, premiered at Sundance in 2011 followed by a theatrical worldwide release, and has been watched on YouTube over 16 million times.

is ‘Right Next To You’

INGER-SONGWRITER Keiko Necesario was grateful when she was given the chance to meet UK-based producer Chasing Fantasia. It was a productive meeting that led to their first collaboration, a single entitled, “Right Next To You.”

GMA Network’s flagship AM station, Super Radyo DZBB 594, emerged as the number one AM radio station and news source in Mega Manila as shown in the latest data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement. DZBB recorded an average of 38.5 percent share in Mega Manila for June 2020, which was way ahead of DZRH’s 27.9 percent at the second spot. Tracking versus the past 12 months, June 2020 has also seen an overall increase in AM radio listenership in the said area and is so far the highest in the period. Largely attributable to the COVID-19 crisis in the country, the current situation has further led most listeners to tune in to DZBB for its unparalleled credibility.

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

KEIKO NECESARIO

Singer-songwriter Keiko Necesario

YOUTUBE Originals has announced that executive producers Ridley Scott (The Martian, Gladiator) and Kai Hsuing (Lords of Chaos), along with director Kevin Macdonald (Whitney, One Day in September, The Last King of Scotland), will create the new feature film, Life In A Day 2020, ten years after the original Life In A Day. On July 25, millions of people around the world are encouraged to film their lives and tell the story of a single day on Earth. Footage sourced from the global contributors will be woven together in this documentary to tell the story of an ordinary day at an extraordinary time. Life In A Day 2020 will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and on YouTube in 2021. "Following the success of the 2010 documentary, this is an important moment to revisit this inventive film concept with Ridley and Kevin,” said Susanne Daniels, Global Head of Original Content for YouTube. "This project truly demonstrates the uniqueness of YouTube by showcasing the power of the human experience told through the eyes and cameras of individuals around the world.” “Making the first Life In A Day was one of the most joyful and eye-opening experiences of my life. Contributors were generous enough to share often quite intimate moments from their lives as part of a huge, life-affirming, film-making experiment," said Director Kevin Macdonald. "I am thrilled, ten years later, that we are making Life In A Day 2020. In that time, how have we changed? How has our relationship to filming ourselves changed? And at this extraordinary turning point in history what are we hoping for in our future?” he carried on. Ten years after YouTube’s groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed Life In A Day, and at an unprecedented moment in time, the renewed participation-

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

home when things came together and they all fell into place according to God’s plans and perfect time," Keiko explained why she decided the song to be her album's carrier single. NICKIE With herself and her fans in mind, she continued WANG to explain the kind of takeaway that she wants to impart to her listeners. “I’m proud of the way it was written, the way it was recorded, and the way it turned out. I have envisioned for the impact of this song to be about a reminder of love in whatever form they think it is.” Talking more about the people behind her song, she said, “I fully wrote this song, but I cannot take full credit on how it turned out because first of all, Warner and my manager, Graham Perkins, made a way for me to meet incredibly talented people—my producers Chasing Fantasia whom I am so grateful for. They worked and listened to my vision until my song came to life. These people helped me create this beautiful version of my song which started from just a thought.” Keiko sure has come a long way, from writing songs at the age of seven, to independently producing her first album in 2015. On looking back over her early years as an artist, she said, “There are many things in my life that have surprised me in so many ways but there were always these two constant things that have been there: God and my season of waiting… whatever I go through or I’m going through, the details of my journey will always be a surprise but the big picture is always clear—there’s always a purpose.”

VERY WANG

Knowledge Channel prepares for government’s distance learning program unlike in the past when students were AS THE government shifts to distance just required to memorize. learning due to the COVID-19 “Subjects like mathematics and pandemic, Knowledge Channel is the sciences involve understanding of ready to share its video lessons that processes, and they need to be visually could reach as many as 7.6 million illustrated for kids to understand,” students, a huge portion of the 27 he said, adding “with this kind of million expected to enroll this school curriculum, we need TV.” year. Calma said that Knowledge “Knowledge Channel is prepared Channel’s multimedia resources also to work with the government. We teach kids critical thinking. have created and acquired more “Children’s critical thinking and than a thousand video lessons, all creativity are triggered by video based on the K - 12 curriculum of Hosted by Robi Domingo, 'MathDali' teaches lessons because we challenge them the Department of Education and mathematics using real-life situations. with questions at the beginning, these are ready for use,” Knowledge halfway through and at the end of the Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) episode,” Calma said. director for operations Edric Calma Alice Panares, who sits in the said. board of the National Council for For 21 years, KCFI has Children's Television, said that developed and acquired the government is faced with the multimedia educational materials near-impossible task of training a that public schools nationwide, 900,000-strong teaching workforce especially in remote regions 'Wikaharian' mixes 2D animation, catchy tunes, used to enhance teaching and funny puppets, and engaging stories to teach them to teach students using media before the August opening of classes. learning. They are aired over how to read. To address this problem, Panares Knowledge Channel and used for instruction by KCFI-trained teachers and are also designed suggested that Knowledge Channel be tapped at the very onset of for home-based learning. Before ABS-CBN went off the the distance learning program. “While the teachers are being trained, why not tap first the air on May 5, Knowledge Channel aired over SKYcable, SKYdirect, ABS-CBN TVplus, and other cable and direct to lessons of Knowledge Channel since it already has existing home satellite TV providers, reaching millions of students. materials,” Panares said, adding that “Knowledge Channel has According to Calma, KCFI has developed into video done a very complete work in educating the students in different format 50 percent of the most essential learning competencies areas.” Panares said that Knowledge Channel is ready with the (MELC) that DepEd requires to be taught for the school year, different subjects that are already in the form of TV lessons made and that KCFI can easily develop the remaining 50 percent. Knowledge Channel’s method of using TV technology for different grade levels. “I’ve watched many of the lessons and has proven to improve the performance of children in school. they are ready for airing for the DepEd,” she said. KCFI president and executive director Rina Lopez Bautista Studies conducted by the DLSU La Sallian Institute for Development and Educational Research and the UP Statistical appealed that KCFI be given the chance to share with the Center for Research Foundation's Impact Study for Proficient government its expertise for the sake of the children. Lopez Bautista said, “We believe that learning must continue Measures for Quality Education revealed that children who were taught using Knowledge Channel video lessons for all and that no child should be left behind. We appeal to our lawmakers and the Filipino people to recognize ABS-CBN’s performed better in tests. “The most essential learning competencies are the contributions to education and that ABS-CBN is granted a new minimum curriculum-prescribed skills that students must franchise so that we can again reach the children no matter where they are in the Philippines. The Knowledge Channel Foundation acquire,” Calma said. Calma stressed that the 21st century DepEd curriculum is continues, and will be working to continue to be in the service of about understanding and creating designs, systems and processes, Filipino children.”

Radio listenership up; DZBB leads numbers game

The men and women of DZBB, who continue to deliver the latest news, important announcements, and information, relentlessly give their Serbisyong Totoo to the public via DZBB’s Bantay COVID-19 Special Coverage. Meanwhile, GMA’s flagship FM station Barangay LS 97.1 has likewise improved its ratings performance for the month. The station has also become the number one FM station for those who are on the road during the period averaging 41.2 percent share. Keeping listeners company are the quirky Barangay LS DJs and the day’s all-hits music lineup. For more information and live audio streaming, visit www.gmanetwork.com/ radio.

New video inspires Filipinos to be #ConnectedAsOne

Globe unveils a tribute video dedicated to all medical and essential frontliners who risk their life to keep us safe from the deadly COVID-19 virus.

RECOGNIZING the pandemic’s toll on medical and other essential frontliners, who not only must deal with the virus but also distance themselves from their loved ones to ensure their safety, Globe unveils an inspirational video dedicated to the heroes of the current crisis. “Medical frontliners are in vulnerable positions as they have been leading the fight against COVID-19 for the past four months or so. The most painful part about this is that they must constantly distance themselves from everyone, especially their loved ones,” shared Albert de Larrazabal, Chief Commercial Officer at Globe.

“By offering fast and reliable WiFi connectivity in hospitals and quarantine facilities, we hope to empower frontliners in bridging this gap between them and their loved ones as we continue our battle as a nation against this pandemic,” Larrazabal added. GoWiFi has provided free and unlimited internet to over 80 hospitals and quarantine facilities across the country since the outbreak of COVID-19 last March. Some of the locations include Department of Health quarantine facilities in World Trade Center, Philippine Arena, Philsports Arena, National

Government Center, ASEAN Convention Center, and Quirino Stadium, some medical facilities and hospitals in Metro Manila, and in key cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. To stay updated on the latest COVID-19 developments, Globe mobile and broadband customers are also given free access to the official websites of the Department of Health (DOH) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). For more information, visit https://www. globe.com.ph/gowifi.html.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

Shangri-La Group implements enhanced safety protocols to ensure guests and staff’s safety while they are in its properties. Housekeeping begins six hours after guests vacated their rooms, while tables in restaurants are rearranged with 1- to 1.5-meter distance between each dining party.

TRAVEL AND LEISURE

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020

Shangri-La Group

By Bernadette Lunas

readies properties, expects to bounce back in 2022

NTERNATIONAL hospitality group Shangri-La looks “outward” to ensure preparedness as it begins to welcome guests back to its hotels and resorts amid an ongoing pandemic. If yesterday’s focus was on exclusivity and unique offerings, today’s on health, safety, and travel flexibility. “To meet new challenges and evolving customer expectations, we are focusing on enhanced hygiene protocols, elevating our standards, and safeguarding our guests and colleagues’ well-being,” Shangri-La Group chief executive officer Lim Beng Chee said in a statement. The “three main pillars” comprise the Hong Kong-based company’s “ShangriLa Cares” commitment which applies to all its properties worldwide, including those here in the country. Shangri-La Group’s six properties in the Philippines include Edsa Shangri-La, Makati Shangri-La, ShangriLa at the Fort in Taguig City, Hotel Jen Manila, Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa, and Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. New health and safety operational protocols have been implemented in order to gain guests’ confidence during their stay. Trained staff members implement stepped up deep cleaning of high-touch surfaces and areas, and ensure guests’ safety and reduced personto-person interaction from arrival to departure. New cleaning procedures include the use of hospital-grade disinfectant, UV technology, and electrostatic devices; and a six-hour wait after guests’ vacated the room before staff begins

COMMITTED TO CARING.

New check-in procedures require guests to go through temperature checks and sanitation while lessening contact and observing physical distancing.

housekeeping. Upon arrival, each guest will receive a self-care kit consisting of face mask, hand sanitizer/alcohol, anti-bacterial wet wipes, and immune-boosting tea. Paper collaterals have been replaced by digital platforms. Despite the mandatory improvements and additional products provided to guests and staff, John Rice, vice president for operations and general manager of Edsa Shangri-La, said

they will “not be immediately increasing prices” of rooms. “All this comes with a cost; we will increase prices at a time. But generally speaking, this is general cost of business,” Rice said at a virtual press conference. The Mandaluyong-based hotel’s general manager expects food and beverage would be the first revenue stream to recover owing to the resiliency of the Filipino population. Rice said staycation packages in ho-

tels were expected to drive business growth as people planning to take vacation “would look into domestic travel.” Meanwhile, he sees international corporate markets to come back in the first quarter of 2021, and the international mass market in the second quarter of next year. “In terms of getting back to normal, pre-COVID, we feel will not occur until 2022, at the earliest,” said Rice. Hotels and other accommodation facilities in areas under modified

general community quarantine will be allowed to accept tourists and business travelers, and limited to 50 percent capacity. Ancillary establishments within the premises such as restaurants, café, gyms, and spas shall be allowed to operate at half their full capacity as well. Once the hotel’s health clubs open, Rice said pools and wet areas will remain close, while machines at the gym will be sanitized after every use.

This New Reality

The waiter in full protective gear serving my lunch.

A guest washing his hands before entering the hotel.

AS EXPRESSED a couple of times in my past columns, I refuse to subscribe to the use of that oft-repeated misnomer, “The New Normal” or “The Next Normal” simply because everything we do now is not within the bounds of normalcy. I am willing, although still with a tinge of reluctance, to submit myself to the more appropriate: “New Reality” or “New Environment.” I realize this seemingly trivial detail does not merit a debate by opposing schools of thought, but I just feel more comfortable putting things in their proper perspective. Our world, indeed, has turned upside down. If you take a closer look at what we do now, you’ll know that this was never part of the future we dreamt of before. After many months of being confined to my residence, I had this sudden urge to liberate myself from such bondage. Although comfortable, relaxing, and completely furnished with modern conveniences of this era, my house was beginning to feel like a detention facility, so off I went to celebrate some semblance of freedom. Months of home cooking interspersed with delivery sustenance made me hanker for some nice, honestto-goodness, juicy steak. I asked my driver to bring me to a nearby deluxe hotel, the main restaurant of which was one of my pre-lockdown favorites. Their food is always good, and with servings more than I can finish.

Upon entering the hotel, the security team first directed me to a foot-operated water fountain where guests were required to wash their hands. While doing it, I remembered what I’ve seen in movies where the Moslem faithful would wash their hands before entering their place of worship, although in my case, I was not there for anything holy, but to feast on the hotel’s culinary offering. As I entered, the few hotel employees who greeted me were all wearing face masks, face shields, and gloves, giving me the impression that I was walking into some sort

“I noticed that the waiter looked like a surgeon in his fully protective suit. I wasn’t sure if he was going to serve me my food or surgically remove my tonsils.” of a medical laboratory. I proceeded immediately to the restaurant, which was completely deserted, except for a receptionist and a waiter. The scene was exactly the opposite of how this restaurant used to be, pre-COVID, which required guests to make advance reservations way ahead of time as the venue was always fully booked. While poring over the menu, I noticed that the waiter looked like a surgeon in his fully protective suit (much like a PPE or personal protective equipment), complete with face mask, face shield, and gloves. I wasn’t sure if he was going to serve me my food or surgically remove my tonsils. The other unusual thing I noticed was that the waiter always kept a safe distance from me, in spite of his fully covered per-

sona. Naturally, I had to call out my order loudly and had him answer me back with the same volume of voice. Then, my order came, and I could immediately see my dreamed-of juicy steak on the plate. But, when it landed on my table, I noticed the sad reality of this, and of all future culinary experiences—the food came in a plastic plate with disposable cutlery, following the strict guidelines imposed by our Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force. I tried to disregard this new standard of food service every time I chewed on the tender meat. But still, I couldn’t help grieving over where the pandemic has brought fine dining. I hasten to add, however, that the food was really good, exactly how I had expected it to be. When the check came, I couldn’t help but notice the waiter giving it to me in a small basket with a very long handle, much like those collection baskets they pass around in church from pew to pew. Paying for the bill made me feel I was giving my usual Sunday offering. I left the hotel depressed and worried that this is how future “dining out” will be. Will it be better then, to just stay home and order for some food? But, how will a “happy celebration” be in the future? Is there a better way than this? What are your thoughts on this new reality? Share them with me. YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE I saw a telescope on the restaurant table beside me. I don’t know who owns it. I’m still looking into it. For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com.