Manila Standard - 2020 July 14 - Tuesday

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(Story on A4) FOUR PANDEMIC CZARS NAMED IN NEW FIGHT TACK: T3 (TEST, TRACK, TREAT)

By Vito Barcelo

Mark Villar

Leopoldo Vega

MALACAÑANG on Monday introduced new “czars” who would implement the country's strategy in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Bases and Conversions Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vince Dizon, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Public Works and High-

ways Secretary Mark Villar, and Health Undersecretary Dr. Leopoldo "Bong" Vega will try to help the country strike a balance between protecting public health and reopening its economy.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said these "Philippine anti-COVID czars" will serve as point persons for key areas of the government's framework Next page

Vince Dizon

Benjamin Magalong

No eased restrictions in NCR Roque says surging cases, critical care capacity may trigger move

By Rio N. Araja, Willie Casas, Joyce Pangco Panares, and Vito Barcelo

T

HE government has ruled out the possibility of easing more quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila after July 15, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday.

In a televised briefing, Roque said the latest available data on case doubling time and critical care capacity do not suggest further relaxation of movement restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“At this point, the data does not indicate that we can relax (restrictions) at least in Metro Manila, if only to manage expectations,” he said.

The Philippines has the second highest number of infections in Southeast Asia, with more than 57,000 cases as of Monday and 1,599 deaths. Indonesia tops the regional rankings with more than 75,000 cases.

This developed as four major hospitals—Makati Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center-Quezon City, St. Luke's Medical Center Global City, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute – said Monday they have reached full capacity for COVID-19 patients.

These hospitals made the announcement on their respective social media accounts.

Metro Manila mayors have proposed a "hybrid" community quarantine classification, which will entail stricter implementation of health protocols but more economic activities are allowed. Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 140• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY,, JULY 14, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

'PASAWAY.' Some of the reasons for the surge in coronavirus cases in Metro Manila

are pictured here – quarantine violators young and old alike, such as the man casually smoking beside a car, children playing with no face masks on a rooftop, and violators of the face mask ordinance holding their tickets in Navotas City (see related story below).

Ey Acasio, Twitter page of Mayor Toby Tiangco

Navotas on 14-day lockdown; Cebu City’s ’hard’ limit lifted

By Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano NAVOTAS will be placed under a 14-day citywide lockdown starting July 15 amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases, Mayor Toby Tiangco said Monday.

The order is expected to take effect on Wednesday or Thursday, Tiangco told Agence France Presse, adding the full set

of guidelines was still being finalised.

Meanwhile, the hard lockdown in certain areas in Cebu City was lifted, based on a resolution of the Regional InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Infectious diseases.

The Cebu City government and the Philippine National Police recommended the lifting of the hard lockdown, since no new cases and many recoveries have been reported.

Next page

COVID-19 PH

PILLION SHIELD.

AT A GLANCE

A rider for the Angkas motorcycle taxi models a harness-barrier for possible passengers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which was approved by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Monday.

(AS OF 4 PM JULY 13)

57,006 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,599 DEATHS

RECOVERIES

Next page

Tensions rising in disputed sea as China, US hold war games TENSIONS are rising anew in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea, as the United States and China are taking hardline stances and ramping up war games with their respective navies in the disputed waters, with the Philippines in the middle of a potential conflict.

fill up health declaration forms before a full body check-up and embarking on the MRT-3 as the train line resumed its operations Monday. The contract-tracing form indicates personal data for each passenger, which the train's management assured would be kept private.

836

NEW CASES

65 NEW

NEW

Super-rich call for wealthy face coronavirus tax

which created the passenger shield design, thanked the task force for the approval.

“The responsiveness that you have shown especially during this pandemic is a great service to the Filipino people,” George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas, said in a statement.

“This is the culmination of many long

ADDED HASSLE. Passengers

ACTIVE

20,371 4,325

Angkas prototype shield gets nod ANOTHER barrier design for motorcycle riders, designed like a backpack worn by the vehicle's driver, was approved by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Monday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said motorists can now use the barrier to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Motorcycle taxi service firm Angkas,

35,036

The South China Morning post reported Monday that US military action over the South China Sea was destined to be futile and American allies would be harmed, Beijing said in a series of tough rebukes against Washington.

Next page

LONDON—More than 80 millionaires on Monday urged governments around the world to tax the super-wealthy much more to help fund the global recovery from the coronavirus outbreak.

In an open letter, the group, calling themselves "Millionaires for Humanity", said they should be taxed higher, "immediately, substantially, permanently."

Signatories, included Ben and Jerry's ice cream co-founder Jerry Greenfield, the screenwriter Richard Curtis and filmmaker Abigail Disney.

US entrepreneur Sidney Topol and New Zealand retailer Stephen Tindall also signed.

Next page

Ten generals vie to replace retiring AFP top brass TEN senior generals are being eyed as the possible successor of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr., who is set to retire on Aug. 4 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said the Board of Generals has convened and assessed the shortlist of candidates.

"There were about 10 names contained in the list that includes major

service commanders, unified command chiefs, and other three-star generals at the GHQ (General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City)," he said in a statement Sunday.

Next page

A2

News

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Alan: ’ABS’ owners to blame S In a Facebook post, Cayetano claimed that ABS-CBN’s owners, whom he described as “oligarchs,” had deprived the country of billions of pesos in muchneeded funds by skirting and bending the law.

“It wasn’t the government who shut ABS-CBN down, rather it was their owners’ playing fast and loose with our laws in the past decades that made the

shutdown inevitable,” Cayetano said.

He made his post even as the proponents of renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise appealed to the leadership of the House of Representatives to make public the names of the 70 lawmakers who voted to reject the network's application.

Reps. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City, and Edcel Lagman of Albay

questioned the move of the House committees on legislative franchises, good government and public accountability not to immediately release the names of those who turned down ABS-CBN’s application.

"There's no reason at all to withhold the release of the list as it is part of official public proceedings,” Zarate said.

“The principles of transparency and accountability dictate that the public be informed how their representatives voted on this very crucial issue.”

In the Senate, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the People’s Initiative was an available remedy after the House refused

No...

total to 57,006.

Total recoveries rose to 20,371 after a record-high 4,325 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness.

But the death toll climbed to 1,599 with 65 new fatalities.

Of the 65 reported deaths, nine (14 percent) were in July, 54 (83 percent) were in June, and two (3 percent) were in May. Deaths were from Region 7 (59 or 91 percent), NCR (four or 6 percent), and Region 11 (one or 2 percent). On case was from an unspecified region.

Eighty-nine duplicates were removed from total case count.

The total cases reported may be subject to change as these numbers undergo constant cleaning and validation, said the DOH. These are based on the total tests done by 57 out of 82 current operational labs.

There are also 35,036 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 92.2 percent of which are mild, 7.1 percent of which are asymptomatic, 0.4 percent are severe, and 0.3 percent are in critical condition.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier attributed the surge in infections, recoveries, and fatalities in recent weeks to the DOH’s efforts to harmonize data with local government units.

Three major hospitals in Metro Manila said Monday they have reached full capacity for COVID-19 patients.

Makati Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center-Quezon City and St. Luke's Medical Center Global City made the announcement on their respective social media accounts.

The steady and sometimes sharp rise in COVID-19 cases has been putting a strain on Metro Manila hospitals.

Earlier, the Philippine General Hospital said it already stopped accommodating severe and critical COVID-19 cases for now as its intensive care unit is almost fully occupied.

An official from the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila said its COVID-19 ward was

also almost full.

The Department of Health last week said at least 11 hospitals in Metro Manila reported 100 percent utilization rate of their ICU beds for COVID-19 patients.

The Palace said President Rodrigo Duterte will announce new quarantine qualifications in areas affected by COVID-19 before July 15, the last day of the existing quarantine measures.

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said the President may possibly keep Metro Manila under a general community quarantine due to continuous increase of COVID 19 cases in the metropolis.

“The public should not expect to relax the quarantine in Metro Manila as case doubling rate and critical care capacity of the region do not suggest a relaxation of quarantine measures,” he said.

The DOH, meanwhile, said COVID-19 patients can still undergo home quarantine as long as they can be isolated from their family in their homes.

“We are not discouraging home quarantine. We even have a joint administrative order stating that home quarantine is allowed. But as we said, there are conditions required for home quarantine,” Vergeire said. “What they need is to have their own bathroom, their own room.”

Without these, patients need to stay at a temporary treatment and monitoring facility, she said.

Vergeire issued the clarification after Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles’ said the government was discouraging home quarantine in favor of facility-based quarantine, especially as some hospitals have already filled up their COVID-19 bed occupancy.

Vergeire said Nograles might just be talking about the need for stronger quarantine measures that the DOH has been seeking.

Last week, Vergeire also said that the DOH had advised hospitals to refer their mild cases to temporary treatment facilities instead, to decongest their COVID

PEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday blamed the owners of media giant ABS-CBN for the network’s “inevitable” shutdown.

From A1

“We will have a compromise to open up our economy, but the economic sector and even the private sector must take equal responsibility in containing the spread (of the virus),” National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. added in the same briefing as Roque's.

Metro Manila has been under general community quarantine (GCQ) since June 1.

Meanwhile, a University of the Philippines math professor expects COVID-19 cases to reach as high as 80,000 by the end of July.

“Our lower estimate now is it would be 80,000 by the end of July,” said Guido David of the UP Institute of Mathematics.

Metro Manila has experienced a “genuine surge” of COVID-19 infections in the past days based on their (UP) data employing several indicators, such as positivity rate, hospitalization rate and the number of cases, he said.

“We should really expect that there will be more cases, and that the problem there is, it will not only be the National Capital Region alone. The CALABARZON region will be affected, and may be even Central Luzon because we have not really monitored our borders under the general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine,” he added.

David, who belongs to the OCTA Research group, said quarantine restrictions on Metro Manila should not be relaxed because most of its hospitals are almost full.

“If we continue to stay under the general community quarantine, cases would continue to balloon. Our hospitals should be more prepared when the number of cases increases,” he said.

The Philippines’ tally of COVID-19 cases surpassed 57,000 on Monday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 836 new infections, bringing the

Four...

Navotas...

From A1

From A1

to fight the pandemic dubbed as T3 (Test, Track, Treat).

They join National Task Force on COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. at the forefront of the battle against the coronavirus, Roque said.

The framework, presented by Secretary Galvez, consists of five phases to address the health crisis--planning, detection of the virus, isolation, treatment, and reintegration.

Roque said Villar was named “isolation czar,” as the Department of Public Works and Highways had been largely involved in the construction of temporary treatment and monitoring facilities nationwide.

Magalong was placed in charge of the country’s contact-tracing efforts, as his work in beefing up Baguio's tracing strategy has been hailed by experts as a model other local government units can follow.

Vega would be in charge of closely monitoring the country’s critical care capacity, and ensuring there are enough resources in the health system to treat coronavirus patients.

Dizon, also the deputy chief implementer of the country's pandemic response, will serve as the testing czar and will be in charge of expanding the country's COVID-19 detection efforts.

Since the major easing of lockdowns last month, the government has geared its coronavirus response toward economic recovery, even as it continues to fight local transmission of the virus.

The appointments came as the country continued to see rising infections in the last four months under quarantine, with numbers seeing a spike the past few days.

Imposed since April to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the Cebu lockdown was eased in Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz; Sitio Gonzalo in Barangay Tejero; Sitio Alaska in Barangay Mambaling; Sitio Callejon in Barangay Labangon; and the entire Barangay Bacayan.

Elsewhere, Batangas City tightened health protocols, with its “white bus” monitoring team and police making the rounds to pick up anyone not wearing a face mask and holding a quarantine pass.

A city ordinance imposes a sixmonth jail term and a P5,000 fine for face-mask violators. Batangas City currently has 105 COVID-19 cases.

Talking to CNN Philippines, Tiangco said once the police augmentation team arrives in the city, residents will get a day's notice before the lockdown begins.

Super-rich...

From A1

"As COVID-19 strikes the world, millionaires like us have a critical role to play in healing our world," the letter read.

"No, we are not the ones caring for the sick in intensive care wards.

"We are not driving the ambulances that will bring the ill to hospitals. We are not restocking grocery store shelves or delivering food door to door.

"But we do have money, lots of it. Money that is desperately needed now and will continue to be needed in the years ahead, as

Angkas...

From A1

weeks of testing and improving dozens of prototypes. We look forward to collaborating closely with the IATF on this and furthering the safety of all Filipinos during this pandemic,” he added.

Government earlier approved a barrier design attached to the motorcycle after it allowed backriding for couples.

However, Cavite Governor Jonvic

our world recovers from this crisis."

The letter was published before the forthcoming meeting of G20 finance ministers.

As countries scramble to respond to the economic impact of the global pandemic, some have already mooted introducing higher taxes.

In the UK, the Institute of Fiscal Studies think-tank has said higher taxes were inevitable for many, not just the superwealthy.

Earlier this month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez indicated his government could introduce higher taxes and Russia will also target higher earners. AFP

to grant ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise.

He says the Constitution and the law do not exclude the enactment of a franchise, and does not make any distinctions on the kind of law that may be enacted directly by the people through a people’s initiative.

But Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed doubt if a people's initiative was possible and if the Commission on elections had the funds for it.

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, called on the media to continue to be fearless in their journalism despite the recent House decision on ABS-CBN, and that a vigilant public and a free and fair media were what the country needed.

wards, as almost a dozen hospitals have reported 100 percent occupancy for their COVID-19 intensive care unit beds.

Vergeire said that as of July 11, there were 12,684 suspect and probable cases for COVID-19 in home quarantine in different parts of the country.

She said the country has more than enough temporary treatment facilities in case the number of patients increases due to the easing of quarantine measures in the country.

The 8,287 LIGTAS COVID centers of local government units have 70,029 beds that are just 25 percent occupied, she said.

Meanwhile, the 14 Mega LIGTAS COVID-19 facilities of the national government only have 38 percent occupancy of its 3,193 beds.

On Monday, National Policy Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon said the country now has 85 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing laboratories for COVID-19.

“As we increased the number of our laboratories in May to June, our testing reached nearly 1 million as of June 11,” Dizon said in a Palace briefing Monday.

He said the country will surpass its target of 1 million COVID-19 testing in the next few days.

At the same time, the DOH warned the public against non-licensed COVID-19 testing facilities and laboratories, which are prohibited and dangerous.

The DOH made the statement after Clearbridge Medical Philippines last July 7 posted on Facebook that it has been open for dialysis treatments and COVID-19 rapid and RT-PCR testing for the past few weeks.

The company, the DOH said, is not certified to conduct COVID-19 testing.

Clearbridge Medical later apologized, saying it failed to mention in its post that the facility is in partnership with Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc., which is a DOH-licensed COVID-19 testing laboratory. With PNA and AFP

Gas prices up P0.65, diesel

by P0.30 today

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL companies raised the price of gasoline

by P0.65 per liter, kerosene by P0.40 per liter and diesel by P0.30 per liter at 6 a.m. to reflect the movement of prices in the world market.

Among those that raised their prices were Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Total Philippines, Unioil Philippines said over the weekend that prices will likely go up this week.

It said diesel should increase by P0.30 to P0.40 per liter and gasoline by P0.50 to P0.70 per liter.

World oil prices went up last week amid optimism that the drug Remdesivir formulated by Gilead Sciences, Inc. showed an improvement in clinical recovery in COVID-19 patients and a 62 percent reduction in the risk of mortality.

However, the increasing number of COVID-19 cases remains a cause for concern and is expected to continue dampening global oil demand.

Last week, the oil firms implemented a price rollback by P0.65 per liter for gasoline and P0.40 per liter for kerosene, ending eight weeks of consecutive oil price hikes. The oil firms did not adjust diesel prices last week.

TD ’Carina’ moves toward Luzon Strait

By Rio N. Araja and Alena Mae S. Flores A LOW-PRESSURE area in Cagayan developed into a tropical depression named “Carina” at 2 a.m. on Monday, the weather bureau said.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said “Carina” maintained its strength while moving west-northwest and heading toward the Luzon Strait.

The bureau issued its bulletin even as the state-run National Electrification Administration ordered all electric cooperatives to prepare contingency measures against “Carina.”

The tropical depression’s center was estimated 165 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph, it was moving west north-west at 15 kph.

Batanes, the Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan remained under tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1., but the storm was expected to leave shortly.

“This tropical depression is forecast to weaken into a low-pressure area on Wednesday,” Pagasa said.

The mayor said residents will be allowed to leave if they work outside Navotas, and nonresidents who work in the city will be allowed to enter during the lockdown.

"I am not sure if this is a solution, but I am certain that if I do this the number of cases will not increase," Tiangco told a radio station.

Quarantine measures to contain the virus vary across the Philippines, but the strictest and longest lockdown was in Metro Manila, the center of the country's outbreak.

It shut down in mid-March and only began to reopen at the beginning of June with limited public transport and offices permitted to have skeleton staff.

Since then lockdowns have been re-imposed on several neighbourhoods as cases jumped, but the stay-at-home order for Navotas will be the biggest.

One of the poorest areas of Metro Manila and home to its main fishing port, Navotas has 931 confirmed cases and 59 deaths, according to local government figures. The city recorded 31

new cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 547 active cases.

But the number of new infections has spiked in the past two weeks.

"We have no choice but to do it because people are so stubborn," said Tiangco, referring to people flouting social distancing rules.

Tiangco said the city's two isolation facilities are now full after two days of record-high new cases, prompting local health officials to send patients to quarantine centers managed by the national government.

He said residents became complacent when Metro Manila was put under a general community quarantine that eased restrictions.

The city, he said, will impose heavier fines on those who violate rules quarantine rules on the use of face masks and social distancing.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan, ordered a lockdown on its premises Monday after two of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Remulla has described the bike-attached design as "dangerous, inconvenient, and does not make sense."

Meanwhile, the task force said Monday motorcycle drivers and their backriders must show proof they are a couple to avoid being arrested.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said a back-rider will be asked to present documents at quarantine control points or to law enforcers as proof that he or she is married to the driver.

He said a married couple should have the same last name, and common-law

partners must have the same address.

Año says married couples should bring copies of their marriage certificates and present IDs if asked by law enforcers.

The NTF has approved motorcycle back-riding using a prototype barrier, but says only married or common-law couples may ride together in a bike.

Año says a prototype design submitted by Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap had been adopted by the National Task Force for COVID-19.

He said the recommendation had been submitted to Malacañang, through the Department of National Defense, in the first week of July.

Santos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, is the 53rd AFP chief, replacing Gen. Noel Clement who retired on Jan. 4.

Arevalo said it is the prerogative of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to extend the term of Santos if he wishes to do so, especially now that the country is in the midst of a pandemic.

The AFP Board of Generals, as a matter of course, needs to convene to submit and assess the best possible candidates as next AFP chief, he added.

"So if the President feels or sees that there is a need for him to extend the term of the current chief-of-staff, then it (is) within his prerogative to do so," he added. PNA

plans to lay out its official position next week, said one of the people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The unspecified move comes as US President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Beijing over issues from the coronavirus pandemic to trade.

The threats are flying thick and fast in the South China Sea, the Australian news site news.com.au reported.

It quoted Beijing’s state-controlled Global Times news service, which declared: “Any US aircraft carrier movement in the region is at the pleasure of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army).”

The US Navy’s chief of information retorted: “And yet, there they are. Two @

USNavy aircraft carriers operating in the international waters of the South China Sea.” “The US is not a country in the region and it is doing large-scale exercises in the South China Sea, far away from its homeland, yet at the same time it is unreasonably accusing China of doing normal military exercises at its doorstep,” Zhang Junshe, a senior colonel in the Chinese navy, said in the Chinese government paper PLA Daily.

Beijing has built up a chain of artificial island fortresses in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, and has been holding regular large-scale naval exercises there, the latest kicking off last week, the Australian website said.

Tensions...

From A1

Meanwhile, the Trump administration plans to make an announcement this week related to escalating tensions in the waterway, where Washington and Beijing are vying for military supremacy, two people familiar with the matter said in a Yahoo News report.

The US has raised concerns over China’s decision to conduct military exercises in the contested waters around the Paracel Islands.

The US Defense Department last week called the actions “unlawful,” and the US

Ten...

From A1

News Sanlakas joins call vs Anti-Terror Law

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A3

‘Private school teachers also need aid’

By Rey E. Requejo

By Maricel V. Cruz

ANOTHER multi-sectoral people’s alliance and partylist organization, Sanlakas, has asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 for being unconstitutional.

In a petition, the group represented by its president Manjette Lopez challenged the constitutionality of Section 4 of R.A. 11479 for supposedly violating Section 4 Article III of the Constitution and under the void-for-vagueness principle.

Sanlakas argued that the said provision declares “advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights” as a crime of terrorism when such is “intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger a person’s life, or to create a serious risk to public safety” and when its purpose “is to intimidate the general public or a segment thereof, create atmosphere or spread a message of fear, to provoke or influence by intimidation the government or any international organization, or seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political economic, or social structures of the country, or create a public emergency or seriously undermine public safety.”

The group said that advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action are forms of free speech and expression guaranteed under Section 1, Article II of the 1987 Constitution.

The petitioner also expressed apprehension that the ATC would make free speech, free expression and free assembly “to the realm of unlawful acts.”

CONGRESSIONAL leader on Monday urged the House of Representatives to include financial aid for private school teachers and personnel in the planned Bayanihan 2 or We Recover as One Law.

A STILL WAITING. Around 50 locally-stranded individuals ( LSIs ) huddle under used tarpaulins against the rain today, 13 July 2020, at the premises of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, as they await news from authorities on the resumption of the government’s Hatid Tulong program, so that they will be able to get back to their home provinces. Norman Cruz

Speed up testing for tourism frontliners—House

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives wants to accelerate the expanded COVID-19 testing for tourism frontliners as the Department of Tourism seeks to make domestic leisure travel as a huge driver to reboot the country’s tourism.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said he supports the plan of the National Task Force against COVID-19 to expand testing strategy covering nonmedical frontliners who are not showing

symptoms of the disease.

Cayetano’s comment came in response to a recent “Philippine Travel Survey” conducted by the Tourism department which showed that 77 percent of respondents expressed their willingness to travel to local destinations once restrictions are lifted.

Cayetano also urged the Department of Tourism to work with the Task Force Test, Trace, Treat (T3) and its private sector partners to accelerate the plan to conduct COVID19-testing for the workers in

key tourist destinations in the country.

“An aggressive and sustained COVID-19 testing of our tourism frontliners is necessary to facilitate faster recovery in the tourism industry and ensure safe working environment,” said Cayetano.

“With the increased testing capacity in the country, tourism workers can be included in the expanded testing program.

This initiative can help build trust and confidence of the domestic tourists as we begin to re-open more economic activities in the next few months,” he added.

Palace okays KWF exec’s resignation

WRONG DAY.

A uniformed personnel manning an entrance at a market in General Trias, Cavite, stopped a man who wanted to enter the premises because Monday is reserved or assigned to PWDs, senior citizens, frontliners and medical practitioners.

R Josue

MALACAÑANG on Monday said screenwriter Jerry Gracio has the right to resign from his current post as Commissioner for Samar-Leyte Languages at the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.

“That’s his prerogative and that’s his opinion. We let it be,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual Palace briefing.

Gracio, a senior writer of the embattled ABS-CBN, submitted his resignation letter on Saturday and posted a copy of it on his Twitter account on Monday.

His resignation comes after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Friday, July 10, junked ABS-CBN’s franchise bid in a 70-11 vote, permanently shutting down a major part of the country’s largest media network.

He tendered his resignation through KWF office-in-charge Arthur Casanova.

“I cannot anymore serve a fascist government, even on a holdover capacity,” Gracio said in a tweet to accompany his resignation letter.

In his letter, he explained that he has resigned from the post twice before—when Casanova was appointed to the commission in 2013 and last January 10.

He explained that he only stayed in his post since Casanova has yet to appoint a replacement.

“Napipilitan na lamang akong gampanan ang tungkulin dahil wala kayong itinalagang kapalit ko (I am only forced to fulfil my role because you have not appointed my replacement),” his letter read.

“We should have one-time assistance for employees in private schools who, like most of our workers, have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of these employees have been without jobs and income as well,” Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said.

Romero, who represents party-list group 1-Pacman, said private school personnel should receive financial assistance like low-income families which were granted P5,000 to P8,000 under the Bayanihan 1 or We Heal as One Act the legislature passed in March days after the coronavirus outbreak.

“We can categorize them as lowincome and include the same amount of aid for them in Bayanihan 2, depending on the regions where they are located,” he said.

He pointed out that private school teachers would continue to be without income until classes open in August.

The House leader noted that in the case of the more than 700,000 personnel of public schools, they continued to receive salaries during the pandemic.

He said private school employees who already received P5,000 to P8,000 under Bayanihan 1 would no longer get additional assistance if Congress includes such aid in Bayanihan 2 Romero said that the Department of Labor and Employment and private schools should be able to identify potential beneficiaries.

“Our workers in the private education system need our help. Like most of our people, they too are suffering from this pandemic,” he said.

IN BRIEF China, PH diplomatic ‘Isolation, testing required for new PNPA cadets’

NEWLY-ENTERED cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy are required to undergo isolation and coronavirus testing, PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said on Monday.

Gamboa said the move is to ensure that members of the PNPA Class 2024 are safe from the disease, even as the reasons of the death of the two cadets who died within in a span of three days are heat stroke and low potassium.

“I do not want to discount the possibility that there is infection at PNPA and other training camps because of other experiences abroad,” Gamboa told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame.

On Wednesday, Cadet 4th Class Kenneth Ross Alvarado died of heat stroke and two days later, Cadet 4th Class Jiary Jasen Papa succumbed to low potassium. Both are from the PNPA Class 2024.

MRT-3 reopens; bans talking inside trains SIX days after suspending its train service to complete coronavirus disease (Covid-19) testing of all of its personnel, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Monday resumed operations with more stringent health safeguards.

In a Facebook post, the MRT-3 said it has resumed its train service with 12 of its CKD trains and two Dalian trains, with an average headway—or time between trains—of nine minutes.

“The first trains will leave North Avenue and Taft Avenue stations at 5:30 a.m. The last train from North Avenue station will depart at 9:10 p.m. while the last train from Taft Avenue station will depart at 10:11 p.m.,” the MRT-3 said in Filipino.

To further limit possible viral transmission among its trains, the MRT-3 has announced that it now prohibits its passengers from talking when inside its trains—including making and receiving phone calls.

“It is now prohibited for passengers to answer calls on mobile phones, or through any other device, as well as talking while inside the train,” the MRT-3 said.

The measure, it said, aims to curb possible transmission of the disease through the reduction of “respiratory droplets” that occur when talking, coughing, and sneezing, in addition to wearing face masks at all times. PNA

ties remain strong

DESPITE controversies between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea, diplomatic friendship between the two countries has continued to grow strong.

Both countries look forward to a continuing friendship and mutually-beneficial relations between their peoples, which would translate to specific contributions to progress, and peace and harmony in the Asia Pacific region.

In a June 9 letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Rodrigo Duterte “as the entire world continues to face challenges to security and stability and the rule of law and with the rise of non-traditional and emerging threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic, further strengthening Philippines-China partnership takes on even greater significance.”

China has poured in $15-billion investment in various infrastructure developments, such as the SubicClark railway project by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and China Harbour Engineering Co.; Bonifacio Global City-Ninoy Aquino International Airport segment of the Metro Manila bus rapid transit-EDSA project by BCDA and China Road and Bridge Corp.; BCDA-China Fortune Land Real Estate; safe and smart city projects by BCDA and Huawei Technologies Transportation and logistics infrastructure at Sangley Point by Cavitex Holdings, International Container Terminal Services Inc. and China Harbour Engineering; joint venture agreement of Jimei Group of China and Expedition Construction Corp.; and North Negros biomass and South Negros biomass project by North Negros Biopower and Wuxi Huaguang Electric Power Engineering Globe Telecom.

China has also invested on a renewable energy project by Columbus Capitana and China CAMC Engineering New Generation Steel Manufacturing Plant by Mannage Resources and SIIC Shanghai International Trade HK; a joint venture on steel plants by Global Ferronickel and Baiyin International Renewable energy projects by Xinjiang TBEA Sunoasis; Davao coastline and port development project by Mega Harbor Port and Development and China Harbour Engineering; Manila Harbour Center reclamation by R-II Builders Inc. and China Harbour Engineering; Cebu International and Bulk Terminal project by Mega Harbour Port and CCCC Dredging Company; cabling manufacturing facilities by MVP Global Infrastructure Group and Suli GrpLtd.; Manila EDSA Bus Transportation program

by Phil State Group and Yangtse Motor group and Minmetals International; hybrid rice production by SL Agritech and Jiangsu Hongqi Seed Inc.; Bus manufacturing facility by Zhuhai Bus and Coach Co.; Banana plantation project by AVLB Asia Pacific and Shanghai Xinwo Agriculture Development Co.; and a 300MW Pulangi-5 Hydro Project by Greenergy Co. and Power China Guizhou Engineering Corp.

China has helped the Philippines in its successful trial planting of China’s hybrid rice and corn.

Earlier, the Duterte administration threatened to end the country’s century-old alliance with the United States by unilaterally abrogating the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement.

BELINDA BORJA GOOD 12 June 1959 – 9 July 2020

Belinda Borja Good peacefully joined her Creator on July 9, 2020 at 61.

Belinda is survived by her children Jim and Robee; sisters Bicbic, Bessie, Grace and family, Nene and Wolfie, brother Bong & Jessica and family. All of whom she loved and touched deeply.

Tentative schedule of cremation is July 15, 2020, Wednesday at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at St. Therese Columbarium, G|F Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Newport Boulevard, Villamor, Pasay City at 3:30 p.m.

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

—Romans 14:8

LGUs

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

A4

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Makati teachers to get new laptops for SY 2020-21 Isko wants jail for parents who endanger kids

By Willie Casas IRRESPONSIBLE parents who let their children leave home without face masks during curfew hours should be jailed, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said Monday.

Domagoso made the remarks upon receiving a report from the Manila Department of Social Welfare that more minors were apprehended for violating curfew and face mask ordinances.

Domagoso said there were also minors among the 1,028 street dwellers rescued by the MDSW. "Many of them are not attended to properly by their parents; may of them are COVID-19 positive after they were tested following apprehension,” he said.

The Mayor said the parents of these children should face charges for neglect.

"Let’s start jailing irresponsible parents. I don’t mind if our jails would be crowded because of parents violating the Anti-Child Endangerment Ordinance of the City Manila," Domagoso said.

"Hard time requires hard decisions so we can check the spread of coronavirus,” he added.

Domagoso ordered MPD chief Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda and MDSW chief Re Fugoso to file charges against parents caught neglecting their children.

By Joel E. Zurbano

P

UBLIC school teachers in Makati City will be given brand new laptop computers for school year 2020-2021, Mayor Abigail Binay announced Monday.

According to Binay, her new project covers all 2,500 teachers in elementary, junior and senior high school in the city.

“As the education system shifts to the new normal, teachers also have to adapt to the changes. The city government has

anticipated their primary needs and will thus be providing them with laptops to ensure that they can promptly prepare their digitized lessons and conduct online classes,” she said.

Binay said they were planning to distrib-

ute the gadgets this October, in time for the celebration of World Teacher’s Day. “No one shall be left behind, whether in teaching or in learning. We must support teachers and students alike. As I have previously announced, the city will provide free internet access for teachers and students for their online sessions and activities,” the city chief executive said.

Last June, Binay announced that over 85,000 students from preschool to

1,400 arrested in Pampanga sans facemask

By Jess Malabanan

SEIZED CONTRABANDS. A viewing Monday at the Manila International Container Port, attended by BOC-Custom Intelligence and Investigation Services Chief Alvin Enciso, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Raniel Ramiro, Deputy Commissioner for Internal Administrative Group Donato San Juan, and District Collector Romy Rosales. This refers to the recent seizure of a shipment consigned to Trichmon Trading declared as non-woven hand bags but found to contain cigarettes and used clothes worth P75 million.

Senator wants 22 new cases bring Taguig virus tally to 1,516 deeper probe on worksites

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Joel Villanueva has asked the Department of Labor and Employment to intensify its labor inspections at workplaces following reports that 327 workers got infected with COVID-19 in a construction site in Taguig.

“Having 327 workers testing positive at a single workplace should already serve as a wake-up call for DOLE,” said Villaneuva.

He said this incident clearly showed how the transmission of the disease could spread to a lot of people if prevention and control measures were lax.

Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resource Development, said DOLE must continue its labor inspections in workplaces to ensure compliance to occupational safety and health protocols and help control the spread of COVID-19.

He also reminded employers to adhere to the interim guidelines issued by the DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry in May on the prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace.

The guidelines, which was released in May, mandated safety officers to “monitor COVID-19 prevention and control measures” in the workplace, according to Villanueva.

Safety officers at workplaces should not hesitate to issue a work stoppage order as soon as a worker has been conclusively determined to be infected by COVID-19 to immediately prevent the spread of the disease to other workers, Villanueva pointed out.

Republic Act No. 11058, or the OSH law, empowers safety officers to issue a work stoppage order as soon as it becomes unsafe for workers in the workplace, without fear of reprisal from management.

“We commend the local government of Taguig for taking the lead in testing and tracing the contacts of the workers, but clearly there has to be more effort coming from the safety personnel of the workplace,” added the lawmaker.

senior high school enrolled in the city’s public schools for the coming school year would each receive a learner’s package, on top of the annual freebies they receive under Project FREE. In addition to this, both teachers and students will receive a free daily five-hour internet load.

The learner’s package contains an On-The-Go (OTG) flash drive, printed modules, and two washable face masks in a pouch.

THE Taguig City government has recorded 22 new cases of coronavirus disease, bringing to 1,516 the total of confirmed cases in the city as of Monday.

The city's public information office said the new cases came from the areas of Bagumbayan, Wawa, Fort Bonifacio, and Tanyag.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases was attributed to the aggressive testing and contact tracing done in areas that were placed on a localized lockdown.

These areas are a construction site in

Bonifacio Global City, where 327 of the 691 workers tested positive for COVID-19; and four areas in Lower Bicutan, where 111 out of the 2,104 tests conducted so far tested positive.

"We acted fast and these areas were immediately contained. More cases are expected as the city government continues to aggressively test. The target is for 10 percent of the city population to be tested before the year ends," said Cayetano.

"We are one of the cities leading in testing and having done more than 12,000 tests and having covered 2.16 percent of the population. The strength

of the Taguig testing program is the wide infrastructure that includes 31 testing centers, two drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites, with 36 contact tracing teams and a strong partnership with the national government testing facility," he added.

The city government has five quarantine facilities, and is planning opening a 500-bed mega-quarantine facility at the Lakeshore area in Barangay Lower Bicutan.

"The city aims to slowly open this facility in a few weeks," said Cayetano.

"In line with this, we urge the public for their full cooperation. Joel E. Zurbano

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Nearly 1,400 persons were arrested by police authorities as the campaign against non-wearing of face mask intensified due to the spike in the number of coronavirus contracted cases across Pampanga, a top police official said.

"Violation of Provincial Ordinance 756 or the mandatory wearing of face mask have (sic) been filed against violators," said Col. Jean Fajardo, director of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office on the sideline of the launching of "Disiplina Muna."

"Disiplina Muna" is a project of the Department of Interior and Local Government aimed at instilling discipline especially during the pandemic, Fajardo added.

"Due to lack of discipline, the number of those infected by the coronavirus disease is on the rise,” Fajardo said.

She said 2,279 others were arrested in separate towns for other violations ranging from curfew, liquor ban, and disobedience, bringing to 8,320 persons sent to an hour community service instead of sending them to jail.

After community service, Fajardo said violators underwent briefing on the danger of coronavirus before they were freed and sent home.

A total 178 coronavirus cases have been recorded by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, 111 of whom have recovered and 17 deaths as of July 12.

PESU also reported that no fresh cases were monitored on Sunday.

The City of San Fernando has the most number of afflicted persons with 30 confirmed cases, followed

by Angeles City with 29 cases and Apalit town 25.

Santiago City cops nab 6 in illegal drug buy-busts SANTIAGO CITY—The Police Office here, in coordination with agents of the city's drug enforcement unit and the region's drug enforcement authority, arrested recently seven drug personalities in separate buy-bust operations.

Cases of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against the seven have been referred to the city prosecutor's office for investigation.

Officials identified those arrested as Edison Mangoba Sarmiento on

July 6, 2020 along National Highway, Batal, Santiago City for selling one piece heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be a dangerous drug in consideration of P1,000.00 buy-bust money.

The suspect was previously arrested and charged with the same offense in September 2018 wherein, he availed himself with Plea Bargaining Agreement on June 18, 2019 and was released from detention cell in November 2019. Brenda Jocson

Jeers, cheers for Batangas solons

FROM TRACK TO GARDEN. A woman harvests vegetables from a plot that used to be part of the Manila Zoo's horseback riding area, which has been turned into an urban veggie garden, in this photo from the Manila Public Information Office.

MANY Batangas residents have expressed disappointment on social media over the support of Batangas’ District 2 Rep. Raneo Abu to deny the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. last week.

On the other hand, the netizens, including Alvin Magpantay of Lipa City, said they were proud of Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto for taking a stand to support ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

A certain Melanie from Bauan, Batangas lamented: “How and where can we get real-time information during times of disasters when one of our sources of information was ABS-CBN?” “They, including our representative, should have looked after the welfare of the people they serve,” she said.

Viewers and listeners of ABS-CBN and its radio station from Metro Manila were not the only ones who had been affected by the shutdown of the giant media company, she said.

After 13 hearings, a congressional committee, with a vote of 70 members, junked ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal for 25 years.

A resident from Mabini, Batangas, a certain Melvin, said the public was never consulted about ABS-CBN’s closure.

He asked the Batangas lawmaker as to “how did they know that the people would favor the company’s shutdown?”

In his Facebook post, Don Bay Pangilinan said Abu has a lot of explaining to do for his action.

Another netizen, Cecil Clerigo Llamoso, said the lawmaker shouldn't have just ignored the key role of ABS-CBN in delivering the news to the people at the height of Taal Volcano’s eruption.

Meanwhile, Santos-Recto, a House Deputy Speaker, said Monday in an ANC interview she was "prepared" for the possible consequences of her vote for the franchise application of ABSCBN Corp., which was denied by a 7011 vote.

Opinion Vampires attacking the poor EAGLE EYES

TONY LA VIÑA IN MY previous column, I cited the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Philippines and said I would write a series of columns based on it. This is because it a well-documented and superbly written report, based on solid research and on impeccable information collected by the Office of the United Nations Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR).

You can win against vampires only when you stand up to them.

To complete this report, requested by the United Nations Human Rights Council, 893 written submissions were received by the OHCHR as of January 31, 2020. The Philippine government provided substantial written input, including a response to a list of written questions. Thus, it can be said to be a fair and balanced report, some parts of it I reproduce below.

President Rodrigo Duterte was voted into office in 2016 pledging to kill criminals and eliminate corruption and drugs in “three to six months.” Even before his inauguration, the arrests and killings began.

Based on police data from 42,286 police anti-illegal drugs operations conducted from 1 July 2016 until 30 November 2017, 507— only 1.2 per cent—were based on an arrest warrant. In addition to the barangay lists, the President published “narcolists” of government officials allegedly involved in the drug trade. House visitations systematically forced suspects to make self-incriminating statements or risk facing lethal force. Refusal of house visitation—even without a search or arrest warrant—was to result in “immediate case-build up and negation.” Encouragement by the highest level of state officials to use lethal force, may have emboldened police to treat the circular as permission to kill.

The government denies that there is a policy to kill people who use drugs and states that all deaths occur during legitimate police operations. Thus, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, since the launch of Double Barrel on 1 July 2016 and until 31 January 2020, the police killed 5,601 persons. There are however reports of widespread drug-related killings perpetrated by unidentified “vigilantes.”

The administration’s 2017 Year-End Report mentions 16,355 “homicide cases under investigation” as accomplishments in the fight against illegal drugs, prompting the Highest Court to raise the possibility that

the killings were State-sponsored. Noting that drug operations by police and homicides perpetrated by unidentified persons resulted in 20,322 deaths from 1 July 2016 to 27 November 2017, the Supreme Court demanded an explanation for the staggering average of nearly 40 deaths per day. In March 2019, police claimed that although there were 29,000 deaths labelled as “deaths under inquiry” between 1 July 2016 and 4 February 2019, only 3,062 (9.47 per cent) were drug-related.

A previous study, however, had found that police severely underreported the percentage of drug-related killings among homicides.

The OHCHR cannot verify the number of extrajudicial killings without further investigation. However, based on gathered information, the drug campaign-related killings appear to have a widespread and systematic character.

The most conservative figure, based on government data, suggests that since July 2016, 8,663 people have been killed—with other estimates of up to triple that number.

Police reports disclosed before the Supreme Court offer insight into the conduct of 22 anti-drug operations in which 29 persons were killed – all in their homes. Except for one case, police conducted the operations without warrants. Pre-operational plans drawn up by police called for “immediate apprehension” and “neutralization” of targeted persons. Post-operational spot reports claimed that the targets were killed after resisting. The spot reports, however, contained strikingly similar language to describe each victim’s alleged utterance (“put*ng ina mo pulis ka pala”—which roughly translates as “so you are a police [officer], son-of-ab*tch”) and actions (“suspect drew his weapon, fired at the lawmen but missed”), raising doubts about whether the reports were only filled pro forma.

From all of these, once can only conclude that there is a massacre going on in the Philippines and it is directed at the poor. Aswang, an award winning film directed by the brilliant Alyx Ayn G. Arumpac and shown over the weekend, portrays this reality through the lens of funeral parlor workers who wait every night to pick up the bodies, the children of the neighborhoods where the massacre is happening, the victims themselves, and the Redemptorists in Baclaran who assist the families of the victims and are documenting the atrocities.

There are vampires prowling and killing persons in poor urban communities. But you can win against the vampires only when you stand up to them. And so people are fighting back, no longer afraid, as Arumpac’s movie subtly implies as it concludes.

The UN Report is a testimonial to the courage of poor Filipinos as dozens of witnesses have now come forward to describe what is happening in the Philippines. When Duterte and his cohorts are charged and tried in the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, the one thing that won’t be absent would be witnesses. That won’t bring the dead back to life, but it will give them justice.

Facebook page: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

National Artist for Film remembered 2012, with appropriate rites.

ABOUT TOWN

Human rights under siege

ERNESTO M. HILARIO A FORMER colleague of mine in a now-defunct government agency under Malacañang, Conrad de Quiros, once shared, during one of our interminable drinking sessions at the Ihaw Balot Plaza beerhouse in Quezon City in the late 70s, his experience watching a film starring the late screen legend Fernando Poe Jr. In the few times that he did so in Naga City where he spent his teenage years, Conrad narrated that some viewers would get so carried away by the action scenes where FPJ would invariably face screen villains like Max Alvarado and Paquito Diaz in furious fisticuffs or rowdy gunfights. Da King would always prevail over them in the end, but not before someone in the audience would even stand up from his seat and shout, "Sa likod mo!" to warn the Da King of a looming threat or treacherous attack from another bad guy in the movie.

That showed, he said, how the masses identified with the good- guy image that FPJ preserved throughout his life, on-screen and off it.

It even made his supporters decide to field him in the 2004 presidential elections as the opposition candidate against the incumbent.

Gloria Arroyo won that election by a slim margin of over a million votes, but her victory was later marred by allegations of cheating.

Anyway, that's another story.

FPJ died from heart failure in December 2004. It was on May 23, 2006 that he was posthumously named a National Artist for Film by Arroyo, in recognition of his contributions to Philippine cinema over several decades. The Poe family politely declined the award at the time, perhaps because even as his electoral protest, rendered moot and academic by his untimely demise, went nowhere, the loss still rankled among his many followers. The award was confirmed by President Benigno Aquino III on July 20, 2012 and was presented to his family on August 16 that year, a few days shy of what would have been his 73rd birth anniversary.

It's been eight years since then, and the Poe family has decided to commemorate next Monday, July 20, when FPJ was officially declared as National Artist for Film by PNoy in

On another note, we take cognizance of the release last week by the Commission on Human Rights of a 104-page report that contains a scathing indictment of how the Duterte administration has legitimized violence against human rights defenders (HRDs) in the country.

“The prevailing climate of impunity in the context of violence against HRDs is largely attributable to the pronouncements of the President,” the CHR said in the report summarizing the results of its fact-finding inquiry begun in September 2019.

The masses identified with the good- guy image that FPJ preserved throughout his life, on-screen and off it.

The CHR also said there is a “systematic attack” on rights defenders across all sectors of civil society in the Philippines.

“The President through his pronouncements created a dangerous fiction that it is legitimate to hunt down and commit atrocities against HRDs because they are enemies of the state,” the report said.

“Extreme supporters” of Mr. Duterte also contribute to the hostile environment in the country for human rights workers, since these supporters “demonize the concept of human rights and HRDs,” the commission said.

The report enumerated Duterte’s most damaging public statements against human rights advocates: (1) He does not care about human rights; (2) HRDs should be blamed if the country’s drug problem worsens; (3) HRDs should be shot if they are obstructing justice; (4) He will investigate human rights groups for conspiracy; (5) Lawyers defending drug suspects will be the next target of his war on drugs; (6) He will target left-wing groups as they are communist fronts.

The report also noted how under the Duterte administration, the concept of human rights has been twisted to make it appear that HRDs are protectors of criminals.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

Logic takes a backseat

T

The barrier for the motorcycle could be similar to a prototype plastic shield proposed

by Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap, the IATF spokesman said.

“There will be a handle and the barrier will go higher than the driver’s head so we can ensure no saliva droplets are spread,” he said in Filipino.

Couples must also wear face masks, helmets and observe the speed limits, the officials added.

HE shambolic manner in which the government has approached the question of pillion riding during a pandemic seems emblematic of the way rules are imposed and disseminated willy-nilly on a long suffering public.

Since a Luzon-wide lockdown was imposed in March, pillion riding on motorcycles has been banned to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Now, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Diseases (IATF) says back or pillion riding on motorcycles for couples who live together will be allowed as long as there is a protective shield between the riders.

In announcing the decision last week, the spokesman for the IATF, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, said only married spouses are allowed to ride together.

Asked if siblings and live-in partners are covered, the spokesman said no, because the clamor—at least initially—has been to allow married couples to ride pillion.

Later on, however, the vice-chairman of the IATF, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, said cohabiting couples are also permitted to ride, adding that the National Task Force may also consider allowing live-in partners from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community to back ride.

“We'll start first with married couples, common-law husband and wife, and live-in partners,” he told CNN in Filipino.

This is the way rules are imposed on and disseminated to a long-suffering public.

Año said married couples will be asked to present IDs or marriage certificates at quarantine control checkpoints or to law enforcers, while common-law partners must show documents proving they share the same address.

"There must be a proof somewhere, probably an ID with their address [to show they] are living in the same address," he said.

"They can actually get a certificate from the barangay that they are living in that particular house."

Those who fail to comply with these requirements will be punished in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, he added.

Local officials and some lawmakers have been urging policy makers on the COVID-19 response to lift the ban on back riding, giv-

en the need for affordable transportation for lower-income families, particularly given the limited public transport options available, even under a general community quarantine.

The IATF’s response, however, makes unnecessary impositions.

Senator Ralph Recto, for example, questions the efficacy of a barrier when the couples “hold hands in going to the motorcycle and kiss each other goodbye after the ride.”

Installing such a barrier on motorcycles, he says, is about as “effective as installing a concrete road divider on the matrimonial bed.”

“Isn’t the protection offered them by the motorcycle barrier during the day cancelled by their intimacy at night?” he asks.

He also suggests that the barrier might compromise the roadworthiness of the motorcycle and thus threaten the safety of both driver and the passenger.

Party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong agrees, saying the divider requirement needs to be scrapped.

“I don’t see any reason why a divider or a shield is required for couples who eat, sleep and even take a bath together. That shield just presents a major hazard on the road,” Ong says.

He adds that this requirement to place dividers on motorcycles is now the subject of complaints among riders who say it has become a convenient excuse for corrupt traffic enforcers to extort them.

On the balance, given the need to enable more people to get back to work, it is probably a good thing to allow pillion riding so long as it involves persons living in the same house. Differentiating married couples from everybody else in a household just adds another layer of bureaucracy on a public long suffering a surfeit of rules. And the barrier?

That’s just trumpery we don’t need.

ABS-CBN I SHOULD first disclose that Gabby Lopez is a former classmate and former boss of mine (although we parted professional ways under less than good terms). I will always like and respect his family, even if I disagree with their political leanings.

Last week’s House committee decision not to renew the franchise of the Lopezes’ ABS-CBN came as no surprise, not after the President vowed last year that it wouldn’t be renewed. This latest discreet exercise of presidential power should please believers—not me--in the centralization of vast authority within that office and in the national capital.

Obviously, it will also please believers— like me—in Duterte’s agenda, one which is largely (at last count, by over 80 percent) endorsed by the populace. It means the wind is still at his back to complete the rest of his unfinished business—build out infrastructure, continue running down the terrorists and drug syndicates, push foreign policy independence, lately deal with the COVID pandemic, and—hopefully—reform our Constitution.

ABS-CBN got in the way of all that by making their anti-Duterte agenda almost personal. Unlike other, more cautious networks, they chose to use their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms to play hardball.

The family’s stubbornness is something they take pride in, going all the way back to the Marcos years.

Of course, the tiger they ride occasionally bites back—as when Gabby’s father landed in jail in 1972, or now that they’ve lost their franchise, nearly half a century later. You make your choices, you take your chances.

The more cautious networks today still survive. Arguably, those networks have done better by their shareholders on that account. *** It’s an essentially political face-off that ABS-CBN lost this time—little different from, say, the political contest in 2012 that led to the impeachment of the late Chief Justice Corona, much to the delight of the network.

Having said that, though, I must add that the decision of the majority congressmen, as a matter of record, left much to be desired.

One allegation involved “tax avoidance

FORMATION

GARY OLIVAR schemes.” The honorables took care to describe these as “questionable and unjust, if not immoral”—but not “illegal.” But if ABSCBN really ended up paying only one-tenth of the taxes of their nearest competitor—and so long as they didn’t break the law—they were only fulfilling their fiduciary duty to their shareholders. And I would love to meet their tax lawyers.

How the Lopezes decide this one— whether to stay in or move out of broadcasting—is not a question of press freedom, but one of commercial and political risk appetite.

As for the allegation of “less than exemplary labor practices,” my understanding is that DoLE was among the several government agencies who vouched for the network’s good behavior, on this as well as other charges. The ululations to high heavens by their employees after the decision do not sound like they come from an oppressed workforce.

The remaining three grounds—Gabby’s dual citizenship, the use of PDRs in ABSCBN’s capital structure, and alleged use of dummies—all arise from the Constitutional

The CHR cited instances of “red-tagging” and public vilification of rights workers, constant profiling and surveillance of HRDs, the militarization of the government, and the worsening culture of impunity in the country: “These acts largely remain unabated and HRDs are oftentimes left without any remedy to protect themselves.”

The report also found that the Duterte administration “purposely engages in acts that frustrate the fulfillment of the rights provided [in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders].”

The CHR urged the Duterte administration to pass the human rights defenders bill and to stop red-tagging and calling HRDs “enemies of the state.”

The CHR report will not doubt enrage Duterte even more and perhaps even call for its outright abolition. But certainly he knows that it is a constitutional body that cannot be shut down by fiat, only by amending the fundamental law. But he can do the next best thing, which is to ask his allies in Congress to give the agency a one-peso budget for 2021, and effectively abolish it.

Given all the killing that's going on, literally and figuratively, in the country since 2016, it's not far-fetched for Duterte to do just that to an agency that refuses to do his bidding and has been an albatross around his neck even before, while he was still a city mayor.

prohibition against any foreign investment at all in mass media. It’s also the main issue that’s been raised against Rappler, the network’s online confrere.

The law may have been broken in these cases. But this raises the question: Is this law a good one? This is especially relevant today, when much of our knowledge comes from the borderless Internet, and when new capital and technology could otherwise be brought in by foreign investors into our enfeebled economy. Absent Constitutional restrictions, those investors could include global media companies who could buy out the Lopezes, continue the network’s businesses, and save all those thousands of jobs.

Critics might complain about the danger of being led astray by those foreigners. Which of course begs the question of whether foreigners will in fact be more difficult for government to keep in line, compared to local, politically active oligarchs like….well, the Lopezes themselves. I’m sure the majority congressmen who voted down ABS-CBN would have something to say about that. *** Looking forward, some people have counseled the family not to sell out, but simply bide their time, tread water, and wait for 2022. In this connection, the rumor comes to mind about how they may have decided in 2014, when renewal first came up in Congress, not to press so hard for it (maybe there were millions of reasons involved). Instead, they may have preferred to bide their time, counting on the election of a new president in 2016 who would also be, like PNoy, very much their friend.

Unfortunately, they got Duterte. After 2022, they are likely to face more of the same. How the Lopezes decide this one— whether to stay in or move out of broadcasting—is not a question of press freedom, but one of commercial and political risk appetite.

It’s a decision that their minority and public shareholders as well as their various constituencies will expect them to handle better.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

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TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

10m kids ‘may never return to school’ after virus LONDON—The coronavirus pandemic has caused an “unprecedented education emergency” with up to 9.7 million children affected by school closures at risk of never going back to class, Save the Children warned Monday.

The British charity cited UNESCO data showing that in April, 1.6 billion young people were shut out of school and university due to measures to contain COVID-19 -- about 90 percent of the world’s entire student population.

“For the first time in human history, an entire generation of children globally have had their education disrupted,” it said in a new report, Save our Education.

It said the economic fall-out of the crisis could force an extra 90 to 117 million children into poverty, with a knock-on effect on school admissions.

With many young people required to work or girls forced into early marriage to support their families, this could see between seven and 9.7 million children dropping out of school permanently.

At the same time, the charity warned the crisis could leave a shortfall of $77 billion in education budgets in low and middle income countries by the end of 2021.

“Around 10 million children may never return to school -- this is an unprecedented education emergency and governments must urgently invest in learning,” Save the Children chief executive Inger Ashing said.

“Instead we are at risk of unparallelled budget cuts which will see existing inequality explode between the rich and the poor, and between boys and girls.”

The charity urged governments and donors to invest more funds behind a new global education plan to help children back into school when it is safe and until then support distance learning.

“We know the poorest, most marginalised children who were already the furthest behind have suffered the greatest loss, with no access to distance learning—or any kind of education—for half an academic year,” Ashing said.

Save the Children also urged commercial creditors to suspend debt repayments for low-income countries -- a move it said could free up $14 billion for education programmes. AFP

BIG CURLER.

A woman wearing a face mask has her hair curled by a special equipment at a beauty salon in Bangkok on July 12. AFP

Texan dies after ‘COVID party’ N

EW YORK—A 30-year-old man from Texas died from the new coronavirus after attending a “COVID-19” party hosted by an infected person, a doctor has revealed, underlining the risk to younger people.

Jane Appleby, chief medical officer at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, said the man thought the virus was a hoax, despite it killing more than 135,000 people in the United States so far.

As the country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the US on Sunday recorded 59,747 new cases over the last 24-hour period, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.

The number of cases in the US has rocketed in recent weeks, hitting a record of 66,528 in 24 hours on Saturday.

“Someone will be diagnosed with the disease, and they’ll have a party to invite their friends over to see if they can beat the disease,” Appleby said in a video broadcast by US media on Sunday.

“One of the things that was heartwrenching that he said to his nurse was,

‘You know, I think I made a mistake.’

“He thought the disease was a hoax.

He thought he was young and invincible and wouldn’t get affected by the disease.”

Appleby said young patients often do not realize how sick they are.

“They don’t look really sick. But when you check their oxygen levels and their lab tests, they’re really sicker than they appear,” she said, calling on people to take the risks seriously.

The Trump administration on Sunday again pressed for full school reopenings in the fall, even as resurgent coronavirus infections—many of them blamed on younger people—and a record spike in cases in

Elvis Presley’s only grandson dies, 27 NEW YORK—Elvis Presley’s only grandson died Sunday, his mother Lisa Marie Presley’s manager confirmed to AFP, with local media reporting the death as an apparent suicide.

Benjamin Keough, 27, was found in Calabasas near Los Angeles from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police sources told TMZ. Manager Roger Widynowski gave no details about the death, saying that Lisa Marie Presley -- Elvis’s only child from his marriage to actor Priscilla Presley -- was “heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated”.

“She adored that boy. He was the love of her life,” Widynowski said, adding she was “trying to stay strong” for her daughters.

Keough seldom appeared in public, but the few photos of him showed his strong resemblance to his grandfather.

Lisa Marie Presley, who has three other children, had described Keough’s resemblance to Elvis as “just uncanny.”

TMZ reported Keough was a musician who had done some acting and had attended the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death at the star’s former home Graceland in Memphis in 2017.

Rock’n’roll legend Elvis Presley died in 1977 aged 42. AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 86, QUEZON CITY SHEKINAH SOBREDO LUIS, Petitioner, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-18-11000-CV For: Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Marriage

RAYMOND ANDREW ZEPP, Respondent. x---------------------------------x

DECISION WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Court hereby declares the marriage of SHEKINAH SOBREDO LUIS and RAYMOND ANDREW ZEPP celebrated on June 23, 2013 in San Guillermo, Isabela, VOID AB INITIO on ground of psychological incapacity of the respondent pursuant to Article 36 of the Family Code with all the effects and consequences of all the existing provisions of law.

Let copies of this Decision be sent to the Office of Local Civil Registrar of San Guillermo, Isabela and the Philippine Statistics Authority, who are directed to CANCEL from their respective Civil Registries the marriage of SHEKINAH SOBREDO LUIS and RAYMOND ANDREW ZEPP celebrated on June 23, 2013.

Likewise furnish the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City for appropriate action on the matter as required by the Rules.

There being no properties acquired by the parties, no judgement is rendered regarding its liquidation, partition and distribution except to declare that the existing property relationship between the parties is dissolved and without effect.

SO ORDERED. In Quezon City, Philippines February 20, 2020 (Sgd.) HON. ROBERTO P. BUENAVENTURA Presiding Judge Copy Furnish: OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City SACP RANIEL S. CRUZ OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR

(MStandard-July 14, 2020)

Florida raise further questions about the country’s efforts to quell the disease.

The United States has by far the world’s highest caseload and number of deaths.

The country has now registered a total of 3,301,820 infections, the Baltimorebased university said in its latest data as of 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Monday).

The death toll stood at 135,171 with 442 additional deaths counted.

The surge in cases has forced some state governors to retreat from earlier efforts to reopen their economies, with some now embracing the wearing of masks. AFP

Pro-democracy Hong Kong poll draws 500,000

YOUTH’S VOICE. Pro-democracy activists Gwyneth Ho, Leung Hoi-ching, Tiffany Yuen and Joshua Wong (from left) campaign during primary elections in Hong Kong on July 12. Pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong held primary polls on July 11 and 12 to choose candidates for upcoming legislative elections, despite warnings from government officials that it may be in breach of a new security law imposed by China. AFP

#MeToo objections hound Seoul mayor Park’s funeral SEOUL —The funeral service for Seoul mayor Park Won-soon, who took his own life after being accused of sexual harassment, was held Monday despite a petition against the city-run ceremony signed by half a million people.

Former human rights lawyer Park was a heavyweight figure in the ruling Democratic party and ran South Korea’s sprawling capital—home to almost a fifth of the country’s popula-

tion—for nearly a decade.

He was found dead on a mountain Friday, a day after his former secretary filed a police complaint against him that is widely reported to involve sexual harassment.

Despite the controversy over his death, the Seoul City government organised a five-day funeral for Park— two days longer than the normal Korean ritual, which begins on the day

of death—and set up a memorial altar outside City Hall.

More than 20,000 people came to pay their respects during the mourning period, and at the service on Monday his daughter said: “I could feel my father’s joy as I met the citizens one by one.”

But an online petition on the presidential website opposing the ceremony garnered more than 500,000 signatures.

AFP

HONG KONG—More than half a million Hong Kong people voted in primaries held by pro-democracy parties to choose candidates for upcoming legislative elections, organisers said on Sunday.

The high turnout for the unofficial poll came despite a government warning that it could be in breach of a tough new security law imposed on the city by Beijing.

People queued in the intense summer heat at more than 250 polling stations across the city for the two-day vote which opened hours after police raided an opinion pollster helping to conduct the primaries.

After polls closed at 9:00 pm on Sunday, organisers said more than 610,000 people had cast their ballots, including 590,000 digital votes and 21,000 on paper.

“Under the vicious national security law, many people worried if such participation would risk violating the law but many people still came out,” said organiser and legal scholar Benny Tai. “I would like to send my respects to everyone,” the democracy campaigner said.

The winning candidates are expected to be announced on Monday evening and be endorsed to run for seats in the city’s 70-member legislature in September.

“Under the cloud of the national security law, nearly 600,000 people came out and voted—this is where we can see the courage of Hong Kong people,” former legislator and primary organiser Au Nok-hin said earlier before all the votes were tallied. AFP

Hungary bars travel from 154 countries BUDAPEST—Hungary’s government said Sunday it was barring travel from South America, Africa, most of Asia, and restricting entry from several European countries after worldwide spikes in coronavirus cases.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Chief of Staff Gergely Gulyas said that Hungarian health officials have placed 154 countries into three risk categories based on numbers of coronavirus infections.

“We need to protect our security so that the virus is not introduced from abroad... the level of active infection cases at home is falling, and we want to keep it like that,” he told reporters in Budapest.

Entry into Hungary would be barred for citizens from countries assessed as “red” from Tuesday midnight, including all African, South American and

Asian countries apart from China and Japan.

European countries in the red zone are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus, Montenegro, as well as Hungary’s neighbour Ukraine.

Hungarian citizens returning from “red” countries must pass a virus test and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine, said Gulyas.

Citizens from countries in a “yellow” category—including the US, UK, Norway, Serbia, Russia, China and Japan—will have to enter two-week quarantine unless they have tested negative for the virus within five days.

Four of Hungary’s fellow EU members—Bulgaria, Portugal, Sweden, and neighbouring Romania—will also face the same restrictions. AFP

POLAND’S WINNER. Right-wing Polish President Andrzej Duda (center) exults after

winning a new five-year term, beating his liberal europhile rival Rafal Trzaskowski, official results showed on Monday. With 99.97 percent of ballots counted, the national election commission said Duda had won 51.21 percent against 48.79 percent for Warsaw mayor Trzaskowski. AFP

Business UK pledges $890m to set customs and border curbs LONDON―Britain on Sunday pledged ￡705 million ($890 million, 788 million euros) to prepare its borders for cutting ties with the European Union on December 31, amid concern within government that it is not ready.

The money will fund new border posts, IT systems and 500 new staff to both ensure security and handle new customs controls after Britain leaves the EU’s single market and customs union, the government said in a statement.

Britain ended its EU membership on January 31, almost four years after the historic Brexit vote, but agreed a standstill transition period until the end of the year while it tries to negotiate a new trade deal with Brussels.

The talks are moving slowly, sparking alarm among businesses that almost half a century of economic integration with the EU will end abruptly in a few months’ time.

Citing the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, London has already said it will not immediately introduce checks on EU imports, instead delaying them until July.

But in a letter to her cabinet colleague Michael Gove, leaked to the media this week, international trade minister Liz Truss expressed concern that border infrastructure would not be ready even by then.

She warned the delay in imposing checks could spark a legal challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO), adding: “I would like assurances that we are able to deliver full controls at these ports by July 2021.”

Gove, the minister in charge of preparing for Brexit, said the government had been consulting on the issue for months and insisted the borders would be ready.

“That’s the basis of the announcement today―more than ￡700 million in order to provide infrastructure at ports, to invest in technology and also to make sure we have the personnel to keep ourselves safe,” he told the BBC. The new funds only cover the border between mainland Britain and the EU, with plans for the frontier between the province of Northern Ireland―which will have a special trade status after Brexit―and the Republic of Ireland due in the coming weeks.

The main opposition Labor party said Truss’ letter showed a “growing sense of chaos and confusion” within the cabinet about Brexit preparations.

The government is also planning a new public information campaign to prepare businesses and individuals for the end of the transition, dubbed “The UK’s new start: let’s get going.”

It will include detailed guidance for everyone from traders to holiday-makers on what might change, Gove said.

AFP

B3

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market drops; GMA Network climbs

T

HE stock market slipped Monday on worries over the surge in local COVID-19 cases and on prospects the lockdown in Metro Manila will not be eased soon.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 24.81 points, or 0.4 percent, to 6,172.57 on a value turnover of P4.6 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 136 to 69, with 34 issues unchanged.

The Department of Health reported total infections in the Philippines reached 56,259 on Sunday against recoveries of 16,046 and deaths of 1,534.

Holcim Philippines Inc. dropped 6.9 percent to P5.81, while major energy producer First Gen Corp. shed 5 percent to P23.70.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, declined 3.4 percent to P91.50, but broadcasting firm GMA Network Inc. advanced 10.3 percent to P6.65.

The rest of Asian markets rose Mon-

day, recovering some of the losses at the end of last week, as investors followed a strong performance on Wall Street fueled by hopes for a coronavirus vaccine, though a spike in infections around the world capped gains.

Trillions of dollars in government support is keeping equities well supported but confidence is being strangled by the spread of the disease, with an explosion of cases forcing some countries to reimpose containment measures just weeks after easing lockdowns.

Traders are also looking ahead to the corporate earnings season, which will reveal how companies fared during the second quarter, when economy-sapping lockdowns were imposed around the planet.

Tokyo led the gains, adding more than two percent, while Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei were all more than one percent higher.

Hong Kong added 0.8 percent and Sydney climbed one percent, with Mumbai 0.3 percent higher. Wellington, Jakarta also rose but Singapore fell.

The advances came after the Dow and S&P 500 surged more than one percent

in New York and the tech-heavy Nasdaq chalked up another record.

Investors welcomed comments from the head of German biotech firm BioNTech who said a vaccine candidate would be ready for regulatory review by the end of the year, while Gilead Sciences said its drug remdesivir had been relatively effective in clinical trials.

“Ongoing grim US COVID-19 infection news continues to be summarily ignored in favor of ongoing optimism regarding the timeline for the discovery and rapid roll-out of an effective vaccine... and/or more policy support for asset prices in the US economy,” said Ray Attrill at National Australia Bank.

Still, the pandemic’s rapid spread around the planet remains a concern.

The government of Spain’s Catalonia region on Sunday told residents in and around the northeastern town of Lerida to go back into home confinement, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned his country faced a “coronavirus storm” that was “far fiercer and more destructive than any we have known before.” AFP

PSEi July 13, 2020 TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

SUMMER VACATIONS. A family arrives to camp in the grounds of Muiderslot castle in Muiden on July 11, 2020, as many Dutch families opt to spend their summer vacations in the Netherlands due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. AFP

Trump to impose tough measures vs. TikTok, WeChat—US trade advisor SAN FRANCISCO―White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said Sunday he expected President Donald Trump to act firmly against the TikTok and WeChat applications, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Trump last week had said he is considering banning the wildlypopular TikTok app as a way to punish China over the coronavirus pandemic.

In an interview with Fox News, Navarro argued that “what the American people have to understand is all of the data that

goes into those mobile apps that kids have so much fun with... goes right to servers in China, right to the Chinese military, the Chinese Communist Party.”

He said these apps can be used to steal intellectual property. “So expect strong actions on that” by Trump, Navarro warned.

Fast-growing video-sharing app TikTok belongs to the Chinese group ByteDance and has nearly one billion users worldwide.

TikTok has sought to distance itself from its Chinese owners, pointing

out it has an American CEO and consistently denying allegations that it shares data with Beijing.

WeChat, owned by Tencent, is the main messaging application in China with more than one billion users.

Navarro also accused TikTok’s new boss Kevin Mayer, former head of Disney’s streaming platforms, of being an American puppet.

On Friday Amazon said it mistakenly sent workers an email telling them to dump the TikTok mobile application from their cell phones because of security concerns.

An Amazon spokesperson later told AFP “there is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok.” Democratic campaign teams for the US presidential election have been asked to avoid using TikTok on personal devices and, if they do, to keep it on a non-work phone.

The research firm eMarketer estimates TikTok has more than 52 million US users, having gained about 12 million since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. TikTok is especially popular with young smartphone users. AFP

Start-up city: Vietnam’s young entrepreneurs invest ideas in Ho Chi Minh

By Tran Thi Minh Ha with Alice Philipson in Hong Kong HO CHI MINH CITY―A tech-savvy population, a fast-growing economy, and the perks of being first in an emerging market―Vietnamese entrepreneur Le Thanh saw the potential in booming Ho Chi Minh City for his start-up transforming coffee grounds into masks.

The 35-year-old chemistry graduate worked for two multinationals before stepping out on his own three years ago to launch ShoeX―a sustainable footwear company which nimbly pivoted to masks as the coronavirus pandemic struck.

When he entered the workforce, Thanh was drawn to the higher salaries and no-nonsense working culture at foreign companies he assumed were a cut above local firms, tangled up in rules imposed by his country’s staid Communist rulers.

“But now I see there are more openings in a place where things are a bit murky,” Thanh told AFP from his buzzing Ho Chi Minh City coworking space.

He is not alone in believing Vietnam―and especially its southern commercial center―is poised to become an innovation hub thanks to its young, educated and digitally active population.

Vietnamese e-commerce and e-payment companies have been “flooded” with private equity in the past couple of years, said Eddie Thai, a Ho Chi Minh City-based partner at venture capital firm 500 Startups.

Their rise has been stellar.

Vietnam-based start-ups made up 18 percent― or $741 million―of the capital invested in Southeast Asia in 2019, up from four percent in 2018, according to a report by Cento Ventures.

Although Indonesia remains the leader, the amount pumped into Vietnam start-ups pushed ahead of Singapore for the first time in 2019, the venture capital firm said.

This photograph taken on June 20, 2020 shows Bui Thi Minh Ngoc, founder of eco-friendly sanitary pad business GreenLady Vietnam, posing for a photograph in Hanoi. Bui Thi Minh Ngoc wanted to find a sustainable alternative to the standard menstrual products available, searching for months to find the right organic cloth for her sanitary pad business GreenLady Vietnam, which she operates largely on Facebook. AFP

The gold rush comes in spite of cumbersome regulations for foreigners, Thai told AFP, making it difficult to invest and repatriate capital.

Last year, popular e-wallet platform VNPay reportedly snagged the largest deal in Southeast Asia, attracting $300 million from Softbank’s Vision Fund and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC. And although Thai said investment had paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, Vietnam is

well-placed to bounce back.

Its economy unexpectedly grew in the second quarter and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts a 2.7-percent expansion for the year despite the global downturn.

The country also has a huge pool of software engineers who cost substantially less than their Indian or Chinese peers.

And unlike the tech talent in wealthy startup hubs such as San Francisco or London, they

understand what consumers in the emerging world want, Thai says.

Exciting, young environment Air pollution―and then the outbreak of COVID-19― prompted Thanh to take a gamble on sourcing Vietnamese coffee waste material to turn it into masks.

His cutting edge design uses woven fiber made from coffee grounds to make a washable outer layer, with a biodegradable filter inside.

“I took a risk and hoped it would succeed,” he said, adding that there had been a surge in orders of his masks from Europe, the US and Japan since they launched in April.

A similar strain of environmental innovation courses through many other smaller start-ups in a country among the most vulnerable to climate change.

They exploit the high tech literacy of the population―70 percent of which is under 35, according to the World Bank―to sell new products to a receptive market.

Bui Thi Minh Ngoc wanted to find a sustainable alternative to standard menstrual products, searching for months to find the right organic cloth for her sanitary pad business GreenLady Vietnam, which she operates largely on Facebook.

“In Vietnam, there are not many specializing in period products and reproductive health,” the 26-year-old said as she checked material samples at a tailor in Hanoi.

“But I like to do things which are difficult.”

While Vietnam is yet to produce any truly “disruptive technology,” said Trung Hoang of local investment platform VinaCapital Ventures, China has shown what is possible.

The Asian giant―also an autocratic one-party state―has managed to incubate dynamic tech behemoths like Alibaba and Tencent that have risen to the forefront of the industry.

Back in his Ho Chi Minh City office space, packed with young professionals, Thanh fizzes with enthusiasm for Vietnam’s start-up culture. AFP

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

B4

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

IN BRIEF BIR’s excise tax take hits P128b EXCISE tax collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue from large taxpayers reached P128.59 billion in the first half, exceeding its adjusted target of P113.64 billion for the period by P14.95 billion, or 13.15 percent, despite the economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Revenue collection targets in 2020 were adjusted to take into account the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on economic activity.

The BIR said Monday while it surpassed the first-semester target on excise tax collections, the amount was P41.13 billion or 24 percent short of the P169.718 billion it collected in the same period last year.

Preliminary data submitted to the Department of Finance showed that tobacco products led the gainers in terms of excise tax collections from large taxpayers, with P61.47 billion collected over the period, surpassing the BIR’s target of P43.6 billion

by P17.87 billion or P41 percent.

Excise tax collections for alcohol products from large taxpayers amounted to P27.46 billion, which is P6.51 billion or 31.07 percent over the target of P20.95 billion. Julito G. Rada

Business

Investments pledges doubled to P645b in first half, says BOI

By Othel V. Campos

I

nvestment pledges approved by the Board of Investments surged 112 percent in the first half to P645.3 billion from P304.4 billion in the same period last year, boosted by San Miguel Corp.’s commitment to invest P530 billion in a new international airport in Bulacan province.

“The robust bounce-back despite the pandemic shows the country’s resilience as we begin the transition to easing out the restrictions after a prolonged lockdown of the economy.While we expect a lower GDP output in the second quarter than the first quarter due to the ECQ, there are already signs that the economy is humming back to life with industry conditions becoming stable,” said Trade Secretary and

BOI chairman Ramon Lopez.

Lopez said the uptick in investments was expected as the Philippines is still considered one of the top investment destinations with strong economic fundamentals.

Lopez said the country’s manufacturing sector began to stable based on the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index survey of IHS Markit showing an in-

Chelsea selling P500-m shares

BRITISH INVESTMENTS.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) affirms the statement of British of Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines executive director Chris Nelson that the chamber is retaining and attracting new members in the Philippines throughout the lockdown, with prospects of new investments coming in for the long term.

Nelson said none of the chamber’s member companies have withdrawn their investments and that new members have in fact joined even at the height of the pandemic.

CHELSEA Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy is raising P500 million from the issuance of preferred shares via a private placement.

Chelsea said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday its board of directors approved the issuance of 500,000 preferred shares to foreign investment fund Global Kingdom Investments Limited at the issue price of P1,000 per share.

The company said it would use the proceeds from the transaction to finance current and future projects and for additional working capital.

It said to accommodate the private placement, the board of directors approved the increase in the company’s authorized capital stock to P3.5 billion from P2 billion.

Chelsea will have 3.49 billion common shares and 10 million preferred shares with the increased capital stock. Both common and preferred shares have a par value of P1.

Jenniffer B. Austria

NGCP asks public to avoid flying kites GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines advised the public not to fly kites and engage in other activities near transmission lines which may endanger lives and cause unwanted power interruptions.

NGCP said in a statement Monday it was seeking the collective efforts of consumers to conserve electricity as the country gears up for a “new normal” routine.

“These rising incidents of kite entanglements come at a period where electricity is crucial in the ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19. Breaching safety clearances not only threatens power transmission delivery for the entire grid, but also endangers the lives of kite-flyers,” it said.

“Transmission lines carry extremely high voltages, between 69,000 volts to 500,000 volts. Compare this to the power supplied by our outlets, which is only 220 volts.

Lines also need not be physically touched to cause accidents,” NGCP said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

crease in Philippine manufacturing index score to 49.7 in June 2020, up from 40.1 in May, the first monthly increase in four months.

The output index in June was 51.1, coming from a low of 10.2 in April and 29.4 in May. Indices below 50 show a decrease in manufacturing output while a score above 50 mirrors an improvement of activity.

Lopez said the change in community rules boosted the manufacturing output which made inroads towards stability at the end of the first half.

He expressed optimism that the economy would recover by the third quarter with a positive growth as most of the country was expected to have a relaxed form of community quarantine. He said that strict social distancing and health protocols would still remain in effect to contain the spread of COVID-19.

June vehicle sales rebounded 225% on monthly basis VEHICLE sales rebounded 225.4 percent in June from the previous month, after the government eased the community quarantine in Luzon.

Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association showed that vehicle sales reached 15,578 units in June, up 225.4 percent from 4,778 units in May and nearly zero sales in April.

The June figure, however, was down 51 percent from 31,950 automotive sales in June 2019.

Passenger car sales declined 51 percent to 4,711 units in June from 9,532 units a year ago, while commercial vehicle sales plunged 51.5 percent to

10,857 units.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said he was cautiously optimistic amid the lingering social and economic risks and uncertainties the country was facing.

“This positive growth shows early signs that consumer demand for new cars is starting to improve albeit slowly.

The auto industry recovery may take time as vehicle sales still remain a challenge,” Gutierrez said.

“The industry is also maximizing digital platforms as one of the avenues to strengthen campaigns for our sales promotional.

This is one of the strategies to adapt to the new normal environment,” he said.

He said that on a monthly basis, commercial vehicle sales pulled up June’s

performance with 10,857 units sold, or 69.76 percent higher than 3,399 units in the previous month. Passenger car sales also rebounded by 30.24 percent to 4,711 units from 1,389 units in May. CAMPI said the effects of the pandemic were still very apparent in the automotive sector. Data showed that total sales in the half slid 51.1 percent to 85,041 units from 174,135 units in the same period last year.

Passenger car sales went down by 54.4 percent to 23,912 units in the first half from 52,418 units in a year ago.

Commercial vehicle sales also fell 49.8 percent to 61,129 units in the sixmonth period from 121,717 units a year earlier. Othel V. Campos

BIPCOR slams Banelco for alleged hasty award of power supply deal BANTAYAN Island Power Corp. slammed what it described as the hasty award by Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative of a 15-year, 15-megawatt power supply contract to a new supplier in Bantayan Island.

BIPCOR director Fichte Peñaloza said in a statement during the bidding process for a new power supply deal that the company was eased out of the process when Banelco refused to open its second envelope.

BIPCOR’s power supply agreement with Banelco will expire in November 2021. Both BIPCOR and Isla Norte Energy Corp., a joint venture of Vivant Integrated Diesel Corp. and Gigawatt Power Inc., submitted separate bids during the 2019 competitive selection process for a new PSA conducted by Banelco.

“We emphasize that we have partnered with the Bantayan Island community for years, witnessing its growth and development. BIPCOR has been the stand-alone power generator and new power provider of Banelco since 2006. However, to our dismay, what transpired during the bidding process was an apparently systematic and coordinated effort to ease Bipcor out as Banelco’s sole power provider at all costs,” Peñaloza He said the opening of bids was conducted on Sept. 20, 2019 with representatives of both bidders present.

“Our bid documents in the first envelope were ‘all passed’ except for the certification from the supplier of the diesel engine generator set which was ‘not notarized’. After our summary disqualification, BIPCOR’s second envelope was being returned unopened but our representative, Mr. Reinerio Lastimoso, insist-

ed on leaving the envelope in the third party bids and awards committee’s hands to safeguard the integrity of BIPCOR’s financial offer while the notary issue was unresolved,” Peñaloza said.

“The committee declined the custody but the financial offer remained properly sealed and TPBAC members signed off on its cover and seal. Under CSP rules and the Supreme Court decision making public bidding of all power procurement mandatory from June 2015 onwards, the distribution utility like Banelco constitutes the TPBAC to conduct the CSP. Of its five members, at least two are consumer representatives,” he said.

The CSP bids came in two envelopes, including the technical proposal and the financial offer and they were to be opened sequentially, after qualifying each envelope separately.

“On Banelco’s hasty award to the other consortium, we maintain that there was gross violation of the rules governing the grant of PSA, the bidding protocols and the CSP as mandated by the Department of Energy. Our disqualification from the bidding due to a simple and minor defect in our document—which was not even listed in the bidding procedures—was absolutely without basis. Thus, it was highly anomalous and illegal for Banelco to arbitrarily proceed with the grant of the contract to Vivant,” Peñaloza said.

He said compounding BIPCOR’s problems was the CSP rule that any party protesting or contesting a decision of TPBAC should pay a non-refundable protest fee which should be determined by TPBAC itself, and in this case was set at P3.6 million.

STEVIE WINNERS. Forty-nine organizations from the Philippines are among the winners in the seventh annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the only awards program to recognize innovation in business throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region. Philippine winners received 119 Stevie awards: 19 gold, 31 silver and 69 bronze. Among them are ABS-CBN Global, Accenture Inc., Alviera, Ayala Land Inc., Comm&Sense Inc., GCash and PageOne, Globe Telecom Inc., Megaworld Foundation Inc., RingCentral, Service Economy Applications Inc. Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., SM Cinema-SM Lifestyle Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc., SM City Baguio, SM Supermalls, Strategic Works Inc., SVEN and TTEC.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, July 13, 2020

24.81 points

TOTAL VOLUME

907,558,512

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

96,207 4,641,277,879.50

ADVANCES

6,172.57

69

DECLINES UNCHANGED

136 34

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, JULY 13, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.4900

Japan

Yen

0.009355

0.4630

UK

Pound

1.262900

62.5009

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129006

6.3845

Switzerland

Franc

1.062586

52.5874

Canada

Dollar

0.735781

36.4138

Singapore

Dollar

0.718752

35.5710

Australia

Dollar

0.694900

34.3906

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655337

131.412

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

13.1973

Brunei

Dollar

0.716178

35.4436

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.031980

1.5827

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.4743

Euro

Euro

1.130700

55.9583

Korea

Won

0.000833

0.0412

China

Yuan

0.142857

7.0700

India

Rupee

0.013299

0.6582

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234522

11.6065

New Zealand

Dollar

0.657000

32.5149

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033941

1.6797 Source: BSP

PH lenders seen to endure credit risks—Moody’s

By Julito G. Rada GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service on Monday acknowledged the strength of Philippine banks, saying they are in a position to weather higher credit risks that may arise from the onslaught of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Moody’s said in a report that Singaporean, Malaysian and Philippine banks had the best asset quality among regional peers, with non-performing loan ratio below 2 percent.

It said the challenging economic and credit conditions stemming from COVID-19 would weigh on ASEAN and Indian banks’ asset quality and profitability.

“In ASEAN and India, bank downgrades in 2020 have been driven by Indian banks, following the downgrade of the sovereign in June,” said Moody’s vice president and senior credit officer Eugene Tarzimanov.

“That said, the majority of the banks in the region are well-positioned at their ratings, despite a higher share of negative outlooks on bank ratings,” he said.

Moody’s said it was expecting asset quality and profitability to deteriorate from good levels in 2019 across most banking systems, “with Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines having the best asset quality with non-performing loans below 2 percent. And while government support measures will offset some of the pressure on banks, they will not fully eliminate the negative impact.”

It said that despite the challenging outlook, the majority of banks were adequately capitalized and their funding and liquidity would remain sound and stable in 2020 and 2021.

The Philippine banking system’s strength was also recognized by S&P Global Ratings’ Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment as it retained the country’s rating of 5, citing the Philippine banks’ good capital position and provisioning for non-performing loans that put the banking system on a relatively strong footing to manage rising risks from the economic slowdown driven by COVID-19.

The BICRA also underscored the high level of stable customer deposits that support the banking system’s funding profiles.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier assured the continued safety and soundness of the banking system amid uncertainties and challenges in the current business environment.

He said the adoption of global standards such as the Basel III framework and measures to promote good corporate governance and effective risk management systems had prepared banks for these challenging times.

Isla Norte Energy taps Finnish firm to equip Cebu power plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores ISLA Norte Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Vivant Energy Corp., tapped global technology leader Wärtsilä to provide the engineering and equipment for its 23-megawatt power plant that will supply reliable and stable power to Bantayan Island in northern part of Cebu.

“The new power plant is an essential element for a secure economic future for Bantayan Island. We are, at the same time, actively seeking to deliver electricity to small islands throughout the region, and a capable, reliable partner, such as Wärtsilä, is needed for this,” said Vivant Energy chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia.

The power plant, expected to be completed in 2021, will supply electricity to the entire island, which experiences frequent power outages because of the lack of a reliable power supply.

INEC, a joint venture of Vivant Energy and Gigawatt Power Corp., was awarded a 15-year power supply agreement by Bantayan Electric Cooperative.

Bantayan, which has a population of about 80,000, is a major tourist destination with a growing trade and commerce.

Wartsila provided the engineering and equipment for Delta P, which runs a 47MW diesel-fired power plant in Puerto Princesa and the Calamian Islands Power

Corp. which supplies power to the off-grid areas of Coron and Busuanga through the Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative.

“We have enjoyed a long-term relationship with Gigawatt and Vivant, and are pleased to be again providing a power plant solution tailored to the specific requirements of the project,” said Wärtsilä Energy Business vice president for Middle East and Asia Frederic Carron.

He said the Wärtsilä’s solution features the latest technology with high efficiency engines. “It will certainly add reliability to the local supply system and another addition to the growing installed base in the off-grid areas in the Philippines,” Carron said.

Sports

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

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

Hamilton bows head, raises fist to celebrate Styrian triumph Lewis Hamilton raises a fist on the podium after his Formula 1 Styrian GP win

No Rizal arena workouts yet for Olympic qualifiers

By Peter Atencio

LeBron James

James among NBA stars supporting Woj LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James offered a tweet of support Sunday for ESPN reporter Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowsk i, who has repor tedly been suspended for a vulgar response to an email from a US senator.

James joined other NBA players in tweeting “#FreeWoj” on Sunday, two days after Wojnarowski himself posted an apology on Twitter for his comment to Missouri Senator Josh Hawley.

The New York Post reported that ESPN had called off their reporter’s planned travel this week to the NBA’s “bubble” site in Orlando, Florida, where they plan to resume the coronavirus-disrupted season at the end of the month.

The Washington Post reported that the suspension would last one to two weeks and Wojnarowski would travel to the bubble at a later date.

The trouble blew up on Friday, when Hawley wrote an open letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver in which the senator criticized the league’s relationship with China and called on the league to allow players to put messages in support of the military, police and Hong Kong protestors on the backs of jerseys.

The letter came after the NBA announced it would allow players to put certain phrases on their uniforms in support of the Black Lives Matter movement when the season resumes.

Wojnarowski responded to the email press release that Hawley’s office sent to him, writing “F--you,” but without barring out the expletive.

Hawley then shared that response on Twitter.

“I was disrespectful and I made a regrettable mistake,” Wojnarowski said in a statement Friday.

“I’m sorry for the way I handled myself and I am reaching out immediately to Senator Hawley to apologize directly.

“I also need to apologize to my ESPN colleagues because I know my actions were unacceptable and should not reflect on any of them.”

ESPN said in its own statement Friday that the comments were “completely unacceptable behavior” and that they would address the matter internally. AFP

B

OXERS Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno will only be allowed to do workouts when the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex is finally reopened.

Officer-in-Charge Ramon Fernandez The meeting mapped out the protocols said this is what is being worked out fol- that will be observed by athletes and this lowing the Philippine Sports Commis- will be sent to the Inter-Agency Task sion’s joint meeting with Games and Amusements Board and the Department of Health last week.

The talks centered on the need of Olympic qualifiers to resume their training, together with those who are still to earn qualification slots.

Because of existing protocols on physical distancing, the athletes can’t be allowed to spar yet.

“May physical distancing protocols na mahigpit na susundin. We will still continue our talks and identify the facilities that can be Irish Magno used for training,” said Fernandez. Eumir Felix Marcial

Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases for approval.

Marcial has been training for the last four months in Imus, Cavite, while Magno is back in Baguio for her own series of preparations.

There are around 60 members of the national team who are still finding out if they can make it to the Tokyo Olympics.

Of this, there are seven national sports associations that are serious pursuing efforts to claim qualification berths to the Tokyo Olympics.

Since the lockdown started last March 15, the 24-year-old Marcial has been getting in shape through shadow boxing and exercises inside his home and with whatever available he has.

Because he has no equipment available, he cannot get far with his preparations.

On the other hand, Magno is able to train with other members of the national squad in Baguio City.

C1

SPIELBERG BEI KNITTELFELD, Austria—Lewis Hamilton raised a podium fist to salute the global antiracism protests on Sunday as he celebrated his first win this season and the 85th of his career at the Styrian Grand Prix in a performance so dazzling that his Mercedes team boss described him as a “unicorn”.

In a gesture that recalled the action of Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympic Games, Hamilton delivered an image and message that transcended the pre-race muddle offered by his sport when at least four drivers remained standing while others took a knee and some were absent.

For the second consecutive weekend, Hamilton had taken a knee wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt accompanied by others in ‘End Racism’ t-shirts.

However, television coverage of the drivers’ symbolic act of support for his sport’s anti-racism stance lasted only two seconds.

Instead of showing the drivers, the direction switched broadcast attention to a pre-planned aerial demonstration while, with a global audience tuning in, confusion reigned.

Hamilton, the sport’s only black race winner and champion, who had drawn attention to F1’s need for a smarter and more unified demonstration as with football and other sports, was not surprised or perturbed.

Instead, he heaped praise on his Mercedes team—Valtteri Bottas had finished second behind him in a solid one-two—for their on- and off-track excellence as they seek to add to their six-year dominance as champions and focus on developing diversity.

“The easiest thing is to lose focus, to ease up and lose determination,” he said after the race.

“I don’t see this happening with this team. We are so united.

“You can see this on grid when all the team took a knee. I didn’t see it. I was told just before the race that they were going to do it.

“It’s not something I asked for, but it was a beautiful thing. It doesn’t take a lot to do and maybe its not changing the world, but it is hopefully changing perceptions and shifting ideals.”

After his masterful demonstration of wet weather driving in Saturday’s rainhit qualifying session, Hamilton delivered a measured message on Sunday to drive within six wins of Michael Schumacher’s record and make his wider point.

“When he is in that space, he is just unbeatable,” said his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

“I’ve never seen anything like this in top-class motor racing. It’s like seeing a unicorn.”

Wolff added that the Mercedes team had all taken a knee, but none wished to judge others who did not. AFP

Belingon wants crack at bantam belt FORMER undisputed ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of the Philippines took the extra time off during quarantine in Baguio City to revitalize and reenergize himself.

The 32-year-old veteran is now more focused than ever in making another run at the top, and securing a fifth crack at the bantamweight belt.

Recently, however, Belingon found himself entangled once again with ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen, after reports that the Filipino stalwart bared he was open to a rematch, but for the featherweight title.

The Silencer’s long-time mentor and head coach of Team Lakay, Mark Sangiao, confirmed as much, revealing that Belingon told him about the potential of moving up a weight class and challenging Nguyen. But according to Belingon, settling matters at bantamweight remains his top priority.

Belingon has had four high-profile bouts against current ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes.

The Filipino defeated Fernandes in late 2018 to become the undisputed champion. He was disqualified for illegal strikes in the third bout in March of 2019, surrendering the belt back to Fernandes in controversial fashion. Months later, Fernandes submitted Belingon in the first round to own the edge in their series.

Nevertheless, Belingon feels he deserves another shot at Fernandes before anything else.

“Let’s get one thing clear. Right now, my mind is on getting another shot at the bantamweight belt. That’s where my main focus is,” said Belingon.

“I just feel I have unfinished business here. I’m looking at another fight with Bibiano [Fernandes], and I’m willing to go through anyone to get it.”

On the other hand, Belingon is certainly no stranger to Nguyen, whom he faced in mid-2018 for the interim bantamweight title. Belingon dominated that bout, coming away with a five-round unanimous decision victory for his efforts.

Spending more than 25 minutes locked in the ONE Circle with “The Situ-Asian,” Belingon knows exactly what to expect should he find himself standing across the Australian superstar once more.

“Martin [Nguyen] is just a great striker, and a good fighter overall. He’s very skilled and powerful, and he has great timing. I can’t say much about his weaknesses, because there are very little. I was on my toes the entire time in our first fight,” said Belingon.

“If ONE Championship feels a fight between me and Martin would be good, I have no problem going up a division to featherweight. There are bigger guys at featherweight, but I think I can handle them. It’s just that right now, bantamweight is my priority, so I’ll focus on that first.”

Team Lakay has effectively returned to gym training,

Kevin Belingon

after lockdown restrictions in Baguio City were recently eased. The tight-knit group often trains at high altitude in the distinct northern terrain, and spar intensively at their new state-of-the-art gym location.

Help pours in for triathlon SEAG silver medalist

Andrew Kim Remolino

HELP is pouring in for Cebuano triathlete Andrew Kim Remolino, whose household was among at least 30 families left homeless by a big fire in Cebu on Sunday.

His teammates in the national team are now pooling in funds from different sources, according to Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco.

“TRAP and the whole national members and coaches are finding ways to provide assistance to the Remolino family,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco.

The Remolino residence was gutted down after a blaze broke out at a residential area in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City, southern Cebu on Sunday afternoon.

It was reported that the inferno destroyed 15 houses and displaced 30 families.

“Donations are pouring in. His teammates are chatting with Kim as we speak,” added Carrasco.

So far, a total of P100,000 coming from the Philip-

pine Olympic Committee and from POC president, and Tagaytay Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has been readied.

Tolentino said that this is the amount now available to help Remolino and his family get back on their feet.

It was reported that Remolino and his family were not able to save anything from the incident, including most of Remolino’s medals from his triathlon career.

His medals during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games medal have been saved.

Remolino’s stint in the last SEA Games became memorable when he placed second to John Rambo Chicano in the men’s triathlon event at the Subic Bay Boardwalk on December 1, 2019.

Because of this, Chicano improved his silver medal finish in the Kuala Lumpur Games.

Remolino claimed the country’s first silver medal after finishing next to Chicano in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer race.

Peter Atencio

Sports Sevilla nears Champions League qualification MADRID—Sevilla all-but secured Champions League qualification by beating relegation battlers Real Mallorca 2-0 on Sunday.

Lucas Ocampos scored a first-half penalty before Youssef En-Nesyri added a second late on to move Sevilla nine points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal.

With three games left and the superior head-to-head, Villarreal are not mathematically out of contention but they would have to take maximum points and see Sevilla lose both of their remaining matches.

“Champions League qualification was our objective,” said Sevilla’s Fernando Reges.

“We are very close and now we just have some small steps left to make it.”

Finishing in the top four would be an impressive achievement for Sevilla and their coach Julen Lopetegui, who took over last year following his nightmares in charge of Spain and Real Madrid.

Lopetegui, together with sporting director Monchi, oversaw a dramatic overhaul of the first team squad but change has not come at the expense of consistency for Sevilla, who are now 13 matches unbeaten in La Liga.

They could even yet finish third, given they sit level on points with Atletico Madrid.

Defeat damages Real Mallorca’s fading hopes of avoiding relegation.

They remain three points behind Alaves, who have a superior record head-to-head and a game in hand against Getafe on Monday.

“We knew winning here would send out a strong message. We couldn’t do it but we don’t stop believing,” said Mallorca’s Antonio Raillo.

Leganes are also three points behind Alaves but have a glimmer of hope after they scored one penalty and saved another in a battling 1-0 win over Valencia.

Javier Aguirre’s side have an equal head-to-head with Alaves and are only two worse off on goal difference.

Leganes also had to play the last 36 minutes against Valencia with 10 men after Jonathan Silva was sent off, shortly before Leganes goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar saved Dani Parejo’s spot-kick.

Ruben Perez had converted his own penalty in the first half to give Leganes the lead and a victory that keeps alive their slim chances of avoiding the drop.

“A few weeks ago people would never have dreamt we’d reach the last two games with a chance of staying up,” said Cuellar. “But we’ve never lost hope.”

Valencia’s miserable season continues, with the prospect even of Europa League qualification appearing increasingly remote. AFP

C2

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

MLS tourney postponed a day after new virus case

Collin Morikawa has a milkshake following his victory of the Workday Charity Open at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. AFP

Rising star Morikawa outguns Thomas in dramatic PGA playoff

L

OS ANGELES—American Collin Morikawa tapped in a putt on the third playoff hole to outduel Justin Thomas in a wild Sunday finish and capture the US PGA Tour Workday Charity Open.

Morikawa, who had been the pacesetter through the first two rounds, rallied from three strokes down with three holes remaining to force the playoff at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

He then stayed alive by draining a 24foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole immediately after third-round leader Thomas had made a jaw-dropping 50foot putt for birdie.

“Amazing,” said the 23-year-old Morikawa, who carded a final round 66 to finish on 19-under par 269 and won for the second time on the US PGA Tour.

Sunday’s win made up for a disappointing loss in another dramatic playoff finish at the Charles Schwab Challenge four weeks ago in the PGA’s return from the COVID-19 calendar shutdown.

World number five Thomas was trying to win for the 13th time on the Tour, but he was undone on the final hole of the playoff after his tee shot on the par-four 10th sailed right and landed behind a tree.

Thomas closed with a 69 but that included two bogeys in his final three holes after beginning his round with a two-stroke lead over Viktor Hovland,

with Morikawa three adrift.

“I am pretty pissed off, it is the only way to explain it,” Thomas said. “I had a three-shot lead with three to go and completely handed it over.

“Collin played great. He had a very tough hole at 17.

“We both made two great birdies on the first playoff hole. I had two chances to win this thing in regulation and on the second playoff hole and I didn’t get it done.”

This week’s Workday Charity Open is the first of back-to-back events at the Jack Nicklaus designed Dublin, Ohio course. The Nicklaus-hosted Memorial will follow next week.

After rain, wind and lightning led to two suspensions on Friday, organizers decided to move the tee times up on Sunday to avoid any more weather delays.

Morikawa started Sunday’s round three shots back after opening with a 65 and 66 to lead the first and second rounds.

He quickly fought his way back to the top of the leaderboard with two birdies and an eagle in his first five holes.

He made three more birdies on

the back nine including the par four 17. Morikawa used an eight iron to spin his approach shot to eight feet then made the putt and celebrated with a fist pump.

His only blemish came on the parfour 13th when he made bogey as he closed with a four-under 66.

The most dramatic moment of the round came on the first playoff hole as both players rolled in massive putts for birdies.

Back-to-back bombs Thomas went first, making a 50-foot downhill putt for what appeared to be the victory. But Morikawa wasn’t going anywhere. He stayed alive by draining his putt, from just inside 25 feet, to send it back to the 18th tee for a second playoff hole.

Morikawa sealed the win on the 75th hole, two putting on the green after Thomas missed the fairway off the tee and had to chip out from behind a small tree with his second shot.

The win was Morikawa’s second in just his 24th start as a pro.

“This is a huge kind of steppingstone,” Morikawa said. “We got number one (win) out of the way, we got number two—let the gates just open and let’s keep going because obviously it was a tough loss at Colonial a month ago, but I learned a lot.

“This is just more positives, more learning for me.” AFP

PBA commissioner graces Forum PBA commissioner Willie Marcial takes the hot seat anew as he goes oneon-one in Tuesday’s webcast edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

The amiable league executive will discuss about his meetings with the coaches and team managers, along with the PBA Board over the weekend as the league starts preparations for the resumption of team practices by next week.

The session will start at 10:30 a.m. and is presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Amelie Hotel, Braska Restaurant, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and powered by Smart.

The weekly forum will be shown live via the PSA Facebook page f b.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and likewise to be shared on Radyo Pilipinas 2 facebook page.

FREE THROW SHOOTER matter. Artist David Zinn said “Science is how we solve problems. Art is how we cope with them.” Naturally when we say ‘art’, painters, musicians, dancers, and the like come to mind. For me, I have THE COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis another group of artists in mind: athletes. never before seen by the modern world Tim Harte, in his book “Faster, in terms of potency and crippling Higher, Stronger, Comrades! Sports, effect. But I believe that the world will Art, and Ideology in Late Russian and soon recover—altered but intact. It is Early Soviet Culture”, wrote: “Artists a long journey filled with anxiety and themselves have claimed that athletes are uncertainties, and the first question is capable of producing an art form all their how do we go from here to there? own. (Alexander) Blok...viewed athletes COVID-19 has demolished a large as true artists while Vladimir Nabokov part of what we consider as our normal commented at length on the beauty of the life, but we are not made barren or very art of boxing.” left empty. We rebuild using the tools Put together, this means we cope with we have and utilize those that foster sports in tow. Michael Wheeler and Nigel qualities that assist in the long and Whiteley (paraphrasing John Ruskin) arduous process of recovery, qualities couldn’t have had put it more eloquently: like fellowship, camaraderie, esprit de sports [where it is originally written ‘art’ in corps, unity, and hope. their book The Lamp of Memory: Ruskin, Of all the tools available in the work Tradition, and Architecture] “provides shed, it is not surprising many are the comfort and strength required for the reaching for sports, to the disbelief and development of good character.” disapproval of shortsighted skeptics COVID-19 is a cavalry charge and cynics. threatening to break our spirit by Many argue that sports is not essential dismantling institutions—academe, now that we are trying to survive commerce, religious exercise, sports, COVID-19. I have a different take on the among others—forging our identity, our

NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ

Willia Marcial

Convalescence sense of self, and our sense of purpose. It wants us to stay home, stay away from each other, stay put, stay still, and stay fearful.

But right now, stakeholders are doing their best to hold the line. Many refuse to let sports surrender without a fight, even if it means a reorganized calendar, lengthy logistical planning to ensure that sports is played in a safe setting, and pay cut and wage deferrals so that teams, organizations, and employees of support systems (and their families too) can stay afloat. Athletes have accepted the challenge to help carry this burden. NBA players and executives are on board, so are footballers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and their teammates and many others in association football. This has been embraced by rugby teams in Europe and Australia, as well as the Philippine Super Liga volleyball players, too.

Why the sacrifice and this level of faith? Ingrained deep inside us is the notion that sports is constant because it hasn’t failed or abandoned us despite the conditions that had beset sports, despite the threats of terrorism and financial crisis, despite pandemics and armed conflicts. The 1918 World Series was played despite countries and soldiers

fighting the Great War. Cyclists raced during the 1939 Tour De France despite the political climate in Europe, and even when World War II erupted, football competitions continued in Europe.

Maybe in the past, we look to sports merely for entertainment. Now, we follow sports to be inspired, and a lot of good things one can do in the world if one is inspired, especially now in the age of COVID-19.

I end with an excerpt from the statement made by Hon. Lionel Wilson when he was mayor of Oakland, California, talking about the importance of the Oakland Raiders, and how this translates to the importance of sports in our collective social psyche now that we are trying to survive a crisis: “The Raiders have been an important part of the soul of our community. As in other sports communities, our team has been a unifying force, a source of pride, and a symbol of the spirit of a community that is working overtime to realize its full potential.”

If we stop sports now, we will still survive. But can you imagine what kind of person you and I will become without sports? I can’t.

MIAMI—Major League Soccer’s restart tournament suffered further disruption on Sunday as a suspected COVID-19 case forced postponement of a game between D.C. United and Toronto FC until Monday.

MLS announced on Sunday evening that the match would be played a day late after follow-up tests for players from both teams produced negative results.

“Both teams participated in another round of testing (Sunday), and all players from the two clubs tested negative,” MLS said in a statement.

“Based on those results, the game will be played (Monday) morning at 9 a.m. (1300 GMT).”

The league said that the player who received an unconfirmed positive result from a test on Saturday and another player whose Saturday test was inconclusive would still not take part in the contest and would undergo additional testing.

“Major League Soccer will continue to prioritize the health and safety of all participants of the MLS is Back Tournament in making these decisions,” the league said in the brief statement announcing the original postponement.

It was the latest setback to hit the “MLS is Back” tournament, which marks the return of top-flight soccer in the United States following a four-month shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All 26 teams from the league are being based inside a “bubble” and playing games in a World Cup-style tournament at ESPN’s World Wide of Sports complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

However two teams—FC Dallas and Nashville—were forced to withdraw from the competition last week before a ball had been kicked due to multiple COVID-19 cases.

Los Angeles FC star Carlos Vela, the MLS’s reigning MVP, also withdrew from the competition due to coronavirus fears. AFP

UK Sport denies using athletes as guinea pigs for 2012 Olympics LONDON—UK Sport has denied putting athletes welfare at risk after a report claimed British Olympians had been given an experimental substance ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

The Mail on Sunday reported public money was used to provide a select band of 91 athletes with an energy drink called DeltaG, claiming they had been used as guinea pigs with no guarantee the substance would not cause side effects or breach anti-doping regulations.

Athletes were given waivers over holding UK Sport liable for side effects or positive doping tests as well as non-disclosure agreements preventing them from talking publicly about the project.

UK Sport said they had consulted with both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UK Anti-Doping before using the product to make sure it complied with guidelines—and the health of competitors would not be put on the line for the sake of an improved medal haul.

Team GB won a record 29 gold medals at the home Games to finish third on the medal table.

“UK Sport does not fund research projects aimed at giving our national teams a performance advantage at the expense of athlete welfare,” said UK Sport in a statement.

“Consultation takes place with UK AntiDoping and WADA wherever necessary to ensure projects comply with international anti-doping regulations.”

UK Sport also waivers and non-disclosure forms for those on the trial were standard practice.

“UK Anti-Doping confirmed in writing, after seeking clarification from the World Anti-Doping Agency, that WADA had ‘no reason to consider such substances as banned under the 2011 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods’,” the agency added. AFP

Entertainment Entertainment

Nickie Wang Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

C3 nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 || C3

Mr. C leads C leads top OPM artists artists in virtual benefit concert N

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab

ATIONAL Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab topbills the virtual benefit concert At Home with PLDT: No Learner Left Behind in partnership with PLDT-Smart Foundation.

With the aim to raise funds to address the needs of students, teachers, and schools nationwide as they face the new normal in online distance learning, PLDT Home hosts the livestream concert that gathers Filipino musical artists and OPM icons such as, Regine Velasquez alongside husband, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, and Pops Fernandez.

The concert is hosted by comedian and theater actor Jon Santos and directed by the award-winning concert director, Paolo Valenciano.

Viewers are likewise going to be serenaded with OPM favor ites

and timeless music by musical theater artists including 8 Taal Ensemble, Sheila Valderama, Yanah Laurel, Lara Maigue, Gabriela Pangilinan, Gian Magdangal, Arman Ferrer, Flord Tena, and David Ezra.

“Music unites us. This concert brings us together in the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ to help the underprivileged communities – especially the students, teachers, and schools – who are now facing a lot of challenges in online distance learning,” shares National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

With the theme “At Home with PLDT: No Learner Left Behind,” PLDT Home aims to aid schools and communities in providing “education for ALL” through quality and adequate opportunities for Filipino

A file photo of OPM artists (from left) Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez.

students and teachers as they adapt to learning and teaching in the “new normal.” In support of the PLDTSmart Foundation, PLDT Home leads the “No Learner Left Behind” movement that aims to make education accessible to more students and teachers nationwide by championing the availability and integration of digital technology in their school activities.

Cayabyab concludes, “We hope that through this online concert, we’re able to unite as one country and contribute

for the future of these children,” says National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

You can watch the free livestream benefit concert on PLDT Home’s Facebook and YouTube pages tonight at 6:00 o’clock.

For those who would like to contribute to the cause can donate through the PLDT-Smart Foundation, Inc.’s Paymaya and bank accounts, or Text DONATE<Space><Amount> and send to 3456.

Between goodbye and I love you Between you Nas Daily’s Nuseir Yassin unveils podcast on Spotify Israeli-Arab video blogger Nuseir Yassin is popular for creating daily one-minute videos on Facebook and YouTube under the page and channel, Nas Daily and Nas Daily Official, respectively.

YOU’VE likely seen Nuseir Yassin’s short clips on everything from interracial dating to mosquitos to political movements via his wildly popular video series, Nas Daily. Now, you can hear the full stories that inspire them on his new Spotify Original Podcast, Nas Tasks.

Staying true to his video brand, Nas Talks delivers audio content in an unmistakably Nas fashion, with weekly episodes that dive deep into a variety of personal, timely, and controversial topics: including the hidden truths about his personal journey, finding fame through social media, and debates on politics and philosophy. And like all podcasts on Spotify, it’s free for all Spotify users.

The podcast, which first episode premiered on July 8, features guests from all walks of life and corners of the world, highlighting creators, politicians, and authors with a vast range of perspectives. In the first few weeks of the show, Nas is joined by Filipino-Ameri-

can Vlogger Wil Dasovich, and Israeli Historian Yuval Noah Harari.

“Going into podcasting makes perfect sense for the Nas Daily journey,” says host and creator Nuseir Yassin. “It’s hard to deep-dive into topics in less than three minutes and I’m looking forward to longer discussions with other points of view. It’s my first venture into longform content and I am thrilled to partner with Spotify to bring this show to life.”

Singapore-based Nuseir has amassed a following of over 26 million fans across the U.S., U.K., Asia, and Latin America, engaging an ever-growing fanbase with a recognizable storytelling style filled with passion, curiosity, and humor.

Nas Talks joins an acclaimed slate of Spotify Originals from content creators such Joe Rogan, Warner Bros. and DC, PodcastOne, and The Ringer, all of which further Spotify’s goal of offering best-in-class audio content with cultural and local relevance.

Rising singer Mishaal drops new single EVEN the pandemic can’t stop rising singer- vie Wonder through compilation CDs which he purchased on trips to America for work, songwriter Mishaal to release a new single.

Fresh from the success of breakout hits but it wasn’t until years later that he heard his “I Don’t Wanna Wait For Summer” and first LP in full, Frank Ocean’s Blonded.

At age 12, Mishaal learned English “Friends,” the multi-lingual artist released through YouTube videos and pursued bet“Mister Mister” on July 10. ter education at an international “It’s a song about addiction that school in Jordan where he was was inspired by a loved ones’ pasable to further explore his pas harrowing battle with the dission for computer science and ease. This person never got eventually apply for colleges to hear it, but I want this acin the US. After being ac song to help someone who cepted by two prestigious might be struggling to not enuniversities: MIT for en let the monster inside win,” gineering and NYU for Mishaal says.

Saudi-Ecuadorian the Clive Davis Institute, Born and raised in singer and pasMishaal decided his pas Saudi Arabia to a Saudi songwriter Mishaal sion for music and the arts father and Ecuadorian is one of the rising was the direction his heart mother, Mishaal blends artists on the was telling him to go in. his diverse background to international scene.

The world first heard from create incredible and unique Mishaal in 2018 when he began pop music in English, Arabic, uploading demos recorded at home and Spanish. A multi-talented and instru- with an Xbox microphone to his YouTube multi-lingual artist, he also plays instru page. They immediately gained attention ments including the guitar.

After breaking his arm when he was nine and amassed millions of views and streams years old in a freak accident, a doctor gifted on Spotify and eventually led to many artMishaal with his own guitar to rehabilitate ists sampling his work.

In 2019, he followed up and posted his first his arm back to health for physical therapy since there weren’t many resources available. official release “Arabian Knights” to SoundThe guitar helped him maintain positivity Cloud along with a self-shot music video, and also allowed him to fully realize his love which now has nearly 2.5 million views. It crefor instruments and music, at a time when he ated immediate buzz and he began building a was not exposed to western music and strug- loyal fanbase. As he releases his first piece of gled with being bullied due to his diverse new music in 2020, Mishaal will continue to background. His uncle first introduced him to win fans over with his incredible story, honest, artists like Michael Jackson, Elvis, and Ste- relatable songwriting and mesmerizing vocals.

AFTER Ivan Andrew Payawal’s Gameboys and Petersen Vargas’ Hello Stranger, Brilliant Juan’s In Between is definitely a welcome addition to the growing roster of mustsee Pinoy BL dramas.

Director Brilliant Juan, who is also the series’ writer, said it’s a very relatable story of two ex-lovers who got a chance to reunite and resolve their issues from the past.

“I think the material in our BL offering resonates with many,” Juan says.

“You know, what happens in between the many I love you’s and the goodbye, the so many what if’s and unanswered questions, the pain that lingers and those that are at bay, we all have it here.”

Migs Villasis and Genesis Redido, both athletes for real, are the leads. On casting newbies. The director explains that he wanted the leads to be physically fit and handsome.

“I want someone who is not only athletic but who are into sports. I also want them, acting-wise to give me the purest of emotions,” the director shares.

Genesis and Migs already have a mutual admiration club. Migs describes his co-actor as a person to rely on.

“He is very helpful and accommodating. Whenever I don’t understand something, I ask him and he spends time to really explain and make me understand.

He’s a gentleman, he really makes everyone feel comfortable with him. He’s also kind and loving,” Migs says.

Genesis’ quick answer on why we must watch their BL “It’s not your typical sweet, flirty, and loving series. It has drama but not that heavy. Tau and Otep’s love story is interesting because their emotions and experiences are organic and honest.”

The cast and director are optimistic that the encouragement and reception to their BL drama continue because they

‘In Between’ lead stars Migs Villasis and Genesis Redido

believe that In Between is a testament that this kind of romance is a reflection of reality.

In Between is a production of Uncle

Scott Global Productions, Unframed Film Production and Fringe Multimedia Production and airs every Saturday via USPHTv channel on YouTube.

‘Taste ‘TasteBuddies’ Buddies’airs fresh freshspecial episodes

‘Taste Buddies’ host Gil Cuerva (2nd from left) with guests Nikki Co, Angel Guardian, and Lexi Gonzales.

LIFESTYLE show Taste Buddies has started to air a series of fresh episodes giving foodies stuck at home more reasons to enjoy their Sunday morning with the hosts’ never-before-seen videos of the show›s food adventures taped before the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine.

While host Solenn Heussaff was on her maternity leave, co-host Gil Cuerva explored Baguio›s must-try dishes and Makati›s cool food spots.

Joining him in various gastronomic trips were stars Michelle Dee, Kate Valdez, Nikki Co, Lexi Gonzales, Angel Guardian, EA Guzman, Anjo Damiles, and Jason Abalos.

Indulge in food adventures and more with Taste Buddies’ fresh offerings only on GMA-7 at 10:05 in the morning. Meanwhile, viewers can still relive the show’s fun and memorable episodes every Saturday on its original timeslot at 8:30 p.m. on GMA News TV.

Life

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

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

Siling labuyo

Kamias

Cactus

Coconut

Malunggay

Garlic

Botica in the backyard Gumamela (hibiscus)

Guava flower

Papaya

Text and photos by Diana B. Noche

W

HEN Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851) served in Mexico as the first American minister to that country in 1825, he was so enamored with a plant bearing bright red flowers that he sent numerous stems to his home in the US for propagation.

This plant, the most common of which bears the scientific name E. pulcherrima, became known as Poinsettia, in honor of J. R. Poinsett, and was later acknowledged as the universal symbol of Christmas. Little did he know that this plant, aside from making our Christmas seasons bright, has medicinal and curative benefits as well.

Poinsettia, local herbolarios swear, is a purgative, helps in the treatment of skin diseases, influences milk secretion for lactating mothers, and controls vomiting.

Meanwhile, cactus, collected by green thumbs for its wide variety of shapes and exotic flowers, thorns notwithstanding, has been long considered in Mexico as the “perfect food.” Cactus stems are oozing with phytochemicals that suppress the growth of carcinogenic substances in the body so that our immune system can stand against several types of disease-causing organisms or pathogens.

Cactus helps inhibit osteoarthritis, a defect that slowly and painfully affects the weight-bearing joints of our body. It is also useful in suppressing the macrophages (effector T-lymphocytes) to spread and attack the organ tissues.

Like its cousin sabila, cactus effectively heals wounds, eases inflammation, and makes scars less noticeable. The juice extracted from cactus helps cure diabetes by making the body more sensitive to insulin. And, good news to dieters, cactus juice

Aya de la Cruz makes bubbles from gumamela. is good for controlling obesity.

Faced with skyrocketing costs of medicine and health maintenance, people have become neobelievers in the curative and medical potency of the “unsophisticated” herbs, plants, and local trees that abound in our forests, national parks, and, yes, even in our neighbor’s backyard.

Scientific research has come out with findings that positively identify a number of our medicinal plants that are safe to use, effective, and not as expensive as the prescription drugs from pharmaceutical laboratories.

The National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, and the UP Herbarium have come up with a list of medicinal plants and ways to grow and store them after harvesting or processing.

These are lagundi (vitex negundo L.) or fiveleaf chaste tree for asthma and cough; yerba buena (Mentha x cordifolia Opiz ex Fresen) or peppermint for muscle pains; sambong (Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC.) or blumea camphor for urinary troubles and as antiurolithiasis; tsaang-gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.) for stomach aches; niyug-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) or Chinese or ringworm bush for tinea flava and most skin diseases; ulasimang bato (Peperomia pellucida) or pansit-pansitan for abscess, arthritis, neuralgia, pimples, and kidney trouble; bawang (Allium sativum) or garlic for arthritis, cough, insect and dog bites, headache, lowering cholesterol, toothache, wounds, rheumatism, hypertension, and for eradicating worms; and the notoriously bitter ampalaya (Momordica charantia) for anemia, coughs, abnormal menstruation, diabetes, dysentery, fever, skin diseases, skin ulcers, and abortion, and used as laxative and antiseptic.

Former Senator Juan M. Flavier has authored RA 8423, also known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 which created the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC).

The PITAHC is a government-owned and -controlled corporation and is tasked by the Department of Health to encourage scientific research, and promote and advocate the use of traditional alternative healthcare modalities using indigenous natural health resources and other organic products.

Most children know that the secret to good blowing soap bubbles is the sticky liquid from pounded gumamela leaves. Most adults, however, are unaware of the plant’s other medicinal uses: for

abscess, boils, bronchitis, dysmenorrhea, eczema, fungal infection, gonorrhea, as an expectorant, and for abortion.

Coconut, aptly called the “tree of life,” is a purgative and is also a good cure for allergies, constipation, diarrhea, and skin ulcers. It retards baldness and prevents dandruff. Buko juice is a proven diuretic and lives up to its tag as the “purest liquid in the world” when used as an alternative dextrose fluid.

Ice-cold avocado drink quenches summer thirst as well as provides a rich source of vitamins. The fruit adds spice to the greens in our salad and a great dip for tacos. So the next time we scoop out the avocado fruit or decoct the leaves, we’re actually curing abnormal menstruation, dysentery, headache, toothache, neuralgia, rheumatism, and inflammation. Avocado is also a delicious astringent to promote a radiant skin.

Our favorite sinigang isn’t sinigang without that sweat-inducing sourness so we flavor the soup with santol, kalamansi, kamias, mangga, sampalok. We make it really hot and spicy with siling labuyo to warm up those rainy day blues.

The tender leaves of the santol tree aid in childbirth, relieve fever, headache, and stomachache, cure skin disease, and eradicate ringworms.

Okra plant soothes the pain in burns, relieves itchiness and sore throat. Kalamansi leaves revive a person who has had a fainting spell. They are likewise used for coughs and sore throat, relieve itchiness, and are a good wash for sore eyes and freckles.

Kamias leaves cure coughs, hemorrhoids, and act as astringent for pimples. Siling labuyo plant is effective against arthritis, gas pain, stomachache, muscle cramps, and ringworms. Mangga leaves remedy bruises and burns, and cure dermatitis, dysentery, sore throat, and scabies. They are also effective expectorants and worm eradicator.

Read the rest of the article at www.manilastandard.net.

From A to zinc: Micronutrients needed to fight viral infections A NEW study shows the important role micronutrients play in battling infections like the coronavirus disease and which key nutrients are vital in supporting an effective immune system.

Health experts assert the importance of strengthening the immune system with adequate nutrition.

In an effort to further inform the public of the benefits of nutrients, an independent review was made on the global scientific evidence regarding the roles of nutrients in support of immune response, including response against viral infections.

The study was composed of a panel of experts, invited by Manfred Eggersdorfer, Ph.D, professor for Healthy Ageing at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands.

The research findings show a strong relation in the role of specific nutrients in supporting immune health in reducing the risk, duration, and severity of viral infections. The supplementation of nutrients on top of a well-balanced

diet may help lower the risk of infection, and may play a role in faster recovery, according to the study.

Which nutrients help support our immune system?

The expert panel confirms that vitamins A, C, D, zinc, as well as omega-3 fatty acids work together to support an effective immune system and reduce the risk of viral infections, including respiratory tract infections.

For optimal results, it is ideal to ensure the intake of adequate amounts to help support the immune system.

Deficiencies in nutrients have the potential to negatively affect the body’s immune function and may therefore decrease resistance to infections.

How much nutrients does a person need to take?

For a strong immune system, an intake of 200 to 500 mg per day of vitamin C is recommended for healthy people. This can be achieved by eating three oranges or two kiwi fruits every day or by taking a supplement.

Vitamin C requirements change depending on the health status of a person, and an intake of 1 to 2g per day is helpful for people who are sick.

Vitamin D is also effective in reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections. Studies have shown that an intake of 2000 IU daily is optimal. Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

However, if it is difficult to eat two to three portions of fatty fish per week to achieve the recommended amount, a supplement of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) amounting to 250 mg a day would be a good alternative.

Zinc, while not stored in the body, is found in most of the meat we consume. Food rich in zinc are crab, beef, pork, and chicken; vegetables such as mushrooms and kale; chickpeas, lentils, and beans are also very good sources of this nutrient, with the recommended intake of 8 to 11μg a day.

Experts, however, clarify that nutritional supplementation will not necessarily prevent infections or cure the in-

A panel of experts confirm that vitamins A, C, D, zinc, as well as omega-3 fatty acids work together to support an effective immune system and reduce the risk of viral infections.

fection, but may help decrease the risk of falling ill, symptoms, and the duration,

as well as help in facilitating recovery.