Manila Standard - 2020 July 16 - Thursday

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Wider reopening across PH But NCR still under GCQ with 14 other areas; Cebu City in modified ECQ

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Jimbo Gulle

M

ETRO Manila will remain under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until July 31, but the Duterte administration has relaxed the lockdown of Cebu City to a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

The government also put more areas under “medium-risk” and “low-risk” modified GCQ classifications, as it sought to reopen the economy even more amid the coronavirus epidemic.

In a late-night meeting Wednesday with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), President Rodrigo Duterte initially agreed with a recommendation from University of the Philippines (UP) professors to shift the Next page

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Gov’t drops house-to-house drive to isolate patients MALACANANG on Wednesday clarified that there will be no house-tohouse search for COVID-19 patients to force them to be confined in government health facilities.

“We don’t have a provision on houseto-house. Patients will have to be re-

ported by the persons themselves, families, and the barangay,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a television interview.

Roque made the clarification after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said policemen and local government per-

sonnel will be going house-to-house to search for COVID-19 cases who should not be on home quarantine.

The Palace official urged patients showing mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases to voluntarily submit themNext page

More hospitals run out of beds for virus cases

YOUNG OFFENDERS. Officers of the Manila Police District escort a young man to the local covered court in Tondo, Manila (inset), where they are ‘processed’ by social welfare officials for being outside their homes without face masks during curfew hours amd the coronavirus pandemic. Police officials termed it a ‘rescue mission’ as Mayor Isko Moreno said he wants ‘irresponsible’ parents jailed for letting their children leave their houses unmasked. Norman Cruz

Duque corrects self on ‘flattened’ curve, says it just ‘bent’ instead HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday was quick to change his mind about his claim that the COVID-10 curve was flattening and admitted that the number of COVID-19 cases was rising.

“Paumanhin po sa confusion na resulta ng aking earlier statement, nalito lang po ako sa tanong. Iyong longer case doubling time which is eight days, ibig sabihin po nito, nailiko na, nasimulan na nating nailiko o naikurba na natin ang epidemic curve nung [nagkaroon ng] imposition ng ECQ noong March,” Duque said just hours after claiming the COVID-10 curve was flattening “Now, we are seeing an increase in cases dahil sa expanded testing and community transmission as we allow more movement of people, dahil nagluwag na po tayo ng restrictions,” Duque said.

Duque was referring to the transitioning of Metro Manila to General Community Quarantine in last June 1—a protocol that allows 75 percent of the workforce of each company to physically go to work, provided that social distancing is observed.

Duque said the rise in COVID-19 cases amid the easing of restrictions

By Willie Casas NINE more hospitals natiuonwide have reached full bed capacity for cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Health has announced.

In view of this, DOH is asking hospitals to expand their allocation of intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID-19 cases, Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said on Wednesday.

Vega, in an interview on Unang Hirit, said some hospitals were ignoring the minimum 30 percent ICU bed allocation for COVID-19 cases.

Vega said retained hospitals or health facilities under the DOH were advised to expand up to 60 percent allocation.

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MAD SCRAMBLE. Residents of Barangay Baclaran in Paranaque City are unmindful of physical distancing as they wait in line to receive P5,000 in assistance from the city government amid the COVID-19 crisis. The local barangay captain tries in vain to establish some order in the queues (inset). Paranaque City PIO

Palace: Not true Rody’s Jolo speech edited

The Malacanang official made the

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos- Sulu, on Monday, skipping some lines in criticizing the ABS-CBN franchise. denial after media members comAraneta and Maricel V. Cruz

Palace spokesman Harry Roque said plained the part of President’s July 13 MALACAÑANG on Wednesday de- they do not engage in any censorship and speech in Jolo was edited to cut out nied it edited the speech of President have not imposed a policy of editing Du- his comments about the Lopez-owned Rodrigo Duterte during his visit to Jolo, terte’s speeches released to the public.

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‘Peaceful nights’ as anti-terror law takes effect Sat. INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año has raised the flag for what he calls more peaceful nights for 110 million Filipinos following the signing into law of the anti-terror law, criticized by rights groups and militants, which takes effect on Saturday.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, on July 3 despite Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JULY 15)

58,850

1,392 NEW

TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

36,260

1,614

11

20,976

517

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

ACTIVE

NEW

NEW

PH, China open to talk on sea issue

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

DRIVE-THRU TESTING. Manila City Government health workers get blood samples from drivers and passengers of passing vehicles and two-wheel riders during the opening of the Manila Drive-Thru COVID-19 testing area, set up near the Bonifacio Shrine in front of Manila City Hall on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

THE Philippines and China have agreed to “manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation” after trading strongly-worded statements over their dispute in the South China Sea. The Philippines has been asserting its victory arising from the July 12,

2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejecting China’s claims to the area, but China continues to reject that ruling claiming it is not valid.

During a video meeting on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi “engaged in open, cordial and fruitful discussions” on the matter, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

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Integrated plan for OFWs sought

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

A

N OFFICIAL on Wednesday urged the Foreign Affairs and Labor departments to convene a meeting to discuss how their programs could be integrated to respond to the issues affecting Filipino workers abroad and those returning to the country.

lion,” Recto said.

Cayetano says returning Filipino workers often experience being asked to go from one agency to another for their documentation, training, funding and educational needs.

He recalled that during his stint as Foreign Affairs secretary, an interagency working group was formed to identify programs across different government agencies and to discuss areas of cooperation and integration.

He recommended that the heads of the committees on labor and Filipino workers affairs be included in the proposed inter-agency meeting.

“We need to work together to survive the crisis and execute a united response to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano had earlier proposed that

the agencies focus on the so-called five Rs: relief, repatriation, recovery, return and reintegration.

Under these five Rs, the Labor department provides relief to returning workers while Foreign Affairs works for their repatriation.

Assistance from agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology and some financial institutions will be needed for the workers’ recovery and reintegration.

“I do believe the government has many programs, but the workers and their families do not know how to access them,” Cayetano said.

“And even if they can access them, the red tape that still exists causes delays, pain and hurt.”

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano made the call as he cited the need to submit an “integrated and comprehensive plan” for the Filipino workers abroad who are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is a need to convene an interagency meeting to determine the missing elements or the weakest links in the system,” Cayetano said.

He made the statement even as Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Malacañang should augment the Department of Foreign Affairs’ assis-

tance fund for Filipino workers.

He said the surge in the number of Filipinos losing their jobs abroad had reduced the agency’s P1-billion fund to P300 million.

“That amount will be gone soon at the rate it is being utilized,” Recto said.

He also said the cost of repatriating a Filipino worker from the Middle East was P35,000, and that covered the plane fare alone.

“So a plane carrying 350 passengers is chartered for P12 million to 13 mil-

Gov’t...

From A1

ABS-CBN to start laying off workers by August 31

modified GCQ, the spokesman noted.

Earlier, Roque ruled out relaxing the GCQ on Metro Manila “anytime soon.”

In a television interview, he said relaxing quarantine restrictions in the NCR was out of the question, since the COVID-19 data did not support such a move.

He said the case doubling rate of Metro Manila is at 7 percent to 9 percent, which warrants putting it under a GCQ to prevent the spread of the virus.

“There are areas that will go back to stricter quarantine measures. But by and large, the Philippines will be under MGCQ, overwhelmingly,” he added.

This developed as the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 1,392 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 58,850.

Of the additional cases on Wednesday that were reported by 73 out of 82 laboratories, 708 are from the National Capital Region (NCR), 198 from Cebu province, 86 from Iloilo, 64 from Laguna and 46 from Cavite.

Despite the rise in cases, Roque said the country has reined in the threat of COVID-19 to the extent that it can open up 75 percent of the economy or move to an MGCQ, the lowest lockdown level set by the IATF. The task force recommended “stricter” quarantine classification in some areas in the country starting July 16, Roque said.

The IATF acted on the appeals of four city governments and one provincial government on the quarantine classification in their respective localities,

but Roque did not mention whether the appeal was to either keep or adjust the quarantine categories.

“I think in the coming few days, we might even consider declaring some areas under the new normal. Although we hesitate to do so because... we want the whole country to still be under some form of quarantine just in case there are local outbreaks,” Roque said.

He said that while the government needs to protect the lives of the people from the threat of COVID-19, it still has to open up the economy.

One strategy, he said, was to resort to granular, localized lockdown, intensify its testing, treatment, and tracing capabilities, and protect the vulnerable, particularly the senior citizens.

“You have to stay home because that is the strategy we have adopted to minimize deaths,” Roque said.

“In the past, when the seniors were staying home, our critical care capacity was okay but now, I have reports that ICUs are filling up, almost all of them are senior citizens,” he added.

NCR, Region 7 and Region 4A have been identified as areas showing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The DOH also reported 517 additional recovered patients for a total of 20,976 recoveries. Additional recoveries have also seen a spike since the weekend because of data reconciliation efforts of the DOH with local government units.

There were 11 additional COVIDrelated deaths, bringing total fatalities to 1,614. With PNA

The DOH has established a command center where hospitals can refer COVID-19 cases to other hospitals when their ICU bed allocation is already fully occupied, said Vega.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, for her past, said all beds allocated for COVID-19 patients had been occupied at the following hospitals: · University of Santo Tomas Hospital · F.Y. Manalo Medical Foundation, Inc. · Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center

· QualiMed Health Network Sta. Rosa · University of Perpetual Help-Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University Foundation, Inc. · Trinity Medical Center, Inc. · Westlake Medical Center · Antipolo City Medical Hospital · Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center, Inc. Earlier, several private hospitals said they could no longer accommodate critically ill COVID-19 cases, while others were also nearing full capacity.

At the start of the month, 11 hospitals in Metro Manila said their intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients had been filled up.

As of July 13, the DOH said 47 percent of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients nationwide were occupied while 26.3 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use.

In Metro Manila, however, the critical care utilization rate had breached the “danger zone” at over 70 percent, officials said.

According to Vega, there should be a balance between the allocation for COVID-19 cases and non-COVID-19 cases so that hospitals could still accommodate other patients.

But the National Kidney and Transplant Institute is having difficulty following the DOH’s suggestion as it would “compromise” non-COVID-19 patients.

Duterte’s speech prior to public release.

However, an audio recording of the President’s speech attacking Lopez was later leaked online, and later broadcast

by GMA News and by Rappler and other news websites.

The Chief Executive slammed the giant television network over alleged discrepancies in their Quezon City prop-

erty declaration as well as acquiring “tax-free” equipment.

Another line removed from the President’s speech was his criticism about the Lopez family supposedly having holding companies in the Cayman Islands and Hungary.

But Roque quickly denied the allegations, saying: “I cannot be wrong that the

President was not referring to ABS-CBN. Documentary evidence would show that it was Congress who threw out the franchise application of ABS-CBN. That cannot be attributed to the President.”

“I am not spinning. I am repeating what the President said, that he takes pride in dismantling the Ayalas and MVP,” he said. With PNA

The work at the Department of Agrarian Reform’s central office in Quezon City as well as in Region 4-A and 4-B were temporarily suspended when one of the agency’s ranking officials was found positive for coronavirus infection.

Secretary John Castriciones ordered the immediate closure of the central office on Elliptical Road, and the regional offices in Region 4-A and Region 4-B since both offices are also housed inside the main office compound. Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and Rio Araja

diplomatic means to resolve the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

He made the statement in response to a Social Weather Stations poll saying the majority of the Filipinos it surveyed wanted the Philippines to assert its rights to the South China Sea. Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday supported the call of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to urge the Chinese government to submit to the ruling rejecting its claims to the disputed area.

“We appreciate the United States’ statement denouncing China’s claims to the offshore resources across most of the South China Sea and its campaign of bullying to control them as completely unlawful,” Villanueva said.

Foreign Affairs said the virtual meeting between Locsin and Wang was sought

by Wang.

“With mutual respect, sincerity and adherence to sovereign equality, both sides will continue to manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation,” the department said.

Palace:...

From A1

criticism and fears it could be used to silence government critics.

The new law is facing at least eight legal challenges before the Supreme Court, which presides over questions of law, critics say could be abused to violate basic rights due to the broad definition of “terrorism.”

But Año told a forum ahead of Duterte’s penultimate State of the Nation

THE National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday started its investigation of the nine policemen implicated in the June 29 shooting incident in Jolo that resulted in the death of four soldiers.

The policemen were brought from Camp Crame in Quezon City to the NBI headquarters in Manila, where they invoked their right to remain silent through their lawyers.

The soldiers were tracking down alleged suicide bombers when they were flagged down by the police. They identified themselves as members of the military, but they were told to go to a police station for further verification of their identities.

According to a police report, the policemen fired at the soldiers when the soldiers allegedly pointed their weapons at them, but Philippine Army Chief Gilbert Gapay said it was murder because the soldiers did not fire their weapons.

Lawyer Antonio Pagatpat, NBI deputy director for regional offices, said the NBI respected the policemen’s decision since it was their constitutional right to do so, but the NBI would have to make its recommendations without the policemen’s statement.

He says the officers will have to submit their affidavits to the NBI’s prosecutors if the NBI decides to file a complaint against them before the Justice department.

He says although the policemen chose not to give a statement, the Philippine National Police assisted the bureau in its investigation.

sion truly difficult, but inevitable.”

“As much as it hurts us to implement this retrenchment program, this is the only way to ensure the continued employment of the rest of our Kapamilya,” ABS-CBN said.

The company did not provide the number of employees that would be affected.

ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries had 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees, and 3,325 talents and project-based employees as of 2018.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

‘Peaceful...

From A1

By Willie Casas

CBN and its subsidiaries effective end of business day on August 31, 2020,” the Lopez-led company said.

“We are doing all we can to mitigate the pain that will be felt by those affected, including paying out separation and retirement benefits and providing job placement programs,” it added.

ABS-CBN Corp. said the loss of its workers’ jobs comes at a time “when the uncertain and perilous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further makes the company deci-

selves to isolation facilities, enticing them by saying it would be like a “paid-for vacation.”

Under the new government strategy, mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases will only be allowed to undergo home quarantine if they meet three requirements: they have their own room, own bathroom, and there are no vulnerable persons in the same house.

If one of these conditions is not met, they will be brought to state quarantine facilities, where they are expected to stay for 14 days, Roque said. Some local governments began implementing this on Wednesday, TV news reports showed.

He said the government would convince patients with mild symptoms or those who are asymptomatic to go to state-run isolation centers, which are air-conditioned and have free Wi-Fi access. Food and lodging will be free throughout their stay, he added.

There will also be doctors and nurses to attend to their needs while under quarantine.

Roque said patients cannot refuse to be brought to isolation facilities, since public health is the government’s priority, and government retains the right to do so during a pandemic.

“There is inherent police power, that’s a very essential (power) in the establishment of the state, and if it is to protect public health, I think the isolation can be justified,” he said.

The Palace official also recognized the observation of the World Health Organization (WHO) that the situation in the Philippines was alarming due to the continuing transmission of COVID-19.

“The WHO is correct. We have to intensify our tracing efforts. It’s not something we have actual, acquired specialization on, but I think we’re catching up,” he said.

Meanwhile, Año on Wednesday said local government units (LGUs) and health authorities would lead the isolation of reported COVID-19 asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms.

He said police officers would just assist in ensuring the proper transfer of COVID-19 patients to isolation facilities.

Año said this would happen only in areas placed under a localized lockdown or those with a high number of COVID-19 cases.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said the plan of the government authorities to conduct a “house-to-house” search for persons infected with coronavirus has not been discussed by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo, Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja

ABS-CBN network and other business and media entities.

Roque said he was not present during the Duterte’s visit to Jolo and insisted there is no deliberate move to modify

NBI begins probe into Jolo shooting

ABS-CBN Corp. announced Wednesday that it will lay off workers by August 31 after its failure to renew its congressional franchise to run a broadcast television station.

“With the non-renewal of its congressional franchise, ABS-CBN is now forced to cease the operations of some of its businesses and implement a retrenchment program covering ABS-

Wider...

From A1 National Capital Region back to the stricter MECQ. But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said COVID-19 National Task Force chief Secretary Carlito Galvez and Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano appealed on behalf of Metro Manila mayors to retain the GCQ with localized “hard lockdowns” on a promise to step up tracing, testing and treatment of people positive for the coronavirus.

The President relented, but Roque stressed it was clear in the IATF’s discussions that if coronavirus cases continue to rise in the capital, reverting to a tougher lockdown is a possibility.

“If the numbers increase after July 31, Metro Manila could return to MECQ,” Roque said, adding that quarantine protocols will be enforced more strictly to stem the surge in cases in NCR. The lockdown in Cebu City, the economic heart of the Visayas, was brought down one level from ECQ – the toughest quarantine level—although neither the President nor Roque explained why at the meeting.

Other areas under GCQ apart from Metro Manila are the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, Basilan; the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Ormoc, Zamboanga, Butuan, and the towns of Minglanilla, Talisay and Consolacion in Cebu province.

The rest of the country is under a

More...

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Address this month, the people from Batanes to Tawi Tawi could now have more pleasant nights to sleep, assured that the younger generations were now safe from those who would want to grab their future from them.

A former military chief, Año added the new law would pave the way for a safer environment for children.

“Our children deserve to be raised in safe and secure communities, so let us give them an environment where they are free to dream and aim for a better future,” Año said.

PH,...

From A1 “Both sides reaffirmed that the contentious maritime issues are not the sum total of the Philippines-China bilateral relationship,” the department said in a statement.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said Wednesday the Philippines will pursue a “peaceful and diplomatic” approach to resolve its long-standing dispute with China in the South China Sea. “We are looking at peaceful and

Duque...

From A1 was also experienced in Iran, Serbia and Japan.

“This is expected as we open up the economy. What is important is we maintain the cases at manageable levels para ang ating health care system at health workers ay hindi ma-overwhelm,” Duque said.

“Time and again, we remind everyone to follow health protocols to contain the spread of the virus.”

Dugue doubted

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri doubted Duque’s pronouncement that the COVID-19 infection curve had flattened.

“With all due respect, please tell us what curve is flattening?” Zubiri said.

Senator Sonny Angara also doubted Duque’s claim.

Villar tests positive

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar on Wednesday announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019.

“I regret to announce that today, July 15, I received my test result and it is positive for COVID-19,” Villar said.

Only recently, President Rodrigo Duterte named Villar as the government’s isolation czar for the coronavirus pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he was with Villar last week for the signing of the contract regarding the construction of two new segments of the CAVITEx-C5 Link Expressway.

Work suspension

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BI: Int’l passengers to PH drop 95 percent

By Vito Barcelo

T

he number of international passengers who entered and exited the Philippines since the start of the community quarantine dropped by at least 95 percent compared to the same period last year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime more than 96 percent, while departure Morente said passenger arrival volume volume decreased by 95 percent vis-afrom March 16 to June 30 declined by vis their number a year ago.

Morente attributed the sharp drop in passenger statistics to the suspension of international flights by different airlines, in addition to the imposition of travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We do not foresee these statistics to rise in the near future while the entire world is still fighting to defeat this coronavirus,” the BI chief added.

Morente nonetheless assured that BI officers manning the country’s ports will continue to be vigilant in thwarting the entry of unwanted aliens, and in com-

batting human trafficking.

Melvin Mabulac, Immigration Deputy Spokesperson and BI National Operations Center (BINOC) acting chief, disclosed that only 189,000 passengers arrived from March 16 to June 30, a far cry from the more than 5.16 million passengers who arrived in the same period in 2019.

He also said only 238,000 passengers left the country during the period, compared to the 5.18 million who departed in that time last year.

Mabulac explained that the bulk

of passengers arrived and departed at the Ninoy Aquino Interntional Airport (NAIA), since all the other international ports were closed during the lockdown.

He said it was only in June that the government allowed international flights to resume at the Clark and Mactan airports.

“Also included in these figures are the more than 16,000 seafarers who disembarked after being quarantined aboard their vessels anchored at the Manila Bay,” he added.

Kiko: I’m not quitting, giving way to ‘Chacha’

Inspect, destroy seized drugs, SC reminds judges

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Rey E. Requejo

OPPOSITION Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday stressed he will not quit his position as chairperson of the Senate constitutional amendments committee due to the demand of online trolls, but is ready to give up the post anytime if asked by the chamber’s leadership.

Pangilinan believes that online trolls are behind the #OustKiko campaign, which was among the top trending subjects on Twitter as of press time, having been used in more than 10,000 tweets.

“Besides, the argument that the problem of COVID-19 will be solved by Charter change is quite frankly out of this world,” he pointed out.

Senate leaders also dismissed the trending topic calling for the ouster of Pangilinan for the Charter Change or “Chacha” discussions to move forward.

“I’m the Senate President and I have never heard of such (Chacha initiative).

Mabuti pa sila, dami nilang alam (it seems they know more than we do),” said Senate President Vicente Sotto III. The idea could just be an invention of netizens, Sotto added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also believes some paid “keyboard warriors” have their hands on what he described as “feeble effort” by the one managing the “troll farm” to amend the Constitution.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, who belongs to the majority bloc, said there is definitely no talks about any change of leadership in any Senate committee.

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered regional trial court judges to comply with the provision of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Acts of 2020 governing the handling and destruction of confiscated drugs.

In a circular, the SC through Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez enjoined judges to strictly comply with the requirements in Section 21 (4) of RA 9165.

This mandates that after the filing of the criminal case, the court shall within 72 hours inspect the confiscated illegal drugs and paraphernalia, and that through the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) proceed with the destruction or burning of the drugs within 24 hours.

Marquez said that courts, under this provision, must retain “a representative sample, duly weighed and recorded,” of the contraband.

“If, for some justifiable reason, full compliance with the above is not always feasible, judges hearing drug cases are strongly advised to prioritize and comply with the above when the dangerous drugs seized amount to five kilograms or more,” Marquez said, in OCA Circular No.118-2020.

In cases where the illegal drugs seized are physically brought to the court, the court shall issue the order of destruction within 24 hours therefrom, he added.

According to the Office of the Court Administrator, courts with pending drug cases where the seized drugs amount to more than five kilograms, which have not yet conducted the inspection and issued orders for their destruction, should immediately conduct the inspection and destroy the drugs within 24 hours.

IN BRIEF Housing czar tours Marawi

HOUSING czar Eduardo del Rosario is now in war-torn Marawi City, Lanao del Sur to personally assess and inspect the place’s ongoing rehabilitation, and to break ground on several other infrastructure projects.

“A promise made is a promise kept,” he said.

Del Rosario said President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the release of P3.56 billion to the different implementing agencies for the completion of their projects and programs, citing the approval as a positive development.

“Our timetable for completion will be within the term of President Duterte. And we are on target,” he said.

Del Rosario, as Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development secretary, led a lighting ceremony organized by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc., which started setting up power distribution lines inside the Marawi “most affected area” in July ahead of ground zero’s nearing full energization. Rio N. Araja

DOH: HIV drugs supply ‘stable’ THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday assured the community of People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) that the government has a stable supply of lifesaving HIV drugs, amidst the “risk of running out” in other countries, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“With the drastic increase of the number of Filipinos getting infected with HIV over the past 10 years comes the continuous increase in budget allocation for procurement of HIV drugs,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in a statement.

Currently, the Philippines has 77,882 cumulative cases of HIV as of April 2020, and 45,444 of whom are already on lifelong treatment.

These free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are available in 160 government and private treatment facilities situated around the country.

The DOH also stressed that most of the much-needed HIV drugs are sufficient until the end of the year, with additional buffer stocks.

There is likewise an ongoing procurement of these drugs that ensures supply for the future use, Duque said.

Furthermore, the 2021 procurement plan is being reviewed to consider increasing buffer stocks and higher cost due to issues related to COVID-19 pandemic. Willie Casas

AT THE READY. Elements of the Manila Police District Command secure the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters along Taft Avenue in Manila on Wednesday, for the arrival of the policemen involved in the killing of four Army soldiers in a shooting incident on June 9 in Jolo, Sulu. Norman Cruz

‘Suspend LTO emission test requirement till yearend’

By Maricel V. Cruz A LAWMAKER from Mindanao on Wednesday urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the requirement for emission testing before motor vehicle owners can registration their vehicles.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City filed House Resolution 1007, which calls on the House of Representatives to express its collective sense for the

suspension of the requirement.

Rodriguez said the COVID-19 pandemic “has affected and disrupted the lives of all Filipinos, including more than 11 million who own motor vehicles.”

“As a result of lockdowns and quarantines in many parts of the country, most transactions with the government were halted, such as the registration of vehicles,” he said.

With the easing of quarantines and travel restrictions, the lawmaker said many vehicle owners “are now having

their vehicles registered, resulting in very long lines and unusual delays in the process of registration, especially in emission testing centers.”

As an example, Rodriguez cited his own constituency, Cagayan de Oro City, where registration applicants “have to line up very early in the morning to get a number, which takes four to five hours, then they wait until their numbers are called to be given an appointment for their emission test, which is at least two weeks away.”

Court convicts Dela Fuente, bus firm

By Julito G. Rada THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has convicted a bus operator and its responsible officer for tax violations after more than 10 years since the information were filed on Jan. 5, 2009.

Found guilty beyond reasonable doubt was Philippine Corinthian Liner Corp.

(PCLC), and Clarita de Guzman, also known as Clarita “Claire” dela Fuente, the firm’s vice president, treasurer and manager, in a decision on June 30 but made available to media only on Wednesday.

PCLC was charged for violating Sections 75 (Declaration of Quarterly Corporate Income Tax), 76 (Final Adjustment Return), and 255 (Willful Failure to File Income Tax Returns), in relation to Sections 256 (Penal Liability of Corporations) and 253 (Penalty in the Case of Corporations), of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

For each of the seven consolidated cases, Dela Fuente was sentenced to suffer the straight penalty of imprisonment

of one year, and ordered to pay a fine of ₱50,000, with subsidiary imprisonment, pursuant to Sec. 280 of the Tax Code.

PCLC was likewise found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Sec. 255 in relation to Sec. 256 of the Tax Code, and for each of the seven consolidated cases, it was ordered to pay a fine of ₱100,000.

Incorporated on Nov. 18, 1996, PCLC is a domestic corporation engaged in transport and shuttle service, business carriers, hauling, vulcanizing, auto repair, auto-building, manufacture, fabrication of chassis body and other auto parts and accessories.

The company and Dela Fuente were charged for violation of the Tax Code for operating business without making and filing income tax returns for the years 1998 to 2004.

The tax court held that all of the evidence and documents presented by the prosecution from different government agencies “unequivocally show that PCLC conducted business operations from 1998 to 2004 despite Dela

MERALCO HEARING. Rep. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado (left), chairman of the House

Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, and vice-chairman Rep. Mike Defensor check their notes during a hearing Wednesday on the sudden increase in electricity rates and interruptions by power firm Meralco during the enhanced community quarantine. Ver Noveno

PAO bats for ex-DDB exec with high court

By Rio N. Araja

LAST-DAY LISTUP. A Grade 10 student (seated) and her friend pore over a

form while enrolling at the Congressional Integrated High School in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Wednesday. The Department of Education set July 15 as the last day of enrollment for public schools nationwide. JR Josue

THE Public Attorney’s Office is asking the Supreme Court to reconsider the dismissal from service of an official from the Dangerous Drugs Board and allow the court’s en banc to review the matter.

Maria Belen Angelita Matibag, represented by PAO Chief Persida Acosta, filed an omnibus motion, appealing to the high court en banc to look into the 1st Division’s Jan. 22 decision, setting aside the July 18, 2013 Court of Appeals’ decision and Nov. 11, 2013 resolution in favor of Matibag.

The Supreme Court 1st Division declared that Matibag’s termination as DDB deputy executive director on March 2, 2011 was valid.

Matibag, through Acosta, urged the Supreme Court en banc to grant her plea for oral arguments.

“It is most respectfully submitted that the above- mentioned finding needs to be meticulously and judiciously re-exam-

ined, considering the significant impact of such decision to the entire civil service,” the omnibus motion read.

On June 6, 1982, Matibag began her career at the DDB as a guidance psychologist, and was later appointed as deputy executive director on Jan. 5, 2007.

After working for 29 years, Matibag, an appointee of then-President Gloria Arroyo, was removed from her position on March 2, 2011.

DDB cited Memorandum Circulars Nos. 1 and 2 issued by then-President Benigno Aquino III that a non-Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) must separate from the service.

However, PAO said the Career Executive Service Board “cannot impose additional qualifications upon respondent, who was already conferred by the Civil Service Commission with the Career Service Executive Eligibility and Career Executive Officer IV rank at the time the additional qualifications were imposed.”

Iloilo’s business groups reject PECO power firm

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

A4

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

By Alena Mae S. Flores

IN BRIEF

BUSINESS and transport groups called on Panay Electric Co. (PECO) to accept that it no longer has the franchise and permit to operate as the power distributor of Iloilo City especially since it left the distribution facilities in "serious state of disrepair."

In a statement, the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation called for unity in the face of the global health crisis and "for PECO to accept the things it can no longer change―expired franchise, revoked CPCN, revoked mayor’s permit―in order for the whole of Iloilo City to move forward and level up as envisioned by the city government.”

ILEDF, the umbrella group of Iloilo City's varied business associations, said in a statement issued by its Executive Director Francis Gentoral that the new distributor MORE Electric and Power Corp., has been doing its job and conducts corrective maintenance on the existing distribution facilities “which had fallen into such serious state of disrepair brought about by years of neglect and lack of capital investments.”

ILEDF commissioned Singaporean firm WSP in 2010 and 2018 to undertake a review of the electric power distribution utility performance in Iloillo City which was presented to Congress as part of the franchise deliberation.

The business group noted that for the first time, "Iloilo City consumers ... finally, enjoy(ed) a (per) kilowatthour (kWh) rate of less than P10 when MORE Power took over as distribution utility."

Iloilo City recorded one of the highest power rates in the country under PECO. ILEDF said MORE Power remained true to its commitment to provide transparent service and has never shied away from informing the public of the unscheduled power interruptions, their durations, and causes.

Mayor Isko launches drive-thru testing center MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso on Wednesday announced the opening of the city's new drive-thru COVID-19 testing center.

Domagoso said the new COVID-19 testing facility will use the serology testing machines recently purchased by the city government.

"This is part of our continuing effort to massively test, to test ‘EVERY MANILEÑO’, especially those who will pass by Lawton," the mayor said.

The facility was opened at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

The facility is located in front of the Andres Bonifacio Monument near the Manila City Hall, As of Monday, July 13, Manila had 3,407 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 1,373 cases are active. Recoveries totalled 1,858 while the death toll was 176. Willie Casas

‘12k non-residents enroll in Manila for 2020-21’ OVER 12,000 non-Manileño students have enrolled in different Manila public schools for Academic Year 2020 to 2021.

Based on the data released by the Division of City Schools(DCS)-Manila today, July 14, there are 12,626 or about 4.58 percent of the total number of enrollees this coming school year are from the neighboring cities of the nation's capital.

According to DCS-Manila Information Officer Aaron Tolentino, they recorded the highest influx of non-Manileño residents enrolling in Manila public schools in District 2, near the boundary of CAMANAVA area, with a total of 5,602 non-Manileño enrollees.

Meanwhile, most of the 5,365 non-Manileño enrollees in public schools located in District 4 hail from Quezon City and Marikina.

"Everyone is welcome to enroll in our public schools and we promise to deliver the same quality education to everyone," Tolentino said. Willie Casas

Tiangco bans food delivery in Navotas City

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

DRIVE-THRU TESTING. Manila City Government health workers get blood samples from passing vehicles and two-wheel riders during the opening of the Manila Drive-Thru COVID-19 testing Area that was set up near the Bonifacio Shrine in front of Manila City Hall on 15 July 2020. Norman Cruz

WHO lauds Baguio City’s contract tracing scheme

By Dave Leprozo

B

AGUIO City’s contact tracing methodology fornCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) continued to make waves as it caught the interest of no less than the World Health Organization (WHO).

Mayor Benjamin Magalong presented the scheme before WHO Regional Office for Western Pacific Regional Director Dr. Takeshi Kasai and Country Representative Dr. Rabi Abeyasinghe and Dept. of Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo during the Joint WHO-DOH (Dept. of Health) Visit to the Cordillera Administrative Region on COVID-19 Response last July 10 at the Baguio Country Club.

The visit was part of the WHO’s documentation of COVID-19 best measures being implemented in the countryside to

determine the best practices that can be learned and shared with the end view of improving the strategy in handling the pandemic.

During the forum, the team also looked into the COVID-19 strategies of Benguet province as presented by Gov. Melchor Diclas as well as the medical program of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center by Medical Officer Dr. Ricardo Ruñez Jr. In his keynote message, Kasai said the city’s contact tracing system has gained

impressive feedback in the country and WHO wanted to learn its mechanics first-hand in recognition of contact tracing as a key to changing the course of the outbreak.

The next day, the team toured the city’s Contact Tracing Command Center where they were walked through the process which involves approaches on detection, isolation, testing and tracing.

A homegrown process put together by the mayor, it integrates police cognitive interviewing technique, computerized data collection and link analysis tools and patient identity disclosure to maximize gathering of contact information and facilitate quarantine, testing, disinfection and medical protocols.

By Jun David

FOOD deliveries or ready-to-eat foods are not allowed to enter in Navotas City, this is to strictly follow the 14 day City–wide lockdown to be enforced starting today, July 15, due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the city. The lockdown will last until July 29, 2020.

In an announcement, Mayor Toby Tiangco said that delivery of foods like “Grab Food”, “Food Panda” and other online food deliveries from other cities will not be allowed to enter the vicinity of Navotas City.

Even individuals who are not residents of Navotas and are only going to visit their relatives will also not be allowed. But in the event that they will insist, a case will be filed against them.

The food delivery system has been in demand in Metro Manila, since the entire Luzon was put under the Enhanced Community Quarantine on March 16 due to the COVID-19.

Mayor Tiangco said that non-residents may pass thru the main roads of C4 and Road 10, ads that vehicles can pass through but they will be subject to inspection.

Employees working outside of the city are not included in the lockdown but are instructed to follow safety protocols such as wearing of a face mask and maintaining physical distancing.

Commercial establishments are also exempted from the lockdown, but social distancing should be observed at all times. Mayor Tiangco said he had decided to implement the lockdown due to the continuing rise of the number of COVID-19 positive cases, the number of people of dwelling on the streets and those who do not comply adds up to the burden in the city.

CLEANUP. People’s organizations such as BUSILAK (Buhayin ang Sapa, Ilog, Lawa at Karagatan) and KASAKA (Kalinga sa Kalayaan) recently joined the DENR-PENRO in Rizal to clean up this garbage-clogged creek at Paso Bridge in Angono, Rizal.

Taguig City records 50 new cases of COVID-19 infection

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Taguig City government recorded 50 new cases of persons infected with coronavirus disease, bringing to 1,628 the total number of confirmed cases.

The local government also reported 23 deaths and 610 recoveries as of Tuesday.

The new cases came from areas of Calzada-Tipas, Ligid-Tipas, Lower Bi-

cutan, Napindan, Palingon-Tipas, Ususan, Central Bicutan, Fort Bonifacio, Maharlika, North Daang Hari, North Signal, Pinagsama, South Daang Hari, South Signal, Upper Bicutan, and Western Bicutan.

Of the number of cases, 496 came from the areas now placed under localized quarantine, including a construction site in Bonifacio Global City and Purok 5 and 6 in Barangay Lower Bicutan.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said the COVID-19 infections in a construction site in Barangay Fort Bonifacio has already been contained. He added that most of the infected construction workers were asymptomatic. ßThe city government will build additional quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients and suspected cases in Bonifacio Global City and in Lakeshore.

Lazatin to buy tablet computers for 2,400 City College of Angeles students

By Butch Gunio ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has ordered the purchase of computer tablets for use of 2,481 scholars at the City College of Angeles for online classes.

The city mayor said the Angeles City government will provide CCA students with tablets as part of the college's tran-

sition to the new normal educational system in this time of COVID 19 pandemic.

He also sought the support of internet service providers operating in the city to give free high-quality internet access to city scholars.

The tablets will be considered as government property and the students will have to borrow them from CCA's

library and return them in good condition, Lazatin said.

He also said that the computer tablets are strictly for educational use and will be programmed for that purpose alone.

The city mayor has ensured that the education in the city is inclusive and no student will be left behind.

Earlier, Lazatin announced that the

city government will provide 55,000 tablets to 53 public schools throughout the city for the use of Grades 4 to 12 students.

He allotted P150 million under the Special Education Fund surplus for the procurement of the computer tablets and an overcollection of P5 million SEF will be utilized for one-month free internet subscription for students.

Metro Clark landfill adapts to new normal

By Jess Malabanan CLARK FREEPORT—The country’s lone-engineered sanitary landfill continues to boost its operational capabilities aimed at adapting to the new normal setup in waste management and disposal.

Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation has poured in millions in capital investments for additional improvements inside its 100-hectare facility in Sitio Kalangitan in Capas, Tarlac, including constructing additional concrete roads, waste treatment and disposal facilities and its fleet of transport and heavy equipment.

MCWMC President and CEO, Rufo Colayco said that “these continuing developments and facilities improvements are integral to Metro Clark’s overall development program.”

“As we adopt our operations to the new normal brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic, our ongoing infrastructure developments and investments are all geared towards ensuring that Metro Clark continues to provide our world class service to our LGU and other clients, while protecting further the environment and ultimately, the public’s health,” said Colayco, adding that efficient and environment friendly waste disposal have been key to Metro Clark’s steady growth over the past decade.

Almost simultaneously, Metro Clark’s “Big ticket” on-site key disposal facility development projects were implemented early this year, up until the onset of this year's Q3.

These includes the Leachate Treatment Plant (Reed bed) at a cost of P70 million, earth-moving works for the 7-hectare cell expansion, P50 million and a transfer yard and workshop with a combined area of almost a hectare, P43 million.

Aside from this, similar road construction projects within the Kalangitan facility are currently being undertaken by MCWMC. The project cost is pegged at P30 million.

Colayco said that these projects are all programmed to better serve Metro Clark’s expanding market and lately, to cater to the current demands of the ‘new normal.’

“We owe it to our clientele’s as well as stakeholders. These investments in infrastructure and on-site developments are all part of our commitment to continuously provide efficiency in our waste management and disposal service. as they steadily rely on our world class brand of service and efficiency,” Colayco said.

Opinion EDITORIAL

Strengthening stability

T

HE United States, with whom the Philippines has a 69-year-old mutual defense treaty, has challenged China's “expansive maritime claims” across most of the South China Sea, which includes the area called West Philippine Sea. Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China's claims were “completely unlawful” which diplomatic and political observers say may unwarrantedly spark off military confrontations with Beijing and sanctions against companies as Washington seeks to push back Chinese activity in the region.

Pompeo had referred to China's year-long “campaign of bullying to control” offshore resources across much of the South China Sea was illegal—the strongest and most clear-cut and straightforward support by Washington of a

ruling in 2016 by an international tribunal at The Hague.

His call out, which coincided with China's offer to restart talks with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including some members with overlapping claims in the area, aligns US policy directly with the tribunal's ruling that China had violated international law with its actions.

Four years ago, on July 12, 2016, an arbitral tribunal, constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, in which the People's Republic of China was a party, shot down Beijing's claims, including its nine-dash line. This undefined, vaguely located demarcation line indicates more than 80 percent of the waters in the South China Sea which China is claiming as part of its territory.

China, which did not participate in the litigation, has refused the tribunal’s decision.

We take it that ASEAN members, like Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, and the Philippines, must have been pleased with Washington's announcement op-

posing Beijing's sovereignty over maritime areas round the contested islands, reefs, atolls and shoals.

These countries for years have been grumbling about the efforts of their giant neighbor to control maritime navigation in the disputed areas, which include Mischief Reef and Second Thomas Shoal, which fall under the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines, and James Shoal, which is 50 nautical miles from Malaysia.

With Chinese militarization of the vast sea, Pompeo's latest pronouncement must be most reassuring to US allies in the region. While he has not been blunt on US military aid, he leaves open the possibility in the view of experts, that Washington would come to their defense should a larger standoff arise in the area.

We keep the faith that China, like its neighbors in the region, is convinced that the peace and stability in the area must be strengthened and preserved, consistent with the dictates of international law, without the need to use military might to resolve controversies.

Groping in the dark FOR the second time since the start of the pandemic, the Department of Health has revised its reporting system. The DOH will henceforth just be emphasizing active cases instead of total infections because it is more reflective of the situation. That is also what the DOH said the first time it changed the reporting system when it separated “old” and “new” cases.

It is difficult to understand why the DOH is still struggling to develop a good reporting system. Five months into the pandemic, it is still harmonizing its reporting system from the data coming from the various agencies reporting infections, recoveries and deaths. One would think that by this time, the DOH should have already perfected one.

It is no wonder that we are not doing very well in our fight against the virus. We might even be losing control. It does not give much confidence that the DOH is still groping in the dark after all this time. The net effect of this constant changing is to cast doubt about the integrity of the reports. This may be one of the reasons why there has been a chorus of criticism asking for the resignation of the Health Secretary including people from the medical profession. Unfortunately for them, the President has consistently refused to replace the Secretary. He is however, doing the next best thing and that is taking away some functions from the DOH and assigning them to the recently appointed czars which will hopefully inject a new sense of urgency to the situation and start doing things right for a change.

We are now currently struggling in our effort to contain the virus. This is because of the need to reopen the economy—something everyone understands. How to do it in such a way that the government will not have to reimpose

DUTY CALLS

FLORENCIO FIANZA a total lockdown is the problem that needs to be managed astutely. New cases have been breaching 1,000 lately and on other days 2,000.

Certainly, the country cannot afford to have the infection get out of control.

The DOH is not in a good place.

I hate to sound like a broken record but we are now paying dearly for our mistakes during the early stages of this pandemic. Had we tested, traced and isolated those infected when it was still relatively easy, the problem would not have grown so big. There would have been no need to appoint so many czars.

As it is, the country has now more than 57,500 cases as of Tuesday. The number grows dramatically each day.

The IATF recently came out with a new protocol on localized lockdowns in the Metro area. It mandated that all lockdowns will be for two weeks and not the usual two days in order to contain the infection and allow for the testing, contact tracing and isolation of all those infected. This undoubtedly is a correct move and should have been done earlier.

With the growing infections, three czars

were appointed to perform functions that will specifically contain or prevent run away infections. I agree that even with daily infections in the 1,000 to 2,000 range, testing, contact tracing and isolating can still be done. But it has to be done without further delays because the window is closing very fast.

In addition, there is a need to hire and train more contact tracers. The ratio of one is to 800 is unrealistic because of the kind of work involved. It should be one is to 400 people only.

So, for the next few weeks, we will be seeing increased activities in the testing, tracing and isolating of infected people.

The police has already been asked to assist in locating people who are self-quarantining in crowded houses to bring them to properly constructed isolation wards. The government is clearly realizing that we are not winning the COVID-19 battle and will take a much longer time to get over the disease if ever. We are now the second worst performing ASEAN country after Indonesia. The low death rate should not lull the government into a false complacency because there are many things that the disease can do to a recovered person like damage to the kidneys, lungs and the heart. All that the longer struggle means is that more than 10 million senior citizens and those with underlying medical conditions will have to quarantine much longer.

Long confinement is not good for anyone regardless of age due to mental health. I hope the IATF can come up with programs to make it easier for them. Many of these people are on their own without government resources behind them trying to last as long as they can until they finally kick the bucket. Surely, the government can come up with something.

A delicate balance physical distancing are our primary protection. However, many still do not wear masks properly, which tends to defeat the purpose of protecting one’s self. Some stand too close together. At this point, we need radical solutions to resolve this COVID-19 crisis.

OVERSIGHT

DANILO SUAREZ WE ARE halfway through July. Last month, we nearly reached the 40,000-mark on the number of COVID-19 cases. In two weeks, the number increased by almost 20,000. While we struggle to balance economic recovery and curbing COVID-19 transmission, the scale tilts against our favor.

The Department of Health (DOH) reports more than a thousand new COVID-19 cases each day since the end of June. The trend now is very alarming. If this continues, our health care system may not be enough to accommodate all COVID-19 patients. Just this week, major hospitals in Metro Manila have already declared full capacity of COVID-19 facilities.

Other Metro Manila hospitals have earlier reached maximum capacity of their ICU facilities. DOH clarified that this full capacity only pertains to the dedicated COVID-19 beds and not the entire hospital. Despite this, the accelerated rise in the number of COVID-19 patients puts health care workers and health professionals in unfavorable and deleterious working conditions. Since March, our health care workers have been manning the frontlines, every day facing the risk of getting infected. Now, more patients come in with the still limited and even decreasing number of health care workers and personal protective suits and equipment available in hospitals.

Stringent public health standards are currently implemented. It cannot be emphasized enough that wearing face masks and strict

The trend has been alarming.

The government recently proposed quarantine in temporary isolation facilities for mild or asymptomatic COVID-positive patients, instead of home quarantine as the latter may contribute to the spread of the virus within the family and the community. At present, there are more than 12,000 suspect and probable cases nationwide. Our current available isolation beds are 52,223, sufficient to cater to these patients. This may be a viable solution to reduce risk of transmission in the community.

Work-from-home arrangements can limit the spread of the virus. In exchange, the government should provide incentives or tax breaks to these companies and to their employees to further promote this type of arrangement and encourage people to stay at home. Until a cure is found, this should be the preferred set-up. The reduction in overhead costs can be used by companies to give electricity and internet allowances to their employees who may have to pay extra amounts in their bills.

On the other hand, other companies who cannot avoid physical reporting to work must strictly comply with the set guidelines by the DOH and the Department of Trade and Industry. Perhaps, the DTI should implement issuing health permits and strict screening and

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

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Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

B1

No strong recovery in fourth quarter BUSINESS CLASS

RUDY ROMERO WHEN the Duterte administration decided on March 14 to place Metro Manila and Luzon, and the rest the country, under Enhanced Community Quarantine and General Community Quarantine, respectively, after having banned international airline flights, economists and financial analysts went back to their drawing boards to prepare forecasts of Philippine economic activity in the pandemic-afflicted period that lay immediately ahead. Needless to say, the new forecasts would embody drastic downward revisions; up to the first quarter of 2020, Philippine gross domestic product growth of between 6 and 6.5 percent had generally been predicted for 2020.

We will have to wait for 2021, at the earliest.

Most of the new economic scenarios for 2020 went like this: GDP growth would be less than 6 percent in the first quarter, the second quarter would be a disaster—growth would be negative—the economy would begin to recover in the third quarter and the economy would pick up steam in the year’s last quarter.

Although the final Philippine Statistics Authority figures for the second quarter have yet to come in, it can be said with certainty that the revised GDP forecast for 2020’s first two quarters has proven to be accurate. The banning of international airline traffic and the tight lockdown during March’s last half combined to bring GDP growth to below 6 percent. With all land transportation suspended in Metro Manila—and, of necessity, parts of Calabarzon and Central Luzon—a part of this country that accounts for close to 20 percent of its total output of goods and services was largely immobilized. The hit sustained by the tourism sector supplies the rest of the explanation for the first quarter’s below-6-percent growth performance.

Forecasting a very bad second quarter for the economy was a no-brainer: Requiring all people except frontliners and “essential” producers and delivery persons to stay at home for 14 weeks—from March 17 to June 30—was bound to send the economy into a tailspin. When the final figures are all in, the second quarter of 2020 is bound to emerge as the worst quarter in the Philippine economy’s post-World War II history. Estimates of the GDP’s drop range from 2.5 percent to 5 percent. There is no way to describe the economy’s second-quarter performance other than as a disaster.

Toward the end of June, the Duterte administration signaled its desire to start the

process of returning the Philippine economy to near-normality. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases eased the quarantine stats of Metro Manila to Modified ECQ and that of most of the other regions to GCQ. Metro Manila’s new status permits some hitherto-prohibited productive activities and the return to the roads of some previously disallowed means of transportation.

These easing measures should by now have generated signs of broad economic revival, but as it approaches the end of its first two-week period, there are few indications that the current quarter will lead the way to a strong year-end finish for the Philippine economy. The third quarter is starting weakly.

There are several reasons for this in addition to the usual lags of economic-policy changes.

The first and most consequential reason is the weakness of the government’s fiscal-policy response to the pandemic.

Knowledgeable observers predicted that the social amelioration funds made available by the Bayanihan Act would be inadequate for the needs of the approximately 18 million families that have been hit hardest

by COVID-19; their prediction has been borne out by subsequent developments. The loss of purchasing power by the millions who have lost their jobs—placed by PSA at around 17 percent of the nation’s workforce—and the tens of thousands who have closed their businesses has not been fully compensated by the Bayanihan Act. Clearly, supplementary legislation will have to be enacted—and quickly—if millions of Filipinos are to have purchasing power for their most basic needs in the coming months.

A second factor operating to prevent a strong third-quarter economic revival is an element that is unquantifiable: Fear.

Because asymptomatic people have been shown to be possible carriers of COVID-19, fear remains pervasive even where the health safety protocols have been adjudged relaxable. There still is widespread reluctance to consume the goods and services that IATF has decided to place back in the market; many people are still not inclined to resume their pre-COVID-19 eating, wellness and entertainment habits.

Still another factor is the continued inadequacy or outright absence of transportation facilities for factories and service establishments to be able to resume production; workers have to be able to get to them. That is the big problem: Workers who have been rehired or are trying to find new jobs have great difficulty getting to workplaces due to IATF’s health safety protocols and capacity limitations. The wheels of the economy will not turn if workers are without wheels.

With the gradual easing of quarantine regulations in Metro Manila and elsewhere, the process of returning the Philippine economy to near-normalcy has begun. But the movement will be weak and slow. The third quarter cannot be expected to lay the groundwork for a string, the-economy-isback fourth quarter.

The start of the Philippine economy’s sustainable recovery will have to wait for 2021’s first quarter at the earliest.

MAIL MATTERS

evaluation of the companies’ compliance to these health standards before allowing them to resume operations. Given the experiences of private and public entities in rapid testing, we can require companies to conduct rapid testing before allowing employees to physically return to work, subject to the guidelines imposed by the DOH. These are drastic solutions we should consider in order to contain disease transmission.

However, improving contact tracing to identify potential COVID-19 carriers remains to be the priority. I highly urge the government to look into these propositions. As we need to maintain economic activities, such sacrifices may be necessary in order to protect the people and the community. Should we fail to maintain this balance and community transmission becomes uncontrollable, reverting to stricter quarantine measures may be the only solution we have left.

MORE OPINION ONLINE

(www.manilastandard.net) Making China pay for its crimes/ US takes stronger stance in SCS

By Ambassador Albert del Rosario

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

HDI license not in danger of revocation WE WRITE regarding the published article regarding the Anti-Dummy Law case.

There is no truth in the claim that HDI’s license is in danger of being revoked.

The three HDI companies were incorporated, and have been operating, as “advertising companies” which, under the law, allow the participation of foreign nationals in the affairs of the company. It was for this reason that in June 2016, a foreign national was permitted to sit as Chairman of HDI. As a sign of good faith, HDI Admix took the initiative of getting a confirmation from the Securities and Exchange Commission relative to the nature of its business for proper guidance. As it turned out, however, the SEC subsequently in July 2016 erroneously classified HDI Admix as “mass media” the ownership and management of which are limited to Filipino citizens, or to corporations wholly-owned and managed by such citizens.

This came as a surprise considering that the classification of the three HDI companies as “advertising company” was in fact approved by the SEC when they applied for their incorporation and license to operate in 2012 (Admix), 2003 (Adventures) and 1992 (SO). This was never questioned since. Even though the SEC Opinion is of doubtful validity, HDI chose to comply with said pronouncement and immediately rectified its corporate structure. Thus, effective 2017 and in compliance with the SEC Opinion, the ownership, corporate affairs and management of HDI were legitimately vested to Filipino nationals.

Unfortunately, the SEC Opinion which the

company itself voluntarily secured with good intention was maliciously exploited to further an evil motive (which HDI will not tolerate).

Clearly, the cases which were cited by the Manila Standard as bases for the revocation of license of HDI relate to the SEC-approved corporate structure back in 2016, which structure is no longer existing and relevant in the present because of HDI’s subsequent compliance with the SEC Opinion. True enough, the Office of the City Prosecutor was not prepared to recommend, as in fact it did not recommend, the revocation of the licenses to operate HDI Admix, HDI Stopovers and HDI Adventures, for lack of genuine basis to question the current corporate structure of these companies.

We are confident that the cases against HDI are unmeritorious and will be dismissed as we let the law take its ordinary course. We assure you that this recent attack against the credibility of HDI is unfounded and was propagated merely by disgruntled individuals out of sheer desperation to make themselves relevant again in the business community. We have already instituted the appropriate remedies for the dismissal of the cases and question the Resolution of the City Prosecutor (finding probable cause against former officers of HDI) as well as the SEC Opinion classifying HDI as mass media.

HDI Admix, HDI Stopovers, and HDI Adventures

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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World

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump ends HK trade favor, backs sanctions IN BRIEF W Prague train crash injures dozens

PRAGUE—Dozens of people were injured, four of them seriously, when a passenger train collided with a stationary freight train near Prague on Tuesday evening, emergency services said.

“We have treated four people with serious injuries and taken them to hospitals in Prague,” regional emergency service spokeswoman Petra Effenbergerova told AFP, adding that two helicopters had been deployed.

“We have also treated 29 people with lighter injuries. They are being transported to hospital,” she said.

With the rescue operation still under way at the crash site, emergency services estimated that a further 10 people may also have sustained slight injuries. AFP

ASHINGTON—US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was ending preferential trade treatment for Hong Kong and had signed into law an act that authorises sanctions on banks over China’s clampdown in the international finance hub.

In a discursive news conference dominated by attacks on his domestic rivals, Trump declared himself to be the toughest president ever on China, a country he is increasingly positioning as his nemesis ahead of November elections.

Trump announced that he had issued an executive order on Hong Kong as he predicted decline for the restless city, on

which Beijing recently imposed a tough new security law.

“Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China—no special privileges, no special economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies,” Trump said in the White House Rose Garden.

“Their freedom has been taken away;

their rights have been taken away,” Trump added.

“And with it goes Hong Kong, in my opinion, because it will no longer be able to compete with free markets.

A lot of people will be leaving Hong Kong.”

Trump also said he had signed into law the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which authorises sanctions against Chinese officials and Hong Kong police seen as infringing on the city’s autonomy—and, crucially, any banks that make significant transactions with them.

Lawmakers hope the new law will force all but provincial Chinese banks to choose between abetting Beijing’s efforts

in Hong Kong, or being able to conduct transactions in US dollars and operate in the world’s largest economy.

“This law gives my administration powerful new tools to hold responsible the individuals and the entities involved in extinguishing Hong Kong’s freedom,” Trump said.

China on Wednesday vowed to retaliate, saying the Hong Kong Autonomy Act “maliciously slanders” its legislation in Hong Kong.

“China will make necessary responses to protect its legitimate interests, and impose sanctions on relevant US personnel and entities,” the Chinese foreign ministry said. AFP

‘Crusher’ picked to oppose Ardern WELLINGTON, New Zealand—New Zealand’s opposition has installed a conservative veteran nicknamed “Crusher” as leader as it regroups for the daunting task of trying to oust Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a September general election.

The centre-right National Party selected Judith Collins in a caucus vote late Tuesday, hours after her predecessor Todd Muller unexpectedly quit, saying the pressure of the role was too much.

Collins is best known to New Zealanders for a stint as police minister under previous prime minister John Key, when she earned her nickname “Crusher Collins” by bringing in a law allowing officers to confiscate and destroy the cars of illegal street racers.

The 61-year-old played up her tough image after being confirmed as leader, telling reporters: “I am hoping that the National Party can crush the other lot when it comes to September 19.”

Justice Ginsburg, 87, hospitalized WASHINGTON—US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 87-yearold anchor of its liberal faction, has been hospitalized for a suspected infection, the court said Tuesday.

Ginsburg was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore early Tuesday after first going to her regular Washington hospital with fever and chills.

She underwent an endoscopic procedure “to clean out a bile duct stent that was placed last August,” the court said in a statement.

Ginsburg “is resting comfortably and will stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment,” it added. AFP

AGAINST ‘BIBI’. A protester slips as Israeli police use water cannons during clashes at a demonstration against the Israeli prime minister outside his official residence in Jerusalem, on July 14. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu, 70, was indicted in January for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases. He denies all the charges and accuses the media and legal officials of a witch hunt. AFP

NYT moving HK staff to South Korea over security law HONG KONG—The New York Times on Wednesday said it was moving its digital news hub from Hong Kong to South Korea as a result of a national security law Beijing imposed on the city.

“China’s sweeping new national security law in Hong Kong has created a lot of uncertainty about what the new rules will mean to our operation and our journalism,” executives wrote in an email to staff, according to a news report published on the New York Times website.

“We feel it is prudent to make contingency plans and begin to diversify our editing staff around the region.”

The newspaper has had a regional headquarters in Hong Kong for decades, overseeing Asia coverage and more recently helping to run the newspaper’s 24hour digital news operation.

In its own news report, the Times said it would move its digital team of journalists—roughly one-third of its Hong Kong employees—to Seoul over the next year.

It is the first major relocation by an inThe Times report said it had recently ternational news organisation since Bei- “faced challenges securing work perjing imposed a sweeping security law on mits” for its staff in Hong Kong, someHong Kong late last month. thing it said was “commonplace in China The new law has sent a chill through but were rarely an issue in the former the city because its broad wording crim- colony”.

Hong Kong has been a major regional inalises some political speech and ramps up Communist Party control over the hub for international media for decades thanks to its easy business environment city.

One provision expressly calls upon au- and key civil liberties that Beijing pledged thorities to “strengthen the management” to protect until 2047 under the handover of foreign news organisations. deal with Britain. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

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Macron: Masks mandatory in public indoors

TODAY

CUTE TANDEM. A girl and her father wear facemasks while they push their bikes in Hermosa Beach,

Los Angeles, California, on July 14. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom announced a significant rollback of the state’s reopening plan on July 13, as coronavirus cases soared across America’s richest and most populous state. AFP

US order for visa denial to foreign students rescinded NEW YORK—The United States government rescinded its controversial decision to revoke foreign student visas whose courses move online due to coronavirus, a federal judge said Tuesday.

The universities of Harvard and MIT, with the support of a number of other institutions, had taken legal action against the move that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on July 6.

“The government has agreed to rescind” the decision as well as any implementation of the directive, Judge Allison Burroughs said in a brief hearing.

Harvard and MIT earlier this month had asked the court to block the order announced

by ICE that students must leave the country if their classes are only online, or transfer to a school offering in-person tuition.

The measure was seen as a move by President Donald Trump administration to put pressure on educational institutions that are adopting a cautious approach to reopening amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The universities say in their lawsuit that the order would harm students “immensely,” both personally and financially.

There were more than one million international students in the US for the 2018-19 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE). AFP

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that face masks could soon be required in public indoor spaces to curtail the coronavirus outbreak, acknowledging that infections were again on the rise.

His comments, in a television interview marking Bastille Day, came after he oversaw the traditional military ceremony that was drastically downsized because of the pandemic.

“I would like to make masks mandatory in all enclosed public spaces,” Macron said in the interview, a Bastille Day tradition he had shunned since taking office three years ago.

“We have indications that (the outbreak) is accelerating a bit.”

The virus reproduction rate, the “R” ratio, has again risen above one in France, he said, meaning that a single person infected with COVID-19 is likely spreading the disease to others.

Face masks, which have been mandatory on public transport for months, could be required for entering shops, offices and other indoor spaces from August 1, Macron said.

Macron’s comments come as doctors have warned of a potential second wave of infections, possibly in the coming weeks, which could again overwhelm hospitals and require new lockdowns that could further hammer the economy.

“I advise everyone listening to us to wear a mask as much as possible when they go out, and especially in an enclosed space,” he said.

Asked whether France had enough masks in case of a new spike in cases, following massive shortages as the outbreak worsened in March, Macron said: “We will be ready.” AFP

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Business

TODAY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FAMILY COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 6 SANTA CRUZ, LAGUNA

B3

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

PETER NICK T. OBLEPIAS, Petitioner, - versus -

Stock market falls; ICTSI, Ayala Land lead decliners T HE stock market plunged Wednesday on rising cases of COVID-19 and the reimposition of lockdown measures in certain parts of the country.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index tumbled 156.30 points, or 2.5 percent, to 6,016.51 on a value turnover of P7.3 billion.

Losers overwhelmed gainers, 166 to 48, with 32 issues unchanged.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, fell 5.6 percent to P3.17, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. dropped 4.5 percent to P32.

Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, declined 4.4 percent to P119, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., shed 3.7 percent to P93.

Meanwhile, fresh hopes for a coronavirus vaccine and another round of US stimulus lifted most Asian markets on Wednesday, although gains were tempered by the reimpo-

PSEi July 15, 2020

sition of lockdown measures and China-US tensions weighed on Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Tokyo, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore and Wellington rose more than one percent, while Seoul, Jakarta and Bangkok also posted gains.

But Shanghai and Hong Kong suffered losses, with China-US relations—already hit by a series of issues including trade and Huawei—strained further by Donald Trump’s decision to remove Hong Kong’s special trade status, and his signing into law of an act authorising sanctions on banks over China’s clampdown in the city.

Investors took their lead from Wall Street’s pop higher, which came after US biotech firm Moderna said the final stage of human trials for a COVID-19 vaccine would start at the end of the month, after a report said first stage tests had been a success.

The news follows an announcement from Pfizer and BioNTech that two of four candidates for treatment had received “Fast Track” designation from US officials.

OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley said “significantly... the results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning independent eyes have been cast over the results, and like

TOP LOSERS

what they see.”

Providing added support was optimism the US would add to its stimulus after reports said top Republicans were reconsidering their opposition to it, including on extending supplemental unemployment benefits.

The trillions of dollars pledged by the US and other governments and central banks around the world have been a key driver of the rally in stock markets from their March lows.

And analysts expect that cash will probably fuel further gains, with Stephen Innes at AxiCorp saying even weak corporate earnings would be unlikely to derail that.

“A market that has ignored virus resurgence concerns and US-China tensions... is suddenly supposed to start worrying about earnings. That never made a great deal of sense to me.

“Sure, there may well be some profit-taking due to the run the market has been on, but we then go back to the wall of money argument time and time again. Booking profits are all very well and good, but the way this market seems to be heading, it is not clear you will be able to repurchase those stocks so readily again.” With AFP

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CIVIL CASE NO. SC-6201 FOR: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

BANELA CRISTY T. NAVARRO-OBLEPIAS, Respondent. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

insulting him of how he failed to give her a more comfortable life. She continued to ‘do whatever she likes and did not care whether this would end up in a fight; 11. That sometime in the year 2015, Petitioner discovered that there was a third party involved in their relationship when he caught her thru her email messages. He read a note stating “I love you” addressed to the Respondent and she responded with “I love you, too”. It turned out that the message sender is her co-worker. This made him lose his respect for the Respondent.

By reason of which, Petitioner finally decided to have their marriage annulled;

12. That the parties have been separated de facto for almost four (4) years now and during their cohabitation as husband and TO: BANELA CRISTY T. NAVARRO-OBLEPIAS, wife, the parties were not able to acquire any real property. Reconciliation between herein No. 170, Baco Street parties is also very impossible owing to the cold La Loma, Quezon City treatment with each other and more importantly, their love that once bloom have already dried; GREETINGS:

SUMMONS

You are hereby required, within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the petitioner your ANSWER to the petition, a copy of which is herewith attached together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time aforesaid, the petitioner will take judgment against you by default and demand from this Court the reliefs applied for in the said Complaint.

Santa Cruz, Laguna.

January 21, 2020.

(Sgd.) SUWERTE L. OFRECIO Presiding Judge

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FAMILY COURT FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 6 SANTA CRUZ, LAGUNA PETER NICK T. OBLEPIAS, Petitioner, CIVIL CASE NO. SC - 6201 For: Judicial Declaration of Nullity of Marriage BANELA CRlSTY T. NAVARRO-OBLEPIAS, Respondent. x-------------------------------------x

ORDER

13. That from all indications, both the parties’ grave and manifest display of psychological incapacities render them unfit to discharge the essential marital obligations entailed of a married life. They had fully abandoned their solemn obligation and civil responsibility to render mutual help and support to the family, live together and harmoniously with each other and observe respect, fidelity and love.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered annulling and rendering as VOID the marriage entered into by the parties on November 15, 2011 and ordering the Civil Registrar of Luisiana, Laguna to cancel the corresponding marriage contract and its entry on file relative the Petitioner and the Respondent.

Other reliefs just and equitable are likewise prayed for.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. Santa Cruz, Laguna, November 12, 2019 (Sgd.) SIR JONAS MATIAS L. JAVIER Councel for herein Petitioner 2nd Floor, Andal Bldg., Mabini Street, Brgy.

Poblacion III, Santa Cruz, Laguna .

(0917)555 8084 / email add: sirjon_javier@ yahoo.com PTR No. 6502694/01-07-19/Laguna Lifetime IBP No. 07199 /01-16-08/Laguna Roll of Attorneys No. 53464 MCLE Compliance No.:VI-0005193/up to 04-142022/Pasig City

Acting on the Motion for Leave of Court to VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF Effect Service of Summons by Publication filed by NON-FORUM SHOPPING Atty. Sir Jonas Matias L. Javier, counsel for the petitioner, dated February II, 2020, and pursuant to the Order of the Court, dated January 28, 2020, I, PETER NICK T. OBLEPIAS, of legal age, Filipino Citizen, married and with postal and the same is hereby GRANTED. residence address at No. 129, Roasa Street, Pursuant to Section 14, Rule 14 of the Rules Extension, Brgy. Zone VI, Luisiana, Laguna, of Civil Procedure, let service of summons by after having been duly ~ sworn to in accordance publication in a newspaper of general circulation with law, do hereby depose and state: be served on the respondent at the expense of the petitioner.

1. That I am the Petitioner in the above-entitled case; SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers this 18th day of February 2. That I have caused the preparation of 2020 in Santa Cruz, Laguna. the foregoing Petition and have read all the allegations contained therein, which are true (Sgd.) SUWERTE L. OFRECIO and correct to the best of my knowledge; Presiding Judge Copy Furnished: 3. That I attest to the authenticity of the annexes Atty. Sir Jonas Matias L. Javier thereof; 2nd Floor, Andal Building, Mabini Street, Brgy. Poblacion Ill, Santa Cruz, Laguna Peter Nick T. Oblepias No. 129, Roasa Street Extension, Brgy. Zone VI, Luisiana, Laguna Banela Cristy T. Navarro-Oblepias No. 107, Baco Street, La Lorna, Quezon City Office of the Solicitor General #134 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City Office of the Provincial Prosecutor Santa Cruz, Laguna

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 4th JUDICIAL REGION DESIGNATED FAMILY COURT BRANCH SANTA CRUZ, LAGUNA PETER NICK T. OBLEPIAS, Petitioner, -vs-

4. That I certify that I have not commenced any other action or proceeding before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or different divisions thereof, or before any other tribunal or agency; 5. That to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different divisions thereof, or before any other tribunal or agency; 6. That in the event that I should learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different divisions thereof, or before any other tribunal or agency, I hereby undertake to immediately notice this Honorable Court within five (5) days from knowledge thereof.

Santa Cruz, Laguna, November 12, 2019

Civil Case No.: SC - 6 2 0 1 For: Judicial Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

BANELA CRISTY T. NAVARRO-OBLEPIAS, Respondent. x-----------------------------------------------------x PETITION

(Sgd.) PETER NICK T. OBLEPIAS Affiant REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) PROVINCE OF LAGUNA ) SS. MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA CRUZ )

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines, on this 12th COMES NOW, the Petitioner, thru the day of November 2019 affiant being personal undersigned counsel and unto this Honorable known to the undersigned Notary Public.

Court, most respectfully states:

Britain bans Huawei to give US big victory versus China LONDON—Britain on Tuesday bowed to growing US pressure and ordered the phased removal of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from its 5G network despite warnings of retaliation from Beijing.

The policy reversal hands a longsought victory to US President Donald Trump’s administration in its geopolitical tug-of-war with China.

The White House said the decision “reflects a growing international consensus that Huawei and other untrusted vendors pose a threat to national security, as they remain beholden to the Chinese Communist Party.”

But the move threatens to further damage Britain’s ties with the Asian power and carry a big cost for UK mobile providers that have relied on Huawei equipment for nearly 20 years.

Huawei called it “politicized” and would likely put Britain “in the digital slow lane.”

China’s ambassador in London, Liu Xiaoming, called it a “disappointing and wrong decision.”

“It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries,” he wrote on Twitter.

The politically-fraught change in Britain’s digital future was made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a meeting with his cabinet and National Security Council.

It requires companies to stop buying new 5G equipment from Huawei starting next year and strip out existing gear by the end of 2027.

“This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy,” digital minister Oliver Dowden told parliament.

Johnson infuriated Trump and upset some members of his own Conservative party by allowing the Chinese leader in global 5G technology to help roll out Britain’s speedy new data network in January.

The UK was then completing its tortuous departure from the European Union and looking to establish strong ties with powerful Asian economies that could fulfill Johnson’s vision of a “Global Britain.” AFP

THE PARTIES Petitioner is of legal age, Filipino Citizen, married to herein Respondent and with postal and residence address at No. 129, Roasa Street Extension, Brgy. Zone VI, Luisiana, Laguna while Respondent is likewise of legal age, Filipino Citizen and with postal and residence address at No. 170, Baco Street, La Lorna, Quezon City, where they may be respectively served with summons, writs and processes to be issued by this Honorable Court.

This photograph taken on June 26, 2020 shows tourists waiting for the start of a wine tasting at GranMonte Vineyard and Winery in Nakhon Ratchasima, some 170 km north east of Bangkok. Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand’s tropical climate, chased off elephants from their vineyards and won over a skeptical public to their award-winning wine. Now they’re taking on the “unfair” booze laws that critics say benefit the kingdom’s billionaire booze monopolies. AFP

Thai wine sisters take aim at booze monopoly

By Dene-Hern Chen and Nattakorn Ploddee NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand—Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand’s tropical climate, chased off elephants from their vineyards and won over a sKeptical public to their awardwinning wine. Now they’re taking on the “unfair” booze laws critics say benefit the kingdom’s billionaire booze monopolies.

Rows of Syrah, Viognier and Chenin Blanc grapes stretch across the 40-acre GranMonte Estate in the foothills of Khao Yai National Park.

The elevated terrain, three hours outside of Bangkok, provides unexpectedly fertile ground for grapes and an escape from city life, complete with a rust-colored guesthouse that could be pulled straight from a Tuscany tourism advert.

As they snap selfies in between the vines visitors run into Nikki Lohitnavy, 33, who studied oenology in Australia and now steers the science behind each bottle.

She painstakingly experiments with grape varieties to see how they respond to the climate—it takes at least six years to see if a decent wine will emerge from the ground.

The plot of land was once a cornfield, but their father Visooth transformed the terrain into trellised vines and as a teenager Nikki joined him in the fields.

Younger sister Mimi was not interested in the viticulture, but today, she heads the label’s marketing, calling it her “mission to put Thai wine into the market.”

The kingdom’s wine remains an outlier—grapes grown in warmer temperatures tend to produce tannic wines, something that seasoned drinkers eschew.

But after more than two decades in business, GranMonte is gaining recognition especially for its progress in tropical viticulture.

“Winemakers around the world want to know what we do here because the climate is changing so they have to adapt to warmer temperatures and higher rainfall in their regions too,” Nikki told AFP. Its proximity to a national park also poses an unusual pest control issue as hungry elephants occasionally trespass through their vineyard, prompting calls from the sisters to rangers for help.

Que Syrah Sera Despite the gains, the long term future of the GranMonte wines is clouded by the kingdom’s heavily restrictive booze laws.

Thailand has a strange relationship with alcohol. A devoutly Buddhist kingdom, it also has the highest alcohol consumption rate in Southeast Asia, according to the WHO. A web of rules, including high import taxes on alcohol, hefty fines for breaches and a licensing culture where bars require friends at local police stations, can make drinking a complicated business.

Then there’s the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, a law forbidding the display of booze logos on their products, as well as any advertising that could “directly or indirectly appeal to people to drink.”

It’s aimed at controlling consumption, but in effect clips the wings of small producers who do not possess the same reach to customers as established brands.

“I can’t show clearly a bottle of my wine, I can’t post on social media what the wine tastes like, or how or why it’s good,” says Mimi, who worries that their website might fall afoul of the law.

Critics say it has always been unevenly enforced, allowing booze giants to cement their brand recognition, spraying their logos via non-alcoholic drinks like soda water on giant billboards and public transport. AFP

Doc. No. 272 Page No. 56 Book No. 64 Series of 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) PROVINCE OF LAGUNA ) SS. MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA CRUZ)

Attached to this instant Petition is 1) a sworn certification of residency issued by the barangay, SWORN CERTIFICATION with the corresponding house sketch of the (ON THE RESIDENCY OF THE PETITIONER) Petitioner, 2) a sworn statement of the undersigned counsel on the residency of the Petitioner and 3) I. ATTY. SIR JONAS MATIAS L. JAVIER, of Government Issued Identification Cards as proof of legal age, Filipino Citizen, married and with his actual residence. office address at 2nd Floor, Andal Building, Mabini Street, Brgy. Poblacion III, Santa Cruz, FACTS OF THE CASE Laguna, after being duly sworn to in accordance 1.That Petitioner met the Respondent sometime with law, do hereby depose and say: in May 2010 during a drinking session. He got attracted to her immediately, hence, he got her 1. That I am the counsel of Peter Nick T. cellular phone number and they became textmates. Oblepias who is the Petitioner in a Civil Case for After a while, the two became a couple; Judicial Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, due for filing before the Regional Trial Court of Santa 2. That as boyfriend-girlfriend, the parties were initially happy with the way their relationship was Cruz, Laguna; then going. However, they would fight from time to time due to the extreme jealousy on the part 2. That I personally ascertained her residency, of each other and other petty issues. Notably and which is at No. 129, Roasa Street, Brgy. VI, every time they would have a fight, Respondent Luisina, Laguna; would always dare him for a break up; 3. That I executed this sworn certification to 3. That one time, Petitioner saw in Respondent’s attest to the truth of the foregoing, as well as cellular phone an old text message which turned for all legal purposes and intents to which this out to be from the latter’s ex-boyfriend. He asked her why she had not deleted the same, leading document may serve.

to an eventual argument between the two. Just like before, Respondent would again dare the IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of November 2019 at Petitioner for a break up; Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines.

4. That sometime in the year 2011, Petitioner was invited by his cousin’s birthday party in Pangasinan. He asked the Respondent to come (Sgd.) ATTY. SIR JONAS MATIAS L. JAVIER along but she refused. While at the celebration, Name and Signature of Affiant Petitioners’ cousins asked him to have a picture taken together with the sister-in-law of his cousin.

When the Respondent saw the said picture on SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at th social media, she got mad at Petitioner’s cousin, Santa Cruz, Laguna, Philippines on this 12 day of November 2019 affiant exhibiting his IBP Id including his (Petitioner) mother and siblings; with Roll No. 53464.

5. That although herein parties always fight on trivial matters, their emotional bonding was so Doc. No. 489 intimate. Being young, too aggressive, easily Page No. 98 subdued and emotionally weak, the two had Book No. LXXXVII engaged in premarital sex. Thus, Respondent got pregnant and having been confronted with such a Series of 2019 situation, they both agreed to get married;

6. That before the date of their wedding, the parties had fights and arguments that Petitioner wanted to call off the wedding. Respondent was too demanding and controlling and had no respect to him and to his parents; 7. That the parties got married on November 15, 2011 at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of LuisianaCavinti, Laguna Nagcarlan, Laguna before the Honorable Judge Donna B. Pascual and in less than two (2) months thereafter, Respondent gave birth to their child they named Nicaela Gabrielle N. Oblepias who was born on January 5, 2012. (a reproduction copy of their Marriage Contract and the Certificate of Live Birth of their child is attached and marked herewith as Annex “A” and “B” respectively, both made integral parts hereof);

Attachment “1”

Attachment “2”

Attachment “3”

8. That after the marriage, the parties stayed at the house of the Respondent. This was the sole decision of the latter claiming that she was about to give birth at that time. Petitioner relented to it but they agreed that after giving birth, they would stay at the house of the Petitioner; 9. That they stayed in his mother’s place only for a month because her uncle offered them his condo unit in San Lazaro, Manila. It was a studio type condominium and it was enough for them as a starting family. However, to Petitioner’s disgust, Respondent’s mother would come to the place and at times, would stay for many days and so, they found it difficult during sleeping time as they would all sleep together in one bed and he felt no privacy. Respondents’ mother would also meddle in their affairs and this would lead to an argument and every time they had this, Respondent would always say “hiwalay na tayo”. Petitioner would try to explain to her that it would not be good for their child and they have to consider their child’s welfare, but all of which were ignored by the Respondent; 10. That this scenario became a vicious cycle as Respondent would always dare him that they separate as she knows that he would not agree to it.

She would do whatever she likes and would always go out with friends. As far as their finances are concerned, Respondent could not handle it as well as she would spend more on her personal needs.

Whenever her attention is called by the Petitioner, she would react angrily and shout invectives at him,

ANNEXES Annex “A”

Annex “B”

(MStandard - July 9 & 16, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, July 15, 2020

156.30 PTS. 6,016.51

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,664,963,484 131,116 7,286,345,369.48 48 166 32

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.5440

Japan

Yen

0.009325

0.4620

UK

Pound

1.256200

62.2372

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129017

6.3920

Switzerland

Franc

1.064509

52.7400

Canada

Dollar

0.734754

36.4027

Singapore

Dollar

0.718804

35.6124

Australia

Dollar

0.697400

34.5520

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655126

131.545

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

13.2096

Brunei

Dollar

0.716230

35.4849

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.031676

1.5694

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.4894

Euro

Euro

1.140400

56.5000

Korea

Won

0.000830

0.0411

China

Yuan

0.142704

7.0701

India

Rupee

0.013267

0.6573

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234302

11.6083

New Zealand

Dollar

0.653400

32.3720

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033944

1.6817 Source: BSP

SMIC seeks SEC nod to raise P30b from bond sale

Business Foreign reserves rose again to hit record $93.32b in June

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE country’s gross international reserves rose for a sixth straight month to hit a record $93.32 billion in June from $93.29 billion in May, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected inflows mainly from the national government’s foreign currency deposits with the BSP. These inflows were offset, however, by the foreign currency withdrawals made by the national government to pay its foreign currency debt obligations,” the BSP said in a statement.

Data showed the reserves on a year-on-year basis jumped from $84.9 billion in June 2019 as strong dollar inflows continued to offset withdrawals.

The BSP said the end-June 2020 GIR level represented an ample external liquidity buffer equivalent to 8.4 months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

The reserves were about 7.3 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.8 times based

on residual maturity.

Net international reserves, or the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term liabilities, also increased by $50.2 million to $93.32 billion as of end-June 2020 from $93.27 billion in May. ING Bank Manila Nicholas Mapa said in a report Wednesday the GIR represented the BSP’s first line of defense against a run on the currency with the central bank drawing down on its reserves in times of stark peso depreciation and building up reserves when the peso enjoys an appreciation bias.

“For the moment, BSP is not busy defending the peso with the currency one of the best performing currencies in the region despite the projected drop off in OFW remittances.

Meanwhile, a narrowing trade deficit has been positive for the peso and the external position although it may have mediumterm implications on the growth trajectory,” Mapa said.

“Thus, BSP will continue to remain present in the market to smooth out any sharp fluctuations in peso spot trading and will likely look to build GIR further with the peso likely to retain its strengthening bias with global central banks opening the taps to help combat the fallout from the pandemic,” Mapa said.

Reserves reached $87.84 billion at end-2019 and surpassed the $85-billion projection by the Bangko Sentral. The end2019 level was also higher than the 2018 reserves of $79.2 billion.

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. plans to raise up to P30 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate peso bonds, documents show Wednesday.

SM Investments filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed P30-billion bond shelf registration program to be issued over a three-year period.

It said it would issue up to P10 billion for the first tranche, with an oversubscription option for another P5 billion.

SM Investments plans to use the proceeds of the bond offering to refinance some of the company’s maturing obligations and other general corporate purposes.

Philippine Ratings Services Corp. assigned a rating of PRS Aaa to the tranche. PRS Aaa is the highest rating assigned by PhilRatings, denoting that such obligations are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk and that the issuing company’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligations is extremely strong.

SM Investments, which has investments in banking, real estate and retail, plans to spend between P94 billion and P98 billion in capital expenditures this year.

The group allocated P80 billion to fund the shopping mall and residential projects of real estate subsidiary SM Prime Holdings Inc. Banking units BDO Unibank and Chinabank will spend P9 billion to P12 billion in capital expenditures for this year primary for branch expansion and IT enhancement programs while it retail business will spend P5 billion for store network expansion and renovations.

The conglomerate earlier said it would strengthen its digital offerings to adapt to changing consumer behavior amid the coronavirus pandemic.

SM malls and retailers initiated click-and-collect, curbside pick-up, smartphone messaging communities for deliveries and concierge style personal shopping via social media in response to increased customer needs.

IN BRIEF Shakey’s welcomes higher dine-in capacity

SHAKEY’S Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., the Philippines’ leading chained full-service restaurant, welcomed the move of the government to increase the dine-in capacity of restaurants to 50 percent, saying it will boost the group’s overall sales.

Shakey’s president Vicente Gregorio said during virtual annual stockholders’ meeting the growth in the group’s dine-in sales had remained slow even as the government eased quarantine restrictions.

“Since the government allowed dine-in, recovery in dine-in sales have been slower than expected as customers are still afraid to go out. So far we have recovered 15 to 20 percent of dine-in sales versus pre-COVID levels,” Gregorio said.

“We welcome the government’s move to increase the dine-in capacity of restaurants to 50 percent. We expect this to be a big boost to increase the recovery rate of dine-in sales,” he added. Jenniffer B. Austria

Globe Telecom taps HSBC, J.P. Morgan

GLOBE Telecom Inc. has tapped foreign and local banks to arrange its planned issuance of US dollar bonds to refinance debt and fund capital expenditures.

Globe said it mandated The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. and J.P. Morgan Securities plc as joint global coordinators, and HSBC, J.P. Morgan and BPI Capital Corp., as joint lead managers and joint book runners.

These banks will arrange a series of fixed income investor meetings starting on July 15, 2020.

“A Reg S only U.S. Dollar-denominated Senior Note offering may follow, subject to market conditions,” Globe said.

The company plans to use net proceeds from the issue to finance capex, maturing and current obligations and general corporate requirements. Darwin G. Amojelar

Online investors boost stock market accounts

TOTAL stock market accounts in Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. reached over 1.2 million in 2019, up 12.7 percent from over 1 million accounts in 2018, boosted by the growth in online accounts.

The annual Stock Market Investor Profile report of the PSE showed the number of online accounts rose 25 percent to 782,118 in 2019 from 625,763 accounts in 2018. Online accounts made up for 63.7 percent of the total, while 36.3 percent were investor accounts with traditional stockbrokerage firms.

“Online accounts have been the reason for the steady rise in total stock market accounts in the last 10 years. The shift in trading format preference of investors have encouraged stockbrokerage companies that cater to retail investors to start offering online trading services to their clients,” said PSE president and chief executive officer Ramon Monzon.

Jollibee, McDonald’s, KFC opt for PayMaya

San Miguel Corp. and the Department of Public Works and Highways open the final section of the 89.21-kilometer Tarlac-PangasinanLa Union Expressway that covers Pozzorubio, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union. San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang (left) delivers his message during the launch. With him are (from left) acting Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon.

San Miguel opens final section of TPLEX until Rosario

By Darwin G. Amojelar SAN Miguel Corp. and the Department of Public Works and Highways on Wednesday opened the final section of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway that will further reduce travel time from Tarlac to Rosario, La Union.

San Miguel said the opening of the final 11-kilometer segment of TPLEX would also reduce travel time between Metro Manila and Baguio City to just three-and-a-half hours.

“In the face of a global pandemic that has also greatly affected our economy and the livelihoods of many Filipinos, we at San Miguel Corp. remain committed to continuing our investments in growth-generating and job-creating projects that will help build the resilience of our people,” said Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel, the parent company of SMC Infrastructure which built and operates the TPLEX. Ang said the completion of TPLEX,

along with its commitment to continue investments on major infrastructure projects, were San Miguel’s contribution to boost the economy.

“The economy ground to a halt because of the pandemic, and among the most affected were our farmers as well as small businesses such as restaurants, hotels, stores that also rely on tourism.

By not scaling back on investments in infrastructure, we will be able to create more jobs, keep the flow of goods and services moving, and pave the way for more local tourism for the long-term,” he said.

San Miguel-led Private Infra Dev Corp. holds the concession for TPLEX, an 88.85-km, four-lane, high-speed toll road that connects Northern Luzon to Manila. It is designed to integrate with other major toll roads such as North Luzon Expressway and Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway.

TPLEX now has ten interchanges and 11 toll plazas in Tarlac City, Victoria,

Pura, Ramos and Anao in Tarlac; Carmen, Urdaneta, Binalonan, Pozorrubio and Sison in Pangasinan; and Rosario, La Union. The Sison, Pangasinan exit was added to the original alignment to help locals and was currently being completed.

San Miguel also received original proponent status for its proposal to extend the TPLEX from Rosario, La Union to San Juan, La Union, whose beaches have become a hot spot for local tourism. The proposed four-lane extension project will cover some 59 kilometers.

“Our next goal now is to extend TPLEX all the way to San Juan. We look forward to the continued support of our national and local governments for this project, which will bring even more growth to the region,” Ang said.

Aside from the Pozzurubio-Rosario TPLEX section, the completion of a new unit of Masinloc Power Plant, Skyway 3, Skyway Extension, Skyway 4, and MRT-7 are also in the pipeline.

DTI clarifies advisory on online barter

By Othel V. Campos

EDUCATION CREDIT. The Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines Inc. and the International School of Asia and Pacific Inc. led by officer-in-charge Christian Einstein Guzman (left) are among the first academic institutions that availed of the Access to Academic Development to Empower the Masses towards Endless Opportunities, or ACADEME, lending program of Land Bank of the Philippines to help them implement a ‘study now, pay later’ plan for students amid the financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guzman signed a P10-million term loan rediscounting Line with LandBank Cagayan Lending Center led by assistant vice president Victor Agorto (third from left).

THE Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday clarified that barter on online platforms is unlawful, except in areas where the trade is allowed by an executive order.

“Barter is the world’s oldest form of trade and is regulated under Executive Order No. 64 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2018. The EO also established the Mindanao Barter Council, tasked to supervise and coordinate barter activities in the Philippines,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

He said the EO stressed barter trade is only allowed in three areas, including Siasi and Jolo in Sulu and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi. Outside those areas, barter trading across borders is not allowed, he said.

Lopez said what the Trade Department described as illegal are those done in other areas, online and cross border or as a regular business in the course of

trade, as these are not registered and not taxed.

He said for local barter trade, while there is no clear prohibition, these are still subject to regulation and should be registered. The Trade Department said barter is subject to tax when practiced in the course of regular trade or business.

Local barter trade activities with less than P3 million in gross sales per year may avail of value added tax exemption.

Lopez called on merchants to practice legitimate methods of transaction and pay the corresponding taxes.

The department clarified that personal transactions not meant for business engagement or trade were not covered by registration requirements.

The department, with assistance from the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, vowed to look into cases of illegal barter trade.

THE country’s top quick-service restaurants have tapped PayMaya to deploy contactless payments in-store, via drive-thru, and through their respective online delivery portals for safer transactions.

Jollibee Group, McDonald’s and KFC have adopted PayMaya’s end-to-end digital payments solutions for enterprise—starting with One by PayMaya Point of Sale devices for in-store and drive-thru, to PayMaya’s payment gateway and digital invoicing solutions for online orders.

The efforts are in line with the recent guidelines issued by the Department of Trade and Industry, where alternative payment options are encouraged as part of compliance with health and safety protocols.

Darwin G. Amojelar

BDO warns public against scammers trading SIM cards BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by the Sy family, on Wednesday warned the public against scammers who allegedly use SIM cards to deceive and steal victims’ money.

BDO in a statement cited one modus of unscrupulous individuals called “SIM swapping” where they disguise as telecom agents offering upgraded network connection in exchange for SIM cards.

“More prevalent is the SIM upgrade modus. Scammers purchase 4G SIM cards, register their victims’ mobile number, and fool their victims into giving the one-time PIN needed to own the mobile number,” it said.

BDO said in both modus operandi, scammers take over their victims’ mobile number to control their victims’ online bank accounts.

Scammers identify then gather their victims’ personal information through phishing or from the internet.

They mention personal information such as birth date and mother’s maiden name when they call their victims to sound convincing and credible.

Once they win their victims’ trust, they are able to convince them to surrender their SIM card or one-time PIN to activate a 4G SIM card.

BDO advised clients to be prudent in sharing personal information online and to keep their social media accounts in private mode.

“With their victims’ personal information and mobile number, scammers can more easily outsmart banks’ multifactor authentication and transfer money from their victims’ online bank accounts to their own. Common MFA consists of using a username and password to log in an online bank account and receiving one-time PINs on a registered mobile number to confirm a transaction,” the bank said.

Julito G. Rada

Sports

BEST Center graduate Fajardo joins Dickinson U in New Jersey NEW JERSEY—MILO BEST Center graduate Ella Fajardo is entering a new stage in her athletic journey after officially joining Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey where she and her family currently resides.

The 17-year-old cager is among the elite few who have undergone a rigorous selection process to be in the school’s roster for the Division I of the United States’ National Collegiate Athletic Association, marking an unprecedented milestone in her basketball career thus far.

“It’s been a pretty long process,” Fajardo shared, saying that she’s been recruited by various institutions in the United States ever since her freshman year in high school. What stood out for the young Gilas point guard was the good relationship she developed with FDU’s coaching staff, her main deciding factor for choosing the university. Although it was a collective decision with her parents, Ellen and Allan, Fajardo was given the full authority to decide on her own.

“Wherever I feel I belong, it’s up to me. Fairleigh loved who I was outside of basketball and I have that personality that would fit into the team,” she said.

“They’re really looking for specific people for Fairleigh’s winning culture, primarily a guard who has leadership skills, and that was definitely what they saw in me while recruiting me and watching my games live.”

Yale University, The University of Chicago and New York University were among the institutions that tried to recruit Fajardo for their basketball roster. On settling with FDU, Fajardo expressed her gratefulness to be welcomed by her new alma mater.

“I think it’s such a blessing especially during these times of the pandemic because this is hugely a time for recruited athletes to go to camps so that the coaches can see you and be hands on with you, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that. The fact that I was able to grow a relationship with FDU during quarantine was the main deciding factor for me,” she said.

With another feather on her cap, Fajardo credits all her achievements today to her MILO BEST Center days, back in 2011 when she was nine years old. Through the support of the dad Allan, who was also a product of MILO BEST Center in his younger days, and mom Ellen, Fajardo found her calling in the court.

“The MILO BEST Center was foundational in my basketball career,” she revealed. “The difference with the BEST Center and the other camps here in the States is their approach to teaching.

They taught me how to dribble, how to play offense and defense, but they really taught me to how to be disciplined while pushing you to the best of your abilities. Everything I know today came from them.”

Being trained with the scientific methods the MILO BEST Center is known for, the program was Fajardo’s jump-off point to excel in the field of basketball, where she later became one of the most recognizable players in the youth athletic circuit during her middle and high school at Gill St. Bernard’s, and as a member of the New Jersey Sparks team, which competes in the exclusive Girls Elite Youth Basketball League (GEYBL).

But along that illustrious path, the young hoopster admitted that the journey was tough. Fajardo revealed that she was often overlooked for her stature, being told that she wasn’t tall at five foot four or her build was not athletic enough. But with perseverance, she proved critics that size does not always matter. Armed with the learnings she gained from the MILO BEST Center, Turn to C2

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

C1

Ella Fajardo in action as a player for Gill St. Bernard’s Knights

PSC staff nabbed for P14m fraud

By Willie Casas

T

HE National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday said their agents have arrested an employee of the Philippine Sports Commission for falsifying the payroll register of the athletes and coaches and credited their allowances into his own bank account.

NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor identified the suspect as Paul Michael Ignacio.

Ignacio was presented for inquest proceedings for violation of Article 310 in relation to Article 309 (Qualified Theft) through violation of Article 172 in relation to Article 171 (Falsification of Public Documents), all under the RPC, and for violation of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

Distor said that the case stemmed from a letter sent by PSC seeking assis-

tance for the investigation of suspected fraud committed by a PSC employee.

The letter likewise stated that Land Bank of the Philippines sent a letter to OIC Merlita R. Ibay of the PSC regarding the unusual payroll transactions credited to the account of Ignacio.

Distor added that initial investigation conducted by Ibay revealed that Ignacio is a PSC-Personnel Office employee tasked to prepare the payroll for the monthly allowance of qualified coaches and athletes

and forward the same to the LBP. But Ignacio was said to have included the names of unqualified coaches and athletes in the payroll and puts his own payroll account number as the account number of the unqualified coaches and athletes.

Based on initial verification, Ignacio has already embezzled P14,448,254.35 from August of 2015 up to May of 2020.

On July 14, 2020, operatives of NBISpecial Action Unit proceeded to the PSC Office to conduct an initial investigation.

It was discovered that for the month of June 2020, Ignacio included in the payroll three unqualified coaches and three unqualified athletes with a total amount of P 450,150.00, which was credited to the suspect’s payroll account.

On the same day, with sufficient evidence on hand, NBI-SAU arrested Ignacio in his office at the PSC in Ma-

Animam to play as import in Taiwan, rues lack of PH leagues for women

By Peter Atencio JACK Animam hopes that there will be a women’s basketball league that many Filipino players can join in the future.

Animam said this after accepting an invitation to suit up for a school that invited her to see action as an import in the Taiwan’s University Basketball Association.

“Sobrang gusto talaga namin magkaroon ng women’s league dito sa atin kasi yes, there’s so much talent talaga,” said Animam in a podcast.

Animam is set to join Shih Hsin University when she finally gets cleared to travel.

The lack of women’s tourneys in the country is keeping Animam from staying put.

“It’s just that there’s no avenue to show people. Sayang,” added Animam, who led the Philippines to two gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“We have to go pa overseas just to play, kung puwede sana dito na lang sa atin diba?” she went on.

It was Animam’s dominant game on the floor which allowed her to help steer the National University Lady Bulldogs to six straight championships in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s basketball tournament.

With the 6’5” Animam around, the

Jack Animam

Lady Bulldogs established a league record of of 96 straight wins.

Coaches and players from Shih Hsin University came to Manila back in August 2019.

That’s when they saw how good Animam was.

“Kasi nu’ng August 2019, they came here for training camp. After that, ‘yung women’s coach nila nag-chat sa akin sa In-

stagram and then sabi niya, we would like you to join us for next season,” she said.

Animam recalled it took her time before finally accepting the invitation.

“So parang ako wow, really, ako? But then hindi pa siya nagsi-sink in sa akin kasi I still have UAAP to play and there’s SEA Games so parang hindi ko pa siya priority that time,” she said.

Abelardo, Stamp added to ONE: No Surrender card

Mark “Tyson” Fairtex Abelardo

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

THREE more matches have been scheduled for ONE Championship’s return card, ONE: No Surrender which is set for July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Filipino-Kiwi bantamweight Mark “Tyson” Fairtex Abelardo adds some kick to the card as he takes on the debuting Fabricio “Wonderboy” Andrade in a catchweight bout of 67 kilograms.

Abelardo will look to bounce back after a unanimous decision loss to “Pretty Boy” Troy Worthen at ONE: King of the Jungle in February, and he wants to achieve that while also inspiring people during these tough times.

“The entire world is reeling right now, and if by stepping into the ring and showcasing my skills can help inspire people to soldier on, I’m glad to do it,” Abelardo said.

“I am thankful we can get back to competing again. This is what I live for and I have so much I want to do in this sport. The next step starts in Bangkok.”

His teammate and ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex will also appear on the card as she returns to mixed martial arts action.

The 22-year-old puts her immaculate mixed martial arts record on the line when she takes on Sunisa “Thunderstorm” Srisen in a battle of undefeated stars.

“It feels good to get back into training full swing, and of course I am happy to be fighting again after taking a break for a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Stamp said.

Completing the card is a clash between “The Angel Warrior” Pan-

payak Jitmuangnon and Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9 in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest with 4 oz. gloves.

The main event features a rubber match between ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon and Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy for the former’s belt.

The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title will likewise be at stake as Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy defends his strap against “The Boxing Computer” Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex.

ONE Championship returns to live action with ONE: No Surrender, an audience-free, closed-door event in Bangkok, Thailand on July 31.

Download the ONE Super App to catch it for free.

nila. The NBI also seized the laptop and desktop unit of Ignacio issued by the PSC for for forensic examination.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Vicente de Guzman said the NBI will dig deeper into the payroll mess following a meeting with PSC officer-in-charge Ramon Fernandez at the NBA Headquarters yesterday.

“This is just the start. We will go deeper into the matter,” said De Guzman.

PSC deputy executive director Atty.

Guillermo Iroy said the probe will soon be broadened to find out if more accounts and funds have been tampered with.

“Sa ngayon, isa pa lang. We will widen our investigation. We have to assume na may iba,” said Iroy.

The NBI, according to De Guzman, said they are still in the process of identifying which accounts of athletes and coaches were involved. Peter Atencio

Blackwater players to be probed THE Games and Amusement Board will investigate the Blackwater Elite team, which conducted practices last Saturday ahead of the approval that was eventually given by the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

GAB chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra said the IATF resolution has yet come out when the Elite squad began working out already.

Practice sessions in basketball were scheduled to start on July 22.

At the same time, the PBA Commissioner’s Office has requested the management of Blackwater to explain its side.

“The Joint Admin Order of GAB, PSC and DOH plus the IATF reso has not yet come out and they violated the restrictions,” said Mitra in a statement.

Mitra added that fines and suspensions are expected to be handed out to the players involved.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial sent the team owners a letter dated July 14, addressed to team governor Silliman Sy. The team owners have been asked to explain what took place during the practice session.

It was learned that Blackwater held a team workout last Saturday.

At the workout, eight players were split into clusters of four, with each session lasting for an hour.

On July 3, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that the IATF has given the green light after reviewing the protocols submitted by the PBA and the PFF. At that time, there were no specific guidelines released yet by the IATF on the conduct of the practice sessions.

“Basketball is already allowed by the IATF and the decision was only made yesterday. It’s conditioning only, no game,” said Roque.

The protocols were forwarded by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusements Board last month after consultations with various national sports associations. Peter Atencio

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

C2

Sports

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

Asian Tour blow as Taiwan golf cancelled HONG KONG—Golf’s Taiwan Masters was cancelled Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic, casting doubt over the planned September resumption of the Asian Tour season.

The long-standing, $950,000 tournament was scheduled to tee off at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from September 17-20, the same week as the rescheduled US Open at Winged Foot.

It was the second of three Asian Tour events announced last month to get the COVID-ravaged season back on track after a six-month suspension.

But the tournament was scrapped because of health and safety concerns and travel restrictions on players living outside Taiwan, the tour announced in a statement.

The Taiwan Masters is one of Asia’s oldest continuously played professional golf events, having first been held in 1987, and has been an Asian Tour fixture since it was first sanctioned in 2004.

The Asian Tour, which has been suspended since American Trevor Simsby won the Malaysia Open on March 7, still hopes to return at the $1.181 million Shinhan Donghae Open from September 10-13 in South Korea followed by the $1.4 million Panasonic Open in Japan from September 24.

The last of golf’s three leading men’s circuits to announce a return to action, the Asian Tour is faced with a complex international schedule that involves players from more than 25 countries crossing borders for each tournament.

The US PGA Tour has already made a successful return, without spectators, and continues this week when Tiger Woods ends his own coronavirus sabbatical by starring at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio from Thursday.

The European Tour resumed in Austria last weekend with a low-key event shared with the second-tier Challenge Tour and will get fully back in the swing with six events in Britain from next week, beginning with the British Masters in Newcastle.

Woods cautious about return W

ASHINGTON—Tiger Woods admitted Tuesday that concern over the coronavirus delayed his return to the PGA Tour as he prepares to play his first event since February at this week’s Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

The former world number one has not played since appearing in the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles in February but will tee off at Muirfield on Thursday chasing a sixth victory in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event.

The 44-year-old 15-time major winner said Tuesday he had contemplated returning to the tour earlier but had wanted to see how the first few events of the post-coronavirus shutdown fared before coming back.

“I just felt it was better to stay at home and be safe,” Woods said Tuesday.

“I’m used to playing with lots of people around me or having lots of people have a direct line to me, and

United States began to skyrocket.

‘Going to be different’ On Monday, PGA Tour officials confirmed that the remainder of the 2019-2020 season would take place without fans.

It means Woods will tee off on Thursday alongside world number one Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka without the customary horde of spectators that usually follows him around a course.

“It’s going to be different, there’s no doubt about it,” Woods said.

“For most of my career, pretty much almost every competitive playing round that I’ve been involved in, I’ve had people around me, spectators yelling, a lot of movement inside the gallery with camera crews and media.”

Woods, who is making only his fourth tournament appearance of the season this week, said he has improved his health during the long layoff.

that puts not only myself in danger but my friends and family, and just been at home practicing and social distancing and being away from a lot of people.

“Coming back and playing the tour, in my case over the 20-some-odd years I’ve been out here, that’s really hard to say, that I’m used to having so many people around me or even touch me, going from green to tee.

“That’s something that I looked at and said, well, I’m really not quite comfortable with that, that whole idea.”

Memorial organizers had initially planned to allow fans on the course at this week’s tournament, but abandoned that idea as COVID-19 cases across the

Manchester misses chance to move to 3rd

Manchester United’s English defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka (right) vies with Southampton’s English defender Ryan Bertrand during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England. AFP

Marquez vs Marquez in MotoGP PARIS—Motorcycling is often a family affair, and yet before Alex Marquez joined Marc at Honda for this season two brothers had never raced together for the same team in MotoGP. Honda had more obvious options than Alex Marquez as replacements for another Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo this season, including Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami and Frenchman Johann Zarco.

But Marc Marquez, who is 27, dreamt of riding alongside his younger brother at the highest level and the team heeded its six-time world champion and signed 24-year-old Alex, although the team announced on Monday that it would only be for one year.

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A stiff back hampered his performance at the Genesis in February, but Woods said he had not been troubled since.

“I feel so much better than I did then,” Woods said.

“I’ve been able to train and concentrate on getting back up to speed and back up to tournament speed.

During Woods’ layoff, the United States was convulsed by nationwide protests against racism following the death of unarmed African-American man George Floyd during his arrest by police in Minneapolis on May 25.

Woods said he applauded efforts of Black Lives Matter activists to bring about change.

“I think change is fantastic as long as we make changes without hurting the innocent, and unfortunately that has happened. Hopefully it doesn’t happen in the future, but a movement and change is fantastic,” Woods said. AFP

brother Aleix rides for Aprilla.

Other brothers to have ridden at the same time include the French Sarrons, Dominique and 250cc world champion Christian, on rival teams in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The Marquez brothers will become the first to race for the same team when the coronavirus-delayed MotoGP season kicks off in Jerez this weekend.

Marc Marquez began his phenomenal career by winning the 125cc, now Moto3, title, in 2010 at the age of 17.

He won the Moto2 title in 2012 and the MotoGP title in his first full season in 2013 and repeated the triumph in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Alex has taken a little longer.

He won Moto3 in 2014 and finally took the Moto2 in 2019, a good progression when compared with anyone except his brother.

The two kids from Cervera, discovered motorcycling young, pushed by their father Julia.

They developed under the guidance of Emilio Alzamora, the 1999 125cc world champion.

“Marc and I have been racing together since we were very young, more or less every weekend,” said Alex in 2014.

Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish MotoGP driver Marc Marquez (left) and his brother teammate Alex attend the presentation of the new Repsol Honda team in Madrid.

Motorcycling is often a family affair, and yet before Alex Marquez joined Marc at Honda for this season two brothers had never raced together for the same team in MotoGP. AFP

“I spend most of my time with him. Besides being my brother, he’s my best friend.”

When Alex won the Moto2 title last year, after a crisis of confidence caused by crashes in 2016, his brother said he was “even more satisfied” than if he had won the crown.

“It’s difficult to be ‘the brother of’ and he’s under a lot of pressure,” said Marc. “Today he gave a championship ride. He’s not ‘the brother of’,

he’s Alex Marquez.”

Mark, who is 1.69 metres (5ft 5ins), and Alex, who is 1.8 metres, were inseparable until they were confined during the coronavirus pandemic that delayed their season.

‘I’m here to learn’ “We train and do almost everything together,” said Marc. “I think it’s good for both of us. We help each other all the time.” AFP

MANCHESTER—Manchester United missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League on Monday after Michael Obafemi’s 96th minute equaliser earned Southampton a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the latest twist in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were unable to take advantage of weekend defeats for Chelsea and Leicester to remain in fifth.

United had become the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive games by a three-goal margin, but there was no cruise for the Red Devils this time even after they responded to Stuart Armstrong’s early opener.

Two goals in as many minutes from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial turned the game around, but United were caught out by a corner deep into stoppage time when substitute Obafemi turned home Jan Bednarek’s flick on.

“It’s the worst time to concede a goal but it happens in football. You have to be strong and take it,” said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“We’ve won so many games that way ourselves but it’s all part of the learning for this team.”

Manchester City’s victory over UEFA in the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier on Monday upped the pressure on United to continue their impressive form with only a place in the top four now good enough for Champions League qualification.

Solskjaer will still be confident of achieving that goal as his side have closed an eight-point gap on Leicester, who they face on the final day of the season, since the Premier League’s restart.

But two dropped points were a reminder that United are far from the finished article if they aspire to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the title next season.

“We didn’t deserve three points today,” admitted Solskjaer. “We never got the rhythm in our passing today, especially after 2-1.”

A 17-match unbeaten run looked in danger early as Southampton—who have been in impressive form themselves—were rewarded for a bright start at Old Trafford.

‘Brave’ Saints snatch point Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side remain in 12th, but have lost just once in six games since the restart.

“We are becoming more brave,” said Hassenhuttl. “You can feel the guys really enjoy what they are doing.”

Paul Pogba’s return from injury has played a big part in United’s free-scoring run, but the Frenchman was at fault for the opening goal as he was caught in possession by Danny Ings. AFP

Makati City.

(MS-JULY 2, 9 & 16, 2020)

LEGAL NOTICE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED RIZALINO BALTAZAR FAVILA, JR. WITH GENERAL WAIVERS OF SHARES/RIGHTS BY ALEX FRANCIS FLORES FAVILA AND ERIC MARCO FLORES FAVILA

Notice is hereby given that the legal heirs of the late Rizalino Baltazar Favila, Jr. (the “Decedent”), who died intestate on April 17, 2019 at Taguig City, have executed a DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH GENERAL WAIVER OF SHARES/RIGHTS. The parties, being all of legal age, hereby adjudicate unto themselves the properties left by the decedent. As per Doc No. 20; Page No. 3, Book No. 35; Series of 2020; under Notary Public of Atty. Melchor J. Manalo.

(MS-JULY 2, 9 & 16, 2020)

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is given that Manila Bulletin Stock Certificates Nos. 89-0011 for 230,500 shares, 89-0030 for 44,800 shares, 89-0053 for 15,926 shares, 89-0075 for 27,405 shares, 89-0118 for 112,586 shares and DV0018 for 141,349 shares issued in favor of Ricardo Ching also known as Richard Ching was declared lost by his heirs in an Affidavit of Loss recorded in the notarial register of Atty. Rodmel Bautista of Makati City as Doc. No. 388, Page No.79, Book No. VIII, Series of 2020. If no adverse claim is made within one (1) year from the last publication of this Notice, the right to make such clam shall be barred and the Corporation shall issue new certificates in lieu of the lost certificates.

(MS-JULY 2, 9 & 16, 2020)

BEST Center...

From C1

and the exposure she earned from various tournaments, Fajardo showed that discipline, confidence and hard work will bring one to greater heights and become a full-fledged champion.

“What I learned from competing was it really taught me to play with my heart and show them that I can do it. That is something that Filipinos really do have. Even playing for the Philippine National Team, I’ve never felt that way playing for my country and I hope other female athletes get to experience that.”

Last year, Fajardo, alongside fellow lady cagers Kristine Cayabyab, Camille Clarin and Angelica Marie Surada, showed a stunning performance in capturing the bronze medal in the FIBA 3x3 U18 Cup in Malaysia, having scored 14-11 against a formidable competitor China. Up to this day, Fajardo attributes this success to the MILO BEST Center, a legacy that the late basketball

great Coach Nicanor Jorge had left for the country’s youth athletes.

“Coach Nic has positively impacted my life and even my Dad’s life. He actually saw the potential in me when I didn’t even know what kind of opportunities basketball holds for me,” she shared. “I just want to continue that legacy someway, somehow. And I know that part of me wants to help other children the way that he did because he definitely inspired me and I want to inspire other people.”

Today, while quarantine restrictions have been slightly relaxed in New Jersey, outdoor activities are still limited for the Fajardos. But that does not stop Fajardo and her younger siblings Ava (12 years old) and Andrea (8 years old), fellow basketball cagers who have also gone through the MILO BEST Center program, to get up and do their basketball routines in their garage that their dad Allan fixed up for them.

“I think it’s important right now to stay active and stay healthy, especially now that everyone’s inclined to do their activities at home,” she said. “Me and

my Dad search online for drills and I do it with my sisters. I tend to be competitive because I have to show the best way to do the drills for them.”

Just like the Fajardo sisters, Filipino families are depending on technology to source for engaging activities that they can follow. MILO’s online program called the MILO Home Court offers an expansive library of sports exercises and drills to help parents encourage their kids to stay safe, stay active and stay healthy. Available on MILO’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube platforms, parents and kids can enjoy a safe yet fun fitness bonding through the MILO Sports Clinics Online, MILO Champion Live and Minute. To see the videos, visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCZ2Wzb2qXmrCgIYnPq6VfvQ“To be able to support kids to remain active, healthy and strong, it is important for parents to remember that champion journeys continue even when at home,” said Lester P. Castillo, Assistant Vice President, Nestlé Philippines-MILO. “The key is to

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

provide them with easy and engaging content developed by our partner sports experts so that kids are inspired to get moving and discover their love for sports. Just like Ella’s journey, a shining example that great things start from small beginnings, kids can kickstart their champion dreams with the MILO Home Court. They can finally enjoy their drills with their favorite MILO Champions including Ella.”

Looking into the foreseeable future, Fajardo plans to return to the country and give back in whatever capacity she can do. Fajardo may be rounding up the hoops in NCAA when she finally starts her academic year in FDU in 2021, but her heart remains in the motherland where she feels she belongs.

“I will definitely take advantage of the exposure I will be getting here in the United States. I am definitely not done yet with my basketball career in the Philippines. I have to pay my respects to them because they have supported me so much. Whenever I am called, I’ll be ready to represent the flag.”

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

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Song to lead you back

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG The special edition of ‘Sarap Di Ba?’ features episodes exclusively shot and produced in their home.

A

FTER a not so lengthy hiatus, Sarap Di Ba?, hosted by Carmina Villaroel and kids Cassy and Mavy Legaspi, is returning on the boob tube with brand new episodes exclusively shot and produced in their residence. And while the show promises an entirely different setup and segments, the biggest revelation is that Zoren Legaspi is now on board. He is the director of the show.

“Directing a TV program is not new to me. I’ve done a few directorial jobs in the past and I grew up, when we were still in Chicago, doing work behind the camera, including fixing cables and lights,” Zoren told Manila Standard in an online interview on Tuesday.

As a way to recognize him being at the helm, Carmina and the twins even call him Director Z, which makes him smile from ear to ear whenever his children and wife mention the moniker, even in passing.

“I’m just so glad that I have my entire family supporting me perform my job and when you do something that you love, you can’t really consider it work because our taping is also a bonding moment for our family,” the actor added.

For twins Mavy and Cassy, working from home with their parents is nothing unusual. They’re very comfortable being on the same frame, and without any crew to help them mount the show, it’s also a learning experience for both teens.

“We still have our own call time, Direct Z has a call time. But in reality, we can start taping anytime we want.

Before, we were very comfortable doing the show in a studio, this time it gives a different vibe. It’s a homey feeling,” Mavy shared.

The 19-year-old heartthrob explained that they treat the show’s

Zoren takes the helm in Mavy, Cassy and Carmina’s show

crew and production members like their own family, but doing the show on their own, gives the show a different treatment.

“It’s more authentic,” Mavy pointed out. “It’s just us doing our regular activities with the camera. Probably the only disadvantage I see is that Director Z is doing almost all the work.”

They also wanted to give back since they have not given their audience new content, and they owe it to their viewers which is why they are doing their “best” to share with their viewers the kind of program they deserved.

“We don’t have to travel anymore, everything seems so faster for us, well not for Tatay because he has to do the setup,” Cassy butted in. “But this is something that we love. As a family, we are very close, so it doesn’t feel work for us at all.”

For Carmina, as the main host of the program, it helps that they are now homebound because it works in her favor. Not only that she has more time to take care of her family, cook for them every day, as a mother, her being with her children 24/7 validates her being an

effective parent.

“Our children are very obedient. They follow our protocols, so everything is so easy. I’m not saying this because they are my children but it feels like we’ve done something good as parents because our kids are so obedient. They listen and understand the whole situation we are currently in,” Carmina shared.

“They’re also very patient, work-wise.

Even when we have to reshoot because our director wasn’t satisfied with the finished product,” she added.

Explaining how the show is any different from the original Sarap Di Ba? pre-quarantine, Zoren said that the show, which entails a lot of work on his part, has evolved into a sitcom and a reality series-like cooking show and that they are featuring not just celebrities but ordinary people as well.

“I was trained at a young age to do this.

The only disadvantage is that my body is no longer that cooperative,” Zoren ended in jest.

Sarap Di Ba?: Bahay Edition will have its premiere telecast on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. on GMA.

Fil-Italian actor-director wins big at US fest IN ANOTHER milestone for FilipinoItalian Ruben Soriquez’s ever-evolving career, he just won major awards for his newest film The Spiders’ Man, which bagged four major awards at the Accolade Global Film Competition in Los Angeles, one of the best independent film competition festivals in the USA. The film won Best Director, Best Actor for Richard Quan, Best Supporting Actor and Best Feature Film.

Now on its 17th year, Accolade Global Competition is regarded as a top-tier prestigious global film competition that is unique in itself. It gives talented directors, producers, actors and creative teams the positive exposure they deserve. And some of its previous winners have won Oscars, Emmys and Tellys.

Previously, the film also garnered the Best Black Comedy Feature and Best Ensemble Cast at the Olympus Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Also in the cast are Lee O’Brian, Jeffrey Tam, Rob Sy, China Roces, Miko Penaloza, Lanie Gumarang, Red Ibasco, Hutch Perales, CJ Domasig, and Ruben’s son Kim. Direk Ruben is also proud of his two nominations (Best achievement in editing

and best cinematography) at the 2019 Madrid International Film Festival, where Cherie Gil won best actress a few years back.

The Spiders’ Man, distributed Leomark Studios worldwide is a black comedy/crime film about brotherhood and family ties,

Fil-Italian actor director Ruben Soriquez

inspired by true events from Soriquez’s large Fil-Italian family. The film is currently being distributed in the US. “It was supposed to be released theatrically in the Philippines this 2020,” says Ruben”, “but due to COVID-19, our plan gets disrupted so we decided to release it via Philippine streaming platforms.”

He is also set to start an action film in the US due for 2021 release.

“But I didn’t get frustrated about my plans being derailed” explains Soriquez. “I am currently doing a documentary feature on COVID-19, which has an innovative concept and features some of the best Italian doctors and virologists.”

Now that life is going back to a new normal in Italy, the actor and director hopes that his Italian thriller Entrapped would have public exhibition by August.

Soriquez is best known for his role as a priest with a troubled past in Of Sinners and Saints where he won best actor in the first World Premieres Film Festival in 2015.

He is also best endeared to Pinoys for his sympathetic role as Liza Soberano’s adoptive father in the toprating LizQuen soap, Dolce Amore.

EXACTLY 30 years ago today, Metro Manila and parts of Luzon were shaken by a jolt that would come down as among those “where were you” moments if you’re old enough to be aware of what happened that manic Monday. I was in sixth grade when that 45-second earthquake that killed around 1,600 took everyone by surprise.

Hearing music leads us to certain songs we forever associate with particular memories.

One track stood still to remind me of that disaster—Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back.” I checked on the history of this hit and a couple of pieces of information made it logical for my memory bank to single it out. January of that year, this Diane Warren-written gem off Dayne’s 1989 American album Can’t Fight Fate, debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and then by April it reached number one and spent 15 weeks in the top 40. That should put it among the most played songs on Philippine radio before the 1990 Luzon earthquake struck at 4:26 p.m. Daylight Saving Time.

I could still vividly recall part of the news coverage on some of the hardest-hit areas.

Two collapsed buildings were the center of attraction: Hyatt Terraces Baguio Hotel and Christian College of the Philippines in Cabanatuan City. While there were at least 80 fatalities in the summer capital hotel, one

cook Pedrito Dy was said to have survived drinking rainwater while entombed underneath the rubble for 14 days.

YUGEL High school student LOSORATA Robin Garcia, killed by an aftershock, was cited as a hero in Nueva Ecija for saving eight students and teachers from that fallen six-story concrete. Though, a girl student captured by camera dying on the weight of her school’s shattered pieces was the image embedded in my head to the sound of Dayne’s hit which years later was covered by Filipina singer Kyla.

Inside the St. James School, Quezon City classroom where I was, it was a quiet late afternoon wrap up as I suddenly felt the swaying, looked at a post, and saw it moving in queer motion. Our class adviser, Ms. Remedios Buluran, told us to keep still and she started reciting a prayer. Her voice should I say was calming and it helped us not panic a bit. I couldn’t recall any of my classmates coming out of the room, though there were students along the corridor who rushed to the stairs. It was the only noise I heard during those scary seconds.

Our school closed last year and was torn down. But I thank God it withstood that “Big One” three decades back.

The Back to the Future trilogy is now on Netflix. If we can transport ourselves back in time, someone must have done it by this time to save the world from disasters or the current pandemic. But at least, music is strong enough to make us recall something poignantly. As the chorus of that song says, “One of these days,” something “will lead you back.”

Taylor Dayne’s Love Will Lead You Back’s was a massive hit 30 years ago

ABS-CBN’s global online singing tilt bags 2 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards ABS-CBN’s efforts to promote creative talent and discover promising artists from all around the world were recognized by the prestigious Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, which bestowed Gold and Silver honors to Star Hunt: The Global Showdown, the network’s first online singing competition show.

The annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program that recognizes innovation in the workplace in 29 nations across the Asia-Pacific region.

This year’s winners will be celebrated during a virtual awards ceremony on Sept. 22.

Star Hunt: The Global Showdown, which was streamed on Kumu, the world’s largest Filipino-owned social livestreaming app, bagged the Gold Award for Innovation in Social Apps and Silver for Award for Innovation in Entertainment Apps.

A first-of-itskind online show, Star Hunt: The Global Showdown sought to give a chance to aspiring Filipino singers from different countries to win a cash prize and a recording contract by livestreaming their singing performances on their phones via the Kumu app.

The show, hosted by Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, gathered over 700 entries from different countries including Australia, Italy, and USA. It was launched by ABS-CBN Global under the brand of “Star Hunt,” which staged the biggest on-ground audition event in the country in 2018 and was joined by thousands of dreamers who lined up for a shot at stardom.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 nominations from organizations across the Asia-Pacific region were considered this year in different categories. Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 100 executives around the world acting as judges in May and June.

The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world's premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programs such as The International B u s i n e s s Awards® for 18 years.

‘Star Hunt: The Global Showdown’ hosts Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber

Life

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

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HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020

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MOM AND HER BOYS.

OST and mom of two—soon to be three— Iya Villania-Arellano takes advantage of daily routines to create fun bonding moments with her young children.

TV host and mother Iya VillaniaArellano takes advantage of daily routines to create fun bonding moments with her young children.

As she prepares to welcome baby number 3, Villania-Arellano dotes on firstborn Primo and second son Leon.

And bath time, she says, is an enjoyable time of their day.

“It’s the perfect time to indulge them with silly games that are both fun and educational,” she says, adding, “These also create happy, lasting memories for me and my boys.”

In her Instagram post with son Primo, the 34-year-old mom said, “Never a dull moment with this Kuya. From playtime, bath time, to lambing time, it’s always a good time with this mabango boy.”

Villania-Arellano encourages her kids to tap into their creative side with fun bath art games wherein they use soap suds to paint murals on bathroom walls, tub, and on themselves.

“I use Babyflo Oatmeal Bath,” she reveals. “The presence of colloidal oats in its formula is what sets it apart. It’s a natural moisturizing ingredient that binds to the skin and forms a protective barrier that seals in moisture to keep the skin from drying out.”

Iya Villania-Arellano and her boys are brand ambassadors for the baby care brand.

Other Arellanos-approved fun bath time game involves creating hair styles while shampooing with the brand’s tearfree shampoo.

To teach her boys about their body parts, Villania-Arellano asks them to name which part she is applying moisturizer on.

This helps them develop better coordination and awareness of their own bodies.

“We use a moisturizer like Babyflo Baby Oil Light immediately after their bath,” she shares. “I like it because it goes into the skin easily without leaving a greasy feeling so it’s great to use every day.”

Using baby powder, she makes sure her boys are comfortably dry and fresh.

“My very active boys are prone to sweating a lot,” she shares. According to her, the brand’s Powder Heavenly White “keeps their sweat at bay leaving their skin comfortably dry and soft. My boys still smell sweet and huggable, even after running around.”

‘Never a dull moment’: Iya bonds with her boys How to save more money when cooking at home IF YOU want to save money, they say you should cook your food at home. It’s more cost-effective than eating out or ordering takeout, and you know what goes into your meals.

It’s possible to save more money while saving money; an LPG brand shares tips on economical cooking at home.

Get your ingredients ready Some people tend to prepare the ingredients in the middle of the cooking session while the cooking gas is on. Not only is this a waste of time but also an unnecessary waste of gas. It is best to prepare all ingredients ahead of cooking time and put them within reach as the cooking goes on.

Defrost before cooking Many home cooks use microwave oven to defrost frozen food. While convenient, this consumes a lot of electricity. Instead of using a microwave, take out frozen ingredients ahead of cooking time, place them on the counter and thaw at room temperature.

SHOPPING

Month-long sale at The SM Store THERE are literally “So Many Markdowns” at leading department store chain, The SM Store, with wide range of items discounted until end of July.

Selected items from fashion, baby, and home sections get as much as 50 percent off. Some of the products on sale include Mickey Medium Foldable Trikes and Picolo Pinkstripe Strollers for kids, and Ollin Taryn Sling Diaper Bag for baby’s essentials.

Notebooks and earphones needed for distance learning are also on sale, as well as sneakers and fashion must-haves, and home items like Gene Elijah Bar Stool.

Prices of bags and travel essentials such as Samsonite Popsoda suitcase are likewise slashed during the month-long sale.

The marked down items are available at SM department stores nationwide and at TheSMStore.com.

HUSTLE

SM Accessories Kids’ Earphones (from P149.75 to P74)

Mickey Foldable Trike (from P2,299.75 to P1,999.75)

Use low heat as much as possible When cooking or tenderizing meat by boiling, make sure to cover the pot with the lid and lower the heat as soon as it starts to boil.

Leave it simmering until soft and tender.

Choose the right burner The bigger the burner, the more energy or cooking gas is used.

Hence, when using a small pan to cook, use a smaller burner. Those who have only one burner or whose burners are of the same size, can turn down the flame as soon as the food starts to boil to maximize cooking gas.

Keep LPG well-maintained Keep the household safe by turning off the LPG cylinder valves when not in use. Do a regular maintenance check of burners, regulators, hose, and LPG tank to make sure they are clean and functioning well. More kitchen maintenance and cooking tips are available at www.solane. com.ph.

Gene Elijah Bar Stool (from P2,495 to P1,746.50)

Choosing the right burner is vital in maximizing the cooking gas.

What to expect when applying for an online teaching job

According to an online job portal, online teaching jobs offer competent salary and a flexible working schedule.

THE unprecedented effects of COVID-19 pandemic has caused the demand for work from home opportunities to significantly increase.

One of the fastest growing remote jobs is online teaching.

According to online job portal JobStreet.com, there has been 63 percent increase in educationrelated job posts as of May 2020, making it the third industry still hiring during the pandemic after BPOs and government services.

To help those interested to pursue this career, temporarily or permanently, JobStreet offers the following information: Skills may be an advantage While most online teaching jobs accept fresh graduates with no teaching experience, expect that employers will still assess applicants based on their speaking and grammar skills, and their over-

all grasp of the English language. Employers may also ask for language certificates such as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Teaching English as Foreign Language (TEFL).

Some companies may provide free training for hired applicants to equip them with the skills they need to teach efficiently.

Equipment is important Online teaching employers will also look at other requirements that will be needed for applicants to secure a position as an online teacher.

Expect hirers to check if you have a working laptop or computer with webcam, headset, and microphone, a reliable Internet connection, and a quiet space conducive for a virtual class. Applicants should also expect the company conducting an Internet speed test during the application process.

Competent salary According to JobStreet’s recent job report, the median salary for teaching jobs available on the portal is P22,316. It is also important to note that some of online teachers’ pay also depend on the “bookings” or the classes that they conduct in a day. Candidates who may be considering applying for an online teaching job should expect less pay should they be rendering fewer work hours.

Flexible working schedule For most online teaching jobs, employees are free to plot their own schedule, choosing the best time for them to hold their sessions.

Most companies would require employees to be available at peak hours such as 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Whereas, full time online teachers still render eight-hour shifts every day.