Manila Standard - 2020 February 28 - Friday

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HIGH COURT GETS TOUGH ON TROS, INJUNCTIONS

(Story on A2)

Bato: Drug lords killed BuCor lawyer

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo VOL. XXXIV • NO. 18 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 372 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House defers action on ABS-CBN

By Maricel Cruz, MJ Blancaflor, Rey Requejo SPEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano said the House is likely to delay hearings on ABS-CBN’s franchise until May or August, even though President Rodrigo Duterte said he wants lawmakers to discuss the issue before the franchise expires on March 30.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President had nothing to do with the delay in Congress or the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose

Calida seeking to revoke ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“What is important is, the President said, they should do something about it. Meaning to say, do their job. If there is a pending application before Congress, then members of Congress should deliberate on it and decide whether or not to grant or to deny the extension,” Panelo said.

There are 11 bills seeking to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 years are pending, but Cayetano said the House would be able to tackle Next page

DRUG lords at the New Bilibid Prison could be behind the killing of Bureau of Corrections former legal counsel Anthony Fredric Santos, also a witness in the Good Conduct Time Allowance anomaly, said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa

on Thursday.

Dela Rosa, who served as BuCor director before he ran for senator, came up with this statement based on his own experiences.

“Most likely, those behind the killing, based on my experience, the drug lords jailed in Bilibid ordered the killing of our Next page

Immigration man tags 5 in ’pastillas’ Syndicate behind scheme exposed in Senate probe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and MJ Blancaflor

FACE MASK ANYONE? Koreans wait in line to buy face masks in front of a store at Dongseongro shopping district in Daegu

F

on Thursday. South Korea has reported 334 new coronavirus cases, taking its total to 1,595, still the largest in the world outside China, where the disease first emerged. AFP

ORMER airport officials and employees of the Bureau of Immigration are behind the “pastillas” system by which Chinese workers and fugitives enter the country by paying bribes, a whistleblower said Thursday.

Korea travel ban on hold, says BI

Virus engulfs But 26 from Daegu entered Cebu six continents before the ban, now quarantined

THE new coronavirus (COVBy Vito Barcelo, Joel E. Zurbano, Bureau spokesperson Dana ID-19) outbreak that started in Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rey E. Requejo Kriza Sandoval said immigration China has now spread to all six and Maricel V. Cruz personnel at the Ninoy Aquino Incontinents. Only Antarctica reternational Airport could not determains untainted.

HE Bureau of Immigration mine inbound passengers from South In Africa, Algeria cofirmed its first admitted Thursday that it has Koreaofif the theyvideo cameshowing officers facilitating the immigration process case. Egypt has also a case.

I DO. Immigration offireported cer 1 Allison Chiong (top left) tells a Senate committee hearing Thursday he is the source yet to enforce travel ban and former immigration from Daegu Gyeongsang for Chinese POGO workersof at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Chiongthe named the current offiand cialsNorth involved in the bribery scheme as Traffic Control The vast majority cases—and Enforcement cers BienChina, Guevarra, and Den Binsol.

Chiong from said these officials were under Ports Operation Red Mariñas. Ey Acasio province in SouthDivision Korea, Chief whereMarc a large deaths—areUnit in offi mainland butGlennofComia passengers coming South number of persons with COVID-19 were cases have been reported throughout Korea, which has the most number of recorded.

Asia, with concentrations in South novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases “The travel ban to Korea is pending Korea and on board a cruise ship full implementation right now because docked in Japan. after China even as 26 Koreans who we’re still waiting for the copy of the In the Middle East, Iran has reportenplaned from Daegu City to Cebu resolution, as well as clarification on how ed least 139 cases. The total official have been placed under quarantine from the government if he feared for to targetor these passengers,” shetion said.

By by MJ Blancafl number of deaths due to coronavirus his life, Nextand pageassured him that President in Iran stands at 15.

Next page the Health department in Region 7.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not let Duterte would not hurt anyone ‘‘outside “They have economies scale,” Duque

By Macon Ramos-Araneta embattled Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido to legal processes. said, adding that this made their vaccines be harmed, the Palace said Thursday after “If that is the fear of Colonel EspeTHE Philippines has no budget to devel- cheaper.

Espenido said the government could go nido, then we cannot stop him from op its own vaccines, which would need He dismissed reports that developing after him since he was included in its drug entertaining such apprehension. But billions and billions of pesos that it can- countries are being sidestepped in the watchlist. the President will not allow anyone not MJ afford, Health or Secretary Francisco distribution vaccines, saying comPresident of Rodrigo Duterte onbig WednesBy Blancafl Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panto be hurt outside legal processes or Duque III said Thursday. panies are made mandated lead in developday night this topronouncement as and Macon Ramos-Araneta elo said Espenido could ask for protec- methods sanctioned by law, Panelo In an interview over radio dzMM, he ingdefended vaccines for diseases such as the new his decision to abrogate the Duque it was more cost-effective coronavirus1998 (COVID-19).

IF THE said Philippines is incapable of de- country’s Visiting Forces Agree- By MJ Blancaflor and Rio N. Araja to buy vaccines from rich countries that ment Duque to research fending itself from terrorism and extremwithpointed Washington, saying in theChina PhilPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has placed Region 4A Calabarhave the capacity the drugs. ist groups, it mighttoasdevelop well choose to be- ippines has no business of becoming Next pagea zon under a state of calamity to hasten relief and rescue efforts come a territory of the United States or a republic if it cannot address problems on in the region, a month after it was hit by Taal Volcano’s eruption. province of China. its own.

Next page Next page Under Proclamation 906 signed Feb. 21, thePundits President declared and critics alike say the Naa state(First of calamity the fiparts) ve provinces upon tional the recommendation of intwo Capital Region’s trash output is a of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management ticking timeCouncil, bomb, indicative of a similar which allows the national government and local executives to across the country, problem experienced By Jimbo Gulle use funds and provide basic services to about 484,000 people and recent statements by government ofaffected the eruption.

IF YOUbythink Metro Manila’s traffic is ficials have only underscored the issue. state of remainwill, in force a year unless Environment Secretary a The problem, thecalamity garbagewill situation in forLast December, sooner lifted in accordance with law, according to the documodern social media-speak, tell you to Roy Cimatu said the country was in the ment to the media Thursday. “holdreleased its beer.” middle of a “garbage crisis.” Waste generAsked if the declaration was late, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said: “There can never be too late in declaration with respect to calamities.”

The proclamation seeks to hasten rescue, recovery, relief,

T

In a Senate hearing on human trafficking and prostitution, Immigration officer Allison Chiong said these officials were behind the syndicate that facilitated the smooth entry of Chinese nationals who enter the country to work in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

Chiong said these groups worked with China-based travel agencies, who send them a list of names of people who are about to enter the country.

“The syndicated groups would often compete with each other to gain favor from the Chinese travel agencies,” Chiong said.

He revealed that they gave bribes ranging from P50,000 and P200,000 so that the Chinese nationals—even those that have been blacklisted—can freely enter the country, passing through Immigration counters without any question. Next page FIVE-TIME Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, one of the world’s most recognizable and highest-paid sportswomen, on Wednesday announced her retirement at the age of 32, and told reporters. was immediately hailed as “a “If Espenido would want to ask for any legend” and “great champion. ” protective measure from the government, “Tennis—I’m saying goodthen he bye, can ”soSharapova request justsaid likeinany another arcitizen.ticle for Vogue and Vanity Fair Meanwhile, Espenido welcomed the magazines. due process granted Philippine Na“After 28 yearsbyand five Grand tional Police Chief Archie Gamboa to Slam titles, though, I’m ready the to policemen on Duterte’s latest drug comwatch scale another mountain—to list, including him.

Next page pete on a diff erent type of terrain. ” Men’s number one Novak Djokovic dubbed Sharapova a “legend” of the sport, hailing her “great impact.”

“She’s a very smart girl. She has the mind of a champion, someone that ation, gives he said, become unprecedented, Next page never up,had ” said Djokovic.

Filipinos selfishly threw their refuse everywhere―mostly into water systems― and massive clean-up drives only moved tons of litter from one place to another.

In an environmental forum that month, Cimatu said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would issue,

Sharapova retires: Goodbye, tennis

Fund lack blocks move to develop Palace offers govt protection to controversial cop vaccines; Duque prefers buy option

PH has no need for US forces—Rody Du30 places Calabarzon

under a state of calamity

Garbage crisis in Metro: A ticking time bomb

SUMMIT AGENDA. The deadly coronavirus is set to dominate the agenda of

the high-level Vientianne summit Thursday, as China’s foreign minister meets with his Southeast Asian counterparts whose countries’ economies have been hard-hit over fears of widespread contagion. Inset is a photo taken Wednesday showing a laboratory technician holding samples of virus at a laboratory in Hengyang in China’s central Henan province. AFP PRESIDENTIAL GREETING. President Rodrigo Duterte greets some of the

Virus control efforts working—China Cayetano pins ouster plot on rival

guests during the oathtaking of the new officials of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and presentation of the 12th Ani ng Dangal awardees at Malacañang on Wednesday. Presidential Photo

VIENTIANE, Laos―China’s efforts to control the deadly outbreak of a new coronavirus “are working,” Beijing’s top diplomat said Thursday, attributing By Maricel V. Cruz an easing in new cases to his country’s “forceful action” against the illness.

SPEAKER Peter Cayetano said Speaking Alan in Laos before talks with Thursday there was an attempt to oust peers from the 10 Southeast Asian him from his position. Wang Yi said the (ASEAN) countries, “The personality behind and the move to outbreak was “controllable curable” oust me is already promising committee despite the global panic it has seeded.

“China is not only protecting its own people but also the rest of the world,” he told the summit in Vientiane, referencing a recent sharp drop in new cases of the vichairmanships budget allocations to rus inside China,and where it has killed more those2,100 who people. will join him,” Cayetano told than reporters during the Minister Lani Scholarship Philippine Foreign Teodoro Distribution event in Taguig Locsin Jr. thanked China for City. its “unprecHe implied it was Marinduque Rep. edented domestic measures and quick Lord Allan Velasco, hisreferring original rival for action”―apparently to the

Nextpage page Next

GARBAGE CRISIS: SOLUTIONS EYED

Turn to A3

NEWS A2

Next page

Task force created ABS-CBN off air, franchise pending—DOJ to control swine flu By Rey E. Requejo

CBN would have to cease operations after May 4, contrary to the informal THE Justice department said Friday there opinion of Justice Secretary Menardo was not enough basis to allow ABS-CBN Guevarra that a provisional permit would

By MJ Blancaflor to continue operating while the bills for be enough for the media giant continue PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has or- the renewal of its franchise were pending operating. dered the creation of a national task force in Congress.

“An expired franchise can’t be extendIn a six-page letter to National Tele- ed by a mere Joint Resolution by both to formulate and implement policies to control the spread of animal-borne dis- communications Commission, Justice houses. There should be a law granting eases such as African swine fever fol- Secretary Menardo Guevarra said it a new franchise,” retired justice Angelowing the spike in the number of cases would be better if Congress authorized lina Sandoval-Gutierrez told Rappler in a the NTC to issue a provisional authority. message on Thursday. nationwide.

In related developments:Muslim Democrats led Under Executive Order 105 signed • Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on ThursLAKAS GATHERING. Officers and members of Lakas-Christian

by House Majority Leader Martin A retired Supreme said ofday Feb. 21, the national is taskedduring to the• lunch pooh-poohedRomualdez the jointhas resolutions Romualdez (center) task poseforce for posterity meeting of theCourt party justice at the House Representatives. said the that, without franchise, ABS- Duterte’s legislative agenda. Ver Noveno page Thursday Next page party will always be a partner of Next the administration to ensure the swiftapassage of President

A2

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Virus...

From A1 Australia has confirmed a total of 22 cases as of Saturday, officials said.

Europe’s biggest outbreak is in Italy, where over 320 have been infected and 12 have died.

In North America, at least 59 Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, US health officials say. Cases have also been reported in Canada.

In South America, Brazil reported that a 61-year-old Sao Paulo resident was the first recorded case in the region. The 61-year-old patient returned on Feb. 21 from the Lombardy region of Italy, the epicenter of an outbreak in the European country, Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said.

Georgia on Wednesday announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the South Caucasus region.

“A Georgian national has tested positive for the novel coronavirus,” Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze told a news conference, adding that the infected man has been placed in isolation in a Tbilisi hospital.

Denmark reported its first coronavirus case Thursday, a man who had returned from a skiing holiday in northern Italy which has become a hotspot for the disease.

“The man who came back from a skiing trip with his wife and son on Feb. 24 has been suffering since then from a cough and a temperature,” Denmark’s public health agency said in a statement.

China reported 29 more deaths on Thursday from the COVID-19 epidemic, the lowest daily figure in almost a month, and the number of fresh infections rose slightly.

The death toll now stands at 2,744 in mainland China, according to the National Health Commission.

The daily tally of fatalities has fallen for three straight days now, hitting the lowest mark since January 29, when 26 new deaths were reported.

The commission reported 433 new cases, with all but 24 in central Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak that first emerged in December in its capital, Wuhan.

There are now nearly 78,500 cases in total.

The number of new infections outside Hubei had been falling steadily in the past week, but it went back up from five on Wednesday.

While Hubei remains under lockdown, cities in the rest of the country are slowly returning to work, though schools remain closed and Beijing requires people returning to the capital to go into 14-day self-quarantine.AFP

Task force...

From A1 develop a national risk-reduction program and a comprehensive framework to manage, contain, control and eradicate animal-borne diseases―including measures such as quarantine, zoning plans, biosecurity, surveillance and proper waste disposal.

The task force will also ensure the integrity of all international ports of entry and the inspection of markets for imported goods that contain products that may be infected by animal-borne diseases.

Led by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the task force will also develop programs to aid those affected by animal-borne diseases, such as the grant of financial assistance and livelihood alternatives.

All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or institutions of the government, including government-ownedor-controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are directed, and local government units are enjoined, to render the necessary assistance to the task force.

President Duterte met with Dar, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año and local government officials in Malacañang on Tuesday to discuss efforts to manage the ASF that has hurt the hog industry.

In a chance interview with reporters in Malacañang, Duterte said ASF-free hogs should be properly labeled to hasten the flow of pork and pork products in the country.

Sharapova...

From A1 Sharapova burst onto the scene as a supremely gifted teenager and won her Grand Slams before serving a 15-month ban for failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open.

The Russian former world number one’s ranking is currently 373rd.

Sharapova has hardly played in the past year because of long-standing shoulder problems.

When she did feature she lost as many matches as she won and was dumped out in the first rounds at Wimbledon, the US Open and, most recently, the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Garbage crisis: Possible solutions

By Jimbo Gulle (Part 2, continued from last week)

F

OR Metro Manila to defuse its ticking time bomb of garbage, several things need to happen―more sanitary landfills need to be built, more recycling centers need to be operated, environmental laws must be enforced to the letter, and political systems running the business of trash have to change or improve.

The first point is perhaps the most crucial, as sanitary or engineered landfills are the modern world’s basic waste disposal system, never mind the open dump sites and bodies of water that trash often end up in.

On numbers alone, if the country’s current ratio of sanitary landfills (186) to the local government units (407) they serve is extrapolated, the National Capital Region’s 16 cities and one town need at least seven such landfills―not just the two they are currently using in Navotas City and Rodriguez, Rizal.

They keep using these facilities (or may have no other recourse but to do so) in part because the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority pays for the “tipping fees"―the amount the government pays a landfill owner for the right to dump trash in its facility. LGUs typically would pay

Korea...

From A1 Immigration personnel manning the counters are having difficulty determining whether inbound passengers from South Korea had come from the provinces covered by the ban.

The 26 passengers from Daegu came in Tuesday night hours before the temporary travel ban was imposed, said DOH Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas.

While waiting for the clear guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, passengers from South Korea have been allowed to enter the country, despite the threat of COVID-19, Sandoval said.

“The BI only relies on the stamps on passengers’ passports to determine which country they arrived from,” she said. Most of the passengers go through major airports, and might have taken land transportation or regional flights, which would not show in their passports, she added.

The 26 Koreans were declared asymptomatic and classified only as persons under monitoring, Bernadas said. They were billeted in 16 different hotels, with 14 of them in Cebu and 12 in Lapu-Lapu City, he said.

Sandoval said the situation is different from travel restrictions that applied to all passengers to and from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Air Asia on Thursday canceled its flights to and from South Korea following the government’s announcement of a travel ban.

But officials of the Manila International Airport Authority and Bureau of Immigration allowed other airlines to proceed with their scheduled flights to and from South Korea on Wednesday and Thursday.

PH...

From A1 “If we are incapable of doing it, we have no business being a republic. You might as well choose. We can be a territory of the Americans or we can be a province of China,” the commander-inchief said in a speech in Malacañang.

He also said the military and the police had assured him that the government can combat the enemies of the state even without the “sophisticated intelligence” of the US. “Do we need America to survive as a nation? Do we need America now to fight a rebellion in our entire country?

Do we need their arms?” he asked.

President Duterte also said terminating the country’s military pact was not a knee-jerk response to the visa’s cancellation of his ally Senator Ronald dela Rosa as alleged by critics.

On Feb. 11, the Philippines sent Washington a notice to terminate the VFA after the US had canceled the visa

Siberia-born Sharapova first picked up a racquet at the age of four in Sochi, where her Belarus-born parents had settled after escaping the deadly clutches of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

She shot to fame as a giggly 17-yearold Wimbledon winner in 2004, the third-youngest player to conquer the All England Club’s hallowed grass courts.

‘Tennis gave me life’

She became world number one in 2005, at the age of 18, and won the US Open the next year.

“One of the keys to my success was that I never looked back and I never looked forward,” Sharapova said on Wednesday.

“I believed that if I kept grinding and

out of their own pockets.

As of 2019, the tipping fee rate was P600 a ton of trash―or a whopping P7.2 million a day from the MMDA if Metro Manila’s 12,000 tons of daily refuse were to be dumped in just one landfill.

But setting aside the billion-peso financial aspect of garbage, building more landfills and operating them more efficiently is a solution Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu endorsed in an event last January.

He said accessible and affordable sanitary landfills must be established to allow more LGUs to have their own solid waste management facility, noting that building and maintaining a sanitary landfill “can be costly and somewhat complicated.”

“Make the establishment and operation of a sanitary landfill simpler and less costly without sacrificing the main objec-

Air Asia already canceled its Z2-884 and Z2-885 flights to and from Incheon a day after the government announced the travel ban.

Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said 14 weekly flights of PAL to and from Incheon, and seven weekly flights between Manila and Busan, will be affected once the government fully enforces the travel ban.

“We still maintain the same number of flight frequencies for now. [We] shall let you know should we cutback on flight frequencies. At the very least, we may downgrade from wide to narrowbody aircraft,” Villaluna said.

On Thursday, the Department of Health said 47 more patients were discharged from hospitals after testing negative for COVID-19.

Based on DOH’s daily tracker, the number of patients who tested negative for the deadly virus rose from 501 to 548 as of noon.

The number of persons being checked for COVID-19 who remain isolated in hospitals decreased from 101 to 64.

Metro Manila had 56 cases under investigation, 146 discharged, two confirmed cases and one mortality.

The Philippines has had three confirmed cases, all Chinese nationals from Hubeiu province, the center of the COVID-19 outbreak in China.

Globally, more than 81,000 people, mostly from mainland China, have contracted the virus.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Philippines is assessing a wider travel ban on South Korea, after barring travelers from its coronavirus-hit North Gyeongsang province.

He noted that the tally of those infected is changing quickly in South Korea, a worrisome development.

South Korea reported 284 new infections Wednesday—its largest daily

of Dela Rosa, Duterte’s former drug war chief.

Defenders of the decades-old agreement say ending it could both degrade the Philippines’ ability to defend itself and undermine Washington’s moves against Beijing’s rise, particularly in the disputed South China Sea. Senators have vowed to file a petition before the Supreme Court questioning Duterte’s right to terminate the military pact without the legislature’s approval.

The VFA, which took effect in 1999, outlined the guidelines for the conduct of American military troops in the Philippines.

It was the foundation of military exercises between the two countries, and the affirmation of the obligations under the 69-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty. The MDT states that Manila and Washington would come to each other’s defense in case of an attack by a foreign state.

Duterte also reiterated that he will not go to the US despite the invitation of American President Donald Trump to Southeast Asian leaders to meet next month in Las Vegas.

grinding, I could push myself to an incredible place.”

But in 2007 Sharapova began her long on-off battle with shoulder trouble.

She would win the 2008 Australian Open before a second shoulder injury kept her off tour for the second half of the season, missing the US Open and Beijing Olympics.

In 2012, the Siberian-born Sharapova captured the French Open to become the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam. She added Olympic silver to her resume that year.

Her 2014 French Open title was another high after a dispiriting injury low.

More fitness troubles followed before the bombshell announcement of her positive test for the banned heart drug meldonium. AFP

tive of proper garbage disposal, which is to prevent leachate from going to waterways,” Cimatu said.

The former Armed Forces chief of staff proposed that neighboring towns or cities should band together and pool their resources to establish a common sanitary landfill.

If they need funds, Cimatu said, LGUs could avail themselves of government loans, particularly the one being offered by the Development Bank of the Philippines under its green financing program.

“LGUs can come up with a scheme to pay back the loan, such as through collection of tipping fees,” Cimatu said.

Then again, the cost that would entail an environment-friendly and engineered landfill is not cheap and would take time to build, not to mention the limited space of areas that is not too far from Metro Manila and other key urban centers, particularly in the fringe areas of Northern and Southern Luzon.

Unless the LGUs put up their landfill sites and facilities that are just similar to the existing and traditional landfills in Navotas and Rizal province, that would eventually end up as not that “environmentally safe,” an exercise in futility.

Not to mention the fact that LGUs will fall short in maintaining the proposed

increase to date—taking the overall national tally to 1,261, with the death toll rising to 12.

It remains the most-affected country after China, with the outbreak traced to a religious sect in the southern city of Daegu.

In other developments: • The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong confirmed on Thursday that another Filipino has been tested positive for COVID-19 there. “The Hong Kong Health Department officially informed the consulate general this morning that a 29-year-old Filipina has tested positive for COVID-19,” the consulate said, in a statement.

This brought the number of Filipinos infected with COVID-19 in Hong Kong to two.

• A lawmaker from the Bicol region on Thursday reiterated his proposal for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to consider telecommuting to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “The DOLE and ECOP should include telecommuting or the work-at-home arrangement among the stopgap measures they are considering to help the government contain the spread of COVID-19 and cushion its adverse impact on the labor front,” Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said.

• House Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. and his team were prevented from taking their connecting flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia due to the COVID-19 scare. The passengers were advised about a 48hour temporary entry ban that Saudi Arabia has imposed on pilgrims to keep the country safe from the deadly virus.

They reached Dubai two hours after the temporary entry ban took effect.

Du30...

From A1 and rehabilitation efforts of the government, the private sector, and the international community.

It will also allow the government to control the prices of basic goods and commodities in affected areas.

“All departments and other concerned government agencies are hereby directed to implement and execute rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation work in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives,” President Duterte said in his proclamation.

The President also ordered all departments and concerned agencies to coordinate and augment the basic services and facilities of affected local government units.

Law enforcement agencies were also ordered to undertake measures to ensure peace and order in the region.

Duterte earlier asked Congress to speed the passage of the P30-billion

Cayetano...

From A1

the speakership, who was behind the plot.

Velasco, who is set to take over the House speakership in October, dismissed Cayetano’s allegation as “baseless.”

“These reports are far from the truth.

The reports were meant to create deep division within the House of Representatives and its members, destroy camaraderie, distract lawmakers from fulfilling their mandate, and more importantly, derail the key legislative agenda of the Duterte administration,” Velasco said.

“Up to this day, I continue to honor the term-sharing agreement brokered by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte

landfills, as local politicians have to run for re-election every three years with a maximum three-year term, or nine years.

Experts believe that to build a sanitary landfill is the easy part―but maintaining it is entirely a different story.

They say it will always be best for LGUs to just dispose their municipal wastes in a privately-operated landfill facility rather than investing tons of money and venture into the operations and maintenance of such facilities.

One landfill shouldn’t just serve two or three LGUs for that matter, as the ideal NCR ratio would indicate.

Metro Manila’s mayors only need to look north to Capas in Tarlac, where the sanitary landfill operated by Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. is serving over 100 local governments in Central and Northern Luzon, including the Clark and Subic free port zones.

In operation since 2002, Metro Clark currently handles 3,000 tons of waste per day―about a fourth of Metro Manila’s trash output―including garbage from the cities of Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, Angeles in Pampanga and Tarlac City.

It even takes in refuse from Baguio City and towns as far north as Pangasinan and La Union, as the company is poised to handle more trash with the growth of New Clark City.

ABS-CBN...

From A1 filed by his colleagues backing the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Cayetano said the resolutions filed by Representatives Raul del Mar and Rufus Rodriguez in the House would create more issues and problems than provide a solution.

• The Palace on Thursday said there was no need for ABS-CBN to coordinate with the office of President Rodrigo Duterte in relation to the P2.6 million that would be donated by the network to a charitable institution, an amount from the Chief Executive’s unaired political ads that he refused to accept.

Duterte had already given ABS-CBN a free hand to choose the recipient of the P2.6 million, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“There is no need for guidance. The President gave them blanket authority.

Just donate it to your favorite charitable organization,” Panelo told reporters.

• The labor group Defend Jobs Philippines said Thursday the Senate and House resolutions on ABS-CBN’s franchise extension were good, but passing a new legislative franchise law would be best for Kapamilya workers.

According to Guevarra, it would be within the bounds of the basic principle of “fairness and justice” if Congress continued with its practice and allow broadcast entities to continue with their operations even after their franchises had expired, for as long as their applications for the renewal of their franchises had been filed before Congress.

However, Guevarra clarified that the letter to the NTC was a mere “guidance” to the NTC in dealing with the matter of ABS-CBN’s franchise. With Rappler, Maricel V. Cruz, MJ Blancaflor and Willie Casas

supplemental budget to aid displaced residents living near Taal Volcano, but lawmakers have yet to act on it.

Panelo said the Palace will not appeal to the Congress to expedite the passage of the funds, saying the lawmakers “know their job.”

Taal Volcano in Batangas continued to emit moderate steam-laden plumes rising 300 meters high before drifting southwest between Wednesday 9 p.m. and Thursday 3 a.m.

“Intermittent weak steaming activity occurred throughout the rest of the observation period,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

The Taal Volcano Network recorded 34 volcanic earthquakes associated with rock fracturing processes beneath and around the edifice.

Alert Level 2 remained over Taal Volcano.

“PHIVOLCS reminds the public that at Alert Level 2, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ash fall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano island and along its coast,” PHIVOLCS said. when the 18th Congress convened in July 2019. From the beginning, I never had any intention of reneging on this agreement,” he added.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said President Rodrigo Duterte will not interfere in the internal affairs of the House of Representatives following Cayetano’s claim.

Duterte would only meddle on matters concerning the Congress if lawmakers will ask him to “intercede in their behalf,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

“Again, the President does not interfere.

We’re repeatedly saying that. That’s the internal affair of the Congress. He will not interfere unless you ask him to settle whatever rift they have if there is any,” Panelo told reporters. With MJ Blancaflor

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Opinion

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

When the enemy is a virus THE world, it seems, has finally met its match. It is the coronavirus series 2019, or COVID19 per the WHO nomenclature, or simply the Wuhan (China) severe pneumonia.

The coronavirus is on the way to infecting up to 100,000 people, or more, and kill at least 5,000, within two months—unless the world

As of this writing, only Antarctica, among the world’s continents, has not been invaded by the coronavirus. is able to come up with a cure, or develop, at least a vaccine. A vaccine could take eight to 18 months; a cure, probably even longer. So far, the prognosis for ending the coronavirus crisis is dim.

What makes the virus so fearsome is that it invades your lungs. As a parasite, it feeds on your lungs and destroys them, molecule by molecule. With your lungs destroyed, you cannot breathe. Since you cannot breathe, you die.

So expect the coronavirus to criss-cross from country to country, continent to continent, with the enthusiasm, vigor and dynamism of – a virus. As of this writing, only Antarctica, among the world’s continents, has not been invaded by the coronavirus.

The enemy is invisible. Imagine a grain of sand. Reduce that to one over 10,000. This makes all those

face masks, whether the N95, or the surgical variety, utterly useless.

Being invisible, the coronavirus is an awesome enemy. It is a mutation that originated from animals which in turn was ingested by humans. Talk about the ascendancy of the species. Man, it seems, is not the dominant specie, after all, despite its being endowed with extraordinary intelligence, a soul, and now an endangered quality, a conscience.

Not all the world’s greatest military powers and biggest economies—run as they are by tyrants and pseudo-democrats—can cope with it, despite their vast nuclear arsenal, their tremendous military firepower, their so-called enviable R and D, and their limitless wealth.

No nuclear weapon or even an ordinary Ca. 45, Kalashnikov, or Armalite, or IED, can kill such an enemy as the coronavirus. To be sure, the coronavirus is not about to end civilization on earth as hordes of Terminators from a faraway planet could do in the movies.

Still, Donald Trump of the United States, Xi Jinping of China, and Vladimir Putin of Russia are in panic. America’s Centers for Disease Control has practically admitted the nation’s resources cannot cope with a coronavirus epidemic that is now the full makings of a pandemic.

As an enemy, the coronavirus has employed the classic divide and rule of a marauding conqueror. It has made nations suspicious of each other. The virus began in China, the world’s fastest-growing economy in the last 30 years. But the country that rescued 800 million people from poverty in just 20 years does not know what to do.

The coronavirus is closing borders faster and more effectively than Donald Trump can do with Mexico. The virus has made mince-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

PH companies feel the pinch

T

HIS year looks less rosy for some Filipino companies.

As COVID-19 affects China and more countries reporting cases of the novel coronavirus disease, the tourism sector and the global supply chain are being disrupted.

Premier real estate developer Ayala Land Inc. early this week conceded that mall and hotel businesses suffered a 10-percent decline in the first six weeks of 2020 following the outbreak of the disease in China and the sudden eruption of Taal Volcano last month.

Foot traffic at Ayala shopping malls declined by up to 10 percent in the first one and a half months of 2020, as people avoided crowd-

ed places. The hotel business also dropped by up to 10 percent.

The country’s third major telecommunications player, DITO Telecommunity Corp., reported that the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Hubei, China would delay the rollout of cellular towers in the Philippines.

DITO was about to import steel or tower components and fiber cable from Hubei province, China, to begin the rollout of its facilities. Hubei, the most affected by the virus outbreak, is one of the major manufacturing hubs of China. The province was under government lockdown to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas.

The solar power projects of MGEN Renewable Energy Inc., the renewable energy subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp., are facing similar delays because of the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 on solar panel production in China.

China is one of the world’s big-

gest suppliers of solar panels. The COVID-2019 outbreak in China has forced most manufacturing firms to suspend operations to help contain the virus.

The temporary travel ban on South Korea, meanwhile, will depress the Philippine tourism further as strict quarantine measures will, in turn, regulate the arrival of Koreans here.

Debt watcher S&P Global Ratings has reduced its 2020 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.1 percent from the previous estimate of 6.2 percent amid the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease.

The virus outbreak may not be enough to make a dent on the Philippine economy this year. But authorities, especially the economic team, must draw up measures to prop up the economy like it did in 2019, when the delay in the approval of the budget curtailed growth and restricted government spending.

Turn to A5

Nipped in the bud IF OUR source is to be believed, the situation over at the House of Representatives is far from serene. Beneath the surface calm, we're told, there's restiveness with the recent attempt to unseat Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

While the House was quite busy with various issues, among them how to address the needs of the residents affected by the Taal volcano eruption and how to control the spread of the dreaded coronavirus or COVID-19, Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco was reported to have tried to oust Cayetano as Speaker. Unsuccessfully, it turns out.

It's said that Velasco dangled juicy committee chairmanships to selected congressmen to get them to support his coup attempt against Cayetano.

Last year, Velasco allies were said to have tried to seek support for his speakership bid by offering additional project allocations to House members under the proposed 2020 national budget.

This would have undermined the priorities outlined by President Rodrigo Duterte in his budget message contained in the General Appropriations Act for 2020, as it was done merely to gather support for Velasco’s speakership bid.

Velasco also directed his allies, including two Deputy Speakers, to launch a signature campaign favoring the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise. He must have felt that if he could pressure the House committee on legislative franchises to conduct a hearing and have it approved, then this would send a clear message that he has enough political clout. But this move is a direct

challenge to the stand of Duterte, who had repeatedly said he does not want an extension of the media giant's franchise (he now says he would leave it to the House to make a decision). Reports indicate that many of those who signed in favor of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal want their signatures withdrawn.

When these two attempts failed, Velasco is said to have maneuvered to gain the upper hand against Cayetano by offering committee chairmanships to House members.

Changing the House leadership at this time goes against the grain of ensuring continuity in the institution’s lawmaking task.

One source said that Velasco had even approached Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte—yes, the President's son—to enlist his support in exchange for the post of Majority Leader.

Another solon from Mindanao was also told he would get to retain his chairmanship of the powerful House appropriations committee if he could convince Paolo Duterte and the rest of the Mindanao bloc to support Velasco’s coup d'etat.

The plot, however, excluded those closely associated with Cayetano, including Camarines Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Antipolo Rep. Roberto Puno, Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez. They would be replaced by others who would support the power grab.

What's puzzling to observers Turn to A5

Trump plays down fears on global virus spread

By Issam Ahmed with Jastinder Khera in Rome PRESIDENT Donald Trump has played down fears of a major coronavirus outbreak in the United States, even as infections ricochet around the world, prompting Saudi Arabia to ban pilgrims from visiting Islam's holiest sites.

China is no longer the only breeding ground for the deadly virus as countries fret over possible contagion coming from other hotbeds of infection, including Iran, South Korea and Italy.

There are now more daily cases being recorded outside China than inside the country, where the virus first emerged in December, according to the World Health Organization.

More than 2,700 people have died in China and some 78,000 have been infected. There have been more than 50 deaths and 3,600 cases in dozens of other countries, raising fears of a pandemic.

"I think that there's a chance that it could get worse, a chance it could get

fairly substantially worse, but nothing's inevitable," Trump told reporters at the White House.

His comments contradicted US health officials who urged Americans to be ready to cancel mass gatherings and work from home. There are 60 cases in the US so far.

Following Trump's upbeat assessment, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said it had detected the first case of unknown origin in the country, signaling that the virus may be spreading within communities.

The US and other countries are also bracing for more cases to be imported from abroad, with growing concern for poorer nations with weak health care systems.

With the virus spreading in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the "umrah" pilgrimage, an apparently unprecedented move, raising questions over the hajj which starts in July.

The foreign ministry said it was also suspending visas for tourists vis-

iting from countries where the new virus is a "danger."

Several governments have now also advised against travel to Italy— which has 400 cases and 12 deaths.

Iran's neighbors have shut their borders, while Mongolia has suspended flights from South Korea and Japan.

Infections outside China Trump said the US was considering travel restrictions on Italy and South Korea, which has almost 1,600 cases, the highest number outside China. The US already restricts arrivals from China.

Even China—which sealed off an entire province and shut down cities across the country to contain the virus—is now worried about importing cases and ordered people arriving in Beijing from virus-hit countries to go into 14-day self-quarantine.

The virus is believed to have originated in a market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where it is suspected of having hopped from animal to human before spreading across the Turn to A5

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Opinion Autonomy will spur immigration reforms IT'S about time the Bureau of Immigration straightened up things in the agency once and for all, crack down on undesirable aliens, and send them back to wherever they came from.

I believe Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, more than anyone, wants this accomplished.

Day in and day out, we hear reports of foreigners violating our laws, injuring and endangering people’s lives, as well as committing heinous crimes in the Philippines.

Just the past week in Tondo, Manila, Chinese national Cai Jinxiong was arrested after creating a commotion, harassing a security guard repeatedly spitting on the floor inside a fast-food joint while impatiently waiting for his order. Outside the establishment, he knocked down two parked motorcycles, causing them damage.

The 35-year-old businessman came to the country as tourist and then secured a visa to engage in garments business.

Not too long ago, another Chinese national was arrested for, after a car chase, ramming other vehicles and then spitting on a policeman in Ermita, Manila. Zhou Zhiyi, 50, admitted having used the illegal drug shabu with his Filipina escort.

Immigration intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. who led Zhou’s arrest, said the latter came as a tourist like Cai and overstayed his allowed visit.

The Immigration official also said two other Chinese nationals were arrested for pointing a gun at a security guard in Pasay City.

Manahan said the crackdown on undesirable aliens continues after the bureau deported some 2,300 of them in 2019. They include fugitives, drug lords, human traffickers and sex predators who came in as fake tourists.

But, why has there been a recurrent and unending influx of unwanted foreigners into the country? Well, there are a number of reasons or factors that President Duterte and the 18th Congress must consider now.

Commonwealth Act 613, known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, is patently obsolete and needs long-overdue revision. The late Senator and former Immigration chief

Miriam Santiago had supported this.

Santiago, in fact, supported proposals to upgrade the Bureau of Immigration into a Department of Immigration and Homeland Security to make it more relevant and more effective in securing our international ports and borders.

That means BI, which was created by virtue of Commonwealth Act 613 under the auspices of the United States before World War II and currently an attached agency of the Department of Justice, shall become an autonomous agency under a new law due since the Philippine gained independence in 1946 after the war.

The outdated law must be reviewed and amended. admin To exercise executive and administrative control is the same as what Morente suggested as needed to be able to effectively address the internal cleansing at the BI. This comes in the wake of the exposé by one Immigration officer Allison Chiong on the “pastillas” escort service at the ports.

Morente said his “limited powers” deter him, as Immigration Commissioner, from exercising disciplinary and punitive action against abusive BI employees found engaged in illegal activities, such as soliciting bribes or outright extortion of foreigners.

The truth is the BI has been as notorious as other agencies in Aduana for shameless corruption in the past two decades. Whistleblower Chiong said that up to 90 percent of BI personnel have been engaged in all sorts of corrupt practices.

Justice Menardo Guevarra agrees with Morente and was quoted as saying, “If the BI wants greater autonomy, the solution is to amend our existing immigration law.”

Instead of conducting its own probe, BI is referred to the National Bureau of Investigation to handle complaints involving graft and corruption. NBI is also an attached agency of DOJ. Little wonder that the Philippines is also known as gateway for human traffickers, particularly for fake Chinese tourists.

The 18th Congress must review and amend the country’s outdated Immigration law.

Trump...

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country and proliferating abroad.

China reported 29 more deaths Thursday—its lowest daily tally since January—and 433 new cases, most of them in hard-hit Hubei province and well below massive increases from just a week ago.

Zhong Nanshan, a respected scientist who advises the government, said the country would have had much fewer cases if action had been taken as early as December -- a rare critique from a prominent insider.

Hubei officials have been accused of initially covering up the outbreak and silencing a whistleblowing doctor who later died from the disease.

Nevertheless, Zhong said he expected China to bring the epidemic under control by late April.

But other countries have now become sources of concern.

In Latin America's first case, the 61-year-old patient had travelled to Italy's Lombardy region.

In Romania, a man was infected after coming in contact with a visiting Italian.

Countries from Denmark to Spain and Algeria have also reported infections linked to Italy.

The first cases in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Estonia involved people who had been in Iran.

Iran has emerged as a major hotspot in the region, where 22 people have succumbed to the disease—the biggest death toll outside China.

The Islamic Republic imposed domestic travel restrictions for people with confirmed or suspected cases and slapped curbs on visits to major Muslim pilgrimage sites, but it said it was not quarantining cities.

No panic Fears over the epidemic's spread have rocked global markets in recent days, while sports matches and festivals across Europe have been cancelled.

The US and South Korea's militaries on Thursday postponed forthcoming joint exercises because of the outbreak.

A Six Nations rugby match between Italy and Ireland in Dublin on March 7 has been called off, and next month's alpine skiing World Cup Finals in Italy will be held without fans on the slopes.

The WHO has urged countries to prepare for a potential pandemic, though it stopped short of declaring one.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, however, said his government was "effectively operating now on the basis that there is one—a pandemic."

But EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides appealed for calm.

"This is a situation of concern, but we must not give in to panic," Kyriakides said. AFP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Travel bans CROSSROADS

J.A. DE LA CRUZ TWO days ago, Feb. 26, the government imposed a temporary ban on travel to South Korea except for permanent residents in that country, enrolled and/or enrolling students in Korean schools, and OFWs. The entry of travelers from Daegu City, considered the epicenter of the wildly spreading COVID-19 virus in South Korea, and the entire North Gyeongsang province was also temporarily suspended.

The ban comes in the wake of earlier travel bans imposed by the government on travel to and travelers from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan which was imposed days after Chinese authorities locked down Wuhan City in Central China, considered the epicenter of this novel corona virus, and banned bus and train travel across a vast swath of China. This was a move which shocked the entire world, coming as it did on the eve of the celebration of Chinese New Year when millions of Chinese all over the world, not just China, travel all over the place.

That move effectively signaled to other countries to impose their own travel bans which cascaded later on to airlines doing their own flight cancellations, which in turn degenerated into all kinds of impositions restricting people-to-people contacts, trade and travel until the World Health Organization said that such initiatives may do more harm than good. But even with this WHO advisory, there is hardly any way that countries affected by the spread of this novel coronavirus can be dissuaded from issuing such harsh restrictions—probably until such time that the provenance of this increasingly deadly virus can be ascertained and its possible cure graduates from experimentation to massive commercial availability.

Take the case of South Korea and, lately, Italy and Iran. In South

Korea, authorities were alarmed as cases of infection over a period of just five days spiked from 104 to nearly a thousand and counting.

And infections were being reported not just from Daegu City, the country's fourth-largest city where half of the cases came from, but in other places as well. Added to this, the source of the new infections remained indeterminate after it was reported that almost half of those infected belonged to a church in Daegu.

Are the principals prepared, themselves?

In Italy, the authorities had to impose a travel ban in Venice and adjoining areas after a sudden increase of reported cases from 11 to 124 in just a matter of days. And, get this, these reported cases were without any connections to the virus' site of origin—China. That ban limited the number of participants in that city's annual mask festival and delayed the scheduled shooting of some films including Tom Cruise's latest Mission Impossible movie due for release toward the end of the year.

In Iran, the death toll rose to 12, one of the highest outside China, which came as a surprise since the regime reported its first casualty just a few days before. This prompted no less than US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to say that the Islamic Republic was not being transparent with its reports on the outbreak—an indictment reinforced by the fact that its very own Deputy Minister of Health finally admitted that he was himself infected by the virus.

There are reports that more and more countries have now reported cases of infection, some of which were unrelated to travel to and from China or other affected countries. This prompted experts to suggest that the spread of the virus may no longer be attributed to just travel and people-to-people contact. There are undetected cas-

When...

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meat of friendship and cooperation treaties, trade deals, peace agreements, and regional military pacts like the NATO and SEATO. It has made once-good friends mistrust each other and future enemies. The Americans think the coronavirus is a Chinese germ warfare gone wrong. The Chinese think the coronavirus is an American research gone naughty—on the scale of atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Recent reporting said a third bomb was scheduled during World War II on Japan by the military but the US President then said no.

China has become the world’s pariah. Nobody wants to go to China. And nearly all Chinese are not welcome, nearly everywhere. The Chinese tourists, numbering 140 million a year, are the richest tourists.

They spend close to $2,000 per capita whenever they travel. Even the Chinese of Hong Kong and Mexico are banned. President Duterte banned the Chinese from Taiwan for a few days but relented when told that there are more coronavirus cases in Singapore, another Chinese capital, than Taipei, and yet Singa-

Nipped...

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is why Velasco appears to want to fast-track his assumption to the post of Speaker at this time through a power grab. Is it because he fears that with Cayetano's high performance and trust ratings in his first five months, his colleagues would simply ignore the term-sharing agreement approved

by Duterte himself? Under this deal, Cayetano would occupy the office for 15 months while Velasco would take over for the next 21 months until 2022.

Velasco's moves appear ill-timed as the House is now entering a crucial period where Duterte's priority legislative measures need to be

es passing across borders which even the most stringent travel restrictions cannot simply control.

Indeed, modeling studies have shown that travel restrictions may simply slow but cannot prevent the spread of viruses. Apparently, restrictions to international travel and harsh border closures did not suffice to prevent the spread of the virus. Fresh reports now suggest that while the reported cases in China has somewhat abated there is a spike in COVID-19 cases in countries outside of that country. trans In a word, there is now local transmission within countries which report did not have any previously reported cases.

Indeed, experts now insist that clo travel restrictions and border closures can delay but can hardly stop an outbreak. Historians note that during the world's deadliest pandemic—Spanish Flu—which occurred in the last stages of World War I in 198 and 1919, border closures did protect certain "farming villages"in Spain but "also kept countries such as Portugal...from obtaining health resources...needed to fight the virus and prevent its transmission in country."

This historical fact coupled with the increased need for exchanges of resources, personnel and related necessities between and among countries as the world prepares for a possible pandemic necessitates the review of the restrictions on travel and trade. These have been which have been put in place thus far.

On our part, given these developments, it is incumbent upon the authorities to review the protocols, if any, which have been put in place thus far to prevent any unwarranted restrictions. These may limit our ability to cope with any outbreak as and when these happen. In fact, as we write this piece it is now necessary to finally get each and every citizen and each and every institution, public and private, to be put on notice with the needed advisories so the preparations can already be set in before we get caught with our pants down. The question is: Are the principals prepared themselves?

pore is not banned.

Next on the global blacklist is South Korea. The US is thinking of withdrawing troops, en masse, from South Korea. This could leave the border with North Korea and China lightly defended, and create fear and loathing in Japan and Taiwan, and even Russia.

When Italy reported having coronavirus cases from zero to 300 in three days, Austria quickly tightened its borders, targeting trains from the country of Romulus and Remus. If France is worried of invasion of coronavirus-stricken visitors from Italy, it has not said so publicly. Imagine if each of the 27 countries of the European Union closed their Schengen borders, the EU could be a goner.

Saudi Arabia has banned pilgrimages to visit Islam’s most holy shrines, from countries with coronavirus. Expect more such cases of border tightening.

What to do then? I think relax and enjoy it. This is the best time to travel. The Chinese tourists, bless them, are not there to crowd you out. After all, only two of every 100 who catch the coronavirus, will die. And even for those who die, there is always redemption.

Remember the Christian teaching. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. biznewsasia@gmail.com

passed, including the next tranches of the TRAIN law and other tax measures that would finance various development programs to fulfill his campaign promises. Duterte needs a firm hand in Congress to move things along and prove to the people that what he promised to the electorate in terms of fighting the drug menace, criminality and corruption, as well as the stepped-up drive to improve the country's infrastructure, would produce salutary results by the time he steps down in 2022.

Changing the House leadership at this time goes against the grain of ensuring continuity in the institution's lawmaking task and could undermine the support of lawmakers for Duterte's pro-poor and pro-development legislative

proposals.

Velasco only needs to wait a while so he can assume the speakership in due time. After all, he gets to sit as Speaker even for a longer period than Cayetano under the Duterte-approved term-sharing deal. But he must be able to prove that he has the requisite integrity and competence that the Speakership position demands. For now, given his perceived maneuvers to pull the rug from under Cayetano's feet despite their gentleman's agreement, he may have displayed a Machiavellian streak that does not speak well of his capacity for effective leadership of a crucial component of our democratic system. ernhil@yahoo.com

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News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House panels raise P23.4b from power firms in hearing

By Maricel V. Cruz TWO committees of the House of Representatives have effectively raised more than P23 billion for the national coffers in just one hearing by getting four power producers to commit to pay their financial obligations to the government soon.

The four made the commitment on Wednesday in the course of a hearing conducted by the committee on public accounts and the committee on good government and public accountability on P95.4 billion the state-owned Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has been trying to collect from electric cooperatives and companies for years.

The four are Meralco, which owes PSALM P15 billion; Northern Renewables Generation Corp., which has P4.6 billion in outstanding debt to the state corporation; FDC (Filinvest Development Corp.) Misamis Power Corp., P2.6 billion; and FDC Utilities, Inc., P1.2 billion.

According to PSALM, these companies have a combined accumulated debt amounting to P23.4 billion for electricity and power plants bought from the government, or for managing generation assets.

PSALM is the agency tasked by Congress under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 to sell the assets of the defunct National Power Corp.

Duterte says he’s a drug lord ‘killer’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he would have been a “gun-for-hire” targeting drug lords if he did not end up becoming a lawyer and Philippine president, claiming that he was a “killer.”

“If you think that we are a bunch of criminals or if you think that the President is a killer, you are right,” Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang.

“You might call me brutal. Maybe if I did not end up becoming a lawyer, a president, maybe I’m a gun-for-hire, too, fighting drugs,” he added.

The President said this as he expressed alarm that the future generations of Filipinos will suffer if the drug menace would not be eradicated.

Duterte have been facing two complaints before the International Criminal Court over supposed statesponsored killings in his bloody campaign against narcotics which killed 5,000 drug suspects in police operations.

MJ Blancaflor

SC grants ‘amparo’ to rebel’s widow THE Supreme Court has granted the writ of amparo sought by a widow of an alleged member of the communist New People’s Army who was gunned down by policemen in Antique in 2018 and ordered the Philippine National Police to stop its monitoring and surveillance activities against her and two daughters.

Voting 8-5, with one abstention, the SC granted the petition of Vivian A. Sanchez. Jr assailing the Sept. 13, 2018 decision of San Jose, Antique Regional Trial Court of San Jose, denying her petition for a writ of amparo.

In a 19-page decision dated Oct. 15, 2019, copy of which was released to the media only on Thursday, the SC through Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F Leonen also issued a Permanent Protection Order prohibiting members of the PNP from monitoring or surveilling petitioner Sanchez and her children—Scarlet Sanchez Labinghisa and Star Sanchez Labinghisa.

LOREN’S CALL. Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda has called on government agencies to do their utmost to implement climate environment. In House Bill No. 2184, Legarda proposed measures to encourage low carbon development. The bill was the agenda of the House climate committee along with the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution on Thursday at House of Representatives, Quezon City.

BI chief orders ’total revamp’ at NAIA ports

By Vito Barcelo and Joel Zurbano

I

MMIGRATION Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered a “total revamp” of immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to the controversial “pastillas scheme,” which facilitated the illegal entry of Chinese nationals into the country in exchange for bribes.

Morente replaced all the terminal heads and counter personnel detailed at the NAIA terminals 1,2 and 3, allegedly involved in the modus effective immediately.

“The revamp covers all personnel assigned to NAIA terminals from Port Operations Division (POD) Deputies, Terminal Heads down to counter personnel, except Chief, POD which will be decided by DOJ. This practice of rotating and changing assignments on a regular and programmed basis is both a means to enable better performance and encourage skill upgrades, as well as a necessary precaution against possible avenues for graft and corruption,” Morente said in a statement.

The planned personnel movement

are being made in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to revamp the bureau as necessary.

Morente said the changes in management responsibilities and section assignments in the airports are part of the ongoing actions that are being taken to address the recent resurgence of unauthorized activities and irregularities, as major steps have already been made to address these issues since 2016.

“These irregularities and their consequences impact on morale and detract from the professionalism and service that the men and women of the Bureau of Immigration are pledged to provide,” he said.

DOJ to probe VIP treatment of Palparan inside NBP THE Department of Justice will investigate reports that retired Army General Jovito Palparan has been receiving special treatment inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Justice Secretary Guevarra said he would order the investigation of allegations that the 69-year-old Palparan is receiving special treatment while detained inside the NBP verified.

“Yes I will look into this allegation,” Guevarra said in a text message.

“It has always been the policy of the DOJ to ensure that all PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) in correctional facilities are treated uniformly, subject to only a few exceptions based on humanitarian grounds,” he added.

According to him, he would order Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco, who has supervision over the Bureau

of Corrections, to verify the allegations made by the National Union Peoples’ Lawyers.

The BuCor is an attached agency of the DOJ that operates and maintains prison facilities such as the NBP. In a statement, the NUPL said that while Palparan, who has been called the “Butcher” may be a convicted and spending time behind bars, he has reportedly been acting as a “governor” and receiving special treatment inside the NBP. The NUPL claimed that the former Army General has had unlimited access to the Internet while inside the national penitentiary.

The group said there was a delay in Palparan’s transfer to the NBP. There have also been reports that he had been reportedly overstaying at the Directorate

for Reception and Diagnostics of the NBP where inmates undergo evaluation for not more than 60 days.

“At the DRD, Palparan has been acting as ‘governor’ or ‘mayor de mayores’ to about 1,500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and given unbridled access to the computer and the Internet and many other privileges that are otherwise deprived to other inmates,” they said.

In 2018, Malolos, Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Judge Alexander Tamayo sentenced Palparan to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua, with a maximum prison term of 40 years.

Palparan was convicted in court for the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006.

By Vito Barcelo THE government warned Filipino jobseekers wishing to work in Canada that there is no job opening in the Yukon territory, following reports received by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office about a fraudulent scheme luring Filipinos to work in that country.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the scammer uses the name of a website of a legitimate Yukon human resources practitioner to dupe unsuspecting Filipinos.

“Unsuspecting victims were then asked to pay the amount of US$D440 in exchange for non-existent jobs,” Bello said, adding “there is no job opening yet because a bilateral labor pact has yet to be signed between the two parties.”

The Labor chief believed that the fraudsters took advantage of the Department of Labor and Employment’s announcement in September last year on the employment opportunities in various industries in Yukon.

It was in August last year when Bello and Minister Ranj Pillai signed a joint communique to establish cooperation on the recruitment of Filipino workers to Yukon.

After the signing, a proposed memorandum of understanding was forwarded to Yukon, which aims to establish a system for the recruitment process in the deployment of Filipinos through a Nominee program under a government-to-government arrangement.

“This government to government agreement shall validate the existence of guaranteed employment offers.

Hence, we are warning the public to be very cautious of this scam that seemingly capitalizes on the still-to-be finalized labor agreement between the Philippines and Yukon,” Bello said.

“Based on the report by our POLO Vancouver, the Yukon government is still studying the memorandum of understanding, and DOLE will provide an update on this undertaking,” Bello said.

Bello advised the public to validate the authenticity of any job offers with the POEA through its website poea. gov.ph.

Probe Espinosa for new drug case, NBI urged

Stop excessive rules in gov’t offices—Du30 PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has directed all state departments and offices to refrain from imposing excessive rules and regulations in a bid to fast-track government processes.

Under Administrative Order 23 signed Feb. 21, government offices and agencies, including local government units and government-owned and controlled corporations, are ordered to get rid of their unnecessary procedures and requirements.

Within 60 days upon the AO’s effectivity, agencies are required to report the list of regulations issued that govern each type of service offered to the public, the steps or procedures and processing time necessary to be accomplished per service, and the legal basis for each regulation.

MJ Blancaflor

Morente said the bureau has also activated new protocols in the conduct of secondary inspections in open areas for transparency, as well as the installation of additional CCTV cameras in all areas of primary inspectors.

“While the accused have been put under the admin holding office and their privileges have been canceled, we are duty-bound to observe due process as we bring said accused to the courts of justice. The appropriate disciplinary and administrative sanctions will be implemented according to the findings and decisions of the proper courts, both administrative and criminal,” he said.

Morente said the accused counterparts both in China and in the Philippines reportedly receive bulk of the grease money given by Chinese nationals who avail of the VIP treatment.

“We see this as one of the major root causes, as these agencies are the source of the corruption. Hence, we seek assistance from law enforcement agencies to expand the probe and file criminal cases against erring immigration personnel and these private entities as well, to break the chain of corruption and finally put an end to this illegal scheme,” he added.

No jobs yet for OFWs in Yukon —Bello

By Rey E. Requejo

TONDO BUY-BUST. Almost P7 million worth of suspected high-grade shabu were seized from four alleged drug personalities in a buy-bust operation in Tondo, Manila Wednesday afternoon. Norman Cruz

THE Department of Justice has been asked by the National Bureau of Investigation to prosecute selfconfessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and six others over alleged drug trading in Cebu City from 2008 to 2011.

In a complaint, the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs accused Espinosa of operating a large-scale shabu trade in Cebu City while detained at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center, citing his sworn statements and testimony before the Senate in 2016, as basis.

The NBI said Espinosa allegedly used a cellphone inside the jail and resorted to electronic money transfer and bank transactions through the help of Melvin Gerpacio who allegedly distributed the illegal drugs and collected payments for him.

The complainant also cited Espinosa’s confession that he met

Cebu’s alleged top drug lord Jeffrey Diaz alias Jaguar at the BBRC, from whom he supposedly learned how to operate the drug operations.

Jaguar was killed in a police operation in Las Piñas in June 2016.

In his testimony, Espinosa implicated Jaguar as his supplier, along with Lovely Impal alias Lovely Rasuman, who was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Iligan City in January 2017.

The self-confessed drug lord claimed Jaguar said their boss was Peter Lim, whom he described as the “no. 1 drug supplier” in Cebu.

Lim, who became controversial after meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, and Espinosa’s co-sponsor in a wedding, has denied his involvement in the illegal drug trade. He was charged with several drug cases but remains at large.

News

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Metal grinding, welding blamed for Pandacan fire

RESIGNATION RAISED.

THE recent fire in Pandacan, Manila that caused a section of the Skyway Stage 3 project to collapse was due to “hot work” being done by a sub-contractor atop a steel beam, San Miguel Corp. said.

Based on the results of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection, with the cooperation of SMC, the fire started on coping beam 5 of the project, where workers of a sub contractor were conducting metal grinding and welding activities, it said in a statement.

The results also dismiss earlier initial findings that the fire originated outside the construction yard used by SMC contractor D.M. Consunji Inc. SMC said fire investigators retrieved from the scene spent awelding electrodes and a metal cutting disk or grinding tool, used by construction workers prior to the incident.

Hot metal embers or welding slag apparently came into contact with cartons and other combustible materials, starting the fire.

Apart from the Skyway, the fire also heavily damaged the facilities and properties of the Manila Plastics Plant, incidentally also under San Miguel’s packaging business.

Total damage to both the Skyway and packaging facility was estimated at P1.2 billion.

“This has been a freak and very unfortunate accident, but we are glad that nobody was hurt. We are also grateful to everyone who responded, especially the BFP, the many volunteer firefighters, rescue teams from Manila, the Philippine National Police,” said SMC president and Ramon Ang. “While this is an unfortunate setback, we have moved quickly to get back on track with the construction. We are working double time to deliver the entire Skyway stage 3 project in five months’ time or by July.

This is just a three-month delay from the original target date of April 2020,” he added.

IN BRIEF OPAPP: Stop using ‘child-warriors’ PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. has denounced anew what he called the devious and inhumane tactic of the Communist Party of the Philippines— New People’s Army of recruiting children and training them to become combatants in a protracted guerrilla war based on a twisted and outdated Maoist ideology.

“The CPP-NPA is destroying the future of our children and the hope of our nation.

Instead of inspiring them to be upright, peaceful and law-abiding citizens, the insurgents are molding them into child warriors with the sole purpose of fighting the government,” Galvez said.

The Duterte administration’s chief peace negotiator was reacting to news reports of a 14-year- old member of the CPPNPA who was rescued on Tuesday by government troops in the hinterland village of Mt. Malindang in Misamis Occidental.

Based on accounts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 102nd Brigade, the lad who was only identified as “Bentong,” joined the guerrilla front Sendong of the Western Mindanao Regional Party when he was only 13 years old.

The boy was abandoned by his comrades in the jungle and appeared to be lost when he was rescued by soldiers.

BI deports wanted pedophile THE Bureau of Immigration ordered the deportation of a Briton wanted by authorities in his country for being a pedophile who victimized a 12-year-old Filipina to have sex with him.

The Briton, identified as Kevin Victor Ryder, was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Ryder was a registered sex offender in the United Kingdom as he was convicted in 2006 for child pornography, particularly making and possessing indecent images of children, and sentenced to 14 months in prison.

“We received a request for the UK authorities that he be arrested and deported due to reports that he was grooming a 12-year-old girl in the Philippines,” Morente said.

BI-FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said the Briton had been illegally staying in the Philippines for almost five years and was previously expelled from Thailand for committing sexual offenses against children there. Vito Barcelo

Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines stage a protest rally while burning the tarpaulin of CHR Chairman Chito Gascon in front of the Commission on Human Rights office in Quezon City, accusing Gascon as New People’s Army protector, calling for his resignation and condemning the CHR silence on the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorism on the Filipino children and families.

Manny Palmero

‘Anti-terror bill won’t violate human rights’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas

S

ENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Thursday gave assurances the Anti-Terror Bill, approved on third reading, would not be used as a tool to commit human rights violations as it provided all the needed legal safeguards.

Lacson told the Kapihan sa Senado: “Yes everything has legal procedures that should be followed. They cannot just conduct electronic surveillance or whatever kind of surveillance if [there is] no permission from the court.

“In fact, the intervention is not only in the Regional Trial Court according to Senator Franklin Drilon but also elevated to the Court of Appeals in getting judicial authorization to conduct surveillance.”

But the militant group Karapatan denounced the approval, calling the said measure a monster legislation that would provide a pretext for de facto martial law in the Philippines.

Karapatan said, the bill, laden with what it called the same vague definitions of the crime of terrorism as well as draconian provisions that would certainly violate the people’s constitutional rights and civil liberties, would not solve the

root causes of terrorism.

Karapatan said it would only redound to graver human rights violations against communities, groups and individuals that might lead to crimes against humanity.

“We have witnessed how the powers of the State and its security forces have been used to trample on basic rights and fundamental freedoms. We have no doubt, that especially under the Duterte administration with an anti-terror legislation, such powers will be used with impunity against critics and political dissenters to preserve the current oppressive status quo,” Karapatan said.

Even proscription under the current law—RA 9732—Lason noted the RTC would proscribe under the Human Security Act. “But in this proposed measure, he said it would also be elevated to the Court of Appeals, the reason being, due to many RTCs—and I agreed with Senator Drilon—

Honasan cites Dito penalties if it fails to roll out DEPARTMENT of Information and Communicatioms Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan II stressed that third telco Dito Telecommunity Corp. faces sanctions if it fails to start operations in 2021. “‘Pag ‘di nila nagawa ito, ‘yung Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity nila at radio frequencies babawiin ng gobyerno,” Honasan told reporters in Filipino when he inspected the DITO tower in Quezon City last Wednesday.

The government will scrutinize in July if Dito has established its 1,600 telecommunications towers and if the telco can cover 37 percent of the population with 27 megabits per second speed.

Honasan said that aside from the cancellation of its CPCN and frequencies, the government will also confiscate the P25.7-billion performance bond of Dito if it doesn’t live up to its promise.

“There is also a penalty of P10.7 billion in the second year, P8 billion in third year, P5.3 billion in fourth year, and P2.7 billion in fifth year,” he added.

Dito chief administrative officer Adel Tamano, for his part, assured that the network would be ready in July.

The Dito Telecommunity received its certificate of public

conveniece and necessity from the National Telecommunications Commission last July 2019 to operate as the country’s third major telco.

Dito, formerly Mislatel Consortium, is composed of Udenna Corp. of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., China Telecommunications Corp., and Mindanao Islamic Telephone.

DITO targets to start commercial operations in March 2021.

Meanwhile, Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. confirmed that Uy is leading efforts to ask for a government guarantee for a P700-million loan after such million-peso undertaking was rejected by a private bank.

In a disclosure to the local bourse, Chelsea said it asked for a guarantee from the Philippine Guarantee Corp. so that it could borrow funds from one of the country’s main banks for the purchase of a vessel.

“Chelsea Logistics would like to state that it is working with PGC because the group may reach the single borrowers’ limit with one of its financing bank, one of the main banks in the country which supports the shipping industry,” the disclosure stated.

Consortium backs liver transplants

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health, together with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center and The Medical City, signed the Memorandum of Agreement creating a consortium to support pediatric patients with medical conditions requiring liver transplantation.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reiterated DOH’s commitment to uphold the right of all Filipinos to healthy lives free from debilitating illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and biliary atresia.

“This landmark undertaking will have a great impact on children who are commonly affected by debilitating liver diseases.”

“This will also contribute to the overall goal of Universal Health Care to provide better quality of life through access to affordable and quality medical services,” Duque added.

Under the agreement, patients and their families can approach Malasakit Centers acting as Pediatric Access to Liver Transplantation Hubs to facilitate referrals for appropriate laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures required for liver transplantation.

The PAsLiT Hub is part of the nationwide expansion of services to be provided by the Malasakit Center in accordance with the recent passage of Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Center Act of 2019.

Before transplantation, patients will be thoroughly evaluated and TMC will be in-charge of performing the procedure.

Kin of Dengvaxia victims welcome vaccine revocation

Alarm raised over Benguet fires BAYAN Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate has raised the alarm over the consecutive fires in Benguet, noting that the government should act fast to quell the flames before it reaches the fire levels in the Amazon and Australia.

In a statement, Zarate called on the government to augment the firetrucks in the affected areas immediately. He noted that there were only three fire trucks from Tublay and La Trinidad that the Bureau of Fire Protection use to put out the fires.

The first reported fire started in Kabayan town that razed over 150 hectares of forest land from Feb. 11 to Feb. 18.

Another raged in Tublay on Feb. 19, followed by two fires both in Baguio on Feb. 20 and 21, and a grass fire in Sitio Cawat in Barangay Beckel, La Trinidad. Reports say two more fire broke on Saturday, Feb. 22, in the province.

“We must help in preventing these fires and at the very least be ready with more firefighting equipment for firefighters before more forest lands, endemic plants species, animals and even people and their livelihood are affected and devastated,” Zarate said. Willie Casas

the issuance of order of proscription might be abused,” explained Lacson.

“Remember, there is a feature here that it is not only proscription per se but there’s preliminary order of proscription, this is like TRO, within a certain period of time... it can be members were listed after due process is observed, they can be arrested and jailed temporarily within a reglamentary period of 14 calendar days,” Lacson added.

The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 would provide a strong legal backbone to support the country’s criminal justice response to terrorism, provide the law enforcers the much-needed tools to protect the people from the threat of terrorism, and at the same time, safeguard the rights of those accused of the crime.

“We need a strong legal structure that deals with terrorism to exact accountability, liability and responsibility.

Those who have committed, are about to commit, or are supporting those who commit terroristic acts should be prosecuted and penalized accordingly,” said Lacson, sponsor of the measure.

The measure includes a new section on foreign terrorist fighters to cover Filipino nationals who commit terrorist offenses abroad.

By Rio N. Araja

CARBON PRICING. Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez of the Department of Finance speaks about carbon pricing during the hearing on the House Bill 2184 titled ‘Low Carbon Economy Bill’ Thursday at the House of Representatives, Quezon City.

KIN of children who allegedly died after being injected with Dengvaxia vaccine on Thursday welcomed the permanent revocation of the certificate of registration of the anti-dengue vaccine.

In an interview, Sumachen Dominguez, Samahan ng mga Magulang ng mga Anak ay Biktima ng Dengvaxia president, thanked the Office of the President for the denial of Sanofi Pasteur Inc.’s plea not to revoke the Food and Drug Administration’s product registration of Dengue Tetravalent vaccine, popularly known as Dengvaxia.

“We are too much elated with the decision of Malacañang affirming the FDA order against Sanofi,” she told the Manila Standard.

“The latest decision of the Palace has already reached us. This is only a validation of our complaint against Sanofi and the other accused [in the multiple counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide], aside from

their recent indictment by the Department of Justice,” she said.

In a two-page Feb. 19 decision that was released just last Feb. 26, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said “wherefore, the appeal dated 03 October 2019 filed by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. is hereby DENIED. The decision dated 19 August 2019 of the Department of Health is hereby AFFIRMED. SO ORDERED (capitalization Medialdea’s).”

On Aug. 19, 2019, Sanofi filed an appeal to reverse the Dec. 21, 2018 decision and Feb. 15, 2019 resolution of DOH through FDA “permanently revoking certificates of product registration of Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live, Altenuated) (DengvaxiaMD) and Dengue Tetravalent Vaccine (Live, Altenuated) (Dengvaxia) under CPR Nos. BR-1128 and BR-1129.”

DOH under then Health Secretary Janette Garin, now Iloilo representative, implemented a school-based mass Dengvaxia vaccination in public schools that started in 2016.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Canlubang leads Luisita by 4 in PAL Srs Interclub BACOLOD CITY—Canlubang held off Luisita’s searing comeback to hang on to a four-point lead halfway through the 34th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships.

Rolly Viray and Rene Unson scored 49 and 48 points, respectively while Abe Avena added 45 as Canlubang collected 142 at the Bacolod Golf Club for 281.

Viray was even through 10 holes before making double bogey on The 11th hole and three bogeys in the next five. He closed out with a birdie and a bogey.

Unson, a last-minute replacement, parred the last six holes to deliver in the final foursome.

“Whenever you’re ahead, you should be happy,” said Canlubang captain Tony Olives. “It’s been a long time since we led in the first two rounds.”

Canlubang actually led by 14 points counting all players at the turn, but Luisita mounted a fierce rally that nearly turned the tide.

Viray B e n j i e Sumulong, trounced by Viray by nine points in the front nine, came alive in the back nine with three birdies to salvage 46 points.

“I was 10-over in the front nine because of bad breaks. So I told myself I might as well start attacking the pins,” said Sumulong who went two-under at the back after making the turn at 10-over.

Raffy Garcia was Luisita’s top scorer with 50 points, capped by an even-par finish in the final nine holes.

Rodel Mangulabnan rounded out Luisita’s scoring with 42.

“We rose from the dead,” said a relieved Jeric Hechanova who paid tribute to his players for not giving up.

Negros Occidental and Cebu Country Club, the other teams in the championship division, lagged behind with 271 and 266 points, respectively.

Scoring for Negros were Jimmy Yusay (47), Chris Infante (45) and Stephen Paduano (44) while CCC drew 51 from Eric Deen, 46 from Kwang Seok Kim and 44 from Carl Almario.

CCC, however, lost a player to injury.

Nonoy Tirol injured his right leg while climbing out of the bunker on the eighth hole.

Amid the Canlubang-Luisita fight, a third force looms from the Founders division.

Del Monte collected 141 points to improve to 275, just six points behind Canlubang.

Arsenio Mondilla scored 48, Ramon Velez chipped in 47 and Virgilio Adag added 46 for Del Monte which enjoys an eight-point lead over Eagle Ridge.

Danilo Cruz and Tony Mendoza starred for Eagle Ridge with 53 and 50, respectively with Avelino Beltran completing scoring with 34.

Orchard was third with 257 after posting 125.

Hosted by Philippine Airlines, the international event has as platinum sponsors: Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network, Fox Networks Group, Radio Mindanao Network, Inc., Asian Journal Publications Philippines, Inc., Auto Nation Group, Inc. (Mercedes Benz), and SMDC.

Navy dominance

Navymen turn Stage 5 into their playground

By Peter Atencio

Paola Lorenzo was stellar in the field, showing great talent and skill in the 1.20 meter category, the highest level of competition in the series.

Lorenzo crowned overall equestrian series champ A

REMARKABLE showjumping championship series, the likes of which have not been mounted in the country in over a decade and is open to all riders nationwide, has culminated in an Overall Championship title for 20-year-old Paola Lorenzo aboard her 13-year-old Selle Francais chestnut gelding, Rubis Landais.

The series, organized by Equestrian Philippines, Inc., the country’s leading organization in equestrian sports, was composed of three legs of jumping competitions held at the Manila Polo Club, with riders accumulating points per leg towards an overall championship title and category championship titles.

Lorenzo, a management engineering student at the Ateneo de Manila University, was stellar in the field, showing great talent and skill in the 1.20 meter category, the highest level of competition in the series.

EquestrianPH president Carissa Coscolluela expressed enthusiasm at Lorenzo’s potential.

“We are really excited to see Paola progress as much as she has in recent years, and we have no doubt that soon

she will be very competitive at the regional level,” said Coscolluela.

National team stalwart and Lorenzo’s coach, Joker Arroyo added: “Paola is an extremely talented athlete, and has proven on multiple occasions to be a reliable team member who always delivers. She is an excellent student, and it has been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of her development as a rider.”

Long-time rider Lara Zobel, on her new mount Lander van Bijsterveld, and the hardworking 14-year-old Nicole Camcam on Aralea T, shared the podium as category champions in the 1.10m class.

On the other hand, Camcam also took top honors in the 1.00m category on Con Amber.

Both Zobel and Camcam will embark

on regular training jaunts abroad, with the former establishing a base in France, and the latter in the United States.

Manila-based Egyptian expat Mohamed El Akkad was the runaway champion in the 0.90m category, taking the top place at all legs of the competition on the 15-year-old Dutch warmblood gelding Cooper.

Alessandra Ynares-Villalon on Un Chti du Banney, cool under pressure, took the 0.75m category, despite having to split her time between the competitions and the intense pressure of the college application process.

Finally, 12-year-old Minxie Romualdez, in a season-ender show of class, courage, and determination, was champion in the 0.65m category aboard her reliable and speedy Irish pony, Magic Mio. EquestrianPH has launched a second championship series in only a six-month period, which will culminate at the Equestrian Philippines Cup at the Annual Horse Show at the Manila Polo Club on March 29.

Tebow to play for PH

BONG TAN SPORTS COMPLEX UNVEILED. Aircraft maintenance firm Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Inc., a joint venture with Lucio Tan-owned MacroaAsia Corporation, recently named its sports complex in Pasay City in honor of the late MacroAsia director and sports enthusiast Lucio ‘Bong’ K. Tan, Jr. Witnessing the unveiling of the gym’s new marker is Dr. Lucio C. Tan (4th from left), Mrs. Carmen Tan (3rd from left), Bong’s wife Julie (left) and son Lucio ‘Hun’ Tan III. They were joined by Daniel Hoffman (extreme right), LTP senior vice president for base maintenance. In brief remarks, Hoffman said the sports complex is a venue where LTP employees learn the value of success and resilience from defeat in an environment that fosters camaraderie and teamwork, ideals which Bong Tan stood for.

AMERICAN football player-turned baseball pro Tim Tebow is playing for the Philippines.

Tebow, who was born the Philippines while his parents were performing their duties as Baptist missionaries in Davao City, will play for the country in the 2021 World Baseball Classic qualifiers.

The qualifiers are slated next month in Tucson, Arizona.

Now married to Miss Universe 2017 and South African model Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, the Bible-preaching Tebow is a former Heisman Trophy winner in American football.

He has since shifted to baseball after retiring from American football in 2012.

Tebow is now playing for the minor league affiliate of the New York Mets.

The Philippines will start its campaign against Czech Republic on March 20.

Relaxed rules on eligibility in the WBC gave Tebow a chance to suit up for the Philippines.

Tebow was born in Makati City to parents Robert and Pamela Tebow.

In 1985, the family moved to the Philippines where they served as Baptist missionaries and built a ministry.

On August 14, 1987, Pamela Tebow gave birth to Tim before moving back to Florida when he was three years old.

The Tebow family had been in and out of the Philippines ever since, before Tim focused on his career in American football when he went to college.

Tebow, in a statement, said he was honored when the baseball federation invited him to play in the qualifiers.

“I’ve got such a heart for the Philippines. I’ve just really had a love for the people for a long time,” said Tebow.

While playing American pro football in the United States, Tebow devoted time for charity work in the Philippines.

It continues to this day. In 2014, his ministry opened a hospital in Davao City called the Tebow Cure Hospital.

Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president Chito Loyzaga said they are in the process of finalizing the roster for the competition. Peter Atencio

Vinluan, Lovedorial win MCC tilt JB Vinluan’s Puting Tenga and Erwin Lovedorial’s Advance Hppy Bday Jho emerged as champions of the 3rd Manila Cockers Club 7-Cock Derby Qualifiers last February 16, 2020 at the world-class Cockers Arena at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Puting Tenga and Advance Hppy Bday Jhowere clinched the derby title after scoring 7 points each and shared the whopping winning purse of P2.5 million.

Vinluan went against Greengold Uno of Rod Advincula; Batang Malvar of Carlo Mijares; Pet Gamefarm of Tonypet Domingo; and Blue Aquarius of Francis Gabudao, while Lovedorial faced off with Subok Lang of Richie Robes; WF-GF of Walter Villanueva; Ponggo

F of Ronnie Reyes/ Kf and Roy Reyes; and Kings 2 of Nestor Soriano.

Meanwhile, MCC, the country’s cockfighting industry game-changer, invites all interested breeders to join its 2020 Cock Season Derbies, namely the 7-Cock Derby Qualifiers 5 on March 3 to 11; 7-Cock Derby Qualifiers 6 on March 14 to 22 and 7-Cock Derby Qualifiers 7 on March 26 to April 3.

A guaranteed P6.5 million, plus a P1 million additional fund will be awarded per derby. All derbies will have no entry fees and no minimum/maximum bets, featuring a 3-4 derby format and weight limit of 1.900 to 2.400 kg.

For more information, call the MCC hotline at (02)696 1120 or (63)917 582 2615 or visit website

MCC officials, led by president Jose Ramon Magboo (3rd from left) joins 7-Cock champions JB Vinluan (4th from left) and Erwin Lovedorial (6th from left) at the awarding ceremonies.

manilacockers.com for more details. Interested parties may also head to the Cockers Arena at the G/F Turf Building of the San Lazaro Leisure Park, Barangay Lantic, Governor’s Drive, Carmona, Cavite.

ANTIPOLO City—The mountainous terrain that leads out of Lucena City and into the busy and bustling roads of Antipolo City became a playground for Philippine NavyStandard Insurance.

No one challenged all six Navy riders when they led in the first eight kilometers of the route along the Lucena City diversion road and into the uphill route along Lucban and entering Pagsanjan, Laguna in Stage 5 of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 10th Anniversary race here.

Navyman John Mark Camingao was in front of the pack of six Navymen, which reached the downhill finish line along Sumulong Memorial Circle together in three hours, 12 minutes and 50 seconds.

Coming into the finish line with Camingao were teammates Ronald Oranza, Junrey Navarra, El Joshua Carino, Ronald Lomotos and Jan Paul Morales, who were from second to sixth places.

“Sa first 11 kilometers ay nakawala na kami. Sakto ‘yun, puro ahon,” added said the 26-year-old Camingao.

At first, Celeste Cycles’ Reimon Lapaza tried to tag along behind Oranza and Navarra when they left Lucena City.

But the Navymen were able to shake off Lapaza in the first 87.7-km mark, as Oranza, Navarro and Camingao orchestrated a 1-2-3 finish in the intermediate spring stage in Famy, Laguna At the 6.3-km King of the Mountain stage in Mabitac, it was Carino’s turn for a 1-2-3 finish with Navarra and Lomotos.

“Nagkataon na nasa harap kami.

‘Yung ruta ngayon rolling and mountain climb, alam namin na du’n kami lamang,” said Oranza, who is the Navymen’s skipper.

Because of this, the Navymen took the team stage classification lead for the second straight day for an 18-minute, 56-second lead over Go For Gold.

This allowed the Navymen to ease out Philippine Army-Bicycology’s Mark Julius Bordeos out of the individual general classification leadership.

Bordeos, who held the red jersey for four days, has given way to six Navymen who have since dominated the overall standings.

Baby Tams seek finals FAR Eastern University-Diliman shoots for the remaining finals’ berth as it tangles with Adamson University in the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Basketball Stepladder semifinals at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The twice-to-beat Baby Tamaraws and the fourth-ranked Baby Falcons collide at 3 p.m.

A win will put FEU in a title showdown with undefeated Nazareth School of National University.

The Bullpups clinched their ninth consecutive finals’ appearance after completing a perfect 14-0 elims campaign.

“Sa step-ladder kasi, iyan ang pinakamasarap sa UAAP, ‘yung makapasok ka sa semifinals. Pero iyan ang pinakamahirap na manalo sa step-ladder,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Allan Albano.

FEU dropped its final elimination match to NSNU, 73-80, that ended a 12game win streak last Feb. 5.

The Baby Falcons have yet to win against the Baby Tamaraws this season, but the step-ladder is a different story.

Adamson University overcame a slow start to eliminate No. 3 Ateneo, 84-75, last Feb. 12, which turned out to be the last game before the league postponed all of its sports events due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

An Adamson University win will force the second step-ladder phase to a sudden-death game on Monday at the Blue Eagle Gym. Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is on March 6 at the San Juan arena.

IN BRIEF PAGCOR warns illegal workers

STATE-RUN Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said it supports the recent measures undertaken by the Chinese embassy in the Philippines to crack down on Chinese nationals with criminal records who were illegally working or doing business in the country.

PAGCOR said in a statement the crackdown was a result of its constant coordination with the Chinese embassy and law enforcement agencies to ensure that proper regulations were observed.

“With China’s recent move, illegal Chinese workers who are involved in various cybercrime fraud – including those who are employed in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations―will have to face the consequences,” the agency said.

Data showed that since Jan. 15, 2019, at least 2,000 or 3 percent of the 70,000 Chinese nationals who were illegally working in POGOs and in other fraudulent offshore operations were repatriated to their country.

“In view of this development, PAGCOR will continue to cooperate closely with the Chinese embassy and other law enforcement agencies to help arrest illegal aliens and penalize employers who are coddling Chinese fugitives,” it said.

Julito G. Rada

NEA administrator defends wage hike

STATE-RUN National Electrification Administration administrator Edgardo Masongsong denied abusing his authority when he issued memoranda increasing the salaries and retirement benefits of general managers of electric cooperatives.

Masongsong said the issuances were all aboveboard and that the accusations were part of a “malicious scheme” aimed at destroying his reputation.

Masongsong issued two memorandum circulars―NEA Memorandum No. 2018-003 dated Jan. 17, 2018 and NEA Memorandum No. 2019-008 dated Jan. 24, 2019―that improved the wages and benefits of general managers of electric cooperatives all over the country.

The NEA chief said the issuances were issued and implemented upon approval by the NEA board of administrators through resolutions issued during regular board meetings and were published in the UP Law Center, Office of the National Administrative Register.

The National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. earlier sent a letter to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to seek the removal of Masongsong from NEA for the alleged abuse of power based on the issuance of the two memoranda.

Masongsong said that the allegation that he had abused his authority “is nothing more than a malicious scheme designed to portray me in a bad light.” Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Gov’t budget deficit rose 18.3% to P660.2b last year T

By Julito G. Rada

HE government incurred a budget deficit of P660.2 billion in 2019, up 18.3 percent from the P558.3-billion shortfall in 2018, driven by a 57.83-percent increase in disbursements in December, the Bureau of the Treasury said Thursday.

Data from the Bureau Treasury showed the 2019 figure exceeded the programmed P620-billion budget deficit for the year.

“The acceleration [in disbursements] brought full-year government spending to a year-over-year growth of 11.42 percent and 0.74 percent more than the program,” the Treasury said.

Disbursements reached P3.797 trillion in 2019, up P389.3 billion from the P3.408-trillion outlay in 2019. The figure was also P28.1 billion above the target.

Revenue collection increased 10 percent in 2019 to P3.137 trillion and fell 0.39 percent or P12.2 billion short of the P3.149-trillion program for the year.

“Expenditures sped up despite the delay in the approval of the 2019 budget as line agencies caught up with spending towards the latter part of the year. In particular, disbursements for the month of December surged by P181.1 billion from the same period last year to reach P494.4 billion backed by strong infrastructure spending of the DPWH, implementation of social protection programs and services of the DSWD, and personnel services expenditures with

the grant of the Service Recognition Incentive, payment of pension and retirement benefits, as well as requirements for the creation and filling of positions in various agencies,” the Treasury said.

Productive spending (expenditures net of interest payments) reached P3.436 trillion, up by 12.34 percent or P377.6 billion from a year ago. Meanwhile, total debt interest payments reached P360.9 billion, up 3.34 percent or P11.7 billion over 2018, but still 9.68 percent below program, generating P38.7 billion in savings.

“The increment in interest payment was due to coupon payments for outstanding debt as well as foreign exchange and LIBOR rate adjustments.

Nevertheless, December interest payment of P29.1 billion decreased marginally by 0.31 percent compared to 2018,” the Treasury said.

DBP told to look at big infra projects

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asked state-run Development Bank of the Philippines to focus on improving wholesale banking services and help finance big-ticket infrastructure projects, especially with the full implementation of the Real Estate Investment Trust Law. Dominguez in a meeting advised DBP officials to take advantage of the REIT Law by either providing bridge financing for REITfunded projects or for the bank itself to venture into a REIT as it owns several real estate assets.

Dominguez said that DBP, as an infrastructure bank providing bridge financing for large projects, was not expected “to be lending to anything that’s worth less than P100 million in capital.”

“I want you to be big experts in dealing with big construction companies, in dealing with large road toll projects. That should be your expertise,” Dominguez told DBP president and chief executive Emmanuel Herbosa and strategic planning group head Edgar Richard Trono.

“With the REIT Law in place, we have expanded your market. More capital is coming in to people who know how to use it,” he said.

Julito G. Rada

ABS-CBN files piracy cases in US

ABS-CBN Corp. said it filed two civil complaints in the US Federal Courts against two individuals in a piracy network spanning across US state lines, seeking damages in the millions for allegedly pirating the company’s copyrighted content via illegal IPTV boxes.

The broadcast company said one lawsuit was filed in the Federal Court, Southern District of Texas against Alberto Ace Mayol Alfaro.

The second lawsuit was filed in the Federal Court, Central District of California against Romula Araneta Castillo, it said.

Castillo was arrested on Feb. 7, 2020 by the Los Angeles Police Department after an undercover sting operation for his alleged violations of California Penal Code 593(d).

Undercover officers purchased five boxes from Castillo, and confirmed one was streaming illegal content live on the scene.

The arrest and accompanying civil lawsuits mark the first actions this year by ABS-CBN in a coming wave against the nationwide epidemic of IPTV box sellers.

Darwin G. Amojelar

LENOVO’S EXPANSION. Lenovo, the world’s leading PC maker, inaugurates its first exclusive Legion store in Northern and Central Luzon and third overall in the Philippines. Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony are (from left) Lenovo Philippines assistant marketing manager Madel Batifora, product manager for gaming Tristan Gonzales, consumer lead Sally Yu, president and general manager Michael Ngan, Silicon Valley Computer Group Philippines managing director Nelson Co, Lenovo Philippines senior client relationship representative Meinard Pauig, retail manager Charmaine Lim, Silicon Valley Computer Group business development manager Justine Noel, cluster head Jhun Montemayor and Lenovo Philippines retail supervisor Angela Mizal.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

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BDO’s income surged 35% to P44.2b in 2019 BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender controlled by the Sy family, said Thursday net income jumped 35 percent in 2019 to an all-time high of P44.2 billion from P32.7 billion in 2018 on the strength of core businesses.

BDO said in a statement the strong performance exceeded the P38.5-billion profit guidance for 2019 and translated into a return on common equity of 12.8 percent, up from 10.7 percent a year ago.

Net interest income rose to P119.9 billion from P98.3 billion. Net interest margin widened on continued CASA (current and savings account) growth and improving loan mix in favor of consumer and middle market customers.

Customer loans increased 9 percent to P2.2 trillion, on broad-based growth across market segments. Total deposits grew 3 percent to P2.5 trillion, bolstered by the 8-percent increase in low-cost CASA deposits that comprised 73 percent of total deposits.

Non-interest income reached P60.6 billion, led by fee-based income with P35.3 billion and insurance premiums with P14.8 billion.

Trading and forex gains settled at P5.7 billion. Overall, gross operating income went up to P180.5 billion.

Operating expenses amounted to P115.2 billion in line with the bank’s continuing business and network expansion and higher volumerelated expenses (specifically, taxes and licenses and policy reserves at BDO Life).

The bank maintained its conservative credit and provisioning policies, setting aside P6.2 billion in provisions, even as gross nonperforming loan ratio was steady at 1.2 percent and NPL cover remained high at 164.7 percent.

Total capital base increased to P370.6 billion, with the capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 ratio at 14.2 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively, both comfortably above regulatory levels.

Julito G. Rada

BSP considers further interest rate cuts amid COVID-19 outbreak THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will consider bigger interest rate reduction this year to support the economy amid the impact of the coronavirus disease that already affected the transport and tourism sector.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a news briefing that further rate cuts could happen, aside from his earlier commitment of 50-basis-point reduction for 2020.

“As you know, I committed to 50 basis points this year. We are down by 25 basis points, so we still have 25 basis points. We have a lot of monetary space and fiscal space, so if things deteriorate much beyond what we have originally forecasted, we might consider addition-

al cuts in reserve requirement or in the interest rate or policy rate,” Diokno said.

“But when that will happen, of course that will depend on our assessment of the situation and the conditions,” Diokno said.

Diokno said that on the planned RRR cut, the BSP would look at how much liquidity the financial system could absorb. He said, however, “that is not our priority at the moment.”

Analysts and economists earlier said the spread of the COVID-19 could prompt central banks in the region to cut interest rates to boost economic growth.

The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee earlier projected a 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent GDP

growth this year, faster than the 5.9-percent expansion in 2019.

The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, cut the benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75 percent on Feb. 6, taking into account the continuing benign inflation environment.

The interest rates on the overnight lending and deposit facilities were also cut to 4.25 percent and 3.25 percent, respectively.

Diokno said the Philippines would be among the least affected by developments in the region.

“The country has low participation in the global trade and in global value chain in comparison to other Asean countries,” Diokno said.

“Amid uncertain external environment, it is imperative for the government to sustain the reforms that form the backbone of long-term sustainable development,” he said.

He said these reforms should include investing heavily in high-quality infrastructure, developing human capital, improving labor productivity, creating a favorable business environment and fostering an integrated trade and investment policy.

He also said the full implementation of the country’s export strategy and policies in the Philippine Development Plan and Philippine Export Development Plan should be relentlessly pursued.

Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks climb on bargain-hunting T HE stock market rose Thursday on bargainhunting, led by battered issues that slumped the other day and sent the benchmark index to a 15-month low.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 58 points, or 0.8 percent, to 6,967.84 on a value turnover of P8.4 billion. Losers, however, edged gainers, 95 to 91, with 45 issues unchanged.

Security Bank Corp., the sixth-biggest lender in terms of assets, advanced 5.1 percent to P163.90, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. rallied 4.5 percent to P40.40.

BDO Unibank Inc., the largest bank, rose 4.4 percent to P143, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, added 3.9 per-

cent to P106.

The rest of Asian markets fell again on Thursday as coronavirus infections surged outside China with more new countries reporting cases and analysts warning of more pain ahead for investors.

Equity markets in Europe and the US ended Wednesday on a mixed note, having been hammered the previous two days, mainly supported by bargain-buying.

But Asia continued to fall, with Tokyo ending down 2.1 percent and Hong Kong shedding 0.5 percent with traders unmoved by a big-spending budget from the city’s finance chief aimed at shoring up the struggling economy.

Sydney fell 0.8 percent while Singapore, Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta were also well down.

Seoul was down 1.1 percent after authorities in South Korea said a total of 1,595 had been diagnosed with COV-

ID-19 in the country, the highest outside China.

However, Shanghai closed up 0.1 percent as the virus appeared to be easing in China, while there were signs people were returning to the streets in some affected areas.

Donald Trump looked to ease concerns about the crisis Wednesday, telling reporters in a rare White House briefing he did not think it “inevitable” that COVID-19 would continue to spread throughout the US. That came a day after the nation’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned: “It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen.”

Investors are growing increasingly fearful about the economic impact with several big-name companies including Apple, Microsoft and drinks giant Diageo expecting sales to be hit.

The virus continues to spread around the world, with Brazil reporting Latin America’s first case, while Greece, Georgia, Norway and Pakistan following suit.

Around 40 countries have now been affected and the global death toll now stands at about 2,800 with more than 80,000 infected.

China on Wednesday announced its fewest daily deaths in almost a month, while for the first time more people were reported to have come down with the virus outside China than inside.

Still, observers warned of worse to come for markets.

“There’s more room potentially to go with this correction,” Katie Koch, at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said.

“There is still so much more uncertainty around how coronavirus is going to spread, particularly in the US.” With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review thurSday, FeBruary 27, 2020

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ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

51 80 137 0.81 24.75 17.82 11 3.01 0.375 59.1 0.74 12 30.2 172.7 110.3 51.3 19.9 157 1,775 57.6 1.15

52 81 144.6 0.85 25 18 11.48 3.8 0.42 60 0.75 12 30.5 173 110.3 51.3 20 164.9 1,775 57.7 1.2

51 80 136.4 0.81 24.75 17.82 10.94 3.01 0.375 57.2 0.72 12 29.7 172.1 110.3 51 19.9 157 1,775 57.5 1.15

FINANCIALS 51.5 160 80 2,914,090 143 4,347,250 0.85 19,000 24.8 68,100 18 2,000 11.08 48,400 3.8 11,000 0.42 190,000 57.25 2,640,720 0.72 78,000 12 10,000 29.9 336,400 173 400 110.3 110 51 1,400 20 4,500 163.9 398,080 1,775 15 57.5 155,050 1.19 64,000

8,255 233,651,300.5(79 616,652,545 15,670 1,688,620 35,910 535,992 39,790 72,750 152,838,480 56,330 120,000 10,059,510 68,996 12,133 71,539 89,660 64,605,655 26,625 8,916,048 76,010

,750,268.0002) -92,146,075 -1,620 -1,123,290 -18,000 -120,910 -74,394,563 0 526,870 27,536 -25,980 -14,206,533 -1,856,534 -

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

29.1 2.07 7.23 0.61 1.18 2.75 0.212 1.38 14.8 227 6.71 28.85 59.1 59.55 2.05 4.5 7.75 11.18 8.3 7.66 3.34 18.8 62.6 1.71 35 1.36 12.9 4.57 1.15 175.4 4.68 3.25 6.5 11.98 9.05 13.8 257.2 0.153 1.82 3.74 3.4 9.5 10.62 27.3 4.8 5 1.61 1.05 8.7 72 9.05 0.117 0.85 140.5 1.12 0.93

30.35 2.14 7.25 0.62 1.18 2.88 0.216 1.43 14.86 227 7.3 28.85 66.9 62 2.05 4.5 7.9 11.6 8.3 7.89 3.62 18.9 63.45 1.75 35 1.44 13.48 4.79 1.17 180 4.9 3.25 6.5 12.24 9.22 13.8 261.8 0.164 1.86 3.74 3.4 9.68 10.68 27.5 4.99 5 1.65 1.15 8.98 72 9.05 0.12 0.9 143.6 1.17 0.99

28.4 2.04 6.96 0.6 1.18 2.75 0.209 1.36 14.8 226.8 6.69 28.85 59.1 59.55 2.05 4.46 7.68 11.18 8.2 7.66 3.05 18.6 62 1.68 32.2 1.36 12.5 4.57 1.15 174.5 4.68 3.2 6.5 11.8 9.05 12.98 256.6 0.153 1.8 3.7 3.36 9.4 10.56 26.05 4.8 5 1.55 1.02 8.6 69 8.81 0.116 0.84 139.8 1.12 0.92

INDUSTRIAL 28.4 2,104,700 2.1 3,393,000 7.2 1,515,100 0.62 814,000 1.18 60,000 2.83 1,676,000 0.214 400,000 1.42 3,371,000 14.86 462,600 226.8 20 7.01 1,043,300 28.85 600 66.9 30 62 450 2.05 39,000 4.46 7,000 7.7 2,060,100 11.22 154,700 8.2 485,400 7.89 2,477,300 3.07 9,778,000 18.9 1,287,700 62.2 70,180 1.7 18,142,000 33.5 21,700 1.4 979,000 13.48 283,500 4.73 1,703,000 1.17 24,000 174.5 652,780 4.9 3,000 3.23 15,000 6.5 200 12.14 3,249,100 9.1 77,400 13.2 2,206,700 260 404,960 0.164 580,000 1.85 1,925,000 3.7 10,000 3.37 911,000 9.68 3,300 10.68 367,200 26.7 508,900 4.99 2,000 5 200 1.6 378,000 1.08 964,000 8.7 433,100 70.7 268,090 8.81 92,700 0.116 310,000 0.89 57,000 141 1,882,200 1.13 6,174,000 0.99 999,000

61,436,320 7,122,260 10,821,433 498,870 70,800 4,752,630 84,770 4,685,320(1, 6,846,660 4,538 7,355,180 17,310 1,851 26,935 79,950 31,260 16,054,766 1,745,706 3,980,310(3, 19,357,287 32,757,180 24,209,258 4,364,466 31,082,330 725,950 1,359,120 3,685,690 8,052,470 28,020 114,402,846 14,480 48,140 1,300 38,936,852 707,218 29,185,368 105,140,556 93,010 3,540,790 37,240 3,075,950 31,068 3,917,666 13,605,145 9,790 1,000 608,910 1,048,620 3,808,648(1, 18,807,371 825,746 36,370 49,740 265,358,712 7,056,300 969,660

-33,288,415 -4,015,040 176,262 -5,900 -2,669,590 215,530.0003) 7,426 53,117 -86,784 278,592 879,419.9999) 4,829,212 35,030 -20,802,600 -2,209,065 -1,444,300 525,950 17,760 -873,006 -3,350,440 -39,226,687 -41,660 2,878,300 -405,175 -13,646,632 -38,493,292 -81,530 1,610,860 -688,280 -198,406 -9,665,625 -8,050 -22,200 608,405.9997) -587,404 905 -1,170 -160,334,347 -194,450 -49,000

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.76 46.7 10.04 0.66 6.36 9.99 0.89 693 2.19 6.15 5.21 0.218 715 69.4 5.8 5.21 0.49 4.17 8.7 3.01 4 129.9 970.5 0.79 154.3 163.5 0.224 0.171

0.76 46.9 10.06 0.67 6.56 9.99 0.9 705 2.21 6.3 5.3 0.218 728 71 6.52 5.21 0.49 4.17 8.7 3.13 4 131.9 987 0.82 170 163.5 0.229 0.19

0.72 44.5 9.92 0.66 6.1 9.53 0.88 693 2.1 6.15 5.19 0.218 715 69.05 5.8 5.21 0.48 3.81 8.6 2.98 4 125.4 969.5 0.79 152.5 151 0.216 0.17

HOLDING FIRMS 0.73 7,757,000 44.5 1,401,600 10.02 16,577,400 0.67 81,000 6.1 24,600 9.7 44,200 0.89 431,000 697 440,330 2.19 1,780,000 6.28 936,600 5.24 5,908,200 0.218 10,000 722.5 82,880 69.9 2,129,960 6.51 141,400 5.21 9,600 0.485 140,000 3.98 331,000 8.7 2,423,500 3.07 56,638,000 4 6,000 131.9 214,880 987 219,920 0.82 187,000 170 2,210 163 6,160 0.228 2,440,000 0.188 7,000,000

5,690,690 63,354,165 165,922,031 53,940 151,294 428,964 383,140 307,198,895 3,886,380 5,824,516 31,011,800 2,180 59,860,840 149,198,508 ( 919,743 50,016 67,900 1,324,430 21,041,321(3, 173,705,140 24,000 27,772,077 216,461,220 149,700 340,694 972,567 555,660 1,252,750

73,400 -32,688,530 37,835,947 93,768 -44,379,670 325,410 1,517,514 -17,394,646 -2,180 8,691,380 61,178,585.5) -245,000 791,074.9999) -91,390,060 -9,653,633 -80,900,360 4,433 -713,901 -2,160 -121,410

14.66 0.57 1.52 0.76 38.5 1.49 4.45 0.47 0.77 0.79 0.32 8.98 16.5 0.37 0.08 1.26 0.99 3.38 0.187 0.395 0.97 0.29 2.05

PROPERTY 14.66 1,023,200 0.59 501,000 1.52 1,000 0.76 133,000 40.4 48,181,500 1.52 3,550,000 4.48 1,052,000 0.48 4,850,000 0.77 9,000 0.8 23,000 0.33 980,000 8.98 2,540,700 17 450,900 0.38 900,000 0.11 20,000 1.26 18,761,000 0.99 297,000 3.38 43,444,000 0.19 6,970,000 0.405 730,000 0.99 950,000 0.29 200,000 2.06 188,000

15,010,176 294,340 1,520 101,080 1,901,627,710 5,475,010 4,718,830 2,331,250 6,930 18,300 330,150 22,815,688 7,625,070 333,750 1,900 23,812,180 294,130 149,415,730 1,316,900 303,450 942,470 58,000 385,490

59,000 -76,000 -90,795,895 -872,140 -1,079,680 295,850 6,930 7,900 12,800 -4,490 841,858 -259,000 -800 -13,156,000 -31,028,640 -11,340 -43,500 -26,670.00

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP

14.68 0.59 1.52 0.76 38.5 1.49 4.55 0.48 0.77 0.79 0.325 9 17.2 0.375 0.08 1.28 1.01 3.45 0.191 0.435 0.98 0.29 2.05

14.68 0.61 1.52 0.76 40.4 1.61 4.55 0.495 0.77 0.8 0.34 9 17.6 0.38 0.11 1.3 1.01 3.54 0.191 0.435 1.01 0.29 2.08

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NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

23.7 1.9 3.09 38.8 2.4 1.61 6.7 5

24.95 1.94 3.09 39.35 2.41 1.67 6.75 5.17

23.4 1.9 3.09 38.7 2.4 1.55 6.6 4.91

23.4 1.94 3.09 39.05 2.4 1.65 6.6 4.95

1,276,000 10,000 4,000 14,296,200 139,000 2,513,000 2,387,100 152,300

30,256,450 19,290 12,360 558,813,770 333,630 4,085,370 15,849,175 765,504

-17,632,275 12,360 -177,342,950 -4,472,932 -

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

7.46 24.5 1.34 10 0.4 0.044 17.5 2.67 8.33 0.042 76.8 3.84 4.09 6.71 890 1,826 5.34 413 1.03 103.6 8.87 0.096 1.73 12.9 1.89 0.93 9.45 0.435 1.67 1.47 1.5 2 1.88 6.95 140 2.68 1,000 0.53 0.285 38.5 70.55 8.9 2 0.55 0.23 0.54 18.48

7.48 24.85 1.4 10.1 0.43 0.046 18.58 2.7 8.6 0.042 76.9 3.91 4.09 7.46 890 1,863 5.35 429.8 1.05 107.8 8.87 0.102 1.74 12.9 1.96 0.93 9.7 0.44 1.69 2.2 2.04 2.04 2 7 152 2.77 1,002 0.54 0.295 38.5 70.55 8.9 2.04 0.56 0.231 0.56 18.56

7.46 23.3 1.33 9.8 0.39 0.043 17.5 2.64 8.3 0.039 76.2 3.76 4.09 6.71 890 1,812 5.25 404.2 1.01 103.6 7.53 0.096 1.64 12.9 1.85 0.93 9.17 0.415 1.65 1.45 1.5 1.97 1.88 6.95 140 2.58 998 0.53 0.28 37.15 69.9 8.76 1.93 0.55 0.21 0.54 18.34

SERVICES 7.48 23.5 1.33 9.8 0.42 0.046 18.5 2.65 8.6 0.04 76.9 3.8 4.09 7 890 1,830 5.34 413 1.05 106 7.6 0.1 1.69 12.9 1.96 0.93 9.2 0.425 1.65 2.2 2.04 2.03 2 7 150 2.6 999.5 0.53 0.29 38 70.55 8.9 2.02 0.55 0.225 0.56 18.36

4,600 3,009,100 77,000 562,700 18,060,000 2,500,000 7,000 228,000 1,970,500 24,900,000 295,220 254,000 5,000 5,600 210 42,560 251,100 72,250 927,000 2,245,430 71,000 560,000 22,873,000 100 165,000 1,000 4,015,200 380,000 292,000 31,416,000 1,205,000 815,000 31,000 2,100 30,750 1,830,000 102,230 18,575,000 3,310,000 188,500 153,130 38,700 391,000 1,565,000 1,940,000 267,000 1,309,400

34,371 72,663,200 106,330 5,573,569 7,382,250 110,100 124,706 603,160 16,724,500 998,700 22,565,752.50 973,520 20,450 38,317 186,900 77,885,930 1,328,669 30,145,822 946,410 239,028,380 536,914 55,750 38,690,910 1,290 307,020 930 37,963,406 159,900 486,360 60,548,760 2,281,430 1,631,520 60,590 14,625 4,616,190 4,864,880 102,220,075 9,886,000 953,900 7,130,975 10,766,825 341,055 772,670 873,720 420,610 145,520 24,182,786

-406,010 0 -7,950 611,515 -1,000 -6,821,520 -23,273,345 -212,000 -350,660 -42,722,305 -970 -75,400 -4,887,331 -209,160 -101,950 10,425 525,090 2,680 -83,881,980 -3,114,605 -5,012,434.50 -5,140 -560,000 -2,923,754

81,800 474,606 1,636,460 4,780 2,292 1,760,430 51,300 3,303 508,250 62,080 83,250 43,370 14,600 163,830 7,253,930 21,310 62,000 38,200 527,100 1,027,640 1,373,482 27,158,334

MS ABRA MINING ACE ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.0012 6.45 1.04 2.39 11.46 2.82 0.27 6.53 1.16 0.198 0.096 0.091 0.0073 0.68 2.39 1 0.64 0.0096 0.01 3 6.87 19.28

0.0013 6.8 1.04 2.39 11.46 2.94 0.27 6.75 1.19 0.202 0.096 0.095 0.0073 0.7 2.45 1 0.64 0.0096 0.011 3.02 6.88 19.5

0.0012 6.38 1.01 2.39 11.46 2.79 0.27 6.53 1.16 0.198 0.09 0.09 0.0073 0.61 2.39 0.96 0.59 0.0095 0.01 2.92 6.8 19.16

MINING & OIL 0.0013 67,000,000 6.49 73,300 1.01 1,611,000 2.39 2,000 11.46 200 2.8 601,000 0.27 190,000 6.61 500 1.16 435,000 0.199 310,000 0.09 910,000 0.095 480,000 0.0073 2,000,000 0.67 252,000 2.43 2,978,000 1 22,000 0.62 103,000 0.0096 4,000,000 0.01 51,500,000 2.95 348,000 6.88 200,900 19.5 1,404,900

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2R ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

18.3 501 503 100.2 101 107 490 502 5.1 100.1 1,007 1,050 1,050 105 1,050 77.65 75.2 77.1 75.95 76.1 76

20.2 501 504.5 100.2 102 107 490 502 5.11 100.5 1,007 1,060 1,050 105 1,050 77.75 75.65 77.1 75.95 76.1 76

18.22 501 503 100.2 101 107 490 502 5.06 100 1,007 1,050 1,050 105 1,031 77.5 75.05 77 75.95 76.1 76

PREFERRED 19.38 2,209,300 501 410 504.5 6,170 100.2 200 102 49,510 107 7,010 490 10 502 120 5.07 2,822,900 100.1 77,860 1,007 10 1,060 3,000 1,050 2,400 105 200 1,035 6,660 77.7 22,770 75.65 11,110 77 22,180 75.95 10 76.1 17,070 76 5,210

42,714,930 205,410 3,108,405 20,040 5,048,160 750,070 4,900 60,240 14,391,718(13 7,791,788 10,070 3,165,000 2,520,000 21,000 6,947,680 1,769,118 834,771.50 1,707,925 759.5 1,299,027 395,960

LR WARRANT

1.01

1.07

1

WARRARNTS 1.06 107,000

107,390

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

2.82 8.2 0.77

2.88 8.4 0.8

2.7 8.2 0.76

2.76 8.4 0.79

604,090 672,464 509,530

77,760 -

FIRST METRO ETF

105.3

105.5

105

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,637,174

INDUSTRIAL

75,558,256

HOLDING FIRMS

107,455,182

PROPERTY

199,154,676

SERVICES

152,280,444

MINING & OIL

134,692,814

GRAND TOTAL

682,761,995

SME

218,000 80,500 655,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 105.3 28,630

3,014,409

-1,200 -60,947 -283,620 1,648,080 -41,840 -1,980 -1,820 1,343,510 -2,000 2,950 -2,000 91,996 -7,567,588 10,078,074 3,108,405 ,247,795.9996) -

-191,952

VALUE 1,670.51 (UP) 20.95 1,168,841,329.97 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 8,431.17 (UP) 14.95 971,339,264.21 HOLDING FIRMS 6,790.83 (UP) 29.44 1,247,041,349.28 PROPERTY 3,737.10 (UP) 40.29 SERVICES 1,381.55 (UP) 11.27 4,166,123,478.51 MINING & OIL 6,753.57 (DOWN) 16.75 844,689,456.786 PSEI 6,967.84 (UP) 58.00 42,360,765.1099 All Shares Index 4,149.67 (UP) 20.30 8,445,199,087.81 Gainers: 91; Losers: 95; Unchanged: 45; Total: 231

Holcim PH hiked 2019 profit 41% to P3.58b

By Jenniffer B. Austria CEMENT maker Holcim Philippines Inc. said net income reached P3.58 billion in 2019, up 41 percent from P2.5 billion in the previous year, on higher operating profit.

Holcim Philippines said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday gross revenues in 2019 stood at P33.5 billion, down from P35.6 billion in 2018, mainly due to lower volumes as a result of tempered public spending.

The strong construction start in the year was negated by a slowdown in two consecutive quarters amid the tepid public infrastructure spending and despite the growth of private development.

Operating EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization), however, improved 37 percent to P6.7 billion from P4.9 billion as the company focused on operational efficiencies and cost management amid the challenges in market demand.

“We made significant progress in improving our company’s ability to deliver strong profitable returns to our shareholders last year. Our sustained focus on operational efficiency and cost discipline for the past years lifted our bottom line,” Holcim Philippines president John Stull said.

“With the completion of our capacity expansion projects, commercial innovations and stronger cost and efficiency mindset, Holcim Philippines is well positioned to deliver sustainable and healthy growth to shareholders and continue our support to this country’s development,” he added.

The group incurred higher financial expenses due to short-term loans used to finance strategic capital expenditures and lease liabilities.

The cement producer in 2019 completed upgrades to its plants in La Union, Bulacan and Davao, that raised the annual cement production capacity to 10 million metric tons.

It also launched nationwide Solido, a blended cement designed as a better alternative to ordinary portland cement for roads and infrastructures.

Solido sales became a significant portion of the company’s product mix in 2019 as customers shifted to the option in recognition of its superior strength and durability.

New expressway to raise revenues of NLEX this year

By Darwin G Amojelar NLEX Corp. expects revenues to grow 7 percent this year after opening a new expressway, its top executive said Thursday.

“The projection is 7 percent, hopefully it will ramp up once we open the entire road,” said NLEX president Luigi Bautista.

NLEX in 2019 recorded 340,000 vehicle traffic at North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway.

The NLEx spans approximately 95 kilometers, while SCTEx is a 94-km expressway stretching from SubicTipo to La Paz, Tarlac, connecting the special economic zones in Subic and Clark and Olongapo City to Tarlac City.

NLEX last week opened to the public the Malabon Exit of the North Harbor Link Project that will ease daily traffic gridlock in Metro Manila.

About 30,000 motorists a day stand to benefit from the new road once the entire Harbor Link C3-R10 Section is fully completed next month.

The Malabon Exit is part of the 2.6-kilometer elevated NLEX Harbor Link C3-R10 Section between the new Caloocan Interchange in C3 Road in Caloocan City and Radial Road 10, Navotas City, connecting the previously opened 5.65-kilometer NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 that traverses Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, Governor Pascual Avenue in Malabon City, and 5th Avenue/C3 Road, Caloocan City.

Aside from significantly easing up the daily traffic congestion and serving as an alternate route to Dagat-Dagatan Avenue, the Malabon Exit aims to open up development potentials in the area.

The NLEX Harbor Link is one of the high impact projects of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

World

B3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sporadic violence hits parts of Delhi as death toll hits 32 NEW DELHI-Sporadic violence hit parts of Delhi overnight as gangs roamed streets littered with the debris of days of sectarian riots that have killed 32 people, police said Thursday.

Thousands of riot police and paramilitaries patrolled the affected northeast fringes of the Indian capital of 20 million people, preventing any major eruptions.

The unrest is the latest bout of violence over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s citizenship law, which triggered months of demonstrations that turned deadly in December.

Sunil Kumar, director of the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, said Thursday the hospital registered 30 deaths while the chief doctor at Lok Nayak Hospital said that two people had died there.

“All of them [at the GTB] had gunshot injuries,” Kumar told AFP. The new fatalities-up from 27 on Wednesday―were all from the violence on Monday and Tuesday when mobs of Hindus and Muslims fought running battles.

Homes, shops, two mosques, two schools, a tire market and a fuel station were torched.

More than 200 people were also injured.

TAKEOVER. Colombian police take over a coca field in Tumaco, Narino Department, Colombia, on February 26, 2020.

Colombia’s Defense Minister said on February 24 that the military will step up an offensive against drug trafficking gangs responsible for clearing thousands of hectares of protected national parks for coca plantations. The South American country is the largest producer of cocaine in the world, and much of it is destined for the US market. AFP

Five killed in US mass gun violence IN BRIEF

Smugglers dodge death penalty

DENPASAR―Two Thai women convicted of smuggling methamphetamine into Bali have escaped a possible death sentence on the Indonesian holiday island after a court sentenced them to 16 years in jail.

The district court in Bali’s capital Denpasar said Kasarin Khamkhao and Sanicha Maneetes―a janitor and an operator of a motorcycle rental shop in Thailand―had shown remorse for their crimes and deserved leniency.

The verdict Wednesday comes four months after the pair were arrested by suspicious airport officials who found nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine hidden under their clothes after arriving on a flight from Bangkok.

Muslim-majority Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers.

At the time of their October arrest, police said the Thai women could face a firing squad if found guilty.

Prosecutors, who had demanded a 19year jail term, said Wednesday they may appeal against the lighter-than-requested sentences. AFP

US, South Korea postpone exercises

SEOUL―The US and South Korean militaries on Thursday postponed forthcoming joint exercises due to the coronavirus outbreak, they said, as the Asian country reported 334 new cases, taking its total to 1,595.

The decision to delay the training was made after Seoul declared its highest “severe” alert level over the virus, Combined Forces Command said, adding the postponement was “until further notice”.

The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect it against the nuclear-armed North, many of them based south of Seoul at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek―Washington’s biggest overseas military facility.

The security allies have previously scaled back their annual joint military exercises significantly to facilitate nuclear talks with Pyongyang―which condemns such drills as preparations for an invasion―but a command coordination exercise had been planned for this spring.

South Korea has the highest number of virus cases in the world outside China, where the disease first emerged in December. AFP

W

ASHINGTON―A gunman killed five coworkers at one of America’s best-known breweries on Wednesday before turning the weapon on himself in the latest burst of mass gun violence in the US. More than 1,000 employees were at the Molson Coors brewing complex in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when the earlyafternoon tragedy occurred, the city’s police chief Alfonso Morales told reporters.

He said officers found the suspect, a 51-year-old local man, dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Morales later said the suspect was a Molson Coors employee.

Mayor Tom Barrett said five other people, all workers at the facility in the northern US state’s biggest city, were killed.

“They thought they were gonna go to work, finish their day, and return to their families,” Barrett said at the press conference.

President Donald Trump earlier gave the first official word of the toll.

“A wicked murderer opened fire at a Molson Coors brewing company plant, taking the lives of five people, a number of people wounded, some badly wounded,” Trump said at a press conference about the new coronavirus.

US media including ABC News and the local Fox affiliate reported the shooter had been fired earlier in the day from the beer giant, which owns the Coors and Miller brands.

The local CBS affiliate said the shooter appeared to have stolen the nametag of another employee, then returned to the office complex with a gun. But The New York Times quoted Representative Gwen Moore, a Democrat whose district includes Milwaukee, as saying the gunman was an employee who was in uniform.

Molson Coors, a Canadian-US company, said it was working with the po-

lice department, adding: “Our top priority is our employees.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quoted the husband of a brewery employee, Lasonya Ragdales, as saying she was informed by the company of an active shooter on the premises, and was texting him while locked in a room with coworkers.

Nearby schools were also placed on lockdown, and local teacher Bre Townsend told AFP she could see police vehicles from a window.

Known until last year as MillerCoors, the brewer announced in October that it would undergo a large restructuring and officially changed its name to Molson Coors Brewing Co. It also moved its North American headquarters office from Denver to Chicago and shifted hundreds of corporate office jobs to Milwaukee, a city of about 600,000 people on Lake Michigan.

The company was expected to cut 400 to 500 jobs throughout the organization during the restructuring. AFP

RUBBER BANDS.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services under the Preferred ActivityInfrastructure and Logistics including LGU-PPPs-Air, Land and Water Transport - Air Transport (A320NEO #8 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4132) on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 28, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services (A320NEO #9 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4134) with a capacity of 188 passenger seats on a non-pioneer status with home base at Airline Operations Center, Manila Domestic Airport, Pasay City.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 28, 2020)

N OTICE

Trump’s campaign sues ‘The New York Times’ NEW YORK―US President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign on Wednesday filed suit against The New York Times over an OpEd article about links to Russia, the first legal action of its kind after his regular criticism of the “failing” newspaper and other traditional media organizations.

The suit by Donald J. Trump for President, Inc says the Times “knowingly published false and defamatory statements” in the March 27, 2019 column headlined “The Real TrumpRussia Quid Pro Quo”.

Its author was former Times executive editor Max Frankel.

“There was no need for detailed electoral collusion between the Trump campaign and Vladimir Putin’s oligarchy because they had an overarching deal: the quid of help in the campaign

EXTRA-JUDICIALSETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RODRIGO DEL ROSARIO TORT has been extra-judicially settled among his heirs consisting of parcels of land with improvements, to wit: • 1/5 share in TCT No. 218380; • 1/2 share in TCT No. S-48605.

As per Doc. No. 245; Page No. 50; Book No. V; Series of 2019 before Notary Public ATTY. VERNA LYNN V. ACEVEDA. (MS-FEB. 14 , 21 & 28, 2020)

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

This photo taken on February 26, 2020, shows Myanmar workers making rubber bands from raw materials at a small-scale village industry at the outskirts of Mawlamyine in Mon State.

AFP

Bullied Australian boy to donate $475,000

SYDNEY―An Australian boy with dwarfism whose distress from bullying became a viral video will donate hundreds-ofthousands of dollars in donations to charity rather than a trip to Disneyland.

The clip of nine-year-old Quaden Bayles showed him crying and repeatedly saying he wanted to die after being bullied at school, sparking an outpouring of support from around the world.

The video was watched millions of times and prompted US comedian Brad Williams to start a GoFundMe page that eventually raised almost US$475,000.

Although the funds were meant to send Bayles and his mum to Disneyland, his aunt told Australia’s NITV News that the money would be used for charities instead.

“What kid wouldn’t want to go to Disneyland, especially if you have lived Quaden’s life. To escape to anywhere that is fun that doesn’t remind him of his day to day challenges,” she was quoted as saying.

“But my sister said ‘you know what, let’s get back to the real issue’. This little fella has been bullied. How many suicides, black or white, in our society have happened due to bullying.”

“We want the money to go to community organizations that really need it. They know what the money should be spent on, So as much as we want to go to Disneyland, I think our community would far off benefit from that.” AFP

“No major incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the affected areas” overnight Wednesday to Thursday, Mandeep Randhawa, Delhi police spokesperson, told AFP. “Some distress calls were made and the force provided immediate assistance,” he said.

The initial violence erupted late Sunday after Hindu groups objected to Muslims holding a street demonstration over the citizenship law.

Mobs armed with swords and guns set fire to thousands of properties and vehicles. Locals complained that police did nothing to stop the violence.

In December at least 30 people were killed, mostly in police action in northern Uttar Pradesh state, a part of the country with a significant Muslim population.

Many Muslims believe the citizenship law in combination of a mooted citizens’ register will leave them stateless, and is part of a plan by Modi’s right-wing ruling party to turn officially secular India into a Hindu nation.

His party has denied the allegations but in recent weeks members have called protesters “anti-nationals” and “jihadists”, with some calling for them to be jailed or even shot dead. AFP

against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy,” Frankel wrote.

“The Times was well aware when it published these statements that they were not true,” the campaign alleged in a document signed by lawyer Charles Harder, without clarifying that the column appeared in the Opinion section, which operates separately from the Times newsroom.

“But The Times published these statements anyway, knowing them to be false, and knowing it would misinform and mislead its own readers, because of The Times’ extreme bias against and animosity toward the Campaign”, and because of the Times’ “exuberance to improperly influence” the 2020 election, in which Trump is running for re-election, it said.

The lawsuit comes after Trump’s

impeachment acquittal earlier this month in the Republican-majority Senate for abuse of power related to pressure on Ukraine, which is fighting Russian aggression.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election, reported last April that there were numerous contacts between members of Trump’s circle and Russia and that the campaign “expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts.”

But it said the efforts did not amount to criminal conspiracy.

In response to the lawsuit, a New York Times spokesperson said the Trump campaign “has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable.” AFP

Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services (A320NEO #10 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4135) with a capacity of 188 passenger seats on a non-pioneer status with home base at Airline Operations Center, Manila Domestic Airport, Pasay City. .

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 28, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air, with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Air Transport Services under the Preferred ActivityInfrastructure and Logistics including LGU-PPPs-Air, Land and Water Transport-Air Transport (A321NEO #13 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4133) on a Non-Pioneer status with project site located at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-FEB. 28, 2020)

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

B4

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

61% of BARMM families poor C

OTABATO CITY—Poverty incidence in provinces now covered by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remains high with 61 percent of the population unable to earn enough for food and non-food needs in 2018, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

In 2018, 61.3 percent of Filipinos in ARMM had per capita income insufficient to meet basic food and nonfood needs, said PSA BARMM Director Razulden Mangelen.

The figures are drawn from latest PSA national charts, released here on Feb. 18 by its BARMM regional office.

Mangelen said this translates to 2.5 million Filipinos in the region living below the poverty threshold pegged at P11,482.00 on average for a family of five per month in 2018.

In terms of subsistence incidence, the region has improved at 29.6 percent (relative or in proportion to monthly food threshold) of regional population unable to sufficiently earn for foods and non-foods needs in 2018.

Subsistence Incidence is officially defined as the proportion of families or individuals with per capita income less than the per capita Poverty Threshold to the total number of families or individuals.

The region’s recorded monthly food threshold for a family of five members has been pegged, on the average, at P8,102.00.

Poverty Threshold is defined as the minimum income required for a family or individual to meet the basic food and non-food requirements. It is also known as the Poverty Line.

PSA BARMM said in proportion to monthly food threshold, poor families in ARMM made up 53.6 percent of its population, or equivalent to 352,300 families.

Meanwhile, 147,700 or 22.8 percent of BARMM’s population did not have enough food for fair subsistence incidence in 2018, the agency said.

In Tawi-Tawi, only 14.7 percent or 10,200 residents had not earned enough of at least P8,822 in average monthly income to meet basic food and non-food needs.

Vendor in robbery gone viral dies

By Willie Casas THE food vendor who was robbed and shot in the neck during a robbery-holdup in Manila last week, which went viral on social media, has died. He was 41.

Samson Bautista died after major surgery at the Philippine General Hospital, his sister Sydney Bautista said.

Bautista was shot in the neck at the Baseco Compound after the suspect, Alexander Ogdamina, tried but failed to take his bag at gunpoint.

During his arrest last Wednesday, Ogdamina admitted to using illegal drugs.

Ogdamina also said Bautista’s death could have been avoided “if he had just handed over his bag.”

Bautista’s remains have been returned to his hometown of Tiaong, Quezon. He left behind his wife and their three children.

QC regularizes 112 workers, promotes 62

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday announced the regularization of 112 city hall employees and the promotion of 62 others in her first seven months in office.

“This is one way to empower our government employees. By empowering them, we hope that they will serve our people better,” she said.

The move is in line with Belmonte’s promise to provide job security and promote professionalism in the local government.

In November last year, Belmonte had the first batch of employees regularized after the reconstitution of the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board.

Established under the revised Executive Order No. 25-B, the Board is a recommending body tasked to evaluate the qualifications of employees for promotion and appointment for vacant permanent positions.

Ronald Tan, the Board’s officer in charge, lamented that several employees on a contractual basis were working for over five years, and that the others were performing tasks “well outside their duties without being promoted.”

‘Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano’search now on 4th year

By Jessica M. Bacud

ABUNDANT CATCH. Vice Mayor Licerio Antiporda III of Buguey, Cagayan shows a sample catch of milkfish or bangus at a fish farm in his coastal town. Noted for its seafood products, Buguey is also known as the Crab Capital of the North. Ben Moses Ebreo

TUGUEGARAO—The Provincial Government of Cagayan has launched the 4th year of the “Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano.”

The esteemed search aims to recognize Cagayano exemplars who have contributed in various fields of endeavor to the enhancement of the province’s growth, honor and glory, nationally and internationally.

Lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba, the proponent and advocate of the awards and the first lady of the province, said the Dangal Awards is a great venue to showcase the world-class integrity and greatness of Cagayanos to the country and to the whole world.

“Honor, excellence and the values of genuine goodness are the essential norms that make a Cagayano worthy of the Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano award,” Villarica-Mamba stressed.

In 2017, the administration of Gov. Manuel N. Mamba chose to recognize Cagayanos who made laudable contributions in the community as the highlight of the year’s Aggao Nac Cagayan celebration.

The awards were the highlight of the province’s founding anniversary in 2017, adding more meaning, significance and color to the celebration.

Nueva Vizcaya unveils 2020 Ammungan Festival activities BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya― Focal persons for the various shows, programs and activities of the upcoming Grand Ammungan Festival are now realizing the event’s promotional component and showcase the province’s agri-ecotourism potentials.

Rhoda Moreno, provincial treasurer and GAF director general, said the festival will be held on May 21 to 25 this year.

“Our 15 municipalities have already signified their intention to participate in the four major events of our Grand Ammungan Festival,” she said during a recent GAF meeting.

Moreno was referring to the GAF’s Search for the “Saniata ti Nueva Vizcaya,” Agri-Ecotourism Fair and Booth Competition, Float Competition and “Kalsadavaganza” and the Drum and Lyre Competition.

She said local governments participating in the major events will be receiving P300,000 each as a subsidy

from the provincial government.

The Best Performing MLGU will receive a cash award of P150,000 and P1 million worth of projects, Moreno added.

She said the Agri-Ecotourism fair will showcase the eco-tourism potentials of the province’s municipalities.

The GAF director-general also bared the other activities for the yearly event are the Children’s Day, Ammungan Cook Fest; Forum on Battling Depression among the Youth with celebrities Gab Valenciano and Joseph Bitangcol, NV Got Talent, The Voice, PRC Licensing, Jobs Fair, Taray Ammungan, Praise and Worship, Boodle Fight, Health Related Services, Musikahan, Endurance Challenge, and Thanksgiving Mass.

This year’s major sponsor of the GAF will be PLDT Co., which will also conduct the Gabay Guro and Gabay Kalikasan to recognize school teachers in Nueva Vizcaya.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel N. Mamba (left) hears Mass with his wife, lawyer Mabel VillaricaMamba, then leads the launching of Victims Orphans Widows of Communist Atrocities or VOWCA (above) at the capitol grounds on Feb. 24. Widows of uniformed personnel killed in action and slain civilian workers. Jessica M. Bacud

P6.97-m shabu seized in Tondo

ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT BAN. Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. speaks

at a forum before signing an agreement (above, right) with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on the Convergence on Illegal Recruitment-Free Local Government Units (LGUs) Campaign on Thursday. Marinduque says a big ‘No’ to illegal recruitment ‘to protect our fellow Marinduqueños,’ the governor said.

THE Manila Police District on Wednesday seized P6.97 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested a drug suspect during a buy-bust operation in Tondo, Manila on Thursday.

MPD policemen arrested Kevin Jason, 28, along Dagupan Extension near corner Raxabago Street at around 12 p.m.

Police confiscated three plastic sachets containing substances believed to be shabu weighing about 1 kilogram and

boodle money amounting to P50,000.

The suspect will face charges for violations of Section 5 (Selling, Distribution, and Transportation of Dangerous Drug), Section 11 (Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drug), and Section 15 (Used of Dangerous Drug) of Article II of the Danger Drug Act of 200.

The suspect was brought to PS5-MPD Investigation Office for proper disposition and pending filing of appropriate charges in court. Willie Casas

C1

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 advertise@manilastandard.net

for IN BRIEF in new

MANILA STANDARD:

Cusi swears ident PNOC-ECrypres Alfonso Cusi

(PART 2) twitter.com/ MlaStandard

By Jobe Garcia

I

T WAS not so long ago when this writer was still tinkering with some random stuff at home, until a lightning bolt struck this guy’s subconciousness in the form of a broadsheet.

The year was 2007. The very first iPhone, that had forever changed the way we look at our mobile phones was launched into life. Facebook had already gained a foothold competition.

Nokia was still the undisputed global cellphone maker. Baggy pants were at least still a thing, and most of all, life’s simplicity still reigned supreme above all complexities. Welcome???

I was still a Grade 3 student at that time at the Don Bosco Makati, figuring out what I was doing with my life. I was still in a tussle with a pad paper, a Mongol pencil and spelling class when my grandfather, oozing with sidereal erudition, approached me and obliged me to stop reading tabloid newspapers and start rewiring my brain cells to broadsheets. He personally believes that some tabloids would serve news that is not going to be beneficial to the everyday life of Juan. He strongly believes in the principle of delivering the news brief and concise, direct to the point. By and large, he advocates for a back-to-the-basics journalism. One that is pleasant, fair and objective. That’s where THE Manila Standard kicked in.

Each afternoon, after he (my grandpa) would play a series of Rock n’ Roll classics and a bit of Frank Sinatra, a bit of Elvis Presley, a bit of The Beatles, a bit of Tom Jones, he would make sure before he teaches me my very first “guerrilla” journalism class, I would have Yakult and Ensaymada on the dining table. And then off we go, with my grandfather transforming into a mentor. He would oblige me to read two broadsheets a day and then would require me to write a summary on how I understood the news stories that piqued my interest, so it was postulate that we were like having a book report.

The very first headline I remember was about the Glorietta Continued on C3

facebook.com / ManilaStanda rdPH

S

manilastanda rd.net

Business

, Editor Ray S. Eñano Cruz, Assistant Editor Roderick T. dela .net anilastandard business@m00@gmail.com extrastory20 2020 FEBRUARY 19, WEDNESDAY,

B1

Business groups ask Congress to renew franchise of ABS-CBN

By Darwin G.

Amojelar

by the ss groups led FOUR busine ss Club expressed Makati Businerenewal of ABS-CBN support for the ssional franchise for Corp.’s congre another 25 years. igned business orthe unders supMissed your copy “We, Riera U. Mallari, s our strong expres Editor; tions, Reuel and timely ganiza Vidal, Assistant Hotline at 0917- of Manila Standard? Call ed, fair Editor filed by for a balanc s 3 services or text 8848655 or email portsports@m anilastand bills ard.net; of the sports_ms eration : circulation@maour CirculationGrab bare Del Monte renewal tandard@yahoo.com consid kers on the nilastandard.net in San Jose up with the several lawma Corp.’s broadcasting ines has teamed WEDNE BN SDAY, ABS-CBN GRAB Philippent of San Jose Del Monte, of ABS-C said. next FEBRUA isise,”RYMBC servic services by city governm 19, 2020 franch ss groups that elaunch three to busine Bulacan d The other ion were the Manag Grab will Graham (secon month. partnership, including visit ines Richard sued the resolut of the Philippines, city, Through the Colley (right) to the Philipp ation Instiservices in theGrabEx press by ial Trade Envoy ment Associ Director Richardg explored possible rity Asia and launch daily Ministerial Investment oodd and Gra for Solidarity meetin Gra ike,, GrabFo Kingdom’s Prime UK Trade and Institute for abTrike Taguig. The GrabTr logy. rate Directors.

RTERS. Unitedines Daniel Pruce (left) andin Bonifacio Global City, March 2020. hip is expected to create tute of Corpo tly urge Congress to sports and techno HEADQUA for to the Philipp headquarters the fields of education, UDENNABritish raised The partners “We ferven in od opportunities Ambassador Dennis Uy at Udenna’s issues lly any liveliho s of especia econoecono CEO om right), thriving from thousands judiciously addresny while taking sercial partnerships, energize the chairman and residents and Udenna Corp. strategic comme k issues of against the compa Mon unities and Del Monmy of the city. t of the bedroc enter rise, trade opport ing San Jose The inrise, in rious accoun m and free enterp city.

Grab is support a digital-ready in San Jose flourish dia freedo media te’s vision as Grab’s services service businesses to de dewhich allow l welfare of our econotroduction of poised to banner and is e public Del Monte for the overal groups said. ogy to improveconomic people,” the ent as Conmocratize technol ex my and our city and expand cre creservice in thefor local businesses and ds issued the statemthe franchise They nities on thousan for opportu to act the opportunities gress has yet BN and after beate livelihooddelivery partners. l of ABS-C n in the and fait faith petitio renewa our a of driver and placed l filed “We have alwaysion, and determination Solicitor Generae Court to cancel the dedicat with responhard work, fore the Suprem people, and for we ny’s franchise. of the Filipino a innovation, aslling opportunity ogy and media compa company led by the Lothe r realize “We see a compeal Center to expand sible use of technol Office e in helping Filipinos— The media of our said that the of a Medic hope to continu ating the needs St. Luke’s dreams of manyl and equirespond to our filing pez family earlier pirations and them honorable based on anticipproviding them the sooperations to or General’s De BN scale t they Solicit ng Arturo and the that Dr. ABS-C t of and providi rm said by long-te case agains franchise customers od opportunities Philippines ive B. Austria ers’ needs,” Gra quo warranto ta e liveliho of,” said Grab tabl table require to make

By Jenniffer sses,” custom president and chief execut ons of its lar lutions they their busine can all be proud Cu. Darwin G. Amoje on alleged violati to shut down La Peña, loper investments to grow be an effort president Brian ive Delfin An- of SLMC. the serithe right appeared to chief execut network, to Filipinos ROPERTY deveo & not only offers os said DMW s up are the broadcast of millions of Filipin “Aseana City the robust healthc ast Steel Asia team gelo Wenceslao. that St. Luke’s MediD.M. Wencesla said ous prejudice the network for news, n to capture Germanyhas y and Southe for locatio on of Inc. are thrilled . s City countr rely a “We BSE the service ciate who ch in with Asso Corp. chosen Asean t and public by the OfOf Bay growth a holistic approa Manufacturing ngingi entertainmen d to lease a cal Center has in the Manila ent Asia, it also takes plan, while setting ions cited STEELASIA y’s Badische Stahl-E and “These allegat or General in his Tuesday it agreemeter lot in its flagship hospital of this his agreem tapped German (BSE) for the design lass hout its master Solicit ,” De la Peña are throug fice of the ent are without merit. neering GmbH 96-squarearea. The signing ment of its world-c for sustainability ading healthc 13,8 rds leading ’s develop second y’s um the standa pertistatem in Luke all countr curricul press the will open to St. important that wi complies with ise and es another als of the training centeryear. said.

Aseana City er for a period with ABS-CBN to all termin ing its franch ment executive institution achievs the development of quarter of the “With access nt and chief Airport and y govern nent laws govern Medical Cent the compan SteelAsia preside milestone toward all necessary for its busirate our abil- Ninoy Aquino International tion centers in Yao said has secured It will accele in officer Benjamto ensure the training center, approvals growing popula new facility of 50 years. in Parañaque is a Aseana City. ete community and regulatory the company said. engaged BSE produce SteelAsia’s future iver a compl development,” the rapidly deliver Manila, this s in the ty broadcast along the ity to ness operations,” Aseana City which would tion city convenience south of Metro t best practice the said that its development forefront of our next genera The network ing KBO, received workers, applied ioners 107.5-hectare will be at the health practit dein the best slao said. of Manila Bay. gs, includ world. ng and most offerin off that we are ue ment and regupatients and coastal waters a disclosure to the stock Wence is one of the leading of skills to contin govern to type “We believe d ary the the in SLMC tions ent the necess als and were not prohiblook forwar ed determine With DMW said in position to lease agreem patient-center healthcare institu es in Que- alike. We ou operations. for our to latory approv com- respected high-quality, patients and to ge the latest , we have faciliti g ise. the that are needed exchan two gro growth liverin franch Its BN its l rapid ines. ited by would expand competent and aguig have a SteelAsia’s es ll our hospita ny said ABS-C City, Taguig with SLMC are for aall to 261,888 sq. Philipp we have the d in our manuThe compa ed health outcom Deposit Reensure that City and Global , with 60,321 av- care le portfolio improv ine zon require to er leasab leased said. ute in Philipp center he pany’s m. ted and t skilled manpow And a training Holdings’ ned 1,146 rooms 2.7 mil- contribh advanced technology,” 171,974 sq. were evalua in the world— in total leas- combiin-patient admissions and m., including facturing plants. and Exthroug ceipts or PDRs of the best achieve this 89,914 sq. m. annually. the Securities erage with the help land area and approved by ission and the Philipallow us to ient consultations BSE—will been lion outpat in able floor area. change Comm nge prior to its pubhas always s goal,” he said. training center located succes Excha this address “DMW’s pine Stock “W “With we are not onlyneeds but er lic offering. southern Luzon,

A8

VOL. XXXIII • NO.

369 • 3 SECTION S 16 PAGES • P18

TUESDAY, FEBRUAR Y 18,

2020 • www.ma nilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gm ail.com

HOME AT

No frills, no spins A kid’s random musings

on Secreta ine Air ENERGY in retired Philipp BriMonday swornnding General Rozzano Force Commapresident of state-run PNOC guez as new EC Corp..

Exploration d former PNOC Briguez replace executive officer Pechief president and Aquino served as officerJr. Philippine dro Aquino ent of parent was later He in-charge-presid Co. in 2006. president in National Oil Exploration appointed PNOC inted by Duterte in Janu2012 and re-appo asked Aquiary 2017.

Duterte alPresident Rodrigo e October 14 for a effectiv ent with no to resign ng an agreem eral legedly approvi y to develop a multilat tradi Russian compan oil products and trading, in with withcooperation ation in oil refining Cusi. and joint particip the board or f ion from out the permiss is a subsidiary of PNOC ent stake in PNOC EC i in y holds a 10-perc and currentl aya gas project Malamp the $4.5-billion n. ap EC apnorthwest Palawa state-run PNOC P10.593 The board of g budget of tion and proved an operatin to finance explora ex exbillion for 2020 and other capital production projectsMae S. Flores penditures. Alena

LAST. A plane (below) Princess cruise carrying America ship in Japan, n passengers, arrives at Travis passengers will recently released Air Force Base be from the Diamon in California on leaving a quarant quarantined at the base for Feb. 16 d 14 days. At right ined cruise ship, Terminal in Yokoha above, it’s nighttim(Monday in Manila). The with some 3,500 ma. AFP quarantined on e, board, docked and Americans began at the Daikaku Pier Cruise

s 13-ha.

St. Luke’s leaAse ana City property in se

Sports HORROR CRASH

US citizens flee cruise ship; others may follow suit

16 more tested positi ve

THE US flew home its citizen a coronavirus-in s from in Japan Monda fected cruise ship y, preparing to follow with other nations suit as global concerns grow over ease and the deaththe spread of the distoll in China topped 1,700.

More than 70,500 have been infected across China by the COVID-19 virus as the world battles to that has sparked contain the outbreak panic buying and over the global economic impact. jitters Outside China, infections is on the biggest cluster of the Diamond Princes cruise ship off s Yokohama, where navirus cases have coro355 despite passengclimbed quickly to ers being confi to their cabins ned during a 14-day quarantine.

And amid growin g criticism of pan’s handling Jaof ments are scramb the ship, governling to repatria citizens, with Canada, Austral te their ia, Israel and Hong Kong poised to Italy, Washington’s lead. follow

By MJ Blanc or, Rey E. Requejo andafl Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE governmen t is preparing to repatriate more 500 Filipinos onbo than Diamond Princ ard the ess ship in Yokohama cruise after 16 more of , Japan, them tested positive for COV bringing the totalID-19, to 27, the Depa number rtment of Foreign Affai rs said Monday.

Foreign Affairs Eduardo Meñez Assistant Secretary said those who positive for the virus were brough tested hospital and the t to Philippine embass the Tokyo has deliver Next page ed toiletries and y in supplies to Filipino other patients aboard cruise ship. the THE NAKED TRUT “We H. Family Relation An exasperated received informa s and Gender Equality Senator. Risa Hontive tion that aside from the 11 Commissioner ros (inset), chairma Filipino Tobias Javier (center) , fires questions at Grifton crew n, Senate Commi members who were earlier used as ‘prostitu Medina (right) , and BI legal ttee on of (POGO) whose tion dens’ catering to Chinese division head Arvin Santos (left) the BI port operations division Women, Children, have been identifiidentified, another 16 bribes to immigr nationals, majorit , BI followin Deputy g the discovery ation officials was y of as COVID-positived over the weekend (below) of hotels estimated to reach whom are working in Philippi in Pasay ne Offshore Gaming P50 billion. Lino press briefing in e,” Meñez said in a Santos Malaca Operators

By MJ Blancafl He said their possibl ñang. or e repatriation need clearance PRESIDENT from the Japanes will Rodrig ernment and the e govBy Macon Ramo an executive order o Duterte signed embass s-Araneta dinating with Princes y has been coorMonday setting tional Bureau of price ceiling on a s Cruises to faciliInvestigation Anti-O VARIOUS hotels certain medicin tate the repatria nized and Transn rgabid to make quality like Midas and es in tion of He also said two ational in Pasay City Okada Joel drugs accessible a The government, Filipinos there. floors in have Tovera, said they Crime Division, building Filipinos. to he said, tution dens catering been used as prosti- prostitu in Las Piñas were a condo-type is ready have monitored provide them with used for illicit tion to Chinese nationa Executive Order activities, and said other forms of to most of whom 104 sets the maxiaside from the ls, and other in these hotels in Pasay City help the Red Planet work in Philipp mum prices for KTVs assistan Makati hotel in Metro Manila ce provided by in was also a venue shore Gaming ine Off86 their employers. .

Tovera also told Operators who for prostitution. drug formulas for drug molecules or 133 These hotels, have paid on the Senate commi an estimated P10 “For the 27 who howeve women, childre heart and pulmon hypertension, diabetes, n, family relation ttee they are used for prostitur, have denied migration officials.billion in bribes to im- gender ary diseases, major hospital, whethe are currently in the s and tion cers, and depress equality chaired canr ion.

In a Senate hearing

by Senator Risa been “uncooperative,” Tovera and have mediately is one they could leave imNext page said. into prostitution Hontiveros there was a hotel Offi rings and trafficking, else will have to question. Everyone in Makati establiscials and representatives of busines where the whole the chief of the be cleared floor was used before they Na- titution. return to the Philipp for pros- tee to hments summoned by the commits ines,” the hearing all Meanwhile, another Meñez said. prostitution in their denied knowing about United Arab Emirate Filipino in the buildings. s tested positive Next page COVID-19, the for sixth confirmed the virus there. case of

Price cap imposed on 133 medicines

‘Sex dens inside hotels,

condos cater to POGO s’

Marijuana use tied to drugs

By MJ Blancafl or

board okay

Next page

President Duterte , who has launche PRESIDENT Rodrig a brutal campai d o Duterte will gn against illegal prove the use ap- will not drugs, of block the use cal purposes once marijuana for medi- long as it is for medica of marijuana as the Dangerous Board passes a resoluti l purposes, accordDrugs ing to his spokesman on allowing the of cannabidiol to Salvador Panelo. use ‘‘He said if it alleviate severe is needed by a epilepsy, Malaca forms of and person there are scientifi ñang said Monda y. c findings, medica l

Drilon rushes to exte nd

CHAVIT’S CERT

IFICATION. Narvaca on Monday tells the n, Ilocos Sur would have better Samahang Plaridel, with moderator Jullie Mayor Luis Singson (right) benefits from Yap (left), that Dito, formerly Mislatel, in which the Philippines’ third telecom subscribers munica he is a major investo r. (Story on A2) tions company

By Macon Ramo s-Araneta

Next page

ABS franchise

to review the applica SENATE Minori the network’s franchi tion for renewal of ty Leader Frankli on on Monday n DrilMeanwhile, somese. filed seeks to extend a joint resolution that have 91 congressmen the franchise of already signed CBN Corp. up the resolution ABS- thored to the auby Rep. Edcel Lagma He cited the need end of 2022. n urging the House House of Repres for more time for the es to committee on legislative franchi entatives and the immediately act son the pending Senate bills Next page

ESPENIDO SLAMS FAILURE OF INTEL NEWS A3

Galedo, 7-Eleven try to regain dominance

Tough grind for Pe sp ikers in Superligatron PAL increases GP

y’s manpow ing the companto provide skills training un unnities to the are we also hope ment opportu and employ our plants, even if they employed near added. unskilled,” Yao

STEFAN Stojacic bia when it won , who played for SerCup for the third the Fiba 3×3 World straight time

in 2018 when the Philipp . Ryan Newman, driver of the #6 Koch Industrie nament, is the ines hosted the tours Ford, and Corey LaJoie, new head coach national team. of the RagingBull.com driver of the #32 Ford, crash during Samahang Basketb the last lap of the NASCAR Cup ol ng Pilipina Preside nt Al Series 62nd Annual s Panlilio said this yesDaytona Internat Daytona 500 at terday when he in Daytona Beach,ional Speedway players seeing announced the four Florida. Denny action for the Hamlin sealed pines in the FIBA Philipback-to-back victories in an incident-packed fying Tournament.3x3 Olympic Qualion Monday, winning Daytona 500 The a photo finish recommendatio in a race marred n was led by by a horrific crash the SBP Selectio that left veteran n Committee, driver Ryan Newman chaired

by Executive seriously injured.

Director Sonny rios, with coaches Barcelebrations wereHowever, Hamlin’s muted by a last-lap Aquino, Ronnie Jong Uichico, Pat crash that left Roush Altamirano as Magsanoc and Eric Newman hospital Fenway Racing’s members. ized. The 42-yearold Newman’s “It is an honor Ford Mustang had led on the final be with the top for the Philippines to lap but spun out 20 control, hit the seats at the 2020 countries vying for wall and flipped of its roof before ask our country Tokyo Olympics. We bursting into fl onto ames at the Daytona Internat our team in its men to rally behind ional Speedway.

Newman’s car quest to be part was Olympiad,” said of the into the air after also sent flying Panlilio. being struck by Stojacic, who Fas Racing’s Corey Go LaJoie. NASCAR started handlin replaced Magsanoc, executive vice g president Steve December when the national pool last O’Donnell later told reporters he held a training camp. that Newman was in serious conditio a local area hospital n at Making it to the , but nationa his injuries were deemed l squad are cagers Joshua non-life-threate Eugene Munzon ning. , Alvin Pasaol,

P

Exit from virus ship underway Repatriation of 500 Pin oys set as

Serbian world champ is new PH 3x3 coach

Moala Tautuaa and Jaymar Perez.

Munzon and Pasaol gained entry having gained rankings for playingfor local tournam ents in the Philipp in and abroad. ines Tautuaa and Perez the recommendatio are chosen from ns of the pine Basketball PhilipAssociation.

The OQT is set 22, 2020 in Bengalufrom March 18 to ru, India.

There are 20 teams joining four pools, which in the is composed of teams each. five The top two teams from each pool will advance to top three finisherthe playoffs and the s will qualify 2020 Tokyo Olympi to the cs. Peter Atencio

MARK Galedo and

By Peter Atenci Air21 by Roadbi 7 Eleven Cliqqo ke Philippines make a much-a will waited return as seek to reclaim they ETRO N is expec their dominance the LBC Ronda in grind in the 2020ted to have a tough niversary race Pilipinas 10th anPhilip pine Super unfolding Februar Grand Prix.

Liga 23 in Sorsogo y y n and conclud After on Tuesda ing on March 4 in Vigan, gpercen Airlineswinnin threet straight Ilocos Sur. 130veteran titles, the Blaze PHILIPPINEhavestock onlyby four Galedo, 34, vows Spikers capital s left, profitits Cesael to go raised all out of a strategdelos y to sustain to reclaim the Santos as coach. with Emil Lontoc replaci ng title they last part level of comas awon “Ako ‘yung in the second a higher coach na kapag and keep edition in 2012ability nagtitiwala ako materials, maski as he will spearhead tycoonkong mapa-a r Jollibee by kaya bago, a petitiveness. lled na toc during contro ngat ‘yan,” said chain operato equally strong team that include the an carrier d ized league’ OOD ced flag LonFASTF announ Marcelo Felipe The its authors launchi ng yesterd MakatiedCity. on Tuesday Rustom Lim in and Tanin increas ay at the Eurotel open by openFoods Corp.

Lucio billion to P30 ion this year from P13 Kather staking P1 millionthis 10-stage capital race stockImport approv Belledwill be aggressive expans wasine Petron on her third adjustm andent dividual champi to the overallbillion she will stockin- . The ny’shelp stint with ing 600 stores. in a disclosure to the stock compa the team get on. veteran ty of sthe held Ces Molina far with remain “We will do our about 250 Jollibee said by a majori l meetin, gAiza ing Imports Maizo-Pontilla a specia and Angelic of the 600 stores,Philippines it,” said Galedo. best to try to win a Legacion. s, Remy Palma (from of the coming Superliga holders during exchange that Hotel. r, be in the Park GP are shown y left) Hana Cutura The be would provide the ns last g HONG KONG time around here. They Galedo solutio stock will at the Centur e in capital of Marinerang to 300 outlets tor andonce , Bell of Petron, Tatjana lorded —The countries, markin of the final as Pilipina, Katherin are offerings. it overssPhilip- The increas systems integra Exchangehit 42 points in their last pine expose s an ignoran coronavirus and Blaze cloud as e Bell cycling a 350 in othercompany’s history when and ties the technology Lucia and Elizabet Bokan of Chery Taggo, Shaina extend game Securi busine he ation and s Spikers followe the Cargo e ions the ce of China’ inform Joseph of Sta. beat the F2 Logisti d up his h Vicet Campos Movers . ed service operat generat 2012 Ronda lucrative sports filed with first time in s of Generika.

Maruo, manag ines Inc., a leadingic Zone to strengthen conque unit by copping market and poor cs business would than the gs Inc. With many teams m business st Commission. president Tetsu the tingency plannin l Econom coninternational Southea CE. Fujitsu Philipp rebuilding, y infra firm PAL Holdin st Asian assistant vice product platfor rt and Specia store expansion SU OFFIthe g, experts say, securit In the previou putparent Games ines P7.86 bil-Petron’s rivals are up a tough PAL’s gold Clark Freepo left) Fujitsu Philippines next Philippand Formula One Kristine Leaño, loss of greater organic s.

NEW FUJIT s six years, the expected to least this d a netfight time became the most after reigning suprem theearlier reporte (from finance officer Innovation Center, Fujitsu year new office in 2019, .

PSL allowed each busine This include two imports. s of s. said net inmonth launches its launching ceremony are r Marje Balbuena, chief theEscuyo profile casualty e Philippine busines highin er, 2014 Digital s nine of Randy team at the Le howe howev ns first Ramol Tour of a mass pullout de Filipinas. in the , who Elizabe de Jesus-coached lion Movers to P6.33 a P3.29-billion Attending the Pandy, marketing directo Santiago III, Mitch Vierneshead of mobility solutio The company, the country. from Galedo is on a will have F2 Cargo 20. She th Vicet Campos from Cuba Raul percent in 2019 percent from an intact roster comeback trail and returnin n-Castillo and up 139 unit head MarkAngeles, president-CEO in 2018. was is led Tabilira come fell 14.4 billion in 2018 on lowthe ter part by period g afFormul younge Amy import battling Abigail of a same the Cuban a One chiefs are st at Marano the 17-natio various in theher in the JanuStalzer. fr P7.4 head Carmin services business unit head es Lindsay scramb billion from n 2017 FIVB Volleybsquad that compet ed in seventh revenustraight few years, hoping injuries the past loss Onlidated to fit the Shangh to ted with income. stint Conso ai race into this ling Championship solutions and amoun this year states fourth crown all to P179.6 t Women F2, er operating period will Stalzer percen positive son’s ber be ’s . for seaU20 World a ary-to-Septem 11.4 schedule after the Cargo is seeking a Law one in this t from ence Movers percen race The Sta. Lucia the April 19 grand Onlybillion Revenues rose billion in 2018. Forpresente al Intellig , up 5.6 one import LBC and prix last week in. citizen shalld by P117.9 na’s Nation sponsor period allowed or by joined mode, has ShainahLady Realtors, who are on for each of the zation ed of the2 changes theissame the Manny billion from P212.159.3 percent, boosted alleged ac- that any organi State V. Pangilin letics Indoor Champ the World Atha rebuilding eight teams, one 2 billion inthat ate with Joseph, who played grew on DICT’s anand Sports P111.6 cooper 2018 FIVB Foundat according to PSL the league isopionships and Eueign business tion of Coffee Bean and implementing ion. with pesos in so- support, assist funds but also ropean Tour and ance “I’m this season, the Canadi Women’s Volleyball World in the prestigious feeling accord idated an investi- ceptance of billions of 2018. consolnt Ian Laurel. work ingood ’s preside by the acquisi September, the opening and confident g’s “ThisH Championship S called for an women’s volleyb isolding to give nowence ments in being LPGA golf tournaespecially with percent to more exposur PAL Holdin with LAWMAKERP300-million confidential called intel funds. shelved because all national team.

Sotto III Intellig a Then, Tea Leaf in and 2-percent growth in games e to local players es rose 2.2 the team inthat aexpens deadly outbrea of the ent Vicente the Ilaw.” exciting 7 billion have,” for is potentially and make the Cignal there’s Cignal’s Yaasm erating more gation on the Department of Inform said Laurel.

Galedo, k. from,” P114.6 Senate Presid nfilo Lacson earlier of new stores el, saidone, een Bedart-Ghani whosesecuri, who used ChinaT other teamma The Formula P117.13 billion Tan e a breach of Philipfunds of the unications Technology and Senator Panfilo 310 to are Mervic for execut same-store sales. executive Ernesto Tanthe United States. to play for the United Volleyb n totes e in an Resolution Comm in the , Aidpositio alCorpuz an James minton , skiing E Grand Prix, bad2018.

Honas increas and Senate in all gate very rio the person tion Club for “a to Mendoz and in Jollibee chief Grego investi was and due t a, Nichol ary tional . raised pushedan oversight panel to Pareja, while 2019 “This was Jhonrey ing events have Olympic qualifywarned s led by Secret e by 8.8 percen of gov- ty―na Buccat kers and ry Eliseo Rio the company tantiong said create 2020, lawma all been cancell Tomas nance expens ng exfund allocation DICT. pines, Mojares the NCP Undersecreta . for the group, postpon servici mainte ence and Galedo cing . after year” ed traffic sales the intellig will also have e a roador moved elsewhe ed, the tough ing and month the Rio, in introdu a score to to post higher and aircraft recent weeks. t driven by the issue last the House minority bloc ernment agencies, includthe use of intel settle re in would provid against DICTformer was expected secure that ed ng by 2.7 percen ger and network ers of tormentto said directi defend olders s penses Memb or year.

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PH-Dev the alleged with Project finish of the GlobalP und confide nce was the Asian standings. the The virus, which livery busine t supply in the Philippines intelelfunds Rio, Prowho Nograles iss TeamP300-m illion domestic destina y’s partnership est fleets in dential funds and will impressive runneremerge d in Deort-PH team in try to for cember in the of the of the young e age of just that saw them Ribbon produc indicators of recovery re- it nor Secretary Karlo ntial Anti- community’sChina Telecom poses. con-livethat the t one use the glory up no recent craft, Cabine of has 2013 central city of good score a vengefu 5th DICT when he United an averag said the Preside conduct state-ownedlegislators expressed lance or snatch the disbur han, has killed and the very Club & Siam Polo l win over Indones All Asia Cup 2020 crownsed, lar t surveil industry with business in the going said, however, conduc more than 1,800 WuPark in Preng, Several te tointo ia at the VS Sports ission could the last two ability to violate Darwin G. Amoje manda Comm of Smashburgerntiong said. stages ple, el’s the peoThough Thailan years. tion almost of five the ChinaT issue. ies. ines. d. the PH Corrup all in China, and thirdactivit edition of Ronda. cern about stronger ence gation on the of the Philipp States,” Tanma sparked global alarm. intellig tion tournament, team was beaten by host team d to a much , howeve its own investi ty Floor leader Juan the national security inan said, “Chi-Galedo “We look forwar in 2020 and all in the past now.r, stressed it was Mikee Romero PNFPP founding director and in the final of the 6-naThe world’s most Senate Majoricalled for inquiry not Senator Francis Pangil performance said the team’s populous counsales and profit even as we consolidate try has become performance wasHouse Deputy Speaker ward to especia “It’s part of the Miguel Zubir ions on the misuse of lly after beating race, we’ll just something to look a major sportin the years ahead of CBTL into to focus on the destination in try some of “Up against some only on allegat g forperformance present,” said Galedo. the last decade of the best teams their Southeast Asian rivals. the financial top clubs and we can be at par Other teams and results,” he said. B. Austria in the Asian region, organis seeing action our financial Jenniffer we proved powerhouse them the Premie ations, among that won bronze with them,” said Romero, a Standa rd Insuranare membe medal in last year’s THE GlobalPort-PH (Navy), Go for and NBA, have r League , FIFA Miguel Romero ce SEA Games held r of the PH team team members, Gold, Field courte Rep. at the world-class Scratch It, Mikee Romero led by d fans— Bicycology (Army) and their money “Given more time in Calatagan, Batangas.

(3rd from left), Thailand Polo —in the world’s , Bike Xtreme to train and Tarlac/Central second -larges Association Presiden pose with strongly believe , t econom y.

Bhinsaeng after we can play muchplay in various tournaments t Kanoksakdi a Ilocos Sur, South Luzon, “The chemist ry abroad, Marcus Luer, better the next All Asia Cup 2020 runner-up finish in the 5th is there so we founde r and time,” added RomeroI at the VS Sports Batangas and Luzon/ executi just chief The have ve Thailan Polo . to of sustain sports Club & Siam Park in Preng, d event is conside Nueva Thailand. Also Ecija.

TSA (Total Sports marketing agency and many polo red as one of the it.” left) are Adrian shown (from players are one Asia), said that Garcia, AirAsia will be busines in saying it has toughest in the region Asian Games.

Sheila Romero Vice Chairwoman it s a similar standar , Anthony Garcia rus clears but as usual once the viBailey, and Robert and daughter d as the After droppin a lesson g its initial game— Esguerra. that extends beyond has been learn team, compos also against Thailan ed of Anthony d—the PH Garcia, Adrian and Romerim “This could happenChina. beat Brunei, 10-9, Garcia, Robert anywhere in the world and federati Esguerra in a tense quarter ons and organiz final clash. need good conting ers ency plans, especially in an Olympic year, athletes are still where qualifying for Games (Tokyo ABBY Areval 2020),” said Luer. the o “I think that’s putting surface bucked the heat and the sleek with a superb for major sports a global learnin g shootin g a bogeyall-arou nd game, old Arevalo, seeking to bounce organiz ations be ready and f ree th ree-un setback to the to seizing a huge have der 68 and young Malixi back from a playoff case someth ing a good Plan B in in Play at Riviera lixi at the start five-str oke lead over Rianne last month and the National Stroke like this happen of the Philippi Maagain keep mier s in the future the country’s prechampionship ne Ladies Open Manila Golf Club anywh ere in the at the in world.

While the rest of at home for the fifth straight year.

The SEA Games Makati yesterday. team gold medalis “Honestly, I don’t unreceptive greens the 70-player cast struggled impressive form on the think any sport all day, t flaunted Jose off the mound event had a Plan or State U in the US, Arevalo, a product of the San a number of solid and came away B in place.” banked with such kind approa ch shots Professor Simon Solid start puts birdies inside of a surface to turn on her familiarity with that produc Chadwick echoes 12 feet on Nos. that sentiment.

Arevalo way finished with 5, 6 and 10 as ed card in the 58th staging of in the day’s lone under-par a pair ahead of the pack.

Chadw ick, directo nament at the tight, of 34s in her first official she Miguel Corp., Diamond the event sponsored by San tourter for the Eurasia r of the Cen“The greens were Motors, Sunsports and Eva “This is my first well-kept layout.

Air. a bit fast but I time to play based in Shangh n Sport Industr y game. It’s think happy to shoot a 68 despite the this course and I’m love the like playing in the US,” she it suits my Europe an footbal ai, also said that heat,” said the 20-year said, greens l clubs in particu - holed in more and I could’ve scored lower “I just lar had failed to grasp the opport putts.” had I nity to show suppor t for China uits people . AFP and

capital stock by 130% to P30b

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 C2 advertise@manilastandard.net

By Peter Paul Duran

I

T WAS a mere month ago. The date was January 12, 2020.

The usual lazy afternoon for the laid back people around Taal volcano was jolted when visible steam came out of the crater of the country’s second most active volcano.

At first, throngs of people were enthralled at the site as scenic Tagaytay provided the unique vantage point to view the volcano, showing activity or otherwise. But this time, a phreatic eruption was already in the offing and people were still filming it on their phones.

By 4 p.m., things started to get serious. It turned to anxiety as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS raised the Alert Level from 2 to 3 in just an hour and a half due to some “magmatic unrest” on the volcano.

By that time, the threat was now real and people were praying for their safety as they hoped the volcano, which last erupted 42 years ago, does not repeat the devastation it did back in 1911 when it claimed the lives of 1,334 people By 7:30 p.m., the Alert Level was raised a notch higher to 4, which meant a hazardous eruption was imminent with ash and rock fragments columns reaching up to 10 to 15 kilometers in the sky.

Even Metro Manila, which was roughly 100 kilometers north of Taal, felt the effect of the sulfuric ashfall, with homes and property accumulating fine particles of ash overnight.

The situation turned for the worse by the hour, especially for those directly affected within the volcanos’s 14-KM danger zone.

In a short span of time, lives were changed.

Thankfully, kind-hearted people, individuals in their own capacities, private companies and local government units were quick to heed the call for help.

People along the highway, who could have just stayed indoors during the ashfall, would splash water on the windshields of fleeing motorists to rinse the accumulating debris, which made it harder for drivers to navigate the already slick road.

Similar stories of “bayanihan” followed suit.

In fact, Ayala Group employees reached out to Taal eruption evacuees with AC Motors donating 10 brand new KIA K2500 Kargo vehicles and relief

‘BAYANIHAN’

in a time of need AC Motors provided 10 brand new units of the KIA K2500 Kargo vehicles to transport the relief goods to the affected areas. These were donated afterwards to LGUs identified by the Batangas provincial government.

Xyngular Philippines donates to evacuees from Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas.

goods to join in on the relief efforts.

Only a week after the volcanic activity, relief items were carried in a convoy of 30 vehicles. Part of the delivery convoy were 10 brand new KIA K2500 Kargo vehicles that were turned over to the Batangas provincial government for deployment to evacuation sites that needed them the most.

After being on the move for over a week after the eruption, AC employees volunteered to help pack and deliver criti-

Agapay Tubig is the disaster response program of Manila Water Foundation.

cal aid to evacuees.

AC Motors, Ayala’s automotive unit under AC Industrials, even canceled its annual media thanksgiving event and instead reallocated the fund to procure emergency goods such as blankets, mattresses, sleeping mats, slippers, towels and other hygiene products.

Furthermore, Manila Water Foundation, headed to the Amigonian Fathers and Brother Formation House, Amadeo, Cavite to distribute aid to 300 individu-

LT Group: Protecting environment thru sustainable means

Lumina recognized as

‘TOP 1 DEVELOPER’

By Alicia Angelica Villanueva

by PAG-IBIG fund

IN A country where real estate has been booming for the last decade, particularly in the luxury residential and commercial segments, one company is making sure that no Filipino family gets left behind—Prima Casa Land & Houses, Inc.’s Lumina Homes.

According to the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. (SHDA), an alliance of over 200 private housing developers, there exists a massive housing deficit of 3.9 million units, which could rise up to 6.5 million in 2030 if the issue is not addressed.

Lumina realized this issue in as early as 2012 and has since developed over 50 projects nationwide—and continuously growing—to reach thousands of Filipinos in need of affordable housing.

Lumina was recently recognized by Pag-IBIG Fund as “Top 1 Developer” among its accredited developers in terms of housing loans takeout—loan value for 2019 at the 2019 Pag-IBIG Fund Chairman’s Report held last Feb. 7, 2020 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Lumina jumped from Top 6 in 2016 and 2017 rankings, and from Top 4 in 2018, and also received a special award for having the “most number of Pag-IBIG Fund housing borrowers served” for 2019.

Lumina President and COO Estrellita S. Tan thanks Pag-IBIG Fund for continuously listening to industry stakeholders and for finding ways to address issues and concerns through relevant and timely reform initiatives to address the growing housing backlog and contribute to the development of the countryside.

“Pag-IBIG Fund has truly given us the confidence to embrace an aggressive stance to expand across the country and to fulfill our commitment to build affordable communities and realize the Filipino dream of home ownership. We look forward to our continuing partnership and better linkage to further strengthen the industry,” she says, adding that Lumina is excited for the full implementation of Pag-IBIG Fund’s virtual platform, under the leadership of its president, Mr. Acmad Moti.

als from Talisay, Batangas affected by the Taal volcano eruption.

MWF deployed 100 5-gallon units of potable water, 300 water tumblers and 80 kilos of clothes for the evacuees. The clothes came from the Manila Water Enterprise Donation Drive.

Thankfully, MWF’s thrust is really for disaster response, with their Agapay Tubig program which they gleefully shared with the evacuees.

Meanwhile, Isuzu Philippines Corpora-

tion donated one unit of Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 LS MT to the Philippine Red Cross, Laguna Chapter at the IPC Plant in Biñan Laguna, for the Taal Volcano eruption relief efforts mobilization.

Additional supplies were also provided such as bottled water, toiletries, clothes and other essentials to alleviate the condition of evacuees.

The donation supports Philippine Red Cross’ mission to provide life-saving services that protect the life of Filipinos in vulnerable situations.

On the other hand, international direct-selling company Xyngular Philippines donated P5-million worth in product value not only to Taal evacuees, but also to social workers, army personnel and local government employees.

Although relatively new in the Philippines, the company has already made it its commitment to help those in need with its CSR program that focuses on health and well-being.

According to the company, they distributed food supplements that will help boost the immune system of the evacuees and the workers directly affected by the ashfall.

Xyngular Philippines said that around 150 people in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas were able to benefit from their disaster resiliency effort.

For its part, Makati City, led by Mayor Abby Binay, ordered the deployment of the city’s disaster response vehicles and equipment to Bauan, Batangas to assist thousands of evacuees from localities affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

The mayor said the city government sent one super tanker, two penetrator fire trucks, water filtration system, mobile shower, vacuum tanker, generator sets, mobile kitchen and jerry cans. Some 1,000 mats were also sent as her personal donation to the victims.

“We are mobilizing vital equipment to address the urgent needs of thousands of families displaced by the sudden eruption of Taal Volcano. The ordeal of evacuees from identified danger zones in Laguna and Batangas is far from over, and we would like to help ease their suffering by giving them access to potable water and power supply, among other necessities,” Mayor Abby said.

The mayor said the super tanker, which has a water storage capacity equivalent to the load of eight fire trucks, was used to carry water that will pass through the city-provided water filtration system, in order to provide potable water supply to the evacuees.

Thanks to these companies, LGUs and private individuals, the world just got a little brighter for the evacuees.

Continuously shedding light to the countryside Today, Lumina developments are located in key town and provinces across the country: Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Capiz, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Davao.

Currently offering a roster of rowhouses, townhouses, and single firewall homes, Lumina’s home offerings are built of high-quality materials and cost from P500,000 up to P1.7 million.

If qualified by Pag-IBIG standards as a “lowincome earner,” a buyer can pay for as little as P1,897 a month at 3% interest for a brand-new home in a safe and secure Lumina community.

Lumina developments come complete with amenities like a covered multi-purpose hall, mini gardens and playground, and provision for commercial area.

By building in accessible locations close to major thoroughfares, transport hubs, schools, hospitals, and business and leisure centers, Lumina not just builds a self-sustaining community, it also provides every Juan the pride of homeownership.

For more information, follow @luminahomesofficial on Facebook and visit Lumina Homes’ official website at https://www.lumina.com.ph/.

“OUR positive result was no accident nor was it achieved overnight. It was the product of years of planning, careful execution, and hard work.” — Lucio Tan This might be the secret behind the LT Group’s success not just in their businesses, but also in their sustainability over the years. Being in the industry for eight decades, the company surely knows how to give back with its advocacies and campaigns to protect the environment.

LT Group makes sure that the companies under it consistently review its operations, looking for ways on how they can contribute and “minimize the impact on the environment, to ensure that its needs are met without compromising the needs of future generations.”

Asia Brewery, Inc. Instead of using newly-made glasses, ABI opted for cullet, recycled, broken or waste glass, in producing their glass bottles. In 2018, the company used 72.2 thousand megatons of cullet, accounting for 61% of the raw materials used.

Another material used in manufacturing bottles is lahar, which comes from the 1990 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Last 2018, about 56% of the feldspar used in glass manufacturing was replaced by lahar, equivalent to 3.5 thousand metric tons.

Asia Brewery also makes sure that nothing will be wasted and thrown, even powdered glass wastes, which are used in concretes the company utilized in their pavements and walkways within the Cabuyao, Laguna plant premises.

Among the sustainable projects of the ABI is its regular tree-planting activities, which started in 2016.

Its mission is to plant one million trees a year, with a cumulative target of 8.4 million trees planted by 2020 in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur. With the help of local farmers, the company can plant fuelwood species for traceability and sustainability of wood for curing tobacco.

Philippine National Bank One of the policies that PNB implements in its head office is reducing its energy and water consumption. Replacing the 20-year-old cooling coils of their air-handling units and old conventional bulb and tube lights with light-emitting diodes and upgrading their chillers— these efforts resulted in savings of P10.6 million per year.

Tanduay Distillers, Inc. The diversified beverage company of the LT Group, Inc., Tanduay Distillers, Inc., puts into action efforts on how its operations can help protect the environment.

Absolute Distillers operates a 100 Kilo Liters per Day bioethanol plant in Lian, Batangas. It sold 36.3 million liters of bioethanol in 2018 and also operates a 2 MW solar power plant in Lian Batangas. In 2018, it generated 2.4 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity.

Asian Alcohol, in its plant in Pulupdan, Negros Occidental, produces biogas from distillery slops that are pumped from the equalization pond into anaerobic digesters to biodegrade. The biogas produced by the digesters is then fed to the boiler, which displaces bunker fuel consumption. From July 2017 to the end of 2018, 650,000 liters of bunker fuel were replaced by biogas.

Corporate Social Responsibility Meanwhile, as part of its corporate social responsibility, LT Group founded the Lucio C. Tan Legacy Forest Project. Established in 2014, the advocacy has contributed to the reforestation efforts of the government, with hundreds of hectares being planted and providing jobs for the indigenous people. More than that, the project also opened more opportunities for them that teach livelihood training on proper ways of producing vegetables and ornamental plants.

Before 2019 ended, together with Allianz PNB Life Insurance Inc., the company launched the Green Canopy Project, spearheaded by Lucio Tan III, which aimed to plant 12 million trees, along the Sierra Madre mountains in Luzon.

C3

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 advertise@manilastandard.net

DENR leads ‘Tayo Ang Kalikasan’ campaign

By Angelica Villanueva

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources continues to encourage Filipinos to participate in an environmental campaign that will help and contribute to preserving the country’s natural resources and environment.

Last April 2019, the DENR, led by its secretary Roy Cimatu, introduced its nationwide environmental campaign “Tayo Ang Kalikasan,” that aims to strengthen collaborative efforts among the government, locals, and stakeholders “to protect the natural

resources and maintain the ecological balance for the future generation.”

“I believe that our people are capable of change for the better, if not the best. I believe that from being part of the problem, our people can become the solu-

tion. I believe too that people care for clean air, clean water, healthy habitat, and a productive environment,” said Cimatu.

In the same month, the agency also partnered with Couples for Christ, a Philippine-based Catholic movement, to lead an initiative of planting one million trees under the Expanded National Greening Program, the government’s national reforestation effort project.

The partnership is committed to planting one million forest trees from 2019 to 2021. It also includes maintaining and protecting the seedlings during the said period.

In 2018, DENR said that 125,214 hectares of forest lands were reha-

Manila...

From C1

blast. Imagine a 10-year old kid venturing into making a habit of reading the newspapers daily. That was a larger-than-life kind of news for me. Woooooaaaaah! I can unequivocally tell that, that news story shocked my innocent mind to the core. Thanks to the Manila Standard’s reportage, I fathomed the news in a clairvoyant manner.

It had sparked the cynic, pragmatic me (actually, up to the present time) wherein during that time, had the zeal to ask questions, to be “makulit,” that a usual 10-year old kid wouldn’t ask, like for instance – “Will the mall owners file a petition at the CA? What will happen if the court denies it? How about the insurance claims policy?” And that would pave the way for me to research further for cross validation of the said news story.

This newspaper has shaped me A4 Opinion into how I view EDITORIAL and treat the news SolGen vs. ABS-CBN today. “No frills, Woe to these gatekeepers no spins. News I you need for the day.” That’s what this newspaper stands for in my personal point of view. I consider this paper as the tool to understand the business of news further and as a “stepping stone” in why I chose to take up PDRs: To ABS-CBN with love Communication Arts in college.

Contrast to what Keynote speech of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez some people beJoint Assembly of Financial Institutions held on February 13, 2020 lieve, nope, it isn’t true that millennials don’t read the papers anymore, there are still some people, who still love flipping the pages from that greasy physical copy of the mornPPI ing paper.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2020

Adelle Chua, Editor

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SOLICITOR General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. makes the following allegations: 1. It violated its legislative franchise when it operated a pay-per-view channel through free-to-air signals.

2. ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. violated its franchise under R.A. No. 7908, as amended by R.A. No. 8332.

3. ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. violated R.A. No. 7908, as amended by R.A. No. 8332, when the transfer of the subject legislative franchise was made without prior approval from the Congress.

4. ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. violated Section 16 of R.A. No. 7908, as amended by R.A. No. 8332, in relation to Section 21 of R.A. No. 7925, when it failed to publicly offer any of its outstanding capital stock to any securities exchange in the Philippines.

5. ABS-CBN sold ownership shares to foreign investors by selling Philippine Depositary Receipts. Under the Constitution, media must be 100 percent Filipino owned. Not a single share can be sold to foreigners.

In February 2015, ABS-CBN Corp. launched the country’s first digital terrestrial set-top box with free and premium digital TV channels called ABSCBN TV plus. Thereafter, in March 2016, ABS-CBN launched a pay-perview channel in ABS-CBN TV plus, the Kapamilya Box Office.

Under R.A. No. 7966, ABS-CBN is required to secure prior authority from NTC before it uses any frequency in the television or radio spectrum.

On May 14, 2019, the state agency National Telecommunications Commission told ABS-CBN Corp.. “No Encryption nor Conditional Access of programming content shall be allowed.” In granting Provisional Authority to ABS-CBN Corp. to convert DWWS television station from Analog TV service to DTT using Channel 2

(concluded from Monday)

HERE is the conclusion of “Philippine Depositary Receipts: Mass Media’s Existing or Emerging Loophole To Constitutionally Mandated Full Filipino Ownership?”—a well written, scholarly treatise written by Lorenzo E. Delgado, editor-in-chief of The Bedan Review.

On the issue of Philippine Depositary Receipts

*** In defining full beneficial ownership, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of FIA itself requires that mere legal title is not enough to meet the required Filipino equity, which means that it is not sufficient that a share is registered in the name of a Filipino citizen or national, i.e. he shall also have full beneficial ownership of the share.

If the voting right of a share held in the name of a Filipino citizen or national is assigned or transferred to an alien, that share is not be counted in the determination of the required Filipino equity.

In the same vein, if the dividends and other fruits and accessions of the share do not accrue to a Filipino citizen or national, then that share is also to be excluded or not counted. Thus, if a “specific stock” is owned by a Filipino in the books of the corporation, but the stock’s voting power or disposing power belongs to a foreigner, then that “specific stock” will not be deemed as “beneficially owned” by a Filipino.

Therefore, what is required is not

in Metro Manila, NTC also required to obtain permits and licenses for its DTTB (Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting) service.

ABS-CBN Corp. has no authority to offer the ABS-CBN TV plus, the Kapamilya Box Office Channel.

Under the DICT Framework (which was crafted after DICT’s consultation with public and private broadcasters, equipment manufacturers, content producers and key TV industry stakeholders), the operation of CAS (Conditional Access System) is subject to prior approval or authorization by the government. CAS is defined as a technology used in digital TV systems that involves satisfying qualified criteria prior to granting access to content. ABS-CBN has no such permit.

Here are the facts.

MMIGRATION officials assigned to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been relieved of their duties pending the results of a probe into an alleged scheme where Chinese nationals are given special treatment in exchange for a price—specifically, P10,000 rolled up in white paper.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente relieved the NAIA terminal heads and the chief of the travel control and enforcement unit on Tuesday on the principle of command responsibility, the bureau’s spokesperson, Dana Salvador, said.

On Monday, a Senate hearing exposed the scheme—called “pastillas” after the milk candy that is also wrapped in paper—taking place at the very gateway to our country.

The ruse is said to have started with the boom of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. While some POGOs are legitimate, many others operate illegally and have in fact given way to the distortion of real estate prices and even the proliferation of Chinese-only prostitution dens.

Dozens of corrupt employees have been removed from their posts since the start of the Duterte administration, the bureau says. This particular

scheme, however, deserves closer scrutiny as it may also be happening in other airports and may involve officials of higher rank.

It’s an ingenious way to supplement their income, but we wonder how these so-called gatekeepers muster the gall to commit this while being the face of the Philippines in welcoming visitors. We do not think that such obvious get-rich-quick schemes would be difficult to identify at all, perhaps through a lifestyle check. After all, too many ten-thousand-peso rolls can amount to a lot, in the end.

The relief of those officials should not placate our collective indignation at how these public servants violate their sworn mandate for personal gain. This should only be the beginning.

ABS-CBN Corp. is not only operat operatauthoring a CAS without the required author ity from NTC; it also illegally exacts money from the Filipino people. KBO is a pay-per-view channel where Filipinos may choose to access premium content from their television sets. To be able to watch the movies and other contents shown in the KBO, one must first register and pay ₱30 or ₱99 through the country’s mobile networks (ABSCBN Mobile, Globe, TM, Smart, TNT and Sun).

Calida says “As the legislative franchise is being regulated by the government to prevent a monopoly of a scarce resource, that person or entity cannot transfer it to any another person or entity without the imprimatur of Congress.” He adds: “Not only are the circumstances surrounding the transfers of controlling interest of Multi-Media Telephony suspicious, the transfers were made without the approval and authorization of Congress.”

On Oct. 15, 2010, ABS-CBN Corp. acquired from PCCI Equities Inc. its subscription rights over the 250,000

Turn to A5

merely legal title but full beneficial ownership over the shares of stock, having the right to all the benefits accruing to the stockholder by virtue of the shares, i.e. dividends, which, if said shares underlies a PDR, said full beneficial ownership will be absent to the stockholder, considering that the holder of the PDR and not the stockholder will have the right to obtain the benefits accruing to the shares of stock regardless of lack of ownership over the same.

Foreign control in mass media corporations: It is beyond cavil that there is a need to acknowledge existence of numerous corporate control-enhancing mechanisms, besides ownership of voting rights, that limits the proporpropor tion between the separate and distinct concepts of economic right to the cash flow of the corporation and the right to corporate control.

Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an enterprise so as to obtain benefits from its activities. Ownership of voting shares or power alone without economic concon trol of the company does not necessarily equate to corporate control. A shareholder’s agreement can effectively clip the voting power of a shareholder holding voting shares. In the same way, a voting right ceiling, which is “a restriction prohibiting shareholders to vote above a certain threshold irrespective of the number of voting shares they hold,” can limit the control that may be exerted by a person who owns voting stocks but who does not have a substantial economic interest over the company. So also does the use of financial derivatives with attached conditions to ensure the acquisition of corporate control separately from the ownership of voting shares, or the use of supermajority provisions in the bylaws and articles of incorporation or association.

Indeed, there are innumerable ways and means, both explicit and implicit, by which the control of a corporation can be attained and retained even with

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(Continued from yesterday)

OUR revenue generating agencies are putting on the fast lane the digital transformation of their offices to provide convenient, reliable, and transparent services to the taxpayers.

We are the only administration to fully implement a Fuel Marking Program nationwide. Through this program, we expect smuggling and misdeclaration of petroleum products to be greatly reduced, if not totally eradicated, and revenue collections to dramatically increase. By 2022, we also aim to complete the full shift to an electronic invoicing system to do away with some of the redundancies and inefficiencies in the tax system.

When the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law was passed in December 2017, we brought down the personal income tax rates of 99 percent of our wage earners, effectively giving them a 14th month pay. This translated into a substantial increase in consumer demand. It also broadened the tax base and improved compliance.

In order to offset revenue losses from lower personal income tax rates, we introduced excise taxes on a range of sin products. We are the first

administration to raise excise taxes on tobacco products twice during a single term. Within the first three years of administration, a new set of sin taxes was imposed on electronic cigarettes and on alcohol. The additional revenue from these measures will help fund the Universal Health Care program that primarily benefits low-income families. Preliminary figures show our tax collections from sin products almost double in 2019 from what they were in 2015.

The Rice Tariffication Law, for its part, produced a nine-peso reduction in rice prices compared to their peak in late 2018. This is particularly helpful for lower income households who spend a fifth of their budgets on rice alone. People now have a wide choice of affordable to premium rice varieties. This is likewise beneficial to the corporate sector as the much lower inflation rate eased the pressure on businesses to raise wages.

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Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

bilitated as part of the ENGP. Some 144.8 million native and tree species were raised from January until November.

Three months ago, the Environment department also launched an information campaign about responsible mining in the Philippines.

Dubbed as the #MineResponsibility campaign, it aims to have a clearer perception and image of the mining industry in the country.

“Moving forward, our goal is to harness this mineral wealth for progress and development and the key to that is responsible mining,” said Cimatu.

Among the priorities of the department is to improve the quality

of air and water and address the solid waste issues in the country.

Also in 2018, DENR has approved the 10-year solid waste management plans of 20 local government units, per Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

A province, city or municipality, through its local solid waste management boards, shall prepare its respective 10-year solid waste management plans, consistent with the 19 National Solid Waste Management Framework.

These are just a few of the several programs of the agency where Filipinos can participate in and contribute to preserving the environment.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 advertise@manilastandard.net

S

Resorts World Manila thrives in L.O.V.E.

ocial enterprises continue to increase in number as their concept serves as an effective way to create innovative solutions while establishing valuable networks for positive change.

Understanding that volunteerism serves as the foundation of any civil society movement, Resorts World Manila

exerted efforts to create a culture of volunteerism among its fold by establishing the League Of Volunteer Employees (LOVE) Corporate Social Responsibility Programs as early as 2014.

To date, the program has successfully engaged over 1,500 of employee volunteers for various LOVE activities. In 2019, the CSR team deemed

it was time to reinvent LOVE into a community that is rooted in genuine care through LOVE Plus and in the process, the program was able to inspire a revitalized set of company core values for the RWM fold that proves to be a winning plan for the management, its employees, and its beneficiaries.

LOVE GREEN

Civic activities relating to social development, health and wellness, and empowerment. for

(PART 2)

Celebrity leaders and beneficiaries of Run With Me X: RED Team for Right Start Community Development, Inc. (5th place); BLUE Team for ERDA-TECH Foundation (4th); ORANGE Team for EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation (3rd); YELLOW Team for HERO Foundation (2nd); and champions GREEN Team for Tahanang Walang Hagdanan.

Programs and activities that move the company towards environmental sustainability.

LOVE Tanim A bi-annual tree-planting and environmental awareness activity held at the La Mesa Nature Reserve in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation.

Bantay Langis Donation of used industrial oil for proper treatment, recycling, or disposal for the beneficiaries of the ABS-CBN Foundation.

LOVE LIFE

LOVE Ukay-Okay A clothes donation drive among RWM employees for the Pasay City Social Welfare and Development and Caritas Manila beneficiaries.

Green Day Regular contribution of recyclable materials to Buddhist Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Recovery Project Collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment for Foundation which will be used proper recycling and disposal to help aid in the eradication of for the production of blankets to hazardous waste pollutants which harm human life and especially be donated to disaster-stricken communities in the country. the environment.

LOVE KULTURA Activities centered on the promotion of Philippine tourism, culture and the arts through social advocacies for the youth and the provision of assistance to industry practitioners and professionals.

Run With Me Annual celebrity-led fun run for charity that promotes health, wellness, camaraderie and goodwill. For the 2019 edition, it was rebranded to Run With Me X: Extra Thrilling, Extra Fulfilling embodying RWM’s revitalized vision, mission and core values.

LOVE Grants The LOVE Grants program gives RWM volunteer employees the chance to implement their own CSR Day activities to support their personal advocacies. In 2019, the CSR team studied the possibility of branching out volunteerism to external stakeholders that share the same advocacies as the company and rebranded the programs as LOVE Team Grants and LOVE Partners Grants.

Blood Donation Drive In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, bloodletting activities are being held every 4 months. Each bloodletting activity is held over at least 3 days, in various common employee areas.

Livelihood and Employment Assistance Program (LEAP) Committed to providing relevant trainings and empowerment seminars for people who have the drive and determination to pursue a brighter future.

Original Pilipino Performing Arts (OPPA) Foundation Through the Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc., OPPA was established in 2015 in recognition of the Filipinos illustrious talent. Working to further institutionalize efforts for the advancement of Philippine performing arts, OPPA grants deserving young individuals with scholarships, opportunities, and trainings that will mold them into the country’s future respectable artists.