Manila Standard - 2020 March 2 - Monday

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VIRUS SPIKE IN TOUGH CHINA; U.S. CONFIRMS FIRST FATALITY HIGHCASES COURT GETS ON TROS, INJUNCTIONS

(Story on A2)

Bato: Drug lords killed BuCor lawyer

China on Sunday reported 573 new inCHINA reported a fresh spike in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections on fections, the highest figure in a week after Sunday, as US President Donald Trump a dip. All but three of them were in Hubei urged calm after the first death on US soil province, of which Wuhan is the capital. on Thursday.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta While the numbers in China are still and Australia registered its first fatality.

Dela Rosa, who served as BuCor diand Rey E. Requejo The virus has spread to more than 60 far lower than the huge daily increases rector before he ran for senator, came up countries around the globe, prompting reported during the first two weeks of with this statement based on his own exDRUG lords at the New Bilibid Prison the World Health Organization (WHO) February, COVID-19 has spread rapidly periences. could be behind the killing of Bureau of to raise its risk assessment to its highest across borders, with South Korea, Italy “Most likely, those behind the killing, Corrections former legal counsel Anthoand Iran emerging as hotspots. level. based on my experience, the drug lords ny Fredric Santos, also a witness in the South Korea, which has the most inWorldwide, nearly 3,000 people have jailed in Bilibid ordered the killing of our Good Conduct Time Allowance anomabeen killed and about 87,000 infected fected people outside China, reported 376 Next page ly, said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa since the virus was first detected late last new cases on Sunday, bringing its total to VOL. XXXIV • NO. 21 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, MARCH 2, 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 year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. 3,526.

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Du30 plans school shutdown Immigration man tags 5 in ’pastillas’ 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

May follow Japan lead if outbreak worsens in PH; 10 repatriates show symptoms Next page

By MJ Blancaflor

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte might consider replicating the move of Japan to ask schools to close for a month

By Macon Ramos-Araneta to control COVID-19 and MJ Blancaflor after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised ORMER airport the risk assessment to officials and employees “very high,” the Palace said of the Bureau of Sunday.

Immigration are behind President Rodrigo Duterte the Presidential Spokesman Salvador “pastillas” system by which Panelo said it could be done if the Inter- Chinese workers and fugitives Agency Task Force on Emerging Infecenter the country by paying tious Disease would recommend it, but said there is no need for such drastic ac- bribes, a whistleblower said tion now.

Thursday.

Syndicate behind scheme exposed in Senate probe

F

“If the President can see the threat increasing and there is a recommendation from the inter-agency, it may also be done. At present, there’s none,” Panelo said in a radio interview.

The Palace official also assured the public that the government has been prepared to step up efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

The WHO has commended the Philippines and eight other countries for showing that the spread of the deadly disease “can be contained.” The other countries cited by the global organization were Belgium, Cambodia, Finland, India, Nepal, the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, and Sweden.

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SCHOOL'S OUT.

Elementary school children disinfect their hands before leaving school in Osaka.

Japan's prime minister on February 28 defended his call for schools across the country to close over the new coronavirus, as the country confirmedofficer 1 Allison Chiong (top left) tells a Senate committee hearing Thursday he is the source of the video showing officers facilitating the immigration process I DO. Immigration afor fifth death POGO linked workers to Chinese at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Chiong named the current and former immigration officials involved in the bribery scheme as Traffic Control the outbreak. Unit Photo Enforcement officers Bien Guevarra, Glenn Comia and Den Binsol. Chiong said these officials were under Ports Operation Division Chief Marc Red Mariñas. Ey Acasio at right shows medical

staff members wearing protective gear move inside the yellow control lines at a hospital for patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus in Daegu on March 1, 2020. South

By Macon Ramos-Araneta Korean President Moon Jae-in said on March THE Philippines has no budget to devel1opthe itsgovernment own vaccines, which would need was waging "all-out of pesos that it canbillions and billions responses" to contain not afford, Health Secretary Francisco the novel as Duque III coronavirus said Thursday. theIncountry reported 376 an interview over radio dzMM, new cases, Duque saidtaking it wasthemore cost-effective total to 3,526. to buy vaccinesAFP from rich countries that

Fund lack blocks move to develop vaccines; Duque prefers buy option

have the capacity to develop the drugs.

“They have economies scale,” Duque said, adding that this made their vaccines cheaper.

He dismissed reports that developing countries are being sidestepped in the distribution of vaccines, saying big companies are mandated to lead in developing vaccines for diseases such as the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

Duque pointed to research in China Next page

Petron cuts LPG price by P42 per tank

By Alena Mae S. Flores PETRON Corp. will implement a P3.90per-kilo rollback or P42.90 per 11-kilogram tank of liquefied petroleum gas effective 12:01 am on March 2.

Petron will likewise cut Auto LPG prices by P2.20 per liter, saying “These reflect the international contract price of

LPG for the month of March.

Other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

Over the weekend, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines led the latest oil price rollback of as much as P1.60 per liter effective 6 am on Saturday.

“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will

Victim's profile comes to fore after 3k deaths

In a Senate hearing on human trafficking and prostitution, Immigration officer Allison Chiong saidofthese officials were AS THE number confirmed corobehind the syndicate that facilitated navirus cases across 61 countries hitthe smooth of Chinese nationals who 86,000 entry Saturday with nearly 3,000 enter the country to work in Philippine deaths to date, the profile of those Offshore Operators. most at Gaming risk of dying is coming into Chiong said these groups worked with focus, experts told AFP. China-based travel agencies, who resend But the overall mortality rate them a list of names of people who are mains uncertain, they said. about to enter the country.

The World Health Organization “The its syndicated wouldto often raised global riskgroups assessment its compete each to gain favor top levelwith Friday, withother the global health from Chinese travel crisisthe edging closer to aagencies,” pandemic.Chiong said.Among those infected with the He revealed that they gave bribes rangNext page ing 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

Palace warns Japan, Australia not to meddle, rules out new US pact Palace offers govt protection to controversial cop

By MJ Blancaflor

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not let embattled Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido to be harmed, the Palace said Thursday after Espenido said the government could go after him since he was included in its drug watchlist.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Espenido could ask for protec-

tion from the government if he feared for PRESIDENT Rodrigo him Duterte also his life, and assured that will President terminate the country’s military pacts Duterte would not hurt anyone ‘‘outside with legal Australia processes.and Japan if there are “compelling” reasons so, Malaca“If that is the fear to ofdo Colonel Espeñang said Sunday, as it shrugged efnido, then we cannot stop himofffrom forts to craft a new accord with the Unitentertaining such apprehension. But ed to replace Forces theStates President will the notVisiting allow anyone Agreement (VFA) that was terminated to be hurt outside legal processes or three weekssanctioned ago. methods by law, Panelo Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that while the defense agreements with Australia and Japan remain in force as of now, President Duterte is also keen on scrapping those pacts if the two

countries interfere with the sovereignty of the toldPhilippines. reporters.

“Our pendingwould agreements Aus“If Espenido want to with ask for any tralia and Japan will not be scrapped by protective measure from the government, the President unless there is a compelling then he can so request just like any other reason citizen.for him to do so,” Panelo said in a radio interview. Espenido welcomed the Meanwhile, He also maintained President due process granted by that Philippine NaDuterte remains fi rm in his decision tional Police Chief Archie Gamboatotoabthe rogate the country’s VFAlatest with drug the United policemen on Duterte’s watch States amid reports of list, including him. that the envoys Next page Manila and Washington are working for another military deal to replace it.

Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez on Friday said his

Garbage crisis in Metro: A ticking time bomb Pundits and critics alike say the National Capital Region’s trash output is a ticking time bomb, indicative of a similar problem experienced across the country,

By Jimbo Gulle and recent statements by government ofIF YOU think Metro Manila’s traffic is ficials have only underscored the issue. a problem, the garbage situation will, in Last December, Environment Secretary modern social media-speak, tell you to Roy Cimatu said the country was in the “hold its beer.” middle of a “garbage crisis.” Waste gener-

(First of two parts)

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ation, he said, had become unprecedented, 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, Turn to A3

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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

Red-tagging fears eased: Not to worry

By MJ Blancaflor Virus control efforts working—China

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

Speaking in Laos before talks with Pope from Francis he Asian was peers thesaid 10 Sunday Southeast canceling a planned six-day spiritual (ASEAN) countries, Wang Yi said the retreat south of Rome after outbreak was “controllable andcoming curable” page down with “cold. ” despite the global panic it has Next seeded.

Colds-stricken Pope scraps 6-day retreat

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte and his administration take action that “China is notwill onlynot protecting its own will harm journalists, people but also the rest ofthe thePalace world,”said he Sunday after a inCagayan dereferencing Oro-based told the summit Vientiane, denounced red-tagging amedia recentgroup sharp drop in new the cases of the viof journalists in the city.it has killed more rus inside China, where Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panthan 2,100 people. eloPhilippine said journalists had noTeodoro links to Foreignwho Minister the communist be Locsin Jr. thankedmovement China for itsshould “unprecworry-free. edented domestic measures and quick “If you are not doing anythingtowrong, action”―apparently referring the Nextpage page Next

CLOSING RITES. This file photo taken on May 19, 2017 shows members of US marines honor guard folding their national flag during the closing ceremony of the joint US-Philippines military exercise in Democrats Manila. There roomMajority for negotiations to replace LAKAS GATHERING. Offiannual cers and members of Lakas-Christian Muslim led isbystill House Leader Martin aRomualdez key military(center) pact with thefor USposterity that the Philippines has moved to scrap, top Manila diplomat said on FebruaryRomualdez 28, voicing hope forthe the pose during the lunch meeting of theaparty at the House of Representatives. has said seven-decade-old alliance.

AFPof the administration to ensure the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda. Ver Noveno party will always be a partner

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Brace for worst virus impact—senator in Italy. In one week more than half a year of gains were wiped out in a brutal swing reminiscent of the financial crisis more than a decade ago.

Yet analysts note that such abrupt market corrections―a swift drop of at least 10 percent from a recent peak― have happened nearly every year over the past decade.

As a first step, Angara said the Labor department should be conducting a survey of all companies laying off workers due to a slowdown in economic activity, be it COVID-19-related or not.

Not all companies are the size of PAL, which could afford to provide separation packages to its affected employees.

Angara said there were smaller players, particularly those in the tourism sector such as the tour guides, bed-andbreakfast operators and vehicle rentals who needed the foreign visitors to put food on their tables.

“For our countrymen who lost their jobs over the losses incurred by their companies or sector, there is financial help from our Department of Labor and Employment that can be used while they are still looking for jobs,” Angara said.

Under the 2020 General Appropriations Act, the department has P112.62 million for its Adjustment Measures Program and P6.8 billion for its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD. “These programs give temporary help. It is more important to have more industries in each region, town or community that would continuously give jobs to our people and help boost the economy,” Angara said.

“Now more than ever our entire government should work together in making our domestic industries stronger, more competitive, productive and resilient.” with AFP

Other residents and staff were “ill with respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia of unknown cause,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

The death and two confirmed Washington cases all involved patients who had not traveled overseas or come in contact with anyone known to be ill, indicating the virus was spreading in the United States.

“We will see more cases,” Health Secretary Alex Azar said at the White House.

“But it’s important to remember, for the vast majority of individuals who contract the novel coronavirus, they will experience mild to moderate symptoms.”

France cancelled gatherings of 5,000 people or more after 16 new cases were confirmed there on Saturday, bringing the country’s total to 73.

Sunday’s Paris half-marathon and an agricultural symposium were among the events that were axed.

Italy, the hotspot of the outbreak in Europe, saw a jump in new cases on Saturday, with its number of infections exceeding 1,000 and the death toll jumping by eight to 29.

The outbreak forced the postponement of five matches in Italy’s top-flight Serie A football league, including the heavyweight clash between champions Juventus and Inter Milan.

In recent days, the epidemic has spread also to sub-Saharan Africa, while Qatar, Ecuador, Luxembourg and Ireland all confirmed their first cases on Saturday.

Governments around the world have scrambled to prevent the spread of the virus, from large-scale lockdowns of millions of people in China to flight

bans and travel restrictions from disease hotspots.

Beijing’s drastic steps include curbing the movement of people, temporarily closing factories across China and quarantining Hubei, a key industrial province where the virus first appeared.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Sunday the government was waging “all-out responses” to contain the novel coronavirus.

“We will be able to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak and revive our shrunken economy,” he said.

South Korea’s epidemic is centered in its fourth-largest city, Daegu, whose streets have been largely deserted for days, apart from long queues at the few shops with masks for sale.

The total in South Korea is expected to rise further as authorities screen more than 210,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive entity often accused of being a cult that is linked to around half of the country’s cases.

Mexico confirmed its fourth case of the new coronavirus on Saturday – all linked to recent travel to Italy—after a young woman tested positive for infection.

Health authorities said the 20-yearold from northern Coahuila state was carrying the virus without showing symptoms.

She had recently traveled to Milan and was now under isolation in her home, according to the state government.

Another eight people are being tested for suspected infection, authorities said.

The other three confirmed cases— two men in Mexico City and one man in northern Sinaloa state—are all believed to have visited northern Italy, authorities said Friday. AFP

virus, older adults with preexisting heart conditions or hypertension face a sharply higher risk, according to preliminary statistics, including from a study covering more than 72,000 patients in China.

Among a subset of 44,700 infections confirmed through lab tests as of midFebruary, more than 80 percent were at least 60 years old, with half over 70, said the study that was published in the official China CDC Weekly.

Initial reports from outside China are similar, with the first 12 victims reported in Italy mostly in their 80s, and none under 60.

Several had known heart problems.

Men in the China study were more likely to die than women by a margin of almost 3-to-2.

But whether that was due to behaviornotably that most men in China smoke, while few women do-or biological factors, such as hormonal differences, is still unknown.

One striking finding from the China study is the near absence of cases among children.

The 10-19 age bracket comprised one percent of infections, and a single death.

Children under 10 made up less than one percent, with no deaths reported.

“We are still trying to wrap our heads around the deficit of cases among those under 20,” Cecile Viboud, an epidemiologist at the US National Institute of Health’s Fogarty International Centre, told AFP in an interview.

“Is it because young children are less susceptible than adults, and thus simply don’t get infected? Or if they do, that they have less disease?”

It is surprising infections of very young people are so low, she added, because they tend to be among the hardest hit by almost all respiratory infections-whether viral or bacterial.

David Fisman, an epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, was also mystified.

“Where are the infected children???,” he wrote in an email. “This is critical― perhaps kids are not being tested because they have mild symptoms.”

Another possible explanation is that children in China were out of school for the lunar new year holiday when the virus began to spread widely in January.

“But young children still live in households where they can be infected by their parents,” Viboud noted.

A lower rate of infection among the youngest age groups was also seen during the 2002-03 outbreak of SARS, but was less marked.

SARS, which is also a coronavirus, broke out in Guangdong Province and killed 774 people out of 8,096 infected.

The death of 34-year old Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang in early February, along with several more health workers in their twenties, sparked speculation they had died because of repeated exposure, or even sheer exhaustion.

Li’s death sparked outrage in China because he had been muzzled by authorities for calling attention to the virus.

Cellphone video images on social networks showed nurses and doctors, unable to cope with the caseload, breaking down in hysterics.

“A more likely reason why young clinicians are getting infected is because they were operating outside their level of expertise and training,” John Nichols, a professor in the department of pathology at the University of Hong Kong, told AFP.

“It is noble that the junior doctors pony up valiantly to help, but they most likely would not have had the necessary training in handling infectious patients.”

The larger question of just how lethal COVID-19 is, remains unanswered.

The ratio of confirmed cases to deaths suggests a mortality rate of 3.4 percent, but several studies have concluded that up to two-thirds of infections in China and elsewhere have gone undetected, which would make the virus far less deadly.

“At the moment, we don’t have a good understanding of the real mortality rate,” Sharon Lewin, director of the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne told Australian television.

“It is estimated at about two percent.”

With SARS-which killed nearly one in 10 patients―early mortality figures turned out to be underestimates, in part because victims of the virus did not die quickly.

With the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, however, the opposite happened, said Viboud.

“Within a few weeks of the outbreak, the mortality estimate declined first 10fold, and then 100-fold, as we moved from severe pneumonia to getting all flu cases.”

“Here, I think we are somewhere in the middle,” she added, saying thecurrent two percent mortality estimate could well decline.

The seasonal flu has an average mortality rate of about 0.1 percent but is highly infectious, with up to 400,000 people worldwide dying from it each year.

The China CDC study showed that COVID-19 was “mild” for more than 80 percent of confirmed cases. AFP

as part of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

In a statement issued Saturday, COPC president Manuel Jaudian said some of their members had attended a solidarity protest earlier this week in support of ABS-CBN when a courier delivered copies of bond paper-sized posters that accused them of being members of the communist group.

Among those who were red-tagged

were MindaNews writer and Inquirer correspondent Froilan Gallardo, Mindanao Goldstar Daily associate editor Cong Corrales, Mindanao Goldstar Daily photojournalist Joey Nacalaban, and Sunstar-Cagayan de Oro editor Pamela Jay Orias.

The posters were distributed at the provincial capitol grounds on Friday.

Jaudian urged the police and the military to look into the “seemingly witch-hunting efforts of some mis-

guided elements.

Panelo said the military would rely on “basis and evidence” when it came to those who had been suspected to be CPP members.

The CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, have been tagged as a terror group in the Philippines.

Government critics have been criticizing the Duterte administration for allegedly red-tagging those who express dissent to state policies.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Sonny Angara said the government cannot afford to be complacent in addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 on the economy after Philippine Airlines laid off 300 of its ground staff.

“We have been spared from the deaths caused by the COVID-19, but sadly the pandemic has taken away the jobs of 300 hard-working men and women of our country’s flag carrier, Angara said.

He said there was no end in sight yet and more countries were implementing drastic measures to keep their citizens safe, including the Philippines.

“Our authorities should prepare for the worst and insulate not only our people from the virus-but also our in-

dustries from being downed by COVID-19,” Angara said.

Markets have shuddered as the coronavirus spreads worldwide, but analysts doubt it will plunge economies into a crisis like the one that followed the 2008 Lehman Brothers investment bank failure.

Where will the market slide end?

Stock markets held up fairly well in the first weeks of the coronavirus outbreak in China, but fell sharply when a large number of cases were reported

Du30...

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“Even the World Health Organization has commended the Philippines.

We are containing the virus very well. That’s why our fellow Filipinos should not worry,” Panelo said.

The Philippines has temporarily banned the entry of tourists from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and North Gyeongsang province in South Korea in a bid to prevent the disease from spreading.

Filipinos are also banned from traveling in those countries except if they are permanent residents, students, and workers there.

Three cases of COVID-19 involving three Chinese nationals were confirmed in the Philippines. One of the patients died, while the remaining two recovered from the disease.

Currently, there is no case of local transmission of the virus in the country.

As of Feb. 29, there were over 85,000 cases of Covid-19 worldwide and over 2,900 deaths.

On Sunday, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 10 of the repatriates from the Diamond Princes cruise ship showed symptoms of COVID-19, but seven of them had tested negative for the virus.

The remaining three were still awaiting their test results, she added.

The 445 repatriates from the cruise ship began their 14-day quarantine at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac on Tuesday.

The number of Filipinos abroad who have tested positive for COVID-19 rose to 86 after a 41-year-old Filipino woman in Singapore was confirmed to have the virus.

Sixteen out of the 80 Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess had already been discharged, she said.

Australia reported the first death on its soil—a 78-year-old man who had been evacuated from the coronavirusstricken Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.

His 79-year-old wife was also infected with the disease during the cruise and remains in a Perth hospital, a spokeswoman for the Western Australian state health department said.

The couple were among about 160 Australians evacuated from the Diamond Princess last month and they tested positive for the coronavirus during their flight home.

There are fears the disease could hammer the global economy, and stock markets last week plunged to their lowest levels since the 2008 financial crisis.

Global attention turned to the United States on Saturday after the first fatality on American soil was confirmed.

“We’ve taken the most aggressive actions to confront the coronavirus,” Trump said at a hastily arranged White House press conference.

“Our country is prepared for any circumstance,” he said, and urged the media and politicians “not to to do anything to incite panic.”

The fatality occurred in Washington state’s King County, which includes Seattle, a city of more than 700,000 people, health officials said.

The victim was in his 50s and had “underlying health conditions,” officials added, as they also announced a possible outbreak in a Washington state nursing home, where a health worker and a resident in her 70s were both confirmed sick with the virus.

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“Unfortunately, a cold forced me not to take part this year,” the 83-year-old pontiff said after coughing a couple of times during his weekly Sunday appearance from a Vatican window in front of supporters.

Pope Francis last week cancelled a scheduled appearance at mass in Rome because of “a mild ailment.”

The announcement came as Italy struggles to control the largest outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe with some 400 cases.

The Vatican made no reference to the disease in its announcement.

Francis has not curtailed any of his activities, which often include mingling with crowds and shaking hands.

The pontiff, who only has one lung and suffers problems with one hip, very rarely cancels an appointment in his busy schedule. AFP

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you should not be afraid. In fact, the President ignores those who keep on criticizing him, Panelo said in a radio interview.

His remarks came after the Cagayan de Oro Press Club condemned in the “strongest terms” the “black, cheap” propaganda of linking them

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counterpart, US Ambassador Sung Kim, was in Washington exploring the possibility of a new agreement with Manila.

Romualdez said the country’s military deals with Australia and Japan were among the agreements “recommended for study” as a model for a new accord. The proposal would be presented to President Duterte, he added.

In 2007, the country entered into a visiting forces deal with Australia that took effect in 2012. The Philippines also has a military pact with Japan signed in 2016, which provides a framework for joint research and development projects between the two countries, as well as Tokyo’s supply of defense equipment to Manila.

Panelo said the initiative to work out a new deal does not have the go-signal of President Duterte, insisting that the commander-in-chief wants the Philippines to become a self-reliant state capable of crushing its own enemies.

“It does not have the go-signal of the President. Maybe that’s the initiative of Ambassador Romualdez’s counterpart.

Of course, they are affected. So they will initiate a good suggestion,” Panelo said.

Romualdez added that contrary to US President Donald Trump’s earlier remark that he does not mind the termination of the VFA, Pentagon officials are “extremely concerned” about the implications of scrapping the deal amid Beijing’s rise in the West Philippine Sea. The VFA, which took effect in 1999, grants American troops the privilege to be exempted from passport and visa regulations, and use their permits and licenses in the Philippines. It also gives the United States jurisdiction over American servicemen who commit crimes while based in the Philippines.

It was the foundation of military exercises between the two countries such as the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.

The MDT states that Manila and Washington would come to each other’s defense in case of an attack by a foreign state, while the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) allows the US military to maintain barracks and weapons storage structures inside five Philippine military camps.

Panelo said scrapping the VFA also weakens MDT and EDCA. On Wednesday, President Duterte said the military and police assured him that the Philippines could boost its defense capabilities without US assistance.

He added that the Philippines should choose to become a “territory” of the United States or a “province” of China if it is incapable of defending itself from terrorism and extremist groups.

On Feb. 11, the Philippines sent Washington a notice to terminate the VFA after the US canceled the visa of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, presumably because of his role when he was still national police chief in the President’s bloody war on drugs.

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decrease the prices of diesel by P1.60 per liter and gasoline by P1.40 per liter effective 6am of 29 February 2020,” the company said in its advisory.

Unioil Philippines forecasts that fuel prices will go down next week by P1.60 to P1.70 per liter of diesel and P1.30 to P1.40 per liter of gasoline.

Other oil companies were expected to follow suit.

World oil prices slumped last week amid concerns that the coronavirus will affect the global economy. The coronavirus outbreak has already affected air travel, shipping and other businesses worldwide.

On Feb. 25, most of the oil companies implemented a price increase on petroleum products as world oil prices recovered slightly due to optimism that the virus in China has started to be contained.

The oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P0.30 per liter, diesel by P0.20 per liter and kerosene by P0.35 per liter.

The year-to-date adjustments stand at a net decrease of P2.50 per liter of gasoline, P4.40 per liter of diesel and P5.59 per liter of kerosene, according to latest data from the Energy department.

Earlier in February, the think-tank IBON Foundation filed a complaint against National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Presidential Communications and Operations Office Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, and Southern Luzon Command chief Major Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. for linking them to the CPP. IBON insisted it is a foundation providing socio-political-economic analysis.

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DANGEROUS WATERS. A salbabida vendor peddles his

wares along Baseco beach in Tondo, Manila as families take a dip to beat the heat despite prohibition from authorities as the waters are highly contaminated with coliform. Norman Cruz

DOJ: Killing of Ecija lawyer may be ‘EJK’

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said he would direct the Task Force on Extra-Judicial Killings to conduct its own probe on the killing of a 73-year-old lawyer if there would be indications that his death was related to his advocacy.

“If there are any indications that the murder of Atty. (Bayani) Dalangin had anything to do with any of his advocacy, I will direct the inter-agency Administrative Order 35 Task Force on EJK to conduct its own investigation,” Guevarra said in a text message.

The Philippine National Police is currently investigating the death of Dalangin, who was repeatedly shot by a lone gunman Friday evening in front his client inside his office in Barangay Poblacion in Nueva Ecija.

Guevarra said the DOJ will only join the investigation if Dalangin’s death is shown to be connected to his work.

Guevarra heads the inter-agency committee on EJKs, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations to the rights to life, liberty and security of persons.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Nueva Ecija Chapter head Wilson Chua condemned the killing, saying Dalangin’s murder “was not only an attack against a member of the Philippine Bar, it is also an attack against the legal order and justice system.”

Dalangin is the 48th lawyer killed since President Rodrigo Duterte, himself a lawyer, took office in 2016.

Visayan bloc rejects oust-Cayetano plot T

By Rio N. Araja

HE 48-strong lawmakers from the Visayas in Congress remains fully committed behind the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco declared on Sunday.

Cayetano last week himself disclosed that there was an attempt to oust him from his position. He implied it was Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, his original rival for the speakership, who was behind the plot.

Frasco, chairman of the House committee on Visayas development, said lawmakers continue to support Cayetano, including his position on the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

“I can speak as chairman of the Visayas development committee that my fellow Visayas representatives stand solidly behind Speaker Alan in observing the protocol and courtesy due to our fellow

representatives in the committee on franchises before whom the ABS-CBN franchise matter has been presented,” he said.

“The Visayas congressmen and women strongly believe that under Speaker Alan, the House has been transformed into a more responsive and more responsible legislative chamber.

We will continue to heed the Speaker’s guidance as we believe that his fair and uncompromising stand on issues, such as the ABS-CBN franchise renewal, is the appropriate way of handling such concerns,” Frasco added.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, for his part, denied there were efforts

from PDP-Laban to unseat Cayetano.

“As far as PDP-Laban is concerned, being their spokesperson, I can categorically say there is no such coup d’etat. I think it is baseless and unfounded,” he said in a radio interview Sunday.

“We do not have any knowledge of this supposed ouster plan or coup d’etat and we will not participate if ever there is a plan,” he added.

Cayetano, in a separate statement, said he will not resort to transactional politics just to keep the speakership.

“I believe in what I believe. I will not be transactional. I will not sacrifice my principles and this administration’s priorities. I believe most members of Congress see and appreciate the reforms I stand for. If they do, then I will continue to serve as their Speaker,” he said.

“If they don’t, then they can remove me, I will continue to serve as the representative of Taguig and Pateros.

I will continue the lonely fight with whoever will join me,” Cayetano added.

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Solons push for measures protecting women, girls AS THE country marked National Women’s Month yesterday, two lawmakers have pushed for the passage of legislative measures that will further protect the rights of women and girls.

At the House of Representatives, Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera urged her colleagues to hasten the passage of a measure prohibiting child marriage.

“Child, early, and forced marriages pose risks and have serious impacts on the health and development of women and girls. Child marriage is a grave form of violence against women and girls, and we must put an end to this vile practice,” she said.

“Married girls will most likely drop out of school and lose their chance of getting educated, gaining a decent job, and earning for herself and her family. Child brides are also the most common victims of domestic abuse and violence,” she added.

Data from the United Nations Children’s Fund showed that as of 2017, at least 15 percent of Filipino women between 20 to 24 were first married or entered a union before they turned 18 years old.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, many of adolescent brides experienced early and repeated pregnancies and childbirth before they could become physically mature and psychologically ready for responsible motherhood.

The Family Code of the Philippines sets the legal age of marriage at 18 and above, and requires that consent must be freely given by both parties. Muslim minors, however, are an exception.

Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws sets a lower age for marriage—15 for a male and 12 years for a female, for as long as she has reached puberty.

“Despite international and local legal frameworks, child, early and forced marriages are still a growing trend in the Philippines, especially in indigenous communities. To stop this form of abuse and exploitation, we should strengthen the implementation of the Family Code and repeal contradictory laws,” Herrera said.

At the Upper House, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian underscored the need to curb teenage pregnancy for the country to sustain and accelerate gender equality.

Rio N. Araja

DA distributes P32m to ASF-affected hog raisers in Rizal THE Department of Agriculture has distributed P32-million worth of additional interventions for hog raisers affected by the African swine fever in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar and DA Regional Director Arnel de

Mesa led the distribution of various farm tools, equipment, inputs, livestock, and poultry.

Dar said this is to further help affected raisers recover their losses from ASF by providing them with sustainable livelihood.

As per record, there were 7,003 hogs culled due to ASF, affecting a total of 711 hog raisers in six barangays of Rodriguez.

One of the initial interventions provided by the department was to give P5,000 to affected raisers for each of their surrendered pig thatwould be

humanely culled.

According to De Mesa, the distribution of interventions is all based on the needs assessment and validation of affected raisers to ensure that the livelihood assistance received by them is the most suitable and sustainable.

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Event 201

EDITORIAL

ficials would be tested.

The exercise was about a covert and widespread small pox attack on the United States “involving initially localized attacks in Oklahoma City with additional attack cases in Georgia and Pennsylvania then designed to spiral out of control.”

The contingency created was meant to test “the weaknesses of the US health care infrastructure and its inability to handle such a threat, as well as its effectiveness in addressing the widespread panic engendered by the many difficulties in providing the American public with the necessary information regarding safety guidelines.”

On the other hand, Atlantic Storm which was mounted in 2005 and also about a small pox bio terrorist incident, was meant to “reveal the state of international preparedness and possible political and public health issues that might evolve from such a crisis.” In that scenario, small pox was covertly released in the following major cities: Istanbul, Rotterdam, Warsaw, Frankfurt, New York Ciy and Los Angeles.

Cases were then reported in Germany, Turkey, Sweden and the Netherlands but transAtlantic transmission happened hours after which “forced the attending representatives to grapple with a quickly escalating crisis and revealed difficult tensions between domestic politics and international relations propelled by continual briefings from a ‘Summit Staff,’ breaking news segments from a ‘Global News Network’ and private updates from their ‘national advisors.’ The scenario assumed that the viral ingredients were obtained from a bio weapons facility in Russia; to spread the virus, members walked around public areas with canisters releasing virus in high-traffic areas.”

The third exercise, Clade X, done in 2018, moved along the same patterns as the first two but this time was meant to identify and clarify long term policy commitments which will strengthen preparedness and mitigate risk.

And then, Event 201 set in which further enhanced the need for a full, comprehensive and internationally applicable and, more importantly, acceptable response to a global health crisis.

There is no question that these simulation exercises on global health issues have resulted in a number of coordinated efforts in response to such eventualities. How each and every country, public and private institutions, as well as international organizations

TOWARD the end of the 20th century, as the Cold War was coming to a close, globalization became the operating norm. Opening up societies, expanding trade and people-to-people contacts was de-rigueur.

But while the transition to a brand new world with boundless opportunities for growth and development became fast and fashionable, the same brought in its wake a host of new issues and concerns. Coping with these became as much a challenge to governments, businesses and, of course, peoples.

How prepared are global institutions to deal with a health emergency?

It is in this context that the Johns Hopkins Center for For Health Security hosted efforts to prepare and check whether the world can respond to threats of global magnitude specially in the health sector. It proposed solutions on how we can and should respond to such threats.

The last and fourth in a series of such exercises was done by the Center on October 15, 2019 together with representatives from the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and was named Event 201.

That it was done was just two months before the COVID-19 outbreak was reported has engendered a number of theories, many false and conspiratorial, about its provenance and its impact on international preparedness and cooperation in the face of a pandemic.

As reported publicly in the Center’s website and publications such as Wikipedia, in the earlier exercises beginning with Operation Dark Winter in 2001 the idea was always to challenge institutional preparedness in the event a health outbreak sets in.

The capability of senior-level US of-

Adelle Chua, Editor

Marching on

A

LL of a sudden, it’s March.

Calendars are merely constructs, but they nonetheless give us a sense of how far we have come—or not. In the case of the year 2020, time seemed go slow and fast at the same time. What lies ahead as we begin the third of 12 months?

To be sure, January and February gave Filipinos—actually the world—many reasons to feel insecure. We saw bushfires in Australia, an exchange of hostile words between the United States and Iran, eruption of Taal Volcano, and the outbreak of what could be a global pandemic.

Aside from developments of such existential magnitude, we also continue to grapple with the challenges of daily living here in the Philippines. We have to suffer the pronouncements of and squabbles among our leaders when they should simply be performing the daunting task of uplifting the lives of as many Filipinos as possible and closing the income gap. We

tolerate the breakdown of public utilities, witness the continued disregard for the supremacy of life and the rule of law, and have to go the extra mile to check whether what we read or hear are truths or falsehoods.

It’s not far-fetched we will see more of the same in the coming months. The COVID-19 crisis, for example, will not die a natural death and must be countered with aggressive screening and protection measures. That the World Health Organization has cited the Philippines as one of nine countries that show the virus can be contained should not be reason for complacency. If at all, it should drive our authorities

to be exacting. They should also communicate better to the people, not only in terms of reciting daily figures, but telling as many people as possible about the basic ways they can protect themselves, as well as dispelling myths and hoaxes that only serve to confuse the public.

Our best companions as we navigate the rest of this tumultuous year are the usual hope and optimism, tempered with a healthy dose of common sense and skepticism.

We have to demand more from our leaders—tough talk does not necessarily make for sound policy.

We have to take everything we hear with a grain of salt, and form our own conclusions instead of going with the horde.

Most of all, we have to open our eyes and ears to all possibilities and make plans given these scenarios. This is the only way we can protect ourselves from further surprises—and avoid running around like headless chickens in the face of yet another challenge.

Turn to A5

Havoc high-rolling economy whose factories will be unable to meet the supply chain requirements of other country-economies in the prevailing system of globalization.

THE pandemic that has reached almost every part of the globe other than icetrapped Antarctica will wreak havoc on the economies of practically every country on earth.

The world’s stock markets are bleeding. Even in the Philippines, the stock indices show that we are moving to bear territory within the week. Billions of pesos have been shed. And all over the wealthier countries, billions of dollars, yen and yuan have been lost.

Fuel prices are down to $50 per barrel, which should be good news for countries which import all their oil requirements. But then, how much of it would a people gripped with fear of travelling, actually consume over the next few months, longer if the Wuhan-originating virus is not contained considerably?

But for the oil-producing countries, $50 per barrel or lower could mean disaster. In the US of A, where in the time of Obama shale deposits were mined to counter high oil prices, $50 is no longer profitable. In the Middle East, $50 per barrel is a calamity. This means their oil-dependent economies will shrink, and with it lifestyles that will require less contract workers from countries like ours.

For the world’s second-largest economy, obviously, the impact is tragic. Not only in terms of lives lost and the cost of caring for the health of the thousands afflicted, but on a formerly

Food security is national security.

Already, the cost of logistics brought about by health checkpoints has brought the price of food up by almost 40 percent in Beijing. Beef prices have doubled. Even noodles and rice have registered increased prices.

In the Philippines, tourism is down, and even the earlier decision to promote domestic tourism will not fly. Aborted in fact before taking off is a gigantic shopping mall sale that was premised on the consumeristic appetites of Filipinos, but has been grounded for health precautionary concerns.

If we hit 8.26 million tourists last year, a record high, we may not even get 6 million incoming arrivals this year. How many jobs will be lost in this sector?

With supply chains in peril, would not every foreign investor put their investment plans on hold, except for those intrepid few who would have the prescience and daring to look at the crisis as opportunity to be on the ball when things turn around, as surely they will?

I do not want to be a jeremiad of doom, but if the economy was forecast to grow at between 6 to 7 percent this Turn to A5

Politicizing POGOs (Part 1) IT’S been seven months already since the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation imposed a moratorium on granting licenses for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations applicants. This was in response to the criticisms that Pagcor had been receiving over its biggest earner—the POGOs. However, I honestly believe Pagcor should not have given in to the criticism. These were not related to regulations and gaming. In fact, I am more inclined to believe that they were political in nature.

These critics insist that because of POGOs, there is now a proliferation of criminality. There are now prostitution dens catering to POGO workers, there are now kidnapping syndicates operating and victimizing POGO employees, and a special lane catering to illegal foreigners recruited for Pogos is now operating within the Bureau of Immigration. In all instances, those involved are Chinese nationals as they were the ones heavily invested in POGOs.

It’s been two weeks already since the pastillas scheme was exposed, but what have we done yet?

So, are these people saying that POGOs spawned criminality? Of course not. Criminality has been around ever since. Prostitution, kidnapping, bribery or corruption, abusive behaviors of foreigners—these were not invented by POGO workers. They have been around for the longest time.

The problem lies in the corrupt personnel over at the BI. They allow undesirable aliens to enter the country.

At least, that was what was exposed during the Senate hearing where the pastillas scheme was bared.

It’s been two weeks already since the pastillas scheme was exposed, but what have we done yet? Except for the relief of those suspected in the multi-billion-peso racket, not much has been done to apprehend those who have illegally entered the country.

According to Pagcor’s estimate, there are around 70,000 Chinese nationals who are illegally working in POGOs, (and maybe NOGOs, as what Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Rep. Koko Nograles calls the non-registered offshore gaming operators).

It’s a good thing that the Chinese government has taken action to address the matter by cancelling the passports of its citizens suspected of being involved in criminal activities in other countries including the Philippines.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy announced: “In order to crack down on cross-border telecommunication fraud crimes, the Ministry of Public Security of China has obtained a list of Chinese nationals suspected Turn to A5

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

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Awakening

Philippine political parties, reimagined

(Part 1) POLITICAL dynasties are not the problem, and enacting a ban on political dynasties will not solve anything.

The hard truth is that imposition of term limits on elected public officials has led to the emergence of political dynasties, where upon reaching the term limits, spouses and children of incumbent politicians are fielded in the next political contest.

Political dynasties, rather, are merely symptomatic of an even graver political problem—a weak political party system. Without strong political parties, a pattern of political dynasties almost inevitably persists.

Banning political dynasties will not address the issue of a weak political party system, but instead it will do the opposite – hinder good potential candidates from running for public office, simply because of family ties to incumbent elected officials.

Banning political dynasties will not solve our political woes.

Strengthening political parties is the surest way to ensure inclusive political participation.

Political parties are essential to a democracy. They play an important role in building a stable and mature democratic political system that is responsive to the needs of the people.

They have the unique role in shaping public opinion, inspiring and furthering political education, and promoting active public participation in political life. Through an open and inclusive exchange of beliefs and ideas, ideally within established political parties, democracy attains not only the participation, but the trust of the larger community. Strengthening political parties, therefore, require a flexible mix of principles, underlying interests, democratic practices and rational decision-making.

Sadly, this has not been the case in the Philippines in recent years.

Instead of serving as the main mechanism for political representation, political parties in the country have been reduced to mere platforms to mobilize electoral support for candidates. As a result, oftentimes, political parties are too focused on the electoral contest, without regard for

Banning dynasties will not solve our political woes.

the more important of role in ensuring good governance and imparting democratic political ideas. Needless to say, we often tend to overlook the fact that political parties are basic institutions of a democratic system That is probably why, political re-alignments, with politicians transferring from one party to another have become too familiar a feature in Philippine politics. In fact, in the last two months, there have been news about a number of members of Congress transferring from one party to another.

Political turncoatism is another symptom of a weak political party system. More often than not, the rewards of joining another political party outweigh one’s party loyalty.

Contrary to what many political outsiders think, changing party affiliation is not a decision that a politician takes lightly. But for as long as our political party system remains weak, pragmatism and practicability will influence the decisions of elected politicians to abandon their original party affiliation and transfer to the party in power.

In order to strengthen our political party system, there are four critical requirements: Membership, party nomination, party discipline and funding.

Havoc From A4

year, we should expect a more realistic 4.5 to 5 percent. *** In previous columns, I worried about the price of rice, our basic food staple. I have mentioned several reasons: Central China which is the main locus of the virus pandemic is also the rice basket of a country where 140 tons out of a total 208 million tons are produced each year; Thailand is keeping its export of medium and low-cost varieties down; Vietnam is doing the same. To top it all, locusts have swarmed the African horn, which will mean imports of more food from elsewhere to offset devastated fields. Locusts have also swarmed many parts of India and Pakistan, which would affect 2020 harvests.

My submission is that this will have a negative impact on the Philippines, which imports 10 percent to 15 percent of its rice consumption requirements. With the world’s rice export so thin at 6 percent to 7 percent of total production, and production expected to hit record lows, that tradable surplus will shrink further.

If the low palay purchase prices last harvest period (October-November 2019) affected the amount of hectares planted to rice for the summer crop, then we will need to import more to offset the requirements of the lean season, with the private sector which imported 3 million tons last year off-loading its inventories by then.

And the National Food Authority has been stripped of its commercial activities and its import monopoly, leaving poor consumers at the complete mercy of the 2020 high-priced imports of the staple.

Alarmed at what I had written earlier, some friends asked: What could government do? What should government do?

In September of 2017, in a meeting with the President in the presence of DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and now Senator Bong Go, I told them of my fears about the very, very

Politicizing...

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of committing long-term telecommunication fraud crimes abroad, who are classified as the persons prohibited from exiting China according to the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China.

Such operations are aimed at the suspects of Chinese nationals who have committed telecommunications fraud crimes in different countries.”

The embassy emphasized that the Chinese Government always requires Chinese citizens overseas to abide by local laws and regulations and not to work illegally in foreign countries.

But as these illegal Chinese are right in our own backyard, it is the responsibility of our law enforcement agencies to arrest them and deport them to where they come from.

Pagcor welcomes the recent measures undertaken by the Chinese em-

Currently, political parties in the Philippines may be classified as either national, regional, sectoral and local parties. It is fundamental that the membership in a specific political party should ref lect its classification, and a minimum membership quota must be imposed in accrediting political parties.

For example, for a political party to be considered a national political party, it must reach a minimum membership quota, for example at least 3 percent, of the total voter population in each of at least two-thirds of all the regions in the country. Same with regional and local parties – they must have a minimum membership of 3 percent in at least two-thirds of all the constituent cities and municipalities of the region or province. To realize this, party members must be required to register and declare their party affiliation before the Commission on Elections. This information must be included in the voter registration.

In order to secure the role of political parties in the electoral exercise, candidates for political for political office must be either nominated by a registered political party or run as independent candidates. But it is important that such political party must meet the minimum membership quota for it to be able to nominate a candidate for such position. For example, a party can only nominate a candidate for a provincial position, only if the same party has met the required minimum number of registered party members in the same province.

Therefore, a candidate for president must be nominated by a national political party that has a membership of least 3 percent of the total registered voters in at least two-thirds of all the regions of the country. If a province has ten towns, a candidate for governor must be nominated by a political party that has a membership of least 3 percent of the total registered voters in at least seven municipalities in the same province.

Continued this week

low NFA inventories, which could create a shortage that would bring about high prices. The President instructed me to write an executive summary, along with my prescriptions on how to deal with my fears. I submitted the same that late afternoon, using the Palace computers to type and print out my memo, a copy of which was given to ES Medialdea and then Special Assistant Go. But the posited solutions in the memo were disregarded by those in charge of rice supply management who, it turned out, were quarreling. By late 2017, rice prices rose, and by 2018, the upward price movements had created huge problems. As stated in previous articles, the response of government was the Rice Tarrification Law which tamed prices in 2019.

But the signs for this year are not all that salutary. While the experts at the castrated National Food Authority know this, they are powerless under the new law and their purely warehousing functions to pro-act to prevent another price spiral.

Still and all, creative thinking on the part of our economic managers could avert a potential shortage, and the corresponding inability of government to respond to calamities in the second half of the year, let alone respond to the daily rice consumption of the poor and low middle class who cannot afford the prices charged by the private sector.

But crisis, or potential crisis, ought to create opportunities for preventive action.

The NFA still has warehouses all over the country, most of them empty but for those where the agency was able to buy palay in the last harvest period. A pro-active measure where NFA partners with the private sector to ensure adequate supply of low-priced rice can still be done without running afoul of the new law.

But it would require no less than intervention from the very top, to affect the policies of the Financial Investigation and Review Board (FIRB), and a novel public-private partnership between the NFA and the private sector.

Food security, after all, is a national security concern.

bassy in the Philippines regarding the crackdown of Chinese nationals with criminal records—but are illegally working or doing business in the country.

The crackdown is a result of Pagcor’s constant coordination with the Chinese Embassy and law enforcement agencies to ensure that proper regulations are observed.

In the matter of prostitution and other criminal activities, we have laws concerning them and yet enforcement has been the issue.

As I have mentioned in my earlier columns, Manila Wellness Spa, a front for prostitution catering solely to Chinese nationals, was raided in September last year. The building from where it is operating, the Diamond Bay Towers, was ordered closed by the Parañaque City Government last December. But video footages provided by a source revealed the spa, along with an illegal POGO, is again operating from the

Diamond Bay Towers since January this year. So, what are the Parañaque City Government and Philippine National Police doing about this?

Recently, the Bureau of Internal Revenue revealed that POGOs have failed to remit to the government some P50 billion in taxes. So again, whose fault is this? Pagcor? No, Pagcor is only empowered to grant gaming licenses and regulate them.

Tax collection fall under the domain of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. What happened to the Attrition Law? Isn’t BIR supposed to be given the stick for its failure to collect the said amount from the Pogos? They also failed to collect P30 billion in taxes from Mighty Cigarettes and it had to take congressional inquiry to force them to pay but the BIR was never attrited. Now, it’s again passing the fault, this time, to the state-run gaming agency.

Continued this week

A5

prescribed process of impeachment to unseat a sitting Supreme Court Justice.

The impeachment case already filed by administration allies in the House of Representatives, a long and arduous process that starts in House of Representatives and ends with the Senate THE filing of the quo warranto case conducting an impeachment trial, was by the solicitor-general, now widely all rendered moot when Calida’s quo seen as a tactical move by the Pal- warranto case prospered and Sereno ace to thwart the pending franchise was ousted. renewal of media giant ABS CBN, It seems like “déjà vu” that the quo has inadvertently—but wonderful- warranto case against ABS CBN again ly—ignited a f lame of awakening steals a constitutional function of Conthat is now spreading as a political gress. It usurps the exclusive function wildfire hitting the nerves of mil- of the House of Representatives to lions of Filipinos. renew the media network’s franchise.

This is the latest—which I think will This is a rehashed quo warranto case not be the last—of a series of populist that, no matter how hard the denials, flavored attacks on some of the coun- points to the powerful maneuverings try’s biggest enterprises now becom- from the top. ing a predictable messaging style. This I agree with sentiments of politiis dangerously cal thinkers that provoking more this is a blatant divisiveness and demonstration of v i nd ict ive ne ss Let’s wait for the next abuse of power between what that disregards episode of the ABS-CBN wide reaching the President has claimed to be his consequences to saga. massive “masa” our freedom of followers and the expression and so called “olieconomically garchs,” quite unfairly caricatured as catastrophic effects on thousands of oppressive elites. families and parallel industries of the Senator Grace Poe moved commend- ABS-CBN ecosystem. ably in calling for a Senate hearing last The Senate hearing effectively ventiMonday to seek clarity on what was lated the issues that educated the public becoming a thickening fog of propa- and established by the facts presented ganda noise in mainstream and online by resource persons from ABS-CBN, media platforms. The hearings unam- relevant government agencies, and biguously revealed that ABS CBN was even the administration’s Senate allies, not remiss in its tax obligations, did not that the whole controversy is driven not violate the terms of its franchise. There by the alleged violations expressed in wasn’t anything wrong with its corpo- the case. Rather, it is the result of the rate structure.

President’s “hurt feelings” from the Solicitor-General Jose Calida’s quo airing of negative ads against him durwarranto case accused ABS CBN of ing the presidential campaign period. violating its legislative franchise when This exposes Calida’s, and his boss’, it sold Philippine Depositary Receipts abuse of power that attempts to undershares to foreign investors and when it mine a co-equal branch of government started operating a pay-per-view chan- in obedience to a personal vendetta nel through free-to-signal signals. against ABS-CBN. The concerned government agencies The quo warranto case, as wrong —Securities and Exchange Commis- as it is, awakened what I thought was sion, Bureau of Internal Revenue and desensitized society that has been frusNational Telecommunications Com- trated and alienated by decades of unmission – unanimously testified that responsive and bad governance. The ABS-CBN had committed no viola- people voted for an alternative candition whatsoever, thereby demolishing date with a different brand of brash and the primary issues of the quo warranto bully-like leadership that they thought case. may be what the country needs.

Calida’s career progression leading As this controversy drags on, globto his appointment as the top lawyer al confidence in our already unstable of the Duterte administration has its regulatory environment will start expected share of intrigues. There was hurting economic momentum to this investigation that exposed his busi- the advantage of competing econoness interests in the Vigilant Investiga- mies. That means the big, job -cretive and Security Agency and its con- ating, long-term investments will go tracts to supply guards to the National to more stable and more predictable Parks Development Committee, Na- environments. Only short-term ventional Electrification Administration, tures with the hidden protection of the House of Representatives, National those in power will come in.

Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippine The eyes of the public are now Amusement and Gaming Corporation, closely watching the House of Repreand the Department of Justice with to- sentatives led by Speaker Alan Peter tal value of above P350 million since Cayetano. The House, as of this writhe assumed office as Solicitor General. ing, is not keen on opening hearings This is a clear conflict of interest and on the ABS-CBN franchise despite an embarrassing affront to President the growing clamor from members Duterte’s fiery declarations to fight of Congress and the deluge of public corruption no matter who is involved. sentiment from virtually all sectors Of course, he insisted that he properly of society. I’ve seen our Congressdivested before he was appointed, and men buckle down on urgent legislathe President, well, reaffirmed his con- tive measures until the wee hours of fidence with him. the morning and even call on special Next was the quo warranto case he sessions to finish the job. It just needs filed against Supreme Court Chief Jus- the Speaker’s go signal. tice Maria Lourdes Sereno where he To an ordinary citizen, any more argued that she did not have the qual- moves to further delay the approval ifications to be appointed. The wide ABS CBN’s franchise creates suspiperception then, similar to what’s hap- cion that there are other motives and pening now, is Calida was following other interests in play that must be acthe marching orders of Malacañang commodated. The renewal may be the to quickly oust Sereno, an appointee bargaining chip and will be delayed of the preceding administration, by until the hidden objective is achieved. executing an innovative strategy that Let’s all stay tuned in for the next effectively flanked the constitutionally episode.

Event...

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dedicated to respond to such issues is now being tested with this COVID-19 outbreak.

Most participants and even those who were not able to attend but watched it as well noted that the exercise was a worthwhile, if not uplifting, experience. Whether the lessons learned from this and the earlier exercises could now be put in place in as proper and fast a manner as possible remains to be seen.

These insights as well as country responses have all been summed up in a Global Health Index published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The index grades each and every country’s preparedness to respond to any such outbreaks and the international plan to contain the same.

A seven-point response plan has been put forward. It recommends, among others, the need for countries to enhance capabilities by way of medical supplies stockpiling; education and training of health workers and first responders; issuance of protocols on public health systems; maintenance of travel and trade for countries and global transportation companies; and proper risk communication to provide reliable information quickly, accurately and without fueling panic. As in all cases, cooperation and discipline remain the key factors in ensuring the safety of peoples and communities.

Perhaps what we should equally guard against, not just the outbreak of a real killer disease, is the pandemic of xenophobia.

A6

News

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DISPLACED. Baseco residents who were displaced

by a fire begin to construct makeshift houses at the resettlement area beside the sea wall of Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila on Sunday. Around 600 families were left homeless in a fire that reached Task Force Bravo last Feb. 5. Norman Cruz

Leni sets high hopes with PACC’s Jimenez as ICAD co-chair

By Rio N. Araja

Jail operators of online sex dens—Romualdez

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

INGOG party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez on Sunday urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that operators of online sexual exploitation dens as well as their overseas financiers would be charged, prosecuted and send to jail.

“The vigilance of our law enforcers are paying off. I trust that they will continue with their work until all operators of online sexual exploitation dens and their adult patrons are put to jail,” she said.

Romualdez is the House committee on the welfare of children chairperson.

She reacted to the recent rescue of eight children and arrest of two mothers in a series of police operations against the illicit activity.

“I also urge our law enforcers to work closely with their counterparts abroad and international organizations so that the financiers of these operators of sexual exploitation dens are identified and brought to the bar of justice,” she said.

On Feb. 20, a boy and two girls— siblings aged 10, 13 and 16 years old— were rescued in a police operation in Pampanga after the police received information that they were being exploited online by their 40-year-old mother for money.

“The vigilance of our law enforcers in protecting our children against criminals is truly commendable. Their diligence in surveillance led not only to the arrest of sexual predators, but also to the rescue of minors victimized by online exploitation,” Romualdez said.

“Let me also commend the foreign counterparts of our law enforcers and other international non-government organizations that care for our children.

The success of their operation showed that only through international cooperation can we successfully combat transnational child sexual exploitation,” she added.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has warned remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) maybe adversely affected if proven that the Philippines is being used an avenue for “dirty money” from Chinese syndicates in mainland China through the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).

In a radio interview, Drilon said the issuances of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) may force Philippine authorities to impose more stringent measures before allowing transferring money—which may impact remittances from OFWs. FATF is an intergovernmental organization that was created to fight money laundering.

He said that the country’s OFWs will be in a “pitiful situation” due to the socalled enhanced examination where many documents are needed for OFWs to send money to the Philippines.

“At this stage, we need to look at

compliance. The law is there. We can call the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the BSP, PAGCOR. What are they doing to perform their mandate in monitoring especially the POGO. The Senate leader also believes POGOs should be closed down since its positive outlook outweighs the problems it gives.

“POGO has no big contribution to our economy; it does not add job because their workers are Chinese nationals; the real estate, we’re calling the increase in real estate as bubble or artificial,” related Drilon.

He also pointed out that the Chinese government does not want POGO. “This is illegal in China so this should not be continued, that was according to China.”

“They objected to POGO in Cambodia that’s why they shut down operations. So for me, this should also be closdd,” said Drilon.

The Senate leader surmised that millions of dollars brought in by Chinese nationals to the Philippines may have been funneled to the POGO. “This is because undeclared money is expected, as said in Republic Act No. 10365 which amended the AMLAC to be laundered through casinos and other gaming platforms.

“The presumption of anti-money laundering act especially when it comes to casinos, is that casinos are being used in money laundering scheme. Kaya sakop ang casinos at may obligation silang i-report kung saan nanggaling yung pera,” explained Drilon.

Because of this, Drilon emphasized that casinos in the country are obligated to report to the AMLC supposed cases of money laundering.

Task force focuses on economy for a ‘new Marawi’ THE vibrant economic activities now prevailing in Marawi City is part of the long-term roadmap of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) towards a “new Marawi.”

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, concurrent TFBM chairman, said that economic growth is the No. 1 among the five key principles under the task force’s “The Marawi RISE Plan”.

“RISE” stands for resiliency, identity, sustainability and evolution.

“Economic opportunity is the foundation of household security and equity building, and lifts all communities

toward social and financial growth,” Del Rosario said.

“The roadmap must therefore not only show fancy new buildings, a good masterplan shows better opportunities for all, inclusive development,” he added.

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra earlier bared that normalcy and vibrant economic activities have been prevailing in 72 out of the 96 barangays in the only Islamic city in the country.

He said that there is almost 500 percent increase in revenue collections registered by the city government in 2019 as compared to collections prior to the 2017 siege.

The mayor lamented that reports are

only focused on the so called “ground zero” when there are much improved economic activities outside the area due to the continuing rehabilitation works by TFBM. Currently, the TFBM is focused on rehabilitating the ground zero composed of 24 barangays –constructing wider road networks, drainage and other public infrastructure to develop a “new Marawi.”

“We are within our timeline of completing the rehabilitation by December 2021,” Del Rosario said.

Marawi City was left in ruins following a five-month siege laid by the Daeshinspired Maute Maute terrorist group on May 23, 2017. Willie Casas

DOH turns over 2 sea ambulances to Calauag, Quezon DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH)— CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) on Sunday turned over the second sea ambulance to the local government of Calauag, Quezon to serve patients from its distant island barangays.

The second sea ambulance purchased by the department will be equipped with essential medical equipment and emergency kits that will be used during health emergencies and even rescue operations in times of sea disasters.

Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said the sea ambulance will also

provide preventive health care services such as wellness visits and standard immunizations.

“The system will provide access to GIDAs and will manage the delivery of health services in the island barangays,” Janairo said.

The cost of the sea ambulance is P3,000.000 through a sub-allotment fund from the central office worth P21,000,000 for the purchase of 7 sea ambulances in CALABARZON through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) which aims to provide medical transport

in order for patients living in island communities to have access to quality health care services.

Five more sea ambulances will be given this year to the island communities of Quezon to ensure the prompt delivery of basic health services and faster response to emergency patients.

The blessing and turnover ceremony of the sea ambulance was attended by 4th District Representative Helen Tan, and Calauag Mayor Rosalina Visorde and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo hopes that the appointment of Presidential Anti-Corruption chairperson Dante Jimenez as the co-chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Antiillegal Drugs (ICAD) could help solve the issues she raised in her report on the antidrug war of the Duterte administration.

“The appointment of the new (co-) chairperson could be an opportunity to address the issues. What happened before, those officials were not that open (to our concerns),” Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.

In a report, Robredo said only 1 percent of shabu supply and drug money were reduced in the last three years under the Duterte administration.

“All of our data and figures came from official reports and statement of the agencies under ICAD,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte axed Robredo in her 19th day as ICAD cochairperson.

“We just hope that this could be the chance to address our challenge and act on the Vice President’s recommendations,” Gutierrez said.

Rollout of 3rd telco Dito Resolve labor reset anew due cases, new Toyota to COVID-19 PH chief urged THE third telco Dito Telecommunity Corporation won’t start its commercial operations in March 2021.

This developed after Dito chief administrative officer Adel Tamano announced that the third telco will be ready to operate and render services to subscribers in July 2021.

Tamano made the announcement after Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) officials, headed by Sec. Gringo Honasan, inspected the DITO tower in Quezon City recently.

Dito said that its rollout may be delayed due to the coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 outbreak.

Dito chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago explained that the company gets some of its steel and fiber cable requirements from Hubei, China where the viral disease originated. “‘Yun kasing naapektuhan ‘yung Hubei province and that is one of the manufacturing hubs of China. ‘Yung impact sa rollout namin is ‘yung steel or tower components and fiber cable,” sabi Santiago.

Dito, a joint venture between Udenna Corp. of Davao-based businessman Uy and China Telecoms, had earlier promised to start operations this coming July.

However, Dito admitted that it could not be able to start services in July and had to defer its commercial rollout in March 2021.

Contrary to the promise of the Duterte administration of a good, fast and cheap telco service this July, Dito bared in a press conference recently that its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity states that the third telco will start servicing the public in March 2021.

By Willie Casas THE Toyota Motors Philippines Corporation Workers Association on Sunday urged the new president of Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP), Hiro Okamoto, to understand the workers’ struggles and resolve their decades-long labor disputes with the company.

The challenge was made by the labor union after social media posted of Okamoto that went viral where tne newly-assigned TMP president was seen spending his first week in the Philippines commuting on bus, MRT, jeepney, UV express and tricycle to “see the daily struggles of Filipino commuters,” Jason Fajilagutan said during Sunday’s Balitaan sa Maynila press conference, held in a restaurant in Manila.

Aside from experiencing and understanding the plight of Filipino riding public and the poor state of our country’s mass public transport system, we challenge Okamoto to do ‘Genchi Genbutsu’ or to ‘go and see’ the current situation of the 237 TMP workers who were terminated by his company since 2001 and act upon the decades-long labor dispute with our union,” said Fajilagutan.

Fajilagutan revealed that 233 union leaders and members of the TMPCWA were terminated by the car manufacturing company on 2001 after then-Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas submitted a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposal to the TMP management and wrote a letter requesting for a CBA negotiation.

The Union then staged a strike against the illegal dismissal of its workers on March 28, 2001.

HIGHTENSION.

A Meralco lineman installs a new high-tension cable along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City as part of the ongoing costruction of MRT 7.

Manny Palmero

Sports

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A7

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

Manila

Standard

TODAY Republic

of the Philippines GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308

Petron sweeps past Generika in PSL action

P

ETRON kicked off its quest for a three-peat on a high note as it brought down Generika-Ayala, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21, in the opening salvo of the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix last weekend at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

American import Kath Bell morale boost for the Blaze Spikpicked up where she left off as she ers, who undergone a major recarried the Blaze Spikers to an vamp during the off-season. impressive win in this prestigious He admitted that when he first women’s club league bankrolled came to the team, he only had five

by Cocolife, Sogo, Eurotel, Sweet players left from the previous seaand Fit Stevia, son, while losing UCPB Gen, some of the key Games on Tuesday Team Rebel players includ(FilOil Flying V Centre) Sports and Bi- 3 p.m.—Cignal vs Generika-Ayala ing Mika Reyes, 5 p.m.—F2 Logistics vs PLDT zooku.

Sisi Rondina, Bell had a 7 p.m.—Marinerang Pilipina vs Bernadeth Pons, Cherry Tiggo game-high 17 Denden Lazaro points for the and Rhea DiBlaze Spikers, who drew firepow- maculangan, who’s now with er from Remy Palma and Lutgar- Generika-Ayala. da Malaluan to tally their first win But the team was motivated to in just an hour and 18 minutes in start anew and he wants his wards this tourney that also has Gerflor, to prove that they can still be a Senoh, Asics, Mikasa and Mueller force to reckon with in the league.

Sports as technical partners.

“When I first came I only had Palma had 11 points while Ma- five players, some were still adlaluan chipped in six markers, justing to the new system but we much to the delight of veteran worked hard and we will continue mentor Emil Lontoc. to work hard for us to reach our “It was a good win for us, a goal,” Lontoc said. lot of people were doubting on “Facing Petron’s former players us during the off season,” Lontoc served as a motivation for us to said. give our best, of course outside of “But we were optimistic about the court all of us are friends, but our team and it anchored us to our on the court we mean business.” win.”

Cuban import Elizabeth Vicet Lontoc also mentioned that Campos tallied 15 points for Getheir straight-set victory was a nerika-Ayala.

GenerikaAyala’s Cuban import Elizabeth Vicet Campos (2) spikes the volleyball past Petron defender Mary Grace Berte (20) during their PSL match.

1.

Sports personalities get posthumous nod at SMC-PSA awards TWO former PBA team owners, including a founding member of the league, will be remembered with a posthumous recognition in the SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

The late billionaire and philanthropist John Gokongwei Jr. and Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr. are on top of the list of 15 dearly departed sports personalities who are going to be honored with a short video and a minute of silence by the country’s oldest media organization during the March 6 gala night.

Gokongwei owned the CFC Corporation (now Universal Robina Corporation) franchise which was among the founding members of the PBA when Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league was

highest bidder, he/she shall adjust his/her initial deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder. He/she must also pay the adjusted deposit on the day of bidding.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

established in 1975. The team played under the brands Presto, N-Rich, Great Taste, and Tivoli, winning a total of six championships in 17 years with the league.

Tan, 53, was the passionate, basketball-loving owner of the Tanduay franchise when it made its PBA comeback in 1999.

Incidentally, Tan passed away on Nov. 11 just two days after the death of Gokongwei.

Also to be remembered in the special event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, Rain or Shine, and AirAsia are former national team standouts and sports officials Claro Pellosis, Florendo Ritualo Sr., Susan Papa, Angelo Constantino, Rafael Poliquit, and Mark Joseph.

2.

Dropping of sealed bid envelopes will be on the date of bidding from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM only.

Opening of Bids will immediately follow. Late bid envelopes will not be accepted.

3.

Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on an “As-Is, Where-is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is, Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

4.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he/she wants to buy, as long as, he/she posts the required 10% bid deposit of the total bid price for each property. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

5.

Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 10963 or the Tax Reform Act for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, the selling price of GSIS properties above PhP2.5 million shall be subject to twelve percent (12%) Value-Added Tax (VAT).

6.

Purchase offers are only accepted through CASH basis payable within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS), without privilege of extension.

7.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

8.

9.

10.

Date of Bidding Name of the bidder Exact address of property you are interested to bid Transfer Certificate of Title No. Mode of Payment Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) Signature of the bidder/representative

14.

The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within fourteen (14) calendar days of the actual bidding, the following documents: A. If the winning bidder is an individual, a. duly accomplished Personal Profile (with attached recent two (2) pieces of 2x2 ID pictures of the winning bidder) b. photocopies of two (2) valid IDs (at least one should be a governmentissued ID) B. If the winning bidder is a corporate entity or partnership, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Registration Certificate from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) c. Articles of Incorporation (if corporation), Articles of Partnership (if partnership), General Information Sheet, and By-Laws duly certified by the SEC d. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located C. If the winning bidder is a cooperative, a. duly accomplished Company/Corporate Profile b. Cooperative Development Authority Registration or any proof of such registration c. Current Mayor’s Permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located

15.

A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. The Bidder’s deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

16.

The deposit equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the Bid Offer plus 12% VAT. The 90% balance of the bid amount plus 12% VAT shall be paid either in cash or in manager’s check within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of NOAS, without privilege of extension.

Sample Computation: Bid Amount is PhP2,610,000.00 Deposit - (10% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% = Balance - (90% of PhP2,610,000.00) + 12% =

17.

Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS will result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s total deposit.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer plus the 12% VAT, if applicable, shall be in the form of a MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System.

18.

ALL participating bidders must insert: a. properly accomplished BID FORM b.

MANAGER’S CHECK payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer plus 12% VAT, if applicable.

In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the said NOAS shall be deemed automatically revoked and the highest/winning bidder shall be informed in writing. The second highest bidder, if any, shall be informed in writing if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, he/she must remit the required non-refundable 10% deposit within three (3) working days after receipt of notice from GSIS.

19.

GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

B.

If the bidder is being represented by an authorized representative, a corresponding Special Power of Attorney (SPA) must also be included

20.

C.

If the bidder is the occupant of the subject property, two (2) proofs of occupancy must also be inserted. These are: a.

Barangay certificate that the bidder is occupying or residing in the subject property; and b.

Valid Government Issued ID with an address showing that the bidder is currently residing in the subject property, or the Latest Billing Statement under the Bidder’s Name that shows he/she is currently residing in the subject property.

For bidding inquiries, you may call the Real Property Accounts Management Department (RPAMD) at trunk line numbers (02) 8479-3600, and (02) 79764900 local numbers 3228, 3374, and 3396.

The following shall be inserted in a bid envelope:

The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope).

Revised dated January 31, 2020

Revised dated January 31, 2020

CERTIFICATION I/We certify that the information given and any or all statements made herein are true, correct, complete and updated to the best of my/our knowledge and belief. I hereby certify under pain of perjury that my/our signature/s appearing herein is genuine and authentic. I/We agree that any material misrepresentation or falsity can be used by Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to pursue civil and/or criminal liabilities against me/us.

BID FORM FOR CASH BASIS

I/We hereby certify that I/we have exercised due diligence by verifying all documents pertaining to the above mentioned property with other government agencies (i.e. Registry of Deeds, Assessor's Office, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, etc.) before tendering this bid offer.

Date of Bidding: Name of Bidder:

11.

PhP 261,000.00 + 31,320.00 = PhP292,320.00 PhP2,349,000.00 + 281,880.00 = PhP2,630,880.00

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and must not be lower than the Minimum Acceptable Offer of the property. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

A.

Laylo gets slot to Olympiad THE National Chess Federation of the Philippines tapped Grandmaster Darwin Laylo to replace Grandmaster Julio Catalino “Ino” Sadorra in the national team competing in the 44th World Chess Olympiad set August 5 to 18 in Moscow, Russia.

“Grandmaster Laylo placed second to International Master Haridas Pascua in the four-man elimination tournament held recently for the Olympic team.” said Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, newly-appointed executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. and secretary-general Abraham “Bambol” Ng Tolentino Jr. The final line-up according to Orbe, will be Laylo, reigning Philippine National Chess Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, International Master Paulo Bersamina and International Master Haridas Pascua.

Laylo, is one of the top players of multi-titled Philippine Army chess team playing under the banner of Under Secretary Lieutenant General, AFP (Ret.) Arthur Tabaquero (AFP Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs) and Col. Dexter Macasaet (Director, SSC, IMCOM, PA). He expressed readiness to take part in his Olympiad quest, saying that he started intensive training last weekend.

Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offers shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

Are you the present occupant of the property?

1) to purchase the property an "As-is, Where-is" basis which I/We have inspected the property including whether it is unoccupied or occupied, and as a consequence, I/We will take full responsibility in taking legal measures to eject the illegal occupant/s of the property.

PARTICULARS OF THE PROPERTY Block/Unit No.:

Lot No.:

Phase/Area:

Name of Subdivision: City/Municipality:

2) to hold GSIS free and harmless from liabilities of whatever kind and nature arising out of any legal claims which may be filed by third persons involving the property.

Once declared as the winning bidder, I/We will accept the physical and legal condition of the property without seeking assistance from GSIS and waive my/our right to rescind/cancel the sale and ask for refund of payments made to GSIS by reason or any defect therein.

Province:

TCT/CCT No.:

"FOR OCCUPANTS ONLY"

I/We hereby agree to the following:

NO

YES

Date of Bidding: ___________________________________ Name of Bidder/Company/Organization: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

MATCHED BID AMOUNT

Bid Offer of the declared highest Bid Amount: _____________________________________________________ Further, I/we authorize and give consent to collect, store, transmit, use, distribute, disclose, share, retain, (amount in figures) dispose, destroy, and process my/our personal information contained in my/our record or any other form or document that I/we have or will submit to GSIS for the purpose of acquiring a GSIS acquired asset/s as prescribed by the ______________________________________________________________________________________ (PhP______________ ) Republic Act No. 10173 also known as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012" and its implementing rules and regulations.

Property Classification:

BID PROPOSAL

(amount in figures)

(amount in words)

Bid Offer:

PhP

At least 10% of the declared highest Bid Amount: __________________________________________________________ Signature:

BID DEPOSIT 10% of Bid Offer:

(amount in words)

Date:

______________________________________________________________________________________ (PhP______________ )

PhP

(amount in figures)

(amount in words) 12% VAT:

THIS PORTION IS FOR GSIS USE ONLY

PhP

Deposit (Managers Check):

PhP

BIDDER INFORMATION (Please write in BLOCK LETTERS

Remarks:

NOAS No.

At least 10% of the declared highest Bid Amount less: Submitted 10% deposit in Manager's Check

(PhP __ (PhP __

) )

Required Additional deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Amount (Cash or in Manager's Check): (PhP

)

I/We the occupant exercises the Right to Match the offer of the declared highest bidder. Further, I/We hereby agree to pay the required deposit based on the bid amount of the declared highest bidder on the day of bidding.

12.

A. B. 13.

My/Our failure to settle the said deposit within the day of the bidding shall automatically cancel and revoke my/our declaration as winning bidder. I/We understand that the first declared highest bidder shall be the new winning bidder.

The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: He/she participated in actual bidding and Inserted the two (2) proofs of occupancy inside his/her bid envelope as indicated in Number 9 of these guidelines

If the occupant will exercise his/her Right to Match the offer of the declared

(Signature over Printed Name of the Bidder/Authorized Representative)

Remarks

*** THIS PORTION IS FOR GSIS USE ONLY *** NOAS No.

2nd Highest Bidder: Page 1 of 2

Page 2 of 2

3rd Highest Bidder:

(MS-FEB 29, 2020)

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

Westbrook lifts Rockets past Celtics LOS ANGELES, United States—Russell Westbrook delivered a game-high 41 points as the Houston Rockets defeated Boston 111-110 in overtime to cap a season sweep of the Celtics on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

James Harden, who made just seven of 31 baskets and had five turnovers, gained a small measure of redemption from his poor shooting night by making two late free throws in the win.

Harden’s free throws gave Houston the lead and then Rockets defense took over forcing Boston’s Jaylen Brown to miss his late shot to clinch the victory.

Harden finished with 21 points after being double teamed most of the night.

Robert Covington had a double-double Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket against Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics during the first half of their game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. with 16 points and 16 rebounds for Westbrook delivered a game-high 41 points to power the Rockets past Boston 111-110 in overtime. AFP Houston, who won their sixth straight.

“We had a lot of attention on James Harden,” Celtics guard Brown said. “We forgot about the other MVP over there.”

Elsewhere, the Memphis Grizzlies, clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the NBA Western Conference, snapped a five-game skid with a 105-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Central Luzon-born riders that is Felipe, Go For Gold in fending off 7Eleven’s atBy Peter Atencio Rookie Ja Morant scored 27 points Peralta and Team Tarlac’s Ryan Tugawe, tempt to dominate the stage. and tied his season high with 14 assists and Army-Bicycology’s Cris Joven, who This is after Go For Gold’s Mark ALAYAN CITY—Jan Paul for the Grizzlies, who led by as many as is from Albay.

Ryan Lago prevailed over 7Eleven rider Morales of Philippine Navy22 points in the third quarter.

The Navymen were keeping a close Mervin Corpuz in the sprint stage at the Standard Insurance wasn’t The victory in Memphis snapped the watch at Felipe, and when they sensed 26.2 km mark in Zaragosa.

West-leading Lakers’ seven-game winplanning to get another stage win. their chance in the last 11 kilometers, A big group of local riders as well as ning streak. The Grizzlies out-reboundthey chased down the lead group. local folks headed by host Mayor Adried the Lakers 51-45 and harried Los But when an opportunity came his “Nung umatras kami kumuha ng tu- anne Mae Cuevas welcomed the finishAngeles into 16 turnovers leading to 22 way in the last 100 meters, the 34-year- big, sinabi ng coach na humabol si Mar- ers at the finish line, and joined orgaMemphis points. old Morales grabbed it. He overtook celo, at biglaan na lang din na nanalo nizer as one of its sponsors, and she even RISING tennis star Alex Eala “They came out and played with a Philippine Army-Bicycology’s Domi- ako. Pero naghabol lang din ako,” said gave P100,000 to Team Nueva Ecija’s leads a compact list of young, sense of desperation,” Lakers star Annic Perez and 7Eleven Cliqq-Air21 in a Morales, who earlier took Stage 6. promising athletes who will have campaign. thony Davis said. “They wanted it more bunched finish to rule Stage Seven of the their share of center stage in the Morales and his teammates eventually Morales’ triumph is the fourth straight than us tonight, and it showed.”

LBC Ronda Pilipinas 10th anniversary took the stage honors, after reaching the time that the Navyman has won a stage, coming SMC-PSA (Philippine Jayson Tatum finished with 32 points race yesterday.

Sportswriters Association) Anfinish line together with Go For Gold, with the first two delivered by Lomotos and 13 rebounds, and Brown added 22 “Bigla na lang. Nandun na lang,” the Armymen, 7Eleven and Scratch It. nual Awards Night. in Stage Four in Lucena Wednesday, points for the Celtics. Marcus Smart said Morales, who logged a time of The 14-year-old Eala and nine othAs a result, Navyman George Oconer Camingao in Stage Five. scored 26 points and Daniel Theis tallied two hours, 35 minutes and 20 seconds kept his 75-second lead in the overall ers are the recipients of the 2019 Tony Oranza, the 2018 Ronda individual 15 rebounds and three blocks in the loss. at the end of the 110.6 km run from individual classification standings, with champion, is at second in 23:05:46 in the Siddayao awards during the March 6 Brown hit the buzzer-beating threeTarlac City to the Poblacion Road fin- teammate Ronald Oranza trailing in sec- overall individual standings. gala night at the Centennial Hall of pointer that forced overtime. He ish line in Caimito, Palayan in Nueva ond. the Manila Hotel.

Teammates Ronald Lomotos is at grabbed a loose ball after Tatum missed Ecija.

The award, named after the late Oconer has a total clocking of 23:04:31. third in 23:05:49, followed by John Mark two free throws with five seconds left Morales came in with a big group in former Manila Standard sports ediThe 28-year-old Oconer will wear Camingao at fourth (23:06:24), Junreyand Boston trailing 104-101. the last kilometer inside Palayan City as the red jersey for the third straight Navarra at no. 5 in 23:06:48 and El Joshtor Antonio “Tony” Siddayao and “I thought the right team won,” Celtthey chased down a four-man lead pack, day in the 170km Stage Eight, where ua Carino in sixth (23:08:22). considered as the Dean of Philippine ics coach Brad Stevens said. “I thought which was led by 7Eleven rider Marcelo many riders fear the dreaded Baguio sports writing, is given to young, Mark Julius Bordeos of Bicycology they were better than us – not by much, Felipe and Team Nueva Ecija’s Arjay accent. emerging athletes 17-year-old and (23:09:45) is in seventh, followed by Rusbut at least by one.”

Peralta. below, who excelled in their respec“Bukas, malalaman natin, pagkatapos tom Lim of 7Eleven (23:09:47) in eighth, Dillon Brooks scored 24 points and The Navymen waited patiently be- ng Baguio stage, kung amin pa rin ito,” Go for Gold’s Jonel Carcueva (23:09:59) tive fields.

Jonas Valanciunas added 22 points and fore they made their move to catch the said Oconer, the 2015 runner up.

Eala embodies it especially in a and Ismael Grospe, Jr. (23:10:19), in ninth 20 rebounds for the Grizzlies. AFP four-man breakaway composed of three year that saw her finish in the top 10 The Navymen got a little help from and 10th. of the world junior rankings by the end of 2019.

Following her maiden grand slam title after winning the Australian Open girls doubles tournament along with partner Priska Madelyn Nugroho, the Filipina wonder is now LOS ANGELES, United States—World sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the final of the Mexico his first tournament since losing in the Nadal could have regained the top spot ranked no. 4 in the world. number two Rafael Nadal captured his Open on Saturday (Sunday Philippine quarter-finals at the Australian Open last with a win in Acapulco, but he also needAge-group swimmers Micaela first ATP Tour title of 2020, easily de- time). month, didn’t drop a set all week and im- ed Djokovic to fail to reach the final in Jasmine Mojdeh and Marc Bryant feating unseeded Taylor Fritz in straight The 33-year-old Nadal, playing in proved to 19-2 all-time at this event. this week’s Dubai event.

Dula share the honor with Eala in the He nabbed his third Mexico Open title Djokovic extended his win streak to special yearly event by the country’s to go with victories in 2013 and 2005.

21 matches by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas oldest media organization headed “I couldn’t be happier. I played a 6-3, 6-4 earlier Saturday to lift the Dubai

by Tito S. Talao, sports editor of the great event from the beginning to the trophy.

Manila Bulletin, and presented by end,” Nadal said. “Acapulco was the Nadal won the final eight points to take the Philippine Sports Commission, first big title that I won in my career, the first set. He seized control by breakMILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basso to be able to stay here after 15 years ing Fritz’s serve in the ninth game to go ketball Association, AirAsia, and is amazing. up 5-4. He then served for the set, winRain or Shine.

“I can’t thank enough the people who ning four straight points.

Completing the Siddayao awardmake me feel at home every single time.”

On set point he hammered a serve ees are the bowling pair of Dale Nadal wasted no time figuring out which Fritz barely got back. That set up Lazo and Jordan Dinham, karatedo’s Fritz’s game in the first career meeting an overhead smash for Nadal which he Juan Miguel Sebastian, golfer Cebetween the two. put away nicely. line Abalos, Woman FIDE master The 19-time Grand Slam winner made Nadal broke Fritz twice in the second Antonella Racasa, powerlifter Jessa eight unforced errors and needed just one set, including the fifth game to go up 3-2.

Mae Tabuan, and Eala’s older brother ace but it came in the final game of the He broke Fritz again to take a 5-4 lead and Michael Eala. second set to get to championship point. then served out the match.

Prominent recipients of the award Nadal closed it out with a blistering Nadal has now won a title 17 consecufor young athletes were Grandmaster serve that handcuffed Fritz and gave Nad- tive years.

Wesley So, Eumie Kiefer Ravena, al his 85th career title.

In the women’s final, seventh seeded Felix Marcial, Jeron Teng, Markie Nadal ceded the world number one Heather Watson captured her first WTA Alcala, Pauline Del Rosario, Aby ranking to Novak Djokovic after the title in three years by grinding out a 6-4, Arevalo, Maurice Sacho Ilustre, Spain’s Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the Mexican Tennis Open ATP Australian Open, where the Serb won a 6-7 (6/8), 6-1 win over Canadian teen Leamong others. final match against USA’s Taylor Fritz during the Mexico ATP Open men’s singles tennis final record eighth title. ylah Fernandez. AFP

Morales rules Ronda Stage 7

P

Eala leads 2019 Tony Siddayao awardees

Nadal cruises past Fritz to win Acapulco title

in Acapulco, Guerrero state. AFP

Perpetual U Molino captures 20th SLCUAA title PERPETUAL University Molino showed no mercy as it downed Malayan Colleges Laguna 74-64 to capture the 20th South Luzon Colleges and University Athletic Association (SLCUAA) title last weekend at the St. Francis of Assisi Colleges Bayanan campus gymnasium.

Forward Mark Calawigan powered the team to victory. The talented big man was later named season MVP while Gavin Umali and Brian Sobrepena joined him in the Mythical Five selection together with Ivan Torres of St. Francis.

Also included in the mythical selection are Gab Alconara and Paul Hegarty of Malayan.

The team of coach Phelot Levita applied full court pressure in the final minutes of the game that ended Malayan’s comeback bid, and gave Perpetual U Molino its second championship in five years.

“First of all, thanks to God Almighty for the gift and guidance to us and also to Perpetual community specially to team owner Boss Tony Tamayo and the Molino campus officials for their unwavering support to us,” Levita said.

Perpetual U edged SFACs Bacoor in the semis to gain a finals berth after a 7-0 winloss record in elimination round. The Molino Altas also downed last year’s champion De La Salle Lipa in the eliminations.

Members of Perpetual U Molino Altas celebrate after winning this year’s title in the 20th South Luzon Colleges and University Athletic Association (SLCUAA) against Malayan Colleges Laguna in Finals.

Perpetual Help Images

IN BRIEF PH set to contribute to grant fund of ADB FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said over the weekend the Philippines will make its first contribution to the Asian Development Bank grant fund as the country is expected this year to rise to an upper middle-income status ahead of schedule, The fund is intended for the most vulnerable and least developed membercountries of the Manila-based multilateral institution.

Dominguez said the Philippines would announce its contribution to the Asian Development Fund during a pledging session to be held at the sidelines of the ADB’s 53rd Annual Meeting set in May this year in Incheon, South Korea.

He said contributing to the fund would prove beneficial to the Philippines and the rest of the Asia-Pacific, given that the growth of least-developed countries would provide the Philippines and the rest of the region with new potential markets to further bolster domestic economic expansion as well as regional growth.

Dominguez said Manila’s contribution to the ADF conveyed goodwill to the region’s LDCs, whose economic and social development would also have an external benefit to the Philippines in terms of strengthening regional health security. Julito G. Rada

BSP closes down Cagayan rural bank THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, has ordered the closure of a financially-ailing rural bank based in Cagayan province, the first lender shut down this year.

The board prohibited Providence Rural Bank Inc., a single-unit bank located Bulala, Camalaniugan, Cagayan, from doing business. It also directed state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. as receiver to proceed with the takeover and liquidation of the bank. PDIC took over the bank the following day.

Latest available records show that as of Dec. 31, 2019, the bank had 2,431 deposit accounts with total deposit liabilities of P33.4 million. About 93 percent or P31.06 million are insured deposits.

PDIC assured depositors that all valid deposits and claims would be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000. Individual account holders of valid deposits with balances of P100,000 and below do not need to file deposit insurance claims. Julito G. Rada

Business MPTC eyeing NLEx toll road to Manila, Cavite

By Darwin G. Amojelar

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LEX Corp. is still pursuing an unsolicited proposal to build a P100-billion toll road to link North Luzon Expressway and Manila-Cavite Expressway.

“It was submitted early last year. It’s a complicated [project]. DPWH is taking a careful way of reviewing it,” said NLEX president Luigi Bautista over the weekend.

“The project cost is still not final but based on our estimate, it’s about P95 billon to P100 billion. It’s a huge project,” he added.

The proposed NLEx-Cavitex Port Expressway, jointly submitted by NLEX and Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., is a 15-kilometer toll road with six lanes (2x3 configuration) and elevated and tunnel portions from NLEx Segment 10 up to Cavitex. This would provide an ideal truck route directly linked to Manila’s Port Area.

The first phase of the project will stretch from C3 Road to Anda Circle (5.7 kilometers) while the second phase is a connection from Cavitex to Buendia (4.8 kilometers). The last phase stretches from Buendia Ave. to Anda Circle (4.6 km).

The project will reduce truck traffic within its limited capacity road network and significantly contribute to the decongestion of the metropolis, according to parent Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.

Cavitex is a 14-kilometer toll expressway linking Manila to the southern province of Cavite.

MPTC is also building the NLEx-SLEx Connector Road, an eight-kilometer, fourlane toll road linking the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway,

passing through Metro Manila and using the existing Philippine National Railway alignment as its route.

The group is constructing the P35billion Cavite Laguna Expressway, a four-lane, 45-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Cavitex and South Luzon Expressway.

The expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at the South Luzon Expressway-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

The Laguna side of Calax, the 10.7-kilometer stretch that starts from the Mamplasan entry and the Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange, opened to the public on Feb. 9 this year.

MPCALA Holdings Inc. earlier secured an original proponent status (OPS) from the Department of of Public Works and Highways to build Cavite-TagaytayBatangas Expressway, a 46-kilometer road worth P25.24 billion.

The project will link Cavite Expressway and Cavite Laguna Expressway in Silang, Cavite to Tagaytay City and terminate in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Salceda hits MBC for anti-Duterte bias ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, has rebuked the country’s business leaders, telling them pointblank to “stop scaring yourselves and start looking at the country’s economic fundamentals.”

He urged them to reconsider their “unjustified hostile posture” toward President Rodrigo Duterte.

“In ten years, every controversial remark this President has spoken will have been forgotten. But the sweeping tax and economic reforms he had instituted will stay and keep the country headed towards prosperity,” Salceda told the business leaders during the membership of the Makati Business Club on February 27.

“Even his most controversial policy decisions are based on some ‘universalizable’ principles. This president is very clearly pro-growth, if we could just get our heads out of the sand and actually look at the country’s policy direction,” he told the participants in the event.

PAYMAYA AWARDS.For the fourth succeeding year, digital financial services leader PayMaya Philippines is recognized with major awards for its ‘Cashless for All’ campaigns, highlighting its pioneering and high-impact work in spurring financial inclusion through digital payment technologies. Executives and officers of PayMaya’s Marketing Group, People Group and Public Affairs and Communications Team display their awards during the the 55th Anvil Awards.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

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MORE starts taking over PECO’s Iloilo power assets

By Alena Mae S. Flores MORE Electric and Power Corp., Iloilo City’s new distribution utility, has taken control of the distribution assets of Panay Electric Co. MORE in a statement over the weekend assured the city’s residential and business customers of electricity supply and said it was deploying reaction teams 24/7 to address complaints from consumers.

MORE president and chief executive Roel Castro said the takeover of PECO’s distribution assets followed the writ of possession issued by Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Judge Emerald Requina-Contreras. The write was implemented by the Iloilo City Sheriff’s Office.

“In order to ensure continuity of services to the consumers of Iloilo City, MORE Power troubleshooters and line teams are mobilized to provide assistance as may be needed,” MORE said.

Judge Requina-Contreras granted the writ of possession to MORE under the expropriation case it filed against PECO on March 11, 2019.

MORE started the process of taking over PECO’s electricity distribution facilities as the new distribution utility of Iloilo City after securing a 25-year franchise from Congress in 2019.

PECO’s franchise expired on January 19, 2019 after failing to secure an extension from Congress amid numerous complaints from customers.

MORE, owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., can take over the distribution assets of PECO under Republic Act No. 11212 signed on Febuary 14, 2019 by President Rodrigo Dutetre, To date, MORE has taken over the Baldoza-La Paz substation (land including all machineries and improvements, buildings); General Luna substation (Meter Lab, Power Plant Building and Switchboard House); Tabuc Suba, Jaro substation (land, machinery); Bolilao, Mandurriao substation (land, buildings, and machinery) and Molo substation (land, and buildings, machinery) on Avanceña Street.

MORE said it was ready to submit to the Iloilo City RTC its program on the complete takeover of the distribution facilities in the city, including the timelines on the transition period, accounting, turnover of records and documents relevant to the operation of the distribution system.

Meralco’s Mauban power plant starts to pitch in income PAL losing out to rivals as market share shrinking fast over 10 years SAN Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co., the first majority-owned, commercially operating power plant of Manila Electric Co. since the company decided to return to the generation business, may contribute around P1 billion to P1.2 billion to the retailer’s bottom line this year.

Meralco PowerGen Corp. president Rogelio Singson said SBPL, which owns the 455-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Mauban, Quezon, contributed P300 million in 2019 year and could “possibly” pitch in around P1 billion to P1.2 billion this year.”

The SBPL power plant is a partnership between Meralco PowerGen, the power arm of Meralco, and New Growth BV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Electricity Generating Co. of Thailand, the first independent power producer in Thailand. The plant started commercial operations in September.

“We have contributed to the bottom line of Meralco (this year) of about P300 million. We completed the project a little below budget and also on schedule so we are very happy of the outcome of the project and our partners Egco of Thailand are very happy with the performance so far of the project,” he said.

Meralco recorded a core net income of P23.832 billion in 2019, up 6 percent from P22.408 billion in 2018, driven by a 6-percent sales volume growth.

Meralco’s reported net income, adjusted to exclude the effect of foreign exchange gains or losses, impairment charges, markto-market adjustments and other one-time and exceptional transactions, increased slightly to P23.285 billion last year from P23.017 billion in 2018.

“We were able to deliver 852 gigawatt-hour to Meralco giving us a plant availability of about 87 percent. Now we continue to run today. As of today we are running at full capacity of net 455 MW,” said Singson. Alena Mae S. Flores

AIR ASIA Philippines is taking the domestic and international market share that Lucio Tan-led Philippine Airline is losing over the last 10 years, as airline experts blamed the flag carrier’s continued losses to its inability to utilize its aircraft optimally.

PAL, which laid-off 300 ground-based administrative and management personnel, suffered a 17.4-percent decline in international market share to 46.6 percent last year from as high as 64 percent in 2010, according to data from the Civil Aeronautics Board.

PAL’s international market share stood at 51.5 percent in 2018 and 52.9 percent in 2017.

PAL’s international passenger growth of 2.7 percent last year was the slowest since

2013 at 5.06 percent. The airline carried 7.6 million international passengers last year from 7.44 million international passengers in 2018.

The domestic market share of PAL and subsidiary PAL Express also fell to 29 percent last year from 43.17 percent in 2010.

In 2018, PAL Group’s domestic market share stood at 29.94 percent “That’s expected with the increase in fleet of Air Asia and Cebu Pacific as well as the introduction of more flights, obviously that would result in the reduction of the market share of PAL,” said former PAL and Southeast Asian Airlines president Avelino Zapanta in a telephone interview.

PAL has over 100 aircraft, but Zapanta said “but the problem is that PAL is not utilizing its aircraft optimally.”

Budget airline Air Asia Philippines, meanwhile, is eating the international and domestic market share of PAL. From just a 1.58-percent international market share in 2010, Air Asia’s market share significantly expanded to 15.1 precent in 2019.

For domestic, Air Asia’s market share rose to 18.08 percent last year from just 7.3 percent in 2018.

Cebu Pacific’s international market share stood at 36 percent last year from 33.6 percent in 2010 and 34.7 percent in 2018. Cebu Pacific’s domestic passenger market share stood at 44 percent from 48 percent in 2010.

Zapanta said PAL was losing a big amount of money in the last two to three years because it was paying lease charges for so many aircraft that they were not using optimally.

“The economics of airline operations lies in the optimal utilization of your fleet,” he said.

Zapanta added the reduction of manpower could help PAL to reduce losses “but the reduction of 300 manpower to 1,000 is not as much as loss when you are amortizing millions of dollars of aircraft and you are not generating enough revenues.”

PAL’s financing charges as of end-September last year ballooned 142 percent to P9.45 billion from P3.8 billion a year ago due to leases and additional aircraft financing.

Astro del Castillo, managing director of First Grade Holdings Inc., agreed with Zapanta, saying PAL has to restrategize in order to preserve its market share. Darwin G. Amojelar

Thailand blocks WTO in cigarette case THAILAND has blocked the adoption of the agenda of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body during a recent meeting in a bid to prevent the body from granting the Philippines the right to retaliate against it in a 12-year old dispute that Manila won.

The DSB is the highest body in the World Trade Organization in charge of dispute management, resolution and decisions.

One of the pillars of the WTO dispute settlement system is the relative automaticity of providing remedies to parties to disputes.

The dispute stems from the wrong customs values assigned by Thailand to Philippine exports of cigarettes. The Philippines initiated dispute settlement proceedings against Thailand in 2008.

A WTO dispute settlement panel ruled against Thailand in 2011. Thailand appealed, and again lost the case in 2012.

There have been serious questions

about Thailand’s full compliance with DSB rulings since then. Thailand, rather than complying, imposed new measures that were inconsistent with WTO rulings.

The Philippines, deferring retaliation filed two Article 21.5 proceedings against Thailand for Bangkok’s non-compliance.

Both compliance panels ruled against Thailand in 2019, and under the agreements with Thailand.

Despite efforts by the Philippines to reach out to Thailand to settle the dispute, Bangkok declined to cooperate, prompting Manila to recourse to retaliation rights.

Thailand’s decision to block the agenda, meanwhile, has sent the WTO system into further disarray.

“What we are fighting for is the relevance of a responsive WTO. This is critical to show the world that countries who follow the rules, are also protected by the WTO,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

AFP COOPERATIVE TAPS RCBC. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Finance Center Multipurpose Cooperative teams up with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. on a credit facility that will help provide financial services to members and their families. AFPFC MPC is a primary multipurpose cooperative engaged in thrift and savings mobilization and credit services with over 32,000 members. RCBC president and chief executive Eugene Acevedo (right) and AFPFC MPC chair Carniyan seal the partnership with a handshake.

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Business

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks may enter bear territory

By Jenniffer B. Austria

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HARE prices are expected to continue their decline this week, with the strong possibility that the benchmark index may enter the bear market territory amid the worsening COVID-19 contagion.

Analysts said the market could test the 6,692.23-point level in the coming trading days, marking a 20-percent slide from its 2019 high.

“Local and international markets did not find any relief on pandemic concerns yet,” said Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan over the weekend.

Investors are concerned over the outbreak as it spreads to many parts of the world and its impact on economy and earnings growth this year.

While the sell-off has taken the index’s valuation down to about 13 times estimated the earnings for next year, analysts

said investors were still staying on the sidelines in anticipation of a further market decline.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week plunged 7.9 percent to 6,787.91 while the broader All Shares Index slumped 6.5 percent to 4,064.32.

All sub-indices registered week-onweek declines, led by mining and oil which dropped 8.97 percent, holding firms by 8.2 percent, and property by 7.9 percent. The financials index tumbled 7.6 percent while industrial and services fell 7.07 percent and 6.47 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P9.43 billion, while the

average daily value traded reached P8.6 billion from the previous week’s average of P6.1 billion.

The PSEi lost 13.1 percent in the first two months of the year, while foreign net selling amounted to P16.2 billion.

Weekly top price gainers include EuroMed Laboratories Phil. Inc., which jumped 42.6 percent to P3.78, ABS-CBN Corp., which rose 15.1 percent to P22.65, and Emperador Inc., climbed 6.2 percent to P8.02.

Weekly top price losers seres were Philweb Corp., which declined 25.2 percent to P2.40, Robinsons Land Corp., which dropped 15.8 percent to P21.30, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. which dipped 15.5 percent to P42.65.

Global stocks slumped Friday to mark the largest weekly drop since the 2008 global financial crisis over fears the coronavirus could wreak havoc on the world economy.

Crude oil prices tumbled as well and analysts said central banks, especially the

US Federal Reserve, might have to shift into crisis-resolution mode with urgent interest rate cuts.

Frankfurt headed the losses in Europe, shedding almost 3.9 percent as the market closed.

Leading European stock markets have lost more than 10 percent in just one week, with London’s FTSE 100, which fell by 3.4 percent on Friday, dropping 11.3 percent.

Wall Street also had another difficult day, with the Dow finishing down 1.4 percent at 25,409.36, which meant a drop of more than 12 percent for the week.

But US indices cut their losses after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell released a statement saying the US economy remains “strong” but vowing to “use our tools” to provide support if needed.

The markets in Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo all closed down 3.0 percent, while Jakarta shed more than four percent. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS Weekly StockS revieW STOCKS Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

FEBRUARY 24-28, 2020 Close Volume 50 139.00 74.10 0.85 24.75 17.82 11 3.8 6.00 0.63 1.06 834.00 0.420 56.05 0.72 12 29.25 50 110.3 171.9 19.68 154.4 1770.00 57.35 1.17

Value

FEBRUARY 17-21, 2020 Close Volume Value

31,550 16,325,960 13,187,540 19,000 717,400 123,500 1,298,500 49,000 28,600 9,000 25,000 290 4,560,000 13,509,680 627,000 41,900 1,311,100 23,000 110 1,210 1,425,900 2,359,830 240 289,770 932,000

FINANCIAL 1,593,588.00 2,284,537,741.00 1,047,571,785.50 15,670.00 17,834,710.00 2,211,598.00 14,374,052.00 176,080.00 185,600.00 4,870.00 27,060.00 236,300.00 1,814,850.00 782,654,179.50 455,680.00 503,796.00 38,918,630.00 1,178,338.50 12,133.00 209,151.00 28,473,399.00 376,203,417.00 433,470.00 16,637,280.00 1,090,380.00

51.25 147.50 84.00 0.87 25 18 11.56 3.79

4,370 7,186,800 16,487,400 150,000 1,075,400 381,200 522,100 12,000

227,433.50 1,066,403,398.00 1,401,599,267.50 121,100.00 26,883,590.00 6,860,008.00 6,031,498.00 43,880.00

0.63 1.08 805.50 0.410 60.85 0.75 13.3 31.85 52.45 110.3 176 20.45 170.2 1820.00 58.00 1921000

8,000 23,000 520 1,630,000 14,499,850 227,000 180,800 2,431,300 3,690 1,000 9,170 1,914,300 1,470,580 755 14,050 5,188,010

4,640.00 25,330.00 436,720.00 678,150.00 868,611,362.00 169,100.00 2,160,846.00 78,054,730.00 191,497.00 110,300.00 1,620,789.00 39,232,600.00 252,671,465.00 1,393,000.00 818,054.00 3,310,730.00

INDUSTRIAL 304,509,580.00 40,130,910.00 70,156,829.00 4,158,390.00 1,609,770.00 33,017,480.00 371,140.00 41,677.00 115,340.00 36,580,270.00 33,802,582.00 75,254.00 35,646,478.00 130,188.00 123,277.50 35,100.00 542,840.00 49,560.00 328,600.00 85,005,679.00 10,068,888.00 15,422,809.00 68,026,332.00 261,577,700.00 140,243,998.00 20,644,696.00 163,653,130.00 8,686,330.00 25,444,850.00 45,996,760.00 80,276,754.00 1,158,460.00 1,052,763,671.00 27,825.00 11,338,170.00 901,620.00 45,024.00 205,929,358.00 5,567,835.00 134,814,188.00 504,410.00 463,100,340.00 45,550.00 9,422,480.00 270,190.00 16,452,740.00 1,691,213.00 9,999,262.00 32,790,995.00 5,126,350.00 143,803.00 6,151,970.00 4,520.00 5,826,270.00 7,218,445.00 73,356,563.50 9,977,257.00 71,210.00 1,019,360.00 1,005,166,811.00 357,920.00 33,060,790.00 4,029,960.00

31.7 2.27 7.75 0.64 1.22 3.16 0.224 88.5 15.12 1.49 15.1 228 8.22 64.7 67 30.05 2.15 5.4 4.8 8.230 11.86 8.63 7.55 2.65 20.05 66 1.91 36.45 1.5700 13.58 5.2 1.220 189.00 34.05 4.8 3 6.87 12.22 9.7 14.6 0.162 270.00 5.20 1.83 3.74 3.46 9.70 11.78 28.95 4.8 5.26 1.61 1.52 1.17 9.06 74 9.29 0.117 0.92 150 2.41 1.22 0.96

4,592,900 13,553,000 10,686,600 13,851,000 127,000 15,522,000 360,000 200 6,600 40,317,000 1,602,500 2,780 8,970,100 3,090 980 2,400 286,000 35,000 22,000 9,669,900 1,958,200 8,074,700 4,007,200 16,361,000 4,508,800 576,620 143,331,000 82,500 20,247,000 7,050,400 12,509,500 1,287,000 4,803,810 100 711,000 71,000 100 18,377,900 422,300 6,584,300 2,080,000 599,310 5,800 4,966,000 208,000 5,291,000 63,700 454,700 453,900 283,000 16,900 4,886,000 317,000 5,731,000 4,641,300 1,330,580 303,300 2,440,000 1,013,000 3,353,140 55,000 43,572,000 3,630,000

146,338,635.00 29,804,670.00 81,393,726.00 8,976,610.00 152,600.00 47,231,660.00 79,920.00 17,675.00 102,742.00 61,047,380.00 24,163,674.00 560,128.00 77,316,726.00 189,286.00 67,848.00 72,405.00 603,920.00 188,964.00 102,620.00 81,123,821.00 23,258,330.00 23,866,534.00 29,807,342.00 48,667,710.00 89,924,267.00 38,486,321.50 278,490,310.00 2,895,075.00 30,619,470.00 87,807,406.00 72,408,852.00 1,579,910.00 900,251,397.00 3,405.00 3,444,170.00 218,700.00 687.00 229,026,158.00 4,122,596.00 95,895,408.00 325,760.00 163,858,734.00 30,157.00 9,190,360.00 712,860.00 18,413,830.00 616,226.00 5,335,508.00 13,170,650.00 1,363,190.00 87,032.00 7,620,340.00 481,850.00 6,784,490.00 43,588,134.00 99,803,842.50 2,808,020.00 288,160.00 916,370.00 504,663,063.00 132,360.00 50,587,620.00 3,478,560.00

0.880 50.50 10.26 0.70 6.10 10.02 0.930 0.940 750 2.490 6.26 5.62 12.30 2.140 731 4.71 75.60 6.64 5.21 5.51 0.485 3.88 9.5 0.590 3.19 4.2800 1.100 2.70 133.00 1038.00 1.16 0.80 166.000 155.00 0.2290 0.189

65,657,000 7,136,880 33,410,000 100,000 34,600 31,300 3,220,000 587,000 1,492,820 2,395,000 889,500 41,867,000 31,900 2,370,000 424,120 109,000 5,862,230 281,500 1,100 200 1,850,000 7,604,000 5,746,600 1,316,000 144,012,000 61,000 279,000 383,000 575,470 2,503,370 285,000 143,000 12,740 1,760 3,120,000 32,390,000

58,074,710.00 362,728,841.00 347,033,034.00 68,200.00 211,830.00 313,527.00 2,941,330.00 542,980.00 1,122,589,400.00 5,981,940.00 5,563,072.00 238,810,516.00 384,468.00 520,990.00 310,518,090.00 515,470.00 439,168,756.00 1,865,754.00 5,731.00 1,102.00 889,450.00 29,049,980.00 56,591,353.00 762,800.00 460,456,320.00 266,950.00 304,610.00 1,034,980.00 76,467,217.00 2,556,121,425.00 320,320.00 110,950.00 2,095,866.00 285,510.00 692,210.00 6,202,480.00

14.700 0.63 9.67 1.580 0.780 42.250 1.58 4.59 6.49 0.510 0.77 0.810 0.171 0.380 9.000 18.4 0.385

4,639,700 2,189,000 24,800 89,000 2,073,000 73,025,300 4,377,000 3,116,000 105,400 33,893,000 130,000 30,000 3,910,000 57,920,000 601,700 1,477,400 2,010,000

68,261,642.00 1,369,500.00 238,841.00 141,490.00 1,617,630.00 3,063,026,260.00 6,996,200.00 14,091,000.00 645,194.00 16,501,210.00 100,890.00 24,000.00 690,810.00 23,719,100.00 5,458,052.00 27,874,758.00 758,500.00

1.40 1.04 3.8 0.200 1.0800 0.4550 0.310

86,207,000 3,238,000 91,147,000 27,240,000 21,453,000 12,770,000 820,000

121,925,150.00 3,363,070.00 361,988,490.00 5,511,590.00 23,495,520.00 5,783,000.00 256,100.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

AC Energy Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Axelum Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Fruitas Holdings Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

27.5 2.06 7.23 0.62 1.08 2.65 0.214 98.95 16.00 1.38 14.72 226.8 6.5 66.4 69 30 2 4.8 4 7.220 10.3 7.95 8.02 3.78 18.34 61.3 1.67 34.95 1.3000 13.18 4.9 1.180 170.00 34.05 5 3.4 6.52 11.76 8.77 12.66 0.155 269.80 4.65 1.85 3.52 3.36 9.90 10.62 26.05 4.73 5.00 1.55 1.5 1.08 8.34 73 8.7 0.121 0.83 141.3 2.5 1.11 0.93

10,528,900 19,235,000 9,790,300 6,621,000 1,436,000 11,836,000 1,710,000 470 7,500 26,467,000 2,276,400 330 5,081,100 2,170 2,020 1,200 265,000 10,300 75,000 11,071,000 915,900 1,891,100 8,687,200 72,544,000 7,441,000 327,370 95,409,000 264,300 17,818,000 3,492,600 16,731,700 974,000 5,963,320 800 2,259,000 271,000 6,900 17,244,300 604,400 10,316,400 3,240,000 1,778,010 9,700 5,130,000 77,000 4,848,000 181,100 925,300 1,210,200 1,068,000 28,600 3,861,000 3,000 5,467,000 828,800 1,023,170 1,113,600 610,000 1,206,000 7,089,320 147,000 28,960,000 4,244,000

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ Asiabest Group ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Ayala Land Log Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.710 42.65 10.04 0.64 6.10 9.7 0.900 0.950 662.5 2.000 6.24 5.30 12.00 0.220 711 4.60 67.50 6.51 5.21 5.6 0.47 3.7 8.95 0.590 3.07 4.0200 1.070 2.65 126.20 974.50 1.03 0.83 159.900 175.00 0.2180 0.185

67,873,000 6,284,170 67,574,700 777,000 102,100 81,100 1,919,000 401,000 1,698,500 30,159,000 6,922,900 42,758,100 251,800 660,000 580,880 115,000 10,136,890 360,600 9,600 113,900 800,000 1,801,000 12,367,800 1,355,000 181,373,000 82,000 128,000 29,000 1,138,510 1,620,185 1,375,000 1,019,000 28,670 3,150 3,410,000 81,240,000

HOLDING FIRMS 51,221,890.00 283,832,935.00 678,746,891.00 508,360.00 623,927.00 799,111.00 1,714,900.00 380,950.00 1,168,987,070.00 64,135,380.00 43,102,083.00 226,081,999.00 3,123,306.00 149,880.00 416,663,480.00 534,230.00 701,342,251.50 2,342,282.00 50,016.00 627,724.00 382,850.00 6,960,500.00 109,859,902.00 737,870.00 552,686,780.00 336,850.00 137,860.00 76,850.00 145,833,705.00 1,594,620,740.00 1,490,090.00 827,090.00 4,567,138.00 494,064.00 778,250.00 15,344,760.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil Infradev Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’

14.200 0.56 8.98 1.550 0.750 39.000 1.54 4.42 6.59 0.485 0.77 0.800 0.165 0.330 8.700 17 0.370 0.110 1.23 1.03 3.4 0.184 0.9700 0.4200 0.290

4,484,600 3,107,000 5,100 277,000 1,934,000 127,561,200 11,760,000 3,658,000 111,000 29,749,000 134,000 858,800 6,390,000 5,500,000 5,048,800 2,168,200 1,010,000 20,000 103,760,000 4,769,000 179,283,000 36,870,000 8,531,000 27,560,000 1,150,000

PROPERTY 65,612,476.00 1,833,590.00 45,777.00 461,230.00 1,479,750.00 5,031,133,985.00 17,900,720.00 16,231,860.00 730,368.00 14,661,635.00 96,740.00 629,050.00 1,082,890.00 1,264,600.00 44,904,290.00 36,558,544.00 374,550.00 1,900.00 132,739,940.00 4,784,660.00 622,921,800.00 7,114,950.00 8,282,890.00 12,486,900.00 340,900.00

STOCKS

FEBRUARY 24-28, 2020 Close Volume

FEBRUARY 17-21, 2020 Close Volume Value

Value

Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes Vistamalls

2.1 21.30 1.92 3.04 38.30 2.35 1.580 6.280 4.920

1,738,000 8,253,100 379,000 189,000 66,302,900 814,000 16,738,000 12,799,000 334,800

3,553,230.00 192,766,495.00 727,090.00 573,140.00 2,586,444,730.00 1,922,790.00 26,749,410.00 84,236,791.00 1,686,191.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel AllHome APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. PH Resorts Group Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

7.4 22.65 1.43 9.5 0.400 0.046 17.5 2.5 8.15 0.0390 73.55 6.52 3.58 3.66 1.8 6.60 800.5 1779 5.27 410.00 1.03 106 8 5.41 0.096 1.6300 12.58 1.95 0.93 8.40 0.470 2.96 1.59 1.73 1.84 1.930 1.98 6.90 2.97 3.97 8.94 152.00 2.40 990.00 0.275 0.520 37.00 66.60 8.75 1.99 0.520 0.211 0.530 18.100

114,300 11,971,600 149,000 5,704,800 31,980,000 9,400,000 70,500 1,587,000 8,651,800 54,700,000 730,650 14,400 3,163,000 421,000 1,000 109,800 11,650 292,520 2,019,800 73,090 6,509,000 8,398,400 171,500 100 3,770,000 287,277,000 5,300 696,000 153,000 15,520,800 35,840,000 278,000 4,089,000 80,916,000 2,726,000 11,066,000 639,000 56,100 5,000 10,000 1,300 102,330 11,601,000 681,500 33,910,000 79,568,000 1,639,400 813,240 120,900 6,881,000 11,082,000 8,780,000 3,566,000 6,966,300

SERVICES 884,874.00 273,477,216.00 206,800.00 56,578,195.00 12,968,100.00 418,100.00 1,236,206.00 4,078,880.00 72,212,395.00 2,236,700.00 55,516,602.00 93,888.00 12,077,340.00 1,705,320.00 1,800.00 753,708.00 10,282,760.00 537,229,610.00 10,782,317.00 30,493,938.00 6,733,530.00 896,562,995.50 1,303,484.00 541.00 373,440.00 483,699,160.00 64,412.00 1,320,700.00 130,870.00 144,408,390.00 18,083,500.00 819,100.00 6,747,940.00 148,323,960.00 5,054,440.00 22,129,530.00 1,194,430.00 390,218.00 14,710.00 40,120.00 11,282.00 15,465,870.00 30,989,250.00 680,258,622.50 9,655,550.00 42,175,560.00 61,443,650.00 56,338,820.50 1,069,903.00 13,812,860.00 6,187,020.00 2,001,070.00 1,924,910.00 127,464,528.00

Abra Mining ACE Enexor Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0012 6.4900 1.00 2.39 11.48 1.1200 1.1000 2.76 0.270 6.45 0.980 0.196 0.090 0.095 0.0072 0.0073 0.67 2.18 0.93 0.4400 0.6200 0.0096 0.0100 2.90 6.36 0.0110 19.40 0.0048

688,000,000 892,000 15,252,000 213,000 15,900 1,000 4,000 5,987,000 730,000 42,900 16,205,000 1,690,000 7,550,000 900,000 20,000,000 2,000,000 523,000 17,116,000 187,000 80,000 337,000 15,000,000 820,100,000 2,744,000 1,938,700 198,500,000 4,422,300 23,000,000

MINING & OIL 881,600.00 5,904,036.00 15,992,990.00 473,790.00 176,306.00 1,120.00 4,400.00 17,179,990.00 144,300.00 277,720.00 17,618,370.00 335,650.00 707,220.00 81,620.00 149,600.00 14,600.00 347,160.00 40,212,470.00 178,640.00 35,250.00 204,030.00 143,900.00 9,703,900.00 8,332,760.00 13,372,476.00 2,028,500.00 85,418,540.00 110,800.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ CPG PREF A DD PREF First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred 2B PCOR-Preferred 3A PCOR-Preferred 3B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H

19 100.2 501 503 101.2 101 108.2 490 502 5.19 999 990 99 100 1006 1050 1060 100.1 109.7 1030 77.7 75.65 76.4 76.85 75.2 76.1 76.2

6,291,400 2,200 3,970 9,350 8,300 99,250 7,310 10 2,670 4,293,800 9,690 420 20,940 134,790 515 19,810 11,580 2,500 470 39,200 53,690 26,630 2,000 173,570 8,010 70,700 100,430

LR Warrant

1.040

550,000

PREFERRED 115,118,460.00 220,448.00 1,988,575.00 4,703,285.00 851,170.00 10,071,900.00 782,420.00 4,900.00 1,340,340.00 21,935,949.00 9,679,310.00 418,930.00 2,084,746.50 13,492,690.00 518,320.00 20,869,500.00 12,462,520.00 250,250.00 50,290.00 40,637,570.00 4,169,878.00 2,007,419.50 152,800.00 13,342,079.00 603,787.50 5,385,663.50 7,632,769.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 556,640.00 SME 3,374,780.00 7,376,036.00 4,366,520.00

2.08 25.30 2.05 3.09 41.30 2.49 1.620 6.810 5.160

686,000 9,221,800 1,088,000 597,000 72,743,000 415,000 27,734,000 22,142,500 462,200

1,411,490.00 233,593,260.00 2,108,780.00 1,820,040.00 2,995,881,515.00 1,030,500.00 46,228,690.00 151,834,395.00 2,360,336.00

8.2 19.66 1.42 10.5 0.405 0.047 17.5 2.79 9.00 0.0450 79.8 6.52 4.17 4.00

352,400 9,519,800 194,000 12,092,600 3,690,000 20,400,000 2,600 1,666,000 15,543,500 62,700,000 687,240 8,600 4,347,000 844,000

2,896,736.00 189,877,112.00 263,470.00 124,478,566.00 1,462,750.00 962,700.00 45,500.00 4,540,560.00 139,588,695.00 2,937,600.00 55,116,527.50 56,135.00 18,827,060.00 3,394,680.00

6.98 890 1889 5.40 418.00 1.14 118 8.92 6.50 0.098 1.6800 12.14 2.03 0.94 10.02 0.440 2.96 1.79 1.83 1.80 2.190 2.04 7.00 2.97 4.80 8.5 150.00 3.21 1025.00 0.310 0.550 38.00 72.35 8.73 2.14 0.570 0.238 0.560 18.760

61,100 2,050 157,855 2,661,400 1,260 1,688,000 8,247,070 26,400 1,400 5,930,000 346,426,000 10,100 1,032,000 35,000 24,909,500 11,170,000 121,000 3,150,000 15,626,000 1,353,000 21,064,000 161,000 19,900 1,000 16,000 1,700 276,230 5,572,000 267,920 12,850,000 108,922,000 9,212,100 937,830 112,700 4,739,000 3,653,000 6,090,000 1,884,000 8,636,300

437,448.00 1,824,500.00 302,260,420.00 14,375,638.00 529,384.00 1,937,100.00 994,978,114.00 200,813.00 9,100.00 594,840.00 648,405,430.00 122,768.00 2,097,600.00 30,860.00 272,408,154.00 5,175,950.00 363,650.00 5,688,660.00 24,766,230.00 2,180,130.00 46,676,080.00 323,090.00 144,264.00 2,970.00 72,400.00 14,661.00 41,327,215.00 18,048,300.00 276,243,730.00 3,986,050.00 58,560,610.00 351,817,660.00 67,222,179.00 990,378.00 10,259,610.00 2,093,870.00 1,444,700.00 1,033,070.00 161,912,122.00

0.0014 7.1000 1.09 2.40 11.60 1.1500 1.1000 2.98 0.270 6.73 1.300 0.200 0.095 0.097 0.0075 0.0075 0.72 2.59 1.01 0.4500 0.6300 0.0099 0.0120 3.02 7.60 0.0100 19.90 0.0050

717,000,000 499,000 10,519,000 686,000 29,100 1,000 5,000 1,595,000 220,000 61,500 3,029,000 1,120,000 6,730,000 4,180,000 30,000,000 3,000,000 1,965,000 13,255,000 54,000 1,480,000 327,000 123,100,000 1,094,700,000 3,856,000 3,880,400 86,300,000 1,899,300 51,000,000

959,400.00 3,546,134.00 10,882,230.00 1,537,770.00 332,100.00 1,150.00 5,500.00 4,800,400.00 59,400.00 410,054.00 3,933,460.00 228,250.00 634,640.00 383,430.00 223,000.00 22,500.00 1,449,560.00 34,566,480.00 53,720.00 666,100.00 209,760.00 1,227,140.00 11,296,500.00 11,575,830.00 30,125,388.00 898,600.00 37,861,522.00 256,200.00

16 100 500 500 101 101 105 500 502 5.3 999 1000 99.8 100.4 1038 1070 1085 102 107.5 1050 77.6 75.65 76.5 76.5 75.95 76 77

4,987,700 10,870 7,460 550 31,800 3,250 2,330 2,100 1,600 165,400 143,080 64,670 21,410 232,770 1,140 17,670 14,470 1,240 660 15,015 97,790 400 354,020 73,080 2,010 125,970 17,230

82,636,782.00 1,087,118.00 3,730,000.00 274,340.00 3,209,533.00 328,252.00 245,414.00 1,049,000.00 803,200.00 875,612.00 141,714,990.00 63,895,180.00 2,108,461.00 23,402,178.00 1,145,060.00 18,461,410.00 15,626,015.00 126,480.00 71,100.00 15,765,750.00 7,581,065.00 30,266.50 26,621,372.00 5,590,749.00 152,609.50 9,575,560.00 1,321,035.00

1.060

179,000

198,370.00

3.2 9.49 0.83

731,000 787,100 4,474,000

2,369,830.00 7,525,155.00 3,597,930.00

Italpinas Kepwealth Xurpas

2.59 8.09 0.76

1,212,000 857,600 5,649,000

First Metro ETF

103.1

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 474,120 49,761,556.00

110.5

32,020

3,552,108.00

10.26 10.28

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 32,100 329,644.40 6,500 66,820.00

10.26 10.3

106,000 9,700

1,081,288.80 99,851.20

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. `B’ Abra Mining ISM Communications Philodrill Corp. `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Megaworld Ayala Land `B’ Filinvest Land,Inc. Fruitas Holdings Zeus Holdings

VOLUME 820,100,000 688,000,000 287,277,000 198,500,000 181,373,000 179,283,000 127,561,200 103,760,000 95,409,000 81,240,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. SM Investments Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Jollibee Foods Corp.

Bank of PI Universal Robina I.C.T.S.I. Metrobank

VALUE 5,031,133,985.00 2,586,444,730.00 2,284,537,741.00 1,594,620,740.00 1,168,987,070.00 1,052,763,671.00 1,047,571,785.50 1,005,166,811.00 896,562,995.50 782,654,179.50

SEC to review cap on public float amid PH market slump

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said it will review the timing of the implementation of the planned increase in the minimum public ownership requirement of listing firms to 25 percent amid the massive sell-off in the equities markets following the COVID-19 fears.

SEC chairman Emilio Aquino said in an interview over the weekend the corporate regulator would rethink the timetable set to start this year.

“The market is now below 7,000 level. So we will have to rethink about the timetable,” Aquio said.

Aquino stressed the SEC still wanted to eventually increase the minimum public float requirement in a bid to boost liquidity in the stock market.

“We definitely still want that to be implemented. It is only a timing issue,” Aquino said.

The SEC earlier revived plans to increase the public float requirement to 25 percent starting this year. The SEC, instead, gave listed companies five years to comply with the proposed rule.

The minimum public float is currently pegged at 10 percent.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index on Friday closed at 6,787.91, its lowest in more than three years, amid heavy foreign selling due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, the SEC issued new rules requiring corporations to send written notices of regular meetings to all stockholders at least 21 calendar days prior to the date of the meeting.

The notices will give stockholders ample time to prepare and effectively participate in the regular meetings.

The written notices of regular meetings must contain all information and deadlines relevant to the shareholders’ or members’ participation in the meeting and exercise of the right to vote remotely, in absentia or through a proxy.

In case of postponement of stockholders’ regular meetings, a written notice and the reason for the postponement should also be sent to all stockholders at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting as originally scheduled.

SM Prime bares terms of bond offer amounting to P20b SM Prime Holdings Inc. has finalized the terms of a planned P20-billion bond offering scheduled this month.

SM Prime said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission the five-year bonds due 2025 would carry an interest rate of 4.8634 percent yearly, while the seven-year bonds due 2027 would have a coupon rate of 5.0583 a year.

It set the offering period from March 2 to 13. The bonds will be issued and listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on March 25.

SM Prime plans to initially issue P15 billion worth of Series K Bonds and Series L Bonds, with an oversubscription option for a maximum of P5 billion at 100 percent of the face value.

The bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of P20,000 and in multiples of P10,000 thereafter.

The P20-billion bond offering represents the first tranche from SM Prime’s P100-billion bond shelf registration program approved by the SEC in February.

The company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to mainly finance capital expenditures for new malls and expansion projects.

The property firm earlier announced plans to open four new malls in 2020, namely SM City Butuan, SM City Daet, SM City Grand Central (Caloocan) and SM City Roxas. The four new malls will have a combined gross floor area of 221,000 square meters.

It is also set to complete expansion of SM Baguio and SM Mall of AsiaIkea, which will add 32,000 sq. m. and 157,000 sq. m., respectively.

SM Prime next year is scheduled to complete six new malls—SM City Bataan, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City San Pedro, SM City North Davao and SM City Tanza with a combined GFA of 372,000 sq.m.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., BPI Capital Corp., East West Banking Corp., First Metro Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. have agreed to act as joint lead underwriters of the bond offering.

Share price of SM Prime on Friday closed at P38.30. Jenniffer B. Austria

World

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

Mahathir fights on as new PM is sworn in

IN BRIEF Biden revives White House hopes COLUMBIA―Former vice president Joe Biden notched up a resounding win in the South Carolina primary on Saturday, reviving his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination and positioning him as the leading rival to front runner Bernie Sanders.

The victory, powered by support from African-American voters, was the 77-yearold Biden’s first in the race and may give him momentum going into “Super Tuesday” next week, when 14 states go to the polls.

“Just days ago the press and the pundits had declared this candidacy dead,” Biden told hundreds of supporters at a victory rally in the South Carolina capital Columbia.

“You’ve launched our campaign on the path to defeating Donald Trump,” he said.

“We have the option of winning big or losing big,” Biden added in a dig at Sanders’ prospects against Trump in November’s election.

With 99 percent of the ballots counted, Biden had 48.4 percent to 20 percent for the 78-year-old Senator Sanders, a selfdescribed “democratic socialist.”

Billionaire activist Tom Steyer, who spent a whopping $23 million on advertising in South Carolina, was next with 11.4 percent but announced he was quitting the race even before the final results were published.

Former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has been challenging Biden for the centrist vote, had eight percent while Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren had seven percent. AFP

HOMELESS IN MOSCOW. A little Soviet girl bites in a slice of bread while her homeless mother and an unidentified man discuss the rationning regulations near the saint Basile’s cathedral on November 12, 1990, on the red Square in Moscow. Muscovites are facing difficulties in fulfilling their basic needs as the Russian market liberalisation led to a tremendous economical and social crisis and the pauperisation of the population. AFP

Sri Lankans head for snap elections COLOMBO―Sri Lanka’s new president is set to dissolve parliament shortly and call snap a legislative election six months ahead of schedule, a state-run newspaper said Sunday.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to exercise his constitutional power to sack the assembly when it completes four-and-ahalf out of its five-year term on Sunday night, the Sunday Observer said.

Rajapaksa, 70, won a landslide at November presidential polls and appointed his older brother and former president Mahinda as prime minister in a move that saw the family consolidate their hold on power.

“The Gazette Extraordinary will be issued announcing the dissolution of the present parliament at the end of the completion of four-and-a-half years in terms of the provisions of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution,” the Observer said quoting its sources at Rajapaksa’s office.

Official sources told AFP that a general election was most likely in the final week of April if the 225-member national assembly is dissolved by Monday as widely expected.

Mahinda, who had been president twice and prime minister thrice, is expected to lead the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP, or People’s Front) party to a comfortable victory.

Political commentators have said it would be a formidable challenge for the opposition to prevent Rajapaksa securing a two-thirds majority which will allow him sweeping powers to govern the nation of 21 million people. AFP

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Archives on Pius XII unsealed by Vatican

V

ATICAN CITY―The Vatican unseals the archives of history’s most contentious popes on Monday, potentially shedding light on why Pius XII stayed silent during the extermination of six million Jews in the Holocaust.

Two hundred researchers have already requested access to the mountain of documents, made available after an inventory that took more than 14 years for Holy See archivists to complete.

Award-winning German religious historian Hubert Wolf will be in Rome on Monday, armed with six assistants and two years of funding to start exploring documents from the “private secretariat” of the late pope.

Wolf, a specialist on the relationship of Pius XII with the Nazis, is anxious to discover the notes of the his 70 ambassadors―the pontiff’s eyes and ears during his time as head of the Catholic Church between 1939 and his death in 1958.

There should also be records of urgent appeals for help from Jewish organizations, as well as his communications with the late US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The unsealed archives additionally cover a post-World War II era in which writers were censored and some priests hounded for suspected communist sympathies.

The Vatican first published the essentials

covering the Holocaust four decades ago, an 11 volume work compiled by Jesuits.

But some crucial pieces are still missing, including the pope’s replies to notes and letters―for example, those about Nazi horrors.

The Jesuits already published “documents the pope received about the concentration camps, but we never got to see his replies,” Wolf said in an interview.

“Either they do not exist, or they are in the Vatican,” he told AFP. Historians have already examined the 12 German years of Eugenio Pacelli, the future pope’s real name which he used while posted there as the Holy See ambassador in 1917-1929 There, he witnessed the rise of Nazism, then returned to Rome to become the right-hand man of his predecessor Pius XI, elected in 1922.

Past archives have revealed exchanges in which he was alerted about the extermination of European Jews once he himself became the pope.

“There is no doubt that the pope was aware of the murder of Jews,” Wolf said.

“What really interests us is when he learned about it for the first time, and when he believed that information.”

On December 24, 1942, Pius XII delivered one of history’s most debated Christmas radio messages.

Buried in its long text was a reference to “hundreds of thousands of people who, without any fault of their own and sometimes for the sole reason of their nationality or race, were doomed to death or gradual extermination”.

Was his message—delivered in Italian and aired just once, and which never explicitly mentioned either the Jews or Nazis—heard and understood by German Catholics?

“The only ones who heard it were the Nazis,” said Wolf, noting that the radio waves were scrambled and that the pope could have spoken German—if he had really wanted to reach the German faithful.

“After the war, Pius XII told a British ambassador: ‘I was very clear.’ And the ambassador will say in reply: ‘I did not understand you’,” the historian said.

Those who rise to the pope’s defense note that Pius XII was a former diplomat who was trained in prudence, anxious to remain neutral in time of war, and concerned about being able to shield Catholics from the unfolding devastation. AFP

My educational journey DR. JOSE MARTIN MAKALINTAL

Green LiGht (Part 1)

WHEN I was invited to speak today, I initially considered preparing a profound speech designed to inspire you to greatness. But then I realized that after going through four or five years of schooling, the last thing you’d probably want to hear is another lesson before graduating. So in lieu of this, I will share a candid version of my own journey through school.

Before jumping right into things, I would like to start off by saying that everyone in life has a cross to bear. Rich or poor, strong or weak, young or old, everybody will have to deal with problems uniquely difficult for them. The cross I bore was education and was so heavy it resulted in one of the biggest regrets I had in life—not being able to study here, in De La Salle University, for college.

College Let’s backtrack several years to the very beginning... when I graduated from high school, I wanted nothing more than to earn my college and master’s degrees from De La Salle University. After passing the entrance exam, I was all set to begin life in this hallowed institution.

But when I sought advice, I was told the course I chose was not a “real engineering course.” Not knowing any better, I enrolled in another school to take up this person’s definition of a real engineering course.

To say that it was a disaster is an understatement! Not only was the teaching style incomprehensible, I experienced severe culture shock. The method used by the college was designed to simply weed out the weak instead of developing them to reach their full potential. While it may have worked for others, it wasn’t suitable for me.

After enduring several semesters, I finally threw in the towel. I tried reapplying here at De La Salle University but was told that none of my subjects were going to be credited. Faced with having to start from scratch, I opted to enroll somewhere else.

You’re probably wondering why I didn’t go to La Salle after that first debacle. Well, I listened to the same person again for this one! Had I listened to my mother, I wouldn’t be in this boat at all.

So, this was how one of the biggest regrets of my life came to be.

Master’s Due to these two major mistakes— choosing another school and passing on the chance to go to this one—I suffered a crisis of confidence for the first time in my life. And I’ll tell you, ladies and gentlemen, I have never been lacking in the confidence department.

Fortunately, the beginning of my retribution came after I decided it was time to go back to school. This time, I listened to my mother and enrolled in the MBA program here at De La Salle University.

Some of you may be wondering why I didn’t just take up another college degree, as some have done in the past.

First, I did not want to be ungrateful. I owe my college a great debt of gratitude because it took me in when I was at my

worst. Second, getting another degree would never erase the fact that I did not finish in La Salle. That is already in my permanent record and there it will stay.

Third, all of my high school classmates had already moved on. Sharing college with old friends would not be possible anymore. Fourth, it would take roughly the same time and effort to get a higher degree. Having to go through the same thing all over again just wasn’t appealing. And lastly, I decided to my turn my mistakes into reminders to keep driving me forward instead of holding me back.

And drive me forward they did. Enrolling in the MBA program here in De La Salle University turned out to be the best time of my educational life. For the first time, I could actually understand all my subjects. The teachers here were so masterful at explaining lessons that I felt like a lightbulb would go on every time I attended class. Best of all, anything that I would learn the night before could be applied the day after.

So, after going through two other schools, I finally came home to this one.

(To be continued) The author graduated with a Doctor of Business Administration degree on February 29, 2020. He delivered at the Response of Graduates at the 4th De La Salle University Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business Graduate Studies Recognition Rites on February 22, 2020.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

KUALA LUMPUR―A former interior minister was sworn in as Malaysia’s premier Sunday, marking the return of a scandal-mired party to power after a reformist government’s collapse but exleader Mahathir Mohamad, 94, slammed the move as illegal.

The Southeast Asian nation was plunged into turmoil after Mahathir’s reformist “Pact of Hope” alliance, which stormed to a historic victory in 2018, collapsed amid bitter infighting.

Mahathir―who was the world’s oldest leader―initially quit as premier but then sought to return. He lost out however to little-known Muhyiddin Yassin, who heads a coalition dominated by the country’s Muslim majority.

The king’s decision Saturday to pick Muhyiddin as premier was greeted with shock as Mahathir’s allies claimed to have enough support, and sparked widespread anger that the democratically elected government had been ejected.

Just before Muhyiddin’s inauguration, Mahathir accused him of betrayal and said he would seek a parliament vote challenging the new premier’s support―signalling the political crisis is far from over.

“This is a very strange thing ... losers will form the government, the winners will be in the opposition,” he said.

“The rule of law no longer applies”.

Muhyiddin’s coalition includes the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the party of disgraced ex-leader Najib Razak, as well as a hardline group that wants tougher Islamic laws.

UMNO was the corruption-riddled lynchpin of a coalition thrown out at the 2018 elections amid allegations Najib and his cronies looted billions of dollars from state fund 1MDB. Najib is now on trial for corruption.

Despite a last-minute bid by Mahathir to prove that he had enough support to return as premier, Muhyiddin’s inauguration went ahead Sunday morning at the national palace.

His alliance boycotted the ceremony.

To become premier, a candidate must prove to the king, who appoints the prime minister, that he has the backing of at least 112 MPs. Meanwhile public anger was growing at the ejection of the reformist alliance, with the hashtag “NotMyPM” trending on Twitter and more than 100,000 people signing a petition that said the move was a “betrayal” of voters’ choice at the 2018 poll. AFP

LGUs

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

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

Miss Caloocan pageant draws 19 contenders

By Jun David THE City Government of Caloocan and its Cultural and Tourism Foundation Inc. (CTFI) has presented to the media 19 lovely and talented ladies hailing from different barangays in the city that will compete for the crown and title as Miss Caloocan 2020.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan proudly announced that the reigning Miss Caloocan, Shanon Tampon, is now a Binibining Pilipinas 2020 official candidate, and was a Miss Philippines Earth 2019 runner-up and Miss Bikini Philippines 2019 finalist.

The grand coronation night will be held on March 7 at 6 p.m. at the Caloocan Sports Complex and the entrance is open to the public on a firstcome first-served basis.

“We want to take beauty pageantry to a new level, wherein the winners will not only be the tourism ambassadors of the city, but they will also be our voice in promoting our advocacies and women empowerment,” CTFI Chairwoman Kathleen Mendoza said.

In line with this, the city of Caloocan is already working on several programs for the titleholders to better advocate women empowerment. Some of these programs include seminars on the rights of single mothers and livelihood training for women with disabilities.

Ms. Caloocan’s primary role is to promote the city, its tourism, and the many talents of the people of Caloocan, and the pageant itself has been the avenue for the city to showcase their talent and creativity.

“We have so many amazing talents in Caloocan, and we think that Miss Caloocan is the prefect way for us to exhibit their artistry,” Mendoza said.

Compendium on PH agritech work published

By Brenda Jocson LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in Southeast Asia have copublished a compendium of climateresilient agricultural technologies and approaches in the Philippines.

Titled “Compendium of ClimateResilient Agriculture Technologies and Approaches in the Philippines,” it is in response to the need to provide science-based and actionable knowledge on climate-resilient agricultural technologies and practices in different agroecological systems in the country.

Available in hardcover and paperback, the compendium is authored by Dr. Romeo V. Labios, Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, Dr. Jocelyn D. Labios, and Ms. Christine Mae B. Santos. A copy may also be downloaded for free from the SEARCA website.

The authors said many studies and recent events have shown that the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with both upland and low-lying regions severely affected by typhoons, floods and droughts.

Climate change has adverse impacts on the agricultural sector, particularly on smallholder farmers who are more vulnerable to climate stressors, they said.

PEACE COUNCIL. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Domagoso (left) welcomes members of the Regional Peace and Order Council-

NCR chaired by Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez (center) to the capital city and expressed his support to the endeavors of the council. Olivarez, also incumbent president of Metro Manila Council, presided over 2020’s first regular council meeting and received a certificate from Domagoso and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon (right). Also present were Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Pateros Mayor Ike Ponce, DILG Assistant Secretary Manuel Felix, Dangerous Drugs Board Assistant Secretary Maria Belen Angelita Matibag, and key officials of RPOC member agencies.

Guiguinto mayor wants Tabe NLEX exit reopened

By Orlan L. Mauricio

M

ALOLOS CITY—Mayor Ambrosio “Boy” Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan has supported the clamor of two Bulacan lawmakers for an immediate audit of the financial statements of NLEX Corp., the concessionaire and operator of the North Luzon Expressway and the SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Cruz also appealed to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and NLEX Corp. to revive and open the Tabe Exit in Barangay Tabe, Guiguinto, which was closed six years ago for allegedly not being commercially viable in terms of its toll collections.

“Barangay Tabe has now one of the biggest industrial complexes in our town, and its adjoining residential villages and commercial establishments account for more than 25 percent of our town’s income,” he said.

Cruz explained that if Tabe Exit would be opened again, the Ospital ng Guiguinto, just a kilometer away from the

entry plaza, will become more accessible to villagers and residents living on the other side of the expressway.

“Primary health care and hospitalization for our town folks is a basic consideration. Second, we also need a service road along the perimeter fence of NLEX like those along SLEX in Paranaque, to hasten economic development in those barangays enclosed by the expressway,” the mayor said.

NLEX Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. is owned by Metro Pacific Corp., controlled by Manny Pangilinan.

In closing the Tabe exit, NLEX

Corp. claimed that the toll plaza was constructed below par to the specifications of international highway standards.

Cruz said if NLEX can open an exit to provide easy access to the Philippine Arena inside the sprawling Iglesia ni Cristo-owned Ciudad de Victoria complex in Bocaue town, “the more reasons we can ask for the reopening of Tabe Exit, because this access road is for the general public and economic welfare and not merely for a specific class of our population.”

Last week, Senator Joel Villanueva and Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Gavino Pancho asked the Department of Public Works and Highways and the TRB to immediately explain to the public why even minor repairs and construction of additional exit and entry points along the highway will translate into an increase in toll fees.

“The representatives of these government agencies should explain to the motorists and the general public what policy they are pursuing. Who are they protecting? Is it the public or the concessionaires?” Villanueva asked.

OFFICIAL VISIT.

Mayor Mel Aguilar (2nd from right) and Vice Mayor April Aguilar (left) give a warm welcome to Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz (2nd from left) and his wife on Wednesday at City Hall.

Mayor Aguilar stressed the importance of the ambassador’s visit in promoting friendship and solidarity between Las Piñas and the State of Israel. Harpaz cited the areas of cooperation in urban agriculture and startup technology, where Israel and Las Piñas can work together. Norman Cruz

Bohol tourism sector to offer big discounts

By Keats Ronquillo TO STABILIZE the tourism sector of the province, Bohol is setting its sights on the local market to boost its tourist activity, officials said in a recent meeting.

Bohol’s hotel and resorts owners, transport providers, sites and attractions operators, and officials of the Department of Tourism came together to act on the state of tourism in the province in the light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Amid the various travel bans in place owing to the virus, thousands of hotel reservations and tour operations are seeing a sharp decline in volume and sales.

As a local economy based largely on tourism, Bohol is definitely feeling the effects of the tourism slowdown, they said.

Despite these difficulties Bohol Governor Arthur Yap assured foreign and local tourists alike that the province is a safe, fun, and wonderful place to come to. More attractions beyond the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sightings are being established, outside of the more popular Countryside Tour.

To market all these attractions and keep up with airline travel promos, the province has launched its “Hot Summer Sale,” which includes discounts on accommodations all over the island by as much as 50 percent.

All over the island, the Boholano eco-cultural tourism scene is growing, Yap noted.

Cultural mapping done in recent years reveals a wealth of cultural heritage for everyone to enjoy and encourage repeat visits to the province.

Locally grown cultural collectives are using oral, artistic, culinary and religious traditions to power performances, local crafts, food places, and purposefully built performance spaces to fund environmental protection and enhancement.

Yap said Bohol’s tourism traffic comes by way of Manila, Cebu, and Davao, requiring the use of connecting flights and boat rides to the island. This implies that tourists coming to Bohol have already passed through at least one batch of screenings for Covid-19 before arrival, and the island itself implements its own procedures.

Bohol is strictly implementing quarantine and screening protocols in its various points of entry like the international airport and its various seaports, including the use of non-contact thermometers in all entry ports.

Among other health measures include the ubiquitous use of sanitizers in all public spaces and an increased drive in hygiene and sanitation. Yap also assured that in compliance with DILG directives, Tagbilaran City and all of Bohol’s hospitals have established quarantine areas.

Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, spokesman of the Technical Working Group of Bohol, stated that all Bohol villages have established Barangay Emergency Response Teams, whose members are trained to set up quarantine protocols in their areas should anyone be identified as a Person Under Investigation (PUIs) for the coronavirus.

There are no PUIs in Bohol currently after previous PUIs have all tested negative, according to the province’s health services.

Assuring the public of his commitment to public safety, Yap reminded the public that at the height of the African Swine Flu outbreak, Bohol has disallowed pork imports from Luzon to protect local livestock.

“If I can protect Bohol’s hogs, how much more Bohol’s people?” he said.

Landbank aids seaman turned farmer

HYPERTENSION AWARENESS. Menarini Philippines calls for strengthened

hypertension awareness to benefit Filipinos during a recent forum with (from left) Dr. Augusto Gabriel Santos, Senior Medical Affairs Manager of Menarini; Virgie Monton, who suffers from hypertension; Dr. Leilani Mercado-Asis, President of the Philippine Hypertension Society; Dr. Dante Morales former PHS president; and Pinky Ferrer, Senior Brand Manager for Menarini. Manny Palmero

HAMTIC, Antique—Melbert Gabriel Fadrigo sailed oceans and seas for seven years before deciding to retire and return to his family’s rice and corn farm in this town.

With the help of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), Fadrigo availed of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to acquire his brand-new fourwheeled tractor with rotavator.

“At first, when you look at farming, it seems you won’t earn much, but in time, you’ll see that the with right actions and equipment, you can earn much from this.

Why would you go back to seafaring if what you earn there, you can earn on land?” Fadrigo explained.

The youngest among three siblings,

Former seaman Melbert Fadrigo, 30, gave up his job to manage their family’s rice and corn farm in Antique. Through the Department of Agriculture and Landbank’s ACEF loan program, he was able to improve their farm’s productivity through mechanized farming.

Fadrigo learned the hardships of manually tilling the land at an early age, accompanying his father in planting rice and corn seeds in their 12-hectare agricultural land while he was still in high school.

Back then, farming was laborious.

Plowing a hectare of land took two to three days using their trusted carabao and plow. It also cost them more as their “kuliglig” or hand tractors required more crude oil to run, more workers to operate, and more time needed to cultivate their land, compared to modern tractors.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

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Happiness on a plate Wagyu Buger

W

HEN Hubert Young first tried MOS Burger in Japan in 1998, he knew back then the food concept would be a hit among Filipinos. But the timing, he recalled, was less than perfect.

“MOS at that time was focused on strengthening its presence in Japan.

Bringing the brand to foreign markets was not a priority for them back then.

And I was also busy with a lot of other things,” he said.

More than two decades later, Young is now the chief executive officer of MOS Burger Philippines.

And MOS Burger, since it opened its first branch in Tokyo in 1972, is now the second largest fast food chain in Japan, with 1,300 stores. It has likewise strengthened its foothold in the region, with over 300 stores in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.

Its first store in Manila opened at Robinsons Galleria last week, the product of a joint venture between MOS Food Services Inc. of Japan and Young’s own Tokyo Coffee Holdings, which is also behind the UCC chain of food and coffee concepts.

“We are positioning MOS in a very

Yakiniku Beef Burger

competitive market. We are a cookto-order restaurant. MOS Burger is not fast food. We are more of a fast casual,” said Young.

MOS’ price point is a little higher than the usual fast food burger joints.

The MOS Cheeseburger, at P149, is made with soft buns, juicy beef patty, tomatoes, a slice of cheese, and MOS’ special meat sauce. The Yakiniku Rice Burger (P169) has tender yakiniku beef strips sandwiched between soy-glazed rice patties. There is also the Seafood Tempura Rice Burger (P169) that features a patty made with squid, fish, shrimps, crabstick, and vegetables— similar to kakiage—that is drizzled in tempura sauce.

For customers who want a lighter fare, the beef yakiniku can be served wrapped in lettuce for P189. The priciest items on the menu, on the other hand, are the Wagyu Burger (P299) and Wagyu Rice Burger (P309).

“Our rice burgers make us different.

But MOS is very receptive to innovation. When we told them we wanted to add garlic to the rice patty since Filipinos are very familiar with tapsilog and garlic rice, they agreed to our suggestion. They believe a key to success is to localize. So now this garlic rice patty is only available in the Philippines,” shared Young.

For Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, MOS Burger em-

MOS Cheeseburger

bodies the Japanese belief of food and medicine coming from the same source or ishoku dogen.

“MOS Burger only serves safe, healthy, and delicious food. It is really happiness on a plate,” Haneda said during the opening ceremony last week.

For Young, the timing could not have been any more perfect for his aggressive expansion plan.

Five more branches will open this

year at SM Megamall, Eastwood, Robinsons Magnolia, Greenhills, and Robinsons Manila.

By 2027, Young said he hopes to have opened 40 to 50 branches of MOS Burger across the country.

“We are bullish on the market.

The market is ready for better burgers,” he added.

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

BITES Lasagna for Lent FOLLOWING last year’s “overwhelming” response, Greenwich brings back its seafood pasta variant, the Tuna Lasagna Supreme, for a limited time only.

Right in time for Lent, Tuna Lasagna Supreme is made with layers of al dente lasagna noodles with herbytangy tomato sauce, tuna chunks, and rich, creamy cheese.

“There was such a huge positive reaction from our Greenwich kabarka-

The business-savvy chef Chef, chief executive officer, and educator Rob Pengson builds his empire backed by his passion for culinary and education.

By Ayunan Gunting BUCKING convention, Robert “Rob” Pengson, a college dropout, turned out to be an accomplished restaurateur, educator, and founder of several schools.

By day, Pengson plays CEO and president of a trade school, Aleanza Institute of Arts (AIA). At night, he’s the chef in command of his new fine dining restaurant Beso Beso, or oversees events prepared by his catering companies: the upscale Beso Beso and the all-occasion, affordable Prima. He is developing his third catering brand, Moto, which specializes in Japanese cuisine.

Inclusive education

Located along Chino Roces Extension in Makati, AIA is the umbrella institution of three schools—management, hospitality and culinary arts, and design and media.

The schools hold courses accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and will soon be offering a curricula acknowledged by the Commission on Higher Education. There are short courses and online subjects suited to all kinds of students, from those with learning

disabilities to creatives who are uncomfortable with traditional education.

Following the shift to personalized education, AIA adapts the learning according to the student’s abilities, requirements, and interests, and provides them with flexibility in what they want to learn while maintaining high standards of education.

The students’ window to the real world is the cloud kitchen which is tucked in its campus. The commissary serves the restaurant, catering and upcoming takeout-delivery businesses, and the Beso Beso restaurant. Customers can easily order from Pengson’s different brands since the food come from a central kitchen whose operations are under his watchful eye.

“When facilities are shared, we provide better value for money. There’s more variety in the offerings. Everything is homemade such as the ice cream, cake, sauce, longganisa (skinless sausage), tapa (cured meat), and lechon (roasted pig),” says Pengson.

Beso Beso Filipiniana-European, the flagship brand, is a by-reservations restaurant. Because of its location at Aleanza

School, both the school and the restaurant are managed in the same way.

Prima’s full-service catering renders everything from the food to the decoration and program production. Pengson cites the International School of Manila’s Filipiniana-themed centennial homecoming as one of Prima’s recent successes.

The venue was decked with colorful flaglets and fans. Aside from the Filipino buffet, the guests enjoyed the sorbetes (dirty ice cream) and fish ball stations.

The cloud commissary can accommodate three upcoming delivery businesses.

This year Pengson is setting up a lechonera (an outlet selling roast pork), a chicken brand, and a concept that is still being brewed by his business development team.

His foray into culinary schools and takeout businesses was born out of the exponential growth in food industry. Culinary education in Metro Manila alone is an P800-million-peso industry. Likewise, food delivery is a P10-billion business in the NCR and will double in four years.

“Our model is innovative. Three catering brands and three schools share Turn to C2

das when we introduced the Tuna Lasagna Supreme last year. Since then, we’ve been getting inquiries to put it back on the menu. We value our Greenwich kabarkadas, kaya #nandiTUNAUlit ang Tuna Lasagna Supreme this summer,” said Greenwich marketing head Pam Reyes.

The tuna pasta is available in stores until April 12 at P89 for a la carte and P99 for a meal.

Greenwich serves its Tuna Lasagna Supreme for a limited time.

Life

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Discover delicious flavors O

RTIGAS-based hotel Discovery Suites celebrates its 20th anniversary with tasteful treats.

Signature cake

Discovery Suites hails Pastry Chef Alvin Lucero’s Salted Caramel Cheesecake as the official Anniversary Cake. Originally available solely at 22 Prime as a specialty dessert, this delectable showstopper is now a featured item at Restaurant 5’s buffet and offered as a complimentary cake with every Tasteful Celebrations booking.

Pastry Chef Alvin Lucero’s Salted Caramel Cheesecake is named the official Anniversary Cake of Discovery Suites.

22 Prime’s Signature Steak Platter features a combination of 20 bestselling signature dishes and sides.

Signature cocktail

Steak is star With the opening of 22 Prime as a venue for exclusive events, Discovery Suites offers two one-of-a-kind dining experiences: Savor Premium Steak Carvery, a buffet featuring the restaurant’s signature dishes and sides with the highly acclaimed USDA Prime Rib Carving Station; or experience distinct tastes with a seven-course degustation

and wine pairing called Tasting Notes.

Prices start at P2,500 nett.

Further, 22 Prime serves a special anniversary sharing platter that features a combination of 20 bestselling signature dishes and sides, handpicked by executive chef Gerwin Bailon. Highlight entrées include Grilled Mixed Seafood, Lamb Chops, Cajun Porkchops, and

Taking inspiration from the picturesque view of the setting sun, 22 Prime Lounge introduces its new signature cocktail called Sunset Sour. Fashioned after a traditional whisky sour, the Sunset Sour is resident sommelier Giolo Racelis’ take on the classic cocktail.

He mixes fine whisky into a sweet and sour citrusy blend which creates the perfect balance of aroma, texture, and flavor.

An order of this signature cocktail costs P250.

Signature Steak Platter.

The platter comes with complimentary Soup of the Day and Salted Caramel Cheesecake. It is good for 10 persons for P11,150 nett.

Discovery Suites offers a special “steakcation” with in-room dining service of the Signature Steak Platter for P20,000 nett, available today until Nov. 15.

Top 20 treats

Restaurant 5 launches Top 20 Treats composed of signature dishes and pastries.

Part of the top 20 are signature dishes Fish Florentine, Slow Roast Beef Belly, Sisig Sotanghon, Grilled Tuna Belly, and Bangus Sisig. Signature pastries include Ube Pandesal, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, Yema Cake, Red Velvet Pandesal, and Ube Cheesecake.

Restaurant 5 breakfast buffet is valued at P973 nett while Local Lunch Buffet is at P650 nett.

Lechon Kawali at Restaurant 5’s local lunch buffet.

Korean BBQ restaurant serves samgyeopsal with lechon sauce

Sunset Sour, 22 Prime Lounge’s take on the classic whisky sour.

Discovery Suites is located at 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Call (02) 7719-8888 or email reservations@ds.discovery.com.ph for more information.

The business-...

NEWLY opened samgyeopsal restaurant Mr. Hong’s tickles Filipinos’ palate with its unlimited barbecue selection served with lechon sauce.

Along with unlimited servings of lechon sauce, guests can also enjoy unli kimchi, lettuce, marble potatoes, onion leeks, bean sprouts, fish cake, steamed egg, cheddar cheese and other side dishes and dips.

“We studied the existing establishments and we added some elements that we know people will be looking for, then streamlined the food and service,” said Mr. Hong’s president Paul Izon Reyes. “Ours is simply good Korean food, slightly tweaked to please the Filipino palate.”

Another unique feature is its table mechanism, a first-ofits-kind in the Korean BBQ industry. The tables can be minimized or extended as needed.

“It is difficult to eat alone in some samgyeopsal concepts because all their tables are for sharing, and are fixed for groups of four to eight. That’s the tricky thing. Our tables, however, can accommodate one to four persons. For bigger groups, the tables can be extended to accommodate up to eight persons or more,” explained Reyes.

While waiting for their turn to be seated, guests are invited to wear the hanbok, Korea’s national dress, and take photos with the Korean elements stamped in all corners of the restaurant. A mural collage features Korean pop culture such as Gangnam characters, Taekwondo matches, and K-Pop bands, among others.

The name Mr. Hong’s was inspired by the first Korean national Reyes met when he was a child. Moreover, the Korean symbol of “Hong” means “big.”

“Our goal is to grow big and we teach our staff to practice becoming ‘big’ everyday, in the effort they give to serve every guest, the goals they have for the restaurant, and even in their personal visions. We encourage them to think and feel big,” Reyes said.

Mr. Hong’s Unlimited Samgyeopsal has branches at Vista Mall Taguig and Starmall Alabang. Its third store at Starmall Edsa-Shaw will open this month.

Mr. Hong’s first two branches are at Taguig and Alabang. A third branch will soon open at Edsa-Shaw Boulevard.

Unlimited servings of barbecue are served with unli side dishes and dips, including lechon sauce.

Korean BBQ restaurant Mr. Hong’s offers unlimited servings of chicken, pork, and beef barbecue.

his technique and work ethics. He learned to maximize his time by arriving early in school to prepare for the From C1 lessons and was the last to leave by helping out in the next class, reading in one facility, or there are six business- the library, or doing extra work. es under one roof which make it less “I loved working with my hands. stressful,” he says. “Other enterprises I could see my product developing in have one business under one roof. This front of me,” he shares. multi-level strategy is useful when the After completing his culinary income from one brand is slower in course, Pengson came home and one season while the rest are higher. w o r k e d at Azzuro restaurant We have more time to under Chef Philip Goldwork on the weaking. In the early 2000s, er brand,” explains he also taught at Center Pengson. for Culinary Arts and The system enarealized that he was bles the 40-year-old a natural teacher. He CEO to monitor his then took up short staff whose average business courses at age is 25. “These are the Asian Institute hardworking millenof Management and nials who enjoy what opened two culinary they are doing,” he schools. says.

In 2009, Pengson Pengson adds that teamed up with Chef AIA’s model not only Sunshine Puey to allows hospitality and launch The Goose culinary arts students Station (a pun on dein a real-life working gustation) in BGC. It situations—business pioneered in a new development students concept of serving Chef Rob knew small tasting plates. can help in the prodculinary was his calling. Eventually, uct development, sales, they marketing and operaopened four other tions of the food serconcepts including a gourmet comfort vices. food restaurant, a bakery-café, a gastro “With the cloud kitchen, students pub, and a nightclub with a tapas bar. can create brands and develop digital Over time, their restaurant businesses marketing. Business students can re- ran their course. The two culinary schools search on competition and determine are under a different management. which of brands will survive in 10 Three years ago, Pengson took up years,” says Pengson. short online courses in Harvard and Wharton. “I love studying and sharing From dropout to what I’ve learned,” he says.

CEO/chef/educator The CEO/chef found his calling as The CEO/chef worked hard to reach teacher. He realized that if education this level of success which had eluded could be life-changing for him, he him in his youth. Pengson was ex- could develop a program to help othpelled from an exclusive high school. ers. At AIA, Pengson teaches entrepreUndecided of his direction, he took up neurship and business development, psychology at University of Sto. Tomas hospitality management, and, naturaland dropped out after a year. ly, the culinary courses.

While visiting a friend, he came He recalls, “In my younger days, across a brochure of the California I thought more like a chef. Business Culinary Academy (CCA) in San Fran- school helped me to make work more cisco, an affiliate of the prestigious Le efficiently with time and resources Cordon Bleu. Pengson felt it was a call- and to expand without the added ing. His family members were in dis- stress. With the AIA model, our plan belief that he wanted to be a chef. is to expand in Metro Manila and, CCA’s European education molded hopefully, outside.”

Entertainment

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

MATTEO, SARAH WEDDING POSTSCRIPT

What’s love got to do with it?

Sarah G. and Matteo’s secret wedding was hounded with controversy after news broke about Matteo allegedly punching Sarah’s security guard for leaking details of the wedding to her mom.

I

KNOW this is the title of Ms. Tina Turner’s iconic ‘80s pop anthem, pardon me for being so unoriginal but it happens to be the best question to ask the Guidecellis, Matteo and Sarah, who recently tied the knot in a not-so-secret manner, thanks but no thanks to the Geronimo’s bodyguard who spilled the beans to Mommy Divine, the mother dearest of the newest Guidecelli family member.

So, what has love got to do with all these? A lot, of course. Read on and for starters, here’s Giancarlo Vittorio’s Instagram post about his wedded bliss.

He wrote: “02 20 2020, a day full of pure love, honesty, and genuine emotions. Yes, we got married. Mr. and Mrs. Guidicelli. First and foremost, we would like to express the overwhelming joy, love, and excitement we have in beginning our life together.”

As for the reason why the matrimonial ceremony was veiled in hush, explained Guidecelli, “We decided to keep everything as intimate as possible because of private matters. Each and every one of you have been part of our love journey and we want to say, Thank

you. Friends, family and everyone on “social media” have been a source of inspiration, strength, and most importantly, of love.”

With regard to the alleged altercation, Mr. Guidicelli narrates, “That evening was almost perfect until some unexpected events took place, but don’t worry I never “punched” anyone. I will forever stand up and protect my wife just as how my father would protect my whole family. I would like to say thank you to my family for loving Sarah like a daughter. Our family is growing and we are blessed. Papa and mama, thank you for deeply loving and welcoming Sarah into our family.”

“In time, with God’s grace and Love, everything will heal and fall into place.

We are happy, we are blessed, and we are husband and wife! Let’s always celebrate life and love! Nothing will ever defeat pure honest LOVE. God bless everyone for your love and support!

Again, from the deepest part of our hearts thank you,” he concludes.

His post ended with a “sincerely” and signed it as “Mr. and Mrs. Guidicelli.”

Of course, there is another kind of love that is also part of this supposedly

happily ever after picture, the maternal kind, which mommy Divine is showing, in full display, bed bugs, warts and all.

Sadly, the mother of Sarah’s love for her daughter, her desire to protect and save her from the romantic clutches and machinations of Matteo, leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

In this all-out war she currently wages against the newly-weds, the mother hen Geronimo, has failed miserably to gain and receive the emotional backup and support from the Guidecelli’s adoring public.

Whatever Mommy Divine does will always be misconstrued and treated with a lot of disdain and mistrust because the perception of her, that she is the biggest stage mother this side of local Tinseltown, is magnified and raised ten folds with her manner of “mishandling” the situation which is not to her favor.

When she grants an exclusive interview to side her version of the truth, even if it is complete with a cracking voice and a well-cued breakdown, people will immediately conclude, crocodile tears are what she sheds.

If she hurls hurtful words, that may or may not involve cursing and foul language to the couple and Matteo’s family, in a snap, all will deduce, she is a truly Maleficent incarnate. Well, well… well.

By any chance she articulates that all she wanted was to protect the supposed billion worth of assets daughter has, immediately, the public’s cry will be, “We told you so, it is

‘Aswang’ opens Daang Dokyu Film Fest CELEBRATING 100 years of Philippine Cinema and presenting Filipino documentaries that push the boundaries of storytelling, Daang Dokyu selects the IDFA-winning film Aswang as its opening film.

The six-day documentary film festival, the first of its kind, showcases an inclusive program of Philippine documentaries from the early days of local cinema and television to contemporary times. It will also be the first film festival to premiere Aswang in the country.

Apart from having its premiere at the opening of the documentary film festival, it will also have another screening on March 21 at 1:00 p.m..

The documentary, a Philippine co-production with France, Norway, Qatar, and Germany, was recently selected for the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) Competition for First Appearance 2019. IDFA is the world›s largest documentary film festival held annually since 1988 in Amsterdam.

Aswang made its world premiere last Nov. 21 in Amsterdam and was given the FIPRESCI award for this section. The film will also be screened in various film festivals in Switzerland, Czech Republic, Greece, France, and the United States.

“Aswang” is a term in the Philippines for witches, vampires, ghosts and werewolves—a collection of evil spirits that feature heavily in myths and popular films. But since the war on drugs was launched, they have been appearing in real life on the streets of Manila.

Directed by Alyx Ayn Arumpac, As-

From left: Festival Directors Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, Coreen Jimenez, Baby Ruth Villarama, and Jewel Marana at the press conference of Daang Dokyu: A Festival Philippine Documentaries, which will be held from March 16 to 21 at the Cine Adarna UPFI Film Center.

wang follows the lives of people who are linked together by the growing violence in the country. They are a photojournalist and missionary brother who comforts bereaved families and makes a stand against lawlessness; a night shift manager of a funeral home; and a street kid with parents and friends in the cemetery.

According to Arumpac, she is honored as the maker of the opening film of Daang Dokyu. “I can’t think of a better way to premiere Aswang in the Philippines,” she said. Arumpac was also thrilled that the festival was founded and organized by active and reputable Filipino documentary film-

makers - Jewel Maranan, Baby Ruth Villarama, Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, and Monster Jimenez.

Daang Dokyu is slated from March 16 to 21, at Cine Adarna, UPFI Film Center, at the University of the Philippines. To be featured are works by Filipino documentarists, as well as titles from different countries that were made as early as the 1900s. Moreover, it will premiere some of the latest and much-anticipated documentaries to be released this year.

Tickets available at daang-dokyu. eventbrite.com. Updates on Daang Dokyu are available at daangdokyu.ph and on its various social media platforms.

really all about Sarah’s money.”

Mommy Divine is in a no win situation as of the moment. What can redeem and save her from this quagmire and turn the tide, is to accept fully and wholeheartedly, that her daughter Sarah is in love with Matteo, and that this marriage that they share, she gives her blessing and acceptance, one-hundred and ten percent. Her daughter’s happiness and the beginning of their new forever is of most utmost importance.

I cannot help but wonder why Mommy Divine is so against the union and Matteo. If we are to be blunt about it, the young gentleman could have married somebody of his “kind,” affluent, illustrious, with a family name that belongs to Manila’s famous 100. And yet, his heart

and being chooses to marry Sarah, who comes from a simple family that made her toil, using her talent and charisma, to give her family the luxury and lifestyle they currently possess. She was not born with a silver spoon, so to speak, unlike Matteo, so it comes as a puzzlement why Sarah’s mommy dearest is so against and aghast with this reality.

What happens next? A church wedding for the two, perhaps? Let time heal all the bruises and wounds. And the arrival of a baby Guidecelli definitely, will bring joy, wonder, and peace to all these love troubles.

I hope and pray that Mommy Divine rises above her fears and sentimentality and trust the fact that love, especially the most romantic and true, wins all the time.

Teresa Herrera stars in ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ an interactive one- woman show produced

by The Sandbox Collective

Sandbox’s breathtakingly brilliant season THE Sandbox Collective kicks off its sixth year and season with a festival featuring the works of the awardwinning English playwright and director Duncan Macmillan.

Hot on the heels of its fifth season, which showcased three major productions one after the other, more than enough to leave one breathless and gasping for air—the company takes on its most challenging endeavor to date. In yet another collaboration with its sister company 9 Works Theatrical, The Sandbox Collective is thrilled to bring back two of Duncan Macmillan’s masterpieces— Lungs and Every Brilliant Thing.

Sandbox Fest 2020 brings you two shows in one space, one festival, all poised to kick off one breathtakingly brilliant season.

Managing artistic director and coexecutive producer Toff De Venecia shares, “After insistent public demand, we couldn’t not bring back Lungs and Every Brilliant Thing—two Duncan MacMillan masterpieces that really were some of the best and brightest moments of Sandbox’s six storied years in the industry.”

Although the man behind the two masterpieces hardly needs an introduction, it would be noteworthy to mention that Duncan Macmillan’s contemporary socio-political voice has had a great impact and influence on the company at large.

Notable for other plays such as People, Places and Things, and the stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984, Macmillan has gained a solid reputation for bringing difficult, hard-to-digest issues to the forefront and up for discussion. Macmillan has said, time and again, that his motivation is to “say something that isn’t being said” and to engage his audiences in a timely and relevant conversation on pressing issues—addiction and recovery, depression and mental health and parenthood in a time of climate change and the impending death of the planet.

Following the critically acclaimed and sold-out runs in 2018 and 2019, Lungs and Every Brilliant Thing return to the Philippines stage through a shared space and shared advocacy—that of expanding and normalizing the conversation on mental health and climate change.

At the very heart of both shows lies the innate goodness of people and the human capacity to overcome both internal and external struggles.

Through both productions, you see

humanity in full view—the joy and pain, the loss and the gains, the bleak and the brilliant. Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, who returns to direct Lungs, says, “I want audiences to take away how intense, complicated and beautiful relationships can be.”

In revisiting these pieces, The Sandbox Collective hopes to expand the conversation and to extend the advocacy beyond the show. In working with institutional partners and non- profit organizations once again, they hope to inspire action and to present audiences with avenues to help and contribute.

De Venecia adds, ”With Every Brilliant Thing, we were happy to have done our share in shedding light on the subject of mental health that continues to grip the country today.

Now with natural disasters occurring left and right, and significant doubt materializing in the age of anxiety, perhaps Lungs has gained a horrific new timeliness as well.”

Every Brilliant Thing stars model and TV host Teresa Herrera and theater actress Kakki Teodoro, who alternates for the role. Every Brilliant Thing earned six citations in the recent Philstage Gawad Buhay midyear citations, including Outstanding Female Lead for both Herrera and Teodoro.

Lungs, on the other hand, stars film and TV actor Jake Cuenca and theater actress Sab Jose. Lungs earned multiple nods and garnered a total of seven nominations in the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards, including Outstanding Male Lead for Cuenca and Outstanding Female Lead for Jose.

Every Brilliant Thing is directed

by Jenny Jamora who is at the helm once again. Back in the director’s chair as well is Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan who is directing Lungs a second time around alongside Caisa Borromeo as assistant director.

Completing the artistic team are Jodinand Aguillon as production designer and Miguel Panganiban as lighting designer.

Sandbox Fest 2020 runs at the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall, 2/F Maybank Performing Arts Theater, 9th Avenue cor. 26th Street, BGC, Taguig City from March 6 until 29. Tickets are now available through Ticketworld online or 891.9999 and The Sandbox Collective at 0956 200 4909 / 0917 554 5560 / 586 7105. Festival passes are now available through The Sandbox Collective.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

Entertainment

Taylor Swift is ‘The Man’ POP superstar Taylor Swift dropped her directorial debut Thursday, releasing the music video for her song “The Man” in which she stars as, quite literally, the man.

In heavy prosthetics and convincing drag, the 30-year-old pop juggernaut parades through the video as an obnoxious man who skates through life to success thanks to the privilege of his gender.

In one notable scene, Swift’s male character spreads his legs wide on the subway, unnecessarily crowding the women next to him, and ashes a cigar in the purse of his neighbor.

“I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / Wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man / And I’m so sick of them coming at me again / ‘Cause if I was a man, then I’d be the man,” she sings in the chorus.

At the video’s end director Swift asks her

male character if he could try another take, but make it “sexier” and more “likable.”

Swift used the video for the song off her seventh album Lover to highlight that she wrote, directed, and owns it—while taking a swipe at the executives she’s been publicly feuding with since June 2019 over ownership of her early catalogue.

At one point her character relieves himself on a wall bearing graffiti spelling out the titles of her first six albums, next to a sign that say «Missing. If found return to Taylor Swift» and another barring use of scooters.

It›s an obvious jab at music industry mogul Scooter Braun, who has a majority stake in the master recordings of Swift’s first six albums.

Swift owns Lover, and has vowed to re-record her earlier albums to create copies she owns herself starting in November 2020, the earliest she says her

contract allows it.

The video is another notch in Swift’s belt as she goes public about her struggles for independence and control of her own voice as an artist who found massive fame young.

In the past few years Swift has opened up about politics for the first time, endorsing Democratic candidates in Tennessee in 2018 and critizing Donald Trump.

Her recently released Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, sees the superstar famous for global hits like “Shake It Off” describe how she was told to stay silent on politics to avoid negative press and upsetting her fans. AFP Taylor Swift fooled nearly everyone in her latest music video (and directorial debut), ‘The Man,’ in which she dressed up as her own male alter ego ‘Tyler Swift’ to demonstrate toxic masculinity in the workplace.

An iconic star like Lorna Tolentino Lorna Tolentino is one of the country’s most enduring and accomplished actresses.

S

INCE making her film debut in the ‘70s, Lorna Tolentino has amassed more than 80 acting credits including critically acclaimed performances. Throughout her career, which spans five decades, she has won eight film awards and garnered 20 acting nominations.

She’s an iconic screen personality in every sence of the word. With her skills as an actress, she’s able to make her roles become iconic, too.

Case in point, in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, LT was able to make her scheming Lily Cortez character stay in the program longer than she’s supposed to.

“I’m originally scheduled to be in the show only for six days. Binago ko ‘yung look ko, naglagay ako ng bangs.

Who would have thought na yung maikli kong role, nanganak nang nanganak hanggang pinapirma na nila ako ng contract na dapat, hanggang noong September lang. But I got extended,” LT told the press when she renewed her contract with Beautéderm Corporation.

“They saw the chemistry between Rowell Santiago and myself.

This March, I’m celebrating my first year in the show,” the grand slam queen and high-profile celebrity brand ambassadors carried on.

She never ceases to showcase the bravura of her artistry as she continuously breathes life to the role of the villainous Lily Cortez on ABS-CBN’s long-running and top-rating primetime action-drama. The effectivity and flawlessness of Lorna’s portrayal of Lily is evident from the fact that hers is one of the most hated characters in the history of Philippine television.

Meanwhile, it has been over a year since Lorna formally joined the roster of Beautéderm’s ambassadors. Both the brand and the legendary actress forged a

bond on familial levels that transcended their thriving business relationship that soared high with the unbelievable high sales volume of Beautéderm’s Cristaux Gold Elixir Serum, which LT represented to the mainstream market.

The collaboration between Beautéderm and Lorna is truly a force of nature to be reckoned with as both represent the highest ideals of quality, perfection, integrity, and hard work that delivers the finest results.

To date, Beautéderm has celebrated an entire decade in the business as a trusted leader in the beauty and wellness industry, it has surpassed its 100 physical store mark which was initiated in 2019, and from its patented and miraculous skin set for both body and face, the brand contin-

Lorna Tolentino with Beautéderm president and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan. Photo by Kate Adajar of Random Republika

ues to develop and create innovative and effective products such as its Spruce & Dash men’s line which consists of Beau Charcoal Soap; Hugh Shaving Cream; Brawn Anti-perspirant White Spray for both foot and underarms; Charcoal Charmer Detoxifying Peel-off Mask; and Lad Hair Pomade.

“I am very, very happy with Beautéderm,” said the exuberant Lorna. “My heart of overflowing with gratefulness that Rei decided to renew me as one of the brand’s ambassadors. I’m so thankful for the genuine friendship that I share with Rei, her family, with the entire staff of the company, and of course with my fellow ambassadors. The fun and excitement that I feel with Beautéderm is indescribable.”

Beautéderm’s President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan, on the other hand, reveals that she is equally exhilarated with having Lorna on board the Beautéderm family.

“She is really a woman that I admire and look up to. I say this time and time again that I idolize her. I am a fan of Ate LT’s body of work and we at Beautéderm is honored to have her as a brand ambassador. She is an icon of beauty and a symbol of excellence.

But more importantly, Ate LT is the a wonderful, selfless person. Her kindness and her beautiful heart inspires us all to be the best versions of ourselves,” the executive added.

For more information on Beautéderm and exciting updates on the brand and its ambassadors, follow @beautédermcorporation on Instagram, like Beautéderm on Facebook, and subscribe to Beautéderm on YouTube.

GMA 7 fortifies primetime line-up beginning today THERE’S more to look forward to on GMA Network’s newest primetime line-up beginning this evening.

Due to the clamor and numerous requests of avid viewers, the local adaptation of the global hit, Descendants of the Sun (DOTS), moves to its new timeslot as it brings more feelgood and action-packed scenes right after 24 Oras.

As the series unfolds, Dingdong Dantes as Capt. Lucas and Jennylyn Mercado as Dr. Maxine(Jennylyn) found themselves working together on a medical mission in Urdan. Will they finally give love a chance, or will Maxine continue to repress her feelings for him?

After all the drama and action, DOTS is followed by the test of friendship in Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday.

The dramedy series, which stars Barbie Forteza and Kate Valdez as best friends Ginalyn and Caitlyn, now sees both ladies falling for the same man – Cocoy – played by Migo Adecer. As they both vie for his attention, will their friendship survive or is this the end for them?

The situation is equally complicated as the plot thickens in the compel-

ling primetime series Love of my Life.

As Stefano’s (Tom Rodriguez) disease worsens, his wife Adelle (Carla Abellana) and ex-girlfriend Kelly (Rhian Ramos), are both trying to spend as much time with him as possible. On top of this, his mother, Isabella (Coney Reyes), is juggling between caring for Stefano and dealing with her ill-feelings towards Nikolai (Mikael Daez).

Finally, catch the heartwarming ending to the story of star-crossed lovers Dan, who is a mischievous angel and Heaven, the lovely ballerina in Angel’s Last Mission. Will Dan agree to marry Heaven and leave his immortal life behind? Witness how love can conquer all the odds between them in the finale happening this March 5.

Don’t miss the new GMA Telebabad line-up beginning with 24 Oras, Descendants of the Sun, Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday, Love of my Life, and Angel’s Last Mission tonight.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www. gmapinoytv.com.

The Alpha Team of the local adaptation of ‘Descendants of the Sun’

8 nods for ABS-CBN at New York fest

ABS-CBN News continues its stellar run in international competitions after eight of its documentaries on pressing issues and inspiring Filipinos made it as finalists in the 2020 New York (NY) Festivals TV & Film Awards.

ABS-CBN DocuCentral, the documentary arm of the country’s largest news organization, produced six of the eight finalists. They include Korina Sanchez Roxas’ HIV Rising, which looked at the growing number of HIV cases in the Philippines, and Invisible, which tackled issues surrounding mental health.

Meanwhile, NY Festival Gold World Medal winner Jeff Canoy’s three documentaries made it to the final round. These include Ang Babae ng Balangiga (The Woman of Balangiga) that bared the untold story of Balangiga heroine Casiana Nacionales, and “Tao Po (Is Anybody Home)” for the documentary program #NoFilter that showed the lives of a mother and her daughter with special needs. His piece about the underlying effect of measles (“Tigdas”) for the now-on-hiatus program Red Alert is also a finalist.

Another former NY Festival winner, Local Legends, added two more finalists for ABS-CBN with its feature on Ric Obenza, who dedicated his life restoring the forests in Davao, and the episode about the “Father of Philippine glass sculpture,” legendary artist Ramon Orlina.

Broadcast journalist Jeff Canoy DocuCentral’s documentary Alab (Ablaze), which celebrated the courage and camaraderie of Filipino firefighters, completes the finalists from ABS-CBN News this year.

The awarding ceremony of the 2020 NY Festivals TV & Film Awards is scheduled on April 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. ABSCBN Integrated News head Ging Reyes and ABS-CBN Integrated Creative Communications head Robert Labayen also return as members of the Grand Jury this year, with Reyes joining other high-ranking media professionals from all over the world in the competition’s Advisory Board again.