Manila Standard - 2020 March 12 - Thursday

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PH UN MISSION REJECTS MALAYSIA, CHINA CLAIMS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA Crucifixion rites canceled—mayor THE Philippines’ crucifixion reenactments will be canceled this year as coronavirus cases climb, said authorities in the city where the annual tourist spectacle is held.

About a dozen Catholics regularly have themselves nailed to wooden crosses on Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 31 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Code Red-2 ’at hand’ as cases soar to 49 ‘Expect community transmittal shortly: lockdown follows’

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COVID ROUNDUP PhilHealth to pay for test kits

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz, Rio N. Araja and Vito Barcelo

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. will now be shouldering the testing costs for the COVID-19 virus so the public need not worry over the expenses that could be incurred by the people seeking treatment.

This was announced on Wednesday

by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who confirmed that COVID-19 tests in hospitals would be covered by PhilHealth on top of the coverage for quarantine and isolation costs.

“The President recognizes that everyone in the country is concerned about COVID-19 and the threat this poses to the health and lives of our loved ones, especially vulnerable individuals like senior citizens, said Nograles.

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EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday warned community-level transmission of the new coronavirus disease—one of the triggers for a lockdown—will likely happen “over the very short term” as cases soared to 49 with 16 more COVID-19 positive patients.

WHO steps in

At least 40,000 policemen will be deployed in the event the government decides to implement a lockdown in certain areas in Metro Manila, Philippine National Police chief Archie Gamboa said.

Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., for his part, said the military is prepared to augment the PNP for a “whole-of-government” approach in containing the spread of the virus.

“What we have now is localized transmission in the areas we have earlier mentioned. But the situation can very quickly progress into a community transmission, which means there could be a larger area of affected communities,” Duque said during a hearing of the House committee on health.

“It’s going to be a very real occurrence over the very short term...When evidence points to community transmission, we will resort first to a localized lockdown rather than the whole NCR locking down.

We have to be careful on the implications of a metro-wide lockdown,” he added.

The country was placed under Code Red, Sub-Level 1 over the weekend.

Once there is sustained community transmission or an increasing number of local cases whose links cannot be established, Code Red, Sub-Level 2 will be raised and the strategy will shift from intensive contract tracing to community-level quarantine or lockdown, and possible suspension of work or school.

Gamboa said the National Capital Region Police Office has 28,000 policeNext page men who can be tapped.

Don't panic: DTI assures supply, sets price freeze

By Alena Mae Flores, Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of Trade and Industr on Wednesday implemented a 60-day price freeze on basic goods following the declaration of a state of public health emergency

by President Rodrigo Duterte and as consumers began panic buying as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) scare.

“The prices of basic necessities are frozen for 60 days following the (issuance of) Proclamation No. 922 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philipines Next page

Mayor Sara reporting for duty as Army Colonel (Res.)

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Commission on Appointments on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and dismissed House appropriations committee chairman Isidro Ungab as reserved colonels of the Philippine Army.

Facing the committee on national

defense, Senator Panfilo Lacson asked Sara why he thought Ungab was booted out of his post at the House when people agreed he was more than qualified to handle the appropriations committee.

After responding that she had nothing to do with it, Lacson said he had no further questions.

Majority Leader Jose Mayo Almario quizzed Sara why her father, President

THE World Health Organization is studying the COVID-19 test kit developed by the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday.

He said an expert from the WHO had been conducting an assessment after some problems were seen.

“We are afraid that the test kits would show a false negative result. I cannot afford to take any risks,” Duque said.

US approval sought

CORONA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? At several drug stores in Metro Manila as this one on Wednesday, appearingly anxious lines of consumers dash to the panic zone to buy bottles of alcohol, face masks and other medical equipment as the number of infected coronavirus shoots up. Lino Santos

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

THE Philippines rejected Malaysia’s bid to to extend the limits of its continental shelf in the South China Sea, invoking a landmark 2016 arbitral victory that invalidated China’s sweeping claim in the disputed waters.

The country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said Malaysia’s petition before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf covered features of the Kalayaan Island Group, over which the Philippines has sovereignty.

The Philippines also questioned Malaysia’s submission that is projected from portions of North Borneo, saying the country “has never relinquished its sovereignty.”

“The area also overlaps with the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea of the Republic of the Philippines is measured, and over which the Government of the Republic of the Philippines intends to make a submission at a future time,” the mission said in a note verbale dated March 6.

The Philippines also rejected China’s own rejection of Malaysia’s submission, citing the arbitral ruling that rejected

Rodrigo Duterte, was scared of her.

“That he fears me is something that is only in his mind. I have always supported him, his personal decisions, his career decisions,” said Sara who was commissioned to the AFP Reserved Force with the rank of captain in 2009.

“Initially, I did not support his intention to run for President, but I belatedly Next page

THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said it was still waiting for the approval of the United States government for the repatriation of Filipinos aboard the coronavirusstricken Grand Princess cruise liner in California.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Arriola Next page

Italy pads death toll, NY deploys National Guards ITALY has recorded its deadliest day of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis despite locking down the entire country, as New York deployed the National Guard to contain a disease that has sown worldwide panic.

The hardest-hit country in Europe said its death toll from the COVID-19 virus had risen Tuesday by a third to 631, with the surging epidemic taking its toll on global sporting, cultural and political events.

While authorities in China, where the outbreak began, have declared it “basically curbed,” cases are multiplying around the world, sparking panic buying in shops, and wild swings on financial markets.

China remains the hardest-hit overall with more than 80,000 cases and over 3,000 deaths, out of a global total of 117,339 cases and 4,251 deaths across 107 countries and territories.

The virus is infecting all walks of life, including politics, with US Democratic presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden both cancelling campaign rallies and British Health Minister Nadine Dorries saying she had Next page

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6 broadcast firms near franchise OK Poe said the Senate’s approval of the bills was also a manifestation that the committee on public services, which she heads, gave importance to the companies seeking applications for franchise renewal.

“We want to make sure that all fran-

chises are given equal opportunity and prompt scrutiny as we recognize the value of able media firms as sources of job opportunities and information especially in the countryside,” Poe said.

On Tuesday, the National Telecommunications Commission agreed to

issue a provisional authority to allow broadcast giant ABS-CBN to operate pending the renewal of its franchise.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba made the announcement during the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises led by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court again deferred taking action on the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General seeking to forfeit the franchises of ABS-CBN Corp.

The approved bills were on the respective franchises of Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media Inc.; Crusaders Broadcasting System; Bicol Broadcast-

Don’t panic...

are able to sell rubbing alcohol to as many households as possible,” association president Steven Cua said.

“By limiting the sale of these items to our customers, we allow as many households to avail of these products. Limits are set to products as they become scarce,” Cua said.

Cua said supermarkets should be wary of wholesale customers who buy scarce products in bulk.

“Ample supply in supermarkets is good only for individual end-users. Let these people who buy in bulk scout from distributors or wholesalers who carry these items in [greater] volume,” he said.

“Let us protect the buying public during times like these and show that we are good corporate citizens concerned about the well-being of the citizenry,” Cua said.

He said panic buying may result in increased sales over a short period of time, while supplies last, but bites the buying public when goods run out and are replenished at a higher cost.

Purchase limits would also allow more people to buy the products that can keep them safe from COVID-19 and benefit the entire community instead of a minority who can afford to stock up.

Cua also urged supermarkets to order enough supplies to make sure they do not run out and to be “creative” in where they

source their products.

“Better to have any brand of rubbing alcohol or face masks or hand sanitizer than none at all to allay the fear of customers that stocks are running out,” he said. “They will not be as choosy regarding brands if they cannot find their desired brand of products in three or four other stores.”

Malacañang on Wednesday called on the public not to resort to panic buying amid reports that COVID-19 infections are on the rise.

Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo also advised the public to trust reports of the virus from concerned government agencies and refrain from sharing unverified information about COVID-19.

“Let us not circulate unverified information that may only cause unnecessary anxiety among the members of our respective communities and instead maintain good hygiene and observe proper etiquette at all times,” he said.

The Palace official also assured the public that there was enough supply of basic needs.

“Buy only what they need because panic buying would only result in undue hoarding and price increases,” Panelo said.

Senator Richard Gordon, meanwhile, urged the government to stockpile strate-

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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ENATOR Grace Poe said Wednesday six broadcast companies were one step closer to getting their fresh legal mandates after the Senate approved on third and final reading the bills seeking the renewal of their legislative franchises for another 25 years.

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due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” the DTI said in its advisory.

The department earlier froze the prices of essential medicines in January following the virus outbreak.

In an interview with GMA News, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez assured consumers there is no need to resort to panic buying as there is enough supply of items such as tissue paper and alcohol.

Lopez said groceries and supermarkets are only running out of alcohol and sanitizers on display, but this did not mean there is a shortage.

“There’s no need to go into panic buying,” he said in Filipino. “This will only create an artificial shortage.”

The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association on Wednesday urged its member supermarkets to set a limit to the sale of face masks, alcohol, sanitizers, wipes, hand or liquid soap and disinfectants to avoid running out of stock. “[The] ideal would be to limit customers to two bottles of alcohol per purchase as this already increases the regular demand for alcohol to 2x what we normally order from our suppliers. This way, we

Mayor Sara...

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supported it. I told him the only way I can help you as President is to make sure that Davao City continues to be a progressive and developed city in Mindanao.”

In closing, Sara brushed aside her tough image by saying she was not the soldier type.

“I just feel like a beauty queen, not a soldier, said Sara who was widely speculated as behind the ouster of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez following a verbal tussle with him and the installation of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

She also got involved in a controversy in 2011 for repeatedly punching court sheriff Abe Andres who insisted on serving a court order to evict informal settlers and demolish shanties in a contested property in Davao City.

Almario also aired his appreciation to Sara over COVID-19.

“It was Mayor Sara who first issued a statement canceling all activities for Araw ng Davao for the sake of the people of Davao and visitors,” he said.

While others had yet to react, Almario said, Davao City had already that kind of precautionary measure.

Prior to Sara’s deliberations, Ungab was put in the spot with Lacson asking him,” why were you ousted?”

“I have no idea why I was ousted.

I just read it from the papers.” he said.

Crucifixion...

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Good Friday as penance for their sins. The event attracts thousands of tourists.

This year’s rituals were planned for farming villages around San Fernando city, north of the capital Manila on April 10, but local officials have stopped the event to prevent mass gatherings and a potential spread of the virus.

“We are not disrespecting religious beliefs and practices, but we actually are protecting them from the disease that may put them and their family at risk,” San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago said in a statement.

Philippine health authorities said Wednesday 49 people have tested positive for the virus in the country, up by 16 from a day earlier. A Chinese traveler, one of the country’s earliest cases, later died.

“I’m disappointed,” said resident Ruben Enaje, who was aiming to be crucified for the 34th straight year as part of a religious vow to atone for his sins, told AFP. “I talked with the village chairman and he said we should postpone it because of the worries that many foreign tourists might come here and we might get infected if some of them have the virus,” the 59-year-old added. AFP

Covid...

ing System Inc.; Golden Broadcast Professional Inc.; Gold Label Broadcasting System Inc.; and First United Broadcasting Corp., which is now known as Global Satellite Technology Services Inc. All six broadcast franchises were passed on third reading on Monday and were transmitted to the House of Representatives for its approval of the Senate amendments. Gold Label Broadcasting System’s franchise is set to expire in May and the rest in July.

Welcoming the development, Poe said a franchise was a public duty.

“This is not a right available to all, but a privilege given to those with capacity to do the job,” she said. gic supplies needed to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Gordon offered this recommendation during hearings on amending the charter of the state-owned Philippine International Trading Corp. to empower it to do such stockpiling of goods such as face masks, personal protective equipment, canned goods, rice, medicine and blood bags.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, told lawmakers that it is difficult for the poor who live in cramped surroundings and who have to take public transportation to exercise “social distancing” to stem the spread of COVID-19.

At a hearing conducted by the House health committee on the COVID-19 status and response, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said that despite the threat posed by the virus, many would still opt to take mass public transport such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

“I, myself, admit that addressing concerns of our poor countrymen like squatters as well as those who take mass public transportation is really a big challenge,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, Rep. Florida Robes of the lone district of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan confirmed that the city has its first case of COVID-19 infection.

Unprecedented measures

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said the DFA had to follow the US government’s protocols for the situation.

“We’re trying to launch repatriation for Grand Princess.

But it is still subject to the approval of the US State Department, Arriola said.

Cases against 3

Coronavirus fears and a local outbreak of the deadly disease are forcing authorities to take unprecedented measures at Thursday’s Olympic Flame lighting ceremony for the 2020 Tokyo Games.

After dozens of people tested positive for COVID-19 in the broader western Peloponnese, the Greek Olympic Committee on Monday said the ceremony would be held without spectators.

Only 100 accredited guests from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee compared to 700 originally will be allowed to attend Thursday’s event in Olympia, where the ancient Games were held.

And a dress rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday will also be closed to the public.

The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office is set to file cases against three people who posted COVID-19 photos in a social media platform and those who shared their posts.

In a forum hosted by the provincial government of Pangasinan on Tuesday, PPPO director Redrico Maranan said two of the three were females from Lingayen town, while the police were still investigating the identity of the third person.

“They have posted photos claiming that it is the reunion photo of the Australia-based Filipino who tested positive The airport authority in Manila is seeing a continuing for COVID-19 and her classmates, and an alleged leaked drop in passenger volume in the country’s premier gateway list of the persons who attended the class reunion with for the last two months because of the travel restrictions them here in Pangasinan,” he said. and flight reductions and cancellations caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

In February, the Manila International Airport Authority reThe United Nations on Tuesday closed its New York corded a total of 3,012,755 passengers in both domestic and headquarters to the general public to help prevent the international travels at the Ninoy Aquino International Airspread of the new coronavirus, a spokesman for UN Secre- port, down by 17 percent or 595,545 compared to the number of air travelers it recorded in the same month last year. tary General Antonio Guterres said.

The COVID-19 outbreak also significantly affected the The move comes one week after a similar measure was airline industry as local carriers like Philippine Airlines taken at the main UN building in Geneva. and Cebu Pacific Air reported an increase in canceled “As of now, we have not been advised of any COVID-19 cases among UN staff in New York,” UN spokesman Ste- bookings. Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rey Requejo, AFP, Joel Zurbano phane Dujarric said in a statement.

Passenger volume still dropping

UN headquarters closed

Italy...

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tested positive.

And amid criticism of the US authorities’ response, New York deployed the National Guard for the first time during the crisis to help contain the spread of the disease from an infection-hit suburb.

There have been 173 confirmed cases in New York state, including 108 in Westchester County, home to New Rochelle where the majority of infections have been detected.

“It is a dramatic action, but it is the largest cluster in the country.

This is literally a matter of life and death,” said state governor Andrew Cuomo.

“People are scared, it’s an unusual situation to be in,” said Miles Goldberg, who runs a New Rochelle bar.

“It makes people nervous to be around others, it makes people nervous to get inside into businesses and such,” he said.

In an unprecedented move, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has told the 60 million residents of his country they should travel only for the most urgent work or health reasons.

And while squares in Milan and Rome were emptied of their usual bustle and traffic, some residents appeared

uncertain if they were even allowed to leave their homes for everyday tasks like shopping.

Reflecting the differing stages of the outbreak, China relaxed some of its most severe restrictions in Hubei province at the same moment as several European countries went on full alert mode.

A slew of airlines announced they would cut all flights to Italy for the next few weeks, while a number of European countries announced the closure of schools and bans on mass public events.

Slovenia said it was closing its border with Italy, while Austria announced bans on trains and flights to the neighbouring country.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Slovenia and Austria had made “bad decisions” with the drastic measures but warned that his country was “just at the beginning” of its outbreak.

Chile said it was would quarantine all travellers arriving from Italy and Spain.

In the United States, reports have suggested President Donald Trump could be vulnerable after several senior Republicans quarantined themselves because they had been in contact with a virus sufferer.

Trump said Tuesday he would be happy to get a coronavirus test but has been told there is no need.

PH...

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Beijing’s sweeping nine-dash-line claim over the entire South China Sea. “The Government of the Republic of the Philippines considers China’s positions as inconsistent with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which comprehensively allocate maritime rights to States,” the permanent mission said in a separate note verbale also dated March 6.

Malaysia submitted its petition to extend its continental shelf beyond the 200-nautical mile limit to the UN body in December last year.

As this developed, Beijing on Wednesday accused the United States of a “provocative” act by sending a warship into disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea. The USS McCampbell missile destroyer sailed near the Paracel Islands on Tuesday without authorisation, according to the People’s Liberation Army.

The Paracel Islands are a chain of disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea, claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“Under the guise of ‘freedom of navigation,’ the US has repeatedly flexed its muscles, been provocative and stirred up trouble in the South China Sea,” PLA Southern Theater Command spokesman Col. Li Huamin said. With AFP

Code Red-2...

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“The PNP here in Camp Crame, including national separate units, has a strength of around 10,000...So more or less, we have 38,000 to 40,000 to utilize in case these things would come up,” the PNP chief said.

In a media briefing, Health Assistant Secretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the only available data on the 16 new cases are their age and gender.

She also announced that 442 out of the 445 repatriates from Japan quarantined at the Athlete’s Vollage in New Clark City in Capaz, Tarlac, were already sent home by the Department of Health (DOH) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. One remained in hospital, pending test results.

Two others—referred as Patient 25 and Patient 26—both crew members of M/V Diamond Princess who tested positive for COVID-19, are being treated in a referral hospital.

All repatriates, together with the teams that attended to them, were all tested for COVID-19 to ensure their safety.

Disinfection procedures for the rooms used by the two patients have been implemented. Close contact of the two comfirmed cases will undergo additional 14-day home quarantine. They will be continuously monitored by the respective municipal and city health offices, Vergeire said.

The DOH official said the 445 repatriates are composed of 437 crew members and five passengers of the cruise ship who were all tested for COVID-19.

DOH Hospitals from NCR, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Bicol Region also deployed additional health workers to help monitor and care for the almost 500 repatriates.

“We commend the health workers who have been tirelessly caring for our repatriates for the past month. First, those from Wuhan, and now those from Japan. Their dedication to their work and their countrymen is truly inspiring,” Duque said.

He said the DOH and deployed surveillance teams are now conducting extensive information-gathering and contact tracing activities on the new cases and would provide further details as the information became available.

DOH is continuously monitoring the statuses of all patients to ensure that no complications arise throughout their recovery, Duque added.

In the Senate, a bill seeks to give the DOH the power to lock down infected areas and suspend classes, among other measures, during public health emergencies.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, meanwhile, said there is no pressing reason yet to place Metro Manila on lockdown.

He added that the size of an area for community lockdown would depend on various circumstances.

If a lockdown is deemed necessary, Año said, local government units, with the support of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, would be ready to enforce it.

In the House, Duque admitted that the declaration of a public emergency could have been done earlier, had he done it himself and not wait for President Rodrigo Duterte to make the announcement.

At the hearing conducted by the House committee on health, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate pressed Duque to admit that he should have done the declaration himself amid the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Zarate reminded Duque that under Section 7 of the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Law,” the Health secretary is given the authority to “declare epidemics of national and/ or international concerns except when the same threaten national security.”

In the same hearing, Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon criticized the lack of communication lines within the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the body tasked to manage the coronavirus outbreak.

Biazon said Duque must have asserted his authority as “incident commander” on the situation.

He said it appeared there was “no proper communication or coordination” among Duque, private hospitals and local government units.

Also on Wednesday, Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday confirmed the fourth case of COVID-19 in Quezon City.

The fourth case was confirmed to by the Department of Health’s National Capital Region office, she said.

The third case was a 52-year-old Filipino male from Project 6 with a travel history to Switzerland.

He has been admitted at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City.

The first two confirmed cases are a 57-year-old male and an individual from Timog.

The city mayor denied reports that she proposed a lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines urged President Duterte to provide a government cash subsidy to workers who would be displaced in the event of a lockdown.

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Panel sets 3 conditions in tax amnesty OK

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means has passed a consolidated version of House Bills 191 and 3671, which grants a general tax amnesty of one year on all unpaid national internal revenue taxes.

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente Sarte Salceda, committee chairman, said the amnesty will cover delinquent income, withholding, capital gains, donor’s, value-added, percentage, excise and documentary stamp taxes that the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs failed to collected for taxable year 2018 and prior years.

The amnesty tax payment shall be

based on 3 percent of equity in the taxpayer’s Statement of Assets, Liability and Net Worth as of end 2018.

The consolidated version of the tax amnesty bills also contains stronger anti-fraud measures following President Rodrigo Duterte’s request that there be a lifting of bank secrecy for fraud cases, provision for the automatic exchange of information (AEOI); and safeguards to

ensure that asset or net worth declarations are truthful.

“The general tax amnesty bill addresses the President’s concerns and also complies with international standards for financial accountability. 2020 will be a year of reforms to make the financial system more accountable and more transparent, so that we can join the community of nations with credible financial institutions. We want this year to be the beginning of the end for fraud and tax evasion.

My office and the Committee on Ways and Means are determined to play leading roles in getting these urgent reforms done,” Salceda said.

Earlier, the President signed the Tax Amnesty Act on Feb. 14, 2019, granting Estate Tax Amnesty and Tax Amnesty on Delinquencies but vetoed Title III, or the

General Tax Amnesty by virtue of Republic Act Number 11213. The president vetoed the General Tax Amnesty Act until the Congress provided for a lifting of bank secrecy for fraud cases, AEOI, and safeguards to ensure truthful net worth and asset declarations.

“There is not such thing as free amnesty. Accountability is demanded in exchange for the general tax amnesty. The State cannot forgive without conditions.

An unconditional amnesty would be free money to confessed tax evaders, who will avail of the privilege,” Salceda said.

“We are granting the President’s request and then some: we are introducing provisions to ensure that availing taxpayers are compliant with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

This is to ensure that our banking system

is not declared a pariah in the international community, with risks to our OFWs and foreign investors,” Salceda said.

FATCA compels foreign financial institutions, in this case including the Philippine banks, to report U.S. financial asset holders to the IRS beginning in 2014.

These institutions include banks, insurance and real estate companies, hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity firms and professionals of the financial sector.

Failure to comply with the FATCA places the FFI at risk of a punitive withholding tax that may far outweigh the cost of any single foreign account. US banks may also refuse to transact with Philippine banks who are non-compliant with FATCA as they too could face steep fines and penalties, including the inability to transact internationally.

Labor group slams bill on foreign ownership

By Willie Casas LABOR group Defend Jobs Philippines on Wednesday slammed the approval of the House of Representatives of House Bill 78 which will amend the Public Service Act and allow 100 percent foreign ownership in power, transport and communications sector.

The House Bill had its third and final reading with a vote of 136-43-1 last Tuesday afternoon.

The group said that HB 78 would only intensify exploitation and the long-drawn violations of workers’ rights in the public service sector.

“HB 78 will only mean cheaper wages, docile labor and slashed benefits for our working people in favor of profits. It will also result to a more difficult set-up for our workers in terms of the level of bargaining, labor flexibilization schemes, job security issues, among many other concerns,” said Thadeus Ifurung, Defend Jobs Philippines spokesperson, in a statement.

The labor group also said that aside from its implication on the labor sector, HB 78 had also impacts and question of constitutionality, concerns on the violations on our national sovereignty and foreign control on Philippine assets and economy.

“Clearly, letting foreigners fully manage and control our domestic services will further cause plunge our economy to unavoidable crisis and will further worsen our backward, agrarian, non-industrial, debt-ridden and foreign-dominated economy,” Ifurung said.

JUST THERMAL GUN. Policemen of the Manila Police District (top left) undergo thermal gun scanning Wednesday as they enter the compound of the headquarters along United Nations Avenue in Manila as precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) while the Manila Disaster Risk and Reduction Office (below left) conducts misting operations inside the RTC of Manila City Hall.

At a supermall in Metro Manila, people are required to put alcohol sanitizer after the rise of coronavirus infections. Norman Cruz, Lino Santos

QC court to hear damage suit vs. Garin

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court has junked the bid of former Health Secretary and now Congresswoman Janet Garin to dismiss the damage suit against her, in connection with the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

In an order released on Wednesday, the Quezon City RTC Branch 230 denied the motion to dismiss filed by Garin regarding the civil damage suit for lack of jurisdiction on ground that none of the parties reside in the city.

Garin also argued that the complaint against her failed to state any cause of action to justify a claim for damages.

However, the lower court declared that under the rules, the plaintiff, in this case, Ian L. Colite, a security guard from Cavite has the prerogative to choose the venue where the case will be filed.

“Prescinding therefrom, the court finds the venue properly laid by the plaintiff when he chose to file the instant com-

plaint in this court by reason of the residence of one of the impleaded defendants which he considers as a principal defendant,” the RTC order stated.

The court was referring to defendant Zuellig, the local distributor of Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer of the vaccine.

Colite’s son received two doses of the vaccine who died in December 2017.

With regard to the cause of action, the court ruled that it is sufficient to proceed with the trial.

“Upon perusal of the Complaint, the Court finds the allegations in the complaint sufficient to constitute a cause of action...it is incumbent upon the court to deny the instant motion to dismiss and proceed to trial to prove the defense of herein defendant. Thus, this court should still proceed with the determination of the principal action so that an adjudication of the rights of the parties can be had,” the court said.

The RTC gave Garin 15 days to comment on the civil suit.

Garin argued that Ian Colite, father of the

late Zandro Colite, also failed to establish sufficient basis to claim for damages.

“As to the ground of failure to state a cause of action, plaintiff Ian L. Colite posits that by raising the same, Dr. Janet L. Garin, hypothetically admits the fact as stated in the Complaint and their liabilities in the case at bar,” Loja-Pangilinan said.

“Upon perusal of the Complaint, the Court finds the allegations in the Complaint sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and defendant’s averments as merely directed to the veracity and correctness of the allegations found therein,” the order read.

“WHEREFORE, premises considered, defendant Dr. Janet L. Garin’s Motion to Dismiss is hereby DENIED,” it stated.

The 11-year-old victim from Imus, Cavite died on Dec. 27, 2017 less than 24 hours after feeling the symptoms of severe dengue.

He received three doses of the antidengue vaccine in June 2016, January 2017 and June 2017.

Corruption to hurt Filipino consumers

WHY PANIC? Hundreds, nay thousands, of consumers have dashed to the panic line Wednesday—trying to buy cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, pasta, bottled water, among others—indicating that many are in the throes of coronavirus panic. Observers note panic buying breeds more panic buying.

A CONSUMER advocacy group has warned that the rising corruption, abuse of power and the use of “weaponized” rule of law in the country will eventually hurt the economy and the Filipino consumers.

Louie Montemar, convenor of Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente, expressed concern over reports that bribery and corruption in the country worsened over the last two years as the government was trying to force several major companies out of business.

“Despite the government’s pronounced campaign to fight corruption, what is happening is the opposite and we fear that this will eventually shortchange the Filipino consumers,” Montemar said.

Montemar made the statement after a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers which covered 101 businesses in the Philippines found that 43 percent of

respondents encountered fraud at least twice, while a tenth said they experienced such incidents over the past six to 12 times.

About 21 percent of respondents said they were asked to pay a bribe while 14 percent said they lost an opportunity to a competitor who they believed paid a bribe.

“This is concerning as businesses operating in the Philippines may be more likely to contemplate paying bribes as a feasible option to take in order to win business opportunities against competitors,” the PwC study said.

This is consistent with the 2019 report of Transparency International which ranked the Philippines as 113th least corrupt among 180 countries and territories. The Philippines dropped 14 places from 99th in 2018, making the 2019 spot as country’s lowest ranking since 2012.

House votes 173-11 to approve OFW bill on final reading VOTING 173-11, the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill creating the Department of Filipino Overseas and Foreign Employment.

The chamber in plenary session presided by Deputy Speaker and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales III passed House Bill 5832 that creates a new department that shall be the primary agency tasked to protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas.

This developed as House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romual-

dez and his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, welcomed the bill’s final reading approval at the chamber.

“This is part of Speaker [Alan Peter] Cayetano’s commitment to President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s promise of protecting our OFWs,” said the Romualdezes who are both principal authors of House Bill 5832 or “An Act Creating the Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment, Defining Its Mandate, Powers and Functions, Appropriating Funds Therefor,” which was approved on

second reading Wednesday evening.

Rep. Yedda Romualdez, the chairperson of the House committee on the welfare of children, said the absence of a single agency to address foreign employment concerns has made it difficult for the government to focus on the needs and demands of foreign Filipino employment, in general, and of OFWs, in particular.

“Furthermore, the lack of coordination among these agencies and redundancy of work lead to confusion among our OFWs and compromises the services to be ren-

dered to our modern-day heroes,” said Yedda Romualdez.

The creation of a department solely for the welfare of the OFWs and their families is among the legislative priorities of the Duterte administration.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Luis Ray Villafuerte, another principal author, assured OFWs that the Congress will enact the measure soonest.

Congress adjourn sessions starting Wednesday for a Holy Week break. It will resume sessions on May 4.

Maricel V. Cruz

Du30 frustrated by continued drug spread

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has expressed frustration over the continued involvement of local officials in illegal drugs, saying threatening to kill or intimidate people linked to illegal drugs is part of his job.

President Duterte made the statement during the 2020 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City on Tuesday evening, claiming there was no problem when he threatened to kill those involved in the illegal drug trade because it was part of his job as Chief Executive to scare, intimidate and kill people.

The Chief Executive was referring tp the recent seizure of illegal drugs worth at least P7 million worth in separate buy-bust operations in Cebu City last week.

“This only reveals how local chief executives involved in illegal drugs tend to show off their properties. It transcends vanity. It is really greed in the lowest form. That’s the problem.

Even mayors are getting involved because of access of money,” he said.

“There are so many corrupt judges, many corrupt prosecutors. I should know. I was for eight years a trial fiscal. I should know how a classic case of a drug charges against a big time.

Sige patayin na lang kita para tapos na.

Karami nito, even mayors,” the President said.

“You know I called all the city mayors because in the urban areas it thrives and even governors. I closed the Malacañang room for conferences and told them, don’t come out I will kill you,” Duterte said.

The President said these mayors become rich, by showing off their wealth.

“Of course, they painted their house, the inner, the core with money. There, 500 pesos surrounds.. It’s not—it transcends vanity. It is really greed in the lowest form,” the President told the mayors.

‘Yan ang problema. Maski mga mayor pumasok because of access of money. Ako, ewan ko. Pero sa panahon ko, ‘yang takutin ako ng mga human rights ganun,” he said.

The President renewed his tirades against human rights groups that criticized his drug war, saying he was not afraid to face them in court.

“I’d be happy to place you in the cross—in the witness stand, crossexamine you. Sabihin nyo the (You’re saying) 70,000 [were] killed? Who was the 69th…? Can you name him?”

Duterte said.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A question of credibility THE reason President Rodrigo Duterte refuses to suspend, much less stop, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators is that after reading the report of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, he became convinced that we need all the funds we can get from them. We can use the money for priority projects and contain the spread of COVID-19. This is according to Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Clearly, the President gives greater importance to POGOs than to the safety of the nation. Santa Banana!

Tell me, Mr. President.

Aren’t we a province of China yet?

Yes, we need all the funds we can lay our hands on, especially now that the virus is spreading at an alarmingly rapid rate. This will ultimately affect the economy not only of our country but of the world. If it has not, already.

But a line has to be drawn somewhere.

POGOs are as much a scourge for us as the dreaded virus. Common sense tells us that with gambling comes prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, torture and even murder.

Why is the President so soft on the Chinese? He believes what the Chinese Embassy says—that the crimes involving POGO workers are isolated.

Isolated, my gulay!

I cannot understand the priorities of this administration! Tell me, Mr. President. Aren’t we a province of China yet? ***

GMA-7 broadcasting network has come out with the latest findings of Nielsen Philippines. It captured an audience share of 35.3 percent while its ABS-CBN cornered 32.1 percent.

For mega Manila audience shares, GMA has 38.1 percent (ABS-CBN 27.3 percent); Urban Luzon, 37 percent (ABS-CBN 29.5 percent); Urban Luzon, 35.7 (ABS-CBN 34.1 percent).

ABS-CBN will of course contest these figures and come out with audience share findings that put them as the leading network.

But which is more believable, GMA or ABS-CBN? I have my own opinion, considering that ABS-CBN has had a long history of being a Yellow network. It all boils down to credibility. In fact I think this is also the reason why the Lopez-owned network is experiencing difficulties with regard to its franchise. *** Speaking of the ABS-CBN franchise which will expire on May 4, it is clear that Congress should be the one to take action in franchise renewal.

This is the core of the decision penned by no less than former Chief Justice Reynato Puno when he was still associate justice. Thus, if ABSCBN’s franchise is not renewed or if both chambers of Congress do not pass a law granting it a new franchise, it’s kaput for the network.

If there are legislators from both chambers whose hearts are bleeding for ABS-CBN, that is because they have personal interest in the network.

In fact, of the 11 bills for the franchise renewal, many are filed by legislators with agenda and interests of their own. *** If there is one thing that the local government units should do is to adopt measures to avoid panic buying if ever a lockdown is imposed here.

The government should learn from the experience of other countries ravaged by the virus.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Swift action needed on POGO ills

M

UCH has been said lately about the harmful effects of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which offer online games of chance to players in China, where gambling is illegal.

Recent Senate hearings on POGO operations show these include a rise in official corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, prostitution and kidnapping.

The influx of tens of thousands of workers from China—who make up the vast majority of POGO employees—has also created social and economic problems, including a precipitous increase in real estate prices and rents in Metro Manila, which hurts locals.

Nobody can tell, for instance, how exactly how many Chinese nationals are employed in POGOs. The official number in May 2019 was 138,000, but insiders estimate the number could go as high as 250,000 if POGOs operating ille-

gally are considered.

Another issue with POGOs is that they hire relatively few Filipinos, who are estimated to make up only 17 percent of their workforce.

In contrast, the business process outsourcing or BPO industry provides jobs for more than 1.2 million Filipinos, bringing direct benefits to local workers.

Two senators—Richard Gordon and Franklin Drilon—say the income that POGOs bring to the government do not justify the rise in crime and social problems that these operations bring.

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has rejected calls to shut down POGOs, saying that the problems hounding the industry can be ad-

dressed by the government, which needs the revenues that offshore gambling operations bring.

Offering any specifics, a Palace spokesman merely said the President “has enough basis” to keep the POGOs running.

"When the President makes the decision it's a decisive one and he has basis to support his decision," he said.

The President himself said every centavo that Pagcor earns from the POGOs can be accounted for.

He added that POGOs are allowed because the country needs the funds generated by the industry, to the tune of about P2 billion a month.

But none of these assurances address the need to stop the crime and corruption that have sprung up around what to many Filipinos is a shadowy industry.

If the government says it can deal with these problems without shutting down the POGOs, it must do so quickly, demonstrably and convincingly.

Relentless call for support on water projects DRY season is coming. Amidst the threat of the COVID-19 in the country, another crisis looms. For the past years, Metro Manila has endured months-long water shortages during summer. If we recall, this led to a series of investigations attended by agencies and public utilities in charge of water distribution. This 2020, will we suffer the same fate?

The Kaliwa Dam project has been consistently pushed to the forefront of addressing the Metro Manila water shortage. This project costs P12.2 billion as per the MWSS, funded by foreign loans from the Official Development Assistance, and is seen to be completed by 2023. While this project poses laudable goals, local government units have been advocating better options.

In the past, I have talked about the Sumag River Diversion Project which would supply an additional 188 million liters of water per day.

As opposed to the cost of the Kaliwa project, the Sumag project is significantly cost-effective at P774 million. This means that more funds may be allocated to other projects that will ensure the protection of the environment and the welfare of our indigenous peoples who might be affected by the said project. Sadly, this has been suspended for almost four years now.

We have also proposed the tapping of the Agos and Umiray rivers through the rehabilitation of the Agos-Umiray Transbasin Tunnel. This tunnel will

likewise channel additional water supply to the households.

These two projects have better proximity to the Angat Dam. More importantly, these are more comprehensive and holistic as they take into consideration the protection of the environment and support to the welfare of our indigenous peoples, especially in case relocation is inevitable.

Instead of pursuing foreign-funded projects, we should take a look at

Water is indispensable in maintaining cleanliness. these local proposals for these are in itself found by the community as more sustainable and will prevent us from incurring further debts. They will consequently preserve our fiscal condition.

We should act immediately on these local proposals. Summer season is fast approaching. Some parts of the Metro have begun experiencing rotational water interruptions at various times of the day. The threat of COVID-19 also increases the demand for water as hygienic practices such as frequent handwashing and drinking of water are strongly encouraged.

Not only that, water is almost always indispensable in maintaining cleanliness. Hence, available and accessible water must be ensured, especially in times like these. I, therefore, resound the sentiments of our local governments and seek the support of the national government in choosing to pursue these local proposals.

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Facebook whistleblower: ‘Treat tech like tobacco’

By Frédéric Pouchot and Fiachra Gibbons FACEBOOK and other tech companies need to be regulated like the tobacco industry, warned ChristopherWylie, the whistleblower who exposed the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

The data scientist revealed how he helped the disgraced company, founded by Donald Trump's former right-hand man Steve Bannon, to use unauthorised personal data harvested from Facebook to help swing a string of elections, including Trump's US presidential win in 2016.

Despite Facebook being fined a

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

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

record $5 billion (4.4 billion euros) in the US last year for "deceiving" users about keeping their information safe, Wylie said the world has yet to wake up to the consequences of the scandal.

"If we want to prevent another Cambridge Analytica from happening... that starts with regulating big tech beyond just data protection issues, but also looking at whether or not we want as a society to tolerate manipulative design," he insisted.

Wylie details in his book "Mindf*ck" how personality profiles mined from Facebook were weaponized to "radicalize" individuals through psychographic profiling

and targeting techniques.

Too powerful So great is their potential power over society and people's lives, that tech professionals need to be subject to the same codes of ethics as doctors and lawyers, he told AFP as his book was published in France.

"Profiling work that we were doing to look at who was most vulnerable to being radicalized... was used to identify people in the US who were susceptible to radicalization so that they could be encouraged and catalyzed on that path," he said.

"You are being intentionally monitored so that your unique biases, your Turn to A5

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

Fringe benefits A FEW weeks ago, a police major who was a Chief of Police in one municipality in the Visayas was fired and charges filed against him for reportedly engaging in sexual relations with a female detainee. It seems that he allowed the female detainee to sleep in his air conditioned office in exchange for the service. I remember some of these happening when I was new in the service but this is now 2020. One would think that this is no longer happening but it is embarrassing for me to learn that it is still happening.

What was this officer thinking?

Maybe he was thinking that it is part of the fringe benefits of being in the service. Even if there is no written specific regulation saying that it is prohibited to sleep with a female detainee, surely, he must have known that it was wrong to do it. Unfortunately, I dare say that this is not an isolated case but one of the many shocking incidents that one can still find in the service.

It was absolutely right for General Archie Gamboa to have dismissed the officer and filed charges against him. Even with all the reforms being undertaken by various Chiefs of the Philippine National Police, one that has never been done as far as I know is the development and publication of a sort of a police handbook that contains everything that a police personnel, be it an officer or enlisted, is expected to know, follow and take to heart from the day he or she is inducted into the service until the day that person retires.

In a way, it is something of a bible in the service that police personnel must know everything and memorize. This can also help in the development of traditions of the service which as everybody knows takes decades to develop. This police handbook if there is one can also make

police administration a lot easier.

At present, what is being practiced at least by officers are the customs and traditions of the Philippine Military Academy by PMA graduates and Philippine National Police Academy traditions by PNPA graduates. There is none for the enlisted personnel because it would depend where that individual was recruited as customs vary from region to region. There is no single book to follow. ***

What was this officer thinking?

The administration is currently confronting several issues. The most serious is the local transmission of COVID-19 which has put the other problems like the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law, the African swine fever, the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, and the ill effects of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators at the back burner. This is because the COVID-19 problem is a global health emergency and needs all the attention and resources of the government.

As of press time Wednesday, there are already 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections in the country, mostly in and around the Metro Manila area. For a while, we were all wishing that the country could escape the local spread of the dreaded disease and perhaps get away unscathed but this was wishful thinking right from the very beginning. We have to remember that China only reported the virus to the world sometime in January even if the virus was already known to them earlier. There must have been an inkling of the virus as early as late November or December last year yet they remained quiet.

We also only enforced the travel ban in February which might have been late already. By that time, there

were already hundreds of trips between China and the Philippines which could only mean that there must have been some infected people already going around the country much earlier. It is a wonder that local transmission was only detected a few days ago. It is therefore very unlikely that the number of infections will stay at 49 very long. Because the infections are centered in and around the metro area, this has prompted some people to suggest to lockdown the Metro area to try to contain the spread of the virus. I do not know if this is at all possible or whether a lockdown can in fact stop the spread.

The economic effect might also be too prohibitive and not advisable.

Perhaps some localized lockdowns en could be implemented but not the entire National Capital Region. Right now, the local government units appear to be capable of handling the situation in their respective localities. They are aggressive and are responding promptly. They know the local conditions more and since a lot of the effort has to do with tracking people, the LGUs should lead the effort in close coordination with the national government.

It is important that this coordination is maintained throughout the fight to contain the virus. What is shocking though is that the country has only more than two thousand testing kits at the moment. If the spread of the virus will spike like South Korea and Italy, then that number will be totally inadequate.

What were those planners in the Department of Health thinking? That two or three thousand testing kits will be enough for a country of more than 100 million people? So far, the DOH has done a good job of tracking people but that is because the number is not yet so many. We are all hoping that it stays that way, but we have to be realistic and plan for a worst case scenario. Let us also hope that the medical infrastructure of the country will be good enough to provide us all with the needed help when the time comes.

In Nordics, coronavirus may be deadly boring, but not yet deadly

By Johannes Ledel with AFP's Nordic bureaus HOLED up in his parents' home since testing positive, Viktor Andersson has been killing time watching movies.

For him, like almost all of those infected in the Nordic countries, the new coronavirus has yet to lead to anything more than a tedious quarantine.

With more than 1,000 cases detected, the Nordic countries have not been spared the epidemic that has locked down entire cities and countries, raising fears of an economic recession and sending financial markets into a downward spiral.

By Wednesday, the disease had killed more than 4,281 people out of 118,554 cases detected worldwide, with China, Italy, South Korea, Iran and France hardest hit.

But the Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden—have not reported any deaths so far, even though the virus has been described as deadlier than the seasonal flu which claims hundreds of victims in the region each year.

From Reykjavik to Helsinki, the large majority of those infected with COVID-19 are, like Viktor, fit as fiddles and just waiting things out at home until they are no longer contagious and can return to their normal routines.

"I'm not supposed to leave the house, except for walks close by where I should avoid approaching people," the 22-year-old Swede told AFP. Confined to his parents' house in Karlstad in western Sweden until two successive tests come back negative, this third-division hockey player is believed to have contracted the virus in an airport during a late February trip to Am-

sterdam with his buddies.

"I've watched a lot of movies. I feel like I've seen every single James Bond movie. There's also been quite a lot of card-playing with my parents. You simply have to find things to keep yourself busy," he told AFP. Early days Of the 81 cases detected in Iceland, none have required hospitalization. In Norway, only a handful of the 277 cases have been admitted to hospital.

That is partly due to a number of sociological and demographic factors, according to experts.

The Nordics have "a population that is generally healthy and vaccinated against illnesses, universal health care, not many smokers or much industrial pollution," said Oystein Olsvik, a professor of medical microbiology at Tromso University in northern Norway.

"The Scandinavian population is generally less susceptible to this kind of illness that can develop in densely-populated regions of China," he added.

Also, the epidemic is still in its early days in the region, having so far only affected a specific category of the population.

Most Scandinavians who have tested positive have been relatively healthy and young—average age 44 in Norway—and were infected during recent ski holidays in Italy and Austria, or have been in close contact with those infected there.

"If you compare with Italy for example, where a majority of those infected are very old... (This is) a good illustration that this is not dangerous for those who are young and healthy but... could be very serious if you are old," said Johan von Schreeb, a professor of global disaster medicine at Stockholm's

Karolinska Institute.

In addition, an elderly person in Scandinavia is generally in good health.

"When you're 80 in China, you're really old, whereas a Norwegian in their 80s can complete the Birken (a famed cross-country ski race) or cycle from Oslo to Trondheim," noted professor Olsvik.

Drive-through testing Whether they have been tested or not, travellers returning from high-risk areas have been asked to self-quarantine for two weeks.

At the same time, healthcare services are doing everything they can to detect the virus at the earliest stage.

"We are diagnosing these cases just maybe one or two days after they show the earliest sign of symptoms and those are extremely mild symptoms," explained Kjartan Hreinn Njalsson, an assistant to Iceland's Director of Health.

"These people are extremely aware of their health condition and they are in good contact with their physician, so they monitor their health really well and they get a lot of feedback on how to behave and how to take good care of themselves."

In Oslo, Stockholm and in Aarhus in Denmark, there are drive-through testing facilities outside hospitals.

Iceland, meanwhile, is planning to screen a swathe of its population to see how widespread the virus is.

But it is unlikely northern Europe will totally escape COVID-19 deaths.

Once the virus spreads to the general population, as it is eventually expected to do, hospital wards and especially intensive care units risk being snowed under.

And then, the death toll could become alarming. AFP

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When branches of government cease to be co-equal THE bedrock of the presidential form of democratic government is the system of checks and balances governing the acts of the three branches, among which the Constitution has distributed the powers of government. The Legislative Department (which makes the laws), the Executive Department (which enforces the laws) and the Judiciary (which decides whether or not a law conforms to the Constitution) check on and balance one another.

Utang na loob goes a long way.

In the best of circumstances—when the system of checks and balances would be operating smoothly—the Executive Department would take action against errant legislative behavior, the legislature would pass laws seeking to curtail or outlaw unsound Executive policies and the legislature would punish unworthy magistrates by impeaching or prosecuting them. Checking and balancing would be the order of the day.

But in the real world government circumstances are not always the best. Things will turn bad, and the vision of the authors of the Constitution will not be achieved, when the envisioned government composed of three co-equal branches is transformed—into a government dominated by one branch. Naturally, that branch is the Executive Department, for the Executive Department is the branch with the resources and the administrative infrastructure.

The first of the three supposedly co-equal branches to disappear after a general election is the legislature. Because Philippine political parties of the postwar era don’t have a guiding philosophy, the story has been the same after every election: Most of the newly elected members of the House of Representatives and some members of the newly elected Senate discard their pre-election parties and rapidly join the coalition organized by the leaders of the new President’s party. This has been the scenario after virtually every postwar general election, and the reason is obvious. As Chief Executive, the newly elected Pres-

ident has full control over the preparation of the GAA (General Appropriations Act) and district representatives and senators who display principle and decide to not join the hastily cobbled coalition will receive little or no funding for the projects that will facilitate their re-election. This phenomenon is true even when, as in 1992, the new president is a plurality Chief Executive.

When the new President has the new Congress in his back pocket, the system of three coequal branches of government is effectively transformed into a system with two co-equal branches, namely, a vastly enlarged Executive Department and the Judiciary.

The last to go among the three co-equal branches of government is the Judiciary. Here the decisive factor is not the attractiveness of the purse: it is the old Filipino trait of regard for utang na loob.

Staunch defenders of the nation’s highest tribunal will declare with utmost passion that the 15 members of the Supreme Court do not feel beholden to the President of the Philippines for their appointments as the top magistrates in the land. Certainly, there is no way of determining the motivation underlying every vote that a Supreme Court justice casts.

But cultural values die hard, and thoughts of utang na loob almost certainly enter the minds of many Filipinos when they analyze the composition of a Supreme Court vote on a case important to Malacañang. There is a lot of potential utang na loob in the present Supreme Court: halfway into his term President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a majority of the 15 justices, and by the time his term ends, almost all of them will be his appointees.

Applying the co-equality criterion to the present situation in this country, can the Philippine government be said to be a government made of three co-equal branches? Sadly, the answer is No. Only one-half of Congress—the Senate—functions as a co-equal entity; the other half, the House of Representatives, functions, like it usually does, as it if were an extension of Malacañang. The Supreme Court has in recent years handed down decisions supportive of the Executive Department’s position—such as its highly unpopular decision on the Marcos burial issue, but it has invariably done so with well-reasoned arguments. Still, many Filipinos categorize it as a no longer co-equal branch of the government.

Facebook...

From A4

anxieties, your weaknesses, your needs, your desires can be quantified in such a way that a company can seek to exploit that for profit," said the 30-year-old.

Wylie, who blew the whistle to the British newspaper, The Guardian, in March 2018, said at least people now realise how powerful data can be.

"We are now talking about it, whereas before we weren't. For a long time I think journalists and society at large really did drink that Kool-Aid. Colonialism 2.0 "They bought the message that the tech industry is good and they can do no wrong. What we're now seeing is that big tech is just like any other industry. When push comes to shove, when it affects profit, they make decisions just like an oil or tobacco company would," he added.

Which is why regulation is urgent, argued Canadian-born Wylie.

He made the comparison with the construction industry, which must conform to a plethora of norms and standards, whereas in the digital world the individual is left to protect themselves from a whole array of risks they cannot possibly hope to understand.

"Facebook is an architecture, it is a construction, it is a product of engineering. And just like any other highly-technical sector, whether it's aerospace, automobiles, energy or biotech, there are rules in place that regulate."

Wylie also compared the "feeling of outrage that I think a lot of Americans are feeling" to what "voters in Africa or in a lot of South Asian countries" have suffered for decades at the hands of big corporations of their former colonial masters.

There would be large businesses, or indeed countries, that would hire firms to influence elections. And the internet has made colonialism 2.0 really easy," he said. AFP

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News

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Integrate MILF, MNLF forces to PNP, AFP now—‘Bato’

INAUGURATION.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and former president and Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo lead the ceremonial cutting of ribbon formally inaugurating the North Bridgeway connecting the North Wing Building and the Ramon V. Mitra Building of the House of Representatives.

The North Bridgeway was started during the time of Arroyo and completed by Speaker Cayetano.

With them are Deputy Speakers (from left) Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Rep Crispin Remulla and Minority Leader Vienvenido Abante Jr. Ver Noveno

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa wants to hasten the integration of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front personnel to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to boost the government’s efforts to attain lasting peace and development across the country, especially in the BARMM area.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government to discuss the updates of the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Dela Rosa urged Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez to speed up the provision of guidelines [thru NaPolCom] and the integration process of the MILF and MNLF to the PNP and AFP. He said he believes that the competence of MILF and MNLF forces could help the country’s soldiers and policemen in maintaining peace and order in the land.

The former national police chief validated with Secretary Galvez, former AFP Chief of Staff and currently the OPAPP secretary, the reports that the latter got from the ground during his stint as PNP Chief that the MILF and MNLF are snappy and very qualified to be members of the PNP and AFP. “Sir I personally saw their [MILF / MNLF] behavior and you are really correct sir, some of those or many of those are really qualified to become members of the Armed Forces and the PNP,” Galvez said.

Galvez added that some of the MILF and MNLF combatants had already undergone training under the Joint Peace and Security Teams of the Annex of Normalization included in the BOL. “I understand it would take time, mahaba pa ang proseso at magkakaroon pa ng training…the more that we should be motivated to receive them into the Armed Forces, sabi nga magagaling na sila, mas disiplinado pa yung iba kaya bilisan natin sir and I hope expedite na natin yan,” Dela Rosa said.

“Sir actually may mga re-positioned na kami with the Armed Forces. Actually, Sir ang pinaka priority for the possible integration to the Armed Forces and the PNP are those who were trained at the JPST because we saw that they are very much qualified that is why we are hurrying up for the listing so the integration of the MILF will be taken from the JPST,” Galvez explained.

NBI files graft charges vs. two BOC personnel

By Willie Casas THE National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday said operatives of NBI- AntiGraft Division have filed charges against two Bureau of Customs employees and three others for violation of Section 3 (a) and (e) of R.A. 3019 otherwise known as the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” and R.A. 6713 otherwise known as “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”

NBI Director Eric B. Distor identified the BOC employees as Lomontod Macabando, Customs Operations Officer V; and Gamaloden Musor, Customs Security Guard 2, and three others, namely Bangsa-An A. Mimbalawag, Abrahan A. Mimbalawag, and one unidentified suspect.

Records show that suspects Macabando and Musor were arrested on May 5, 2018 by officers of the Bureau of Customs assigned in NAIA Terminal 3 for allegedly smuggling assorted pieces of jewelry from Dubai.

An officer of BOC saw somebody handed a clutch bag to Macabando who was with Musor in the restricted area of the airport. BOC officers blocked Macabando and requested him to turn over the clutch bag but he refused and escaped by running.

Macabando was later subdued and they talked to the passengers, later identified as spouses Abraham Mimbalawag and Bangsa-an Mimbalawag, who claimed ownership of the clutch bag. When the spouses were asked by the Customs officials to open the bag, it turned out to contain 24 pieces of gold rings, 1029 pairs of gold earrings, 155 pieces of gold pendants, 5 pieces of gold earrings and pendants, 19 pieces of gold bangles, 295 pieces of gold chains, and 101 pieces of gold bracelets, all without corresponding receipts.

NBI-AGD operatives subpoenaed the suspects but only the Mimbalawag spouses submitted their counter-affidavit. The couple later told NBI-AGD that they were carrying pieces of jewelry from Dubai and that they contacted suspect Macabando, a distant relative, to help them get a fair and lawful assessment even in the absence of a receipt because they cannot find it.

DENR, LLDA shut down 5 business firms in Pasay

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its attached agency, Laguna Lake Development Authority, have shut down five commercial establishments in Pasay City that were found to be discharging untreated wastewater into Manila Bay. Undersecretary Benny Antiporda identified the five establishments as ZhiBrothers Restaurant, Ocean Bay Restaurant, Da Rae Jung Korean Restaurant, Song Do Won Restaurant and BHP1 Autoworks which were found to have violated Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 2004.

Antiporda himself led the serving of the cease-and-desist orders with the help of the Pasay City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Philippine National Police's Maritime Group.

During previous inspections, the LLDA discovered that the sewer lines of the five establishments were not con-

nected to the sewage treatment plant of their lessor, HK Sun Plaza.

HK Sun Plaza is owned by Social Security System Investment Property Department and has built its own P10million STP in compliance with the cease-and-desist orders issued by the LLDA in February 2019 for its illegal wastewater discharge.

Five out of the 48 establishments at HK Sun Plaza were found to be discharging their wastewater to the storm drainage which emptied to Libertad Channel and drains into Manila Bay. Only wastewater that has passed through the STP can be discharged to Libertad Channel.

Antiporda scolded the erring establishments for “exceeding what the law has set in terms of the waste they generate.”

“We cannot sacrifice our environment for their business,” Antiporda said.

“They cannot violate the law and abuse our environment and natural resources for their own gain.”

He also hit the establishments for trying to jeopardize the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay. “No matter how much effort we give in cleaning the Manila Bay, nothing will happen if we allow these errant business owners to do what they are doing,” he said.

He reminded business owners of their duty to religiously comply with existing environmental laws and regulations.

“We are calling out the attention of business owners, not only around Manila Bay, but all over the country to check on their environmental compliance,” he said.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

The Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 7, a 22.8km-long elevated rapid transit line under construction, is one of the flagship projects of the Duterte administration under the "Build, Build, Build" Program. The elevated line will run from North Avenue, Quezon City, to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and will include 14 stations.

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines announced on Wednesday that it is offering one-time free rebooking for international tickets purchased on or before March 31 except for tickets originating in Japan and Korea.

The move, according to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, aim to provide air travelers added flexibility to rebook their flights in time for the COVID-19 concerns.

“If you wish to avail of this offering, you may request for free rebooking at least seven days before your original flight departure date, for travel at any time within the validity of your ticket,” said Villaluna.

The offer covers all types of fares, including Economy Supersaver, Saver and Value fares.

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION agents arrested an Iranian and Myanmar nationals for overstaying and undesirable aliens in separate operations in Laguna and Batangas.

The Indian citizen was identified as John Simon, while the Iranian, Arazil Saeid 25, were arrested in Sta. Rosa and Lipa cities in Laguna and Batangas, respectively.

“Simon was arrested in his residence through the assistance of the Sta. Rosa City Police, which resulted in a joint operation against the subject,” Bureau of Immigration-Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said, adding that “upon verification of his travel documents, it was confirmed that he arrived in the country in 2012 and been overstaying since 2016, which is a deportable offense.”

Meanwhile, the 42 year-old Arazil was nabbed n Lipa City after attending a hearing at the Lipa City Hall of Justice, following a warrant of deportation issued last November.

Immigration records said Arazil misrepresented in his application for a temporary residence and was ordered deported last August 2018.

“Arazil is facing deportation for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 for misrepresentation, and has been tagged as an undesirable alien. The Commissioner ordered that he be located and arrested, to be able to implement the deportation,” he said.

The two are currently detained at the BI Warden Facility pending deportation.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente again warned illegal aliens hiding in the country.

“Let these arrests serve as a warning to foreign nationals who blatantly disregard our laws. Comply, or face deportation,” he said.

Realty firm exec offers P3m vs. ‘gunman’

PAL offers one-time rebooking for int’l flights

By Joel E. Zurbano

BI arrests 2 ‘overstaying’ foreigners

“We will not charge you rebooking fees or penalties for this change. However, if seats for the same fare type are not available on your chosen flight, the fare difference amount will be charged,” Villaluna said.

For succeeding (second) rebooking, penalties and charges may apply in line with the stated fare conditions, she added.

PAL has canceled the following flights due to the travel ban in relation to the coronavirus: 28 round trip flights to and from Doha, 75 round trip flights to and from South Korea (Incheon and Busan), and 69 round trip flights to and from Mainland China and Special Administrative Regions Hong Kong and Macau.

The airline assured its passengers that at the airport, preventive measures are in place.

“We work closely with the Bureau of Quarantine to ensure that our passengers get screened via thermal imagery scanning. Our cabins are subjected to disinfection using high-grade industrial disinfectants. The interior of the cabin—seats, windows, galleys, lavatories, etc.—go through this intensive process.”

PAL cargo hold is also disinfected as well as passenger luggage before these are loaded off the aircraft while cabin crew wear face masks in all phases of the flight and gloves at specific phases of the flight and the planes have hepa filters which purify the air inside the cabin.”

“We continue to cooperate with health authorities in providing essential information in the name of public health and the national interest,” the PAL management said.

A BIG-TIME developer on Wednesday came forward to offer a P3-million cash reward to anyone who could give information on the identity of the mastermind and gunman who tried to kill him in his own home in Pampanga.

At the weekly Kamuning Bakery forum in Quezon City, Jeffrey Dizon, a 48-year-old real-estate developer of St. Catherine Realty, said he is giving the reward “because I am facing a blank wall as to who the perpetrators of the crime are.”

“I am not accusing anyone. I do not have the evidence yet,” Dizon said.

He said he fears for the life of his three children. “I know if I die, my children’s lives would be put in danger.”

Dizon is a scion of a wealthy family who owns various real-property developments and belongs to a political clan.

He is the eldest son of the founders of St. Catherine Realty in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Dizon said that he stepped out of his house due to a poor cellphone signal when he was shot by an unknown man.

“Luckily, the bullet missed to hit me.

I have no known enemy,” he said, adding that “the attempt to kill me did not only happen once.” Rio M. Araja

Sports

Hataman: Basilan Steel story a triumph of heart

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONALTRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 105, QUEZON CITY

Standard

TODAY

D

MA. NENITA CHING ET AL., Plaintiff, -versus-

EPUTY Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman lauded the Basilan Steel cagers for winning Game 1 of their semifinal bout against the Davao Occidental Tigers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup last Mar. 9 in Davao City.

“By going the extra mile and getting this far, each and every member of the Basilan Steel basketball team is already a champion in the hearts of every Basileño,” said Hataman.

“Much like our province where the team gets its name, the story of Basilan Steel is one of unfaltering perseverance against seemingly insurmountable odds. Kung nasubaybayan niyo ang mga laro ng Basilan, makikita niyo kung gaano kalaki ang mga puso ng mge manlalaro sa aming team,” Hataman, one avid supporter of Basilan Steel, said.

“At napatunayan ito ng mga nakaraang laro ng Basilan. Out of 31 teams, only four is left. Kahit na mukhang talo na, kahit sa isip ng mga tao na mahirap nang manalo, may pag-asa pa rin kung magpupursige.

Ganyan din ang kwento ng aming lalawigan, pareho ng istorya ng Basilan Steel,” he added.

This is the second season of Basilan Steel in the MPBL, where it placed third to the last during the last one. The team was organized in the hope of redefining negative perceptions against Basilan through basketball.

“This is part of our efforts to re-establish Basilan as a vibrant province that has a world of beautiful things to offer: its rich cultural

diversity, the warm hospitality of its people, and the stunning natural landscapes and tourist spots, among others,” Hataman expressed.

“And I am happy that it is working.

Madami nang games ng MPBL ang ginanap dito. Celebrities like Manny Pacquiao and Gerald Anderson even went here together with the teams to support MPBL. These are manifestations that our efforts to present a peaceful Basilan are a success,” he said.

Game 2 of the best-of-three semifinals will be held in the Lamitan City Gym in Basilan, a homecourt advantage.

“Representing Basilan in a national league serves as a unifying factor for Basileños. It is good to see that Basileños all over the Philippines and world are rallying behind one team. And this proves that we can also rally and achieve greater visions for the province in terms of development,” said the former governor of the now-defunct ARMM. “Basilan Steel isn’t just about basketball.

It is about the people of Basilan trying to reclaim its old glory. Pero para sa akin, pareho nang winner ang Basilan Steel at Davao Occidental Tigers. Kahit sinuman ang manalo sa kanila, sigurado tayong taga-Mindanao ang team na papasok sa national finals. May the best team win,” Hataman said.

A7

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

CASE NO. R-QZN-15-10203-CV

SUMMONS HILARIA FRANCISCO VD. DE VILLEGAS, ET AL., Defendants. x---------------------------------------------x TO: HEIRS OF HILARIA FANCISCO VDA. DE VILLEGAS No. 29 Kalawag St., San Fancisco Del Monte, Quezon City

ANNEX “C”

(Sgd.) ARTURO S. SANTOS Counsel for the Plaintiff 6/F TRIDA Building, now Parkview Plaza T.M. Kalaw cor. Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila IBP LIFETIME MEMBER NO. 437471/01-05-98 PTR NO. 3817936/105-15/Manila ROLL NO. 24816 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0017322/04-23-13 Tel. No. 525-1355 VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, MA. NENITA CHING, of legal age, Filipino, married to Jesse Ching and a resident of Unit C20 Landwealth, 1995 Juna Luna St., Tondo, Manila, after first having been duly sworn, do hereby depose and say: 1. I am on of the plaintiffs in the above-entitled complaint;

GREETINGS: You are hereby required, within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the complaint.

WITNESS, my hand under the seal of the Court this 16th day of January 2020.

(Sgd.) DOMINADOR C. GUZMAN, JR. Branch Clerk of Court

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT QUEZON CITY, BRANCH ____ MA.NENITA CHING in her capacity as the Attorney-In-Fact of ANITA LAMORENA ANTONIO MARK JAYSON ANTONIO MASAGANDA, JEFFREY ANTONIO MASAGANDA SHEILA ANTONIO MASAGANDA and LIGAYA MASAGANDA MADRID, Plaintiffs, -versus-

November 5,2015

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-15-10203-CV FOR: REVIVAL OF JUDGMENT AND SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

2. I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing Petition, I have read and understood the same and all the material allegations contained herein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and based on authentic records; 3. I certify that I have not commenced any similar action or proceeding in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or any other tribunal or agency; to the best of my knowledge, no such similar action or proceeding is pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any other tribunal or agency; and if I should learn thereafter that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before the aforesaid courts or agencies, I will promptly inform this Honorable Court within 5 days therefrom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 5th day of November, 2015 at Manila.

(Sgd) MA. NENITA CHING Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 5th day of November 2015 at Manila, affiant presented to me her identification card with signature and photograph as competent proof of her identity.

DOC. NO. 486; PAGE NO. 98; BOOK NO. 59; SERIES OF 2015

ANNEX “A”

HILARIA FRANCISCO VDA. DE VILLEGAS, VILLAMOR I. DELOS SANTOS, SR. and BENJAMIN I.DELOS SANTOS, Defendants. x---------------------------------------------------x

ANNEX “D”

COMPLAINT PLAINTIFFS, through counsel, to this Honorable Court respectfully allege: 1. The parties in this case are: a) MA. NENITA CHING, plaintiff, of legal age, Filipino, married to Jesse Ching and a resident of Unit C20 Landwealth, 1995 Juna Luna St., Tondo, Manila, in her capacity as attorney-in-fact of ANITA LAMORENA ANTONIO, MARK JAYSON ANTONIO MASAGANDA, SHEILA ANTONIO MASAGANDA and LIGAYA MASAGANDA-MADRID, as per Irrevocable Power of Attorney hereto attached as Annex “A”. b) HILARIA FRANCISCO VDA. DE VILLEGAS, as defendant, of legal age, Filipino and a resident of No. 29 Kalawag St., San Fracisco Del Monte, Quezon City; and c) VILLAMOR I. DELOS SANTOS, SR. and BENJAMIN I. DELOS SANTOS defendants, both of legal age, Filipinos and residents of No. 34 Umali St., San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City.

FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION 2. Domingo delos Santos and Dominga delos Santos Masaganda (now both deceased) filed before this Honorable Court a complaint for Reconveyance with Damages docketed as Civil Case No. Q-90-7069 against Hilaria Francisco Vda. De Villegas.

3. After trial, Branch 94 of this Honorable Court rendered a Decision dated October 14, 1996 disposing the case as follows: “WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered: 1. Ordering the defendant to reconvey in accordance with law the subject property in favor of the herein plaintiffs; 2. Ordering the defendant to pay plaintiffs P30,000.00 by way of moral damages as well as P20,000.00 by way of exemplary damages; 3. To pay attorney’s fees of P20,000.00 plus costs.”

A copy of the decision is hereto attached as Annex “B”.

Shown here is Team Basilan Steel after winning Game 1 of the playoffs against the Bacoor Strikers at the RMC Petrogazz Gym in Davao City. With Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv are Hegem Furigay, Team Owner, and Mayors Jul Adnan Hataman of Sumisip, Hani Bud of Maluso, and Durie Kallahal of Tuburan.

San Juan Knights tie CBA finals

By Arman Armero THE San Juan Knights recovered from a Game 1 loss in style, beating the hard-fighting Palayan City Capitals at their own homecourt at Gapan City Gymnasium in Nueva Ecija, 74-66, over the weekend to even the best-ofthree championship series in the Community Basketball Association Executive Cup Finals at one game apiece.

The Knights, who lost Game 1 at the San Juan Gym a week ago, started the game firing on all cylinders, as they stormed to an early 17-7 lead before ending the first frame with a huge 23-9 advantage.

Ato Ular, who posted his second doubledouble of 20 points and 14 boards in the Finals, starred in that stretch, scoring almost at will around the paint against the smaller Capitals’ frontline.

With Judel Fuentes and Arvin Gamboa joining the scoring fray, San Juan’s lead ballooned to as many as 21, before ending the half still comfortably ahead at 44-25.

The Capitals fought back in the third, outscoring the suddenly error-prone Knights, 29-14, capped by a buzzer-beating trey from Renz Alcoriza to trail by only three, 55-58, entering the fourth.

The Capitals, however, fell short as they missed several chances in the crucial stages of the final frame as the Knights proved to be steadier from there, with Lugo and Gamboa scoring key baskets from the free throw line.

Adrian Nocum had nine while Lugo added eight for the Knights, who shot better from the field, 25-52 (45%) to the Capitals’ 24-59 (40%), and had more rebounds, 50-37.

Gilmer Dela Torre, who led Palayan’s big run in the third quarter, finished with 22 points, while Levi dela Cruz added 10 for Palayan.

“Maagang nag-celebrate ang mga players.

Akala nila champion na sila. Noong maunahan, nanggigil namang humabol, nawala na ang laro,” rued Palayan coach Alvin Grey.

Grey, however, remains confident that the Capitals can still recover and win the title that comes with a P1-million cash prize from the organizing CBA, led by its president Carlo Maceda.

“We have to adjust at maibalik naming ‘yung nilaro namin sa Game 1. Kakayanin pa naming ‘yan.”

Game 3 will be held next weekend at the new Paco Coliseum in Manila. Details will be announced later.

Morilla, Lee seize control in Q-School FRANCIS Morilla banged in a late birdie at the front to save a 73 in tough conditions and wrest the halfway lead in the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School (local) at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Batangas yesterday.

Morilla, who carded an eagle-spiked 70 in Tuesday’s opener of the 72-hole elims, appeared headed for a fumbling finish after a rollercoaster three birdie-bogey backside start with bogeys on Nos. 3 and 5. But he birdied the par-3 No. 6 then parred the last three to salvage a 3736 and move in front at 143 as he bolstered his bid for a Tour card after ending up at No. 56 in last year’s PGT Order of Merit.

Sean Talmadge missed joining him on top with a

bogey on the ninth with the power-hitting former San Jose State U mainstay settling for a second straight 72 and dropping into a four-way tie for second at 144.

They include former national champion Lloyd Go, who sizzled with six birdies against three bogeys for one of the day’s two best 69s, Bonifacio Salahog, who also matched par 72, and Anthony Fernando, who hobbled with 75.

Arnold Villacencio, flawless with a tournamentleading eagle-spike 67 after 18 holes, limped with a 78, his 41-37 card marred by a double-bogey and five bogeys against one birdie. He slipped to sixth at 145 but safely made it to the top 40 plus ties advancing to the last

36 holes where the top 30 will gain Category 6 status in this year’s PGT starting fields.

The rest will be included in Category 9.

Over in Q-School for foreign hopefuls, CJ Lee of the US rallied with three frontside birdies to shoot a 71 and storm ahead at 141, now two-strokes up on erstwhile co-leader Romano Saincic of South Africa, who struggled with a 73 for a 143.

Japanese Gen Nagai also groped for a 75 after an opening 70, slipping to third at 145 in a tie with Aussie William Bruyeres, who carded a 73, while Korean Hwang Myung Chal pooled a 147 for fifth after a 74 followed by amateur Anthony Gutierrez of the US (73-148) and fellow American Greg Gonzalez (73-152).

ANNEX “E”

4. Defendant Hilaria Francisco Vda. De Villegas timely appealed the said decision to the Court of Appeals docketed as CA-GR- CV No. 55828.

5. After due proceedings the 10th Division of the Court of Appeals promulgated its decision affirming the Decision of the RTC, except pars. 2 & 3 thereof granting damages and attorney’s fees which were ordered deleted.

6. Consequently, the defendant Hilaria Fracisco Vda. De Villegas elevated the case to the Supreme Court via a petition for review on certiorari under G.R. No. 168212 and July 25, 2005, its 3rd Division the Supreme Court issued a Resolution denying the aforesaid petition for review.

7. The said Resolution of the Supreme Court became final on November 8, 2005.

8. However, the former counsel for the deceased Domingo delos Santos and Dominga delos Santos Masaganda did not take the necessary steps to execute or enforce the said judgment within the 5-year period, hence this action for revival of judgment pursuant to Section 6, Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, in relation to Articles 1144 of the Civil Code.

ANNEX “B”

SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION 9. During the pendency of Civil Case No. Q-90-7069 Domingo delos Santos and Dominga delos Santos Masaganda while still alive, entered into an Agreement dated March 15, 1995 with Irene Ong (now deceased), the mother of plaintiff M. Nenita Ching binding themselves to sell a 300-square meter portion of the property described in TCT no. 273575 with an area of 374 square meters in the event a decision is rendered in their favor, a copy of the said Agreement is hereto attached as Annex “C”.

10. The parties in the said Agreement have partially complied with their respective obligations thereunder.

11. Specifically, Ma. Nenita Ching a have paid substantial advances which Domingo delos Santos and Dominga delos Santos Masaganda have accepted as consideration of the sale.

12. On her part, Dominga delos Santos Masaganda executed a Deed of Absolute Sale dated August 22, 2008 in favor of plaintiff Ma. Nenita Ching, in substitution of her mother, a photocopy of which is hereto attached as Annex “D”.

13. However, the said Deed of Absolute Sale was not registered because the TCT No. 273575 covering the property had remained in the name of Hilaria Francisco Vda. De Villegas because the final judgment of Branch 94 Annex “B”, as affirmed by the Court of Appeals, have become stale.

14. Furthermore, Domingo delos Santos passed away on February 6, 2006. He was survived by spouse, Caridad Delos Santos and his legitimate sons Villamor I. Delos Santos, Sr. and Benjamin I. Delos Santos.

15. On December 3, 2008 Domingo delos Santos Masaganda died. She was survived by her legitimate children, Rodolfo Delos Santos Masaganda ang Ligaya Masaganda Madrid.

ANNEX “F”

16. Rodolfo delos Santos Masaganda passed away on June 2, 2011. He was survived by his spouse Anita Lamorena Antonio and his children Mark Jayson Antonio Masaganda, Jeffrey Antonio Masaganda, Sheila Antonio Masaganda and Christian Antonio Masaganda who died on August 6, 2013 without any issue.

17. Ligaya Masaganda-Madrid who is still alive and the said heirs of Rodolfo delos Santos Masaganda have recognized the obligation of their ancestors under the Agreement hence they have executed the following documents to carry out and give effect thereto: a) Ligaya Masaganda-Madrid executed a Deed of Absolute Sale transferring her share in the property to plaintiff, a photocopy of which is hereto attached as Annex “E”. b) The heirs of Rodolfo delos Santos Masaganda, executed an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Sale dated November 5, 2015, in favor of plaintiff, Ma. Nenita Ching, a photocopy of which is attached as Annex “F”.

18. The heirs of the deceased Domingo delos Santos have yet to comply with the obligation which they inherited from their father, but despite demands, the said heirs failed and refused to perform their said obligation.

THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION 19. Because of the failure of defendants Villamor I. Delos Santos, Sr. and Benjamin I. Delos Santos to comply with the obligation which prompted plaintiff Ma. Nenita Ching to file his action for specific performance, the said plaintiff was compelled to engage services of counsel thereby incurring the sumof P 100,000.00 as acceptance fee, P5,000.00 per appearance and the sum of P300,000.00 as attorney’s fees.

RELIEF WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that after due proceeding, a judgment be rendered as follows: 1. The first cause of action in this complaint be granted and that the decision dated October 14, 1996 in Civil Case No. Q-90-7069 be revived pursuant to Rule 39, Section 6 of the Rules of Court; 2. With respect to the second cause of action, the defendants Villamor I. Delos Santos, Sr. and Benjamin I. Delos Santos be ordered to specifically perform the obligation of their deceased father Domingo delos Santos under the Memorandum of Agreement Annex “C” hereof; 3. Under the third cause of action, the defendants Villamor I. Delos Santos Sr. and Benjamin I. Delos Santos be ordered to solidarity pay plaintiff Ma. Nenita Ching the sum of P100,000.00 as acceptance fee, P5,000.00 per appearance and the sum of P300,000.00 as attorney’s fees, plus costs.

PLAINTIFF, further prays for other just reliefs.

(MStandard - Mar. 5, 12 & 19, 2020)

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

Sports

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial holds a press conference announcing the cancellation of games until further notice at the PBA Office.

‘Cancelling Tokyo Olympics inconceivable’ TOKYO—Postponing or cancelling the Tokyo Olympics is “inconceivable”, Japan’s Olympic minister said Wednesday, as the new coronavirus outbreak raises fears the event could be scrapped.

“From the viewpoint of athletes who are the main protagonists in the Tokyo Games, as they are making adjustments and preparations for this once-in-fouryears event... it is inconceivable to cancel or postpone,” Seiko Hashimoto told a parliament committee.

She conceded that “it is the IOC (International Olympic Committee) who will make a final decision on the Games”.

Hashimoto added: “We think it is important that the government gives correct information so that the IOC makes an appropriate decision.”

The rapid spread of the virus, which has infected more than 560 people and been linked to 12 deaths in Japan, has cast a shadow over preparations for the Games.

Hashimoto’s comments came after the Wall Street Journal quoted a member of the Tokyo’s organisers’ executive board as saying a delay of two years would be the most realistic option if the Games cannot be held this summer.

“We’ll have to start talking about this seriously from April,” Haruyuki Takahashi told the Journal, adding the board has not yet discussed the issue.

Asked about the report, Hashimoto said she was told by the 2020 organizers that they are preparing for the Games as scheduled from July 24 to August 9.

Tokyo 2020 organizers said they had “sought clarification” from Takahashi.

“He stated he had inadvertently given his personal opinion in response to a hypothetical question,” a statement said.

“As IOC President (Thomas) Bach stated the other day, neither the IOC nor the organizing committee are considering postponing or cancelling the Tokyo 2020 Games, and we are proceeding with our preparations for a safe and secure Games opening on 24 July 2020 as planned.”

What has the Games cost Japan?

At the end of 2019, organisers estimated the total cost of the Games at around 1.35 trillion yen ($12.6 billion). AFP

Flyweight Magno nails Tokyo Olympics’ berth

By Peter Atencio

U

SING the experience of losing to an Olympian as motivation, Irish Magno beat her Tajikistan foe in the 2020 Asia/Oceania boxing qualifying tournament in Amman, Jordan to become the fourth Filipino qualifier to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

After bowing out of contention in the Round of 16, the 28-year-old Magno turned back Tajikistan’s Sumaiya Qosimova via unanimous decision, 4-1, in the women’s flyweight box-off yesterday.

With her win, there will now be four Filipinos headed to the Tokyo Olympics.

This includes pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Eumir Marcial.

According to the accounts on the tournament’s livestream, Magno proved to be a better puncher in the early rounds with her left-right combinations.

Magno hurt Qosimova with a sharp left jab and this gave her a 5-0 edge in Round 1.

After Magno outpunched Qosimova, she took Round 2 with a 10-8 score.

Magno earlier bowed to six-time flyweight world champion Mary Kom of India, but she made it to the Olympics on her second try.

Irish Magno Kom, the London Olympics 2012 bronze medallist, almost knocked Magno out of contention, when she also won by unanimous division over the Filipino a few days back.

Magno said she followed the instructions of coach Roel Velasco when they studied the videotape on how she lost to

Kom, who could be her fiercest rival for the gold in Tokyo.

“I listened to coach Roel because he saw the fight of my opponent. We studied it well, and this is the result,” said Magno in a livestreamed interview.

Meanwhile, Philippine bet Carlo Paalam bowed out of contention in the men’s flyweight boxoffs.

Paalam succumbed to Kazakhstan’s fourth-seeded

by Saken Bibossinov, 1-4, by unanimous decision.

Bibossinov, a southpaw, was good with his left crosses as the Kazakh took Round 1, 4-1.

After he got past Paalam’s defense, the Kazakh earned more points, 3-2, in Round 2.

Earlier, the 24-year-old Marcial made it to the championship round after he hurdled Ashish Kumar of India via a split decision victory in their middleweight division semifinals.

Tebow grateful of chance to play for PH NEW York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow expressed his gratefulness for being allowed to played for the Philippine national team.

“Grateful and excited to play for team Philippines in the @WBCbaseball,” said Tebow on Twitter.

Tebow, who was born in the Philippines while his parents were served as Baptist missionaries, said he is serious in intent to see action for the Philippines in the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Tucson in Arizona.

He recalled the time when he spent his first three years in Manila, before the young Tebow was sent back to the United States.

During their stay in the Philippines, his mother Pamela contracted amoebic dysentery and fell into a coma.

Reports said that while Pamela was recovering, she discovered that she was pregnant and the medications used to treat Pamela caused a severe placental abruption.

Doctors expected a stillbirth and recommended an abortion, which was illegal in the Philippines even in severe cases, but the Tebows decided against it.

Tebow became a starting quarterback for National Football League club Denver Broncos, turned to baseball in 2016, and won a the coveted Heisman trophy back in college when he was still into American football.

While playing baseball, Tebow appeared in 77 games for the Syracuse Mets—the Triple-A affiliate of New York Mets—in 2019, earning an invitation to the Major League spring training camp.

Tebow, who is married to 2017 Miss University Demi-Leigh Nel Peters, said that the Philippines is close to his heart.

He will be around when the Philippines competes for one of two spots in the 2021 World Baseball Classic from March 20 to 25.

The Philippines has been drawn into Pool Two along with Czech Republic, Great Britain, New Zealand, Panama and Spain.

Tim Tebow is excited to play for the Philippines, the country of his birth in the World Baseball Classic. timtebow.com

The family is known for setting up charities since the 1980s in Davao City, through Tebow patriarch Bob, such as the Tebow CURE Hospital, which provides pediatric orthopedic surgical care in Davao City, and the Uncle Dick’s Home orphanage in South Cotabato.

PBA cancels all games indefinitely NO basketball games will be held until further notice.

The Board of Governors of the Philippine Basketball Association said this following a special meeting held last Tuesday night.

In the statement, officials of the PBA said that they have “decided with prudence to cancel its on-going PBA Philippine Cup and PBA D-League Aspirants Cup games and activities and PBA 3x3 inaugurals amid growing concerns on the spread of the coronavirus disease.

“Considering the present situation surrounding COVID-19 and the Presidential declaration of Public Health Emergency, it is our paramount duty and responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our fans, players, teams, officials and staff,” said the board of governors in a statement.

Officials said the league will assess the effects of Covid-19 on a day-to-day basis.

And this is with the guidance of the parameters set by the Department of Health and the World Health Organization.

“Considering the present situation surrounding COVID-19 and the Presidential declaration of Public Health Emergency, it is our paramount duty and responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our fans, players, teams, officials and staff,” PBA wrote on its social media page.

It was reported that seven of the 33 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Philippines are residents of San Juan City in Metro Manila, Of the nine new cases announced on Tuesday, two are residents of the city.

Peter Atencio

McIlroy chasing 1st back-to-back at Players’ meet PONTE VERDA MEET—Rory McIlroy has his eye on a piece of PGA Tour history this week as he targets a successful defense of The Players Championship.

The world number one arrives at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida aiming to become the first player to go back-toback at TPC Sawgrass.

“I don’t think you ever need an extra motivation when you come to this golf tournament, but to be the first one to defend here would be very cool,” McIlroy told reporters on Tuesday.

McIlroy will tee off on Thursday after an encouraging start to the season that has seen him post five topfive finishes in six starts.

He was in the hunt for victory at last weekend’s Arnold Palmer Invitational but slid out of contention after two double-bogeys on the final round.

Nevertheless, the Northern Irishman sees similarities between his start to this season and last year, when he bagged the first of four wins in 2019 at The Players after a run of consistent performances.

“It’s nice to be back,” McIlroy said. “A lot of similarities between this year and last year in terms of how I’ve played the first few events of the year, given myself some chances, haven’t quite been able to capitalize, and yeah, obviously would be wonderful to replicate what happened last year.”

Webb Simpson, the 2018 Players Champion, will not be surprised if McIlroy ends up walking away with the $2.7 million winner’s cheque this weekend.

Simpson believes the 30-year-old McIlroy is comfortably the world’s best player.

“Not needing to say this, but he’s certainly the best player in the world right now,” Simpson said. “He’s floated in and out of the best player in the world for his whole career it seems like.

SMB’s Romeo is Mr. Quality Minutes

Members of TNT KaTropa (from left) Ryan Reyes, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Kib Montalbo, Troy Rosario, and Val Chauca join in the fun at the recent PBA Media Day right before the start of the 45th Season.

TERRENCE Romeo has fitted in nicely with his new role at San Miguel Beer right in his first season with the team. As a result, he’ll be amply rewarded with a special citation during the 2019 PBA Press Corps Awards Night on March 16 at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City.

The fancy guard will be the recipient of the Mr. Quality Minutes award from the group of sportswriters regularly covering the PBA beat for providing a big help off the bench for the Beermen.

The task is a stark contrast to Romeo’s previous role as starter for teams NorthPort and TnT Katropa.

But the three-time scoring champion embraced the job with open arms

and was an instrumental in helping the Beermen win the championships of the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.

Romeo emerged Finals MVP of the mid-season conference.

Meanwhile, CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip leads the All-Rookie team, even as the classic do-or-die encounter between NorthPort and NLEX in the Governors Cup quarterfinals will be honored with the Game of the Season award in the affair presented by CIGNAL TV. Perez, the 2019 Rookie of the Year, will be joined in the rookie squad by NorthPort’s Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon of Rain or Shine, TnT Katropa’s Bobby Ray Parks, and Abu

Tratter of Alaska.

The Columbian Dyip guard is going to be awarded too, with the Scoring Champion title.

The Batang Pier-Road Warriors match on Nov. 27 for a seat in the semifinals on the other hand, is hailed as the best game played in the last PBA season.

The match went into triple overtime with no. 8 NorthPort scoring an upset against top seeded NLEX. It was one of the highest watched games last year, registering a high 1.5 million online views and was only surpassed by the 3.5 million views garnered by Game 2 of the Governors Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco.

IN BRIEF

Udenna completes Malampaya deal

UDENNA Corp. said wholly-owned subsidiary UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd. completed the acquisition of Chevron Malampaya LLC, which holds a 45-percent non-operating interest in the Malampaya natural gas project.

“This strategic move enables Udenna to become a joint venture partner in an energy asset of national significance,” Udenna said in a statement.

“We see immense potential in natural gas, the fuel of the future, and we are optimistic and excited to bring its full benefits to Filipinos. Taking a long view, this new milestone moves us closer to Udenna’s vision of being an indispensable partner in nation building,” Undenna chairman and chief executive Dennis Uy said.

“We look forward to working with our joint venture partners, Shell and PNOCEC, and Malampaya’s key stakeholders, including the Philippine Department of Energy, to ensure that Malampaya continues to play an important role in developing a sustainable clean energy business in the Philippines,” Uy said.

Business

LRT 1 extension at 36.8% progress

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, said the construction progress of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension reached a completion rate of 36.8 percent since the start of civil works in September 2019.

LRMC said the pre-cast yard and staging area were completed, with pillars already built along the stretch of Dr. Santos Station until MIA Station.

It said that with the construction works in full swing, a temporary road closure of the inner most lane (northbound) along Cavitex-Paranaque bridge was set for implementation from March 17 to 31, 2020.

This is to give way to the scheduled test pit works (bridge and pipe inspection) required for the construction in the area relative to the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project.

“We would like to request for the understanding and cooperation of all motorists using the Cavitex. The temporary road closure of one lane is necessary to prepare the foundations needed to construct the LRT-1 Cavite Extension in the area and complete it as scheduled,” said LRMC Cavite Extension Management Team project execution manager Reynaldo Pangilinan.

Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

B1

LandBank’s total assets reached over P2t in 2019

BSP seen to cut rates by 50 bps

STANDARD Chartered Bank expects a more “aggressive policy stance” from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas this year to counter the negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 on economic growth.

“We now expect Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cut the policy rate by 25 bps in March, followed by a third consecutive cut in May; we earlier expected only one rate cut,” the bank said in a report Wednesday.

“Global monetary easing following the risk of a more widespread coronavirus outbreak than earlier expected, combined with the likely negative hit to Philippines’ growth outlook, is likely to prompt more aggressive monetary policy from BSP,” it said.

It said the lower-than-expected inflation in February of 2.6 percent, slower than the 2.9 percent a month ago, provided space to ease, reducing worries about potential overheating.

“The risks to our call are balanced; the evolution of the outbreak would drive either more or fewer than the two rate cuts we project. BSP has room to ease further, if required,” the British bank said.

The bank sees a downside risks to its 2020 GDP growth forecast of 6.3 percent, adding it was assessing the extent of the downside impact. It also lowered its 2020 average inflation forecast to 2.9 percent from 3.7 percent prior on its expectation of lower fuel price inflation and reduced domestic consumption. Julito G. Rada

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

By Julito G. Rada

AXA’S PARTNER. AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, teams up with AVEGA Managed Care of Intellicare group, a leader in healthcare administration, to provide more convenient, accessible, and world-class healthcare to Filipinos via AXA’s premiere health plan Global Health Access. Signing the partnership agreement are (from left) AXA Philippines chief of retail propositions Alok Rungta, chief operating officer Malet Lepatan, president and chief executive Rahu Hora, Fullerton Health cofounder and executive director Dr. Michael Tan, AVEGA managed care president Mark Gamir, vice president and COO Jerico dela Cruz and head of marketing and sales Alan Richard.

SEC readies rules to help firms cope with COVID-19 T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE Securities and Exchange Commission said it is finalizing measures that will allow companies to use remote communication in regular and special meetings to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 on business operations.

“The disruption, risks and effects of the outbreak of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, transcend sectors,” SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said.

“In line with the president’s declaration of a state of public health emergency, the commission will explore and implement all appropriate measures to

help contain the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its effects,” Aquino said.

The agency said it was looking at extending the filing period for annual reports for corporations affected by the speed of the virus.

The corporate regulator said in a statement it would issue a memorandum circular to provide guidelines on the attendance and participation of directors, trustees, stockholders, members and other officers of corporations in regular and special meetings through remote communication, pursuant to Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code.

It said that upon approval of the guidelines, it would immediately allow corporations to conduct meetings through remote communication or other alternative modes to consider and approve the necessary provisions in their bylaws or internal procedures in time for their forthcoming annual stockholders’ or members’ meetings.

The SEC said it began holding meet-

ings through remote communication, allowing for the participation of the directors of its extension offices in Baguio, Tarlac, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

It is also set to issue a memorandum circular giving all affected companies more time to submit their annual reports (SEC Form 17-A), including annual financial statements, for the period ended December 31, 2019, as well as quarterly reports (SE Form 17-Q) for the first three months of 2020 for publicly listed companies.

The extension will allow companies affected by travel restrictions, suspension of business operations and other measures implemented to contain the COVID-19 outbreak to gather all information or documents necessary in the preparation and the subsequent audit of their reports.

It encouraged corporations to utilize SEC Express Nationwide Submission for their annual reports.

STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines, the country’s fourthlargest lender, said Wednesday total assets breached the P2-trillion mark in 2019, setting a record for the state financial institution that continued to expand the access of the agriculture sector to affordable credit while posting high-income growth.

LandBank president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said in a report to Finance Secretary and LandBank chairman Carlos Dominguez III that the bank’s total assets reached P2.033 trillion in 2019, up by 8.38 percent from P1.876 trillion in 2018.

“This new LandBank record was propelled by deposits amounting to P1.78 trillion, which recorded an uptick of 7.68 percent from P 1.66 trillion in 2018,” she said.

Borromeo said the bank’s net income also grew by 19.6 percent to P18.51 billion in 2019 from P15.48 billion in 2018.

“This translates into a return on equity of 13.19 percent, which is above the industry average of 10.38 percent as of September 2019,” she said.

LandBank’s total capital posted a 13.2-percent increase last year to P148.99 billion from P131.62 billion in 2018.

Gross loan portfolio rose 2.82 percent to P891.77 billion from P867.29 billion in 2018. Net investments increased by 12.53 percent to P694.86 billion last year from P617.47 billion in 2018.

The bank has 409 physical branches across the country and 2,195 automated teller machines, of which 238 were installed in 2019. It has 46 provincial lending centers, including two that opened in 2019 in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Quirino.

Dominguez said that in contrast to the Development Bank of the Philippines, which is the state’s wholesale bank, LandBank is the government’s retail bank which is why it is on the right track in opening more branches nationwide to expand financial access to more Filipinos.

BSP directs banks to report all money laundering attempts

San Miguel Food’s profit climbed 6% to P32.3b last year

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Wednesday urged all banks and other financial institutions to report any suspected money laundering transactions, whether completed or attempted, done by any of their clients.

This was contained in a circular signed

by Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier that amends certain provisions of the 2018 implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Council Regulatory Issuance A, B and C No. 1 Series of 2020.

It includes amendments to the filing of suspicious transactions reports.

“Suspicious transaction reports shall cover all transactions, whether completed or attempted; and suspicious transactions shall be promptly filed within the next working day from the occurrence thereof, which for the purposes of the rule, shall be the date of establishment of suspicion or determination of the suspicious nature of the transaction,” the circular read.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council earlier said there was an increasing level of threat of money laundering and other fraudulent activities with the proliferation of internet-based casinos in the country.

This conclusion was contained in AMLC’s study titled “Understanding the Internet-Based Casino Sector in the Philippines: A Risk Assessment” released Tuesday. The study was conducted as the growing sector is seen to pose a potential threat and may increase the risk to money laundering.

“There is an increasing level of threat to money laundering and other fraudulent activities. The number of investigations involving domestic Internet-based casino operators and service providers is growing. From 2017 to 2019, the recorded casino-kidnapping-related incidents totaled 63 cases,” the AMLC said.

Julito G. Rada

SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. said Wednesday net income rose 6 percent in 2019 to P32.28 billion from a year ago on the back of higher revenues.

SMFB said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues went up 9 percent year-on-year to P310.79 billion, led by higher volumes and average selling prices across key products.

Consolidated operating income also increased by 4 percent to P47.78 billion.

“We continue to remain confident in the strength of the Philippine consumer and resilience of the economy.

We believe we have the ability to overcome the challenges we now face as we continue to expand the breadth of our product offerings and reinforce our presence in markets,” SMFB president and chief executive Ramon Ang said.

“We remain focused on delivering the best products and providing improved results to all our stakeholders,” he said.

SMFB chief finance officer Ildefonso Alindogan said in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s P15-billion bond listing ceremony that operations remained unaffected by the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019.

“I think we’re still very positive about our prospects. The Filipino consumer is still very healthy. We have some noise in terms of the virus, some noise in terms of the markets. But I think from the medium-term to the long-term, the prospects of the business within SMFB is still very good,” he said.

Alindogan said the company would take the necessary procedures and steps ensure that it would not have any disruption in its operations.

Beer revenues grew 10 percent last year to P142.27 billion on higher domestic beer volumes.

Jenniffer B. Austria

MANULIFE-BANKCOM PARTNERSHIP. Manulife Asset Management and Trust Corpo. and Bank of Commerce sign a memorandum of agreement that makes MAMTC Unit Investment Trust Funds available to BankCom clients. Signing the agreement are (from left) Manulife vice president, treasurer and head of operations Gerlie Aman, Manulife president and chief executive Aira Gaspar, BankCom senior vice president and chief trust officer Gamalielh Ariel Benavides and BankCom vice president and head of investment and portfolio management department Amalia Belarmino.

Coalition asks DOH to discuss rights of vapers AN ASIAN alliance of tobacco harm reduction advocacy organizations asked the Philippines’ Department of Health to bring up the rights of Filipino smokers who want to switch to safer alternatives during the Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to be held in November 2020.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates also asked the DOH to question the restrictive policy of WHO that tolerates the use of combustible cigarettes, while discouraging the use of 95-percent less harmful smoke-free Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.

CAPHRA sent separate letters this month to Asian health ministers who will lead the preparation of their countries’ position on ENDS, preparatory to the COP9 of WHO-FCTC. There are 181 parties to the WHO

FCTC―a global treaty that seeks “to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke”.

The regular sessions of the Conference of the Parties are held every two years and will take place this year in The Hague, Netherlands in November. The WHO asked every signatory country to submit a summary of its position on ENDS preparatory to FCTC COP9.

The alliance said tobacco use causes a million deaths per year in the Asia Pacific region, with smoke as the main culprit. It said, however, that e-cigarettes provide smokers with an option to get away from smoking and could hasten the demise of the cigarette.

“It has been known for decades that tar, and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke, cause the death and disease as-

sociated with smoking, and not nicotine” said CAPHRA. CAPHRA said that as the FCTC has a mandate to pursue “harm reduction” as a core tobacco control policy, it has failed to acknowledge or implement this policy over the last 18 years. It has effectively deprived smokers of an effective way out of smoking, according to the coalition.

CAPHRA also noted that the successive FCTC-COPs had refused to consider the overwhelming scientific evidence proving ENDS to be a much less harmful alternative to smoking and an extraordinarily effective smoking cessation strategy that has worked for millions of smokers in developed countries.

“The WHO FCTC approach to smokefree alternatives is not only outdated but is making fertile ground to create an even more insidious and very real public health crisis,” CAPHRA said.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market climbs; Puregold advances T HE stock market rose Wednesday on mild bargain hunting, with investors picking up select issues that dropped steeply after the Black Monday crash.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 34.88 points, or 0.6 percent, to 6,353.26 on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 107 to 84, with 48 issues unchanged.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, advanced 5.2 percent to P166.30, while, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. climbed 5 percent to P640.50.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group increased 3 percent to P62.85, while Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co also rose 3

percent to P34 on prospects of increased sales following panic buying on select grocery items.

Meanwhile, a rally in equities and oil ran out of steam Wednesday as the deadly coronavirus outbreak continues its rapid global spread and investors nervously await a US relief plan.

The rest of Asian markets showed signs of some much-needed stability at the start of trade following two days of wild gyrations, thanks to a pledge by US President Donald Trump to unveil measures to counter the effects of the disease on the world’s biggest economy and key driver of global growth.

US markets had ended around five percent higher on Tuesday after suffering their worst day since the 2008 meltdown and tracking a strong bounce across Asia.

Safe-haven assets including the yen retreated, while yields on US Treasuries,

which hit a record low on Monday, rose.

But after showing some early promise, nerves set in and Asian shares fell into the red, while the yen resumed its gains against the dollar.

Tokyo and Seoul ended more than two percent down, while Shanghai finished 0.9 percent lower and Hong Kong shed 0.7 percent in late trade.

Sydney sank 3.6 percent, putting it into a bear market—a drop of at least 20 percent from a recent high—just two weeks after hitting a record. The index has several firms that rely on trade with China, while energy stocks have also been hammered by the oil rout.

Singapore and Taipei each lost at least one percent. Bangkok, Wellington and Jakarta were also lower, though Mumbai eked out small gains.

Trump promised “major” economic measures to combat the impact on the US economy and held talks with Republican

lawmakers, with an eye on a cut in payroll taxes as well as help for airlines, the cruise industry and small businesses.

The announcement from the president came as other governments pledge to act against the outbreak.

Italy’s leadership, which has put the entire country in quarantine, is eyeing a $16-billion package, while Japan has unveiled a multi-billiondollar emergency package. Australia and Canada are expected to unveil measures in the coming days, while the Bank of England slashed interest rates Wednesday, hours before the government announces a closely watched budget.

“Expectations for a ‘major’ fiscal stimulus package by the US government have underpinned sentiment—even if the volatility suggests the market still needs a bit of coaxing,” said AxiCorp’s Stephen Innes. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review wedneSday, March 11, 2020

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

48.5 72.1 139 23 17.74 9.66 3.36 1 750 0.395 51.7 0.67 10.7 27.8 150 49 19.3 140 57.3 1.1

48.5 73.45 141.8 23.35 18 9.98 3.36 1 750 0.445 51.7 0.68 10.7 28 153 49 19.3 143 57.5 1.18

48 71.5 133.3 22.7 17.7 9.66 3.36 1 750 0.39 47.8 0.67 10.62 27 150 49 19 136.1 56 1.1

FINANCIALS 48 200 72.8 2,688,420 136 3,929,730 23.15 97,100 17.7 16,600 9.68 307,400 3.36 1,000 1 1,000 750 100 0.4 6,730,000 48.1 3,482,100 0.68 9,000 10.62 3,100 27.5 56,500 150.3 590 49 500 19 4,000 136.1 822,110 57.3 19,530 1.18 18,000

9,650 194,733,026.50 545,057,653 2,242,805 294,336 2,981,347 3,360 1,000 75,000 2,786,850 169,070,980 6,050 33,002 1,559,055 88,692 24,500 76,090 114,294,109 1,110,711 20,450

47,132,128.50 36,850,555 -1,159,085 -71,100 -2,505,251 -48,290,110 10,620 530,320 23,829,105 -261,384 -

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

26.6 1.89 6.87 0.61 1.03 2.15 0.2 1.07 14 5.36 13.04 29 56 1.75 3.5 5.69 8.86 6.73 8.13 2.68 15.92 58.35 1.42 37 1.06 13.6 4.4 1.1 159 3.29 6 10.8 6.23 11.94 254 5.09 1.58 3.76 3.07 9.5 9.55 23.4 4.5 5 1.38 0.85 7.29 64.7 8.19 0.8 121 1.05 0.78

26.85 1.9 6.87 0.61 1.05 2.26 0.21 1.12 14.2 5.55 14.3 29 56 1.91 3.6 6.24 9.8 7.2 8.42 2.95 16.7 59.5 1.46 37 1.06 13.6 4.85 1.14 166.3 3.29 6.5 10.8 6.7 12 264.8 5.09 1.74 3.76 3.11 9.5 10.16 24 4.5 5 1.38 0.92 7.4 70 8.45 0.8 122.9 1.08 0.78

26 1.8 6.6 0.57 1.02 2.14 0.19 1.07 13.8 5.2 13.04 29 56 1.75 3.5 5.69 8.86 6.73 8.13 2.6 15.92 58.3 1.36 37 1.03 13.3 4.4 1.01 159 3.01 6 10.7 6.02 11.38 254 5.09 1.58 3.25 3.05 8.8 9.55 23.3 4.5 4.75 1.27 0.83 7.05 64.7 7.9 0.8 119.1 1.05 0.69

INDUSTRIAL 26.5 1,902,100 1.81 1,932,000 6.76 950,300 0.58 1,662,000 1.03 458,000 2.25 3,053,000 0.199 790,000 1.1 7,909,000 13.8 656,400 5.2 833,200 14.3 200 29 200 56 600 1.78 38,000 3.6 10,000 6.01 5,764,600 8.93 70,100 7.2 51,700 8.39 2,500,200 2.91 10,461,000 16.3 4,229,600 58.35 43,030 1.37 24,688,000 37 300 1.06 3,935,000 13.6 243,300 4.68 686,000 1.01 265,000 166.3 916,340 3.1 8,000 6.5 2,500 10.76 4,512,700 6.18 4,438,200 11.8 941,700 256 432,120 5.09 3,000 1.6 380,000 3.25 9,000 3.07 2,964,000 8.9 62,400 10 56,100 23.65 477,300 4.5 684,000 4.98 19,900 1.34 530,000 0.83 765,000 7.15 206,800 67 94,610 7.9 150,100 0.8 25,000 120 1,657,940 1.08 6,520,000 0.7 1,842,000

50,248,055 3,582,320 6,423,451 956,210 468,800 6,713,550 152,550 8,653,800 9,161,816 4,475,619 2,734 5,800 33,600 69,600 35,500 34,643,547 635,030 357,405 20,719,621 29,556,030 ( 69,135,972 2,514,820.50 34,699,070 11,100 4,132,240 3,286,490 3,203,480 282,980 149,809,107 24,720 15,921 48,682,582 28,408,827 11,016,150 110,779,156 15,270 606,990 30,460 9,155,660 553,809 561,495 11,289,685 3,078,000 98,265 682,640 659,840 1,494,222 6,370,017.50 1,210,594 20,000 200,310,514 7,030,800 1,331,480

-14,806,780 -688,530 -3,730,146 -1,638,070 -1,585,920 6,322,570 -405,039 -2,900 -35,500 6,377,083 -417,035 -506,454 393,450.0002) 21,390,902 -1,217,003.50 -1,090,990 3,671,850 -126,010 42,768,674 3,640 -24,921,118 11,723,465 -8,061,712 -62,331,666 -336,390 -4,416,410 -2,200,035 2,635 35,200 -710,988 1,233,654.50 -334,454 -64,939,580 283,530 -

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER ZEUS HLDG

0.58 40.55 9.95 0.64 6.7 8.2 0.87 0.82 620 2 6 5.11 11.58 0.218 620 4.02 62 0.455 3.71 8.21 0.58 3.51 3.2 1 120 905 0.74 0.95 150 141.5 0.158

0.62 41.45 10.1 0.64 6.7 8.93 0.87 0.82 648 2.03 6.01 5.22 11.6 0.218 643 4.08 63.2 0.455 3.84 8.4 0.6 3.57 3.5 1 122.5 940 0.77 0.95 159.8 150 0.163

0.57 39.15 9.83 0.58 6.7 8.2 0.79 0.8 619 1.98 5.86 5.11 11.5 0.215 610.5 4.02 61.95 0.45 3.7 8.16 0.55 3.44 3.2 0.95 119.1 890.5 0.72 0.95 150 141 0.141

HOLDING FIRMS 0.61 13,926,000 39.35 955,500 10 6,769,300 0.61 123,000 6.7 100 8.35 3,900 1,558,000 0.8 0.8 400,000 640.5 574,130 2 10,727,000 6 1,337,500 5.2 10,665,500 11.5 10,100 0.215 120,000 622 88,580 4.08 27,000 62.85 2,067,460 0.45 330,000 3.71 61,000 8.31 11,089,400 0.55 71,000 3.5 64,128,000 3.3 76,000 0.95 11,000 119.5 168,400 900 946,440 0.73 498,000 0.95 24,000 159.8 50 150 3,240 0.152 2,430,000

8,372,100 37,965,545 67,199,601 73,870 670 32,410 1,257,570 323,400 367,004,215 21,558,880(20 8,017,146 55,285,232 117,032 26,040 54,997,575 109,260 129,477,873.5 ( 150,100 226,650 92,056,188 40,830 224,190,730 245,560 10,600 20,200,332 856,649,365 368,930 22,800 7,696 458,900 371,340

631,530 -22,159,805 7,425,157 88,918,690 ,586,419.9998) 59,630 -24,011,189 -3,480 -7,686,375 -48,960.00 24,627,988.5) -33,380 20,212,217 -41,093,380 -2,921,269 424,803,200 271,490 -

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG

14.1 0.74 8.01 1.29 0.66 37.55 1.45 4.47 5.92 0.47 0.75 0.76 0.175 0.295 8 16.78 0.34 1.08 0.9 3.19 0.145 0.325 0.8 0.275 2.04 20.95 1.93 3 36

14.22 0.82 8.01 1.29 0.67 38.4 1.47 4.47 6.1 0.485 0.75 0.77 0.175 0.295 8 16.9 0.345 1.12 0.97 3.26 0.161 0.395 0.85 0.275 2.05 21.85 1.93 3.05 36.85

14.1 0.72 8 1.29 0.64 37.25 1.43 4.38 5.92 0.465 0.75 0.76 0.17 0.28 7.6 16.04 0.34 1.05 0.9 3.11 0.145 0.32 0.75 0.275 2.03 20.15 1.81 3 34.8

PROPERTY 14.14 668,800 0.75 17,700,000 8 400 1.29 2,000 0.66 292,000 38.2 20,960,400 1.46 143,000 4.4 322,000 6.1 29,000 0.47 2,520,000 0.75 3,000 0.77 119,000 0.17 2,060,000 0.28 200,000 8 399,700 16.76 568,600 0.345 40,000 1.07 12,456,000 0.97 45,000 3.2 25,112,000 0.156 4,600,000 0.34 5,290,000 0.8 1,619,000 0.275 200,000 2.05 358,000 20.9 3,539,300 1.82 53,000 3.02 32,000 10,847,900 34.8

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

2.33 1.33 6.57 4.07

2.33 1.4 6.58 4.9

2.2 1.3 6.25 4.07

2.31 1.3 6.3 4.9

41,000 2,872,000 23,604,200 113,000

93,340 3,782,840 148,763,176 521,210

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

6.25 20.4 1.35 9.35 0.38 0.044 16.3 2.2 6.7 0.033 64.25 6.71 2.95 3.99 1.94 6 829 1,736 5.12 375 0.87 1.4 92.2 0.097 1.43 11.54 1.64 0.83 7.2 0.435 1.5 2.07 2.1 11.76 1.54 1.9 6.1 3.25 7.98 150 2 1,020 0.37 0.226 33 57 1.48 0.45 0.18 0.52 16.96

6.82 21.3 1.35 9.5 0.38 0.046 16.3 2.38 7.2 0.035 64.7 6.71 3.08 3.99 1.94 6.1 829 1,783 5.21 375 0.87 1.49 100 0.097 1.49 13.1 1.64 0.89 7.57 0.435 1.5 2.37 2.4 11.76 1.68 1.9 6.25 4.17 7.98 150.7 2.06 1,027 0.38 0.248 34 57.55 1.54 0.5 0.195 0.52 17.3

6.15 19.22 1.35 9.35 0.37 0.044 16.3 2.2 6.7 0.033 64.15 6.5 2.95 3.99 1.61 5.55 829 1,736 5.12 370 0.82 1.4 89.95 0.08 1.38 11.5 1.53 0.82 7 0.41 1.46 2.06 2.1 11.74 1.5 1.9 5.76 3.2 7.9 150 1.88 1,012 0.35 0.226 33 53.5 1.46 0.45 0.175 0.48 16.9

SERVICES 6.82 19.22 1.35 9.47 0.375 0.046 16.3 2.2 7.01 0.033 64.4 6.5 2.97 3.99 1.61 6 829 1,750 5.15 370 0.84 1.49 90.05 0.082 1.42 13.1 1.53 0.89 7.1 0.41 1.49 2.24 2.2 11.74 1.52 1.9 6.25 4.17 7.9 150 1.93 1,020 0.37 0.23 34 54.6 1.46 0.49 0.175 0.48 17.02

27,800 941,800 1,000 309,900 990,000 3,800,000 1,100 33,000 4,855,000 6,300,000 320,510 13,100 390,000 252,000 3,000 5,500 10 28,470 160,600 200 281,000 14,000 3,964,590 6,770,000 9,754,000 8,100 342,000 91,000 561,300 540,000 1,821,000 14,152,000 227,000 300 1,579,000 2,000 20,300 49,000 167,000 71,240 5,480,000 146,725 7,210,000 3,920,000 3,789,900 423,330 4,201,000 24,930,000 2,000,000 116,000 871,600

172,802 18,966,443 1,350 2,930,378 368,450 167,400 17,930 73,910 34,022,264 211,300 20,633,136.5(5, 85,191 1,175,790 1,005,480 5,400 32,596 8,290 49,875,770 829,178 74,500 234,210 20,770 371,934,004.50 566,010 14,054,610 ( 93,606 523,830 77,530 4,016,153 222,800 2,679,230 31,814,120 510,280 3,524 2,464,150 3,800 120,244 165,500 1,324,660 10,696,773 10,943,780 ( 149,824,200 2,668,550 916,910 127,055,375 23,744,986.50 6,206,510 11,726,350 366,050 58,920 14,871,024

-6,250 -1,516,395 22,234,321 424,734.5001) 13,020 -62,600 3,318,115 103,454,370 16,000 281,239.9997) 11,500 722,383 1,651,610 -63,750 -11,200 -51,028 257,620.0001) -35,974,730 49,140 2,038,265 -12,406,804 -2,506,110 -78,400 69,200 -7,306,388

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

0.0012 6.15 0.95 2 9.98 0.89 2.68 0.27 6.4 0.73 0.192 0.07 0.093 0.0079 0.58 2.16 0.87 0.0083 0.01 0.0072 2.57 5.9 17.36

0.0013 6.33 0.95 2.02 10.7 0.89 2.76 0.27 6.98 0.75 0.195 0.088 0.093 0.0079 0.62 2.16 0.87 0.0084 0.01 0.009 2.67 5.9 17.54

0.0011 5.82 0.86 2 9.98 0.89 2.68 0.27 6.15 0.69 0.192 0.07 0.071 0.0079 0.57 2 0.85 0.0083 0.0091 0.0072 2.54 4.85 17

MINING & OIL 0.0013 139,000,000 6.09 389,500 0.88 554,000 2 80,000 10.7 9,200 0.89 9,000 2.75 1,403,000 0.27 290,000 6.15 25,500 0.69 10,461,000 0.195 60,000 0.088 30,000 0.088 50,000 0.0079 1,000,000 0.57 78,000 2 1,051,000 0.85 16,000 0.0084 2,000,000 0.0091 20,000,000 0.0085 7,000,000 2.55 872,000 5 347,000 17.3 998,100

162,200 2,355,232 489,260 160,400 96,342 8,010 3,824,870 78,300 165,349 7,413,920 11,550 2,380 4,170 7,900 45,680 2,174,280 13,850 16,700 191,000 58,200 2,231,470 1,759,600 17,341,530(7,

-100,489 -88,000 20,000 -8,010 276,000 -3,574,050 7,680 -162,040 51,290 912,230.0003)

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

17.6 502 100.1 101.1 502 513 5.22 1,000 999 100 100.1 1,010 1,046 1,062 1,028 78 75.9 76 76.8 75.7 75.75 76.5

17.8 504.5 100.1 101.1 502 513 5.22 1,000 1,000 100 100.1 1,010 1,050 1,062 1,028 78 75.9 76 77 76 75.75 76.9

17.24 502 100.1 101.1 502 513 5.09 997 999 100 100.1 1,010 1,046 1,062 1,005 77.65 75.9 76 76.4 75.7 75.75 76.5

PREFERRED 17.24 412,000 504.5 20 100.1 20 101.1 2,000 502 280 513 20 5.09 6,000 998 365 1,000 2,300 100 9,030 100.1 209,000 1,010 200 1,050 7,010 1,062 50 1,028 8,475 77.8 9,750 75.9 110 76 3,000 76.4 178,600 76 2,710 75.75 6,700 76.9 4,960

7,207,138 10,065 2,002 202,200 140,560 10,260 30,770 364,180 2,299,000 903,000 20,920,900 202,000 7,356,460 53,100 8,662,380 758,776 8,349 228,000 13,675,239 205,180 507,525 380,274

LR WARRANT

0.95

0.95

0.8

WARRANTS 0.8 23,000

21,240

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

2.14 7.15 0.59

2.2 7.15 0.62

1.98 6.6 0.59

1.98 6.76 0.6

FIRST METRO ETF

96.35

98.7

96.15

MS 9,467,260 13,583,780 3,201 2,580 193,020 795,729,205 206,240 1,423,950 173,836 1,194,800 2,250 90,450 355,200 56,150 3,088,803 9,363,600 13,650 13,547,880 41,180 79,915,910 720,740 2,078,900 1,286,630 55,000 728,290 74,691,710 100,820 96,490 384,708,390

-14,140 -75,000 2,400 2,580 3,742,600 -25,900 -2,440 -399,000 2,250 15,960 448,370 -370,644 -5,486,370 -5,691,600 -16,320 -335,015 39,440 -50,069,930

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

USD TECH B2

0.94

0.94

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

18,192,848

INDUSTRIAL

101,372,769

HOLDING FIRMS

129,519,859

PROPERTY

136,847,476

SERVICES

113,481,122

MINING & OIL

185,725,311

GRAND TOTAL

687,588,606

0.9

SME

565,000 54,000 1,672,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 96.15 158,120 0.9

DDS

50,000

-10,047,359 -

819,780.00 -12,068,239 -

1,162,080 366,861 1,016,890

-61,000

15,364,941

-737,980

45,042

-

VALUE 1,517.51 (down) 15.19 1,034,554,798.91 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 7,598.56 (up) 168.63 957,378,526.414 HOLDING FIRMS 6,225.11 (up) 66.24 2,062,470,417.41 PROPERTY 3,433.39 (up) 6.62 SERVICES 1,236.22 (up) 3.59 1,547,245,804.14 MINING & OIL 5,687.52 (down) 87.89 960,900,342.77 PSEI 6,353.26 (up) 34.88 38,620,623.65 All Shares Index 3,808.73 (up) 20.21 6,619,081,433.74 Gainers: 107; Losers: 84; Unchanged: 48; Total: 239

Tan’s LT Group okays program to buy back P2b worth of shares

By Jenniffer B. Austria LT GROUP Inc., the listed holding company of tycoon Lucio Tan, wants to buy back up to P2 billion worth of shares from the market.

LT Group in a disclosure to the stock exchange said the company would repurchase shares from the Philippine Stock Exchange starting March 20, 2020 until December 31, 2021.

The conglomerate, which has investments in banking, tobacco, liquor, sugar milling, and real estate, will fund the share buyback program using its unrestricted retained earnings. It intends to resell the share to the market “when it is beneficial to the corporation”.

From a 52-week high of P17.60 per share recorded in March last year, stock price of LT Group recently plunged to a 52-week low of P6.63 per share due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Several listed companies earlier announced similar share buyback programs while some increased the size of their buybacks amid the current market sell-off on fears related to the spread of COVID-19.

Among these companies are Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Megaworld Construction Corp. and Ayala Land Inc. LT Group reported an attributable net income of P14.72 billion in the first nine months of 2019, up 17 percent from P12.57 billion year-on-year.

Philippine National Bank contributed P3.64 billion or 25 percent of the total net income while the tobacco business accounted for P9.57 billion or 65 percent.

Eton Properties Philippines Inc. contributed P626 million, followed by Tanduay Distillers Inc. which accounted for P509 million. Asia Brewery Inc. provided P254 million.

The company’s 30.9-percent stake in Victorias Milling Company Inc. accounted for P148 million.

The conglomerate in July participated in the P12-billion stock rights offering of PNB by buying P7.2 billion worth of shares.

MerryMart readies P1.6-b initial public offering this month MERRYMART Consumer Corp. is pushing through with a planned P1.6billion initial public offering after obtaining the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC on Tuesday approved MerryMart’s public offering of 1.59 billion in primary common shares at a price of up to P1 apiece. The shares will be listed and traded on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The company plans to use net proceeds of P220.1 million from the offering to fund capital expenditures and initial working capital for store network expansion, investments in distribution centers and general corporate purposes MerryMart plans to build up its network to 1,200 by 2030 from just seven stores today.

The company plans to open its 100th store by the end of 2021 and increase the network to 600 outlets by 2025 before reaching 1,200 by 2030.

PNB Capital and Investment Corp. will serve as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and sole book-runner.

PNB president Gerry Valenciano said in an interview the MerryMart IPO remained on track this month despite current volatile market conditions.

The target offering period is on March 23 to March 27 this year while the listing date is tentatively set on April 2 this year.

MerryMart plans to put up companyowned stores as well as opening the network for franchising to the public after hitting its target of 1,200 stores, “We would like to take advantage of our group’s knowhow in franchising, and our familiarity of the Philippine market terrain, just like in the rollout of Mang Inasal, CityMall, Hotel 101 and CentralHub network. We believe this step will further strengthen the market grip of all the industries that our group is involved in,” MerryMart chairman Edgar Injap Sia II in a statement said.

“Our family initially had no plans to expand the retail business, but our recent experiences made us realize the need for us to be in the modern retail business, and we believe we will be in it while the transition from traditional retail to modern retail is still ongoing,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

World

B3

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Amazon could be gone in 50 years as it crosses threshold

AFTER THE CRASH. A plume of smoke is seen coming from an area after a Pakistani F-16 crashed during a rehearsal ahead of Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad on March 11, 2020. The jet crashed in an apparent accident during a rehearsal for a coming military parade in the capital, officials said. AFP

PARIS―The Amazon rain forest is nearing a threshold which, once crossed, would see one of the world’s largest and richest ecosystems morph into arid savannah within half-a-century, scientists said Tuesday.

Another major ecosystem, Caribbean coral reefs, could die off in only 15 years were it to pass its own pointof-no-return, the scientists reported in the journal Nature Communications.

Each of these so-called “regime changes” would have dire consequences for humanity and other species with which we share habitat, they warned.

In both cases the projected tipping point for irreversible change results from global warming and environmental damage -- deforestation in the case of the Amazon, and pollution and acidification for corals.

The UN’s climate science advisory panel, the IPCC, has said that 1.5 degrees Celsius of atmospheric warming above preindustrial levels would doom 90 percent of the world’s shallow-wa-

ter corals. A 2C rise would spell their near-complete demise.

Earth’s surface has already heated up more than 1C. The temperature tipping point for the Amazon is less clear, but scientists estimate that clearing 35 percent of its surface would trigger its eventual demise.

About 20 percent of the Amazon basin rain forest―straddling seven nations and covering more than five million square kilometers―has been wiped out since 1970, mostly for the production of lumber, soy, palm oil, biofuels and beef.

“Humanity needs to prepare for changes far sooner than expected,” said lead author Simon Willcock, a professor at Bangor University’s School of Natural Science.

Recent out-of-control fires in the Amazon and Australia -- both made more likely and more intense by climate change -- suggest that many ecosystems are “teetering on the edge of this precipice,” he added. AFP

Joe Biden notches big primary victories IN BRIEF P HILASELPHIA-Joe Biden moved a step closer on Tuesday to a November showdown with Donald Trump, notching up big primary wins over Bernie Sanders, his sole remaining challenger for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Biden, 77, the centrist former vice president, scored a resounding win in Michigan, where Sanders, 78, the leftist senator from Vermont, had hoped to make a stand.

He also cruised to victory in Missouri, Idaho and Mississippi.

The race was too close to call in Washington, the other major prize at stake, while North Dakota was also still

counting votes.

Addressing supporters in Philadelphia as his victory took shape, Biden struck a presidential tone as he declared on national television that he would lead “a comeback for the soul of this nation.”

“We’re bringing this party together,” he said. “Tonight we’re a step closer to restoring decency, dignity and honor to the White House.”

Biden reached out to his sometimes bitter rival Sanders and his supporters, telling them “we share a common goal.”

“Together we’ll defeat Donald Trump,” he said.

Biden’s huge victory in Mississippi, where he won around 80 percent of the vote, reflected his popularity among strategically vital African-American voters. He defeated Sanders by 25 points in Missouri.

His win in Michigan, the Midwestern industrial state which could be a key battleground in November, was a major

setback for Sanders, who narrowly beat Hillary Clinton there four years ago.

Barring surprises, Biden now has a clear path to becoming the Democratic standard bearer in a potentially bruising and deeply divisive match-up with Trump.

The main question remaining is whether Sanders, a self-declared democratic socialist, will fight to the bitter end as he did four years ago against Clinton or bow out early.

Many Democrats accuse the firebrand Sanders and his devoted supporters of damaging Clinton just as she was struggling—ultimately unsuccessfully— against the Trump insurgency.

Sanders did not immediately address Tuesday’s results.

But his press secretary indicated he had no intention of pulling out, touting Sunday’s next debate as the chance for America to “see Biden defend his ideas or lack thereof.”

Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, the charismatic New York congresswoman who is one of Sanders’ most high-profile supporters, said there was no “sugarcoating” the results, however.

“Tonight’s a tough night,” she said.

Adding to nerves in a country on edge after three tumultuous years under Trump, fears of the coronavirus epidemic prompted both campaigns to cancel rallies planned in Cleveland, Ohio.

Organizers of the upcoming television debate between Sanders and Biden likewise said they would take the extraordinary step of not allowing the usual live audience.

Their caution was at odds with Trump, who has vowed to keep holding his typically raucous rallies despite the concerns about large gatherings.

Trump’s campaign manager dismissed Tuesday’s results, saying “it has never mattered who the Democratic nominee turns out to be.”AFP

In Angola, women bear the brunt of climate change LUBANGO―Tehandjila Quessale’s heart sank every time her mother sent her to fetch water for their crops, up in the mountains of Angola’s southern Huila region.

The 16-year-old had to leave school early and walk three hours to join a long queue of people at the nearest water point.

Since she rarely managed to fill her bucket before dark, she was vulnerable to attacks and was scared.

She knew of two girls that had been raped walking back to their village late at night, she said.

“I felt afraid because there were boys that used to attack or grab people,” Quessale told AFP. Huila province has been hit by drought after lack of rain for several years running dried up most water sources and devastated crops across the southern Africa region, where some 45 million people face growing hunger, the United Nations warns.

The dry spell was followed by violent and erratic downpours that saturated the soil.

Quessale can now find water at a nearby spring, a short walk from the one-bedroom stone house she shares with her mother and six younger siblings in a hamlet.

But that has provided little relief after the family’s crops failed and food has remained difficult to come by.

In addition, most men from the area have migrated to towns and cities in search of work, so it is left to the women to try to fill their children’s rumbling stomachs.

Aid workers have said that some young girls are resorting to sex in a desperate quest for money and food.

“Climate change has a huge impact on the lives of women, especially women and girls of reproductive health age,” said Florbela Fernandes, Angola representative for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Crises caused by extreme weather events disproportionately affect “vulnerable groups.” AFP

Weinstein to learn prison term

NEW YORK―Harvey Weinstein faces up to 29 years in prison when he is sentenced by a New York judge Wednesday, two weeks after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault.

The ex-Hollywood titan will be taken from the notorious Rikers Island jail to the Manhattan criminal court to learn his fate at a hearing starting at 9:30 am (1330 GMT).

Weinstein was found guilty of a criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree on February 24, in a verdict hailed by the #MeToo movement.

Seven men and five women convicted him of raping ex-actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and of forcibly performing oral sex on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006.

Mann, 34, and Haleyi, 42, are due to deliver impact statements in court.

Weinstein was cleared of the most serious charges of predatory sexual assault, as well as rape in the first degree, but will receive between five and 29 years behind bars.

Prosecutors called on Judge James Burke to issue a lengthy jail term, saying Weinstein engaged in a “lifetime of abuse” and had shown “a total lack of remorse” for his actions.

In a pre-sentencing letter, the prosecution asked Burke to consider 36 other sexual abuse and harassment allegations against Weinstein dating back to the 1970s that were not part of the trial. AFP

Early Mayan writing revealed

MASKED FOR PROTECTION. Indonesian people wearing face masks stand in a public space in Jakarta on March 11, 2020. AFP

Myanmar army blocks bid to cut parliamentary power base NAYPYIDAW―Myanmar’s military on Tuesday quashed proposals in parliament that would mean its MPs relinquish power, in a vote pitting the armed forces in open opposition against Aung San Suu Kyi as elections loom.

The vote was the climax of a year of fierce debates between MPs as the civilian government attempted to reform the constitution and reduce the military’s stranglehold on parliament.

The country is gearing up to the polls likely to be held later this year, only the second since outright military rule came to an end.

But the military still wields considerable power, appointing three key ministers―defense, border and home affairs.

Crucially, it holds a quarter of parliamentary seats, effectively giving it a veto over any legislation.

Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) has been fighting for reforms of the military-scripted 2008 constitution.

In unprecedented scenes in Myanmar’s young parliament, the tempers of civilian and military MPs have frayed during discussions of the amendments, with MPs shouting at each other across a normally staid chamber.

The proposal to slash the number of seats reserved for the military came up on the opening day of a marathon series of votes expected to last nearly two weeks.

But only 404 out of 633 MPs voted for the change, not enough to pass the 75 percent threshold needed.

NLD MP Aung Thein told AFP his party had anticipated the loss but had a duty to live up to its pledges to voters ahead of its landslide victory in 2015.

“We would like the people to know we tried,” he said.

Emotions have been at fever pitch on both sides with rallies of both nationalists supporting the military and Suu Kyi’s followers calling for reform.

Another key vote Wednesday will be held on whether to strike down a clause

widely thought to target Aung San Suu Kyi, banning anyone with foreigners as immediate family from becoming president.

Even though Suu Kyi’s late husband was British and her two sons are British citizens, her party circumvented the rule by creating her position of state counsellor outside of the constitution.

In a counter proposal, the military instead seeks to extend the clause to include any ministerial position, a move that would take away several portfolios held by Suu Kyi. The proposed reform, however, stands virtually no chance of getting past an NLD-dominated parliament.

Independent Yangon-based analyst David Mathieson slammed the whole process as “pointless”, saying it ignored measures that might help advance rights of minorities, decentralise politics and alleviate poverty.

“It’s a stalemate based on arrogant self-interest, not the democratic reforms Myanmar needs.” AFP

GUATEMALA CITY―A 2,000 year old stela recently discovered in Guatemala has revealed examples of the genesis of Mayan writing, according to experts studying the ancient civilization that dominated much of Central America.

Known as Stela 87, the stone was discovered in September 2018 at the Tak’alik Ab’aj archaelogical park in El Asintal, 85 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of the capital.

The stela, dating from 100 AD, provides an early example of Mayan writing, German expert Nikolai Grube told an event at Guatemala’s National Palace of Culture on Tuesday.

“The great importance of Stela 87 is that it is an early example of the development of writing in Mesoamerica,” said Grube, speaking by video-link from Mexico.

“Tak’alik Ab’aj was a place of experimentation with writing,” he said.

Experts are still trying to decipher the hieroglyphs on the stone, but Grube said that while it provided no “linguistic reading”, it showed evidence of a ruler and his titles in “an early Mayan text.”

Tak’alik Ab’aj was a city originally inhabited by Olmecs from around 1,500 BC to 100 AD. AFP

Tehran urged: Release US prisoners

WASHINGTON―The United States on Tuesday called for Iran to release all American prisoners held in the country as the coronavirus outbreak reportedly spreads through its prisons.

“The United States will hold the Iranian regime directly responsible for any American deaths. Our response will be decisive,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

“Reports that COVID-19 has spread to Iranian prisons are deeply troubling and demand nothing less than the full and immediate release of all American citizens.

“Their detention amid increasingly deteriorating conditions defies basic human decency.”

Iran’s response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, including temporarily releasing 70,000 prisoners, was “too little, too late,” a UN rights expert said Tuesday.

Javaid Rehman, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, said Tehran was trying to “fudge” its handling of the outbreak, one of the deadliest outside China, where the disease originated.

“The situation on coronavirus is highly disturbing within Iran,” Rehman told reporters at the UN in Geneva. AFP

LGUs

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

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‘Gallivanting’ LP students to be sent home—Aguilar

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

LAS Piñas City Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar on Wednesday directed police and barangay officials to strictly implement the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure that students will stay at home during the class suspension ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte from March 10 to 14 owing to the coronavirus epidemic.

Students who will be caught gallivanting in the malls, places of recreation, and other crowded places will be advised to go home, Aguilar said in a statement.

The police and other law enforcement agencies are mobilized to implement the directive, as according to Las Piñas Chief of Police Segundo Lagundi, 10 students were escorted back to their homes yesterday by the police.

“We are asking for the cooperation of the parents and the barangay officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Aguilar said.

Meanwhile, the mayor has issued a memorandum for the temporary suspension of all official activities of the city, such as graduations, seminars/ training, job fairs, social events, barangay assemblies, mass weddings, inductions and other mass gatherings.

SUMMER PRODUCE. A wholesaler at the La Trinidad trading post in Benguet smiles broadly between her broccoli and cauliflower products, which will fetch her a good price at markets this summer. Dave Leprozo

Muntinlupa fights coronavirus with citywide disinfection drive T

O REDUCE the risk of coronavirus outbreak in Muntinlupa City, the local government through the City Health Office conducted a citywide disinfection of public schools and government buildings starting Tuesday.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi ordered the CHO to intensify the cleaning and disinfecting of public schools, including the strengthening of information drive on personal hygiene and cough etiquette, to lower the risk of spreading the COVID-19 disease among city residents.

“We cannot be complacent with the recent development of local transmission of COVID-19. In response to the rise of confirmed cases in the country, we have placed our City Health Office, local hospitals, and school administrators on

heightened alert to prevent the possible spread of the new strain of coronavirus in Muntinlupa. We are mobilizing the city’s COVID-19 task force to implement measures to ensure the public’s safety and health,” Fresnedi said.

The mayor urged the public to be vigilant and practice proper hygiene, observe proper coughing etiquette, and adopt healthy lifestyles to increase their body resistance against infections.

Muntinlupa City Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao said the local government

is coordinating with the Department of Health and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine on protocols for the referral and transfer of persons under investigation.

Tuliao led an emergency meeting with the City Government’s general service officers, Schools Division of Muntinlupa executives, and school principals for a briefing on COVID-19 updates and the disinfection initiative in public schools.

The city health officer also encouraged the school officials to intensify information campaign and reporting of community members with travel history for monitoring.

To date, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Muntinlupa City.

The local government also called for a meeting with barangay emergency response units, barangay officials and health workers, mall owners, hoteliers,

and other commercial establishment owners to discuss the latest updates on COVID-19.

Fresnedi ordered the creation of Muntinlupa COVID-19 Task Force through Executive Order 2 s. 2020 as a proactive measure against the spread of the disease in the city.

The local task force spearheads the implementation of DOH protocols and guidelines and extends full cooperation with the department and other national government agencies.

Muntinlupa City residents are highly encouraged to immediately visit local health centers or Ospital ng Muntinlupa if they are experiencing symptoms of the virus. For more information, the public may coordinate with Ospital ng Muntinlupa at 8771-0457 or with DOH at 7711001/711-1002

BARMM gains high-speed internet via Smart LTE sites RESIDENTS of Mamasapano in Maguindanao and other towns in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi now have access to high-speed LTE connectivity as PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. ramps up its network rollout across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Most of the towns covered are 4th and 5th class municipalities from Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. This also includes the Sulu’s capital Jolo, Tawi-Tawi’s capital Bongao, Maguindanao’s capital Shariff Aguak, Lantawan in Basilan, Upi, Pagagawan in Maguindanao and Marantao, Bacolod Grande, Malabang, Ramain and Datu Piang in Lanao del Sur. “We are in the age of globalization, and globalization will be meaningless without communication,” said Minister Mohagher Iqbal of BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education.

“The world becomes smaller and smaller because of communication. And I think Smart is playing a good part in that effort.”

For BARMM Minister of Agriculture,

Fisheries and Agrarian Reform Mohammad S. Yacob, improved communication links are vital, especially for boosting agriculture in the region.

“One of the Bangsamoro Regional Government’s initial challenges is communication, especially in the island provinces,” said Yacob. “Connectivity is important, particularly for our Ministry, since we have to monitor our farmers.”

Yacob noted that without connectivity, their farmers cannot send in their reports or access the Internet. “Their performance is very low. What we need is to be able to communicate directly with them, and with networks in place, we can help our farmers in island provinces,” he added.

In the case of Mamasapano, Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Jr. highlighted the importance of connectivity for the younger generation. “Smart’s fast internet connection opens up Mamasapano to the rest of the world. It is great help to the community, especially to the students in the area,” he said.

Aside from BARMM, Smart has also accelerated its network rollout across the

PLDT-Smart representatives pay a courtesy visit to Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Jr. of Mamasapano. Inset shows upload and download speeds through Smart LTE in Mamasapano and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

rest of Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley; Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

“This highlights PLDT-Smart’s commitment to continuously expand our mobile broadband coverage in order to provide the best internet experience to our customers, wherever they may be in the country,” said PLDT-Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering Mario G. Tamayo.

RCBC hosts roundtable on responsible mine investment REPRESENTATIVES from major banks recently took part in discussions to operationalize responsible investment on mining projects.

During the roundtable discussion hosted by

the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., participants focused on enhancing current miningrelated policies in the Philippines.

The meeting was attended by representatives

Stakeholders from both the private and public sectors pose after taking part in the roundtable discussion on responsible mining held at RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

from the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PHEITI), Mines and Geosciences Bureau, as well as financial institutions working in close proximity with the local mining industry.

The event was organized by VBDO (the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development), in partnership with Bantay Kita, a national coalition advocating for enhanced natural resource governance.

RCBC Chief Risk Officer Jamal Ahmad said environment and social risk management is a cornerstone of the bank’s sustainable finance strategy.

“RCBC is delighted to host this event and will continue to play a leading role by bringing the financial sector, civil society and public policy makers to support sustainable finance in the Philippines,” Ahmad added.

BDO Foundation fixes rural health units in 3 sites NAGBUKEL, Ilocos Sur―Nagbukel in Ilocos Sur is considered by the Department of Health as a “geographically isolated and disadvantaged area.”

This fifth-class municipality is beset by poverty. Many residents live in hardto-reach areas in the uplands and don’t have access to high-quality healthcare services. For these reasons, BDO Foundation selected the town as a beneficiary of its rural health units rehabilitation program.

“The decent and hardworking people of Nagbukel deserve the best patient care possible,” said municipal health officer Dr. Opalea Domingo.

“Thank you, BDO Foundation, for your generosity and for adding our rural health unit to your long list of rehabilitated health centers nationwide. Thanks also to the BDO Ilocos Sur-Narvacan branch for being the bridge that connects us to the foundation. This gift will definitely contribute to the overall quality of life of everyone in the community,” she added.

Recently, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank also completed the rehabilitation of Baclayon Rural Health Unit and Birthing Center in Bohol and Concepcion Municipal Health Office in Iloilo. More than 71,000 people from 54 barangays stand to benefit from these three projects.

The rehabilitated facilities were turned over to local officials by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito and BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa together with officers of BDO and BDO Network Bank branches.

BDO Foundation improved Nagbukel Rural Health Unit’s layout, lobby and waiting areas, offices, consultation rooms, clinics and treatment rooms. The foundation also installed a children’s play area complete with books and toys.

The Foundation also provided new furniture and fixtures.

With the project completed, health workers are now better equipped to provide high quality healthcare services to the people, Domingo said.

Nagbukel Rural Health Unit is one of the latest successfully rehabilitated by BDO Foundation as part of on-going efforts to help improve healthcare services in the country.

This is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of people of all ages.

3 Barangay Learning Hubs up in Balanga BALANGA CITY—City Mayor Francis Garcia and Vice Mayor Vianca Venzon-Gozon with the support of the Sangguniang Panglunsod are envisioning this city as a “smart university town.”

Led by the two top officials, three new Barangay Learning Hubs were opened in Barangays Bagumbayan, Central and Cabog-Cabog on Monday.

Balanga now has 15 BLHs. “Barangay Learning Hubs are serving learners and professionals with fast internet service and fully air-conditioned rooms, and managed by trained BLH facilitators, all for free,” Garcia said in his message.

The mayor also cited the significance of the BLH in Cabog-Cabog as the first upland barangay to have fiber internet connectivity for learning.

Garcia also disclosed a plan to put 55-inch Android TVs in learning hubs by June.

City officials said the establishment of BLHs is attuned to the “smart university town” vision of the city.

Garcia and Venzon-Gozon are responsible for many laudable programs of the city in the aspects of education, health, barangay empowerment, child protection, and solid waste management, said City Administrator Rudy de Mesa. Butch Gunio

International Women’s Month

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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020 advertise@manilastandard.net

5 fun ways to celebrate Women’s Month at SM

ROM corporate jobs to social gatherings— nobody can own the stage quite like a woman. This Women’s Month, discover all kinds of beauty at any age at SM Supermalls.

“The month of March is dedicated to honoring the strong and remarkable women in our lives. Bringing malling experiences up a notch, our malls have prepared exciting activities and surprises that are sure to delight our dear shoppers,” said SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing Jonjon San Agustin.

Here are 5 ways to enjoy Women’s Month at SM: 1. Women’s Month Deals.

Unleash your inner shopaholic at the Women’s Wednesday Sale with up to 50% off on fab finds at Watsons and The SM Store!

Shoppers may also get 25% off on food & beverage at Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Conrad Manila, Radisson Blue, and Park Inn by Radisson in Clark, Davao, Iloilo, and North EDSA for every single receipt purchase of Php 1,500 at The SM Store, Kultura, Watsons, and Toy Kingdom or Pet Express.

2. Beauty Alley. There’s no bad day that a perfect #OOTD and #MOTD can’t fix. Look and feel more confident with makeover sessions featuring top beauty brands at the following beauty bazaars in SM malls: K-beauty (Korean beauty) fair at SM Aura from March 19 to 21, Mega Beauty Paradise at SM Megamall on March 17 to 23, South Pink Café at SM Southmall on March 23 to 31, The Women’s Club at SM North EDSA—The Block until March 15, and Beauty Soiree at SM Mall of Asia on March 23 to 29.

3. Wellness Wednesdays.

Celebrate body positivity with your best gals by engaging in enjoyable wellness activities on all Wednesdays of March in select SM malls.

4. Fashion Show. Who run the world? Girls! Witness a stunning fashion show featuring women professionals that conquered male-dominated industries at the following SM malls: Tugegarao (March 18), Olongapo and Olongapo Central (March 21), Manila (March 22), Dagupan (March 27), Cauayan (March 27), Megacenter Cabanatuan (March 28), Tarlac (March 28), Puerto Princesa (March 28), and CDO Downtown Premier (March 28).

5. EmpowHER Wall. Show the world how proud you are of being a woman by striking a pose in front of instagrammable

photo walls designed with women empowerment statements and quotes in select SM malls for the whole month of March!

Celebrate womanhood through these fun activities and more surprises at SM. For updates, visit www.smsupermalls.com and its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts: @smsupermalls.

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Life

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com

HOUSEHOLD

Cebu’s 20-story pearl HIGH LIFE.

The soon-torise 20-story residential condominium development of Megaworld in Mactan, Cebu offers aspiring homeowners a chance to live in the country’s richest province and enjoy the amenities on offer.

The well-designed units offer space for living and dining areas.

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IKE a fine pearl, a soon-to-rise residential condominium glistens in the country’s richest province, Cebu.

Located in developed Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan (near the road leading to Lapu-Lapu Shrine) within a walking distance away from the beach is The Pearl Global Residences, Megaworld’s offering to homeowners aspiring to be part of a charming community while enjoying urban convenience and accessibility.

The 20-story residential condominium development adds 222 residential units to the existing 1,836 residential unit inventory within the property giant’s 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township.

“We got the name from the country’s title of ‘Pearl of the Orient,’” says Megaworld Cebu Properties, Inc. president Noli D. Hernandez. “And as we expect more visitors and tourists to come to The Mactan Newtown in the coming years, we want this tower to be one of the icons of Filipino pride inside our development.”

How to cut your commute time

Units include executive studio with either a balcony or a lanai (up to 40 square meters); one-bedroom and executive one-bedroom with balcony (up to 59 square meters); two-bedroom with balcony or lanai (up to 80 square meters); and three-bedroom with balcony (up to 116 square meters).

The Pearl Global Residences will feature an array of amenities on the second level that includes an adult pool and kiddie pool, fitness center, outdoor lounge and seating areas, children’s play area, function room, game room, reading nook, and coworking spaces.

Meanwhile, the roof deck will house an outdoor lounge and garden, a dry bar, and a viewing deck where families can enjoy panoramic views of the Cebu mountains, the Magellan Bay and the Hilutungan Channel, the nearby islands, and Lapu-Lapu Shrine.

Answer these 3 questions to build your ideal kitchen

A STUDY by the Boston Consulting Group reveals that Filipinos spend about 16 days a year stuck in traffic. If that doesn’t sound bad enough, the time spent in traffic costs Pinoys about P100,000 a year in lost income.

We can only re-adjust our alarm clock so much. Sometimes, all it takes is implementing smart measures to save time.

Consider new modes of transportation

Take advantage of new routes and modes of transportation. For example, there are now P2P buses with routes that come straight from BF Homes in Parañaque or Calamba to Makati or BGC. With regular trips every half hour during peak periods and only one stop, P2P buses are faster and Take advantage of technology to find new routes or others more convenient alter- modes of transportation. native to regular buses.

For more convenient modes of transportation, opt for ride-sharing providers such as Grab, Angkas, Owto, and others. Those who are open to unconventional alternatives, the re-launched Pasig Ferry is open from Monday to Saturday, and passes by a scenic route from Guadalupe to Escolta.

Work at home

Working at home, if possible, appears to be the smartest way to avoid traffic and viruses.

Another way to deal with traffic is not having to deal with it at all.

With worsening congestion on the road as well the recent coronavirus outbreak, more companies are letting their employees work from home. Forbes listed that apart from lower costs, the benefits of telecommuting include improved productivity, improved health and well-being for employees, and a lower turnover rate.

Those who work from home are advised to maximize their time by using Internet-based storage platforms to easily access work files from anywhere on any device. Take advantage of mobile apps that let users host conference calls with colleagues or clients.

Live somewhere close to the workplace: Quantum Residences in Taft Avenue has direct access to three CBDs.

People who reside in relatively spacious houses have more options when it comes to kitchen appliances and fixtures.

EFFICIENCY is important in building the ideal kitchen—professional or otherwise. Celebrated chef Rolando Laudico helps homeowners build the right kitchen suitable for their needs. Just simply answer these three questions:

What’s your space like?

In addition to taking note of dimensions, considering where the kitchen will be built is just as important.

Condo-dwellers, for example, are likely to have less room for bulky appliances and fixtures, while those who live in relatively bigger houses are likely to have more space to work with.

Those who only have small space may opt for a personal refrigerator or a onedoor model, and a built-in hob like those from La Germania’s Euro series or a cooking range (an oven with a built-in stove on top).

Another thing to consider is the exhaust system. Chef Lau notes, “It’s usually the most overlooked piece of equip-

ment, but it’s very important to have a good exhaust in your kitchen. Especially when you live in a condominium where space is small and the windows always stay closed, you need to have a range hood or else your whole place will smell like food for days.”

This question also includes the number of persons who will eat and the type of dishes that will be prepared in the kitchen.

For newly independent young professionals living in a condominium or apartment, the typical kitchen routine involves basic food prep for one or two persons. Therefore, a single or doubleburner stove should suffice.

On the other hand, homemakers who cook relatively more complex dishes for at least three people, and more regularly, would benefit from having both a cooktop and an oven to accommodate their daily needs. A cooking range would

Live close to work

Renting close to work during working days may be an option, especially with tons of co-living spaces and affordable dorms rising in the fringes of big cities.

On the other hand, those looking for a more permanent home can find a place closer to central business districts in Metro Manila. For instance, Horizon Land’s Quantum Residences along Taft Avenue has direct access to three major CBDs: Makati, Manila, and Pasay. Further, it is in close proximity to malls, entertainment hubs, and parks.

Living closer to the workplace easily cuts commute time and affords one more time to spend bonding with family, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing.

How often are you going to cook?

Induction cooktops are easier to clean than gas stoves.

be the smart choice, but alternatively, homemakers can go with a built-in hob plus a “combi-microwave” oven set-up.

A combi-microwave oven combines the reheat and defrost features of a microwave, and the grilling, baking, and roasting functions of a conventional oven in one compact appliance.

What type of cooking appliances are you most comfortable with?

According to Chef Laudico, choosing the technology of the stove boils down to what the person who will be using it is comfortable with.

With gas stoves, the flames are a reliable temperature indicator, and they have control knobs that make for easier adjustments. However, one must ensure that food sediment and grease buildup do not clog the burners. Having to regularly replace the LPG tank when it runs out is also an added task.

For most homes, an induction cooktop is a good choice. It works by using electromagnetism to heat the pan and not the hob surface. Induction cooktops are also the easiest to clean because food spills don’t get baked into the surface and there are no crevices for food sediments to get stuck in.

Further, most induction hobs have electronic displays with touch-button temperature settings.

“As a chef, I need as much control and flexibility as I can get when it comes to adjusting cooking temperature. The great thing with the La Germania induction hob I’m using right now is that it actually gives me the best of both worlds—it has knobs that give me that same feel and level of control as cooking with an old-school gas stove; it gives me a lot of freedom and precision with the heat settings combined with the ease of induction cooking,” shares Chef Lau.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

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Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

Superbods 2020 finalists named A TOTAL of 36 men and women have been named finalfinal ists in this year’s Century Tuna’s Everybod Superbod tilt.

The male finalists are: Sam Ajdani, Nelson Banzuela, Kirk Bondad, Enzo Bonoan, Hans Braga, Michael Burtscher, Nicholas Chua, Aaron Davis, Robert Hamilton, Albert Lorenzo, Philippe Maga Magalona, Erie Matic, Malcolm Mostoles, Gian Gianpaolo Paparo, Julian Roxas, Gian Ruiz, Jason Senga, and Jojo Urquico.

The female finalists are: Katrina Arceta, Merlinda Boo, Grace del Rosa Rosario, Sherlyn Doloriel, Rosemarie Ebido, Shirley Garcia, Astrid Hernandez, Renzel Fitness enthusiast Nelson Banzuela and model Kathleen Paton

Jose, Heike Kuczera, Karla Lasquite, Samantha Lo, Ines Lorenzo, Erika Ochosa, Kathleen Paton, Christine Picardal, Samantha Purvor, Candice Ramos, and Keylyn Trajano.

Gracing the judging panel were celebrities Matteo Guidicelli and Sunshine Cruz, Century Tuna Superbods 2018 Grand Winners Jules Aquino and Angel Jones. Representing Century Pacific Food Inc. are EVP & COO Greg Banzon and Marketing Director Carlo Endaya. Also included in the roster are PC&V Communications Inc. President Juan Ariel Comia and VIVA Head of Modeling Warren Dimen.

The finalists will be competing in a series of challenges before the finals night on April 25.

For more information, visit https://www.superbods. ph/ or follow @centurytuna (Facebook) and @centurytunasuperbods (Instagram).

Raising Filipino Nationalism on Binibining Pilipinas stage Former Bigbang member Seungri has started his mandatory military enlistment in South Korea.

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NE of the most promising candidates in Binibining Pilipinas 2020 is Manila representative Patrizia Mariah Laureola Garcia with no less than the Mayor of Manila himself, Francisco “Isko” Domagoso, backing her up.

Representing the city of Manila, Patrizia Mariah Laureola Garcia is one of the official candidates in this year’s edition of Binibining Pilipinas.

Just turned 26, Garcia, an Education and Psychology graduate at De La Salle University and now completing her Master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, is competing on the platform of Filipino Nationalism.

“My desire is to promote Filipino nationalism, the importance of identifying ourselves as Filipinos, knowing where we came from, our history, and how we can forge a strong Filipino identity. I want send a message to the Filipino people, that it’s never too late to manifest unity. I think that what is happening in the City of Manila is a solid proof Patrizia Garcia poses that positive change is with Manila Mayor Isko not impossible, that the Moreno during a recent Filipino people can be courtesy visit disciplined. Mayor Isko has made these changes possible,” Garcia said during her courtesy call at the Office of the Mayor.

“I’m also helping promote the city’s tourism and heritage in line with the beautification efforts of the Mayor. An example is the new look of Jones Bridge which is an important aspect in history of the city,” Garcia added.

Asked on what among the titles at stake in Bin- and represent our country internationally.” ibini that she would like to win, Garcia answered, A sports enthusiast and juggles in several things “While I prefer to take the Miss (Philippines) In- to keep herself busy, Garcia desires to work in the ternational title, what is really important is how I government someday. could help the Philippines through this platform Born in Old Sta. Mesa, Garcia is proud to be

called “Batang Maynila” (child of Manila) and takes inspiration in the discipline and achievements made by Mayor Isko Moreno with whom she asked permission to represent Manila at the Binibining Pilipinas 2020 pageant.

Scandal-ridden K-pop star Seungri enlisted in South Korean army DISGRACED former K-pop star Seungri enlisted in the South Korean army Monday, meaning a military court will now hear his trial on charges stemming from a sex and drug scandal last year.

The 29-year-old singer from popular boyband BIGBANG has been indicted on accusations including prostitution arrangement, embezzlement, and illicit gambling.

All able-bodied South Korean men are obliged to fulfil around two years of military service to defend the country from nucleararmed North Korea, with which it remains technically at war.

Wearing a black hooded shirt and matching facemask, Seungri arrived at a military boot camp in Cheorwon, a border town 100 kilometres north of Seoul.

Seungri -- whose military service was postponed last year because of ongoing police inquiries -- bowed to reporters but did not answer questions before checking in, Yonhap news agency reported.

BIGBANG enjoyed widespread fame following its 2006 debut and Seungri went on to become a successful businessman, but the public backlash and formal investigations caused him to retire from showbusiness in 2019.

Seungri, whose real name is Lee Seunghyun, is accused of habitual overseas gambling at luxurious casinos in Las Vegas involving illicit foreign exchange transactions.

He is also suspected of arranging sex services for potential investors in his business.

The investigation into the scandal surrounding him uncovered a spate of allegations against other musicians and personnel at YG Entertainment—Seungri’s former agency and one of the biggest K-pop management firms.

It prompted the agency CEO Yang Hyunsuk to step down in June facing probes of his own into illicit gambling. AFP

Tribute to ‘90s classics

THAT’S saying that the’ 90s, at least some of it, may now be valued alongside the more heralded, so-called big decades in music: the ‘60s,’ 70s, and ‘80s.

“Mas maganda ang mga kanta before, relatable kahit anong genre pa,” expressed singer Bugoy Drilon when talking about the era to promote his upcoming concert with two other made stars as they pay tribute to the final hit parade of the 20th century.

Bugoy is part of a troika dubbed Budakhel, along with Daryl Ong and Khel Pangilinan, who will be featured in a Best of the 90s show simply titled Budakhel Live. .

The Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 alumnus already celebrated his tenth anniversary in mainstream showbiz with a sold-out concert. He is currently working on an English album with songs written by himself.

He explained, “Malaking part ng childhood ko ang 90s music and doon ko talaga na-embrace ang music which led to who I am now.”

Budakhel is set to “electrify audiences with their combined star power bringing out the best of a generation that spawned vibrant genres, namely, alternative rock,

boyband pop, and hip-hop.”

Michael appeared on X-Factor Philippines and gained more prominence when he participated in Your Face Sounds Familiar, while Daryl earned his fame from stints in Pinoy Pop Superstar and The Voice of the Philippines Season 2.

Directed by Dido Camara, with musical direction by Rey Cantong, Budakhel Live is presented by Resorts World Manila with KreativeDen; tickets available at the RWM Box Office and Ticketworld outlets.

Bugoy both looks back and storms ahead, having said, “Being in the industry for the past 10 years, I intend to explore further possibilities in my music career.”

While the concert is more or less a repeat

of his earlier ‘90s themed show, he ensured that his solo songs for Budakhel is all-new because he wanted to sing more songs from that same era.

He believes that the Budakhel chemistry came out because of brotherhood and there has never been any conscious effort to upstage one for personal gain. “We all have the same passion and there is no competition among us,” he related.

All three are categorized as R&B artists, with reggae, soul, and pop melding in as sub-genres to the equation.

The passing period between the electric dreams of the ‘80s and the digital revolution of the new millennium will always be special for Bugoy and his friends. This, as he is also thrilled at what this new decade has to offer. He said, “It’s time to open a new chapter for OPM. Let the new ones come in as it’s time for Filipinos to shine even more.”

Well, as often the case, there’s really something to look forward to in looking back.

The much anticipated concert featuring Daryl Ong, Bugoy Drilon and Michael Pangilinan, originally scheduled on March 20,

Fromm left: Khel Pangilinan, Bugoy Drilon and Daryl Ong will be rescheduled to a later date in view of the COVID-19 situation.

Ticketholders will just have to hold on to their tickets for now as these will surely be

honored when the show hits the stage still at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater. Details on the rescheduled date will be announced soon.

C4

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020

advertise@manilastandard.net

International Women’s Month Yedda Marie Romualdez:

A ‘force of nature’ in Congress

Text and Photos by Peter Paul Duran

I

F you’re looking for an icon to look up to this International Women’s Month, Tingog Sinirangan party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez might just catch your eye.

Tingog Sinirangan party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, a registered nurse, leads discussion at the House of Representatives on women’s health.

Literally and figuratively.

You can blame her beauty-queen looks and aura for this, but this former Binibining Pilipinas Intenational titleholder and Miss International 1996 PH bet has the looks, the brains, and the unwavering commitment to her constituents that make her a fitting example of an empowered woman.

Coincidentally, the name of the party-list she represents translates to “voice” in English, certainly making her the voice not only of her people in Eastern Visayas, but also of young girls and women in her capacity as chairperson of the House Committee on Welfare Of Children.

In celebration of IWM 2020, Manila Standard talked with the trailblazing woman legislator, dear wife of House Majority Leader Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, and loving mother of four.

MS: For you, what is the essence of being a woman?

YMR: I think being a woman is more than just following a checklist of what others think a woman is or should be.

Trying to define her essence would effectively tie her down to this ideal or perfect figure that others want to see and that would just make her lose her true essence. That being said, I think being a woman is more of a force of nature wrapped in flesh and bones, so to speak. She can take different forms, sizes and shapes. Before, I thought I was a woman because I was born in a certain sexual orientation, I was a daughter and a sister and that’s all it was.

After meeting my husband, I realized my womanhood encompassed more than those I was born with but also who I choose to be, and I chose to be a wife.

Then when I became a mother, I realized womanhood was even more than that. I don’t mean to say that being a wife and a mother is what makes me a woman, but rather I think that being a woman was everything and anything I chose to become, the accumulation of my experiences and choices that defined me, as a woman and as a person.

For another woman, her womanhood could mean differently. She could choose not to have a husband or children or both and that could be the definition and essence of her womanhood,

her freedom and her spirit. And I think it all just boils down to our identity, that only we ourselves can define.

MS: In your opinion, do you think that equality between men and women is present in our country?

YMR: I think that despite the Philippines being a relatively progressive country, gender gaps have been growing wider recently. We can even see this manifest in our global standing as a gender-equal country when our ranking dropped from 8th to 16th place last year. Aside from considering the gaps of women’s participation in political, economic and other key societal roles, there are still glaring issues such as sexual and physical violence, exploitation, gender-based work discrimination, especially in terms of unpaid and domestic work-load, and other forms of abuse and exploitation, all of which are showing they are very skewed against women. I think that our work in legislation has really been cut out for us and there’s really a lot more that needs to be done.

MS: What do you think are your notable contributions and achievements in our society?

YMR: Well firstly I would like to point out that my contributions aren’t just mine, but ours. I am simply chosen to represent and champion our sentiments in congress by the people who believed in Tingog and what we stand for, and we all share our victories together.

With this considered, one of our landmark legislations is RA 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, which increases the maternity leave period to 105 for female workers with an option to extend to an additional 30 days without pay, and additional 15 days for solo mothers.

This, I believe would help women all over the country, to take care of themselves without hesitation and systemic oppression. Another is RA 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, which defines genderbased sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational or training institutions, and provides protective measures and prescribes penalties therefor. These are only some of the many House Bills we supported and passed.

MS: What empowers you as a

woman?

YMR: I think empowerment can mean a lot of things, but personally, I feel most empowered when I am contributing to the people, especially the people of Region VIII. Being in a position to help and change lives not only keeps me on my toes to constantly improve at my job as a legislator, but even propels me to go above and beyond. I am very aware of my privilege and it always reminds me that I am accountable to the people who believe in me and the party, and I don’t want to fail them.

Personally, being a mother makes me feel more empowered as woman.

As a mother, you nurture the personality and potential of your children. As a whole, mothers shape the abilities and capacities of future generations.

MS: What’s your opinion about women’s status in our society?

YMR: I think women in the Philippines enjoy a more gender-equal environment in comparison with other Southeast Asian countries—we have high education and literacy levels, we occupy key positions of leadership (some already became the President, Supreme Court justices, senators), and have a Magna Carta to protect our rights. However, we also cannot deny that we still experience different forms of oppression. Many are still victims of sexual predators, different forms of violence, gender-role stereotyping and other forms of exploitation. Aside from that, women, especially those in areas of armed conflict, in prostitutions, or those who are in prison have limited access to health, constricted work opportunities and other basic rights. As Audre Lorde would put it, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

MS: Do you have an advocacy for women, or if you would have the chance to do so, what’s it going to be?

YMR: As the vice-chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality, women’s rights advocacies are very close to my heart. But I would have to say that I am most passionate about women’s health and its related issues. As a registered nurse, I am very aware that

Empowered Women Rule MARCH is National Women’s Month in the Philippines, a special occasion celebrated in honor of International Wom-

Zozibini Tunzi

en’s Day. During this month-long event, we recognize the achievements made by notable Filipinas and women worldwide, as well as the steps they have taken to promote change and raise awareness for issues that truly matter.

In recent years, social media has become a platform for many of these empowered ladies to spread their advocacies. Through this, they have found a way to get their messages across to a wider range of people. Social media has also allowed them to build and nurture online communities that uplift and provide support for other women all around the globe.

Indeed, there is no limit to what an empowered woman is capable of doing. This Women’s Month, in honor of all the strong, inspirational females we look up to, we’ve rounded up some of the best videos from empowered women on TikTok. Check them out to see the many qualities that make these women absolutely amazing.

Confidence is power One common trait possessed by every powerful woman is confidence.

Having a strong sense of self, and faith in their own abilities enables these

women are biologically susceptible to certain risks unique to us. Women’s health encompasses a wide spectrum; from reproductive health and family planning, to obstetric and postnatal care, and therefore require more attention. During the 17th congress, I supported the Expanded Maternity Leave Act because being a mother of four myself, I know that childbirth is not an easy job and women deserve to protect their health without having to fear losing their jobs for it.

MS: Who are your female role models?

YMR: Definitely the women in my family, especially my mom. She is the reason I am who I am right now. She raised me and my siblings in a very loving and nurturing environment and that has allowed us to grow and achieve our fullest potential. As a mother myself, I aspire to achieve what my mom was able to do for us.

MS: What is your message to the modern Filipina?

YMR: Take up space and make your voice be heard! The modern Filipina is smart, critical and most importantly empowered. She knows her worth and she knows she is capable of taking a more active role in shaping her own future and even that of our nation along with it.

MS: Can you share with us the activities of the House/ your office this International Women’s Month?

YMR: As the vice-chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality, I will be attending a couple of events and workshops such as the Gender Responsive Workshop for Legislators tomorrow here at the House of Representatives. We will also be hosting the same workshop for our secretariat personnel. We are actually doing this in partnership with the Asia foundation (TAF). I was also invited as a resource speaker by the Lady Local Legislator’s League, Philippines for their workshop in Davao City with the theme “Women Legislator: Champions of Peace and Non-violence” on March 12.

I will generally be discussing about women empowerment and social graces. We also have several meetings in preparation for the opening ceremony of the Women with Disabilities Day

Celebration on March 30. These are of course only some of the activities we are looking forward to this Women’s Month. We still have small meetings such as with Facebook for example, where we talk about internet safety, with different women’s groups to talk about different issues that they want us to address in congress and others MS: How was the experience to be part of an “all woman” session to celebrate IWD 2020 last Monday especially you were a presiding officer?

YMR: Honestly, it was a very empowering moment for me. Simply seeing my fellow lady legislators taking all the lead roles during the plenary session, it just gives us a clearer and more tangible reminder that women are more than capable of taking the lead in the national arena. This activity has reminded us of our triumphs and how far we have come; from being confined to this obedient and supporting role that should only stay at home, to having the freedom to run for the highest positions of power in the country. We have nothing but gratitude to the women who paved the way for us, and all that we really want is to do the same for the generations that will come after us.

MS: Where should women empowerment start? And how could we all contribute to this?

YMR: I truly believe that women empowerment should always start at home. All the little girls out there should know that they are capable of being anything they want, and they deserve nothing but love and support from their families. They shouldn’t have to face battles and obstacles in their own homes.

MS: As a former beauty queen and now a politician, do you see yourself as a prime example of an empowered woman?

YMR: I think every single woman who dreams and is able to carve their own future is an empowered woman.

I am proud of my background and I am proud of the career choices I have made. We are all leaving a legacy of our own and if I can inspire a single young Filipina out there to step up and follow her own dreams then I would have simply done my part in forwarding the women’s movement.

An empowered woman embraces her quirks There is beauty in imperfection, and a woman who is able to embrace her quirks can definitely be considered empowered.

A positive attitude like this can uplift others, and inspire them to accept and love themselves as they are.

Catriona Gray

women to rise up and pursue their dreams. Two stellar examples of women of confidence are Zozibini Tunzi and Catriona Grey, who have both worn the crown of Miss Universe.

Being beautiful inside and out, their self-assurance shines through as a perfect complement to their physical beauty. These women are queens in their own right, who have used their time in the spotlight to break boundaries, and advocate for equality, inclusion, and women’s rights.

Bela Padilla

Jodi Sta.Maria

Local celebrities like Jodi Sta. Maria, Bela Padilla and Isabelle Daza are not afraid to show their quirky self online, making them more relatable and endearing to their followers. Their videos on TikTok show that these women have the ability to not take things too seriously, and remember to enjoy life amidst any challenges they might face.