Manila Standard - 2020 March 17 - Tuesday

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CONTUMACIOUS CYCLISTS. Classic case of Filipino defiance of regulations and authority, this group of motorcyclists crowding a checkpoint defying the government order on social distancing at the Alabang-Zapote

Road in Las Piñas City on Monday. JR Josue

Senator adds to 142 virus infections

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo SENATOR Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but showed no symptoms of the disease. The news came as the number of infections rose to 142 and the number of deaths hit 12.

“I had a test taken last Friday while

on self quarantine and this afternoon I received a call from [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque on my condition,” Zubiri said in a Facebook statement. “My heart sank with what he had said but I’m uplifted [by] the fact that I am asymptomatic and have no fever or cough.”

Zubiri said his decision to go into self quarantine Wednesday was the best decision he made, as this would have protected his family from contamination. Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 36 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte puts entire Luzon on lockdown

Salient points of new policy • Mass gatherings banned • Mass transport suspended • Home quarantine a must • Banks, hospitals, groceries allowed to open • Land, air, sea travel restricted.

Other details in the main story

By Vito Barcelo, Joel Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

LOCAL ROUNDUP

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday placed the entire island of Luzon on lockdown until April 12 as the number of COVID-19 to case prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Health workers among 'patients'

By Willie Casas SOME health care workers from the Philippine General Hospital have been placed under observation for possible COVID-19 infection, its spokesman said Monday.

Jonas del Rosario told CNN Philippines that some of the hospital’s staff members were labeled as “patients under investigation” after showing symptoms of infection of the disease.

“Some of our employees or health care officers are under investigation because they are symptomatic, or they had travel history. So far, our PUIs have not tested positive.,” Del Rosario told New Day. Face masks The Philippine General Hospital can take hold of face masks and personal protective equipment that are reportedly kept in customs warehouses, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said Monday.

Locsin made the suggestion as he vowed to bring up the matter of the PPEs Next page

WORLD ROUNDUP

LA, NY nightlife shut; Fed cut rates US NIGHTLIFE capitals New York and Los Angeles ordered bars and restaurants to close or go take-out only as the country scrambled to contain the coronavirus pandemic and the Federal Reserve slashed rates to stem the fallout.

The fast-spreading outbreak has claimed almost 70 lives in the United States, disrupting every walk of life as Americans―watching Europe plunge into lockdown and panic-buying at home―brace for what is to come.

Faced with an economic shutdown, the Fed announced a raft of emergency measures to shore up confidence and keep the financial sector running, including cutting the key interest rate to 0-0.25 percent.

Across Canada The new coronavirus has spread across Canada with a total of 313 cases confirmed Next page

LIST OF CASES PH COVID-19 TRACKER CONFIRMED CASES 142 MALE 95 FEMALE 47 DEATHS 12 CASES WITHIN METRO MANILA QUEZON 22 SAN JUAN 15 MAKATI 15 PASIG 8 MANILA 8 MARIKINA 6 PARAÑAQUE 5 MANDALUYONG 4 LAS PIÑAS 2 TAGUIG 2 ANTIPOLO 1 PASAY 1 CALOOCAN 1 MUNTINLUPA 1 CASES OUTSIDE METRO MANILA RIZAL 5 BULACAN 4 CAVITE 3 NEGROS ORIENTAL 2 BATANGAS 2 PAMPANGA 2 CAMARINES SUR 1 LANAO DEL SUR 1 BATAAN 1 LUCENA CITY 1 LAGUNA 1 TARLAC 1 DAVAO DE ORO 1 FOR VALIDATION 22 NON-PH RESDENTS 4

SOCIAL DISTANCING? Commuters reporting for work (above) have off their heads off the government-issued guidelines on social distancing—arm’s length or one meter distance—to avoid the risk of getting COVID-19 as they form thick and long lines Monday at the PITX terminal in Paranaque City on the second day of the Community Quarantine in Metro Manila. A few hours later, President Rodrigo Duterte addressed the nation and imposed strict home quarantine measures and a halt on work and transport across Luzon, putting half of the population on lockdown to quell rising cases of coronavirus.

DOTR LIST OF CHECKPOINTS

Homes Boundary of Caloocan and Musan Bulacan • PCP 3—Phase 9 Boundary of Evergreen Vill. Brgy. Gaya-Gaya SJ Bulacan • PCP 3—Phase 10 Caloocan and Bulacan Bridge Caloocan City • PCP 6—Bankers Vill. Gate 3 Bound• PCP4 AREA—Quirino Highway ary of Caloocan and Meycauayan Cor. Malaria Rd Boundary of Calo• PCP 6—Sierra Nova Subd 1 Boundocan and Bulacan ary of Caloocan and Meycauayan • PCP 3—Phase 7C Dela Costa • PCP 6—Sierra Nova Subd 2 Bound-

The announcement came after the President met with members of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, who recommended an “enhanced community quarantine” that includes strict home quarantine in all households, a suspension of public transportation, the regulation of food and essential health services, and the heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce the quarantine.

In a televised address Monday night, Duterte said people would only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food and medicine from stores that would remain open. But he said “work in [the] public and private sector will be limited to a work-at-home arrangement.”

“Everyone will stay home, leaving their houses only to buy food, medicine and other things necessary for survival,” Duterte said.

He urged all businesses in Luzon to close if the outbreak worsens and appealed to private companies to release the 13th month pay to their workers who would be affected by the lockdown.

The President said the enhanced community quarantine is not martial law and called on people not to be afraid but to obey the law.

He directed the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Health to find out how to best compensate health workers and other frontline workers.

In a press conference after the President’s speech, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles detailed the guidelines for the Luzon lockdown. They include: Next page ary of Caloocan and Meycauayan • PCP—Sierra Nova Subd 3 Boundary of Caloocan and Meycauayan • PCP 6—Gubat Sa Siudad Boundary of Caloocan and Meycauayan • PCP 6—Shelterville Brgy 171 Boundary of Caloocan and Meycauayan Malabon City • Don Asilio Blvd Brgy. Dampalit Malabon • Panghulo Road Malabon Next page

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TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte...

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hampered.

• Land, air and sea travel of uniformed personnel for official business, especially those transporting medical supplies, laboratory specimens related to the COVID-19, and other humanitarian assistance, will be allowed.

The lockdown came two days after Metro Manila was put under a “community quarantine” that restricted people from entering and leaving the National Capital Region.

Duterte had also declared a state of public health emergency throughout the country due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has recommended to President a “total lockdown” in Metro Manila to prevent the number of infected persons from rising.

“Secretary Año recommended the total lockdown because this is a matter of national survival. We have to be resigned to that fact. This is a matter of life and death. The only way to stop this is for us to help ourselves,” Panelo said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III urged the public to heed President Duterte’s directive for a lockdown.

“We follow,” said Sotto as he also announced the suspension of work in the Senate.

“Senate employees will no longer go to work in the meantime. Members of the Senate Office of the Sergeant-atarms and security guards will remain in a skeletal number only.”

He also said there is no need for the continuation of work even through telecommuting.

“What for? What are we going to pass that is needed? “ he asked. He noted that the budget is complete.

“Late filing of taxes can be waived.

Curfew can be imposed by LGUs. What laws are needed?” he said.

Sotto also said the executive department would not need a supplemental budget because it has enough funds to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to disseminate clear and coherent information that could effec-

tively guide the public throughout the duration of the lockdown.

Towards the end of this period, she said the guidelines should be clear on the de-escalation of quarantine and the eventual lifting of the public health emergency.

The opposition senator said respect and protection of the rights of Filipinos should never be compromised.

“All directives of the government should still operate within the framework of public health emergencies, as described under Republic Act 11332,” she said.

She also urged the national and local governments to ensure that safety nets to immediately provide proper social protection and assistance to the public be cast: cash assistance and loans in all forms to those who will lose livelihood and income; delivery of goods and services especially to the most vulnerable; reliable and uninterrupted service delivery of basic utilities such as water, electricity, and the internet; and heightened visibility and capacity for health workers.

She also said the government should give time for reasonable movement so that households can obtain essential goods for their families.

Vehicles entering Metro Manila were stuck in kilometer-long queues Monday at checkpoints enforcing a quarantine aimed at curbing the nation’s rising coronavirus cases.

Despite a halt on domestic travel to and from the capital, shuttered malls and curfews, workers as well as provisions were still being allowed in through police and military checkpoints.

Metro Manila’s population of some 12 million swells daily with an army of laborers who commute to work on packed buses from its relatively cheaper suburbs.

“I am fine with it because it is for the safety of everyone,” said 47-year-old truck driver Pablito Elipien, who is used to the capital’s notorious gridlock.

Though the Philippines has detected a fraction of the infections seen in hot spots such as China and Italy, its confirmed cases have jumped to 140, with 12 deaths.

Duterte ordered the capital sealed off to domestic travel from Sunday, and by Monday the city’s malls -- centers of life in the country -- were opting to shut down.

Local leaders were also to begin imposing night-time curfews in some areas to encourage people to stay home, and “large” masses have been called off in the Catholic majority nation’s capital.

For the workers stuck in the checkpoint queues, delay and discomfortare facts of life for their commutes into the city, which take hours on a normal day.

“It’s (checkpoints) not really an inconvenience as long as you have the necessary documents,” said Virgilio Aniceto, 51, a construction worker.

The Metro Manila Development Autority (MMDA) said trucks carrying medical supplies and food items are exempted from the truck ban along EDSA and other roads in Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the exemption would be in effect until further notice.

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), send-off parties and nonessential persons at the terminals have been prohibited to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal appealed to the public to bear with more restrictions that the authorities may impose in the coming days.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), meanwhile, branded as “fake news” reports on social media saying that hundreds of Chinese nationals were being allowed to enter the Philippines.

One post questioned the arrival of a Xiamen Air flight that arrived March 10. The BI said, however, that the flight carried only four passengers: a Filipino citizen and three permanent residents, who are among the classes exempted from the travel ban.

“We are not banning flights, but are rather restricting people coming from areas of concern,” said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente. He said some flights to and from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea still continue to operate as they may carry exempted classes that may fly in and out of the country.

Senator...

a hospital or health facility, she said.

So far, she said, six of the current 140 people infected with COVID-19 have been allowed to undergo home quarantine, but they will still be strictly monitored.

Most of the 140 have mild symptoms, Vergeire said.

Severe symptoms include difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. Critical cases are those who need equipment to help them breathe.

But Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government is planning to isolate all confirmed cases to one facility to control the spread of the virus, after the number of fatalities climbed to 12 on Monday.

He said he would propose the plan to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Panelo said he and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año had recommended to place Metro Manila under lockdown to effectively control and stop the spread of the deadly virus.

The proposed metro-wide lockdown will likely include work stoppage and closure of establishments, Panelo said.

“The only way to stop this is for us to help ourselves. We are the potential carriers of the virus. We have to restrict the

movement, otherwise this will spread,” he said.

The Government Service Insurance System, meanwhile, declared a lockdown at its main office in Pasay City until April 15 after one of its regular employees, a female, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

“The GSIS Branch Office on Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, will also be closed to the public for the same 30-day period,” said GSIS vice president for corporate communications Marge Jorillo said.

GSIS also ordered work suspended in its branches office in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, after several employees experienced symptoms. The employees are awaiting the results of their tests.

GSIS president and general manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet emphasized that all other GSIS branch offices and extension offices nationwide remain open to the public.

In related developments: • The Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-11) confirmed on Sunday the first case of COVID-19 in Region 11.

The confirmed case, a 21-year-old female, arrived in the Philippines on Feb. 29 from

the United Kingdom after a layover in Doha, Qatar. She was transferred and admitted for isolation and testing at a referral hospital March 10 and is currently in stable condition, the DOH said.

• The 444 Filipino crew members and passengers aboard the M/V Grand Princess from San Francisco, were taken to the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac for a 14-day quarantine after arriving in Manila on a chartered plane. The DOH said the repatriates would be restricted to the New Athletes Village before they would be allowed to go back to their respective homes. They will also undergo the same protocol applied to the first and second batches of repatriates—the 30 Filipinos from Wuhan, and the more than 400 Filipinos from MV Diamond Princess from Yokohama, Japan.

• China, where the virus first emerged, has shipped 2,000 fast test kits for COVID-19 to Manila on Monday and is expected to provide more test kits in the coming days, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Monday. The test kits, developed by China BGI Group, can produce results in three hours. China has vowed to help other countries hit by the COVID-19 including Italy and Spain.

• Classes and all school levels will continue to be suspended until April 14 • Mass gatherings shall be prohibited.

• A strict home quarantine will be observed in all households. Movements will be limited to obtaining basic necessities. Provision of food and essential health services will be regulated.

• The executive branch will implement a work-from-home arrangement except the Philippine National Police, Armed Force of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and health and emergency frontline services, border control and other critical services.

• Only private establishments providing basic necessities such as public markets, supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, hospitals, pharmacies and drugstores, food preparation and delivery services, water-refilling stations, manufacturing and processing plants of basic food products and medicines, banks, money transfer services, power, energy, water and telecommunications supplies and facilities, will be open.

• Business process outsourcing establishments and export-oriented industries will remain operational, subject to the condition that strict social distancing measures are observed.

• Media personnel will be allowed to travel within the quarantine area, provided they obtain an ID from the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

• Mass public transport facilities will be suspended.

• Land, air and sea travel will be restricted. Outbound passengers intending to depart the Philippines from any of the international airports in Luzon will be allowed to travel for a period of 72 hours from the effectivity of the enhanced community quarantine. Inbound international passengers, in transit upon effectivity of the enhanced community quarantine, will be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions imposed by the IATF. • The movement of cargoes within, to and from the entire Luzon will be un-

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He said he was infected despite taking the usual precautions against the virus.

“How, I do not know,” he said. “This just goes to show how easily this virus is spread and therefore it is best for everyone to stay home and stay clean.”

Zubiri said he would stay in isolation for 10 more days until he is clear of the virus.

“I hope my coming out will show how dangerously infectious this virus is,” he said.

As the number of infections continued to rise, the Department of Health said almost 40 percent of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had no exposure to known infected cases.

Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told radio dzBB they were still trying to identify the index cases who spread the infection in the country.

At the same time, Vergeire said people with mild symptoms—having a cough, sore throat, runny nose and colds or fever—would be allowed to go home for self-declared quarantine. This was being done to limit their exposure to patients in

DOTr Checkpoints From A1

Valenzuela City (1) • NLEX (Entrance) • MC Arthur Highway Malanday Boundary of Valenzuela and Meycauayan (Exit) Valenzuela City (2) • Punturin Boundary of Libtong Meycauayan (Primary) •NLEX Harborlink (Mindanao Ave MM Exit) •Lawang Bato Emergency Exit to Nlex •Viente Reales Skyline Exit 10 Meycauayan, Bulacan • Viente Reales Tugatog Exit to Meycauayan, Bulacan •Lingunan Ciudad Grande Exit to Meycauayan •NLEX Linguhan Exit Going to Valenzuela •Lawang Bato Nlex •Overpass Near Memorial Gardens •NLEX Paso De Blas Entrance •Wawang Pulo Boundary of Obando Bulacan SOUTHERN POLICE DISTRICT Muntinlupa •Susana Heights • Daang Hari • Zapote Road

Las Piñas

Parañaque • Roxas Blvd corner Mia Road • Macapagal Blvd. corner Pacific Ave. Muntinlupa City • Tunasan- San Pedro Boundary, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City • Tunasan- Cuyab Boundary, Arandia St., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City • In front of Parce Bello, Victoria Homes, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City • Biazon Road Corner MCX Road, Brgy Poblacion,

LA, NY...

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Sunday in its 10 provinces, the chief public health officer told a news conference.

Atlantic coast provinces were the last to be hit. Major metropolitan centers― Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver― remain the most affected.

Muntinlupa City •SLEX Tollgate Exit (Westbound), East Service Road, Brgy. Alabang Viaduct, Muntinlupa City.

• Sucat-Taguig Boundary, Dr. A Bunyi St, Brgy. Sucat, Major J Posadas Ave., corner West Service Road, Brgy.

Sucat, Muntinlupa • In front of Total Gas Station, Don Jesus Blvd., corner West Service Road, Brgy., Cupang, Muntinlupa City • Muntinlupa-Las Piñas Boundary, Alabang-Zapote Road, Brgy. Cupang, Muntinlupa City • In front of Police Outpost, along Investment, Drive corner Commerce Ave., Brgy., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City Parañaque City • Roxas Blvrd near footbridge Brgy. Baclaran • Airport Road infront of UCPB Brgy. Baclaran • Bradco Ave. Corner, Diokno Ave., Brgy. Tambo • NAIA Ave., Near Pascor Drive Brgy., Sto. Niño • Pacific Ave., Corner, Macapagal Blvd., Brgy Don Galo • C5 Road Corner Kaingin Road • Quirino Ave., Corner Victor Medina, Brgy.San Dionisio • C5 Road Boundary of Las Piñas and Parañaque • Canaycay Ave., in front of Caltex Brgy. San Dionisio • Sucat Interchange • Doña Soledad Ave., Near Skyway Entrance/Exit • West Service Road, Corner Marcelo Ave., Marcelo Green • West Service Road in front of Robinson, Brgy. Merville • PNR Bicutan Interchange Las Piñas City • Along C5 Road Extension, Manuyo Uno, Las Piñas City (Las Piñas City and Parañaque Boundary) • Along Padre Diego Cera, Ave. Manuyo Uno, Las Piñas City • Zapote Viaduct, Brgy.Zapote Las Piñas City • Along Canaycay Ave. Manuyo Dos, Las Piñas City • Riverdrive, BFRV Brgy. Talon Dos, Las Piñas City

“I’m asking everyone to take strong action to prevent the spread of the virus,” chief public health officer Theresa Tam said, warning that a window of opportunity to mitigate its spread was “quickly narrowing.”

New virus A new coronavirus cluster linked to a South Korean religious group emerged on Monday, with 46 cases at a church

• Marcos Alvarez Ave., Talon Singko, Las Piñas City EASTERN POLICE DISTRICT Marikina City •Makabayan St. corner JP Rizal Brgy. Nangka •Pambili St., Cor Marcos Highway (U-Turn) Brgy. San Roque •Armscor Ave. Cor Sampaguita St. Fortune (To San Mateo) • Delos Santos Ave. Monterey Hills, Fortune (To San Mateo) •Lilac St., Cor. Olive St., Concepcion Dos (To Antipolo) •Olive Ext. Footbridge, Concepcion Dos (To Antipolo) •Sumulong Highway corner Katipunan Access Road, Sto. Niño (To Antipolo) •Marcos Highway in front of Buenaviahe Bldg. Brgy. San Roque •San Miguel PH 3 Brgy. Fortune •Champaca St., Cor Ponteverde Drive Brgy. Concepcion Dos •Panorama St., Cor Waco St., Brgy. Concepcion Dos • Panorama St., Cor Ignatius St., Brgy. Concepcion Dos •Katipunan St., Cor Tangerin St., Concepcion Dos • Chestnut St., Cor Gospel St., Brgy. San Roque • East Bank Road, Brgy. Sta Lucia (To Taytay) • Ortigas Ave. Ext., Brgy Sta. Lucia (To Antipolo/Taytay) Pasig City • Kaginhawaan St., Cor. Lexi Ave., Maggahan • Green Park Gate Felix Ave Dela Paz • Greenwood Ave., Pinagbuhatan • R. Thadeus St., MRV, Sta Lucia • West Bank Road, Brgy Maybunga (To Taytay) • A. Sandoval Corner Eusebio Ave., Brgy. Pinagbuhatan (To Taytay) • Eusebio Ave corner C6 Road Brgy Pinagbuhatan (To Taytay) • Tramo Road., Sta Luciao Road., Sta Lucia

near Seoul that defied calls to suspend services.

The Grace River Church in Seongnam, south of the capital, finally closed its doors on Sunday after nearly a third of its 135 worshipers tested positive―including the pastor and his wife.

It continued holding services despite repeated government

requests for the public to avoid group activities, including religious meetings.

Exclusive opening An Australian supermarket chain will start opening its doors exclusively to customers over 60 years old for one hour a day as part of an effort to ease the burden of panic-buying on the most vulnerable.

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during a meeting in Malacañang on Monday.

“PGH and other front-line medical personnel are looking for PPEs. They are in Customs’’ warehouse, tons of them. Go get them there. PGH is an arm of government and entitled to take them,” Locsin said, in his Twitter account.

Keep distance Only people who tested negative for COVID-19 will be allowed to go near President Rodrigo Duterte during private functions, according to the Presidential Security Group.

In a statement, the PSG said the people who tested negative for the virus would be allowed to be near the President, while those not tested would maintain at least a six-foot distance from him.

The PSG also said the “no-touch” policy on President Duterte would be strictly enforced, and a 10-meter distance from the audience would be maintained in any large functions.

Special Committee Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday announced that the House of Representatives had created a special committee, the Defeat Covid-19 Coordinating Committee, that is tasked to help the government assess the situation relating to the China virus.

He said the House would continue to conduct hearings amid the threat of COVID-19, but WOULD observe social distancing and limiting the number of attendees.

He said the hearing will begin on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the main resource person.

Work stoppage The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a work stoppage in all courts and court offices in the country, except for a skeleton staff who will act on urgent matters brought before them due to the continued rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.

In Administrative Circular 31-2020, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, said the reduced court operations will take effect starting on Monday, March 16, until April 15, 2020.

“The Constitution and our laws are not suspended, and our courts are not shutting down in times of emergencies,” he said.

“But with the situation still rapidly evolving, and an atmosphere of uncertainty pervading, we must all do everything we can.”

Reconsider Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development to reconsider its decision to temporarily stop the release of the social pension for indigent senior citizens, unconditional cash transfer and conditional cash transfer under Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“We call to withdraw its decision [to pull out the assistance] and pursue the continuity of the programs,” Robredo said.

“Without these, many of them [beneficiaries] would be forced to go out of their house to work since without work, they would not be able to eat.”

Virtual press briefings Malacañang said Monday it will hold virtual press briefings starting Tuesday instead of the regular faceto-face news conferences.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the move will minimize the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.

Regular Palace briefings are always televised in the state-run news channel and live-streamed on Facebook.

Flights canceled Philippine Airlines said Monday it is canceling all domestic flights to and from Cebu on March 17 and 18.

PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna said the move was in compliance with the directive of the Provincial Government of Cebu restricting the entry of passengers arriving in the region to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Those affected on March 17 include flights to and from General Santos, Davao, Iloilo, Camiguin, Caticlan, Ozamiz, Busuanga, Kalibo, Tacloban, Siargao and Butuan.

On March 18, the affected flights are to and from Dipolog, General Santos, Iloilo and Davao.

With Rey E. Requejo, Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz, Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano “Woolworths Supermarkets will be opening exclusively for the elderly and those with a disability to shop from 7am to 8am,” the company said in a statement Monday.

The measure is expected to come into effect on Tuesday and run for the rest of the week, when the policy will be reviewed and potentially extended.

AFP

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DOLE: 3,000 jobs available despite COVID-19

By Vito Barcelo

T

Congress urges Du30: Declare Sunday ‘Nat’l Day of Prayer’

HE Department of Labor and Employment said there were at least 3,000 job opportunities in the country despite the global outbreak of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19).

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said job opportunities continued to abound in a manufacturing company in Laguna.

The DOLE said it received a letter from Perry A. Ferrer of EMS Components Assembly and Alliance Mansols Inc., which engaged in the manufacture of electronic assemblies.

The businessman said he was also a subcontractor to foreign multinational export companies located in Cebu, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite.

“We currently have a strategic campaign to capture business but [it] involves hiring 3,000 workers,” Ferrer said. “The assembly work will be done at the Lima Technopark in Batangas,” he said.

“I need a total of 3,000 [workers] for March and April. I hope with your reach, we can provide Filipinos looking for employment,” the businessman said in his letter.

Bello welcomed the job openings as a “silver lining in the cloud of COVID-19 which is threatening the employment of many Filipinos.”

“This is proof that there are opportunities in adversities,” Bello said.

Bello also called on both the employers’ organizations and labor groups to help the government ease the impact of the global outbreak.

The global outbreak has affected travel and tourism industries as well as trade, authorities said.

A prolonged outbreak is expected to cause severe impact on employment of Filipino workers in and outside of the Philippines, they added.

“But with strong cooperation among the stakeholders, I am confident that we can triumph over challenges posed by COVID-19,” Bello said.

COMING HOME. Welcomers wave the tricolors as the chartered flight lands on the Haribon Hangar in Clark Airbase, Pampanga at 2:15 a.m. Monday, carrying 444 Filipinos (438 crew members and six passengers) from the MV Grand Princess.

Congressmen seek waiver of ITR penalties

By Maricel V. Cruz THE numerous restrictions imposed by the government on the people’s mobility and social contact have prompted two legislators to propose the easing of tax filing requirements and waiver penalties on late filing of income tax returns.

Assistant Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said “Metro Manila residents should at least be given 15 more days to comply with the ITR requirement” while Albay Rep. Clemente Jose Sarte Salceda urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue to provide taxpayers with administrative remedies.

Salceda, chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on ways and means, also said his committee “is recommending the easing of filing requirements in view of the April 15 deadline set by law on the filing of income tax returns.

“It makes sense to extend. While the April 15 deadline is written in the law, the commissioner of Internal Revenue can make exceptions in meritorious cases.

That’s in the Tax Code. I understand the Secretary of Finance’s sense that they are constrained. But we have options.”

“We can extend the deadline, or we can temporarily waive the consequences of the deadline, which are penalties and surcharges. It makes sense to do either.”

Salceda said.

In pushing for the ITR filing deadline, Nograles said that even the Supreme Court has extended the filing of pleadings to an additional 30 days from the original due date of filing due to the work suspension in the judiciary.

Salceda also said the electronic filing and payment system of the BIR will help avoid face-to-face interactions.

“The Large Taxpayer Service already requires electronic filing. That’s around

SSS issues guidelines amid MM quarantine Anti-coronavirus help desks needed—solon

THE Social Security System issued temporary service guidelines for its Metro Manila branches after the region is placed under community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to the guidelines, the SSS will form a skeletal workforce in all of its branches in Metro Manila to continuously serve its members— Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Transactions, however, will be limited to applications for non-medical benefits such as retirement, death, funeral, and unemployment; sickness and maternity notifications; employer reimbursement claims for sickness and maternity; maternity claims for selfemployed and voluntary members; Pension Loan Program application; and contribution and loan payments.

Medical Evaluation Centers in the said region will only be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for sickness and disability benefit claims.

Unified Multi-Purpose Identification card applications and other transactions will temporarily be unavailable.

Members are advised to avoid unnecessary trips to SSS branches.

For accessing records, viewing of eligibility and documentary requirements for benefit and loan programs, inquiry on the status of benefit claims, and other transactions, members may use the My.SSS portal on the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph, download the SSS Mobile App or use the Text-SSS facility at 2600.

SSS branches outside Metro Manila will continue with normal operations to serve the public.

The said guidelines will take effect starting March 16, 2020. The SSS will issue an advisory should there be any changes.

The health and safety of its members, employees, and other stakeholders are always a top concern of the SSS. It hopes that everyone will be guided accordingly.

For more information, members may call the SSS hotline at 1455 or the Interactive Voice Response System facility at 7917-7777. They may also follow its social media accounts for updates.

BELIEVING that the worst is not over for the Philippines despite the community quarantine now being imposed in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country, a congressman said that COVID-19 Protocol and Monitoring Helpdesk and Testing Centers should be set up in all barangays.

Rep. Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano party-list group said the Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (ITFEID) should activate the centers as soon as possible to make monitoring of the spread of the China virus more accurate and provide time intervention for the victims wherever they are.

Ong said that while the spread of the virus, that originated from the military and science research center of Wuhan in Central China, had been minimized by the metro-wide CQ, it was expected that the number of those infected will continue to rise “so the best way to address this health crisis is to fortify the barangays from the COVID-19 threat through accessible testing and strict monitoring.”

“I don’t want to sound too pessimistic but until after we can actually find a cure to this COVID-19 virus, the worst is not over for us despite all the measures that are put in place. We have to prepare for a long and hard battle to defeat this disease and our main battleground will be our communities, specifically the barangays,” Ong, vice chairman of the House committee on rural development, said.

“If we can promptly detect the disease and isolate those infected at the barangay level, we would have a better chance to minimize the opportunity for this dreaded virus to spread further to other communities,” added Ong, also vice chairperson of the House committee on foreign affairs.

This developed as Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said that Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque’s disclosure on the need for more testing kits for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) amid an expected increase in local infections gives all the more reason for the Congress to hold a special session to augment the DOH’s budget for its acquisition of test kits as part of the containment and mitigation measures against the pandemic.

Villafuerte cited the urgency for the government to purchase more than enough COVID-19 testing kits after Duque conceded over the weekend that the DOH had “limited testing supplies” even as the number of infected persons and those they have had interacted would likely climb and require more diagnostic kits for health authorities to test them. Maricel V. Cruz

30 to 40 thousand companies. That accounts for around 68 percent of the revenue the BIR generates. We should ensure that the user experience is easy, so that individual and small taxpayers can navigate the system.”

“We were already doing that by facilitating the legislative side of the BIR’s digital transformation. It appears we are now compelled to fast-track it.”

“Definitely, it will help to extend the deadline and boost the electronic channels. I am already working with the DOF and the BIR to see what are options are. We have options to either extend in fact or extend in consequence.

Either way works.” Salceda said.

Salceda proposed the tax deadline extension as part of a P199-billion package of measures that seek to boost the economy and compensate for possible welfare and economic losses due to COVID-19.

WITH the country now in the middle of efforts to contain the China virus outbreak, the minority leader in the House of Representatives on Monday urged the President to declare Sunday, March 22 a “National Day of Prayer” as a way to unify a country “that has always turned to faith in the darkest of times.”

“Today we face an unprecedented public health crisis that will test our people and stretch our resources.”

“History, however, has shown that the Filipino people have always overcome the challenges confronting them with resolve and faith,” said the bloc’s leader, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., a pastor and the founder of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries.

“As government mobilizes its resources and rallies the people in efforts to prevent the spread of this disease, I urge President Rodrigo Duterte to declare this Sunday, March 22 a National Day of Prayer, to help unify the country in prayer and faith and to inspire all of us to set aside our differences as we confront a disease that threatens us all.”

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano backed Abante’s urging, saying that everybody—regardless of religion or faith, should unite against the COVID-19.

Abante said that while religious activities have been restricted as part of precautions to slow down the COVID-19 outbreak, “this does not mean we should stop praying for the safety of our families and our country.

Guidelines issued by Malacañang now prohibit mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential workrelated gatherings shall be prohibited.

However, essential work-related meetings and religious activities may continue so long as strict social distancing―defined as the strict maintenance of a distance of at least one meter radius between and among those attending―is maintained during the entirety of the event.

Maricel V. Cruz

In Loving Memory of

Cristina Flestado-Fidelson ( July 24, 1932 -March 16, 2020) She is survived by her husband Munding EstarejaFidelson, children Annie and Cata, Romualdo and Grace, Rene and Nova, Agnes and Jun, Rudy and Lelyn, Imelda and Jeffrey, and grandchildren.

Her remains lie in their Family Home at corner Bonifacio and Aguinaldo Streets, Gubat, Sorsogon.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Guidelines need clarity WHEN President Duterte went on national television to announce a onemonth lockdown, euphemistically called community quarantine, I had the uncanny feeling that he was declaring martial law since there were military generals behind him.

There are, however, many things that must be clarified with regard to the lockdown. It is for this reason that I insist on a massive education and information campaign for the benefit of people who do not read newspapers, much less listen to the daily briefings of the Department of Health.

The lockdown is a necessary draconian measure, but we can do away with the confusion.

This campaign becomes critical considering the fact that informal settlers have no idea about basic hygiene. They do not have running water. Those who live near Pasig River defecate into the body of water. They live in cramped quarters. How, then, is social distancing possible?

Social distancing is being one meter away from the next individual. But how can that be enforced when people have to go to work daily, riding in packed jeepneys, buses and trains?

I lament the situation of daily wage earners, especially if their employers adopt the no work, no pay policy.

There is also this requirement that workers—and this includes household helpers—to show IDs and proofs of employment when entering and exiting Metro Manila. Not all of them have IDs. Will they be arrested when they insist that they are indeed workers? The Justice Department says no, because

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

that would be illegal. I think this is a lie. I know for a fact that the police and military manning checkpoints could be abusive.

Despite all these, I believe that President Duterte did the right thing in imposing a lockdown on Metro Manila.

It's a draconian measure, but a necessary one.

We have seen how President Duterte could be decisive and bold. I wonder, however—why doesn't he do it against the POGOs whose presence has created many problems for us? Is the President so in love with China that he can't act decisively when dealing with the Chinese?

Please, Mr. President. Tell us this is not so.

My wife and I have gone on self-quarantine. But since we still need assistance from our household help, we require them to wear masks and wash their hands frequently.

It's uncanny. I get the same feeling that I did when the Japanese entered Manila and declared it an open city.

At least then, it was clear who the enemy was. Now we can't see where the virus is.

In this connection, since we are living in dangerous times, newspapers should stop the society pages to be more sensitive to those who do not know where their next meal would come from. President Marcos did this when he declared martial law. The lockdown may not be martial law, but there's need to give comfort and solace to all.

A lockdown means people can no longer dine in their favorite restaurants because the workers will be sent home.

This means the virtual death of the restaurant business. Establishments will also cut down on casual workers—you know what that entails.

Will it really only last for 30 days?

I consider myself lucky because I can work from home and send my column via email. Other workers who rely on technology are also lucky. But how about the masa? I sympathize with them.

Also, how would the masses know whether the jeep and bus they are taking have been disinfected?

My advice to everybody—stay home.

T

Common sense in the time of COVID-19

HE decision to impose a community quarantine in Metro Manila was a swift and decisive move to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but it is important that the authorities gain public support for the measures they impose.

Fear, of course, is an effective motivator, but logic, common sense, transparency and clear communication are just as important in gaining true community buy-in.

Working on the premise that we must know the extent of a problem before we can deal with it effectively, we surely need to be testing many more people.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, for example, observes that with 11 dead out of 140 confirmed cases, the mortality rate here is a high 7.8 percent, well above the global estimate of 2 percent or 3 percent. He adds that the high mortality rate is a result of the limited number of tests that have been conducted. If more tests are conducted and more people are found to be positive, he said, the mortality rate, which is the number of deaths divided by the number of confirmed cases, would surely decline.

While the Department of Health has regularly reported on the number of deaths and confirmed cases, we do not know how many people have already been tested.

In contrast, South Korea learned a key lesson from the 2015 outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a more virulent coronavirus than COVID-19. At the time, a lack of tests prompt-

ed people sick with the disease to go from hospital to hospital to confirm if they had the bug. As a result, nearly half the people who got the disease were exposed at hospitals.

Are we doomed to follow the same path?

After the MERS outbreak, Korea enacted reforms that allowed the government to give near-instantaneous approval to testing systems in an emergency, the non-profit group ProPublica observes. Within weeks of the outbreak in Wuhan, China, four Korean companies had manufactured tests from a World Health Organization recipe, giving the government a system that could assess 10,000 people a day. Korea also set up drive-through test stations that minimized the exposure of health workers to the disease. As of March 14, South Korea had tested more than 248,000 people and identified 8,086 cases.

We applaud the test kit developed by the University of the Philippines and its approval by the Food and Drug Administration, but unless there is a plan to ramp up production of these kits in the tens of thousands, we would still be proceeding blind.

Singapore, meanwhile, demonstrated the importance of clear communication

from the top.

After the government raised its outbreak alert in February one level below the maximum, Singaporeans emptied supermarket shelves. To quell the anxiety, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered an address to the nation in three of the city-state’s four official languages. “I want to speak to you directly, to explain where we are, and what may lie ahead,” he said. Supermarket lines soon eased.

In contrast, one top Philippine official showed callousness as Metro Manila began a month-long community quarantine. Asked what the government could do to ease the suffering of those affected by the new restrictions, this official quipped that “nobody died from hunger in a month” and suggested we must all make sacrifices. This is not the way to win community buy-in.

Finally, measures taken must have internal logic that the public can understand. We understand social distancing because we know how the virus is transmitted. We do not understand the reason to impose a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as these hours have no relation whatsoever to the spread of the virus. If the objective of the curfew is to limit the gathering of large groups at night, that could have been more easily achieved by ordering bars and restaurants that stay open late to close early during the community quarantine period.

This isn't a time for local officials to flex their muscles; it is a time for them to do the jobs properly.

Lessons from Camus’ The Plague

THE COVID-19 pandemic, as in all crises, brings out the best and worst of humanity. There is heroism and perfidy, complacency as well as discontent and cynicism; despair, anger, and fatalism. All told, individuals exhibit a wide spectrum of emotions, mindsets and attitudes toward a distressing event such as the present pandemic now sweeping the globe.

In the 1940s, French-Algerian novelist Albert Camus wrote an existentialist classic entitled La Peste (The Plague) which hauntingly captures the varying responses and struggles of people in today’s societies. Le Peste portrays characters as they struggle against the plague (the Bubonic plague) sweeping a city in Algeria called Oran. Although a fictionalized piece of literature set in the 1940s, The Plague is believed to be a depiction of true events in the coastal city of Oran, Algeria which has been decimated by intermittent outbreaks of cholera throughout its long history.

The story begins when thousands of rats inexplicably begin to die on the streets of Oran. As the populace begin to notice the unexplained deaths, hysteria develops, and the people begin collecting and cremating the rats fearing of the spread of bubonic plague. As more and more people fall ill and die, the town is sealed off, gates are shut, rail travel prohibited, and all mail service suspended. In today’s lingo, Oran was put on enhanced community quarantine.

Throughout all the stages of the plague, Albert Camus portrays how the different characters of the story cope with their own struggles, their pains, despair and finally redemption; how some of them rise up to overcome their demons and channel their efforts to do good to their fellow human beings.

Camus’ characters mirror our own at-

titudes and responses towards the current coronavirus pandemic.

The main character of the novel is Dr. Bernard Rieux, a middle-aged doctor who finds himself at the epicenter of a cholera outbreak in Oran. He is torn between taking care of his wife who has become ill of the plague and his professional duty to care for the victims. Initially ill at ease about the plague, he finally grasps the gravity of the situation, seeing that many are falling ill and dying helplessly, and decides to devote all his expertise as a doctor to alleviate the suffering of the victims.

What kind of country and world we will have after this pandemic depends in the choices we make in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Dr. Rieux engages in this task not for any religious compulsion or moral high code but primarily because it is his duty as a doctor. His warnings about the seriousness of the epidemic fell on deaf ears as the authorities refuse to take him seriously. He then exhaustively treats patients in their homes and in the hospital.

Amidst the despair and helplessness of the dying and suffering, Dr. Rieux remains a pragmatic man; he knows all too well that despite his superhuman struggles, he cannot win against death.

Dr. Rieux remind me of Chinese ophthalmologist Li Wenliang, who in late December when a mysterious SARS-like virus began to infect people, warned fellow colleagues about a possible outbreak of a SARS-like illness. The local authorities of Wuhan summoned and admonished him for Turn to A5

Can we defeat COVID-19?

We’re keeping our fingers crossed.

IT'S Day 3 of the public health emergency declared by President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday (March 12).

It began implementation on Sunday (March 15) and will last until April 14 to prevent an escalation of COVID-19 incidence in the country. Is it starting to work?

The community quarantine, a euphemism for lockdown of an urban area with no less than 12 million residents, now being implemented in Metro Manila per presidential edict and elsewhere in the country via local ordinances, is no doubt timely, necessary

and well-intentioned.

The lack of clear implementing rules and regulations on community quarantine last Thursday, however, left the citizenry with a lot of questions. Among these had to do with employment and livelihood: would workers living outside of Metro Manila be allowed entry to the metro?

The DILG answered affirmatively, provided they can show identification cards from their employers.

Some were worried that the government would deploy no less than

26,000 policemen and soldiers to enforce the public health emergency.

They will be stationed at entry and exit points to Metro Manila, such as NLEX and SLEX, with the power to arrest and detain those who will ignore the checkpoints.

If this is a public health emergency, the main focus should have been on mobilizing the entire government to face the health crisis squarely. This means, for instance, creating more isolation rooms in both public and privately owned hospitals to deal with the increase in the number of people found to be positive with the coronavirus. We also expected Duterte to provide the DOH with billions of pesos more in funds so it can mobilize all the resources for them to do a good job of coping with the health emergency.

The socio-economic ramifications of Turn to A5

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Opinion The bogeyman is here WHAT a difference a week can make.

Last Tuesday I wrote about how “online half-truths and manufactured fears” were exacerbating the “fear factor” as a major reason for the epidemic’s negative effects on our economic prospects. At that time, there had been only a few recorded cases of infection and just two deaths, both of them foreign travelers.

Today, the number of confirmed infections exceeds a hundred, with many others classed as possible carriers. The President has put Metro Manila under a lockdown euphemistically labelled a “community quarantine,” but all 17 mayors here want to go even farther and declare a curfew. Overburdened health workers are pleading for more equipment; to their credit, private citizens have been mobilizing, but government still has to deliver what ought to be its disproportionate share.

The death toll has reached a dozen, its tentacles touching the unsuspecting. It became personal for me when I learned that the second local fatality was a friend of my wife’s and mine from college days at UP, whose husband we had known just as long. We were together in many places—in Washington DC, in Jakarta, of course in Manila—over the decades. Their children are Stateside and could not be beside them in their hour of need, and it’s for that—and for the kids—that I grieve the most.

Yes, the bogeyman is real, and he’s here. Even our churches have closed down in his presence. But now that we can no longer gather together as faith communities, it’s also precisely the time when we ought to be reasserting our religious loyalties by praying and caring more for each other, especially those who may be sick or— like our health workers—in need of our support. The more we encounter

each other through acts of charity that go beyond the boundaries of “social distancing,” the more we prevent the bogeyman from imprisoning us more effectively than any virus could. *** The virus has already affected our economic prospects, as I also wrote last week. But silver linings can still be found. According to NEDA’s Secretary Pernia, even with the epidemic, our country can still grow its per capita gross national income (GNI) by 3-4 percent this year. And that, thankfully, should bring us above the magic number of $3,956--the lower limit above which, according to the World Bank, a country can claim to be “upper middle income” in status.

Silver linings can still be found.

Of course, silver linings come with clouds. Once we reach that status, we’ll no longer be entitled to the preferentially low borrowing rates made available to lower-income countries by multilateral lenders. So we’ll have to work harder to upgrade our credit rating to single-A within the next two to three years. This will serve to bring back down our borrowing costs and make it easier to finance all the new stuff we now know we need to spend for, i.e. better health care systems including reserve resources; a stand-by medical corps; wider safety nets for our congested urban poor communities (to borrow a few ideas from a Bill Gates TED talk way back in 2015).

Abroad, the oil price war that’s broken out between Saudi Arabia and Russia as they battle for global market share will happily bring down local pump prices and keep our inflation outlook benign. Unfortunately, it may also bring job losses for our overseas workers as their host countries in the Middle East absorb the impact of lower prices on their most important export commodity.

This mixed picture calls for a steady monetary policy, not further easing and lowering of interest rates, according to former BSP deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo. Even as the Fed contemplates zero interest rates in the United States, we need not follow them heedlessly. As Diwa puts it quite perceptively, “There is virtue in waiting. There is virtue in patience especially when information is very little and there’s a lot of uncertainty in the market.” *** Today’s first reading from the Old Testament is particularly apropos as we deal with the heat of the virus epidemic.

In Daniel 3: 34-43, three young Jewish men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—are thrown into a furnace by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnez Nebuchadnezzar in his rage over their refusal to wor worship him. The “white-hot furnace” is super-heated with brimstone, pitch, tow and wood to a height of over 70 feet and a temperature seven times hotter than usual, enough to burn the soldiers who threw the three Jewish men into it.

But an angel comes down into their midst, driving the flames out of the furnace, and protects them from being burned, even as the three men sing their prayer to the Lord: “Let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly…We follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy. Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord!”

A furnace and an epidemic are different forms of a holocaust, a term which is ultimately sacrificial in meaning: an offering to God. Whatever pain and inconvenience we may undergo from this viral trial may also be sacrificially offered up by us. And whatever charity we learn from it, and do unto each other, turns us away from the bogeyman and brings us that much closer to the Divine Presence.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

Containing a curable disease MOST of us do not like any of what’s happening in Metro Manila, arising from the imposition of the “community quarantine” or lockdown, now with major localities enforcing curfew hours to combat the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19.

The same action is being taken in cities and towns outside the National Capital Region (NCR). I hate it as much as anyone would.

Unfortunately, such measures are something we cannot help but impose in times of crisis, like this coronavirus pandemic which is gripping over 100 countries across the globe, claiming 3,600 deaths and infecting 105,600 people, and counting. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as the health risk of the highest level with the rate it is spreading globally.

Just as many showed complacency in the past weeks, now so many people are panicking and hoarding food and other supplies at home despite government assurance that there will be no shortages, particularly in food supplies.

What aggravate the situation are fake news items and black propaganda of President Duterte's political rivals and anti-government camps, including the rabid Yellow critics and left-leaning groups desperately exploiting the public health crisis to advance their political agendas.

They have resorted to massive, systematic misinformation through social media, as well as the mainstream media, first confusing community quarantine with “lockdown.” There is no lockdown since people can still go in

and out of Metro Manila as long as the travel is job-related or involving personal or medical emergencies.

As soon as President Duterte disclosed the impending imposition of the community quarantine on the recommendation of the Department of Health and the inter-agency task force, these anti-government groups immediately described it as a step toward the imposition of martial law.

This is a temporary condition and it is not martial law.

It is clear though that the metro-wide quarantine that began Sunday is all about prevention of the spread of the dreaded virus for which doctors and experts have not found an antidote or vaccine.

It is important to note, however, that it is a curable disease and that there has been an exceptionally high rate of recovery, especially when detected and treated in early stages. Community quarantine is imperative at this point

Can we...

From A4

the lockdown and the expected imposition of curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. after local government units have issued the requisite ordinances are just as mind-boggling. We see confusion and anger over the possible long lines of vehicles, both private and public, that will be stopped at NLEX and SLEX the whole day while policemen and soldiers check every passenger in both public and private vehicles with few thermal scans.

We must hasten to add that we believe the lockdown is really necessary to control the spread of COVID-19. But perhaps adequate preparations should have been done ever since the crisis began in late January to anticipate possible problems, instead of officials now hard-pressed to answer questions from the public.

At any rate, we share the sentiment of those who lament the failure of Duterte to commend all those in the health sector—doctors, nurses, medical technicians, emergency medical personnel, and men and women in uniform—who are in the frontline of efforts to halt the onslaught of the dreaded COVID-19 and to save previous lives. To all of them, we offer our sincere thanks and hope that together, we can prevail over this life-and-death situation as soon as possible.

While we're at this, the national government should thoroughly study the experience of three of our neighbors in Asia in coping with COVID-19.

Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore have been hailed for their success in combating the new coronavirus. By February 1, soon after COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore immediately imple-

before we end up like Italy where the whole country is now isolated from the rest of the world.

Authorities have pointed out that more deaths have been caused by dengue and tuberculosis, especially when undetected and untreated early. The past year saw the highest number of dengue cases globally and in the country with 300,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, mostly children.

The last thing Filipinos need now is to bicker with and blame one another for the outcome of the community quarantine imposed on Monday, including the exodus of people to and from Metro Manila.

Many people’s livelihoods have been devastated, particularly our impoverished fellowmen. Who would ever want that happening?

But, as I’ve pointed out, we have to prevent the further person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 by limited the movement of people for a few days.

This is a temporary condition and it is not martial law.

The travel restriction does not even have to last until April 14, 2020 as set by the administration, as the Inter-Agency Task Force meets each day and would promptly recommend to the President to cut short the quarantine period once the public health situation improves.

The community quarantine or lockdown is a temporary measure to save us from further aggravation.

So, please spare us from the aggravation of politicking and destabilization attempts! Style nyo bulok!

mented travel restrictions on passengers coming from the mainland, contravening the World Health Organization’s stand that travel bans were not necessary.

Hong Kong quickly put social distancing into place.

Schools remain closed. Usually busy shopping streets are largely free from foot traffic as many businesses either closed shop or asked employees to work from home. Movie theaters, churches and basketball courts are empty. Mass gatherings have been cancelled.

In Taiwan, an island of 23 million, arrivals from the mainland were subject to health screenings before human-to-human transmission of the virus was confirmed on Jan. 20.

Its rapid mobilization contrasts starkly with South Korea and Japan, which are also near China and have advanced healthcare systems.

Singapore was able to detect three times more cases than the global average because of its strong disease surveillance and effective contact tracing. The island-state's health authorities decided early on to test all influenza-like and pneumonia cases. They also hunted down every possible contact of those infected.

The Singapore government urged residents with even mild symptoms to see a doctor and refrain from going to school or work. And the government decided to foot the bill for testing and treatment of its citizens. The self-employed were even given 100 Singapore dollars per day to allow them to cope with the health emergency. The city-state was praised by the WHO for “leaving no stone unturned” in fighting the coronavirus.

We'll have to wait and see whether the lockdown will succeed and the WHO can give us a clean bill of health by midApril. As of now, we're keeping our fingers crossed. ernhil@yahoo.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Quarantine and quo warranto: Two present-day evils

A FOREIGN phrase and a foreign word have rejoined the Filipino people’s stream of consciousness driving the past year. One is quarantine, a procedure that a person suspected of having been infected by COVID-19 (coronavirus) is required to undergo.

The foreign phrase is quo warranto, one of the special civil actions forming part of the Rules of Court of the Philippines.

A person is required to undergo quarantine—a word of Italian origin—when he or she is known to have been in close proximity to, or to have had any kind of contact with a person determined to be a carrier of a virus or a disease. The length of the quarantine period will vary with the virus or disease and the attendant circumstances; in the case of COVID-19, the period has been set at 14 days. A person under quarantine is placed in isolation or otherwise separated from all other people.

As of this writing, 114 persons, mostly returning OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) have been found to be infected with COVID-19; 12 have succumbed to the severe respiratory problems caused by the virus. Those who have had contact with the infectees, or have returned to the Philippines from countries or places—like the cruise liner Diamond Princess—where people have tested for the virus need to be placed in quarantine. In addition— and possibly more important—those others who might have also had contact with the infected persons.

The combined cost of transporting and maintaining under quarantine highly-probable COVID-19 infectees and searching for thousands of other persons who are likely COVID-19 carriers, added to the needed extraordinary increase in the DOH (Department of Health) budget, had placed much additional pressure on a 2020 national budget already heavily burdened by the infrastructure and other priority programs of the government.

This says nothing of the heavy social and emotional toll that the COVID-19 outbreak has already taken on the fabric of Philippine society. As stated above, the virus has taken 12 lives in the Philippines thus far.

At the outset, I spoke of two things that in recent times have re-entered the Filipino people’s stream of consciousness. I said that quarantine was one and quo warranto was the other.

The first occasion on which quo warranto—the English translation is ‘by what authority’—was the impeachment of Lourdes Ma. Sereno, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in 2017. The government’s chief attorney, the SG (Solicitor General), charged Chief Justice Sereno, with failure to comply with the SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) requirement was sufficient basis for ouster from the highest court in the

land. The Supreme Court, voting narrowly, agreed and Lourdes Ma. Sereno was convicted by the Court.

Most of the experts in constitutional law argued that the Constitution specifically prescribed impeachment as the proper means for removing a member of the Supreme Court and that Chief Justice Sereno’s removal by any other judicial process was clearly a mistake. In their view, the Justices who voted to remove Chief Justice Sereno from the Court struck yet another blow against a Constitution already severely battered by politically motivated assaults.

They have damaged the rule of law and our health and safety.

Quo warranto has returned to the Filipino people’s stream of consciousness with the government (at first President Duterte and the House of Representatives only, but lately the Senate and the Supreme Court also) debate on whether the nation’s largest broadcast institution, ABS-CBN, is entitled to the renewal of its franchise, which apparently will now expire on June 30, 2020.

Taking his cue from his boss in Malacañang, who has time and again vowed to veto the bill that will grant a franchise renewal to the beleaguered media giant, the Solicitor General has slapped a quo warranto case on ABSCBN, charging ABS-CBN with a slew of violations of telecommunications, securities and other laws.

Most legal experts have noted that the Office of the SG has filed the quo warranto case in the penultimate year of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise and that congressional refusal to grant a franchise renewal to the media giant is, legally the wrong corrective action for the government to take. They contend that any violations of law committed

by ABS-CBN during its 24 years of operations should have been penalized by prosecution under the laws creating the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and other concerned regulatory agencies, with the trial of facts that the Supreme Court requires—not by cancellation or non-renewal of its franchise. They submit—as I do—that the SG has chosen to take the quo warranto approach to the issue of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal because he knew that the reason-and-logic route would be fatal to his and his boss’s cause.

Quarantine and quo warranto both have caused damage to the fabric of Philippine society—to the rule of law, in the case of quo warranto, and to the health and safety of the Filipino people in the case of quarantine. Clearly, the ongoing fight against Covid-19 is far more important and it is that fight that should be receiving the undivided attention and maximum effort of every Filipino in the days immediately ahead.

Lessons...

From A4

"making false comments on the Internet." Despite these threats from the authorities, Li returned to work, eventually contracted the virus and succumbed to the disease. He is now hailed as a hero while the local authorities were dismissed by the Chinese government for fumbling their jobs.

Today, many health workers—doctors, nurses and other health professionals, medical students as well in among others China, Italy, Iran, Spain, and right here at home— are putting their lives on the line every day to save others. Like Dr. Rieux, they do so out of a sense of duty: this is what they signed up for and they will do what has to be done.

Not everyone is as noble and morally righteous as Dr. Rieux.

There are the government characters—Joseph Grand, the Prefect, and M. Othon who is the magistrate. In them, we see diverse reactions of today’s public officials to the epidemic—from the initial denial and inaction to a single-minded bid to stop the pandemic.

Raymond Rambert, a journalist, finds himself trapped when the plague breaks out in Oran. He makes a number of attempts to escape but fails. Finally, he decides to stay in the city to help fight the plague.

Making the same choices is Jean Tarou, a disillusioned revolutionary.

Father Paneloux, a Jesuit priest, believes at first that the plague is a punishment from God and preaches this to his congregation. But then something happens that changes his mind as I will write in the next column.

Finally, we have Cottard, a secretive and shady figure. During the plague, he engages in smuggling and becomes wealthy.

Hopefully, in today’s pandemic, we would not have too many Cottards.

Borrowing from another work of Camus “Artist at Work,” there are two choices we have in front of a plague: we can be solitary, that is selfish and self-centered, or we can choose solidarity even with social distance. As the Prime Minister of Italy has said, "Restiamo distanti oggi per abbracciare domani." ("We remain distant today so we can embrace tomorrow.")

What kind of country and world we will have after this pandemic depends in the choices we make in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

A6

News

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SC grants bail for ex-NPA leader Salas Maguindanao councilor, friend killed in ambush

By Willie Casas

D

ETAINED Former New People’s Army leader Rodolfo Salas will enjoy temporary liberty after the Supreme Court allowed him to post bail.

The bail was set at P200,000 for the former rebel leader, who faces a murder case in Manila.

The order for Salas’ provisional release was handed down through a resolution by the SC’s Third Division ordered Salas’ provisional release from his detention at the Manila City Jail upon posting of the cash bond is detained for another lawful cause.

But Salas’ son petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order that would stop proceedings in the murder case of his father before the Regional Trial Court of Manila was dismissed “for lack of merit.”

Last month, the police arrested the 72-year-old Salas on the strength of an arrest warrant for murder for a case over the discovery of a mass grave in Inopacan, Leyte, in 2006 that allegedly contained the skeletal remains of victims of the “purging” allegedly done by the NPA in the 1980s.

Earlier, Salas’ son, Jody, sought for his father’s release before the SC, saying that the elder Salas could no longer be prosecuted for murder because the offense was absorbed in his conviction for rebellion in 1991.

Their lawyers said the conviction was based on a plea bargain agreement that shields Salas from further prosecution for crimes committed in furtherance of rebellion.

But Solicitor General Jose Calida, who represents the Manila judge in charge of the pending murder case, argued that the acts in the old rebellion charge did not include the present 15 counts of murder and could not be “utomatically considered” to have been absorbed.

Arno Sanidad of the defense, however, argued that the murders were allegedly committed in 1985 and thus fall under the rebellion conviction, which he said covers all acts committed from 1970 to 1986.

Salas’ bail was discussed during oral arguments on his habeas corpus case last week, where Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo asked Sanidad if they would consider availing of the doctrine in the 2015 SC ruling that granted bail to former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who was 91 at the time, on humanitarian grounds.

Private sector fears massive buyout of farm lands THE private sector has expressed fear over imminent threat of massive buyout of farm land arising from the revisions in the Real Estate Investment Trust Act that could leave more farmers jobless.

Despite envisioned intensified economic development to be brought by the revised REIT Act of 2009, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. has expressed fear over imminent destruction of agricultural lands as these can be the cheapest land up for sale for developers.

“The REIT is a mode of floating in the stock market shares of properties. The (revised) law is now reducing public ownership of a REIT to 33 percent (enabling increased control of private companies). Therefore all developers— Ayala, Megaworld, Vistaland, Robinson’s Land—everybody is now up to develop more lands,” said PCAFI president Danilo V. Fausto.

“You will see massive acquisition of land— [possibly even including big farm lands] in Central Luzon. Where will they get the land? From farmers losing in rice.”

Fausto claimed that the Rice Tariffication Act implemented last year also appears to be supporting REIT as it has rendered many rice Filipino farmers bankrupt.

“What is happening is there will be malls inside a vast track of land. In the next century, there will no more be land for food,” he said.

The revised REIT IRR took effect last February 7. The law, as of 2011, was imposing upon REITs to offer shares to public a minimum of 40 percent of the outstanding capital stock for the first year. This minimum public ownership should be raised to 67 percent within three years from listing. Willie Casas

COMMUTERS’ WOES. Bus passengers undergo thermal scanning in the presence of policemen at the PITX terminal in Parañaque City on the second day of the Community Quarantine in Metro Manila. The government is also urging the public to practice social distancing to avoid the risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Norman Cruz

SOCIAL DISTANCING. Passengers wait for at the trains to arrive at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station while practicing ‘Social Distancing’ or standing every one meter apart of each other as part of the ongoing Community Quarantine in Metro Manila imposed by the Duterte administration to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Lino Santos

Bill on strategic stockpiling backed Imee asks gov’t STAKEHOLDERS of Senate Bill No. 1347, authored by Senator Richard J. Gordon, expressed support for the measure proposing to amend the charter of the Philippine International Trade Corp.in order to establish a strategic and critical stockpile program in the Philippines.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez lauded Gordon for proposing the bill as it is very timely with the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country that caused the shortage of face masks, alcohol and sanitizers, among other supplies.

“It’s an excellent bill. My reacrion here is that this is long overdue. We need this for a long time. We are thankful Senator Gordon thought of enacting this into law.

This is really very important because now, nafi-feel natin iyong importansya niya,” Lopez said.

The DTI head also said that one of the significant features of the bill that he supports is the proposal to have local manufacturers that will provide the goods that are to be placed in various warehouses across the country.

“The other good thing about the bill

is its promotion of domestic capacity.

In other words, let us develop domestic capacity here for at least we create the investments and local jobs, and take more opportunities. Ang ganda noong bill and we fully support it,” Lopez added.

Under the bill, the PITC, an attached agency of DTI, will be the designated unit that will handle the stockpiling.

During the Senate hearing on March 10, PITC president and chief executive officer Dave Almarinez said, “We’re very happy and we’re very enthusiastic about this bill since this would address our needs,” he said.

In case of emergencies, we are well prepared and we will get critical materials. We’re ready to take the challenge,” he said.

The Land Bank of the Philippines, which will provide the funding for the program also expressed support for the measure. As Nicole Andrew Santos of LBP explained, the bill may help ensure supply and price stability in various goods while the global value chain is strengthened.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

FWD launches COVID-19 Ready coverage FAST-GROWING insurer FWD Life Insurance Philippines (FWD Insurance), part of pan-Asian FWD Group, announced it will be providing additional benefits to eligible policyholders who are diagnosed with COVID-19.

The FWD COVID-19 Ready special coverage will be provided to FWD policyholders of individual plans (excluding FWD Peace, Set Ka Na, and Kandüü plans—KanMend, KanLive, and KanGuard) issued before March 1.

Under this special coverage, which will be in effect from March 9 to April 15, policyholders will receive additional medical benefit of P100,000 will be provided to the policyholder upon diagnosis and within 48 hours after complete claim submission. Should death occur due to COVID-19, an additional funeral benefit of P50,000 will be given to the beneficiary.

“FWD COVID-19 Ready is on top of

our policyholders’ existing life insurance plans and riders and is meant to provide an extra level of protection amidst these uncertain times,” FWD Insurance president and chief executive officer Li Hao Zhuang said.

“In true bayanihan spirit, FWD is doing its part to help our customers have confidence despite the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FWD COVID-19 Ready is our way of staying committed to our promise to be with customers every step of the way, so should they be affected by this disease, they can fully recover.”

In addition, FWD Insurance is providing all its individual customers additional benefits and consideration amidst the COVID-19 situation, until April 15: Extension of insurance premium payment grace period to 90 days; acceptance of all insurance benefit claims even beyond 30 days and acceptance of soft copies of all insurance claim documents.

to cut prices of more meds

SENATOR Imee Marcos has called on the government to cut the prices of more medicines and hasten the purchase of critical equipment other than just testing kits, as the country scrambles to fight the spread of coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

She said more medicines for those who are “immunocompromised” or have weaker immune systems due to illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and lung disorders should be included in the list of 72 more drugs that the government is considering this week for price regulation.

While there is still no vaccine or cure for COVID-19, she said that cheap medicines are the only hope of those with weak immune system.

Marcos issued the statement ahead of a mandatory technical working group meeting of the health and trade and industry departments to discuss the 72 drugs that will be added to a previous list of medicines subjected to price caps.

The TWG is supposed to convene Wednesday, or 30 days after President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 104, which imposed maximum wholesale and retail prices on 133 medicines in February.

Besides cheaper medicine, Marcos also called on health officials to speed up the purchase of PPE’s or personal protective equipment for frontline medical staff, and oxygen, ventilators, and beds for critical patient care amid the alarming trajectory of confirmed cases of COVID-19, from four to more than 140 in just over a week.

“We should be there for the protection of those in the frontlines and in the critical care of patients because they cannot cope up with the fast spread of the new coronavirus due to scarcity in testing kits,” Marcos said.

KABACAN, North Cotabato—Police are hot on the trail of armed men who ambushed and killed a municipal councilor of Maguindanao and a companion along the stretch of the highway here on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Bernard Tayong, speaking for the North Cotabato police, identified the slain councilor as Ruben “Udzi” Mindalagat of Datu Montawal, Maguindanao.

“The councilor died on the spot,” Tayong said.

His companion, Mokamad Mindalagat, was critically injured and was later pronounced dead on arrival at Albutra hospital situated about 20 meters away from the ambush scene.

The two were heading home in Datu Montawal aboard a black Honda Fit vehicle (MGE-382) driven by the town official from Kabacan public market where they bought food supplies when ambushed at 10:30 a.m.

Maj. Peter Pinalgan, Kabacan town police chief, said the remains of the victims were taken by their relatives and buried according to Muslim rites.

Aside from ongoing pursuit operations, Pinalgan said they have also invited several “persons of interest” to shed light on the incident.

Hontiveros seeks hazard pay for COVID-19 ‘frontliners’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Risa Hontiveros Monday called on the government for the urgent grant of hazard pay to health workers, government employees, military and police, security personnel, service workers and other ‘frontliners’ in the country’s fight to contain the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

She related that everyday, health workers and other heroes from the public and private sector make great sacrifices as they work in the frontlines to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

“Let us thank and help them by making sure they receive the proper compensation due their efforts,” she said.

“Our health professionals and other frontliners against COVID-19 do not need only face masks and protective wear. They also need additional takehome pay to, compensate for their efforts,” she said.

Under Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, she said doctors, nurses and other health workers in the public sector whose work exposes them to “danger, occupational risks and perils to life” must receive an additional hazard pay which can be as high as 25 percent of their monthly basic salary, depending on their pay grade.

“Hazard pay should be immediately given to our public health workers.

Likewise, I hope that health professionals working in the private sector will immediately receive similar additional compensation,” Hontiveros said.

Apart from health workers, Hontiveros said that hazard pay must be likewise granted to government employees who ensure that key public services continue to function despite the outbreak.

“Let us also not forget our traffic enforcers, policemen, soldiers, immigration officers, barangay tanod, office clerks and other government workers who hae been directly helping the people.” she said.

While no law currently requires the payment of hazard pay in the private sector, Hontiveros also appealed to employers to “take the initiative in providing additional pay” to workers like security guards, bank tellers, shopping attendants, cashiers, media workers, restaurant waiters and hotel staff, whose work expose them to greater risk of being infected with COVID-19.

“Without our underappreciated security guards, shopping attendants, cashiers and other workers providing basic services, life in the metro as we know it would grind to a halt.

“Let us extend a helping hand to these workers who in turn, help preserve some sense of normalcy in our communities, even in these difficult times,” Hontiveros said.

Sports

A7

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Rudy Gobert

Gobert: Wish I would’ve taken this thing more seriously LOS ANGELES—Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus, says he is feeling better every day but wishes he had taken it more seriously.

The 27-year-old Frenchman updated his condition Sunday in a video released by the NBA on social media in which he urged people to take precautions not to spread the virus.

“It’s all about protecting yourself and the people around you,” Gobert said. “I wish I would’ve taken this thing more seriously and I hope everyone else is going to do so because we can do it together.

“Take care and stay safe.”

Gobert tested positive for coronavirus just before the scheduled tip-off between Utah and Oklahoma City on Wednesday and the game was postponed.

“I’ve been feeling a little better every single day thanks to the health care people of Utah and Oklahoma City and all the great people around,” Gobert said.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced minutes after Gobert’s positive test that the league was putting the season on indefinite hiatus.

Over the next two days every major American sports organization followed and the virus shutdown also forced postponement of such events as the Masters golf tournament and Boston Marathon.

Gobert showed how he didn’t take the coronavirus threat seriously last Monday at a news conference set up in a room because reporters were banned from NBA locker rooms due to the danger of catching the virus.

As he departed, Gobert made a point of touching all reporters’ recorders and a microphone he used— unaware he would test positive for coronavirus two days later.

Utah teammate Donovan Mitchell tested positive for coronavirus last Thursday.

In the video, Gobert urged people do such basics as wash their hands well and refrain from touching their face and thanked those who have supported him since his positive test.

“Thank you to all the people who have been supportive for all the positive energy,” Gobert said. “It means a lot.” AFP

Car crash injures Fil-Aussie chesser FIL-AUSTRALIAN chess player Arianne Caoili, the wife of world no. 4 Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian, is reportedly in serious condition after a single-vehicle collision in Yerevan.

Reports said rescue services in Yereven responded to a car crash call Saturday midnight.

The 33-year-old Caoili, who played for the Philippine women’s team in the World Chess Olympiad twice in 1998 and 2000, was driving her SUV on Sebastia St. in Yerevan when she appeared to have lost control and crashed into a concrete barrier under a bridge.

Rescuers came and evacuated Caoili to the Astghik Medical Center.

Doctors reportedly said her condition initially was serious, but according to updates, she has regained consciousness.

Caoili, a women’s international master, transferred her affiliation to the Australian Chess Federation in 2004.

And she has since represented Australia in the Olympiad in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

Arianne, who has a FIDE rating of 2139, and Levon, have been married since 2017. Peter Atencio

A man wearing a face mask walks in the tunnel of a metro station with posters of Miraitowa, the official mascot of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Japan and Olympic organizers are at pains to insist this summer’s Games in Tokyo are on, despite the new coronavirus outbreak. AFP

Doubts grow in Japan over Tokyo Olympics

T

OKYO—Doubts are growing in Japan about the Tokyo Olympics, with growing opposition to holding them as scheduled and some urging officials not to risk lives by pressing ahead during the coronavirus emergency.

Officials like Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach have repeatedly insisted preparations should continue to light the Olympic flame on July 24.

But with events from the Premier League to NBA basketball scrapped, and Japanese sport also at a standstill, even US President Donald Trump has suggested putting the Olympics on hold.

Japan has seen relatively few cases, with 814 testing positive and 24 dead.

But some people on the streets of Tokyo voiced concern for the fans that would pour in from abroad.

Koki Miura, a 27-year-old employee

at an internet company, told AFP: “To be honest, even if Japan overcomes this crisis, we wouldn’t receive visitors from the world. I think we’d better not hold it.”

“We cannot sacrifice people’s lives for it,” added Miura, who said the Games should be postponed -- if not cancelled outright.

Public opinion in Japan appears to be moving against the Games. A poll for public broadcaster NHK taken March 6-9 suggested 45 percent were opposed to going ahead as planned, with 40 percent in favour.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has said it is “unthinkable” to cancel the Olympics but the decision rests with the IOC, which is planning emergency talks with

international sports federations over the virus on Tuesday, according to an IOC source.

Bach has stressed the IOC will follow World Health Organization recommendations regarding a possible postponement.

But he has also acknowledged that the cancellation of qualifying events was already posing “serious problems”.

At the beginning of March, Bach said the IOC would show “flexibility” regarding the qualifications for the Tokyo and encouraged “all athletes to continue to prepare” for the Games.

‘Look at the panic’ Masao Sugawara, a 90-year-old pensioner, told AFP: “Personally, I think it would be safer to postpone the Olympics for a year, just as President Trump said.

Look at the panic.”

“Of course it would be disappointing, though,” he admitted.

Manfred Otto, 45, a half-Japanese, half-German lawyer, said he was “worried” about the Games and stressed: “We really need to be careful.” AFP

Eala skips Tunisian meet due to virus threat

By Peter Atencio ALEX Eala has skipped her second professional tournament due to the corona virus threat in Tunisia.

The 14-year-old Eala won’t be joining the International Tennis Federation women’s Monastir Leg II after coaches from the Rafa Nadal Academy asked her to return to Mallorca, Spain.

Her father, Michael Francis Eala said Alex was supposed to play her firstround match against 23-year-old qualifier Tea Jandric of Croatia yesterday.

Mr. Eala, who recently received the Tony Siddayao award of his daughter during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night, said the Academy has recalled all players under its care and the coaches that are traveling with them to tournaments.

The move will help all players and coaches to avoid airport lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It has been a fruitful two months for the young Eala.

After winning the Australian Open Junior doubles’ championship last January,

Alex Eala

Eala claimed her first pro match victory two weeks ago in the opening leg of the Monastir tournament, beating 700th-ranked Nadia Echeverria Alam of Venezuela.

But she eventually missed the quarterfinals following a three-set loss to world no. 600 Nina Stadler of Switzerland.

Since last year, Eala has been with the RNA with her brother Miko. They have since been studying at the American In-

ternational School of Mallorca.

Alex fell to a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 5-7 loss to third-seed Swiss netter Nina Stadler yesterday in the $15,000 $15,000 International Tennis Federation women’s tournament in Monastir, Tunisia.

This put Stadler in the quarterfinals, where she will next face Bosnia’s Nefisa Berberovic.

The sixth-seeded Berberovic made it after she put away Joanna Zawadzka, 6-1, 6-1 of Poland.

Top seed Nastja Kolar also advanced after her 6-1, 6-0 win over Lucie Petruzelova of the Czech Republic.

The 14-year-old Eala, now ranked no.

4 in the world junior rankings, is on her first professional outing.

She became a Rafa Nadal Academy scholar after clinching a wildcard to the 2018 Roland Garros juniors tournament qualifiers.

Scouts from the RNA invited her to join the academy, which is run by Rafael Nadal, who is a 19-time Grand Slam winner.

The Ealas have since been studying at the American International School of Mallorca.

Sports stars flock to do WHO safehands challenge GENEVA—A range of sports stars and other celebrities have taken part in a World Health Organization social media campaign to show proper handwashing practices in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched the #SafeHands campaign on Friday, showing off his own hand-washing prowess, and has challenged a long list of famous people to create their own videos.

Health experts say frequent and thorough hand-washing is one of the most important tools in the fight against COVID-19, which has killed more than 6,000 people worldwide.

In his video, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino urged people to help “kick out the virus”.

“Make sure you spread this message but not the virus,” he said.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker also took part, as did retired Brazil midfielder Kaka, Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, and French-Swiss F1 driver Romain Grosjean.

Joanne O’Riordan, an Irish activist and sports journalist suffering from an extremely rare disorder that has left her missing her legs and arms, also took the challenge, showing off that “just because you don’t have hands, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wash them.”

The WHO said it was planning a number of similar campaigns on important topics linked with the outbreak going forward.

Meanwhile, in Sydney, Australia, Football Federation Australia decided Monday to press ahead with A-League games without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic, despite two teams who played in New Zealand at the weekend having to be quarantined.

The domestic tournament has six rounds left with organisers planning to condense the remaining matches into three or four weeks. The women’s WLeague has only its final to play.

FFA chief executive James Johnson said the decision to keep going was made in consultation with clubs, while taking into account the latest government advice.

“The health and safety of all members of the football community, including players, coaches, referees, volunteers, administrators and fans continues to be of paramount importance,” he said. AFP

Suzuki Motor Corp. secures 7th ASEAN Football Federation Championship SINGAPORE—Suzuki Motor Corporation has reaffirmed its commitment to football in South East Asia by announcing they will title sponsor this year’s ASEAN Football Federation Football Championship for the seventh successive occasion.

The AFF Suzuki Cup, boasting unrivalled television ratings and sold-out stadia, will kick off this year in October and will once again unite the passion of football fans in the whole region, leading up to the Final in December.

Suzuki Motor Corporation first title sponsored the biennial competition in 2008, and since then, has been a driving force behind the iconic tournament.

“We are proud to be a part of the AFF

Suzuki Cup over the past 12 years. We have witnessed first-hand how the tournament gets better with every passing edition and it has never failed to capture the hearts and passion of the ASEAN fans,” said Kinji Saito, Managing Officer of Suzuki Motor Corporation.

“Suzuki marks its 100th anniversary this year, and we are reminded that our relationship with the ASEAN region goes back 90 years. As a company that always aims to deliver excitement, it is a great honour that we get to inspire dreams among fans again this year through the AFF Suzuki Cup.” “On behalf of the ASEAN Football Federation, I would like to express our appreciation to Suzuki Motor Corpora-

tion for supporting our flagship event again. They have been a committed partner and have contributed significantly to the success of this tournament.

We have enjoyed a great working relationship with them, and we look forward to being partners for many more years,” said AFF President, Major General Khiev Sameth.

“The AFF Suzuki Cup connects the region in a spirit of friendship that transcends football and is one of the most thrilling events in this part of the world. As with previous editions, fans will once again pack the stadiums, with millions more following all the action on TV. We are excited and looking forward to the 13th edition of this prestigious competition.”

The AFF Suzuki Cup, boasting unrivalled television ratings and sold-out stadia, will kick off this year in October and will once again unite the passion of football fans in the whole region, leading up to the Final in December.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines City of Manila

An Urgent Appeal to All Lessors of Commercial Establishments for the Waiver of Rental fee of their Lessees In view of the crisis caused by the COVID-19, the outbreak of which has resulted to national emergency, the City Government of Manila hereby appeals and humbly requests all lessors of commercial establishments in the City of Manila that were closed during the one [1] month period of General Community Quarantine to waive the corresponding rental fees and charges thereof.

This appeal is being made with the utmost intention of cushioning the socio-economic impact of the present crisis in the City of Manila.

Buong kababaang loob at taos-puso po akong nakikiusap at umaasa sa inyong pang-unawa.

Maraming Salamat po! Pagpalain nawa tayo ng Poong Maykapal!

Manila, GOD FIRST! Francisco “Isko Moreno� Domagoso Mayor City of Manila

IN BRIEF PH banks cautious on their operations BANKS continued their full operation on the second day of the community quarantine imposed by the government in Metro Manila but said they will take the necessary measures to protect their employees and clients against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.

The Bankers Association of the Philippines expressed its full support to the initiatives and guidance provided by the government and its agencies in addressing the health crisis brought about by COVID-19.

“The BAP is in constant close coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure continuity of banking services and operations to serve the public,” the BAP said.

“The banking community shall adhere to the guidance set forth by the Department of Health and relevant agencies to ensure the safety of our people while we remain committed to deliver banking services to the public,” it said.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender controlled by the Sy family, said its operations remained normal but on guard against the dreaded disease that already claimed the lives of thousands of individuals globally. Julito G. Rada

MacroAsia executives take 10% salary cut THE management team of MarcroAsia Corp. and its subsidiaries are taking a 10 percent pay-cut to save jobs impacted by the diminished workload in aviation services due to coronovirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“The corporation’s subsidiaries and associates, particularly those dealing with airline catering (MacroAsia Catering Services, MacroAsia SATS Inflight Services, MacroAsia SATS Food Industries and Cebu Pacific Catering Services), ground handling (MacroAsia Airport Services) and aircraft line maintenance (Lufthansa Technik Philippines, LTP) are impacted by COVID-19 as flights are being cancelled or as airline travel gets restricted,” MacroAsia said.

However, the base maintenance services (aircraft heavy repair) of LTP are not immediately impacted by airline cancellations at this point.

Total manpower of the MacroAsia Group (subsidiaries and associates) exposed to the virus is about 12,315 staff.

The Lucio Tan-led firm also said a rotating voluntary no-work, no-pay schedule is being implemented on all pay grades effective March 16. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business BSP expected to reduce interest rates by 50 bps T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to make a more aggressive move Thursday with a 50-basispoint reduction in benchmark interest rates to counter the economic impact of coronavirus disease 2019 and support the economy, an economist said Monday.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report with the global central banks carrying out what appears to be a coordinated action to face the onslaught of COVID-19 on the global economy, the BSP was widely expected “to join the chorus.”

“In light of the Fed move, we expect [BSP Governor Benjamin] Diokno to

front load his policy action, and we revise our expectation for Thursday’s meeting for at least a 50 bps rate cut and a possible announcement for additional liquidity via a reduction in reserve requirement or a lowering of the volume for its term deposit facilities,” Mapa said.

The US Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate on Sunday by a full percentage point to near zero. The Fed’s key rate is now 0 percent to 0.25 percent, matching the record low in 2015.

The Fed also said it would increase its bond holdings by $700 billion.

Diokno earlier said that the country’s growth fundamentals remained strong and that growth could still hit 6 percent “under the worst case scenario” with the BSP standing ready to deploy all its tools if needed.

“With inflation forecast to tank and economic activity expected to ground to a halt, there would be absolutely no more reason to delay the planned dialing back of previous rate hike cycles,” Mapa said.

“Diokno will likely need to accelerate his bid to unwind the 2018 rate hikes to bring out all the heavy artillery with

a likely 50 bps rate reduction or even going “all in” with a 75 bps rate reduction,” Mapa said.

He said should liquidity conditions tighten, “we expect BSP to unleash additional liquidity via reductions to the volume in term deposit facility and or reserve requirements.”

The BSP would announce its policy decision online with the Monetary Board meeting likely to be conducted via a teleconference. Mapa said he was not ruling out an advance action by the BSP ahead of the Thursday meeting with Diokno likely to roll out at least 50 bps worth of rate cuts and up to 75 bps and possible release of additional liquidity.

“What’s clear is that action is required and given the threat presented, BSP will need to bring out the heavy artillery,” Mapa said.

Diokno said over the weekend the country would remain resilient against the impact of COVID-19 and that monetary authorities remained ready to deploy the necessary measures to shield the economy and the financial markets from the threats of the outbreak.

SMC assures supply amid virus outbreak SAN Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang assured Monday the public that the company’s supply chain is stable and that it has more than enough inventory to feed Filipinos nationwide for the next several months.

Ang made the statement to stress there was no need to panic amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “As far as food supply is concerned, we have the capability to produce enough for everybody and deliver to supermarkets,” he said, adding the company was already working on distributing food donations to poor communities where daily paid workers had been especially hard hit.

San Miguel will also supply food to public hospitals and select government centers. The most important thing, Ang stressed, was that Filipinos stand together and help one another. “It is our sense of duty and obligation, (unity and compassion) that will see us through these difficult times.”

“Panic has no purpose at this time. Follow the directives of our government; cooperate in every way. This is the best way we can all help in fighting the Covid-19 virus, while the quarantine is in effect” he added.

LANDBANK IN UMINGAN. Land Bank of the Philippines president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo (center) leads the inauguration of the LandBank Umingan Branch on March 6, 2020, which is the first and only commercial bank in Umingan, Pangasinan serving a total of 79 barangays from the first-class municipality and the nearby municipality of San Quintin.

Oil industry bracing for lower demand amid 30-day quarantine

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE downstream oil industry is bracing for lower fuel demand in the wake of the 30-day quarantine aimed at curbing the impact of coronavirus disease 2019.

San Miguel Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was expecting lower demand for fuel because of decreased consumption by private and public transportation during the quarantine period.

SMC, the parent company of Petron Corp., said the decline in demand “will likely occur for all kinds of fuel such as gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel.”

Petron owns a 180,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Bataan province.

Globally, oil demand has fallen that domestic pump prices declined by as much as P4.50 per liter this week.

Meanwhile, Pryce Corp. said it was expecting consumption of LPG to increase as household members stayed indoors and cooked their food.

“This means that the company’s LPG revenues may increase at least until the COVID-19 situation has been contained and fully-managed,” the company said.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines said it was very early to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and community

quarantine on its operations.

“The situation remains dynamic and fluid. We saw an uptick in sales as people stock up in anticipation of the community quarantine and lockdown in Metro Manila. This may however, slow down as we anticipate less activity, which could potentially impact our retail business,” Phoenix said.

“In our B2B segment, marine and commercial road transport as well as aviation may be affected. Moving forward, we will continue to put safety as our primary concern. Our utmost priority is to ensure employees and their families, customers, business partners,

and communities remain informed, safe, and healthy,” the company said.

Phoenix said it was not expecting disruptions in the supply chain as the company ensured the security of fuel and LPG supply through the efforts of its Singapore trading office.

“Our business continuity plans are mobilized and communicated to customers and other stakeholders. Supply delivery for both commercial and retail customers continue within government and company protocols. These extend to our service stations to ensure the safety and welfare of our employees and motorists,” it said.

Group calls for reasonable ‘e-cig’ rules A LOCAL vaping group called on the government to adopt a reasonable, risk-proportionate and realistic regulatory framework for e-cigarettes to help reduce serious sickness and premature death among millions of cigarette smokers in the Philippines.

“We all know that the combustion in cigarettes is what is harmful to the health of smokers. To help the 16 million Filipino smokers quit smoking or switch to less harmful alternatives, the regulation of e-cigarettes and other smoke-free alternatives should not be more restrictive than that of combustible cigarettes. We call on the government to follow the lead of other countries that have looked at the evidence for e-cigarettes with an open mind and made decisions that are helping reduce smoking,” said Peter Paul Dator, president of The Vapers Philippines.

Dator cited the latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey, which found that there are currently 16 million Filipino adult smokers. “Unfortunately, the Philippines has a very low 4-percent smoking cessation rate. This dismal smoking quit rate indicates the ineffectiveness of currently approved smoking cessation strategies in the country such as ‘quitting cold turkey’, counseling, and nicotine replacement therapy. Most smokers who die or who lose years of quality life and mobility as a result of tobacco use have probably tried to quit smoking several times and probably regretted ever starting,” he said.

Department of Health data show that almost 88,000 Filipinos die from smoking-related diseases every year. Healthcare expenditures and lost income due to smoking-related sickness and premature death cost the country P188 billion ($4 billion) yearly. These figures only cover four of more than 40 smoking-related diseases namely lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and stroke.

FOOD TRADE SHOW. A Middle East trade buyer partakes in the food sampling activities at the FoodPhilippines booth during Gulfood 2020 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Headed by Trade Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Trade Promotions Group, the delegation with 24 exporters from the Philippines’ food sector booked $102 million in reported export sales at the event, which surpassed this year’s target of $93 million.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

B1

Remittances increased by 6.6% to $2.6b in January MONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas increased 6.6 percent in January to $2.65 billion from $2.48 billion a year ago, driven by the sustained strength in land-based and sea-based remittances, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

“This increase was due to the rise in remittances from both land-based [$2.1 billion] and sea-based [$0.55 billion] workers, which rose 7.4 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively,” the BSP said in a statement.

The United States registered the highest share of overall remittances at 38.6 percent. It was followed by Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Canada, Hong Kong and Korea.

The combined remittances from these countries accounted for almost 80 percent of total cash remittances.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also increased by 7.3 percent in January 2020 to $2.94 billion from $2.75 billion in January 2019.

Personal remittances from landbased workers with work contracts of one year or more rose 7.4 percent to $2.27 billion from $2.12 billion in January 2019.

Meanwhile, personal remittances from sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year rose by 3.9 percent to $600 million from $580 million from a year ago.

Cash remittances rose 4.1 percent in 2019 to an all-time high of $30.133 billion from $28.94 billion in 2018 and surpassed the conservative 3-percent growth target set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the year.

The BSP said the growth of cash remittances was fueled by higher flows from both land and sea-based workers, amounting to $23.6 billion (an increase of 3.5 percent) and $6.5 billion (an increase of 6.5 percent), respectively. Julito G. Rada

COVID-19 to have significant impact on CebPac revenue

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Pacific said Monday the suspension of domestic and some international flights amid the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak will have a significant impact on its revenue.

The Gokongwei-led airline said it anticipated “significant revenue” impact during the 30-day quarantine period with the suspension of domestic and some international flights.

The airline said 90 percent of its capacity was affected by the suspension of all Manila-based domestic flights and flights to and from China, Hong Kong and South Korea.

“CEB will continue with flights to and from Cebu and other hubs, to maintain overall connectivity via air transport where operationally feasible,” the airline said.

The airline said it was expecting expenses to be reduced significantly.

“This includes lower fuel consumption, landing, take off and air navigation fees and flight-based repair and maintenance expenses.

Lower fuel price adds a cost benefit with lower fuel consumption, but Cebu Pacific also faces increase in refund and rebooking requests,” Cebu Pacific said.

Cebu Pacific said that given the volatile nature of the situation and the uncertainty as to when operating and demand conditions would improve, it would be premature to provide any guidance on full-year impact.

“But in line with its financial framework, Cebu Pacific remains in a very strong position, ending 2019 with a liquid position of over P18 billion in cash and cash equivalents,” it said.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH, Asian stock market plummet T he stock market plummeted Monday along with the rest of Asia, as interest rate cuts and fresh stimulus measures by global central banks failed to lift confidence.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slumped 458.57 points, or 7.9 percent, to 5,335.37 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 145 to 46, with 40 issues unchanged.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, sank 13.9 percent to P121, while BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, tumbled 13.4 percent to P110.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. fell 12.7 percent to P28.80, while Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan dropped 11.4 percent to P8.02.

The rest of Asian markets tumbled Monday, with analysts warning that the Federal Reserve may have reached the limits of its power to fend off recession as the coronavirus spreads.

Sydney led losses, tumbling 9.7 percent in its worst drop on record, while Bangkok and Mumbai dropped more than five percent.

Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta and Wellington were all down more than three percent.

Shanghai dropped tumbled 3.4 percent after the release of the industrial production data, which came a week after news that Chinese exports had collapsed.

Tokyo ended 2.5 percent lower, after a rally sparked by the Bank of Japan’s support measures announcement fizzled.

The Fed move added to efforts by central banks around the world to combat the outbreak, which observers say will likely cause a global recession.

The scale of the crisis was laid bare

by data showing Chinese industrial production for January and February shrank 13.5 percent, the first contraction in around 30 years.

Equity markets continue to be whipsawed by the disease, which has now infected almost 170,000 people and killed more than 6,000 with several countries going into lockdown as Europe becomes the new epicenter of the outbreak.

The Fed on Sunday slashed borrowing costs to almost zero—its second emergency cut in less than two weeks— and unveiled a massive asset-buying program, similar to measures put into place during the global financial crisis.

The Bank of Japan on Monday unveiled a series of emergency monetary policy measures, saying it would ramp up its own bond-buying program.

New Zealand’s central bank also slashed rates to record lows in an attempt to cushion the economic blow, while the People’s Bank of China has

injected vast sums into financial markets to ease liquidity worries.

In joint action coordinated with the European Central Bank, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Bank of Canada and the Swiss National Bank, the central banks moved to counteract global “dollar funding pressures,” said Fed boss Jerome Powell.

But traders were left unimpressed, with the virus showing no sign of letting up, while the head of the World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was impossible to tell when it would peak globally.

“While these moves may go some way to easing any potential blockages in the plumbing of the financial markets, they won’t adequately compensate for the upcoming economic shocks that are about to come our way as a result of the events currently unfolding across Europe, as borders get closed and populations get locked down,” said CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson. With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Monday, March 16, 2020

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 43.8 5,300 62.3 1,902,200 110 3,460,140 20 28,400 16.9 14,400 8.3 335,200 0.85 28,000 700 50 0.32 360,000 43.5 2,526,500 0.57 43,000 9.4 63,900 17 1,400 24 158,000 149 260 40.15 1,500 17 47,400 119 437,670 55 27,110

220,450 118,737,965.50 396,970,118 579,425 243,370 2,781,803 24,030 35,000 108,600 109,939,585 24,510 600,712 23,800 3,774,325 38,865 60,585 820,890 51,756,816 1,413,124

-38,434,501 -154,173,680 -1,698,742 -53,967,125 62,765 -487,810 6,148,790 10,400

24 1.55 6 0.47 1 1.81 0.152 0.95 12.6 140 4.3 14.46 30.45 1.76 3 4.87 7 5.8 9 2 15.1 52.1 1.08 29.1 0.8 12.02 4 0.91 120.5 3.2 9.1 5.4 10.04 231 0.12 1.4 3.29 2.4 8.8 20.3 3.9 1.21 1.42 0.66 5.85 49 6.94 0.62 110 2.2 0.8 0.51

INDUSTRIAL 25.5 3,282,700 1.57 2,037,000 6.33 1,959,400 0.47 289,000 1 100,000 1.9 1,326,000 0.16 160,000 0.97 3,265,000 13 1,297,500 140 20 4.43 224,000 14.46 500 30.45 200 1.92 1,618,000 3 135,000 4.87 6,691,400 7.1 99,000 6.45 50,000 9.3 11,446,000 2.36 6,289,000 15.9 1,127,300 55 65,370 1.1 12,617,000 33.2 3,900 0.81 249,000 12.22 41,700 4.2 112,000 0.95 669,000 121 2,237,330 3.2 3,000 9.54 829,400 5.4 1,096,500 10.7 363,000 243 486,610 0.12 200,000 1.51 78,000 3.29 9,000 2.49 2,335,000 9.77 252,200 20.75 244,200 3.9 15,000 1.35 609,000 1.43 10,000 0.66 72,000 6.07 13,886,000 49 146,960 7.01 287,700 0.62 20,000 120 3,171,730 2.2 798,000 0.83 9,043,000 0.55 1,897,000

84,026,230 3,239,420 12,384,215 143,080 100,000 2,516,860 24,980 3,152,010 16,844,530 2,800 1,016,840 7,230 6,090 3,096,890 407,150 33,210,303 697,986 311,197 107,008,317 15,726,970 17,699,096 3,542,919.50 14,061,560 120,970 208,610 518,344 454,540 655,030 280,545,474 9,600 7,859,515 6,177,969 3,863,594 116,820,318 24,000 115,280 29,610 5,860,060 2,439,274 5,090,545 58,500 776,570 14,250 49,350 81,956,742 7,802,424 2,052,827 12,430 375,785,217 1,810,700 7,563,160 1,014,400

-24,095,440 451,780 -72,175 9,400 -18,660 34,630 405,950 32,590 -172,800 -1,000 -17,859,342.00 -15,255 -14,041,484 26,310 -665,914 1,924,803 -264,670 64,400 -125,010 -19,290 -29,665,435 -2,879,089 -385,651 -2,452,292 24,205,842 24,000 -32,350 -3,922,150 -1,542,225 -481,951 2,010,731.50 2,192 81,584,053 1,764,300 -1,209,000 -543,240

0.53 37.7 8.99 0.59 6.69 6.7 0.65 0.65 559 1.72 5.71 5 9.99 570 54.2 5.5 5.5 0.455 3.48 7.13 0.5 3.14 3.9 2.4 108 1.9 800 0.68 0.84 145 0.209 0.145

0.49 35 7.96 0.55 6 6.21 0.6 0.65 510 1.61 5.2 4.53 8.5 501 46.2 5.21 5.5 0.41 3.4 6 0.5 2.95 3.8 2.4 92 1.9 735 0.62 0.84 144 0.2 0.145

HOLDING FIRMS 0.51 3,038,000 35.25 2,665,900 8.02 70,471,700 0.56 135,000 6 12,300 6.3 58,800 0.6 497,000 0.65 15,000 529,220 510 1.7 466,000 5.3 752,400 4.7 15,140,600 8.5 28,600 511.5 62,360 50.6 1,747,880 5.5 19,500 5.5 69,100 0.41 210,000 3.4 82,000 6.45 3,133,500 0.5 50,000 3 52,602,000 3.8 3,000 2.4 23,000 92 209,370 1.9 74,000 735 653,420 0.68 29,000 0.84 1,000 145 70 0.209 1,500,000 0.145 10,000

1,550,700 94,603,105 576,357,341 75,580 77,511 371,775 300,270 9,750 279,096,045 788,800 3,981,670 72,474,438 266,216 32,792,770 88,824,611.50 102,030 380,050 86,550 280,600 20,780,719 25,000 160,791,120 11,600 55,200 20,458,581 140,600 489,545,355 18,120 840 10,140 311,450 1,450

-19,380 -9,826,775 -83,704,904 -323,832 -91,617,260 -188,170 -607,625 -37,028,687 -15,878 -14,571,165 -40,523,373 -55,000 -47,860 1,354,399 -35,624,920 -6,459,910.50 -153,717,545 -

14.1 0.62 1.28 0.6 32.9 1.32 4.11 0.42 0.75 0.137 0.25 7.5 16.2 0.3 0.1 1 0.84 2.8 0.13 0.35 0.7 0.25 1.7 18.98 1.78 29.65

14 0.52 1.28 0.55 28.8 1.25 4.02 0.4 0.75 0.135 0.25 6.59 15.96 0.3 0.1 0.91 0.79 2.6 0.12 0.35 0.65 0.25 1.5 15.04 1.7 27.1

2,699,432 1,829,840 8,960 345,800 734,040,005 953,470 380,460 589,600 1,500 283,170 15,000 217,863 15,099,342 45,000 72,000 13,378,710 954,570 45,204,480 379,990 105,000 864,120 25,000 33,390 39,519,562 30,680 624,831,160

20,102 8,960 -107,409,165 29,470 11,250 8,000 -89,418 -176,178 -3,740,850 -1,164,850 -24,318 26,484,460

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

41.85 65 117 20.95 16.9 9 0.9 700 0.3 44 0.57 9.4 17 24.15 150 43.95 17.5 115 52

44 66 120 20.95 17 9 0.9 700 0.32 44.1 0.57 9.42 17 24.35 150 43.95 17.5 122.5 56.1

40 60.15 110 20 16.9 8.15 0.83 700 0.3 41.55 0.57 9.4 17 23 149 40.1 17 113 52

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS AXELUM BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION 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 MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

25.2 1.6 6.45 0.52 1 2 0.169 1 13 140 4.95 14.46 30.45 1.76 3.17 5.02 7.42 6.2 9 2.06 15.86 55 1.1 29.1 0.9 12.02 4 0.91 133 3.2 9.75 5.85 10.52 253 0.12 1.4 3.29 2.63 9.6 21.9 3.9 1.31 1.42 0.7 6.29 58.6 7.2 0.64 116 2.35 0.95 0.58

27.05 1.67 6.45 0.52 1 2 0.169 1 13.08 140 4.95 14.46 30.45 1.92 3.19 5.02 7.45 6.45 9.5 2.75 16 55 1.16 33.2 0.9 13 4.2 1.04 134 3.2 9.75 5.85 10.7 253 0.12 1.51 3.29 2.63 9.8 21.9 3.9 1.39 1.43 0.7 6.97 58.6 7.36 0.64 126.8 2.35 0.99 0.58

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 GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.53 35 8.99 0.56 6.6 6.7 0.65 0.65 555 1.62 5.71 4.68 9.99 570 48 5.21 5.5 0.455 3.48 7.13 0.5 3 3.9 2.4 108 1.9 750 0.64 0.84 144 0.2 0.145

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

14 0.62 1.28 0.56 31.5 1.25 4.11 0.405 0.75 0.136 0.25 7.5 16 0.3 0.1 0.95 0.84 2.7 0.12 0.35 0.65 0.25 1.69 17 1.7 29.4

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

2.18 1.05 5.55 3.81

2.19 1.16 5.64 4.07

2.14 1 5.11 3.8

2.16 1.08 5.38 4.07

222,000 2,062,000 565,000 47,000

477,840 2,197,180 3,026,686 184,740

-77,760 -1,044,779.00 -

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

6.05 18.34 1.38 7 0.31 0.034 16 5.8 0.029 48 6.2 2.5 3.1 4.05 800.5 1,792 5.25 348.8 12.88 0.71 1.1 80.75 0.066 1.16 11.1 1.27 5.7 0.37 2 1.24 1.6 1.55 11.96 1.28 5.98 7.84 145 1.34 970 0.315 0.21 31.9 54 8.48 1.14 0.41 0.15 0.365 13.7

6.05 18.34 1.38 7.49 0.35 0.041 16 6 0.032 48.75 6.2 2.6 3.13 4.8 800.5 1,920 5.25 354.8 12.88 0.71 1.1 86.5 0.072 1.22 11.2 1.31 5.79 0.39 2 1.35 1.92 1.99 11.96 1.33 5.99 7.84 150 1.39 995 0.33 0.21 33.15 54 8.49 1.14 0.43 0.16 0.45 14.3

5.1 16.26 1.38 6.53 0.31 0.034 16 5.6 0.026 46 6.2 2.2 3.1 4.05 800.5 1,681 5.05 348.8 12.88 0.6 1.1 75 0.066 1.06 11.1 1.18 5.1 0.37 2 1.2 1.55 1.55 11.96 1.2 5.85 7.84 140 1.27 910 0.3 0.185 30.1 50 8.48 1.05 0.4 0.15 0.365 13.1

SERVICES 5.55 16.54 1.38 6.99 0.35 0.041 16 5.6 0.032 47.6 6.2 2.41 3.13 4.8 800.5 1,920 5.1 349 12.88 0.61 1.1 85 0.068 1.15 11.1 1.25 5.1 0.37 2 1.35 1.67 1.7 11.96 1.25 5.99 7.84 140 1.34 980 0.33 0.2 32.5 51.35 8.49 1.08 0.4 0.159 0.45 14.3

12,900 639,900 5,000 1,596,000 60,000 200,000 300 7,129,100 3,700,000 218,500 2,000 422,000 116,000 5,000 570 94,525 107,900 510 100 919,000 5,000 2,072,470 940,000 17,394,000 1,000 192,000 1,169,600 40,000 20,000 962,000 4,624,000 109,000 100 1,586,000 11,600 1,000 441,190 841,000 232,035 7,490,000 850,000 1,069,100 51,170 5,200 2,234,000 870,000 1,650,000 710,000 2,873,800

70,971 10,609,828 6,900 11,080,548 19,000 7,500 4,800 41,032,176 108,000 10,470,060 12,400 1,007,090 362,780 23,100 456,285 172,081,330 546,929 178,042 1,288 578,010 5,500 172,813,230 63,840 20,013,470 11,130 242,540 6,225,102 15,000 40,000 1,212,060 8,127,690 201,660 1,196 2,015,020 69,046 7,840 61,769,150 1,103,010 225,191,017.50 2,414,500 166,450 34,683,725 2,626,755.50 44,147 2,432,490 357,450 253,850 312,350 40,561,188

-62,125 1,464,448 -9,600 -8,104,710 -2,410 313,000 50,655,430 8,440 38,857,703.50 -63,840 -52,070.00 1,250 -2,496,866 500,060 -660,780 871,400 -142,300 55,447,360 52,400 -2,852,220 -682,501.50 51,190.00 -203,250 -6,301,968

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

0.0011 5 0.76 1.8 9.54 2.7 0.25 5.56 0.6 0.18 0.073 0.0058 0.0053 0.56 1.74 0.83 0.495 0.0083 0.008 0.0077 2.18 4.28 12 0.004

0.0012 5.4 0.76 1.81 10.5 2.7 0.25 6.2 0.6 0.188 0.083 0.0058 0.0053 0.56 1.8 0.85 0.54 0.0089 0.009 0.0077 2.42 4.5 12.7 0.004

0.0011 4.94 0.65 1.8 9.54 2.48 0.25 5.56 0.51 0.18 0.073 0.0056 0.0053 0.56 1.62 0.83 0.495 0.0083 0.008 0.0077 2.08 4.28 11.72 0.004

MINING & OIL 0.0011 111,000,000 5.28 86,300 0.68 1,731,000 1.81 30,000 10.5 9,000 2.6 232,000 0.25 100,000 6.2 1,200 0.52 7,388,000 0.185 250,000 0.083 860,000 0.0056 5,000,000 0.0053 2,000,000 0.56 20,000 1.8 1,675,000 0.85 2,000 0.54 60,000 0.0083 23,000,000 0.009 22,000,000 0.0077 4,000,000 2.2 306,000 4.42 323,000 12.16 5,422,200 0.004 1,000,000

122,200 432,290 1,197,070 54,200 88,020 587,180 25,000 6,825 4,021,390 46,150 64,750 28,600 10,600 11,200 2,931,220 1,680 30,150 191,500 187,000 30,800 643,590 1,416,170 66,477,234 4,000

-35,145 14,280 187,200 -2,751,100 9,200 -1,110,540 308,620 -10,573,590 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2R CPG PREF A DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

16 498 101 100.5 106 502 5 990 100 1,049 1,060 102 1,010 77.8 75.9 75.9 75.75

16 498 101 101 106 502 5 990 100 1,049 1,060 102 1,010 77.9 76.05 76.05 75.75

15.5 496 100.8 100.5 106 502 5 990 100 1,043 1,060 102 1,001 77.6 75.9 75.9 75.75

PREFERRED 15.98 76,100 498 400 100.8 1,200 101 13,100 106 11,000 502 110 5 6,800 990 1,210 100 6,300 1,043 820 1,060 10,605 102 900 1,010 2,695 77.9 11,620 76.05 4,500 76 15,570 75.75 7,290

1,211,464 198,880 121,180 1,322,300 1,166,000 55,220 34,000 1,197,900 630,000 859,580 11,241,300 91,800 2,712,515 902,038 341,900 1,183,187 552,217.50

1,112,108 -50,250 21,000 5,000 60,720 -

LR WARRANT

0.67

0.7

0.65

WARRANTS 0.69 107,000

72,570

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

1.89 6 0.54

1.98 6.1 0.55

1.79 6 0.47

1.9 6.1 0.55

542,390 54,550 772,420

187,430 -

FIRST METRO ETF

84.9

89

82.5

20,300,506.50

30,165

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.2 10.02 0.9

10.2 10.02 0.9

10.2 10.02 0.9

9,996 32,765.40 90

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 14 0.57 1.28 0.56 28.8 1.29 4.03 0.405 0.75 0.135 0.25 7.47 16 0.3 0.1 0.97 0.79 2.69 0.13 0.35 0.68 0.25 1.7 15.4 1.78 28.5

192,500 3,260,000 7,000 613,000 23,531,700 745,000 94,000 1,470,000 2,000 2,090,000 60,000 29,700 942,900 150,000 720,000 13,712,000 1,169,000 16,725,000 2,970,000 300,000 1,310,000 100,000 22,000 2,514,200 18,000 21,905,400

Trading Summary FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL

SHARES 9,710,592

93,518,197

HOLDING FIRMS

154,335,480

PROPERTY

100,726,496

SERVICES

69,864,979

MINING & OIL

187,970,930

GRAND TOTAL

618,189,479

SME

284,000 9,000 1,528,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 85.05 240,440 DDS 10.2 10.02 0.9

980 3,270 100

VALUE 1,289.19 (down) 126.47 721,104,488.77 FINANCIAL 6,894.90 (down) 176.21 INDUSTRIAL 1,274,830,180.522 5,105.16 (down) 568.49 HOLDING FIRMS 1,849,010,678.75 PROPERTY 2,753.05 (down) 232.35 1,161.47 (down) 26.14 SERVICES 1,590,337,404.44 4,523.47 (down) 204.34 MINING & OIL 907,349,561.537 5,335.37 (down) 458.57 PSEI 78,625,321.92 All Shares Index 3,271.79 (down) 221.85 6,442,929,606.64 Gainers: 46; Losers: 145; Unchanged: 40; Total: 231

AC Energy registered big net income of P25b in 2019

By Alena Mae S. Flores AC ENERGY Inc., the power generation unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said net profit in 2019 jumped nearly six-fold to P25 billion from P4.1 billion in 2018 due to the acquisition of new assets, cost recovery and gains from divestment of coal-fired power plants.

“This was lifted by the contribution of its newly operational solar projects in Vietnam, recovery of costs incurred from adjustments in the construction and operation of its power plants, and gains from the partial divestment of its thermal assets,” AC Energy said in a statement Monday.

The company ended 2019 with over 1.8 gigawatts (1,800 megawatts) of attributable capacity from assets in operation and under construction, spanning projects in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Attributable energy output rose 25 percent to 3,500 gigawatt-hours in 2019 with renewable energy sources accounting for 50 percent of total output.

“As we shift our portfolio towards renewable energy, AC Energy has developed a pipeline of more than 1,000 MW in various renewable projects in the Philippines and overseas that are expected to reach financial close within 2020,” said AC Energy president and chief executive officer Eric Francia.

“This is in line with the company’s goal of achieving 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025,” he said.

AC Energy issued two green bonds in 2019, effectively raising $810 million in fresh capital to finance renewable energy investments.

The first issuance in January to February this year was the power company’s maiden green bonds. It raised $410 million.

The bonds were the first publicly syndicated Climate Bond Initiative-certified US dollar green bonds in Southeast Asia.

In November, AC Energy raised $400 million through the first-ever US dollar denominated fixed-for-life green bond issued globally.

“With the electricity demand continuing to exhibit strong growth on the back of a robust economy across the region, as well as improvements in renewable energy cost and efficiency, we will continue to expand and diversify our generation capacity, and we will make significant strides towards our goal in becoming the leader in renewable energy across the region,” said Francia.

SEC eases rules on submission of financial reports

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission gave companies affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) more time to submit annual and quarterly reports.

In a new memorandum circular issued

by SEC, corporations with domestic operations only may file until June 30 their annual reports (SEC Form 17-A) and/or annual financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2019.

For companies with domestic and foreign operations, the filing period is extended until June 30 or 60 days from the date of lifting of travel restrictions by concerned government authorities, whichever comes later.

The filing period for the quarterly reports (SE Form 17-Q) of publicly listed companies and registered issuers of securities for 2020 will also be adjusted accordingly.

Meanwhile, corporations whose preparation of financial statements or completion of statutory audits are not affected by the COVID-19 outbreak are required to file their annual reports and/ or annual financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2019 within the periods prescribed under existing rules and regulations.

“The new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has posed specific challenges to some Philippine companies in complying with certain reportorial requirements,” SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said.

“For one, the travel restrictions, suspension of business operations and other measures implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 have kept companies, particularly those with operations in China and other affected territories, from gathering all information or documents necessary in the preparation and the subsequent audit of their annual financial statements.”

Manila

Standard TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

World IN BRIEF Aussies chide Tom Hanks GOLD COAST-Quarantined US actor Tom Hanks has prompted a wave of gentle ribbing from his Australian hosts concerned about his fervid use of their beloved Vegemite spread.

Hanks has been in hospital isolation with his wife Rita Wilson since they tested positive for coronavirus last week.

On Sunday he posted a photo showing two pieces of toast smothered in Vegemite, a salty and pungent paste made from yeast extract.

“Thanks to the Helpers. Let’s take care of ourselves and each other,” Hanks wrote in the social media post alongside a photo of a crushed Vegemite tube, a kangaroo doll and the thickly slathered toast, with a large bite missing from one piece.

The response from bemused Aussies was immediate.

“WHERE WERE THESE HELPERS WHEN TOO MUCH VEGEMITE WAS BEING SPREAD ON THAT TOAST??????,” tweeted Melbourne comedian Kirsty Webeck.

“Okay you need to scrape around 60% of that vegemite off, otherwise it’s gonna be nasty and hurt your mouth friend,” warned Amy Thunig.

“Cripes, we’ve given him coronavirus *and* Vegemite,” added Greg Jericho, a Canberra-based journalist. AFP

Death for murder of 19 disabled Y OKOHAMA―A Japanese court on Monday sentenced a man to death for the 2016 murder of 19 disabled people at a care home, one of the country’s worst mass killings.

Satoshi Uematsu, a former employee of the facility, never disputed his involvement in the grisly stabbing rampage, but his lawyers entered a plea of not guilty, arguing the 30-year-old was suffering a “mental disorder” linked to his use of marijuana.

Chief judge Kiyoshi Aonuma dismissed that argument and ruled Uematsu deserved no leniency over the horrifying attack, which shocked the country.

“The lives of 19 people were taken away. This is profoundly grave,” he told the court.

Uematsu planned the murders and had “an extreme intention to kill,” the judge said.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty, which in Japan is implemented by hanging, arguing Uematsu was capable of taking responsibility for what they said was an “inhumane” attack at the Tsu-

kui Yamayuri-en center in Sagamihara town, just outside Tokyo.

Uematsu’s behavior in court, including apparently trying to put something in his mouth, disrupted proceedings at the first hearing in January, with the judge calling a recess and then resuming without him.

But he was impassive on Monday as the verdict was announced, looking straight ahead at the judge during the sentencing.

He wore a black suit with his hair in a long ponytail down to his waist, and was flanked by six uniformed court officers wearing surgical masks.

Uematsu, who faced six charges including murder, reportedly said before the trial that he would not appeal any verdict, though he argued he did not deserve the death penalty.

He has reportedly said he wanted to

eradicate all disabled people in the horrifying attack that also left 26 people wounded.

He turned himself in to police after the assault, carrying bloodied knives, and it later emerged he had left his job at the home just months earlier and been forcibly hospitalized after telling colleagues he intended to kill disabled people at the center.

But he was discharged after just 12 days when a doctor decided he was not a threat. He had also written a letter outlining plans to attack the home, claiming “disabled people only create unhappiness.”

Among the few victims to be identified publicly was a 19-year-old woman, Miho, whose mother had said at the court that Uematsu “didn’t need a future.”

“I hate you so much. I want to rip you apart. Even the most extreme penalty is light for you. I will never forgive you,” her mother said before the verdict, according to public broadcaster NHK. “Please bring back my most precious daughter... You’re still alive. It’s not fair. It’s wrong.”

“I demand capital punishment,” she added.

The trial has been closely watched, and a court spokesman said 1,603 people lined up for 10 seats available for the verdict.

The number of spots was reduced because of rules requiring spectators sit apart to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Uematsu has shown no remorse for the attack, telling Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun daily that people with mental disabilities “have no heart”, and for them “there’s no point in living.”

“I had to do it for the sake of society,” he said.

Uematsu’s beliefs shocked Japan, with experts and activists raising questions about whether others might hold similar views.

Japan has been making efforts to increase accessibility—particularly in Tokyo ahead of this year’s Paralympic Games—and activists hailed last year’s election of two disabled lawmakers.

But some critics feel the country still falls short of fully integrating people with disabilities. AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 229, QUEZON CITY

Air New Zealand to ax flights, jobs

VIRGINIA HERNANDEZ DAYOAN For herself and on behalf of her minor son ELIJAH JUSTICE HERNANDEZ DAYOAN, Petitioners,

WELLINGTON―Air New Zealand announced Monday it will cut the carrier’s long-haul capacity by 85 percent and impose redundancies as it shrinks to a skeleton operation in response to the coronavirus.

The airline placed its shares a trading halt Monday as it assesses the fallout of plunging demand and global travel restriction sparked by the pandemic.

It said flights from Auckland to a range of destinations were being suspended, including Chicago, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Vancouver, Tokyo, Honolulu and Taipei.

“On its long haul network, Air New Zealand will be reducing its capacity by 85 percent over the coming months and will operate a minimal schedule to allow Kiwis to return home and to keep trade corridors with Asia and North America open,” it said in a statement.

It said domestic services would be cut by about 30 percent, while flight to Australia and the Pacific island would also be reduced significantly.

Chief executive Greg Foran said there would be redundancies but did not reveal how many of the airline’s 8,000 staff would be affected, saying discussions with unions were underway. AFP

Oil prices extend losses SINGAPORE―Oil prices extended the gloom on Monday after a Saudi-Russian price war and an equities meltdown sparked by the coronavirus pandemic saw their biggest weekly losses in more than a decade.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) briefly fell below $30 a barrel, or 5.5 percent, in morning Asian trade before regaining its footing.

It was trading at $31.13 a barrel at around 0530 GMT, down nearly two percent from Friday’s close.

The Brent global benchmark was down 3.28 percent at $32.74 a barrel.

Last week’s price war began after Saudi Arabia and other members of an informal alliance of major crude producers led by the OPEC oil cartel pushed for an output cut to combat the impact of the virus outbreak.

But alliance partner and non-OPEC member Russia, the world’s second-biggest oil producer, refused―prompting Riyadh to drive through massive price cuts and pledge to boost production.

The COVID-19 outbreak added to downward pressure as it throttled global equities, with growing concerns over a potential worldwide recession and escalating travel restrictions prompting a crash in demand forecasts. AFP

EARLY MOON. The moon is seen in the early hours of the morning in Yangon on March 16, 2020. AFP

B3

TODAY CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

-versus-

Case No. R-QZN-19-14020-CV

MICHELLE OCAMPO DAYOAN, Respondent. x---------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION A verified petition for Support was filed on September 17, 2019

by Petitioners through counsel and prayed to this Honorable Court that: 1. Pendente Lite, Respondent Michelle be ordered to pay the Petitioners Virginia and Elijah the sum of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) a month to be given every end of the month; and 2. And after due hearing on the principal cause of this suit, the Respondent be ordered to pay the petitioners by way of regular support and maintenance FIFTY PERCENT (50%) of his monthly salary, income and/or bonuses, to be given every end of the month, which may be increased depending on his needs, and to be paid upon demand of the same.

Other reliefs and remedies, just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

Upon petitioner’s motion, service of summons upon respondent was allowed by the Court to be served by publication.

THROUGH THE FOG. A public bus travels through fog along the main highway linking Yangon to Mandalay in Hlegu township, Yangon, on March 16, 2020. AFP

NOW THEREFORE, respondent MICHELL OCAMPO DAYOAN whose last known address is at 6824 Moselle Drive, San Jose, California 95119, is hereby summon and required to file with Branch 229 of the Regional Trial Court, National Capital Judicial Region, Hall of Justice Building, Quezon City, his Answer to the Petition for Support within sixty (60) days from the date of the last issue of publication.

Let this summons be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation selected by raffle pursuant to PD 1079 at the expense of petitioner.

Likewise, let copy of the summons as well as copy of the petition be deposited in the post office, postage pre-paid, and to be sent by registered mail to the respondent at her last known address, also at the expense of petitioner.

Petitioner is directed to submit proof of compliance therewith.

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

SO ORDERED.

HK voters wooed with face masks CNN launches new channel in Brazil

HONG KONG―Hong Kong’s rival political camps have embraced a new tactic to woo potential voters as the city hunkers down during the coronavirus pandemic: free face masks.

Masks have been in desperately short supply in Hong Kong since the start of the year when the epidemic reached the financial hub.

Politicians from both the resurgent pro-democracy camp and their embattled pro-Beijing rivals have seized on the shortage, beginning a charm offensive with voters even before official campaigning kicks off for the city’s legislature elections in September.

Already riding high after last year’s huge anti-government protests, three pro-democracy parties were the first to pull off something of a public relations coup―securing 1.2 million masks form Honduras.

The move did not go unnoticed, and one week later the pro-Beijing camp announced that had one million masks of their own.

Local councilor Eason Chan said he believed the swift response from the prodemocracy camp to the virus pushed their opponents to up their game.

“That we started earlier and kept bringing supplies to the community, in some ways, forced all parties to join the competition,” he told AFP. “The Pro-Beijing camp wants to use this chance to return to the community and reinforce their local support,” he added.

Beijing’s powerful Liaison Office in Hong Kong announced the neighboring Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen had donated one million masks that were being distributed among the community by a newly-formed group called “Hong Kong Community Anti-Coronavirus Link.”

“As long as the public can be benefited, it’s fine for different parties in society to do their own part,” said Bunny Chan, a well-connected politician within the pro-Beijing side and one of about 30 conveners of the Link.

“Our conveners have either extensive local networks or professional background, and we have more than 5,000 volunteers across the city to help,” he told AFP. Hong Kongers will be able to elect half the lawmakers in the city’s legislature, a body designed to ensure the proBeijing block always holds sway. AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO―CNN launched a new 24-hour cable news channel in Brazil Sunday, expanding its footprint in Latin America and looking to challenge the market dominance of longtime leader Grupo Globo.

The new channel, CNN Brasil, is a “licensing partner” of CNN, meaning it is locally owned and operated but uses the US-based network’s name and branding, as well as some programming from CNN International.

It scored something of a scoop in its first night, landing an exclusive interview with President Jair Bolsonaro.

The far-right leader defended his decision toa participate in a mass rally by his supporters earlier in the day, which defied his own health ministry’s recommendations on containing the coronavirus pandemic.

Bolsonaro criticized what he called virus “hysteria,” saying: “canceling (events) won’t contain the virus. You can’t just stop the economy, that would put people out of work.”

CNN Brasil has faced questions over how independent its editorial line will be.

Unlike in the United States, where CNN is critical of President Donald Trump, the Brazilian network is being scrutinized for its apparently close ties to Bolsonaro, an admirer of the US president.

Chief executive Douglas Tavolaro previously headed the news division at Brazil’s second-largest TV network, Record, a channel launched by evangelical pastor Edir Macedo, the founder of a mega-church seen as close to Bolsonaro. AFP

January 16, 2020, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) CLETO R. VILLACORTA, III Presiding Judge Cc: Atty. Justin Christopher C. Mendoza – No. 17 Binga Street, NAPOCOR Village, Brgy.Pasong Tamo, QC Virginia Hernandez Dayoan- 9 Montgomery St., Serra Monte Villas, Filinvest II, Batasan Hills, QC Office of the Solicitor General – Makati City SACP Mariesther B. Vedaña – Office of the City Prosecutor, QC (MStandard-Mar. 3, 10 & 17, 2020)

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 222, QUEZON CITY ARGIELA SHANE ACILING A.K.A. ARGIELA SHANE DAWING ACILING, Petitioner, -versus-

SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-QZN-19-09804-SP

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, ET.AL., Respondents. x--------------------------------------------x

ORDER

Upon motion by the counsel for the petitioner, let the hearing on the compliance with the jurisdictional requirements be reset on APRIL 3, 2020 at 8:30 in the morning.

Notify the petitioner and concerned government agencies.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, February 7, 2020.

(Sgd.) EDGAR DALMACIO SANTOS Judge

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 222, QUEZON CITY ARGIELA SHANE ACILING, a.k.a. ARGIELA SHANE DAWING ACILING a.k.a. JOCELYN ACILING BENDECIO Petitioner, -versusSPECIAL PROC. NO. R-QZN-19-09804-SP THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS OFFICE (PSA) formerly NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO), ARGENTINA DAWING ACILING AND RAMON AMBROSIO BENDECIO ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE INTEREST OR CLAIM TO THIS INSTANT PETITION, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------x

ORDER

This pertains to the petition for the correction of entry, change of name, and cancellation of late registration in the Certificate of Live Birth of Argiela Shane Aciling registered with the Office of the Quezon City Civil Registrar filed by the petitioner, through counsel, on October 19, 2018.

In her subject petition, petitioner alleges that on 22 January 2000, petitioner was born to common law spouses, Argentina Dawing Acling and Ramon Ambrosio Bendecio in Quezon City.

In her Certificate of Live Birth (Annex “A”), it was registered that her

biological mother’s name is “JOCELYN ACILING BENDECIO” (Annex “A-2”) under the pretense that they were married.

In the aforesaid certificate of live birth, her biological mother was the informant. Entry No. 20 is of the Certificate of Live Birth is hereto submarked as Annex “A-4”. Likewise, here biological mother supplied that she was married to petitioner’s biological father.

Entry number 18 is of the Certificate of Live Birth is hereto sub-marked as Annex “A-5”.

On June 25, 2004, petitioner’s biological mother registered again her birth but under the name “ARGIELA SHANE DAWING ACILING” (Annex “B”). This is the name used by the petitioner in all her official and personal transactions (Annex “D” to “T”).

In the second registration of certificate of live birth, her biological mother supplied that she was not married to petitioner’s biological father. Entry no. 18 is of Certificate of Live Birth is hereto sub-marked as Annex “B-5”. There was likewise an affidavit of acknowledgment/ admission of paternity in page 2 of the birth certificate is hereto submarked as Annex “B-6” and the name and signature of Israel Varga Duma is hereto sub-marked as Annex “B-7” and made an integral parts thereof.

Lastly, due to the conflicting entries in the date and place of marriage, petitioner was constrained to verify the same in the Philippines Statistics Office and she discovered that her parents were never married. A Certificate of No Marriage was appended hereto (Annex “C”). In the same certificate, petitioner used the name “ARGIELA SHANE DAWING ACILING” (Annex “C-1”).

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the initial hearing of this case is set on September 6, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. and all interested parties are directed to appear before this Court and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be served to the petitioner through his counsel, the Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Office (formerly NSO), the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Lastly, let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle the Office of the Executive Judge, at petitioner’s expense.

SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers this 18th day of July 2019 in Quezon City.

(Sgd.) EDGAR DALMACIO SANTOS Judge

Copy furnished: Argiela Shane Aciling (P) PAO (C/P) LCR-QC PSA OSG OCP CMO-OCAD

(MStandard - Mar. 17, 24 & 31, 2020)

LGUs

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

B4

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Monday warned business establishments of “permanent closure” if they fail to comply with the safety health protocols imposed by the city government.

This is after Binay signed and issued Executive Order No. 10 on Sunday in light of recent developments on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.

Through the EO, the mayor has ordered closed all malls in the city, as well as bars, KTVs, resto bars, cocktail lounges, gyms and similar fitness facilities, and other places where people congregate.

“Our inspection teams from the city Business Permit Office will monitor the compliance of malls and other establishments that have been ordered to close down. They will also check on businesses allowed to continue operations if they are strictly following the guidelines on social distancing and the ban on dine-in services, among others,” Binay said.

The EO stated that pharmacies, groceries, 24/7 convenience stores, hardware stores, medical clinics and diagnostic centers and laboratories, banks and financial institutions, and restaurants located inside malls will remain open.

However, dine-in guests will not be allowed, even for restaurants and other food establishments outside malls. Food will only be available for take-out or delivery so these establishments can effectively apply social distancing.

“This is not only for the safety of their guests but also for the crew and management who keep the businesses running,” the mayor stressed.

She also encouraged netizens to help the authorities by promptly reporting violations through My Makati, the city’s official Facebook page.

Comply or face closure, Binay warns Makati biz

PROACTIVE MEASURES. Students of Gen.

Pio del Pilar Elementary School in Makati are trained on proper handwashing techniques as part of safety protocols implemented in all public schools since February on the orders of Mayor Abby Binay to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the city.

BARMM eyeing anti-dynasty rule in local gov’t code

By Nash B. Maulana COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Government may be the first political entity to comply with an antidynasty provision of the 33-year-old Philippine Constitution.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, interior minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Hadji Murad Ibrahim has tasked his Cabinet to draft priority legislation for deliberation by a Transitional Parliament.

Sinarimbo said the draft Bangsamoro Local Governance Code slated to be tackled by the Parliament this month incidentally contains provisions that may match a constitutional ban on the socalled “political dynasty.”

But Sinarimbo was quick to add the proposed law is not an attempt on the part of BARMM to define “political dynasties” as mentioned in the Constitution.

He also said the regional government currently engages in dialogue with local political leaders perceived to be affected by the passage of the proposed regional law.

For purpose of administrative and political reforms, however, the draft BLGC has provisions on “additional qualifications and disqualification [grounds] in addressing election controversies as well as (issues on) succession, and filling up of (elective) vacancies,” according to a summary of the proposed code’s salient points.

“A candidate must not be within second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected official in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected,” it adds.

Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, says: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Incidentally, the late Senator Jovito Salonga had filed a bill in the Senate seeking to define political dynasties, in reference to that constitutional provision. This was, however, apparently overtaken by time in the urgency of the 1992 presidential elections during the Eighth Congress.

Muntinlupa declares calamity state, curfew, nixes hoarding THE local government of Muntinlupa has declared a state of calamity due to the increasing number of cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi announced this on Monday following the passing of an ordinance to enable the city’s emergency response team to speedily access the local calamity fund.

“The move to place the city under the State of Calamity will allow us to purchase PPE (personal protective equipment) for frontliners, medicine, food, supplies and other equipment to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in Muntinlupa,” Fresnedi said.

Following the declaration, the Muntinlupa City Council also approved the anti-hoarding ordinance that restricts bulk buying of basic commodities, to address the public’s panic buying.

Further, the City Council passed a liquor ban to prevent opportunities for city residents to gather for the duration of the community quarantine.

Ordinances on the temporary closure of malls, except for stores providing essential services, and closure of public and private recreational facilities such as gyms, beauty parlors, spas, and the like, were approved in a special council session on Monday.

The local government eyes to provide relief goods for informal settlers and displaced workers affected by the temporary closure of establishments.

The public is advised to stay indoors and consider cancelling non-essential travels, as Muntinlupa also imposed a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting March 16 until April 14.

Muntinlupa announced its first confirmed case (PH139) as per update of DOH on March 15. The patient is a 44-year-old female and is currently being monitored and treated at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Muntinlupa City Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao said the city government with the DOH has been conducting contact tracing for persons who encountered PH139.

GOLDEN CATCH. A fisherman in Buguey, Cagayan shows off his big catch of lobster. While this coastal town up north is known for giant king crabs, it is likewise popular for big-size lobsters priced like gold and sold for thousands of pesos per kilogram in Metro Manila or exported abroad. Ben Moses Ebreo

Olivarez: Parañaque hospitals will take in COVID-19 PUIs CONSIDERING that Metro Manila has been placed under community quarantine, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Monday ordered hospital administrators to accommodate and treat persons under investigation and persons under monitoring for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In his memorandum, Olivarez authorized Dr. Lea Grace Vasquez, administrator of Ospital ng Paranaque II (Ospar II) to receive, accommodate and manage patients in the city-owned hospital amid rising cases of coronavirus.

He also ordered Dr. Ehpraim Neal Corteza, director of Ospital ng Paranaque I, to accommodate patients in

the hospital in line with the city government’s effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 by contributing much-needed space and medical expertise.

“Likewise, you are directed to provide sufficient, dedicated isolation rooms for them and apply the best treatment monitoring given by a competent medical staff for the early detection and

treatment of the PUIs and PUMs,” Olivarez’s memorandum noted.

Ospar I, a general surgery and government hospital with 178-bed capacity, is on Qurino Avenue, Barangay La Huerta.

The newly built four-storey Ospar II is in Barangay Don Bosco. It is a 150bed hospital and one of the most modern public health facilities in Metro Manila.

Taguig delivers kits door-to-door

SCIENCE LAB. The Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development and the University of San Carlos on March 10 unveiled the USC Laboratory of Computational Functional Materials, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, the first computational science laboratory in Visayas. At the ribbon cutting are (from left) PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, incoming USC President Fr. Narciso A. Cellan Jr., SVD, D. Comm., and DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.

THE Taguig City government has started the door-to-door distribution of free medicines and anti-coronavirus (COVID-19) kits to thousands of elderly individuals and other residents with preexisting poor health conditions.

The kits contain goods that include soap, vitamin C supplements, face masks, and informational materials related the infectious disease.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano confirmed there are three new COVID-19 patients in Taguig, bringing the total number of cases in the city to four.

“All four cases in Taguig are in hospitals where they are isolated and being treated,” he said.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, a total of 140 individuals were tested positive with COVID-19. Most of these cases are in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Eleven deaths have also been confirmed in the country, seven of which are from the NCR. Cayetano said Taguig continues to implement strict measures to curb the spread of the virus, adding that city government personnel have actively pursued contact tracing on all cases.

“All areas relevant to this contact tracing have been thoroughly disinfected and secured. The City is continuously working with all stakeholders to protect everyone,” he said. Joel E. Zurbano

Angeles mayor clamps down on Fields Avenue

By Jess Malabanan ANGELES CITY—Girly bars, massage clinics, KTVs and other entertainment businesses along the Fields Avenue strip were ordered to close temporarily by the local government here starting Monday as to control the movement of people and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Fields Avenue is frequented by foreign and local tourists who want some rest and recreation during their stay here, being the center of entertainment and leisure in Central Luzon.

Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin issued the directive to contain the city from COVID 19, though no case has been recorded so far here.

“We are doing everything we can to protect our people amid the rising cases of COVID-19. If they [owners] don’t follow our orders, we will close them for good and revoke their mayor’s permits.

Closure is still indefinite. In this time, we must limit our people’s movements,” Lazatin said in a statement.

Life

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

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

C1

THINK BEFORE YOU SHARE:

COVID-19 myths and misinformation

By Bernadette Lunas

Y

OU know what spreads faster than coronavirus? Misinformation being shared on social media by those who can’t even spare a minute to do a Google search to find out whether the content is real or not.

Health experts posit widespread misinformation hampers public health efforts to control the pandemic, confuses the public, and causes unnecessary panic. And another adverse effect that mindless social media post sharing brings is that

medical experts have to spend time refuting myths and re-educating the public—precious time that could have been used treating the infected or finding ways to effectively combat COVID-19.

Garlic has antimicrobial properties, but it hasn’t been proven effective in curing COVID-19.

It’s not yet proven that hot weather prevents coronavirus.

Bananas are healthy; they are a rich source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, but not a cure to COVID-19 . Consuming too much potassium can be harmful to those with kidney problems.

Eating banana can cure COVID-19

A video has been circulating on social media claiming that bananas can defeat the novel coronavirus; it has been shared so many times that even the administration’s spokesperson believes it to be true. First, it is a spliced video: an ABC News item on Australian researchers working to make a coronavirus vaccine spliced with another one featuring the banana content. And second, while bananas are healthy, eating too much of it poses health risks. General practitioner and Internet personality Dr. Willie Ong debunked this myth, saying that eating more than two pieces can be harmful especially to those with kidney problems.

Taking a hot bath or shower is not recommended to kill coronavirus.

Taking a hot bath or shower prevents coronavirus

While taking a shower or bath regularly is part of good hygiene which must always be followed, opting to take a hot bath does not prevent the virus. The WHO said, “Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5-degree to 37-degree Celsius, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.”

Eating garlic can cure COVID-19

Generally speaking, garlic is a nutritious food that must be added in our diet. But because of its antimicrobial properties, many believe— and hoard—garlic believing that eating it can keep them protected.

However, the World Health Organization said this remains unfounded as “there is no evidence from the current outbreak (now pandemic) that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.”

Using UV lamps on skin can cause irritation (Photo from Wikimedia).

UV lamps are effective in sterilizing hands

Ultraviolet lamps, those that use short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C), are commonly used to kill or inactivate microorganisms, primarily utilized in medical sanitation and sterile work facilities. However, the WHO warns against using it to sterilize hands or other areas of skin to kill the new coronavirus as “UV radiation can cause skin irritation.”

Coronavirus does not live in places with hot and humid climates

Many, especially here in the Philippines, were excited when they found out from a number of Facebook posts that the novel coronavirus cannot survive high temperature. Especially since it’s the dry season. But the WHO said there was no evidence so far that the virus cannot be transmitted in areas with hot and humid weather.

“Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19,” the WHO reiterated.

No evidence yet that nasal sprays are effective in preventing coronavirus infection.

Rinsing nose with saline solution prevents infection from coronavirus

Several studies show that saline solution restores moisture to dry nasal passages, thus it is commonly used by people suffering from allergies. But while helpful in keeping moisture, the WHO said there is no evidence yet that regularly rinsing nose with saline solution prevents infection from the novel coronavirus—or even “help people recover more quickly from the common cold.”

5 steps to treat child’s fever IN MOST cases, a fever is a healthy sign that the child’s immune system is at work, health professionals say. What’s important to know is how to manage it at its onset regardless of the cause.

According to Dr. Carmina A. delos Reyes, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, fever has various causes. “It can be due to an infection, inflammation, allergies, or prolonged heat exposure.

Its treatment depends on the underlying problem.

While it is important to pursue diagnostic tests, fever management is still highly recommended to provide comfort to the sick child.”

To have a better grasp on how to manage child’s fever effectively, here are five easy steps: Step 1: Recognize and identify fever and discomfort While older kids verbalize their symptoms or discomfort, younger ones such as toddlers and babies express themselves through behavior. Be keen on changes in action and attitude such as loss of interest in toys or playing, loss of appetite, and increased crying.

give them paracetamol as the first-line treatment, as prescribed by the World Health Organization.

Dose it correctly by taking the child’s weight and following the recommended dosage instructions for their weight band. The information is usually found on product labels. Age can also be used as an alternative to guide dosing based on package instructions.

Step 3: Don’t forget to use the measuring device provided Measuring medicine may sound like an easy task, but many parents are guilty of under-dosing their child. WHO recommends parents to use the measuring device provided with the product to avoid errors.

How about tablespoons and teaspoons? Although they seem harmless, using kitchenware can double the risk of dosing errors for children.

It is best to stick to the dosing device provided.

Check with doctor or pharmacist for guidance.

Step 4: Monitor child’s progress and help The best way to confirm a child’s fever is by them feel better measuring their temperature using a thermomDOs: eter. The normal temperature range for children Monitor the temperature and check regularly for is 36.5-degree to 37.5-degree Celsius. When the rashes or fatigue number rises above 37.5-degree, the child has a Check on the child’s fever at night fever and in need of treatment.

Ensure that the child drinks plenty of fluids Have the child stay at home until the fever has Step 2: Give the right dose of paracetamol gone down Once it’s been confirmed that the child has a fever, DON’Ts

Parents should identify the changes in their children’s actions to determine how they are doing.

Do not give sponge or cool baths them another dose of paracetamol (at 15 mg/kg) Do not under-dress or over-dress a feverish child every four to six hours. Just be sure to not administer paracetamol more than four times in a 24Step 5: If fever persists, give the child par- hour period. Calpol for Kids is clinically proven to acetamol again relieve six types of pain and fever and starts workIf the fever does not subside immediately, give ing in just 15 minutes.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 Standard C2 E2 MONDAY February 10, 2020 TODAY

˜ The Manila Times

Manila

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

w w w.manilatimes.net by supplier of diesel oil applicable for the Billing Period

where: Capacity Charges = Capital Recovery Fee (CRF) + Fixed Operati on & Maintenance Fee (FOM)

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT (EPSA) BETWEEN DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC. (DAVAO LIGHT) AND SAN MIGUEL CONSOLIDATED POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION,

Energy Charges = Variable Operation & Maintenance Fee (VOM) + Fuel Fee+ Start-up Charge

where: CRFadjusted

=

CRFbase

=

Capital Recovery Fee in PhP/ kW-month contained in Annex II-A

FXm

=

The simple average of the daily exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar as posted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The pertinent portions of the said Joint Application are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.

2.

II.

Davao Light is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is a grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to construct, operate and maintain an electric light and power system in Davao City and Panabo City, and the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte (the “FranchiseArea”). It is also referred to herein as the “BUYER”.

3.

Applicants may be served notices, orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through their respective counsels at their addresses indicated below.

Statement of Facts

4.

On 17 October 2019, Davao Light wrote to the Department of Energy (“DOE”) requesting for an exemption from the Competitive Selection Process (“CSP”) requirement of the DOE. The Letter expressed Davao Light’s urgent need for supply of electricity due to circumstances beyond the control of Davao Light, and the limited time to conduct a Competitive Selection Process.

2.2.2.

=

Contract Capacity in kW

Negotiated procurement of emergency power supply; Provided, that the cooperation period of the corresponding PSA shall not exceed one (1) year; Provided further, that the rate shall not be higher than the latest ERC approved generation tariff for same or similar technology in th e area;

FOM

=

Fixed Operation and Mainten ance Fee in PhP/ kW month contained in Annex II-A

PHCPIm

=

Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006 =100) as posted by the Philippine Statistics

=

Contract Capacity in kW

12. Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). On 7 June 2013, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued ECC No. ECC-CO-1304-0010 in favor of SMCPC. 13. Board of Investments (B01) Certificate. On 24 June 2013, the Power Plant Project was registered with the BOI which issu ed Certificate of Registration No. 2013-137.

=

=

USCPIm

US Consumer Price Index for All Urba Consumers - All Items (1982-84=100) as posted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

USCPIo

US Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers-All Items (1982-84=100) for the calendar month of the COD5

FXm

The average daily exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar as posted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

FXo

=

Exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar, Base=PhP44.00

PHCPIm

=

Philippine Consum er Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippines National Statistics Office for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

Fuel Cost

9.5. Contract Charges. Under the EPSA, the BUYER shall pay the following Contract Charges for the duration of the EPSA, subject to the applicable Value-Added Tax (VAT), and computed as follows: Units Rate Level PhP/kW-month 1,386.8021 Ph P/kW-month 8.8079 1,770.6100

J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z AA BB

=

Newcastlem= Average monthly coal price index in USD/MT as posted by global coal on the website www.globalcoal.com for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

b.

Newcastleo= coal price index equivalent to USD74.oo/MT

c.

Base Fuel Cost= Blended Cost equivalent to USD62.69/MT

d.

Fuel Cost shall be charged based on the foregoing formula or based on the actual cost of fuel, whichever is lower

=

actual fuel consumption rate capped at 0.70kg/kWh

FXm

=

The average daily exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar as posted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

=

CC

Actual Transport Costs in USD/MT which includes but not limited to port charges, fuel insurance, wharfage fees, excise tax, handling, customs brokerage fees, custom duties, stevedores and arrastre costs, tuggage costs, survey fee, towage, pilotage, light dues, mooring and unmooring, berthing and de-berthing, and tonnage dues and sundries on the coal used during the current Billing Period. Freight costs shall include all other existing fees, imposts and other charges that may be inlposed on the transport of coal under the Statement of Settlement of Duties and Taxes issued by the Bureau of Customs and shall exclude any surcharges, penalties and/or interests such as, but not limited to, demurrage attributable to SELLER

CR

AE

DD

V.

18. In line with this, SMCPC prays for the confidential treatment of the information contained in the following annexes, and not disclose the same except to the officers and staff of the Honorable Commission: Annex X AA

Exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar, Base=PhP44.00 Associated Energy in kWh delivered to the BUYER by the SELLER during the current Billing Period at the Delivery Points stated in Annex III.

“[T]rade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of trade having a commercial value. A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that: (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous use in the operation of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights. The inventor, discoverer, or possessor of a trade secret or similar innovation has rights therein which may be treated as property, and ordinarily an injunction will be granted to prevent the disclosure of the trade secret by one who obtained the information ‘in confidence’ or through a ‘confidential relationship.”’ (Footnotes omitted, emphasis supplied.)

American jurisprudence has utilized the following factors to determine if an information is a trade secret, to wit:

Start-up Charge (per Unit and per Start-up) - to be added on top of VOM & Fuel charges

Cold Start-up - downtime of eight (8) hours and above

(1) the extent to which the information is known outside of the employer’s business;

Start-up Charge= 130,000 liters x LFOm x

MONTHLY CONTRACT CHARGES = Capacity Chargesmonth + Energy Chargesmonth

(2) the extent to which the information is known by employees and others involved in the business;

Warm Start-up - downtime ofless than eight (8) hours

________________________________________________________

Start-up Charge= 36,000 liters x LFOm x

(3) the extent of measures taken by the employer to guard the secrecy of the information;

where: LFOm

=

(4) the value of the information to the employer and to competitors;

The actual price of diesel oil in PhP/liter as billed

________________________________________________________ 4 5 6

COD as defined under Article 2 of the PSC dated 28 November 2016; Id.; Id.; and

Documents and/or Information Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model (Corifidential) Explanation on the Fuel Supply Agreement (Corifidential)

19. The foregoing documents contain information and data involving SMCPC’s power rate calculations and financial model, as well as the manner by which th ese are derived. These information are not generally available to the public.

As such, the information and data contained in these documents are privileged and confidential in nature. In the case of the Air Philippines Corporation v.

Pennswell, Inc.,7 the Supreme Court explained that:

The cost for starting up the Plant after a period of Outage attributable to the BUYER shall be charged according to the formula:

9.7 Adjustment Formula. The Contract Charges are adjusted on a monthly basis in accordance with the following Adjustment Formula (Annex II-B of the EPSA):

Davao Light’s General Information Sheet SMCPC’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws Write-up on Shareholder’s Agreement SMCPCs’ Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power and its Subsidiaries SMCPC’s Certificate of Registration with the BOI ECC issued by the DENR to the Circulating Fluidized Bed CoalFired Thermal Power Plant Proiect of SMCPC Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission Certification from the DOE regarding PDP Write-up on Renewable Energy Service/ Operating Contract, and Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality by an RE Developer Davao Lim t’s Demand Side Management Program PSALM Certification Davao Light’s Historical and Forecasted Supply and Demand Scenario Davao Lirot’s Power Supply Procurement Plan dated1s March 2019 Davao Light’s Letter to DOE dated 07 October 2019 Department of Enery's Certificate of Exemption Emergency Power Supply Agreement dated 22 January 2020 entered into by and between Davao Light and SMCPC SMCPC and NGCP Connection Agreement SMCPC Point-to-Point Annroval Davao Light’s Transmission Service Agreement with National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (“NGCP”) Davao Light’s Metering Service Agreement with NGCP Executive Summary of the Davao Lirnt and SMCPC EPSA Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model (Corifidential) Rate Imnact Analysis Details of the Fuel Procurement Process Explanation on the Fuel Sunnly Ae:reement (Confidential) Relevant technical and economic characteristics of generation capacity, installed capacyit mode of operation, and dependable capacity SMCPC’s latest Audited Financial Statements (AFS), Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows Certification on Long-term Loans, including Schedule of Original Loan (principal amount, interest payable and term of th e loan) and Updated Balances (principal amount, interest payable and penalties, if any and remaining term of the loan) Certification from the engine manufacturer or SMCPC of the net heat rate in liters per kWh Simulation on the number of operating units necessary to meet the MEOT and/or additional energy/demand requirements of Davao Light Potential Cost (absolute amounts and Php/kWh) of Ancillary Services as and when SMCPC or DLPC is co nnected to the main grid Judicial Affidavit of Annie C. Magno

17. Section 1, Rule 4, of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that a party to any proceeding before the Commission may request that information about that party in the Commission’s possession not be disclosed.

Start-up Charge shall be the BUYER’s shar e of the cost incurred in starting up the Plant. This shall be paid by BUYER on top of VOM & Fuel charges.

However, Start up Charges to be charged to BUYER shall only be limited to two (2) Cold start ups and four (4) Wann start ups per unit per year.

9.6 Other Charges. The BUYER shall bear all other costs and charges incurred after the Delivery Point, including but not limited to transmission line losses, any interconnection charges and site specific loss adjustments, among others.

Docwnents/Information Davao Light’s Amended Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

Allegations in Support of the Motion for Confidential Treatment of Information

The Parties further agree that when any or all of the above components of the Fuel Cost no longer reflect the SELLER’s actual cost of coal (including the FOB price, coal indexation, premiums, among others), the Fuel Cost shall be computed based on SELLER’s actual cost of fuel subject to SELLER’s prior notification to the BUYER and subject to approval of the ERC prior to implementation.

All IMEM or WESM Charges, if any, as billed by the PEMC to the SELLER and solely att ribut able to this EPSA with the BUYER.

The application for this contract was docketed as ERC Case No. 2018-121 RC entitled In the Matter of the Application for Approval of the Power Supply Agreement Between Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) and Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) with Motion for Provisional Authority and Motion for Confidential Treatm ent of Information; Entitled In the Matter of the Joint Application for Approval of the Power Supply Contract (PSC) Between Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC), with Prayer for Confidential Treatment of Information and the Issuance of Provisional Authority; The Contract did not also adopt the provisions on pre-commercialoperations since the Plant has already achieve commercial operations.;

I

Associated Energy in kWh delivered to the BUYER by the SELLER during the current Billing Period at the Delivery Points stated in Annex III.

a.

FXo

0.281 1.6566* 1.9397”

The cost of Replacement Power, if provided by the SELLER, subject to Article 7 of the EPSA.

F G H

=

Freight Cost =

9.4. Supply Effective Date. The effective date of supply of emergency power to the BUYER shall be 26 January 2020, or on such other date as may be agreed by the Parties. Upon Supply Effective Date, the Contract Charges, as approved in the Order dated 20 June 2017 in ERC Case No. 2017-029 RC, shall apply for the emergency power supplied by the SELLER to the BUYER pending ERC Approval of the EPSA.

b.

Annex A and series B C D E

where:

9.3. Term. This EPSA shall take effect between the Parties on the date of signing (“Execution Date”) and shall remain effective from the Execution Date to 26 December 2020 (“Contract Term”). Supply of electric power by the SELLER shall commence on the Supply Effective Date, and shall continue until the end of Contract Term. This EPSA shall be deemed terminated upon the expiration of the Contract Term unless earlier terminated m accordance with the provisions of this EPSA.

Monthly adjustments in the Capacity and Energy Charges based on an adjustment formula contained in Annex II-B of the EPSA.

=

Fuelmonth

9.2. Generation Source. SMCPC’s 2 x 150 MW Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler Coal-Fired Power Plant (the “Plant”) located in Barangay Culaman, Malita, Davao Occidental.

a.

16. Copies of the following documents and/or information are attached to the Joint Application as annexes:

IV. FUEL FEE (Fuelmonth)

9.1. Contract Capacity. The Contract Capacity for the duration of the EPSA shall be Fifty Thousand kilowatts (50,000 kW). The BUYER shall maintain a minimum hourly nomination of at least forty percent (40%) of the 50,000 kW for the duration of the EPSA. The Contract Capacity shall be subject to a separate nomination protocol set forth in Annex V of the said EPSA.

PhP/kWh PhP/ kWh

15. The Department of Energy has issued a Certificate of Endorsement with No. 2015-06-006 dated 04 June 2015 certifying that the Plant is consistent with the Power Development Plan of the government.

Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippines National Statistics Office for the calendar month of the COD6

In accordance with Section 2.2.2 of the DOE CSP Circular, Davao Light negotiated with SMCPC for procurement of emergency power supply of 50 MW, under the same rates, terms and conditions as its Power Supply Contract (PSC) dated 28 November 2016 with SMCPC.

ENERGY FEES C Variable Operation & Maintenance Fee D Fuel Fee Total Energy Fees *Indicative Figures

14. Certificate of Compliance (COC). The Honorable Commission has issued a Certificate of Compliance with COC NO. 17-09-M-00135M dated 27 September 2017 for the Plant.

Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee in PhP/kWh contained in Annex II-A

6.

9. Salient Features of the EPSA.

0.2594

Assumptions : (1) SMCPC will replace reduction in PSALM allocation; (2) SMCPCto run at 100% load/ actor; and (3) Other power costs are based on actual power bill/ or November 26 to December 25, 2019.

CC

Subject to (1) prior notification by the Seller to the Buyer and (2) approval of the ERC prior to implementation for the occurrence of any of the following events, the Parties agree to adopt changes in any of the inflationary indices for any of the following events: a) shift made in the baseyear and other adjustments to such inflation index made by the relevant authorized entity; or b) the inflation index: i) becomes unavailable, ii) is replaced by a new benchmark rate as determined by the relevant authorized entity or its successor-in-interest, iii) ceases to exist, or iv) in the reasonable determination of either Party, fails to reflect the real costs and forms an integral part of this price adjustment formula.

Thus, this instant Joint Application for the approval of the EPSA between SMCPC and Davao Light subject of this Joint Application.

Impact

11. Grid Connection. The Plant is connected to the 230 kV Malita-Matanao Transmission Line in Malita, Davao Occidental. SMCPC has also executed the necessary Connection Agreement with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), a copy of which attached to this application.

On 19 December 2019, the DOE issued a Certificate of Exemption (COECSP-2019-11-003) in respons e to Davao Light’s Letter dated 07 October 2019.

CAPACITY FEES A Capital Recovery Fee B Fixed Operation & Maintenance Fee Total Capacity Fees

Estimated Generation Charge (as of December 25, 2019, Phu/kWh) Without additional 50 With additional 50 MW MWSMCPC SMCPC 4.2908 4.5502

Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippine Statistics Authority for the calendar month of the C0D4

5.

8.

For Forced Outages, four hundred thirty-eight (438) cumulative outage hours.

=

AE

On 22 January 2020, Davao Light and SMCPC executed an Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA), which adopts the same term and conditions under the existing PSC with SMCPC applicable to a one-year supply contract.3

II.

PHCPIo

4.5. All these conditions att ributed to an emergency. Thus, Davao Light was prompted to immediately procure emergency supply of energy of 50 MW for the year 2020.

7.

For Scheduled Outage, seven hundred twenty (720) cumulative outage hours.

10. Estimated Rate Impact. The indicative rate impact on Davao Light’s overall generation rate with and without the additional supply from SMCPC after SED are as follows:

=

PHCPIo

6.1. Davao Light and SMCPC’s PSC dated 28 November 2016, with SMCPC has been granted an interim relief by the Honorable Commission in an Order dated 20 June 2017 in ERC Case No. 2017-029 RC2.

Discount, PhP/kWh None 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

I.

FIXED OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FEE (FOMmonth)

VOM

4.4. Finally, if Davao Light fails to procure additional capacity, it will not have an alternative source of supply considering that the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (“WESM”) is not yet operational in Mindanao.

3

CC

where:

4.3 Further, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminis t ration (“PAGASA”) reported slight El Niño in the first quarter of 2020 in Mindanao. This may affect the reduction of production capacity of hydroelectric plants in the region, including the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), one of Davao Light’s suppliers.

2

Exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar, Base= PhP44.00

VOMmonth

4.2 As stated in the Letter, Davao Light has a deficit of 51 MW of supply for 2020, based on its Power Supply Procurement Plan. While Davao Light has previously contracted for a firm supply for this forecasted deficit, following the DOE CSP Circular, the contract cannot be implemented until there is a final resolution of the issues raised in Davao Light’s Manifestation and Motion to Reconsider dated 27 June 2019.1

1

=

III. VARIABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FEE (VOMmonth)

xxx

Total plant capacity (net) per unit in kW

9.9 Outages. During the term of this EPSA, Capacity Charges shall be applicable for every Billing Period, except as otherwise provided in this EPSA. The SELLER shall be entitled to the following Outage Allowances:

Authority for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs

All PSAs shall be procured through CSP; Provided however, that the following instances shall warrant a Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Energy (DOE) on the conduct of CSP:

=

Collection Efficiency Levels Below 65% 66% to 75% 76% to 85% 86% to 95% 96% and above

where:

4.1 The Letter sought exemption from the CSP pursuant to Section 2.2.2 of Department of Energy Department Circular No. DC2018-02-0003 (“DOE CSP Circular”), which states that: 2.2.

FXo

FOMmonth

SMCPC is a corporation duly created and existing by and under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with business address at Sitio Inaburan, Barangay Culaman, Malita, Davao Occidental 8012. It is also herein referred to as the “SELLER”.

TPC

9.8.1. CED. The BUYER shall be entitled to the following CED:

ERC CASE NO. 2020-005 RC

On 27 January 2020, Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (Davao Light) and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC) filed a Joint Application with Prayer for Confidential Treatment of Information dated 22 January 2020 (Joint Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of their Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA), with prayer for confidential treatment of information .

Contract Capacity in kW

9.8.1 PPD. The BUYER may avail of the PPD equivalent to one percent (1%) of the total of the Capacity and Energy Charges and other components of the current power bill except IMEM or WESM charges (as applicable) and Replacement Power Cost.

CRFmonth = CRFadjusted X CC

DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, I N C . ( D AVA O L I G H T ) A N D S A N MIGUEL CONSOLIDATED POWER CORPORATION (SMCPC), Applicant. x--------------------------------------------------x

=

9.8 Discounts. The SELLER provides for both Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) and Collection Efficiency Discount (CED).

CAPITAL RECOVERY FEE (CRFmonth)

I.

CC

(5) the amount of effort or money expended by the company in developing the information; and

________________________________________________________ 7

564 Phil. 774 (200 7) , G . R. No. 172835.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’

SNAPCHAT

packs a punch on Jeepney TV

R

ELIVE how the Coco Martinstarrer FJP’s Ang Probinsyano won the hearts of millions of Filipinos as Jeepney TV airs the book one of the beloved ABS-CBN teleserye.

Mexico’s Vive Latino

pushes through

despite covid-19 fear THE long-running festival in Mexico City returned over the weekend, bringing together bands from around the world to six stages with attendance for each of the two days typically approaching 100,000. Headlining the festival this year was Guns N’ Roses, but not every band showed up, as some canceled their turn at the iconic festival and making those announcements on social media. Mexico has 43 reported cases of covid-19, 15 of which are new cases. Photo by AFP

The first year of the action-drama saw the introduction of Cardo Dalisay (Coco) and his quest to seek justice for the death of his identical twin Ador de Leon.

It also explored Cardo’s hunt against the drug and human-trafficking empire masquerading as a philanthropic organiza-tion led by Tomas “Papa Tom” Tuazon (Albert Martinez) and PC/Insp.

Joaquin Tuazon (Arjo Atayde).

Even more important, however, is how its now-iconic characters—such as Coco’s Cardo, Jaime Fabregas’ Lolo Delfin, and Susan Roces’ Lola Flora— have inspired Filipinos here and abroad, regardless of age, to always have faith that the good will always triumph despite encountering seemingly-unending adversities.

It has also imparted life lessons woven into its narrative since its earlier days of broadcast, like how Makmak’s (Awra Briguela)) sexual identity did not get in the way for Cardo and his family to fully accept him, and how Lola f lora demonstrated being an honorable public servant when she returned the refrigerator given by the mayor to avoid issues.

Now on its fourth year, Ang Probinsyano is a known favorite among Filipino households, garnering the highest-rated pilot episode of all time when it recorded a 41.6 percent rating during its premiere in September 2015, as well as scoring the highest peak nationwide rating of 47.2 percent during its Oct. 4, 2018 episode—both based on data from Kantar Media.

Watch the gripping adventures of Cardo in the book one of“FJP’s Ang Probinsyano, airing on Jeepney TV on weekdays at 2:30 pm. Jeepney TV is available on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 11, SKYcable channel 9, SKYdirect channel 30, Destiny Cable Analog 41 and Digital 9.

Coco Martin as Cardo Dalisay

EXTRA INTERNATIONAL

The famed Moulin Rouge in Paris has seen its last show for several weeks after France banned gathering of more than 100 people

Hope, defiance at last Moulin Rouge show before virus shutdown HIGH-kicking dancers with bare chests and giant feathers sprouting from their heads enthralled a full house at the world’s most famous cabaret, the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

It seemed like business as usual at the iconic French venue which has been giving performances for over a century.

But Thursday›s exuberant performance at Moulin Rouge was likely the last for several weeks after France banned gatherings of more than 100 people to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The measure is a heavy blow to the cabaret and to theatres, operas houses and concert venues across the country.

But defiance and hope reigned at the Moulin Rouge.

«Coronavirus or not, we have always been very careful,» said Romane Boulanger, a French 26-year-old dancer.

MS

Physical contact between the performers is an integral part of the show.

“We need to be careful to not become paranoid. In any case, fear doesn’t prevent the danger,” she added.

Between acts, the brightly made-up dancers scrupulously pass hand gel over their nail-painted fingers, standing underneath signs instructing: “Keep calm and wash your hands”.

Before entering the famous red-lit arena, hand sanitizer was also on offer to the smartly-dressed audience there to see the 60 performers from 14 nations.

Veronika Jukic, a 40-year-old Russian living in Paris, was determined to enjoy her night out with friends.

“I have three children so I think I will be working from home from Monday, so we need to have a good night as it’s the last one,” she said following French Presi-

dent Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that schools will be closed indefinitely from next week.

Aron Simpson was not going to pass up on a chance to watch the French can-can while drinking a glass of champagne.

«I think the entertainment and the cultural value outweighs the risk of the virus,» the 30-year-old Australian told AFP. Shows are cancelled from Friday, but staff will continue to operate inside the famed venue to be ready to reopen the doors as soon as the ban is lifted.

“The Moulin Rouge is 130 years old, we’ve been through a lot!” said spokeswoman Fanny Rabasse, who has worked for the cabaret for 25 years. “It has always recovered.”

The lights of the red windmill will continue to illuminate the Montmartre district as a sign of hope that better days lie ahead. Eléonore Hughes, AFP

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

Jeric Gonzales dedicates new single to late grandmother EARLIER this March, Magkaagaw lead actor Jeric Gonzales released his newest single under GMA Music entitled “Line to Heaven,” which is a fresh take on the ‘90s hit byIntrovoys.

The heartthrob shared how ecstatic he was to have his own rendition of the popular song, “It was a big hit in the 90s. So, for me to be given this chance to record it, it’s an honor. I’m a fan of the band so I was really surprised when I was told that I’d be re-recording the song.”

“Line to Heaven,” written by Paco Arespacochaga, is a heartfelt song and the actor has a deeper connection with it, coming from his personal experiences.

When asked who would he dedicate it to, Jeric talked about his beloved late grandmother.

“I dedicate this song to my late grandmother because I miss her so much. I still can’t believe that’s already gone, if I would have a time to talk to her, to hug her, or even go to her, I would sing this song para sa kanya.”

Jeric Gonzales revives Introvoys classic hit 'Line To Heaven'

The musical arrangement for “Line to Heaven” was made by Kettle Mata. Its performance video will be up soon on GMA Music’s official social media pages.

Currently, Jeric is brewing up an original song with the label. There’s a lot in store for him not only in acting but also in singing since he is very talented in songwriting and playing instruments.

“Line to Heaven” is now available for streaming and download on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other digital stores worldwide.

Mr. Charmer

VIN ABRENICA

C

ONGENIAL. Charismatic. A good conversationalist. And yes, chiseled. How did I manage to discover his most defined body part?

Scarlet Snow takes her family and friends to an exciting theme park adventure at Jollitown on her 5th birthday. (Inset) The wonder kid gets a hug from the adorable Jollibee mascot.

ScarletScarlet Belo Belo

5 TURNSturns 5

INTERNET sweetheart Scarlet Snow Belo celebrated her birthday with a fun-filled and exciting Jollibee Kids Party. As the beloved Jolly Kid ambassador turned five, Scarlet Snow took her family and friends to an exciting theme park adventure at Jollitown.

Held at Jollibee Ortigas Roosevelt, a Jollitown Theme Park Party was a fitting birthday bash to celebrate the Jolly Kid ambassador’s special day.

Consistent with the theme, wooden tables and chairs were set up and marshals wearing carnival costumes greeted guests, transporting kids to a real-life amusement park. There were also fun corners where Scarlet Snow and her friends enjoyed classic carnival games such as ring toss, ball shoot, jolly crane, and the beauty box face painting booth.

The venue also featured a Jollitown-themed message board where Scarlet’s friends and loved ones had written well-wishes for the playful and loving birthday celebrant. Guests also enjoyed a photo spot dressed in fun carnival decorations which made their trip to Jollitown a more fun, exciting,

and unforgettable experience.

By the end of their theme park adventure, the guests already gathered an appetite for their favorite Jollibee meals. Scarlet Snow led the mealtime prayer and enjoyed the delicious Jollibee food, along with her friends.

For the loving parents of Scarlet Snow, Dr. Hayden Kho, Jr. and Dr. Vicki Belo, their only wish is to be able to give their child countless joyful moments as she grows up.

“I also grew up with Jollibee, that’s why I know my child is in good hands. Now that she celebrates her 5th birthday, we would just like to give her a celebration that she will hold dear in her heart forever,” says Dr. Hayden Kho. “I think the Jollitown theme fits her best now because as you can see, she’s already a big girl. She’s now up for more adventure, both in play and in real life, and as her parents, we will just be behind her, to support and love her all the way,” he adds.

Stay updated on how Jollitown can give you a fun and unforgettable kiddie party experience and let Scarlet Snow show you the joy of being a Jolly Kid.

During a short and sweet photo opportunity moment, my hands were on his abdominal area. He even requested for me to give it a rub, and of course, I acquiesced to it. So pleasurable to feel his rock hard and solid abdominal area and for sure, all of us will get to see more of it now that he is the latest brand ambassador of a trusted underwear brand, Handford.

Ecstatic is the best adjective to describe Vin Abrenica during the press launch most especially when he says, “I am excited. It feels really great to be part of a great company like Hanford. Dreams do come true and I really believe it because, for the longest time, I’ve been dreaming to have something like this. I’ve been working out every day and also praying that this day would come.

I would like to thank them, for the trust. I hope I will be able to help the brand become even more successful.”

He carries on, “Anything that you have for the first time is special — your first love, first kiss and so is your first endorsement. Sobrang happy ko. Sobrang kilig ang pakiramdam ko.”

As the brand ambassador, expect him to do mall shows, visits to special branches that carry and sell the brand and of course, the all-important billboard pictorial.

Admits the relatively young actor, “I am really excited to see myself in a billboard, on EDSA. I won’t mind

posing wearing only my underwear.”

He shares, “When it comes to underwear colors, I am on the adventurous. Of course, may usual whites and blacks. A red underwear is fine with me. You know, even pink,kung meron.

Wearing colored briefs, sexy siya to wear for me.”

Abrenica adds, fit (medium is his underwear size) and feel (fabric of the underwear) are his top considerations in choosing an undergarment and “gusto ko talaga yung nakakagalaw ako.

Hindi masyadong masikip. I don’t like wearing an underwear na parang ipit na ipit ako.”

A question of national importance, will the members of the pink community be pleased, when his billboard finally becomes public? Abrenica’s confident reply: “I think so. Hindi pa ako nagbi-brief, ‘di ba? Sa mga pictorial, hindi pa. Pants lang ako lagi.”

With regard to replacing Mikael Daez as the brand’s ambassador, he says: “Mikael is a good person. Hanga ako sa kanya kasi ang favorite part of my body is my jawline,mapanga. So, siya, mapanga rin. So, nakikita ko na meron kaming similarity. So, ako, he’s always been the face of Hanford. Kapag iniisip mo ang Hanford, Mikael Daez, automatic ‘yun. I’m very thankful sa kanya kasi kailangan kong maka-level sa standard that he has set.”

He laughs out loud when asked,

between him and Daez, who does he think is sexier? His swift reply after the hearty guffaw: “Can we just ask our respective partners? Let’s ask Megan Young, the wife of Mikael and from my end, you can direct the question to Sophie Albert.”

Of course, no conversation with Aljur Abrenica’s younger brother will be complete without talking about his beloved Sophie.

Started their careers via TV5’s reality show, Artista Academy, where they emerged as winners, he sheepishly declares, with his face turning red, “Noon pa man, crush ko na siya.”

At present, Vin and Sophie are in different networks, the first is with ABS-CBN and his inamorata works in GMA 7.

Vin says of this predicament, “Belonging to different networks, ang effect sa amin, maganda naman. She is happy with my work in my action drama and when she became the partner of Alden Richards in The Gift, I was so proud of her. That’s Alden Richards. Kahit lagi silang pagtambalin , I don’t mind because as screen partners, they look good together.”

As real-life partners, Vin divulges, “I am happy with my relationship with Sophie. We’ve been together for some time, seven years. And you know what, when you guys get to see us together, parang our relationship is just starting.

We’re able to build a certain kind of trust, we have a different level of communication, and I just cannot imagine my life without her.”

Are wedding bells ringing for them, sooner rather later, Vin’s eyes light up and reacts, “In His perfect time.

We have talked about it, yes. But the conversation wasn’t that serious. Everybody would know when that time comes.”

Now, we all know why this Hanford ambassador is so befitting to be called as the Mr. Charmer.

Vin Abrenica will soon have his own huge tarp on Edsa after signing a new contract, his first endorsement, as the face of a popular underwear brand.