Manila Standard - 2020 June 4 - Thursday

House OKs anti-terror bill Adopts Senate version, Duterte awaits to sign it into law

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

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HE House of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on third and final reading the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which seeks to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism.

Voting 173-31-29, the House approved House Bill 6875 a few days after it was certified urgent by President Duterte. It was approved on second reading Tuesday.

The House Committees on Public Order and Safety and on National Defense and Security last Friday adopted the Senate's version of the measure, which has been approved on third and final reading last February.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on

Tuesday said the bill was “as good as passed.”

“It will just need my signature if it comes back to us after ratification, then I will transmit to the President," Sotto said in a text message to CNN Philippines, when asked how Congress will fast-track the approval of the measure.

The President called for the immediate passage of the bill “to address the urgent Next page

ANTI-TERRORISM BILL PROVISIONS

• Life imprisonment without parole for convicted terrorists • 12-year jail term for any person who threatens to commit terrorism, proposes terroristic acts, or incites others to commit terrorism • 12-year jail term for any person who joins a terrorist organization • A suspected terrorist can be detained without a warrant for 14 days, extendable to 10 more days • Authorizes wiretapping of suspected terrorists for 90 days, and detention without warrant for a maximum of 24 days • Empowers Anti-Money Laundering Council to look into bank accounts of suspected terrorists without a specific court order, and freezing these accounts for 20 days up to 6 months

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 100 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TROOPS IN TRAINING. Soldiers under the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) show off their amphibious assault and water rescue skills to visiting Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (inset left), who also welcomes US Army Attaché Col. Craig Tippins with an elbow bump to demonstrate physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday at Camp Regio de Dios in Tanza, Cavite. Philippine Army photos

Pandemic, US-China tensions led Duterte to suspend VFA scrapping

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 3)

19,748 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

974

751 NEW

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte suspended the abrogation of the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States due to "heightened super power tensions" as the world reeled from the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Wednesday.

The Philippines' move towards its longstanding treaty ally "alarms no countries in Asia and the rest of the world," Locsin Jr. said in a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs office.

In February, Duterte sought the abrogation of the VFA, the mechanism for joint training between the Filipino and American military forces, as he pivoted foreign policy towards China.

The coronavirus crisis further heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, which has improved its

8

DEATHS

NEW

4,153

90

RECOVERIES

By Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano

NEW

Roque says youth virus spreaders

By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas, Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano THE government wants to limit the movement of young people and advised them to stay at home for they play a big role in the spread of COVID 19, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday.

“We are doing this based on science.

It has been shown that in addition to the threat to young people, it is a fact that they are the spreaders. That’s the more important consideration,” Roque said in an interview over ANC’s Headstart program.

“Young people, according to studies and this is now accepted, are actually the

ties with Manila under the Duterte adminstration, as US President Donald Trump blamed China for the contagion.

“We look forward to continuing our strong military partnership with the US even as we continue to reach out to our regional allies in building a common defense towards enduring stability and peace continuing economic progress and prosperity in our part of the world,” Locsin said.

The President had cited “political and other developments in the region” as the DFA chief explained why the President had a change of heart.

“I will answer only one question which I will ask myself: Why did he change his mind? A man who does not change his mind cannot change anything. He ran on the slogan ‘change is coming.’

“But in the vast and swiftly changing circumstances of the world, the time of pandemic and heightened super power Next page

’No jeeps yet, get drivers as contact tracers’

By Vito Barcelo

NO DISTANCING. Residents along Earnshaw St. in Sampaloc, Manila flock to a health center on Wednesday to undergo rapid testing for COVID-19, taking advantage of relaxed restrictions under general community quarantine. Norman Cruz

Rody: Pay sick or dead frontliners ASAP

By Joel E. Zurbano

workers who became severely ill or died of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte may Malacañang said on Wednesday. set a deadline for government agencies Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Next page Next page to provide compensation to health care

South Korea follows US, Japan to use remdesivir SEOUL ― South Korea on Wednesday issued an emergency authorisation for the anti-viral drug remdesivir to be used to treat coronavirus patients, paving the way for imports.

The United States authorised the emergency use of remdesivir in hospitals at the start of May, followed by Japan, while Europe has been considering following suit.

A South Korean government review of remdesivir research said it had proven "clinically meaningful" in Next page

MALACAÑANG is not agreeable to use or jeepneys to solve the transport shortage during a pandemic, but said their drivers could be hired as COVID-19 tracers.

Jeepneys and UV Express vehicles remain prohibited under a general community quarantine (GCQ) even as more businesses have been allowed to resume operations.

“It would be difficult to practice

Social distancing did motel chain in

By Joyce Pangco Pañares MOTEL chain Victoria Court is closing some of its branches due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of quarantine protocols that has Next page

physical distancing inside jeepneys,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque in an interview over ANC’s Headstart.

Roque said the government is looking to hire around 120,000 contact tracers nationwide to augment the existing over 30,000 contact tracers.

The Palace spokesman said the traditional PUJ has front-facing seats, saying that deploying this type of vehicle is “not on the immediate horizon.”

“It’s almost a physical impossibility to Next page

Pray to God with no Mass—Palace MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said the faithful can still have a “personal” connection with God even without the conduct of religious activities amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

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Protests defy curfews across US N

EW YORK—Protesters defied curfews across the United States Tuesday as leaders scrambled to stem anger over police racism while President Donald Trump rejected criticism over his use of force to break up a peaceful rally.

Standoffs between police and demonstrators stretched into the night in cities from New York to Los Angeles over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man whose killing has brought once-in-a-generation protests to the nation for the past week.

But there were fewer reports of the looting and violence that had soured street demonstrations in previous nights.

Tens of thousands gathered earlier in Houston to pay a hometown tribute to Floyd, who grew up in the Texas city and

is to be buried there next week.

"Today is... about George Floyd's family -- we want them to know that George did not die in vain," Mayor Sylvester Turner told an estimated 60,000 people.

A tearful Roxie Washington, the mother of Floyd's six-year-old daughter, told a news conference she wanted "justice for him because he was good.

"No matter what anybody thinks, he was good."

In New York, which on Tuesday prolonged its first curfew since World War II for the full week, AFP reporters saw hundreds refusing to go home after the 8:00 pm cutoff, instead chanting slogans and peacefully walking the

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without a warrant for 14 days, and the detention is extendable to 10 more days and can be placed under surveillance for 60 days, extendable by up to 30 more days.

The bill authorizes wiretapping of suspected terrorists for a maximum period of 90 days as an amendment to the AntiWiretapping Law or Republic Act 4200 as well as detention without judicial warrant of arrest for a maximum period 24 days of suspected terrorists instead of the present three-day maximum.

The bill also empowers the Anti-Money Laundering Council to look into the bank accounts of suspected terrorist groups and persons without a specific court order by freezing such accounts for 20 days, subject to six months’ extension by the Court of Appeals, as an exception to the “Law of Secrecy of Bank Deposits” (R.A. No. 1405).

Vice President Leni Robredo questioned thetiming of the bill and urged lawmakers to instead focus their attention on efforts against COVID-19.

Agencies should focus their whole attention in addressing the public's most immediate and pressing needs, she said.

The Palace, meanwhile, said fears that the anti-terrorism bill would be

used to red-tag opposition groups were unfounded.

“Red-tagging by just referring to you as a communist group will not have any legal effect unless a court has declared you to be a terrorist organization,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.

Roque, who was once a human rights lawyer, dismissed the statement by Chel Diokno, chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group, that the law would allow warrantless arrests based on mere suspicion.

“No. Don’t think the law can amend the rules of court which is the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts. That’s in the Constitution as well. I think we have to study the basics of constitutional law before we conclude. We need to distinguish between statements that politicians would make against the administration from the actual facts,” he said.

Roque said that if there were questions about the constitutionality of the law, critics can challenge them before the courts.

He added that if the law is misused, there are judicial remedies, such as the filing of a writ of Amparo.

‘No...

spreaders in any pandemic. That’s why we are trying to limit the movement of young people,” Roque said.

He said many young people who are below 21 years old may be infected by the coronavirus--even if they don't show symptoms--and have likely played a role in the spread of the virus.

The Palace official has advised young people as well as senior citizens to stay at home unless they need to obtain essential goods and services.

In the interview, Roque encouraged young people to abstain from going to malls or gathering in groups and said they should avoid any unnecessary trips.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, meanwhile, reported that the COVID-19 mortality rate continues to fall, after the Philippines recorded its lowest number of deaths in a single day on June 1.

At a virtual press conference, Vergeire also emphasized how the average number of deaths recorded per day has been dropping over the past few weeks.

Starting at an average of 25.3 deaths every day in April, this has dropped to 1.6 deaths a day by the end of May, she said.

The steady decrease in the number of recorded deaths per day is an indicator that the country’s hospitals and health facilities are successfully coping with COVID-19 cases, she added.

At the same time, Vergeire said, some

COVID-19 cases may have been counted twice.

“After the laboratories submitted their complete line list, we found out that many of the 23,000 recorded cases were duplicates from other laboratories,” Vergeire said in Filipino.

Vergeire said 38 of 42 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) laboratories have already submitted their complete line list, which lists tests conducted by laboratories from the time they began operating.

In validating cases, a laboratory has to send their full line list of positive patients to the epidemiology bureau, which identifies and removes duplicate entries such as multiple tests done for one patient.

The epidemiology bureau proceeds then to identify new confirmed cases that have not been previously encoded in the system.

“If all laboratories submit their daily accomplishment reports on time, we won’t have backlogs for validation anymore and we will only be reporting fresh cases,” Vergeire said. “When this happens, we can say that the daily situation is more accurate based on the new cases added on our case bulletin.”

On Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 63 more health care workers have been infected by COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,669 as of June 1.

The DOH said 1,438 of these health workers have recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll has remained at 32 since May 29.

Rody:...

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made the remark after senators expressed dismay that none of the more than 30 health care workers who contracted COVID-19 received compensation packages as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act (RA) 11469.

Roque said the President may give agencies an ultimatum as he did when he asked, on May 25, the Labor and Health departments to ensure that all 24,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stuck in quarantine centers beyond the quarantine period were sent home within a week.

“We agree with the senators. That’s why in my talk I will ask the President, ‘What is now your mandate?’ Because the last time we talked about stranded OFWs, he simply said, 'I’ll give these people a deadline,'” Roque said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.

He noted that he would raise the issue with the President when he attends the scheduled meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in Davao City on Thursday.

Recent data showed that a total of 1,172 health care workers have contracted COVID-19, two of whom fell severely ill.

Some 952 were mild cases while 218 were asymptomatic. A total of 32 health care workers have died of COVID-19.

cutting patients' recovery times, the food and drug safety ministry said.

It will work with manufacturer Gilead Sciences to expedite the first shipment of imports, it added, without offering further details of pricing or quantities.

South Korea endured one of the worst early outbreaks of COVID-19 outside China but brought it under control with a widespread "trace, test and treat" programme, with citizens largely following government safety guidelines such as wearing face masks.

It has so far reported 11,590 confirmed cases and 273 deaths from the outbreak. More than 800 patients are still under treatment or observation.

A study on over 1,000 patients in 10 countries by the US Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that remdesivir, injected intravenously daily for 10 days, accelerated the recovery of hospitalised patients compared to a placebo.

Meanwhile, Brazil surpassed 30,000 deaths from the coronavirus outbreak as the disease continued to rip through Latin America, while Italy—at one point the hardest-hit country—prepared to reopen its borders in time for the European summer. AFP

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need to strengthen the law on anti-terrorism in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security and the promotion of general welfare.”

The bill provides for imposing life imprisonment without parole on individuals who will participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; possess objects connected with the preparation for the commission of terrorism; or collect or make documents connected with the preparation of terrorism.

It also provides a penalty of 12-year imprisonment for any person who shall threaten to commit terrorism. The same jail term will be meted against individuals who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism.

"Any person who shall voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association, or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years," the antiterrorism bill also states.

Under the bill, a suspect can be detained

Roque...

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streets in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Protestors attempting to cross the Manhattan bridge were pinned there for an extended period by police on both sides, but were finally allowed to return to Brooklyn, according to a New York Times reporter on the scene.

Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN it had been "much calmer" a day after several Manhattan luxury stores were looted, praising an increased and "vast presence" of police on the streets.

Minnesota took one of the first concrete actions to address the grievances behind the uprising, which began after Floyd's death on May 25 in the state's largest city Minneapolis. AFP

But human rights organizations and human rights lawyers expressed concern about the imminent approval in Congress of the new anti-terrorism law.

In a statement, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) warned that the law is "the last piece of the puzzle" that the Duterte government needs to impose martial law, which it has threatened on several occasions.

"We are appalled that the... government is giving priority to repressive legislation but remains bungling in addressing the pandemic. We have seen too many deaths both from the virus and the violence President Duterte has unleashed against his people," said ICHRP president Peter Murphy.

The Movement Against Tyranny on Wednesday also opposed the new law, which said would expand the already vague and broad definition of terrorism found in the Human Security Act of 2008.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), on the other hand, said the new law would preserve the country’s sovereignty and promote peace.

The law would have more teeth to curb terrorist threats and acts, the department said.

have social distancing when passengers face each other in a jeepney,” Roque said.

However, the government is considering the deployment of modern PUJs where the seating arrangement is similar to modern buses.

“These kinds of modern jeepneys might be deployed sooner than later. The traditional face-to-face jeepney, out of the question for now,” he said.

But according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), jeepenys will be allowed to resume operations on June 22.

Thousands of jeepney drivers are protesting the jeepney ban, saying they have been deprived of their source of livelihood for over two months due to lockdown measures.

Senator Grace Poe urged the government to hire traditional passenger jeeps compliant to safety protocols to augment the fleet of public utility vehicles that will shuttle commuting workers.

To ensure social distancing and prevent the transmission of COVID-19, Poe said the jeepneys should bear markers and partitions, and should observe other health and safety measures.

Now that physical distancing is a must, Poe said government should all the more provide transportation options given the limited capacities of PUVs that left thousands of commuters stranded and unable to go to work.

During deliberations on the Bayanihan to Recover as One bill, Poe suggested that an amount be set aside for hiring of the additional shuttles and that clear

guidelines should be in place for the return of jeepneys.

Poe noted that since the start of the general community quarantine, only 90 buses operate along EDSA as against the 3,500 buses running pre-quarantine.

With only 25 passengers per trip per unit, only about 20,000 passengers can be accommodated instead of the 250,000 before the lockdown.

Roque, meanwhile, defended Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade from criticism that they lack resolve in addressing the lack of transport systems for commuters.

He said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) acted “expeditiously” to provide rides for passengers by deploying additional buses in commercial lanes and shuttle services for front line health care workers.

The number of inbound and outbound domestic passengers to be accommodated at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will not be limited, unlike arriving international passengers, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said Monday.

The limit of 400 passengers a day for arriving international flights, however, is still being implemented, Monreal said.

As of Monday night, no airline was given a slot at NAIA to mount a commercial domestic flight for June 3, he added.

On May 30, the Civil Aeronautics Board announced that airlines are required to get a clearance first from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID), which would approve the routes for domestic air services the airlines proposed for the resumption of domestic operations.

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shuttered tourism-related businesses.

"We are facing unprecedented times in this world. As much as I have been trying to extend a helping hand to each and every one of you over these past few months, it is with a heavy heart that I now have to make a lifechanging decision that will affect us all," said Victoria Court CEO Angelina Mead King in a video message for her employees.

Victoria Court, like all other tourismrelated businesses, has been barred from accepting new bookings since lockdown measures took effect in March.

The motel chain has only been welcoming repatriated overseas Filipino workers and seafarers who need to undergo quarantine, but King said revenues from these bookings are not enough to sustain operations.

"It is time to face the facts and be honest and prepare for what is coming...I want to wish everyone the best of luck," she added as she assured her employees of separation packages to tide them over the next few months.

King shares the Victoria Court brand with her brother, Atticus, but the two maintain separate management groups.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement, as he apologized over the government’s move to keep its decision to still prohibit mass gatherings for religious purposes as a precaution against the further spread of COVID-19 in the country.

“Although it is for religious purposes, the reality is it is still a public gathering that we’re not prepared for at this point.

So we ask for everyone’s patience,” Roque said in an interview with ABSCBN News Channel.

“So I think just patience and after all, our relationship with the Creator is personal so we can continue with that personal relationship.”

Members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), during their meeting on Monday, have agreed to keep its restrictions on religious activities due to the risk of having more people getting infected with COVID-19.

Roque said the IATF-EID believes it is not the proper time to allow religious gatherings in the country.

He said the government may only permit the conduct of religious activities, in the event that it is able to bring down the doubling rate of Covid-19 infections.

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Lawmakers grill dual citizen Lopez on ABS ‘violations’

By Maricel V. Cruz ABS-CBN Corp. chairman emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III found himself in the hot seat Wednesday as lawmakers took turns questioning him over his citizenship, one of the major issues hounding the application for renewal of franchise to operate of the country’s largest media conglomerate.

During Wednesday's hearing conducted by the House of Representatives' Committees on Legislative Franchises and on Good Government and Public Accountability, lawmakers raised tough questions about his citizenship amid allegations his previous leadership of ABS-CBN and ownership of company shares violated the Constitution and terms of the network’s previous franchise.

The 68-year-old Lopez, through his counsel Mario Bautista, admitted he has dual citizenship status—as a Filipino citizen born to Filipino parents and as American citizen by virtue of his being born in the United States. He is also a holder of both Philippine and US passports.

The admission led lawmakers to question whether a dual citizen like Lopez could own a mass media company in light of strict constitutional provision on 100 percent control and ownership of mass media by Filipinos.

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tensions, a world leader must be quick in mind and fast on his feet for the safety of our nation and the peace of the world,” Locsin said.

According to Locsin, many leaders in the region and other parts of the world find the Philippine government’s decision reassuring.

“Let me assure you that this action alarms no countries in Asia and the rest of the world. On the contrary it greatly reassures everyone,” the DFA chief said.

“Everyone now is free to speculate about what is clear and true on its face. But the reckless and bad intention may undo, though I doubt they have the credibility the good that we all, women and men of peace and goodwill, seek,” he added.

The US government welcomed the decision of the Duterte administration.

“Our long-standing alliance has benefited both countries, and we look forward to continued close security and defense cooperation with the Philippines,” the US Embassy said, in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ordered the Office of the President to comment on the petition filed last March by several senators seeking to compel Duterte to submit to the Senate for concurrence the government’s termination or withdrawal of the VFA. SC Spokesperson Brian Keith F. Hosaka confirmed that the tribunal has required the OP to file its comment but “as to how many days were given for the comment, I am having it checked and verified to be sure.”

The SC required Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea and Locsin to comment on the petition in 10 days, but an insider said that “the filing of the comment may be done earlier because of the ‘suspension of revocation’ of VFA as appearing in the newspapers.”

Senators Richard Gordon and Franklin Drilon, who were among the lawmakers who filed the petition with the high court, said the government's decision to suspend the withdrawal from the VFA was a welcome development.

"The year already started out tempestuously—with intensified differences having sprung up in erstwhile relatively smooth international and bilateral relationships, terrorism remaining a serious problem,” Gordon said.

“Now with this pandemic that we are facing, it is not a time for breaking up relations but a time for cooperation, especially longstanding friendships.

We have to continue to develop our ties with the United States. We have had a long history, bumpy as it is," he added.

Drilon said unhampered implementation of the VFA will serve the interest of our country, particularly with regard to the preservation of Filipino rights over parts of the West Philippine Sea. "The abrupt abrogation of the VFA last February as initiated by the President—which was done amid the increasing aggressiveness and the bullying of China —is disadvantageous to us. What the country truly needs is a stable foreign policy that promotes our interest," he said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the President’s change of heart is a welcome development as far as defense and economic security of the country is concerned.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

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No virus testing for arriving OFWs?

By Vito Barcelo

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UNDREDS of arriving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are being brought to government quarantine facilities even without being tested with the coronavirus disease due to lack of testing kits, according to migrant and recruitment expert Emmanuel Geslani.

In a statement, Geslani said that returning OFWs might suffer the same fate like the 24,000 recently dispatched by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to their homes and provinces who were stuck for more than two months in hotels and other government quarantine facilities due to the delay in the release of their health certificates.

He said the Philippine Coast Guard had stopped swab testing of all arriving OFWs at the NAIA but being required to go the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in government facilities where some COVID 19 infected patients were being treated Geslani feared these OFWs who had just arrived from other countries and cleared by their host countries as COVID 19- free might be infected while undergoing the 14-day quarantine period.

“The Philippine Coast Guard recently announced that they have stopped swab testing at the NAIA due to the lack of testing kits and will instead do the testing for all arriving Filipinos at their quarantine facilities,” Geslani said.

This procedure will make the OFWs suffer again long periods of quarantine like what happened to the 24,000 who were quarantined for one-two months while waiting for test results, he said.

CYCLING SIGHT. Taguig cycling enthusiasts lead the launching of the 3.5-kilometer Bike Lanes, Bike Patrol and Bike Share for Health Workers, in celebration of World Bicycle Day Wednesday, at Mercado Del Lago, Lakeshore Area, C6 Road Brgy. LowerBicutan in Taguig City. PNA

By Maricel V. Cruz

MAJORITY Leader Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives on Wednesday lauded the chamber's passage of the bill that would help banks and financial institutions to solve their debt problems as well as manage their non-performing assets (NPAs).

Banks and other financial institutions earlier reported a drastic spike in debts and NPAs due to the government measures that resulted in the stoppage

of economic activities in the effort to contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Romualdez said the bill would help "strengthen the financial sector in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis through rehabilitation of distressed businesses and improving liquidity of the financial system."

On Tuesday, the chamber by a vote of 202-6 with one abstention passed House Bill 6816, or the proposed "Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer

(FIST) Act" introduced by the House Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions chairman Quirino Rep. Junie Cua Jr. Cua said the bill reaffirmed the state's recognition of the role of banks and other financial institutions to mobilize savings and investments and provide vital financial system liquidity to keep the economy going, making it necessary for these entities to be able to maintain financial health to ease the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

FOR COVID PATIENTS.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna lead Wednesday the turnover ceremony of the city's seventh quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients at the Padre Mariano Gomez Elementary School.

Norman Cruz

By Willie Casas

ISOLATION FACILITY.

Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado and DoH Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo inspect Wednesday Ang Ligtas COVID-19 Center during blessing of isolation facility container vans at the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor, with 20 hospital beds for mild and asymptomatic positive patients.

JR Josue

Bike lanes now set up in Taguig

By Joel E. Zurbano and Rio N. Araja IN TIME for the World Bicycle Day on Wednesday, the Taguig City government launched a comprehensive plan to emphasize the role of biking as an essential mode of transportation for both residents and workers.

The local government set up bike lanes along Cayetano Boulevard and Bayani Road, and renovated the protected bike lane along C6 Road, all for a three-day demo showcasing that biking is doable in Taguig.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said the program would also test the volume of bikers "who can use the routes for essential travels during the general community quarantine for the purpose of establishing an integrated bike path within the city.”

He said the city government created an Active Transport Office dedicated to studying the ways Taguig could champion biking to citizens and become a bike-friendly city.

This was made possible through the “Bike-Friendly Taguig Ordinance,” which was signed on June 1. This is part of the city’s push for biking as an important step in a bigger agenda to champion healthy and sustainable living.

House leader hails bill rescuing banks from debt 4 Yanson siblings evade net

Liquor ban up in Manila MANILA City Mayor Francisco "Isko" Domagoso has threatened to shut down convenience stores who will sell alcoholic beverages amid the implementation of a liquor ban.

Domagoso said a liquor ban was still being implemented despite the city's transition to General Community Quarantine.

Last Tuesday, the Mayor reminded business owners in Manila that the sale of alcoholic beverages was merely a privilege granted by the city government.

Domagoso issued an executive order prohibiting the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in the nation's capital amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domagoso appealed for the public's understanding and urged them to use the financial aid to buy basic necessities instead of liquor.

At the same time, Domagoso urged students in the nation's capital to use the "Stay Safe" COVID-19 contact tracing mobile app.

In a virtual conference with University and College presidents, Domagoso said students would be able to monitor nearby areas through the community-driven contact tracing application.

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NEGROS Occidental police failed to serve the warrant of arrest issued by a municipal trial court against four Yanson siblings who are now reportedly outside the country.

Judge Abraham Bayona of Branch 7 of the Municipal Trial Court of Bacolod City on March 10 issued a warrant of arrest against Emily Yanson, Roy Yanson, Ricardo Yanson Jr., Maria Lourdes Celina Yanson Lopez and their accomplices Jerica Leanne Ramos, Jerina Louise Ramos, Ma. Judy Alcala, PGen. Noli Romana and PCol. Jomil John Trio for alleged grave coercion when they tried to take over the management of Vallacar Transit Inc. from its incumbent president Leo Rey Yanson in July 2019.

Police LtCol. Anthony C. Gantang, officer-in-charge of CIDG-Negros Occidental, reported to the court the said accused were not in their homes, as some of them reportedly went abroad, when the police served the warrant of arrest on May 31 and June 1.

"Thus the warrant of arrest was not implemented and [was] not served," Gantang said in the report.

"In view of the foregoing, it is respectfully recommended that further verification be made with the Bureau of Immigration to confirm if the above-named accused are abroad. Subject warrant of arrest remains in this office until its full implementation."

NBI raids makeshift hospital for Chinese workers, arrest 4 THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Wednesday the arrest of four Chinese nationals in Parañaque City for operating a makeshift hospital, exclusively for Chinese workers.

NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor identified the Chinese nationals as Li-

ang Junshuai, Pingqiang Long, Yanyun Jiang and Tang Hong Shan.

Suspects were presented for inquest proceedings on June 1, 2020, before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Parañaque City for violations of R.A. 2382 (The Medical Act of 1959), R.A. 9711 (Food and Drug Administration

Act of 2009), R.A. 7394 (The Consumer Act of the Philippines), and R.A. 4226 (Hospital Licensure Act).

Distor said the NBI- Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (NBI-TFAID) received information that certain Chinese nationals led by Liang were engaged in illegal activities.

Investigation revealed that Liang’s group created a makeshift hospital for Chinese workers inside an exclusive village in Parañaque City, without a License to Operate or Certificate of Accreditation duly issued by the Bureau of Medical Services of the Department of Health (DOH). Willie Casas

‘Smokey Mountain pact needs Congress nod’

By Maricel V. Cruz A CONGRESSMAN from Manila said on Wednesday the compromise agreement to settle a legal controversy between the government and a private contractor would be voided without congressional approval.

Rep. Manuel Lopez, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Metro Manila Development, made the statement in a letter to General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr. of the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The latter is reportedly set to execute the settlement with the RII Builders Inc. (RBI), contractor of the defunct Smokey Mountain Develoment Corporation and Reclamation Project (SMRDP).

The Commission on Audit (CoA) earlier questioned the NHA plan to pay RBI P1.12 billion and transfer five hectares of government land to settle the court cases with the contractor.

RBI sued NHA in its bid to recover the some P4.4 billion in assets it lost as a result of the joint venture agreement for the implementation of the Smokey Mountain project.

The COA noted a legal opinion of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel that said “there are indications that the NHA may have allegedly overpaid the RII Builders Inc (RBI), SMRDP contractor, by as much as P300 million.”

In his letter to Escalada, Lopez said the compromise agreement would only be legal through a congressional approval, citing Executive Order 292 and the Administrative Code of 1987.

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

A4

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, June 3, 2020

220.48 PTS. 6,245.65

TOTAL VOLUME 1,312,400,606 TOTAL TRADES 138,300 TOTAL VALUE 8,245,859,446.78 ADVANCES 143 DECLINES 59 UNCHANGED 44

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.3440

Japan

Yen

0.009206

0.4635

UK

Pound

1.255100

63.1868

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129022

6.4955

Switzerland

Franc

1.039501

52.3326

Canada

Dollar

0.739590

37.2339

Singapore

Dollar

0.714082

35.9497

Australia

Dollar

0.688800

34.6769

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651113

133.467

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266489

13.4161

Brunei

Dollar

0.711541

35.8218

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.031696

1.5957

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.7073

Euro

Euro

1.117100

56.2393

Korea

Won

0.000820

0.0413

China

Yuan

0.140756

7.0862

India

Rupee

0.013317

0.6704

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.234082

11.7846

New Zealand

Dollar

0.636700

32.0540

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033440

1.6835 Source: BSP

Colliers sees mall vacancy increasing to 12% in 2020

Business Ayala Group ups energy investments in Australia A

By Alena Mae S. Flores

C ENERGY Inc., through affiliate UAC Energy Holdings Pty Ltd (UAC Energy), has directly and indirectly acquired a 12.82-percent stake in Infigen Energy Ltd. of Australia for P3.147 billion.

“The investment in Infigen is a crucial move forward for AC Energy’s regional expansion as it remains committed to its goal of exceeding 5 gigawatts of attributable capacity, with 50 percent of energy generated from renewables, by 2025,” parent Ayala Corp. disclosed to the stock exchange on Wednesday.

Infigen is a renewable energy developer, generator and retailer listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. It owns and operates 670 megawatts of wind farms across Australia, as well as gas, battery and contracted assets.

“The businesses of Infigen and UPC\AC Renewables Australia are complementary from an investment perspective. We have ready access to capital and significant renewable energy expertise that will position us well to support Infigen’s pipeline of projects and focus on much-needed renewable energy

investment and associated employment in Australia,” said UAC chairman Anton Rohner said.

UAC Energy, which is owned by AC Energy and UPC\AC Renewables Australia (UPC\AC), has also launched a tender offer for Infigen subject to the approval of the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board.

“The outcome of the tender offer will be subject to the acceptance of any selling Infigen securityholders and is expected to be a months-long process,” Ayala said.

UPC\AC, an Australian joint venture of AC Energy (75 percent) with the UPC Renewables Group (25 percent), has been active in renewable energy development in Australia since 2017, focusing on large-scale solar, wind and pumped hydro storage.

UPC\AC is developing a portfolio of Australian renewable energy projects, which include Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park in North West Tasmania (1,000 to 1,200 MW), New England Solar Farm in regional New South Wales (720 MW), Baroota Pumped Hydro Project (250 MW) and Bridle Track Solar Project in South Australia (300 MW) and Axedale Solar Farm in Victoria (160 MW).

AC Energy and UPC are long-time investment partners in Asia, with a successful track record of operating renewable energy projects in the Philippines and Indonesia, and projects in development in Vietnam, India, Korea and Taiwan.

By: Jennifer B. Austria COLLIERS International Philippines, a real estate consultancy company, expects mall vacancy to rise to 12 percent in 2020 from 9.8 percent in 2019 on reduced consumer traffic and increased preference for online shopping amid the coronovirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Colliers Philippines said even if the government fully relaxed the lockdown imposed throughout Metro Manila, the implementation of physical distancing protocols would likely reduce consumer traffic in shopping malls.

The health protocols will likely lead to a slower absorption of retail space across Metro Manila. Colliers also expects a significant number of physical retail shops to remain closed for an extended period due to COVID-19.

Colliers Philippines sees more retailers creating their own e-commerce websites, using the sites of major mall operators, or popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to expand the reach of their products.

“By expanding online strategies and partnering with apps to facilitate seamless delivery, retailers should be able to offset any softer retail demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s implementation of a lockdown,” Colliers Philippines said.

For retailers of high-end brands, Colliers Philippines said they should be more innovative to stay at the top of consumers’ minds, including offering home deliveries or personal shoppers.

It cited data from the Philippine Payments Management Inc., which showed that e-payment transactions during the lockdown month of April reached P53 billion, or an average of P6,130 per transaction.

Some 8.9 million InstaPay transfers in April were recorded, up 32.2 percent from 6.7 million transactions in March 4.

IN BRIEF

Stock market jumps; ABS-CBN declines

THE Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 3.7 percent Wednesday to close at 6,245.65, on recovery hopes amid easing restrictions both here and abroad.

Philstocks Financial Inc. said the optimism on the reopening of economies sent local stocks and neighboring peers higher.

After three straight days of net foreign buying, overseas investors turned net sellers by P329.35 million.

The volume and value turnover posted 1.31 billion and P8.25 billion respectively. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 142 to 57.

Share price of ABS-CBN Corp. declined 1.4 percent to P15.38 as hearings on its franchise renewals continues. Jennifer B. Austria

Pilmico offers shuttle services to employees

PILMICO Foods Corp., the food and integrated agribusiness unit of the Aboitiz Group, offered free shuttle services to transport workers who are essential in on-site operations in compliance with the recommendations of Malacañang.

For those who are not required to go to the office, work-from-home arrangements were offered to Philmico employees as Luzon shifts to general community quarantine from enhanced community quarantine.

Pilmico president and chief executive officer Tristan Aboitiz said safety was the group’s number one priority.

“We can assure our personnel, clients, and suppliers that, in the crucial period after the lifting of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), we will continue prioritizing everyone’s safety, while making quality products consistently accessible,” he said in a statement.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Metrobank warns public vs fraudsters

FRAUDSTERS will stay may it be in a pandemic or in a new normal.

These culprits will always come up with ways to deceive the banking public. In whatever situation, awareness is the key defense against their illegal plots.

One prevalent scam attack is smishing or SMS phishing. To fight the fraud, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. advised the public to think twice when they receive unusual text messages. The bank noted common red flags: the SMS comes from a suspicious or fake sender ID; it urges the public to verify their account; and the message contains links to suspicious, malicious and unsecured websites.

Metrobank said banks would never ask or send links via call, SMS, chat or e-mail to get one’s personal information and banking details.

Report suspected smishing incidents to Metrobank Contact Center at (02) 88-700-700 (domestic toll-free 1-800-1888-5775) or email at customercare@metrobank.com.ph using “Report on Possible Fraud” as the subject and attach a screenshot of the fake SMS.

Monitor drug prices, consumer body urges

SMC SAFETY PROTOCOLS. San Miguel Corp. has put in place stringent protocols to ensure a safe workplace environment for office-bound employees physically reporting for work starting this week, following Metro Manila’s transition to general community quarantine. San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang says PCR-testing for the company’s employees is now in full swing nationwide to help prevent Covid-19 transmission. At the SMC headquarters, every returning employee is also provided a face mask, face shield and ethyl alcohol. Hand washing facilities complete with soap and water, thermal scanners, foot bath, and a disinfection chamber that checks temperature and automatically dispenses sanitizer, have also been installed in various areas.

Business groups seek liberalization of wood processing

By Othel V. Campos BUSINESS and advocacy groups are pushing for the approval of an administrative order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to liberalize wood processing in the Philippines in anticipation of renewed investments.

The groups noted that current regulations, premised on the protection of natural and residual forests, had discouraged investments in tree plantations and wood processing.

“A solution is to customize the current regulations to provide a policy environment conducive for tree plantations to thrive. We, therefore, support the Department’s proposed administrative order to promote and liberalize tree plantations,” the groups declared in a position paper.

The paper was jointly drafted by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc., Australian-New Zealand Chamber

of Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Employers Confederation of the Philippines European, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc., Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc., Korean Chamber of Commerce Philippines Inc., Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Philippine Wood Producers Association Inc., Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. and the Sustainable Tree Farmers Group of the Philippines.

Some recommended a reduction of the inventory requirement from 100 percent to zero prior to the harvest of planted trees in private lands. Inventory requirement should be maintained

in forest lands prior to the harvest of planted trees based on Presidential Decree 705, or the Revised Forestry Code.

If products are to be transported outside the tree plantation area, the government should just require a certification that the products came from tenured tree plantations in forest lands and the landowner’s property in private lands.

Others want to allow private tree plantation owners and holders of tenure arrangements to establish their wood processing plants to encourage vertical integration. They want to institutionalize a training program for tree plantation certification and issue the guidelines for the recognition of third-party certifiers.

The Philippines has a growing wood demand but the current supply is unable to keep up. From 2006 to 2016, the average wood supply of the country is 5.17 million cubic meters while the wood consumption is 6.94 million m3, resulting in an average deficit of 1.77 million m3.

Phoenix optimistic, more resilient despite COVID-19 crisis

PPE KITS FROM MPIF. Over 1,000 frontliners from several hospitals, medical institutions, and local government units in Mindanao are provided with complete sets of personal protective equipment to ensure their safety as they fight against the CoViD-19 pandemic. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., through corporate social responsibility arm, Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, donated 1,000 full PPE kits to Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City, Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Bishop Joseph Regan Memorial Hospital in Tagum, Kidapawan Doctors Hospital, Zamboanga City Medical Center, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal, and Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, as well as the local government units of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, through its four Mindanao hospitals.

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines said it is more resilient than other oil companies despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“Compared to what has been reported by the industry, we generated an operating income and a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and appreciation). Further, we are encouraged by positive results in April and May enough to suggest worst is behind us,” said new Phoenix president Henry Albert Fadullon.

Phoenix registered a gross profit of P1.7 billion in the first three months of 2019 on revenues of P21.9 billion during the period, leading to an EBITDA of P503 million. Operating income and net loss stood at P179 million and P215 million, respectively.

Fadullon said the petroleum industry was experiencing challenges on geopolitical tensions compounded by the coronavirus pandemic that began to materially impact on demand toward

March. But Phoenix said remained resilient compared with other commpanies.

“Definitely Phoenix has not been spared from the challenges, but we are able navigate the downturn better due to our earlier investments in strategic, higher-margin and diversified businesses areas such as retail and liquified petroleum gas (LPG),” said Fadullon.

LPG volume surged 39 percent with consistent double-digit growth in its core market in Visayas and Mindanao, coupled with sustained expansion in Luzon. Fuel retail volume was also higher by nine percent on the back of a network expansion in 2019. Phoenix’s nationwide network as of end-March stood at 660 stations.

The company is also bullish with its partnership with US-based Mesa Natural Gas Solutions LLC, which will deliver the first batch of gas-powered genset units in the Philippines this month. Alena Mae S. Flores

CONSUMER protection advocacy group Laban Konsyumer on Wednesday called for a strict monitoring of the maximum drug retail price.

Laban Konsyumer president Victorio Dimagiba said adherence to the law would give consumers continued access to affordable and quality medicines .

He reiterated the group’s appreciation the national government and the rest of the Department of Health Health and patient /consumer groups who did not waver in ensuring cheaper medicines were accessible to the consumers.

The MDRP that took effect Monday, June 2, 2020 effectively reduced the price of key medicines for several identified diseases.

About 87 medicines or 133 formulations are now subject to 50 percent discount, especially for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, breast, colorectal and lung cancers, chronic kidney disease and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Othel V. Campos

Diokno: Digital technology is key in post-virus era

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the government must invest significantly in the development of infrastructure for information and communications technology to achieve a digitally strong economy in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease 2019.

Diokno, in his opening statement delivered during a virtual roundtable discussion held Wednesday morning with select heads of financial institutions and conglomerates organized

by Bloomberg, said the government must start planning for the post-pandemic life ahead.

“As we advance from the current ‘crisis’ to the ‘New Economy’ state, we need urgent reforms in the areas of public health, social protection, disaster response, and countryside development.

Reinforcing all these reforms is the digital imperative,” he said.

“To pave the way for a digitally strong economy, we must invest more in the development of the necessary ICT infrastructure and people skills. Furthermore, we should fully operationalize the National ID System, pursue further efforts toward e-government services, provide an enabling legal and regulatory environment, and communicate the benefits of all of these to the public,” he said.

He said the BSP would continue to seek opportunities to further enhance the regulatory environment and encourage supervised institutions to embrace digitalization.

“Over the past year, we achieved successes in this area, including those that have allowed people to pay bills, do online purchases, and engage in other financial transactions even during quarantine,” he said.