Manila Standard - 2020 June 18 - Thursday

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Boracay reopening off to rough start

THE reopening of Boracay to tourists in Western Visayas on Tuesday was spoiled after the authorities confirmed that a female staff of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Region 6, who had stayed behind on the island, tested positive for COVID-19. Aklan acting mayor Frolibar Bautista says the patient was on the island from June 12 to 14 to attend a conference, and now the local government is con-

ducting contact tracing to isolate those who had close contact with her. “Our opening yesterday was not good because of what happened,” Bautista said. BFP personnel had held a “despedida party” last week, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Wednesday. Next page

EMPTY AGAIN. In this file photo, beach chairs lay bare on the white sands of Boracay Island, which was ready to welcome visitors from across Western Visayas. Instead, local officials had to trace people who were in contact with a female staffer of the Bureau of Fire Protection, who tested positive for the coronavirus while staying three days on the island.

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 114 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ombudsman probes Duque

Over alleged anomalies in DOH virus response COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JUNE 17)

27,238 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,108

457 NEW

342 FRESH

By Rio N. Araja, Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo

H

EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III is being investigated for alleged irregularities in his department’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Office of the Ombudsman said Wednesday. Ombudsman Samuel Martires said other Department of Health (DOH) officials and employees would also be subject to investigation. “I directed the creation of two more

investigating teams who will jointly investigate alleged irregularities and anomalies committed by DOH officials and employees, including Health Next page

Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco presides over an SMC stockholders’ meeting in this file photo.

Cojuangco, SMC chairman, dies; Palace offers prayers By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

and heart attack, his family confirmed in a separate statement. Apart from being a successful busiSAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) chairman nessman, Cojuangco was considered a and chief executive officer (CEO) Ed- political kingmaker. He was chairman uardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. died emeritus of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and ran for president in the Tuesday evening. He was 85. Next page Cojuangco succumbed to pneumonia

5

13k stranded 6,820 268 in Luzon wait Steroid to treat for ride home DEATHS

NEW

RECOVERIES

NEW

COVID? Believe it with caution

THE World Health Organization has hailed a “breakthrough” steroid treatment for the coronavirus, but the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reminded the public that the widely available drug dexamethasone has not yet been approved in the country as a COVID-19 treatment. News of the first proven effective treatment for COVID-19 gave cause

MORE than 13,000 people remain stranded in Luzon awaiting transport assistance to return to their home provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, an official said Wednesday. But their transportation is already being arranged under the government’s “Hatid Tulong” program, according to Joseph Encabo of the Presidential Management Staff. “They are here in Luzon and they want to return to their provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Encabo said. The government last week suspended its “Balik Probinsya” program to give way to the homecoming of the people stranded by the COVID-19

Next page

Next page

DELICATE SITUATION. Staffers of a fastfood restaurant in Manila take orders behind a sheet of clear plastic

on Wednesday, while across the counter, a father helps his child order food – oblivious to quarantine regulations that disallow the youth from being outside their homes during the general community quarantine to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Lino Santos

Beijing shutters flights, schools over outbreaks

STRANDED. Philippine Coast Guard officers rescue a stranded female pilot whale, about 10 feet in length (inset), after it was grounded on the coastal waters of a private beach in Bagac, Bataan last week. PCG photo

BEIJING—Beijing’s airports cancelled more than 1,200 flights and schools in the Chinese capital were closed again on Wednesday as authorities rushed to contain a new coronavirus outbreak linked to a wholesale food market. The city reported 31 new cases on Wednesday while officials urged residents not to leave Beijing, with fears growing about a second wave of infections in China, which had largely brought its outbreak under control. Tens of thousands of people linked to the new Beijing virus cluster -- believed to have started in the sprawling Xinfadi wholesale food market—are being tested, with Next page

STORIES INSIDE

• ‘FUNDABLE’ PH STIMULUS EYED • INDIA VS. CHINA ROW ESCALATES • NOKOR RAISES DMZ ACTIVITY

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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Palace eyes ‘fundable’ stimulus M

ALACAÑANG on Wednesday backed the passage of an economic stimulus plan that aims to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as long as the government can afford to finance it.

gress contained provisions that were “fiscally unsustainable.” Those bills include the P1.3-trillion Accelerated Recovery and Investment Stimulus for the Economy of the Philippines or ARISE and the P1.5-trillion Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction and Economic Stimulus or CURES. Roque said the economic stimulus package that would be passed by Congress should be fundable. He noted that senators and congressmen were holding talks to come up with an acceptable stimulus plan for the

country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s a lot of negotiations ongoing between the Senate and the House,” Roque said. “I think they are close to a compromise.” The proposed ARISE Act allots P1.3 trillion for programs that would jumpstart the economy. Lawmakers are also pushing for the passage of the proposed CURES, which would allocate funds for the key infrastructure projects in the health, education, agriculture and local roads sectors.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque agreed with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that the cost of the stimulus package should amount to only P140 billion. “Malacañang now wants a stimulus package that we can actually fund and that will not require too much borrowing,”

Roque told the ABS-CBN News Channel. Dominguez earlier cautioned lawmakers against the approval of measures that could not be financed and that would only increase the budget gap beyond the acceptable level. He made the warning as he noted that several stimulus measures filed in Con-

13k... From A1

Malacanang resents US remarks on Ressa ruling By Vito Barcelo

lockdowns.

More COVID-19 cases The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines went beyond 27,000 on Wednesday after the Health department reported 457 more infections—342 “fresh” or newly validated and 115 reported late, bringing the total to 27,238. The total recoveries also rose to 6,820 after 268 more patients recovered from the disease, while the death toll climbed to 1,108 with five more fatalities. Of the fresh cases, 144 were from Metro Manila, 101 were from Region VII and the remaining 97 were spread out across the country.

No regrets The Duterte administration has no regrets implementing strict and extended quarantine protocols to stop the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Wednesday. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says the government’s ultimate goal is to protect Filipinos from COVID-19. He says the Philippines has implemented one of the world’s toughest and longest quarantine restrictions amid the pandemic. “I don’t think there’s any regret about what we have implemented,” Roque said. “We have protected our people and we’re hoping that in the near future, we will recover from the economic losses that we suffered because of the policy decision to uphold the right to life.”

Work suspended The Land Transportation Office on Wednesday ordered work suspended in Quezon City until June 19 after 12 of its employees tested positive for COVID-19. LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante also ordered the Quezon City Licensing Office closed to disinfect its premises. “The health and safety of our employees as well as those of the public whom we are serving is important,” Galvante said. “We have suspended operations in order to make sure that the threat of spreading the coronavirus at our offices is contained. We are now conducting disinfection as well as further testing on all of our employees.”

DOJ locks down Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday placed the Department of Justice headquarters in Padre Faura, Manila on lockdown starting today until June 28 after five of its personnel tested positive for the coronavirus. “I have ordered a lockdown on the DOJ main building, the new NPS building, and the annex building near the court of appeals due to possible exposure to covid-positive employees reporting therein,” Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters. The Justice Secretary said the buildings will be disinfected and contact tracing will be conducted. On-site work will resume on June 29, as Gue-

Cojuangco,... From A1

1992 elections, but lost to Fidel V. Ramos. He then became campaign manager for Ramos’ successor, President Joseph Estrada. Born June 10, 1935 in Paniqui, Tarlac, he was also a former governor of Tarlac province and a former ambassador to the United States. Cojuangco was a first cousin of the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and uncle of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. He was also a close ally of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. In a statement, SMC paid tribute to Co-

THE Palace said Wednesday it was unhappy over what it described as US interference in the case of journalist Maria Ressa, who was convicted of cyber libel this week, a development that has been widely criticized as a crackdown on press freedom. On Monday, a Manila court convicted Ressa, chief executive at the online news site Rappler, and her former writer, Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel, a crime that carries jail time of up to six years. A US State Department spokesperson called for “resolution of the case in a way that reinforces the US and Philippines’ long shared commitment to freedom of expression, including for mem-

Ombudsman... From A1 Secretary Francisco Duque, in relation to the response of the DOH during this pandemic,” Martires said. The investigation started even before the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon on March 15, he said, but said field investigators encountered difficulties in gathering evidence when they were shunted from one division to another. He warned that those trying to obstruct the investigation or mislead investigators could face charges. The investigation involves the DOH procurement of the 100,000 test kits, the delayed procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other gear, inaction in the release and processing of benefits and financial assistance for medical front liners who were infected by COVID-19 as well as those who died from it, “confusing and delayed” reporting of COVID-19-related deaths and confirmed cases, and lapses and irregularities that caused the death of the medical personnel. The DOH on Wednesday said they welcome the investigation and will comply with all directives from the Office of Ombudsman.

Beijing... From A1 almost 30 residential compounds in the city now under lockdown. At least 1,255 scheduled flights were cancelled Wednesday morning, staterun People’s Daily reported, nearly 70 percent of all trips to and from Beijing’s main airports. The outbreak had already forced authorities to announce a travel ban for residents of “medium- or high-risk” areas of the city, while requiring other residents to take nucleic acid tests in order to leave Beijing. Meanwhile, several provinces were quarantining travellers from Beijing, where all schools -- which had mostly reopened -- have been ordered to close again and return to online classes. “The epidemic situation in the capital is extremely severe,” Beijing city spokesman Xu Hejian warned Tuesday. Elsewhere, surging death tolls in the Americas and South Asia have raised

juangco’s contribution to its development. “For decades, ECJ (Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.) guided the San Miguel Group, making a difference in the lives of so many of our employees, past and present. Values he lived by — malasakit (compassion), and sama-sama (togetherness), the idea that we either make it together or not at all — are at the heart of what it means to be San Miguel,” SMC said in a statement. It added that as chairman, Cojuangco guided the conglomerate’s “expansion, diversification, and transformation.” “His vision for San Miguel—to be a beacon of hope for the Philippines and a partner in nation-building—remains at the core of everything we do,” SMC said.

ERC control over WESM pricing upheld By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the Energy Regulatory Commission to implement price controls for the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor for electricity. In a 15-page decision, the SC denied the petition filed by Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), a government owned and controlled corporation, seeking the reversal of the Court of Appeals (CA) decision issued on August 28, 2009. The CA ruling sustained the validity of ERC orders issued on January 30, 2008 and October 20, 2008 granting Meralco’s plea for the adjustment of WESM settlement prices. The ERC, in the said assailed order, set the WESM settlement prices for its September and October 2006 supply months at the commission-approved time-of-use (TOU) rates. This prompted PSALM to file a petition before the SC seeking to reverse the ERC orders, arguing that the ERC committed an “illegal, arbitrary and ultra vires act” when it imposed price controls for the subject billing months in the WESM. According to PSALM, such action of ERC was contrary to the requirements of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). PSALM stressed that such act would cause unnecessary distortions in the market, which would adversely affect both the consumers and the market participants.

bers of the press.” Reacting to the statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roquesaid such interference in the country’s internal affairs would not do any good for the friendship between the United States and the Philippines, and was unacceptable because the country’s legal system is working. “We have a working legal system. The warm friendship between America almost returned, since the President said the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) termination would be suspended. But these criticisms are not helping with the Philippines and America’s friendship,” Roque said. He added: “The President may think that this interference is a judgment that our justice system cannot be trusted

and the President will not accept that.” Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton also slammed the Manila court’s guilty verdict, saying Ressa was convicted “for doing her job.” Roque insisted that the case of Ressa was not about suppression of press freedom but about accountability because there was no fact-checking made in the allegations hurled against the private businessman who filed the libel suit. “There is no suppression of the freedom of the press. It was a case of bad journalism, it was a case of bad lawyering,” Roque said on the ABS-CBN news channel. Despite widespread condemnation of the verdict, Roque said the integrity of the court’s decision should not be questioned. With PNA

In a statement, the DOH said they have been transparent in the COVID-19 response, including procurement transactions and the provision of benefits to health care workers. The Department has issued all checks to the kin of 32 fallen health care workers and 19 severe COVID-19 patients who recovered on June 9, they said. New claims to benefits are being processed to this day, it added. The President had also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation on May 26 to investigate the questions about the procurement of PPEs, machines and testing kits by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management. “DOH officials will willingly cooperate with the authorities to ensure utmost transparency throughout the duration of the investigation and beyond,” the DOH said. The Palace said it respects the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged anomalies in the Department of Health. The investigation comes after a majority of senators and some health professionals called for the immediate resignation of Duque for what they said was the inefficient response to the COVID-19 crisis. Duque was also blamed for poor planning, the delayed response, lack of

transparency, and flip-flopping policies and measures in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, which critics said endangered the lives of health care workers and all Filipinos. Also on Wednesday, Dr. Tony Leachon said he quit as an adviser in the government’s pandemic task force. On Twitter, Leachon said he would no longer fulfill his role as adviser of the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging And Infectious Diseases (IATF) starting Wednesday. On Facebook, he also admitted his “differences with DOH policies” such as the department’s seeming lack of sense of urgency over the coronavirus pandemic, its problems in COVID-19 data management, and transparency in communication process. “I have to align with my True North,” he added. “It’s with deepest regret that I announce that I am not anymore the Special Adviser of [the] National AdviserCOVID-19 effective today,” Leachon said in a tweet. “I have my full respect for Sec. Charlie Galvez and we will remain as good friends,” Leachon said, referring to COVID-19 policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez. Leachon said he had “lots of good memories” but had to “move on.” With PNA

fresh doubts about how soon the world can bring COVID-19 under control. In the latest sign of the economic toll, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that the world’s biggest economy is unlikely to recover as long as there is “significant uncertainty” about the pandemic. There were fresh reminders of the lingering threat from Asia. In India, the world’s second-most populous country, saw its COVID-19 death toll shoot up by more than 2,000 to nearly 12,000 fatalities. More than 8.1 million people have now been infected by the virus since it emerged in China late last year, with nearly 440,000 deaths so far. Brazil, which has the second-highest caseload and death toll in the world, reported its biggest daily jump in new cases since the start of the pandemic: 34,918. Peru’s death toll, meanwhile, surged past 7,000. And the United States, the hardest-hit country, passed a grim milestone: with 116,854 deaths, the country has now

seen more people die from the pandemic than in World War I. Fed chief Powell once again pledged the bank will use all its policy tools to help ensure recovery from the outbreak, which he said has inflicted the worst pain on low-income and minority groups. But the economic contraction in the April-June quarter “is likely to be the most severe on record,” he said. Beyond the Americas, Iran and Saudi Arabia have all reported sharp increases in deaths and infections in recent days. Officials have closed 11 markets and disinfected thousands of food and beverage businesses in Beijing after the outbreak was detected. The city has now reported 137 infections over the last six days, with six new asymptomatic cases and three suspected cases on Wednesday, according to the municipal health commission. An additional two domestic cases, one in neighbouring Hebei province and another in Zhejiang, were reported by national authorities on Wednesday, while there were 11 imported cases. AFP

for fresh hope. “This is great news and I congratulate the Government of the UK, the University of Oxford, and the many hospitals and patients in the UK who have contributed to this lifesaving scientific breakthrough,” said the head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Researchers led by a team from the University of Oxford administered dexamethasone to more than 2,000 severely ill COVID-19 patients. Among those who could only breathe with the help of a ventilator, it reduced deaths by 35 percent. “Dexamethasone is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save lives worldwide,” said Peter Horby, professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at Oxford. Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock said patients in the UK would start to receive the drug immediately. However, the DOH said dexamethasone should not be used for treatment of COVID-19, nor should it be taken outside the hospital. It is also still not registered with the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that its effectivity has not yet been validated. “We know that dexamethasone is a steroid. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help a person who has COVID,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a media briefing on Wednesday. “People might think this is the magic pill for COVID. It is not,” Vergeire warned. “We should inform people that you shouldn’t buy this from the drug store and take it to prevent COVID-19,” she appealed to the public, pointing out that the Oxford study was done in hospitals. She said the initial study also showed dexamethasone reduced the deaths of those receiving oxygen or were on ventilators by a fifth. Willie Casas with AFP

Boracay... From A1

ordered the relief of the BFP’s director in Region VI following the alleged breach of quarantine protocols of one of its personnel in Boracay. Año said he had appointed Fire Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, director for logistics of BFP-National Headquarters, to be the officer-incharge of BFP-Region VI following the relief of Fire Senior Superintendent Roderick Aguto. “We will never tolerate any wrongdoing by our BFP personnel or any other DILG personnel for that matter because lives are at stake here,” Año said. Bautista said initial investigation showed that the female patient went to the island with a pending COVID-19 test.

“Lumabas na naka-quarantine pala siya sa Iloilo City pero ang report ay galing daw ng Cebu, then nag-quarantine doon tapos umuwi sa Iloilo,” Bautista said. “Pina-rapid test daw at negative, so pina-swab test pa kaya naka-quarantine pa siya. Hindi pa lumabas ‘yong resulta pero umalis sa Iloilo at pumunta sa Boracay.” Before the incident, Bautista said, eight establishments on the island secured their certificate of authority to operate from the Department of Tourism, with 632 rooms made available for the Filipino tourists who were expected to visit the island on reopening day. However, Bautista said only a few tourists arrived.

The group said they were attending a conference of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force from June 12 to 14, but they had already left the island by then. “What’s worse is that they knew it was prohibited, and they said they were with us but we had already left. Some 24 personnel were there. That was prohibited,” Puyat said. She says her department will revoke the license of the hotel who hosted the group because it did not have permission to operate at the time. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has

Steroid... From A1

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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Local poultry raisers hit import of ‘deboned’ meat

STILL HOMELESS. Homeless families who sought shelter at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila were ordered to vacate the place as it will be used for the opening of classes. Norman Cruz

IN BRIEF Pag-IBIG extends remittance time PAG-IBIG Fund is giving employers more time in the remittance of the Pag-IBIG monthly savings (contributions) and shortterm loan payments of its employees, as businesses slowly resume operations upon the easing of quarantine rules around the country. "We have extended the deadline and are giving employers up to June 30 to remit their employees' Pag-IBIG monthly savings and short-term loan payments, so they have more time to process their payrolls during this period. This is yet another way that we are helping businesses and their employees, as we continue with our nation's journey to recovery under the lead of President Duterte," said Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board.

THE United Broiler Raisers Association, a national umbrella of poultry raisers headquartered in Quezon City, denounced anew government claims that “deboned meat is not locally available.” The group also dismissed misleading data that imports dropped in 2020 as Bureau of Animal Industry data showed poultry imports shot up 32% to 371%. The slowdown in import arrivals claimed by the Department of Agriculture in its website statement “Drop in poultry imports bodes well for local industry” is misleading, a press statement sent by UBRA said. The claimed drop in imports was only artificial as it was caused by logistics problems due to the COVID-19 lockdown that showed a drop in imports volume from January to May. UBRA cited a newly released actual BAI data which showed cumulative imports from January to May 2020 of chicken cuts increased by 140.57%. “A perplexing data is the importation of whole chicken at 545,406 kilos from the same period, a staggering 371.43% increase from last year,” the group explained. “Total imported chicken products ballooned to 178.334 million kilos, an increase of 50.34% from 118.616 million kilos in the same period last year. Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) imports climbed to 108.428 million kilos, up by 45.21%,” UBRA said. “The importation of deboned meat is a major bone of contention,” UBRA said in an open letter to DA Secretary William D. Dar dated June 15, 2020. The group argued that deboned meat is “available locally.” Abe Almirol

Plan to defer UHC Act rejected

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

enate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon thumbed down the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s plan to postpone the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, underscoring that the law is critical in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“The precarious state of our current healthcare system is indeed very alarming. It affects our ability to win the war against this pandemic,” Drilon said in a statement on Wednesday. “But to halt the implementation of a law that would promote access to af-

fordable care, strengthen our primary health care and make our people healthy to fight the virus is a step in the wrong direction,” Drilon said. Drilon said there is a need to address Philhealth’s precarious position for it to be able to sustain its funding but said

that it should not be at the expense of the people who are relying on UHC for their health needs. Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said the bulk of the Department of Health’s P182-billion proposed budget for 2021 will be aligned in the implementation of the UHC Law and in the improving the health system resiliency against infectious disease like COVID-19. He said P53.20 billion or 29 percent will be allocated for UHC implementation-related programs while P20.89 billion or 11 percent will be for the Health System Resilience for Emerging Infectious Diseases

Palawan property ordered cleared

or Pandemic-related Proposals. “So you can see here that the bulk or the major proportion of the budget proposal will actually be going to UHC and the health system resilience,” Drilon said during the hearing of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Universal Health Care Law. In the same hearing, Senator Bong Go proposed to fellow lawmakers, concerned government agencies and other stakeholders to review the UHC law due to concerns from overseas Filipino workers over the increased premium contribution.

Solon urges govt to allow ‘moto’ taxis to operate

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Wednesday clarified that as early as March, the agency has already ordered a scion of the wealthy Zobel de Ayala clan and her group to vacate timberlands within a government protected area in Taytay, Palawan. Henry Adornado, DENR-MIMAROPA regional director, said that on March 3, community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) Allan Valle had issued a notice to vacate to the group of philanthropist Beatriz Zobel de Ayala for violation of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or E-NIPAS Act of 2018. The agency said the group illegally occupied and built structures within the disputed area. Adornado reacted to "misleading news reports that the agency, particularly the CENRO and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, had not acted on the matter." Rio N. Araja

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

DepEd probes Cam. Norte SC junks plea vs. NTC order on ABS-CBN airing graduation

NO TO KITE FLYING. Kites are seen entangled in power lines along Capulong Street in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday. The city government of Manila prohibits kite-flying in the city as it may cause fire and other accidents. Norman Cruz

By Rio N. Araja

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Education has started its fact-finding probe into an incident in a public school in Camarines Norte where learners reportedly shared one mask during commencement exercises. In a statement, the DepEd described the incident as a "breach of minimum health standards and social distancing protocols." "According to the report filed, the incident happened at Brgy. Dogongan, Daet, Camarines Norte last June 11, 2020. We take this matter seriously and will have a firm and rectifying action to prevent a further breach in the future," the DepEd said. Apart from the investigation, the DepEd requested the "person involved in the breach to submit a written explanation." Meanwhile, the local DepEd Covid-19 Task Force will monitor the health of the involved learners. "We have coordinated the case with the Barangay Health Response and Emergency Team and the local government unit in conducting initial precautionary measures and in resolving the incident at the soonest possible time," the DepEd said.

SC junks lawyer’s petition vs NTC’s CDO for ABS-CBN to stop operation. The Supreme Court has outrightly dismissed the petition of a lawyer who assailed the validity of the National Telecommunications Commission’s cease and desist order that forced television giant ABS-CBN Corporation to

go off air last May 5. In an en banc resolution, the SC resolved to junk the petition of Atty. Paris Real for lack of legal standing to file the case. The petition filed by ABS-CBN against the NTC’s CDO is set for deliberation on July 13, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta said last week. Earlier, the SC also dismissed the petition, also for lack of legal standing, of

PDEA seeks public help thru online THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is encouraging the public to report any illegal drug activities within its neighborhood through 24/7 call and text hotlines as well as through the Facebook account of director general Wilkins Villanueva. Villanueva said they have piloted "Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins!" Facebook page to provide an avenue for informants and other concerned citizens to provide the agency with vital information in its fight to go after illegal drugs. The program also offers the "fastest, secure and affordable" means to

receive information from concerned individuals, he added. “Supplied information may lead to the conduct of intelligence operations, and casing and surveillance operations, resulting in the arrest of highvalue targeted personalities, seizure of sizeable amounts of illegal drugs, and dismantling of illegal drug facilities,” the anti-drug czar said. Those who would want to send their reports on illegal drug activity within their community may text or call 09953547020 and 09310278212 for Globe and Smart/Sun subscribers, respectively. Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas

lawyer Lorenzo Gadon who asked the high tribunal to stop the NTC from issuing ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate. Gadon earlier withdrew his petition and claimed his case had become moot with the issuance of NTC’s CDO. However, the SC, instead of granting the motion to withdraw, dismissed Gadon’s petition. Maricel V. Cruz

A FEMALE legislator on Wednesday urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) against Covid-19 to allow motorcycle taxis to operate provided they install plastic shields to separate the driver and passenger. “They have already permitted motorbike taxis to resume operations in Indonesia. If they can do it, we can do it to help millions of our people who still have no jobs and income due to quarantine restrictions,” Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo said. Castelo, vice chair of the House committee on Metro Manila Development, said the installation of a plastic shield or separator would be required in compliance with physical distancing protocol and to ensure that there would be no contact between the driver and passenger. “Other health protocols would be observed. The driver should be wearing Department of Health-accepted protective personal equipment, while the passenger should have his/her own helmet and face mask to ensure hygiene protocols. There should be contactless payment with the use of G-Cash or PayMaya. The use of government endorsed StaySafe app to determine probability of contamination could be required,” she said.

BIKE LANE.

Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management puts up bicycle lane along A. De Jesus 8th, 9th, and 10th avenue in Caloocan City. Andrew Rabulan

LGUs

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

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

JOINT PATROL. The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 101st Squadron headed by its Director Rear Admiral Ernesto Echauz, PCGA (center) with its CCP Station Commander Lt.

James Lim (right) and the Philippine Coast Guard-CCP Complex station headed by its Commander PO1 Elmer Algacid (left) mark three months of joint operations from the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine last March. The operations, aside from implementing quarantine protocol and providing security in its designated area, have supported relief operations in the coastal communities in Manila Bay.

Makati online payment portal on By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati City government on Wednesday announced it had launched an online payment portal where business owners and residents could pay their business and real property taxes for the second quarter without going to City Hall. “Since Metro Manila has shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ), this process ensures that Makatizens can complete their financial transactions with City Hall without having to leave their homes and offices. As much as possible, we also want to minimize the number of people going to the City Hall to prevent the spread of COVID 19,” Mayor

Abigail Binay said. Binay said business owners and residents could go to www.makationlinepayments.com. She added a step-by-step guide was available through the city’s official Facebook page My Makati. Residents may also use GCash’s bank transfer feature by sending payments to the City Government of Makati, with the

account number 003452-1008-85. For first quarter and delinquent payments, business owners and residents need to settle their tax obligations at City Hall, from 8am to 2pm on weekdays. The deadline for the payment of business and real property taxes is on June 25, 2020. Those who will pay the RPT on or before the deadline will get a fivepercent discount. Last April 23, the Department of Finance released Circular 0202-2020, which extends the deadlines for the payment of taxes, fees, and other charges of local government units to June 25, in view of the economic disruptions brought by the pandemic. Binay said her administration would

also implement similar innovations in the coming months to ensure the safety and convenience of residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, the local government distributed P5,000 each to registered voters, Yellow Card holders, and Makatizen Card holders using GCash to help them during the community quarantine. Under the Makatizen Economic Relief Program, the city government has allocated P2.7 billion for some 500,000 residents affected by the pandemic. The city has also distributed the second tranche of financial assistance for at least 8,000 tricycle, jeepney and pedicab drivers using electronic money transfers to avoid physical contact and ensure fast delivery of benefits.

USAID leads LGUs in virtual learning confab on COVID-19 PHILIPPINE local chief executives and international experts converged Tuesday in a virtual conference for the first of four COVID-19 Virtual Learning Sessions organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to strengthen contact tracing during the pandemic. This was in partnership with PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. and the Association of Political Consultants in Asia (APCA), titled “Rising to the COVID-19 Leadership Challenge: Strengthening Contact Tracing to Contain Rising Number of Cases,” officials said in a statement. The next session on Area Focused Mitigation and Response Strategies will be today at 9:00 AM Philippine Standard Time (0100 GMT). The city mayors set to speak at the event are Oscar Moreno (Cagayan de Oro), Ronnel Rivera (General Santos), Vico Sotto (Pasig), and Rex Gatchalian (Valenzuela). The Philippine mayors will be joined by senior officials of Mississauga City, Ontario, Canada; Gary Kent, Chief Financial Officer; and Tim Becket, Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management. The Tuesday event began with presentations by Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar (Zamboanga City), Mayor Noel Rosal (Legazpi City), and Mayor Benjamin Magalong (Baguio City) on the best case practices of contact tracing within their respective cities. For Zamboanga City, the support of private sector partners in the execution of LGU-led contact tracing following World Health Organizations guidelines were cited by Climaco as a major factor in the city’s swift response to the pandemic. Given the occurrence of new cases from repatriates, Zamboanga City has ramped up efforts in boosting its COVID-19 testing capacity and has two accredited molecular testing laboratories, Climaco said. Climaco said efforts were underway to establish additional laboratories and recruit skilled personnel to manage testing procedures and quarantine monitoring.

Villar helps Las Piñas seniors get new office, veggie garden

Valenzuela lauds Top 20 taxpayers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Jun David

THE Talon 2 Senior Citizens of Las Piñas and the Apo, Sons and Daughters of World War II Veterans Association Inc. of Las Piñas are thankful to Senator Cynthia Villar and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar for providing them with their new office headquarters complete with a vegetable garden, vermicomposting and waste management facilities. The new office buildings are in Barangay Talon 2 in Las Piñas “Our elders come from a generation which value simple and sustainable living. They are the first proponents of growing food in our own homes or backyards,” said Villar. “Besides providing headquarters for their associations, we also want them to be productive. What better way to do that than through farming,” she added. As the current chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, the senator has been advocating urban farming and other agricultural activities that can be done in people’s backyards to make them more food self-sufficient. The two associations will share all the urban farming facilities together with barangay residents. She also encourages people to do their share in proper waste management, reason she put up vermicomposting and waste management facilities in the area where the buildings are. The fertilizers produced from ver-

TRANSPORT SERVICE. The

Silang Transport Service and Development Cooperative, a beneficiary of the DTI’s Shared Servcie Facility program, has introduced its 23 new and modernized units of PUV to provide service in Imus City and Silang, Cavite

micomposting of kitchen and garden wastes can be used in the vegetable gardens also. “I have always been finding ways to help the elderly. As a legislator, I have pursued bills that will benefit them. We owe senior citizens a huge debt, so helping them during the twilight years of their lives is the least we can do,” said Villar. As congresswoman from 2001 to 2010, the senator counts as her one of biggest achievements, having authored the two versions of the Senior Citizens Act (2003 and 2010). During her first term as a senator, among the bills she filed which was passed was the legislation that granted pensioners of the Social Security System P2,000 pesos across-the-board increase in their monthly pension. The first instalment of P1,000 was distributed in 2017 and the second instalment was supposed to be given in 2019 but was deferred to this year. She and her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar, have been the chief fundraisers for the Filipino War Veterans Foundation for over two decades since 1999. “I believe that all of us should ensure that senior citizens can lead dignified, healthy, safe and secure lives during their advanced age. For it is true that any human being, society or nation is judged on the basis of how it treats those who are powerless, helpless, weak, and who have no means to pay back,” Villar said.

TAXPAYERS HONORED. After two postponements brought about by the

coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19), Valenzuela City finally gets to honor the 20 Top Taxpayers and 23 Job Providers for 2019 starting June 16, delivering and handing out the trophies to the awardees in their respective homes.

Manila law adjusts curfew hours By Willie Casas THE Manila City government has passed an ordinance adjusting its curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. During a live briefing Tuesday night, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said the new schedule was approved by the city council under Ordinance No. 8647. This dovetails with the national government’s declaration allowing restaurants and food stores to open at 30 percent of their dine-in capacity, Domagoso said. Domagoso also said the local government will slowly lift the curfew as the

COVID-19 pandemic becomes more manageable. “Eventually, as I promised you (Manila citizens), when this state of health emergency ends I will slowly lift these restrictions,” he said. However, Domagoso said curfew for minors will remain. “That’s under a different law. We will not touch that for now,” Domagoso said. “The care we show to our youth is essential, partly because some parents are not responsible with their children. The policy of this administration is always to protect the interest of minors,” he added.

AFTER two postponements caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, Valenzuela City finally got to honor the 20 Top Taxpayers and 23 Job Providers for 2019 starting Tuesday, handing out the trophies to the awardees at their own doorsteps. The Top Taxpayers and Top Job Providers Night, originally set on February 14, was supposed to be one of the highlights of the City’s 22nd Charter Day Anniversary. It was cancelled as a precautionary measure against the onset of COVID-19. The awarding was then rescheduled to March 13, but was once again postponed as Enhanced Community Quarantine was declared in Metro Manila, with any form of mass gathering already prohibited. With high recognition and gratitude to Valenzuela City’s vibrant business industry, Mayor Rex Gatchalian affirmed that the taxes would go a long way in funding and strengthening the City’s COVID-19 response and hoped to retain more businesses and be a competitive business hub in the future. “Local governments have become more competitive. We want to get more businesses in [and] we want to retain more businesses so we have to up our game in terms of infrastructure and enable to be able to attract these types of businesses,” Gatchalian said. In his letter to the awardees, Gatchalian acknowledged how instrumental the taxes were in ensuring that the City stayed afloat especially during the two-month ECQ.

Silang transport group unveils new PUVs By Ben Chavez THE Silang Transport Service and Development Cooperative has launched its eco-friendly public utility vehicles for commuters in Cavite. Assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry, the service provider introduced its 23 new and modernized units to provide service in Imus City and Silang, said officials of the cooperative, a beneficiary of DTI’s Shared Service Facility Program. Through the financial assistance of the Department of Budget and Management and the effort of Silang Transport’s Manager Sulpicio

Arellano, the Cooperative successfully paved the way to offer and run the first ecological and conducive PUV in the province. They demonstrated their readiness to serve the public by observing social distancing and other health protocols with their passengers. According to Arellano, the eco-friendly PUVs were their answer to the government’s call for a nature-friendly transportation system and the LGUs’ call to service commuters plying from Silang to Imus and Silang to Tagaytay and vice-versa. Routes will be stretched once the new normal is in place in the province, the officials said.

Established in 1991, 15 individuals from different transport associations in Silang joined and worked for the registration of the Silang Transport. They started their business and services to members by applying passenger utilities jeepney franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. In 2013, the DTI 4-A through its SSF program awarded the Silang Transport Service and Development Cooperative with equipment like a hydraulic pipe bender, universal sheet bender, sheet metal cutter, acetylene torch, and welding machine for body fabrication and repair.

Opinion EDITORIAL

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anti-terror council made up of Cabinet members who will define what constitutes terrorism and certify individuals as terror suspects, leaving them open to arrest without warrant.

The Palace spokesman said as much when he said President Rodrigo Duterte was inclined to sign the much criticized bill into law—even though he later admitted that the Chief Executive has not actually read the document, which was being reviewed by the Office of the Executive Secretary. The admission that the President had not yet even read the bill but was inclined to approve it speaks volumes of the administration’s true intentions. It was the President, after all, who in the middle of a pandemic and when people were reeling over the effects of a prolonged lockdown, certified the bill as urgent—leading a compliant Congress to give him what he wanted. The 2020 anti-terrorism bill seeks to replace the Human Security Act of 2007, which the military says is outdated and insufficient to fight modern-day terrorism. The new measure enables security forces to arrest suspects without a legal warrant, hold them without charges for up to 24 days and wiretap them for up to 90 days. Additionally, it will create an

Why not fix the law in the first place and guarantee there will be no abuses? Human rights groups here and abroad as well as various civil society groups and the political opposition see these expanded state powers as a recipe for abuse. The anti-terror council, for example, made up of officials appointed by the President, would in effect take the place of courts, which up until now had the exclusive authority to issue arrest warrants. When this bill becomes law, such warrants will become unnecessary, as long as the politically appointed members of the anti-terror council designate a person as a terror suspect. Unlike the courts, this council would not have even a shred of independence from the executive department, and therefore would offer no useful checks and balances over state security forces. Tellingly, none of the statements issued by the Palace and its allies ade-

BUSINESS CLASS

RUDY ROMERO appointees—as Special Assistant to the President—and for his senatorial run Mr. Go received the firm support of his longtime boss. The two men—former mayor and his former assistant—have been no less close since Christopher Go joined the

That’s what the Duterte-Go relationship is. legislative branch of the government. Senator Go is Mr. Duterte's man in the Senate. Christopher Go continues to enjoy the full trust of the Chief Executive. Filipinos have come to accept that whatever the neophyte senator says on matters of governance and politics very probably reflects Mr. Duterte's thinking. Even though he is now a member of the legislature, Senator Go remains a regular visitor to Malacanang. The senator's

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

DUTY CALLS

quately address these concerns. The Department of Justice, for example, grubbling to find a way to make the law more politically palatable, says it will address these concerns when it drafts the implementing rules and regulations of the law. The notion that you can “fix” a bad law by putting in place “better” implementing rules and regulations is strange, to say the least. Why not fix the law in the first place and guarantee there will be no abuses. Other Palace allies say the law has safeguards in place—but point to the anti-terror council as one of those safeguards, ignoring the nature of the council and its allegiance to the President. Even lower on the intellectual ladder is the threat. Don’t blame the administration, one senator says, if someone you know is killed by terrorism because you wanted to junk this bill. Finally, there is the offense-as-defense approach, which stupidly dares critics to denounce known terrorist groups, as if doing so would resolve any of the innate problems in the anti-terror bill. It is all and good that the Palace undergoes a process of review for any bill that is sent to the President for signature. In this case, however, maybe they should drop the pretense and sign it into law—so somebody can challenge its constitutionality before the Supreme Court.

FLORENCIO FIANZA NO MATTER how many times the Department of Health keeps saying that the COVID-19 situation is getting better, it is actually getting worse. This is because the benchmark of a successful campaign against the disease in the absence of a vaccine is still the reduction or elimination of infections and not a higher number of hospital beds or better capability to treat patients. The main reason given by the President when he declared a lockdown on March 15 was to save Filipino lives even at the expense of the economy. This was also the consensus of the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force which recommended the lockdown. All businesses dutifully followed the order. But after months of strict quarantine, the economy is spiraling downward and the infection rate is skyrocketing instead of going down. In spite of this, the government is shifting to a new strategy. Now, the health of the economy is a factor. The government wants to do two things at the same time. Get the economy back on track while trying to control infection. The problem however, is that increased mobility means more infections. From what can be deduced from the daily government briefings, it appears that our leaders are willing to tolerate an increase in infection so long as we have the capability to treat and hospitalize patients. This would be a risky move. One reason for this change is perhaps because for the past several days, DOH has been saying that the COVID-19 situation is actually improving. The number of deaths has been slowing and that recoveries have greatly improved. But whether this is due to the outstanding work of the DOH is another matter. It could be that the COVID-19 strain infecting people now have become less virulent that is why fewer people are dying and more are recovering. This phenomenon has also been observed in the United States. Regardless of the reason, we should be thankful for this good turn of events. Simple mathematics will tell us, however, that if the infections will continue to sky rocket, it means more deaths like in the last few days where deaths have been hitting double-digit numbers. The general community quarantine for Metro Manila was extended to June 30 but tightened in Cebu because of the huge in-

A touch of parliamentary governance MOST Filipinos interested in parliamentary democracy, whether as advocates or opponents, probably don't realize that they have, for some time now, been witnessing parliamentarism anew in the governance of this country. I say “anew” because the Philippines is no stranger to parliamentary democracy: the Malolos Congress established a parliament in 1898 and the 1973 Constitution provided for a parliament, which became the Batasang Pambansa. The essence of the parliamentary system of government is, of course, the fusion of the Executive structure and the legislature into one body. There is no Executive Department and two legislative bodies; there is only the parliament. The parliamentary system is a Cabinet-run system. The Cabinet members are MPs (members of Parliament) and the Prime Minister is, among the Cabinet members, the primus inter pares. Two high officials of the land have been giving Filipinos a fresh experience with parliament-type governance. They are President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Go. Mr. Go is known by one and all as a close associate of the Chief Executive. Their association goes all the way back to Mr. Duterte's days as mayor of Davao City. When Mr. Duterte moved into the Presidency, Christopher Go was one of his first

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

B1

It is getting worse

Drop the pretense HETHER we like it or not, the draconian antiterror bill will likely be signed into law soon.

Adelle Chua, Editor

visits have been more frequent during the present public health crisis. This relationship between the Chief Executive and a member of the legislature is effectively a manifestation of parliamentary government. As in a parliament, a legislator and a member of the Executive Department regularly meet to consult with one another and exchange ideas. The Duterte-Go relationship is parliament at work. The joinder of Executive and legislative in one body is in fact the most attractive feature of the parliamentary system of government. With the Cabinet members, the Senators and the Representatives joined in one body, there is no need for the legislators to find out Malacanang's positions on particular policy issues and no need for Executive Department officials to appear before Congressional hearings, e.g., the hearings on the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ABS-CBN franchise application. Legislative proposals can be made, debated and approved under one roof. The biggest beneficiary of a one-governing-body system of government will be the General Appropriations Act, whose enactment is an annual exercise in frustration and acrimony. A mini-parliament within a Presidential system of government: that's what the Duterte-Go relationship is.

crease of infections. For Metro Manila, I take this move to mean that the government is unsure of what to do next and is biding for time hoping that the situation will improve in the next two weeks. It could also be that there is some kind of conflict of ideas among IATF members that is why it was left to the President to make the decision. Vince Dizon who is in charge of testing, for instance, has not been seen or heard on TV for several days. Dr. Tony Leachon, an adviser to the IATF, was reported to have criticized the DOH for “lack of focus on everything, poor execution of plans and data management, questionable priorities and others.” If this is true, then the management of the pandemic is in serious trouble.

The DOH must find a satisfactory explanation. The DOH must also find a satisfactory and acceptable explanation for why the infection rate has been increasing alarmingly. At the current rate, we will surely overtake Indonesia and Singapore to become the worst performing country in the ASEAN region. If there is trouble, the IATF must pull itself together to be able to provide the President with the best possible decision. That, after all, is what crisis management is all about—making the right and timely decision in a situation that could either worsen or improve at any time. Lately, some of the recent actions of the IATF have been puzzling. For instance, the report that 50,000 contact tracers will be recruited on July is inexplicable. Why wait until July when the need is now? Do it in July and work will start maybe late August or September because it is not easy to recruit and train 50,000 people. By that time, 50,000 contact tracers might not be enough. Another is not planning for the millions of people stranded in different cities and provinces who cannot go home. The original sin, of course, is the failure to test and trace when the pandemic started which is the reason why we are where we are today. Part of the problem it seems is that the IATF is trying to do all things at the same time which is difficult due to limited resources. Maybe prioritizing activities could help but all the problems seem to be of equal importance. We can only sympathize with the enormity of the IATF mission. But it cannot be an excuse for failure.

Striking a balance WE HAVE been talking about this COVID-19 pandemic for more than three months now. We have transitioned from enhanced community quarantine into modified community quarantine, and now to a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ). The national government slowly lifted strict prohibitions on the movement of the people and continued the GCQ to help our ailing economy. Now we ask: Is this worth the trade off? The IATF has issued guidelines on the resumption of dine-in services at 30-percent capacity in restaurants in Metro Manila under the prevailing general community quarantine. Business establishments, factories, and other enterprises have also been given a go-signal to resume operations at a reduced capacity in an effort to bring back jobs, cut losses, revive economic productivity, and ensure availability of essential goods and services. Private and public offices are allowed to resume physical work while also providing alternative work arrangements. Public transportation has also been partly restored

with physical distancing measures in place. Malls and other commercial establishments reopen. More people can now go out as quarantine passes are no longer required. However, while the government assures us of the continuation of strict physical distancing, routine temperature checks, health assessment, and standard COVID-19 respiratory precautions amid the GCQ, there remains the risk for community transmission in the country. Early this week, the Philippine General Hospital reportedly confirmed the rise in the number of COVID-19 patient admissions for the past weeks but attributed it to the increase in COVID-19 testing. Select barangays in Metro Manila are put in lockdown due to an observed community transmission. A team of professors from the University of the Philippines noted that the average new COVID-19 cases per day rose to 549 in the first week of GCQ in the National Capital Region. While reports show that the number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila generally decreased, Central Visayas reported a

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OVERSIGHT

DANILO SUAREZ spike in their number of cases, particularly in Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental. Cebu City has been placed again under enhanced community quarantine effective this week until the end of June to contain transmission.

We are all at risk, especially since we are under a less stringent quarantine. Once more, we are standing at a crossroads with the continuation of the quarantine. The woes of the business sector are understandably valid. Without trade, there is no revenue. According to reports,

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

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

the National Economic and Development Authority suggests the immediate reduction of corporate income tax and the Department of Finance is preparing a P160-billion stimulus package. The Bureau of Internal Revenue, on the other hand, issued extension of deadlines for various tax filing, submission, and payment. Perhaps, what the national government could have done is to come up with a tax break for businesses that are operational in this pandemic to help both employers and employees recover from the losses they incurred during the stringent quarantine. The revenue loss and deficits from this could be cushioned by borrowings by the government. At present, we have already received loans and financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and USAID, among others. These amounts should be used to further strengthen the government pandemic response and cover for the supposed revenues this year while we implement or restore stricter measures against

COVID-19 transmission. Ultimately, what we need to do is to minimize infection until such time that vaccines become available. Although unfavorable and disliked by many, returning to an enhanced community quarantine may be a necessary and inevitable move to curb disease transmission. While the government does its part, let us also be mindful of the fact that the threat of COVID-19 infection still exists. We are all at risk, especially since we are under a less stringent quarantine. Let us do our part by limiting our movement and activities to only those essential to our survival. Let us strictly comply with quarantine restrictions, public health precautions, and mandatory reporting of symptoms and exposure. Let us constantly remind ourselves of the gravity of this crisis—the precious lives lost, patients in critical conditions, thousands of active cases nationwide, and the possibility of untested asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. Our survival and victory against COVID-19 lie in the hands of one another.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Adelle Chua Opinion Editor

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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World

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Nokor threatens to raise DMZ military presence SEOUL­—North Korea threatened Wednesday to bolster its military presence in and around the Demilitarized Zone, a day after blowing up its liaison office with the South, prompting sharp criticism from Seoul. In a series of denunciations of South Korea, the nuclear-armed North rejected an offer from President Moon Jae-in to send envoys for talks. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister Kim Yo Jong called it a “tactless and sinister proposal”, the official KCNA news agency reported, and she issued an extensive diatribe condemning Moon as apparently “insane”. Seoul retorted with unusually stern criticism, calling her remarks “senseless” and “very rude”. “We warn we will no longer tolerate the North’s unreasonable acts and words,” said Blue House spokesman Yoon Do-han, calling Pyongyang’s disclosure of Moon’s offer of envoys “unprecedently senseless”.

And its defence ministry said the North’s threats would violate several inter-Korean agreements. “The North will surely pay the price if such actions are taken,” it said in a statement. The row prompted Seoul’s Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul to offer his resignation Wednesday, saying he “takes responsibility” for the worsening of inter-Korean relations. The demolition of the liaison office in the Kaesong Industrial Zone—just across the border in Northern territory - came after Pyongyang vehemently condemned Seoul for anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by defectors into the North. Activities at the office had already been suspended for months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Relations between the neighbours have been at a standstill since the collapse of a summit last year between the nuclear-armed North and the US in Hanoi over sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in return. AFP

TENSIONS RISING. Police set up barricades near the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on June 17. The long-running border dispute between Asian nuclear powers India and China turned deadly for the first time in nearly half a century after at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a “violent face-off”, the army said on June 16. AFP

20 Indians killed in clash with China EW DELHI ― The long-running border dispute between Asian nuclear powers India and China turned deadly for the first time in nearly half a century after at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a “violent face-off”, the army said Tuesday.

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Experts warned the high-altitude clash along the Himalayan frontier was a worrying development which could escalate, Manila following weeks of rising tensions and Standard the deployment TODAYof thousands of extra troops from both sides. Brawls erupt regularly between the world’s two most populous nations across their disputed 3,500-kilometre (2,200mile) border—but no-one has been killed since 1975. Beijing and Delhi blamed each other for Monday’s clash in the precipitous, rocky terrain of the strategically important Galwan Valley, which lies between China’s Tibet and India’s Ladakh. An Indian army source in the region

told AFP the incident involved no shooting but “violent hand-to-hand scuffles”. The soldiers threw punches and stones at each other, with Chinese troops allegedly attacking their Indian counterparts with rods and nail-studded clubs during the more than six-hour fight, the Hindustan Times reported. India had earlier put the toll at three dead. But in a statement later Tuesday the army added that 17 more critically injured were “exposed to sub-zero temperatures... (and) succumbed to their injuries”. The Indian army said earlier that there were “casualties on both sides”. China’s defence ministry confirmed the incident

had resulted in casualties but did not give the nationality of the victims or any other details. The United States—which has mounting frictions with China, but sees India as an emerging ally—said it is hoping for a “peaceful resolution”, and that it was monitoring the situation closely. The UN called for both sides to “exercise maximum restraint”. Former Indian ambassador to China and foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao warned that “we are at an extremely worrisome juncture in the relationship”. “If not handled correctly... (this) can really escalate into something much bigger than we had initially imagined,” Harsh Pant from the Observer Research Foundation think-tank told AFP. Beijing claimed Indian troops “crossed the border line twice... provoking and attacking Chinese personnel, resulting in serious physical confrontation between border forces on the two sides”. New Delhi’s foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava hit back, saying

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT FIRST JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 57 SAN CARLOS CITY (Pangasinan)

A “BLM” Black Lives Matter sign and flowers can be seen on the ground at a makeshift memorial at Palmdale City Hall for Robert Fuller, a young black man who was found hanging from a tree, on June 16 in Palmdale, California. Questions have also been raised following the death last month of another black man about 50 miles east of Palmdale. AFP

CIVIL CASE NO. SCC-4441

LAWRENCE BARREDO FLORES, Respondent x-------------------------------------------------x ORDER The Court issued its Decision in this case, disposing as follows: “WHEREFORE, foregoing considered, the Court hereby declares the parties’ marriage as null and void ab initio. The record of the subject marriage is ordered cancelled from the register of marriages of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority. SO ORDERED. Plaintiff prays that the Decision aforesaid be published considering that herein defendant was summoned by publication and did not actively participate in the proceedings. Finding the motion to be consistent with the Rules, the Court grants it. WHEREFORE, let this order be published once in a newspaper of national circulation at the expense of the plaintiff. SO ORDERED. San Carlos City, Pangasinan May 26, 2020 (SGD.) JAIME L. DOJILLO, JR. Acting Presiding Judge (MS-JUNE 18, 2020)

This is to declare that the following stock certificates from ROCKWELL LAND CORPORATION and MERALCO, owned by Rolando Talampas Mozo, deceased Nov 1, 2008, are missing and no longer retrievable after extensive efforts to locate the aforementioned. Details of the stock certificates are as follows: ROCKWELL LAND CORPORATION Stock Certificate No 272213 272214

No. of Shares

Date Issued

290 7,296

MERALCO Stock Certificate No A0048351 A0057165 A0290802 A0412127 A0511766 A0577659 B0293376 A0612044 B0298825 A0617444 B0301368 B0311320 A0634615 A0703687 A0703688

No. of Shares 7 4 5 4 6 5 94 24 15 11 6 906 1,361 235 9

Date Issued 06-14-93 07-21-93 06-29-95 08-22-96 06-30-97 06-30-00 06-30-00 12-19-01 12-19-01 05-12-03 05-12-03 06-29-07 06-29-07 10-04-07 10-04-07

The abovementioned certificates were never endorsed, negotiated, sold, mortgaged, pledged, or in any manner transferred or encumbered, nor cancelled, attached, or levied the same. The said certificates were not the subject of any claim, dispute, or legal action or proceeding, directly or collaterally. (MS-JUNE 18, 2020)

IN BRIEF

FOR ROBERT.

ARLENE PERRERAS FLORES, Plaintiff Versus

the clash arose from “an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo” on the border. The violence followed weeks of hosMilitary to guard tilities that began May 9, when several InNZ borders closer dian and Chinese soldiers were injured in WELLINGTON―New Zealand Prime a clash involving fists and stone-throwing Minister Jacinda Ardern ordered the at Naku La in India’s Sikkim state, which military to oversee the country’s border borders Bhutan, Nepal and China. controls Wednesday after a bungle that But just last week, China said it had allowed two people with the coronavirus to leave quarantine. reached a “positive consensus” with CYAN InMAGENTA YELLOW BLACK A 24-day run with no new cases was dia over resolving tensions at the border, broken Tuesday when it emerged two while New Delhi also sounded conciliawomen who recently arrived from Brittory. ain were allowed out of quarantine early However, Indian sources and news without being tested for the virus, even reports suggested that Chinese troops rethough one had mild symptoms. The pair were eventually swabbed and mained in parts of the Galwan Valley and proved to be infected, but only after they of the northern shore of the Pangong Tso made a 650-kilometre (400-mile) road lake that it occupied in recent weeks. trip from Auckland to Wellington to see The prickly relationship had already a dying relative. been strained when India in August reArdern said it was “absolutely nonvoked the semi-autonomous status of sensical” they were not tested earlier and Jammu and Kashmir state. border controls clearly needed to be tightened to prevent similar failures. That saw the Ladakh region—partly She said Assistant Chief of Defence claimed by Beijing—turned into a sepaDigby Webb had been appointed to overrate Indian administrative territory. AFP

Outrage as 2 black men hanged in California PALMDALE, California―For Shawna Green and many other residents of Palmdale, a city in California’s Mojave Desert, there is no question that Robert Fuller’s death was racially motivated. “In a word, this is a cover-up,” said Green, 46, commenting about the 24-year-old black man who was found dead hanging from a tree on June 10. Authorities initially labeled Fuller’s death a suicide, but then backtracked following an outcry from his family and civic leaders who demanded a full investigation and have sought an independent probe and autopsy. The FBI has now also said it will look into this case, as well as the May 31 hanging death of another black man, 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch, in Victorville—about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Palmdale—to determine whether both men took their own lives or if there was foul play involved. For many, the two deaths evoke a painful period in US history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when thousands of African Americans were lynched in racist extrajudicial killings. Infamous white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan was responsible for many of those deaths as they hanged black Americans from trees. The two deaths in California also took place as there are renewed calls for racial justice in the US following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd, another black man, in Minneapolis. Several vigils and protests for Fuller and Harsch were held in recent days, and on Tuesday more than 200 people gathered again near Palmdale City Hall, where Fuller’s body was found, demanding answers.

At the base of the tree where he died, dozens of votive candles, bouquets and messages covered the ground. “Stop killing & lynching us,” read one sign, while another said: “AmeriKKKa is Lucky Black People want Justice and not Vengeance.” Several people interviewed by AFP dismissed the idea that Fuller could have taken his own life and said they suspected a “lynching” and possible involvement by sympathizers of the Ku Klux Klan. “Black people don’t hang themselves,” said Dee Johnson, 64. “That’s something we don’t do.” “We are not going to repeat history,” she added. Johnson said followers of the Ku Klux Klan had been more vocal in the area since the election of US President Donald Trump, and that more Confederate flags have been seen flying in the region. “They’ve been coming out more than they ever had,” she said, referring to the KKK. Jamon Hicks, the attorney representing Fuller’s family, has criticized local law enforcement for initially moving to quickly close the case. “To rush to the conclusion that this was a suicide and not a homicide is extremely disturbing, especially given the manner by which Mr. Fuller was found—hanging from a tree,” Hicks said Tuesday. “For African Americans in America, hanging from a tree is a lynching.” Fuller’s sister Diamond Alexander said he was someone who loved life and was “street smart.” “My brother was not suicidal. My brother was a survivor,” she said at a vigil over the weekend. AFP

see border quarantine operations and was being given access to military personnel and logistical expertise. “My view is that we need the rigour, we need the confidence, we need the discipline that the military can provide,” Ardern told reporters. AFP

FB hopes to help 4m to list for vote

SAN FRANCISCO—Facebook said Tuesday it plans to help four million Americans register to vote, and insists it can be a positive force in the presidential election later this year. The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of the social media giant for failing to stem foreign interference in the 2016 US election, and after heated debate over how the network handles misinformation and inflammatory posts—including from Donald Trump. Mark Zuckerberg has been strongly criticized for his company’s decision to not moderate controversial, incendiary and inaccurate posts by US President. Zuckerberg, in an opinion piece published by USA Today, announced a Facebook campaign “to help 4 million people register to vote.” He said the social network was creating a new hub for users, allowing them to access “authoritative information, including how and when to vote, as well as details about voter registration, voting by mail and information about early voting.” Addressing foreign interference, Zuckerberg wrote that the threat “is real and ongoing, but our systems are more prepared than ever.” Facebook first announced the voter hub at the beginning of June, as well as promising to review its policies that led to the decision to not moderate controversial messages. AFP

7 bid for 5 UN Security seats

UNITED NATIONS ― The UN General Assembly on Wednesday will elect five new members of the Security Council for 2021 and 2022, with battles underway for the Western and African seats. Kenya and Djibouti are facing off for one seat, while in the Western bloc, three nations—Canada, Ireland and Norway— are vying for two seats among them. In the Asia-Pacific, India—which has been trying unsuccessfully to win a permanent seat in an expanded Security Council—is assured of a seat as it is running unopposed, as is Mexico in the Latin America and Caribbean region. But Africa failed to continue its tradition of deciding candidates among themselves, setting the stage for a showdown on Wednesday. Kenya boasts of enjoying the support of the African Union, but Djibouti says it should have the seat due to Nairobi’s past participation on the Security Council and the principle of rotation. French-speaking Djibouti and Englishspeaking Kenya are both highlighting their roles in seeking peace on the Horn of Africa, as well as their contributions to UN peacekeeping options. AFP

Business Scooters, e-bikes gain popularity in many cities By Rob Lever WASHINGTON―Electric bikes and scooters, dismissed before the pandemic as a curiosity or nuisance, are getting fresh traction in cities seeking new transportation options as they emerge from lockdowns. Some “micromobility” operators which cut back or shut down during the coronavirus lockdowns are now expanding to meet growing demands. Shared mobility operators Lime, Bird and Ford-owned Spin report robust growth in cities worldwide, despite a near-shutdown of tourism, as people turn to scooters and e-bikes for commuting or errands. “People are desperate for open air transportation where they can maintain social distancing,” said David Spielfogel, chief policy officer at Lime, which has relaunched in most of its 100-plus cities. Spielfogel said city officials have warmed to the idea of micromobility despite a cool attitude just months earlier. “There has been a sea change in the attitude of cities from seeing micromobility as novelty primarily used by tourists to seeing bikes and scooters as a core piece of the transportation system that will thrive in the post-pandemic period,” he said. “Cities are afraid that people will return to cars, so they see this as a good option.” Lime, which has agreed to take over the Uber Jump scooters and bikes, said it has seen “exponential” growth in cities such as Paris, Washington, Tel Aviv, Oklahoma City and Zurich, among others, Spin recently unveiled plans to launch its shared e-scooters in Cologne and other German cities, and will expand in US cities including Atlanta. Spin said it had seen weekly usage increases of some 30 percent since April with people using scooters for longer periods. The scooters “are being used now more than ever as a utility rather than for leisurely activities,” said Euwyn Poon, president and cofounder of Spin. Global scooter operator Bird also said business is looking up, with North American ridership more than double pre-pandemic levels. “Around the world, an increasing number of people are trying micromobility for the first time,” Bird said in a blog post. Shifting gears In the months before the pandemic, some local officials were decrying dockless bikes and scooters as nuisances creating sidewalk “clutter.” But the pandemic has changed the outlook, with fear of crowds cutting transit ridership by 70 to 90 percent. “The pandemic has certainly changed the way communities view micromobility,” said Susan Shaheen, co-director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California at Berkeley.AFP

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market ends flat; Ayala advances S TOCKS closed virtually flat Wednesday as investors weighed fresh signs the world economy is in recovery against fears of a second virus wave, geopolitical tensions and profit-taking.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 0.26 point to 6,282.01 on a value turnover of P8.1 billion. Losers edged gainers, 97 to 92, with 61 issues unchanged. MerryMart Consumer Corp., the fast-rising supermarket chain owned by businessman Edgar Sia II, surged for the third straight day, gaining close to 50 percent at P3.37 from an initial public offering price of P1 per share. Emperador Inc., the liquor unit of tycoon Andrew Tan, rose 2.1 percent to P8.12, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. climbed 2 percent to P790.50. GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty

Group, however, fell 3 percent to P476. The rest of Asian stocks rose Wednesday after a cautious day. US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan pledges of more support for troubled businesses, and reports of a new trillion-dollar US stimulus sent regional markets soaring Tuesday as they helped traders look past a worrying increase in infections from Tokyo to Beijing to Texas. Optimism about the world’s top economy was given an extra boost by data showing retail sales, crucial to any recovery, soared a forecast-busting 17.7 percent in May. That came after figures showed a surprise jump in jobs last month. Meanwhile, an Oxford University study showed the steroid dexamethasone could cut the risk of death for people on ventilators by almost a third. Still, Fed chief Jerome Powell, whose sobering summary of the outlook for the economy last week sparked a plunge across equities, warned in congressional testimony Tuesday that the recovery would take some time.

While some recent indicators have been favorable, he told lawmakers there was “significant uncertainty” about the outlook and unless consumers feel confident COVID-19 has been defeated, “a full recovery is unlikely.” He added that the April-June quarter “is likely to be the most severe on record.” After an edgy start to the day, Asian markets extended Tuesday’s big run-up. Hong Kong added 0.6 percent, Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul each gained 0.1 percent, and Sydney put on 0.8 percent. Sydney climbed 0.8 percent, Mumbai edged up 0.5 percent and Taipei put on 0.2 percent, while Wellington soared more than three percent as the New Zealand government moved to tighten borders with military personnel following the import of two virus cases this week. Tokyo lost 0.6 percent a day after a near-five percent surge and following a report showing Japan’s exports and imports each fell more than a quarter last month. With AFP

PSEi June 17, 2020 TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

ONLINE ORDERS.

A worker places trays of food in the seafood section of a supermarket in Beijing on June 17, 2020. The supermarket, which has its own supply chain not linked to the Xinfadi market, has seen a 20 percent increase in online orders since a new outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Beijing last week. AFP

MOST ACTIVE

Fed warns of ‘significant uncertainty’ around recovery WASHINGTON―Despite some recent positive signs, “significant uncertainty” remains about the recovery of the US economy from the coronavirus pandemic, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday. And unless consumers feel confident COVID-19 has been defeated, “a full recovery is unlikely,” Powell warned in his semi-annual testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. The pandemic has inflicted its worst consequences on low-income and minority groups, and the contraction of GDP in the April-June quarter “is likely to be the most severe on record,” said the central bank chief, who was testifying via video link. Recent economic data have offered some promising signs that a recovery is underway, cheering Wall Street investors. US markets

closed higher again Tuesday, and major indices have recouped much of the losses suffered since the pandemic struck in March. Earlier in the day, the Commerce Department said retail sales posted a surprise spike of 17.7 percent in May, coming in nearly double the gain economists had expected. And the Fed reported that industrial production rebounded by 1.4 percent, after two months of steep declines. That adds to the data released earlier this month showing the economy adding 2.5 million positions in May as the unemployment rate ticked down to a still-high 13.3 percent, as well as various surveys showing consumers and businesses becoming more optimistic about their prospects.AFP

Jolly Ting tries to shield Jolliville from Pegasus, et al JOLLY Ting has kept his silence over the katzenjammer that arose from the news last week that he was closing down several popular girlie bars, including Pegasus Ultimate Men’s Club, Heartbeat Mega KTV and Air Force One. He kept a distance from the Manila Standard scoop last week and let his listed company, Jolliville Holdings Inc., issue a series of confusing disclosures with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Jolliville tried to deny the story in broad terms in the first disclosure, clarified it in the second and finally confirmed the temporary suspension of operations of its KTV clients amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the same statement, Jolliville denied that Air Force One, a high-end entertainment club in Parañaque City, was among its clients. “JOH and its subsidiaries do not have any business relationship with Air Force One,” it said. The silence of Jolly, chairman and chief executive of Jolliville, is understandable. His Jolliville could be linked to Pegasus, et al, and that is not good business for his holding company. He also has not publicly confirmed his ownership of the clubs. Nor has he conceded that he, through his dummy companies, sent out separation pay to employees of the entertainment clubs. Jolly, however, should not be taciturn anymore. His granddaughter, Viva Artists Agency contract singer Muriel Ting, admitted his lolo’s ownership in an interview with entertainment news and lifestyle website PEP.ph. Muriel told writer Jojo Gabinete last

week that two companies held by his father and grandfather separately owned the string of girlie bars. “Yung sa lolo ko, Jolliville Holdings Corporation. Sa kanya yung Pegasus, Heartbeat, at Star Fleet. Ang company ng Papa ko is Young Guys Corporation. Sa kanya ang Air Force One, Classmate, at Kremlin. Pero hindi sila magsasara,” says Muriel, whose father is Jolly’s nephew. Muriel rued the closure of the bars, even calling Pegasus an “institution.” But Jolly and his relatives have long been known in the industry as the owners of the string of popular nightclubs in select areas of Metro Manila and a nearby town, as cited in a trademark ruling against Jollibee Foods Corp. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines on July 4, 2017 ruled in favor of Jolliville over the use of the name Jolliville. Jolliville said its name was a trademark formed in combination of Jolly Ting’s first name and ‘ville’, resulting in a coined word suggestive of the kind of business he was into, which was real estate. “While appellee [Jollibee] was making it big in the food service business, so was Mr. Jolly L. Ting in the night entertainment business. As the owner of a string of night entertainment establishments such as Pegasus, Discovery, Mega Heartbeat, Lexus, he earned the moniker king of night entertainment,” IPOPHL said. Jolliville, in the meantime, has dissociated itself from the bars owned by its chairman and chief executive. “JOH [has] been informed of the temporary

suspension of our clients’ business in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It may be expected that lease payments and service contracts with these clients may be reviewed and renegotiated, while clients’ operations remain suspended,” the company said in a final disclosure to the stock exchange. The company also clarified that unit Servwell BPO International Inc., which gives technical services and back office support, does not employ thousands of employees, nor does it provide talents and staffing needs to owners of KTV entertainment/recreation clubs. The closure of the high-end bars and night clubs in Metro Manila followed the decision of Angie Mead King to shut down several branches of Victoria Court motels as the government continued to implement social distancing rules across all industries. Night clubs were blamed for the spread of the virus in South Korea when the Northeast Asian country tried to relax the restrictions on mobility last month. Jolly started in the night club business in the early 1980s, and branched out into real estate venture with Jolliville Realty and Development Co. Inc. in September 1986. Jolly, however, will find it difficult to explain his dealings with unit Jolliville unit Servwell if the PSE decides to probe their business relationship. The parent company, Jolliville, unit Servwell and the girlie bars have one common owner—Jolly Ting.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

PHILIPPINE SEVEN CORPORATION 7th Floor, The Columbia Tower Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City Tel. Nos. 8724-44-41 to 53 Fax No. 8705-52-09

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS: Notice is hereby given that the annual stockholders meeting of PHILIPPINE SEVEN CORPORATION (the “Corporation”), will be conducted virtually and livestreamed through the link which can be accessed at the Corporation’s website at https://www.7-eleven.com.ph/2020-asm/ on Thursday, 16 July 2020 at 2:00 P.M. for the purpose of taking up the following: 1. Certification of Notice of Meeting & Quorum and Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes of the Annual Stockholders Meeting held on 18 July 2019 a. Chairman’s Message b. President’s Report 3. Approval of 2019 Audited Financial Statements contained in the Corporation’s 2019 Annual Report and in the Information Statement accompanying this Notice and Agenda 4. Ratification of Actions Taken by the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Board Committees and Management since the last annual stockholders meeting 5. Election of the Board of Directors for 2020 6. Appointment of External Auditor 7. Approval of the Amendment of Fourth Article of the Amended Articles of Incorporation on Corporate term to perpetual pursuant to the Revised Corporation Code (RCC) 8. Approval of the Amendment of Sections 4, 5, 7, 15, 17, 25 and 33 of the Amended Bylaws to adopt the provisions of the RCC on sending of notice of meetings, quorum, holding of meetings and voting by remote communication, emergency board, updating the corporate officers and per diem. 9. Other Matters 10. Adjournment For purposes of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of June 10, 2020 are entitled to vote in the said meeting. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend and participate via remote communication by registering on or before 5:00 PM on July 10, 2020 using the registration form found in the https://www.7-eleven.com.ph/2020-asm/. Stockholders may send in questions or remarks to asm-psc@7-eleven.com.ph. To cast your votes as a stockholder, you may vote through remote communication or in absentia, or through a proxy. Voting by remote communication or in absentia shall be done by completing the online voting form or submitting a scanned copy of the downloadable voting form found in https://www.7-eleven.com.ph/2020-asm/. The requirements and procedure for registration and voting are set forth in Annex “D” of the Information Statement and shall be published in the Corporation’s website at www.7-eleven.com.ph. Pursuant to SEC Notice dated April 20, 2020, a copy of the Notice and Agenda of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Information Statement SEC Form 20-IS), Proxy Form, Management Report/Annual Report (SEC Form 17-A) for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Sustainability Report, and 1st Quarterly Report (SEC Form 17-Q) with Management’s Discussion and Analysis and unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three (3) months ended March 31, 2020 (“SEC Form 17-Q”) will be posted on the Company’s website at www.7-eleven.com.ph. on or before June 24, 2020. The Information Statement (SEC Form 20-IS), Annual Report (SEC Form 17-A) and 1st Quarterly Report (SEC Form 17-Q) are available at PSE Edge portal at https://edge.pse.com.ph/. The Corporation will provide, without charge, a printed copy of SEC Form 17-A and SEC Form 17-Q, upon the written request of a stockholder addressed to the Corporate Secretary. We are not soliciting your proxy. However, you may attend by submitting a duly-accomplished proxy form which must be submitted to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 7th Floor, The Columbia Tower, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City on or before July 07, 2020. Soft copies of the proxies can be emailed in advance to asm-psc@7-eleven.com.ph. The proxies shall be validated on July 09, 2020, at 10:00 AM at 15th Floor, South Tower, BDO Corporate Center, 7899 Makati Avenue, Makati City.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com (MS-JUNE 18/19, 2020)

(signed) EVELYN S. ENRIQUEZ Corporate Secretary

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, June 17, 2020 0.26 PTS. 6,282.01

TOTAL VOLUME 1,257,543,885 TOTAL TRADES 105,585 TOTAL VALUE 8,092,354,279.60 ADVANCES 92 DECLINES 97 UNCHANGED 61

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.1460

Japan

Yen

0.009321

0.4674

UK

Pound

1.256900

63.0285

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.4704

Switzerland

Franc

1.051083

52.7076

Canada

Dollar

0.738443

37.0300

Singapore

Dollar

0.716794

35.9444

Australia

Dollar

0.688000

34.5004

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651184

132.946

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266688

13.3733

Brunei

Dollar

0.714235

35.8160

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.032175

1.6134

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.6530

Euro

Euro

1.126500

56.4895

Korea

Won

0.000825

0.0414

China

Yuan

0.141133

7.0773

India

Rupee

0.013116

0.6577

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233918

11.7301

New Zealand

Dollar

0.644300

32.3091

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033725

1.6912 Source: BSP

PLDT raises $600m from international bond market after nearly 2 decades PLDT Inc. returned to the international bond market after nearly two decades, raising $600 million to refinance maturing debt and partially fund capital expenditures. The country’s largest telecom company said the $600-million 10-year and 30-year senior unsecured notes priced had a fixed coupon of 2.500 percent and 3.450 percent, respectively, and payable semi- annually. PLDT said the bonds were priced at T+180 and T+195 with a re-offer yield of 2.566 percent and 3.495 percent. The final order book was 17 times over-subscribed with the order book allocated predominantly to Asia, and the balance to Europe, reflecting the strong confidence investors have in the PLDT credit. “We are extremely gratified by the response of the international bond market to our return. It has been 18 years since our last foray—we started our roadshow in Singapore on Sept. 11, 2001 and, if one recalls, we were soon faced with a global crisis then, just as we are today. For the better part of those years, the road was mostly smooth, but there were bumps along the way which made our journey difficult,” said PLDT chairman, president and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan. “I believe we have now assembled possibly the best management team in our history, one that will allow us to realize the extraordinary potential of our business as an integrated telco. The market’s overwhelming welcome only serves to validate PLDT’s record of resiliency and patented financial discipline over the years. We are mindful that our performance in the coming years should match the expectations of the market that received us so warmly,” he said. PLDT chief financial officer Anabelle Lim-Chua said the tremendous market response to the company’s bond offering was beyond what PLDT expected after such a long absence. Darwin G Amojelar

Business

Grab bares plan to lay off 360 employees in SE Asia R By Darwin G. Amojelar

IDE-HAILING services provide Grab announced a plan to lay off 360 employees across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations.

“It is with heavy heart that I share with you today that we will be letting go about 360 Grabbers, or just under 5 percent of our employees,” Grab chief executive and co-founder Anthony Tan said in a letter to employees. “We understand this news will cause anxiety and dread. Please know that we did not come to this decision lightly. We tried everything possible to avoid this but had to accept that the difficult cuts we are making today are required, because millions depend on us for a living in this new normal,” he said. Grab Philippines public relations manager Arvi Lopez said the announcement would also cover the Philippines. “The Philippines is affected by this as well. However, we cannot disclose how many impacted Grabbers are from the Philippines,” he said. “We tried to avoid this outcome, as this is a painful and difficult decision for the organization. We have done everything

we can to try and avoid this outcome and did not come to it lightly,” Lopez said. “Likewise, the number of impacted Grabbers are just under 5 percent, and this is because we were able to successfully execute on our cost-saving measures and also redeploy staff to our delivery businesses where we are rapidly expanding,” he said. Tan said that Grab operations had been affected by COVID-19 since February, and “the pandemic will likely result in a prolonged recession and we have to prepare for what may be a long recovery period.” “Over the past few months, we reviewed all costs, cut back on discretionary spending, and implemented pay cuts for senior management,” Tan said. “In spite of all this, we recognize that we still have to become leaner as an organization in order to tackle the challenges of the post-pandemic economy,” the Grab co-founder said. Tan said that despite the challenges, he was expecting a bullish business outlook for Grab and would focus on adapting core verticals such as ride-hailing, deliveries, payments and financial services to address the challenges and opportunities of the “new normal”. “At the same time, we will expand support for small businesses by enriching our merchant service offerings. We believe these steps will steady us on the path towards sustainability,” he said.

IN BRIEF

Ayala Land prices P10-b retail bonds

AYALA Land Inc. pegged the interest rate for its planned two-year P10-billion retail bond offering at 3 percent per annum. Ayala Land senior vice president and chief finance officer Augusto Bengzon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the P6-billion bond offering with an oversubscription option for another P4 billion started on June 15 and would end on June 19. The bonds will be issued and listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on June 26. The latest bond offering represents the fourth tranche from the P50-billion bond shelf registration approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in April 2019. The bonds will be issued in scripless form in denominations of P50,000 each, as a minimum, and in multiples of P10,000 thereafter. Jenniffer B. Austria

Jollibee plans to tap offshore bond market

RESTAURANT chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. plans to tap the offshore financial market for another fund-raising activity to boost liquidity as the COVID-19 pandemic hammers the economy. Jollibee said in disclosure to the stock exchange unit Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. hired Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley as joint global coordinators and Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BPI Capital Corp., Credit Suisse and UBS as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners to arrange a series of fixed income investor calls starting June 17. Jollibee said Regulation S US-dollar guaranteed senior perpetual capital securities offering might follow subject to market conditions. “Proceeds from the contemplated offering will be used for general corporate purposes, intended as a precautionary measure from unforeseen eventualities that may be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as fund initiatives of the group,” the company said. Jenniffer B. Austria

EastWest expects P6-b profit in 2020

EASTWEST Banking Corp., the financial unit of Filinvest Development Corp., expects a net income of P5 billion to P6 billion in 2020 despite the allotment of P10 billion in preemptive provisioning in anticipation of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. EastWest chief executive Antonio Moncupa said during an online annual stockholders’ meeting before the weekend the bank aimed to face the current situation “squarely.” Moncupa said the P10-billion preemptive provisions was estimated to be 4 percent of the bank’s total loan portfolio and should be among the more significant provisions level in the industry. “East West still expects to earn between P5 billion to P6 billion for 2020. While lower than 2019’s P6.2billion net income, the bank expects to still be among the highest in the industry,” Moncupa said. “East West is well positioned to weather this crisis and sustain its position as among the most profitable banks in the banking industry. We just have to wait another year for that record year for profits,” Moncupa said. Julito G. Rada

QC residents get aid via PayMaya

JICA LOANS. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III (front row, left), on behalf of the Philippine government, and Japan International Cooperation Agency chief representative Eigo Azukizawa (front row, right), on behalf of the government of Japan, sign the agreements for the P57-billion loan to support the construction of the Cebu-Mactan Fourth Bridge and the Coastal Road Construction project in the Visayas and the supplemental financing of P18.5 billion for the Davao City Bypass Construction Project at the Department of Finance Building in Manila.

Oil firms start collecting additional 10% duty on diesel By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department said 644 retail stations of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., or roughly 55 percent of its network, started implementing the additional 10-percent tariff adjustment on diesel products. Pilipinas Shell implemented an increase of P1.62 per liter for diesel (P1.45 per liter plus VAT of P0.17 per liter) to reflect the higher duty a day after raising pump prices by P1.25 per liter for gasoline, P1.10 per liter for diesel and P0.75 per liter for kerosene on Tuesday. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked the Oil Industry Management Bureau to ensure the proper implementation of the additional 10-percent tax on crude and petroleum products under Executive Order No. 113. “Upon the release of EO 113, our Oil Industry Management Bureau immedi-

ately met with industry stakeholders to discuss the way forward, including their strict compliance with the EO’s guidelines,” Cusi said. Malacanang Palace issued the EO on May 2, imposing an additional 10-percent import tax on petroleum products to augment government resources to finance programs and measures to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and launch the country towards recovery and rehabilitation. The department said the additional tax would be reflected in price adjustments only after oil companies exhausted existing inventories that they purchased prior to the issuance of EO 113. Projections based on their inventory reports indicated that the added costs might be included beginning the third week of June. The department said that even with the additional P1.50 to P1.60 per liter

tariff range, prices of petroleum products would remain low. Cumulative rollbacks from January to date stand at P6.72 per liter for gasoline, P9.99 per liter for diesel, and P13.69 per liter for kerosene, the department said. “Protecting our consumers is always our top priority. We will not allow any unfair practice to derail consumer interests, especially given the challenges we continue to face in the midst of the pandemic,” Cusi said. Under EO 113, the temporary imposition of additional tariffs will immediately revert to zero upon the certification of the department that a trigger price has been reached (when Dubai crude reaches $64 per barrel), or when the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act ceases to be in effect, whichever comes first The department expects to generate P6.783 billion from the imposition of EO 113.

Vivant awards two solar rooftop contracts

PPE MANUFACTURER. Small business owners are innovating strategies as they navigate the unforeseen financial and operational challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. For Cebu-based Smartieshirt Apparel, the COVID-19 crisis is a game changer. Smartieshirt Apparel began producing cloth facemasks as early as February and later, as the virus spread, expanded to making protective suits. The company produces 15,000 cloth facemasks a day and 3,000 PPE suits a week.

VIVANT Energy Corp., a unit of listed Vivant Corp., awarded two new contracts to Solarvest Holding Berhad, a Malaysian solar energy system specialist, for solar rooftop projects that are due for completion in the fourth quarter. “We’re glad to have Solarvest as our partner in providing solutions that power the success of our customers. We choose partners based on a shared commitment in providing innovative, diverse and customer-focused energy solutions that will enable our customers to turn challenges into opportunities in our changing world,” Vivant Energy chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia said in a statement. Vivant Energy selected Solarvest to undertake the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning works of solar systems at 10 designated buildings, with cumulative capacity of 816.2-kilowatt peak (kWp), at the University San Agustin in Iloilo City, which is currently ongoing.

The company also awarded the contract for the 377.52 kWp solar systems of the Bulihan Industrial Park located in Bulacan. The construction agreements were signed in March. Solarvest specializes in solar energy installation for residential, commercial and industrial solar panel system in Malaysia. It provides durable and high-performance solar PV systems, providing clients a full turnkey EPCC solar power investment solution. “This marks our first expansion beyond Malaysia, and we are thrilled to have received the opportunities and confidence from an established industry player such as Vivant Corp.,” Solarvest Group chief executive Davis Chong Chun Shiong said. Vivant Energy manages its parent company’s investment in energy distribution and generation, retail electricity supply and energy-related engineering solutions in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Alena Mae S. Flores

RESIDENTS of Quezon City are receiving financial assistance directly from their PayMaya accounts as part of the local government’s “Kalingang QC” social amelioration program, which aims to help individuals and families in need to cope with the COVID-19 crisis. Qualified citizen beneficiaries who registered through the QC E-Services portal received P2,000 in financial aid straight to their PayMaya accounts in a safe and timely manner, in keeping with current health and safety measures to prevent the further spread of the virus causing the COVID-19 disease. Beneficiaries under the Kalingang QC program include senior citizens; drivers of tricycles, pedicabs, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, and TNVS; Persons with Disabilities (PWDs); solo parents; nursing mothers; owners of market stalls that were closed down; and street vendors, among others. By using digital means to distribute the aid via PayMaya, the Quezon City government has made it safe and convenient for citizen beneficiaries to receive the funds at the comfort of their homes. They can use the funds that they received to buy groceries online, purchase airtime load and data packages, send money to their relatives anywhere in the country, transfer to any of the more than 40 InstaPay bank partners or withdraw from any Bancnet ATM using a PayMaya physical card.

PH secures new $500-m ADB loan for poor families By Julito G. Rada THE Philippine government secured a fresh $500-million (P25-billion) financing package from the Asian Development Bank to support the country’s immediate budgetary requirements to address the coronavirus crisis. The budget-support loan under the Expanded Social Assistance Project is part of the government’s external financing program for 2020, with $450 million of the fund proposed for accelerated disbursement by next month, according to the Department of Finance. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and ADB country director for the Philippines Kelly Bird signed the loan agreement on June 15. “We thank the ADB for again extending its support to our sustained efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy and our people. This budget-support loan will not only help bridge our funding gap for our COVID-19 response but will also strengthen our social protection program as we restart our economy and help people get back on their feet amid the pandemic,” Dominguez said. The ESAP, which builds on a decade of ADB’s support for social protection programs in the Philippines, aims to assist the government in the continued implementation of its conditional cash transfer initiative dubbed the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The $500-million loan aims to continue funding education and health grants to eligible 4Ps household-beneficiaries for a period of four years starting 2020.

Premier League returns after coronavirus exile LONDON—The Premier League makes its eagerly anticipated return on Wednesday after 100 days in lockdown, with Manchester City’s clash against Arsenal taking centre stage at the start of a frenetic dash to finish the season. While the coronavirus pandemic means the Premier League will look very different from three months ago, football-starved fans will be able to feast on 92 games crammed into less than six weeks. There is still much to decide over the rest of the season, with Liverpool on the brink of their first English title for 30 years, Champions League places up for grabs and a heated relegation battle going down to the wire. Relegation-threatened Aston Villa get the ball rolling on Wednesday with their home game against European hopefuls Sheffield United. Pep Guardiola’s second-placed City provide the star power when Arsenal visit the Etihad Stadium a few hours later. A City defeat would mean leaders Liverpool would clinch the title if they won at Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday. It was the announcement that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had contracted the virus in March that forced the Premier League to press pause. With all games being played behind closed doors, players will have to get used to the eerie silence in the usually noisy stands. Piping crowd chants into stadiums, cardboard cut-outs of supporters and live video fan walls will add colour but the absence of fans will be a jarring sight at first. In total, about 300 people will be allowed in stadiums for each match, with strict health protocols in place. There will be widespread disinfection of changing facilities, dugouts, matchballs, goalposts, corner flags and substitution boards. People other than players and coaching staff on team benches must wear face coverings. Players have been told to maintain social-distancing during goal celebrations and encouraged not to spit. A little bit weird Having followed the return of Germany’s Bundesliga and La Liga in Spain, City manager Pep Guardiola is well aware what an unusual experience it will be. “It was a little bit weird watching the games,” he said. “When you play at home you have that extra intensity and passion from the crowd. That is not going to happen. “But when the players were little kids they played in the streets without spectators and they played good. That is what they have to do. It is a football game. Try to follow what they know.” AFP

Sports

Danny Kingad

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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Members of the PH taekwondo team display their wares

PH poomsae team members doing home programs Members of the Philippine Esports team

Filipino gamers out to show dominance in FIBA Esports A By Peter Atencio

GROUP of experienced gamers will lead the Philippine team when they see action in the FIBA Esports Open 2020 this weekend.

It will be a historic first for the Philippines, which has not fielded a national squad in the virtual online basketball tournament. “I feel honored and confident in leading these talented individuals. We’re not just playing for ourselves, but for the country,” said NBA 2K18 Asia Champion Philippe Alcaraz Herrero IV in an online Facebook Live press conference. “With exceptional mechanics, good teamwork, and amazing teammates under my leadership, we can make it to the top. I’m just happy and excited to represent our country and make the Filipinos

Ex-ONE champ Kingad focuses on studies THERE is no stopping former ONE Flyweight World Title Challenger Danny “The King” Kingad from achieving his goals. While becoming the ONE Flyweight World Champion could take a little longer than expected, his dreams to further his education are within his reach. “It’s tough to balance my time between studies and competing in ONE because both of them need your attention. It’s not a joke to study and memorize your lessons while also training and sparring in the gym,” Kingad said. “But I took it as a challenge. I dedicated myself to succeeding. That’s why even though it is tough, I give my 100 percent as much as I can.” Kingad is earning his Bachelor Of Secondary Education at the University Of The Cordilleras, and COVID-19 has made things even more challenging. With schools shutting down, students and professors alike are forced to take the classes online. But it’s something that Kingad sees as an advantage.

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

“Now I have all the time to focus on my studies as we’re in quarantine the past few months. I still workout at home though, because I want to finish my studies and continue to improve as an athlete,” Kingad said. “I am happy because I am going to finish it in less than three months’ time. It’s no joke, but with discipline and sacrifice, I was able to pull-off being an athlete and a student.” The 24-year-old hopes to show young athletes that they don’t need to choose between being a mixed martial arts superstar and pursuing their studies. “It’s all about the eagerness to get what you truly want,” Kingad said. “That’s what I think about everyday, every time I go to school, every time I train. Like my journey in ONE, there are obstacles and failures, but I know that it will only make me better in the future.” To commemorate the Philippine Independence Day, ONE Championship has released exclusive merchandise donning the country’s colors. Check out ONE. SHOP for the fresh drops.

proud,” added Herrero. Team Pilipinas is also composed of Aljon Cruzin, also known as Shintarou; 2-Time NBA 2K Asia Champion Rial Polog Jr. aka Rial; NBA 2K17 Asia champion Custer Galas aka Aguila; NBA 2K18 Asia Champion Philippe Alcaraz Herrero IV aka Izzo; Clark Banzon aka Clark; and reserves David John Timajo aka Alt; and Rocky Braña aka Rak. Team Pilipinas will be coached by Nite Alparas. The players will be coached by Nite Alparas in the tournament, slated from June 19 to 21, to be streamed live on the FIBA and SBP Facebook pages. “Today, we celebrate a new direction, a pivot to the new normal. For the past few months, there has been an absence of many competitive sports leagues and tournaments that were put on hold not only in the Philippines, but worldwide,” said SBP president Alfredo Panlilio. During the exhibition games, Team Pilipinas will be playing five games headto-head with Indonesia. “It’s a historic event for Philippine basketball and Philippine Esports,” said Es-

ports National Association of the Philippines president Jane Basas. During the game, each player will control a single character/position on the court just like a real- life basketball game. With a good showing, the Philippines can make its mark as one of the true powerhouses of NBA 2K in the region. FIBA Executive Director David Crocker graced the online presser and wished Team Pilipinas good luck in their historic activity. “Our participation in the FIBA Esports Open 2020 is an amazing opportunity to show the whole world that Philippine Basketball is a force in any arena that it is played in, digital or otherwise,” added Panlilio. “We are proud to be represented by the best of the best that the country has to offer and have no doubt that Team Pilipinas will show off the intensity, the heart, and the honor that we have when we play this game that we love.” Catch Team Pilipinas in action from June 19-21, 2020 on the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas Facebook Page!

MEMBERS of the national poomsae team have gone back into home training. National training director Igor Mella said this after the end of the first-ever SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Online National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. “All of the national team of poomsae and kyorugi are doing home programs,” said Mella. Mella said the preparations of the national squad, including those from the kyorugi style, have not stopped training since the lockdowns began. Because of this, outstanding jins like Jocel Lyn Ninobla was able to be better prepared when she claimed the gold medal last month. It was her second online crown this year, following a European tournament two months ago when she clinched the gold in the Under-30 Female Division of the first-ever Online Daedo Open European Poomsae Championships in Spain. Ninobla is best remembered during her final year with University of Santo Tomas when she took home the gold in the women’s individual event in her last year back in Season 80. Another teammate Aidane Laxa is staying sharp as well, after settling for the silver medal with 8.150 points. Focus on their preparations at home also helped SEA Games silver medallist Patrick Perez get the gold in the men’s side. Peter Atencio

and competition. I love the taste and aroma of the coconut sugar. I would recommend it to people who have health problems since most cheap instant coffees have unhealthy ingredients. Kaffea is a very healthy alternative,” said Delos Santos. The spread of Covid-19 looks to have been contained in the Philippines with the country slowly resuming normal activities. Delos Santos advises patience because while the worst may be over it will still need everyone’s cooperation and patience to overcome this global health threat. “I know most of us are itching to go out. Yes, I understand that it’s not easy being confined at home, especially for those who are extroverts. But this is for our own good. Cases are rising day by day because the virus spreads from person to person. Staying home is what prevents the virus from spreading further,” said Delos Santos. Filipino karateka James Delos Santos displays the form which helped him “I also know that some of us have isrule the recent Palestine International Karate Cup and place second in his sues with one another, but we’re all facfirst Karate e-Tournament world series. ing a common enemy. The only way we can combat against this deadly virus is to set our issues aside and work together. We heal as one.” Kaffea is available nationwide at Rustan’s Supermarkets, Marketplace at Rustan’s, Shopwise, SM Kultura, SM Supermarket Market Street, CityMall NOT even a global pandemic could stop and sprints. Not only do I still train karate just GoLokal stores, and online at lazada. karateka James Delos Santos from not only to keep myself healthy and fit, but I also found com.ph and beautymnl.com. Call (02) pursuing his love of karate but actually win- out lately about virtual tournaments, which 8477-9920 for orders and inquiries. ning international competitions in his sport. gives me another reason to continue training. He ruled the recent Palestine Interna- The more virtual tourneys out there, all the tional Karate Cup winning gold in the kata more I get motivated,” said Delos Santos. And to give him that extra energy online tournament. He later grabbed silver in his first Karate Delos Santos relies on a healthy and delie-Tournament world series which propelled cious drink of Kaffea. “It gives me that natural energy that I need him to World No. 6 and to the top of the heap in Asia in the E-Tournament World for my rigid workouts. It is known to have sevSeries Ranking which is sanctioned by the eral health properties,” said Delos Santos. He benefits from Kaffea’s healthy ingreWorld Karate Federation. While the world economy slowed down dients like collagen which strengthens the and sports competitions ground to a halt, muscles, tendons, and joints. It also tightens Karate—specifically kata competi- the skin which makes him look welltions—can still conduct competitions nourished and glowing. The coffee blend while observing safety protocols to prevent helps keep Delos Santos slim and fit. It promotes weight management because of the the spread of Covid-19. Delos Santos has followed all safety pro- combination of glutathione and L-Carnitine. Health benefits, aside, Delos Santos said tocols mandated by the Philippine government but still managed to grab a gold and a that he simply loves Kaffea’s taste, which highlights the flavor of coconut sugar mixed silver in his sport. James Delos Santos relies on delicious “I’m currently staying in my condo in with coconut cream. yet healthy Kaffea to give him that “Kaffea wakes me up and gives me the Taguig. I would say it can suffice for training. extra dose of energy for competition. I’m training on karate, as well as taking jogs energy to keep me active during training

Love and karate in time of Coronavirus

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Sports

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Nuggets’ Malone beats COVID-19: I kicked its butt LOS ANGELES—Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says that he likely had the coronavirus, but that he “kicked its butt”. Malone told a Denver TV station on Tuesday that results from an antibody test revealed that he had COVID-19 back in March. “I like to say that I got coronavirus and I kicked its butt,” the 48-year-old Malone said. The NBA suspended the season on March 10 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus. Malone said his symptoms started around that time but the team doctors didn’t have any tests. In late May, he was finally able to secure an antibody test and the results came back positive. “I’d say around March 20, I started not feeling well, and we began reaching out to team doctors to see if I could get a test,” Malone said. “Unfortunately, at that time, there was no testing available.” The Nuggets have not commented on Malone’s illness. In late March they announced a member of their organization had tested positive but declined to name the person. When play was suspended, the Nuggets were 43-22 and in third place in the Western Conference. They are one of the 22 teams scheduled to resume the season at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In Sydney, Australia, NBA prospect LaMelo Ball’s hopes of owning an Australian professional basketball team were stolen away Wednesday as a rival consortium swooped on the Illawarra Hawks. Ball’s business manager had previously said the purchase of the team, based in Wollongong south of Sydney, was a “done deal” but on Wednesday the Aussie league confirmed the licence had gone elsewhere. The National Basketball League confirmed a group including former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo had won the licence for the team, beating out Ball’s bid. The 18-year-old point guard’s brief stint at the Hawks last year helped him solidify his 2020 NBA Draft top pick contender status, and the NBL’s owner thanked him for his ongoing support. “The decision in choosing the right owners was not an easy one,” NBL owner Larry Kestelman said in a statement.

Christian Coleman of the US reacting after winning the men’s 100m final at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International stadium in Doha. Coleman was provisionally suspended after missing a doping test, the Athletics Integrity Unit said. AFP

World 100m champion Coleman suspended over new missed test L

OS ANGELES—Reigning world 100m champion Christian Coleman was provisionally suspended on Wednesday over a missed drugs test, putting him at risk of a two-year ban that would rule him out of next year’s Tokyo Olympics. The American sprinter is “suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity”, said the Athletics Integrity Unit, World Athletics’ anti-doping arm. Coleman, who only narrowly avoided being banned last year after three violations of anti-doping “whereabouts” rules across 2018 and 2019, revealed details of his latest missed test on Twitter. The world’s fastest man, who clocked 9.76sec to win 100m gold at last year’s World Championships in Doha, said he had unsuccessfully challenged an AIU finding that he missed a test on December 9, 2019. “And now this might result in me

being suspended from other f iling failures that occurred well over a year ago at this point,” Coleman said. The 24-year-old is now barred from competition pending a hearing under World Athletics anti-doping rules, the AIU website said. Coleman’s impassioned statement on Twitter was accompanied by what appeared to be a copy of his formal notification from the AIU of a missed test. Coleman, 24, escaped suspension on a technicality ahead of last September’s World Championships after it emerged he had committed three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period. Those offences were recorded on June 6,

posted on his official Twitter account. “Don’t tell me I ‘missed’ a test if you sneak up on my door (parked outside the gate and walked through...there’s no record of anyone coming to my place) without my knowledge,” Coleman said. Coleman said testers had visited when he was out shopping for Christmas presents nearby, verifiable by bank statements and receipts. “I was more than ready and available for testing and if I had received a phone call I could’ve taken the drug test and carried on with my night,” he said. “I was only made aware of this attempted drug test the next day on December 10th, 2019 by the AIU when I got this failed attempt report out of nowhere.” The report from the doping control officer posted by Coleman said the tester had arrived at his apartment and had failed to get a response after “multiple, loud knocks were made every 10 minutes” for an hour. AFP

Players who skip NBA restart will have their salaries docked

ABS-CBN Sports airs 1st MPL-PH Champion meet on LIGA, iWant MORE esports action is coming for Filipinos as ABS-CBN Sports delivers the live coverage of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional LeaguePhilippines Champion Invitational featuring the country’s top esports players from June 20 to 21 and June 27 to 28 on LIGA cable sports channel. Previous champions of MPL-PH— from Season 1 winners Aether Main, Season 2 victors Cignal Ultra, Season 3 titleholders ArkAngel, to the backto-back kings of Seasons 4 and 5 Sunsparks—are coming back to the virtual battlefield to determine the greatest MPL-PH team of all time and claim the top prize of $2,000. This much-anticipated online exhibition tournament from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) developer Moonton, together with Smart and Realme, will have livestreaming on iWant, sports.abs-cbn.com, ABSCBN Sports’ official Facebook and YouTube accounts, and will also be available to overseas Filipinos via TFC. Tipping off its first week, catch the Day One action on Saturday (June 20), opening with Yakou, Pheww, and the rest of Cignal Ultra taking on ArkAngel at 4:30 p.m., followed by the anticipated match-up between the first back-to-back MPL-PH champions Sunsparks and the inaugural champions Aether Main at 7:30 p.m. The prestigious exhibition tournament continues on Sunday (June 21) as Day Two headlines Sunsparks, led by Season 5’s Finals MVP Kielvj, do battle against Cignal Ultra at 4:30 p.m., and Jeffqt4ever returns for ArkAngel as they clash in the lanes against Pein and the rest of Aether Main at 7:30 p.m.

2018, January 16, 2019 and April 26, 2019. However, Coleman had successfully argued that the first missed case should have been backdated to the first day of the quarter— April 1, 2018—meaning the three failures fell just outside the required 12-month period. But news that Coleman missed another meeting with testers in December means that his offences in January and April of last year now come into play. Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, any combination of three whereabouts failures—either missing a test or failing to file paperwork on time—within a 12-month period is deemed a doping offence punishable by a two-year suspension. Two-year suspensions can be reduced to one year if there are mitigating circumstances. ‘Purposeful attempt’ “I think the attempt on December 9th was a purposeful attempt to get me to miss a test,” Coleman said in a statement

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during a press conference at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The NBA says that players who decline to play in the restarted season in Florida next month must let their clubs know by June 24, 2020 and will face having their pay docked by up to 14 games. ESPN. com reported that the NBA Players Association informed its members on June 16, 2020 that they have until June 24 to make a decision whether to take part in the games at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida. AFP

LOS ANGELES—The NBA says that players who decline to play in the restarted season in Florida next month must let their clubs know by June 24 and will face having their pay docked by up to 14 games. ESPN.com reported that the NBA Players Association informed its members on Tuesday that they have until June 24 to make a decision whether to take part in the games at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida. The owners and the union have worked out a deal which would see any player who decides to sit out the rest of the season have their compensation cut for each game skipped up to a maximum of 14 games. “It may not be for everyone,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said of the league’s return-to-play plan. “It will entail enormous sacrifice—of those players and for everyone involved—the coaches, the referees.” Several NBA players, including Los Angeles Lakers Dwight Howard, have bypassed the players’ union and voiced their opposition to resuming the season as a protest against

racial discrimination and police brutality in the United States. The Lakers backup center Howard told CNN that now is not the time to resume basketball in light of the protests that broke out across the US following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white Minnesota police officer last month. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving also reportedly lobbied fellow players on Friday to sit out the scheduled resumption of play as a protest against racism. Floyd, a black man, died May 25 after a veteran police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His death sparked global protests, some of which turned violent. Sports teams throughout the country have spoken out publicly against racism, with several teams taking part in the demonstrations. Silver said players who decide to miss the rest of the season will not be considered “in breach of contract.” Some NBA players could be given exemptions from the pay cuts if they can show they are at a higher risk for the new coronavirus. AFP

A compelling Esport experience for Michelin THE first-ever Le Mans 24 Hours Virtual saw Rebellion Williams Esport claim first place with its N°1 car shared by Deletraz / Marciello / Wisniewski / Brzezinski. Pole-sitters Dillmann / Guerrieri / Simoncic / Pedersen (N°4 ByKolles Burst Esport) were second past the chequered flag, ahead of the N°13 Rebellion Williams Esport foursome (Canapino / Aitken / Arana / Romanidis). The GTE class was won by Porsche Esports Team which emerged as the category’s dominant squad in qualifying. The top prize was secured by the N°93 Porsche 911 RSR of Tandy / Güven / Rogers / Ostgaard thanks to a surefooted performance. Interestingly, British driver Nick Tandy can now

claim to have won Le Mans’ GTE class with Porsche and Michelin in both the real world and ‘virtually’. Second in class went to the N°95 Aston Martin (Thiim / Westbrook / Sorensen / Biancolilla), while R8G Esports Team’s N°80 Corvette (Juncadella /Beche / Jayovski / Kappet) took third. All these cars contested the race on ‘virtual’ Michelin tyres. Not only did the realism of the rFactor2 software employed for the inaugural Le Mans 24 Hours Virtual provide endurance racing fans with a welcome chance to enjoy their favourite discipline once more after the recent halt to real-world motorsport, but it also gave video game fans an opportunity to discover motor racing from a fresh perspective that introduced them to the important role that

tyres play in motorsport. Close, spectacular, realistic racing Buoyed by a field of 50 cars and 200 topflight racing drivers and sim racers, the show provided by the inaugural Le Mans 24 Hours Virtual lived up every bit to its promise. Drivers from different forms of racing and top names from the world of endurance racing teamed up with a line-up of sim racing stars to showcase their professionalism not only during their respective pre-race preparations but also in the course of the twice-around-the-clock race itself. The result was a gripping fight between the successive leaders who all chose similar race strategies and the gaps at the end were extremely close. As expected, the teams with the strongest reputations took turns in

The Le Mans 24 Hours Virtual gave video game fans an opportunity to discover motor racing from a fresh perspective that introduced them to the important role that tyres play in motorsport.

front and took the two ‘virtual’ red- flag interruptions that bunched up the field in their stride. Thanks to the quality of the coverage and the work put into the event by its organiser, the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest), it was easy to forget at times that this wasn’t actually the real thing.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

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Jose Sarasola to showcase culinary skills on TV as he joins GMA Artist Center family By Nickie Wang

NEW GOAL. Fil-Spanish actor and celebrity chef Jose Sarasola, who plans

to further hone and showcase his culinary skills on television, signed an exclusive contract with GMA Artist Center.

YUGEL LOSORATA

I

T’S Father’s Day on Sunday. So, I came up with my own shortlist of classic tunes capturing some issues and the essence of fatherhood. These tracks, which are sure to hit close to home, perfectly encapsulate the power of a father’s love and or how we really feel about them, depending on our current relationship with our old man. “Father And Son” (Cat Stevens, 1970) Even if released as a B-side, this track gained popularity as the title alone made it relatable to boys at home with age-gap concern. Stevens, who changed his name to Yusuf Islam, said it’s “for people who can’t break loose.” “Wild World” (Cat Stevens, 1970) From the same singer-composer and album Tea for the Tillerman, this piece was actually written for actress Patti D ‘Arbanville, the singer’s ex-lover. Nevertheless, people can’t be stopped from thinking it’s about a father’s song to his young daughter. Thanks to the line “I’ll always remember you like a child, girl.”

IT HAS been a dream for Fil-Spanish chef and actor Jose Sarasola to show off his culinary skills on television. And now that he is part of GMA Artist Center (GMAAC), he believes that he will realize this dream very soon. Sarasola signed an exclusive contract with GMAAC on Tuesday, June 16. It was a decision, he said, to further his career goal. “My friends were asking why I moved to GMA especially this time,” Sarasola

Sarasola is determined to give it his all in this new chapter of his showbiz career. He shared that he is eyeing to have his own cooking and travel show in the future where he can showcase his talents. GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer expressed the management’s eagerness to maximize what Jose can bring to the table, “We will focus on honing his different talents. We can see how passionate he is in learning more. We look forward to all the opportunities we can give him."

Pinoy originality dominates ’The Pop Stage’ first elimination

Before he died, Luther Vandross won Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards for ‘Dance with my Father.’

Ode to our

OLD MAN “living legacy” become famous and release a tribute song for him.

“Papa Don’t Preach” (Madonna, 1986) The music video showing the Mother of Reinvention in her blonde, short hair look apparently clashing with her onscreen dad reinforces her idea that it’s about “standing up to male authorities “Cat’s In The Cradle” (Harry like my father and his conservative, Chapin, 1974) patriarchal ways.” Well, she made up her This song topped the US Billboard mind and keeping her baby. 100 in December 1974 and was inducted to Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. It’s “Don’t Fade Away” (Acosta Russell, about a father too busy for his son until 1992) he realizes he’s a grown man. The band The last track in A Little Direction Ugly Kid Joe reintroduced this classic to album that also spawned their hit “Deep ‘90s kids. In My Soul,” it’s a song for anyone departing if not for the call-out “father” “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” (John in the second chorus. Lennon, 1980) The ex-Beatle wrote this for his son “Perfect” (Simple Plan, 2003) Sean who was only five years old when The rock band’s drummer Chuck he was killed. It included the famous line Comeau claimed that this song was his “Life is what happens to you while you’re idea because he “can’t be perfect” in the busy making other plans,” attributed to eyes of his dad who disapproved of his him but was actually uttered, with slight ways. The song’s hurting voice sings that alteration, by cartoonist Allen Saunders his father “used to be my hero.” in a 1957 Reader’s Digest article. Paul McCartney, John’s songwriting partner “Dance With My Father” (Luther who turns 78 today (June 18), was caught Vandross, 2003) teary eyed listening to this song. The singer, with co-writer Richard Marx, penned this 21st century gem for “Leader Of The Band” (Dan his old man who died from diabetes when Fogelberg, 1981) he was just seven. It won a Grammy Fogelberg wrote it for his musician- Song of the Year just before he died. He father Lawrence who died in 1982, or and dad Luther Sr. must be dancing in long enough for him to still witness his heaven.

told Manila Standard in a video interview. “I really wanted to pursue my culinary career. I’m very happy and excited for another challenge since I want to do more as a celebrity chef,” he carried on. But showcasing his skills in the kitchen is not the only reason why he made this move. He said that he wanted to be part of GMA’s fantasy series, which the network has been known for. “I don’t want to leave my acting career behind because I still want to do more roles that would make me better,” he pointed out.

TALENTED Filipinos continue to take center stage in The Pop Stage, the biggest online talent competition in the country created and hosted by singer-actor Matteo Guidicelli with the support of Popeyes Philippines in partnership with Viva Artists Agency. During the first elimination round, seven contestants from the Top 26 competed and got to show more of their talent and originality, including Martin Naling, with his original poem titled, “Kayamanan;” Luigi D'Avola performed his original song, “If This Were a Dream” as well as Sarah Mae Guno who wrote and sang her song titled, “AwitngHinagpis.” There's also Venisse Nicole Siy who performed her rendition of “Tila Luha” by SB19; Harmon Literal sang Orange & Lemons’ hit song, “HanggangKailan;” Sophia Geronimo, covered Neocolours' classic “Tuloy Pa Rin;” and Jobert Te Rentor, who did an interpretative dance to the song “Gitara” by Parokya Ni Edgar. By the end of the show, Naling, Guno, and D’Avola were declared winners of the round and earned their spots in the Top 12. Before the first elimination round, a total of 26 contestants were selected and divided into four batches wherein each batch will compete with one another for a spot in the Top 12. Every week, each batch will submit a new performance video showcasing their talent and will be

deliberated by Guidicelli, together with singer Jed Madela, G-Force dancer Ritz Beltran, and representatives from Popeyes Philippines. They'll be judging the videos based on creativity and originality, quality of performance, and entertainment value, and three contestants will move to the next round based on their scores. Following the elimination rounds, the Top 12 performers will continue to prove that they can be the country’s next big star in the semifinal round of the show. And in the end, only one winner who stood out from the rest will receive the cash prize worth P1 million and a one-year contract with Viva Artists Agency

The Pop Stage semifinalists Martin Naling (left) performs his original poem titled, ‘Kayamanan,’ and Luigi D’Avola sings his original song titled ‘If This Were a Dream.’

Madona’s ‘80s hit ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ tackles teenage pregnancy and the strict father that complicates it further.

Simple Plan’s ‘Perfect’ was featured on the soundtrack of the 2004 comedy film ‘Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen,’ which stars Lindsay Lohan.

‘We did not use ties with Kris Aquino to get franchise approved’ —ABS-CBN top officials ABS-CBN did not use its connection with Kris Aquino, when the presidential sister was a talent of the network, to get its franchise renewed during the time of President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, according to the network’s top officials. When asked by Rep. Michael Defensor if ABS-CBN sought Kris’ help, ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez and ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said they never spoke to Kris to push for the network’s franchise renewal during the Aquino administration. For Defensor, Kris could have been instrumental in helping ABS-CBN get its franchise renewed. Katigbak said, “The prerogative to grant or deny a franchise rests solely on Congress. While we’re here to prove the committee that there is a good reason why our franchise should be renewed, at the end of the day, we respect the rule of law.” The bill seeking to renew ABSCBN’s franchise was first filed in the 16th Congress (2013-2016) with only one hearing conducted by the House committee on legislative franchises, according to Rep. Micaela Violago, one of the current bill sponsors of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Violago said she filed a bill in the 17th Congress (2016-2019), but there was no committee hearing conducted in

the House. She filed again in the 18th Congress (2019 to present), but pointed out that the committee hearings only started in March 2020. Meanwhile, Defensor’s showbiz-like interpellation as how Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvardo described it after, was also the talk of the town among netizens.

Kris Aquino had hosted a few shows on ABSCBN including top raters 'Game Ka Na Ba' and 'Wheel of Fortune.' She also appeared in several series from 1996 to 2016.

Life

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

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HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Father’s Day celebrations

Prepare his favorite dishes Now that we’re cooking and eating at home more, take this opportunity to make his favorite dishes. If he’s a meat lover, prepare a spread of burgers, steaks, and barbecue. If he is trying to be healthier, try out some new vegan recipes. Solane offers LPG tanks to ensure cooking won’t be delayed. Don’t forget to complement his favorite dishes with his favorite drink.

AT HOME

By Steph Llarena

T

HEY say necessity is the mother invention, but we offer this other saying: crisis is the mother of innovation. And the current global health crisis flung upon us has given birth to various ways to live life as usual—albeit, with a bit of tweaks. This year’s Father’s Day, much like other past occasions, will go on urging us to look for options to celebrate them while at home, perhaps also, with limited resources. If dad doesn’t feel like going out to eat yet, a local LPG brand shares these Father’s Day celebration ideas.

Grow a garden For a refreshing bonding activity that also provides the household with essential supply, invite dad and other family members to work on a gardening project together. The plants can add a breath of fresh air to the home or, should dad prefer to grow vegetables and fruits, can be used for future meals.

Go glamping indoors

Host a surprise virtual party with his buddies

Dads also need to socialize with their friends; throw him a virtual surprise party. How to organize an e-numan session? Arrange for packs of drinks and pica-pica to be delivered to his friends’ houses and along with an invite indicating the time and log-in details for the online surprise party. Tell guests to sign in a little later than your dad for added surprise.

Build something together

Does dad enjoy building things? This Father’s Day, join him and suggest to make something together like a birdhouse or plant box. If the kids are too young to use the tools, bring out the paintbrushes and let them decorate the DIY projects.

Online materials promote financial literacy among Filipino families LIFE insurer Pru Life UK has recently or printed out. In addition to the parents’ guide, launched Cha-Ching Kid$ at Home online resources to help Filipino par- Prudence Foundation is also rollents teach key money management ing out Cha-Ching daily challenges, which include activities or discussion concepts to their children at home. According to the latest financial lit- pointers, posted on the website everacy report published by The Organ- ery weekday of June. Each challenge isation for Economic Co-operation takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. The and Developguides are curment, 94 percent rently in English of students get inand will soon be formation about translated into money matters Filipino versions. from their par“This initiaents. However, tive is particularly Pru Life said, relevant and imparents may not portant as many know how best to schools across the teach this subject Philippines reto their kids. main closed due Designed for to the pandemic,” children aged 7 said Prudence to 12, the ChaFoundation exChing Kid$ At ecutive director Home materials Marc Fancy. guide parents on teaching key The Chamoney manageChing website ment concepts— Cha-Ching offers interactive and also contains a earn, save, spend, engaging way to teach kids key money resource center and donate—in management concepts—earn, save, where teachers an interactive and spend, and donate. can easily access the digitized engaging way. Based on the Cha-Ching curriculum version of the Cha-Ching curriculum implemented in schools across Asia teaching materials for self-study or and Africa, each guide directs parents review. Educators can simply log to a relevant Cha-Ching music video, onto the Teacher section of the webkey topics for discussion, and activi- site to download the Cha-Ching curties to help their children put learning riculum’s master list of teaching aids, into practice. The parent guides can be session implementation video guides, downloaded for free on the Cha-Ch- music videos, and comic books on ing website and can be viewed online their personal electronic devices.

Here’s something fun for a family with young children: Set up a big mat with pillows, blankets, or beanie bags in the living room where the entire family can comfortably huddle together for a night of bonding. Prepare s’mores, hotdogs on sticks, and other yummy snacks for that authentic camping feel. Watch a movie together, for that drive-in theater effect.

ERRAND PARTNERS GONE are the days when one has to leave the house to run several mundane errands: pay the bill, go to the grocery, buy something. The Internet has once again proven itself useful in the time when movement is limited and the best thing we can do is stay at home. Shop for groceries One of the fastest growing on-demand grocery and essentials delivery services in the country, GrabMart now has over 150 partner outlets and new categories since its launch two months ago. Now available in 17 cities in Metro Manila, GrabMart has over 150 partner GrabMart allows Grab outlets in Metro Manila. app users to purchase groceries from Ultramega, Lawson, Fisher Supermarket, and Shell Select; over-thecounter medicines from Generika and Family Doc; fresh produce and meat products from Zagana, Meat Depot, The Market by Holly Farms, and Les Aunor Farmer’s Market; and home Internet solutions from PLDT and Smart. GrabMart Beta was first rolled out in April starting with retail partners Robinsons Supermarket, Great Deals E-commerce Corporation, Family Mart, Starbucks at Home, ASSI Fresh Plaza, Fetch! Naturals, Dog City, and Barcino. To access GrabMart, tap on the “Mart” tile within the Grab app. Buy pet products Pet parents in need of food, grooming, or toys for their furry friends can now avail of Pet Express’ call and collect service available in select branches. Select items from Pet Express online catalog on Facebook or Instagram, create a shopping list, call the preferred branch to place an order, and collect the item/s via Grab Express. Participating Pet Express branch- Pet Express offers call and es include those at SM North Edsa, collect service.

SM Cubao, SM Fairview, SM Megamall, SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Masinag, SM CDO Premier, V Mall, Estancia, Madison Galeries, and Festival Mall. Order an LPG tank Got another recipe to try out? Running a pandemicdriven online food business? Phoenix Super LPG lets customers order their tanks online and have them delivered to their doorsteps. The brand’s new and improved online order form is accessible on its official Phoenix Super LPG offers online Facebook page (facebook. delivery service. com/PhoenixSuperLPG) through the “SHOP NOW” tab and website (www.phoenixfuels. ph/lpg) through the “ORDER NOW” button. The order-and-delivery system lets customers find the nearest Phoenix Super Hub in their area, and determine product price and availability for faster delivery. Send money In its effort to make sending money safer and faster, LBC Express, Inc. rolls out its Instant Peso Padala online service. Transaction fee is waived until July 5. To send money, customers need to go to www.lbcexpress. com/ippbanktransaction and provide details including the sender and the receiver’s name and the amount of money to be sent. A Reference Number will be generated for the customer, which they will receive via LBC launches online remittance service Instant Peso Padala. email and SMS. Use the Reference Number to deposit transaction amount to any LBC express bank account. Send the proof of credit by uploading the receipt to the link found in the confirmation, after which the recipient can now claim their money at any LBC branch or partner remittance center (Cebuana Lhuillier, Palawan Express, and MLhuillier).