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Virus cases surpass 85,000 Palace says no reason to celebrate; Stricter measures loom in NCR

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo

ALACAÑANG on Wednesday said there is no reason to celebrate as the country reported 1,874 new COVID-19 cases, bringing total infections to 85,486, which surpassed the University of the Philippines OCTA Research Group projection of 85,000 by July 31 with two days to spare.

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“The forecast happened and I see no reason why we should celebrate. It’s very sad,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told CNN Philippines. In breaching the 85,000 mark on Wednesday, the country’s COVID-19 cases even surpassed mainland China’s cumulative tally of coronavirus disease cases. China, where the infectious disease is believed to have first emerged late last Next page

CLEANUP BEGINS. A worker of the Manila Department of Public Services sprays disinfectant at the gallery

of the Rizal Stadium on Wednesday to ensure the safety of the remaining locally stranded individuals (LSIs) waiting at the arena to be sent home by the government to their respective provinces. Officers of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Army help the bulk of the LSIs (inset photos) board buses that would take them to the ships that would drop them off at their respective provinces. PNA with Norman Cruz

‘Major changes’ in COVID fight set By Vito Barcelo and Othel V. Campos THE government’s reponse against COVID-19 will undergo “major changes” as the number of infections nationwide continues to rise, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday. Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte will announce the new changes on Thursday (July 30) after

meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) and some Cabinet members. The Palace official said the changes refer to “massive, massive” testing, “reintegrated” contact tracing, and creation of “more and more” isolation facilities. Next page

‘Bayanihan 2’ funding main House issue By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

the Bayanihan to Heal as One 2 bill, which the upper chamber of Congress passed on Tuesday. Salceda added that the House is ready to introduce other economic reforms as amendments, and ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda on Wednesday said he would recommend to the leadership of the House said a bicameral committee meeting may be called Next page of Representatives to adopt the Senate version of

Salceda’s panel approves 12 percent VAT on online services Poor consumers shun By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives’ ways and means committee on Wednesday approved a bill imposing a 12-percent value-added tax on digital transactions. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, the panel’s chairman, said the committee adopted its report

on the bill where the VAT would be imposed on online transactions or services such as Netflix. “Why should they be exempt? when you buy canned goods you pay 12-percent [VAT],” Salceda said. Under the approved committee report, foreign corporations selling digital services such as Netflix, Spotify, Facebook, Google and other global

internet companies that do business in the Philippines will have to pay for and impose VAT on their services. “We are imposing no new taxes. We are simply clarifying that they should be VATed. In general, if you sell, you pay VAT unless you fall under the exemptions for small businesses,” Salceda said. Next page

bread for rice, noodles By Othel V. Campos POOR consumers are rarely eating bread since prices went up and have relied on daily servings of rice and noodles to endure the coronavirus pandemic, consumer

OLD AND NEW. Traditional jeepney drivers wait for aid from passersby as they stand on the side of the road and watch the new electronic ‘jeeps’ or mini-buses ply their old routes on Wednesday. Still, the government has opened up 17 routes for traditional jeepneys to serve commuters, including the P. Faura-Sta. Ana line in Manila (inset). JR Josue

UCPB prexy, Solgen top highest-paid gov’t execs

NEW LOOK. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Wednesday

By Rio N. Araja FORMER United Coconut Planters Bank president Higinio Macadaeg Jr. topped the list of the highest paid government executives with earnings totaling P20.475 million, according to the 2019 Report of Salaries and Allowances released by the Commission on Audit. Solicitor General Jose Calida secured second place after taking home P16.953 million. He jumped four places from sixth in 2018 after his pay increased by P4.48 million. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno landed in third place with P15.45 million. He joined the central bank in March 2019 after working as secretary of the Budget Next page

unveiled the “enhanced” new generation currency (NGC) banknotes. But noticeably missing from the denominations presented was the P20 banknote. According to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, the central bank is still producing P20 banknotes, but it is just using up the available raw materials for the denomination (See story on A3).

Employers told to pay workers in full, on time, not in tranches By Vito Barcelo

pay their workers’ wages in full and at the right aged workers to report employers that violate time and not in tranches, despite the coronavi- the salary policy. Under existing labor laws, wages shall be THE Department of Labor and Employment rus pandemic. Labor Undersecretary Joji Aragon encour(DOLE) warned employers on Wednesday to Next page

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PNP: ‘Death’ bill to deter crime T

HE restoration of the death penalty will end the Philippines’ being an attractive location for illegal drug activities, an official said Wednesday.

peril of injustice.” Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, meanwhile, expressed his continued support to President Rodrigo Duterte. He has filed Senate Bill 207 that seeks to amend Republic Act 9346, which abolished the death penalty, by re-imposing the capital punishment for heinous crimes. But Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. bucked the death penalty for drug-related offenses and heinous crimes. Abante, a pro-life legislator and the host pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries, said he was not inclined to support the death penalty if it would cover “more crimes other than drug trafficking, massacre, child rape and rape-slay.” Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza called for reforms in the police force once capital

punishment was in place, saying erring law enforcers might take advantage of the situation through extortion. “The police have to be reformed. How can you have the death penalty if your police cannot be depended on?” Atienza said. He said the death penalty would be useless without the much-needed reforms in the police force. “Let’s not even talk about the death penalty under this condition,” Atienza said. Gamboa made his statement after Duterte, in his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address, renewed his call for Congress to pass a bill restoring the death penalty for heinous crimes linked to illegal drugs. “It has been the stand of the PNP that we are fully supportive of the imposition of the death penalty,” Gamboa said. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz

“The PNP believes that with this kind of imposition, there would be a deterrence to crime,” Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa told reporters in Camp Crame on the sidelines of the destruction of 800 kilograms of shabu seized in Bulacan. “When we apprehend foreigners, the first question is why they do it here, and it’s because of the absence of the death penalty.” Gamboa made his statement even as Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the death penalty could not be imposed on the seizure of a mere 50 grams of illegal drugs. “That cannot be. The present law says 200 grams is non-bailable, so how

do you impose the death penalty on 50 grams?” Sotto said. “If they insist, then forget the bill. Fifty grams is easy to plant!” Senator Grace Poe said the poor would be at risk with the re-imposition of the death penalty. Without the needed reforms in the justice system, she said, the poor with scant resources to wage a decent defense in court would be the ones at risk. “We have gone to great lengths to save lives and prevent more deaths during this COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “We must also protect the lives of the defenseless and disadvantaged from the

‘Major... From A1

DA confirms bird flu cases in Pampanga

“Things will not be the same,” Roque said in an interview with CNN Philippines. He said the government will focus on accelerating efforts to test, trace, isolate, and treat patients with COVID-19 to stem the transmission. “We acknowledge that the numbers are rising. We do say that what really matters is the mortality rate, and the mortality rate is below world average. We’re more or less around 2 percent. So we can’t say we’ve been an absolute failure,” Roque said. “We’ve been rather successful because we’ve limited mortality rate, and in the end that’s what matters – how many people perished because of the pandemic,” he said. Roque said the UP-OCTA research group that has been issuing grim forecasts on the number of infections also said there would have been 3.5 million more cases by now had the government not taken steps to slow the rate of infection. “The people will now see the difference in the response that we will have. It is now thoroughly invigorated and part of it is the built capacity,” he added. Roque also said more isolation facilities will be constructed for mild and asymptomatic patients and the government will use dormitories if that will not be enough. Roque said Metro Manila will be a “living experiment” in the government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and predicted it would be a successful one. Asked if the experiment will shift Metro Manila back to a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the Palace official declined to reply. The National Capital Region (NCR), home to more than 12 million people and contributor of a third of the country’s gross domestic product, is now under the more lenient general community quarantine (GCQ). But due to the continuous rise in COVID cases, the President earlier hinted that NCR may shift back to a stricter MECQ. Roqu said that “it will still be the case-doubling rate and critical care capacity that will determine Metro Manila’s fate whether it will stay in the general community quarantine (GCQ) status or be elevated to a stricter quarantine level.” “Our case doubling rate is fine. We’re now at 8.9. We actually improved because the longer the better,” he said.

Poor... From A1 group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) said Wednesday. The group observed that micro and small bakeries were badly hit by the crisis and most of them have closed shop. “Community bakers need support on how they can be able to recover, open and

Salceda’s... From A1 The bill defines digital service as “any service delivered or subscribed over the internet or other electronic network that cannot be obtained without the use of information technology.” Digital services include online licensing of software; mobile applications; video games; webcast and webinars; digital contents such as music, files, images, test and information; advertisement platforms; electronic marketplaces; search engine services; social network services; database and website hosting; online data warehousing; file sharing; cloud storage ser-

Duterte names Gapay as new military chief PHILIPPINE Army commander Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay has been named the next Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff with the upcoming retirement of Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr. on August 3. This was after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana forwarded a letter to reporters, signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and dated July 28 (Tuesday), which states that Gapay’s appointment will be effective on the same date. “I wish to inform you that per your endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chairman AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act 8186, as amended, the designation of Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapat 0-9473 Philippine Army as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice General Felimon T. Santos Jr PA 0-9540 PA is hereby approved effective August 3,” the letter said. Gapay, in a statement to reporters, expressed his thanks to the Chief Executive for his trust and confidence in appointing him as the next AFP chief. “I thank our Commander-in-Chief for his trust and confidence in giving me the opportunity to lead the Armed Forces of the Philippines in this trying time in our nation’s history. As your incoming Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we will build on the gains of our predecessors whose labors made the AFP an able agent for the betterment of our people and country,” he said. Gapay said they will continue to uphold their mandate to protect and secure our country against external and internal threats. “In doing so, we will remain accountable to the Filipino people. Because of this, we will continue to push for the modernization of our military to uphold our sovereignty and the integrity of our national territory,” he added. PNA

THE Department of Agriculture on Wednesday confirmed the detection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza or HPAI strain, specifically A(H5N6), in an egg-producing farm in San Luis, Pampanga. And after confirming the report, a composite team of veterinarians and animal health officials immediately applied control measures at the infected farm. “The team humanely culled a total of 38,701 layers and disposed of them properly, employing the protocols under the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the Philippine government,” an official said in a report to Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

“We commend the [Agriculture] team for its strong partnership with the local government officials and veterinarians in Pampanga for successfully managing, controlling and containing the bird flu incidence in San Luis,” Dar said. All personnel involved in the disease control measures were strictly monitored by the health office of San Luis, Bureau of Animal Industry Director Ronnie Domingo said. He assured the public that the A(H5N6) had not been reported and detected among broilers, the primary source of poultry meat. Domingo said early reporting, detection and strong multi-agency collaboration

paved the way for the rapid and effective response in the management of the incidence. Initial investigation showed the presence in San Luis of migratory birds, which has been associated with the bird flu outbreaks in many countries including the Philippines. Domingo said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had identified 117 important bird areas in the country, and that about 150,000 migratory birds nest and breed annually in Central Luzon. As a result, he urged poultry raisers in Central Luzon to protect and shield their farms from migratory birds.

Virus... From A1

citement, well, you got what you wanted,” he said. On Monday, UP researchers once again adjusted their projection, as they warned that the Philippines could record up to 90,000 cases by the end of July. They also cautioned that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country could reach 140,000 by the end of August. Despite his admission, Roque remained optimistic that the country can still beat UP’s predictions. “We should always aim to beat the forecast because we have the tools,” he said. Roque said it is still possible to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country since the government was able to do it in Cebu City, which is the only area in the country that is currently under modified enhanced community quarantine. “It can happen because it happened in Cebu already, that they were able to reduce the transmission. And since Cebu was able to do it, we should be able to do it in Metro Manila as well,” he said. Of the 56,528 active cases, 90 percent have mild symptoms, 9 percent are asymptomatic, 0.5 percent have severe symptoms, and 0.4 percent are in critical condition, health officials said. Of the latest additional cases, 728 are from Metro Manila, 325 are from Cebu province, 130 are from Laguna, 67 are from Iloilo, and 53 are from Rizal. The data came from 83 out of 91 operational testing laboratories.

Also on Wednesday, a Chinese foreign ministry official said the Philippines would be a priority once China has developed a vaccine. “The Philippines is a friendly close neighbor and we will give priority to its needs once we succeed in developing a vaccine,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, in a virtual press conference on Wednesday. Wang made the assurance after President Rodrigo Duterte told Filipinos in his State of the Nation Address that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to prioritize the Philippines once China develops a vaccine. Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Wednesday said “time is ticking” for the DOH as he urged the agency to move as quickly as possible to prevent the collapse of the country’s healthcare system. He warned that once hospitals are overwhelmed, the country would face devastating consequences. He raised alarm over the state of the country’s health care system after the DOH reported that hospitals, particularly in Metro Manila, are about to reach the “danger zone” as 82.2 percent of their total COVID-19 bed capacity are already occupied. “It’s a cause for alarm. Hospital beds are running out. Patients were dying while waiting for hospital beds. Patients are already spreading the virus while waiting for their test results,” Drilon said in a statement on Wednesday. With Rey E. Requejo, Jessica Bacud and PNA

department. And as Budget secretary in 2018, Diokno was the 316th top-earning government official with P3.44 million. Apart from Macadaeg’s P19.63 million in total compensation as UCPB president, the commission’s report showed that he also

received allowances for sitting in the board of subsidiaries of government-owned and -controlled corporations, with P423,000 from UCPB Savings Bank Inc., P270,000 from UCPB Leasing and Finance Corp., and P18,000 from UCPB Securities Inc. The Commission on Audit’s 2019 list ranked 8,930 government officials based on their basic salaries, honoraria, allowances, bonuses and incentives,

and discretionary or extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses. Also in the list were the principal officers and members of the governing boards of government-owned or -controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, department secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and other officials of equivalent ranks from national government agencies.

get back to their feet soon. Maybe we can institutionalize rolling stores or mobile Kadiwa stores that sell branded bread as well as the Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal direct to the community,” said LKI president Victorio Dimagiba. He suggested an innovative program, what he calls “Borrow and Loan Program” in the bread sector. The program means “give and take,” he added. The program will involve the participa-

tion of big players and brands in the bread industry such as Gardenia, French Baker, Sari Roti and Marby as well as flour millers San Miguel, Concepcion, Foremost, and Liberty to extend assistance for the recovery of the bread and bakery industry. “They should be able to share the rich resources and treasures in this lingering pandemic that hits the micro and small community bakeries in the country,” Dimagiba said.

Big players can share training and expertise, pro bono, to smaller bakers, he proposed. Dimagiba also called on bigger companies to increase the production and market share of Pinoy tasty and Pinoy pandesal, which are priced cheaper than premium brands. over their own brands. LKI is also shelving any plea for a price rollback of bread products amid the shutdown and closure of micro and small bakeries.

to reconcile the chambers’ figures and come up with a final version for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature. Bayanihan 2 would give the government additional funds to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but the chambers’ respective proposals are still P22 billion apart. Senate Bill 1564 provides for a total ₱140 billion standby fund for socioeconomic and health programs, while the House version, House Bill 6953, proposes a P162 billion standby fund to be used to support operations and response measures to address the COVID-19 crisis. Although Salceda said congressmen have proposed the same areas to be funded by the government as in the senators’ measure, they differ in the amounts to devote to several areas. The House version of Bayanihan 2 bill provides: -- P12 billion for the procurement of PCR testing and extraction kits, supplies and materials for COVID-19 testing and for the enhancement of DOH capacity to provide healthcare services (compared to P10 billion in the Senate version); -- P18 billion for the implementation of cash-for-work program and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) (P15 billion in Senate version); -- P5 billion for the implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); -- P21 billion for unemployment or involuntary separation assistance to the displaced workers in health, education, tourism, culture and arts, creative industry, transportation and other sectors affected by the pandemic (P17 billion in Senate version);

nies and other big enterprises “to take the extra mile” in assisting their workers during the crisis situation, instead of resorting to retrenchment amid the work stoppages, suspension of public transportation and restricted movement of people in the communities. Bello likewise proposed subsidies for employers to avoid further job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is studying a subsidy that would cover 25 to 50 percent of a company’s payroll on the condition that employers avoid retrenchment, he said. The number of jobless Filipinos grew to 7.3 million in April as the unemployment rate surged to 17.7 percent at the height of the coronavirus lockdown. Bello reminded employers that since

government required non-essential establishments to physically close down their workplaces during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), only companies that did not adopt Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) and are legally required to temporarily close and/or suspend their operations are not required to pay salaries during the closure period, consistent with the principle of “no work no pay.” “While such establishments were effectively placed on temporary closure by the ECQ, it is advised that such establishments report their temporary closures with the appropriate DOLE Office using the Establishment Report on COVID-19 prescribed under the COVID-19 Flexi-Work Advisory,” Bello said in a memorandum order.

year, tallied 84,060 cases as of Wednesday morning, according to the World Health Organization - Western Pacific Region office. Cases in China’s special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau were logged separately. In a July 16 forecast, researchers from UP said the number of infections in the Philippines may reach past 85,000 by the end of July, with 2,000 deaths, based on the prevailing rate of reproduction of cases. The Department of Health (DOH) also reported 388 additional recovered patients on Wednesday, or a total of 26,996 recoveries. Sixteen new deaths were reported, bringing total fatalities to 1,962. Roque had rejoiced in June over the Philippines’ “small victory” after the country disproved UP’s projection of 40,000 COVID-19 cases by June 30. Researchers from UP initially projected in June that the country would likely hit 60,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of July, but later revised their projection to 85,000, considering the disease’s transmission rate and doubling time. Roque’s latest admission came as he reiterated that COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise because of the improved testing capacity. “To those who made fun of my ex-

UCPB... From A1

vices; internet-based telecommunication; online training; e-learning; online newspapers; journal subscriptions and payment processing The bill would amend sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 to impose taxes on transactions done online. Salceda said the bill could generate P10.66 billion in revenues once enacted, but small businesses would continue to be VAT-exempt. “If your sales are below P3 million, you are exempt from paying or filing VAT,” Salceda said. “If your net income as a sole proprietor is below 250,000, you are exempt from paying and filing income taxes. So, the small Facebook online seller will not be taxed. I guarantee you.”

Employers... From A1 given not less than once every two weeks or twice within a month at intervals not exceeding 16 days. “We don’t agree with the payment of salaries in tranches,” she said in a virtual press briefing. Aragon said employees who report for work should receive what is due them every month or every 15 days. The DOLE official said the department is open to accept complaints of workers as well as suggestions of employers over the matter. Last month, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III called on private compa-

‘Bayanihan... From A1

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Chinese firm denies corruption charge By Vito Barcelo

FIXING THE CABLES. MMDA workers fix internet underground cables along Port Area in Manila as part of the government’s bid to improve and upgrade the country’s online presence in preparation for the upcoming school year, as internet providers Globe Telecoms and PLDT join forces in ensuring that the country can cope with the increasing demand for wireless connectivity. Lino Santos

Solons nix deeper ABS-CBN probe By Maricel V. Cruz

AWMAKERS have thumbed down proposals to conduct further congressional investigations against radio-broadcast network ABS-CBN after a congressiona committee rejected the network’s franchise renewal application earlier this month. Instead, Reps. Lito Atienza of Buhay, Edcel Lagman of Albay and Joy Tambunting of Parañaque City, proposed that a thorough review and discussion in plenary session be pursued to allow the

302-member chamber to participate and decide on the matter. “We have to discuss this first in the plenary. I don’t agree with the decision of the committee. It should be the plenary

that must decide and not just a technical working group approved by 70 members,” Atienza said in the weekly virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. Atienza’s statement came in response to various resolutions filed by Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, Cavite Rep. Boying Remulla and Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor pushing for separate investigations on the network’s alleged fake land title, its allege use of AMCARA as dummy and alleged P1.6billion loan condonation with Development Bank of the Philippines. Atienza also warned his fellow legislators who allegedly “abused their

power” that they would be held liable for their action against the network giant. “There are congressmen who should be held liable too. We should not allow abuse of authority here in Congress because the power is with the people. We can penalize them for abuse of power,” Atienza said. But he refused to name names. “In time, I would be able to tell them you abused your authority,” said Atienza. Lagman, for his part, said Congress is not the proper venue to resolve the matters raised in the resolutions filed by several lawmakers—who voted to reject the franchise application—seeking inquiries against the network.

Du30, Romualdez help R-VIII hospital SIXTY more emergency health workers from a regional hospital in Region VIII have benefitted from the joint initiative of the Duterte administration and the Romualdezes to boost economic activities in the region and recognize their heroism and sacrifices. The joint project of President Rodrigo Duterte, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Tingog partylist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez has now a total of 160 beneficiaries from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center. In collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense-Region 8 Chairman Lord Byron P. Torrecarion, the Romualdezes announced that 60 emergency medical personnel of the EVRMC Magsaysay and Cabalawan branches were given 30 rooms at the Madison Park Hotel in Tacloban City last July 25 where they will be accommodated for three months free of charge. “This is in recognition of our healthcare workers’ courageous stand to deliver the services needed by the people in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. Some of them even sacrificed their lives so that the sick and afflicted may live and many have remained committed to save lives by placing their own in peril,” the Romualdez couple said. “We are relentless and we will continue to double our efforts in collaboration with the Duterte administration to reopen the economy for the preservation of jobs, ensure medical frontliners’ protection and provide comfort for them to ease the fear, pressures and dangers of their profession. Our profound gratitude to all of them,” the two legislators added. Last July 17, the Romualdez couple and the OCD had provided 50 rooms for 100 emergency medical frontliners of the EVRMC Magsaysay and Cabalawan branches at the Leyte Park Hotel & Resort. The two offices of the Romualdez couple led by Tingog President Glenn Capucion, Majority Leader Romualdez’s chief of staff and Tingog secretary-general Rachel Rodeles Santiago and Majority Leader Romualdez’s district office head, lawyer Mark Stephen Reyes, and Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez’s chief of staff and Tingog second nominee Jude Acidere said they helped again the OCD identified the 60 beneficiaries. Maricel V. Cruz

INTERNET and social media personalities on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to declare Republic Act 11479 or the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020 as unconstitutional. In a 21st petition filed against ATA before the high court, the netizens who called themselves “Concerned Online Citizens” urged the SC to declare Sections 4 to 12, 25 to 27 and 29 as void and unconstitutional. The petitioners also pleaded the high court to restrain the government from im-

IN BRIEF BSP issues more ‘inclusive,’ secure banknotes THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched enhanced Philippine banknotes that are more responsive to the needs of the elderly and the visually impaired, and feature the latest anti-counterfeiting technology. “To further promote inclusivity and integrity in our currency, the BSP also took an opportunity to further improve our banknotes as part of global best practices and, at the same time, improve on its design and security features,” said BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno. The country’s New Generation Currency Banknote Series now in circulation was first issued in December 2010. Currency experts worldwide recommend improvements in security features and other enhancements every 10 years. To further refine on the current series’ design, the BSP added short horizontal lines that may be touched and felt at the right side of the banknotes. There will be one pair of these lines for the 50-Piso, two pairs for the 100-Piso, three for the 200-Piso, four for the 500-Piso, and five for the 1000-Piso. This is seen to assist the elderly and the visually impaired identify banknotes and distinguish one denomination from another. Julito Rada

Manila Water to address customers’ billing woes

NEW FRIGATE. A simple send-off ceremony was held officers and men of the Philippine Navy’s brand new frigate Jose Rizal at

Alava Wharf, SBMA in Zambales on July 29, as it departs for the RIMPAC 20 (Rim of the Pacific Exercise 20) in Hawaii, the largest joint and combined naval exercise among US and Asia-Pacific navies. Also joining RIMPAC 20 are members of the Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.5 who are onboard the newly-commissioned BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) along with a AW109 naval helicopter. The NTG 80.5 is headed by its FF150’s commanding officer, Capt. Jerry Garrido Jr. as the concurrent contingent commander, and complemented by surface, services and support components.

SMC plants 25k mangroves in Bulacan ‘PH deadliest for THE San Miguel Corporation has started planting 25,000 mangroves on 10 hectares of coastal area in Hagonoy, Bulacan—the first of a total 190,000 mangroves to be planted over 76-hectares in Bulacan and Central Luzon. The initiative is part of a massive, wide-ranging plan to address perennial flooding in the province, ahead of construction of the country’s newest and largest international gateway just north of Metro Manila. “This project is a major component of our strategy to help solve flooding in Bulacan once and for all. Mangroves are essential to protect against flooding” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang. “This effort is part of our larger floodmitigation strategy for Bulacan. The first is our P1-billion plan to dredge and cleanup the Tullahan-Tinajeros River system, which began earlier this year. This in-

volves cleaning major river systems and tributaries that have been clogged up with garbage and sediment for so many decades, preventing flood waters from draining into the Manila Bay,” he added. “But apart from cleaning and clearing major waterways, the planting of mangroves in strategic areas is also important, because it acts as the first line of defense against inundation for those living along the shorelines, whenever there are storms or strong tides. They are also key to maintaining the marine eco-system and water quality, as they are a natural habitat for marine species,” Ang said. In Hagonoy, Ang said the plan is to plant 10 hectares of coastal area in Bgy. Tibaguin with 25,000 mangrove seedlings, in order to help protect locals from floods brought on by the rainy season, tidal floods, and waters coming from the Pampanga basin.

Bloggers, netizens voice opposition to Anti-Terrorism Law By Rey E. Requejo

A CHINESE construction joint venture which bidded for three (3) multi-billion peso mega infrastructure projects in Mindanao denied engaging in corruption practices to bag several projects being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways. China State Construction Engineering Corp.-China Geo JV legal counsel Atty. Gerald A. Telebrico said that they were extremely “shocked” by the recent “groundless allegations” made by Jingxy Fu of China Gezhouba Group Corporation Ltd., which claimed the alleged corruption inside the DPWH has been going on amid coronavirus pandemic. Telebrico, who went to the Manila Standard office to debunk the alleged corruption, said that China Gezhouba Group Corporation Ltd. (CGGCL) has sent written letters to President Duterte and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, denying they have any person named Jingxy Fu as their employee and has no knowledge nor contact with the so called whistleblower to the corruption allegation at the DPWH. Telebrico said that the China State Construction Engineering Corp.-China Geo JV strictly abides by laws and regulations of the Philippines during its business operations in the Philippines and participates in the bidding for the infrastructure projects in strict accordance with procedures of the DPWH. Je said they did not give or release any amount nor promised any amount to any person to secure any project implemented by the DPWH.

plementing the law and promulgating its implementing rules and regulations. Apart from Mark Averilla, more popularly known as Macoy Dubs, among the other petitioners include Jover Laurio of the Pinoy Ako Blog, spoken word artist and film and television writer Juan Miguel Severo, and columnist Tonyo Cruz The petitioners said that they have their own experiences and stories of threats of prosecution, harassment from government officials, and the “chilling effect” on their followers and the public caused by “over-

ly broad, vague and dangerous provisions that could easily be abused and misused.” “Would the mere mention or reportage by petitioners, members of the media and the public in the online space of organizations and persons designated as ‘terrorist’ by executive officials make them liable under the law?” the petitioners asked. The social media personalities argued that ATA’s definition of terrorism, and consequently of its related crimes, is vague and overbroad, hampering the free exercise of fundamental rights.

land defenders’

THE Philippines was the deadliest country in Asia for land and environmental defenders again last year while slipping to second most dangerous in the world behind Colombia, a watchdog said Wednesday. A total of 43 defenders were killed in the archipelago—the vast majority on the fertile and resourcerich islands of Mindanao and Negros—compared with 30 in 2018, Global Witness said in a report. Nearly half of the killings recorded since President Rodrigo Duterte took power in 2016 have been linked to the armed forces or paramilitary groups, it said. Indigenous leaders, farmers and state employees charged with protecting the environment were among the victims. More than half the deaths were related to agribusiness, Global Witness said. Sixteen killings were linked to mining—the highest in the world. Nearly half of those killed lived on Mindanao, where the army has long maintained a heavy presence in the fight against communist and Muslim insurgents. The island was placed under martial law until the end of last year. Large numbers of defenders were also killed on Negros, a sugar-producing island in the central Philippines that is also heavily militarised and where activists have long campaigned for land reform to reduce inequality and poverty. AFP

MANILA Water on Wednesday said the company is willing to address billing concerns raised by consumers covering the months in quarantine. “We are currently preparing the letter of response to the notice to explain issued by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office on the alleged surge of customer complaints on water bills of their concessionaires,” Manila Water corporate strategic affairs group head Jeric Sevilla. The water company will craft pro-active measures it plans to offer to the Regulatory Office to remedy the remaining .03 percent of unresolved issues due to after-the-meter leaks. The company said it has always strived to respond and resolve customer concerns above and beyond regulatory standards and keep customer satisfaction on top of its priorities. Based on data gathered from June 1 to July 27, 2020, out of 1 million customers, only 7 percent or 73,588 sought clarification on their billing. Of these, 90 percent were resolved by the call center or by business area frontliners. Only 0.7 percent of customers, or 7,937, have cases that were endorsed for further handling and of these, while 6,246 were verified to have been billed based on actual consumption of customers. Othel Campos Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard

TODAY COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: To the rank of Major General Benedict M. Arevalo, AFP To the rank of Brigadier General Gerry E. Pulohanan, JAGS (GSC), Leonel M. Nicolas, PA (GSC), Ignatius N. Patrimonio, PA (GSC), Camilo C. Ligayo, PA (MNSA), Noel T. Baluyan, PA (GSC), Marion R. Sison, PA (GSC) and Zosimo A. Oliveros, PA (GSC) The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty - two (32) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 88342706 and 8551-1989. 29 July 2020. HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-JULY 30, 2020)

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

Frontliners get free flu shots

By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City government is providing frontliners and essential workers free flu and pneumonia shots to boost their immune system during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the immunization program would cover all 9,706 city hall employees, but she has ordered the Health Department to prioritize city doctors, nurses and health personnel. Also included were city workers en-

gaged in public safety, rescue, social welfare, sanitation and other essential services. “By immunizing our frontliners and essential work force against these two potentially deadly diseases of the res-

piratory system, we aim to strengthen their resistance to SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 infection,” she said. To date, some 5,130 frontliners and essential workers have received flu shots, and will be vaccinated for pneumonia in August. Binay said aside from the free flu and pneumonia vaccination, the city government is also offering free vitamins, including Vitamin C and Bcomplex, to personnel who have been reporting for duty even during the en-

hanced community quarantine. The trivalent flu shots that cover three strains of influenza (influenza A or H1N1, influenza A or H3N2, and influenza B) were first administered to frontliners at MHD, Ospital ng Makati, Veterinary Services Department, Department of Environmental Services, Makati Public Safety Department, Makati Action Center, Social Welfare Department, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Office of the Mayor, and Finance Department.

Calamba landfill shut down By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources has shut down a sanitary landfill in Calamba City, Laguna for failure of its operator to comply with the terms and conditions of its environmental compliance certificate. The agency’s Environmental Management Bureau recently served a cease-and-desist order on a 6.6-hectare sanitary landfill facility operated by S.B. Hain Enterprises and General Services Inc. in Barangay Kay-Anlog. Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda said the CDO was issued against the landfill due to “numerous violations of the terms and conditions of its ECC granted by the EMB.” “We cannot allow the landfill and its operator to continuously harm the environment. The Calamba SLF will remain closed until violations are corrected,” he said. The order signed by acting EMB director William Cuñado was based on the report submitted by a team of EMB inspectors that found the landfill to have violated nine out of 26 conditions in its ECC following an inspection of the facility last July 13. The Calamba facility is operating as a Category 4 SLF, the highest category sanitary landfill and biggest in terms of capacity, allowing it to accommodate residual waste of less than or equal to 250 metric tons The Calamba facility started as a category 1 sanitary landfill facility with the issuance of its ECC on July 30, 2018, covering an area of 1.2 hectares at the same site but with a lower daily maximum waste input of 15 metric tons.

AS THE country takes recovery measures, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) is offering a new lending program to finance development and innovative projects of Local Government Units (LGUs) to help rebuild their communities. LandBank has earmarked P10 billion for the RISE UP LGUs Lending Program available for provincial, city and municipal LGUs. RISE UP LGUs stands for Restoration and Invigoration package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs. The program was virtually launched July 29 during the regular meeting of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the umbrella organization of all leagues of LGUs and locally elected government officials in the country. LandBank President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo and ULAP National President Government Dakila Carlo Cua led the virtual program launch, and participated in by ULAP member-Leagues and officers including, among others, League of Provinces of the Philippines National President Governor Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., League of Cities of the Philippines National President Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and League of Municipalities of the Philippines National President Mayor Luis Singson. “The ongoing public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of LGUs in managing the effects of unforeseen catastrophes. We hope that the LamdBank RISE UP LGUs Program will help them better serve their constituents and communities, while developing a stronger local economy that can withstand future crises,” Borromeo said.

CIAC defers lease rentals of locators RECOGNIZED. Nagcarlan, Laguna Mayor Lourdes 'Ody' Arcasetas (right) receives the certificate of recognition for the Outstanding Civilian Category 2020 for a local government unit from the Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) headed by Laguna Provincial Director PCol. Serafin Petalio (left) during the 25th Police-Community Relations (PCR) Awarding on Monday at Kampo Heneral Paciano Rizal in Bagumbayan, Sta Cruz, Laguna. Roy Tomandao

Las Piñas gov’t registers 654 recoveries THE Las Piñas City government reported that 151 COVID-19 patients had recovered on Wednesday, bringing to 654 the total number of recoveries in the city. Mayor Imelda Aguilar said most of those recovered patients came from Barangay Pulanglupa Uno (with 25 recoveries) followed by Barangay Manuyo Dos (12) and Talon Dos (12). Others came from Almanza Uno, Almanza Dos, CAA, Daniel Fajardo,

Manuyo Uno, Pamplona Tres, Pilar, Elias Aldana, Pulanglupa Dos, and Talon Kuwatro. As of Wednesday, the city recorded 999 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 654 recoveries and 53 deaths. Of the 999 cases, 292 were described as active. Aguilar said the city government and the Las Piñas City Health Office continued to combat the spread of the deadly virus with the help of communi-

ty leaders and the residents' compliance to the health protocols. Aguilar continues to appeal to residents to just stay home if they don’t have any official business outside. She said the city government was also continuing its expanded targeted testing at the Ligtas Center located at Daniel Fajardo Fajardo to those with symptoms and with possible exposure to patients affected with the virus. Joel E. Zurbano

400 Caloocan COVID contact tracers on 4-day full training By Jun David A FOUR-DAY contract tracing training was conducted in Caloocan City ending Sunday attended by new contact tracers like psychologists, encoders and volunteers from various departments; dentists and nurses assigned to health centers; and Barangay

Health Emergency Response Team from the barangays. The 400 new contact tracers were taught how to properly communicate or interview Caloocan residents who tested positive from COVID-19. The main job of the new contact tracers is to find the close encounters of the COVID-19 patient in the city and find

Toyota supports Santa Rosa TOYOTA Motor Philippines, continuing its continuing support to the mobility needs of health care workers at the forefront of pandemic response, recently donated three Vios units to the city government of Santa Rosa, Laguna. In a statement, Toyota said this donation formed part of the 30 total units it committed to various Department of Health hospitals and local government units. These three vehicles, assembled in TMP’s Santa Rosa manufacturing/ assembly plant, will serve as service shuttles for Santa Rosa Community Hospital and two health offices of the city government. Santa Rosa City mayor Arlene Arcillas personally received the three Vios units during a simple turnover ceremony at the Toyota Santa Rosa City, Laguna dealership. On top of the donation of the Vios units, Toyota said it had been providing support to the City’s pandemic

LandBank rolls out P10-b loan

response through mobility and socio-civic activities. At the start of community quarantine in May, TMP lent Toyota vehicles to assist in the transportation needs of the city’s health care workers. The company’s official humanitarian arm, Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation, also donated various personal protective equipment primarily needed by the front liners of SRCH. TMPF also distributed sacks of rice to two barangays, as well as grocery packages to families in the Toyota–City of Santa Rosa–Gawad Kalinga Village, Toyota said in its statement. With the resumption of its manufacturing operations, TMP assured its Team Members and the local community of its strict observance to health and safety protocols to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

out their activities from the day he or she felt the symptoms or from the day he or she underwent swab testing. "Aggressive contact tracing is what we do because it is one of the keys to quickly identify those who have encountered patients with COVID-19 so as to prevent its spread," said Mayor Oscar Malapitan.

According to Malapitan, people who came in contact with those who tested positive for the disease or so-called "close contact" would also undergo immediate swab testing. Swab testing is provided free of charge to Caloocan residents to ensure that that the virus will not be passed on to more people, officials said.

CLARK Freeport—The Clark International Airport Corp. announced on Tuesday it was deferring the collection of lease rentals of its locators in direct response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal during his recent State of the Nation Address for government agencies to assist the business sector adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We currently have about 45 locators and we told them that they don’t have to right now pay their rentals for the months of April to June this year, and they also do not need to worry about paying any interests or penalties on delayed payments,” CIAC president Aaron Aquino said. According to Aquino, the ECQ and GCQ were imposed inside Clark Freeport Zone during the months of April to June. “We hope this policy will serve as a springboard for businesses here at the aviation complex to promptly recover from the sudden business disruption and income loss caused by the pandemic,” Aquino added. CIAC’s newest policy to grant assistance to its locators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic follows Duterte’s another call to lawmakers to finalize the Bayanihan II Act, a recent measure to finance government-initiated programs to help businesses, employees and marginalized members of society to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

DONATIONS.

Medical frontliners of Santa Rosa Community Hospital receive PPEs donated by Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation. Later, City of Santa Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas (left, inset) and TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto stand beside one of three Vios cars donated by the foundation.

Opinion Incredible response

We would have thought that the Philippine National Police (PNP) would know that by now. We still remember how the PNP chief in 2017, now Senator Ronald dela Rosa, initially justified the police execution of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, a high school student, in a dark alley in Caloocan City on Aug. 16. Instead of holding his men accountable, Dela Rosa at the time blamed the victim’s parents, and claimed that he was a drug courier for his father and uncles. We recall, too, that the police report on the incident was an outright lie, claiming that the defenseless teenager had shot at the police first. CCTV footage and witness accounts said otherwise. Two years later, this lie was conclusively laid to rest when a Caloocan court sentenced three city policemen

to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering Delos Santos during an anti-drug operation. Now, another PNP chief is playing the same denial game.

We don’t mean that in a good way. After being called out on a raid in the town of Pandi in Bulacan, in which police seized thousands of copies of a magazine critical of the government, PNP chief Police General Archie Gamboa turned to the default response—deny everything. The targeted group Kadamay issued a statement recounting the events of the raid and denounced the police action on Sunday, but Gamboa, in knee-jerk fashion, blindly supported his men’s questionable account. Quoting a report from his men, the PNP chief said no raid happened because the “subversive” magazines and materials that Pandi police loaded into their van that Sunday were surrendered.

In a separate press briefing at Camp Olivas, the regional police headquarters in Pampanga province, Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Central Luzon police director, said the chapter president of the urban rights group Kadamay had “voluntarily” told police about the magazines. “There was no raid. [The magazines] were voluntarily surrendered to the police,” Sermonia said. He said Maralit feared that the magazines and materials would be used during the State of the Nation Address of President Duterte. He said Maralit had expressed her group’s support for the government’s program of ending the insurgency. If the PNP chief accepts this account of events without question, we have a bridge we’d like to sell him. On the other hand, if he is trying to cover up what is clearly a violation by his men of press freedom, then he is complicit in violating the Constitution. Either way, the police response is incredible. And we don’t mean that in a good way.

Allegations of corruption at PhilHealth THERE is a saying that when there is smoke, there is fire. The smoke coming from PhilHealth is such that it can no longer be ignored. The President has already taken note of the issue and the Senate has come out with a resolution to investigate the allegations from a whistleblower, lawyer Thorsson Montes Keith, who used to work with PhilHealth. It might as well be because the only way to get to the bottom of this issue, once and for all, is to conduct an impartial investigation. Who is right and who is wrong cannot be settled in the media in this case. As we all know, this is not the first time that the agency has been embroiled in a corruption controversy. It was not that long ago that PhilHealth was rocked with the Well Med Dialysis Center scandal that resulted in the President’s appointment of Ricardo Morales, another retired military officer as the new Chief Executive Officer of the agency. What is it about PhilHealth that it seems to be jumping from one scandal to another? If these allegations turn out to be true, I doubt that PhilHealth could survive another problem of this magnitude. It will mark its end and even result in the creation of a new organization. I am not familiar with the management style of Morales. I have never met him. The only information that I was able to gather is that he belongs to the PMA class of 1977, comes from Davao, and was part of some “military adventures” in the past. When he took over the reins of PhilHealth, he did not bring anyone close to him and did not make drastic changes in the agency. In fact, not much was heard from him until the pandemic started, followed by this new corruption allegations.

DUTY CALLS

FLORENCIO FIANZA Morales initially said that these new allegations were from a disgruntled employee who was not appointed to a new position. The issue, however, refused to die and Morales had to challenge Keith to come out with specifics. Keith obliged. He mentioned the release of hundreds of millions of pesos

What is with this scandal-prone agency? to hospitals with no or very few COVID-19 patients. The money is apparently part of a P30-billion government fund intended for hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients throughout the country. Morales has confirmed this but gave the reason that since PhilHealth did not know how the virus would spread throughout the country, it played safe by distributing the money to hundreds of hospitals in order for these medical facilities to be ready to handle patients when needed. It was a shotgun solution which shows the kind of planning expertise that the agency is capable of. As it turned out, many of these hospitals ended up with no COVID-19 patients at all—but they are apparently still keeping the money. The agency's projections therefore were way off the mark. It should per-

haps been better for PhilHealth planners to have prioritized hospitals in congested urban centers and not treat all hospitals in the same way. What happens to the money given to hospitals with no COVID-19 patients? Keith is also alleging that the funds intended for hospitals are being treated as intelligence funds. PhilHealth is vehemently denying this. Since the amount mentioned is so huge, the public is entitled to know where the money went and how it was spent. Keith did not elaborate regarding regulations on how much each hospital can receive or whether it is uniform or discretionary on the part of PhilHealth. Another issue mentioned is the splitting of contracts but the way this was explained in the media was not very clear. In the government, agencies split contracts when the contract price goes beyond the signing authority of the head of an agency. In this case, the contracts were probably split so that the contract did not have to be forwarded to a higher authority for signing. If this turns out to be true, then PhilHealth will have a lot of explaining to do. Senator Ping Lacson has been itching for a Senate hearing. Now, he will have the opportunity to question Health Secretary Francisco Duque who happens to be the Chairman of PhilHealth; he was invited as a resource person. For the institution’s sake, I hope that this hearing will turn to be just a lot of smoke as PhilHeath is saying and just coming from an employee that has an axe to grind. But one never knows what can come out in such proceedings. The outcome might surprise us—and that is why it is important to do it.

On the President’s SONA on the West Philippine Sea By Ambassador Albert del Rosario Chair, Stratbase ADR Institute DURING the President’s State of the Nation Address on July 27, 2020, our President admitted that there was nothing he could do against China’s unlawful incursions into our West Philippine Sea. In his own words, our President said he is “inutile” and “cannot do anything” as China continues to take away what is ours. In retrospect, we trusted our President and relied on his promise that he will invoke and enforce the UNCLOS Award, as part of his constitutional duty, as the Commander-in-Chief of our Army, to protect our national territory, including our waters and seas. It therefore falls on us citizens and our patriotic officials in government to protect our nation’s patrimony for the benefit of our forefathers who defended it; and for benefit of future generations of Filipinos. Despite our President’s admission that he “cannot do anything” to protect the West Philippine Sea, we Filipinos should contin-

ue to stand for what is right and to defend what is rightfully and legitimately ours under the Rule of Law. We should continue to ally ourselves with countries which share our democratic values and respect for the Rule of Law to be able to stand up to a bully like China. Finally, in addressing the most critical security issue in our region, our country, along with like-minded states, should continue to assert that “right is might” and that international law is the great equalizer among states. Since the Award was issued four years ago, the Philippines—as the main beneficiary of the Award—has not been realizing the gains brought by the Award for the Filipino people. However, it is not too late. We must not be willing victims by acquiescing to China’s blatant violation of the Rule of Law. We must not be silent as silence encourages further aggression into our lands and seas. As we ordinary citizens continue to protect what is ours, we humbly beseech our government to help us in this endeavor. At the very least, our government should not stand in the way of Filipinos legitimately protecting their own lands and waters.

ManilaStandard

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Planting the seeds of recovery

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THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

No oligarchy where there is no collusion

EDITORIAL

ENYING obvious wrongdoing does nothing to enhance a person’s credibility.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BUSINESS CLASS

RUDY ROMERO THE economy of any modern-day country may be said to be composed of two parts. The first part is composed of the largest business establishments—those with the highest net worth, the greatest sales revenue, the largest workforces, the highest number of branches, etc.

Success does not make a businessman an oligarch. The other part is the rest of the economy—what in policymaking circles is conveniently referred to as the MSMEs or micro, small and medium enterprises. The regulator of corporations in this country, the Securities and Exchange Commission, maintains a list of the Top 1,000 Philippine corporations. Years ago, the firstrate but now-defunct business newspaper Business Day annually published a similar listing. For economic analysts and historians of the Philippine economy, such lists are extremely useful because they make easier the job of tracking the character and direction of the Philippine economy’s development. Unfortunately, such lists have a downside to then. In the hands of untrained and undiscerning people, they can be used to produce unwarranted and perverse conclusions. The corporations at the top of such lists come to be, in such hands, characterized as controllers and manipulators of the Philippine economy—in short, as oligarchs. Thus, the Top 10 corporations in the list become the nation’s ten oligarchs, the Top 50 emerge as its 50 oligarchs, and so on. This, of course, is absurd. Success in business in not synonymous with membership in an oligarchy, and being successful does not make a businessman an oligarch. There is no automatic connection between oligarchy and business success. The majority of business enterprises achieve success not because they are oligarchs but because they set out with a good business plan, were well-financed and increasingly observed good management practices.

The essence of oligarchic behavior is collusion. To be able to achieve what President Duterte has charged this country’s leading business establishments of doing—control and manipulation of the Philippine economy—there has to be collusion. Oligarchs are colluders; away from the public gaze, they divide markets, set prices, and agree on directions that they want government policy to take. There appears to be no evidence of that kind of activity on the art of the corporations that Mr. Duterte has tagged as oligarchs. The opposite of collusion is lawful and transparent cooperation. A prime example of the latter is the decision of seven of this country’s largest business establishments to get together and agree on a joint proposal to the government for the renovation and expansion of the nation’s premier international gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport The seven corporations made the offer to ease the pressure on the government’s infrastructure budget. And there have been numerous other instances where the nation’s largest businesses have banded together to help the government cope with disaster or an emergency. The foregoing discussion is by no means intended to suggest that a country’s top business establishments never behave in oligarchic fashion. Some of them have been known to collude in an effort to control or manipulate the national economy through market diversion in the manner of the Mafia—price-rigging, supply limitation and related practices. This kind of corporate behavior is difficult to arrange and is fraught with danger. In what is perhaps the most celebrated case of an oligarchic maneuver gone wrong, US government agents swooped down, in the 1950s, on a clandestine meeting of the executives of the top American electrical equipment manufacturers and charged their companies wth conspiring to rig the prices of electrical equipment. The essence of economic conspiracy— assuming, for the sake of argument, that one exists in this country—is acting in concert. To be able to control or manipulate the Philippine economy, the oligarchs must collude, conspire and confabulate. No Philippine corporation, no matter how large, can single-handedly do the job of controlling or manipulating this country’s economy. Thus far, there is no showing that the corporations tagged by President Duterte as oligarchs have acted in concert or have aspired to control or manipulate the Philippine economy.

Reiterating policy directions and public needs OVERSIGHT

DANILO SUAREZ UNLIKE previous State of the Nation Addresses, the President’s fifth Sona was delivered under extraordinary circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic has evidently put a strain on the Filipino’s ordinary course of living. Our country’s growth and development have been affected. In light of the situation, the President’s address, in a nutshell, focused on the adaptation to the new normal and the government’s strategies toward national recovery. The Sona acknowledged the reality that, apart from COVID-19, various issues that beset the country remain. In fact, addressing these issues prove to be more crucial than ever today. In his speech, the President called out the subpar performance of telecommunication companies in the country, particularly the two major players in the industry. This issue on the poor quality of the telecommunications in the country has been constantly investigated and debated since I was in Congress. I, along with my colleagues in the Minority bloc back then, have repeatedly called for Globe and Smart to address the countless and recurring complaints of its subscribers— dropped calls, static lines, dead spots, weak signal and slow internet connectivity, among others. These companies are part of giant corporations which make huge amounts of money. While businesses are expected to profit, the quality of their services which are imbued with public interest should be mutually acceptable and efficient. Now that we are mostly relying on the internet for remote transactions, work-fromhome, and virtual learning, reliable internet service is crucial. Sooner or later, should these companies fail to address their poor services, as was our concern in several Congresses past, the Legislative may exercise

their constitutional authority to deny renewal or revoke their legislative franchises. While we do not wish this to happen, I echo the sentiments of our President and urge these companies to step up—or step out.

The President’s Sona marks a new course for the country. The President also made mention of the establishment of the coconut levy trust fund which we have pushed during the 17th Congress. While the provisions of the previous bill have not been amenable to the Executive, our present legislators should expedite the reconciliation of the conflicting and dangerous provisions in the bill in order to start rehabilitation and improvement of our coconut industry at the soonest possible time. As governor of Quezon Province where coconuts are one of the primary agricultural products, I think I can speak on behalf of our coconut farmers that the release and utilization of the coconut levy funds is very much sought. Our coconut trees are already getting old, and many of them were damaged by previous typhoons and have not been replaced yet. Hence, replanting coconut trees is greatly necessary to help our coconut farmers, especially since the pandemic has taken its toll on their livelihood. With this, I urge our legislators to act swiftly on these legislative measures for an inclusive economic recovery. The President’s Sona marks a new course for the country. We are guided by the administration’s policy agenda that will uplift the lives of the Filipinos and ease the country out of this crisis. I am hopeful that as we take steps in addressing each issue presented by the President, we get closer to our pre-COVID economic state and even record accelerated growth as a mark of our continued progress.

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

World

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Anger rises over HK university sacking activist HONG KONG—A prominent Hong Kong democracy activist on Wednesday vowed to appeal his sacking by a top university as city leaders and education chiefs were accused of failing to defend academic freedoms under Beijing’s tightening grip. Law professor Benny Tai, 56, said he was sacked on Tuesday by a disciplinary committee at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) after he was jailed last year for taking part in pro-democracy protests. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Tai said he would appeal the university’s decision and consider launching a judicial review. He also made a personal appeal to city leader Carrie Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee. “Though I know this is a futile process, Carrie Lam cannot evade... her responsibility of infringing Hong Kong’s academic freedom,” Tai wrote. “There is clear evidence that a power beyond the University has overturned the decision of the University,” he said, a reference to Beijing. Tai is a leading figure within Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. AFP

Tech titans to defend success S

AN FRANCISCO—Leaders of the world’s four most powerful companies will defend the Internet giants, painting them as US success stories in a fiercely competitive world during a major antitrust hearing Wednesday. The unprecedented hearing will feature chief executives Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sundar Pichai of Google and its parent firm Alphabet. The CEOs will testify remotely at the hearing, which comes less than 100 days before the US election. Zuckerberg is to say that the internet giant would not have succeeded without US

laws fostering competition, but that the rules of the internet now need updating. “Facebook is a proudly American company,” Zuckerberg said in prepared remarks ahead of what will be a closely watched House Judiciary Committee hearing. “Our story would not have been possible without US laws that encourage competition and innovation.” Bezos will paint online giant Amazon

as an American “success” story, while accepting a need for scrutiny. “I believe Amazon should be scrutinized,” Bezos said in prepared remarks posted online ahead of the hearing. But he struck a defiant note, too, saying that “when you look in the mirror, assess the criticism, and still believe you’re doing the right thing, no force in the world should be able to move you.” It will be the first time Bezos has testified before Congress. Zuckerberg acknowledged “concerns about the size and perceived power that tech companies have.” “That’s why I’ve called for a more ac-

tive role for governments and regulators and updated rules for the internet.” Pichai will highlight how Alphabet is helping America solidify its position as the global leader of budding technologies such artificial intelligence and selfdriving cars. “Just as American leadership in these areas is not inevitable, we know Google’s continued success is not guaranteed,” Pichai said in prepared remarks. “Google operates in highly competitive and dynamic global markets.” Pichai will also point out that people have many options other than Google for online searches. AFP

Trump touting fishy theories on coronavirus WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s much heralded new tone on the coronavirus pandemic evaporated Tuesday in a burst of misleading medical speculation, criticism for his own top virus expert, and praise for an eccentric preacher-doctor touting conspiracy theories. Just a week ago, Trump sought to get his shaky reelection campaign back on track by addressing national criticism of a leadership void in a crisis that has already killed nearly 150,000 Americans and wreaked havoc on the world’s biggest economy. The president admitted things were going to “get worse before they get better.” He indicated he was embracing the science. He finally urged the wearing of masks. But at a press conference in the White House on Tuesday, it was the old Trump in full. He said it was unfair that the leading US infectious diseases specialist Anthony Fauci was more popular than him. “Nobody likes me,” he said. He pushed his pet theory—counter to advice from his own government and most doctors—that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine can be used to treat COVID-19 patients. “Many doctors think it’s extremely successful.” AFP

ROOM WITH A VIEW. Image courtesy of Virgin Galactic obtained July 28 shows the cabin interior of its first SpaceshipTwo vehicle, VSS Unity in a virtual livestreamed event on Tuesday. Each seat has been engineered to match the dynamism of the flight. A pilot-controlled recline mechanism optimally positions astronauts to manage G-forces on boost and reentry and frees up cabin space to maximize an unrestricted astronaut float zone when in zero gravity. AFP

Virgin Galactic gives peek at spacecraft cabin WASHINGTON—The Virgin Galactic spaceship that will someday carry very moneyed tourists boasts windows and cameras galore for easy selfies with planet Earth. The company, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, provided a virtual tour Tuesday of the inside of the ship that will transport people willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a brief taste of being at the edge of space. Besides all the windows and cameras, the craft will have a mirror in the back of the cabin so people can admire themselves. There is no firm date for the first commercial flight and the company has repeatedly pushed it back, but executives said recently it is a question of months

and not years away. Several test flights must still be made before Branson himself steps aboard. The inside of the cabin, which will have seats for six passengers and a twomember crew, will feature 12 windows and 16 cameras. It is designed to give the best possible view of our planet. An AFP reporter made a remote tour of the spacecraft with a virtual reality headset provided by the company. Each seat is close to a large oval-shaped porthole, and a camera is attached to each window in such a way that passengers can be photographed with Earth behind them, with no need to take a selfie of their own. The travelers can unbuckle their seat-

belts and float. Portholes in the ceiling will give them a spectacular view of the blue planet standing out against a jet black sky. So far, 600 people who have paid up to $250,000—Virgin Galactic calls them “future astronauts”—have been waiting for years to take their seat on SpaceShipTwo. Its development has been delayed by a devastating crash of the first one in 2014 due to a pilot error. The spacecraft will be taken up by a special plane and released in high altitude. Seconds later, the spaceship—part plane, part rocket—will ignite its engine and blast upward with an acceleration of 3.5 g, meaning three and a half times that of Earth’s gravitational force. AFP

WASHINGTON—The United States and Australia said Tuesday they will expand military cooperation as tensions soar with China, presenting a common front between the allies. Going ahead in Washington with annual talks despite the coronavirus pandemic, Australia’s foreign and defense ministers offered clear, if more mildly stated, support for a hawkish shift on China by President Donald Trump’s administration. “The United States knows the threats that you and the rest of the free world face. And the United States stands with you in our unbreakable alliance,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Australian ministers during a joint news conference. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper hailed the participation of five AustraPORT MORESBY—Papua New Guinea lian warships last week in exercises with ramped up coronavirus testing and rushed a US carrier strike group and a Japanese to build field hospitals on Wednesday afdestroyer in the Philippine Sea. ter an outbreak was found to have spread “These exercises not only bolster beyond its locked-down capital. interoperability, but also send a clear More than 70 people have been isosignal to Beijing that we will fly, we lated and contact tracing was underway will sail and we will operate wherever at four hotels in the second city of Lae, international law allows and defend the after a health conference attendee tested rights of our allies and partners to do the positive for COVID-19, the provincial same,” Esper said. health authority said. Australian Defense Minister Linda It was the first infection detected in Reynolds said the two countries will the city. build ties across a slew of defense areas Papua New Guinea is among the including hypersonic, electronic and poorest countries in the Pacific and space-based warfare. had until recently been spared a serious The cooperation will “strengthen our coronavirus outbreak. shared ability to contribute to regional A lockdown was ordered from Tuessecurity and to deter malign behavior in day in the capital, Port Moresby, where our region,” she said. BLACK almost all of the country’s 63 confirmed CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW In a joint statement, the ministers said cases have come in the past 10 days. they discussed expanding operations in Overnight buses were running as the northern Australian city of Darwin, usual, however, and crowds gathered on where US Marines have been rotating in pavements, with few wearing masks. since 2012 under an initiative of former Experts fear low levels of testing president Barack Obama. mean a significant cluster of cases in the The United States will establish a capital could go unnoticed and spread to military fuel reserve in Darwin and the other areas. allies will consider exercises there with About 10,000 tests have been carried like-minded countries—a likely referout in the country of just under nine milence to Japan and India. lion since the epidemic began, accordIn one step that had been too far, Ausing to government figures, and only one tralia last year said it would not serve as a in three positive cases can be linked to a base for US intermediate-range missiles— known outbreak. widely seen as a way to target China. Many samples have to be sent to SinEsper, asked if Australia had warmed gapore or Australia to be confirmed. to the missiles, said the allies had a “full With the country’s only designated suite of capabilities and strategies we isolation ward almost full, two sports faintend to roll out together in the years cilities have been earmarked to become ahead.” AFP makeshift virus wards. AFP

Papua outbreak spreads beyond capital Moresby

EMPTY SHRINE. This picture taken on July 28 shows a view of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage, with rings laid in place around it to separate pilgrims as part of social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. AFP Manila

Standard

TODAY

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that EEI POWER CORPORATION is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as Renewable Energy Developer of Solar Energy Resources (5MWp Bolinao Solar PV Power Plant) in Barangay Culang and Tara, Bolinao, Pangasinan to avail of the incentives under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (R.A. No. 9513). Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication/posting. (SGD) RAQUEL B. ECHAGUE OIC-Director Resource-Based Industries Service (MS-JULY 30, 2020)

Muslims begin downsized hajj pilgrimage MECCA—Muslim pilgrims on Wednesday begin the annual hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. But this year only up to 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will participate in the ritual, a tiny fraction of the 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world that attended last year.

“There are no security-related concerns in this pilgrimage, but (downsizing) is to protect pilgrims from the danger of the pandemic,” said Khalid bin Qarar Al-Harbi, Saudi Arabia’s director of public security. Pilgrims will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing during a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in the holy city of Mecca and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia. Those selected to take part in the hajj were subject to temperature checks and placed in quarantine as they began trickling into Mecca at the weekend. AFP

US, Australia eye military pact to stifle China

Business Japan’s ANA posted record loss of $1.04b in 2nd quarter TOKYO―Japanese airline ANA Holdings said Wednesday it saw a record quarterly loss worth one billion dollars as the coronavirus continues to hammer the global aviation industry with no clear end in sight. The company said its net loss during the April-June period came to 108.8 billion yen ($1.04 billion), its worst three-month return since it began issuing quarterly financial figures in 2003 and a sharp fall from 11.4 billion yen in profit a year ago. Its operating loss reached 159.0 billion yen, compared with an operating profit of 16.2 billion yen a year ago, with sales of 121.6 billion yen, down 75.7 percent. “Passenger demand for both international and domestic flights declined significantly, due to worldwide government travel restrictions and the declaration of the state of emergency from the Japanese government,” Ichiro Fukuzawa, chief financial officer of ANA Holdings, said in a statement. ANA has attempted to cut costs and take other measures to ease the damage, he said. “While we aggressively worked to offset lost revenue by catering to the increased demand for international cargo transportation... we were unable to offset the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 and ended with a large quarterly loss,” he said. ANA did not issue annual forecasts due to high uncertainty involving the outlook of the pandemic. The company reduced its international passenger services to an eyewatering 13.8 percent of activity from the same period last year. The remaining services were used mainly to repatriate Japanese nationals from abroad, and to let others leave for foreign countries. Revenues from international services fell 94.2 percent from a year ago. ANA has managed to bring domestic passenger flights in June up to about 25 percent of the level seen a year ago as the Japanese government pushes to reopen the economy. For July, ANA planned to bring its domestic flight operations to 43.3 percent of the same time last year before bringing it up to 72.4 percent in August compared to a year ago. The firm’s cargo operations were less affected partly due to the need to move emergency supplies, including masks, ANA said. Revenues from the international cargo operations fell 2.7 percent, while domestic cargo sales dropped 41.5 percent, ANA said. AFP

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks up; Ayala Land, URC gain T HE stock market rose Wednesday on thin trading, with investors keeping an eye on rising COVID-19 cases and the two-day meeting of the US Federal Reserve.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 39.16 points, or 0.7 percent, to 5,966.27 on a value turnover of P3.6 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 103 to 74, with 47 issues unchanged. Robinsons Land Corp. of the Gokongwei Group advanced 6 percent to 16, while sister unit Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, climbed 3.8 percent to P124.40. Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. increased 3.6 percent to P33.25, but Nickel Asia Corp., the largest nickel miner, fell 5.8 percent to P2.42 The rest of Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday, with investors hoping the Federal Reserve will pledge to extend its dovish monetary policy, while law-

makers are struggling to hammer out a much-needed new stimulus package. Gold prices held steady after hitting record highs for two straight days, though observers say ongoing uncertainty over the spread of the coronavirus, a weaker dollar and geopolitical worries could soon push the metal above $2,000. Shanghai led gainers, adding more than two percent, while Hong Kong and Seoul each gained 0.3 percent. Wellington was also higher. But Tokyo ended more than one percent down on a stronger yen, which hurts Japanese exporters, while Fitch lowered the outlook on Japan’s sovereign credit rating to negative from stable, but kept the actual rating unchanged, following a similar move by S&P Global ratings last month. Sydney, Singapore, Jakarta and Mumbai each lost 0.2 percent, while there were also slips in Taipei and Bangkok. With the COVID-19 pandemic showing little sign of being fully controlled until a vaccine is created, economic recoveries and a months-long global mar-

kets rally are sputtering, putting pressure on governments and central banks to add to their already monumental financial support. The Federal Reserve concludes its latest policy meeting later in the day, and while it is not expected to announce any new measures, there are hopes it will offer new guarantees that it will keep the stimulus in place for an extended period. The bank dropped interest rates to zero in the early days of the pandemic, and said they will stay there until the recovery is firmly in place, while it has also flooded the financial system with cash and constructed a web of loan programs for businesses, as well as state and local governments. “Today’s outcome is huge for risk as there is no disguising the fact that a lot is riding on the market reaction to the (policy meeting) when it comes to setting the general tone for risk sentiment over the rest of the summer,” said Stephen Innes of AxiCorp. “And it is possibly the biggest curtain-warmer to the most critical fourth quarter for stock markets ever.” AFP

REIMS, France France’s coronavirus crisis has sparked a fierce battle in its hallowed champagne industry over this season’s harvest, with producers and growers at loggerheads over how much bubbly should be put into bottles. The main production houses are demanding a sharp reduction in harvest yields as sales plunge amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Growers say this would decimate their revenues. Traditionally, both sides negotiate how many grapes are harvested by the hundreds of champagne growers each year, many of whom sell to merchants including big-name brands like Veuve Clicquot or Pommery. The goal is to limit the risks from poor harvests and drastic price swings that could put many players out of business. But merchants say they are already loaded with stocks and with revenues hit hard by the crisis they cannot afford to produce more bottles than they can sell. “The growers want 8,500 kilograms per hectare [about 7,600 pounds per acre] and the houses want just 6,000 to 7,000 kilos,” said Bernard Beaulieu, a grower in Mutigny, a village amid rolling vineyards south of Reims, the capital of France’s Champagne region. With the price per kilo expected to remain relatively strong this year at roughly 6.50 euros, the stakes are high. “Not having a deal with harvests just a month away, this hasn’t happened since after World War II,”

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Customers (center left and right) dine among mannequins, used as a method to maintain social distancing, at a restaurant in the Akabane district of Tokyo on July 26, 2020, amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. PHILIP FONG/AFP

‘Model’ customers keeping Tokyo diners at social distance TOKYO—The coronavirus pandemic might have left many restaurants empty, but one establishment in Tokyo is relying on some model customers to enforce social distancing: life-like mannequins keeping diners from getting too close. Masato Takemine’s Chinese restaurant looks busy even as many businesses in the city deal with a dearth of clientele, with ladies in ornate Chinese-style dresses and a girl in a kimono among those seated at his tables. But the 16 customers are actually mannequins he has placed randomly at tables to keep diners from getting too close. “At first I removed some of the tables to have more space in between, but it then looked so lonely, as if the restaurant was under renovation,” Takemine told AFP.

“With these mannequins, the restaurant looks busy from the outside, and I can make sure customers are distancing themselves. “It’s also fun, giving us a jolly feeling,” he giggled. While Japan has avoided the devastating tolls since in places hit hardest by the coronavirus, many restaurants shut their doors during a state of emergency and even after it was lifted in May, the industry has seen customers shun eating out. Takemine’s restaurant Kirin Saikan in downtown Tokyo reopened in late May but sees about half the number the customers it did before the virus, he said. Among those returning was 51-yearold Tetsuya Kimura, who said he was startled when he walked through the entrance curtains for the first time after the

reopening and saw the mannequins. “These dolls look so real that I need some time to get used to them,” he said, tucking into a bowl of noodles at a table he was sharing with a child mannequin. Takeichi Otomo, 82, another frequent customer at the restaurant, said he struggled to not look too shocked at the beginning. “I still get startled when I come here,” he said with a straight face. “This is a crazy idea!” While the mannequins keep the restaurant from feeling too empty, Takemine said he often thinks with longing about when his customers could visit with family and friends and enjoy carefree laughs and chats over platters to share. “I don’t think we can go back to those times for many months,” he said. AFP

Coronavirus sparks rancorous rift in France’s champagne industry By Dominique Charton

PSEi July 29, 2020

grower’s association, accused merchants of putting livelihoods at risk by trying to take advantage of a crisis to reduce storage costs. “Growers are demanding a yield level that covers 2020 shipments while ensuring survival for vineyards,” Toubart said. The situation for growers is all the more alarming, he said, since the SGV has not obtained additional payroll tax exemptions from the government to weather the coronavirus slump. For Yves Couvreur of the FRVIC federation of independent growers, which groups some 400 vineyards that also produce their own champagne, “9,000 kilos per hectare is the limit, we can’t go any lower than that.” To cope with a crisis that could last “two or three years,” he is pushing for a suspension of uniform harvest yields so that the different players could adapt as In this file photo taken on November 6, 2014, Bottles of “Armand de Brignac” they see fit. Champagne are seen in the cellars of the Cattier champagne family house in Chigny“The break-even point isn’t the same les-Roses, south of Reims, northeastern France. At less than one month ahead of the for people who sell their grapes, and 2020 harvest planned for around August 20, 2020, champagne winegrowers and those who make a living off of their champagne houses have still not found an agreement on the marketable yield of the brands,” he said. year’s harvest. AFP Couvreur also wants more leverage against merchants by allowing growers Beaulieu said. Chatillon, told AFP he would not comThe Union des Maisons de Cham- ment on the dispute before an August to let their wines mature in cellars lonpagne (UMC) trade body, however, ex- 18 meeting of the Champagne Com- ger, up to 18 or even 24 months instead pects to sell 100 million fewer bottles mittee, which groups both growers and of 15 currently. “Any proposal that prevents a flooding this year, an unheard-of hit that will merchants. of the market is good,” he said. slash overall sales to 3.3 billion euros ‘Roll of the dice’ For now, if no deal is reached on ($3.9 billion) down 34 percent from Growers are especially furious be2019. cause this year’s harvest, to begin on yields, the decision will be left with And they say over one billion bottles August 20, is set to be “exception- France’s National Institute of Origin are currently waiting in champagne cel- ally good, with vines able to yield up and Quality (INAO), which governs the lars, representing several years of po- to 16,000 kilos per hectare”, Beaulieu country’s wine appellations. “And if that happens, it’s a roll of the tential sales. said. The UMC’s director general, David Maxime Toubart, head of the SGV dice for both sides,” Beaulieu warned. AFP

US Fed opens meeting amid low confidence of consumers WASHINGTON―The US central bank opened a two-day policy meeting on Tuesday amid signs of waning consumer confidence and with Congress locked in debate over how best to support the economy amid the pandemic. With interest rates already at zero and the Federal Reserve pumping trillions into the economy through myriad loan programs, policymakers are expected to focus less on direct action as COVID-19 remains a bigger concern. Coronavirus cases and death tolls are resurging, and many states have reimposed more strict controls, again shutting down some businesses, while tens of millions of jobs have been lost, many permanently. Jobless workers are also now facing the imminent expiration of extra unemployment benefits unless Congress acts. Analysts expect the Fed to reinforce a tool used during the global financial crisis: forward guidance. The policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is expected make plain that it has no intention to raise the benchmark interest rate until the US is fully back on track and unemployment has fallen significantly from the current 11.1 percent level, while focusing less on inflation. Amid signs the economy continues to struggle, how much of a boost that declaration will provide is unclear, but economists view it as a minimum step. “The events of recent weeks have changed my view on forward guidance,” Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, said in an analysis. “Now is the time to clarify the Fed’s position on forward guidance, which means being explicit about holding interest rates near zero until the economy actually overshoots on its two percent inflation target.” The FOMC will announce its policy decision Wednesday afternoon, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference to explain the statement. Powell has said the central bank can do more to help the economy weather the pandemic storm, and on Tuesday the board announced it was extending through the end of the year lending facilities that had been set to expire around September 30. AFP

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

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, July 29, 2020

39.16 PTS. 5,966.27

TOTAL VOLUME 1,183,177,817 TOTAL TRADES 63,460 TOTAL VALUE 3,574,841,820.37 ADVANCES 74 DECLINES 103 UNCHANGED 47

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.2010

Japan

Yen

0.009521

0.4684

Pound

1.293600

63.6464

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129027

6.3483

Switzerland

Franc

1.090394

53.6485

Canada

Dollar

0.747664

36.7858

Singapore

Dollar

0.725111

35.6762

Australia

Dollar

0.715700

35.2132

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655619

130.659

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266688

13.1213

Brunei

Dollar

0.722491

35.5473

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031566

1.5531

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.3961

Euro

1.172300

57.6783

Korea

Won

0.000834

0.0410

China

Yuan

0.142816

7.0267

India

Rupee

0.013350

0.6568

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.235349

11.5794

New Zealand

Dollar

0.665500

32.7433

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034118

1.6786 Source: BSP

Gov’t debt topped P9t as of end-June

Business PLDT allots P70b to roll out ‘super-fast’ 5G services in PH By Darwin G. Amojelar

LDT Inc. said Thursday it raised its 2020 capital spending budget to P70 billion to roll out “super-fast” 5G services in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

The country’s largest telco said the planned capital expenditures would be higher than the P60-billion level that it announced in May. PLDT said the 5G mobile phone network of Smart Communications would go live as a commercial service starting July 30. The company’s announcement of higher capex and 5G service came after President Rodrgio Duterte threatened to shut down PLDT and Globe Telecom Inc. if they would not improve their services by December this year. PLDT said the initial launch of 5G service on July 30 was a part of step-by-step rollout for the new network. It said under the initial phase of commercial deployment, Smart Signature, Infinity and other Smart postpaid subscribers would enjoy the super-fast data service in key business districts of Metro Manila using Smart-certified handsets with 5G-activated SIMs.

These areas include Makati central business district, Bonifacio Global City, Araneta City, SM Megamall and Mall of Asia Bay Area. Smart 5G is also being rolled out in key high-traffic areas such North Ave. in Quezon City, Taft Ave. in Manila, Ortigas CBD and Clark Green City in Pampanga. “After many years of preparation and sustained investments, we’re very happy to say that Smart subscribers can now try out and enjoy the super-fast data service that Smart 5G can deliver,” PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio said. “As we rollout 5G in more areas of the country, this will complement the deployment of our 4G/LTE network which is already the fastest and most extensive in the country. To date, Smart 4G/LTE and 3G coverage serves 95 percent of the country’s population,” he said. PLDT invested nearly P260 billion in overall capital expenditures over the past five years to execute the 5G development plan. In 2019, the PLDT Group’s capex reached a record P72.9 billion. PLDT teamed up with Cisco and Huawei to transform its IP fiber transport infrastructure into a fully-automated, softwaredefined 5G-ready network. The highly-reliable, highly-scalable infrastructure utilizing PLDT’s existing fiber network will enable PLDT to deliver next-generation digital services like artificial intelligence and Internet of Things via 5G.

By Julito G. Rada THE outstanding debt of the national government jumped by P163 billion or 1.8 percent to hit a record P9.054 trillion as of end-June from the previous month, the Bureau of the Treasury said Wednesday. It said the debt portfolio also surged P1.322 trillion, or 17.1 percent, in just six months from the endDecember 2019 level. Data showed 32 percent of the total outstanding debt stock was secured externally while 68 percent represented domestic sources. Domestic debt amounted to P6.190 trillion, up P156 billion or 2.6 percent from the end-May level following the issuance of domestic government securities. Domestic borrowing for the year amounted to P1.675 trillion as of end-June. The Treasury said of the total new issuances, P676.85 billion were in Treasury bills, P387.86 billion in Treasury bonds and P310.77 billion in retail Treasury bonds. “This also includes the P300-billion short-term borrowing from the Bangko Sentral ng Piliipinas through a repurchase agreement. On the other hand, gross maturities reached P612.63 billion. To date, domestic debt has increased by P1.062 trillion or 20.7 percent since the beginning of the year,” the Treasury said. External debt also increased by P7.32 billion in June to P2.864 trillion from the previous month. “For June, net availment of external loans amounted to P48.81 billion, tempered by the P41.50-billion net effect of currency adjustments due to, mainly local currency appreciation. National government external financing registered an inflow of P413.46 billion for Jan-June 2020 vis-à-vis debt repayment of P113.46 billion,” the Treasury said. Project loan availment totaled P11.09 billion ($0.22 billion) while program loans amounted to P216.30 billion ($4.34 billion) including P53.51 billion ($1.07 billion) in concessional loans from multilateral creditors in funding geared toward fighting COVID-19.

IN BRIEF First Gen allots $110m for LNG hub FIRST Gen Corp. is allocating the bulk of a planned 2021 capital expenditure budget of $110 million (5.4 billion) for the liquefied natural gas terminal in Batangas City. The company will also spend $18.3 million on gas power plants and $163 million on geothermal subsidiary Energy Development Corp. First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said during the first virtual annual stockholders’ meeting the company already spent around $60 million on the LNG project. Puno said the coronavirus pandemic would likely impact on the global supply chain which could lead to some delays in the manufacturing of equipment, but “we are hoping to start construction in the second half of this year.” He said First Gen completed a detailed study on modifying its existing jetty at the First Gen Clean Energy Complex, and construction could proceed once the Department of Energy approved its application. Alena Mae S. Flores

DOF mulls over aid to local airlines THE Department of Finance is studying the condition of airline companies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and a possible assistance that could be extended to them under the proposed P1.3-trillion Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy bill. “We are studying the transportation industry and the conditions of the companies [as] well as various alternative approaches, so as to be ready if and when the law is passed and the IRR [implementing rules and regulations] is prepared,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told reporters Wednesday. Philippine Airlines and other domestic airline companies sought government help as measures imposed globally to contain the spread of the disease affected their operations. The ARISE stimulus package is seen to assist up to 15.7 million workers, create 3 million short-term jobs and 1.5 million infrastructure jobs over three years and help up to 5.57 million micro, small and medium enterprises. The reform package will cost about 3.6 percent of GDP, or P688 billion, in new spending in its first year. Julito G. Rada

CIAC defers rentals of locators in complex

EDUCATION BUNDLE. Incoming students may avail of a convenient and affordable gadget bundle to help them participate in online classes through a partnership between Smart Communications Inc. and Acer Philippines. The bundle consists of an Acer Aspire 5 laptop and a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi. At the launching of the partnership are (from left) Melvin Nubla, head of GTM and subscriber management at Smart; Ethan Koe Sanchez, channel head of national key accounts at Smart; Sue Lim, general manager of Acer Philippines; and Wilhelm Uy, senior channel sales manager of Acer Philippines.

Diokno expects ‘hockey-stick’ recovery in third quarter BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the country likely experienced the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter, with better gross domestic product data expected in the third quarter. “I foresee a ‘hockey stick-like recovery, with the lowest point in the second quarter. But the third quarter will be better and the fourth quarter will be even stronger. We expect a strong rebound in 2021 and 2022,” Diokno said in a presentation during a mid-year economic briefing Wednesday. “The worst is over. But while we’re not out of the woods yet, we have to look beyond this crisis. What else can we do to make the Philippines more robust and resilient? How do we prepare for the next crisis? Let me remind you again that we entered this crisis from a position of strength,” Diokno said. “Do I become hopeful or fearful? What can I do to calm the market, live with the virus and prepare for a better tomorrow? I choose to be hopeful,” Diokno said. The economy contracted by 0.2 percent

in the first quarter, a reversal of the 5.7-percent growth a year ago and 6.4-percent expansion in the fourth quarter, pulled down by the impact of the Taal Volcano eruption in January and the succeeding devastation brought by the health crisis. Economists believe the GDP contraction could be deeper in the second quarter as the lockdown imposed by the government to contain the spread of the disease almost encompassed the entire April-toJune period. The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee earlier predicted a 2-percent to 3.4-percent contraction this year, before the economy could recover by around 8 percent to 9 percent next year, assuming the pandemic would be over by then. Diokno said what made him optimistic about the recovery of the domestic economy was the continued strong macroeconomic fundamentals such as robust growth (which averaged around 6 percent for the past few years), good fiscal performance and strong external and financial sector positions that provided relative sta-

bility in the face of the pandemic. Inflation also remained benign, averaging 2.5 percent in the first half. Diokno expects inflation to settle within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent from 2020 to 2021. He also noted the stability of the banking system which is a source of the strength for the domestic economy and cited the continued appreciation of the peso versus the US dollar. The peso appreciated by 2.81 percent against the greenback since the start of the year. “One of the lessons we learned during the Asian financial crisis is the need to accumulate foreign reserves as selfinsurance against a currency crisis. As of end-June 2020, the country’s gross international reserves stood at an all-time high of $93.3 billion. This is enough to cover 8.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments for services and primary income. It is also equivalent to 7.3 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity,” he said. Julito G. Rada

New products seen to stop smoking epidemic

ISOLATION CAPSULE. Executives of Thailand-based manufacturing conglomerate SCG International Corp. (Philippines) Inc. and D&L Industries’ CSR Partner Lao Foundation turn over the first-ever ‘Patient Isolation Capsule’ to officers of the Ospital ng Muntinlupa as the first beneficiary. The equipment is designed to protect medical personnel transporting COVID-19 patients who are under investigation or management. Attending the turnover ceremony are (from left) Lourdes Pineda and Russel dela Cruz of Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Roel Bascon and Paul Bryan Molina of SCG Philippines.

THE US Food and Drug Administration’s authorization on the marketing of IQOS as a modified risk tobacco product should encourage other countries such as the Philippines to take a second look at innovative products as effective means to eradicate the smoking epidemic, according to two public health experts. Prof. Tom Glynn, an adjunct lecturer at Stanford Prevention Research Center and a former director of International Cancer Control at the American Cancer Society in Washington D.C., said heatnot-burn tobacco products such as IQOS, electronic cigarettes and other less harmful products provide smokers with better alternatives to cigarettes, as studies show that smoking results in 100,000 deaths in the Philippines each year. “More than 100,000 Filipinos die from cigarette smoking each year. Globally, more than 7 million people die from cigarette smoking annually. Cigarettes, when lit, produce more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 60 of which can cause cancer.

For more than 50 years, as the scientific and medical evidence about the dangers of cigarette smoking has accumulated, Filipino cigarette smokers, and cigarette smokers around the world, have been urged to quit their use,” said Glynn, a widely-published consultant on cancer and tobacco use prevention and control. Glynn said that with the tobacco smoke being blamed for diseases and death of millions of smokers each year, less harmful products have been developed over the years including ecigarettes, Swedish snus, and “heat-notburn” products. “The common thread among these products is that they offer a less harmful way of inhaling nicotine, the primary chemical that keeps smokers dependent on their cigarettes,” he said. “Many public health experts believe that, by substituting these less harmful products for cigarettes, smokers can also reduce their vulnerability to the illnesses, and death, associated with cigarette smoking.”

CLARK International Airport Corp. said Tuesday it is deferring the collection of lease rentals of tenants in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal during his State of the Nation Address for government agencies to assist the business sector adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We currently have about 45 locators, and we told them that they don’t have to right now pay their rentals for the months of April to June this year, and they also do not need to worry about paying any interests or penalties on delayed payments,” CIAC president Aaron Aquino said. Aquino said the ECQ and GCQ were imposed inside Clark Freeport Zone in the months of April to June. “We hope this policy will serve as a springboard for businesses here at the aviation complex to promptly recover from the sudden business disruption and income loss caused by the pandemic,” Aquino said.

DOE welcomes issuance of EO on nuclear program By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi welcomed the signing of Executive Order No. 116 by President Rodrigo Duterte that will bring the Philippines closer to the realization of a nuclear energy program. “The Department of Energy welcomes EO116 as a major step towards the realization of a Philippine nuclear energy program—one which would benefit our people by enhancing our energy supply levels and help shield our consumers from traditional power price volatilities,” Cusi said. EO 116, signed by the president on July 24, provides for the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee to be chaired by the DOE, with the Department of Science and Technology as vice chair. The inter-agency body is mandated to primarily conduct a study for the adoption of a national position on a Nuclear Energy Program. Cusi said the government would work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other experts to realize the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s existing energy mix in the future. “I believe that once we have successfully addressed infrastructure gaps as identified by the IAEA, and we have fulfilled all other necessary national requirements, our people and future generations will reap the economic benefits a nuclear energy program brings,” Cusi said. Duterte, in the issuance of the EO, cited the need to revisit the country’s policy on nuclear energy and to determine its feasibility as a long-term option for power generation.

Superbon confident he can end trilogy on top SUPERBON came into ONE Championship with only one thing on his mind—to prove he is the best at what he does. In order to do that, he needs to finish an old rivalry first. Superbon battles “The Killer Kid” Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in a ONE Super Series Featherweight Kickboxing contest at ONE: NO SURRENDER in Bangkok, Thailand this Friday, 31 July. It will be the third time they face each other, after splitting their two matches back in 2016. Superbon lost the first bout as he was just beginning his transition to kickboxing. He evened the score eight months later, however, and he is confident he can get the same result this time. “I lost to him in the first fight because I fought kickboxing only two times before that,” Superbon told ONEFC.com. “I hadn’t gotten used to the rules and kickboxing style yet. When we met again [eight months later], I was 100 percent confident, and I could see that my weapons were faster and more accurate than him.” Despite being certain that he can win Friday’s bout, he is not overlooking the skills of his old foe. Sitthichai is one of the best kickboxers on the planet, and Superbon knows he has to weather the storm “The Killer Kid” will bring. “Sitthichai’s strengths would be his left punch and left kick,” Superbon said. “He is the type of opponent who will keep throwing his weapons endlessly, but they are not powerful. He is the [type of] person who keeps on fighting with no rest. It’s hard to find a fighter who keeps fighting all three rounds like him.” As much as he respects his opponent’s skill set, Superbon believes he has gotten so much better since he last battled Sitthichai —and he believes that if he can keep the pace with his rival, he can score the win. “For me, in the last two bouts [we had], especially the last one that I won, I felt that I did better than him because I am faster. My weapons are more powerful than Sitthichai’s, and also, I am much faster,” Superbon said. “I just need my endurance so I can keep fighting the whole three rounds.” Catch ONE: NO SURRENDER this Friday at 8:30 pm. The event will air live on One Sports, One Sports+, and the ONE Super App. It will also re-air on TV5 the next day, August 1 at 11 p.m.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, take on the LA Clippers in the NBA relaunch.

Bubble-wrapped NBA ready for season restart O

RLANDO—Four months after COVID-19 sent basketball into an unprecedented shutdown, the NBA takes a leap into the unknown on Thursday as the league bids to resurrect its season at Disney World in Florida. The Utah Jazz launch the rebooted campaign against the New Orleans Pelicans before LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard go head-to-head in a heavyweight Los Angeles derby between the Lakers and the Clippers. The two games mark the start of a painstakingly crafted plan to stage the remainder of the basketball season safely in the midst of an ongoing pandemic which has already claimed around 150,000 lives in the United States. To mitigate the risks, the NBA is basing 22 teams within a tightly controlled “bubble” inside Disney World’s sprawling 40-square mile campus in Orlando. Teams will play games at three venues inside the ESPN World Wide of Sports complex inside the park, with no fans in attendance and only a smattering of journalists at each game. Just over 350 players will be housed at

three hotels located throughout Disney World, with access to each location severely restricted and visits from outsiders strictly forbidden until the playoffs start. Players arriving in Orlando were required to spend 48 hours isolated in their hotel rooms until they had received two negative tests for COVID-19. Testing will continue inside the bubble but it is not known how frequently this will take place. ‘Significant sacrifice’ While multi-millionaire stars such as the Lakers’ James have joked that entering the bubble felt like starting a jail term, so far the launch of the project has gone smoothly. Practice games have passed off without a hitch, and the most recent round of testing found zero positive cases out of 346 players tested. “It requires significant sacrifice from our

players,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told the New York Times this week. “From my standpoint, it’s going very well, and I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re on the right track,” Silver added. “But I also recognize what we’re doing has not been done before, and the competition is just beginning. The real test will come when players are commingling, playing basketball without masks and without physical distancing.” There have been some early glitches however as players adjust to the relatively spartan surroundings of the bubble. Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams was forced to quarantine for 10 days after being photographed at an Atlanta strip club during a trip to attend a family funeral. The Sacramento Kings’ Richaun Holmes also landed back in quarantine after he left the bubble to pick-up a delivery of take-out food. Inside the bubble’s three arenas, meanwhile, the legacy of the tumultuous protests which erupted in the weeks following the death of George Floyd in May will be on full view. AFP

Smart unveils 1st 5G-powered esports PH hub PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. has unveiled the first ever 5G-powered gaming hub in the Philippines by deploying Smart 5G at the Gariath Concepts esports venue in Quezon City, with peak speeds hitting 1 Gbps. To mark this milestone, Smart gathered esports athletes for the country’s first mobile phone vs PC crossplay exhibition match via cloud gaming. PLDTSmart Omega athletes, armed with Smart 5G-certified handsets, went toe-to-toe with players from Team LuponWxC using their gaming PCs and played a DoTA 2 match via cloud gaming. PLDT-Smart Omega clinched a landslide victory with a score of 34-6. Cloud gaming allows players to run games on cloud servers instead of local devices, making it possible for users to play any game on any device with a screen - without the need for a gaming console or desktop computer - as long as they have an internet connection. “We kicked off this year with the country’s first 5G-powered Mobile

Legends match last February. Now, we are upping the ante by powering Gariath Concepts to become the country’s first 5G-powered gaming hub. Gaming is at the forefront of technology and we believe 5G will pave the way for innovative platforms and exciting products that will dramatically enhance the experience of gamers,” said Jane Basas, senior vice president and head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. “Our goal is to unlock the many benefits of 5G and make these available to Filipinos. The 5G future is closer than we think as we continue to deploy our 5G network, and make available Smart 5G-certified handsets very soon,” Basas added. Watch the highlights of the groundbreaking crossplay exhibition match between PLDT-Smart Omega and Team LuponWxC by following Smart’s official Facebook account at www. fb.com/SmartCommunications. For 5G news and updates, visit our website: www.smart.com.ph.

Cloud gaming allows players to run games on cloud servers instead of local devices, making it possible for users to play any game on any device with a screen—without the need for a gaming console or desktop computer - as long as they have an internet connection.

Formula One slammed over tobacco advertising GENEVA—Tobacco giants have spent billions on advertising with Formula One teams over the years, and are again swelling their spending despite a supposed ban, industry monitors said Wednesday. In a fresh report entitled “Driving Addiction: F1 and Tobacco Advertising”, F1 industry monitor Formula Money and tobacco industry watchdog STOP pointed to data indicating cigarette-makers were aggressively stepping up spending. Since F1 was established 70 years ago, its teams and events have sold $4.4 billion in advertising and sponsorship to tobacco companies, the report said. And after years of declining sponsorship spending, brought on by growing awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco products, national bans and a supposed ban within F1, the report said that spending last year reached “a staggering $100 million”, putting it back at levels not seen since 2011. The spending, by tobacco giants Philip Morris and British American Tobacco on the F1 Ferrari and McLaren teams, is this year expected to rise to $115 million, it said. The findings prompted concern from the World Health Organization, with health promotion chief Ruediger Krech insisting in a statement that “we must not go backwards in the fight against tobacco.” ‘Harm for generations’ “Promoting these products attracts new tobacco users, especially among young people, causing harm for generations to come.” The WHO estimates that tobacco use kills more than seven million people each year. PMI and BAT last year formed partnerships with their scientific research subsidiaries and Formula 1 teams Ferrari and McLaren, more than a decade after cigarette advertising was all but banned from the sport. The tobacco companies are no longer advertising for their traditional cigarette brands, but do appear to be pushing new, so-called “smoke-free” heated tobacco products, although they do not mention them by name. The International Automobile Federation (FIA), Formula 1’s ruling body, has since 2006 been opposed to any advertising or sponsoring of cigarettes or tobacco. AFP

Lim looking forward to training at Philsports By Peter Atencio

Jamie Lim

OLYMPIC hopeful Jamie Lim will soon move out of home quarantine to train elsewhere with her teammates. She will be training at the Philsports Complex in Pasig once an area designated for karatedo has been disinfected. This will be made possible after a Joint Administrative Order between the Philippine Sports Commission, the Games and Amusement Board and the Department of Health was released Monday. The JAO provides guidelines on the conduct of physical and sports activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For now, athletes doing workouts at home, while

having a daily virtual conference with the national coaches will have to do. “We are doing well in our preparations. Nakapagadjust na kami sa situation. At kahit maliit lang ang space, nagagawan ng paraan at hindi naman kami napapabayaan ng mga coaches,” said Lim, daughter of PBA great Samboy Lim. The JAO covers non-professional sports under the jurisdiction of the PSC, professional sports under the GAB, professional and non-professional persons in sports like athletes, coaches, trainors, promoters and other parties involved in the conduct of sports like venue management, local government units, schools and workplaces. Going to the Tokyo Olympics through the quali-

fiers is the next step for Lim since winning gold in karate during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. And she remained on track of her goal last last February, when claimed a gold in the Ukraine Karate Premier League Kharkiv Open 2020. While in home quarantine, she and members of the national team are attached to a heart rate monitor, connected to their personal computers and laptops when doing their routines. Karatedo Philippines President Richard Lim said they are waiting for the go-signal from the InterAgency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases for them to be able bring their athletes to ULTRA. “For us, that’s a start. It’s better than nothing,” said the karatedo chief

Sports

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

Tempers flare between Dodgers, sign-stealing Astros OS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Dodgers scored five runs in the fifth inning to beat the Houston Astros 5-2 Tuesday as tempers flared in their first meeting since the Astros were punished for sign stealing.

Dodger pitcher Joe Kelly drew the ire of the Astros as the benches emptied in the sixth inning of the contentious rematch of the 2017 World Series. Kelly had just struck out Carlos Correa when the two exchanged words,

prompting the benches to clear. Players from both sides argued back and forth on the Dodgers side of the infield, but the coaches and umpires kept them at a respectable social distance and no punches were thrown. The Astros won the World Series

in 2017, and in January they were disciplined by MLB for a sign-stealing scheme used during both the regular season and playoffs. The fallout led to Houston losing its general manager and manager and four draft picks. So it was likely cooler heads would not prevail on Tuesday. Kelly got the fireworks started by throwing two pitches behind Alex Bregman and Correa, who had hit a home run earlier in the game. Kelly and Correa jawed at each other and then their teammates joined in. No

one was ejected. The Dodgers got the last word in as Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger hit back-to-back bases-loaded singles in the fifth. The Dodgers sent 10 batters to the plate in their fifth-run inning, chasing Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. The Astros took a 2-0 lead against Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler, with shortstop Correa belting his first home run on the season in the second inning, before adding an RBI single that scored Michael Brantley with two outs

in the fourth. The contest was supposed to be the first matchup between future Hall of Fame pitchers Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw, two other holdovers from the 2017 World Series. But injuries have sidelined both. Dodgers Kershaw was scratched from his Opening Day start and placed on the injured list due to a flare up of his chronically balky back. Verlander is on the injury list with a forearm strain that will keep him out for a couple of weeks, the Astros said. AFP

PHISGOC cited for notable hosting of ‘19 SEA Games

Benches empty out after Joe Kelly of the Los Angeles Dodgers threw several high inside pitches to Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros, Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. AFP

Coaches, Olympic qualifiers prioritized for detailed service THE Philippine Sports Commission confirmed Tuesday that after meeting with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Armed Forces of The Philippines it was agreed to renew the tripartite agreement granting detailed service for national athletes. However, given the crisis at hand, national coaches, Olympic qualifiers and front-runners for an Olympic berth in their respective sports shall be given priority for now. “We are working with the POC in drawing up the list,” said PSC Acting Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. The PSC sought for renewal of the agreement after it expired May this year. In its letter to the AFP, 78 national athletes and 52 coaches from 19 sports were requested to be detailed to the PSC. Chief of the AFP Special Service Unit, Col. Rocky Binag, POC Secretary General Atty. Ed Gastanes and PSC’s Iroy and NSA Affairs Head Annie Ruiz discussed the details of the agreement and are hoping to finalize it by mid-August. Three-time Olympian weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and 2021 Tokyo Olympic-bound boxer Eumir Felix Marcial, who are both enlisted in the Philippine Air Force (PAF), have received green light from the AFP to resume training. “Ang request kasi ni Eumir at Hidilyn, hanggang 2021 na. Kasama sila sa kino-consider ng AFP na bigyan. The rest, back to mother unit sila,” said Ruiz, referring to the soldier-athletes of the national team who were all recalled to be on active duty with their respective units during the pandemic. Nineteen sports, namely, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, boxing, baseball, rowing, sailing, sepak takraw, softball, soft tennis, weightlifting, cycling, obstacle sports, muaythai, judo and PHILSPADA athletes from athletics, badminton, table tennis and cycling are among those hoping to be included in the DS order.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte bannered the country’s achievements in sports in his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, saying Filipino athletes not only prevailed in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Games held in the Philippines last year but, more importantly, fostered genuine sportsmanship among all participants. “Our athletes prevailed. More than that, we fostered pride, patriotism, genuine sportsmanship, and camaraderie in our South East Asian brothers and sisters. Indeed, we won as one,” the President said. He cited the Philippine South East Asian Organizing Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee for the country’s successful hosting of the SEA Games, recognizing the commitment of key members of Congress and the Executive Department who were “bound together with one vision.” Representative Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (8th District, Cavite), POC President, for his part, said he will continue to work with Congress to continuously promote the welfare of the national athletes and coaches amid the COVID-19 crisis. He stressed the need to revert the slashed funds amounting to P110 million for the athletes’

allowances that was reallocated to other COVID-response programs. “By giving them the adequate allowances that they deserve, we can show our genuine support to our athletes and coaches especially during these trying times,” Tolentino said. Meanwhile, Duterte also expressed appreciation to Congress for the law that established the National Academy of Sports, saying the country can now give deserving student-athletes the training and support they need to excel in their chosen field of endeavors. House Speaker Alan Peter “Compañero” S. Cayetano, who served as the Chair of the PHISGOC, thanked the President for his overwhelming support to the hosting of the SEA Games and to the Filipino athletes. A sports enthusiast, Cayetano said he is optimistic that the Philippines’ hosting of the SEA Games ushered in a golden age for sports development in the country, citing the record-breaking performance of the athletes during the biennial multi-event sports competition. “With our SEA Games experience, we have rediscovered our strength as a Filipino people, which lies in fighting as one and winning as one,” he said in a statement.

CIGNAL vows best NBA experience for Filipino fans FILIPINO NBA fans rejoiced on Monday as they heard the big announcement: The NBA is back on Philippine TV! The announcement was made by the NBA, Cignal TV, TV5 and ONE Sports altogether, followed by writeups on several news outfits and impromptu calls by news editors to Cignal’s management, who were clamoring for more details about the big news. Cignal TV and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang confirmed the partnership with the NBA on Monday that would allow the games to be seen in millions of Filipino homes across the country, on both Free and Pay TV. Free TV channels TV5 and ONE Sports will show the games in time for the start of the season, airing games on Saturday and Sunday for TV5 and ever y Friday and Monday for ONE Sports. Coverage begins this July 31, 2020 and extends to the NBA Playoffs for both channels, with the NBA Finals airing exclusively on TV5. “We will deliver NBA content, not just for our pay TV subscribers but to the general public. Ever yone will have access to the NBA through our channels TV5 and ONE Sports” said Galang. “But of course, you get the best NBA experience on TV if you’re on Cignal.”

For Cignal subscribers, they will be able to access a new channel called NBA TV Philippines starting July 31, airing an average of two games per day, along with shows directly from NBA TV in the US including flagship program NBA GameTime. The channel’s coverage goes all the way up to the NBA Finals, and is the only destination on TV where fans can watch the games in high definition. Cignal’s marketing head Guido Zaballero further explained that NBA TV Philippines will be available to Cignal postpaid subscribers on plans 520 and up. For prepaid, Zaballero said loads 600 and up will get the channel 262 HD feed and loads 450 and above will get the channel 96 SD feed.

“I think the NBA is a huge piece of the puzzle for us. We are the broadcast partner of the biggest, most prestigious basketball brand in the world. As the number one Pay TV provider in the country, we can provide the best viewing experience for 2.3 million homes because only NBA TV Philippines offers 24/7 access to the most number of NBA games in high definition,’’ said Zaballero. The channel will also be made available as an add on for 200 pesos a month, on both Cignal (channel 262 HD) and SatLite (channel 52 SD), the company’s mass-market Pay TV brand. The channel will be offered two months free of charge for new subscribers who switch to Cignal at the start of the season, until the end of the year. The partnership comes at an opportune moment with Cignal TV becoming the block-timer for TV5’s daily program offering. The NBA also comes as a solid addition to the already strong sports lineup of ONE Sports that includes the PBA, the PSL and the UFC, among others. For more information on NBA broadcast schedules, fans can follow Cignal TV, ONE Sports and TV5 on Facebook. For inquiries on Cignal TV’s plans and offerings, viewers can visit www.cignal. tv or call (02) 8888 5555 to subscribe or upgrade their current Cignal plans.

PFL taps top media exec to lead communications NEW YORK— The Professional Fighters League has named Loren Mack Vice President of Corporate Communications. Mack, with over 15 years of experience in media and sports, becomes the latest hire to join a growing list of top sports, media and entertainment executives for the first organization to present Mixed Martial Arts through a Regular Season, Playoff and Championship format. Mack, a New York native who will be working out of the PFL’s Las Vegas office, brings a wealth of experience in media and sports to this one-of-akind league. He will handle all levels of corporate communications within the PFL with added focus on continuing to develop the PFL brand and leveraging his extensive international background to further expand the league’s global reach. Peter Murray, Chief Executive Officer of PFL, leads one of the top executive teams assembled in sports today, including Executive Producer and 16time Emmy winner George Greenberg,

President of Fighting Operations Ray ness Affairs Jim Bramson and Chief Sefo, Executive Vice President of Busi- Digital Officer Dan Ghosh-Roy.

Loren Mack (right) is the latest to join a growing list of top executives at the PFL as VP of Corporate Communications

“As the most innovative and fastest growing league in the world, the PFL continues to expand to a global scale,” Murray said. “Loren Mack brings a wealth of experience and drive to the league; we’re thrilled to have him join the team. He will play a pivotal role in continuing to build the brand in the United States and abroad through impactful storytelling.” “With a world-class list of fighters, I look forward to contributing my abilities to an already remarkable group associated with the PFL,” Mack said. “Having been in this profession for over 15 years, I have never seen a bigger opportunity in MMA than with the PFL. They have re-imagined the way we consume live sports content by establishing an innovative format to crown seasonlong champions and I am looking forward to continuing to help develop the remarkable stories of the athlete roster.” The PFL is available on ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, along with 160 countries through international distribution partnerships. The PFL has quickly become the most innovative league with the use of SmartCage™ technology to deliver real-time fighter data and analytics, referred to as Cagenomics™.

Entertainment NICKIE WANG

In a virtual event where the pop queen was launched as the new face of Filipino vitamin brand, Fern C, Sarah was all smiles and didn’t hold back when it came to answering questions thrown at her by program host, Issa Litton. At the start of the Q and A, the singer and actress, who celebrated her 32nd birthday with her husband in an exclusive luxury resort in Palawan, introduced herself as “Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli” with a big grin on her face. It prompted the host to ask “How’s married life?” “Masarap po, masaya. There are adjustments that I have to make because you’re already sharing your life with someone. Last Saturday, I just celebrated my 32nd birthday,” she said alluding to her weekend getaway with her husband which Vicky Belo called a delayed honeymoon for the couple. Meanwhile, Sarah considers her new endorsement “a blessing” because, despite the ongoing health crisis, she’s able to score a project that she can use as a platform to promote good health. And speaking of COVID-19, Sarah shared how she clearly sets her priorities during this period. “Of course, may asawa na po tayo, eh priority na po natin ang asawa na po natin. I mean, I don’t just give my health utmost priority, I also think about the health of people around me especially my husband. When you are taking care of a family, it’s important that you are healthy so you can better protect the people that you love,” she pointed out. She added that being with someone she can call her family is really what she’s thankful for. It’s where she draws inspiration from. It keeps her stay motivated. “Especially ngayon, pinagpapasalamat ko ‘yung life na binigay ng Panginoon and also pinag-papasalamat ko ‘yung life na binigay for my loved ones. I draw inspiration from that,” she shared. The virtual event also had a minigame portion where Sarah was asked a few questions about her everyday life. In one of the questions, she was asked what she normally eats for breakfast.

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

GMA Network lauded at Gandingan 2020

VERY WANG T’S true that after you get married the way you make decisions changes to a large extent. And Sarah Geronimo, who exchanged I dos with Matteo Guidicelli in a simple yet very controversial fashion early this year, can attest to that.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

Pop star Sarah Geronimo Guidicelli scores a new endorsement deal that allows her to promote good health.

SARAH G sets her priorities Sarah G with husband Matteo Guidicelli spent a sweet weekend in a private luxury resort to celebrate her 32nd birthday.

She said “eggs!” to which the program host asked if she eats “silog.” “Ay, sosyal po kasi ‘yung asawa ko, truffle eggs,” she said in jest. Issa Litton noted that it is widely known that Sarah is one of the most hard-working celebrities in the country. Her work ethics, easy attitude, and humility make it easier for people to work with her. During the online presscon, Sarah G mentioned that she has the tendency to experience acid reflux. That is because her schedules can get hectic so she usually skips meals. She cannot take supplements like Ascorbic Acid because it can cause hyperacidity. “That’s why I’m thankful I can take

Fern C even on an empty stomach,” Sarah said. For Sharmaine Abarientos, the general manager of STADA, the pop star is the perfect celebrity endorser for Fern-C because she is the embodiment of a successful and busy person who wants to always boost her immunity by taking vitamins. “Both Sarah and Fern-C are the best in their fields because they are both established and have the desire to help more people improve their health and well-being,” Sarmiento said. During the virtual event, a 30-second TVC was unveiled featuring Sarah G doing what she does best—singing and dancing.

VARIOUS programs and personalities of GMA Network were lauded anew by the students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños at the “Gandingan 2020: The 14th UPLB Isko’t Iska Multimedia Awards” held virtually on July 25. Broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio and Pia Arcangel were recognized as Best News Anchors for the late-night newscast Saksi. Resident meteorologist Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz was conferred the Gandingan ng Agham at Teknolohiya for the network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, as well as for the longest-running morning show Unang Hirit, and GMA’s official public safety and preparedness campaign ”IMReady.” Meanwhile, former GMA News reporter Jam Sisante-Cayco was named Best Field Reporter. GMA Public Affairs continue to add honors to its long list of accolades. Longest-running investigative program Imbestigador took home the Most Development Oriented Drama Program award for the “The Gomez-Sarmenta Rape Slay Case”. Reporter’s Notebook, on the other hand, was recognized as the “Most Development Oriented Investigative Program” for its “Batas ng Karagatan Pagbabalik sa Scarborough” report. The Isko and Iska’s choice for Most Development Oriented Documentary was The Atom Araullo Specials for its “Sa Magkabilang Dulo” episode. GMA News and Public Affairs’ senatorial debate for the 2019 Midterm Election, Debate 2019: The GMA Senatorial Face-off, was cited as the Most Development Oriented Talk/ Discussion Program. Receiving a Special Citation for Most Development Oriented Musical Segment/ Program was GMA's musical variety show Studio 7 for its first “Studio 7 Musikalye”. Leading news channel GMA News TV once again won the hearts of UPLB. Its flagship newscast State of the Nation (SONA) with Jessica Soho emerged as Most Development Oriented Educational Program for its election primer “SONA Voter Education Special.” Meanwhile, Investigative Documentaries received the Most Gender Transformative Program for its "Pride" episode. Renowned economist and Public Affairs host Winnie Monsod was

the Gandingan ng Edukasyon awardee for the public affairs commentary program Bawal ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie. The network’s regional arm GMA Regional TV continues to gain the students’ trust. This year, it took home the Most Development Oriented News Story for GMA Regional TV One Mindanao’s feature on the “Rehabilitation of Naboc River in Compostela Valley Province Polluted by Mining Waste” which is part of RTV's efforts to tackle community stories and issues that affect the environment. Winning the Most Development Oriented TV Plug, on the other hand, was The Kapuso Campus Tour: The Regional Masterclass Series. The RTV-produced plug showcased the regional masterclass series which RTV brought to seven key cities across the Philippines as a major component of the Network's election advocacy, 'Pusuan ang Totoo.' In the radio category, Mike Enriquez was honored with the Best AM Radio Program Host award for Saksi sa Dobol B. The Network’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594 won this year as the Most Development Oriented AM Station. DZBB’s Eleksyon 2019 Infomercial also received the Most Development Oriented Radio Plug award. The network’s flagship FM station Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! received the Most Development Oriented FM Station (Special Citation). Barangay Love Stories won as the Most Development Oriented FM Program while its host, Papa Dudut, also earned a Special Citation as the Best FM Radio Program Host. GMA Network’s online news portal GMA News Online was also recognized by UPLB. Its special feature story “Pasyentiis” won as the Most Development Oriented Online News. Another special feature, “A Very Long Summer”, emerged as the Most Development Oriented Feature Article. “Ang Islang Walang Lupa” and “Kinaya ni Mama” were given Special Citations as Most Development O r i e n t e d Photograph/Photo Story and Most Development Oriented Online Video, respectively.

MORE series from Thailand are coming their way to the country as Filipinodubbed versions of the 2gether sequel, the all-new I’m Tee Me Too, and the 2019 romance drama Come to Me stream soon on iWant. This August and September, iWant will stream the Tagalized Still 2gether and I’m Tee Me Too simultaneous with their airing in Thailand. Both series feature GMMTV’s four most popular boys love pairs namely BrightWin in Still 2gether, and KristSingto, TayNew, and OffGun in I’m Tee Me Too. The five-episode special sequel to 2gether finds Tine (Win Metawin) and Sarawat (Bright Vachirawit) spending every minute happily together for two years. However, the sweet couple will face challenges in their relationship as they juggle their personal conflicts and responsibilities at the university. Meanwhile, I’m Tee Me Too stars Off, Gun, Tay, New, Krist, and Singto, who play six guys with different personalities living under one roof. Together, they find out new truths about themselves and learn about friendship. On Aug. 8, iWant will debut the supernatural romance drama series Come To Me, which follows soft-hearted ghost Mes (Singto), who questions why nobody ever visits his tomb 20 years after his death. One day, a boy named Thun

feels pity for Mes’ neglected tomb, leaves a heart-shaped candy on it, and promises to return. Years later, Thun (Ohm) is all grown up and Mes realizes that the former can see his spirit form. Despite being in two different worlds, the boys fall for each other as they uncover the mystery behind Mes’ death. Still 2gether, I’m Tee Me Too, and Come to Me, are produced by GMMTV, a leading content company in Thailand, which partnered with ABS-CBN for the airing of Filipino-dubbed versions of their shows in the Philippines. Stream these series for free soon on iWant or iwant.ph. For updates, like www. facebook.com/iWant, and follow @iwant on Twitter and @iwantofficial and @ dreamscapeph on Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantPH.

GMA News pillar Mike Enriquez was honored with the Best AM Radio Program Host award for 'Saksi sa Dobol B.'

Ticket2Me launches integrated ticketing and video platform DESPITE the collapse of the live entertainment and events with the country’s collective need to jumpstart the stunted industries, recent innovations in both its technology and service economy, and this also proved true with the entertainment offerings have allowed Ticket2Me to quickly pivot to adapt to industry. Because mounting live events was still prohibited, the so-called New Normal brought about by the COVID-19 organizers turned to online events and virtual venues to host pandemic. performances in exchange for much-needed revenue. Mariano After the Luzon-wide lockdown was announced in early quickly steered Ticket2Me to immediately serve organizers’ March, Ticket2Me Founder and CEO Darwin Mariano online event ticketing needs with its widest array of payment quickly reached out to the Kaya Natin! options and signature brand of Movement for Good Governance and customer service. Ethical Leadership to discuss ways to While the Ticket2Me system aid the country’s health frontliners. The can work with the organizer’s virtual platform of choice, result was a fundraising campaign in piracy has always been a coordination with the Office of Vice real threat. To address this, President Leni Robredo, that raised Ticket2Me built a proprietary millions to help provide personal pay-gated video platform with protective equipment and food and care a multi-level security feature packages for the health workers. to deter online pirates from Additionally, Ticket2Me also initiated what would later become the Open House illegally distributing organizers’ campaign, an online fundraising project intellectual property. This by Artist Welfare Project, Philstage, secure video platform is secure SPIT MNL, Third World Improv, and the and offers virtually unlimited Theater Actor’s Guild and Ticket2Me, bandwidth for the live streaming for the benefit of the performing arts of online performances and community. the hosting and streaming of Ticket2Me was among the first movers recorded materials including to establish COVID-19 fundraising concerts, theatrical productions, campaigns of any kind, even earlier workshops, etc. than other big businesses and more The pandemic has also established tech companies and the only Ticket2Me has started preparations on the presented opportunities for productions of its first digital web series, 'Boys’ online ticketing company in the country Lockdown,' to be released in September. Ticket2Me to diversify its to do so. business offerings. Last May, Soon after, other organizations trusted Ticket2Me established Dok2Me, Ticket2Me with their own respective campaigns. As of June, a new patient scheduling platform that facilitates online Ticket2Me has hosted more than 20 fundraising campaigns and consultations with doctors of different specializations. Also, raised over P18 million collectively for various organizations Ticket2Me has started preparations on the productions of its first and initiatives, including aid for displaced workers in the film digital web series, Boys’ Lockdown, to be released in September. and performing arts industries and the construction of emergency “Content development is always a complementary strategy to quarantine facilities throughout Metro Manila. accomplish our growth objectives,” Mariano said. “We needed to innovate ourselves out of the crisis. If we Ticket2Me is the country’s fastest growing ticketing waited, hoping to see the COVID-19 crisis blow over quickly, and event technology company with more than 11,000 we would be in worse shape now. Our integrated ticketing and combined cash and online payment options throughout video streaming platform is the direct result of what we learned the Philippines. Event organizers, venues, and ticket during the early days of crisis,” Mariano said. buyers may access the platform and buy tickets via www. The easing of the strict lockdown in June also coincided ticket2me.net and the Ticket2Me iOS and Android apps.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020

CONNECTED AT HOME.

A strong and reliable Internet connection has become the requirement for many households that have turned into an office, a school, and an entertainment hub.

Bringing the world at home By Bernadette Lunas

IVIAN de Jesus used to have a 9-to-5 job, five days a week. But just like many of us, she has had to shift to a different routine, where her home serves as her office, her husband’s office, their children’s school and playground. “Suddenly, everything is happening in one place,” she said.

Since her job as a client relations officer does not require physical presence, De Jesus has tried working-from-home or at least outside the office before, but this time, she said, is different. “While it wasn’t much of an adjustment for me, work-wise, it is in other aspects,” she shared. The working mom of two has transformed their household into a space that accommodates all members’ needs—she does client meetings at her workspace in the bedroom, her husband takes the dining area, and their five-year-old and eight-year-old have the living room for their online classes and playtime. “I start my day preparing breakfast for the family, then I sign in to work at 10:00 a.m., attending meetings and answering emails. In between work hours, I check on my kids to make sure their doing their lessons. Then I sign off at 5:00 p.m.” Video conferencing tools are her constant companion, much like many Filipinos who turned to these services such as Zoom to conduct their businesses. According to Apptopia, Filipinos’ Zoom use increased at the beginning of the implementation of community quarantine in Luzon, reaching nearly three million on May 11. On weekends, De Jesus and her family prepare meals or order takeout from their favorite restaurants, which they share together before movie nights. “Suffice it to say, a strong and reliable Internet connection is important to us,” said De Jesus. “We rely on it for work, for education, for entertainment, and even for acquiring es-

sentials.” Darius Delgado, vice president and head of broadband business at Globe, affirms De Jesus and other homebound Filipinos’ sentiment. “Home is where our world is—it’s our office, it’s where we learn, it’s where we spend more time. Internet is more important than ever,” he said during a virtual conference held via Zoom. In a bid to help Internet users optimize their households, Globe at Home launches its new postpaid broadband lineup, which vice president and head of brand management Baby Aquino said, “depends on the household’s needs and lifestyle.” Globe At Home’s new postpaid plans include the Xtreme WiFi Plan 999, the network’s most affordable postpaid home Internet plan that comes with up to 140GB data. The P999 per month plan comes with an all-in-one DIY modem that can turn regular television into a Smart TV, allowing families to access their favorite YouTube videos on a bigger screen. For those that require faster speeds, the UNLI Plan 1899, Globe at Home executives said, boasts up to 30 Mbps. The plan comes with a free Android TV Box, an entertainment device that allows users to stream video content on the big screen from their favorite streaming apps, bringing the cinema right at home. For even faster Internet speed requirement, the UNLI Plan 2899 has speeds of up to 100 Mbps and comes with a pair of TP-Link Deco M5 Wi-Fi Mesh devices that expand Wi-Fi coverage to more areas. Aquino said this was the most practical plan for those who have turned their home into an office and learning space for kids. The P2,899 per month plan also comes with exclusive access to the Tech Squad VIP service, a customer service team that provides end-to-end support for home Wi-Fi needs. “Globe At Home’s goal is to provide more Filipino families with high-speed Internet so they can turn their home into whatever they want it to be—whether it’s an office, a classroom, a personal gym, or a cinema,” said Aquino. All three plans come with a three-month access to iWant and Amazon Prime Video. Customers in serviceable areas can avail of or upgrade to these new promo plans via the Globe online shop or the Globe At Home app until September 30.

Things you need for a sanitation station KEEPING virus from entering our households has been one of our priorities since the pandemic started. It’s recommended that whenever we return home to sanitize immediately, ourselves and the objects we took with us. SM Home shares a DIY sanitation station guide to keep home safe and disinfected. 1. Set up a table and a mobile trolley near the door entrance. Put all the sanitizing essentials such as hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and disinfectant spray on the trolley and

organize them in storage trays. 2. Have a fill of sprayers with alcohol and disinfectants. Choose an EPA-registered disinfectant, a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, and a contactless soap dispenser that can be used to disinfect and wash hands. 3. Have a waste bin to properly dispose used masks and gloves, or a designated laundry basket for reusable masks. 4. Put a shoe rack and a disinfecting mat outside. Have a foot

Dyson Pure Cool Tower Purifying Fan

Multi-function mobile trolley

bath on the disinfecting mat before putting the shoes on the rack. Always keep the mat clean before and after use. 5. If needed, set-up a makeshift changing room with curtain, and ready a laundry basket for changing. 6. Sterilize the area with UV light. Use pocket UV sterilizer in sanitizing gadgets, keys, wallet, and doorknobs. Do not forget to keep the sanitation station clean.

How sustainability improves living SUSTAINABILITY is often attached to things that are environment-friendly, and while true, it means something is cost-efficient by reducing energy consumption and offer additional health benefits. It does not only sound good, it is actually good. Take sustainable homes, for instance. More than its positive impact on the environment, these come with additional benefits for its residents. Big windows save energy and give energy If possible, opt for a home with bigger windows, as they provide with an

abundance of natural light and offer better ventilation. According to a real estate developer, big windows can reduce dependence on artificial lighting, consequently shaving off electricity costs in the long run. Natural light is also a great source of Vitamin D, a critical nutrient that helps boost mood and stimulate the brain. Several modern homes such as Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower in Bonifacio Global City have incorporated large windows in their unit designs. On top of that, the windows are 100 percent glazed, provid-

Green open spaces provide the household and community a pocket of nature and fresh air.

ing the residents with a full harvest of natural light and a reduced transmission of solar heat. LED lights are long-lasting and safe Compared with fluorescent and incandescent lighting, LED (light emitting diodes) is much more energy efficient and durable. LED lights last an average of 35,000 to 100,000 operating hours and consume 90 percent less power than other lighting solutions. Another advantage of LED lighting is its innately hazard-free attribute. LEDs emit almost no warmth therefore they are cool to touch and can be left on for hours. It also operates effectively on low-voltage electrical systems, which means the chances of fire incidents from LED lighting is much lower. Water-efficient toilet fixtures save water and improve bathroom hygiene Flushing toilets is the biggest water hog at home, using up to seven gallons of water with every flush. Water-efficient toilet fixtures, such as those that have dual flush technology, reduce water waste, yet provide thorough cleaning in a single, low-volume flush. Aside from conserving water and saving costs, these fixtures reduce cleaning time for the user as it is hygienic by nature. The Seasons Residences in BGC, for instance, provides its residents with distinct Japanese shower toilets.

Big windows let more natural light in, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Open lawns and gardens help clean the air and relieve stress Garden landscapes at home can be therapeutic. Aside from benefits to our emotional well-being, plants produce more oxygen and boost mood, while gardens with full-grown trees and shrubs create pockets of sanctuary from harsh sunlight. Because normal travel may still be unlikely in the near future, green, open spaces in condos or residential properties provide the closest physical simulation of a destination spot. The Grand Midori Ortigas, a Japanese-inspired development of Federal Land, boasts its own Zen pocket garden that brings a refreshing change in ambiance. Sustainable building materials cool down surfaces and provide heat relief A home with a “cool roof” may not

be important to residents at first, but the benefits of this feature are highly evident during mid-day heat waves. Cool roof is a roofing system designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than the typical dark roof. Structures with cool roof reduce the amount of heat that enters the home. The Grand Midori Ortigas’ cool roof systems allow residents to become less dependent on power-consuming airconditioning systems. According to the developer, the use of these materials in building elements not only allow for better energy efficiency but also improve thermal comfort for residents. On a much larger scale, this housing solution further reduces the heat island effect on the community, adjusting the overall heat index altogether.