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Rody won’t sack Morales just yet By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not fire Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) president Ricardo Morales unless there is evidence of his involvement in corruption in the agency, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said on Wednesday.

Morales still has the President’s trust and confidence, Roque said. “If there’s evidence that would affect his trust and confidence, of course, it will change,” he added. The Senate, the Office of the President (OP), and the Presidential AntiCorruption Commission are all conducting investigations on allegations of Next page

36 tied to PhilHealth mess VOL. XXXIV • NO. 163 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Anti-corruption body readies raps for alleged ‘overpayments’ to hospitals

Monster blasts rip Beirut; countless killed, injured

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

HE Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Wednesday linked at least 36 officials of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the overpayments allegedly made to hospitals.

PACC commissioner Greco Belgica did not identify the officials, but their names have been forwarded to the Office of the President as part of its initial report into the alleged anomalies in the company. Belgica says their recommendation to the Office of the President include dismissal from the service, the filing of charges before the Office of the Ombudsman, and reforms in the state insurer. “The bulk of the problem at PhilHealth is that the hospitals keep claiming very high receivables that they [PhilHealth] do not validate,” Belgica said in a radio interview. “And PhilHealth just pays and pays. It’s like being charged in a restaurant and paying without examining the bill.” Belgica made his statement even as Senator Sonny Angara said immediate action should be Next page

RESCUERS searched for survivors Wednesday after a cataclysmic explosion at Beirut port sowed devastation across entire city neighbourhoods, killing more than 100 people, wounding thousands and plunging Lebanon deeper into crisis. The blast, which appeared to have been caused by a fire igniting 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a

warehouse, was felt as far away as the island of Cyprus, some 150 miles (240 kilometres) away. Beirut’s governor Marwan Abboud spoke of “an apocalyptic situation” he said may have made 300,000 people temporarily homeless and would cost the country over $3 billion. Next page

UTTER DEVASTATION. Fires continue to burn amid the destruction of Lebanon’s

main port as a huge rescue operation and an international aid effort got underway Wednesday, less than 24 hours after much of Beirut was buried by rubble and choked by smoke in a colossal explosion Tuesday afternoon. Buildings were flattened, windows and cars were smashed, and victims young and old were left stunned on the streets (inset photos). The Red Cross said over 100 were killed and more than 4,000 injured by the blast, which also left over 300,000 people homeless. AFP

Pinoy casualties: 2 dead, 8 wounded, 1 missing By Rey Requejo

TWO Filipinos were killed and eight were wounded in the explosions that rocked the main port in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday. Meanwhile, ten of the 11 seafarers who had gone missing after the explosions have been recovered and are now safe with their

PH cases hit 115,980, briefly highest in SEA By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippines briefly overtook Indonesia for the highest number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases across Southeast Asia after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,462 new infections on Wednesday for a total of 115,980. Next page

Global virus toll nears 700k; Stricter face mask rules eyed Story on B3

MOBILE ‘PARAÑACASH’. A beneficiary of the Parañaque City government’s financial assistance program (right) shows her cash withdrawn through Union Bank’s Mobile Parañacash ATM during its launch in Barangay San Agustin on Wednesday. Some 55,000 beneficiaries received the second tranche of the city government’s financial assistance through the mobile ATM project (See story on A4). Paranaque City PIO

employer, the DFA added. Citing a report from the embassy in Lebanon, the department said the sailors suffered minor injuries and are now with the management of their shipping company, Abu Merhi Cruises, at Ain el Mraiseh district north of Beirut. The DFA also said Philippine embassy personnel are all safe, and that there were no reported damages to the chancery. “This development leaves one seafarer missing,” the DFA said. Next page

Commuters must wear face shields effective Aug. 15 By Darwin G Amojelar ALL passengers using any mode of public transportation will be required to wear face shields, aside from face masks effective Aug. 5, the Department of Transportation said Wednesday. The initiative aims to further reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus. “Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we Next page

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

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Lockdown leaves LSIs scrambling By Ron Lopez and Vito Barcelo

ROKE and jobless, Ruel Damaso is sleeping on cardboard and surviving on food handouts at Manila airport where dozens were left stranded after a partial coronavirus lockdown was reimposed Tuesday. More than 27 million people in the capital and four surrounding provinces were given 24-hours notice of the new restrictions that have shut many businesses, halted public transport and grounded flights as the government struggled against a COVID-19 surge. Struggling to survive on part-time factory work after the first lockdown in March crippled the economy and stripped millions of their jobs, Damaso had decided to leave Manila. With nowhere else to stay, he arrived at

the airport on Saturday with two former colleagues and was supposed to fly home Tuesday to the southern city of Zamboanga. Now, he is stuck at the terminal, where staff wearing white protective suits, face shields and masks deal with the stranded passengers. “We’ve run out of money. We can’t leave the airport because we don’t have any relatives here,” the 36-year-old said inside the terminal, a towel wrapped around his shoulders for warmth in the freezing air conditioning.

Rody... From A1

36 tied... From A1

corruption in PhilHealth, a government corporation attached to the Department of Health (DOH). Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the DOH said it would be at a disadvantage if Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is fired. Duque also has supervisory control over PhilHealth as chairman of the government firm’s board of directors. In an interview on ANC, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire acknowledged there were “a lot of gaps” in government efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Duque, the DOH accredited 98 laboratories that can run nearly 30,000 coronavirus tests daily and had built thousands of quarantine facilities for patients, Vergeire said. “I think it will really be to the disadvantage of our government and of course the country if we are going to change leadership in the middle of this pandemic,” Vergeire said. Roque said he was hoping that the three bodies will produce the evidence that President Duterte was waiting for to decide on the fate of the PhilHealth chief. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are looking into alleged irregularities inside PhilHealth. “I’m hoping that all these investigations will document the evidence that the President wants to see,” he said. He said the President would also prompt his own office to hasten its investigation. Roque said Morales admitted in the Senate hearing that he was unable to stop corruption in PhilHealth, something that was expected of him when he was appointed by President Duterte last year. However, Roque said he has no evidence that Morales is corrupt. “But when he was placed there by the President to replace a previous board and a previous president because of the WellMed scam, our expectation was [that] he will take concrete steps to rid the agency of corruption,” Roque said, referring to a previous scandal in which payments were made for bogus dialysis treatments. On Wednesday, Senator Panfilo Lacson said there were only two possibilities—Morales either did nothing or he was stupid. In a virtual interview with reporters, Lacson said it’s likely that Morales did not act amid all the corruption issues, allegations or he opted to remain stupid for a year as he was mislea or co-opted. “When we said co-opted, that’s even worse. It means, you were with them.... I don’t see a third possibility,” he added.

taken to plug the loopholes in PhilHealth to stop its bleeding. During the Senate’s inquiry into the alleged widespread corruption within PhilHealth, a former anti-fraud officer of the corporation claimed that more than P15 billion had been wasted or stolen over the years due to the rampant questionable transactions facilitated by a syndicate within the state insurer. Angara described as “alarming” the huge amounts being lost due to alleged leakage or corruption in PhilHealth. Senator Christopher Go called on the Ombudsman to probe the anomalies in PhilHealth, saying it was unacceptable that public funds intended to save lives were being wasted due to corruption. He says the Ombudsman should establish accountability and hold those responsible for the mess at a time when the country is facing a pandemic.

Commuters... From A1 are battling an invisible enemy,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said. “What we are addressing is not a transport issue but rather a health issue.” The directive applies to all public transportation by land, air or sea, throughout the country. Transportation Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. Said the face shield should sufficiently cover the nose and mouth. “There are visors or goggles that protect only the eye area. We advise our passengers to use the ones that cover the whole face. It’s actually meant as a redundancy of the protection of the face mask,” Tuazon said. AirAsia Philippines said its passengers will be required to wear face shields throughout their entire f light following the government’s latest announcement.

Monster blast... From A1 The blast left the Lebanese capital resembling the scene of an earthquake, with thousands of people left destitute and thousands more cramming into overwhelmed hospitals for treatment. “A massacre. I saw people screaming, covered in blood, homes broken, glass shattered, roads that look like Hiroshima or like a tsunami hit,” Elie Zakaria, a resident of a neighbourhood close to the port, told AFP. In an instant, the blast left destruction equivalent to that caused by the country’s 1975-1990 civil war, levelling buildings several hundred metres (yards) away. A resident of nearby Mar Mikhail, popular for its bars and cafes, said she saw bodies strewn in the street, apparently thrown off balconies and rooftops by the blast. Many people had been watching and filming a fire caused by an earlier explosion when the second, massive blast went off. The resulting footage, widely shared on social media, shows a ball of fire and smoke rising above Beirut and a white shockwave engulfing everything around it. The mushroom-shaped explosion – which seismologists said was logged as the equivalent of a 3.3 magnitude quake -- and the scope of the damage drew nuclear analogies in many people’s accounts of the tragedy. “The Apocalypse” read the headline of L’Orient-Le Jour, the main Frenchlanguage daily in Lebanon, a country that has seen its share of explosions in its recent past but nothing on this scale. The already embattled government of

In line with the directives, all Cebu Pacific passengers will be required to wear face shields during the entire flight, effective August 15, the airline said in a statement. This is on top of the mandatory use of face masks upon entering the airport terminal until arrival at the destination, CEB said. “CEB continues to implement enhanced bio-security preventive measures to keep our passengers and personnel safe. These safety measures include daily extensive cleaning and disinfection protocols for all aircraft and facilities, rapid antibody testing for all frontliners and crew and contactless flight procedures These are based on global best practices, and adhere to the highest safety standards,” it said. Also on Wednesday, the Commission on Higher Education said it is eyeing the resumption of in-person classes in areas classified as low-risk modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) by January.

“We will have to stay here for two weeks until our flights are back on.” President Rodrigo Duterte reluctantly reimposed stay-at-home orders and other measures in response to a plea from overwhelmed health workers, who had warned that the country was losing the battle against the virus. The number of cases in the Philippines has surged past 100,000 -- a fivefold increase from June when the country emerged from one of the world’s longest lockdowns. It is now reporting several thousand new cases every day -- the 6,352 on Tuesday was a record-high. The government has blamed people flouting virus protocols for the sharp increase in infections, which have been concentrated in Manila and the central city of Cebu.

In a bid to curb rampant local transmission, police have been deployed to force people who have tested positive for the virus and cannot self-isolate at home into government-run quarantine facilities. Now, police are back on checkpoints to ensure only people with special travel passes to work or go shopping for essential items are moving around. Everyone else is supposed to stay home. An official in Quezon City threatened a “shoot-to-kill policy” for violators, sparking uproar. He later retracted his statement on Facebook. The new measures—affecting a quarter of the country’s population—have shuttered much of the Philippine economy, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said, as he warned of a “big drop” in economic activity in the first half.

“Please get to the bottom of this mess. We need to know who are behind this mess, and if ever there’s mafia, who they are,” Go said. Former Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said the corruption case in PhilHealth only exposes the rotten corruption under the Duterte administration and totally demolishes Duterte’s claim that former military officials “get things done.” He says the involvement of PhilHealth chief Ricardo Morales in the case again proves the systematic involvement of former military officials appointed by Duterte in graft and corruption. He says Duterte’s line on dismissing public officials and employees involved in even a “whiff of corruption” in 2016 is a pathological lie. Belgica says the corrupt activities in PhilHealth are taking place in the regions. “The transactions in PhilHealth are per-region, and that’s where the corruption is,” he said. “Probably, people already know how

to take advantage of the situation, so that people send fraudulent claims. A simple cold becomes pneumonia, so that the charges become very high.” PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales told a Senate inquiry on Tuesday that the fraudulent claims being paid by the state health insurer would significantly be addressed if its information technology system would be improved. He said a membership database equipped with biometrics would help them weed out claimants who were no longer alive. Belgica, meanwhile, reacted to the claim of resigned anti-fraud officer Thorrsson Montes Keith that he was ordered by Morales to talk to the PACC official to fix the issue of supposedly overpriced COVID-19 test kits. “That can’t happen especially in my office. Anyone who attempts that will be arrested then and there,” Belgica said. He said he could not remember meeting Keith.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab described the circumstances at the port that led to the explosion as “unacceptable” and vowed “those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price”. Messages of support poured in from around the world, including France, which said it would send three planes carrying rescuers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic, followed by a visit Thursday by President Emmanuel Macron. The disaster was another blow for an economy already on its knees after Lebanon’s first ever sovereign debt default earlier this year and a crippling devaluation that has plunged half the population into poverty. The obliteration of its main port signalled more hardship ahead, in a country heavily reliant on imports. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization warned Wednesday that the destruction of grain silos would cause critical severe flour shortages. Criticism of the government was already rife on social media, where Lebanese users argued that a disaster of such magnitude could only strike in a state whose institutions are crippled by incompetence and corruption. Late Tuesday, thousands of families drove out of Beirut to take their families to safety, but many others were left stranded without a roof, unable to go anywhere or unwilling to leave their gutted homes open to looters. The overnight rescue effort was slowed by lack of electricity, already intermittent at best. Security forces sealed off a huge area around the blast site, searching for bodies and survivors under the rubble of levelled buildings while rescue boats scoured the waters off the coast.

Hospitals already stretched to the brink by a spike in coronavirus cases in recent days were pushed to new limits by the influx of wounded and were forced to turn many away. Saint-Georges hospital was badly damaged by the explosion and lost several members of its staff. “We’ve had some dark days in Lebanon over the years but this is something else,” said Rami Rifai, a 38-year-old engineer. He spoke to AFP from a hospital where his two daughters were receiving treatment after sustaining cuts despite being half a kilometre from the seat of the blast. “We already had the economic crisis, a government of thieves and coronavirus. I didn’t think it could get worse but now I don’t know if this country can get up again,” he said. “Everyone is going to try to leave. I will try to leave,” he added, his voice choked by tears. The Red Cross said on Wednesday morning that more than 100 deaths had been confirmed. It also reported around 4,000 injured, prompting fears that the death toll could rise significantly. In a country where smallholders have been unable to withdraw even limited amounts of cash from banks since the start of the year, there was little hope of compensation for those whose property was destroyed. Crippled by debt and political paralysis, Lebanon, which was due to celebrate its centenary next month, looked ill-equipped to tackle the new crisis. But one glimmer of hope could be seen in the grassroots solidarity displayed as people launched initiatives on social media to help people locate missing loved ones or offer free accommodation to those made homeless.

PH cases... From A1

of new COVID-19 cases since late July, following the easing of quarantine measures and the gradual opening up of the economy. On Tuesday, additional COVID-19 cases reached a record-high 6,352. The National Capital Region on Tuesday reverted to a stricter community quarantine, following a call from health workers for a “timeout” to arrest the spread of the respiratory disease. The DOH has vowed to collaborate with medical societies and to come up with new strategies in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said swab tests, and not rapid tests, will now be required for persons showing symptoms of COVID-19 in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Vergeire said that this is one of the 10-point results that the government has set for MECQ areas— Metro Manila, and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. The rest of the targets include the

Indonesia fell behind for about an hour before reporting more than 1,800 new cases, bringing its total to 116,871. The Philippines, however, still has the highest number of active cases across the Southeast Asian region at 47,587, followed by Indonesia with 37,618. This comes after the DOH reported record-breaking new cases five times in the past week alone. A total of 3,462 confirmed cases are reported based on the total tests done by 84 out of 94 current operational labs. Nine new deaths brought the total death toll from the pandemic to 2,123. The DOH also reported 222 new recoveries, bringing to 66,270 the number of patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The country has 47,587 active cases. The Philippines has been logging record-high numbers in terms

‘Kuya Eddie’ Ilarde passes away at 85 FORMER senator and broadcaster Edgardo “Eddie” Ilarde died Tuesday morning. He was 85 years old. The co-host of the pioneering variety show “Student Canteen,” Ilarde died just three weeks shy of his 86th birthday, his daughter Liza Ilarde said in a statement. Radio dzBB reported that Ilarde passed away in his home in Makati at around 11:40 am. The family clarified that his death was not COVID-19 related and that his remains will be cremated. A native of Iriga, Camarines Sur, Ilarde died of “natural causes,” Liza said, and was not afflicted with the novel coronavirus disease. In light of current lockdown measures, the family will not be holding a wake, she added. “Our dad lived a full and meaningful life. He started from very humble beginnings and worked very hard to reach his stature,” Liza said. One of Ilarde’s relatives, broadcaster Laila Magistrado Ilarde-Ramos also confirmed his death through a Facebook announcement. Ilarde rose to prominence in the 1950s as a radio host, with his hit advice programs including “Kahapon Lamang,” “Dear Kuya Eddie,” and “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie.” “Napakasakit Kuya Eddie” would later be an inspiration for a song performed by Roel Cortez in 1984. Along with Leila Benitez and Bobby Ledesma, Ilarde hosted “Student Canteen” on radio and then later on television. His political career saw him become Pasay City councilor from 1963 to 1965, as 1st district representative of Rizal until 1969, and senator in 1972 before his tenure was cut short with the declaration of Martial Law by then-President Ferdinand Marcos. Ilarde was also an assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa during the Marcos presidency until 1984. “He also championed our senior citizens with his Golden Eagles Society,” Liza said.

Pinoy... From A1 Malacañang on Wednesday expressed solidary with Lebanon after the explosion that rocked its capital killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 others, while leaving over 300,000 people homeless. “The Philippines is in solidarity with the people of Lebanon in this period of great grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lebanese people,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement. He also sympathized with the families of the Filipinos who died or were wounded in the blast. “We are one with the families and friends of the Filipinos who died or were injured,” Roque said. Roque told CNN Philippines that the DFA would continue to help all the Filipinos who were affected by the explosion through the Philippine Embassy in Beirut. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez told reporters the embassy in Beirut was now in touch with the Filipino community in Lebanon to assess the situation and provide assistance. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar expressed his “utmost sympathies” with the people and government of Lebanon and all those who had been affected by the blast.

following: · Non-usage of rapid testing kits · 100 percent of households undergoing symptom check · Isolating COVID-19 patients non-compliant with home quarantine protocol · Tracing at least 37 individuals who have been in contact per one COVID-19 patient · High awareness and compliance with minimum health standards such as wearing of face mask and face shield and observance of physical distancing · 100 percent requiring admission or isolation referred · 100 percent of admitted patients have zero out of pocket hospital fee · 100 percent of clusters identified, contained and isolated · No stigmatization of COVID-19 patients in the community A swab test, also known as Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, is believed to yield a more accurate result than a rapid test.

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BOC surpasses July 2020 collection target By Vito Barcelo

HE Bureau of Customs has surpassed its July 2020 collection target by 5% or 2.398 billion, collecting P50.072 billion against its target of P47.674 billion for the same month, despite the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease and stringent community quarantine.

RECORD HIGH. A Gat. Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center maintenance worker sweeps excess water brought by the rain at a parking lot converted into an extension of the hospital in Tondo, Manila. The Department of Health reported a single day record high of 6,352 coronavirus positive cases in the country, bringing the total to 112,593 cases on Tuesday, August 4. The latest DOH data also showed that almost half or 3,139 of the new reported cases were from Metro Manila. This too is also the highest single-day spike in the capital region. Norman Cruz

Death penalty bill Cayetano supports passage of DDR measure ‘baseless’—CHR By Maricel V. Cruz By Maricel V. Cruz A COMMISSION on Human Rights official on Wednesday said the President’s call for the reimposition of death penalty was baseless. At a virtual hearing conducted by the House committee on justice chaired by Rep. Vicente Veloso of Leyte, Commissioner Karen Dumpit of the CHR cited Article III, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution which provides that death penalty should not be imposed as a punishment “unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it.” “The Constitution says for compelling reasons, and it is our position that there is no compelling reason to reintroduce the death penalty,” she told legislators. Veloso was quick to say that “it is for Congress to appreciate these compelling reasons and for the President to veto or approve whatever Congress will pass.” Veloso conducted the hearing on 12 pending bills on death penalty just over a week after President Duterte asked Congress to work on the revival of capital punishment during his 5th State of the Nation Address. Reps. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte and Bienvenido Abante, Jr. supported the reimposition of capital punishment.

IN BRIEF Hontiveros hits QC exec for shoot-to-kill threats RESPONDING to threats by a Quezon City official that he would ‘shoot to kill’ people who will violate quarantine rules, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday sought a full Senate investigation on cases of abuse and illegal acts by local government officials in implementing community quarantine protocols. “Why is killing the answer to health crisis? Our people are already suffering, and statements like that do not inspire confidence in our local leaders,” said Hontiveros. Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 489, which urged the Senate Committee on Local Government to probe the controversy involving Quezon City Task Force Disiplina head Ranulfo “Rannie” Ludovica, as well as other documented cases of abuse, violence and illegal acts by local officials during enforcement of quarantine rules meant to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Land acquisition work shortened to 112 days THE time it will take for a tenant to assume possession of the land that he tills has been shortened to 112 days, Department of Agrarian Reform said on Tuesdsay. The process of land acquisition to distribution used to take as many as 291 days. The department has issued Administrative Order 01, Series of 2020 which simplified the land acquisition and distribution process under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-covered agricultural lands to accelerate the distribution of lands to agrarian reform beneficiaries. Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones said President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the department to complete the land distribution and acquisition (LAD) of the remaining private agricultural lands covered by Republic Act 6657 by the time he steps down on June 30, 2022. Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Speaker Alan Peter Cayeyano on Wednesday pushed for the passage of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience which he said is crucial to respond to natural disasters amid COVID-19. “While our government is now focused on its fight against COVID-19 pandemic, we also have to be prepared to respond to inevitable natural disasters like floods, typhoons, and earthquakes,” Cayetano said. The Speaker’s issued the call after President Rodrigo Duterte, in his fifth State of the Nation Address, urged the House of Representatives and the Senate

to pass the DRR bill soonest, pointing out the impact of natural disasters as “poverty creators.” Cayetano said there is a need to manage the “dual disaster” of natural disasters and poverty in an integrated, systematic, and cohesive manner. “As much as we wish for the opposite, this pandemic could not be the last calamity that our country will face, so we need to fasttrack the passage of the Department of Disaster Resilience,” he said. Since 2013, Cayetano has been advocating the creation of a focused, singleminded, and specialized department that would bolster government’s programs on

disaster response, resilience, and management. House Bill 5989 or the Disaster Resilience Act proposes to create the Department of Disaster Resilience which will solely focus on disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. Cayetano, the principal author of the bill, reiterated his challenge to his colleagues to come up with long-lasting solutions, programs, and mechanisms to address calamities. He particularly cited the need to speed up rehabilitative efforts after every disaster.

In a statement, the BOC said their positive revenue collection performance was due to the “improved valuation and volume of importation” along with the bureau’s intensified collective effort on all ports despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from this, it added that it helped that the government ensured that the movement of goods domestically and internationally is unhampered. Based on a preliminary report from the BOC-Financial Service, ten of the seventeen collection districts exceeded their target for the month, led by Port of Aparri, followed by the Port of Tacloban, Port of Limay, Port of Zamboanga, Port of Cagayan de Oro, Port of Davao, Port of Clark, Port of Cebu, Port of Batangas, and Port of Subic. The Customs bureau said it remains committed to maintaining border security measures against undervaluation, misdeclaration and other forms of technical smuggling and collecting lawful revenues. In addition, the increase can also be attributed to the government’s effort in ensuring unhampered movement of goods domestically and internationally considering the pandemic situation. In June, BOC also surpassed its P40.74 billion collection goal by 4.42 percent, with the bureau collecting P42.54 billion. However, BOC’s collections as of endJune this year plummeted by 16.49 percent to P253.04 billion from P303.01 billion in the same period last year due to the steady decline in the volume of imports in the first five months of the year.

Win warns Meralco vs another ‘bill shock’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Win Gatchalian yesterday warned the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and other Distribution Utilities against possible unexplained bill shocks, a replication of what transpired during the Luzon wide-Enhanced Community Quarantine period. “We’re at it again. Metro Manila and nearby areas are now back to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine,” he said. Gatchalian said meter readings may not be possible due to the lockdown period. “Add to this is the possibility that a number of affected consumers may appeal anew for deferred or extension of payment in their monthly bills,” Gatchalian said. Meralco faced rampant complaints over the unexplained surge in the monthly electricity bills of consumers at the height of the summer community quarantine. “The consumers cannot afford another round of bill shock in their electricity bills,” said the chair of the Senate Energy Committee chairman said. Gatchalian pointed out that it’s incumbent upon the Energy Regulatory Commission, as the government’s supervisory body in the power sector, to give relief to consumers and ensure that their interests are protected. “Just like the time when the Luzonwide ECQ was extended, the ERC undertook measures that somehow eased the burden of affected consumers by directing all distribution utilities (DUs) in the country such as Meralco to allow a staggered payment scheme. We’re hoping to hear a similar directive in the days to come,” the senator said.

DONATIONS. Navotas City Congressman John Rey Tiangco thanked Department of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III, Deputy Chief Implementer Sec. Vince Dizon, Usec. Bong Vega, Usec Ted Herbosa and Dr. Paz Corrales for donate 1,000 test kits and 5,000 sets of PPEs to City of Navotas. The donations were brought to the Navotas City Hall. Andrew Rabulan

Group prods gov’t on digital transformation for biz A CIVIL society group called on government to remove bureaucratic barriers and fully enforce the Ease of Doing Business law to fully support digital transformation in the country. In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines called on the government to remove the bureaucratic barriers that have hampered the development of the digital infrastructure for many decades. “Public investment in digital infrastructure complemented with the right partnerships with the private sector and health care stakeholders is the whole-of-

society approach we need to overcome our health crisis,” said CitizenWatch convenor Orlando Oxales. The group cited the need to fully enforce the Ease of Doing Business law and permanently demolish the bureaucratic barriers at the national and local levels. It also asked the government to enable the telecom industry to help build future-proof digital infrastructure network to meet the fast-growing demand of a digitized society linking the ecosystems of government, private industries, and consumers to cloud-based services that are

secure, stable and fast. “All these can only be possible if we have a robust nationwide and future proof digital infrastructure that will deliver fast broadband services,” said Oxales. Oxales said the digital transformation of the Philippine health sector, for example, will make health care services more efficient and more accessible to our people. He said that integrating innovative technologies is critical in implementing health laws such as the Universal Health Care and National Integrated Cancer Control Act.

Customs may auction off seized P33-m McLaren super car By Joel E. Zurbano THE Customs bureau is considering auctioning off the P33 million worth McLaren 620R super car it earlier seized at the Manila South Harbor to help the government raise funds for COVID-19 response. “Yes, but it will depend on the outcome of the hearing at the Law Division. If it is forfeited in favor of the government, then the bureau can sell it through public auction to raise funds,” a Customs intelligence officer told Manila Standard. The bureau has an option to allow the im-

porter to pay the right duties and taxes for the luxury car, but it will need the approval of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero and the Department of Finance, the agency that supervises the Bureau of Customs. Based on import documents, the shipment was consigned to Llorin Trading and arrived at the Port of Manila on July 16, 2020. It was declared as brand new Porsche Cayman sports car in an attempt to avoid the payment of the appropriate duties and taxes. Customs Intelligence and Investigation Division agents intercepted the ship-

ment on Aug. 3 and found out that it was a McLaren 620R super car. McLaren 620R is the road-legal version of the British supercar maker’s GT4 race car, equipped with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 612hp and 620Nm. Customs officials said the value of the car is P33 million, which technically entitles the government to more than P16 million in duties and taxes. The importer, instead, paid only P1.5 million in duties and taxes. Port of Manila district collector Michael Angelo Vargas immediately issued a war-

rant of seizure and detention on the shipment based on the recommendation of the bureau’s Intelligence Group - CIIS office. The consignee and broker of the shipment are now facing possible charges for violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 1113 of RA 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tarrif Act. Collector Vargas said Port of Manila, in coordination with the IG-CIIS and all its offices, is committed to its mandate of collecting appropriate duties and taxes and prevent the proliferation of improper and or misdeclared imported vehicles into the country.

LGUs

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

LMP supports Duterte’s call to eliminate red tape

GADGET TABLES. The

Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay 333 in District III of the City of Manila led by SK Chairperson Bryan Bab Bacongol pose with 220 laptop or tablet tables they gave away to their constituents for their online classes this coming school year. Alex Layos/ Manila Youth Bureau photo

Globe asks LGUs: Ease infra permits GLOBE President and CEO Ernest Cu appealed to LGUs to rationalize fees and expedite the processing of permits, thereby enabling the industry to build the infrastructure needed to improve connectivity in the country. The appeal follows his face-toface meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang last July 30 to inform the president of the telco industry's challenges. In a statement, Cu said, "Each year, we make massive investments in billions of pesos to make our network perform at par with other countries. However, we can only go as far as what our existing infrastructure can give. “If we want robust connectivity we really need to build more cell sites and roll out more fiber to homes. The current permitting process and fee structures simply do not allow us to do these." Cu added, "This is a time when all industry stakeholders need to work together for the benefit of the consuming public. Connectivity is now an essential need especially during this pandemic. Let's turn a new leaf and help enable the industry to build." Cu met with Duterte Thursday evening, which was included in the taped broadcast of the COVID-19 briefing in Malacañang, Friday.

Parañaque launches digital aid By Joel E. Zurbano THE Parañaque City government has launched the on-site digital disbursement of its local cash assistance program for 50,000 households in the city amid the modified enhanced community quarantine status in Metro Manila. In partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the beneficiaries can now withdraw their P5,000 cash aid through Bank on Wheels, a 5G-powered and airconditioned banking kiosk in a mobile van. The mobile van is designed to enable customers to perform standard automated teller machine (ATM) services such as cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, fund transfer, and bills payment, all without leaving their communities. “Today is another milestone as we witness the pilot run of the on-site digital disbursement of Paraña-Cash Assistance Program which is P5,000 for every household in Paranaque,” said Mayor Edwin Olivarez during the launching in Barangay Moonwalk. Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) director general Jeremiah Belgica, Union Bank senior vice president Paolo Baltao, city Business Permit and Licensing Office chief Melanie Malaya and city hall officials attended the launching.

THE League of Municipalities of the Philippines is supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's call to streamline the permitting process for the construction of Telco Towers throughout the country. In a statement, the LMP said it had come up with a support mechanism to assist Telcos in coordinating with its 1,488 member-municipalities. This aims to simplify and hasten the permitting procedures, eliminate red tape, and ensure expeditious construction of the telecommunication towers and the laying down of fiber cable lines in their areas of jurisdiction, said LMP President Luis Singson, mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

In a statement, LMP said: “As the LMP National President, I have already instructed our National Secretariat to setup a dedicated desk and assign necessary manpower for this purpose. “We call on our telecommunication companies, like Globe and Smart, to coordinate with the LMP National Secretariat so that we can assist and forward their concerns to our Municipal Mayors. “Reality on the ground reveals that these Telcos depend on competing private contractors leveraging with private lot owners, home owners associations (HOAs), barangay officials, and LGU personnel to corner the contract from the Telcos concerned.”

78 nabbed in Cagayan raid S

OME 75 Chinese nationals and three Filipinos were arrested by the authorities Tuesday night at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone in Santa Ana, Cagayan, nearly 700 kilometers north of Manila. The arrests were made by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Region 2, who cracked down on illegal online gaming operations inside the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.

Sec. Raul Lambino, CEZA administrator and CEO, said he sought the support of the PNP and the NBI upon receiving verified reports that established the illegal online gaming operations of OFA Cagayan Estate Developer Corporation, a real estate developer, at the Villa Saturnina Resort and Hotel in Barangay Rapuli, Santa Ana, with-

out the required gaming license issued by CEZA. “We will not tolerate any form of illegal online gaming activity inside the zone,” said Lambino as he lauded the joint efforts of the PNP and NBI in the timely dismantling of the gambling racket. “Proper charges should be filed by police authorities in court to unmask the mastermind of this illegal gambling activity.” The arrested Chinese nationals, police said, were also found to have no CEZA Working Visas, a violation of the CEZA Interactive Gaming rules

CLUB TOUR.

Manila Yacht Club (MYC) Commodore Robert Lim Joseph (center) leads Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Danilo Lim and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu diring their visit to the MYC compound in connection with the “Save Manila Bay” program of the government. Joseph, also concurrent President of the Rotary Club of Manila, reported that MYC now enjoys fresh air and no more foul smell, as the water around the club is becoming cleaner.

Quezon, SEARCA set plan for coco industry By Brenda Jocson THE Provincial Local Government of Quezon has set its development plan for the coconut industry with a vision of a market-driven coconut industry with empowered and resilient farmers engaging in profitable coconut-based enterprises contributing to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. According to the Office of the Pro-

vincial Agriculturist, the Quezon Coconut Industry Development Plan aims to establish provincial nurseries for high-yielding coconut varieties, replace senile coconut trees with high-yielding varieties and increase coconut productivity through proper cultural management and fertilization. A team from Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture led by Dr. Ped-

cris Orencio, Program Head for the Research and Thought Leadership Department, Dr. Jose Medina, former ISARD Overall Program Coordinator, Dr. Rex Navarro, Coordinator cum Facilitator, Carmen Nyhria Rogel, Program Specialist, and Ruth Jazrel Bandong, both from RTLD, recently had a virtual meeting with the representatives from Quezon PLGU to discuss this possible collaboration.

and regulations for offshore companies operating in the Zone. CEZA deputy administrator retired police general Agrimero Cruz said that based on initial PNP report, the police team also confiscated 103 laptop and desktop computers allegedly used in the online gaming operations. Cruz said the raid was conducted on the strength of a search warrant issued by Presiding Judge Nicanor S. Pacual Jr. of RTC Br. 8, Aparri, Cagayan in violation of Presidential Decree 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287.

30,000 illegal connections sparked fires By Alena Mae S. Flores INCIDENTS of fire caused by illegal electricity connections in Iloilo City reached disastrous proportions in the past 10 years because the old utility tolerated the proliferation of “jumpers” or illegal connections according to Iloilo City civic leaders. These illegal connections reached 30,000 based on the technical study of MIESCOR Engineering Services Corp, which could be attributed to the 9.3 percent system loss of the city. The civil leaders said PECO’s tolerance of the illegal electricity connections caused much of the 3,000 incidents of fire in electricity poles in the city because under More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), no fire incidents occurred since March when it took over. Iloilo East Baluarte Barangay Chairman Gary Patnubay said during “The Community Energy Forum 2020,” illegal connections were the main cause of the fires and about 30 to 40 percent of his constituents were involved in illegal connections. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Iloilo City had recorded nearly 3,000 cases of electricity pole fires in the past five years under PECO, many of which were caused by illegal electricity connections.

Teachers overcome electricity lack [Last of two parts] WITH the on-going pandemic, Argy Catolin, a teacher at Aglonok Primary School Iloilo, admits that students and teachers will face more difficulties in learning. The lack of electricity and reception in their area poses challenges in the upcoming school year. Recognizing the limitations of their area, his school has opted to utilize modular distance learning. Despite the challenges they may face, teachers and parents at the Aglonok Primary School work together to make sure that students can adapt to the new normal in education. “In our case in upland areas, we always give our best in helping our pupils. We did

it before the pandemic through the Adopta-Child Program,” Catolin said. “In the new normal, we can help our students by providing learning materials and we can help our parents by providing accurate information regarding the new normal setting.” “This pandemic affects everything all over the world.” Catolin said. “Until there’s no vaccine we have to deal with the new normal setting. Us teachers have to be equipped with a positive attitude towards this crisis.” Catolin also said it was only through the collective efforts of teachers, students, parents, and the Department of Education (DepEd) that they can make a difference during these difficult times.

COLLECTIVE EFFORTS. Teacher Argy Catolin of Aglonok Primary School in Iloilo says

it is only through the collective efforts of teachers, students, parents, and the Department of Education (DepEd) that they can make a difference during these difficult times.

Opinion Magical thinking

"Well, I think that we're doing very well and we have done as well as any nation," he told reporters at a press briefing this week, even as the average number of daily deaths had climbed back up to more than 1,000. With the pandemic still raging in several large southern states, the numbers do not bear him out. Data from Johns Hopkins University show the United States leads the world in both the number of COVID-19 infections and the number of deaths. For a country that ac-

counts for only 4 percent of the world’s population, the US has 25 percent of its COVID-19 cases and 22 percent of its coronavirus deaths. Yet, when asked by CNN why his own administration’s health experts were contradicting his rosy assessment, Trump did not budge. “I think we’re doing a great job,” he said.

Can one’s ideas, thoughts, or wishes truly influence the course of events in the physical world? In other instances, Trump has said the coronavirus will one day just disappear, even without a vaccine. It is a stunning display of magical thinking, the belief that one’s ideas, thoughts, or wishes can influence the course of events in the physical world. There are disturbing parallels here. Health officials in the Philippines re-

BUSINESS CLASS

ported 6,352 new infections Tuesday, setting yet one-day record, but Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the rest of the country outside of Metro Manila and Central Visayas was doing well. Like Trump, Ano said we were “doing good compared to other countries” such as the United States and Brazil. Given Trump’s abject failure in addressing the pandemic, this may be true, but should we really be congratulating ourselves by pointing to the misfortunes of others? Instead, we need to ask: Why, after the longest lockdown in the world, aren’t we doing any better? We should also look into the accountability of those in charge of the response, that has been far from ideal. There are marked differences in the two responses, of course. While Trump says the virus will one day just disappear and takes every opportunity to blame China for the “Wuhan virus,” our President is banking on the good graces of Beijing to give the Philippines priority access to a vaccine when it finally becomes available. Sadly, neither of those seems to be a well-considered or comprehensive plan to tame the raging pandemic.

RUDY ROMERO THERE are several similarities between Japan, South Korea and Taiwan that are apparent to most people. One similarity is that they are located in Northeast Asia and belong to the western half of the Pacific Ocean. Another similarity is that they are democratic nations that at one time or another were sealed by the military. A third similarity is that by the definition of the World Bank they are developed—i.e, high-income—countries.

The zaibatsus, chaebols and taipans did the job more quickly and with greater efficiency in the use of resources. There is another similarity between Japan, South Korea and Taiwan—one that is apparent only to economic historians and attendants of development economics. This similarity has to do with the manner in which these three nations attained the economic status that they enjoy today; more especially, it relates to the undertaking of the huge investments that were needed to transform their economies into the economic powerhouse that they are today. At the end of World War II, the economies of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan needed massive amounts of investments. Japan and South Korea needed the investments to restore the physical infrastructure that was destroyed by the Allied armies during the final phase of that war. Taiwan needed the investment in order to enable the incoming Chiang Kai-shek force to rapidly transform the island—known before World War II as Formosa—from an agriculture-based territory to an industrial center. Korea—today’s South Korea and North Korea—and Taiwan were colonies of Japan until 1945.

COVID-19 road map RIGHT after President Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address, people in social media started asking about his COVID-19 road map. In fairness to the government, there was an action program developed and approved by the President that was implemented by the Inter Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases when the pandemic started. The only thing is that the IATF did not write it down and it was not made public. The objective was to put the lives of Filipinos first and foremost. The enhanced community quarantine which lasted for about 80 days was imposed for the purpose of saving lives. This was supposed to be followed by vigorous testing, contact tracing, and the isolation of infected people. Somewhere along the line, however, the President's team or part of it did not do their jobs well, that is why we now have more 115,980 infected people as of yesterday. In other words, there was failure in the execution of the program. Over time, the dynamics of the pandemic changed, necessitating revisions in the government response to adjust to the changing situation. This was when the government decided to reopen the economy. When this happened, the first objective of saving Filipino lives was modified to saving lives to include opening the economy because the country cannot afford not to. Then, when the President addressed the nation last Friday, he asked the public to hold on a little longer because a vaccine is coming very soon from China. He even read a letter from the Chinese embassy saying that the Philippines is a priority recipient of the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. He said that the military will under-

DUTY CALLS

FLORENCIO FIANZA take the distribution of the vaccines free of charge first to the poor, then his soldiers and policemen and perhaps the middle class. The rich, if I understood his gestures correctly, will have to fend for themselves. This signaled an abrupt shift in government direction. In his introductory words, there was a tone of resignation that the government might

In a crisis, slowness guarantees defeat. not be able to control the spread of the disease any longer that is why he was banking on the arrival of the vaccine to bring the country back to normalcy. This shift took many people by surprise because the government appeared to be willing to allow the people to learn to live with the virus as the economy continues to accelerate. But then the medical community appealed for a two-week lockdown to give the medical frontliners a breather. Metro Manila and four nearby provinces are now on a two-week modified enhanced community quarantine. These many changes in government direction is a reason why some people are asking what exactly the government wants to do. Save Filipino lives most of all? Open the economy but try to save as many lives as possible? Or simply hold the fort and wait for the vaccines from China to come hoping that it will solve all

The best care for healthcare OVERSIGHT

DANILO SUAREZ FOR the past six months, we have seen the indubitable contribution and significance of our health care workers in the country’s battle against COVID-19. Our medical doctors, nurses, medical technologists, allied health professionals, and other health workers have been continuously serving and attending to countless patients, both COVID and non-COVID, in many of our hospitals and other health facilities nationwide. We have heard numerous stories of their experiences and sacrifices—enduring the heat and sweat inside sealed PPE suits for eight to 36 hours straight while bearing the risks in fulfilling their sworn duties to

care for the sick. This has been going on since March. It's August, and the conditions have worsened. Their unparalleled service and compassion are crucial in sustaining our fight against this pandemic despite the difficulties caused by prevailing circumstances. This crisis we face as a nation will not be won without them. As they man the frontlines, it is only right that we must look after their welfare in return. The Executive has ordered the grant of special risk allowance and hazard pay to our public health care workers early into the Enhanced Community Quarantine. The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act has provided benefits for health care workers, especially those who lost their lives due to COVID. Other compensatory measures for health professionals are being pushed in the Legislative. The proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One

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our COVID-19 problems. But during the two week breather, what should the government be doing? Reorganize the President's team by streamlining some functions? Replace some of the team members perhaps? More of the same? The seven recommendations by a group of doctors seem to allude to these points. It is really hard to manage a crisis in the manner that it has been done during the past several months. Due to the nature of the crisis, what is now needed is for the President to consider appointing a field commander or crisis manager who reports to him directly supported by very competent people and an efficient operation center that can get up to date information efficiently as a basis for making on the spot decisions. This way, he talks to only one person instead of so many. The situation is changing rapidly that decisions must be made promptly and not have to wait for the next committee meeting. When the medics made their recommendations, the Department of Health promised to come up with an aggressive program in a week. By that time, half the lockdown would have been gone and infections may have increased anywhere between 14,000 to 37,000. It would be too late. Besides, should it be DOH drafting a plan after all the flak that it has been getting? Perhaps the Chief Implementer who was a former Chief of Staff of the AFP should do it. He knows all the facets of the problem and can easily draft a comprehensive Operation Plan. At this point, we cannot afford to be one step behind or else we will surely lose the battle. Slowness is the best friend of defeat in crisis management. We all have a stake in this pandemic. Let us do it right this time.

Act includes more provisions to enhance health care services. Just recently, the Department of Budget and Management issued the much awaited and deserved salary upgrade for government nurses. Despite this small victory, many remain to be improved in terms of the rightful remuneration to our valiant health workers.

Without a guaranteed safe and effective cure in sight, defensive measures are our best weapons. It’s time to bring the best care to our health care workers. I laud the efforts of the national government in enacting policies supporting the welfare of our health workers. While the intention of these pol-

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

Oligarchs rebuilt economies of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

EDITORIAL

ITH more than 155,000 of his people dead from COVID-19 and 4.7 million Americans infected, US President Donald Trump insists that his administration is doing “an incredible job” and that it has the pandemic well under control.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

There was a common source for the massive amounts of capital needed for the reconstruction of the economies of Japan and South Korea and transformation of the economy of Taiwan: those countries’ oligarchs. The oligarchs went by different names— zaibatsus in Japan, chaebols in South Korea and taipans in Taiwan—but they accounted for of the large investments needed to rehabilitate Japan and South Korea and industrialize Taiwan. Encouraged by the newly installed authorities and motivated by the prospect of profitable operations in an economic-resurgence environment, the Mitsuhisas, Masashitas, and their fellow-zaibatsus, the Chungs and Lees and their fellow chaebols and the transplanted Mainland Chinese taipans rose to the occasion and quickly began to undertake big projects in the sectors that matter most to an economy—utilities, manufactory, and transportation. Working hand in hand with the authorities, the Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese oligarchs helped to make possible the rapid reconstruction of the Japanese and South Korean economies and the transformation of Taiwan’s economy. If itwere left to their MSME sectors, the job of reconstructing the economies of Japan and South Korea and industrializing Taiwan would have taken longer and would have been less officially executed. The zaibatsus, chaebols and taipans did the job more quickly and with greater efficiency in the use of resources. By 1960, the Japanese economy had fully recovered from World War II and by the early 1970s, South Korea and Taiwan had joined the ranks of the developed countries. This column is not primarily intended to be a tribute to corporate humans or to say the praises of zaibatsus, chaebols and taipans. Rather, it is primarily intended to convey the message that a country’s largest business enterprises are not automatically classifiable as oligarchs and that oligarchs—if such they be—have a major role to play in the drama of nation-building. The largest business establishments in this country need not be praised for the success that they have achieved. But they do not deserve to be denounced as oligarchs.

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net) NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO

Kumikitang pangkabuhayan

icies are good, the government must also ensure that the government agencies and local government units are physically and financially capable to effectively implement said mandates for the improvement of our entire healthcare system. Local governments have been responding to the calls for assistance of our local health institutions early on. The Provincial Government of Quezon granted a one-time risk allowance to our local public health employees and other forms of assistance during the enhanced community quarantine. While additional support is clearly still needed, local budgets have been outstretched insofar as COVID-related measures are concerned. I ask the national government to supplement and reinforce LGU capability in order to competently and equitably deliver the mandated benefits and other provisions for health. We should maximize our resources to extend the necessary and sufficient assistance as much as we possibly can, especially to the critical areas of our

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

health care—the personnel and the facilities. The frontlines should be strengthened. There is no question that this national health crisis is multifaceted. However, the ultimate solution to defeat this disease is a robust health care system. As we cushion the economic and social impact of this crisis, the nation as a whole needs to keep in mind that supporting the health aspect is paramount to hold the line. With this, I urge the government to give all the help and support needed by our front liners. The people, on the other hand, should exercise discipline and make initiatives to protect one’s health. The road to recovery is a wide highway—we cannot move forward without clearing all the lanes, all aspects of society. We have to cooperate and be disciplined, at all times. Follow the protocols. Without a guaranteed safe and effective cure in sight, defensive measures are our best weapons. The healthcare professionals and frontliners need our strict compliance. For all that they have done, we owe them that.

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, AUGUST 6, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Highest level’ US official visit to Taiwan set TAIPEI—The United States announced Wednesday its “highest level” visit in decades to Taiwan, a move sure to infuriate China with relations between the two superpowers at historic lows. Washington’s de facto embassy in Taipei confirmed that health chief Alex Azar would lead an upcoming delegation to the self-ruled island, which China’s communist leaders claim and have vowed to one day seize. “This marks... the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, and the highest level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979,” the American Institute in Taiwan said. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979. It remains the leading arms supplier to the island but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it. Taiwan’s foreign ministry confirmed the trip and said Azar would meet President Tsai Ing-wen. “Secretary Azar is a long-time staunch friend of Taiwan,” the ministry said, describing his upcoming trip as “ample evidence of the solid foundation of mutual trust” between Washington and Taipei. Neither side said when the trip would happen in their statements. Relations between Taiwan and the United States have dramatically warmed under President Donald Trump, who has used the island as a way to hit back at Beijing as he clashes with China on a host of issues, including trade and the pandemic. Taiwan’s success at stopping its own coronavirus outbreak—and its emergence as one of Asia’s most progressive democracies—has also earned the island growing bipartisan support in Washington. Blossoming friendship Shortly after his election Trump became the first US leader since 1979 to speak directly with his Taiwanese counterpart when Tsai phoned to congratulate him. AFP

FREEING TURTLES. People prepare to release green sea turtles on Kuta beach near Denpasar on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on August 5, after police arrested seven people on the Serangan waters for allegedly attempting to smuggle 36 green sea turtles. AFP

Global virus toll nears 700,000

ARIS―France and the Netherlands are gearing up for stricter mask-wearing rules to fight the coronavirus as the global death toll from the pandemic neared 700,000 Paris, Toulouse and other cities announced that the wearing of masks would be compulsory in particularly busy streets and squares. People already have to wear them inside most private businesses and all public buildings. A scientific committee advising the French government warned that the country could lose control of its spread

“at any time.” In the Netherlands, the same maskwearing measure will be applied in Rotterdam and the famous red-light district of Amsterdam from Wednesday. And Ireland postponed the reopening of pubs and other nightspots on the advice of scientists, concerned about rising infections.

YEMEN FLOODS. A picture shows flooded waters in Yemen’s Marib province on August 4, as 17 people, including eight children,

have been killed in flash floods and by lightning in Yemen’s northern Marib region, health authorities. The fierce storms have added to the woes of the war-torn country, which the UN has described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. AFP

Trump call for slice of TikTok deal draws fire WASHINGTON―President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his demand for the US government to get a piece of the action to let Microsoft or any other company here buy popular China-based social media app TikTok. Trump’s stance was slammed by critics who said it appears unconstitutional and akin to extortion. “We have all the cards, because without us, you can’t come into the United States,” Trump said during a White House press briefing. “If you’re a landlord, you have a tenant, the tenant’s business needs rent, it needs a lease.” Trump maintained that a large share of any TikTok purchase price should go to the US treasury, and that Microsoft “agreed with me very much.” Microsoft did not immediately return a request for comment. Trump on Monday said he was prepared to approve a deal selling TikTok assets to Microsoft or another US company after warning of a national security ban, but maintained that he would ask for “a substantial portion” of any transaction to come into the Treasury. Trump lacks authority for this demand, critics said, adding that if carried out it would be bad for business and international relations. AFP

4 dead as Isaias pounds east coast NEW YORK―Tropical storm Isaias left four people dead as it pounded the US eastern seaboard with driving winds and heavy rain, leaving millions of households without power Wednesday. A tornado ripped through a mobile home park in North Carolina killing two people said state governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday, while two more died as trees fell on their cars—one in New York and one in Maryland. The tropical storm was downgraded late Tuesday as it streaked into southeastern Canada, where forecasters warned of heavy rain to come. Earlier, wind gusts up to 50 mph (80 kph) wreaked havoc across eastern states of the US, littering streets with debris and forcing the cancellation of scores of flights. Video footage from New Jersey showed a roof being torn off a house as residents were told to stay indoors be-

cause of a threat of tornadoes. About three million houses were without power by early Wednesday morning across several states, utilities companies reported—with New Jersey and New York worst hit by the outages. Isaias quickly moved up the East Coast after slamming into the coast of North Carolina overnight with hurricane strength. “Isaias hit North Carolina head-on,” Governor Cooper, adding that roads were being cleared and electricity restored. “As clean-up continues, don’t forget the pandemic is still with us. So help your neighbor, but do it safely by wearing your mask, keeping your distance and bringing your hand sanitizer.” New York authorities, ever-wary of the devastating damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, set up temporary flood barriers in Lower Manhattan in case of storm surge. AFP

The hunt for an effective treatment continued with the United States launching trials of an antibody treatment for COVID-19. More than 18 million people worldwide have been infected with the virus since it first emerged in China late last year. The worst hit country, the United States, had added 1,300 new deaths as of Tuesday evening, bringing its toll to nearly 156,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. The caseload grew by 53,847 to nearly 4.8 million, it said. Far from slowing down, the latest figures show that the rate of infection is accelerating.

Brazil is driving a surge in Latin America and the Caribbean, where infections passed five million on Monday. South America’s largest country has recorded more than 2.75 million cases, and nearly 95,000 deaths, nearly half the region’s 203,800 deaths. US announces clinical trials The world’s hope of ending the current cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns rests on finding a treatment. The United States announced Tuesday it had begun late-stage clinical trials into a drug they hope will be an antibody against the coronavirus. AFP

Pompeo vows to protect HK activists abroad

IN BRIEF

WASHINGTON―US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday vowed to protect Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners who have fled the city and denounced China after Beijing said that police had ordered the arrests of overseas activists. “The Chinese Communist Party cannot tolerate the free thinking of its own people, and increasingly is trying to extend its reach outside China’s borders,” Pompeo said in a statement. “The United States and other free nations will continue to protect our peoples from the long arm of Beijing’s authoritarianism.” In an accompanying tweet, Pompeo said that Washington “condemns the Chinese Communist Party’s attempt to prosecute pro-democracy advocates resident outside of China, including in the United States.” Chinese state media said late Friday that Hong Kong police had ordered the arrest of six pro-democracy activists living in exile on suspicion of violating a tough new security law. One of them, Samuel Chu, head of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, wrote on Twitter that he has been a US citizen for 25 years. The most prominent person targeted was 27-year-old campaigner Nathan Law, who recently fled Hong Kong for Britain and called the charges against him “trumped up.” Hong Kong police refused to comment on the charges. But China’s ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, appeared to confirm and defend the charges. “All these law enforcement actions are taken according to the law,” Cui said in response to a question at the Aspen Security Forum. “Anybody, if they violate the law, they should be punished. That’s it. It doesn’t matter what kind of political views they might have.” AFP

Teen mastermind pleads not guilty to Twitter hack WASHINGTON―The suspected teenage mastermind of a huge Twitter hack pled not guilty Tuesday to allegations he hijacked celebrity accounts to swindle people out of more than $100,000 in a cryptocurrency scheme. The 17-year-old Tampa, Florida resident pled not guilty before a state court, during a short hearing conducted via videoconference, according to the Tampa Bay Times newspaper. He was arrested Friday along with two others, aged 19 and 22, one of whom lives in Britain, and was charged with cyber fraud. Investigators viewed the 17-year-old as the mastermind behind the mid-July cyberattack that rocked Twitter. Hackers who accessed dozens of highprofile Twitter accounts gained access to the system with an attack that tricked a handful of employees into giving up their credentials, according to a company update. The hackers “targeted a small number of employees through a phone spear phishing attack,” according to a Twitter Support statement. AFP

Genoa bridge opens 2 years after tragedy GENOA, Italy―A gleaming new bridge in Genoa built after the deadly collapse of a viaduct opened Tuesday, but critics say not enough has been done since the 2018 disaster to overhaul Italy’s crumbling infrastructure. The first cars crossed the sleek steel structure just after 2000 GMT, nearly two years to the day the Morandi highway gave way during heavy rain, hurling dozens of vehicles into the abyss and killing 43 people. The San Giorgio bridge, designed by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano, was inaugurated to much fanfare on Monday. But many of the relatives of the victims declined to attend, saying the ceremony overshadowed the 2018 tragedy. “We’re still there, at the collapsed bridge, with the people we lost under the bridge. We’re stuck in 2018,” Giorgio Robbiano, 43, who lost his brother, sisterin-law and nephew in the disaster, told AFP Tuesday. AFP

Crowd gathers ahead of Nobel laureate John Hume’s funeral LONDONDERRY―A socially distanced crowd gathered as the body of Nobel laureate John Hume arrived in Londonderry on Tuesday, ahead of a funeral set to laud his life as a peace broker in Northern Ireland. Members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) he led for two decades formed a guard of honour in black face masks, holding lit candles as his cor-

tege arrived at St Eugene’s Cathedral in his native city. The service on Wednesday is due to be pared down to comply with coronavirus health restrictions. Hume’s family have asked mourners to stay at home and light a “candle for peace” at their door in tribute. Nonetheless a small crowd gathered outside the cathedral fences, craning to

see the wicker coffin marked with a simple crucifix carried into the cathedral in the evening. Hume—who died Monday aged 83— will be remembered as a key architect of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement ending “The Troubles” of Northern Ireland which killed 3,500. A passionate nationalist with a total aversion to violence, he took a moder-

ate path during those 30 years of acrimony and shared the 1998 Nobel peace prize with his unionist counterpart David Trimble. Painted murals of Hume have long been a feature of the walls of Londonderry—also known as Derry—a city bordering Ireland which witnessed some of the darkest chapters of “The Troubles.” AFP

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Indonesian economy falls for first time in 2 decades JAKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesia’s coronavirus-hit economy contracted in the second quarter for the first time in more than two decades, with warnings that its recovery could be among the weakest in Southeast Asia. Output in the region’s biggest economy slumped 5.3 percent onyear in April-June, the statistics agency said Wednesday, as retail sales and manufacturing took a hit. That marked Indonesia’s first contraction since the first quarter of 1999 during the Asian financial crisis, putting it on course for its first recession since then. “Economic activity in Indonesia collapsed in the second quarter,” research house Capital Economics said in a note after the figures were published. “A failure to contain the virus effectively and inadequate policy support means the recovery is likely to be one of the slowest in the region.” Governments around the world have been struggling to contain the deadly disease, which forced the shutdown of vast parts of the global economy in the second quarter. Last month, Indonesia’s central bank cut interest rates for the fourth time this year in a bid to boost the struggling economy. Indonesia has announced a stimulus package worth more than $48 billion to help offset the impact of the virus, which forced a large-scale shutdown that hammered growth, including in the key tourism sector. Several million Indonesians have been laid off or furloughed, and the government has projected that the economy could contract by 0.4 percent for the full year. AFP

Local government units sabotaging telco rollout PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s exasperation with the slow interconnectivity in the Philippines and poor services of telecommunications companies has led to the exposure of the real culprit behind this decades-old problem―local government units. LGU executives from provincial governors and mayors down to the barangay “kapitan” played their respective parts in the delay of cell tower rollouts throughout the archipelago. President Duterte specifically slammed barangay captains. “To the barangay captains, stop acting like God in your barangays. You are just a human being. I’m sure that you know nothing or little at all about governance if you are there into corruption,” the country’s chief executive said in a televised address Sunday. The Philippines ranks poorly in the ease of doing business compared with its peers in Southeast Asia. The nation is faring worse in the telecommunications industry. The construction of one cell tower, for instance, requires 29 to 35 permits from both the LGUs and concerned national government agencies. The whole process of securing clearances takes about 9 to 22 months before actual construction can start. LGUs play a starring role in the red tape. A telecom company is required to secure 13 structural permits that will take three to five months to process. These include zoning clearances from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, city or municipal resolution, mayor’s permit, special land use permit, locational clearance, building permit, electrical permit, sanitation permit and mechanical permit. Telecom firms must obtain three permits pertaining to social acceptability, or consent from homeowners living near the cell site, a process that requires one to two months to process. Lessor and right-of-way negotiations for the cell site involve four documents to fill up, another step that will take one to two months. The barangay, meanwhile, has its own hurdle that takes another month to process. Former Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio is not amused at the slow pace of construction in the Philippines. Foreign providers and contractors had already rolled out 10 towers in other countries. In contrast, they have not started a single tower in the Philippines because they were bogged down by the bureaucratic red tape in the LGU level. “The ‘illegal’ red tape is not much a problem as they [telco infra providers] encounter this in other countries, they say. It is the ‘legal’ red tape―numerous permits that require so many signatures―that is the problem,” says Rio in his Facebook post. “The reputation of mobile network operators that they were raking in revenues much more than other companies because of texting, made them targets for revenue generation not only by LGUs, but the NPA (New People’s Army) and some unscrupulous officials,” he said. The Philippines, according to him, has the lowest tower density in Southeast Asia considering that it was the first to build towers for mobile networks. Vietnam has 70,000 towers against the Philippines’ 22,000. The construction of more cell towers in the Philippines, hopefully, should pick up after President Duterte got wind of the problems from Globe Telecom Inc. president Ernest Cu. President Duterte gave LGUs three days to finish the processing of documents required of telecom companies planning to build towers in order to improve their services. He threatened to file cases against local officials who fail to comply with his order. “I’m telling you now, municipal, city or I do not know if the provincial board is included, if you do not release (the permit), beginning today, I’m going to give you exactly three days to report to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), city, provincial,” Mr. Duterte said. Globe complained that the sector had been dealing with too much government red tape that was slowing down telecom upgrades in the Philippines. The company confirmed that the “long drawn permitting process” across local government units had impaired the construction of capital-intensive towers. Cu has conceded that telecom companies have dealt with the same problem in past administrations, adding they pay a number of miscellaneous fees and different types of tower fees in building towers. “Think of it, sir, if we apply for 5,000 towers times 28 or 30 permits, how many thousands of permits will we need to get to be able to start?” Cu asked. Mr. Cu’s rhetorical question is attuned to the time of pandemic. Interconnectivity has gained relevance in these days of e-learning and education, cashless payments, online medical consultations and work-from-home arrangements. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market extends rally; BDO, Jollibee lead advance T HE stock market rallied for the second straight day Wednesday ahead of the release of second-quarter data on the gross domestic product today, while gold topped $2,000 an ounce for the first time.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 58.08 points, or 1 percent, to 5,833.58 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Gainers beat losers, 128 to 75, with 27 issues unchanged. BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group , the biggest lender in terms of assets, climbed 4.4 percent to P91, while sister unit SM Prime Holdings Inc. added 1.9 percent to P29. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. of the Ty Group, the second-largest bank, rose 4.2 percent to P34.90, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, increased 3.8 percent to P131. The rest of Asian markets tracked another record on Wall Street Wednesday as traders monitored talks on a key US stimulus package, though they remain on edge as Washington and Beijing plan a review of their much-vaunted trade deal.

Still, long-running uncertainty about the global economic outlook caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a weak dollar helped push gold to new records after breaking the $2,000 barrier for the first time, while Europe braces for a second wave of infections. Hong Kong rose 0.6 percent and Shanghai ended up 0.2 percent while Seoul and Singapore each piled on more than one percent. Mumbai, Taipei and Jakarta were also in positive territory. And the yellow metal continued its march in Asian trade, touching a new record of $2,039.93, with analysts tipping it to continue higher still as investors bet on the long-term view that inflation will surge once the economic and virus crisis has passed. Tokyo, Sydney, Bangkok and Wellington were slightly lower. With key unemployment benefits and a ban on evictions already lapsed for millions of Americans, Republicans and Democrats remain far apart in talks on a fresh economic rescue package. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has warned the Democrats will not budge from their $3-trillion plan, which includes an extension of a $600-aweek supplementary benefit. The Republicans’ $1 trillion proposal sees that handout slashed to $200. AFP

PSEi August 5, 2020 TOP GAINERS

PSEi July 8, 2020

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

SECOND WAVE. Tourists gather in front of Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate on August 4, 2020, amid the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. Many European countries who have scrapped travel restrictions during the summer break are now confronted with the possibility of a second wave of infections and another lockdown. AFP Manila

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NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING OF ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) MEDICAL CENTER-GENSAN INC.

MEDCO HOLDINGS, INC. Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders Dear Stockholder:

DEAR STOCKHOLDERS: Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center - Gensan Inc. will be held on August 25, 2020, Thursday, at 8:00 in the morning; the meeting will be conducted via Zoom Webinar. Kindly confirm your presence for the meeting by registering on or before August 22, 2020.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3970360612 The link will provide you the process for the registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting. Voting will be done via the online tool which you can access once you have logged in to the zoom meeting. The host will launch a poll where participants will be prompted to cast their votes. The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference. The Agenda:

VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII.

I. II. III. IV.

To register for the meeting, click the link below :

I. II. III. IV. V.

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Medco Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) which will be held on August 27, 2020, Thursday, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held and conducted virtually online at www.medco.com.ph/asm by remote communication and voting will be in absentia. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Call to Order Invocation Determination of Quorum Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2019 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Annual Financial Report President’s Report Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation Amendment of the Bylaws of the Corporation (Sections 6 and 8 of Article II and Section 6 of Article III) Election of the Board of Directors Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2020 Adjournment

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 5, 2020 (Record Date) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at compliance.acemcgensan@gmail.com not later than August 22, 2020, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. Attached is a sample proxy form for your reference. [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies] The Information Statement and Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are available at the Corporation’s website at http:// acemcgensan.com/. You may contact the undersigned via email at compliance. acemcgensan@gmail.com, or through telephone numbers: (083) 553-3595, if you have inquiries or concerns regarding the meeting. Very truly yours,

VI. VII. VIII.

Call to Order; Certification of Notices and Quorum; Approval of the minutes of the annual meeting of stockholders held on December 13, 2019; Approval of the Annual Report and the Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2019; Approval and Ratification of the acts, contracts, investments and resolutions of the Board and management of the Corporation since the last annual meeting on December 13, 2019; Election of the members of the Board of Directors for the year 2020. The procedure for the nomination and election of directors is set forth in Item 5 of the Information Statement; Re-appointment of Punongbayan and Araullo, the Philippine representative of Grant Thornton International, as external auditors of the Corporation for the year 2020; and Other matters.

For the purpose of the meeting, only stockholders of record as of August 5, 2020 are entitled to attend and vote in the said meeting. To ensure the safety and welfare of our stockholders and other stakeholders and as a precaution against the COVID-19 risk, the Corporation’s Board of Directors has approved on July 21, 2020 in accordance with SEC rules a virtual stockholders’ meeting for 2020. The meeting will be held online by remote communication and voting will be in absentia. The specific procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and voting in absentia are set forth below. Stockholders who intend to attend and participate in the virtual meeting in person or through proxy shall first submit on or before August 17, 2020 via email to MED2020SHMeeting@medco.com.ph the scanned copy of their Letter of Intent to attend and participate via proxy or by remote communication and a copy of the stockholder’s valid government-issued ID showing photo and personal details. Once validated, a registered stockholder will receive via email the proxy form and voting ballot. Stockholders must submit on or before August 20, 2020 via email to MED2020SHMeeting@medco.com.ph their duly accomplished proxy form and/or voting ballot. Validation of proxies shall be on August 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. at the office of the Corporation. Only stockholders who have notified the Corporation of their intention to participate in the virtual meeting and have registered themselves or their proxies, will be included in the determination of a quorum. We are not soliciting your proxy. All agenda items indicated in the Notice of the Meeting will be set out in the voting ballot and the stockholder may vote as follows: a. For all items, except for Election of Directors, the stockholder has the option to vote: For, Against, or Abstain. The vote is considered cast for all the stockholder’s shares. b. For the Election of Directors, a stockholder entitled to vote: (i) may vote such number of shares owned by it for as many persons as there are Directors to be elected; or (ii) may cumulate said shares and give one candidate as many votes as the number of Directors to be elected multiplied by the number of their shares; or (iii) may distribute them on the same principle among as many candidates as may be seen fit. c. The Corporation’s stock transfer agent and Office of the Corporate Secretary will tabulate all votes received and will validate the results. d. Except for the Election of Directors, all the items in the Agenda for the approval by the stockholders will need the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least a majority of the issued and outstanding voting stock present at the meeting. For the Election of Directors, the top seven (7) nominees with the most number of votes are elected. Registered stockholders will receive the meeting link and password to log on to the meeting two (2) days before the stockholders’ meeting. We encourage all registered stockholders to log onto the meeting link 45 minutes before the meeting starts, to avoid any technical difficulty. The meeting will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. on August 27, 2020. The meeting shall be recorded in audio and video format and copies shall be posted by the Company in its website. The procedures for voting and participation in the meeting through remote communication are also discussed further in the Information Statement which shall be made available to the public not later than August 5, 2020 through PSE Edge and the Corporation’s website at www.medco. com.ph/asm. For any questions or inquiries, including request for assistance in the registration process, please contact our Office of the Corporate Secretary through MED2020SHMeeting@medco.com.ph. Medco Holdings, Inc. By: (Signed) PAULINE C. TAN Assistant Corporate Secretary Makati City, Philippines, July 21, 2020

RHODORA G. GAGWIS Corporate Secretary (MS-AUG. 6 & 7, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 5 & 6, 2020)

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, August 5, 2020 58.08 PTS. 5,833.58

TOTAL VOLUME 2,043,535,003 TOTAL TRADES 79,762 TOTAL VALUE 5,383,709,076.17 ADVANCES 128 DECLINES 75 UNCHANGED 27

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.1040

Japan

Yen

0.009437

0.4634

Pound

1.307900

64.2231

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129029

6.3358

Switzerland

Franc

1.090156

53.5310

Canada

Dollar

0.746714

36.6666

Singapore

Dollar

0.726427

35.6705

Australia

Dollar

0.712000

34.9620

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

130.252

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266695

13.0958

Brunei

Dollar

0.723798

35.5414

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.032020

1.5723

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.3696

Euro

1.176300

57.7610

Korea

Won

0.000839

0.0412

China

Yuan

0.143227

7.0330

India

Rupee

0.013301

0.6531

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.236855

11.6305

New Zealand

Dollar

0.661200

32.4676

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034068

1.6729 Source: BSP

Agriculture production rose 0.5% in 2nd quarter

Business July inflation accelerated to six-month high of 2.7% By Julito G. Rada

NFLATION in July accelerated to a six-month high of 2.7 percent from 2.5 percent in June and 2.4 percent a year ago, fueled by faster increases in the indices of transport, tobacco and utilities, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

The figure brought the average inflation in the first seven months to 2.5 percent, below the midpoint of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year. “The Philippines’ headline inflation continued to exhibit a faster pace as it picked up to 2.7 percent in July 2020… The acceleration in the overall inflation was mainly caused by the jump in the inflation of the transport index at 6.3 percent during the month, from 2.4 percent in June 2020,” the PSA said. Annual increments were also observed in the indices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 19.3 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 0.8 percent; and, restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services, 2.5 percent. Core inflation went up to 3.3 percent in July from 3 percent

in June and 3.2 percent a year earlier. Inflation for the food index at the national level continued to decelerate to 2.5 percent in July from 2.7 percent in the previous month. In July 2019, food inflation was registered at 1.7 percent. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the July inflation was within the BSP’s forecast range of 2.2 percent to 3.0 percent for the month. “The latest inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s prevailing assessment that inflation is expected to remain benign over the policy horizon due largely to the potential adverse impact of COVID-19 on the domestic and global economic prospects,” Diokno said. “The latest baseline forecasts indicate that inflation is likely to settle close to the mid-point of the government’s target range of 3.0 percent ± 1.0 percentage point [2 to 4 percent] for 2020 to 2022,” he said. Diokno said the contraction in domestic economic activity was seen to have bottomed out in the second quarter of 2020. “For the rest of year, output is expected to decline at a slower pace as firms and households gradually adjust to post-pandemic conditions. GDP growth is expected to recover in 2021 as government policy support measures fully gain traction.” He said the policy-setting Monetary Board would consider the latest inflation outlook along with the release of secondquarter 2020 GDP at the upcoming monetary policy meeting on Aug. 20.

By Othel V. Campos AGRICULTURE production rebounded 0.5 percent in the second quarter from the 1.2-percent contraction in the first quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday. “Agriculture managed to grow by 0.5 percent in the second quarter of 2020, despite the pandemic. Production in crops and fisheries recorded increases while livestock and poultry posted declines,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said during a virtual report on agriculture. Crops, which accounted for 53.7 of total agricultural sector, registered a 5-percent growth in production, to about P237.37 billion at constant prices, from P226 billion in the second quarter of 2019. Data, however, showed values declined 3.1 percent from the first quarter figure of P239.87 billion. Total production values from January to June reached P477.24 billion. Production of palay, the country’s staple, increased by 7.1 percent to 4.12 million metric tons in the second quarter from 4 million MT a year ago, while corn harvests went up by 15.4 percent to 1.35 million MT from 1.28 million MT. Livestock production, which accounted for 17.3 percent of the total agricultural output, contracted by 8.5 percent to P76.48 billion in the second quarter from P79.22 billion in 2019. The subsector registered P154.56 billion in terms of output values from January to June. Meanwhile, the poultry subsector reported a decline of 4.7 percent in output to P57.53 billion in the second quarter from P60.4 billion a year earlier. It contributed 13 percent to agricultural output in the second quarter. Chicken production dropped 7.8 percent to 440 million MT in the first quarter from 477.11 million MT in the same quarter in 2019. The subsector grossed P118.1 billion in the first semester.

IN BRIEF San Miguel eyes P100-b toll roads

THE Toll Regulatory Board said it is in talks with San Miguel Corp. for the construction of two toll roads worth over P100 billion which would be completed over the next three years. TRB, in a resolution dated June 29, classified South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 5 and Pasig River Expressway projects as toll roads upon the proposal submitted by the joint venture of Philippine National Construction Corp. and San Miguel Holdings Corp. With the declaration of the two projects as toll roads, the Technical Working Group of the TRB, composed of representatives from the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Finance and the National Economic and Development Authority as well as the private sector, is now in discussion with the joint venture on the technical, financial and legal details of the two projects. “The PNCC-SMHC Joint Venture requested that government to recognize the two projects as toll road project. These have their respective basic design plan. The TRB has given an instruction to the TWG to discuss the details of the project with the JV that will be the basis of the concession agreements. We are also waiting for the JV to submit certain requirements,” TRB executive director Abraham Sales said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Telco applications considered approved

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority on Wednesday assured telecom tower operators of the automatic approval of pending applications under Joint Memorandum Circular 01-2020. ARTA director-general Jeremiah Belgica said the agency would declare all pending applications with complete submissions as automatically approved by operation of law. “Thus, the issues raised by the telco and tower companies relating to their pending applications with the different LGUs prior to the effectivity of the new…should no longer be an issue since the LGUs or NGA involved should have automatically approved their applications after seven working days as stated in Section 15 of RA11032,” Belgica said. ARTA asked telco and tower companies to furnish ARTA and the Department of Interior and Local Government a list of pending applications with LGUs and government agencies. Othel V. Campos

Meralco rates seen stable in August

POWER rates of Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest distributor, will likely remain stable in August with a possibility of minimal decrease, according to a company executive. “Currently, overall power rate movement looks to be flattish, due to improved power situation for the July supply month, stronger peso and quarterly repricing of Malampaya natural gas prices,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said. Zaldarriaga said Meralco was still waiting for the complete data and billings from power suppliers, but would announce the final rates soon. “There is a possibility for a minimal decrease in overall power rates and generation charge because of these factors,” he said. He said there were no yellow alerts in July, and power supply was more stable compared to June, with lower demand in the Luzon grid. Alena Mae S. Flores

SMC food subsidiary reports P7.34-b profit

COVID-19 RESPONSE. The Aboitiz Group turns over thousands of personal protective equipment kits to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center as part of the group’s initiatives to assist Cebu’s frontliners as the city continues its fight against COVID-19. The turnover is led by Aboitiz Power Distribution Utilities senior vice president and chief operating officer Anton Mari Perdices (front row, second from left)

Jollibee suffers P10.2-b loss; SMIC, MPIC book lower profits By Jenniffer B. Austria HOMEGROWN fast-food company Jollibee Foods Corp. suffered a P10.2-billion net loss in the second quarter, a big turnaround from the P1.04-billion net income it reported in the same period last year, as the business felt the full impact of coronavirus pandemic and government restrictions intended to contain the virus. Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the P10.2-billion net loss included the P7-billion cost for business transformation which involved closure of 225 company-owned stores, change in ownership of 95 stores from company to franchisees, payment of pre-termination penalties of outlets in the US and China, closure of supply chain facilities and reduction in the size of the organization at various countries. It said excluding these costs, the second-quarter net loss would have been P3.2 billion.

“The business results were very bad but in line with our forecasts. We are now focusing on rebuilding our business moving forward along with implementing major cost improvement under our business transformation program. We expect sales and profit to improve over the next few months,” Jollibee chief executive Ernesto Tantamtiong said. “Our business building effort includes introducing exciting new products, launching new marketing campaigns, opening cloud kitchens, introducing improvement in our delivery systems and opening new stores at selected locations particularly in North America, Vietnam, Malaysia and China,” he said. System-wide sales, a measure of all sales to consumers, both from company-owned and franchised stores decreased by 48.4 percent to P30.7 billion in the second quarter from a year ago because of store closures. Meanwhile, conglomerates SM Investments Corp. and Metro Pacific Invest-

ments Corp. delivered lower incomes in the first half as the pandemic took an unprecedented toll on their core businesses. SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income fell 69 percent in the first half to P7.1 billion from P23 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues decreased 21 percent to P185.5 billion in the six-month period from P233.7 billion a year ago. The property and banking businesses accounted for 61 percent and 34 percent of net income while retail contributed 5 percent. “Our half-year financial results are within our overall expectations, given the context of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak which had a greater impact in the second quarter. The results also reflect the group’s continued financial prudence and conservative balance sheet after our banks made substantial provisions for potential customer delinquencies,” SMIC president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said.

Exports, factory output plunged in June

JBG’S FOOD DONATION. JBG, an organization connecting Filipino small and medium enterprises, leads the joint initiative ‘JBG Give: Payatas Food Drive’ to provide assistance to marginalized communities, such as Payatas, especially during the pandemic where most Filipinos have lost their jobs and have no other means of earning for their daily needs. Driven by its cause to combat hunger in Filipino communities, JBG, in partnership with Rotary Club of Makati Buendia and Highway Patrol Group, distributes 250 food packs to the residents of Payatas, Quezon City.

BOTH exports and factory production fell at double-digit rates in June, although they improved from the steep decline observed in May at the height of the lockdown imposed by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19. The Philippine Statistics Authority said exports dropped 13.3 percent in June to $5.3 billion from $6.1 billion a year ago, while imports sank 24.5 percent to $6.6 billion from $8.8 billion. In May, exports and imports declined by 26.9 percent and 40.6 percent, respectively. Factory production, as measured by the volume of production index, dropped 19.3 percent in June, an improvement from the 28.5-percent contraction in May, data from the PSA showed. “The country’s total external trade in goods in June 2020, which amounted to $11.97 billion, declined at an annual

rate of 19.9 percent. This was lower than its previous month’s annual drop of 35.3 percent but faster than its rate of decrease in June 2019 of 2.9 percent,” the PSA said. “This slower decline in the country’s trade performance signals the resumption of economic activities,” acting Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in a statement. The PSA said that in the first six months, exports dropped to $28.431 billion from $34.577 billion a year ago, while imports plunged to $39.033 billion from $55.001 billion. Chua said the recent issuance to revert Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal back to a modified enhanced community quarantine status might, for a limited period, affect businesses and the workforce as certain sectors scaled back or temporarily suspended operations. Julito G. Rada

SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. said Wednesday net income reached P7.34 billion in the first half, as the positive performance of the food and spirits businesses was tempered by weak earnings from beer business. SMFB did not release comparative figures for last year’s first semester net profit. It earlier reported a P14.7-billion income, which translates into a 50-percent year-on-year decline. SMFB said in a statement consolidated revenues in the first six months reached P122.82 billion, down 19 percent year-on-year as the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic weighed on volume performance in the second quarter, especially for its beer and spirits division. “As the pandemic continues to affect our everyday lives, we keep in mind that this is only temporary. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure food sufficiency and help and provide opportunities to the most vulnerable communities,” said San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said. “We continue to build long-term resilience across SMFB. At the same time, we are mindful of the changes necessary to help us navigate through the crisis in the short-term. All told, we believe that SMFB is in a position to emerge stronger and better than it was before,” Ang said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Marcventures posted P165.4-m income in 2019 LISTED nickel miner Marcventures Holdings Inc. posted an impressive turnaround in 2019 and continued the sustained profitability in the first half this year, driven by its nickel subsidiary, Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. which reported a 258-percent improvement in 2019 net income to P165.4 million from a loss of P262.9 million in 2018. MHI said consolidated net income reversed the 2018 loss of P388.8 million to a positive P37.8 million, representing a substantial improvement of P426.6 million. MHI president Isidro Alcantara said the 2019 results were due to the increased tonnage and reduction of mining and overhead cost by 30 percent. This also supported the first-half net income P196.7 million. The company said that in June alone, MMDC posted a net income of P316.9 million. Early and strict implementation of mining protocols under the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and local government units allowed normal, although delayed operations despite the COVID 19 pandemic, it said. “The parent company had to step in for 2019 and made wholesale changes by fully revamping mine management and making changes in MMDC corporate management to recover profitable operations. MMDC actually operated without a CEO for 2019 as the board and the holding company, MHI, took an active part,” Alcantara said. The company said further increases in tonnage and the combination of cost efficiencies and improving nickel prices indicate continuing better prospects in 2020. MHI said it aimed to develop another mining property in Surigao under BrightGreen Nickel in time for the improved market. It is also undertaking activities for its bauxite properties—the aluminum raw material in Samar prior to applying for an environmental compliance certificate and approval of mining project feasibility.

Sports

Cardinals expect more virus cases after tests NEW YORK—The St. Louis Cardinals, already facing multiple COVID-19 cases that wiped out their weekend Major League Baseball games, expect more positive results from testing Sunday, ESPN reported. The Cardinals said in a statement they do not expect an update on test results before Monday and will remain at a hotel in Milwaukee, where three planned games against the Brewers were called off due to their cases. ESPN reported that someone with the team said the last round of tests are “not good,” and that unnamed sources expect multiple new positives from the latest test results. The Cardinals have had one player and three staff members test positive for COVID-19, and inconclusive results for another player and three staffers. That follows 20 positive tests reported for the Miami Marlins and more for ballpark employees of the Philadelphia Phillies, who hosted the Marlins in the clubs’ opening MLB games of the season. The Marlins and Phillies didn’t play the past week but are set to resume MLB competition in the next few days with those whose test results allow under MLB safety protocols. A season of 162 games per team was expected to start in March, but the coronavirus pandemic cut the season to 60 games per club. MLB plans to stage all games in empty home ballparks, with teams traveling between cities. New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has decided not to play the remainder of the season due to COVID-19 concerns, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. Cespedes left his hotel room in Atlanta without notifying the club, something his agent did later Sunday. “This is a challenging time for everyone. And so we will support him in that decision,” Van Wagenen said. “It was surprising, without question. At the same point, we have to go forward.” Most teams continued to play Sunday as normal, with some record-setting efforts. Record by Tiger pitcher Detroit Tigers left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Alexander struck out the first nine batters he faced in the opener of Sunday’s doubleheader against Cincinnati, breaking the old MLB reliever’s strikeout streak mark of eight by former New York Yankees pitcher Ron Davis against the California Angels in 1981. Alexander was one shy of matching the record of 10 consecutive strikeouts set by Tom Seaver of the New York Mets in 1970. AFP

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men’s Singles Finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Nadal said he will not play the US Open, citing concerns over the coronavirus and slamming tennis’s “barbaric” schedule. AFP

football Nadal to skip US Open, German clubs agree to to allow rips ‘barbaric’ schedule plans return of fans

EW YORK—Defending champion Rafael Nadal said Tuesday he will not play the US Open, citing concerns over the coronavirus and slamming tennis’s “barbaric” revised calendar. “After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open,” Nadal said on Twitter. “The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it. “This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel.” The 34-year-old Spanish star also took aim at the international tennis schedule, which has been revised following disruptions sparked by COVID-19 shutdowns. The US Open in New York, scheduled for August 31 through September 13, will be followed a fortnight later by the French Open at Roland Garros. “We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months

stopped with no play...” Nadal said. With Nadal’s long-time rival Roger Federer already ruled out of the tournament as he recovers from knee surgery, the US Open will mark the first time since 1999 that neither player has featured in the main draw of a Grand Slam event. Nadal, who has 19 Grand Slam victories, could have equalled Federer’s tally of 20 Slam wins in New York. Schedule concern Doubts about Nadal’s willingness to play the US Open have swirled for months as tennis grapples with a calendar that has been decimated by pandemic disruption. In June, Nadal warned he would not consider playing the US Open unless he was satisfied conditions were “completely safe.” Nadal’s name was entered last week on the US Open tune-up tournament, the ATP/WTA Western and Southern Open,

which will be held in New York this year instead of Cincinnati. However Nadal had long harboured concerns over the proximity of the US Open and the swing of clay court events scheduled through September. Nadal’s uncle and long-time former coach, Toni, said in June that the former world number one was uncertain about which events he would play. “The schedule is unrealistic, especially for veteran players, who cannot compete for so many weeks in a row,” Toni Nadal said. “I think it is a bit ugly what the ATP has done.” With Nadal and Federer missing from New York, world number one Novak Djokovic will have a golden opportunity to land an 18th Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic was named on the US Open entry list on Tuesday which included seven of the world’s top 10 players. Djokovic, a three-time US Open champion, will be joined by world number three Dominic Thiem, world number 5 Daniil Medvedev and sixthranked Stefanos Tsitsipas.AFP

Erram inspired by Castro’s play By Peter Atencio JOHN Paul Erram, who was picked to join the Gilas Pilipinas last February, is looking forward to a game with Jayson Castro. Erram said in a recent podcast that Castro’s game has provided inspiration for him to be at his best. “Si Kuya Jayson Castro talaga kasi alam niyo naman kung paano ‘yung naa-attract niya sa opensa, sa depensa ilang player,” remarked the 6’9” slotman. Unfortunately, Castro did not make the cut for the national squad that will see action in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers. So far, the Philippines has played only one game, winning against Indonesia, 100-70, last Feb. 23. Because of the postponement of games due to lockdowns imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the Southeast Asian region, Gilas will next face Korea if action should resume on Nov. 27.

For now, as the national squad waits for the green light to return to practice, Erram feels that Castro’s game is something worth emulating. “‘Yung naa-attract niya ‘pag may hawak siya ng bola, dalawa, tatlong players, so talagang excited ako sa mga drop pass niya. For me, easy na lang, ilalagay ko na lang sa ring open na ako,” added Erram. Even if Castro is not in the national squad, Erram still managed to get a feel on how Castro plays since they are teammates with the TNT KaTropa. “Kahit sa practice po, magugulat ka na lang ‘yung bola dadating sa kamay mo. Ganoon siya,” added Erram. Erram was supposed to be part of the nationals last year. But an injury prevented him from signing up with Gilas during last year’s FIBA World Cup in China. He was, however, able to recover in time when they took Indonesia in the first leg of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier.

JP Erram, shown here during one of his PBA battles, is looking forward to playing again with teammate Jayson Castro.

BERLIN—Football clubs in Germany’s top two divisions on Tuesday agreed to plans drawn up by the league which could allow the partial return of fans to stadiums from mid-September, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Under the plans proposed by the German Football League (DFL) for the new season, which starts on September 18, the clubs agreed on four key points. Fans would only be allowed to sit, tickets would be personalised so spectators could be traced, alcohol at matches would be banned until October and there will be no away fans until the end of the year. The plan is however subject to approval by German authorities, with health ministers of the country’s 16 states to meet on Monday over the issue. Germany has recorded 211,281 cases and 9,156 deaths due to the coronavirus, and in April began easing curbs imposed to halt transmission. But fears are growing over a second wave as daily number of new infections was steadily climbing again, in recent weeks hitting levels not seen since May. “The priority in Germany at the moment is not full stadiums, but people’s health,” said Christian Seifert, chief executive of the Bundesliga after a virtual meeting of the clubs. “When and how many spectators are allowed to return to the stadiums is not a decision for the DFL to make.” The league’s plans for fans to return has been the subject of debate among politicians and virologists in Germany. Several fan groups have also criticised the plans, fearing long-term restrictions of their rights. However, the league insists any changes would only be temporary while the pandemic continues to be a factor. Seifert says the rate of infection must be taken into account and “should by no means be underestimated”. “Professional football can only return to normality in stages,” he added. “We will have to regain normality in small steps. We cannot go from zero to 100.” After a two-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final nine rounds of last season’s Bundesliga matches were completed behind closed doors in late June. AFP

Team Lakay ready to compete if called upon IF Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao gets a call from ONE Championship, his prodigies will be ready. The soft-spoken mentor was delighted to see ONE: NO SURRENDER, the promotion’s first show in five months, and witnessing the action from the world’s largest martial arts organization has left Sangiao excited. “For me, I am happy for ONE. I am really happy for the athletes of ONE and of course the management, seeing that they are back. Of course, it’s a big boost to their business as well,” Sangiao said. “On our part, we’re just waiting for events to be held in the Philippines, or if they can fly foreign athletes like us elsewhere, we’d gladly take it.” The 41-year-old said they can actually fly

out of the country despite the Philippines’ strict travel restrictions. After talking to Games And Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra, Sangiao said that they only need to meet the requirements needed by the governing body to compete outside of the Philippines. “To be clear, yes we can fly out. We just have to get the necessary requirements and submit it to our government so we can fly out,” Sangiao said. “On our end, we’re really trying hard to train regularly in the gym, so if an opportunity opens up, our athletes are ready.” Sangiao said that they have been continuously training amid the ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines, but given Baguio’s dynamic approach, training in the gym consistently

for some of their athletes can be troublesome. As the leader of the gym, however, Sangiao is doing everything he can to make sure that they continue to train while living up to the strictest health guidelines. “We require all our fighters now to train every day for as long as there are no restrictions with them, but there are also protocols that we have to follow,” Sangiao said. “As much as possible, I also advise them to have a singular route, like home-gym and gym-home, to avoid contracting the virus. “I want to make sure my athletes stay at home as much as possible and only go out when really needed.” ONE Championship returns to action with ONE: NO SURRENDER II on 14 August and

Coach Mark Sangiao with his members of Team Lakay

ONE: NO SURRENDER III 21 August as The Home Of Martial Arts rolls out its string of live events in the new normal. Catch it live on One Sports, One Sports+, and TV5 on Philippine television, or on the ONE Super App.

Sports

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

Doncic triple-double lifts Mavs past Kings O

RLANDO—Luka Doncic delivered a monster triple-double performance as the Dallas Mavericks bagged their first win of the NBA’s relaunched season in an overtime thriller against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. The 21-year-old Slovenian scored 34 points, with 20 rebounds and 12 assists as the Mavericks completed a 114-110 victory to get their campaign back on track in the Western Conference. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis also came up big with 22 points apiece as the Mavericks overturned an 11-point deficit to seal victory at the HP Field House on the NBA’s Orlando campus. Doncic’s masterclass made him the youngest player in NBA history to score

30-point, 20-rebound triple-double. “It wasn’t our best game - far from that,” Doncic said. “We fought, we hung in there, we helped each other, we never gave up. We needed that win and you can never count us out for sure.” “Nothing came easy in this game at all,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle added. “It was a struggle, and everybody kept everybody together, and we just kept saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to find a way,’ and guys were encouraging each other.

“Really a well-deserved win for our guys.” The win saw the Mavericks, who have already guaranteed a playoff place, improve to 41-29 in the Western Conference. Sacramento’s chances of sneaking into the postseason remain slim however. The Kings have lost all three of their games since the league restarted and are 13th in the West, on the brink of elimination. Elsewhere on Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns continued their hot streak in Orlando with a third straight victory to stun the Los Angeles Clippers 117-115. Devin Booker was the hero for Phoenix, scoring on the buzzer to cap a 35-point display and a dramatic win over the highly rated Clipper. Booker, who was mobbed by teammates as he fell backwards on the court,

also had four rebounds and eight assists. ‘Under-the-radar’ The 23-year-old was one of five Phoenix players to finish in double figures, with Deandre Ayton (19 points) and Ricky Rubio (18) the pick of the other Suns scorers. The win keeps Phoenix’s hopes of forcing their way into the postseason alive. The Suns are within a game of ninth place and firmly in the hunt to earn a place in the play-in tournament. “Our guys just grew up tonight to play against a team that possibly could win a championship,” Phoenix coach Monty Williams said. Booker said Phoenix could be the surprise package of the postseason. “Coming into the bubble overall, we said we want to make some noise,” Booker said. “We want to be that under-the-radar team

that just comes in and works hard and plays hard. That’s what we did tonight.” In the Eastern Conference on Tuesday, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored a career-high 26 points as the Brooklyn Nets delayed Milwaukee’s coronation as top seeds with an upset 119-116 win. Luwawu-Cabarrot nailed consecutive three-pointers in the closing stages to set up a come-from-behind win over the Bucks, who could have sealed first place in the East with a victory. It was a second straight loss for the Bucks, who were also beaten by the Houston Rockets in Orlando on Sunday. Milwaukee, the runaway leaders of the Eastern Conference with 54 wins against 14 defeats, will get another chance to lock up top spot against the Miami Heat on Thursday. AFP

Woods ready for unknown at fan-less major event

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Cory Joseph and De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings in the second half of a NBA basketball game at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AFP

SAN FRANCISCO—Tiger Woods is preparing for a journey into the unknown as he heads into this week’s PGA Championship hunting for a 16th major championship against the surreal backdrop of a deserted course at TPC Harding Park. Throughout his career, the 44-year-old former world number one has become accustomed to roaring galleries following his every shot, providing a jolt of energy that Woods has fed off time and again. Yet this week’s PGA Championship in San Francisco will be different. Restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 mean that the first major of 2020 will be a fan-free, muted affair. Woods got an early taste of his changed environment on Tuesday during a media briefing. Where in the past a scrum of reporters would have attended, on Tuesday only a handful of journalists were present. “Well, that’s an unknown,” Woods said when asked about how the absence of fans might affect his chances. “I don’t know if anyone in our generation has ever played without fans in a major championship. It’s going to be very different. “But it’s still a major championship.

Koepka aims for rare PGA 3-peat SAN FRANCISCO—Brooks Koepka will be chasing history at the PGA Championship on Thursday as the two-time defending champion attempts a rare major championship three-peat in San Francisco. The 30-year-old American is seeking to join Walter Hagen as just the second player to win the major for a third consecutive year. After winning the 2018 PGA Championship, Koepka successfully defended his title last year at Bethpage Black and is now aiming to become the first to win three straight since Hagen captured four in a row, beginning in 1924. “My game feels like it’s in really, really good shape right now,” said Koepka. “I like the way I’m hitting it, and it feels like I am putting it really well. “Every day is a lot more comfortable. I’m excited. “This is a big-boy golf course. I think it kind of plays into my hands.” Golf’s first major championship of 2020 will be contested without spectators after the season was placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to its postponement on March 17, the PGA Championship was originally scheduled for play May 14-17. This week was also the time set aside for the men’s Summer Olympic golf tournament in Japan. The US PGA Tour has been back, minus spectators, since early June but will really kick into high gear over the next couple of weeks. More than a half dozen players and several caddies have tested positive in the eight weeks since the PGA Tour resumed. Players, caddies and officials are tested for the coronavirus before entering the grounds. Players also un-

dergo daily temperature screenings and their clubhouse has been redesigned to allow for three metres (10 feet) of space between lockers. “Some sports are struggling to get their seasons going and things going and figure it out. Luckily the PGA Tour and the entities have been able to provide a safe environment with testing,” said Spanish golfer Jon Rahm. The PGA Championship launches the busiest phase of the disrupted season. Following the PGA Championship are three weeks of FedEx Cup playoff events with the US Open on September 17-20 at Winged Foot near New York. Lately when it comes to majors, the smart money has been on Koepka. But there is plenty of star power in San Francisco this week, including last week’s Memphis tournament winner and new world number one Justin Thomas. “Last week is over with. This is a new week,” Thomas said. “We have a new field, new guys that are out here, all trying to win a major. “I’m trying to get rested more than anything. Get my energy back so we’re ready to go come Thursday.” Thomas will tee off in a group with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Woods and McIlroy have already hoisted trophies at Harding Park. Woods won the 2005 WGC-American Express Championship here, while McIlroy claimed the 2015 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Thomas is playing here for the first time. Four-time PGA Tour winner Woods is shooting for a record-setting 83rd PGA Tour victory. He can also become the first player in history to win majors in four different decades.

Indianapolis 500 scraps plans for fans over virus fears

Brooks Koepka of the United States looks over a putt on the 17th green during the final round of the World Golf Championship-FedEx St Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. AFP

Big run If Woods wants to capture his fifth career PGA Championship title and 16th major overall, he’ll need his best game to show up, and for his aching back to hold up under the pressure. “This is a big run for us coming up here. I’ve been gearing up for this, and looking forward to the challenges of not only this week, but obviously the playoffs and a US Open and then the Masters,” Woods said on Tuesday. AFP

Use sports principles, beat this pandemic THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO WELCOME to my new home! I have been involved in sports for over four decades now and at this stage of my life, I am glad that I am still able to discuss and write about sports in the face of this coronavirus pandemic that has practically crippled the whole world. Local sports is hardly breathing. Organized sports, mostly spectator sports like the Philippine Basketball Association, the Maharlika Pilipinas

Basketball League, the Philippine Superliga and the Premier Volleyball League, the school-based ones like the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, football, boxing and the rest have suspended their leagues and events. Our athletes are taking a beating against this invisible enemy, the Philippine Sports Commission has reduced the monthly allowances of all national athletes so it can stretch its budget up to end of the year and all its facilities have been closed down to athletes. Instead, the facilities are being used to house people waiting to get transport back to their provinces. And without events to cover, sportswriters are learning to adapt, using online technology to do sports

It’s still the best players in the world. We all understand that going into it, so there’s going to be plenty of energy from the competitive side. “But as far as the energy outside the ropes, that is an unknown. And hopefully I can put myself in a position where I can be in that position where I can feel what it feels like to have no fans and also coming down the stretch with a chance to win.” Woods’ former caddie, New Zealander Steve Williams, is among those who believe that the lack of fans might prove to be a hindrance. “With that element missing, for someone who hasn’t played a lot of tournament golf this year, it’ll be challenging for Tiger to find that spark he needs,” Williams said this week. Woods experienced new fan-less reality at the Memorial Tournament last month, at Muirfield Village, in Dublin, Ohio. He finished tied for 40th. “Those four days at Muirfield were a bit different,” Woods said. “It reminded me of sometimes on the weekend, you’d tee off Saturday morning and you’d just barely make the cut and you’re first off and there’s no one out there. AFP

fora and podcasts. Even sports seminars are now online and I know women’s basketball is doing one for coaches, featuring foreign resource speakers this week. Get in touch with University of the East coach Ai Lebornio for details. But for me, the irony in the current situation with the pandemic is that by applying basic principles in sports, I believe we can beat the coronavirus. Allow me to explain. Look at ever yone of us as a sports team. The need for team work is critical with everyone doing his share, from the government, the police and military, the heath care workers, the barangays, all the way to the general public. We need to understand, accept and adjust to the realities now and act accordingly.

Then, we need a coach who will do the strategizing, coming up with the X’s and O’s, in this case, the national government plays this role. Its assistant coaches, represented by the LGUs and the PNP, follows through the plays which need to be clear and with welldefined roles for the players, who would be the general public. Then, let us talk of team values in order for us to be successful, team work, hard work, trust and respect, communication, no blame game, taking responsibilities, and one of the most important elements--having the discipline to follow the team rules to the letter. The Why and the What are clear, even the How. The problem is convincing everyone to follow the game plan. Enough said.

LOS ANGELES—The organisers of the Indy 500 on Tuesday abandoned plans to allow spectators at this year’s race, citing concerns over COVID-19. A statement from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway said the decision had been taken after “extensive consultation with state and city leadership.” “It is with great regret that we announce the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on August 23 without fans,” the statement said. The Indy 500 was criticised by public health experts after initially planning to operate the race at 50 percent capacity, potentially meaning a crowd as large as 175,000. Those plans were scaled back last month when the circuit said only 25 percent of capacity would be allowed. However the organisers on Tuesday said worsening coronavirus numbers in the region made spectators a non-starter. “As dedicated as we were to running the race this year with 25 percent attendance at our large outdoor facility, even with meaningful and careful precautions implemented by the city and state, the COVID-19 trends in Marion County and Indiana have worsened,” the statement said. “The number of cases in Marion County has tripled while the positivity rate has doubled. “We said from the beginning of the pandemic we would put the health and safety of our community first, and while hosting spectators at a limited capacity with our robust plan in place was appropriate in late June, it is not the right path forward based on the current environment.” The 104th Indy 500 was originally set for May 24 at the famed two-anda-half-mile (four kilometers) oval, but the pandemic forced a postponement and shut down the IndyCar season. Typically, Indianapolis 500 capacity can rise to 350,000 with spectators able to drive in and park on parts of the infield, which also includes garages, seating areas, a museum and part of a golf course. AFP

Entertainment Actress and YouTube star Alex Gonzaga launches her first-ever beauty collection with cosmetics brand Issy & Co.

YouTube star’s latest collab

THERE’S a cosmetics brand that couldn’t find a better ambassador than host, actress, and one of today’s top celebrity vloggers, Alex Gonzaga. Last year, coming from the realization that consumers are eager to experiment with makeup, but feel shy or are too intimidated about it, Issy & Co. decided that Alex would make the perfect partner. “Alex is friendly and relatable, and despite her celebrity status, she’s not intimidating,” Joel Marine Andrade, Issy & Co. creative director says in a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment. “Whenever she releases a vlog, you know you’ll end up in a good mood after watching it. We love that she has her own, genuine way of making people happy,” the executive further adds. With Issy & Co.’s makeup line, Alex came up with fun makeup tutorials that demonstrated the products’ versatility and the multiple looks that can be achieved with it. This year, launching her first-ever beauty collection with Issy & Co., the collaboration couldn’t have come at a better time. In dire times like today, Alex hopes that her beauty collection would make her fans happy, even in just a small way. Closely working with Issy & Co. for the collaboration collection, Alex disclosed to the team the three makeup products she can’t live without and built the collection from there. “We create beauty products for the ‘Issy girl’ who we define as not just girls, but any individual who loves to take care of himself or herself,” says Andrade. “We strongly believe that taking care of yourself or putting on makeup isn’t gendered.” Keeping in mind the brand’s purpose to offer beauty that’s easily accessible, the Alex Gonzaga collection with Issy & Co. are offered at reasonable price points: the crème blush is only P349, the highlighter slim stick is P329, and the lip mousse is P399. Issy and Co.’s collection with Alex Gonzaga is available in six “Get the Look” kits, complete with how-to notes to achieve looks as worn by Alex. The collaboration collection is available online on Lazada, Shoppee, and BeautyMNL and in stores at Landmark Trinoma and Makati. Follow Issy & Co. on Instagram and Facebook at @issyandcompany.

Gary V continues to be an inspiration to many people with the latest video of him performing a song that promotes positivity and optimism.

Alden Richards whose dedication to living a balanced and authentic lifestyle is the new face of Cosmo See. (Inset) Alden (center) with BFCLab founders Nino Bautista (left) and Red Gatus.

essential. It fits perfectly within my ethos of leading an active healthy life of wellbeing.” Richards concludes. Cosmo Cee is the only Vitamin C formula in the Philippine Market that is formulated Citrus Bioflavonoids plus Sodium Ascorbate. These forms of Vitamin C are all Natural-Non Synthetic and Non Acidic. “With the growing number of people infected by COVID-19, our risk of developing health issues increases significantly. Many of the people don’t, or can’t, meet the recommended healthy diet and exercise guidelines. In combination with a healthy lifestyle, CosmoCee represents a very promising complementary strategy for supporting

YUGEL LOSORATA

ACCORDING to the Philippine National Police, crime rate has dipped in the country by 50 percent with the implementation of quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the decrease, however, several crimes made headlines and even sparked outrage during the quarantine period. This August, GMA News and Public Affairs' longest-running investigative program Imbestigador returns with “Quarantine Crimes,” a series of all-new episodes that feature various crimes that happened during quarantine. On Aug. 8, Imbestigador features the sensational case of Fabel Pineda, a 15-year-old girl who was killed in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur last July 2. Prior to her death, Fabel filed a complaint against

WE CONTINUE to live in uncertain times but despite the challenges many are facing now caused by the current pandemic, Gary Valenciano encourages Filipinos to remain optimistic. Hope is the central theme of the “Kapit Pinoy,” written for him in 2015 by Jungee Marcelo and the music was done by Jonathan Manalo. “In the midst of trials, don’t lose hope or else there will be no drive for anything else where life will probably lose its meaning. Kapit lang tayo,” the OPM icon says alluding to the message behind his song, “Kapit Pinoy,” which he performed in the latest video for AIA Philam Life. The video shows situations Filipinos may experience in their lives – from a breadwinner being hospitalized, to an old parent recovering from an illness, and a single mother being assured she has enough savings to give birth.

APUSO actor Alden Richards has partnered with BFCLab, one of the biggest health and wellness supplement manufacturers in the country. With this partnership, the Asia’s Multimedia Star takes his commitment to health and wellness to the next level by becoming Cosmo Cee's latest brand ambassador.

‘Imbestigador’ delves into ‘Quarantine Crimes’ two policemen of San Juan, Ilocos Sur who arrested her and her cousin for violating the curfew. Based on Fabel’s account, the two officers initially offered to bring them home, but they ended up being molested by the two policemen. Fabel then filed a case against them. But days later, Fabel was gunned down. Several groups and netizens denounced what happened to Fabel and her cousin. The two police officers were since relieved from their posts and charges were also filed against them. Follow Fabel’s story in Imbestigador’s “Quarantine Crimes,” which airs beginning this Saturday after Wish Ko Lang, 4:45 p.m. on GMA-7.

inspires Pinoys to ‘hold on’

commitment to health and wellness to next level

This month, 'Imbestigador' returns with a series of all-new episodes that feature various crimes that happened during the quarantine.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

GARY V

ALDEN takes

Richard’s dedication to living a balanced and authentic lifestyle seamlessly complements Cosmo Cee’s mission of celebrating health as the foundation of happiness. “I have been taking CosmoCee as a supplement for a year now. It has enabled me to fortify my own self and maintain my energy levels and immunity that are necessary for my very busy lifestyle,” says Richards who has long been a user of CosmoCee and credits the supplements for his extra energy and extra immunity levels, which give him the ability to power through the day. As a passionate supporter of innovative, local products that enable a more active and energized life, it was a natural alignment for Richards to take on the role and showcase the incredible benefits of Cosmo Cee. “I believe in the science behind the brand and with a career that demands a lot, and especially in today’s Pandemic Situation, taking extra care and boosting the immunity is very

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

THERE may have been a number of singers dubbed “Golden Voice” by fans and handlers especially now that even neophytes are prematurely given titles to push public image. Well, Alisah Bonaobra has proven her talent both on national TV and in the international stage. Her latest song release “Gintong Tinig” only further emphasized the legitimacy of a title bestowed upon her. The X-Factor UK standout and The Voice of the Philippines runner-up finisher had all reasons to be pumped up for this song, with its official lyric video released on YouTube last Aug. 2. It is a track empowering her gift. The petite ace talent shared, “’Gintong Tinig’ is about me and my life’s most important message. Sobrang special ito sa akin at naiiyak ako sa tuwa that I had been given this opportunity.” Alisah’s current management RJA Productions has made things possible for her in the New Normal, with its strong support anchored on its US-based lady head Rosabella Jao-Arribas who, prior to pandemic, went the extra mile to sign her up after seeing and being mesmerized by her viral videos and world-class talent. The new song is another gold catch for Alisah after her previous online-released track “Ginto Ang Sandali.” This one is special because it was penned especially

Immune System and boosting one’s energy,” BFCLab founder Nino Bautista says. “It is very important that we take our health very seriously, now, more than ever, I’m sure people truly understand that health is wealth, its the basic foundation of happiness,” co-founder Red Gatus adds. Cosmo Cee is Available in all Watsons, Mercury Drug and other Leading Drugstores Nationwide, people can also easily order online via www. vitafixstore.com. To know more about Cosmo Cee Follow Social Media Pages: facebook.com/cosmoceevitamin; Instagram: @cosmocee; and Twitter: @ cosmoceevitamin.

“I’ve always believed there are some songs which may not play a role at a particular time you release it, but at some point, it can and I think now with ‘Kapit Pinoy’ it’s ‘Hold On.’ I think with challenging times like these, for anyone in any kind of business, and all those who lost their jobs, we must hang on to our faith now,” the 55-year-old hitmaker shares. As the latest endorser of the country’s premier life insurance company, Gary says AIA Philam Life gives people assurance and security largely because there are things you might wake up to one day unknowingly and we may need the protection they promise. “Being part of the company during this season is a blessing and I feel it’s not just about being a singer but being able to communicate a message that brings faith, hope, love, and inspiration despite everything going on in the world today,” he acclaims. According to AIA Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Ang, with their continued commitment to help close the protection gap, they come full circle, bringing to life the brand promise of helping Filipinos live healthier, longer and better lives. Watch the latest AIA Philam Life video featuring Gary Valenciano by visiting their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/AIAPhilamLife/.

Amazing ALISAH for her by hitmaker Kiko Salazar. Ever humble and grounded, she informed being starstruck while working with the revered tunesmith behind last decade’s Morisette Amon hit-ballad “Akin Ka Na Lang.” In describing her latest single, Alisah noted, “Masasabi ko po na ito’y kapanapanabik dahil it’s challenging to sing, in particular the bridge part.” Back in 2017 Alisah’s X-Factor UK sing-off with fellow contestants Scarlett Lee and Rai-Elle Williams, where she arrestingly performed acapella the song "Bang Bang" (popularized by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj), wowed the live audience and judges including Simon Cowell and Sharon Osborne. Two years before that she performed with Dulce at the second season of The Voice Philippines. In 2014, one Henrik Jensen posted a video of Alisah singing “Let It Go” (Idina Menzel) in a karaoke in Robinsons Manila. It became a viral hit; its number of views now stood at nearly 4.5 million. With the ongoing pandemic, the cheerful, humble talent has kept herself busy by performing online as often as possible. “I feel so lucky na hindi ako pinababayaan ni Tita Rosabella and RJA, as what you can expect from a management keeping its promise to support their artists even in difficult times.” Sadly, Alisah lost her beloved provincebased grandfather Lolo Luciano last June and she could only pray at home with

her family because of the community quarantine. She related, “Magsilbi sanang tinig sa puso ninyo ang mensahe ng ‘Gintong Tinig,’ at maging inspirasyon at pag-asa sa ganitong panahon na kailangang matutunan nating i-appreciate ang isa’t isa at kung anong meron tayo.” A homebody and pet lover, Alisah, when not singing, spends time with her big family, along with her 14 cats, five dogs, and two turtles. Alisah showcases her ‘golden voice’ again in a new single.

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

Go, grow, Grove FARM LIFE. The Grove at Plantation Hills in Tagaytay offers residents the conveniences of modern living and the joy of cultivating the land, growing their own food in spacious lots. By Monica Sanchez

EING cooped up in the house has reenergized our green thumb, reawakened the plant lovers in us, and made many interested in farming— out of sheer boredom or born of necessity.

We now have “plantitos” and “plantitas” as well as urban farmers growing the food they serve on the table. Suddenly, soil, which nourishes us, is finally receiving the attention it deserves. The nourishing charac-

teristics of soil and eco-farming are being promoted in a residential property in Tagaytay. The Grove at Plantation Hills goes beyond offering homeowners little patches of greens, it combines leisure residential and farming concept in one—allowing residents to enjoy the conveniences of modern living and the joy of cultivating the land, growing their own fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, and other food sources in their backyard Families living in their very own modern farm house are encouraged to take advantage of the residential farm lots. The 22-hectare property located within Tagaytay Highlands features Orchard lots ranging from 750 to 1,300 square meters and Garden lots with 450 to 600 square meters.

The eco-farming lifestyle at The Grove, combined with thoughtfully crafted amenities like neighborhood ponds, fishing deck, pocket parks, playground, gazebo, and a tree-lined perimeter path, makes for a relaxing and tranquil home base.

In addition to the aforementioned amenities are the refreshing views of Midlands Golf Course, Batangas countryside, Mount Makiling, and Taal Lake and Volcano, all contributing to the “getaway” attraction of this residential development.

PLAYTIME

Jolly Kiddie Meal launches ‘The SpongeBob Movie’ toys

The residential property is encouraging eco-farming, taking advantage of the space to grow the food they serve on the table.

From productivity to fitness: 8 items for a healthy work-from-home lifestyle WITH nearly five months into quarantine, many work-fromhome Filipinos are looking for ways to achieve work-life balance. To promote productivity, many are optimizing their workstations while making sure other life aspects are taken care of. As the pivot towards e-commerce continues, online stores provide a safer and more convenient option to access essential tools to create a healthier, more productive and convenient work-from-home atmosphere. Ninja Van Philippines, one the reliable last-mile logistics partner many online businesses use, offers this list of eight items that can cater to home office, fitness, and personal care needs. Comfort: Memory foam orthopedic seat cushion Keep posture in check while working all day with the help of this seat cushion which claims to reduce tension in the tailbone caused by prolonged sitting. It’s ideal for those who don’t have cushioned chair or office chair at home. (Available at Zilingo)

Focus: Logitech Headset USB with noise cancelling mic This plug-and-play headset with a noise cancelling mic is useful for conference calls or when speaking to an audience online. It also helps hardworking employees focus on their tasks sans distractions. (Available at Akulaku) Productivity: Office supplies and computer accessories For a much productive time at work, it helps to have everything, including basic office essentials at hand. National Bookstore now delivers stationery as well computer accessories.

Fitness: Exercise/Pilates ball Hit two birds with one stone—or in this case, one ball that can be used for exercise and as an alternative to office chair. This exercise tool helps improve core strength, balance, and posture—something one can achieve while working. (Available at Decathlon) Fitness: Resistance band set Here’s another tool desk-bound folks can use to stay active. Do some stretches or toning exercises with resistance bands while taking a work break, or just casually have them binding around the mid thighs for a simple workout while working. (Available at Decathlon) Break time activity: Wayflex folding stepper Doing indoor cardio workouts is a fun way to keep mind off work. This multifunctional stepper is a good equipment for toning, losing weight, and just keeping the body moving while indoors. It’s compact, fit for small spaces, and can be folded for easy storing. (Available at TV Shop Philippines) Wellness: Wondermax nutritional extractor In lieu of sugar-laden beverages, work-from-home employees can instead make a delicious and nutritious shake using fruits and vegetables. According to its makers, this extractor blends the food down into cellular level, unlocking hidden nutrients. (Available at TV Shop Philippines) Baby care: Safe Baby fruit pacifier WFH parents with toddlers can introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to their little ones and give them the nutrients they need while they’re busy working. (Available at WGE Asia)

SPONGEBOB SquarePants, Patrick guide in drawing circles to form Star, Mr. Krabs, and the rest of the Spirograph art. Bikini Bottom gang are coming to The Jolly Kiddie Meal toy comes Jollibee this August. with every purchase of a Yumburger In anticipation of the upcoming (P80), Yumburger Meal with drink The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on (P100), Jolly Spaghetti (P95), Jolly the Run, the fast food chain launch- Spaghetti Meal with drink (P105), es Jolly Kiddie Meal toys featuring one-piece Burger Steak (P95), onethe characters of the 2021 animated piece Burger Steak Meal with drink film. Each toy also has features kids (P105), one-piece Chickenjoy with can use for study time. rice (P127), or one-piece ChickenJolly Kids can help SpongeBob joy Meal with drink (P142). Get the SquarePants catch jellyfish by mov- entire set with an order of six-piece ing his hat up and down to move his Chickenjoy Bucket (P649). The toys net. They can also draw and measure are available in all Jollibee stores lines with a handy rule by until Sept. 30. unfolding his hat. They can also have creative playtime with the help of Patrick Star as they watch his hands flap every time they use the stamp to decorate paper, or use Gary the Snail’s adhesive tape on his back. Kids can also help Mr. Krabs greet new Krusty Krab customers by rotating his left arm and use the eraser stored inside, while Sandy Cheeks does a karate chop every time her pencil sharpener is used. Even ill-tempered Squidward is ready to help with the pen attached to him and the circular base Jolly Kiddie Meal’s ‘The SpongeBob Movie’ toys made which can be used as a for playing and learning.

Sunshine Place hosts online chair dancing classes RENOWNED choreographer Danny Contact (02) 8856-4162 or 0917-801Vinculado is leading the online chair 6440 or email online.sunshineplace@ dancing classes of Sunshine Place se- gmail.com for more information. nior recreation center. To help older adults stay active without the risk of exposure to coronavirus, the classes will be held via Zoom. Chair dancing is a low-impact cardio exercise that helps improve seniors’ memory functions, enhance body movement, and correct posture. While seated in chair, participants stretch their tight shoulders and upper body to the tune of their favorite music. While it is especially designed for “super seniors,” or those in wheels or walkers, or with hip and lower leg injury or medical procedures, active seniors and non-seniors are also welcome to join the classes. Online class schedules are from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.