Manila Standard - 2020 August 27 - Thursday

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MORALES RESIGNS, SVP LEGAL ALSO QUITS STATE HEALTH FIRM Morales said he would submit his resBy Willie Casas, Vito Barcelo and has received Morales’ resignation letter, Morales earlier said he would heed the call but added President Rodrigo Duterte has of the President to resign. ignation to Executive Secretary Salvador Macon Ramos-Araneta

Morales

PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) CEO and president Ricardo Morales has resigned, Malacanang confirmed Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that the Office of the President

yet to formally act on it.

“We are still awaiting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s further action/instruction on the matter,” Roque said in a statement to the media.

Battling allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the state health insurer,

Duterte had asked Morales to step down due to his medical condition.

A former military general, Morales earlier this month sent a medical certificate signed by his attending oncologist disclosing that he was undergoing cancer treatment.

Medialdea on Wednesday.

“I thank the President for allowing me to rest. I can now take care of my health and my family,” Morales told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo in Filipino.

Earlier Wednesday, Malacanang said it

IS owns up to Jolo blast

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Francisco Tuyay, Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

Next page

2 female bombers both Filipino widows of Abu Sayyaf terrorists

T

HE Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu that claimed the lives of 15 persons and injured scores of others, a US-based organization that monitors online communications among Muslim militant groups said.

The IS East Asia province had issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attacks, SITE Intelligence Group posted on its website with the headline “IS supporters celebrate deadly Jolo, Sulu bombings.”

Military officials said known operatives of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group -- which has pledged allegiance to IS -- under commander Mundi Sawadjaan were behind the blasts, carried out by female suicide bombers.

Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. William Gonzales said Wednesday they were pursuing other members of Abu Sayyaf believed to had carried out the bombings.

“All efforts are focused on finding and perhaps neutralizing this Abu Sayyaf group, to once and for all put them to justice,” he said.

On Tuesday, Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana identified the female bombers as Nanah and Inda Nay, who were both Filipino, and not Indonesian as earlier reported.

In a text message to reporters, Sobejana said Nanah was the wife of Norman Lasuca, who is considered the Philippines’ first homegrown suicide bomber.

Lasuca and another attacker blew themselves up outside a military camp on Jolo in June 2019, killing several soldiers and civilians.

Inda Nay was the wife of Talha Jumsah, also known as Abu Talha, who acted as liaison between Abu Sayyaf and the Islamic State group. He was killed in November in a shoot-out with security forces on Jolo.

Meanwhile, military officials are pressing President Rodrigo Duterte Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM AUGUST 26)

202,361 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

5,277 65,764 NEW

ACTIVE

3,137

99

DEATHS

NEW

133,460 1,131 RECOVERIES

NEW

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 174 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

STORIES INSIDE

• RESOLVE MARCOS POLL CASE—OFWS

PROTECTING JOLO.

• PALACE: ‘REVGOV’ NOT A THREAT • FLOIRENDO FOUND GUILTY OF GRAFT

This aerial photo of Jolo, taken from a Twitter account, shows the city’s tightly packed neighborhoods, which were rattled by twin explosions from suicide bombers on Monday, leaving 15 dead, including seven soldiers and a policeman. President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday was considering imposing martial law on the whole province of Sulu, which police and the military pushed for it but lawmakers opposed. AFP

Senate panel seeks all positions in PhilHealth abolished, replaced noted that a law reorganizing PhilBy Macon Ramos-Araneta, Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz Health would have to be passed.

In the interim, the senator suggested THE Senate Blue Ribbon committee in his committee report, which has yet has proposed the abolition of all posi- to be signed by members of the panel, Next page tions in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and their recreation CLASHING REPORTS. Senators Richard through a law.

Gordon (right) and Panfilo Lacson discuss a “We can authorize the Executive Department to make appointments. point in a recent Senate hearing. Gordon has This way, all may be replaced by fresh submitted a report on the alleged corruption in PhilHealth by his Blue Ribbon Committee, faces, fresh minds and untainted per- but Lacson says he would rather sign a report sonnel,” said Senator Richard Gorprepared by the Senate Committee of the don, chairman of the committee, who Whole. Senate PRIB photo

PH COVID infections breach 200-k mark as new cases hit 5,277 Palace insists THE number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines topped the 200,000 mark on Wednesday after the Health department announced 5,277 new infections, bringing the total to 202,361.

The bulk of the newly reported cases

still came from Metro Manila at 3,157, followed by Laguna with 403, Negros Occidental with 304, Rizal with 237 and Cavite with 228.

Of the 5,277 reported cases, 4,350 (82 percent) occurred within the recent 14

Locsin ignores China’s warning, says patrols in WPS to continue THE Philippines will continue to patrol the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea despite China’s call for Manila to stop “illegal provocations” by sending military aircraft near the area.

--US blacklists Chinese individuals, firms for South China Sea work (story on A2) --“We’re gonna continue our patrol because it’s ours,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said Wednesday on ANC Next page

days or from Aug. 13 to 26.

COVID-19 expenses “As of 4 p.m. today, Aug, 26, 2020, cost P44 billion the Department of Health reports the The Health department of Health has total number of COVID-19 cases at used 86 percent or P44.57 billion out of 202,361,” said the department’s COV- its P51-billion budget for its COVID-19 ID-19 Case Bulletin #165.

Next page

NO TO ANTI-TERROR ACT.

Catholic nuns under the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines and members of the laity, along with their lawyers, present the 30th petition against the Anti-Terrorism Act or Republic Act 11479 at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Story on A3. Norman Cruz

Duterte is ‘fit,’ has no illness

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said President Rodrigo Duterte was “fit and healthy” and had no serious illness, contrary to his statement that he was nearing an initial stage of cancer.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte only repeated what his doctor had told him a “long time ago” when he told the public that his Barrett’s esophagus was “nearing stage-one cancer.”

Roque made his statement even as senators said Duterte should take Next page

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News

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Resolution of Marcos poll protest urged A

GROUP of Filipino workers abroad on Wednesday joined the calls for the Supreme Court to speed up its resolution of the election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. questioning the validity of Vice President Leni Robredo’s proclamation in the 2016 national elections.

resolve Marcos’ the poll protest to give way to a smooth transition of power in case something happened to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Abante made the call after administration critics demanded that Malacanang make public Duterte’s state of health, and after he was apparently diagnosed with an illness called “Barrett’s esophagus,” which would be “nearing stage one cancer.”

Abante said the PET’s immediate decision on Marcos’ poll protest was necessary to ensure a smooth transfer of power in case Duterte’s health deteriorated before the end of his term on

July 30, 2022.

He expressed concern that a “constitutional problem” might arise should Robredo took over the presidency while the poll protest against her remained unresolved.

Legal experts say that the speedy resolution of the Marcos’ poll protest would solely depend on the strong resolve of Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who is in charge of the case, to have the final decision promulgated in earnest and eventually determine who between Marcos and Robredo truly won the vice presidential race four year ago.

Celerino Umandap, chairman of the Advocates and Keepers of OFW or AKO-OFW, said the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, should quickly resolve Marcos’ protest as a show of respect for the sovereign will of the voters.

Umandap said the PET had failed to determine the duly elected vice presi-

dent in the 2016 elections despite the pendency of the case for four years.

“The PET decision is already long overdue. Once and for all, the Filipino electorates deserve to know who was the duly elected vice president in the 2016 VP race,” Umandap said.

Earlier, House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. urged the PET to

Senate...

From A1

Palace firm with deployment ban on frontliners

the removal of all regional directors.

He said the regional PhilHealth officials belong to a “mafia” who should be slapped with graft and corruption charges. He also said the Ombudsman should conduct an investigation into to the possibility of filing plunder charges against the officers responsible in PhilHealth.

In 2019, the Blue Ribbon committee investigated allegations of fraud within PhilHealth.

Gordon came out with the report a year later. He said said it took him a long time to come out with the report due to other issues that needed to be investigated by his committee like the hearings on the controversial Good Conduct and Time Allowance (GCTA) law and the issue on money laundering by Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

In an online media briefing, Gordon said the real mafia at Philhealth are the vice presidents, the regional directors.

He accused them of allowing millions of overpayments to hospitals in their respective areas.

The committee report showed that the total of overpayments under the all case rate system of PhilHealth amounted to P54.7 million.

“All these overcharges, overpayments, upscaling, and other nefarious schemes could not have been perpetrated without their cooperation, or maybe even, principal leadership,” Gordon said.

“No exemption here. All of them.... they all got (their share),” he said.

Gordon identified in his report the members of the so-called mafia as Paolo Johann Perez, RVP for Mimaropa; lawyer Valerie Anne H. Hollero, assistant corporate secretary; Dennis Adre, RVP for Davao; William Chavez, RVP for Central Visayas; lawyer Jelbert Galicto, RVP for Caraga; Khaliquzzaman Macabato, regional vice president (RVP) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; Datu Masiding Alonto Jr., RVP for Northern Mindanao and Dr. Miriam Grace Pamonag, RVP for Central Mindanao.

They all denied allegations against them.

But Gordon said the members of the mafia, who have stayed in their positions for 20 to 22 years, had orchestrated the removal of PhilHealth presidents attempting to remove them.

“They are not being replaced and so they were able to wield massive influence,” Gordon said.

In a separate conference, Senator Panfilo Lacson said senators will sign either the committee report of Gordon or the report by the Senate Committee on the Whole, which conducted an inquiry into fresh allegations of corrup-

Palace...

From A1 care of his health following his doctor’s warning on his esophagus, which had been damaged by his past alcohol intake.

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the flat pink lining of the swallowing tube that connects the mouth to

Locsin...

From A1 television. “That’s all there is to it.”

Locsin also rejected the reported proposal to place an attaché for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Beijing, saying it would equate to Manila conceding its rights in the West Philippine Sea. Locsin said establishing a separate office for the PCG at the Philippine Embassy in China would subject activities in the West Philippine Sea to discussion with Chinese authorities instead of an automatic protest.

The existing Philippine defense attaché there would suffice to handle de-

By Vito Barcelo

sure their health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m sure that most, if not all, the nurses are leaving for countries that have more number of cases, particularly the United States, which is number one. So it is inherit police power of the President to delay their deployment to uphold the public health,” he said.

Roque explained that the country will mostly need the services of Filipino health workers as the nation battles the coronavirus outbreak.

“We’ve clarified that all those with processed papers as of March 8, 2020 could leave, but all those who do not have their papers yet after March 8 must stay meanwhile,” he said.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has requested the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow some 600 nurses to leave the country amid the government’s temporary deployment ban.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Bernard Olalia said the DOLE has recommended to the IATF to lift the deployment suspension for the outbound nurses.

The IATF issued last week Resolution No. 64, which suspends the overseas deployment of the medical and allied health workers, citing the POEA Governing Board’s Resolution No. 9-2020 that was adopted in April.

to put the entire Sulu province under martial law following the deadly twin blasts in the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro autonomous region early Monday, Malacanang said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte continues to listen to the personnel on the ground, but the recommendation still has to pass the scrutiny of both the legislative and judiciary branches.

Sobejena and Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa have both called for military rule in Sulu, but Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has rejected the former’s request.

“There will be no martial law,” Lorenzana said late Tuesday.

Also, Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, said Congress will reject any request for a declaration of martial law if no evidence that an invasion or rebellion in underway.

In an online interview, Lacson said terrorism is not a justification for imposing martial law in Sulu. He said the situation in Marawi City was a clear case of rebellion, so martial law was imposed.

IS supporters across the globe are “rejoicing” over the casualties, which included seven soldiers, a policeman and six civilians, as a result of the bombings, SITE added.

Founded by Rita Katz, the firm claims it is the world’s leading nongovernmental counterterrorism organization specializing in tracking and analyzing online activity of the global extremist community.

Listed by the United States as a terrorist organization, Abu Sayyaf is a loose network of Islamist militants blamed for the Philippines’ worst terror attacks as well as kidnappings of foreign tourists and Christian missionaries.

“There will have to be notice given to Congress... [which] will have to be satisfied with both the legal and factual

basis for the declaration,” Roque said in a TV interview. “And this is without prejudice to the judicial review on both the factual and legal considerations for the imposition of martial law.”

The President needs to be very careful in assessing the recommendation because there should be a “legal and factual” basis to declare military rule in Sulu, Roque said.

Martial law was lifted in the region at the end of 2019, two-and-a-half years after it was imposed to fight militants.

It is unclear why the President failed to mention the twin bombings in Jolo in his public address on Monday, but Roque said that Duterte has already directed the top officials of the AFP and the PNP during a joint command conference to take appropriate actions.

“The fact that the President did not say anything, it’s probably because he has given the necessary orders to the top brass of the AFP and the PNP, and you don’t discuss what you intend to do as far as the situation on the ground is concerned publicly,” Roque said.

“The command conference was confidential in nature. I was not even allowed to sit through the meeting,” he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said that there must be a full investigation into the twin bombing incidents in Jolo, Sulu, and the possible connection to the killing of four soldiers by nine Jolo policemen in June.

She called for the relief of the entire Jolo police fore to pave the way for a thorough, transparent investigation.

She said that the investigation into the Jolo blasts should also touch upon the deaths of the four army intelligence operatives who were shot and killed by PNP officers. The said the operatives were reportedly tracking the two female suicide bombers who likely committed the twin bombing incidents in Jolo.

Earlier, Western Mindanao Command (WestminCom) chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan told lawmakers that there may be a possible conspiracy between some police officers in Sulu and

terrorist organizations due to family ties.

Hontiveros also said that the investigation should cover the fact that local police -- and even PNP officials -- knew about the presence and the identity of the soldiers when they were stopped at a checkpoint in Jolo.

She said her sources also revealed that the soldiers, who were closing in on the possible location of the suicide bombers at the time, in fact wanted to implement a house-to-house search with the PNP and local barangay officials to find the house being rented by the bombers.

Monday’s explosions happened near a Catholic cathedral on Jolo where two suicide bombers blew themselves up in January 2019 killing 21 people. That attack was blamed on a group linked to Abu Sayyaf.

Suicide attacks were once very rare in the Philippines, but since July 2018 there have been five, including the latest blasts.

Sobejana on Wednesday honored the eight soldiers who died in the Jolo blasts, and identified them as Staff Sgts. Louie Cuarteros, and Manuelito Oria, Pvts.

Omair Muksan, Juvienjay Emalani, John Ray Paler, Aiub Sahid, James Apolinario, all belonging to the 21st Infantry Battalion and Pvt. John Agustin from the 35th Infantry Battalion.

“To the bereaved families of our troops, we extend our deepest condolences. Rest assured that the Army is here to help and is ready to extend the necessary assistance,” Sobejana said.

The soldiers were patrolling the streets of the Walled City in Jolo town proper when two female suicide bombers detonated improvised explosives killing them on the spot and wounding 21 other soldiers. Six civilians were also killed in the incident.

AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said the Abu Sayyaf would not stop the military from bringing an end to their violence.

“Our troops on the ground continue to be on high alert to deter similar attacks,” Gapay said.

the stomach becomes damaged by acid reflux, which causes the lining to thicken and become red.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the President was past 74, and “it’s not unusual” to have an ailment at his age.

Senator Sonny Angara said he wished the President good health because the country needed him to be in good shape to face the challenges brought by the

COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wish him well,” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said of Duterte.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa echoed the other senators that Duterte should take care of his health.

Roque told CNN Philippines that the 75-year-old President was “fit and healthy for a person his age.”

“I think people are putting too much

meaning in that statement. I think that advice was given to him a long time ago when the President was still drinking,” Roque said.

“He has since stopped drinking and as far as I know, since he became President, he has not resumed drinking.”

Roque claimed the President was “reaping the harvest” of heeding his doctor’s medical advice because he was continuing to enjoy good health.

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday turned down the call of several groups to allow Filipino health workers to work abroad, stressing only those with existing contracts may be allowed to travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque justified the delay in the deployment of Filipino health workers abroad, citing that the country is ranked 22nd in the number of COVID cases around the globe.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte has exercised his inherent police power to temporarily prevent health workers from migrating to other countries to en-

IS owns...

From A1

fense issues, he said.

Beijing is “free to say” what it wants over the issue, Locsin said.

“They can call it illegal provocations, you can’t change their minds. They already lost the arbitral award, they wouldn’t accept it. But if that is their choice, it’s a free world. I wouldn’t stop anyone from talking,” he added.

China’s latest remarks came after Manila filed a diplomatic protest over the Chinese Coast Guard’s confiscation of Filipino fishermen’s devices in the West Philippine Sea. Chinese Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Li Jian said the Chinese Coast Guard merely acted “in accordance to the law.” Rey E. Requejo

PH...

From A1 response, an official said on Wednesday.

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said her department was allotted P51 billion to address the pandemic, of which 89 percent or P45.72 billion came from the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. “As of August 2020, our utilization was P44.57 billion, and 46 percent of that allocation was used for case managementrelated commodities,” Vergeire said.

deworming drug Ivermectin, especially since it had not yet been approved for such use.

“I am just warning those doctors who are doing this without undergoing through the regulatory process because this might be harmful to our citizens, because there is no evidence yet that Ivermectin can be used for COVID-19 or to prevent COVID-19,” Vergeire said.

She said people should not use off-label drugs, or those made for other illnesses, without the approval of the Food and Drug Administration and the ethics review board.

Keep it down for a healthy Christmas

US blacklists Chinese firms for SCS work WASHINGTON—The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions and restrictions on two dozen Chinese companies and associated officials for taking part in building artificial islands in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The 24 state-owned firms include subsidiaries of construction giant China Communications Construction Co., telecommunications firms and a unit of the China Shipbuilding Group.

The move was the latest step in Washington’s efforts to pressure Beijing over its military buildup in areas of the South China Sea where sovereignty is contested by several countries.

The US Commerce Department said the companies “enabled China to construct and militarize disputed outposts in the South China Sea.” “Since 2013, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has used its stateowned enterprises to dredge and reclaim more than 3,000 acres on disputed features in the South China Sea, destabilizing the region, trampling on the sovereign rights of its neighbors, and causing untold environmental devastation,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

The 24 companies were placed on the Commerce Department’s “Entity List” which allows it to block exports of US goods and materials to them.

In addition, Pompeo said individuals associated with the South China Sea operations will be unable to obtain visas to visit the United States.

The names of the individuals were not made available. AFP

Morales...

From A1 was the “personal” decision of Morales to resign.

Morales was appointed to PhilHealth in August 2019, and has been on leave to undergo treatment for lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes.

Morales’ cancer disclosure came days after Duterte ordered on Aug. 7 the creation of a task force to investigate the alleged rampant corruption and irregularities within PhilHealth.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III will accept Morales’s resignation, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Vergeire, however, said it will be up to the Office of the President “if they will accept [it] or not.”

Vergeire said Duque appreciates the work of Morales despite the accusations of corruption and controversies at PhilHealth.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said the resignation of Rodolfo Del Rosario, PhilHealth’s senior vice president for legal, would make the investigation into PhilHealth easier.

Guevarra, who has been tasked

by President Duterte to lead the task force in investigating the multibillion fund mess in the PhilHealth, was given 30 days to come up with a recommendation.

Del Rosario was accused by PhilHealth board member Alejandro Cabading of being one of the members of the so-called mafia in the state health insurer.

Whistleblowers in a Senate inquiry this month had accused Morales of repeatedly approving allegedly overpriced projects and the release of funds to supposedly favored hospitals.

A purported “mafia” in PhilHealth also pocketed P15 billion in public funds, the witnesses said.

Morales, who has denied that a mafia is embedded in his agency, said he has signed a waiver to open up his bank records and agreed to a lifestyle check.

PhilHealth submits to Congress a weekly report and receipts of its interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) or financial aid to medical facilities, he said.

the government to sustain the efforts to keep the COVID-19 cases down to achieve a “healthy Christmas.”

Guido David of the UP-OCTA Research Team says 2020 can have a “happy finish” if the downward trend of COVID-19 cases is sustained.

“This is a collective effort. The fight is not yet over. We have to sustain this momentum,” David said.

“It will take a while, but we hope that

by Christmas everything would be okay.

When in doubt, isolate

Isolation is a critical step in mitigating the transmission of COVID-19, the Health Warning against deworming drug University of the Philippines experts department said in a forum Wednesday.

The Health department on Wednesday warned against giving COVID-19 patients the on Wednesday reminded the public and Willie Casas

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‘Revgov movement not a threat’ M

By Vito Barcelo

ALACAÑANG on Wednesday said it does not see any threat behind a group’s call for a revolutionary government since the President is not keen to support the move, but said it respects the planned investigation by the Philippine of the National Police of persons behind the initiative despite the absence of imminent threat from the group.

Philippine National Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, in fact, has already ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to conduct a probe and closely monitor the proponents of the so-called “revolutionary government” movement.

AGRI PRODUCTS. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (2nd from left) assisted by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) and Deputy Speaker and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez ( 2nd right) turned over agricultural products to the representatives of Sta Rosa City Elvie Marcelo (center) and San Pedro City Vernet Pavino (right) to help Covid 19 affected poor residents of the four districts of Laguna.The donation is part of the salaries of all House Members collected to help Covid 19 affected provinces nationwide.photo by Ver Noveno

Religious group joins petitioners vs anti-terrorism law

By Rey E. Requejo A CATHOLIC group on Wednesday filed the 30th petition asking the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

In a petition, the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines and members of the Catholic laity also sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order to stop the implementation of the anti-terrorism law on ground

that it infringes on the freedom of religious expression.

The AMRSP is an organization of major superiors of religious institutes and societies of apostolic life in the Philippines represented by their executive secretary, Fr. Angelito Cortez.

The petitioner said that the broad and vague definition of terrorism under the law would impede and affect the mission of the Church.

“The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 affects not just the members of religious

congregations, but more importantly, the Christian faithful as it is everyone’s duty to evangelize and do missionary works.

This affects the Church’s fundamental right to free religious expression,” the petition stated.

Named respondents in the petition are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Finance Secretary Carlos

Dominguez, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan, Anti-Money Laundering Council secretariat Mel Georgie Racela, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Filemon Santos Jr. The Catholic group said that even before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed by the United Nations in Dec. 10, 1948, the Catholic Church has already been supportive of efforts to respect the dignity of the human person.

Personnel services top 2021 PH budget

By Maricel V. Cruz EXPENSES for personnel services took a major share in the proposed 2021 national government budget due to the need to hire more health care professionals and workers as well as pay the scheduled salary increase for government employees, and the increase in pension of military and other uniformed services retirees.

Themed “Reset, Rebound and Recover: Investing for Resiliency and Sustainability, ”the proposed P4.506-trillion spending program for 2021 was submitted to the House of Representatives by Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado on Tuesday, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano promptly said that the chamber will work to have the budget approved in record time and he wanted the 2021 General Appropriations Act signed by the President by late November, just in time for his scheduled stepping down as the House’s top official.

Personnel services accounts for 29.2 percent or P1.32 trillion of the proposed expenditure, House officials who have done an initial review of the budget bill said.

The DBM on the other hand said the 29.2 percent share of personnel services as due to the “]huge additional hiring of health workers under the Human Resource for Health Program of the Department of Health (DOH), the second tranche implementation of the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, and the increased pension requirements of military and uniformed personnel.”

Under the Salary Standardization Law that was enacted during the watch of President Rodrigo Duterte, the more than 1.4 million government employees will be granted salary increases in four tranches starting January 2020 and ending in 2023.

IN BRIEF MMDA requires visitors to wear masks, face shields

ASPHALTING. Workers of the Manila’s Department and Public Works laid asphalt to parts of Tondo and Sta. Mesa, Manila. The asphalting, which was supervised by the Highway Division, includes portion of Claro M. Recto corner Delpan Streets in Tondo to ensure the safety of residents from untoward incidents. The Highways Divisioin IV likewise asphalted the road along Barangay 627 in Sta. Mesa, Manila to cover the craters that usually caused accidents in the area.

‘Recall ban on poultry imports’ THE Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. has asked the Department of Agriculture to reconsider the ban on poultry imports, including mechanically deboned meat from Brazil.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar dated August 19, 2020, PAMPI president Felix O. Tiukinhoy Jr. asked for a reconsideration of the department’s decision to include MDM among poultry products that can no longer be imported from Brazil until further notice.

PAMPI was referring to Memorandum Order No. 39 issued by the department on August 14, 2020 which imposed a temporary ban on the importation of poultry meat originating from Brazil, following

reports that SARS-COV 2—the causative agent of Covid-19—was detected in a surface sampling conducted in chicken meat imported from Brazil to China.

PAMPI described the blanket ban as both questionable and speculative. “As far as we know, the Duterte administration does not issue policies or regulations that have no basis in law,” PAMPI said in the letter, copies of which were also sent to Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Chairman Francisco Duque and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Bureau of Animal Industry Director Ronnie Domingo and National Meat Inspection Service Director Reildrin Morales.

P100m in smuggled goods, rice seized in Cebu, Zambo

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs seized smuggled cigarettes, rice, used clothing and furniture worth at least P100 million in separate operations in Cebu and Zamboanga ports.

The shipments from China consigned to GRR Trading arrived at the Port of Cebu on August 19 which were declared as umbrellas, tables, cabinets, and chairs but turned

“I have directed the CIDG to investigate the individuals behind it and to determine if there is any basis to file criminal charges leading to a possible arrest,” he said.

Palace spokesperson Harry Roque admitted that President Duterte knows about the Mayor Rodrigo Roa DuterteNational Executive Coordinating Committee, but does not support its initiative for a revolutionary government.

Asked whether the group would be investigated, Roque said that “it’s the discretion of the police authorities and the Palace respect any probe.”

“In fact, whether it is inciting sedition or not is really the realm of the police and prosecutors at the DOJ. But from what I’ve seen, there’s no clear and present danger,” Roque said.

“What is important is that the President has said he is not in support of revolutionary government because obviously he is for a constitutional government,”Roque said.

“I don’t see any clear and present danger if you simply advocate and in no position really to threaten the existence of the Republic. In the same way that the Left have said many, many things against the President, let it be because that’s still protected speech,” Roque, a lawyer, said.

Duterte had denied reports that he is behind the call by some of his supporters for the establishment of a revolutionary government.

The MRRD-NECC reportedly wants to fast-track the establishment of a federal system, which Duterte promised during the 2016 election campaign.

Roque said the government is focused on the Covid 19 response as he repeatedly said that the president does not support the establishment of a revolutionary government.

Roque also said that the President is looking forward to the end of his term.

Gamboa, meanwhile, has reiterated that the PNP leadership has nothing to do with the call for a revolutionary government.

out to contain more than 1,000 master cases of “Astro” “Jackpot” and “Farstar” brand cigarettes worth P92 million.

The other confiscated shipments of rice, and cigarettes, used clothing and furniture were found at the Port of Zamboanga.

“Apparently, the modus operandi of the importer is blatant misdeclaration,” according to Jerry M. Arizabal, Enforcement and Security Service–Port of Cebu

District Commander.

He said the declared shipment was contrary to the declaration in the manifest that the container was loaded with Drawers, Tables, Cabinets, and Lockers.

“This swift apprehension is the result of the vigilance and close monitoring of port agents, coupled with x-ray inspection technology,” Cebu Acting District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said.

Floirendo found guilty of graft

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has convicted Rep. Antonio Floirendo of graft over the deal between his family-owned Tagum Agricultural Development Co., Inc. and the Bureau of Corrections.

In a 23-page ruling, the anti-graft court that Floreindo’s continued ownership of 75,000 shares of Tadeco stock even after his election as Davao del Norte congressman constituted graft The court cited “conflict of interest” in the joint venture agreement between Tadeco and BuCor in 2003 when Floirendo was a congressmam.

“Clearly, there is a need for a public officer to make a divestment of shareholdings or any pecuniary or financial interest once the possession of such pecuniary or financial interest becomes prohibited, regardless of whether or not a situation of conflict of interest has arisen,” Sandiganbayan said.

“The accused’s indirect pecuniary or financial interest in the 2003 agreement falls within the prohibition of the Constitution.

Considering the foregoing, this court finds that the violations of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices law are present,” it added.

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is now requiring all employees and visitors to wear face mask and shield inside the main office building to further prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

“The no face shield and no face mask, no entry (policy) is being implemented at MMDA offices,” the MMDA public information office said in its advisory Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, MMDA officials led by chairman Danilo Lim and general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. started distributing face shields to all workers who are required to wear the protective device whenever they are inside MMDA offices.

Currently, the MMDA has more than 8,000 employees, with almost eighty percent working in the field on various locations in Metro Manila. Joel E. Zurbano

DOH readies polio vaccination program THE Department of Health is now working on vaccinating thousands of children against polio amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic slowed down the government’s immunization program since the lockdowns started in March.

As of June, the DOH has recorded 25 polio infections and 16 cases, which referred to children who already experienced disability due to the virus, said Dr. Maria Wilda Silva, DOH national immunization program manager, in press briefing.

Among the priorities for vaccination are the National Capital Region and the neighboring Calabarzon region. Calabarzon comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon Province.

Both NCR and Calabarzon are dealing with the rising number of COVID-19 infections. Willie Casas

LGUs

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

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Manila North offers free cremation

FREE GADGETS.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna show the laptops, tablets, and pocket wifi devices the city government will provide to public school students of Manila in preparation for the blended distance learning during a press conference at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros on Tuesday.

Norman Cruz

THE Manila North Cemetery is now offering free cremation services for residents of Manila City who died due to COVID-19.

“Cremation services for Manila city residents who died of COVID-19 are free. You can bring the urn to the Manila North Cemetery. First-come, first-served basis,” Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Domagoso said Tuesday in a Facebook post.

According to the Department of Health COVID-19 tracker, the city of Manila has logged 13,911 coronavirus infections, with 213 fatalities and 9,346 recoveries on Tuesday.

Nationwide, there are already 197,164 confirmed COVID-19 cases, as of Tuesday, of which, 61,730 are active infections.

The death toll stood at 3,038, while the total recoveries are 132,396. Willie Casas

DTI-SB Corp OKs P10.32-m loan for SMEs

By Jess Malabanan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—A total P10.32 million cash loan has been approved for release to 112 Pampanga Small and Micro Enterprise by the Department of Trade and Industry-Small Business Corporation, the agency said in a statement.

The loan package is part of the government financial assistance to SMEs under the "Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pagasenso Covid 19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises" (P3-CARES), said DTI3 regional director Judith Angeles.

Pampanga has the most number of loans approved as compared to other provinces in Central Luzon, followed

by Nueva Ecija with 110 SMEs with P7.37-million; Bulacan 89 loans granted with P8million; Zambales 64 with P4.1 million; Aurora 63 loan applicants with P3.61 million; Tarlac 60 with P6.4 million and Bataan 52 with P3.85 million for a total of P43.6 million financial assistance for the entire Central Luzon SMEs. Angeles said of the 2,040 loan applicants, only 550 had been granted by the SB Corporation under the P3 CARES program of the government a year after it announced accepting loan applications from SMEs in the region.

“The P3 CARES program is part of the Enterprise Rehabilitation Financing program of DTI to assist establishments affected by the quarantines imposed throughout the country,” she said.

The financial assistance program of the DTI-SB Corp which intends to help SMEs to recover and restart their business after the downturn brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda thanked DTI-SB Corp for the financial assistance to SMEs, saying the timely approval and release of loan applications would boost the local economy extremely affected by the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.

Under the CARES program, enterprises may avail themselves of zero interest loans ranging from P10,000 to 500,000, payable within 12 to 24 months.

The program also includes a sixmonth grace period for principal repayment.

Manila starts giving free gadgets to studes, teachers

By Willie Casas

T

HE city government of Manila was scheduled to start distributing free gadgets to teachers and students from more than 100 public schools in Manila starting August 26.

Some 11,000 laptops and a pocket WiFi with 10GB of data are reserved for teachers while 136,950 tablets with sim cards holding 10GB of data are reserved for students.

Small tablets will be given to students in Kinder to Grade 3 while big tablets will be given to students from Grade 4 to Grade 12.

The applications needed by the stu-

dents as well as the modules which will be covered during the school year are already installed in the tablets.

“That’s 10GB. 10GB is more than enough if you just use that in school,” Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said.

The local government is planning to buy more tablets as the number of enrollees exceed-

ed the number expected by authorities.

Due to this, the initial P1.64 billion budget was increased by up to P150 billion.

The Manila government has conducted the ceremonial turn-over to the Manila Division of City Schools.

A total of 107 public schools, composed of 72 elementary schools and 35 high schools, will receive the gadgets.

The gadgets will remain the property of the local government. They cannot be sold and parents will be held accountable if these go missing.

CLEANUP PROJECT. For its ongoing P1-billion Tullahan Tinajeros cleanup project, San Miguel Corporation uses a 50-ton excavator or backhoe placed on top of a customized barge to dredge deeper at higher volumes. Dredged materials are then loaded into the hopper barges and pulled by the tugboat (second photo) to the staging area where materials are transferred to dump trucks that go to disposal sites designated and approved by the DENR.

PNP orders manhunt vs. cop chief’s killers PHILIPPINE National Police Chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, has ordered a manhunt against the assailants of the chief of the Carmen municipal police in North Cotabato.

In a statement, Gamboa also extended his condolences to the family of Maj. Joan Resurreccion, who was shot dead while pursuing an armed group in Sitio Tawan-tawan, Purok 4 in Barangay Poblacion on Tuesday.

“We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Maj. Resurreccion and I assure the surviving kin that they will receive all PNP benefits due him,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Resurreccion’s family will receive P250,000 from the President’s Social Fund; between P141,000 and P181,0000 from the PNP’s Special Financial Assistance; burial benefits amounting to P50,000; and P200,000 gratuity from the National Police Commission. PNA

Batangas initiates labor market survey THE Batangas Provincial Government has initiated a survey to assess the status of the labor market and work force throughout the province during this pandemic period.

Led by the Provincial Assistance for Community Development Office-Public Employment Services Office, the Batangas Capitol invites Batangueño workers, employers, and employees, including those currently employed, unemployed, and still looking.

According to PACD Department Head Fredesvinda Mendoza, the purpose of the investigation was to gather information that could be used as a basis for the provincial government to formulate appropriate programs and projects to mitigate the negative effects of the global health, social and economic crisis.

The online survey will be conducted until September 18, 2020.

PESO Manager Dr. Razel Ingco said anyone with questions and clarifications about the survey could contact the official PESO email address workersbatangasprovince@gmail.com. Ben Chavez

SMC’s P1-b CSR program continues in time of pandemic AMID the coronavirus pandemic, San Miguel Corporation’s P1-b initiative to dredge the Tullahan-Tinajeros river system has yielded 2,150 truckloads of silt and garbage as of August 25, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

The initiative, part of a wide-ranging plan to address flooding in Bulacan and

parts of Central Luzon, was launched in February with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources but only fully commenced in June after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was eased.

"In just over two months, we have extracted close to 20,000 cubic meters of silt and garbage. That is equivalent to

2,150 truckloads of debris. We thank the DENR for its commitment to the initiative and for making this possible,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang. Ang said the company had been removing 600 tons of solid waste on a daily basis that go to disposal sites des-

UP’s Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, partners end webinar TO EMPHASIZE the critical role of immunization in preventing vaccinepreventable diseases, the University of the Philippines College of Medicine’s Mu Sigma Phi Medical Sorority, the first recognized medical sorority in Asia, has organized a webinar series titled “Immunization in the Time of Pandemia.”

This is under the COVIDgilance series launched through the ImMUnity program—one of Mu Sigma Phi Sorority’s flagship service projects which aims to educate the public about the importance of immunization from vaccine-preventable diseases—as it continues to crusade

IN BRIEF

for its advocacy of promoting individual and community health.

The kick-off of the webinar series, titled “Balik Tiwala, Balik Bakuna”—Debunking Vaccination Myths Around the COVID-19 Pandemic, was held on July 28 and featured Dr. Regina Berba, head of Hospital Infection Control Unit and Infectious Disease Specialist in Philippine General Hospital.

The second installment was done last August 11, titled “Vaccination Timeline in the Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic”

by Dr. Carmen Nievera, board member of Pediatric Infectious Disease Society

of the Philippines, member of Infection Prevention and Control, and committee of Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

In celebration of its foundation month, Mu Sigma Phi Sorority culminated the series on August 25 with "How Immunization Will Keep Us Safe In This Time of COVID-19!,” a webinar moderated by Dr. Virginia Abalos and featuring Dr. Lulu Bravo, professor emeritus at the UP College of Medicine and executive director of Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, and Dr. Wilda Silva, National Immunization Program Manager of the Department of Health as speakers.

ignated and approved by the DENR. “We’re just starting with phase one of the project, covering a 5.25 km. stretch of river system from Navotas to Malabon City. We have a long way to go, but we are fully committed to this long-term project that will benefit so many people and our environment,” he added.

WORK OF ART.

Pedro Angco Jr., an artist of Barangay Laya in Baclayon, Bohol uses ocean trash—slippers, discarded wires, and plastics—as the main materials for his masterpiece.

Photos courtesy of Kien Alphe Garusta

Opinion B

No friend to Manila

On Friday, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry declared that China’s patrols in the South China Sea are “beyond reproach” and that air patrols by the Philippines infringe on its sovereignty.

The official defended the China Coast Guard’s activities and urged the Philippines to “immediately stop” what he described as “illegal provocations.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it had filed a diplomatic protest to Beijing over the Chinese Coast Guard’s move to confiscate equipment used by Filipino fishermen in the waters of the disputed South China Sea. The DFA also objected to Beijing’s radio challenges to aircraft conducting legitimate maritime patrols in the area.

China’s timeline of aggression against the Philippines in the last decade began in 2012, with a stand-off over the Scarborough Shoal.

In that year, the Philippines claimed that under a 2012 deal mediated by the United States, China and the Philippines promised to withdraw their forces from the shoal until a deal over its ownership could be reached. The Philippines complied with the agreement and withdrew but China did not and maintained its

presence there, effectively militarizing the area. China denies any such deal was reached.

By July 2012, China had erected a barrier to the entrance of the shoal.

Since then, vessels belonging to the China Marine Surveillance and Fisheries Law Enforcement Command have been observed in the nearby disputed shoal and Chinese government vessels have been turning away Filipino vessels sailing to the area.

It is time we stopped pretending we can be friends with Beijing and do business as usual, while it bullies us and robs us of our territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.

By January 2014, China continued to maintain a presence within the shoal, among heightened tensions regarded a new law which requires non-Chinese fishing boats to seek permission from China when in the South China Sea. China’s aggression in the South China Sea dovetails with the rise to power of President Xi Jinping, who quickly consolidated his position and authority over the Chinese Communist Party.

Since 2012, Xi has unleashed a sweeping crackdown on political dissent, civil society and the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region, and tightened control over Hong Kong, a British colony that was promised a high degree of autonomy when it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. In 2018, he abolished the presidential term limit, clearing the way for him to stay in power indefinitely.

Recent revelations from a former Chinese Communist Party insider and scholar who was ousted for speaking out against Xi, speak volumes of what we can expect from a China led by Xi. "What he emphasized was the concentration of power and the absolute conformity and loyalty to the Party's central leadership," said Cai Xia, a longtime party insider who was expelled earlier this month. "He does not allow dissenting voices from within the party, punishing those who air a different opinion with party discipline and corruption charges."

Internationally, Cai said, the Communist Party under Xi was "infiltrating" global institutions and spreading Xi's "totalitarian" ideals, thus posing a threat to the world.

We who have to deal with Chinese expansionism in our home waters know this first hand. It is time we stopped pretending we can be friends with Beijing and do business as usual, while it bullies us and robs us of our territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Questioning one’s patriotism THE Secretary of Health, together with the Presidential Spokesman, appealed to the patriotism of Filipino nurses to stay home to help care for their fellow countrymen amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic instead of going overseas to earn a living.

I do not know why the two gentlemen took this avenue because they are assuming that our nurses are not patriotic. For one, they do not know anything about who these people are. This kind of approach is also in poor taste because it can open up questions about their own patriotism.

Besides, is it not true that all overseas workers are our modern-day heroes, laboring overseas to be able to send much-needed foreign currency to help the government lessen its enormous deficit? Why question their patriotism? If the President as he says has every right to travel as guaranteed by the Constitution, these nurses surely have as much rights and should be allowed to leave if they want to. As one of the nurses said in an interview, they already worked in the country for some years. It is about time to think of family.

Suppose the critics of the DOH Secretary also asked him to think of the country first and resign so that someone else can take over the DOH and perhaps do a better job. Would he make the sacrifice? I doubt it.

Patriotism, as people say, is the love of one’s country, the willingness to sacrifice one’s personal interests for the sake of the country and if need be, to die for one’s country. I wonder: How many senior-level officials are up there, really sacrificing for the sake of the country and not for themselves?

With the health secretary and the spokesman way up in the totem pole, they do not have to experience what the rank in file endure while working in government. It is altogether a different ballgame. Under normal circumstances, one has to literally pass through the

DUTY CALLS

FLORENCIO FIANZA eye of the needle to get into the government service. One needs a political sponsor or must know someone well connected to get in. Once in, one must contend with the politics, intrigues and a lot of the hassles of working in government. It is only on account of the pandemic that the government is relaxing some requirements and fast tracking a lot of things like recruitment. But once the health crisis is over, it will be back to the old grind.

Suppose the critics of the DOH Secretary also asked him to think of the country first and resign, so that someone else can take over and perhaps do a better job.

Would he make that sacrifice?

The government should just try to appeal to the nurses to stay temporarily in exchange for much better compensation instead of questioning their patriotism and banning their deployment. *** Ever since President Duterte referred to the Philippines becoming a province of China in a speech not too long ago, the issue has been popping up every now and then. The latest is about a beauty product being sold in Binondo labeled as made in Manila, Province of China. This thing is no longer just a joke because of its national security

implications.

Consider that there are tens of thousands of Chinese nationals now embedded in our society as a result of the government allowing them to enter the country visa free.

In addition, Senator Ping Lacson said a few months ago that there were about 3,000 Chinese People’s Liberation Army personnel in the country, and that they were on an immersion mission familiarizing themselves about the country, very much like what the Japanese did before the outbreak of the Second World War. If this is not enough, let us not forget that the Chinese military are already in Panatag Shoal, less than 200 miles from our shores. We all know of the ongoing bromance between our President and Chinese President Xi Jing Ping.

This is probably one reason why no one in the administration is brave enough to take any strong action for fear of displeasing President Duterte.

Among all foreign nationals living in the country, Chinese nationals now seem to occupy a privileged position.

They commit many crimes including illegal drug dealing, kidnapping and white-collar crimes. Yet, they appear to be treated with kid gloves.

It is left to local government leaders to take the cudgels for the rest of us. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, to his credit, immediately padlocked the offending establishment and issued a strongly worded statement. He also wrote the Bureau of Immigration to start deportation proceedings against the two Chinese nationals who own the beauty product.

Representative Jericho Nograles also took notice. However, aside from making his statement, he should also sponsor a bill penalizing anyone promoting the notion that the Philippines is a province of China either in word or in deed.

A lie repeated dozens of times has a way of becoming a fact—if it has not, already.

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

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Small business scorecard: Infections, recoveries, death

EDITORIAL

EIJING’S recent actions in the South China Sea belie its claims of being a “friend” to Manila.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BUSINESS CLASS

RUDY ROMERO OF THE statistics that the IATF (InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) regularly releases to the public, the most important and the most eagerly awaited are the statistics on infections, death and recoveries. These numbers provide a measure of the damage done by the novel coronavirus to the country’s MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises).

The damage has been enormous.

The damage has been enormous.

The PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) reported last week that in the second quarter, the Philippine economy contracted by 16.5 percent—the highest quarterly loss in its modern history. During that quarter, the nation's economic powerhouse—NCR (National Capital Region) plus CALABARZON—was under GCQ (general community quarantine) or the more rigorous ECQ (enhanced community quarantine). Public transportation was disallowed, the operation of industries considered non-essential was prohibited ,and a stay-at-home requirement was imposed on all persons except those designated as buyers of basic family needs.

GCQ permitted the renewed operation of some industries, but in the form of limited—and therefore uneconomic—capacities.

Needless to say, the statistics most closely watched is the numbers of infections. In the case of the pandemic, infections mean the transmission of

COVID-19 from one person to another; in the case of business operations, infection means transmitting unprofitability from one business establishment to another. Every business establishment is a customer or supplier of goods and/or services. When a business establishment’s operations are rendered unprofitable because of a lockdown or some other cases, it transmits the virus of unprofitability to its suppliers, which then transmit the virus to their own suppliers. In no time at all, one has the economic equivalent of a pandemic, to wit, a recession.

The recent ADB (Asian Development Bank) survey of 2,481 business establishments titled. “The Impact of Covid-19 in Philippine Business,’’ conducted from April 28 to May 15, 2020, found out that 2/3 of the responding establishments closed temporarily, that 29 percent reduced the scale of their operations and that most (78 percent) of the establishments that remained open were operating as 50 percent of capacity or less. That is the economic counterpart of IATF’s information-ratio statistics.

The economic agencies of the government—Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) - has yet no counterpart number of IATF’s statistics on recoveries. There may already been recoveries, but with business establishments—especially MSMEs— continuing to struggle with sharply diminished cost flows and uneconomic permissible operating capacities, one has to believe that they are few and far between at this point.

Again, there is no counterpart business figure for IATF’s statistics on death.

Thus far, around 3,000 people have died from COVID-19. Considering the extreme difficulty of obtaining reliable data on MSMEs, especially micro and small enterprises, the mortality statistics that will emerge is bound to be a number much, much higher than 2,481.

Passing responsive laws OVERSIGHT

DANILO SUAREZ THE enduring and invariable nature of our Constitution has been a boon and a bane to our legal and political institutions. As the Constitution serves to withstand changes through the years, it is a solid foundation of basic rights and liberties, government powers and duties, and national policies. However, this obsession about the law’s stability precludes our legal system to adapt to certain inevitable changes which, if considered, would be more beneficial to all.

Our Constitution is rigid. It cannot be amended by the same process used in enacting statutory laws but follows a special procedure provided for in the Constitution itself. The United States Constitution is likewise rigid. However, this did not hinder the US government from introducing amendments to it.

The US Constitution has undergone 27 amendments since 1789. The first ten amendments were passed due to the perceived lack of enumeration of basic civil rights and liberties, which now comprise the US Bill of Rights. These stemmed from the consciousness of the citizens and national leaders on the weakness and wrongness of old rules.

An example is the Quartering Act of 1765 which required Americans to give food and lodging to British soldiers.

This was later on modified by the enactment of the Third Amendment which prohibited housing of soldiers without the consent of the owners. Amendments were also introduced as a response to previous Supreme Court decisions such as the case of Chisholm v. Georgia (1793) wherein the Court allowed a suit filed by an individual against the state of Georgia. The Eleventh Amendment was then ratified to uphold state sover-

eignty and prevent courts from hearing such lawsuits against states.

The 13th Amendment was perhaps the most notable one as it outlawed slavery. The 19th Amendment in 1920 finally allowed and upheld the right of women to vote after the many years spent by the women's suffrage movement to champion equal rights to suffrage.

Rigid constitutions cannot guarantee that their provisions will be perpetually valid and applicable.

Evidently, these amendments were introduced primarily as a result of historical and social developments in the US that necessitated change in the system.

In my opinion, our Constitution was reactive in application and tenor to the administration preceding it. Looking at it now, we have to accept that there are provisions which are outdated and which must be corrected to address the changing times.

The words of Benjamin Franklin’s Articles of Confederation in Article XII still ring true, “As all new institutions may have imperfections, which only time and experience can discover, it is agreed, that the General Congress, from time to time, shall propose such Amendments of this Constitution as may be found necessary.” To emphasize, constitutions are not absolutely immutable. Rigid constitutions cannot guarantee that their provisions will be perpetually valid and applicable. Time and experience will reveal weaknesses and flaws in the laws which must be addressed in order to satisfy the demands of the time, which admittedly, are far different from those in 1986.

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

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Coronavirus slowing down in most regions Africa now free M of polio virus,

ADRID―Spain said Tuesday it will call in the army to try to help curb the spread of the coronavirus as parts of Europe and Asia battle new surges, while data from the UN health agency suggested the pace of transmission was easing in many parts of the world.

WHO declares

THE World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday declared that Africa was free of the virus that causes polio, a landmark in a decades-long campaign to eradicate the notorious disease around the world.

“Today is a historic day for Africa,” said Professor Rose Gana Fomban Leke, whose commission certified that no polio cases had occurred on the continent for the past four years, the threshold for eradication.

Poliovirus now joins smallpox on the list of viruses that have been wiped out in Africa, the WHO said.

Since 1996, eradication efforts “have prevented up to 1.8 million children from crippling life-long paralysis and saved approximately 180,000 lives,” the UN agency said.

Poliomyelitis -- the medical term for polio -- is an acutely infectious and contagious virus which attacks the spinal cord and causes irreversible paralysis in children.

It was endemic around the world until a vaccine was found in the 1950s, though this remained out of reach for many poorer countries in Asia and Africa.

In 1988, when the WHO, UNICEF and Rotary launched the worldwide campaign to eradicate the disease, there were 350,000 cases globally. In 1996, there were more than 70,000 cases in Africa alone.

Thanks to a global effort and financial backing—some $19 billion over 30 years—only Afghanistan and Pakistan have recorded cases this year: 87 in total.

Jihadist attacks Poliovirus is typically spread in the faeces of an infected person and is picked up through contaminated water or food.

Vaccinating people to prevent them from becoming infected thus breaks the cycle of transmission and eventually eradicates the virus in the wild. AFP

Governments have been ramping up efforts to contain the disease, which has claimed the lives of almost 814,000 people and infected at least 23 million since late last year.

World Health Organization data said fatality and infection rates were easing in most regions, notably in the hard-hit Americas, except Southeast Asia and the eastern Mediterranean.

In Africa, WHO regional director Matshidiso Moeti said new cases were declining after the continent passed “what seems to have been a peak”.

But Health Minister Zweli Mkhize of hard-hit South Africa warned that “our biggest worry is whether in fact this is the first surge and there might be another one”, pointing to the latest developments TOPLESS HAVEN. People enjoy the sun at a beach in France in this file photo. Topless sunbathing in France is legally not considered to in Spain. be sexual exhibitionism although it can be halted by local directives outlawing certain styles of dress. But far from everyone in France takes One of the worst affected countries in their tops off on the beach these days and topless sunbathing has become less popular in recent years. AFP Europe, Spain is to use 2,000 soldiers trained in tracking to help regions identify those who have been exposed to infected people.

“We can’t let the pandemic once again take control of our lives... we must take PARIS France’s interior minister on topless sunbathing in the town. merie Maddy Scheurer wrote on Twitter, control and halt this second curve,” said Tuesday defended the right of women But their actions prompted an ava- adding a smiling emoji. “But topless sunPrime Minister Pedro Sanchez. to sunbathe topless on beaches, after a lanche of criticsm on social media, where bathing is allowed on the beach at SainteThousands of miles away, South Kopolice warning for a group who stripped users wondered if the practice was now Marie-la-Mer. It was clumsiness by two rea ordered the closure of all schools off on the southern coast sparked a social out of bounds. gendarmes who had the best intentions.” and kindergartens in the greater Seoul media outcry.

“Is Sainte-Marie-la-Mer now Saudi Topless sunbathing in France is legally region and a return to online learning.

French gendarmes patrolling a beach Arabia?” wondered one user, while oth- not considered to be sexual exhibitionism ‘Alarming emergence of mass in Mediterranean seaside town Sainte- ers slammed a creeping “prudishness” in although it can be halted by local direcinfections’ Marie-la-Mer last week asked a group France. tives outlawing certain styles of dress.

South Korea’s move—coupled with of topless sunbathers to cover up in re“It was wrong that the women were But far from everyone in France takes Mexico’s launch Monday of a nationwide sponse to a complaint from a family, the warned about their clothing,” Interior Min- their tops off on the beach these days and televised schooling programme—underlocal gendarmerie said in a statement on ister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter. topless sunbathing has become less populined the effect on young people of a panFacebook.

“Freedom is something precious. And lar in recent years. demic now dragging into its ninth month.

It acknowledged their actions had been it is normal that officials can admit their Surveys show that younger women UN estimates say at least 60 percent “clumsy” but said the officers aimed mistakes.” are increasingly concerned about sexual of the global student population has wanted only to calm the situation, insist“You will always see me in uniform,” harassment and body shaming on the been impacted by school closures across ing there had been no official order to ban the spokeswoman of the French gendar- beach. AFP more than 140 countries. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

‘Precious’ rights to sunbathe topless defended

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IN BRIEF

TODAY

To All Stockholders: Notice is hereby given that the ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING (“ASM”) OF FONTANA RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB, INC., will be held on the 28th day of September 2020, 10:30 am, through ZOOM VIDEOCONFERENCING in accordance with the approved Internal Procedure as sanctioned by SEC Memorandum Order No. 6-2020, with the following agenda: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

WOMAN’S TOUCH.

US First Lady Melania Trump addresses the Republican Convention during its second day from the Rose Garden of the White House August 25 in Washington, DC. AFP

Call to order Certification of service of notice and existence of quorum Approval of the Minutes of the Last Stockholders Meeting dated 28 October 2019.

Annual Report of the General Manager including presentation of the Highlights of the Club’s Financial Condition for Fiscal Year 2019.

Approval of Chairman’s Annual Report and ratification of all other acts and resolutions of the Board of Directors and Management from the previous Stockholders’ Meeting on 28 October 2019.

Election of Five (5) directors, inclusive of two (2) independent directors Appointment of External Auditor New Business Other Matters Adjournment

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on 30 August 2020 are entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting. The stock and transfer book of the Company will be closed from 01 to 27 September 2020.

Registration for the attendance on the 28 September 2020 ASM shall commence from 01 to 15 September 2020 by emailing the following information to legal@fontana. com.ph.

For individual stockholders: (a) Complete Name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name); (b) Birth Date; (c) Address; (d) Mobile Number; (e) Email Address; (f) Current photograph of the Stockholder, with the face fully visible (in PDF or JPEG format); and (g) Valid government-issued ID exhibiting the signature of the Stockholder (in PDF or JPEG format).

Melania Trump brings compassion to GOP gab

For corporate stockholders: (a) SEC/DTI Registered Name; (b) Address; (c) Mobile Number/Phone Number; (d) Email Address; (e) Complete Name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name) of the individual authorized to cast the vote for the account (the “Authorized Voter”); (f) Current photograph of the individual authorized to cast the vote for the account (the “Authorized Voter”); (g) Valid government-issued ID of the Authorized Voter exhibiting his or her signature (uploaded in PDF or JPEG format); and (h) A scanned copy of the Secretary’s Certificate or other valid authorization in favor of the Authorized Voter (uploaded in PDF or JPEG format) If you do not expect to attend the ASM, you may execute the sample proxy form which can be viewed and downloaded from the Company’s website at http://www.fontana. com.ph and send the executed PROXY FORM to the Corporate Secretary at legal@ fontana.com.ph on or before 15 September 2020. Include in the said registration email the information required for the individual stockholders and the information of the proxy such as the following: (a) Complete Name of authorized Proxy (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name); (b) Birthdate; (c) Address; (d) Mobile Number/Phone Number; (e) Email Address; (f) Current photograph of the Proxy, with the face fully visible (uploaded in PDF or JPEG format); (g) Valid government-issued ID of the Proxy exhibiting his or her signature (uploaded in PDF or JPEG format).

Upon verification, the Company shall send a reply email confirming the identity of the said individual or corporation/organization as a stockholder of the Company and its respective current shareholding as of the same date, together with the voting ballot for (i) approval of the items in the Agenda requiring stockholders’ approval, and (ii) election of the members of the Board of Directors, including the Independent Directors for CY2020.

The voting ballot shall be filled out, electronically signed, and emailed back to the Company on or before 25 September 2020.

THERE SHALL BE NO ONSITE VOTING DURING THE ASM ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2020.

Upon receipt of the ballot, the Company shall verify and tally the said votes and confirm via email reply to the Stockholder the receipt thereof, together with the Meeting ID and the Meeting Password.

For purposes of quorum, only the following Stockholders shall be counted as present: a.

Stockholder who have registered from 01 to 15 September 2020 b.

Stockholders who have sent their proxies via email on or before 15 September 2020; YOU CAN ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE DEFINITIVE INFORMATION TOGETHER WITH ITS ANNEXES at http://www.fontana.com.ph.

Questions and comments on the items in the Agenda must be sent to membership@ fontana.com.ph. Questions or comments received on or before 25 September 2020 may be responded to during the meeting. Any additional inquiries or questions may be raised during the actual meeting via the ZOOM chat box and could be addressed upon discussion of Consideration of Such Other Business as May Properly Come Before the Meeting. Any question not answered during the meeting shall be replied via email.

Manila, Philippines.

(MS-AUGUST 19/27/31, 2020)

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Be it known to the Public that the ROPRIM CONSTRUCTION owned and managed by Engr.

Ronnie P. Primaylon with Office Address at Lot 5 Block 5 Villa Las Palmas, Jaro, Iloilo City shall change its Business Name and Status to ROPRIM CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION with Office Address at Lot 5 Block 5 Villa Las Palmas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

(SGD) JUAN MIGUEL VICTOR C. DE LA FUENTE Corporate Secretary (MS-AUGUST 27, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 27, 2020)

The Management

MELANIA Trump put a kinder, gentler sheen on Donald Trump’s reelection campaign with a star turn at the Republican convention Tuesday where she broke ranks to speak compassionately about coronavirus victims and recalled her own immigrant story in an appeal for racial harmony.

Unlike often aggressive speeches by two of Trump’s children from previous marriages, Eric and Tiffany, the first lady brought a soft touch to her keynote address from the White House’s Rose Garden.

The coronavirus, which has killed 178,000 Americans and wreaked economic chaos, was almost entirely ignored by other speakers -- and the president himself.

Melania Trump began by offering prayers for the “ill and suffering.”

“My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one,” she said.

The simple acknowledgement of the tragedy shaking the United States was a jarring change in the mood of the convention, which has mostly been a steady drumbeat of attacks on what Republicans call a “radical left” under Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

“I don’t want to use this precious time to attack the other side,” she said.

The 26-minute speech, which she delivered in her heavily accented English, also was remarkable for her defense of the immigrant experience and acknowledgement of soaring racial tensions—two combustible topics that her husband is often accused of stoking for political gain. AFP

N. Korea’s Kim warns of COVID, typhoon SEOUL—North Korean state media on Wednesday showed leader Kim Jong Un at a meeting of a top committee issuing warnings about the coronavirus and a looming typhoon, following international speculation over his state of health.

Kim’s comments come amid conjecture over his condition after South Korea’s spy agency said he had delegated some authority to his sister Kim Yo Jong to relieve his “governance stress”.

A former aide to late South Korean president Kim Dae-jung even said on Facebook he thought the North’s leader was in a coma, though with no apparent evidence.

But Kim presided over a meeting Tuesday of a top committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, the official KCNA news agency reported, where he assessed “defects in the state emergency anti-epidemic work for checking the inroads of the malignant virus”.

The impoverished North—whose crumbling health system would struggle to cope with a major virus outbreak—has not confirmed a single case of the disease that has swept the world since first emerging in neighboring China. AFP

2 HK opposition lawmakers arrested HONG KONG—Two prominent Hong Kong opposition lawmakers were arrested on Wednesday in a police operation focused on last year’s huge anti-government protests, the latest move in a widening crackdown against the city’s democracy camp.

Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui were detained after raids on their homes early Wednesday morning according to their Democratic Party and statements on their verified Facebook accounts.

A police source told AFP that 16 people—including Lam and Hui—were arrested in the operation on Wednesday morning, which focused on anti-government protests in July last year.

Both are minority pro-democracy lawmakers in the city’s partially elected legislature and vocal critics of both Beijing and the Hong Kong government.

A post on Lam’s Facebook page said he was arrested “on suspicion of participating in rioting on 21 July” last year.

That day, Lam and dozens of pro-democracy protesters were beaten by a gang of government supporters, some with “triad” organised crime links, in the town of Yuen Long. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Basic infrastructure to save millions of tourism workers THE Philippines remains a tourism laggard in Southeast Asia because of poor infrastructure support. It is well-known for its pristine beaches, spectacular diving sites and friendly people. But transporting foreign tourists to famous local destinations is a big challenge.

Foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines have steadily risen each year, but not enough or even close to match those of our Asian neighbors. The Philippines remains outside the top 10 tourist destinations in Asia, with China, Japan and Hong Kong easily emerging as the most favored tourist destinations.

Here in Southeast Asia, the Philippines ranks sixth in foreign tourist arrivals in 2019 with 8 million visitors. Thailand led the list with 39.8 million foreign tourists in 2019, followed by Malaysia with 20.1 million. Vietnam registered foreign tourist arrivals of 18 million, while Singapore logged 15.9 million.

Indonesia is ranked fifth with 13.6 million arrivals while Cambodia at seventh place is closing in on the the Philippines with 6.7 million. The Philippines clearly has a lot of catching up to do with its foreign visitor arrivals of 8 million last year.

Bringing in more foreign tourists to the Philippines is not an impossible task. The Philippines could soon be among the top 10 destinations in Asia amid government’s efforts to modernize major airports and seaports, and build more roads that will make major tourist spots more accessible to foreign visitors. The government has little choice but to promote local tourism sites and improve the infrastructure network. Tourism is one industry that directly creates jobs and makes a major impact in the countryside.

A sharp increase in the number of foreign visitor arrivals will require the construction of more hotels and resorts, especially those in rural areas, to accommodate the guests. More foreign tourists will force the government to upgrade the country’s airports and seaports, and the higher number will eventually trickle down to the local community.

But we must first get our act together and identify our priorities.

The infrastructure gaps in many island destinations in the country have limited the overall tourist experience, competitiveness of the destination sites and the attractiveness to investors.

The P10-billion allocation for the tourism sector under the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act to fund the construction of toilets, roads and other infrastructure projects is the first major step to reinvigorate the industry. The proposed allocation of P10 billion to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority under the bill is noteworthy. Infrastructure investments have a high multiplier effects on the economy. They give an immediate solution to the problem of providing jobs to many of the tourism industry’s 5.7 million workers, who have lost their jobs temporarily or permanently as a result of the economic crisis triggered by the global pandemic.

Tourism sites, for instance, need basic infrastructure such as water sewerage systems to preserve the ecological balance in one particular area and keep tourists coming back. We must not forget “over-tourism” in the case of Boracay Island that had to be closed for at least six months in 2018 to pave the way for its rehabilitation.

Senator Franklin Drilon, however, is ignoring the long-term benefits of basic infrastructure projects. He supported the position of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines and other major industry stakeholders that are clamoring for “direct aid” in the form of loans to the affected businesses.

Bailing out private businesses through public funds as Mr. Drilon favors, instead of building basic infrastructure projects, is bereft of industry foresight. Tourism infrastructure is not limited to construction of public toilets. It can include rehabilitation of tourist destinations and facilities, boosting digital infrastructure, and improving drainage facilities, power and water supply. The tourism recovery efforts should be holistic.

Why Mr. Drilon opted to listen to the big industry players rather than to the ordinary tourism workers is perplexing. Placing the “funds for assistance” under the exclusive control of the Department of Tourism will not guarantee support to the tourism enterprises or workers in the informal sector.

The senator himself had pushed for a grand and major infrastructure project in Iloilo, like the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center (P800 million) and the Iloilo International Airport (P8.8 billion).

Senator Drilon knew that the construction of tourism infrastructure can provide long term benefits to a particular city or province.

Since the completion of the Iloilo Convention Center in 2015, visitor arrivals in the city had reached 1.24 million in 2018 from just 627,000 in 2013.

The Philippine tourism sector will surely play a major role in the economy because it directly generates jobs. But the nation will always lag behind our Southeast Asian neighbors if we continue neglecting infrastructure support.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

B3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks down; Manila Water climbs

T

HE stock market slipped Wednesday as investors weighed ongoing worries about the economic impact of the coronavirus and fresh outbreaks in some countries against signs it is easing in other parts of the world and hopes for a vaccine.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 22.11 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5,931.33 on a value turnover of P4.9 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 101 to 89, with 51 issues

unchanged.

Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, declined 2.5 percent to P139, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. shed 2 percent to P717.50.

Manila Water Co. Inc., however, rose 6.7 percent to P14.10. The Philippine Competition Commission on Tuesday approved the acquisition of a controlling stake in Manila Water by Trident Water Holdings Company Inc., the holding unit of Prime Metroline Holdings Inc. Prime Metroline is controlled by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, climbed 4.7

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

(MS-AUGUST 26 & 27, 2020)

percent to P3.33.

Most markets in Asia, meanwhile, slipped.

Wall Street provided a third-successive record-breaking lead, with tech firms’ march ever higher unmoved by a sharp drop in confidence in the crucial US consumer sector, while easing China-US trade fears provided support.

Shanghai dropped more than one percent, while Sydney eased 0.7 percent and Hong Kong dipped 0.1 percent.

Mumbai and Tokyo were marginally lower, while Singapore and Jakarta were also in the red.

Seoul, Taipei, Wellington and Bangkok were slightly higher, though. With AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, August 26, 2020 22.11 PTS. 5,931.33

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,217,778,319 73,377 4,907,762,749.71 101 89 51

Foreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5040

Japan

Yen

0.009399

0.4559

UK

Pound

1.315100

63.7876

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129027

6.2583

Switzerland

Franc

1.102414

53.4715

Canada

Dollar

0.759244

36.8264

Singapore

Dollar

0.730834

35.4484

Australia

Dollar

0.719300

34.8889

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655619

128.8080

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.9333

Brunei

Dollar

0.728173

35.3193

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031776

1.5413

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2063

Euro

Euro

1.183600

57.4093

Korea

Won

0.000842

0.0408

China

Yuan

0.144697

7.0184

India

Rupee

0.013477

0.6537

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240038

11.6428

New Zealand

Dollar

0.654500

31.7459

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034052

1.6517 Source: BSP

Lopez Holdings’ net income fell 93% in first half

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE Lopez Holdings Corp. said Wednesday net income attributable to equity holders of the parent declined by 93 percent in the first half to P275 million from P4.18 billion in the same period last year.

Lopez Holdings said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the weak firsthalf performance was largely due to lower revenues from all business units, higher costs that include oneoff expenses related to the group’s COVID-19 response and share in the net loss reported by ABS-CBN’s media and entertainment businesses.

First-half revenues also declined by 21 percent to P53.8 billion from P67.9 billion in 2019, it said.

Operating companies held by investee First Philippine Holdings Corp. experienced slower sales of electricity (-18 percent); real estate (-52 percent); contracts and services (-23 percent); and sale of merchandise (-26 percent).

Unaudited consolidated costs and expenses decreased by 21 percent to P40.635 billion from P51.300 billion.

First Philippine Holdings Corp. reported a 26-percent decline in net income to P5.018 billion as of end-June from P6.754 billion a year earlier as revenues went down by 21 percent to P53.880 billion from P67.913 billion. Sales of electricity accounted for 89 percent of first-half revenues, compared to 86 percent of revenues in 2019.

ABS-CBN booked a net loss of P3.93 billion in the first six months, a sharp reversal of the net income of P1.468 billion recorded in the same period last year after the government ordered it to stop broadcast operations on May 5.

ABS-CBN said revenues dipped 36 percent to P13.317 billion from P20.802 billion a year earlier as adverting revenues suffered a sharp decline in the second quarter following the issuance of cease and desist order against Chanel 2 by the National Telecommunications Commission.

Lopez Holdings did not receive any cash dividends from ABS-CBN in the first half.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Stock Exchange lifted the trading suspension on LHC after the company submitted its financial report.

Business Budget deficit rose to P700b in first seven months—DOF

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE government incurred a budget deficit of P140.2 billion in July, up by 86.21 percent from the P75.3billion shortfall a year ago, as expenditures increased 10.4 percent and revenue collection dropped 11.2 percent during the months, the Treasury said Wednesday.

“The higher deficit for the month reflects the 10.40-percent growth in government expenditures, boosted by the implementation of various COVID-19 rehabilitation and recovery measures vis-à-vis an 11.22-percent drop in revenue collection,” the Treasury said in a statement.

The July budget deficit was a reversal of the P1.8-billion surplus registered in June 2020 when revenue collections outpaced expenditures.

Data showed that the strong public spending in July pushed the budget deficit in the first seven months to P700.6 billion, or almost six times the P117.9-billion shortfall incurred as of end-July 2019.

Government revenues decreased by 11.22 percent in July to P234.5 billion from P264.1 billion a year earlier because of the adverse impact of the health crisis on economic activity. This brought total collection in the first seven months to P1.687 trillion, also down by 6.84 percent from P1.811 trillion in the same period last year.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s collections for the month went down by 11.84 percent to P159 billion (after deducting the P1.6-billion tax refund paid to various claimants) from last year’s level. The agency’s cumulative collection in the seven-month period also went down by 10.53 percent to P1.115 trillion.

Customs collections reached P49.8 billion, net of P98 million tax refund, in July, down by 8.84 percent from P54.6 billion recorded a year ago, weighed down by disruptions to trade amid the border lockdown. This trimmed BOC’s aggregate collection as of end-July to P302.9 billion from the prior year’s P357.7 billion.

Income generated and collected by the Bureau of the Treasury amounted to P7.6 billion in July, 46.74 percent lower than a year ago, because of the early remittance of dividends this year and reduced government share from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and interest earned from government deposits.

BAZAAR REOPENING.

Farmers Plaza Bazaar resumes operations to revitalize Araneta City’s offering of quality and affordable goods, after months of closure amid the community lockdown. Stalls at Farmers Plaza Bazaar reopen to cater to the needs of bargain-hunters and thrift savvy shoppers, allowing patrons to enjoy the rich selection of clothes, shoes, apparel, food and mobile phone accessories at a bargain.

BDO Network Bank, the rural banking arm of BDO Unibank Inc., said its network of automated teller machines now accepts Visa and KFTC (Korea Financial Intermediaries and Clearing Institute) international cards, allowing the bank to serve the cash requirements of more ATM cardholders with internationally-issued cards.

VISA and KFTC cardholders can withdraw and inquire their account balance from any BDO Network Bank ATM nationwide. The rural bank has over 250 strategically located ATMs in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

BDO Network Bank president Antonio Itchon said this development would benefit foreigners who frequent major tourist spots where BDO Network Bank is also present.

“The enhancement of KFTC International Card acceptance will also benefit Korean nationals visiting and residing in the country,” Itchon said. Julito G. Rada

MORE vows to cut system loss charge

ILOILO City’s new distribution utility More Electric and Power Corp. committed to further reduce the system loss charge to as low as 4.75 percent by 2022.

MORE Power spokesman Jonathan Cabrera said the company’s system’s loss to date is at 6 percent, lower than the 6.25-percent cap required by the Energy Regulatory Commission, contrary to the claim of rival Panay Electric Co. Cabrera said MORE Power’s systems loss would further go down to 5.5 percent by 2021 and to 4.75 percent by 2022 as the company aggressively runs after illegal connections or “jumpers.”

He denied the claim of consumer group Koalisyon Bantay Kuryente that MORE Power’s systems electricity loses jumped to 12 percent when it started operations in March this year, adding that the same computation was based on wrong formula and wrong interpretation of the ERC’s own official rules.

He said the system loss presented

by KBK used the number in the system loss charge in MORE Power’s monthly bill and divided it against the generation charge. Alena Mae S. Flores

SM Investments Corp. reduced the size of its planned bond offering to P10 billion from an initial target of up to P15 billion.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday an amended prospectus for the planned issuance of P5-billion fixed-rate retail bonds with an oversubscription of up to P5 billion. The bonds will have a tenor of 3 years and six months.

The conglomerate tapped BDO Capital and Investments Corp., China Bank Capital, BPI Capital Corp., First Metro Investments Corp. and SB Capital as the joint lead underwriters for the bond offering.

The P10-billion bond offering represents the initial tranche from the company’s P30-billion bond shelf registration program it also filed with the SEC. Jenniffer B. Austria

Standard

TODAY

By Othel V. Campos MOTORCYCLE sales fell 46 percent in the first half to 448,733 units from 830,988 units in the same period last year, data from an industry group show.

The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc., however, said sales slowly picked up in July, as manufacturing operations of members resumed in mid-May. “Like any other industry, our sales were also affected, especially the period from March to June which was the height of ECQ [enhanced community quarantine]. I can say that it was only in July that our members started to sell,” said MDPPA secretary general Vice Laygo.

Production stopped in April. The MDPPA said while manufacturing resumed in the middle of May, factories were allowed to open at only 50 percent of capacity.

The group said it was expecting to generate at least half of 2019 sales of 1.7 million units. It said the upcoming holidays would be an opportunity for them to sell more, as people tend to spend during the Christmas season.

MDPPA’s major dealers resumed operations. Most of them are in Batangas, Laguna and Metro Manila.

It said despite the challenging situation, the group did not seek support from the government in terms of amelioration packages, tax breaks and assistance for employees.

PAFMI prefers DA, BAI as regulators of animal feeds and veterinary drugs

THE Philippine Association of Feed inspecting and issuing permits to Millers Inc. said Wednesday it prethe animal feeds industry and vetfers the Department of Agriculture erinary drugs and medicine and and attached agency the Bureau of BAI’s staff of veterinarians and anAnimal Industry to have jurisdicimal nutritionists are well-trained, tion over the registration, issuance equipped and with decades of exof permits, inspection and testing perience in animal sciences and of animal feeds and ingredients and veterinary medicine. veterinary drugs and medicine.

“It is therefore just appropriate Philippine Association “The impasse on whether the De- of Feed Millers Inc. that they be given the authority to partment of Health and its attached oversee these functions permanentpresident Nicole agency the Food and Drug Authorly,” said Garcia, who is also the Sarmiento Garcia ity should take over these functions executive vice president of Vitarich is of great concern to the feed millCorp. ing industry as the standoff puts at risk the Garcia said while the feeds and animal raisanimal industry’s response to the Asian swine ing industries had the highest regard on the caflu and Avian influenza that are threatening the pability of the FDA in overseeing the food and country’s poultry and hog population,” said health products industry, their expertise and PAFMI president Nicole Sarmiento Garcia. training were on overseeing and ensuring the Garcia said the DA and BAI have been per- safety of food products, drugs, cosmetics and forming the functions of registering, testing, medicines for human consumption.

BDO Network ATMs accept Visa, KFTC

SMIC reduces bond offering size to P10b

Manila

Six-month motorcycle sales dropped by 46%

IN BRIEF

(MS-AUG. 26 & 27, 2020)

Sports

UST official quits; probe into Tigers’training intensifies

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

C1

By Peter Atencio A TOP official of University of Santo Tomas’ Institute of Physical Education and Athletics resigned yesterday before a tripartite group composed of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Games and Amusements Board resumed its inquiry on the school’s men’s basketball team.

IPEA head Fr. Jannel Novino Abogado, O.P. has quit and was replaced a few hours before gover nment met anew and questioned school officials on the Growling Tigers’ alleged practice sessions in a “training bubble” in Sorsogon recently.

Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., who headed the athletics’ program of UST for 16 years, is back to his old post, according to an official announcement.

UST officials informed University Athletic Association of the Philippines executive director Rebo Saguisag that they are now wrapping up their internal probe.

Saguisag met with national training director Marc Velasco of the PSC, along with Season 83 president Nonong Calanog of host De La Salle University and GAB chairman Abraham Mitra, and relayed to them the situation involving UST. The joint body is seeking answers into reports that the Growling Tigers may have allegedly gone into team practices in the Bicol Region.

The practice sessions reportedly started last June.

CHED chairman Prospero de Vera and executive director Cinderella Jaro also attended the online meeting in place of the Department of Health.

“Yes we finished meeting. CHED was present as well, Chair de Cera and executive director Jaro. UST is finalizing their investigation today.

We will wait for the report of UAAP to the JAO and CheD,” said Velasco, who added they are also verifying reports that the National University women’s volleyball team also went into a training bubble in Calamba, Laguna recently.

The UAAP has been asked to shed light the NU Lady Bulldogs activities as well.

UST earlier vowed to take appropriate actions on the Growling Tigers’ workouts, which was done at a time when the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has not yet given its clearance.

The IATF still has to give its go-signal for collegiate basketball teams to return to practices.

Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket against Boban Marjanovic of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half in game five of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AFP

George regains playoff dominance, powers LA L

OS ANGELES—Paul George says his struggles are over as he scored a team-high 35 points on Tuesday to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a dominating 154-111 playoff victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

George rebounded from three sub-par performances to combine offensively with Kawhi Leonard and give the Clippers a 3-2 series lead.

George opened up after the game about his struggles with coping inside the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida where the players have to adhere to strict health and safety measures and no spectators are allowed into the arena.

George says after being in a “dark place” he has finally got rid of the demons and is ready to help the Clippers with their playoff run.

“The bubble got the best of me. I was in a dark place,” said George, who spoke with a team therapist before game five. “I wasn’t here, I checked out.

“I was just in a bad place. I found my way. I am back and I look forward to the rest of this run. A shout out to people that

stood behind me and were in my corner.”

George said he is now using mental tricks to raise his level of play.

“It was hard to get into playoff mode with no intensity, no fans, and no atmosphere,” he said.

“We created the energy. I came in with the attitude that this is Staples arena and the place is packed. I had to create my own energy.”

Game six is Thursday.

The Clippers shot a spectacular 63.1 percent from the floor and 62.9 percent (22-of-35) from beyond the arc.

Leonard finished with 32 points and Montrezl Harrell added 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Los Angeles.

Mavericks top scorer Luka Doncic finished with just 22 points after scoring 43 and nailing the game winner in overtime in game four.

Tim Hardaway scored 19 points and Trey Burke had 15 for the Mavericks, who were without star forward Kristaps Porzingis.

Also, Jamal Murray scored 42 points and Nikola Jokic had 31 as the Denver Nuggets avoided elimination with a 117107 victory over the Utah Jazz in game five of their playoff series.

Denver looked tired in game three, but they bounced back nicely in games four and five and now trail three games to two in the best-of-seven Western Conference series.

Canada’s Murray scored 33 of his points in the second half, taking over the game with four minutes to go and the score even at 101-101.

Michael Porter had 15 points and Jerami Grant added 13 for the Nuggets, who swept the regular season series over the Jazz.

The Nuggets also figured out how to slow down Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 30 points on Tuesday.

The third-year guard scored a careerhigh 57 points in the overtime loss in game one and was averaging 39.5 points heading into game five. AFP

Obiena falls short in Poland ERNEST John Obiena came up short in his quest for a medal in the 2020 Janusz Kusocinski Memorial Athletics meet in Tuesday in Chorzow, Poland.

The 24-year-old Obiena got tired in his bid to make higher attempts, but he still came up with one of his best performances this year when the men’s pole vault action ended.

The 6’2” Obiena made it as far as 5.62 meters to finish at fifth place before struggling to clear 5.72 and 5.77 meters.

Despite the challenges he faced, Obiena’s showing was still better since it was within range what he did during the virtual pole vault meet of FineGuard two weeks ago, and in Monaco a few days back.

He did it at 5.6 meters in the Fine Guard meet back then.

Over at the 2020 Monaco Diamond League on last Aug. 14, Obiena settled for the bronze with a 5.7- meter effort.

“I think he’s physically capable of clearing a better height. Kaso, hindi niya ma-feel,” said his dad Emerson following a long-distance conversation with his son.

Fatigue was already creeping up on Obiena when he missed his chance to scale the bar at

5.72 and 5.77 meters.

After eventual champion Sam Kendricks made it past 5.72 meters in his first try, Obiena was all alone in making the height.

And the quick rotation in attempting this height frustrated him.

“I’m physically present, but I’m not here,” stated in Obiena, who finished tied with German opponents Raphael Holzdeppe and Torben Blech at that height.

Kendricks took home the gold medal with a 5.82 m clearance, while Dutch Menno Vloon landed a runner-up finish after he cleared 5.72 meters.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico lauded Obiena’s feat, recognizing it as one of his best.

“As far as the PATAFA and I are concerned, EJ did rather well by placing fifth, clearing 5.6 m versus Sam Kendrick’s performance of 5.82 meters. EJ attempted 5.77 meters and, according to Emerson, in the third attempt.

Juico said that in the video of the event, it showed that there was enough clearance to do 5.8 meters.

“It must be noted that Kendricks cleared 5.5 or 5.6 meters and placed fifth in the last competition prior to Poland,” added Juico. Peter Atencio Ernest John Obiena

CHED joins chorus of calls: Follow guidelines THE Commission on Higher Education echoed the reminder of the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusement Board and Department of Health which issued the Joint Administrative Order on the conduct of physical activities and sports in a virtual meeting held Wednesday regarding the alleged practice of some universities, reminding universities and colleges to follow applicable guidelines.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III mentioned that their agency, which supervises tertiary education in the country, has issued several advisories and guidelines since March advising the students to stay home. These were consistent with the guidelines issued by the IATF and the tri-agency-issued JAO. “ Safety of our students is the topmost concern,” said De Vera.

This statement mirrors the constant stand and reminder of PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez who on his statement related to this issue said that the life and safety of athletes is “important that no medal can ever equal.”

In the same statement, Ramirez also advised sports officials to always keep the safety of their athletes “top priority.”

University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Executive Director Rebo Saguisag and UAAP Season 83 President Nonong Calanog said that the university in question is now finalizing their internal investigation and UAAP expects to receive the final report before their meeting on Friday.

The UAAP was also requested to seek clarification from another member-university whose volleyball athletes allegedly trained as well, despite government issued restrictions.

PSC National Training Director Marc Velasco thanked De Vera and reiterated the PSC’s stance on the safety of athletes. “The PSC will always push to uphold the issuances regarding sports and physical activity and we are happy that CHED is a steady partner when it comes to sports in universities and colleges,” said Velasco.

GAB Chairman Abraham Mitra appreciated the input of CHED saying that De Vera’s inputs “gave the group another perspective on these issues” and actively gave examples of how the GAB handles similar situation on professional sports.

Arum: Pacquiao-Crawford in 2021

By Jessica Luna

Senator Manny Pacquiao

TOP Rank founder Bob Arum admitted that a Manny Pacquiao-Terence Crawford welterweight title unification showdown won’t be happening this year in the Middle East because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The 88-year-old international promoter, however, insisted that it might happen next year.

“We are on our way to have him fight Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East,” Arum told radio reporter Peter Maniatis during his KO boxing radio program in Australia

last Wednesday. “Everything had been approved, but the ministry of health in that country said no, not this year.”

Arum didn’t reveal the name of the Middle East country, though.

“It has to be next year because of the coronavirus. They didn’t guarantee that they will open the arena,” added Arum, who only assured that Crawford (36-0 win-loss record with 27 knockouts) will be fighting in November this year in a “bubble setup” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight between the 32-yearold Crawford, the reigning World

Boxing Organization welterweight champion, and ex-International Boxing Federation welterweight titleholder Kell Brook (39-2 record with 27 knockouts), is now being discussed for that venue.

So far, the camp of Senator Pacquiao (62-7-2 record with 39 knockouts) is not entertaining any f ight negotiation for now, not in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pacquiao said before that no negot iat ion for a f ight is hap pen i ng now as he is busy helpi ng fellow Filipi nos affected by the pandem ic.

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Sports

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

End of an era: Messi wants to leave Barca M

ADRID—When Lionel Messi won an unprecedented sixth Ballon d’Or in December last year, the speculation had already begun over his career at Barcelona.

The 33-year-old Argentine footballing genius was increasingly unable singlehandedly to rescue his imploding club, as he had done so often in the past.

Barcelona, despite lifting the La Liga title, had collapsed at the end of the 201819 season, losing a 3-0 semi-final lead, including two Messi goals, to Liverpool in the Champions League.

They then dropped the Copa del Rey final 2-1 to Valencia, where the Argentine was again on the scoresheet, this time though just a late consolation.

But all that paled in comparison to Barca’s barren 2020, capped by a shocking humiliation in Lisbon.

Bayern embarrassment The abject 8-2 quarter-final embarrassment against Bayern Munich in Lisbon 12 days ago meant a first season since 2007 without a trophy for Barcelona.

It marked the first time Barca had conceded eight goals in a game since losing to Sevilla 8-0 in the 1946 Spanish Cup. But far more significant than that, it convinced the twinkle-toed talisman his final footballing years lay elsewhere.

The fallout was immediate. Coach Quique Setien was sacked after barely six months in charge while sporting director Eric Abidal was also dismissed.

Even the appointment of former Camp

Nou fan favourite Ronald Koeman as head coach last week could not convince Messi to stay.

The Dutchman has indicated he will embark on a clear-out and, at 33 years old, Messi must feel he doesn’t have time to wait until Koeman’s rebuilt Barca are able to challenge Europe’s elite.

On Tuesday, Messi informed Barcelona he wanted “unilaterally” to terminate his contract by triggering a release clause, sending shockwaves across the world of sport.

There will be no shortage of clubs eager to employ Messi, who could be snapped up on a free transfer, but the favourites look to be Manchester City, led by his former Barcelona mentor Pep Guardiola.

They were close to European glory again this season, and the addition of fourtime Champions League winner Messi could give the Guardiola the X-factor he needs to win the one trophy missing from

DREX “T-Rex” Zamboanga’s arrival on the ONE Championship stage came a little bit later than expected, so he does not plan on wasting time.

A staple of the Philippine mixed martial arts scene, “T-Rex” battles Detchadin “Detchpool” Sornsirisuphathin in a flyweight bout at ONE: A NEW BREED this Friday, 28 August, in Bangkok, Thailand.

With that, Zamboanga is making his intentions known.

“I feel excited because this is my MMA debut in ONE Championship and it feels great to be part of the largest martial arts organization in the world,” he said.

“My aspiration here in ONE is to become a Flyweight World Champion, and someday I [also] want to be an inspiration and a great model to the people who want to become a professional MMA fighter like me.”

It will be an extra-special debut for the 31-year-old since he will be competing with his younger sister and current ONE women’s atomweight number one contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga on the same card.

“The Menace” takes on Watsyapinya “Dream Girl” Kaewkhong, and if she defeats the Thai, she will further prove how real of a threat she is to ONE Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee. From competing together as amateurs to sharing the global stage of martial arts, the siblings sure have come a long way.

“I feel very happy for both of us because we are fighting on the same card here in Bangkok. It’s our first time competing on the same card in this big of an organization,” the elder Zamboanga said.

“The first time [we were together] is when we fought in an amateur MMA event in Manila, but that was six years ago.”

Zamboanga admits he feels a bit nervous, but he has foregone a lot to be in this position and he does not plan on wasting the opportunity.

But his greatest year was long ago. In the 2011-12 season, under Guardiola, he became Barcelona’s all-time top goalscorer at just 24 years old, breaking Cesar Rodriguez’s 232 goal mark which had stood for 57 years.

That year Messi netted a Liga record 50 goals on the way to a European all-time record season tally of 73, breaking Gerd Mueller’s 67 goals scored in the 1972–73 German season.

Almost a decade on, Messi still harbours unfulfilled ambitions, including another Champions League crown and an elusive major trophy with Argentina to add to his 2008 Olympic gold.

With time running out on a career that has seen a record six Ballon d’Ors and six Golden Shoes, those are major factors in convincing him to end his playing days away from the club that has been his home since he arrived as a 13-year-old. AFP

‘There will be fans at Tour de France’

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi waves before the 54th Joan Gamper Trophy friendly football match between Barcelona and Arsenal at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.

Messi has informed Barcelona he wants to “unilaterally” terminate his contract with the Spanish giants, a club source confirmed to AFP. Lawyers for the Argentina star sent Barca a fax in which they announced Messi’s desire to rescind his contract by triggering a release clause, sending shockwaves throughout the world of football. AFP

Zamboanga: Man on mission at ONE: A New Breed

the Manchester City cabinet.

The growing turmoil enveloping Barcelona has been reflected in Messi’s diminishing statistics.

Though he managed 31 goals in all games during the virus-interrupted campaign just ended, it was his lowest return since 2007-08, when he was just 20.

Irreplaceable Barcelona have insisted in the past they had plans for coping with Messi’s retirement, whenever it came, but the truth is their number 10 is irreplaceable.

He has spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, winning a clubrecord 33 trophies, including 10 La Ligas, four UEFA Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and six Spanish Cups.

Equally effective as a mesmerising playmaker or lethal goalscorer, Messi holds the records for most goals and most hat-tricks in La Liga and has scored more than 700 senior goals for club and country.

PARIS—The coronavirus pandemic has forced the rescheduling of the Tour de France away from its traditional summer slot that sees millions of French and tourists alike swarming to watch cycling’s greatest race.

But Tour director Christian Prudhomme has vowed that some fans will be accommodated when the delayed 2020 Grande Boucle gets under way in Nice on Saturday.

The COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with sporting events and current French government law limits gatherings to 5,000.

That means a cataclysmic change for Tour organisers, with some climbs in previous years attracting hundreds of thousands of people along the roadsides.

“Yes, the public will have access to the Tour de France,” Prudhomme told AFP in an interview.

“But there will be screening areas at the start and finish areas to allow the current government maximum of 5,000 fans.

“Screening will also be in place in the 20-or-so climbs and passes,” Prudhomme added, explaining that “in certain places, only people on foot, by bicycle or who come on public transport set up by the hosting towns or villages can go to the passes”.

Health and safety protocols for riders and teams involve them being kept in a bubble and tested several times, with the

smallest possible interaction between respective bubbles.

Two tonnes of handgel distributed over 60 points, mandatory wearing of facemasks at the start and finish areas and all zones run by organising company ASO are also measures being taken.

- Postponement a first health measure Prudhomme said the fact the Tour had been pushed back two months was in itself the “first health measure”.

“Moving from July to September naturally means fewer people,” he said.

“People are at work, children have gone back to school, the tourists are no longer there.

“On the Tour routes, there are 20% foreigners in July, 50% in some passes. We already know that we will no longer have the British, the Australians, the Americans.”

The so-called “caravan” of vehicles for organisers, teams, officials, journalists and sponsors is also down by 35-40%, according to Prudhomme.

He was quick to bat away questions over the ecological footprint the Tour leaves.

“There is a lot less plastic that will be handed out, something we’ve been working on for several years,” Prudhomme said, adding that all organisers’ cars this year are hybrids for the first time. AFP

Flustered Williams crashes out; Djokovic wins NEW YORK—An out-of-gas Serena Williams crashed out of the Western & Southern Open on Tuesday, losing in three sets to 13th seeded Maria Sakkari 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in New York.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner finished with a whimper at the end of the two-hour, 17-minute match as Sakkari clinched the victory with a backhand down the line that a dejected Williams just watched without making an effort to move.

At other points in the match, Williams flung her racket into the spectator-less stands and rebuked the chair umpire for slapping her with a time violation.

Sakkari, of Greece, advances to the quarter-finals of the no-spectator event where she will face Johanna Konta who cruised past Vera Zvonareva in straight sets 6-4, 6-2.

The joint WTA and ATP tournament was moved from Cincinnati to New York where the same quarantine bubble will house the US Open starting on August 31.

It was the second straight two-hourplus match for Williams who at 38 was trying to become the oldest winner of the event. She still holds the record, having won this event in 2015 at age 33.

Williams survived a scare in her opening match, prevailing in a two hour, 48-minute marathon over qualifier Arantxa Rus. It

THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO AT MY age, I am an old school in basketball, whether it is the PBA or the NBA. But since there are no local cage leagues now, I will dwell on the NBA, now on its playoff stage.

I am certainly more familiar with the likes of Larry Bird, the greatest white NBA superstar, Julius Erving, who revolutionized the slam-dunk, top point guard John Stockton, his partner Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Wes Unseld, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, and of course, the 1990s with Michael Jordan and his Bulls, just to name a few.

And if I were to look at the present NBA playoffs, which I am able to follow on YouTube regularly, there are a lot of differences from before to now,

was her longest match since 2012.

“It is hard to play the way I have been playing and stay positive,” Williams said. “To play nine hours in a week is too much. I don’t usually play like that. It is all new for me.”

Williams made seven double faults and won just 66 percent of her first serve points against Sakkari.

After losing the second set in a tiebreaker she tossed her racket over her shoulder into the empty stands behind her.

Williams, who has lost her cool at events in New York before, also admonished chair umpire, Aurelie Tourte of France, during a changeover for calling a time violation for slow play.

“I am walking all the way to get my towels... I mean, I am getting my own towels. That’s not fair,” said Williams.

“You didn’t give me a warning. I am actually a really fast player. Next time you warn me. I’m done.”

The ball people usually get the towels for the players but not in the COVID-19 bubble.

On the men’s side, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic won his 20th straight match of 2020 with a hard-fought 6-2, 6-4 victory over Tennys Sandgren.

Djokovic, who captured the Australian Open in February, needed six match

Serena Williams serves to Maria Sakkari of Greece during the Western & Southern Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

points to tough out the straight sets victory and reach the quarter-finals of the hardcourt tournament.

Djokovic breezed through the final game by winning four straight points, closing it out with a cross-court fore-

hand winner to take it in 88 minutes on Tuesday.

“All in all it was a great performance,” said Djokovic. “I felt better and played better than last night. I am going in a great direction.” AFP

A changed world in the NBA excluding the fact that the league is playing under the present conditions of the pandemic, that in turn has taken a big big toll on major sports leagues.

Playing inside the NBA “bubble” for one has taken out completely one’s home-court advantage and with it, the crowd support a team enjoys when playing in their own city.

Take a look, too, at the way the NBA is played now, very much less physical from where it was in the 1970s up to the 90s. Again, watch the games then, the brawls, especially with Bill Laimbeer of the Pistons. Players then even fight with fans, in some instances.

In fact, during the Bulls-Pistons championship series, Detroit had its own Jordan rules on how to stop MJ with physical plays, and MJ had to bulk up after losing a semis series with Detroit, realizing he had to match up with the way the Pistons defend him.

When it comes to field-goal shooting,

Warrior Stephen Curry and his team again changed the rules, using a lot of 3-point shots the same way 2-point shots were used before. Now, everyone, including big men, shoot from the the distance. Check the statistics and see how many three-point shots are now attempted by teams.

Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Lebron James, Nikola Jokic, Kristaps Porzingis, Brook Lopez, Marc Gasol, Joel Embiid—these are just some of the biggies, who are comfortable making those treys.

Smaller players have also imitated Curry’s outside shooting style, such as Damian Lillard, his teammate CJ McCollum, younger players Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Kyle Lowry, and a host of still relatively unfamiliar names. Practically everyone can shoot from 25 feet out.

NBA players now depend more on skills and finesse than on brawn, to the point that there are arguments on how a Larry Bird or even MJ would fare out now, or who would win between a team of the 1980s

and 90s against current teams.

But then, it is difficult to answer because conditions and environment are different and styles of playing are also very much changed. In my case, this is an objective piece to express my observations.

Now, allow me to look at the present only with most of the initial playoff games decided already, Boston and Toronto both swept their opponents 4 -0, against Philadelphia and Brooklyn, respectively. This was matched by Jimmy Butler and Miami against Indiana. The Lakers, after a first-game loss to the Trailblazers, won their next 3 games, same with Milwaukee over Orlando.

Tied at 2-all are Houston and Oklahoma, while Utah is ahead, 3-2, against Denver, the same as the Clippers over the Mavericks.

My 4 semis winners picks are, Boston and Milwaukee in the east, Lakers and Clippers (unless Doncic proves me wrong), in the west.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

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Ellie Goulding live via ‘The Brightest Blue Experience’ virtual concert

English singer Ellie Goulding is bringing the ‘Brightest Blue Experience’ to fans via global livestream today.

YUGEL LOSORATA

MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc. makes it simpler for Filipinos to score tickets and watch Ellie Goulding’s The Brightest Blue Experience along with millions of fans around the world.

Smart has partnered with LIVENow, a pay-perview service, which shall broadcast the British singer-songwriter’s one-off exclusive virtual concert happening today live from London’s iconic Victoria & Albert Museum.

The showcase will see Ellie perform tracks from her new album for the first time as well

as some fan favorites, accompanied by a special ensemble of live musicians and a very special guest.

Smart subscribers can buy their ticket and conveniently charge this to their postpaid bill. To do this, subscribers only need to sign up at https:// www.live-now.com, select Pay Your Phone, then choose Smart as mode of payment. Smart Prepaid customers can also conveniently buy their concert pass using their prepaid load.

As the world continues to deal with the pandemic situation, online concerts have become a huge source

Seminarian’s key

I

T MAY not be a big surprise to know that a seminarian can sing.

But for one to have turned himself into a recording artist at this point in time in history, and shared a strong message through the power of his voice, say so much about talent being a true gift and destiny happening by faith.

Bonn Barretto, a Davao-based seminarian who is in the final stretch of his journey towards priesthood, found himself at the right place and time to become a singer, and definitely on proper key. A good friend, Nathaniel Cabanero, led him to a crucial phone call.

“I was on a spiritual retreat when I received a call from someone who said she heard my singing voice,” shared the grateful soon-to-be priest, “She asked if I could record a new song.”

The woman turned out to be a US-based talent manager behind the rising RJA Productions that specializes in discovering Filipino talents here and abroad. The new song, released in digital stores just last Saturday, is “Susi Ay Pag-ibig,” written by seasoned songwriter Marizen Yaneza.

Listening to the song is proof that Bonn is a big voice just waiting to be discovered.

The key lines are tailor-fit for his timbre and delivery. “Ang susi ay pag-ibig/ Ang lagi kong dasal para sa daigdig/ Ang susi ay ligaya/ Sagot sa pusong nagdurusa/ Ang pag-ibig ang nais niyang ipabatid/ Manahan na sana sa puso ang tunay na ligaya.”

Bonn belongs to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as Redemptorist Missionaries. He gladly offered his first professional recording to

By Margarita Paulsen FILIPINO-NORWEGIAN music star Clinton Kane applies the "ignore the haters" mantra when it comes to his music.

He tackles cynical people by focusing on himself and his music, and nothing else.

“If you stop thinking about what other people think of you and other people’s careers, when you stop looking at other people and just focus on yourself, then I think you’re on your way," the singersongwriter told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual interview, Kane, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter born in Perth, Australia, was raised in the U.K.. As a self-taught musician, he was able to learn playing the guitar, piano, and drums through his musical influences.

Music has become his form of self-care and hopes that it would have the same effect on others. “[So] you just keep doing it, keep doing it, [and] one day later, something’s going to happen. Just be real, I think that’s it,” he added.

Kane has just released his single entitled “hopeless” including the song “forget about us.”

These songs were influenced by his feelings of loneliness and despair that derived from failed relationships, especially with his father who recently passed away.

Bonn Barretto, a Davao-based seminarian, debuted with the inspirational digital single ‘Susi Ay Pag-ibig,’ which he recorded last summer as the world faced a pandemic.

ABS-CBN pulls the plug on 12 local ‘TV Patrol’ regional newscasts ABS-CBN Regional's over 30 years of broadcast service comes to an end after the nonrenewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.

the will of God and extended gratitude to his seminary director Fr. Glenn Tito Pascual (C.Ss.R) who allowed him to record a special song blessed with the sound and words embracing the Lord’s resolve.

That it all materialized at a time when the whole world found itself in the midst of an Earth-shaking pandemic meant there’s more meaning to it than just another found talent’s big break. The uido musician who casually shares his gift through the social singing app Smule, noted, “This is a big blessing especially during this time. The song is an invitation to pause and reflect.”

RJA Prod is delighted to have tapped Bonn for this project. “Despite the limitations in our resources due to the pandemic, you managed to record the song with excellence.”

Bonn sees this development as an avenue to share his voice to as many people. He believes that “Susi Ay Pagibig” will touch hearts in a current reality beset by hatred, sickness, and death.

Often, people would say PM is the key.

His debut single is a personal message of love for everyone in this new normal. All we need is the key. And the key is love.

FILIPINOS living outside Metro Manila across the country will lose a trusted source of local TV news and public service as ABS-CBN pulls the plug on the 12 local TV Patrol programs, which will have their final newscasts on Friday.

This unfortunate development is the latest service affected by the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise by the House of Representatives last July 10, which also led to the closing of ABS-CBN Regional’s operations.

ABS-CBN Regional has been producing various local TV Patrol editions for airing on the network’s 21 regional stations for over three decades, serving viewers in the provinces with fast-and-reliable local and national news presented in their own dialects. These are TV Patrol North Luzon (Baguio, Dagupan, Ilocos, Isabela, and Pampanga), TV Patrol Bicol (Naga, Legazpi), TV Patrol Palawan, TV Patrol Southern Tagalog (CALABARZON), TV Patrol Central Visayas (Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol), TV Patrol Negros (Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental), TV Patrol Panay (Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras), TV Patrol Eastern Visayas (Samar, Leyte), TV Patrol Northern Mindanao (Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental Lanao Del Norte, CARAGA, Dipolog), TV Patrol South Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN, Cotabato), TV Patrol Southern Mindanao (Davao),

TV Patrol Chavacano (Zamboanga).

“ABS-CBN Regional serves Filipinos in remote areas not reached by other television signals. But more than delivering breaking news, ABS CBN Regional news teams are also the first to bring aid and relief to communities struck by calamities,” said ABS-CBN Regional head Tata Sy. Aside from local TV Patrol newscasts, ABS-CBN Regional will also stop producing new episodes of its nine morning shows, which have been keeping local audiences updated on news and infotainment every morning.

Also affected are its public service initiatives anchored on health, education, environment, and livelihood held year-round, such as the “Grand Halad sa Kapamilya.”

Sy said part of ABS CBN Regional’s mission has always been to provide meaningful and sustainable public service— by linking individuals and communities to relevant donors; or by relaying problems and issues to government for prompt and appropriate action.

After the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order on May 5 that shut down ABSCBN’s broadcast operations, ABS-CBN Regional continued producing newscasts and shows for streaming on its YouTube channel and Facebook pages.

Exciting activities at home with new ‘I Know Right/IKR’ episodes

Words from CLINTON KANE

Clinton Kane taught himself how to sing, play guitar, piano, and drums with his musical influences initially drawn from the church he grew up attending.

Growing up, his father was out of the picture, leaving his single mother taking care of him together with his two brothers. Life was not easy for his family, which forced him to become independent in the past years.

In 2018, he traveled to Greece alone with only $500 in his pocket and told nobody but his friends. He struggled with making a living for the first few months which left him homeless, sleeping on park benches with his guitar and laptop, and constantly making music because that’s what makes him feel alive.

“It helps me process my emotions, [and] helps me feel things that I don’t want to feel because all my songs are very honest

about my life,” he said.

According to the young musician, a lot of people think he’s very open but only considers himself open-minded, and explains “I’m just friendly but I’m actually a private person.”

Up to this day, Kane continues to travel alone while making music.

“I don’t like talking about my life but music helps me put that out there, and when I see that it’s okay and people are loving and vibing with it then I’m like more inclined,” he continues.

Kane’s latest singles are available on Spotify with more than four million monthly listeners.

MMI LIVE hosts its first online event featuring Daymond John

Catch ‘Shark Tank’ star Daymond John online as he shares best practices, insights and tips on reinventing your business in times of crisis.

of entertainment for the quarantined public.

Through this, Smart continues to bring subscribers closer to their passions, in this case music, by giving them easy access to world-class talents amid the new normal.

Ellie Goulding's The Brightest Blue Experience adds to the string of local and international artists that Smart has brought closer to Filipino fans through exclusive experiences and elevated lifestyle perks.

To know more about the virtual concert, visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/smartEllieGoulding.

MMI Live announces its first online event since the COVID-19 lockdown featuring the four-time Emmy-winning reality show “Shark Tank” star and entrepreneur Daymond John.

Titled as Leaders Inspiring Leaders, the webinar will have Daymond John answer questions and provide tips, insights, and best practices on how to “reinvent your business in times of crisis”. John will go online on Sept. 30 at 4:00 p.m. via www. beacons.media.

From his wildly successful role on ABC’s smash hit, Shark Tank, to his distinguished status as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, Daymond John­— affectionately referred to as “The People’s Shark”—has become globally recognized for his relentless commitment to promoting and supporting entrepreneurs.

His marketing firm The Shark Group offers advice on how to effectively communicate to consumers through innovative means and connects brands with the world’s top celebrities for everything from endorsements to product extensions.

John is the author of four successful books including his New York Times bestselling books, The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). In March 2020, John released his sixth book, Powershift, that walks through his tried and true process of how to transform any situation, close any deal and achieve any outcome through his own experience and vast network of industry leaders.

John is also the CEO and founder of the much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, FUBU, and consulting for some of the top Fortune 500 Companies.

LOOKING for fun yet productive things to do while stuck at home? GMA Artist Center gives everyone another set of creative activities to try with the new episodes of the online show I Know Right/ IKR this week.

Last Monday, Aug. 24, child actress Angelica Ulip taught young viewers to how to create a ‘Do It Yourself’ toy without spending for anything. This is perfect for parents on a budget who are still eager to give their kids something to enjoy.

This Wednesday, Aug. 26, actress Karenina Haniel shares a ‘Folding Hack’ that can help netizens in tidying up their closets and keep it looking clean and organized.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Aug. 28, Ashley Sarmiento is set to give out ‘Fashion Hacks’ that will inspire viewers to step up their wardrobe game.

I Know Right/IKR episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:00 p.m. on GMA Artist Center’s social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook Page) where you can also check for the latest updates on your favorite stars.

Kapuso artists (top left) Angelica Ulip, Ashley Sarmiento, and Karenina Haniel (bottom)

Life

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

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HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

By Steph Llarena

W

ATCHING movies on the big screen feels like a memory from a long time ago—from the good ‘ol, COVID-free days, if you will.

And it looks like we won’t be going back to the movie houses anytime soon, so much so that several high-profile films have been delayed or canceled or released on online streaming platforms (e.g. Mulan on Disney+).

But industry experts are optimistic.

Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian said in an interview with USA Today that theaters would be back in business one day.

“It just may look a little different.”

The drive-in experience A cinema in Pampanga has turned to drive-in format to offer eager movie-goers the experience of once again enjoying films on the big screen with a bunch of other people, while staying safe.

SM City Pampanga opened the country’s first drive-in cinema on July 31, called Movies at Sundown, at its Amphitheater. The opening featured a special screening of the zombie movie sequel, Train to Busan 2: Peninsula.

Movie-goers from Pampanga and Metro Manila flocked to the drive-in cinema for a movie experience under the stars. Some of the guests were couples celebrating their anniversary, city officials and personalities, young movie buffs, and sports car enthusiasts, among others.

“My SM Drive-in Cinema experience was great,” said Kapampangan beauty queen and broadcast journalist Nicolette Henson-Hizon. “Oh what a trip down memory lane!”

Bajong Pangilinan of the North Boys, a group of sports car enthusiasts, whose members include award winning actor Allen Dizon said that the group “was happy at the good service at the drive-in movie.”

“It’s a great alternative from the usual way of watching movies at the cinema.

Instead of going down, you will stay in your car,” enthused Gerald Bucud.

Young movie enthusiasts drove all the way from Manila—armed with travel pass—for the experience. A young couple celebrating their anniversary said, ‘it’s a first time in the Philippines so we would like to be part of history.”

In a TV interview, one of the guests said it was a “nice experience. A good alternative for the new normal.”

Want to try it?

The SM Cinema Drive-in is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and only one movie is screened per day, starting at 6:45 p.m.

All tickets must be purchased online in advance (smtickets.com/sm-drive-incinema). The P400-per-person ticket includes a Snack Time bundle consist-

‘Fun, memorable, entertaining’: Drive-in cinema in Pampanga

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS. The first drive-in cinema in the Philippines opens in Pampanga, offering movie-goers the chance to once again enjoy films on the big screen while

staying safe.

‘Manhattan’ in Bacolod

Young couple Kyle Decampong and Nina Malveda traveled all the way from Metro Manila on July 31 to experience SM Cinema’s Drive-In ‘Movies at Sundown’ at the SM City Pampanga Amphitheater.

ing of bottled water, regular-sized popcorn, and beef franks.

For more food options, food concessions are available on-site, and a separate menu will be provided upon entering the SM Cinema Drive-in. Ordering is easy, too, “simply raise your flags and a server will approach your vehicle to take your orders,” SM Cinema said.

Only two persons are allowed per vehicle with a maximum of four persons— depending on the size of their cars. Each vehicle will be assigned their parking spots upon arrival. Traffic marshals are

present to assist guests and direct them to their designated spot.

Once parked, guests will be instructed to turn on their car’s FM radio to a specific frequency to broadcast the audio straight into their vehicles. Guests are also welcome to bring their own radio and other devices with FM capabilities.

According to SM Cinema, the venue can accommodate between 80 and 90 vehicles per screening, and individuals aged 21-59 will be admitted in accordance with IATF guidelines and safety protocols.

KNOWN for its people’s warm nature and the colorful Masskara Festival, Bacolod City’s allure continues to captivate the hearts of Filipinos from all over the world, especially as the city is undergoing an exciting transformation.

One of the dynamic transformations happening in the “City of Smiles” is the rising 34-hectare New Yorkinspired township development by property giant Megaworld Corporation dubbed “The Upper East,” located on the lot of the former BacolodMurcia Sugar Milling Company.

As the city’s first master-planned mixed-use community, The Upper East will be home to residential condominiums, malls and commercial centers, mixed-use buildings, stateof-the-art office towers, and hotels.

It will also feature its own transport hub, church, green and open parks, and a central plaza featuring creative urban art installations.

Following the overwhelming success of Two Regis—the second residential condominium tower inside The Upper East—is the launch of the 14-story One Manhattan.

According to its developers, One Manhattan will boast a variety of “first-in-Bacolod” amenities such as a wall climbing facility, putting green, mini track oval with gym, and outdoor Jacuzzi on the second level amenity deck. There will also be an exclusive bar and lounge at the tower’s roof deck, overlooking Bacolod’s cityscape, the Negros mountains in the east, and the sunset on

Guimaras Strait in the west.

Further, the tower will also have its own private dining room, adult and kiddie pools, pool deck with an outdoor shower area, game and entertainment room, function hall, reading nooks, outdoor seating areas, and an outdoor children’s play area.

The entire amenity deck and the main lobby will be powered with Wi-Fi Internet access.

Located at the corner of Manhattan and Lexington Streets, One Manhattan offers 260 units, ranging from studio (up to 33 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 85 square meters), two-bedroom (up to 112 square meters), to three-bedroom (up to 153 square meters).

The one-, two-, and three-bedroom units have various layout choices, including bi-level garden units as well as loft units with either lanai or balcony.

“This is our first residential development in Bacolod with more generous unit layouts and sizes, as well as generous unique amenities.

Our loft units are first of their kind because we hope to give the best for Bacolod,” said Jennifer Ann Palmares-Fong, vice president of sales and marketing at Megaworld Bacolod.

Since the launch of the first residential condominium development in The Upper East in 2018, prices of condo units in the township have already appreciated by 40 percent, Megaworld said in a statement.

The North Boys maGTRoc (Manila GTR owners Club) came in full force to watch the movie.

SHOPPING

Century City Mall introduces ‘virtual buddy’ TO MAKE shopping easier, Century City Mall introduces its new customer service assistant, Virtual Buddy.

Shoppers who want to check if the store they’re planning to visit is open or make advance orders and reserve items from restaurants and retail outlets can send a message to Virtual Buddy through the mall’s Facebook page from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To chat with Virtual Buddy, simply follow Century City Mall on Facebook and tap the Send Message icon.

To avail of the mall’s Food-to-Go service, message Virtual Buddy on Facebook, choose Century Mall Foodto-Go, and browse the list of restaurants available. After making sure the chosen restaurant is open, give them a call, place the order, and settle the bill.

Once settled, customers must advise the

Century City Mall’s Virtual Buddy assists shopers in their various needs, from inquiries to ordering food and other items.

restaurant that they are availing of the Food-to-Go service.

The food delivery assistance has a fee of P40 per store (minimum of two stores).

Meanwhile, for shopping assis-

tance, chat with Virtual Buddy, click on the Century Shopper link, and complete the order form. Once the form is completed, the Century Shopper will proceed with the collection of the customer’s order.

To double check, Century Shopper will message customers on Viber—with a photo of their orders and details of the bill. If everything is in order, customers will be asked to settle their bill via GCash or online banking. After sending the proof of payment, wait for the order to be delivered and settle the delivery fee of P40 (per store) or P60 (grocery assistance).

The Food-to-Go and Century Shopper services cater to residents and tenants within Century City, Bel-Air Village, and San Miguel Village, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

The 14-story One Manhattan is the latest residential tower to rise at The Upper East township in Bacolod City. It features ‘first-in-Bacolod’ amenities such as outdoor Jacuzzi, wall climbing facility, and putting green.