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Two reports on PhilHealth put senators in a dilemma By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz

pant corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). The Senate Blue Ribbon committee SENATORS are in a bind as they must chaired by Senator Richard Gordon now choose between two conflicting released its findings Tuesday on the committee reports on allegations of ramNext page

Morales graft probe goes on VOL. XXXIV • NO. 175 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace: PhilHealth chief far from being cleared

By Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo, Willie Casas

ALACAÑANG on Thursday said resigned Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Ricardo Morales is not yet off the hook over allegations of corruption in the state insurance firm. Palace spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that President Duterte has accepted Morales resignation but said this would not mean he is out of the ongoing investigation. Morales last week took a medical leave to undergo treatment for lymphoma amid investigations into the alleged widespread corruption in PhilHealth. Next page

MEGA QUARANTINE. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, concurrent PhilHealth chairman of the board, inspects the mega quarantine facility in Calamba City, Laguna. The facility is 80 percent complete and expected to open next month. Twitter account of Dennis Datu

Jolo back to normal, but braces for terrorist attacks, says mayor By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE chief executive of the capital town of Jolo in Sulu said Thursday the situation in the area had returned to “normal” days after two suicide bombings left 15 people dead and 78 others wounded. Mayor Kerkhar Tan, however, said intelligence information suggested another terrorist attack was possible in Jolo.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM AUGUST 26)

205,581 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,249 68,357 NEW

ACTIVE

3,234

133,990

566

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

HIGH VALUE.

PDEA director general Wilkins Villanueva (2nd from right) and his team look at 300 kilos of marijuana bricks valued at P25million confiscated from five suspects by anti-narcotics and police agents in Greenwoods Heights Brgy Sampaloc 4 in Dasmarinas, Cavite on August 26, 2020. JR Josue

Tan, interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, heard nationwide, said placing Sulu under martial law was not the solution to the terror threat. On Wednesday, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Major General Corleto Vinluan said four Indonesian women who might carry out suicide bomb attacks in the country remained free in Mindanao. Next page

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• Rody to Leni: Monthly aid not feasible By Vito Barcelo, Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta MALACAÑANG said Thursday it was not inclined to agree to the proposal of Vice President Leni Robredo to give P5,000 monthly cash aid to 10 Next page

DOH lacks data to tie 3 Chinese to virus spread

By Willie Casas and Vito Barcelo ported 3,249 new infections on Thurs- infections contracted COVID-19 in the

THE Department of Health said Thursday there was not enough data to support the three Chinese tourists who visited the Philippines early this year were responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The DOH made the statement as it re-

day, bringing the total to 205,581 cases of COVID-19 in the country. The DOH reported Metro Manila still logged the highest number of new cases at 1,584, followed by Cavite with 147, Laguna with 143, Negros Occidental with 140, and Batangas with 123. Eighty percent or 2,607 of the latest

past 14 days. The remaining 68,357 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 91.3 percent of which are mild, 6.6 percent are asymptomatic, 0.8 percent are severe, and 1.2 percent are in critical condition. Next page

WORLD ROUNDUP

• SoKor parliament shuts down; solons go into isolation FRIENDLY REMINDER. A policeman displays a “Stay Safe Always” placard as motorcycle riders line up at a quarantine checkpoint at the Marikina-Antipolo border along the Marikina-Infanta Highway on Thursday (August 27, 2020). Authorities set up the checkpoint to ensure that only authorized persons outside their residence (APOR) are allowed to travel. PNA

SOUTH Korea’s parliament was shut down on Thursday and a group of lawmakers were in self-quarantine as the country recorded more than 400 new coronavirus infections. The South endured one of the worst early outbreaks of COVID-19 outside mainland China before bringing it Next page

Du30 plans to go ‘live’ to debunk health rumor By Vito Barcelo and Rey Requejo made the announcement on ThursMALACAÑANG plans to hold live press briefings with President Rodrigo Duterte to erase doubts the Chief Executive is seriously ill. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque

day due to speculation over Duterte’s health. Duterte had a raspy voice while he was delivering his taped public address last Tuesday. “We’re talking about it,” Roque said in a virtual Palace briefing.

He said should Duterte agree to hold live press briefings with reporters, it would most likely be done virtually to reduce his chances of contracting the coronavirus disease 2019. “It’s speculative. Let’s see first if a Next page

NAIA NAME-CHANGE. Lawyer Larry Gadon on Thursday, August 27, 2020 files a

petition asking the Supreme Court to nullify Republic Act 6639 – the law that renamed Manila International Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport – on the basis that the late Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. was not a hero.

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China angry over US blacklist B

EIJING on Thursday slammed Washington’s “tyrannical logic” over the latest US sanctions targeting Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, worsening the tensions between the two superpowers. In recent years, China has aggressively pursued its territorial claims in the South China Sea, building small shoals and reefs into military bases with airstrips and port facilities. Both the US and Chinese militaries have recently ramped up their actions in the region, raising tensions between the two.

The US on Wednesday announced sanctions on two dozen Chinese companies and associated unnamed officials for taking part in building artificial islands in the disputed waters. But foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian denied at a regular press briefing Thursday that the construction work had anything to do with Chinese militariza-

Two reports... From A1

Morales... From A1

hearings it conducted last year. The Senate Committee of the Whole, on the other hand, led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, is expected to report its findings on fresh allegations of corruption at the agency involving its interim reimbursement mechanism, an allegedly bloated information technology budget and doctored financial statements. Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson, a member of both committees, said the Senate would be put in an awkward situation if the Committee of the Whole report clashes with the Gordon committee report. Lacson said he will not sign the two committee reports if they contradict each other. Gordon’s report tagged PhilHealth’s regional vice presidents as members of the so-called mafia which raked in billions of pesos through various fraudulent schemes. He said the panel found the existence of a “mafia” in PhilHealth, and among its supposed members are seven of the agency’s regional vice presidents and one legal officer. He said they belong to the so-called Mindanao group. But some of these regional vice presidents were named as “PhilHealth heroes” by the whistleblowers in the Committee of the Whole hearings this month. The whistleblowers pointed instead to members of the executive committee as the PhilHealth mafia. Lacson has maintained that the regional vice presidents are not members of the mafia. He noted that their moving to other posts was due to administrative matters, and did not involve moral turpitude, fraud or corruption. But Lacson said he needed to see the Blue Ribbon findings to determine if there might be other reasons to suspect the regional vice presidents. Lacson said he doesn’t see how a senator would sign both committee reports if their recommendations are contrary to each other. “We will sign if the two reports do not clash directly. But if their findings contradict each other, I myself may have difficulty signing one,” Lacson said. Gordon said having two or more “mafias” at PhilHealth was improbable, by “all the hallmarks of a mafia are there.” The Gordon report also recommended the filing of criminal charges against former Health chief and then concurrent ex-officio PhilHealth board chairman Janette Garin, former budget chief Florencio Abad, and former PhilHealth president Alexander Padilla for allegedly diverting the P10.6-billion PhilHealth Senior Citizen Fund in December 2015 to other projects. The projects included the planned construction of thousands of barangay health stations, rural health units, national government hospitals, and the procurement of mobile dental trucks. These projects, Gordon said. were barely completed, and he suspected the money was used to bankroll electoral campaigns ahead of the May 2016 national polls. Garin and Padilla already faced a graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman in May 2018 over the same allegations.

Despite calls to fire him, Duterte asked Morales to step down due to his medical condition. In a Palace press briefing, Roque said public officials could still be held liable for any offense even after they vacate their post. “The President accepted his resignation but there is no replacement yet,” Roque said. He explained that other resigned PhilHealth officials would also be held accountable if found guilty. “The law is very clear if there is criminal liability incurred when you’re in office it subsists and public officers can be held liable for them whether or not they continue to be in office,” he said. Roque said the President hopes the resignation of Morales will lead to his recovery from his current ailment. Meanwhile, the task force investigating irregularities at PhilHealth said they plan to go after all the perpetrators behind the fund mess, whether they are in office or not. “The quiet investigation being conducted by Task Force Philhealth is running well, although we are aware that our resource persons are not telling us everything that we ought to know,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, head of the Task Force PhilHealth, said in a text message to reporters. “At the end of this investigation, we hope to be able to build up enough cases against persons responsible for the PhilHealth mess, whether or not they continue to be in PhilHealth’s employ,” Guevarra added. Guevarra emphasized that resignation, retirement or dismissal from service may not extinguish criminal liability for any “felonious or criminal act or omission” committed during an official’s tenure in office. “Any resigned retired or dismissed public officer may still be held liable for any felonious or criminal act or omis-

Local... From A1 million poorest Filipino families to help them during the pandemic. Palace spokesman Harry Roque said even if the government would want to provide financial assistance to poor families, it was not feasible at this time since the government did not have enough funds. “We don’t have enough money. You know it’s public funds. We cannot spend if we don’t have a source of possible expenditure,” Roque said. Roque made the statement after Robredo proposed a monthly P5,000 sub-

Jolo... From A1 Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the suspects in the recent bombing attacks were both widows of known terrorists, whose nationalities have not been determined. He said one of the suspects was identified as Nanah, allegedly the wife of Filipino suicide bomber Norman Lasuca, while the other was Inda Nhay, allegedly the wife of Abu Talha, the Abu Sayyaf’s liaison to ISIS who was killed during a firefight with troops. At the same time, the chief of the Philippine National Police rejected the call of two senators – Senators Franklin

DOH... From A1 Meanwhile, total recoveries rose to 133,990 after 566 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, according to DOH COVID-19 Case Bulletin #166. The death toll climbed to 3,234 with 97 new fatalities, 40 of whom died in August,

Duterte son casts aside staffers’ mass resignation

tion, and said it was within the scope of Beijing’s territorial sovereignty. “The US’s words grossly interfere in China’s internal affairs... it is wholly tyrannical logic and power politics,” Zhao said. “China will take firm measures to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals.” The US Commerce Department said the companies “enabled China to construct and militarize disputed outposts in the South China Sea.” The Chinese have recently conducted military exercises in the area, while

the US navy has undertaken regular “freedom of navigation operations” to assert its rejection of Chinese sovereignty by sailing near the islands that Beijing claims as its own. China’s military on Tuesday accused the US of deliberately flying a U-2 spy plane into a no-fly zone to disrupt live-fire drills by the People’s Liberation Army. In July, the United States formally declared Beijing’s pursuit of territory and resources in the South China Sea as illegal, explicitly backing the territorial claims of the Southeast Asian countries against China’s. AFP

sion committed during his or her tenure in office. Termination of service except by death, is not a mode of extinguishing criminal liability under our penal code and criminal statutes,” the DOJ chief said. The DOJ chief made the statement when asked if Morales is still covered by the task force investigation even after he resigned amid allegations of corruption plaguing the agency, and due to his battle with lymphoma. Congress has conducted investigations into alleged irregularities ranging from the misuse of the interim reimbursement mechanism to overpricing in the purchase of IT equipment. Rodolfo del Rosario Jr., senior vice president of PhilHealth’s legal sector, which Guevarra said appears to be a “very ripe source of irregularities,” has also resigned. Meanwhile, Task Force PhilHealth has flagged the low and slow rate of prosecution of cases by PhilHealth’s Legal Sector. During its hearing on Thursday, the task force noted that thousands of cases against erring PhilHealth employees and health care institutions remain unfiled. Del Rosario confirmed that while there are thousands of administrative cases against PhilHealth employees in the corporation’s case inventory, only 70 cases have been processed, and only 50 have resulted in the issuance of formal charges against employees. He noted a case against PhilHealth employees allegedly involved around P2.1 billion. Del Rosario also admitted that there are around 1,700 cases in PhilHealth’s case inventory involving HCIs. According to him, his office has reviewed and endorsed 1,003 cases for filing of criminal complaints by the regional offices. However, he admitted that only 11 cases as of date have been filed. Losses related to cases involving HCIs -- which include fraudulent claims -- were estimated at around P4.7 billion. The Governance Commission for Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations had previously given the PhilHealth Legal Sector a zero rating in

its 2017 and 2018 evaluations because of delays in the filing of cases. Pressed to account for the Legal Sector’s performance, Del Rosario said management policy favored settlement over prosecution of cases so as not to dampen the esprit de corps. He also noted alleged limitations in resources of regional offices that prevent them from promptly filing criminal complaints against HCIs. The Task Force had earlier created a composite team that will investigate PhilHealth’s Legal Department. The team will audit and validate the case inventory of PhilHealth, and recommend, if warranted, the commencement of administrative, civil or criminal action against the corporation’s employees and HCIs. The board of state insurance firm Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Thursday named as officer-in-charge (OIC) an official who had skipped legislative inquiries on alleged corruption at the agency due to several illnesses. Executive vice president and chief operating officer Arnel De Jesus will assume the position after President Rodrigo Duterte accepted Morales’s resignation. De Jesus had cited heart ailments and diabetes as reasons he could not attend Senate and House hearings. PhilHealth is facing fresh investigations over alleged corruption, prompting Morales and several officials to quit their posts. A Senate panel on Tuesday released findings on its PhilHealth investigation, identifying alleged members of an influential “mafia” involved in corruption at the agency and recommending criminal charges against Cabinet members from the previous administration for alleged illegal fund disbursements in 2015. Meanwhile, Duterte has accepted the resignation of Morales, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Thursday. Duque noted that with Morales undergoing chemotherapy, staying on the job will only put him at a greater risk.

Drilon and Risa Hontiveros -- for the removal of police officers in Jolo, following the twin bomb blasts. “Unless there is sufficient evidence establishing criminal involvement or administrative lapses leading to the attack, the PNP maintains full confidence in our ground personnel,” police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa told reporters. The military is investigating suspected blood ties between the nine officers and the bombers, Vinluan said. President Rodrigo Duterte has three options to address terrorism in Mindanao. In a virtual Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was best to wait for the President to decide after considering the recommendations of the police, military, and other top officials. Roque said Duterte could decide to

implement the Anti-Terrorism Law to address terrorism. “There’s nothing left to do if the President decides to implement the Anti-Terrorism Law because it’s already a law which is already being implemented,” he said. Roque, in an interview over CNN Philippines on Tuesday, said Duterte needed to be “very careful” in assessing the recommendation because there should be a “legal and factual” basis to declare martial rule in Sulu. Even if Duterte failed to tackle the Jolo bombings in his public address last Monday night, Roque said, the President had directed the top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police during a joint command conference to take appropriate actions.

press briefing will take place, and if it does, it will have to be similar to what we’re having right now,” Roque said. He made his statement even as the Supreme Court was again urged to reconsider its decision dismissing a petition seeking to compel Malacanang to make public Duterte’s medical records, citing his admission that his Barrett esophagus was nearing stage-one cancer. In a new manifestation dated Aug. 26, lawyer Dino De Leon pressed the high court to reverse its decision rejecting his plea to release the President’s medical records and to set the case for oral arguments. He cited Duterte’s recent admission that his Barrett esophagus, a disease involving the tissue in the esophagus, was nearing stage-one cancer as more than enough reason for the high court to give due course to his plea. Roque denied that Duterte was sick, saying he was healthy and fit to work. He said Duterte only repeated what his doctor had told him a “long time ago” when he disclosed to the public that his Barrett’s esophagus was “nearing stage-one cancer.” “He’s clean-living, no more smoking, no drinking alcohol as advised by his doctors,” Roque said.

51 in July, five in June, and one in April. Of the 97 deaths, 40 occurred in August (41 percent), 51 in July (53 percent) 5 in June (5 percent) and 1 in April (1 percent). Deaths were from NCR (63 or 65 percent), Region 4A (15 or 15 percent), Region 9 (7 or 7 percent), Region 7 (5 or 5 percent), Region 3 (3 or 3 percent), Repatriates (2 or 2 percent), Region 6 (1 or 1 percent), and Region 11 (1 or 1 percent). The DOH said figures reported on

Monday were based on data submitted by 98 out of the 110 operational laboratories. It also removed 29 duplicate cases from the total tally of infections. There were 29 duplicates that were removed from the total case count. Of these, 12 recovered cases have been removed. Moreover, there 24 cases that were previously reported as recovered but after final validation, they were deaths. These numbers undergo constant

cleaning and validation. As of August 26, the Philippines had 110 licensed laboratories that had tested over 2.2 million individuals, while 50 percent of COVID-19 intensive care unit beds nationwide were occupied and 29 percent of mechanical ventilators were in use. Experts earlier projected that the easing of quarantine restrictions might lead to 250,000 cases by the end of August.

sidy for poor Filipinos. Project ARK is a private-sector-led However, Roque said such a proposal initiative that aims to boost the counwould cost the government another try’s capacity to identify and contain P200 billion. COVID-19. The antigen saliva test detects COVCheaper detection ID-19 by tracing the presence of proThe team leader of Project Antibody teins that are found in the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Test Kit (ARK) said it was work- virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. ing to bring to the Philippines the “antigen saliva test” for faster and cheaper Calamba facility detection of the coronavirus. Health Secretary Francisco Duque Project ARK’s medical team leader III, along with National Action Plan Dr. Minguita Padilla said at the Laging Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Handa public briefing the saliva test was Secretary Carlito Galvez and Deputy being done in Israel and San Francisco, Chief Implementer Secretary Vince California, where a person would spit in Dizon, led the inspection of the mega a kit and the authorities would then know quarantine facility in Calamba, Laguna if the person had coronavirus. on Thursday.

World... From A1 broadly under control with extensive tracing and testing, but is now battling several clusters mostly linked to Protestant churches. Thursday’s 441 new cases were mostly in the greater Seoul area and are the latest in a series of near-six-month highs after several weeks with numbers generally in the 30s and 40s. The National Assembly was closed after a photojournalist who covered a ruling party meeting on Wednesday was later confirmed to have contracted Covid-19.

By Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, was unperturbed over the reported mass resignation of his congressional staff at the House of Representatives due to “numerous complaints of mismanagement.” Paolo said he was surprised that the news on the supposed action of his chief of staff, lawyer Sherwin Castañeda, and six of his people came out without his knowledge. “For the details on why they resigned, I think it would be best if Attorney Castañeda should answer that question because for me it’s done, and we parted ways in good terms,” Paolo said in a statement. He said he had intended “to be discreet so as to protect Castañeda and his staff,” but ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap spilled the beans. “I was surprised that a website came out with the story and did not even bother to ask my side of the story,” Paolo said. He said his statement was in response to Yap’s admission that Yap was the one who asked for the resignation of Castañeda and his team of six people. “Representative Yap said he asked for Castañeda’s resignation as he was also the one who recommended him to serve as my chief of staff. Yap said he received numerous complaints of mismanagement against Castañeda,” Paolo said. “Since Representative Yap has already issued a statement, the reason behind it is better answered by Castañeda, who Yap had parted ways with amicably.” The resignation letters of Castañeda and his staff of six were submitted to Yap’s office on Aug. 10, Paolo said. He says he plans to bring some of his trusted staff in his Davao DistrictOffice to the House of Representatives in Quezon City to help run his office.

Du30... From A1

Access to virtual education lacking Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread school closures, at least one-third of students affected around the world lack access to virtual education, according to a UN study released Wednesday. In all, an estimated 463 million children lack the equipment or electronic access to pursue distance learning, said the report from UNICEF. “The sheer number of children whose education was completely disrupted for months on end is a global education emergency,” Henrietta Fore, executive director of the UN Children’s Fund, said in a statement. AFP

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Bill raising statutory rape to age 16 ok’d By Maricel V. Cruz

Lawyers’ group rejects ‘revgov’

JOINT panel of the House of Representatives on Thursday approved a substitute bill raising the age of statutory rape from the current 12 years old to 16 years old regardless of the sexual orientation of the offenders or the victims.

By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippine Bar Association Inc. on Thursday voiced its strong opposition to a movement calling for the establishment of a revolutionary government, saying such call “should not be allowed to fester on.” In a statement, PBA president Jose Perpetuo Lotilla and its trustees Mariano Jesus Averia, Joel Raymond Ayson, Othello Carag and Rodelle Bolante said that every freedom-loving Filipino should oppose such a call that it said would eventually erode the Rule of Law in the country. “It is fitting that the groups calling for a ‘revolutionary government” received near universal condemnation. But it must not end there. The gathering was just the latest in a series of openly defiant acts that target the duly-constituted government. While the true principals have yet to show their faces, their method is already clear- to sow the subtle seeds meant to erode the Rule of Law and the Constitution,’ the group said. The lawyers’ group said that such push should not be allowed to fester without immediate action as doing so would allow them to “coagulate and gather” as these groups are using the current pandemic, the economic crisis and a presidency on its last years to gather supporters from those who desire power themselves. “History shows that revolts do not happen overnight. It summons its strength over time and creeps on the unwary. It capitalizes on the overconfidence. The greatest sin we can commit right now is to dismiss or ignore the true dangers these repeated calls for “revgov” pose,” the statement said.

PCG BORACAY AT WORK. Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Boracay personnel regularly inspects passenger motorbancas plying the Sitio Tambisaan Port, Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island route going to Tabon Port, Barangay Caticlan if residents and visitors observe health protocols especially on wearing face masks and face shields to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease as sea transportation resumes in the area.

Guerrero institutes more reforms to stop corruption at BOC CUSTOMS Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero has initiated reforms at the bureau as corruption continues to hamper the agency’s operations. With the new BOC project of no faceto-face transaction through its online processing and payment services, the bureau hoped to stem corruption, Guerrero said. This service prevents any contact between the brokers and the customs personnel. It means that without any broker or

representative going online to process the shipment, the Customs will have to either upgrade or apprehend the goods. “This will definitely earn the ire of the players and smugglers. The truth of the matter is that smugglers are undervaluing their shipments due to the bidding and packaging for the cost of brokerage and logistics of shipments. If you package the deal with the cost of duties through bidding, the invoice must be falsified. The

brokers and importers also use the word “transaction value”,” Guerrero said. What is declared in the invoice or the falsified invoice must not be upgraded as per World Trade Organization agreement, he said. “The tariff rates are known and fixed and the importers know the real amount of the imported goods. There is no need for bidding because all you have to do is to multiply the invoice price with the tar-

iff rate in order to know how much duties and taxes to pay. When you look for the broker with the lowest quotation, you are looking for the broker who has the guts to undervalue and falsify the invoice,” Guerrero said. He added that the falsified invoice will then be furthered manipulated and lowered by other brokers in order to get the client. This will go on until the duties and taxes are already very low. Rey Requejo

In a virtual hearing, the House committees on the revision of laws and on the welfare of children chaired by Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, respectively, approved the measure which also provides stronger protection against acts of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. The measure is a consolidation of 10 pending bills. Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno moved to approve the substitute bill. Prior to its approval, a technical working group headed by Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun worked on the final draft of the proposed law. Romualdez, principal author with House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez of House Bill 4160 or one of the ten consolidated bills, effectively raises the age of statutory rape from the current 12 years old to 16 years old and imposing reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment. Once enacted, Rep. Yedda said any adult who has sexual intercourse with a minor below 16 years old will be guilty of rape even if the minor has given his or her consent to the sexual act. “The proposed Substitute Bill on Increasing the Age of Sexual Consent has two main objectives. First, to ensure the certainty of punishment of crimes such as statutory rape, as well as, other sexual offenses including children. Second, to strengthen the protection of children in order to enable them to grow and live in a safe environment and a caring community,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez told the joint panel hearing. “By establishing the crime of statutory rape to be any sexual activity with a child, of either sex, under the age of 16 - the law makes certain the punishment of those who commit such crime, without unnecessarily furthering the emotional and physical trauma of the child that may be brought about by a lengthy court proceeding or the need for any further physiological or material evidence. This certainty of punishment, based on the victim’s age alone, will surely be a strong deterrent to those who would even just attempt to commit such sexual offenses,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez added.

JRMMC’s ER remains closed until Aug. 31 By Willie Casas EMERGENCY room operations of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center will remain closed until August 31 while management makes the facility safer to patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bilang pagsunod sa pinaigting na health standard ng pamahalaan, humihingi kami ng pang-unawa sa publiko sa patuloy na pagsasara ng Emergency Service Complex ng JRRMC hanggang Agosto 31,” the JRRMMC said in an advisory. “Ito ay para bigyang daan ang patuloy na pagkukumpuni ng pasilidad ng Emer-

gency Service Complex upang ito ay maging mas ligtas at mas kapaki-pakinabang,” it said. From August 19 to 26, the health facility said its emergency room operations were limited to give way to the disinfection of the emergency service complex amid the rising cases of COVID-19. From August 19 to 26, the health facility said its emergency room operations were limited to give way to the disinfection of the emergency service complex amid the rising cases of COVID-19. Non-COVID patients who will be brought to the JRRMMC will be transferred to Tondo Medical Center.

TRIBAL MATTERS. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar speaks before tribal leaders of the different IP communities of Cotabato Province on Thursday, August 27. He also gave them face masks and campaign posters of Bida Solusyon of the Department of Health.

Act allows LGUs to use Education Fund Protect returning

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TO help local government units roll out their localized version of the Department of Education’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan, Senator Win Gatchalian introduced a provision in the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act that authorizes the use of a portion of the Special Education Fund. Under Section 4 of Bayanihan 2, the use of the SEF will be allowed to support alternative learning modalities, digital education and infrastructure, the purchase

of equipment, materials, and supplies, including the printing and delivery of selflearning modules. Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said the use of the SEF also allows to put up infrastructures such as handwashing stations. The SEF can also be used for the purchase of public health supplies such as soap, alcohol, sanitizers, disinfecting solutions, thermometers, face masks, and face shields.

Lawmaker seeks to expand IRA

By Maricel V. Cruz

A HOUSE leader on Thursday sought to increase the share of provinces, cities, towns, and barangays from taxes collected by the national government. Such share is officially called internal revenue allotment, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said in filing House Bill 7430. “At this time of a prolonged Covid 19 pandemic, more than any time in his-

tory, our LGUs need more funds to take care of the health and economic needs of their constituents. The resources of the LGUs are fast drying up because of this pandemic,” said Rodriguez, chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments. Rodriguez’s bill amends Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, to reflect the recent ruling of the Supreme Court in the Mandanas case on IRA.

OFWs from scams By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Imee Marcos said overseas Filipino workers falling victim to bogus investment schemes could result not only in the loss of their hard-earned savings but also billions in government loans to them going to waste. Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, urged the government to think beyond the employment facilitation portals it provides, saying these were not enough to address joblessness especially in rural areas where many OFWs have returned amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “To save our OFWs from investment scams, the government needs to diversify livelihood opportunities for them. They have returned to remote rural areas which they left in the first place because of so few employment opportunities,” Marcos said. Marcos urged the creation of a data base from which OFWs can choose possible business partners or co-investors among local micro, small and medium enterprises that have maintained a good track record and are ready to expand.

INFRA PROJECT. A heavy equipment machine installs the railroad tracks on the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project at C-5 Extension in Las Pinas City on Thursday Aug. 27, 2020. The project is expected to ease traffic congestion in the Paranaque-Las Pinas-Cavite corridor and improve the commercial development around the rail stations along the line. PNA Photo

P’que turns vans into isolation facilities By Joel E. Zurbano THE city government of Paranaque will start operating before the end of the month the 39 container vans converted as isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients. Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the prototype health facility will serve as a temporary shelter for individuals suspected of carrying the deadly disease while their case are being processed by the City Health Office. Each 40-foot shipping container is divided into four rooms and designed

based on the Department of Health guidelines and recommendations to have proper ventilation, and toilet and bath needed by patients while being isolated. “The COVID-19 container van facilities are equipped with beds, air condition units and clean comfort rooms,” said Olivarez, adding that they will also designate one container van for medical frontliners in each area. The city chief executive earlier ordered the heads of health facilities to place on mandatory isolation all individuals found positive of the deadly disease.

LGUs

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Contraband, guns seized in Makati By Joel E. Zurbano

Aside from cigarettes, and long and short firearms, the raiding team also discovered Chinese Linhua Qingwen medicines and test kits used to treat a person infected with coronavirus disease, which were said to be sold in public. Other goods found inside the storage warehouse were surgical face masks and assorted alcoholic beverages. In a statement, Customs deputy commissioner and IG chief Raniel Ramiro said the CIIS is now thoroughly searching the premises to ensure it is clear of any other firearms. Ramiro said his office is now coordinating with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to determine if the medicines had their approval and also with the Philippine National Police for details relative to the seized firearms. He likewise assured that the items and premises shall be sealed and kept under guard while an inventory is ongoing to verify pertinent import SMUGGLED. A 40-footer container van carrying thousands of master cases of smuggled cigarettes emerges when permits and documents. opened by workers of the Greenleaf 88 waste disposal facility in Porac, Pampanga on Wednesday. Jess Malabanan

OVERNMENT agents on Thursday seized smuggled Chinese cigarettes and unlicensed firearms worth P10 million during a raid at a store and a warehouse in Makati City. A composite team from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Coast Guard raided the establishments based on the Letter of Authority issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero. The Bureau of Customs temporarily withheld the name of the establishments and its address, pending the arrest of the operators and the owners in the follow up operation being conducted by the agency’s Intelligence Group (IG).

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING AND OTHER DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS 8.

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED UNPLANNED ELECTRIC CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 2019 AND FOR PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

Finally, in compliance with the pre-filing and other documentary requirements under the ERC Rules of Practice and as well as ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2009, TARELCO II is submitting herewith the following documents which are made integral parts hereof, to wit: Annex No.

Nature of Document

TARELCO II Board Resolution approving the application and authorizing its General Manager to sign and execute the required documents.

Proof of Furnishing copies of the application to the Sanguniang Bayan of Bamban, Capas, Conception, Lapaz, & Zaragoza, and Sanguniang Panlalawigan of Tarlac & Nueva Ecija.

Publication of the Application in a newspaper of general circulation within TARELCO II franchise area.

ERC CASE NO. 2020-003 RC TARLAC II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (TARELCO II), Applicant. x----------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PRAYER

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 17 January 2020, the Tarlac II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TARELCO II) filed an Application dated 25 October 2019 (Application), seeking the Commission’s approval of its proposed unplanned electric Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) projects for the year 2019, with prayer for provisional authority. The pertinent portions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.

Applicant is an electric cooperative duly organized and existing under and by the virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at Brgy. San Nicolas Poblacion, Concepcion, Tarlac;

It is the holder of an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission (NEC) to operate an electric light and power distribution services in the five (5) municipalities, namely the Municipalities of Bamban, Capas, Concepcion, and La Paz in the Province of Tarlac and Municipality of Zaragoza in the Province of Nueva Ecija;

NO.

That pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 26 Series of 2009, and in accordance with Section 3.5 and other provision of Article III of the Amended Rules for the Approval of Regulated Entities Capital Expenditure Projects; and likewise in accordance with its mandate to render reliable, adequate and efficient electric service to all its member- consumers on an area coverage basis, herein applicant seeks the authority from this Honorable Commission for the approval of its Unplanned Capital Expenditure Projects for the year 2019, for the replacement of overloaded transformer due to the sudden increased of demand causing Dolores and Sto Rosario Substations loading issue, as follows: PROJECT CODE

PROPOSED PROJECT

TITLE Replacement of existing 20MVA to 30MVA 1. 2019-01 S/S in Dolores, Capas, Tarlac. Replacement of existing 5MVA to 20MVA S/S in 2. 2019-02 Magunting, Sto. Rosario, Concepcion, Tarlac. Total Unplanned CAPEX Projects

IMPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 34,250,000.00

In view of the need to immediately implement the various projects which are necessary to replace the old equipment and to acquire new or additional materials and equipment. Other relief/s just and equitable in the premises are likewise prayed for. In the Order dated 03 February 2020, the Commission has set the instant Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 12 March 2020 at TARELCO II’s main office.

ACCORDINGLY, the Commission hereby sets the instant Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 10 September 2020 (Thursday), at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at TARELCO II’s Main Office at Brgy. San Nicolas Poblacion, Concepcion, Tarlac. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

That in compliance with the guidelines and documentary requirements of this Honorable Commission, applicant herein hereby submit the following documents, as follows:

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

 Project Financial and Economic Cost Benefit Analysis  Project Cost Estimates  Project Descriptions and System Study of the Projects  Proposed GANTT CHART Schedule

The name and address of such person;

 System Map

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and



3) The grounds relied upon.

Single Line Diagram of the System

 Board Resolution Approving the Proposed Projects  Sworn Statement PROJECT DESCRIPTION The components of this Unplanned Capital Expenditures Project is a continuation of the expansion, rehabilitation and upgrading of various facilities of the electric cooperative for sustainable growth and development in order to render a more reliable and efficient service to all its customers in all its area coverage; BENEFITS 6.

It aims to further enhance the reliability programs geared towards the delivery of a more efficient and satisfying electric service to its member consumers;

Funding for the acquisition and purchase of technical capital expenditures will be taken from the approved Phpo.2904/kwh Member’s Contribution for Capital Expenditures or the Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditures (RFSC) based on the projected load growth (conservatively computed based on simulated normal growth rate) of the cooperative;

FINANCING PLAN & RATE IMPACT

PORAC, Pampanga—Three 40-foot container vans carrying P93 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were destroyed by the Bureau of Customs Port of Subic during simple rites held at the Greenleaf 88 waste disposal and management facility here shortly before midnight Wednesday. Robert Gaza, owner of the Greenleaf 88, said the contraband was seized early last month after it was intercepted by BoC Port of Subic personnel led by Collector Maritess T. Martin. The condemnation, Gaza said, was witnessed by representatives from Japan Tobacco International

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. Finally, to contain the spread and transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), TARELCO II is directed to implement the health protocols and community quarantine guidelines required to be observed. Moreover, TARELCO II and all those who have signified their intention to appear as Oppositor or Intervenor, are highly encouraged to send only one (1) authorized representative each. WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL M. CERVANTES Energy Regulatory Commission, this 3rd day of July 2020 in Pasig City.

CONSULTATION. Senator Lito Lapid (center) consults with some of his

constituents from Pampanga ahead of a meeting of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies on Thursday. Lapid says he is filing a bill seeking to provide a legal framework to establish asset management companies that want to acquire or invest in nonperforming assets of banks and other financial institutions. Lino Santos

Lantern festival cancelled SAN FERNANDO—The Giant Lantern Festival Foundation Inc. (GLFFI) called off this year’s traditional Christmas competition and will instead hold an exhibition due to the nine-month long public health crisis on the coronavirus in the country. The exhibition will stage 10 of the 12 contestants from last year on December 19 at the newly renovated Robinsons Starmall in the city. The 12 participants last year are the villages of Del Pilar, San Pedro, Bulaon, San Juan, Sta. Lucia, Telebastagan, San Jose, Sundalan, San Nicolas, San Agustin, Calulut, and Sto. Nino. San Fernando Mayor Edwin D.

By Willie Casas

Capital Budgeting 2020 357,621,930.00

2021 379,260,420.00

2022 399,502,530.00

TOTAL 1,470,971,940.00

10,989,414.72

117,037,870.36

229,370,143.51

22,861,869.54

103.853,408.47 2,195,047.18 106,048,455.65 117,037,870.36

110,137,225.97 2,195,047.18 112,332,273.14 229,370,143.51

116,015,534.71 2,195,047.18 118,210,581.89 347,580,725.39

427,170,251.38 8,780,188.70 435,950,440.08 458,812,309.62 -

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO

75,153,557.54 -

35,250,000.00 828,026.68 111,231,584.22

117,037,870.36

229,370,143.51

347,580,725.39

0.33

0.60

0.87

1.83

Standard – August 21 & 28, 2020

Santiago said the exhibit aims to give people a little happiness and hope during the holiday season in the midst of anxiety, depression and uncertainty brought by the pandemic. “Although we don’t know how and when the crisis will end, we are still holding the exhibition to elevate morale and spirit of the people even only during holiday season only,” Santiago said. He said the city is now in the middle of a balancing act by maintaining the health of the residents and managing the local economy to ensure the employment of people and generate the much-needed income for public service. Romeo Dizon

Manila, DPWH ink agreement

TARELCO II UNPLANNED CAPEX PROJECTS 2019 2019 Forecasted energy sales, kWh 334,587,060.00 Cash Balance beginning, PhP, 22,861,869.54 excess/ (shortfall) CASH INFLOWS Currentyearcollection@PhPo.2904/kWh 97,164,082.22 50%ofincomeleasedproperties 2,195,047.18 Total Cash Inflows, PhP 99,359,129.40 Available cash for disbursement 122,220,998.94 CASH OUTFLOWS CAPEX requirement(per application 75,153,557.54 ERC Case No- 2017-022RC) Unplanned CAPEX 35,250,000.00 ERC Permit Fee, PhP 828,026.68 Total Cash Out flows, PhP 111,231,584.22 Cash balance ending, Php, 10,989,414.72 excess/(shortfall) Excess/(shortfall) on RFSC, PhP/kWh 0.03 Reinvestment fund rate 0.2904

(JTI), Philipp Morris, and personnel from BoC intelligence and law enforcement division, who escorted the cargo from Subic Bay Freeport to Greenleaf 88 compound here. A total of 3,144 master cases of cigarettes with different brands including Mighty (blue & red); D&B (red & blue) and Winston, believed to be manufactured in China, were shipped to Subic Bay Freeport and were declared as LED lights and accessories. The cargo was consigned to Caliente Empezar Ventures, Inc. with business address at G-10 Residencias de Manila, Jesus Street, Pandacan, Manila.

In view thereof, the Commission, in its Order dated 18 February 2020, cancelled the hearing set for the instant Application on 12 March 2020 until further notice.

1,000,000.00

 Technical and Engineering Analysis

By Jess Malabanan

However, due to the public health emergency brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Commission deemed it necessary, as a precautionary measure, to cancel all out-of-town hearings for the months of February and March 2020.

35,250,000.00

 Historical and Forecast Planning Data

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed to the Honorable Commission to render a decision approving the following proposed capital projects in the total amount of Php35,250,000.00;

P93-m smuggled cigars destroyed at Greenleaf 88

THE Manila City Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which details the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project to be implemented by the national government agency. This project is included in the Philippines’ priority projects under its “Build, Build, Build” program. In the agreement, the DPWH

is set to give Manila P44.5 million as replacement cost for the structures inside the city that will be affected by the connector road construction. Meanwhile, the City Government ensured that individuals who will be displaced because of the road construction will be relocated. In another development, senior citizens in the city of Manila will be given sources of income under the Senior Citizen Livelihood Program.

Opinion Opinion Opinion Strong peso, Strong peso,

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com Adelle Chua, Editor

Adelle Chua, Editor

mst.daydesk@gmail.com mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

B1 B1

Adelle Chua, Editor FRIDAY, 21, FRIDAY, AUGUST AUGUST 21, 2020 2020

Adopting a child Adopting a child in the Philippines in the Philippines Adopting a child My lolas a man’s inAdopting theinPhilippines a childworld in the Philippines

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Adelle Chua, Chua, Editor Editor FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Strong peso, rising forex reserves Strong peso, rising forex reserves Key infrastructure Strong peso, rising forex reserves T T projects post-COVID-19 rising forex reserves T

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, AUGUST AUGUST 28, 21, 2020 2020

provided his/her country has diplomatic relations with country the Philippines, that provided his/her has diplomatFOOTNOTES provided his/her country hasthe diplomathe/she has been living in Philipic with the Philippines, that ic relations relations withthree the continuous Philippines,years that pines forhas at least FOOTNOTES he/she been living in the PhilipFOOTNOTES TRANQUIL G.S he/she has been of living in the Philipprior to the filing the application for pines at three years pines for for and at least least three continuous continuous years SALVADORG.S III adoption maintains such residence TRANQUIL TRANQUIL G.S prior to filing of the application for provided his/her diplomatprior to the the filingcountry of the application for in different capacities in has various womuntil the adoption decree is entered. It SALVADOR III adoption and maintains such residence SALVADOR III ic relations with the Philippines, that adoption and maintains such residence en’s civic organizations because of their IN A country where orphans abound, is also required that he/she has the legal FOOTNOTES aid money to help the government conCritics of the administration have until decree entered. he/she hasadoption been living in is Philip-It HE Philippines until the the isthe entered. sense of civic duty. where children where with noorphans known abound, parents strong capacity toadoption adopt indecree his country aslegal cer-It IN A country is also required that he/she has the tain the spread of COVID-19. likened theof poor second-quarter have perpines for at least three continuous years IN A country where orphans abound, is also required that he/she has the legal aid Critics the administration provided his/her diplomatAfterbyWorld Warcountry II, Josefihas na or (later mareconomy would are on children the streets, and where abantified his/her diplomatic consulHE Philippines aid money money to to help help the the government government concon- formance Critics of of the theeconomy administration have TRANQUIL G.S HE Philippines where with no known parents capacity to adopt in his country as certo the crises prior to the filing of the application for where children with no known parents capacity to adopt in his country as ceric relations with the Philippines, that tain likened the second-quarter perried to Dominador B. Ambrosio) served doned, neglected andand abused children ar office, and thatdiplomatic his/her government tain the the spread spread of of COVID-19. COVID-19. likened the poor poorrevolution, second-quarter perSALVADOR IIIabanhave beenwould in a economy are on the tified by his/her or consuland maintains such residence FOOTNOTES in the pre-EDSA the 1997economy would are in oncharitable the streets, streets, and where where aban- adoption tified by his/her diplomatic ormajority consulhe/she has been living in the Philipas councilor and fi rst to woman formance of the economy to the crises are institutions, adoption allows the adoptee enter his/her formance of the economy to the crises doned, neglected and abused children ar office, that his/her until the adoption decree is government entered. It The second-quarter 98 Asian currency crunch the and the completehave shambles now doned, neglected andthese abused children ar and his/her government been aa after pines foras atand least three years ooroffice, leader of thethat City ofcontinuous Manila, Personin revolution, is anin option to give children a flcountry his/her adopted son/daughhave been in in in the the pre-EDSA pre-EDSA revolution, the 19971997are charitable institutions, adoption allows the adoptee to enter his/her TRANQUIL G.S IN Aincountry where orphans abound, is also required that he/she has the legal 2007-2008 global financial meltdown. are charitable institutions, adoption allows the adoptee to enter his/her prior to the filing of of the application for Envoy of Goodwill President Ramon plunge is aideconomic money to help the government conCritics ofcurrency the administration have The second-quarter THE 1930s an era of great changea al home and a was normal family life. ter (Section 7, Article III, Republic Act 98 Asian crunch and the the gross domestic product complete shambles now after HE Philippines The second-quarter 98 Asian currency crunch and the is an option to give these children country as his/her adopted son/daughcomplete shambles now after where children nothese known parents to adopt in adopted his country as cerSALVADOR IIIthat The Philippines succumbed to perpast is Adoption an Philippines. optionistowith give children a capacity country as his/her son/daughadoption and maintains such residence Magsaysay, Personal Envoy and Adviser in the For example, the Tythe legal process No. 8552). tain the spread of COVID-19. likened the poor second-quarter 2007-2008 global financial meltdown. likely temporary. economic plunge is 2007-2008 global financial meltdown. home and a normal family life. ter (Section 7, Article III, Republic Act registered a record secondthe gross domestic product economy would are on the streets, and where abantified by his/her diplomatic or consuleconomic plunge is home and a normal life. by the on terThe (Section 7, Article Republic Act crises because inherent the gross domestic product until the adoption decree is entered. It women’s work and group organizadings-McDuffi e the Act family was passed requirements onIII, residency and formance of theofeconomy toweaknesses theto The Philippines succumbed past is process that No. 8552). The Philippines succumbed tocrises past doned, neglected andlegal abused children office, and that his/her likely temporary. Adoption iswhere the legal process that ar No. 8552). in the local economy. The Philippines quarter contraction of 16.5 INAdoption A country orphans abound, is also required that he/she has the legal registered a record secondhave been in a tion under President Carlos P.government Garcia, and Congress of the United States in 1934 certification for an alien may be waived likely temporary. the 19.40-km. Pasig River Expressway in the pre-EDSA revolution, the 1997registered a record secondcrises because of inherent weaknesses HE COVID-19 pandemic has put the economy aid money to help the government conCritics of the administration have The requirements on residency and HE Philippines crises because of inherent weaknesses are in charitable institutions, adoption allows the adoptee to enter his/her The requirements on residency and TheThe strictsecond-quarter lockdown has rendered 98 during those times had high foreign where children with no knownindepenparents Secretary capacity to Senate adopt in his country President Gil J.ifas Puyat. “to provide the complete for the following reasons: (a) heceris willlocal link the eastern and western Asian currency crunch and the percent. The peso would in economy. The Philippines quarter of 16.5 complete shambles now after It’s afor tochildren tain the spread of COVID-19. likened the poor second-quarter percertification for an alien may be waived in the the local economy. The low Philippines quarterincontraction contraction ofparalyzed 16.5 isareanon option tochance give and thesewhere a country his/her adopted son/daugha stupor. It the transportation sector,jobless that certification for and an alien beseeks waived economy would streets, byashis/her diplomatic or consulmillions of Filipino workers debt in relation to the GDP, foreign started civic socialmay work early as dence of the the Philippine Islands, toabanpro- She atified former Filipino citizen who to sides of Metro Manila. 2007-2008 global financial meltdown. The strict lockdown has during times had high formance of the economy to theforeign crises for the following reasons: (a) he economic plunge isrendered have plunged against the factories US home and a normal family life. children ter (Section 7, Article III,National Republic Actis The strict lockdown has rendered during those those times had foreign percent. The peso would gross domestic product nurture educate aa and chance for the following (a) if ifdegree he is the doned, neglected and abused ar office, and that his/her government percent. The peso would student volunteer inreasons: the Federas factories and offices operated on The investment levels and littlehigh revenues to shut down many and offi ces and rendered vide forIt’s the adoption of theto constitution aadopt a relative within the fourth It’s chance to The South Luzon Expressway Toll have been in a Philippines succumbed toforeign past millions of Filipino workers jobless debt in relation to the GDP, low in the pre-EDSA revolution, the 1997a former Filipino citizen who seeks to Adoption is the legal process that No. 8552). millions of Filipino workers jobless debt in relation to the GDP, low foreign a former Filipino citizen who seeks to likely temporary. are in charitable institutions, adoption allows the adoptee to enter his/her dollar―a telltale sign of a ation of Women’s Clubs, where she acted have plunged against the US skeleton staff. Fast-food outlets, malls, work with. registered a record secondand a form of government for the Philof consanguinity (by blood) or affinity an adoptee to become nurture and educate Road 5 is currency alevels 420-km., four-lane have plunged against theafter US because of inherent millions of Filipinos jobless. as and offices operated on investment and little revenues to Theand second-quarter educate adopt aarequirements relative within the fourth degree 98 Asian crunch and exthe The on residency complete shambles now as factories factories andhotels offices operated on crises investment levels and littleweaknesses revenues to adopt relative within the degree is nurture an option toand these tochildren country as his/her son/daugha marriage); supervisor in the organization ofand loippine Islands.” Ingive addition this, thea as (by (b) ifadopted he or fourth she seeks to restaurants were alsomalls, shut Thewith. Philippine economy now,TR4 in pressway starting from SLEX weak economy and the loss dollar―a telltale sign of a in the local economy. The Philippines quarter contraction of 16.5 skeleton staff. Fast-food outlets, work a valuable and useful of consanguinity (by blood) or affinity an adoptee to become 2007-2008 global financial meltdown. certification for an alien may be waived dollar―a telltale sign of a skeleton staff. Fast-food outlets, malls, work with. of consanguinity (by blood) or affinity economic plunge is an adoptee to become home and a normal family life. ter (Section 7, Article III, Republic Act andthe provincial unitschild rallying women to the gross domestic product 1935 Constitution was adopted by the cal adopt legitimate ofshe the Filipiall and forms of travels wereshut re- during contrast, is structurally strong. The But theeconomy economy cannot go forever in down in Barangay Mayao, Lucena City in The as strict lockdown has rendered those timessuccumbed had high foreign (by marriage); (b) if he or restaurants hotels were also The Philippine economy now, in the following reasons: (a) ifseeks he isto The to past of business confidence―with weak and the loss The peso would (byspouse; marriage); (b) if he or she seeks to percent. restaurants and hotels region were also shut ThePhilippines Philippine economy now, in member of society. aaAdoption valuable It’s a ischance to theand legal useful process that for No. 8552). vote for woman’s suffrage and pioneered weak economy and the loss Constitutional Convention, approved no and (c) if he or she is marstricted in the capital and the inflation rate is benign while interest likely temporary. valuable and useful registered a record secondlimbo while awaiting the vaccine that Quezon province, and ending at the millions of Filipino workers jobless debt in relation to the GDP, low foreign adopt the legitimate child of the Filipidown as all forms of travels were recontrast, is structurally strong. The athe former Filipino citizen who seeks to Two major crises because of inherent weaknesses adopt the legitimate child of the Filipidown as all forms of travels were recontrast, is structurally strong. The The requirements on residency and literacy campaign of the Young Womforeign investors exiting the bynurture the President of the United States, ried to a Filipino citizen and wants to of business confidence―with have plunged againstofthe US rest of in thethe country. economy, rates areFerry atlevels record lows. Besides the member of educate will effectively neutralize the virus. as of business confidence―with Matnog Terminal inrevenues Sorsogon. no and (c) if he or she is marfactories and officesThe operated on and little to memberand of society. society. stricted capital region and the inflation rate is while interest adopt a relative within fourth degree in the local economy. The Philippines quarter contraction 16.5 no spouse; spouse; and (c) if the hemay or she iswithmarstricted in the capital region and rest the investment inflation rate is benign benign while interest certification for an alien belater waived Christian Association. She beinfrastructure projects and ratified by the Philippine electorate. en’s adopt jointly the spouse’s relative thus, is certain to struggle for the strong fundamentals, the Philippines Philippines in droves. The economy has to reopen, as it did foreign investors exiting the The Pasig River Expressway, on the ried to a Filipino citizen and wants to dollar―a telltale sign of a skeleton staff. Fast-food outlets, malls, work with. of consanguinity (by blood) or affinity an adoptee to become rest of the country. The economy, rates are at record lows. Besides the The strict lockdown has rendered during those times had high foreign foreign investors exiting the ried to a Filipino citizen and wants to for the following reasons: (a) if he is rest of lately the country. Thepace economy, ratesbuilt are at record banking lows. Besides the organizer ofofthe conference for Later Manuel L. to Quezon bondsthat the year, parent and child who arewas not came in thethe fourth degree consanguinity or percent. Themonths, peso would It’s a chance of 2020, depending on were the ofshut re- other has a isrobust industry have been proposed in the last four and find a way restaurants jointly the spouse’s relative withato19.40-kilometer, six(by marriage); (b) if he or who she seeks to hotels also Theinhand, Philippine economy now, in thus, is certain to struggle for the rest strong fundamentals, the Philippines millions ofand Filipino workers jobless debt relation the GDP, low foreign adopt jointly the spouse’s relative Philippines in droves. weak economy and the loss aadopt former Filipino citizen seeks to Moral Crusade, was elected in 1960 aswiththe thus, is certain to struggle for the rest strong fundamentals, the Philippines a valuable and useful inaugurated President of the Philippines related by blood. The necessity of this affinity (Section 7, Article III, Republic Philippines in droves. opening. with good capital adequacy ratio and have plunged against the US But none of these are happening in the bonds the parent and child who are not in the fourth degree of consanguinity or to rebound and rehire jobless workers. lane, elevated expressway traversing nurture and educate adopt the legitimate child of the Filipidown as all forms of travels were recontrast, is structurally strong. The of 2020, depending on the pace of rehas built a robust banking industry to the government. bonds the parent child who are not fiAct in ofthe consanguinity or of business confidence―with as factories and offices investment andbanking little revenues to adopt afourth relative within degree rstthe Asian anddegree only Filipino President of ofBut 2020, depending on theoperated pace of on re- low has net built alevels robust industry and Secretary George H. Dern reprelegal vinculum is and highlighted when we No. 8552). Aliens notfourth covered by member of society. the country's managperforming loanswhile ratio.ratio economy. The peso toprivate 48.57 related by The necessity of affinity (Section 7, Article Republic The government androse the sector spouse; andInternacionale (c) if he or III, she is marthe entirety ofisthe Pasig River. It will stricted instaff. the Fast-food capitaleconomic region and the inflation ratecapital benign interest opening. with good adequacy and related by blood. blood. The necessity of this this no affinity (Section 7, Article III, Republic dollar―a telltale sign of aagainst But none of these are happening in the skeleton outlets, malls, work with. of consanguinity (by blood) orresidents affinity an adoptee to become the Federacion de Abogasenting President Roosevelt proclaimed hear stories of infants being left outside Republic Act 8552, not being opening. with good capital adequacy ratio and But none of these are happening in the ers,But while worried over the slow pace of rates The legal vinculum is when we Act No. 8552). Aliens not covered by the USlead dollar other day, its strongest foreign investors exiting the to a became Filipino citizen wants to must thethe recovery efforts toagainst sus- rest from Radial 10Besides ineconomic Manila of the the country. The arePhilippine atsecond-quarter recordRoad lows. the legalestablishment vinculum is highlighted highlighted when we ried Act No. 8552).(b) Aliens not covered by country's economic managlow net performing loans economy. The rose to 48.57 (by marriage); if he orand she seeks to restaurants and hotels wereeconomy, also shut start The economy now, in das, and President of the Civic the of being the Commonhouses or inofdelivery rooms of hospiof the Philippines for at least three conBut the country's economic managlow net performing loans ratio. ratio. weak economy and loss economy. The peso peso rose tothe 48.57 against have a valuable and useful reopening, are not that pessimistic on plunge is likely temporary. Consumhear stories infants left outside Republic Act 8552, not being residents in 45 months, while the international adopt jointly the spouse’s relative withtain past economic gains. lately been proposed to the and end at a connection of the South hear stories of infants being left outside Republic Act 8552, not being residents thus, is certain to struggle for the rest strong fundamentals, the Philippines ers, while worried over the slow pace of The second-quarter economic adopt the legitimate child of the FilipiPhilippines in droves. the US dollar the other day, its strongest Assembly of Women in the Philippines down as all forms of travels were recontrast, is structurally strong. The wealth of of the Philippines (Highlights in tinuous tals, and infants being left under the years, mayfor adopt Filipino chilers,outlook while worried over the slowBangko pace of er The second-quarter economic the US dollar the other day,milestone its strongest houses in delivery rooms hospiof the Philippines at three conof business confidence―with the of the Philippines. confidence is certain to improve as bonds theor parent andsociety. child whoof are not in fourth degree of consanguinity or reserves were close to the the member of Building more infrastructure proj-of of government. Its proponent called East Metro Manila Expressway at houses orsibling in delivery rooms of hospiofthe the Philippines for at least least three con2020, depending on the paceand of rehas built alikely robust banking industry reopening, are not that pessimistic on plunge is temporary. no spouse; and (c)in ifwith he ortheshe is mar(Filipino Women Nation Building, in 45 months, while international stricted in the capital region the inflation rate is benign whileConsuminterest the History of the Philippine-American care of a of the parents or to the dren in accordance Rules on reopening, are not that pessimistic on plunge is likely temporary. Consumin 45 months, while the international tals, and infants being left under the tinuous years, may adopt Filipino chilSentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjathe population adapts to the new norrelated byof blood. The necessity of this affinity (Section 7, Article III, Republic $100 billion at the end of July. Foreign ects holds the key to sustain the ecothem game changers because of their tals, and of infants being left under the tinuous years, may adopt Filipino chilCircumferential Road 6. opening. good adequacy ratio and foreign investors exiting the ried to a M. Filipino citizen and to the the Philippines. Bangko er is certain improve as Herminia Ancheta, M.A.(Article and wants MichaeBut nonewere of these are in theof reserves close to the milestone Relations, OfficialofGazette, September grandparents. Inter-Country Adoption 184, rest of the of country. The economy, rates are atcapital record lows.to the the outlook outlook of theassured Philippines. Bangko with er confidence confidence is by certain toBesides improve as reserves were closeThe tohappening the milestone of signifi care of the parents or to the dren in accordance with the Rules on legal vinculum is of highlighted when No. 8552). not covered by min Diokno has the economy mal forced upon theto pandemic. The credit rating agencies are not against setting care of athe a sibling sibling the parents or adoptowe the Act dren in accordance with the Rules on economy. nomic progress. nation needs cant impact on metro traffi c low The two projects are certain to give adopt jointly theAliens spouse’s withBut the country's economic managnet performing loans ratio. la Beltran Gonzales, Ed. D.,relative 1984, PhoeSentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjathe population adapts the new norThe peso rose to 48.57 27, 1943). A few years later, in 1937, With desire to legalize the Family Code) $100 billion at the end of July. Foreign thus, is certain to struggle for the rest strong fundamentals, the Philippines Philippines in droves. Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjathe population adapts to the new nor$100 billion at the end of July. Foreign grandparents. Inter-Country Adoption (Article 184, hear stories of infants being left outside Republic Act 8552, not being residents remains robust despite thethe sharp drop Philippine economy, in pandemic. sum, remains the alarm bells onother the Philippines while ers, grandparents. Inter-Country Adoption (Article 184, more roads, rail networks, modern and on providing strategic linkage to quick relief to Filipino laborers who bonds parentgained and child whotoare not nix in the fourth degree consanguinity or Publication House, p. while worried over pace of Theforced second-quarter economic min Diokno has economy mal by the The Filipino the vote. tion ofthe awomen child without a right judicial proThis feature of theofInc. law on56). adoptions the US dollar the day, itsnot strongest credit rating agencies are setting of 2020, depending onthe theslow pace of rehas built aupon robust banking industry min Diokno has assured assured the economy mal forced upon bytemporary the pandemic. The credit rating agencies are not setting With the desire to legalize the Family Code) houses or inblood. delivery rooms of hospiof the Philippines at least conin business activities. healthy despite the setback. With the desire to simulate legalize the adopFamily Code) multilateral lenders continue to pour in airports and seaports, post-harvest the southern end of Luzon. The two related by The necessity ofadopthis affinity 7,for Article III,three Republic lost their jobs during the pandemic, On the(Section international legal stage, Joreopening, are not that pessimistic on plunge is likely temporary. Consumcess, some adopters birth. To is commonly used by former Filipinos remains robust despite the sharp drop Philippine economy, in sum, remains in 45 months, while the international the alarm bells on the Philippines while opening. with good capital adequacy ratio and But none of these are happening in the remains robust despite the sharp drop Philippine economy, in sum, remains tion of aaofchild without judicial profeature of the law on adoptions the alarm and bells bridges on the Philippines while tals, infants being aaleft under the years, may adopt Filipino chiltionand of child without judicial This feature of the on adoptions legal vinculum is highlighted when we tinuous ActThis 8552). Aliens not covered by facilities speed up projects, a economic combined P122 er sefi naNo. campaigned for law the Philippines’ and liftperforming the isconstruction industry. simulate birth, the adopters will getprothe or alien spouses of Filipinos who would the outlook of the Philippines. Bangko confidence certain improve as in business activities. healthy despite the temporary setback. reserves were close to the ofin multilateral lenders continue to pour the costing country's managlow net loanstoratio. economy. The peso rose totomilestone 48.57 against inBut business activities. healthy despite the temporary setback. cess, some adopters birth. To is commonly used by former Filipinos What appeared to multilateral lenders continue to pour in billion, care of a sibling of thesimulate parents or to the dren in accordance with the Rules on cess, some adopters simulate birth. To is commonly used by former Filipinos hear stories of infants being left outside Republic Act 8552, not being residents seat on the United Nationsburden Commission are what economic developthe transportation of commuters and More importantly, they will boost birth certificate forms and fill in the like to ease the financial of relSentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjathe population adapts to the new nor$100 billion at the end of July. Foreign ers, while worried over the slow pace of The second-quarter economic the US dollar the other day, its strongest simulate the adopters will get the or alien spouses of Filipinos who would grandparents. Adoption (Article 184, simulate birth, the adopters will get the Inter-Country or the alien spouses offor Filipinos would be details difficult then for houses orbirth, in to delivery rooms ofare hospiof Philippines atinleast three conon status ofPhilippines, women 1957, was ment is all about. goods, and link the producers in the min birth show that they the atives inease thethe or who byand Filipieconomic inpandemic. host and other Diokno hasnot assured the economy forced upon by the The credit agencies are international not setting reopening, are that pessimistic on mal plunge is livelihood likely temporary. Consumin 45 rating months, while the birth certificate forms and fill in the like to financial burden of relWith the desire to legalize the adopFamily Code) birth certificate forms and fill in the like to ease the financial burden of reltals, and of infants being left under the tinuous years, may adopt Filipino chilan adviser to the Philippine delegation to natural parents of the adoptee/child. nos who have children from their prior Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. provinces to the urban market. These local communities. remains robust despite the sharp drop Philippine economy, in sum, remains a male-dominated the alarm bells on the Philippines while the outlook of the Philippines. Bangko er confidence is certain to improve as reserves were close to the milestone of birth details show that they the atives in the Philippines, or adoptions by Filipition aa sibling childto a judicial This of theinwith law birthof details towithout show that theyorare are the the atives inaccordance the Philippines, by Filipicare of of thethe parents toprothe dren infeature the Rules on United Nations the on 23rd General The person causing fictitious regmarriages and would like toorhave these isSentral pursuing the construction of the healthy infrastructure projects also directly By the time the pandemic is over, in business activities. despite the temporary setback. multilateral lenders continue to pour in ng Pilipinas Governor Benjathe population adapts to the new nornatural parents of the adoptee/child. nos who have children from their prior $100 billion at the end of July. Foreign society to birth accept isbirth. To isAssembly cess, some adopters commonly used by former Filipinos natural parents of simulate the nos whoadopted have children from their prior grandparents. Inter-Country Adoption (Article 184, in 1967 in York. Shealien was istration of the of adoptee/child. a child shall children byNew their current South Luzon Express- the create of thousands jobs 420-kilometer will a more robust min Diokno has assured the economy malPhilippines forced upon byhave the pandemic. The The person causing the fictitious regmarriages and would like to have these credit hundreds rating agencies are notofsetting simulate birth, the adopters will get the or alien spouses of Filipinos who would The person causing the fictitious regmarriages and would like to have these With the desire to legalize the adopFamily Code) now a fact that they essential in bringing the family planning be criminally liable for simulation of spouse. These practices are prevalent undertaken with the utmost compepercent the contraction for the whole way Tollroad 5 that will connect Quewhile in their construction stage. economy and a solid consumer base BUSINESS istration of the birth of a child shall children adopted by their current alien remains robust despite the sharp drop Philippine economy, in sum, remains birth certificate forms and fill in the like to ease the financial burden of relthe alarm bells on the Philippines while istration of the21, birth ofa ajudicial child shall children adopted by their current tion of(Section a to child without pro- movements This Filipinos feature ofworking the lawabroad on adoptions to the Philippines, as well as birth. Article VII, Repubamong or alien pertence and care. GDP that are 2020’s first semester. NEDA was zon province and thefigures Bicol region and of Two majorlenders infrastructure with a stronger purchasing power. have CLASStoprojects be criminally liable for of spouse. These practices are prevalent undertaken with the utmost compepercent the contraction for in business activities. healthy despite the temporary setback. birth details tolive showwith. that theybirth. are the in international the Philippines, or by Filipimultilateral continue pour in way BUSINESS be Act criminally liable for simulation simulation of atives spouse. These practices arecountries. prevalent undertaken with will the give utmost compepercent the contraction for the the whole whole cess, some adopters simulate To is commonly used by former Filipinos bringing aid for the Puerilic 8552). manently residing in foreign BUSINESS off the mark rise to bad in uncharted territory: neither it nor birth. (Section 21, Article VII, Repubamong working abroad pertence figures that are of 2020’s NEDA was natural parents of adopters the adoptee/child. whoFilipinos have children from theiror prior birth. (Section 21, Article VII, Repubamong Filipinos working abroad or pertence and and care. care. GDP GDP figures that are its of predecessor, 2020’s first first semester. semester. NEDAEcowas CLASS simulate birth, the willhusband get the nos or alien spouses of Filipinos who would culture Association of the Philippines. The law requires that the Only minors may be adopted, unless decision-making across the econoNEC (National RUDY CLASS lic Act 8552). manently residing in foreign countries. way off will rise bad in territory: neither it nor The person causing the and fictitious regand like toreceived have these licAgainst Act 8552). manently residing inthe foreign countries. wayDecisions off the the mark mark will give give rise to to and bad nomic in uncharted uncharted territory: neither nor birth certificate forms fill except: in the marriages like toher ease thewould financial burden of relBefore death in 1970, she the this political andadopt social backand the wife shall jointly the adoptee/child is natural child of my. to invest, produce, Council) has ever had toitEcoreROMERO The law requires that the husband Only minors may be adopted, unless decision-making across the econoits predecessor, NEC (National RUDY istration of the birth of a child shall children adopted by their current alien enhancing their T cell responses with The law requires that thewomen husband Only may be adopted, unless decision-making acrossonthe econoits predecessor, NEC (National EcoRUDY birth details to show that they are the atives inminors theAward Philippines, orfrom by or FilipiPresidential of her Merit Presidrop, it was hard for Filipino to (i) if one spouse seeks to adopt the lethe adopter or his or spouse, priconsume will be based faulty ascord a GDP contraction of that magand the wife shall jointly adopt except: the adoptee/child is the natural child of my. Decisions to invest, produce, and nomic Council) has ever had to rebe criminally liable for simulation of spouse. These practices are prevalent vaccines” Iwasaki said, while women undertaken with the utmost compepercent the contraction for the whole ROMERO and the wife shall jointly adopt except: the adoptee/child is the natural child of my. Decisions to invest, produce, and nomic Council) has ever had to reBUSINESS naturaltoparents of less theofpursue adoptee/child. nostowho children from their prior Ferdinand Marcos (Filipino Women ROMERO aspire and much an edgitimate son/daughter the other; or dent or the have adoption, the child has been OF ALL the statistical data from the sumptions about the strength and dinitude. (i) one spouse to adopt the lethe adopter or his or her spouse, priconsume will be based on faulty asaa GDP contraction magcould befirst given treatmentof tothat dampen birth. (Section 21,seeks Article VII, RepubFilipinos working abroad oror pertence and care. GDP figures that are 2020’s semester. NEDA was the (i) if if oneNaomi spouse seeks tofictitious adopt theregle- among the adopter oradopter his or her spouse, orchild priconsume will be based oneconomy’s faulty as- ofcord cord GDP that The person causing theto marriages and would like toor have these in Nation Building, Herminia M. AncheCLASS ucation. and Josefi na Phodaca (ii) if one spouse seeks adopt his/her treated by the as his her National Economic and Development rection of the Philippine Never in response. itscontraction past-WorldofWar IImaghisgitimate son/daughter of the other; or or to the adoption, the child has been cytokine OF ALL the statistical data from the sumptions about the strength and dinitude. lic Act 8552). manently residing in foreign countries. way off the mark will give rise to bad in uncharted territory: neither it nor gitimate son/daughter of Mariano other; or ta, or M.A. to the adoption, child has been OF ALL theandPhilippine statistical data Statistics from the growth. sumptions about the strength and di- tory nitude. istration of the birth of athe child shall children adopted by the their current alien and Michaela Beltran Gonzales, were the only children of and own illegitimate son/daughter, providduring minority (Article 187, Family Authority has the Philippine economy seen Treated (ii) if seeks to adopt his/her treated by the adopter as his her child National and Development rection of the Philippine economy’s Never in past-World War II hisThe lawspouse requires that the husband Only minors may be adopted, unless decision-making across the econoits predecessor, NECdifferently? (National EcoRUDY (ii) if one one spouse seeks tosimulation adopt his/her treated by the adopter as his oradopt her child National Economic Economic and Development rection the Philippine economy’s Neverthe in its its past-World II hisbe criminally liable for spouse. These practices areor prevalent with the utmost compepercent contraction for the D., 1984, Phoenix Publication House, Bonifacia. They were born in the island ed, the other spouse consents; orprovid(iii) of if Ed. Code). Why will someone his Authority, none are more eagerly undertaken NEDAofhas a generally good record devastation the kind thatWar it iswhole curBUSINESS Still, theof study hasever limitations. own illegitimate son/daughter, during minority (Article 187, Family Authority andPhilippine Statistics growth. tory has the Philippine economy seen and the wife shall jointly adopt except: the adoptee/child is the natural child of my. Decisions to invest, produce, and nomic Council) has had to reown illegitimate son/daughter, providduring minority (Article 187, Family ROMERO Authority andPhilippine Statistics growth. tory has the Philippine economy seen birth. (Section 21, Article VII, Repubamong Filipinos abroad for or pertence and care. GDP figures that are of 2020’s first semester. NEDA was Inc. pp. 56 andchild? 57).working province of Marinduque to parents who the spouses are legally separated from own natural The reason the awaited than the data relating to the of preparation of the national income rently undergoing. Like a scythe, the CLASS eagerly consume sample was relatively ed, the other spouse consents; (iii) Code). Why will adopt his Authority, none are NEDA has abe generally record devastation of the that itit is cur(i) one8552). spouse seeks to adoptor the le-if adopter or his or her spouse, or priwill based ongood faulty asaFirstly, GDP the contraction of that maged,ifAct the other spouse consents; or (iii) if the Code). will someone adopt his Authority, noneaccounts. are more more eagerly NEDA has ain generally good record devastation ofterritory: the kind kindsize that is curlic manently residing insomeone foreign countries. way offHospital the mark will give rise to bad cord in uncharted neither it nor On theWhy other hand, Naomi pursued Haven the United States. approved of their children’s desire to each other (Section 7, Article III, Readoption is to elevate the status of an national income This is parnovel coronavirus has cut down virBy Kelly Macnamara small, with 98 patients in total. the considering the spouses are legally from own natural child? The reason the awaited than the data relating to the of preparation of the national income rently undergoing. Like aa scythe, gitimate son/daughter ofseparated the other; or or to practice the adoption, the child hasfor been OF ALL the statistical data from the sumptions about the strength and dinitude. the spouses are legally separated from own natural child? The reason for the awaited than the data relating to the of preparation of the national income rently undergoing. Like scythe, the China early EAGLE EYESEcoThe law requires that the husband Only minors may be adopted, unless decision-making across the econoits predecessor, NEC (National trial in Manila and other parts They then monitored patients to look RUDY take up lawNo. in Manila. Some their public Act 8552). The lawof further illegitimate child to a legitimate child ticularly true of the figuresThis for is Gross tually everything inhasits path—liveliThe average age of cut the patients was even as his e each other (Section 7, Article III, Readoption is to elevate the status of an national income accounts. parnovel coronavirus down vir(ii) if one spouse seeks to adopt his/her treated by the adopter as his or her child National Economic and Development rection of the Philippine economy’s Never in its past-World War II hiseachthe other (Section 7, Article III, Readoption is to elevate the status of of an national income accounts. Thisand is parnovel coronavirus cut down virand wife shall jointly adopt except: the adoptee/child isshall the natural child at their immunetoresponses. Decisions invest, produce, and hoods, nomic Council) hashas ever had to re- pursue the ‘ of Luzon where she handled criminal, ADomestic NEW study looking at male fe- my. neighbors were naysayers, going so requires that the adopter should be in since the adopted be “deemed a Product. small businesses, profits, prosROMERO also high, at around 60 years. TONY Bad times still lie public Actspouse No. 8552). The law further illegitimate child to aa legitimate child ticularly true of for Gross tually in its path—liveliown illegitimate son/daughter, minority (Article 187, Family Authority andPhilippine Statistics has the Philippine economy seen refusing to public No. 8552). lawprovidfurther illegitimate child tothe legitimate child ticularly true of the the figures figures for Gross tually everything in the its path—liveliResearchers that women mount(i) if one seeks to adopt the le- during the adopter or hisof or her spouse, or primale immune responses to the coro- growth. consume will found be based on faulty as- tory cord a everything GDP contraction of that magcivil, labor, and administrative cases. far as toAct say: “bakit pa The pag-aaralin ng the position tothe give support and care for legitimate child adopters,” who The GDP records all thenew producpects. Commenting on research, EleaLA VIÑA requires that adopter should be in since the adopted shall be “deemed aa Domestic Product. hoods, small businesses, profits, prosinfrastructur ed, the other spouse consents; or (iii) if Code). Why will someone adopt his Authority, none are more eagerly NEDA has a generally good record devastation of the kind that it is currequires that the adopter should be in since the adopted shall be “deemed Domestic Product. hoods, small businesses, profits, prosahead. ed a more robust immune response inBad times still lie navirus may shed new light on why men gitimate son/daughter of the other; or or to the adoption, the child has been OF ALL the statistical data from the sumptions about the strength and dinitude. She frequently recalled a public proseabogasiya ang kanilang mga anak na his children, legitimate or illegitimate, has the right to inherit and use the tive activities of an economy during After almost six months of locknor Riley, a professor at the University Bad times still lie better health the position to give support and care for legitimate child of the adopters,” who The GDP records all the producpects. the spouses are legally separated from own natural child? The reason for the awaited than the data relating to the of preparation of the national income rently undergoing. Like a scythe, the thekeeping position tokusina give support and care for cutor legitimate child of the adopters,” who volving Toflymphocytes, which are a type down, The records all the producpects. are moreGDP likely toThey become seriously ill rection (ii) if one spouse seeks to adopt his/her treated the adopter ascondescendingly his or her child National Economic and Development the Philippine economy’s Never in worst its past-World War II hisinbyManila who tion.She also BEING unjustly detained for trumped-up babae na sa lang naman ang in with the means of his family surname of the adopters (Article 189, a given period. indicate to all the may be behind the of Edinburgh, said some of the diverahead. his legitimate or illegitimate, has right to inherit and use the tive activities of an during After almost of lockeach other (Section 7, Article III, Re- adoption is to to elevate theacquittal status of an national income accounts. This is parcoronavirus hasmonths cut down vircharges has not six sidelined Senator Leila De of the emer of ahead. white blood cell that can recognize novel his children, children, legitimate orThe illegitimate, has the theminority right towin inherit andRule use the with researchers said this growth. tive COVID-19, activities of an economy economy during After almost six months of lockown illegitimate son/daughter, providduring (Article 187, Family Authority andPhilippine Statistics tory has the Philippine economy seen challenged her the of her punta kapag nag-asawa.” Phodagence noted in the study is “likely due (Article 183, Family Code). Family Code; Section 8 (c), III, interested people—policymakers, economy, but bad times still lie ahead. meant to tid Lima who continues to perform her duties in keeping with the his family surname of the adopters (Article 189, aa given period. They indicate to all down, the worst may be behind the public No. 8552). The of law tosomeone aforlegitimate child ticularly of the figures Gross tually everything its path—liveliviruses and eliminate them.good week. inThe keeping with the means means his family surname ofchild the adopters (Article 189, given true period. They indicate toproall accounts. down, the worst may be behind thesex ed, theAct other spouse consents; orfurther (iii)of if illegitimate Code). Why will adopt his Authority, none are moreforeagerly NEDA has a additional generally devastation of the that itwithin is(the curclient charged of rape a cup of coffee. toleast differences inin age or BMI ca couple supported the adopter must be aspirations a of Filipino, of Republic Act 8552). analysts, researchers, investors, As datarecord have At the remaining quarters will poor familie as elected senator ofkind the Republic the (Article 183, Family Code). Family Code; Section 8 (c), Rule III, interested people—policymakers, economy, but bad times still lie ahead. requires that the adopter should befrom in since theCode; adopted shall “deemed a Domestic Product. hoods, small profits, proswas thehad even among older Since early inconsumers—the the pandemic it hasextent (Article 183, Family Code). Family Section 8be (c), Rule III, interested people—policymakers, economy, butbusinesses, bad times still lie terms of dis four walls of hercontractionary detention Herahead. analthe spouses are legally separated own natural child? The reason forand the awaited than the data relating tobeen the come of This preparation ofcase the national income rently undergoing. Like once a cell. scythe, the Her client was successfully acquitted differences disappear these other Bad times still lie their daughters and had to sell a porlegal age, in possession of full civil caThe following may also be adopted: ducers, and in, it has to adjust initial esvery probably be periThe adopter must be aaand Filipino, of Republic Act 8552). analysts, researchers, investors, proaccounts. As additional data have At least ysis the of theremaining government’s quarters response to will the lists, rigid the position to give support care for legitimate child of the adopters,” who women, the study found. The GDP records all the producpects. clear that men, particularly older men, The adopter must be Filipino, of Republic Act 8552). analysts, researchers, investors, proaccounts. As additional data have At least the remaining quarters will each other (Section 7, Article III, Readoption is to elevate the status of an factors are taken into account).” BMI national income accounts. This is parnovel coronavirus has cut down virshe received the cup of coffee. When she tion ofage, theirlegal coconut to fi nance pacity and rights,land of full good moral (a)The the following legitimatemay son/daughter of one to which and the Philippine economy has timates, buthas NEDA has beeninitial way off ods for the economy ascritique a whole. pandemic is be a six searing on the “quota syste ahead. legal possession of cabe adopted: ducers, consumers—the extent in, had adjust esvery probably contractionary periIn contrast, older men hadinitial weaker his children, legitimate or illegitimate, has the rightTranquilino to may inherit use the are atactivities a farand higher risk of dyingfor from the come tive of an economy during After almost ofhow locklegal age, in possession ofconvicted full civil caThe following also be adopted: ducers, consumers—the extent come in, it it hasfar. had to to adjust es-T tually very probably contractionary peri- pered the sw measures body fat. public Actin No. 8552). The lawcivil further illegitimate child to spouse; a also legitimate ticularly true of the figures Gross everything inmonths its path—livelilater married Sr.,and they formed government isbe mishandling the most serious their education. character, has not been of spouse by the other (b) a child grown or—in these very different the mark thus Consumption, specifically, which pacity and legal good moral (a) the legitimate son/daughter of one to which the Philippine economy timates, but -NEDA has way ods the economy as aaprofits, whole. activity the older they were, the down, virus thanperiod. women of a similar age, but in keeping with therights, meansof his family ofadopted the adopters (Article aDomestic They indicate to has all the worst may behind the three months public health emergency of this generation. pacity and legal rights, ofof good moral (a) thethe legitimate son/daughter of189, one togiven which the Philippine economy has cell timates, NEDA has been been way off off ods for for the economy asbe whole. She said others could have arisen requires that the adopter should be in surname since shall be “deemed a Product. hoods, small businesses, prosawhose husband-and-wife team who practiced Naomi and Josefi namoral pursued their any crime involving turpitude, adoption has been previously economic times—contracted. They Late inbut July, NEDA released to accounts for close to two-thirds of this“by Bad times still lie the first tranc weaker the response. character, not been convicted of spouse by the other spouse; (b) aa child grown or—in these very different the mark thus far. Consumption, specifically, which scientists have not yet been able to pin(Article 183,has Family Code). Family Code; Section 8 (c), Rule III, interested people—policymakers, economy, but bad times still lie ahead. chance.” character, has not been convicted of spouse by the other spouse; (b) child grown or—in these very different the mark thus far. Consumption, specifically, which the position to give support and care for legitimate child of the adopters,” who The recordsthat all experienced the produc- a highly expectant nation its GDP country’s pects. during or (c) Japanese Occupation, at education atinvolving the psychologically University ofturpitude, Manila emotionally and capa- law rescinded; ahas child whopreviously has been tell us GDP the times—contracted. sectors economy, is sharply down, the blame o Overall men also produced more cytopoint exactly why. any crime moral whose adoption been economic They Late in July, NEDA released to accounts for close to two-thirds of this The adopter must be a Filipino, of Republic Act 8552). analysts, researchers, investors, proaccounts. As additional data have At least the remaining quarters will ahead. “Importantly, although the average anychildren, crime involving moral turpitude, whose adoption has beenand previously economic times—contracted. They estimates Late in for July, NEDA released to and accounts for close to two-thirds oflockthis his legitimate or Bachelor illegitimate, has the right to inherit use the for the ineffi tive activities of an economy during After almost six months of which time civil courts were open despite where they obtained their of ble of caring for children, and at least orphaned. The latter may be available growth or contraction and the sectors the very problematic production, which accounts for She sums it up in kines, which are infl ammatory proteins A new study published inexperienced the journal emotionally and psychologically caparescinded; (c) aa child has been tell us the sectors that aa highly nation its GDP country’s economy, is sharply down, legal age, inwith possession of full civil ca- the The following may alsowho be adopted: ducers, and consumers—the extent come in, it expectant has had to adjust initial esvery probably be differ contractionary periis clearly a response may men and emotionally and psychologically caparescinded; orthe (c)post child who has been tell useconomy the sectors that experienced highly expectant nation its GDP country’s economy, is between sharply down, in keeping the means ofthe his family surname ofor adopters (Article 189, a given period. They indicate to all down, the worst may be behind the war, and war years. Naomi Laws and were admitted to Philipsixteen years older than the adoptee, for adoption, provided no proceedings of the that have performed second quarter, when Metro Manila the remaining one-third, continues that formbut another parthas of the body’s natugood senato Nature noted that globally men account one word: ‘Palpak.’ ble of caring for children, and at least orphaned. The latter may be available growth or contraction and the sectors estimates for the very problematic and production, which accounts for pacity and legal rights, of good moral (a) the legitimate son/daughter of one to which the Philippine economy has timates, NEDA been way off ods for the economy as a whole. women, the range of most of the meable of caring for children, and at least orphaned. The latter may be available growth or contraction and the sectors estimates for the very problematic and production, which accounts for (Article 183, Family Code). Family Section (c), Rule III, interested people—policymakers, economy, but badby times lie ahead. oralist and Tranquilino Sr.(6) the writer pine Bar inadopter 1937 and 1940, respectiveunless the is the biological par- the shall be Code; initiated within8no six months best or economy worst. They comprise a comand Calabarzon except Quezon—the to beremaining hampered the still public health tion’s lack of ral immune defense. for about 60 percent of deaths from sixteen years older than the adoptee, for adoption, provided proceedings of the that have performed second quarter, when Metro Manila the one-third, continues character, has not been convicted of by Act thecourt other spouse; (b) aNaomi child surements in men and quarters women overlap grown or—in these very different the mark quarter, thus far. Consumption, specifically, which sixteen years older than the adoptee, for adoption, provided of the economy thatofhave performed second when Metro Manila the remaining one-third, continues The adopter must be athe Filipino, of spouse Republic 8552). analysts, researchers, investors, proaccounts. As additional have At least theWith remaining will lic transpare enjoyed battles. was ly. Naomi recalls being the only lady ent of the adoptee orthe is biological spouse from thetheir time of within death no ofIt proceedings the parents prehensive roadThey map thewhether economy’s economy’s economic cenprotocols. most ofpublic the necesHowever, severe cases ofdata COVID-19 COVID-19 and looked at dif- Philippine unless the adopter is parshall be initiated six (6) months best or worst. comprise aaextent comand Calabarzon except Quezon—the to be hampered by the health The senator issued thisthat analysis asthis the signifi cantly, meaning many wom- Part II foc any crime involving moral turpitude, whose adoption has been previously economic times—contracted. They Late in July, NEDA released to accounts for close to two-thirds of unless the adopter is the biological parshall be initiated within six (6) months best or worst. They comprise comand Calabarzon except Quezon—the to be hampered by the public health legal age, in possession of full civil caThe following may also be adopted: ducers, and consumers—the come in, it has had to adjust initial esvery probably be contractionary periwho fought and argued in the male-domstudent in aadoptee class wherein she had to the adoptee’s legitimate parent (Section (Section 8, Rule III, Republic Act most recent journey. subject Enhanced Comsary economic data, NEDA’s second have beenexpectant linked totowhat is known as a country’s ferences in immune responses could ex- ater—were Chairperson of the Senate Committee on on the imple ent of the or is the spouse of from the time of death of the parents en have responses that are indistinprehensive road map of the economy’s Philippine economy’s economic cenprotocols. With most of the necesemotionally and psychologically caparescinded; or (c) a child who has been tell us the sectors that experienced highly nation its GDP economy, is sharply down, entArticle of herself theIII, adoptee or isAct the spouse of inated from time of son/daughter death parents prehensive road mapgreat of the economy’s Philippine economy’s economic protocols. With Welfare most the necespacity and legal rights, ofher good moral (a) thethe legitimate of one to which theof Philippine economy has munity timates, but NEDA has been waycenoff ods forSocial the economy as and aofwhole. courtrooms up to of thetheSupreme lioration Pro Justice, Rural Develexcuse every time Professor 7, Republic No. 8552; 8552). Because their importance Quarantine. This country’s quarter estimate of 16.4-percent con“cytokine storm,” when the immune sysplain why. guishable from those of many men,” the adoptee’s legitimate parent (Section 8, III, Republic Act most recent journey. ter—were subject Enhanced Comsary economic second ble of caring for children, and (Section at least latter may belargely available growth oror—in contraction and thedifferent sectors estimates for the to very problematic and production, which accounts for acterizes its opment, sittingdata, inspecifically, the NEDA’s Joint Congressional theCriminal adoptee’s legitimate parent (Section (Section 8, Rule III, Republic Act most recent journey. ter—were subject to Enhanced Comsary economic data, NEDA’s second character, has not been convicted of orphaned. spouse byThe theRule other spouse; (b) a child grown these very the mark thus far. Consumption, which Court. Her civic activity was conin Law gave examples with Article 183, Family Code). to the work of makers of economic economic planning agency estimated traction will very likely prove to be an tem goes into overdrive, which is harm“What we found was that men and she added. Oversight Committee, basing continues it on thecon14 - “Palpak.” A 7, Article III, Republic Act 8552; for 8552). Because of their munity Quarantine. This country’s quarter estimate of 16.4-percent sixteen years older than the No. adoptee, adoption, provided no proceedings of the economy that great have importance performed second quarter, Metro Manila remaining one-third, 7,An Article III, Republic Act No. 8552). Because ofdevelop great importance munity Quarantine. This country’s quarter estimate of 16.4-percent any crime involving moral turpitude, whose adoption has been previously economic They Late in July,when NEDA released to the accounts forsaid close to two-thirds of conthis on the Church Women United sexual undertones. Naomi, alien orFamily foreigner withsimultanethe 8552; same centrated Full version ful and deadly. decisions, ittimes—contracted. istheir imperative that the thepotentially economy contracted by 16.3 overestimate. So,this necessarily, will its women indeed different types of that weekly reports from President Duterte, Riley is why treatments Article 183, Code). to the work of makers of economic economic planning agency estimated traction will very likely prove to be an pandemic is unless the adopter is the biological parshall be initiated within six (6) months best or worst. They comprise a comand Calabarzon except Quezon—the to be hampered by the public health Article 183, Family Code). to the of the makers of economic planning traction will likely prove to be pursuant tovery Section 5isofsharply Republic Act No.an ernment thre emotionally and psychologically capa- of rescinded; or (c) a as child has been tell us work the sectors that experienced aeconomic highlyyear-on-year, expectant nation its toGDP country’s economy, down, theat Philippines its who long-standing Men who showedagency high estimated concentraous to her law studies pursued Christian qualifications as a Filipino may adopt www.manilastandard.net immune responses to COVID-19,” said preparation of GDP figures be percent bringing 7.4 7.3 percent first-quarter estimate. would be better if they were individuorfor foreigner with the Full version decisions, itit is imperative that the that economy by 16.3 overestimate. So, will its 11469.With The latter isnecessarily, the Act the exent of the adoptee or is the spouse of from the time oflatter of be theavailable parents prehensive road ofAkiko the economy’s economy’s economic ofdeclaring the necesAn alien foreigner with the same Full version decisions, ismap imperative that the that the the economy contracted by 16.3 overestimate. So,most necessarily, will its first tranche bleAn of alien caring children, and at same least orphaned. may growth orlead contraction and the sectors estimates for the contracted very problematic and production, which accounts for ItThe was andeath organization that initions early on were more likely tocenhave protocols. the study’s author Iwasaki, a Philippine education at or the Ellinwood College of president. ally tailored, rather than defi nedfrom solely attributes the istence of national emergency arising qualifications as a Filipino may adopt at www.manilastandard.net preparation of the GDP figures be percent year-on-year, bringing to 7.4 7.3 percent first-quarter estimate. the adoptee’s legitimate parent (Section (Section 8, Rule III, Republic Act most recent journey. ter—were subject to Enhanced Comsary economic data, NEDA’s second qualifications as a Filipino may adopt at www.manilastandard.net preparation of the GDP figures be percent year-on-year, bringing to 7.4 7.3 percent first-quarter estimate. sixteen years older than adoptee, for adoption, provided noLeast proceedings a severe quarter, case of the disease, while those theonremaining of the economy that haveinperformed second when Metro Manila the Fellowship of the Coin, a professor at Yale University, a video. COVID-19 andone-third, section 5 referscontinues to the duty some proces Christian Education. Josefithe na later re- tiated sex. AFP 7,unless Article III, Republic No. 8552; 8552). Because of their great importance Quarantine. This country’s estimate con- and the pere the Presidentof to 16.4-percent submit a weeklyhealth report women who also except showed signifi cant cy- quarter adopter isscholarship theAct biological shall be initiated within six (6) adopted months The specialist said a“these best orimmunity worst. They comprise community and Calabarzon Quezon—the to be by hampered by the public ecumenical program ceived the a Fulbright for parher worldwide to will Congress of all acts performed pursuant Article 183, Family Code). to the work of makers of economic economic planning agency estimated traction very likely prove to be an and guidelin legal officer, tagged Duque as the “Godfatokine levels also appeared to fare worse, differences may underlie heightened disent of the adoptee or is the spouse of from the time of death of the parents prehensive road map of the economy’s Philippine economy’s economic cenprotocols. With most of the necesby 80 countries in the world (Rev. Henry Masters of Law in Yale University. The The thereto. An alien or foreigner with the same Full version decisions, it is imperative that the that the economy contracted by 16.3 overestimate. So, necessarily, will its fusion. ther” of the Mafia that has fleeced the state the study found. ease in men.” the adoptee’s legitimate (SectionAguillan, 8, Rule III, Republic Act the second In “Anatomy of a Failed Pandemic Remostsusceptibility recent journey. ter—were subject to Enhanced Com- sary economic data, NEDA’s second History of the Fellowsisters pursued differentparent paths(Section in the Brillon legal officer, tagged Duque as the “Godfalegal officer, tagged as “Godfaqualifications a Filipino atthe www.manilastandard.net preparation ofcollected the great GDPnasal, figures be insurer percent bringing to 7.4 7.3 percent first-quarter estimate. ofyear-on-year, funds tothe over P154 sponse,” De Lima on an analysis According toamounting theDuque authors, this could Researchers saliva, 7, Article III, as Republic Actmay No. adopt 8552; 8552). Because of their importance munity Quarantine. This country’s quarter estimate of embarks 16.4-percent con- left behind a of Least Coin, haguilan.blogspot). male-dominated legal profession, with ship ther” of the that has the state of key areas of the government’s response ilies, who w ther” ofsince the Mafia Mafia thatwomen has fleeced fleeced the state billion 2014. imply that men and need differand blood samples from non-infected tive suspension of at least 13 PhilHealth ities at PhilHealth that dwarf the Good Article 183, Family Code). to the work of makers of economic insurer economic planning agencyto traction will very likely to be an addition to of funds amounting over Josefina pouring her time OF into pubto the pandemic, focusingprove on the following POINT insurer of funds amounting toestimated over P154 P154 Keith accused Duque of tolerating the ent treatments. officials allegedly involved in massive Conduct Timeit Allowance racket at the control subjects and patients with the billion areas: (a) budget interventions; (b)will welfare alien while or foreigner with the same Full version decisions, is imperative that the that the economy contracted by 16.3 overestimate. So, necessarily, its beneficiaries since 2014. Full version at www.manilastanlic An service Naomi pursued trial tive suspension of at least 13 PhilHealth ities at PhilHealth that dwarf the Good billion since 2014. malpractices of his appointed officials alIMPACT tive at suspension of at least 13 PhilHealth Bureau ities at of PhilHealth that dwarf thenot Good and social protection; (c) medical response of qualified irregularities. Corrections (BoC) be For men, for example “we should be 7.3 percent disease who were treated atmay Yale New POINT OF Keith accused Duque of tolerating the qualifications as a Filipino mayserved adopt dard.net www.manilastandard.net preparation of the GDP figures be legal percent year-on-year, bringing to 7.4 first-quarter estimate. POINT OF practice, but despite this, both officials allegedly involved in massive Conduct Time Allowance racket at the Keith accused ofastolerating the involved inDuque the anomalies. and health sector support; and (d) human low-income officer, tagged Duque the “Godfaofficials allegedly involved in without massive enough ConducttoTime racketloyalty at the legedly Suspended for six months shakeAllowance the President’s malpractices of appointed officials alIMPACT their agony b rights and peace & order. irregularities. Bureau of Corrections (BoC) ERWIN malpractices of his his appointed officials alIMPACT Senate President Tito Sotto said Senior of the Mafia that has fleeced the state irregularities. Bureau of as Corrections (BoC) may may not not be be ther” pay are: Dennis Mas, Senior Vice Pres- to Duque, well as Morales. legedly involved in the anomalies. Part I of the analysis looks at budget in- of access to Suspended for six months without enough to shake the President’s loyalty (www.manilastandard.net) legedly involved in the anomalies. Vice Presidents Renato Limsiaco Jr. and insurer of funds amounting to over P154 TULFO Suspended for six months without enough to shake the President’s loyalty ident (SVP) for Management Services Morales is on leave of absence August The coron terventions while Part II tackles the welfare ERWIN Senate President Sotto said Senior ERWIN pay are: Dennis Mas, Senior Vice Presto as as Morales. Senate President Tito Sotto saidanomaSenior Jovita Aragona wereTito linked to the since 2014. paysuspension are:Israel Dennis Senior Vicehealth Pres- ities to Duque, Duque, as well well as Morales. system for marginalized and vulnerable As of Sunda Sector; Pargas, SVP for 17 toat28PhilHealth while undergoing treatment for billion tive of Mas, at least 13 PhilHealth that dwarf the August Good recommend malversation charges against (www.manilastandard.net) Vice Presidents Renato Limsiaco Jr. and TULFO legal officer, tagged Duque as the “GodfaTO THE (www.manilastandard.net) ident (SVP) for Management Services Morales is on leave of absence POINT OFOffice of officials Vice Presidents Renato of Limsiaco Jr. the and fections awa groups. This is summarized in this column. lous use of the P30-billion IRM funds and TULFO Keith accused Duque tolerating ident (SVP) for Management Services Morales is on leaveofof IT IS welcome news that the finance and policy sector; Shirley Do- Conduct lymphoma or cancer theabsence lymph August nodes. allegedly involved in massive Time Allowance racket at the certain offiMafia cials allegedly mishandling Jovita were linked to the anomather” ofAragona the that has fleeced state Part III and Part IV focus on medical re- 200,000. At Sector; Israel Pargas, 17 while treatment for POINT Jovita Aragona were linked to thethe anomathe botched overpriced P2.1-billion inforof his appointed officials alSector; Vice Israel President Pargas, SVP SVP for health health Bureau 17 to to 28 28 while undergoing treatment for malpractices the Ombudsman has IMPACT ordered the suspen- irregularities. mingo, for for Corporate He skipped the undergoing Senate hearing Tuesday. of Corrections (BoC) may not be TO THE lous the IRM funds and sponse and human rights at time of pan- ar, we will g public funds. TOtheTHE insurer ofof amounting to over P154 IT news the Office finance and sector; Shirley Dolymphoma or of lymph nodes. lous use use offunds the P30-billion P30-billion IRM funds and mation technology project. involved in the anomalies. IT IS ISofwelcome welcome news that that thePhilippine Office of of Affairs finance and policy policy sector; Shirley Do- enough lymphoma or cancer cancer of the the lymph nodes. legedly sion several officials of the Group and six Rodolfo Del Rosario, PhilHealth executive vice president Suspended for months without to shake the President’s loyalty demic, respectively. I willEMIL summarize these a million by POINT the botched overpriced P2.1-billion inforPhilHealth’s coffers have been the orappropriate criminal and administraPOINT billion since 2014. The corruption scandal has also implithe Ombudsman has ordered the suspenmingo, Vice President for Corporate He skipped the Senate hearing Tuesday. the botched overpriced P2.1-billion inforERWIN tive suspension of at least 13 PhilHealth ities at PhilHealth that dwarf the Good Sotto said he terminated the Senate inSenatetechnology President Tito Sotto said Senior the Ombudsman ordered the suspen- pay mingo, Vice President for Vice Corporate He skipped the Senate hearingwho Tuesday. closer to joi in Saturday’s column. JURADO Health Insurance has Corp. (PhilHealth). legal sector chief; RoySenior Ferrer, Celestina and COOasArnel Jesus, was mation are: Dennis Mas, Pres- to Duque, well asDe Morales. POINT OF project. Keith accused Duque of tolerating the EMIL der of business for years asDel corruption charges against the culprits. sion of officials of Philippine Affairs Group and Rodolfo Rosario, PhilHealth executive vice president cated Civil Service Commission Chairmation technology project. In Part I entitled “Duterte’s officials allegedly involved in massive Conduct Time Allowance racket atsupthe Vice (www.manilastandard.net) vestigation after three hearings as the senPresidents Renato Limsiaco Jr. and EMIL Botched most infectio sionanti-graft of several severaloffice officials of the the Philippine ident Affairs Group and Rodolfo Del Rosario, PhilHealth executive vice president TULFO The under Ombudsman Ma Jude delaforSerna, Ruben John Basa, tive appointed officer-in-charge, was (SVP) Management Services Morales is on leave of absence August Sotto said he terminated the Senate inmalpractices his appointed officials alBudgetary Interventions,” De Lima ex- are the wors IMPACT JURADO Health Corp. (PhilHealth). legal sector Roy Ferrer, Celestina and COO Arnel De Jesus, who Sotto said hewere terminated Senate ingripped in thechief; agency’s national and the 17 The resignations ofrepresentative PhilHealth irregularities. Bureau of Corrections may be Jovita person Alicia dela Rosa Bala who alators have hadof enough of the “carousel of Aragona linked tothe the anomaJURADO Health Insurance Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). legalDominic sector chief; RoyAngelito Ferrer, Celestina and COO Arnel De (BoC) Jesus, whonotwas was Samuel R. Martires joins the Senate, the Sector; Raul Badilla, Grande, posed to be Morales’ Israel Pargas, SVP for health to 28 while undergoing treatment for Lack of discipline coriates the Duterte administration for its pened, in sp vestigation after three hearings as the senlegedly involved in thecommissioners anomalies. The anti-graft office under Ombudsman Ma Jude dela Serna, Ruben John Basa, appointed officer-in-charge, was supTO THE vestigation after three hearings as the senSuspended for six months without enough to shake the President’s loyalty lies” from the PhilHealth officials. regional offi ces, like cancer from top to President and Chief Executive lous use of the P30-billion IRM funds and legedly ordered CSC not The anti-graft office under Ombudsman Ma Jude dela Serna, Ruben John Basa, appointed officer-in-charge, was supHouse of Representatives, DepartLawrence Leila Tuazon, Clemin the Senate hearing butlymph he was also ators militaristic or securitized response, treating lockdown in IT IS welcome newsjoins that the thethe Office of finance andMijares, policy sector; Shirley Do- lymphoma orbecancer of the nodes. have had enough of the “carousel of ERWIN Senate President Tito Sotto said Senior Samuel R. Martires Senate, the Raul Dominic Badilla, Angelito Grande, posed to Morales’ representative ators have had enough of the “carousel of POINT pay are: Dennis Mas, Senior Vice Presto Duque, as well as Morales. That made me recall my days as a poLack of discipline botched overpriced P2.1-billion inforOfficer and Senior the the pandemic as of a peace and orderhealth problem plunged the Samuel R. Martires joins thethe Senate, the mingo, Raul Dominic Badilla, Angelito Grande, toRicardo be Senate Morales’ representative to disclose details of pending administraThe President’s entine Bautista, and Eugenio II. He aposed no-show due to aMorales scheduled medical the Ombudsman has ordered Vice President for Donatos Corporate skipped the hearing Tuesday. Lack discipline lies” from the PhilHealth officials. (www.manilastandard.net) Vice Presidents Renato Limsiaco Jr. and House of the suspenDepartLawrence Mijares, Leila Clemin the Senate hearing he was also lies”reporter, from theencountering PhilHealth officials. rather than a public health emergency. She in decades, r ident for Management Morales is on leave ofbut absence August lice suspects arresttechnology project. House of Representatives, Representatives, Depart- Affairs Lawrence Mijares, Leila Tuazon, Clem- Vice inPhilHealth the Senate hearing but hepresident was also mation President for legal sector Rodolfo The(SVP) Ombudsman, whoTuazon, said itServices would check-up. tive cases against PhilHealth executives. EMIL sion of several officialsTULFO of thethe Philippine Group and Rodolfo Del Rosario, executive vice CROSSROADS That made me recall my days as a popoints out that this is a failed response and stranding ma Jovita Aragona were linked to the anomaentine Bautista, and Eugenio Donatos II. aa no-show due to aaDuque scheduled medical That madehepolicemen. me recall mythe days as a inpoSector; Israel SVP for health 17 toRosario 28 for ed by Manila This isPargas, it for the Sotto said terminated Senate entine Bautista, and Eugenio Donatos II. and no-show due toDe scheduled medical coordinate with the Presidential Task At thewhile hearing, vehemently can Health These Insurance con Corp. men (PhilHealth). legal sector chief; Roy Ferrer, Celestina COO Arnel Jesus,treatment who was Del doundergoing not necessarily exempt CSC commissioner Aileen Lizada, extremely ineffective.JURADO The symptoms of of jobs and l TO THE lice reporter, suspects arrestlous usewhen of theencountering P30-billion IRM funds and The Ombudsman, who said it would check-up. lice reporter, encountering suspects arrestIT IS welcome news that the Office of finance and policy sector; Shirley Dolymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes. Even caught in the act, hardened J.A. vestigation after three hearings as the senThe Ombudsman, who said it would check-up. Force headed by the mafia. Department of Jus- appointed deniedfrom the officer-in-charge, allegations againstwas himsupand during There is o Duterte’s failures areCROSSROADS most evident in the The anti-graft office under Ombudsman Ma Jude dela Serna, Ruben John Basa, CROSSROADS them possible liabilities. THE obscenity shown in the video PhilHealth the joint House committee hearing POINT ed by Manila policemen. the botched overpriced P2.1-billion inforlook straight into your coordinate with the Presidential Task At the hearing, Duque vehemently These con men can DELA CRUZ ed by Manila policemen. the Ombudsman has ordered the suspenmingo, Vice President for Corporate He skipped the Senate hearing Tuesday. criminals or recidivists would look straight havewhen had enough of the the act, “carousel of wrong priorities of the administration, poor petent gover coordinate with the Presidential Task posed At PhilHealth the hearing, Duque These con men canthe Raul tice (DOJ), earned kudos fromGrande, various other officials, invehemently the same ators Samuel R. Martires joins theperforming Senate, Dominic Badilla, Angelito tothethe be Morales’ representative Lack of discipline Even caught in hardened Indeed, Senate under the leadership of a scantily clad girl J.A. last Tuesday, revealed that Bala used to be mation technology project. Force headed by the Department of Jusdenied allegations against him and spending on public and EMIL social caught in any the wrongdoing. act, hardened sion ofof several officials ofany the Philippine Affairs Group andthe Rodolfo Del Rosario, PhilHealth executive vice president J.A. protection, the medical intoEven your eyes and deny fromwhen therecidivists PhilHealth officials. Force headed by Department of Jus- in denied thehas allegations against himpracand lies” camps. fashion he denied alleged graft eyes and deny House Representatives, Depart- Lawrence Mijares, Leila Tuazon, Clemthe Senate hearing but he was also look straight into your DELA criminals or would look straight of Sen. Tito Sotto deserves the and his administration’s lack CRUZ of accounta- I will write look straight into your aHealth lap dance in front a the Philippine Sotto said he terminated the Senate inex-offi cio member of the PhilHealth DELA CRUZ tice (DOJ), earned kudos from other officials, in the criminals or recidivists would look straight JURADO Insurance Corp.of (PhilHealth). legal sector chief; Roy Ferrer, Celestina and COO Arnel De Jesus, who was Government officials who lack accountThat made me recall my days as a potice (DOJ), earned kudos from various other PhilHealth officials, in accolades the same A health-driven Some lawmakers said that topvarious Philtices atPhilHealth the due DOH in connection withsame the an entine Bautista, and Eugenio Donatos II. a no-show to a scheduled medical again on Se bility and transparency, she says. into your eyes and deny any wrongdoing. vestigation after three hearings as robbers, the senfor yet another major accomplishment. wrongdoing. camps. fashion he has denied alleged graft pracHealth Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) eyes and deny any Board and was among those implicated into your eyes and deny any wrongdoing. The anti-graft under Ombudsman bottom. Ma Jude dela Serna, Ruben John Basa, appointed officer-in-charge, was supability are worse than thieves, lice reporter, encountering suspects arrestcamps. fashion he has denied alleged graft praceyes andoffice deny any Health officials should also beit sacked, government efforts on COVID-19 crisis. ators According torestart DeCROSSROADS Lima, the passage of accurate ana The Ombudsman, who said would check-up. Government officials who lack accounthave had enough of the “carousel of A can of worms A health-driven Some lawmakers said that top Philtices at the DOH in connection with the Such indulgence is an accepted pracAccording to Gordon, his panel esGovernment officials who lack accountofficial dramatizes the decadence Samuel R. Martires joins the Senate, the Raul Dominic Badilla, Angelito Grande, posed to be Morales’ representative in the complaint fi led before the Omholdup men and con artists on the streets. the Bayanihan to as One Act giving by Manila policemen. A health-driven SomeDepartment lawmakers that Secretary top Task Phil- tices at the DOH connection with the ed Lack ofHealhediscipline namely Health When grilled byinSenator Ping Lacson, coordinate with should the ofsaid Presidential At the hearing, Duque vehemently wrongdoing. These conofmen can ability are worse than thieves, robbers, wrongdoing. lies” from the PhilHealth officials. Health officials also be sacked, government efforts on crisis. Duterte the powers said ability are worse than thieves, robbers, House Representatives, the service Depart- Force Lawrence Mijares, Leila Tuazon, Clemin the the Senate hearing but hePhilHealth was also I agree with Senator that we have tablished the existence of athat tice that aggravates thesits diffi be- denied that theof conduct public Even when caught inSotto the act, hardened questioning the PhilHealth Health officials should also be of sacked, government efforts on COVID-19 COVID-19 crisis. restart J.A.he needed to Website: ton Francisco Duque, who as culties PhilHealth however, Duque admitted cash ad- budsman headed by the Department Jusallegations against him and restart holdup men and con artists on the streets. mitigate this crisis was aVIRTUAL veryCRUZ late reaction, Facebook: d That made me recall myPhilHealth days as aoffiponamely Department of Health Secretary When grilled Ping Lacson, look into yourBu- tice holdup men and con artists on the streets. entine Bautista, and Eugenio Donatos II. other a no-show due to aSenator scheduled medical DELA had enough of Duque and criminals or recidivists would look straight ing experienced by poor Filipinos who “mafi a.” and Among its supposed memhas been reducedand to. the namely Department ofPhilHealth Health Secretary When grilled by Senator Ping Lacson, Board’s illegal installation of Celestina ment of straight Justice, National Board Chairman and Presivances made by by PhilHealth to the maternity (DOJ), earned kudos from various PhilHealth officials, in same agree with Senator Sotto that we have liceII your reporter, encountering suspects arrestREALITY Francisco Duque, who sits as PhilHealth however, Duque admitted that cash adagree with Senator Sotto that we have The Ombudsman, who said it would check-up. cials’ second, third waves of lies into eyes and deny any wrongdoing. Francisco Duque, who sits as PhilHealth however, Duque admitted that cash adbers are at least seven of the agency’s are hospitalized and who need to avail CROSSROADS reau of Investigation in4A uncovering the camps. dent and CEO Ricardo Morales. clinics he andhas dialysis centers as B. Ma. PhilHealth Region Vice PresiJude Dela Serna as president. VIRTUAL fashion denied allegedtosuch graft praceyes and deny any had of Duque and PhilHealth offiVIRTUAL ed byenough Manila ment of Justice, and the BuBoard Chairman and PhilHealth Presivances made by PhilHealth maternity had enough ofpolicemen. Duque and PhilHealth officoordinate withnot the Presidential Task tices Atatthe hearing, Duque vehemently As an adage attributed AbeaccountLincoln These con men Government officials whoto lack mentPaolo of Justice, andPerez the National Bu- of Board Chairman and PhilHealth Presivances made by PhilHealth to maternity well-entrenched mafia thatNational hascan fleeced Duque would heed the Braun Avitum under theand controversial A health-driven Some lawmakers said thatwidespread top Philthe DOH in connection withas the REALITY their PhilHealth coverage. regional vice presidents one legal dent Johann was shown Bala is reportedly also a close ally of cials’ second, third waves of lies REALITY TONY LOPEZ Even when caught in the act, hardened reau of Investigation in uncovering the dent and CEO Ricardo Morales. clinics and dialysis centers such B. J.A. wrongdoing. cials’ second, third waves of lies Force headed by the Department of Jusdenied the allegations against him and says, “You can fool all the people some ability are worse than thieves, robbers, reau of Investigation in uncovering the dent and CEO Ricardo Morales. clinics and dialysis centers such as B. PhilHealth of multi-billion pesos. clamor foralmost his should resignation for as must long government Interim Reimbursement Mechanism officials also be sacked, efforts on COVID-19 crisis. Health People always literally offi cer. Avitum being treated by mafia his amorous staff to Health look straight into your Secretary Francisco Duque III, As an adage attributed to Abe Lincoln DELA CRUZ restart criminals or recidivists would look straight well-entrenched that has fleeced Duque would not heed the widespread Braun under the controversial As an adage attributed to Abe Lincoln tice (DOJ), earned kudos from various other PhilHealth officials, in the same of the time and some of the people all the men and con artists onpeople the streets. well-entrenched mafia would heed the widespread Braun Avitum under thetoPing controversial This is certainly one that case has where the namely as Duque hetoenjoys the not trust and confidence of (IRM) illegal, similar the Wellness TONY Department Health Secretary When grilled by Senator Lacson, beg be spared of of the red tape so they One are of the denied whistleblowers inpracthe holdup says, “You can fool all the some aPhilHealth “mańanita” PhilHealth-style tofleeced celeTONY LOPEZ LOPEZ her CSC predecessor who is people now the into your eyes and deny any wrongdoing. of multi-billion pesos. clamor his for as Interim Reimbursement Mechanism says, “You can fool all the people some camps. fashion heDuque has alleged graft time, but you cannot fool all that the all eyes and deny any I the agree with Senator Sotto weall have A war against PhilHealth ofmust multi-billion pesos. clamor for for his resignation resignation for as long long however, Interimghost Reimbursement Mechanism ‘Kill them’ Ombudsman come on strong as it President Duterte. Clinic dialysis racket. Francisco Duque, who sits as PhilHealth admitted that cash adof time and some of the people the could obtain their PhilHealth benefi ts corruption scandal tagged no less than brate his birthday right at their offi ces. Government officials who lack accountPhilHealth chairperson. This is certainly one case where the as he enjoys the trust and confidence of (IRM) are illegal, similar to the Wellness VIRTUAL of the time and some of the people all the A health-driven Some lawmakers said that top Philtices at the DOH in connection with the the time.” enough of cannot Duque fool and PhilHealth offiThis isJustice, certainly case where the Board asApparently, he enjoys the trust and confidence of (IRM) are illegal, similar totothematernity Wellness had didwrongdoing. inofordering motu propio the preventheand enormous irregularThorrsson Keith, resigned anti-fraud ment andone thesent National BuChairman Presimade by PhilHealth the people time, but all the all ability areyou worse than thieves, robbers, ‘Kill them’ Health Secretary Francisco Duque III cials’ they haveshould paidPhilHealth for through con- vances Insiders apparently the video Ombudsman must on as itit which President Duterte. Clinic dialysis racket. Wesecond, can only hope that with all the REALITY time, but you cannot fool alllies the people people all Health officials also be sacked, government efforts on COVID-19 crisis. ‘Kill them’ third waves of Ombudsman must come come on strong strong as President Duterte. Clinic ghost ghost dialysis racket. restart reau of Investigation in uncovering the dent and CEO Ricardo Morales. clinics and dialysis centers such as B. the time.” holdup men and con artists on the streets. did in ordering motu propio the prevenApparently, the enormous irregularThorrsson Keith, resigned anti-fraud tributions deducted from their salaries. as the “godfather” of the alleged mafi a. the time.” clip to Senator Dick Gordon, chair of fi ndings of both Houses of the Connamely Department of Health Secretary When grilled by Senator Ping Lacson, did in ordering motu the fleeced prevenApparently, the heed enormous irregular- Braun Thorrsson anti-fraud As an adage attributed to Abe Lincoln Act or the B well-entrenched mafiapropio that has Duque would not the widespread AvitumKeith, under resigned the controversial I agree Senator that we have LOPEZ Francisco Duque, who and sits asfor PhilHealth however, Duque admitted cashPhilad- says, With for the the Thorrson Montes Keith, that former the Senateof Blue Ribbonpesos. Committee clamor During th gress, thewith would-be findings ofRolando the G. Estabillo Publisher TONY “You can fool allSotto the people some ABOUT TOWN PhilHealth multi-billion hisSenate resignation asHouse long Interim Reimbursement Mechanism VIRTUAL had of Duque offilevel to reco Former Chief Reynatomade S. PunobyBoard Member & Legal Adviser Board Chairman and PhilHealth Presivances toChief maternity ment and National Buof theenough timeBureau and some ofand thePhilHealth people all the panels winding up their parallel inHealth anti-fraud offi cer, said Duque in the of wake of chorus of denials National of Investigation (NBI), can bethe accessed at:and Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor This is Justice, certainly onethe case wherefrom the ManilaStandard as he enjoys trust confidence ofJustice (IRM) are illegal, PhilHealth similar to the Wellness Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher REALITY versions of t cials’but second, third waves liespeople Rolando Publisher ERNESTO manilastandard.net dent andin CEO Morales. clinics dialysis centers suchthe asapB. time, reau of Investigation uncovering the Anita F.and Grefal Treasury Manager M. cannot fool allofthe all G. Estabillo was responsible forracket. approving quiries aid Ricardo of legislation intoChief the Clinic PhilHealth offi cials ofininvolvement inONLINE ‘Kill them’ andAsthe fiyou ndings of S.the Presidential Task Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Chin Wong/Ray Eñano Associate Editors Ombudsman must come on strong President Duterte. ghost dialysis Former Reynato S. Board & er Franklin Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard as it ManilaStandard an adage attributed to Abe Lincoln Former ChiefJustice Justice ReynatoAvitum S.Puno Puno under BoardMember Member &Chief ChiefLegal LegalAdviser Adviser can be accessed at: Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Duque would not heed the widespread Braun the controversial well-entrenched mafia that has fleeced ManilaStandard HILARIO time.” can be accessed at: Honor Night Editor of the Touris Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo Lino M.Blanco SantosCabie Chief Photographer ofKeith, executive officials who the massive PhilHealth anomalies, Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor did in ordering motu propio thedeprevenApparently, the enormous irregular- pointment Thorrsson resigned anti-fraud multi-billion-peso irregularities beingONLINE Force, the PhilHealth plunderers will fi TONY LOPEZ MEMBER manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager says, “You can fool all the people some manilastandard.net Jimbo Chin Wong/Ray S. Associate Editors Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager clamor for Press his Institute resignation for as long Edgar Interim Reimbursement Mechanism PhilHealth ofby multi-billion pesos. Roxas, corner Perea to St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone and other m ONLINE Published Monday Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Jimbo Owen Owen Gulle Gulle City City Editor Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Eñano Opinion Associate Editors Philippine Adelle Chua Editor recommendations will be endorsed are allegedly part of the powerful mafi a. M. Valmorida Circulation Manager investigated both Houses of the 18th nally be brought to justice. Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard numbers 832-5556, (connecting all and somePañares of the people all the OVER theSantos years, the Philippine tourism in- priority shou Baldwin R. Felipe Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal 832-5558 Re Building, 106 Paseowhere de Lino M. Chief Photographer Nationalthe Association Joyce Pangco News Editor as heThe enjoys trust and confidence of (IRM) are illegal,Head—Ad similar Solutions to the Wellness of the time This832-5554, is(Editorial) certainly one case Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de P.O. theMEMBER Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Our House departments), 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. MEMBER of Philippine Newspapers Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone to Department of Justice (DOJ) Sec- Edgar Senator lo racket. Lacson said the time, Congress. dustry has grown bythem’ leaps and bounds. In form of loan It’s but the you endAdelle of the road forthe the dreaded cannot fool all people all G. Estabillo Philippine Press Institute Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.strong Telephone Opinion Editor ‘Kill Ombudsman must come on President Duterte. Clinic ghostPanfi dialysis Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. as it M. Circulation Manager Rolando Publisher Philippine Press Institute Chairman Emeritus, Board numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all Adelle Chua ChuaEmil P. Jurado Opinion Editor Edgar M.Valmorida Valmorida Circulation Manager 2019, Editorial the industry posted an all-time high es, rather th The National Association numbers 832-5556, 832-5558and (connecting Senate committee of the whole may retary Menardo Guevarra for fi ling of Extravagant partying pillaging manilastandard.net the time.” PhilHealth mafi a. The National Association departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. of Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser did in 832-5554, ordering motu propio theall prevenApparently, the enormous irregularThorrsson Keith, resigned anti-fraud of Philippine Newspapers of 8.2 million international visitor arrivals, lumped toge ManilaStandard

2Q GDP decline probably more than 16.5% 2Q GDP decline probably more than 16.5% 2Q GDP decline probably more than 16.5% Can mount a stronger Anatomy of a fa 2Q women GDP decline probably more than 16.5% Covid-19 immune response? pandemic respo

You can’t fool all people all the time You can’t fool all people all the time You can’t fool all people all the time the road You can’tThe foolend all of people all the time

MORE MORE OPINION OPINION ONLINE MORE ONLINE OPINION MORE ONLINE OPINION ONLINE

House: Infrastru will revive tou

departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net manilastandard.net Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Published Monday to Sunday Philippine Manila Standard Box 2933, Manila Central Post by Office, Manila. Website: www. Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de manilastandard.net Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net manilastandard.net

PPI PPI ONLINE

can be accessed at: of Philippine Newspapers manilastandard.net

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ONLINE ONLINE MEMBER MEMBER

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Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Former Reynato S. Edgar M. Valmorida FormerChief ChiefJustice Justice Reynato S.Puno Puno Anita AnitaF.F.Grefal Grefal Baldwin BaldwinR. R.Felipe Felipe Edgar EdgarM. M.Valmorida Valmorida

Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Board & Circulation Manager BoardMember Member &Chief ChiefLegal LegalAdviser Adviser Treasury TreasuryManager Manager Head—Ad Head—AdSolutions Solutions Circulation CirculationManager Manager

HonorEditorial Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Emil Jurado Chairman Board or one Editorial million more than it registered in Emil P. P.Associate Jurado Editors Chairman Emeritus, Emeritus, Board Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano 2018. The tourist influx last year contributRolando Publisher Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor ed $9.31 billion or P482.15 billion in visitor RolandoG. G.Estabillo Estabillo Publisher receipts, or 20.81 percent higher than the Adelle Chua Opinion Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor 2018 figure of $7.71 billion. Jimbo Owen Gulle City Chin Associate Editors With the coronavirus this year, Jimbo Owen Gulle outbreak CityEditor Editor ChinWong/Ray Wong/RayS. S.Eñano Eñano AssociateChairman Editors Emeritus, Emil P. Jurado Editorial Board Lino Chief however, the National Tourism DevelopJoyce LinoM. M.Santos Santos ChiefPhotographer Photographer JoycePangco PangcoPañares Pañares News NewsEditor Editor ment Plan of the government will have to Adelle Opinion AdelleChua Chua OpinionEditor Editor revise its projection of 12 million international visitor arrivals and 89 million domes-

Emil Editorial Board tic tourists by 2022 as the tourism industry EmilP. P.Jurado Jurado Chairman ChairmanEmeritus, Emeritus, Editorial Board

has been one of the most badly affected sectors. Even before COVID-19, the consistent growth of the tourism industry had its downside: Overcrowding in popular destinations, run-down facilities, and environ-

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Manila

Standard

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY

CIRCULAR

Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines TODAY COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

CIRCULAR

SUBJECT

All Heads of Departments, Bureaus, Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities of the National Government, Heads of the Local Government Units, Managing Heads of Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporations, including its subsidiaries, State Universities and Colleges, COA Assistant Commissioners, COA Directors, COA Auditors, and All Others Concerned Establishing the Criteria to Determine the Actionability of Complaints, Information of Fraud, Requests for Audit and Other Cases Alleging Fraudulent or Anomalous Government Transactions, and the Manner of Filing Thereof Before the Commission on Audit

RATIONALE 1.1

Section 2[2], Article IX-D of the 1987 Philippine Constitution vests in the Commission on Audit (COA) the exclusive authority to, among others and subject to limitations, promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations, including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties.

1.2

In line with this mandate and in furtherance of good governance and for the promotion of transparency and accountability in all government transactions, COA has encouraged the public to report fraudulent or anomalous government transactions through the COA Citizens Desk or by filing complaints and/or requests for fraud audit.

1.3

COA has received and is continually receiving an increasing number of complaints, requests for fraud audit, or information of fraud, some of which have been or may be found to contain unverifiable allegations, involve insignificant amounts, nonauditable issues, or those beyond the jurisdiction of the COA.

1.4

This Circular establishes the criteria or conditions that will be used to determine the actionability of all information/ complaints/ requests or other cases received by this Commission.

SCOPE This Circular establishes the criteria in determining the actionability of information of fraud, requests for fraud audit, and complaints alleging fraud or anomaly in the use of public funds or property obtained by or filed before the COA, including cases referred by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) and other government agencies, and the manner of filing thereof by the public.

FILING OF COMPLAINTS OR REQUESTS FOR FRAUD AUDITS 3.1

Any person who has knowledge that the transactions of, or the projects/programs/activities implemented by any government agency is tainted with fraud or anomaly, or that public officials or employees have committed or are committing fraud or anomaly in transactions involving disbursement or receipt/collection of public funds or use of government properties and other government transactions, may file a written information, complaint or request for fraud audit before the Fraud Audit Office (FAO) at the COA Central Office for agencies located in the National Capital Region (NCR) or the Office of the COA Regional Directors for agencies located in the regions, either personally or through mail. They may also send the same to the COA Citizens Desk Reporting System at https://cdrs.coa.gov.ph.

3.2

Any government agency, including the Office of the OmbudsmanMB, before whom the complaints or cases were originally filed, shall refer the same to the FAO for government agencies in the NCR or COA Regional Offices for government agencies in the regions.

3.3

Fraud refers to an act of deceit, trickery, concealment or breach of confidence used to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage; an unlawful interaction between two entities where one party intentionally deceives the other through means of false representation in order to gain illicit and unjust advantage.It refers to all kinds of deception - whether through insidious machination, manipulation, concealment or misrepresentation - that would lead an ordinarily prudent person into error after taking the circumstances into account.

3.4

Complaint, information of fraud, request for fraud audit or those referred by other government agencies, which are herein collectively referred to as cases, refer to written statements of any person who has knowledge that the transactions of, or the projects/ programs/activities implemented by any government agency is tainted with fraud or anomaly, or that public officials or employees have committed or are committing fraud or anomaly in transactions involving disbursement or receipt/collection of public funds or use of government properties and other government transactions.

REQUISITES FOR ACTIONABLE CASES 4.1

No. : 2020 - 009 Date : April 21, 2020

TRUMP DARES BIDEN: TO

No. : 2020 - 005 Date: JAN. 31, 2020 :

Cases are actionable provided that the following requisites are complied: a.

They must be in writing, whether on paper or in electronic form;

They must allege fraudulent or anomalous disbursement or receipt/collection of public funds and/or use of government property;

The transaction/s or account/s involved must be described with sufficient particularity, such as but not limited to: the name of the projects/programs/activities; amount involved; location in case of infrastructure projects; year the transaction transpired or project was implemented; name of the person/s involved, if known; the government agency involved; or such other verifiable information/details as shown from documents which must be attached, if available; and

They must not merely solicit a general audit of all transactions of the agency complained of.

4.3

The Commission shall refer to appropriate government agencies allegations of violation of laws, rules and regulations, or act/s complained of that are not within its jurisdiction, such as land disputes involving ownership/boundaries, personnel actions, administrative complaints against agency personnel, lifestyle checks, and the likes.

REPEALING CLAUSE Any provision of COA issuances inconsistent with any provisions of this Circular are hereby modified, amended or repealed accordingly.

2. To ensure that the aids and donations received by the recipient Taj Mohammed during the quarantineare properly accounted for, the Kamran (center),agencies recipient agencies shall be required to submit a Summary/ who was shotList of Donations Received, Distributed and Balances. The several times inSummary/List should be categorized (i.e. food, medical supplies, medicines, etc...) and can be submitted within ten (10) the leg and stillworking days after the end of the quarantine, or if the quarantine requires walkingexceedsthree (3) months, within ten (10) working days after the aids, and membersend of each quarter,supported with: of the public(1) acknowledgement receipts of the donations in-kind; (2) proof of receipt by and distribution to the beneficiaries, not react after the necessarily in the required form; and judgement and(3) inventory of remaining undistributed items, if any. the last day of3.theThe costing and recording of the donations will be done after the sentencing hearingquarantine and only the remaining balances shall be costed and recorded in the books or in the registries. for Australian b) Reporting Guidelines white supremacist Brenton Tarrant 1. In lieu of the monthly report, the concerned agencies shall in Christchurchsubmit a one- time report, separately for cash donations and in-kind donations, within ten (10) working days after the end on August 27,of the quarantineto the National Disaster Risk Reduction and 2020. Tarrant,Management Council (NDRRMC), through the Office of the Civil (OCD), copy furnished the respective COA Auditors. who murderedDefense However, if the quarantine exceedsthree (3) months, the report 51 Muslims in lastshall be submitted within ten (10) working days after the end of year’s New Zealandeach quarter. 2. The OCD shall consolidate the report and submit the consolidated mosques shooting to the NDRRMC within fifteen (15) working days after the was sentenced toreport end of the quarantine or after the end of each quarter, if the life in prison withquarantine exceeds three(3) months, copy furnished the Auditor the OCD. The consolidated report shall be included in the no parole. AFPof annual report being prepared by the OCD. 2.

This Circular shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

f) A validation on the sufficiency and integrity of the implemented controls to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability shall be undertaken by the information technology auditors of the Commission. Among the areas to be reviewed during the audit engagement are as follows: (i) The preservation of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Proper controls should be in place with respect to the data and information in the electronic tracking platform, especially those related to cash receipts and disbursements, to ensure the data and information is not subject to manipulation. If the data contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined in Republic ActNo. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act, such as when personal information is obtained from beneficiaries, such information should only be accessible to those authorized under the law. Subject to the proper controls, the data and information processed and produced by the system should also be available for use anytime by the recipient agency. (ii) The reasonable level of control over the input, processing, and output of information. The recipient agency should have appropriate review processes such as, for example, supervisory review and random manual audit, to ensure accuracy of the data and information encoded and to compensate for the limitations of the electronic tracking platform, if any. (iii) The traceability by presenting adequate information that can establish the events that transpired during the quarantine period. The electronic tracking platform should provide at a minimum information as to where the funds came from, how much was spent, where was it spent, what was it spent for, when was it spent and who were the recipients. For beneficiary tracking systems, minimum information would refer to who received the aid, what did was received (cash or in kind), where they received the aid from (LGU, DSWD, etc.), when did they receive the aid, and how much was received. For cash and banking transactions, the minimum information refers to the check numbers and dates, the receipt numbers and dates, and names of the payor/s and payees.

III. EFFECTIVITY

Sorting, recording, and inventory of relief goods

The recording of donations in kind before repacking and distribution is put on hold during the quarantine and that only the remaining balance at the end of the quarantineshall be costed and recorded in the books or in the registries. The Auditors shall be guided by the above provisions onthe “donations in kind from local and non-Muslims Brenton Tarrant, and foreign sources” and theAustralian required reports in accounting and auditing donationsoutreceived, andkilling balancesspree duringatthe sang together 29,distributed began his Al period of the quarantine.

MUSLIMS cheered and side a New Zealand court Thurs- Noor before moving to a second Release of the goods directly to the intended beneficiaries day as theb) white supremacist mosque in suburban Linwood Subject to the orders from the Office of the President, the who unleashedagencies carnage at twothe responsibility while Muslims were at Friday may transfer to distribute the goods to the local government based on on the validated affected mosques was jailed for life, units(LGUs), with prayers March 15 list lastof year. one survivor saying he will be He murdered 51 people that able to sleep at night again. day, and at the end of a four“What we have seen today is day hearing, he became the first the justice that we hoped (for),” person in New Zealand to be said Gamal Fouda, imam of sentenced to life imprisonment Christchurch’s Al Noor mosque, without parole. Afghan refugee Taj Kamran, as well-wishers handed flowers to the survivors and bereaved who was shot several times in family members emerging from the leg and still requires walking aids, leaned against a fence as he the Christchurch High Court. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON AUDIT Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines CIRCULAR

No: 2020-004 Date: JAN. 31, 2020

All Heads of Local Government Units and All Others Concerned

Subject

Prescribing the Government Accounting Manual for Local Government Units

The Government Accounting Manual (GAM) is composed of three volumes, namely: Volume I – The Accounting Policies It shows the basic features and policies, the local government accounting plan, discussion on the accounting of the major types of transactions, the illustrative accounting entries, the financial statements and other related records. Volume II – The Accounting Books, Registries, Records, Forms and Reports It contains the various formats of the journals and ledgers, registries, records, reports and forms including instructions on their use.

It includes the list of accounts and the definitions/descriptions of each account. 3.0 Saving Clause Cases not covered by this Circular shall be referred to this Commission for resolution. 4.0 Repealing Clause

Likewise, all other circulars, orders, memoranda and existing rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Manual are hereby amended/modified/revoked accordingly.

This Circular shall take effect immediately.

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson

ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner

JOSE A. FABIA Commissioner

Note:

(MS-AUG. 28, 2020

Cheers, flowers as NZ mosque gunman jailed for life a)

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson

SSS/FAO ABJ/BRS

certify as to the accuracy and correctness of the content of the report. To improve the authenticity and integrity of the report, the signatory to the report may affix his/her electronic signature using the digital certificate given by the Department of Information and Communication Technology in relation to the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program.

The application of certain provisions of Item VI, Specific Guidelines, Nos. 19 and 34 is relaxed as follows:

5.0 Effectivity Clause

JOSE A. FABIA Commissioner

b) The electronic tracking platform should be able to generate an audit trail on the processing of the transactions, including the authorization or approval process.

COA Memorandum No. 2014-009

This Manual replaces the Manual on the New Government Accounting System for use in Local Government Units, prescribed under COA Circular No. 2002-003 dated June 20, 2002.

EFFECTIVITY

The recording of donations in kind before repacking and distribution is put on hold during the quarantine. The acknowledgement of the donations in-kind and accounting of Al Noor mosquedistribution and balances by the recipient agencies will suffice shooting survivorduring this period.

Volume III – The Chart of Accounts

GUIDELINES IN TAKING ACTION ON CASES

a) The recipient agencies must ensure that these electronic tracking platforms have the facility to record data on receipts and disbursements as well as distributions of donations in-kind in the appropriate ledgers and registries and at the very least, the minimum data needed to display the ledgers and registries are available in the electronic tracking platform.

2.0 The Manual

The Commission Proper may direct the conduct of fraud audit of a transaction or projects/programs/activities, in the exercise of its discretion.

quarantine in this Circular shall mean the particular quarantine in the area electronically produced acknowledgment pos- in-kind, Penceanwas the keynote speaker in a parade Trump saidtheingovernment an interview with the Wash- 2016, at the peak of the presidential race,donations where agency is located. receipt or similar document automatically generated by the system iting that then-opponent Hillary Clinton had of Trump acolytes who sought to uplift the shall also be accepted. ington Examiner that he was intrigued by II. GUIDELINES taken drugs. president as an economic virtuoso and chamBiden’s improved performance during the e) d) If the utilization or distribution of the cash donation is done 1. COA Circular No. 2014-002 “I think we should take a drug testelectronically prior pion conservative and pro-life values, law (e.g.oftransfer to bank account, cash card, e-wallet, Democratic primary. online transaction), the and bankcivil statement/transaction receipt/ to the debate,” he said during a rally in New enforcement rights. The implementation the test,” provisions under Item IV - C, Accounting “We’re going to call for a ofdrug Trump transaction reference shall be the basis of proof and recording. An Guidelines: In-kind Donations from Local and Foreign Sources; and Item V - A Hampshire. alsoinvoice spokereceipt of dark forces document intent on electronically They produced or similar said, expressing surprise at the former vice presiand B, Reporting Guidelines: DRRMF sourced from GAA and Cash Donations, automatically generated by the system shall also be acceptable. “I don’t know what’s going on with her. But ending the American dream and said losing to and In-kind Donations is relaxed as follows: dent’s bearing during the last debate against Verf) was e) Recipient agencies may submit electronically generated at the beginning of her last debate – she all their Democratic rivals is not an option.reports AFP Donations in-kind local and foreign sources mont senatora)Bernie Sanders infrom March. through e-mail provided that the agency`s authorized officer shall

The transaction/issue has been verified to have already been investigated by the OMB or other competent authority and a Notice of Disallowance/Charge/Suspension was already issued by the Audit Team.

4.5

Recipient agencies may use an electronic tracking platformto facilitate recording, monitoring, and utilization of donations, whether in cash or in kind. For this purpose, the following guidelines shall be observed when electronic tracking platforms are used to account, record, and report during the period of quarantine:

S president Donald Trump said he will call for a “drug test” for himself and Joe Biden before the first presidential debate, but did not offer any evidence incompetent, and against Bernie, he was nor- For his part, Trump’s vice president Mike For purposes of this Circular, a “quarantine” may refer to the Enhanced d) does Forthat donations madewarned directly tovoters the recipient bank account, mal,”quarantine, Trump continued. “I say, ‘How Pence they agency’s “won’t be safe in Joe Quarantineabout (ECQ), or his a general community and any the credit memo or bank statement shall serve as proof of receipt. for hisCommunity suspicions form of quarantine directly due to the COVID-19 outbreak as recognized in happen?’” and cast the president For other Biden’s donations America” transferred – electronically to an electronicas Proclamationopponent. No. 929, dated March 16, 2020, declaring a State of Calamity wallet(e.g. Landbank IAcess, Gcash, Peso Net, Insta Pay), the Democratic Trumpreference made similar remarks in the fall of their protector against “radical” left. For throughout the Philippines.Except as otherwise provided, to a transaction reference will be the basis the of proof and recording.

Documents or any form of evidence pertinent to the transactions or projects/programs/activities complained of may be provided by the complainant/requester in support of the allegations.

As the nation faces difficult times due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus c) c) For cash donations, electronic receipts or records as proof Disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is a need for theCommission to support the Thecitizens president has no concrete evidence to pumped at theofficial beginning, the end of receipt, in lieu of up traditional receipts,and will at comply with it efforts of the government in providingthe needs of the and health the tell requirements of ‘Oh, COA take Circular No. 2014-002 and COA workers during the period of theState of Calamity support declared in Proclamation his claims, but, he said, “all I can was like, me down.’ She could bareMemorandum No. 2014-009, provided that the electronic tracking No. 929 last March 16, 2020. Distribution of various donations in-kind and youprivate is thatorganizations I’m pretty good at this stuff.” platform can ly reach he added, mockingly. provideher thecar,” minimum data content to reflect the relief goods received by government agencies from transaction such as but not limited to the following: or individuals should not be unnecessarily delayed on account of the rules “I watched him in the debates with all of the The first debate between Trump and Biden contained in the above-mentionedCOAissuances. Thus, there isa need to date of receipt of theSeptember donation; 29. The two subsedifferent Trump said, referring (i) to thethe is scheduled for temporarily relax the application of certain provisions thereoninpeople,” areas subject (ii) the name of donor; to a quarantine in so far as receipt, recording, distribution, reporting and other Democratic presidential hopefuls. quent ones will take place on October 15 and (iii) the nature of donation; direct release of donations in-kind and relief goods to the beneficiaries are (iv) notthe 22. amount or volumeof the donation; and concerned during this period, without necessarily disregarding Biden basic was controls “close to incompetent, if (v) the reference number, if applicable. to ensure that the donations are properly accounted for.

In line with COA Resolution No. 2014-003 dated January 24, 2014 prescribing the adoption of the Philippine Public Sector Accounting Standards (PPSAS), this Manual is prescribed to ensure the proper accounting of all financial transactions of the Local Governments following the PPSAS.

4.4

All other provisions of COA Circular No. 2014-002, and COA Memorandum CYAN YELLOW BLACK No. 2014-009 which areMAGENTA necessary controls to ensure that all donations, be it in cash or in-kind, are accounted for shall remain in effect.

RATIONALE

They involve transactions that have been the subject of a duly issued/released investigation report, or of an ongoing audit investigation of the FAO and Fraud Audit Services of the COA Regional Offices.

The guidelines prescribing the rules of procedure shall be issued to implement this Circular. 6.

Temporary relaxation in the application of certain provisions of COA Circular No. 2014-002 dated April 15, 2014 and COA Memorandum No.2014-009 dated August 28, 2014 in areas subject to quarantine during the period of theState of Calamity declared under Proclamation No., 929, dated March 16, 2020

The transactions have transpired more than 10 years ago at the time of filing the case.

Drug test before debates U SUBJECT

1.0 Purpose

Cases shall be dismissed if:

All Heads of Departments, Bureaus/Offices and Local Government Units; Chiefs of Financial and Management Services, Chief Accountants,Cashiers, Disbursing Officers, and Budget Officers; AssistantCommissioners, Directors and State Auditors of the Commission on Audit(COA); and All Others Concerned

Cases found actionable based on these requisites shall be further verified/evaluated by concerned COA officials or employees. 4.2

World

families. During the quarantine, the goods need not be released by the agency directly to the intended beneficiaries, but it may be done through the LGUs, particularly if the concerned agencies lack the resources or facilities to do so.

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON AUDIT Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner

Volumes I to III of the Government Accounting Manual may be accessed in the COA Website @ www.coa.gov.ph (MS-AUG. 28, 2020)

This Circular is effective immediately upon publication. Unless sooner revoked or amended by the Commission, this Circular shall remain in effect for the duration of the period of the State of Calamity under Proclamation No. 929,.

raised his arms in joy. Abdul Aziz, who chased the “Tonight I will beMICHAEL able G. toAGUINALDO gunman from the Linwood sleep,” he said. “I could not sleep mosque, said the sentence was Chairperson after the shooting, I cried a lot.” “what he deserved to get and ROLAND Despite the sentence, the strict-C. PONDOC what we deserved to get. We can Commissioner est possible under New Zealand move on with our lives.” law, Fouda said the loss inflicted And Haminah Tuyan, whose by Tarrant was irreversible. husband was killed by Tarrant, “No punishment is going to said she was “relieved and at bring our loved ones back and peace” and was going home to our sadness will continue for the pray. rest of our lives,” he said. “In our religion, after someSome survivors and family thing like this we put our foremembers of victims described head on the ground and on the feeling relief, and the hope for floor and we thank Allah prosome closure. fusely,” she added. AFP (MS-AUG. 28, 2020)

‘Monster’ Hurricane Laura makes landfall in Louisiana

LAURA made landfall in Louisiana Thursday as a category 4 hurricane, US weather officials said. “Extremely dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Laura makes landfall near Cameron Louisiana,” the National Hurricane Center said in an update at 1:00 am local time (0600 GMT). “Catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding occurring in portions of Louisiana,” the update said, adding maximum sustained winds were 240 kilometers per hour. The hurricane has prompted warnings of “unsurvivable” storm surge and evacuation orders for hundreds of thousands of Gulf Coast residents. Laura earlier strengthened almost to Category 5, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale and defined as sustained winds of 157 miles per hour or higher. Earlier, Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that Laura’s power was “unprecedented” and urged citizens to “get out of harm’s way.” “Your property can be replaced,” Abbott said. “Your life cannot be replaced.” AFP

Charlie Hebdo suspects on trial FOURTEEN alleged accomplices in the 2015 jihadist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly and a Jewish supermarket go on trial next Wednesday, more than half-a-decade after days of bloodshed that still shock France. The attacks heralded a wave of Islamist violence that has left 258 people dead and raised unsettling questions about modern France’s ability to preserve security and harmony for a multicultural society. Twelve people, including some of France’s most celebrated cartoonists, were killed on January 7, 2015, when brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi went on a gun rampage at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, whose no-taboo style, including hugely controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed,

had divided the country. A day later, Amedy Coulibaly, a close acquaintance of Cherif Kouachi who he had met in prison, killed female police officer Clarissa Jean-Philippe, 27, during a routine traffic check in Montrouge, outside Paris. On January 9, Coulibaly killed four men, all Jews, during a hostage-taking at the Hyper Cacher supermarket in the east of Paris. He recorded a video saying the attacks were coordinated and claiming them in the name of Islamic State (IS) jihadists. Coulibaly was killed when police stormed the supermarket. The Kouachi brothers were themselves killed in the printers where they holed up in Dammartin-en-Goele northeast of Paris. AFP

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market closes flat; SM climbs T

HE stock market closed nearly flat Tuesday in mixed trading, with geopolitical concerns returning after Beijing fired missiles into the South China Sea and the US sanctioned several Chinese firms linked to the disputed region.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index shed 9.78 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,921.55 on a value turnover of P17.4 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 98 to 86, with 57 issues unchanged. SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group fell 1.6 percent to P873, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator and owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., declined 1.4 percent to P105.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, however, advanced 4.3 percent to P65.70, while major cement producer Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. surged 11 percent to P1.51. Th rest of Asian markets were mixed Thursday ahead of a key policy speech by Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell. A fourth successive record on Wall Street was not enough to stoke a rally in Asia, with a fresh flare-up in virus cases in the region keeping dealers grounded. The mood in Asia was more downbeat compared with earlier in the week with Bloomberg News reporting China had fired four ballistic missiles as part of a military exercise by the People’s Liberation Army, a day after a US spy plane carried out a flyover. The region is one of a number of issues that have seen China-US tensions spike in recent months. In July, Washington declared Beijing’s pursuit of terri-

PSEi August 27, 2020 TOP GAINERS

tory and resources there illegal, explicitly backing the territorial claims of Southeast Asian countries against China. And on Wednesday it imposed sanctions and restrictions on 24 Chinese companies and associated officials for taking part in building artificial islands in the disputed waters. The US Commerce Department said the firms “enabled China to construct and militarize disputed outposts in the South China Sea.” Hong Kong lost 0.8 percent with HSBC taking a hit after being slammed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over reports it had frozen access to credit card and bank accounts for executives of independent media group Next Media. Tokyo lost 0.4 percent and Seoul retreated more than one percent while Taipei and Singapore and were also in the red. With AFP

TOP LOSERS

OUTSIDE TABLES.

Customers eat lunch at the outside tables of a restaurant in the chinatown area of Soho in London on August 26, 2020, as businesses in the busy London area try to keep working despite the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Britain’s economy shrank by one fifth in the second quarter, more than any European neighbor, as the lockdown plunged the country into its deepest recession on record and tourists remain reluctant to visit because Britain is the European country worst hit by the coronavirus. AFP

Aerospace giant Rolls-Royce posted $7.1b-loss in first half LONDON, United Kingdom—British aerospace giant Rolls-Royce on Thursday logged a vast net loss for the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak grounded aircraft worldwide and sparked a crisis in air transport. Rolls, which operates in the air, defense and energy sectors, posted a net loss of £5.4 billion ($7.1 billion, 6.0 billion euros) in the six months to June. It also unveiled a £2.0-billion asset disposal program as part of its ongoing overhaul. The dire first-half performance compared with a year-earlier loss of £909 million, it added in a results statement. The company, whose products power Airbus and Boeing aircraft, has also ramped up its cash holdings to help navigate the damaging fallout from the ongoing global health emergency. “The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected our 2020 performance, with an unprecedented impact on the civil aviation sector with flights grounded across the world,” chief executive Warren East said in the earnings release. “We have responded rapidly to increase our liquidity, with £6.1 billion at the end of H1 and a further £2.0-billion term loan agreed in H2, to help weather the continued uncertainty around the timing and shape of the recovery in the civil aviation sector.”We have made significant progress with our restructuring, which includes the largest reorganization of our civil aerospace business in our history.” Rolls-Royce has been hit hard by the pandemic grounding passenger planes worldwide and causing airlines to cuts thousands of jobs and slash costs. Rolls is also doing the same, announcing in May that it was shedding 9,000 jobs, or 17 percent of its global workforce. AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

CIRCULAR

No. : 2020 - 009 Date : April 21, 2020

SUBJECT

As the nation faces difficult times due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is a need for theCommission to support the efforts of the government in providingthe needs of the citizens and health workers during the period of theState of Calamity declared in Proclamation No. 929 last March 16, 2020. Distribution of various donations in-kind and relief goods received by government agencies from private organizations or individuals should not be unnecessarily delayed on account of the rules contained in the above-mentionedCOAissuances. Thus, there isa need to temporarily relax the application of certain provisions thereonin areas subject to a quarantine in so far as receipt, recording, distribution, reporting and direct release of donations in-kind and relief goods to the beneficiaries are concerned during this period, without necessarily disregarding basic controls to ensure that the donations are properly accounted for. For purposes of this Circular, a “quarantine” may refer to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), or a general community quarantine, and any form of quarantine directly due to the COVID-19 outbreak as recognized in Proclamation No. 929, dated March 16, 2020, declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines.Except as otherwise provided, reference to a quarantine in this Circular shall mean the particular quarantine in the area where the government agency is located. II.

All other provisions of COA Circular No. 2014-002, and COA Memorandum No. 2014-009 which are necessary controls to ensure that all donations, be it in cash or in-kind, are accounted for shall remain in effect.

b) The electronic tracking platform should be able to generate an audit trail on the processing of the transactions, including the authorization or approval process.

c) For cash donations, electronic receipts or records as proof of receipt, in lieu of traditional official receipts, will comply with the requirements of COA Circular No. 2014-002 and COA Memorandum No. 2014-009, provided that the electronic tracking platform can provide the minimum data content to reflect the transaction such as but not limited to the following:

RATIONALE

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

COA Circular No. 2014-002

For donations made directly to the recipient agency’s bank account, the credit memo or bank statement shall serve as proof of receipt. For other donations transferred electronically to an electronic wallet(e.g. Landbank IAcess, Gcash, Peso Net, Insta Pay), the transaction reference will be the basis of proof and recording. For donations in-kind, an electronically produced acknowledgment receipt or similar document automatically generated by the system shall also be accepted.

d) If the utilization or distribution of the cash donation is done electronically (e.g. transfer to bank account, cash card, e-wallet, online transaction), the bank statement/transaction receipt/ transaction reference shall be the basis of proof and recording. An electronically produced invoice receipt or similar document automatically generated by the system shall also be acceptable.

e) Recipient agencies may submit electronically generated reports through e-mail provided that the agency`s authorized officer shall certify as to the accuracy and correctness of the content of the report. To improve the authenticity and integrity of the report, the signatory to the report may affix his/her electronic signature using the digital certificate given by the Department of Information and Communication Technology in relation to the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program.

The implementation of the provisions under Item IV - C, Accounting Guidelines: In-kind Donations from Local and Foreign Sources; and Item V - A and B, Reporting Guidelines: DRRMF sourced from GAA and Cash Donations, and In-kind Donations is relaxed as follows: a)

Donations in-kind from local and foreign sources 1.

The recording of donations in kind before repacking and distribution is put on hold during the quarantine. The acknowledgement of the donations in-kind and accounting of distribution and balances by the recipient agencies will suffice during this period.

To ensure that the aids and donations received by the recipient agencies during the quarantineare properly accounted for, the recipient agencies shall be required to submit a Summary/ List of Donations Received, Distributed and Balances. The Summary/List should be categorized (i.e. food, medical supplies, medicines, etc...) and can be submitted within ten (10) working days after the end of the quarantine, or if the quarantine exceedsthree (3) months, within ten (10) working days after the end of each quarter,supported with:

(i) The preservation of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Proper controls should be in place with respect to the data and information in the electronic tracking platform, especially those related to cash receipts and disbursements, to ensure the data and information is not subject to manipulation. If the data contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined in Republic ActNo. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act, such as when personal information is obtained from beneficiaries, such information should only be accessible to those authorized under the law. Subject to the proper controls, the data and information processed and produced by the system should also be available for use anytime by the recipient agency.

(1) acknowledgement receipts of the donations in-kind; (2) proof of receipt by and distribution to the beneficiaries, not necessarily in the required form; and (3) inventory of remaining undistributed items, if any. 3.

The costing and recording of the donations will be done after the quarantine and only the remaining balances shall be costed and recorded in the books or in the registries.

Reporting Guidelines 1.

(ii) The reasonable level of control over the input, processing, and output of information. The recipient agency should have appropriate review processes such as, for example, supervisory review and random manual audit, to ensure accuracy of the data and information encoded and to compensate for the limitations of the electronic tracking platform, if any.

In lieu of the monthly report, the concerned agencies shall submit a one- time report, separately for cash donations and in-kind donations, within ten (10) working days after the end of the quarantineto the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), through the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), copy furnished the respective COA Auditors. However, if the quarantine exceedsthree (3) months, the report shall be submitted within ten (10) working days after the end of each quarter.

(iii) The traceability by presenting adequate information that can establish the events that transpired during the quarantine period. The electronic tracking platform should provide at a minimum information as to where the funds came from, how much was spent, where was it spent, what was it spent for, when was it spent and who were the recipients. For beneficiary tracking systems, minimum information would refer to who received the aid, what did was received (cash or in kind), where they received the aid from (LGU, DSWD, etc.), when did they receive the aid, and how much was received. For cash and banking transactions, the minimum information refers to the check numbers and dates, the receipt numbers and dates, and names of the payor/s and payees.

The OCD shall consolidate the report and submit the consolidated report to the NDRRMC within fifteen (15) working days after the end of the quarantine or after the end of each quarter, if the quarantine exceeds three(3) months, copy furnished the Auditor of the OCD. The consolidated report shall be included in the annual report being prepared by the OCD.

COA Memorandum No. 2014-009 The application of certain provisions of Item VI, Specific Guidelines, Nos. 19 and 34 is relaxed as follows: a)

Sorting, recording, and inventory of relief goods The recording of donations in kind before repacking and distribution is put on hold during the quarantine and that only the remaining balance at the end of the quarantineshall be costed and recorded in the books or in the registries. The Auditors shall be guided by the above provisions onthe “donations in kind from local and foreign sources” and the required reports in accounting and auditing donations received, distributed and balances during the period of the quarantine.

Release of the goods directly to the intended beneficiaries Subject to the orders from the Office of the President, the agencies may transfer the responsibility to distribute the goods to the local government units(LGUs), based on the validated list of affected

the date of receipt of the donation; the name of donor; the nature of donation; the amount or volumeof the donation; and the reference number, if applicable.

GUIDELINES 1.

South Korea’s central bank sees economy shrinking 1.3% in 2020 SEOUL—South Korea’s central bank slashed its growth forecast Thursday, predicting the world’s 12th-largest economy will shrink more than one percent this year as it braces for a surge of coronavirus infections. The country had been largely returning to normal after mostly bringing its outbreak under control, but multiple cluster infections in recent days have raised fresh fears over a nationwide pandemic. And its trade-dependent economy has been battered by the impact of the virus on the rest of the world. The economy is now expected to shrink 1.3 percent in 2020, the Bank of Korea said, its second downward revision in four months having lowered its outlook in May to a 0.2 percent contraction, from an earlier forecast of 2.1 percent growth. “The recovery of domestic economic growth is likely to be slower than previously forecast, largely due to the domestic resurgence of COVID-19,” the bank said in a statement. “Uncertainties around the future path of GDP growth are also judged to be very high,” it added. The latest figure would represent the worst performance since 1998, when the economy shrank 5.1 percent in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis. The latest projection came as South Korean authorities battle several new coronavirus clusters—mostly linked to Protestant churches—reporting 441 new infections on Thursday, the latest in a series of nearsix-month highs. Even so the OECD club of developed economies is predicting the South will record the best—or least bad—economic performance among its 37 members in 2020. The Bank of Korea left its key interest rate unchanged at a record low of 0.5 percent, citing economic fallout from the pandemic. AFP

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON AUDIT Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

MOST ACTIVE

III. EFFECTIVITY This Circular is effective immediately upon publication. Unless sooner revoked or amended by the Commission, this Circular shall remain in effect for the duration of the period of the State of Calamity under Proclamation No. 929,.

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner (MS-AUG. 28, 2020)

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

B4 FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

Business

Regulator slaps Meralco with P19-m penalty

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission imposed a P19-million fine on Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor, for allegedly violating the advisories the agency issued during the community quarantine period from March to July. It said in a decision dated Aug. 20 Meralco failed to clearly indicate that the bills were estimated and failed to comply with the mandated installment payment arrangement. The agency said based on its evaluation, Meralco incurred a total number of 190 days of violation. Meralco head of regulatory management Jose Valles said the company would study the order and “file the appropriate pleading after consultation with our lawyers.” The ERC also directed Meralco to set to zero the distribution, supply and metering charges of lifeline consumers whose monthly energy consumption does not exceed 100 kilowatt-hours for one month effective the next billing cycle immediately upon receipt of the subject ERC decision. It said the retail rate discount would provide temporary economic relief to more than two million lifeline consumers and their family members for at least a month. The DSM comprised 22.4 percent of the total retail rate. The total discount to be provided to all lifeline consumers was estimated to be around P200 million, which should not be charged to the non-lifeline consumers. “Meralco’s neglect to provide accurate and timely information especially during this time of pandemic has created chaos and confusion to most of the electricity consuming public. The commission issued the relevant advisories with the intention of alleviating the financial burden of the electricity consumers who were mostly adversely affected by the community quarantine measures implemented by the government. This serious neglect by Meralco resulted to a multitude of complaints filed by its consumers to this Commission,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said.

PAFMI importing 81,000 MT of feed wheat to augment local requirement THE Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. said Thursday it will import 81,000 metric tons of feed wheat for delivery in two shipments this year. PAFMI said the first shipment of 37,000 MT of Black Sea feed wheat will arrive in September and the second shipment of 44,200 MT of Australian feed wheat is set for delivery by December. Feed millers have to import feed wheat due to the high price of local corn which traders are quoting at P17 to P17.50 per kilogram in Bulacan province, according to PAFMI president Nicole SarmientoGarcia. Feed millers and local hog and poultry raisers said the local traders’ prices were too high, considering that the ex-farm price of yellow corn was only P12.77 per kilo. Garcia said local traders had cornered the local corn supply and priced it beyond the cost that would enable feed millers and hog and poultry farmers to produce animal feeds at competitive costs. Corn comprises 60 percent of the ingredients for the production of animal feeds. The cost of feeds, meanwhile, takes up 80 percent of the cost of meat and chicken production. PAFMI said it is working with the Department of Agriculture to increase corn production which fell short of the feed milling sector’s requirements. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the country produced 8 million MT of corn in 2019, with 25 percent or 2 million MMT going to the snacks and other and other industrial use for human consumption, such as corn starch. Garcia said among the programs the DA and PAFMI lined up are contract corn growing which assures the farmers of a market for their produce at a reasonable margin. The DA also linked the feed millers to the local governments of Isabela province and Paracelis in Mountain Province for direct purchase of the corn produce of farmers from these LGUs.

PSE INDEX

Thursday, August 27, 2020

9.78 PTS. 5,921.55

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

5,084,426,180 72,062 17,458,250,915.67 98 86 57

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5300

Japan

Yen

0.009435

0.4579

Pound

1.321200

64.1178

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129027

6.2617

Switzerland

Franc

1.101079

53.4354

Canada

Dollar

0.760572

36.9106

Singapore

Dollar

0.732225

35.5349

Australia

Dollar

0.723100

35.0920

Bahrain

Dinar

2.658090

128.9970

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.9413

Brunei

Dollar

0.729554

35.4053

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031918

1.5490

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2134

Euro

1.183100

57.4158

Korea

Won

0.000844

0.0410

China

Yuan

0.145233

7.0482

India

Rupee

0.013474

0.6539

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240038

11.6490

New Zealand

Dollar

0.661500

32.1026

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034152

1.6574 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Phoenix lists P3.1-b debt paper on PDEx

MEGA TRADE DEAL. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (center) says the recent meeting of the trade ministers of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership participating countries resolved almost all remaining outstanding issues of the trade deal. The trade ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its five partners—Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea—advanced the negotiation during the virtual 8th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting on Aug. 27, which paves the way to its signing by November 2020.

Foreign fund managers fled, withdrew $3.7b in 7 months By Julito G. Rada

OREIGN fund managers withdrew more short-term investments from the domestic financial markets in July amid the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical and trade tensions between larger economies, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show. The BSP said registered foreign portfolio investments yielded a net outflows of $453.17 million in July, larger than the outflows of $235 million in June. This was also a reversal of the $15-million net inflows recorded a year ago. It said while gross inflows in July

reached $719 million, total outflows amounted to $1.172 billion during the month. The $719-million registered investments in July reflected a 29.5-percent decline from $1 billion recorded in June 2020. About 96.5 percent of the investments were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities (pertaining mainly to utilities companies, holding firms, property companies, banks and food, beverage and tobacco companies) while the remaining 3.5 percent went to investments in peso government securities. Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, Bahamas and Hong Kong were the top five investor countries in July, with combined share of 84.6 percent. The latest tally in July brought the year-to-date transactions to net outflows of $3.8 billion, resulting from the $10.2-billion gross outflows and $6.4-billion gross inflows for the period. The BSP said the outflows were brought about by “uncertainties due, among others, to the impact of the CO-

VID-19 pandemic to the global economy and financial system, and other key events earlier in the year such as the geopolitical and trade tensions, and corporate governance issues involving the water concessionaires.” Foreign portfolio investments are also called “hot money” because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of the domestic financial markets. Registration of inward foreign investments with the BSP is optional under the liberalized rules on foreign exchange transactions. Foreign portfolio investments posted net outflows of $1.9 billion in 2019, a turnaround from the $1.2-billion net inflows in 2018. The country’s balance of payments posted a surplus of $2.43 billion in May, about 2.6 times higher than the $9280 million surplus recorded a year ago. The BSP earlier It said the surplus in May reflected mainly the inflows arising from the national government’s foreign currency deposits with the BSP and the BSP’s foreign exchange operations and income from investments abroad.

Peso remains among best performing currencies in Asia THE peso remains among the best performing currencies in Asia amid the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday. “The peso’s strength can be attributed to sound macroeconomic fundamentals characterized by a benign inflation environment, a strong and resilient banking system, prudent fiscal position and a sufficient level of international reserve buffer,” Diokno said in an online briefing. He said the local currency appreciated by 4.2 percent against the US dollar as of Aug. 19 from the end-December 2019 level. It also performed better than other Asian currencies such as the Chinese yuan, Taiwanese dollar and the Japanese yen. The peso closed at 48.62 against the dollar on Thursday, compared to 50.635

at the end of 2019 trading period. “The county’s favorable ranking among peer emerging economies in terms of debt management and foreign exchange reserves has likewise supported investor sentiment on the currency,” Diokno said. The country’s debt-to-gross domestic product ratio of 39.6 percent as of December 2019 was lower than those of neighboring emerging economies, while the country’s gross international reserves reached an all-time high of $98 billion as of end-July. The GIR is equivalent to 8.9 months’ worth of imports of goods and services and payments of primary income. Diokno said the government’s timely and decisive macroeconomic responses to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic also contributed to the rela-

tive strength of the domestic currency. “The stability of the currency has helped temper inflationary pressures arising from increases in international prices of commodities, particularly crude oil, as well as agricultural food commodities. The prevailing benign inflation environment, in turn, allows continued policy space to support economic activity as needed,” Diokno said. He said the peso was anticipated to be broadly stable in the coming months in line with the supply and demand conditions in the foreign exchange market and the continued soundness of macroeconomic fundamentals. It is also expected to benefit from the gradual reopening of the economy amid ample policy support coming from the fiscal and monetary authorities. Julito G. Rada

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. listed P3.1 billion worth of Series D commercial paper on Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. to fund the importation of petroleum products. Phoenix said in a statement with a 5-percent discount rate per annum and tenor of 332 days, the proceeds of the commercial paper issuance would fund the procurement of imported fuels and lubricants. Phoenix president and chief operating officer Henry Albert Fadullon said the company was able to successfully return to PDEx and raise financing even against the backdrop of bounding uncertainties in the market. “We believe that with the support of the finance and investment communities, Phoenix, along with the rest of the local businesses, will be able to help our country recover and get stronger coming out from this crisis,” said Fadullon. Alena Mae S. Flores

Vivant launches COREnergy unit

VIVANT Energy Corp. of the Garcia family launched COREnergy Inc. as its retail electricity arm to provide alternative power supply options for businesses and total energy solutions that help lower costs. “We recognize that the power industry is evolving. For business owners, this brings both an opportunity and a challenge. We adopted COREnergy’s approach to enable business owners to optimize their opportunities, and convert challenges into benefits,” Vivant Energy executive vice president and chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia said. COREnergy started operations late last year but formally launched and started aggressively tapping the retail market this year. Garcia said COREnergy’s vision is to be the preferred energy solutions partner of the retail electricity market in the Philippines by 2030. It plans to build lasting partnerships with customers by providing superior energy solutions. COREnergy offer a customized and end-to-end solution for business owners, from engineering to testing and due diligence. Alena Mae S. Flores

BSP acknowledges pawnshops’ key role

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday the pawnshop industry played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic by serving as access points for the distribution of government cash aids and by providing needed loans and financial services to Filipinos. “The pawnshop industry fosters economic activity by providing financial services in areas where these are most needed,” Diokno said in an online briefing Thursday. “With their presence in 1,338 out of 1,634 cities and municipalities nationwide, pawnshops are major financial service access points for individuals, small businesses, and social amelioration beneficiaries during the health crisis. Their network and clientele also highlight their role in financial inclusion,” he said. Data showed that as of end-July, the industry had a network of 14,416 head offices and branches nationwide. The figure exceeded the combined 12,913 network of universal, commercial, thrift, rural and cooperative banks. Julito G. Rada

Innovative products drive PMI’s sustainability

SITE CHECK. Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz (second from right) and Aboitiz Power Corp. president and CEO Manny Rubio (right) inspect operations at AP Renewables Inc.’s Makiling-Banahaw Geothermal Power Plant and check on team members’ working conditions at the site. Several Aboitiz business facilities, sites, including power and cement manufacturing plants and residential development sites, are operating and implementing health and safety protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.

PHILIP Morris International said innovative smoke-free product IQOS highlights the company’s transformation and sustainability initiatives. PMI vice president for international communications Tommaso Di Giovanni said sustainability or the company means taking care of tobacco-farming communities; protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of employees; investing in novel technologies; and reducing waste and carbon emissions, among others. “These are the important key elements of sustainability, and we take them very seriously. It is equally clear to all of us that our biggest positive impact, the biggest contribution to society is to address the core issue—that our traditional products, cigarettes cause diseases. And this objective sits at the top of all our sustainability priorities,” Di Giovanni said during the webinar, “Sustainability: The New Norm of In-

novation & Sustainability,” organized by South China Morning Post on Aug. 24. Di Giovanni was among the four executives who spoke during the online conference moderated by Clark Hill and Winnie Chung of SCMP. Other speakers were Natalie Chan, managing director of PIE Strategy Limited; Donald Low, director of HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies; and Michael McComb, vice president for communications and sustainability of SAP Greater China. Di Giovanni said PMI is now moving towards a new set of products that are better alternatives to cigarettes. “We know that combustion is what generates the vast majority of toxic compounds found in cigarettes. Twenty years ago, we didn’t have the technology, the science, the innovation that are needed to address that issue. Today, we can,” he said.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

POC says 86 PH athletes can qualify for Olympics By Peter Atencio

PROTEST. Naomi Osaka of Japan serves to Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic during the Western & Southern Open on August 24, 2020. Osaka withdrew from her WTA Western & Southern Open semifinal match Thursday (Friday Philippine time) in New York to protest the police shooting of an unarmed black man in Wisconsin. AFP

NBA walkout sparks sports boycott O

RLANDO, United States—The Milwaukee Bucks led a historic sporting boycott Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) over the US police shooting of a black man, forcing the NBA to halt its playoff schedule and prompting a wave of walkouts across multiple sports. The NBA postponed its entire slate of Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) games after the Bucks refused to play game five of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Orlando Magic in protest over the shooting of African-American man Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday. Blake was seriously injured after being shot point blank in the back seven times by police officers in a confrontation captured on video. “Over the last few days in our home state of Wisconsin, we’ve seen the horrendous video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back seven times by a police officer in Kenosha, and the additional shooting of protestors,” the Bucks players said in a statement explaining their boycott.

Rakic battles veteran Smith at UFC Fight Night in Vegas By Reuel Vidal UP-AND-COMING MMA fighter Aleksandar Rakic battles veteran Anthony Smith in a UFC Light Heavyweight battle that will be the main event of UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, August 30, 2020. The supremely confident Rakic said he was ready for the long grind of a five-round fight but opined that it may not be necessary because he’s capable of finishing his opponent early. “Yes, I’m very happy to be in (the) main event fight. I’m really prepared. When I got the information that I’m gonna be main event. They asked us to do five rounds. I was not against. You know, I’m ready and I can go five (rounds). Maybe we don’t need three rounds. Maybe we need one or two rounds but I’m ready for three rounds or five,” said Rakic in an online interview. The 28-year-old Austrian has reason to be confident. He has strung together 12 consecutive victories—capped by two electrifying knockout victories over Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark—that was snapped only by a controversial split decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 165 on December 21, 2019 at Sajik Arena, Busan, South Korea. “Everybody knows who won that fight in Korea against Volkan. You know. The UFC knows. After this fight, two months (later), they send me a contract. I signed a new contract and then a couple of months later I get a name… Anthony Smith. And how they treat me and how they give me opponents. They knew I won that fight. The whole world knows I won. Let’s get to Anthony now,” said Rakic.

“Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.” Boycotts spread The boycotts spread to other sports, with the Milwaukee Brewers’ game against the Cincinnati Reds becoming one of several Major League Baseball games to be postponed. In tennis, two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka abruptly announced her withdrawal from the WTA Western & Southern Open semi-finals, where she was due to play on Thursday. “As a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis,” Osaka said. In a statement released late Wednes-

day, ATP/WTA organizers said all play scheduled for Thursday had been postponed in recognition of the fight against racial inequality. Elsewhere, the Women’s NBA postponed its scheduled fixtures for Wednesday, while Major League Soccer also called off five of six games. Dramatic escalation The NBA postponements marked a dramatic escalation in the league’s calls for social justice, which have reverberated across the sport in the months since the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May. Lakers superstar James voiced solidarity with the Bucks decision in a tweet shortly after the boycott was announced. “WE DEMAND CHANGE. SICK OF IT,” James wrote. The Bucks’ no-show prompted the NBA to scrap two other games scheduled for Wednesday: Houston’s clash with Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup with the

Portland Trail Blazers. At an emergency meeting of NBA teams in Florida late Wednesday, the crisis threatened to put the entire season in jeopardy, with LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers both voting to abandon the season. All other teams voted to continue. It was not immediately clear whether the Lakers and Clippers would continue the season as scheduled. A walkout by two of the NBA’s strongest teams and title contenders – as well as its biggest star – would deal a devastating blow to the credibility of the season. The NBA’s Board of Governors is meeting on Thursday (Friday Philippine time) to address player concerns. The NBA’s players union also backed the protest. “The players have, once again, made it clear—they will not be silent on this issue,” National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts said in a statement. Renewed anger had swept the NBA after Sunday’s shooting of Blake. AFP

THE number has not changed. There are a total of 86 national athletes who can qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Tokyo Olympics chef de mission and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong Araneta said this yesterday at a meeting of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development. Araneta said this includes 21 athletes who are training abroad, and 65 others who are preparing while under home quarantine in the Philippines. “Right now 21 athletes are training abroad and 65 athletes training here in the Philippines. So that’s a total of 86 athletes and four have already qualified. So we’re saying that there are still 82 athletes that are training to qualify for the Olympics,” said Araneta. Araneta said that for those who are in the Philippines they are just waiting for the Philippine Sports Commission to submit to the Interagency Task for the Management of Infectious Diseases the training protocols that will allow the resumption of practice outside their homes. And this will include the venues and the health protocols that the national sports associations have submitted, according to Araneta. PSC National Training Director Marc Velasco reported that the PSC is already preparing health protocols. And they have identified a minimum of six multipurpose venues for this planned training resumption. Velasco told the lawmakers that Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) President Vince Dizon also offered to cover the RT-PCR testing of the athletes. “We are working with POC and the NSAs which would endorse athletes that are going to qualify and will be the only ones allowed to enter Philsports. We would also have support staff, who will also undergo safety protocols like the testing, to assist. They will be inside the Philsports where we also have adequate medical and health facilities,” said Velasco.

Confident Zamboanga battles Watsapinya in Bangkok DENICE “The Menace” Zamboanga is fighting with confidence after she got past a top notch fighter last February. This will help carry on her next fight when the One Championships: A New Breed happens tonight in Bangkok. After standing her ground against top favorite Mei Yamaguchi last February, the 23-year-old Zamboanga knows and feels that she cannot let her guard down when she battles Thai National Judo Champion Watsapinya “Dream Girl” Kaewkhong in the women’s atomweight division. Kaewkhong can be a dangerous opponent, being skilled grappler because of her judo and wrestling background, Her 46-12, win-loss record is also something to consider. “Hindi ako puedeng magkumpiyansa sa susunod na laban. Kailangan ay training pa rin ako,” said Zamboanga, who has been doing her workouts

Denice Zamboanga (on top) pounds Mei Yamaguchi during their ONE Championship bout ONE: King of the Jungle held February 28, 2020 won by Zamboanga via unanimous decision. ONE Championship

in Bangkok since February with her brother Drex. She talked about her coming fight during an online Zoom web conference with Drex. “The Menace” has been unbeaten in seven fights, including a unanimous decision win over Yamaguchi in her second ONE Championship fight last Feb. 28. She added that Yamaguchi was her biggest conquest so far. “Iba ang feeling kapag nanalo ka over a top fighter,” said Zamboanga. Denice who trained in karate in her early years before adding grappling to her list of specialties, said she is glad to be in a fight card together with her brother Drex. Drex is set to meet Thailand Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Champion Detchadin “Detchpool” Sornsirisuphathin in the flyweight action. Peter Atencio

Amer grateful to PBA legend Alapag MERALCO Bolts starting point guard Baser Amer credits PBA legend Jimmy Alapag for helping him become the player that he is today. Alapag joined the Bolts in 2015 first as a player then as assistant coach and finally as consultant. Alapag suited up one season with the Bolts helping the team reach its first PBA Finals during the 2016 Governors’ Cup, where it lost to Barangay Ginebra. Amer recalls his first encounter with Alapag when he arrived hours before call time at a Meralco practice and found Alapag already performing shooting drills. “Akala ko ako na yung pinaka-una. Tapos pagdating ko ng Meralco, parang may (tunog) na ng bola na nagsu-shoot. Tapos pag tingin ko, si coach Jimmy na pala. Kinausap ko siya kung puwede ba akong sumabay sa kanya,” said Amer in a published report. “Everyday 9 a.m. nasa Meralco gym na kami kahit 1 p.m. pa ang practice. So at least nagawa na namin ang kailangan naming iimprove.” The most important lesson Amer learned

from Alapag was diligence and the value of preparation. He credits Alapag as a big influence in helping him reach the next level in his game. “Malaking tulong talaga sa akin si coach Jimmy. Yung sipag (hard work). Tinuruan niya ako ng techniques kung paano gumamit ng pick and roll. Paano yung timing na tumira ng three-point (shot). Paano magbasa ng pick and roll. Mga ganun,” said Amer. The 28-year-old Amer joined the PBA as the seventh overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft by the Bolts. He is a three-time PBA All-Star (2017-2019) and was the 2018 PBA All-Star Game MVP. Amer played for the San Beda University Red Lions (then San Beda College) before being selected by Meralco. Amer was a four-time NCAA Seniors’ Basketball champion, and won the 2012 NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player award. Before that he was a two-time NCAA Juniors’ Basketball champion and was named 2009 NCAA Juniors’ Rookie of the Year and 2010 NCAA Juniors’ Finals Most Valuable Player.

Meralco Bolts point guard Baser Amer (9) tries to set up a play for the Meralco Bolts against Barangay Ginebra. PBA Media

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

SMCPC is a corporation duly created and existing by and under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with business address at Sitio Inaburan, Barangay Culaman, Malita, Davao Occidental 8012. It is also herein referred to as the “SELLER”.

Applicants may be served notices, orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through their respective counsels at their addresses indicated below.

On 17 October 2019, Davao Light wrote to the Department of Energy (“DOE”) requesting for an exemption from the Competitive Selection Process (“CSP”) requirement of the DOE. The Letter expressed Davao Light’s urgent need for supply of electricity due to circumstances beyond the control of Davao Light, and the limited time to conduct a Competitive Selection Process.

= (CRF(base) X 0.30) + (CRF(base) X 0.70 X

CRFbase

= Capital Recovery Fee in PhP/kW-month contained in Annex II-A

FXm

= The simple average of the daily exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar as posted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs

FOMmonth

x CC

= Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee in PhP/kWmonth contained in Annex II-A

PHCPIm

= Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippine Statistics Authority for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs

PHCPIo

Estimated Generation Charge (as of December 25, 2019, Php/kWh) Without additional 50 MW SMCPC With additional 50 MW SMCPC 4.2908 4.5502

12. Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). On 7 June 2013, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued ECC No. ECC-CO-1304-0010 in favor of SMCPC.

= Contract Capacity in kW USCPIm FXm x + (0.15 x VOM x USCPIo FXo

13. Board of Investments (BOI) Certificate. On 24 June 2013, the Power Plant Project was registered with the BOI which issued Certificate of Registration No. 2013-137.

USCPIm )]xAE USCPIo

14. Certificate of Compliance (COC). The Honorable Commission has issued a Certificate of Compliance with COC NO. 17-09-M-00135M dated 27 September 2017 for the Plant.

where: VOM

= Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee in PhP/kWh contained in Annex II-A

USCPIm

= US Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers- All Items (1982-84=100) as posted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

USCPIo

= US Consumer Price Index for All Urban ConsumersAll Items (1982-84=100) for the calendar month of the COD5

FXm

= The average daily exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar as posted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

FXo

4.2. As stated in the Letter, Davao Light has a deficit of 51MW of supply for 2020, based on its Power Supply Procurement Plan. While Davao Light has previously contracted for a firm supply for this forecasted deficit, following the DOE CSP Circular, the contract cannot be implemented until there is a final resolution of the issues raised in Davao Light’s Manifestation and Motion to Reconsider dated 27 June 2019.1

PHCPIm

PHCPIo

4.3. Further, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (“PAGASA”) reported slight El Nino in the first quarter of 2020 in Mindanao. This may affect the reduction of production capacity of hydroelectric plants in the region, including the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), one of Davao Light’s suppliers.

4.4. Finally, if Davao Light fails to procure additional capacity, it will not have an alternative source of supply considering that the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (“WESM”) is not yet operational in Mindanao.

15. The Department of Energy has issued a Certificate of Endorsement with No. 2015-06-006 dated 04 June 2015 certifying that the Plant is consistent with the Power Development Plan of the government. 16. Copies of the following documents and/or information are attached to the Joint Application as annexes: Annex A and series

= Exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar, Base=PhP44.00 = Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippines National Statistics Office for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs. = Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippines National Statistics Office for the calendar month of the COD6 = Associated Energy in kWh delivered to the BUYER by the SELLER during the current Billing Period at the Delivery Points stated in Annex III.

Subject to (1) prior notification by the Seller to the Buyer and (2) approval of the ERC prior to implementation for the occurrence of any of the following events, the Parties agree to adopt changes in any of the inflationary indices for any of the following events: a) shift made in the base year and other adjustments to such inflation index made by the relevant authorized entity; or b) the inflation index: i) becomes unavailable, ii) is replaced by a new benchmark rate as determined by the relevant authorized entity or its successor-in-interest, iii) ceases to exist, or iv) in the reasonable determination of either Party, fails to reflect the real costs and forms an integral part of this price adjustment formula.

4.5. All these conditions attributed to an emergency. Thus, Davao Light was prompted to immediately procure emergency supply of energy of 50 MW for the year 2020. On 19 December 2019, the DOE issued a Certificate of Exemption (COE-CSP-2019-11-003) in response to Davao Light’s Letter dated 07 October 2019. In accordance with Section 2.2.2 of the DOE CSP Circular, Davao Light negotiated with SMCPC for procurement of emergency power supply of 50 MW, under the same rates, terms and conditions as its Power Supply Contract (PSC) dated 28 November 2016 with SMCPC.

Davao Light’s General Information Sheet

SMCPC’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

Write-up on Shareholder’s Agreement

SMCPC’s Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power and its Subsidiaries

SMCPC’s Certificate of Registration with the BOI

ECC issued by the DENR to the Circulating Fluidized Bed Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant Project of SMCPC

Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission

Certification from the DOE regarding PDP

Write-up on Renewable Energy Service/Operating Contract, and Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality by an RE Developer

Davao Light’s Demand Side Management Program

PSALM Certification

Davao Light’s Historical and Forecasted Supply and Demand Scenario

Davao Light’s Power Supply Procurement Plan dated 15 March 2019

Davao Light’s Letter to DOE dated 07 October 2019

Department of Energy’s Certificate of Exemption

Emergency Power Supply Agreement dated 22 January 2020 entered into by and between Davao Light and SMCPC

SMCPC and NGCP Connection Agreement

SMCPC Point-to-Point Approval

Davao Light’s Transmission Service Agreement with National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (“NGCP”)

Davao Light’s Metering Service Agreement with NGCP

Executive Summary of the Davao Light and SMCPC EPSA

where:

Newcastlem Fuel Cost = Base Fuel Cost, in USD/MT x Newcastleo

Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model (Confidential)

Rate Impact Analysis

Details of the Fuel Procurement Process

Fuelmonth = [(

Fuel Cost + Freight Cost x CR x FXm)] x AE 1,000

a. Newcastlem = Average monthly coal price index in USD/MT as posted by global coal on the website www.globalcoal.com for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs.

On 22 January 2020, Davao Light and SMCPC executed an Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA), which adopts the same term and conditions under the existing PSC with SMCPC applicable to a one-year supply contract.3

Explanation on the Fuel Supply Agreement (Confidential)

Relevant technical and economic characteristics of generation capacity, installed capacity, mode of operation, and dependable capacity

SMCPC’s latest Audited Financial Statements (AFS), Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows

b. Newcastleo = coal price index equivalent to USD74.00/MT c. Base Fuel Cost = Blended Cost equivalent to USD62.69/MT

Thus, this instant Joint Application for the approval of the EPSA between SMCPC and Davao Light subject of this Joint Application.

d. Fuel Cost shall be charged based on the foregoing formula or based on the actual cost of fuel, whichever is lower

Salient Features of the EPSA.

Certification on Long-term Loans, including Schedule of Original Loan (principal amount, interest payable and term of the loan) and Updated Balances (principal amount, interest payable and penalties, if any and remaining term of the loan)

Freight Cost = Actual Transport Costs in USD/MT which includes but not limited to port charges, fuel cinsurance, wharfage fees, excise tax, handling, customs brokerage fees, custom duties, stevedores and arrastre costs, tuggage costs, survey fee, towage, pilotage, light dues, mooring and unmooring, berthing and de-berthing, and tonnage dues and sundries on the coal used during the current Billing Period. Freight costs shall include all other existing fees, imposts and other charges that may be imposed on the transport of coal under the Statement of Settlement of Duties and Taxes issued by the Bureau of Customs and shall exclude any surcharges, penalties and/or interests such as, but not limited to, demurrage attributable to SELLER.

9.1. Contract Capacity. The Contract Capacity for the duration of the EPSA shall be Fifty Thousand kilowatts (50,000 kW). The BUYER shall maintain a minimum hourly nomination of at least forty percent (40%) of the 50,000 kW for the duration of the EPSA. The Contract Capacity shall be subject to a separate nomination protocol set forth in Annex V of the said EPSA. 9.2. Generation Source. SMCPC’s 2 x 150 MW Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler Coal-Fired Power Plant (the “Plant”) located in Barangay Culaman, Malita, Davao Occidental. 9.3. Term. This EPSA shall take effect between the Parties on the date of signing (“Execution Date”) and shall remain effective from the Execution Date to 26 December 2020 (“Contract Term”). Supply of electric power by the SELLER shall commence on the Supply Effective Date, and shall continue until the end of Contract Term. This EPSA shall be deemed terminated upon the expiration of the Contract Term unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this EPSA. 9.4. Supply Effective Date. The effective date of supply of emergency power to the BUYER shall be 26 January 2020, or on such other date as may be agreed by the Parties. Upon Supply Effective Date, the Contract Charges, as approved in the Order dated 20 June 2017 in ERC Case No. 2017-029 RC, shall apply for the emergency power supplied by the SELLER to the BUYER pending ERC Approval of the EPSA. 9.5. Contract Charges. Under the EPSA, the BUYER shall pay the following Contract Charges for the duration of the EPSA, subject to the applicable Value-Added Tax (VAT), and computed as follows:

Certification from the engine manufacturer or SMCPC of the net heat rate in liters per kWh Simulation on the number of operating units necessary to meet the MEOT and/or additional energy/demand requirements of Davao Light Potential Cost (absolute amounts and Php/kWh) of Ancillary Services as and when SMCPC or DLPC is connected to the main grid DD

Allegations in Support of the Motion for Confidential Treatment of Information

= actual fuel consumption rate capped at 0.70kg/kWh

FXm

17. Section 1, Rule 4, of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that a party to any proceeding before the Commission may request that information about that party in the Commission’s possession not be disclosed.

FXo

= Exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar, Base=PhP44.00

= Associated Energy in kWh delivered to the BUYER by the SELLER during the current Billing Period at the Delivery Points stated in Annex III.

18. In line with this, SMCPC prays for the confidential treatment of the information contained in the following annexes, and not disclose the same except to the officers and staff of the Honorable Commission: Annex X

“[T]rade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of trade having a commercial value. A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that: (l) is used in

The cost for starting up the Plant after a period of Outage attributable to the BUYER shall be charged according to the formula: 4 5 6

COD as defined under Article 2 of the PSC dated 28 November 2016; Id.; Id.; and

Explanation on the Fuel Supply Agreement (Confidential)

19. The foregoing documents contain information and data involving SMCPC’s power rate calculations and financial model, as well as the manner by which these are derived. These information are not generally available to the public. As such, the information and data contained in these documents are privileged and confidential in nature. In the case of the Air Philippines Corporation v. Pennswell, Inc.7 the Supreme Court explained that:

Start-up Charge shall be the BUYER’S share of the cost incurred in starting up the Plant. This shall be paid by BUYER on top of VOM & Fuel charges. However, Start up Charges to be charged to BUYER shall only be limited to two (2) Cold start ups and four (4) Warm start ups per unit per year.

*Indicative Figures

Documents and/or Information Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model (Confidential)

V. Start-up Charge (per Unit and per Start-up) - to be added on top of VOM & Fuel charges

0.2831 1.6566* 1.9397*

Judicial Affidavit of Annie C. Magno

The Parties further agree that when any or all of the above components of the Fuel Cost no longer reflect the SELLER’S actual cost of coal (including the FOB price, coal indexation, premiums, among others), the Fuel Cost shall be computed based on SELLER’S actual cost of fuel subject to SELLER’S prior notification to the BUYER and subject to approval of the ERC prior to implementation.

Units Rate Level PhP/kW-month 1,386.8021 PhP/kW-month 383.8079 1,770.6100

Documents/Information Davao Light’s Amended Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

IV. FUEL FEE (Fuelmonth)

6.1. Davao Light and SMCPC’s PSC dated 28 November 2016, with SMCPC has been granted an interim relief by the Honorable Commission in an Order dated 20 June 2017 in ERC Case No. 2017-029 RC2.

0.2594

11. Grid Connection. The Plant is connected to the 230 kV Malita-Matanao Transmission Line in Malita, Davao Occidental. SMCPC has also executed the necessary Connection Agreement with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), a copy of which attached to this application.

= Philippine Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the Philippines-All Items (2006=100) as posted by the Philippine Statistics Authority for the calendar month of the COD4

VOMmonth = [(0.85 x VOM x

Impact

Assumptions: (1) SMCPC will replace reduction in PSALM allocation; (2) SMCPC to run at 100% load factor; and (3) Other power costs are based on actual power bill for November 26 to December 25, 2019

III. VARIABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FEE (VOMmonth)

2.2.2. Negotiated procurement of emergency power supply; Provided, that the cooperation period of the corresponding PSA shall not exceed one (l) year; Provided further, that the rate shall not be higher than the latest ERC approved generation tariff for same or similar technology in the area;

PHCPIm PHCPIo

FOM

xxx

The application for this contract was docketed as ERC Case No. 2018-121 RC entitled the Matter of the Application for Approval of the Power Supply Agreement Between Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) and Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) with Motion for Provisional Authority and Motion for Confidential Treatment of Information; Entitled In the Matter of the Joint Application for Approval of the Power Supply Contract (PSC) Between Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC), with Prayer for Confidential Treatment of Information and the Issuance of Provisional Authority; The Contract did not also adopt the provisions on pre-commercial operations since the Plant has already achieve commercial operations.;

ii. For Forced Outages, four hundred thirty-eight (438) cumulative outage hours. 10. Estimated Rate Impact. The indicative rate impact on Davao Light’s overall generation rate with and without the additional supply from SMCPC after SED are as follows:

where:

PhP/kWh PhP/kWh

i. For Scheduled Outage, seven hundred twenty (720) cumulative outage hours.

= Contract Capacity in kW

= FOM x

Discount, PhP/kWh None 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

9.9. Outages. During the term of this EPSA, Capacity Charges shall be applicable for every Billing Period, except as otherwise provided in this EPSA. The SELLER shall be entitled to the following Outage Allowances:

= Exchange rate of the Philippine Peso to the US Dollar,

II. FIXED OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FEE (FOMmonth)

All PSAs shall be procured through CSP; Provided however, that the following instances shall warrant a Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Energy (DOE) on the conduct of CSP:

ENERGY FEES C Variable Operation & Maintenance Fee D Fuel Fee Total Energy Fees

FXm FXo

CRFadjusted

Base = PhP44.00

Davao Light is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is a grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to construct, operate and maintain an electric light and power system in Davao City and Panabo City, and the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte (the “Franchise Area”). It is also referred to herein as the “BUYER”.

CAPACITY FEES A Capital Recovery Fee B Fixed Operation & Maintenance Fee Total Capacity Fees

9.8.1. CED. The BUYER shall be entitled to the following CED: Collection Efficiency Levels Below 65% 66% to 75% 76% to 85% 86% to 95% 96% and above

CAPITAL RECOVERY FEE (CRFmonth)

FXo

4.1. The Letter sought exemption from the CSP pursuant to Section 2.2.2 of Department of Energy Department Circular No. DC201802-0003 (“DOE CSP Circular”), which states that:

9.8.1 PPD. The BUYER may avail of the PPD equivalent to one percent (1%) of the total of the Capacity and Energy Charges and other components of the current power bill except IMEM or WESM charges (as applicable) and Replacement Power Cost.

CRFmonth = CRFadjusted x CC

Statement of Facts

= Total plant capacity (net) per unit in kW

where:

= Contract Capacity in kW

TPC

Energy Charges = Variable Operation & Maintenance Fee (VOM) + Fuel Fee + Start-up Charge

The pertinent portions of the said Joint Application are hereunder quoted as follows:

Capacity Charges = Capital Recovery Fee (CRF) + Fixed Operation & Maintenance Fee (FOM)

Notice is hereby given that on 27 January 2020, Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (Davao Light) and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC) filed a Joint Application dated 22 January 2020 (Joint Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of their Emergency Power Supply Agreement (EPSA), with prayer for confidential treatment of information.

= The actual price of diesel oil in PhP/liter as billed by supplier of diesel oil applicable for the Billing Period

where:

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

LFOm

9.8. Discounts. The SELLER provides for both Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) and Collection Efficiency Discount (CED).

MONTHLY CONTRACT CHARGES = Capacity Chargesmonth + Energy Chargesmonth

CC TPC

where:

9.7. Adjustment Formula. The Contract Charges are adjusted on a monthly basis in accordance with the following Adjustment Formula (Annex II-B of the EPSA):

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING

Start-up Charge = 36, 000 liters x LFOm x

9.6. Other Charges. The BUYER shall bear all other costs and charges incurred after the Delivery Point, including but not limited to transmission line losses, any interconnection charges and site specific loss adjustments, among others.

DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC. (DAVAO LIGHT) AND SAN MIGUEL CONSOLIDATED POWER CORPORATION (SMCPC), APPLICANTS. X---------------------------------------X

CC TPC

Warm Start-up - downtime of less than eight (8) hours

c. All IMEM or WESM Charges, if any, as billed by the PEMC to the SELLER and solely attributable to this EPSA with the BUYER.

ERC CASE NO. 2020-005 RC

2.2.

Start-up Charge = 130,000 liters x LFOm x

b. The cost of Replacement Power, if provided by the SELLER, subject to Article 7 of the EPSA.

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT (EPSA) BETWEEN DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC. (DAVAO LIGHT) AND SAN MIGUEL CONSOLIDATED POWER CORPORATION (SMCPC), WITH PRAYER FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

Cold Start-up – downtime of eight (8) hours and above

a. Monthly adjustments in the Capacity and Energy Charges based on an adjustment formula contained in Annex II-B of the EPSA.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

564 Phil. 774 (2007), G.R. No. 172835.

Entertainment one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous use in the operation of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights. The inventor, discoverer, or possessor of a trade secret or similar innovation has rights therein which may be treated as property, and ordinarily an injunction will be granted to prevent the disclosure of the trade secret by one who obtained the information ‘in confidence’ or through a ‘confidential relationship.’” (Footnotes omitted, emphasis supplied.) American jurisprudence has utilized the following factors to determine if an information is a trade secret, to wit: (1)

the extent to which the information is known outside of the employer’s business;

(2)

the extent to which the information is known by employees and others involved in the business;

(3)

the extent of measures taken by the employer to guard the secrecy of the information;

(4)

the value of the information to the employer and to competitors;

(5)

the amount of effort or money expended by the company in developing the information; and

(6)

the extent to which the information could be easily or readily obtained through an independent source.” (citations omitted, emphasis supplied)

20. The interest of the consuming public is sufficiently protected by the review and evaluation of the rates under the EPSA by the Honorable Commission, without the need to disclose the contents of Annex “X”. The reasonableness and transparency of the prices of electricity is to be assured by the Honorable Commission through its own review and verification of SMCPC’s operating costs and expenses; 21. More importantly, SMCPC’s competitors, should they obtain the information in Annex “AA”, will gain undue advantage thereon and have the opportunity to use the same in their operations. The negotiating power of SMCPC with parties it plans to contract with or who it is currently doing business with, will clearly be thwarted if it is compelled to disclose such information; 22. Accordingly, one (1) copy each of Annexes “X” and “AA”, are placed in a sealed envelope, with the said envelope and each page of the documents and/or information stamped with the word “Confidential”. PRAYER WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, applicants Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (Davao Light) and San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation (SMCPC) most respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission: 1. ISSUE an Order treating Annexes “X” and “AA”, and all information contained therein as confidential, directing their non-disclosure to persons other than the officers and staff of the Honorable Commission, continuously protecting the said information from public disclosure by maintain the same separate and apart from the records of the case, and ensuring that these are not divulged to unauthorized persons, pursuant to Rule 4 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure; and 2. ISSUE a Decision approving the Joint Application and the EPSA between Davao Light and SMCPC, including all the rates, fees, charges and tariff adjustment mechanisms set out therein at the rates provided in the EPSA, and authorizing Davao Light to charge and collect the fees therein from its customers reckoned from the start of supply by SMCPC to Davao Light under the EPSA. Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are, likewise, prayed for. In the Order dated 16 July 2020, the Commission has set the Joint Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference and presentation of evidence on 17 September 2020 at the Commission’s Mindanao Area Operations Division (MAOD) Office. On 07 August 2020, Davao Light filed through electronic mail (e-mail) a Motion to Conduct Virtual Hearing (Motion), praying that the scheduled initial hearing be conducted through a virtual platform. In its Motion, Davao Light alleged, among others, that conducting the hearing in Davao City will not only expose the Commission’s staff and the counsels of the Applicants who are all coming from Metro Manila to the virus through domestic air travel, but may likewise force them to undergo timeconsuming and costly quarantine measures. ACCORDINGLY, the Commission hereby sets the Joint Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference and presentation of evidence on 17 September 2020 (Thursday) at half past ten in the morning (10:30 A.M.), through a virtual hearing using the Zoom Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof. RELATIVE THERETO, Davao Light and SMCPC are hereby directed to host at Davao Light’s main office at C. Bangoy Sr. Street, Davao City, as the designated venue of the virtual hearing, and ensure that the same is open to the public and the community quarantine guidelines are observed at all times. Moreover, Davao Light and SMCPC shall guarantee that, during the conduct of the expository presentation, the participation of the public shall not be impaired. Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via e-mail at records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.

Lessons Ria Atayde learned from her ‘Chika, Besh’ co-hosts

OMEDIENNE VERY Pokwang WANG and TV host NICKIE Pauleen Luna-Sotto WANG got Ria Atayde’s back, so to speak. In a virtual media conference for their daily talk show, Chika, Besh, the 28-year-old first-time host told Manila Standard Entertainment that her co-hosts help her perform her job interviewing people. “They told me to listen and to be not afraid to ask questions. And be open as well. Not that I’m not open but I just learned that it really works in this job. They (Pokwang and Pauleen) are very quick on their toes, they’re quick to think of questions to ask our guests,” she admitted. “Everyday is a different experience. It really depends on who the guests are. You’d really be able to tell if I'm comfortable with the guests because I’m quite inquisitive, but if I don’t know our guests, that’s where my co-hosts come in to help me out,” Ria added. Ria may be the youngest in the trio of hosts, but she has the maturity beyond her years. The movie and TV actress serves as the voice of the millennial generation. She wanted to bring something different to the table with her lively and dynamic personality. “It’s so much fun working with and learning from them. They’re such joys to work with. They’re so open and they’re such sweet and thoughtful co-workers. On our first day, they both gave me food for me to take home,” Ria, who is still a Star Magic talent, said of her co-hosts. Chika, Besh! (Basta Everyday Super Happy) premiered on Aug. 17. According to its hosts, the talk show aims to impart reliable information and positive stories that will surely make the start of the day happy and enjoyable for viewers. Joining Pauleen, Pokwang, and Ria are DJ Malaya Macaraeg as field reporter for the inshow segment “Tatak Pinoy” featuring proudly Pinoy-made products. Christian Antolin is the Ka-Chika for “Laps Trips,” a segment on delicious local and foreign food recipes. Lastly, Inricho Bautista is the resident Tiktoker of the show who will feature viral videos and stories for the “Share Ko Lang” segment—all bringing positive vibes t o viewers at home! Chika, Besh! also has international correspondents who take viewers around the world from the comforts of their home. Chika, Besh! Airs from Monday to Friday every 10:00 a.m. on TV5.

‘Fit for Life’

Now more than ever is the best time to make fitness a way of life. As health officials around the world tell us, being healthy is our best defense to weather the ongoing global health crisis. Thus, the timely launch of Fit for Life on TV5. The show, hosted by Jessy Mendiola, launched its pilot episode on Aug. 16. as part of the opening salvo of TV5’s beefed-up programming since it has entered into a partnership with Cignal TV. In the show, Jessy leads viewers to an hour packed with full-body exercises, easy-to-follow recipes, inspiring talks, and expert tips. In the segment “Workout with Jessy,” the host will be joined by a special guest each episode in the demo of exercise

The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address;

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

A statement of the relief desired.

Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may likewise file through e-mail at records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such person;

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Joint Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Joint Application and its attachments, through any of the available modes of service, upon their agreement, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Joint Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. In the alternative, those persons who wish to have an electronic copy of the Joint Application may request the Commission for the e-mail addresses of the Applicants by sending an e-mail to records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail. com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com. Nonetheless, any person may also access the Joint Application as posted by the Commission in its official website at www.erc.gov.ph. Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled initial virtual hearing by providing the Commission, through legal.virtualhearings. erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, with their respective e-mail addresses and indicating therein the case number of the instant Application. The Commission will send the access link/s to the aforementioned hearing platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearing. WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 11th day of August 2020 in Pasig City.

AGNES VST DEVANADERA ChairPerson and CEO M. Standard – Aug. 28 & Sept. 4, 2020

Ria Atayde aims to share her insight on things, giving 'Chika, Besh!' a millennial flavor.

routines. They will also encourage improvising gym props by using whatever useful objects viewers can find in their homes. Fit for Life also gives a chance for viewers to air their concerns via the “Ask Jessy” segment, in which Jessy goes on a video call to answer questions and give advice with the help of a fitness or health expert. The viewers are also encouraged to share their weight-loss success stories and similar milestones in the segment “Achievement Unlocked”. Join Jessy on the road to a fit and healthy lifestyle. As she will demonstrate the ways and means need not be strenuous and intimidating, but can actually be fun and fulfilling. What’s more, you can do it all in the comfort of your own home. Make Fit for Life a Sunday morning habit by tuning in every Sunday at 7:00 AM on TV5. It has a primetime replay on Colours every Monday at 7:00 p.m., and is available on Cignal TV at CH 202 HD & 60 SD. 'Fit for Life' host Jessy Mendiola

Howie Severino’s ’143 COVID free’ in ‘I-Witness’

Moreover, all persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc,gov.ph@gmail.com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

Radio station MOR 101.9 For Life's entire gang banded together for a special farewell show featuring the industries biggest musical acts.

MOR bids farewell to loyal audiences ABS-CBN’s MOR 101.9 For Life! in Manila bids goodbye to its online listeners on a high note as it holds a virtual farewell special dubbed Salamat, For Life! streaming live today on MOR website, Facebook and Kumu. The thanksgiving party marks the last day of MOR operations almost two months after ABSCBN’s broadcast franchise was denied and almost four months after the station went off the air. Salamat, For Life! brings back the greatest Pinoy hits from the past decades with musical performances from OPM hitmakers Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Moira dela Torre, and Yeng Constantino and OPM icons Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez. Pinoy bands 6Cyclemind, Banda Ni Kleggy, Better

Days, Gracenote, Imago, Itchyworms, Moonstar88, Sandwich, The Vowels They Orbit, and Trinidad with Mig Ayesa and Arnel Pineda are also rendering rocking performances as the beloved radio station takes its audiences back to MOR’s yesteryears filled with music, fun, and laughter. The online shindig is hosted by retired MOR DJ’s Chinapaps and Bob Zilla. They are joined by other DJs namely Maki Rena, Onse, Eva Ronda, Nicki Morena, Jhai Ho, Popoy, Chacha, Ana Ramsey, Bea, Kisses, Toni, Joco Loco, Biboy Bwenas, Chico Martin, and Reggie V. Also taking part in the event is MOR station head Mars Ocampo. Salamat, For Life! farewell special streams tonight at 6:00.

CATCH Howie Severino’s I-Witness documentary “143 COVID Free” airing on GMA News TV today. A major trading town that couldn’t lock down for even one day during the pandemic stayed COVID-free for 143 days. In their first field foray in six months, Howie and his documentary team travel to northern Luzon to investigate how a busy rural community was able to do it. Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya also happens to be the hometown of Xyza Cruz Bacani, the former DH-turned-renownedphotojournalist in Hong Kong whom Howie and his team first documented in 2014 at the start of her international career. Xyza has since been traveling the world for her work, but got stranded in Bambang during the pandemic, forcing her to rediscover the town she left behind. She has focused her lenses on the town’s lone rural health doctor and how he’s been teaching his townmates to keep themselves safe. Her storytelling has brought Bambang’s remarkable achievement to the attention of a global audience. “143 COVID Free” is a story of hope in dangerous times, of the unlikely homecoming of a unique OFW, and of the continuing struggle of a community to keep everyone alive and well.

Catch 'I-Witness' on GMA News TV’s Power Block strip after 'New Normal: Family Time.'

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

Tourism industry:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

Life TRAVEL & LEISURE

On life support

VERYBODY knows that the tourism industry is one of those severely affected by this pandemic. Unfortunately, it is the sector responsible for 12.7 percent of our country’s gross domestic product and 13.5 percent of our national employment. It is also the sector predicted to take the longest to recover, as the public’s confidence to travel again may start to show signs of life only by mid-next year yet or even later, depending on when the vaccine will be made available.

TOGETHER FOR TOURISM.

Philippine tourism industry stakeholders unite to call for the financial support earmarked for the industry’s MSMEs, which is part of the Bayanihan 2 Act, to be kept as originally planned. (Photos courtesy of Christian Paul Del Rosario and BongVideo Production)

Meantime, all tourism enterprises are already gasping for breath as we have had no income these past six months, and we are still in a quandary as to how to survive until the time when the much needed revenues will start to trickle in once again. This is why all of us, stakeholders in the industry, were delighted when the Bayanihan 2 Act was filed, allocating P10 billion as “life support” for the legion of MSMEs in the industry, already on the brink of extinction. The amount was earmarked for low-interest loans, credit facilities, funding for marketing and product development, grants for capacity building in the “new reality,” funding for upgraded information technology capabilities, and the establishment of COVID-19 testing centers in tourist destinations. Unfortunately, when the Bill was approved on second reading in the Lower

House, the P10 billion originally set aside for the aforementioned purpose was realigned for the funding of infrastructure projects through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). The Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), which is the umbrella organization officially representing the industry’s private sector, immediately sent a formal letter of request to the House of Representatives to keep the amount as originally designated. A similar official request, all of 25 pages, was also sent by the Department of Tourism (DOT), asserting its mandate as “the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing, and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of domestic and international tourism.” Together with this formal request, the DOT also submitted to the

Lower House a summary of the different stimulus packages that the governments of other ASEAN countries have given to their respective tourism stakeholders, towards making our honorable congressmen realize how much far behind we are in getting government support to keep us afloat. As of this writing, press releases from Congressman Villafuerte claim that infrastructure development would be a better stimulus to the economy. That might be a noble move, but business owners feel that the immediate need is for them to survive and recover from their debilitating losses caused by this pandemic. Otherwise, there will be no tourism industry to speak of. In fact, approximately 70 percent of the industry’s MSMEs have already announced closure. Although Congressman Villafuerte has

Wake up in the Cordilleras WHEN this pandemic is over, where do you want to wake up and find yourself in? Straddling the majestic mountain ranges of northern Luzon, the Cordillera Administrative Region is preparing to gradually reopen tourism, to welcome guests eager to rediscover its natural and manmade wonders. With very low COVID-19 cases (709 confirmed cases as of August 27), the region has been classified as low risk, and preparations are under way for the cautious reboot of its economy. The region has adopted the slogan “Wake Up in the Cordilleras” based on the Department of Tourism’s national tourism recovery plan. Baguio City earlier announced plans to reopen its doors to tourists, with regulated entry and monitored movement, by September, in time for its 111th charter day on Sept. 1. The city earned praises for its handling of the pandemic with its efficient triage and contact tracing. “If and when the region opens for tour-

The Guesthaven Bed and Breakfast serves home-style cuisine.

made it clear that there still is P51 billion allocated to help out SMEs, we don’t find that good enough as we will have to slug it out with those of other industries who are also desperately in need of financial support. In fact, with the government’s widely announced Social Amelioration Programs, a majority of our tourism enterprises have yet to see, much less make use of such financial assistance. Now, from out of nowhere, we hear that the honorable congressman has warned us not to drag the Lower House into our internal “squabbles.” Where did that come from? What squabbles? In fact, never have we been as united as we are now. Without exception, all of us, industry stakeholders, are solidly behind Sec. Berna Romulo-Puyat in our desire to have the P10 billion entrusted back to the DOT. We are the ones on the ground and these past years, we have successfully

maneuvered the industry to unprecedented heights, as shown by the robust preCOVID tourist arrival figures. We know what we need, and the P10 billion would go a long way in saving ourselves from the ignominy of having to sell fish, longganisa, and other food items just to stay afloat! Otherwise, we will need more heartlung machines, if we are to maintain a decent tourism industry after this pandemic is controlled. YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE To the wives who earlier kept on wishing that their husbands would spend more time with them…how are you doing now?

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com.

The tourism industry’s latest e-flyer, appealing for the muchneeded government assistance.

All-reality VOD service offers 3-month free trial The Manor at Camp John Hay offers al fresco dining away from the Baguio City crowd.

ism, Baguio City will be the hub of tourism activities once more as the other highland provinces might not yet be ready to welcome travelers,” clarifies DOT-CAR officer-in-charge Jovi Ganongan. Guests can hop around museums, galleries, art cafés, and spaces which locals have transformed into venues of visual and performing arts. Homegrown dining outlets showcase the rich upland culinary heritage, many of which were rendered a gourmet twist. Among these is Bistro Lokal which offers a new take on favorite Filipino flavors created with the best of organic Cordilleran ingredients. Al fresco dining, where one can savor the crisp mountain air while indulging in sumptuous food, is an experience available at Le Monet Hotel, The Manor at Camp John Hay, The Barn, and Baguio Country Club, among other establishments away from the crowd. A fairly new, must-try activity in Baguio is forest bathing, or the Japanese art of wandering in the woods to improve health and well-being. The country’s first Forest Bathing Trail was opened at Camp John Hay’s forest of thick and soft pine needles, canopies, and foliage. An alternative place to stay is Mirador Jesuit Villa Retreat House, an intimate country-style lodging, formerly

a meteorological observatory of Jesuit scientists at Dominican Hill. It has the Knidos Labyrinth where one can pray through slow walking for purification, illumination, and discernment, with the majestic mountains as backdrop. Another best-kept hideaway is Guesthaven Bed and Breakfast whose restored homes reflect rustic living, with its features reminiscent of American-built houses. Meanwhile, in Benguet, which is regarded as Cordillera’s center of farm tourism, visitors can immerse in agriculturebased activities. To enter Baguio, tourists are required to pre-register through the Baguio VIS.I.T.A. (Visitor Information and Travel Assistance), an online registration system where they will see the guidelines on how to proceed. Among the requirements include prebooking accommodation and undergoing mandatory triage and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing whose expense will be shouldered by the tourists. Visitors will have to stay in the hotel until their test results are released. “With stringent health and safety protocols in place, it is just a matter of time before guests can wake up and find themselves in the Cordilleras,” said Ganongan.

CAN’T keep up with the Kardashians because new episodes are not immediately available in the Philippines? Hayu (pronounced “hey you”), a subscription-based video streaming service owned by NBCUniversal, features on-demand reality television airing on the same day as the United States. It was launched late last year in the Philippines, its key market in Asia. The platform currently carries over 300 reality TV and entertainment shows and more than 8,000 episodes across a variety genres such as, among others, Cooking and Food, Lifestyle, True Crime, Competition, Fashion and Beauty, and Kardashian Kontent—the latter being the most popular among Filipino viewers, according to AJ Jayco, marketing territory lead for Southeast Asia. Titles include Keeping Up with the Kardashians, The Real Housewives, Top Chef, Jersey Shore, Botched, Dance Moms, Million Dollar Listing, The Bi Life, Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, and more. Jayco said “Hayu is the only platform where you can watch all the seasons of The Real Housewives franchise.” To bring these reality shows closer to more Filipinos, Hayu is currently offering a three-month

free trial for new users who register today until August 31. Monthly subscription is priced at P149. A maximum of five devices can access one account. Bernadette Lunas

Reality-on-demand platform Hayu offers three-month free trial for those who will register until August 31.