Manila Standard - 2020 September 4 - Friday

39 FILIPINOS IN SUNKEN CATTLE SHIP OFF JAPAN LONE SURVIVOR? This handout picture taken on September 2, 2020 and provided by 10th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters on September 3, 2020 shows coast guards rescuing a Filipino man off Amami Oshima island.

Japan’s coast guard said one person was found during a search for a cargo ship with 43 people on board after receiving a distress call from the East China Sea during a typhoon. AFP

JAPANESE coast guard rescuers searched Thursday for the remaining 42 crew, including 39 Filipinos, of a ship believed to have sunk in a typhoon, after a lone survivor was found bobbing in a lifejacket.

The 11,947-ton Gulf Livestock 1, carrying a cargo of 5,800 cows, issued a distress call in the early hours of Wednesday from a position 185 kilometers west of Japan’s Amami Oshima island in the East China Sea.

Japan’s coast guard dispatched planes and rescue boats to hunt for the ship and late Wednesday found a sole survivor -- the ship’s 45-yearold Filipino chief officer who is unidentified and currently in hospital.

Dramatic images released by the coast guard showed the man floating in the darkness in an orange life jacket and being pulled onto a rescue boat with a rope.

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VOL. XXXIV • NO. 182 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pemberton release on hold Palace calls out RTC judge for ‘judicial overreach’; victim’s sister files MR

BAHAGHARI, the umbrella group of the LGBTQ community, together with youth groups hold an indignation rally on Thursday, September 3, 2020 in front of the Department of Justice in Manila to condemn the early release of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton, convicted of killing Filipino trans-woman Jennifer Laude. Norman Cruz

By Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Efren B. Chavez

A

US marine convicted of killing a transgender woman will stay in detention in the Philippines while a court reviews its earlier ruling to free him halfway into his 10-year jail term, officials said Thursday.

Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pem- military exercises in Olongapo City. berton has been in prison since October An Olongapo court ruled on Tues2014 for killing Jennifer Laude, whom day that Pemberton qualified for early he met at a bar while on a break from release due to good behavior while de-

tained in a special jail at a special military facility inside Camp Aguinaldo.

He has served half of a 10-year sentence for homicide.

But his release has now been suspended after a sister of the victim challenged the ruling in a filing that asked the court to reconsider, Bureau of Corrections spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said.

Pemberton’s lawyer Rowena Flores pressed for his immediate release.

“Every day that he stays in jail is a

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno (second form left) with contact tracing czar,Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong during the launching of the Stay Safe QR Code, a software application for COVID-19 contract tracing, at SM Manila, on September 3, 2020.

The StaySafe.Ph free mobile app will help in virus prevention and mitigation efforts of the government according to Vince Dizon, deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan against COVID-19.

Norman Cruz

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPTEMBER 3)

228,403 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,987 65,240 ACTIVE

3,866

65

159,475

880

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

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APP AND RUNNING.

COVID-19 PH

NEW

violation of his constitutional right,” Flores said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, a lawyer who represented the Laude family during the trial, said the court had committed “judicial overreach” and that the government would also file a motion for reconsideration.

“Do not release him yet. The decision is not yet final and executory,” Roque said.

Roque said he has talked to Justice

NEW

NEW

PhilHealth mess: House bares payments for rejected claims

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

more than P600 million in late payments to hospitals with rejected claims from 2011 to 2019.

At a congressional hearing conductA HOUSE leader on Thursday slammed the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. ed by the House committees on public (PhilHealth) board for the approval of Next page

Wear mask before sex—Canada expert CANADA’S chief public health officer on Wednesday urged couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

“Sex can be complicated in the time of COVID-19, especially for those Next page

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• New cases tally lowest since middle of July • KL clampdown

By Willie Casas, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health on Thursday reported 1,987 additional COVID-19 cases, the lowest since July, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 228,403.

“As of 4 PM (on) September 3, 2020, the Department of Health reports the total number of COVID-19 cases at 228,403,” said DOH COVID-19 Case Bulletin #173.

The total number of recoveries is 159,475 and deaths is 3,688.

It is the second straight day the number of additional cases was lower than usual, although Thursday’s data is only from 91 out of 113 operating laboratories.

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Duterte zaps terror groups at Aqaba meet

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte slammed local terrorist groups—like the Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and the New People’s Army—for exploiting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak to serve what he called their nefarious activities.

But Duterte said religion had nothing to do with terrorism.

The President made the statement at the Aqaba Process Virtual Meeting on COVID-19 Response on Wednesday, saying amid the Next page

ARS LONGA … A biker pauses to appreciate the mural paintings along the aptly called Art Street in Cabuyao, Laguna on Thursday Sept 3, 2020. Pond News Asia

Vaccines out before polls—US

THE Trump administration has urged US states to get ready to distribute a potential COVID-19 vaccine by November 1-two days before the presidential election.

Dallas-based wholesaler McKesson Corp. has a deal with the federal government and will be requesting permits

to set up distribution centers when a vaccine becomes available.

“The normal time required to obtain these permits presents a significant barrier to the success of this urgent public health program,” Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Next page

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News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

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House official wary of SC ruling A

N OFFICIAL said Thursday he was concerned over a Supreme Court decision that would allow foreign construction firms to have a local licensee and be able to engage in any private or government project in the country.

While stressing his respect for the high tribunal, Rep. Romeo Momo, vice chairman of the House committee on public works and highways, said he was alarmed over the ruling on the petition for review filed by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board or PCAB, which is seeking a reversal of the Feb. 24, 2014 resolution and the Feb. 10, 2015 order of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83.

The February 2014 ruling and the RTC order were both favorable to the petition filed by Manila Water Company

Inc. and declared void Section 3.1 Rule 3 of the Revised Rules and Regulations Governing Licensing and Accreditation of Contractors in the Philippines or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 4566 or the Philippine Licensing Board for Contractors Law. Momo says before the high court decision, only foreign construction companies with a 60-percent Filipino equity or with a local joint-venture partner could seek a contract for a private or government project.

Now that foreign construction firms

39 Filipinos...

From A1

Pemberton...

From A1

The man told rescuers that he had put on a life jacket and dived into the sea after a warning announcement on board on Wednesday, when powerful Typhoon Maysak was passing through the area.

The typhoon has since passed the area and the weather during the search was reported to be fine.

He said one of the boat’s engines had stalled and a wave then overturned the ship, which later sank, the coast guard said in a statement.

There were no details on when and where the ship sank, but the man said he had not seen other crew members while waiting to be rescued.

A rubber boat was spotted late Wednesday in the area being searched for survivors, but the coast guard said they had not confirmed if it was linked to the ship.

Three coast guard vessels, five planes and specially trained divers are involved in the search-and-rescue operation.

Japan is currently in its annual typhoon season, and a second massive storm is on course to arrive in the same area around Sunday, according to local forecasters, potentially limiting the time the coast guard can continue to search.

The ship was carrying a crew of 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians, and was charged by Australia-based Australasian Global Exports to carry the livestock.

It was reportedly travelling from Napier in New Zealand to the Chinese port of Tangshan.

Australasian Global Exports said it was in contact with the families of some of the crew, as well as with local authorities, but offered no further details. AFP

Secretary Menardo Guevarra who mentioned to him the government’s plans to appeal the latest court decision.

Pemberton’s conviction fell under the Philippines and United States’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which covers the legal liability of US troops taking part in military operations in the Southeast Asian country.

President Rodrigo Duterte has shifted away from the US to pursue greater economic cooperation with China since assuming power in 2016. In February, he notified Washington that the Philippines would terminate the VFA for alleged US interference in his war on drugs.

But Manila later put the abrogation on hold, citing “political and other developments in the region.”

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the Bureau of Corrections would not process Pemberton’s release papers until the motion filed by Laude’s family has been settled.

Perete’s statement scotched speculation that Pemberton had been released from detention in compliance with the order issued by Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 74 Judge Roline Ginez Jabalde, who directed the corrections bureau to release him.

Pemberton was sentenced to spend 6-10 years in prison after he was convicted of homicide for killing transgender Laude.

Considering deductions of his prison term on account of his Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), he has already exceeded the maximum prison sentence.

The court order said during Pemberton’s preventive suspension, he served

Local...

From A1 For the first time in quite a while, less than half of the additional cases are from the National Capital Region (818).

There are now 65,240 active cases or individuals still infected in the country.

The Philippines has been logging record-high numbers in terms of new COVID-19 cases since late July, following the easing of quarantine measures and the gradual opening up of the economy.

The UP OCTA Research group estimates 330,000 to 375,000 cases by the end of September, although it said the epidemic curve had started to f latten.

Meanwhile, the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team estimates 402,821 to 767,611 cases, or an average of 585,216 cases by the end of the year.

sion to block Filipinos with long-term passes from entering its territory beginning September 7 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said Malaysia’s move was an exercise of national sovereignty.

“That’s a sovereign decision [on] who will be allowed to enter one’s territory,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

Aside from Filipinos, Malaysia will also bar the entry of long-term pass holders from India and Indonesia.

More compensation

Employees who contracted COVID-19 due to work-related activities can receive more compensation aside from the benefits of the Social Security System.

In a public briefing Thursday, Employees’ Compensation Commission Executive Director Stella ZipaganBanawis said these workers could reMalaysian block ceive sickness and medical benefits.

Meanwhile, the Philippines exBeneficiaries can claim up to P480 pressed dismay over Malaysia’s deci- per day depending on their monthly sal-

Wear mask...

From A1 without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for COVID-19,” Theresa Tam said in a statement.

“The lowest-risk sexual activity during COVID-19 involves yourself alone,”

Duterte...

From A1 pandemic, all nations would not let up in the fight against terrorism.

“COVID-19 has not quarantined terrorists, but we will not allow COVID-19 to bring our people to their knees, Duterte said.

However, the Chief Executive stressed that religion had nothing to do with ter-

could apply for a local license with the PCAB, he said, local construction companies would stand to lose project contracts and job opportunities for Filipino construction workers.

“Big foreign contractors that will be given a license like our local contractors can now participate in privatelyfunded biddings, and unlike before when only those companies with at least 60 percent Filipino equity are allowed,” Momo said.

“And in case of a foreign company which is a holder of QUADRUPLE A license, if the project cost is at least P3 billion or P5 billion, if they got a project here, surely they would bring in workers from their country and our Filipino construction workers will be the least of their priority.

“While we respect the decision of the [high court], we are expressing our deep concern on its effect to the Filipino construction industry—the Filipino contractors and the Filipino construction workers.”

But Momo says all is not lost as he bowed to spearhead a move to amend some provisions of RA 4566, particularly in an effort to protect the welfare of Filipino construction companies and workers.

“The Supreme Court said that there is no particular provision in RA 4566 stating that only Filipino-owned construction companies should be given a PCAB license. It was only in its implementing rules and regulations or the IRR, that is why they said it is illegal,” Momo said.

405 days in prison, and another 1,737 days during his service of sentence, for a total of 2,142 days. Adding the GCTA credits he obtained during his preventive suspension numbering 260 days and 1,288 days during his service of sentence, that totaled 1,548 days.

His actual time served of 2,142 days and his GCTA of 1,548 comes to 3,690 days.

“Pemberton has a total accumulated time served with entitlement of GCTA of 10 years, one month, and 10 days, which is more than the 10 years maximum penalty imposed by this court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

Thus, he is now entitled to be released for he had already served the 10 years maximum of his penalty,” the trial court said.

The court also said Pemberton was able to satisfy his civil liability by completing the payment of P4.6 million to Laude’s heirs.

But Laude’s sister Marilou LaudeMahait filed a motion for reconsideration and asked the Olongapo RTC to set aside its order, and instead issue a new order denying Pemberton’s early release, and for him to complete his service of sentence.

The Laude family’s lawyer Virgie Suarez said the motion for reconsideration will be heard at 10 a.m. on Monday.

Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. of Dasmariñas City in Cavite, president of the National Unity Party (NUP), said the court decision on Pemberton showed the justice system has worked.

“Meted out punishment was served. I call on the victim’s family and supporters to observe sobriety,” Barzaga said.

“Our laws apply to both Filipino and foreigners who commit a crime here.

And whatever benefits they grant to Filipinos also equally apply to all foreigners regardless of their nationali-

ties,” he said.

But the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives denounced the release of Pemberton.

Gabriela Women’s Party said Pemberton’s early release was “an injustice to all Filipino women and LGBTQ who were made highly vulnerable to rape, prostitution, and other forms of genderbased violence” under the VFA. Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela added: “The Olongapo court granted the early release of a transphobic murderer under GCTA who was not even detained at the New Bilid Prison but at a relatively lavish detention facility in Camp Aguinaldo. Where is the justice in that? His conduct was never put to test as he was living comfortably in his specially made cell.”

Rep. Ferdinand Gaite of Bayan Muna called on the court to review its decision to release Pemberton.

Gaite said he was dismayed over the early release of Pemberton.

“He never spent one single day in a Philippine prison. Instead, he was kept in an American facility, guarded by his fellow American soldiers, and possibly given the best treatment a convicted criminal could wish for.”

The decision also prompted renewed calls from Gaite for the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, a move which the Duterte government had repeatedly threatened to do but has yet to carry out.

“We further reiterate our long standing call for the immediate abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement. This agreement has not only resulted in the murder of Jennifer Laude but also made the special treatment of an American criminal possible,” Gaite said.

Senators seemed uncertain on how to react to the news of Pemberton’s impending release.

ary credit in SSS, Banawis said. provement of the health system and its Aside from this, Banawis said the attendant benefits.

ECC also provides death and funeral benefits for employees who died due to SAP remittance work-related activities.

A congressman on Thursday prodded the Department of Social Welfare Stimulus package and Development to check on its fiA total P53.48 billion-- almost half of nancial service providers over alleged the P165 billion stimulus package--for overcharging beneficiaries of the Social the support of healthcare workers has Amelioration Program amid complaints been allocated by the Bayanihan to Re- reaching the CamSur solon that certain cover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, the “abusive” FSPs had been exacting exDepartment of Health said. orbitant convenience fees from the cash The DOH said this had been help- payouts of SAP grantee-households. ful in sustaining their drive and keepDeputy Speaker for Finance and Camaing HCWs protected while at the same rines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte time preventing the influx of patients issued the call after the DSWD informed into hospitals. lawmakers at a congressional hearing that The first phase of the Bayanihan One the agreement with remittance partners Act, also known as the Bayanihan to was that they should not charge more than Heal as One, provided medical frontlin- P50 as a convenience fee for every SAP ers with personal protective equipment, cashout regardless of the amount. accommodations, and risk allowances, Villafuerte, however, said he had among other benefits, as well as recruit- received reports that some providers ing more of their colleagues to help charge as high as P120 for every overthem in their daily duties. the-counter cash payout in the authorBayanihan 2, on the other hand, will ized partner-remittance outlets desigconcentrate on primary care and the im- nated by the DSWD.

she added.

But those having sex with a partner who is at risk or from outside their household should be “skipping kissing and avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness [and] consider using a mask that covers the nose and mouth.”

Tam said people should also limit their consumption of alcohol or “other substances so you and your partner[s]

are able to make safe decisions.”

She said there was a “very low likelihood” of transmission of the new coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. But she still urged condom use.

The number of COVID-19 cases rose on Wednesday to 129,705, including 9,171 deaths. Almost 90 percent of the people who fell sick have recovered. AFP

rorism, adding “all faiths – Islam included – teach us to love not hate; to build peace not destroy; and, to celebrate our common humanity and not trample on it with senseless and ruthless violence.”.

Recognizing the lingering security threats, the President has called on world nations to ensure there is “no room for the barbarity of terrorists and extremists forces.” He said they must be “stronger” and “not let up” in the fight against the scourge of terrorism.

Duterte’s statement was in reference to a call for an intensified anti-terrorism efforts after two deadly bombings hit Jolo, Sulu, a suspected stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, on August 24.

At least 15 people, including soldiers, were killed and dozens wounded when two blasts ripped through the main town of Jolo.

It was considered the biggest attack in Sulu since January 2019 when two bombs exploded at the Jolo cathedral that killed 20 people and injured dozens more.

Vaccines...

From A1 Disease Control and Prevention, told states in an Aug. 27 letter.

“CDC urgently requests your assistance in expediting applications for these distribution facilities.”

Redfield asked states to consider waiving requirements that would “prevent these facilities from becoming fully operational by Nov. 1, 2020.”

The CDC provided states with documents giving details of a vaccine rollout plan, adding that they would either be approved as licensed vaccines or under emergency-use authorization.

Recipients would probably require a second “booster” dose, a few weeks after the first, according to the documents.

“Vaccine and ancillary supplies will be procured and distributed by the federal government at no cost to enrolled

Storm threatens PAR, N. Luzon

By Rio N. Araja A TROPICAL storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility intensified into a typhoon on Thursday and may enter the Philippines today, Friday, the weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Typhoon “Haishen” was last spotted 1,800 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, and would be named “Kristine” once it enters the Philippines.

Weathermen are now closely monitoring the storm, but it is expected to head for Japan.

“Haishen” is packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 150 kilometers per hour, and is moving westnorthwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

PhilHealth...

From A1 accounts and good government and public accountability, Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said that since 2011, various hospitals all over the country have been claiming payments from PhilHealth. All these claims amounting to more than P4 billion have been rejected by the Protest Appeals and Review Department (PARD) of PhilHealth.

But in a sudden turn of events in May 2020, and without the required detailed evaluation of each claim, PARD reversed its decisions and granted its version of amnesty by paying all these hospitals, Barbers said. However, the board only allowed a little over P600 million to be paid, he added.

“How can the PARD and former SVP [Rodolfo] del Rosario justify this very anomalous deal? PARD is under the office of SVP Jojo del Rosario. With the lame excuse of helping these hospitals cope with the COVID pandemic, they suddenly became generous and considerate after years of neglecting these claims?”

Barbers asked.

“First, each claim should have undergone detailed scrutiny and evaluation before being reconsidered.

Second, how do you evaluate claims from two to nine years ago? Third, why the need to pay those claims that have undergone evaluation and have been rejected a long time ago for various reasons? Fourth, if the reason for resuscitating them is because PhilHealth erred, then these officials are liable for gross negligence and gross neglect of duty under the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, for sitting on these transactions all these years,” Barbers said.

Barbers said “the board did not even do a simple due diligence and blindly approved the recommendations for “amnesty” from PARD and Del Rosario. They are all grossly negligent and entered into a deal that is grossly disadvantageous to the government.”

In a matter of days, Barbers said PARD has reversed years-old decisions and succeeded in getting a board approval for more than P600 million.

“It is just like peanuts for them,” Barbers said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, meanwhile, rejected a proposal by administration lawmakers in the House of Representatives to grant the President emergency powers to reform and reorganize PhilHealth.

“There is no use for emergency powers. We will oppose it in the Senate. The President can reform and reorganize PhilHealth without emergency powers from Congress,” Drilon said in a statement on Thursday.

COVID-19 vaccination providers,” say the documents, which also went to New York City, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and San Antonio.

Priority will be given to essential workers, national security officials, seniors and members of vulnerable racial and ethnic groups, according to The New York Times.

Three Western drug makers are progressing with their Phase 3 clinical trials, involving tens of thousands of participants.

The three are AstraZeneca, which is partnering with Oxford University in England; Moderna, collaborating with the US National Institutes of Health; and the Pfizer/BioNTech alliance.

By the nature of the trials, it is difficult to predict when reliable results will emerge.

Half of the participants in such trials receive an experimental vaccine, while the other half are given a placebo. AFP

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A3

Sanchez’s transfer House committee starts hearings on 2021 national budget to PGH scrapped By Maricel V. Cruz

By Rey E. Requejo FORMER Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez will no longer be transferred to the Philippine General Hospital after his condition has improved, an official of the Department of Justice said on Thursday.

“His condition has improved, he will no longer be transferred to the PGH,” Justice Secretary Markk Perete said in a text message to reporters.

Perete added that the Bureau of Corrections informed the DOJ that Sanchez’ swab test came back negative.

Sanchez underwent an RT-PCR test after he tested positive of COVID-19 in the rapid test. He also exhibited symptoms of the virus such as flu and shortness of breath.

Sanchez remains at the New Bilibid Prison Hospital but is already on stable condition, BuCor said.

However, Sanchez has been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia moderate risk, acute gastroenteritis, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus type 2 and benign prostatic hypertrophy Sanchez was meted with seven terms of reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment) for the rape and murder of Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of her boyfriend Allan Gomez in 1993.

The convicted rapist was initially brought to the Ospital ng Muntinlupa Monday evening but since the hospital has no more space for probable COVID patient, prison authorities brought him back to the national penitentiary.

Last year, the former mayor hogged the headlines after the DOJ announced he may be able to get out of prison by availing of the good conduct allowance provided for under the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance law.

The controversy surrounding the grant of GCTA led authorities to review its implementation to exclude from coverage those convicted of heinous crimes.

THE House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations will begin today, Sept. 4, its first set of budget hearings on the Palace-proposed P4.506 trillion national budget for 2021.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Eric Yap of ACT-CIS, will conduct its delib-

erations on the money measure with the Development Budget Coordination Committee, which is composed of the Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Deputy Speaker for Finance and Camarines Sur Luis Raymund Villafuerte

said a maximum of 50 attendees will be present physically in Congress, including representatives from each agency to be chosen by their respective departments.

The rest of the House members and the national agencies’ officers will join the deliberations via teleconferencing apps like Zoom, he said.

“The leadership really has to make

US firms urged to support PH

By Maricel V. Cruz

H

OUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Thursday rallied support from members of the US-ASEAN Business Council for President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s vision and programs, assuring them that Congress has been working very hard with the Chief Executive to introduce reforms and attract more foreign investors into the country.

WHITE SAND. Workers prepare the white sand at the Manila Bay, which has been under rehabilitation since January 27, 2019 after the DENR recorded extremely high fecal coliform levels from major Manila Bay outfalls. In January this year, Secretary Roy Cimatu said the most recent data from the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau showed that the coliform levels have “drastically decreased.” Norman Cruz

BOC-NAIA condemns 29.5 tons of unsafe smuggled goods

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport has destroyed 29.5 tons of anti-social goods and unsafe smuggled items in Trece Martires, Cavite last Aug. 28 and 29, and on Sept. 1.

Among the goods disposed include expired food products, dietary supplements,

sure that aside from being transparent and deliberative, the hearings must be safe.

That’s why the number of people present has to be limited, but at the same time it does not mean that those participating through Zoom cannot participate. However, if there are issues in which they must be personally present, they can be summoned,” said Villafuerte.

medicines, vape products and medical kits and devices which were imported but lack the necessary Food and Drug Administration approval and clearances that pose as health risks to the public.

Also included in the disposal were regulated items such as cigarettes, electrical items, bulbs, batteries, used cellphones, CDs and DVDs and other storage devices

without clearances from the National Tobacco Administration, Bureau of Product Standards, National Telecommunications Commission and Optical Media Board clearances, respectively.

On Aug. 24, the Customs NAIA also condemned three tons of hazardous mobile phones, expired food supplies, dietary supplements and Chinese medicines.

The series of condemnation of goods is in line with the directive of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonard Guerrero to inspect all abandoned and overstaying cargoes in order to check illegal goods and immediate disposal thereof to decongest warehouses.

Port of NAIA District Collector Carmelita Talusan said despite the ongoing

Speaking during the joint virtual meeting via Zoom, Romualdez assured senior business executives that lawmakers have been exerting all efforts to ease doing business in the Philippines and make a more conducive business environment that would foster economic growth.

“Our President has laid out the survival and recovery roadmap for us to consider.

We in the House of Representatives, are in full support of this plan and are ready to face the challenges spelled out by our President. As partners in nation-building, we readily commit ourselves to help realize the concrete plans and approve the proposed legislative measures provided by the President,” Romualdez, the chairman of the House Committee on Rules, told the members of the US-ASEAN Business Council 2020 Virtual Philippines Business Mission.

Du30 in good state of health­—Duque

By Willie Casas HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Thursday that despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission that his Barrett’s esophagus condition is worsening and may progress to stage 1 cancer, the Chief Executive is in a “good state of health.”

Speaking in a radio interview, Duque said that the 75-year old President is “okay” and added that the President’s directives are clear during their meetings.

“What he said is clear and his frame of mind is very clear,” said Duque as he observed the President during their Cabinet meetings.

“His orders to us, his desires, his priorities, he clearly delivers to us- his Cabinet.

He is okay. I don’t see any problem. He is in a good state of health,” added Duque

HIT AND RUN. Mohamad Ali Sulaiman, the suspect in the hit-and-run incident that killed nurse Renz Jayson Perez, surrenders to the

office of Manila City Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso and vice mayor Honey Lacuna. Kiara Laurn Ibanez

Gordon wants fixed SEC ruling on TMC dispute questioned term for PNP chief

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Richard J. Gordon on Thursday expressed confidence that increasing the retirement age of generals to 65 and setting a fixed term of three years for chiefs of staff would redound to the improvement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Gordon said that a fixed three-year term and increased retirement age would enable chiefs of staff to develop, test, and implement effective reforms and meaningful long-term plans and programs of the AFP. Under the current system, he noted that newly-appointed chiefs of staff usually only have a few months left to take over the position before they retire.

He cited the case of Police Lt. General Camilo Cascolan who was recently named as the new chief of the Philippine National Police.

“The persons at the helm of the AFP should be given ample time - even better security of tenure - to develop, test, and implement effective reforms and meaningful long-term plans and programs of the AFP,” said Gordon.

QUESTIONS have been raised on why the Securities and Exchange Commission chose to involve itself in an intra-corporate dispute involving The Medical City even while the Securities Regulation Code mandated that all such disputes be decided by regional trial courts.

In a 141-page petition filed with the Court of Appeals, lawyers of TMC pointed out that the SEC not only involved itself in an intra-corporate dispute, it also violated its own rules as well as ignoring the rulings of the Regional Trial Court and the CA. The SEC had issued several decisions favorable to TMC’s former CEO Dr. Alfredo Bengzon while courts had already upheld the validity of the hospital’s shareholders to vote in a new board in 2018 and in 2019.

Recently, doctors of TMC came up with a paid advertisement in several newspapers

publicly expressing their opinion that Bengzon should stay away from managing the hospital again.

Bengzon, who holds only 0.11% of TMC shares, has been trying to claim control of the company by filing cases with the SEC. Jose Xavier Gonzales, current chairman of the board of TMC, explained his frustration with the SEC ruling.

“Everything we did was guided by adhering to the law and the SRC, so we were surprised that the SEC, which has in its own records all our documents, claims that we did not disclose any of our actions. They themselves gave us approval to conduct a mandatory tender offer to all the minority shareholders of TMC in April 2018. But now they say we were hiding information that they themselves possessed in their files, ” he said.

who has been embroiled in the issue of corruption at Philhealth.

Duterte had admitted in public that he has Buerger’s disease and Barrett’s esophagus.

He also said that he has been experiencing occasional headaches and has spinal issues which he attributes to a motorcycle accident when he was 68 years old.

Critics of the President have been demanding to make public his health condition.

The Supreme Court was again urged to reconsider its decision dismissing a petition seeking to compel Malacanang to make public Duterte’s medical records.

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.

KIDNAPPED.

Philippine National Police Anti Kidnapping Group operatives from Angeles, Pampanga present kidnapping suspect Xiong Xiong to members of the media at the AKG’s national office in Camp Crame.

Immigration agents nab South Korean fugitive wanted for large-scale fraud in Taguig

By Vito Barcelo BUREAU of Immigration operatives arrested a South Korean fugitive wanted by authorities in his country for large-scale fraud.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as 50-year-old Sin In Chul, who was arrested at his condominium residence in Taguig City by joint operatives from the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit and Philippine National Police’s Criminal Inves-

tigation and Detection Group.

The arresting officers were armed with a mission order that Morente issued at the request of the South Korean Embassy which informed the BI about the fugitive’s presence in the country.

The Embassy also said that Sin’s passport is about to be revoked, thus he will, eventually, become an undocumented alien.

“We will send him back to South Korea as soon as our Board of Commissioners is-

sues the order for his summary deportation.

He will be placed in our black list of undesirable aliens to prevent him from re-entering the Philippines,” Morente said.

The South Korean national is reportedly the subject of a red notice issued by the Interpol after he was charged with fraud, and issued an arrest warrant by a district court in Incheon, South Korea.

Prosecutors alleged that from January to March 2020, Sin defrauded 31 of his com-

patriots of more than 1.086 billion won or roughly US$914,000 by selling them face masks that he did not deliver.

The suspect reportedly managed to dupe his victims by posting advertisement of his non-existent products over the Internet. He was able to entice prospective buyers to advance and deposit their payments to his bank account. He pocketed the victims’ funds as he had no intention to deliver the masks since they’re not in his possession.

LGUs

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

A4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

Taguig residents urged to avail free PCR testing

MALABON’S MOVES.

Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta (standing) visits the free swab testing site at the Oreta Sports Stadium during the first day of testing, as hardworking frontliners man the registry table of the testing center. Malabon's barangay health emergency response team also conducted contact tracing for positive tests.

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Taguig City government on Thursday urged residents to avail of its free COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing at health centers from Monday to Friday, the regular drive-thru testing every Wednesday at Bonifacio Global City, and every Thursday at Lakeshore in Lower Bicutan.

As of September 3, the Taguig City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CEDSU) and Barangay Health Centers already conducted 40,024 PCR tests thru the Systematic, Mass Approach Responsible Testing (SMART) program.

“As Taguig City continues the battle against COVID-19, it is crucial for the local government to identify positive cases in order to have them undergo quarantine, cease the spread, and recover from coronavirus,” said Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano.

On Thursday, the local government recorded 92 new confirmed COVID-19 cases COVID-19 and 203 recoveries. It has a total of 5,090 confirmed cases. Of these number, 442 are active cases. The city also reported 44 deaths and 4,604 recoveries.

Vizcaya board member gets coronavirus

By Abe Almirol SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya—“I am CV 833,” Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Board Member Eunice GalimaGambol said on her official social media page on We d n e s d a y in announcing she contracted the coronavirus disease.

CV 833 is the numeric identit y tag assigned to her by the Department of Health. “CV” stands for Cagayan Valley. She is the 833rd COVID-19 case in the region.

“To my dear fellow Novo Vizcayanos, it is with sadness that I announce that I am positive for COVID-19. I have taken the test last Monday and just this afternoon, I received my swab test result confirming that I am positive for the virus,” Galima-Gambol said.

The board member was “deeply saddened” upon learning the result of her test, knowing she has interacted with her family, colleagues, and staff of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during last Monday’s session.

“Now the burden is with me if ever I have infected other people. To which I continuously pray that I have not,” she said.

Galima-Gambol called on all people who came into close contact with her since August 14 to contact the Provincial Health Office if they are having COVID-19 symptoms.

Malabon models ways to deal with virus threat L

OCAL government units, especially in the National Capital Region, face more challenges as the coronavirus pandemic has not only affected the lives of citizens, it also drastically impacted businesses and livelihoods.

As the elusive vaccine is still far from approval, LGUs such as Malabon are doing their best amid the current situation, balancing both the safety of people with the safe reopening of businesses.

One of the ways Malabon is doing it is by implementing an effective system for contact tracing and presiding over a free mega swab testing done at the city’s sports stadium.

To “Detect, Isolate, Trace, and Treat”

patients is the only way the city can have a semblance of normalcy and allow the local economy to function amid the new normal, Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta said.

The free mega swab testing started last August 8 at the Oreta Sports Center in coordination with the City’s Health Department, Ospital ng Malabon, Philippine National Red Cross, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF).

From an initial RT PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) testing of 600 a day, succeeding tests showed significant increase of target capacity to 1,000 a day. As of August 25, a total of almost 20,000 Malabonians were already tested.

Malabon implements its testing every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while contact tracing by the barangay health emergency response team (BHERTs) is done during Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In addition to the free testing, participants are also given food packs so they will not need to go out of their homes frequently until their results are released.

TRIKE AID. A tricycle

driver loads his vehicle with goods after the local government of Muntinlupa on Wednesday distributed food packs to around 3,000 displaced tricycle drivers whose livelihoods were affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Social Service Department head Analyn Mercado said Mayor Jaime Fresnedi assured there will be other batches of food packs distribution for jeepney and pedicab drivers, trolley operators, and other affected daily wage earners to help them cope during the community quarantines.

Septuagenarian drowns in basin MABALACAT CITY—A 75-year-old grandmother was found dead while naked in her bathroom here as burglars stole cash and two mobile phones from her home here in Barangay San Joaquin shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Police Lt. Col. Edgar Guevarra, city police chief, identified the victim as Ligaya Guevarra David, a widow staying with her grandson at No. 384 Dakila Street in said village.

Guevarra said the victim was lying naked on the bathroom floor, with her head dipped in a basin full of water, which investigators believed was used to choke and drown her. He said her body was discovered by grandson Genesis Parker David Neri past 5 a.m.

The police chief said the incident was reported to them past 8 a.m. on the same day.

Neri told investigators he heard commotion outside of his room past midnight but ignored it as he said he was “suffering from a severe headache.” He was awakened by the sound of splash watering in the bathroom that prompted him to check it.

Upon finding his grandmother, Neri immediately lifted her body and tried to revive her but failed, the police report submitted to higher police headquarters

by Guevarra noted.

With the help of neighbors, Guevarra said the victim was brought to Tiglao General Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival by attending physician.

Jess Malabanan

Mariveles dads laud frontliners

DA approves P16.5m in projects for Quirino State DIFFUN, Quirino—The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) has granted P16.5 million to Quirino State University for the implementation of research and development projects.

“Four research proposals earned the nod for funding assistance by DA-BAR under the leadership of [our] President, Dr. Hermenegildo F. Samoy Jr. and Vice President for Academics, Research and

IN BRIEF

Extension Dr. Elizabeth T. Carig,” a statement from the university said.

DA and QSU partnered in the program dubbed as “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19.”

QSU submitted to DA-BAR the project proposal titled “Support to Mass Production of Vermicompost in the Province of Quirino,” which was approved with a grant fund amounting to P2,990,206.40.

NEW VILLAGE OIC. Dasmarinas

City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga (in white) welcomes First Kagawad Teresa Reyes (right, holding a certificate), after appointing her as the new officer-incharge Barangay Chairwoman of Barangay Fatima 2 to replace Jesus Estil, who was famously caught having sex with the Barangay Treasurer while on a Zoom video meeting inside their barangay hall and later resigned.

Benjamin Chavez

The project aims to develop and improve soil amendment technologies for vegetables and fruits. The project is expected to be implemented over a period of one year, which started in July 2020 until June 2021.

In addition, the ALPAS Program was also earmarked with P3.5 million for the implementation of the project titled “Support to Mass Production of Mushroom in Quirino Province.” Abe Almirol

MARIVELES, Bataan—To recognize their heroism and sacrifices, health workers and frontliners were given food by members of Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Mariveles on Monday, on the celebration of National Heroes Day. Vice Mayor Lito Rubia led Councilors Harry Golocan, Susan Murillo, Ronald Arcenal, Angel Sunga, Joey Carandang, Tito Catipon, Turing Isip, ABC President Venancio Villapando Jr., SK Municipal Federation President Vincent Charles Banzon, and IP Municipal Representative Manuel Pacayay in going around town to deliver the goods.

“In celebrating National Heroes Day, it is only fitting to show our profound gratitude to our frontliners who are in fact our modern-day heroes,” the Mariveles council said in its Facebook account.

“We give thanks to the sacrifices of our health workers and frontliners who risk their lives to save ours,” the councilors added.

SB Mariveles has passed ordinances and resolutions to help in dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic in this town, which recorded 23 of the 27 new cases in Bataan province on Wednesday.

Butch Gunio

Smart sets digital tools for LGUs LOCAL governments and communities in 32 provinces of Luzon participated in a webinar that showcased various digital solutions to help them respond to challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Billed as #WeHealAsOne, the virtual forum organized by leading mobile operator Smart Communications discussed digital innovations in education, livelihood, and agriculture to help communities adapt to the new normal.

More than 430 participants took part in the event where they learned from success stories of existing programs supported by Smart.

“We are looking forward to collaborations with LGUs because, in our

years of community-building, there is one formula that has worked for our initiatives—forging partnerships with like-minded organizations, and working together to help the public we serve,” said Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Sales & Distribution for PLDT and Smart Alex O. Caeg.

Pandemic-resilient education The first partnership program presented in the webinar was the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF), an innovative learning system that has been accredited by the Department of Education as a supplementary resource for its blended learning strategy for reopening classes in October.

Opinion What to avoid in a mortgage FOOTNOTES

TRANQUIL G.S SALVADOR III IN A country where 17.7 million Filipinos are living in poverty (https://psa.gov. ph/poverty-press-releases), being creative and resourceful to augment the income of the family is imperative. Based on the data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority in April 2020, there are presently 33.8 million employed persons in the Philippines (https:// psa.gov.ph/content/employment-situation-april-2020) receiving daily pay

A successful loan payment is one’s ticket to financial security. ranging from P282.00 to P537.00 depending on the region where the person is employed (https://nwpc.dole.gov. ph/stats/summary-of-current-regional-daily-minimum-wage-rates-by-region-non-agriculture-and-agriculture/).

These are the realities of surviving – not necessarily living—in the Philippines.

With the low minimum wage, it will be very hard to make ends meet especially if you are the head of a growing family. You will need money for basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, transportation, education, and medical needs. The Filipinos, being family centered, will always try to find ways such as looking for another job, managing a business on the side, working overtime, or working in a foreign country (even if it results in physical separation from loved ones) to increase his take home pay to supply the needs of his family.

An option available to those in need of ready cash is to mortgage the family home, an inherited piece of land, or real property. The common pitfall of some mortgagors/borrowers is to entrust their land title to the mortgagee/lender without any written instrument as evidence of the receipt of the title and the mortgage agreement. Sometimes, the mortgagee/lender exploits this situation by requiring the mortgagor/borrower to sign a blank piece of paper where the mortgage agreement terms and conditions will supposedly be reproduced.

This crafty mortgagee/lender will then supply the terms and conditions in the signed blank piece of paper to reflect not a mortgage but a sale of real property.

There are also instances when the mortgagee/lender releases the funds and receives the title to the land without charging interest and having no written agreement. This is usually the practice when the mortgagor/borrower is a friend or confidant. However, the problem arises when the mortgagor/ borrower dies and the heirs, believing without validating that the title to the

land has been lost or destroyed, file a petition for a new title in court. This extra-legal means is not recommended since it is illegal and intended solely to mislead the court. The petitioner, by pursuing the action and knowingly asserting a falsehood, may be held liable for perjury or false testimony.

The most common institutional lender in the Philippines is a bank. The bank, before it extends a loan, will have to determine the financial capacity and credit history of the borrower by conducting an extensive background check. If the loan is to be secured by a mortgage, then the collateral will be inspected and appraised separately. Usually, the financial profiling of the borrower by the bank will take at least a month to conclude. Hence, if the borrower is in dire need of money, he may obtain it through faster secondary sources with higher interest charges, like taking cash advances from credit card companies or borrowing from lending companies.

Once the bank approves the loan application, the loan agreement, promissory note and the mortgage agreement will be forwarded to the borrower. The borrower will then have the chance to review the terms of the agreements. In truth, however, the borrower will not be able to recommend changes in its wording since the contracts are in the nature of contracts of adhesion. The concept often arises in the context of standard-form printed contracts prepared by one party and submitted to the other on a “take it or leave it” basis (Barron’s Law Dictionary). This is not the case if the subject of the loan is purposely for business development projects or loan syndication agreements to fund oil, fuel, gas, power, water or energy projects, among others.

While you may not be able to revise the draft agreements, you may still haggle on interest rates, the mortgage redemptive insurance and fire insurance premiums, and reduce documentation and notarization fees. It is highly recommended that you take note of the events of default and date of the interest re-pricing since it will have an impact on your monthly amortizations for the succeeding year. If allowed by the bank, the borrower should apply to lock the interest for at least two (2) years to allow him to program his finances.

It is ideal for the borrower to pay the loan amortizations religiously until the finance term is completed. However, there are times when people suffer unforeseen financial reverses that result in their being declared in default. After repeated reminders to pay, this will push the bank to foreclose on the collateral or security of the loan. The banks prefer extrajudicial foreclosure to judicial foreclosure since the process is simpler and faster, unlike judicial foreclosure which has to undergo the process of an ordinary court case, which includes filing of pleadings/motions, attendance in pre-trial and trial and use of the modes of appeal if the decision is adverse.

Full version at www.manilastandard.net

Knights in shining armor POINT OF IMPACT

ERWIN TULFO WE WELCOME in this corner President Duterte’s designation of Police Lt. Gen. Camilo “Pikoy” Cascolan as Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Atty. Dante Gierran as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth).

Manong Digong could certainly use help from two knights in shining armor to help save the day for PNP and PhilHealth.

General Cascolan yesterday assumed as Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), duly appointed by the President two days before the retirement of P/General Archie Gamboa.

I can tell that Cascolan’s designation to the PNP top post is something the President wished he did in April 2018

upon the retirement of former PNP chief turned-senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

The PNP would have been spared of the darkest days in the organization’s history in connection with the “Ninja Cops” scandal that undermined the government's anti-drugs war itself.

These two men will save the day for two embattled institutions.

Cascolan is one of the bright stars of the famed Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sinagtala” Class of 1986 that produced Dela Rosa and former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde.

He is known as Dela Rosa’s co-author of the Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Double-Barrel, main components of the government’s war on anti-illegal

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

Looser quarantine rules restoring jobs

T

HE July unemployment rate released by the Philippine Statistics Authority yesterday clearly showed the clear correlation between community lockdown and jobs.

lion jobs, as Filipinos trooped back to their workplace with the increased availability of transportation.

Reopening the economy further while keeping the pandemic in check is a difficult, but not impossible, balancing act.

The unemployment rate in July eased to 10 percent from a record high of 17.7 percent in April, or during the height of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and most of the nation.

About 4.6 million Filipinos who were 15 years old and over were unemployed in July this year, up by 2.1 million from the same month last year, but down by 2.7 million from three months ago.

The lower unemployment rate in July meant some 2.7 million jobs were restored as the quarantine level eased. Another 4.9 million workers rejoined the labor force, bringing the total jobs restored to 7.5 mil-

Acting Economic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority director-general Karl Kendrick Chua presented a direct link between the level of quarantine restriction and the labor market. The country's economic output as measured by the gross domestic product worsened to record levels in the first half of May when nearly 80 percent

of the economy was placed under ECQ. In contrast, only 2.1 percent of the economy was placed under ECQ in the first half of July, resulting in the significant reduction in the unemployment rate and the return of some 7.5 million jobs.

The full restoration of jobs lost at the height of the pandemic, however, depends on an effective transportation system that can bring workers to their job sites. Chua points out that the GCQ reopened nearly 60 percent of Metro Manila's economy but only 35.5 percent of activities were actually restored due to the insufficient public transport system.

Millions of Filipinos are aching to go back to work and reclaim their jobs.

Some jobs may have been permanently lost, especially in small-scale enterprises, as many entrepreneurs do not have enough capital to sustain losing operations. Reopening the economy further while keeping the pandemic in check is a difficult balancing act. But it is not an impossible task.

Who is Alexei Navalny?

A CHARISMATIC anti-corruption campaigner, Alexei Navalny has been Russia's leading opposition politician for around a decade, determined to challenge Vladimir Putin's grip on power despite frequent prison stays and even damage to his health.

The Yale-educated 44-year-old lawyer— who is in hospital in Germany after being poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent— has been banned from state television and was barred from challenging Putin in the 2018 presidential election.

He has often been jailed and physically attacked, but has vowed to press ahead with his efforts.

Navalny has won a young fan base through viral videos exposing corruption among the elites and has more than two million followers on Twitter.

He has grabbed attention with his uncompromising rhetoric and coined phrases such as the "party of crooks and thieves" to slam the ruling United Russia party.

In 2011, the anti-corruption blogger led mass protests when tens of thousands took to the streets of Moscow to protest against vote-rigging in parliamentary elections.

Two years later the father-of-two stood for Moscow mayor, coming second against Putin ally Sergei Sobyanin.

In 2017, he accused then-prime minister Dmitry Medvedev of massive corruption in a YouTube documentary. That kick-started a fresh wave of protests across the country that was met with police violence and mass arrests.

The same year he had to travel to Spain for surgery after one of several street attacks left him nearly blind in one eye.

Brother jailed Navalny has faced a series of legal cases, which supporters see as punishment for his

activism.

In 2013, he was found guilty in an embezzlement case involving a timber deal and given a five-year suspended sentence that disqualified him from standing for public office.

In 2014, he was given another suspended sentence, and his brother Oleg, a co-defendant, was jailed for three-and-a-half years in a decision activists compared to a "hostage-taking."

Russia’s charismatic anti-Putin campaigner has been poisoned with a nerve agent.

Navalny has said he learnt about political campaigning from watching the US television series "House of Cards" and once listed Hollywood actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger among his personal heroes.

Navalny toured Russia ahead of the 2018 presidential election in an American-style campaign to rally his supporters.

But with the Kremlin tightly controlling the media, he still remains a fringe figure for many Russians, who are exposed to the official portrayal of him as a Western stooge and convicted criminal.

Putin has refused to pronounce Navalny's name in public, instead referring to him as "the person you mentioned", among other euphemisms, when asked directly about the opposition leader.

Eye-catching exposes While barred from mainstream politics,

Navalny has kept trying to expose the lavish wealth of Russia's elites, broadcasting the findings of his investigations to millions of Russians on social media and YouTube.

Trawling through land registries and the filings of offshore companies, Navalny and his team have helped lay bare the mansions and hidden fortunes of high-ranking officials.

Among Navalny's most eye-catching exposes have been details on the palatial homes of Putin's allies in Russia and abroad—including one kitted out with a vast climate-controlled storage room for fur coats.

But despite tapping into discontent among a largely young urban middle class he is far from a unifying opposition figure and some have criticised his anti-immigrant nationalist stance.

He scored his biggest recent success in local elections last year, when pro-Putin parties suffered losses because of a "Smart Voting" plan Navalny put forward after his allies were barred from standing in several races.

The tactic—which called for voters to support the one opposition candidate most likely to defeat the ruling party—saw Kremlin-backed lawmakers drop from 38 out of 45 seats in the Moscow city assembly to 25.

In the year since the elections, Navalny's offices have been raided repeatedly, while his Anti-Corruption Foundation was declared a "foreign agent" and ordered to pay several large fines.

Navalny was travelling the country to promote the tactical voting strategy in this September's regional elections when he fell ill and his plane made an emergency landing in the city of Omsk. AFP

MORE OPINION ONLINE drugs that rid the streets of thousands of cold-blooded drug dealers.

Of late, Cascolan headed the administrative support to COVID-19 Operations Task Force—a mission to save lives.

An accomplished police officer known as a quiet hard worker, General Cascolan does not have to prove anything in two months except to bring to a meaningful conclusion a police career of 34 years.

He vowed to spend each day as Chief PNP to lead the 200,000-strong national police force as the country’s vanguards hand in hand with the health workers in the frontline in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, there will be no letup in the anti-illegal drugs drive, as drug traffickers have continued to ply their illicit trade amid the public health crisis.

Cascolan, a veteran of combat action against insurgents in Mindanao, will also see to it that anti-terrorism measures are implemented. *** Atty. Gierran retired last February

22, upon reaching the age of 65, after serving as Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) since 2016.

He is just happy to get out of quarantine after six months and to accede to the request of Manong Digong.

His impeccable record of four years with the NBI, his hands-on style of management and investigation acumen more than qualify him, a self-made lawyer-CPA, to the top post at PhilHealth.

I cannot agree more that Gierran has more than what it takes to bring about drastic reforms in PhilHealth, which has served as a “milking cow” of some of the shameless thieves in the government.

Note that Gierran had a hand in the investigation and expose of the WellMed scandal on “ghost dialysis” involving PhilHealth officials and dialysis clinics.

With Gierran’s detective skills and the findings in the Senate and House probes, the PhilHealth mafia is in real trouble now, facing hundreds of criminal and administrative cases.

I expect that heads at PhilHealth will definitely roll in the days to come.

(www.manilastandard.net) TO THE POINT

EMIL JURADO

A hole in the head ABOUT TOWN

ERNESTO M. HILARIO

China ramps up military exercises in South China Sea CROSSROADS J.A. DELA CRUZ

Hontiveros’ resolution VIRTUAL REALITY

TONY LOPEZ

Resurrecting PhilHealth

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Biden campaign raises $364m DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Joe Biden raised more than $364 million in August, reportedly breaking the record for monthly campaign donations even though his fundraising efforts were largely online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The former vice president and the Democratic National Committee pulled in a total of $364.5 million, of which $205 million were pledged online from small donors, his campaign team said Wednesday.

The previous record was set by Barack Obama and the DNC in September 2008, when he raised almost $200 million, according to CBS and New York Times reports.

“That figure blows me away,” said the 77-year-old Biden in a statement thanking his supporters.

“Over $205 million, or 57 percent of the money we raised, came from online donations, from people like you, chipping in $5, $10, $20 at a time,” the candidate added.

Having prepared his re-election campaign since he arrived in early 2017 in the White House, 74-year-old President Donald Trump still has a larger overall war chest, but Biden has been drawing in ever larger sums since winning the Democratic primary in April. AFP

UN: Refugee kids out of school H

alf of all refugee children were already out of school before the coronavirus hit, and the UN cautioned Thursday the pandemic risked deepening a crisis robbing millions of future prospects.

A new report from the UNHCR refugee agency warned that many refugee children, especially girls, who had attended school before the novel coronavirus swept the world would not be able to return.

“After everything they have endured, we cannot rob them of their futures by denying them an education today,” UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in a statement, calling for action to support refugees’

right to an education.

The report, using data from 12 countries that host more than half of the world’s refugee children, found that more than 1.8 million of them—or a full 48 percent of all refugee children of school age – are out of school.

Attendance is particularly lackluster in secondary school and higher.

Around 77 percent of the refugee children were enrolled in primary school, but only 31 percent attended secondary school and three percent were in higher educa-

tion, the report showed.

While the UNHCR said a shift in methodology made it difficult to compare with data from previous years, it noted the statistics, dire as they look, actually represent a small improvement.

A 2019 report indicated that only one percent of refugees worldwide were in higher education.

But the pandemic is now threatening to undo even the small advances made, it said. AFP

Wirecard collapse leads to stricter finance regulations THE stunning collapse of the payments provider Wirecard has created a window of opportunity to push through quick reforms to beef up regulation of the sector, Germany’s finance minister said on Thursday.

Digital payments provider Wirecard crumbled into insolvency in June after the company was forced to admit a $2.3 billion hole in its balance sheet.

The scandal described by Finance Minister Olaf Scholz as “unparalleled” has shocked Germany and sparked questions over oversight and audit of the sector.

“Let me express a small hope,” Scholz said at a conference in Frankfurt.

“Everyone’s discussing Wirecard. And that creates a window for reforms.”

Supervisory authorities should be equipped with “more stringent instruments” to oversee companies, he added.

Scholz, who will lead his center-left Social Democrats into elections next year, said potential reforms included the possibility of reducing the number of years that auditors can audit a company and better separation between auditing and consultancy.

Auditing giant Ernst & Young has been dragged into the scandal after it signed off Wirecard’s accounts for more than a decade. AFP

High-profile poisonings or attempted poisonings of politicians, dissidents or spies. AFP

Outrage after Germany says Putin critic poisoned with Novichok WESTERN leaders demanded explanations from Moscow on Wednesday after Germany said that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent in an attempt to “silence” the Russian opposition leader.

The 44-year-old last month became the latest in a long line of Russian defectors and critics of President Vladimir Putin to be poisoned in suspicious circumstances, and is now in hospital in Berlin.

Medical tests from German military’s

chemical weapons laboratory had given “unequivocal evidence” that Navalny had been afflicted by military-grade Novichok, a poison first developed by the Soviet Union towards the end of the Cold War. The findings had prompted “some very serious questions that only Russia can and must answer,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

“It is certain that Alexei Navalny is the victim of a crime,” she added. “He was meant to be silenced and I condemn this in

the strongest possible terms.” ardly act – once again.”

The news prompted a fresh round of “The Russian people have a right to excondemnation from European leaders in press their views peacefully without fear an affair that has already sent tensions spi- of retribution of any kind, and certainly ralling between Russia and the West. not with chemical agents,” wrote US NaBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson tional Security Council spokesman John said Navalny’s poisoning was “outra- Ullyot. geous,” while French Foreign Minister NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg conJean-Yves Le Drian denounced the attack demned the “shocking” use of a military“shocking and irresponsible.” grade nerve agent which, he said, made “a European Union chief Ursula von der full and transparent” investigation by RusLeyen criticized a “despicable and cow- sia even more urgent. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Standard

CO2 emissions for Arctic wildfires reach record-high

TODAY

NOTICE OF THE INITIATION OF A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON THE IMPORTATION OF HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE) AND LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LLDPE) PELLETS AND GRANULES FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (SG CASE NOS. SG05-2020 & SG06-2020) Notice is hereby given that the Department of Trade and Industry has officially received properly documented applications from JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation (JGSPC) for the imposition of safeguard measures on the importation of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) pellets and granules from various countries. The applications allege that HDPE and LLDPE are being imported into the country in increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury to the local industry.

The Department acting under Section 6 of RA 8800, the Safeguard Measures Act, reviewed the evidence adduced in the application and has determined the existence of a prima facie case to justify the initiation of preliminary investigations. The products covered by the investigations are HDPE pellets and granules classified under AHTN Code 3901.20.00, and LLDPE pellets and granules classified under AHTN Codes 3901.10.12, 3901.10.92, 3901.40.00 and 3901.90.90.

The period of investigation (POI) covers the years 2015 to 2019.

Rule 5.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8800 provides that “the Secretary when establishing that the application of a safeguard measure will be in the public interest shall take into consideration the following factors; among others: (i) whether the imposition of the provisional measure will result in political and economic crisis: and (ii) the extent to which such imposition will cause a shortage of a product under consideration in the domestic market”.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF, interested parties are invited to submit their views on the matter, including on whether the imposition of a safeguard measure on the aforementioned products is in the public interest. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry, 3rd Floor, Tara Building, #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or through electronic submission to bis_irmd@dti.gov.ph within five (5) days from the date of publication of this notice.

The Non-Confidential Reports on the Initiation of a Preliminary Investigation can be accessed at the DTI web page: https://bit.ly/ SGM_lldpe-hdpe 28 August 2020.

RAMON M. LOPEZ Secretary MS (SEPT. 4, 2020)

ON TRIAL. Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai pushes through a media pack as he arrives at the West Kowloon court in Hong Kong on September 3, 2020, for the verdict of his criminal intimidation trial where he is accused of threatening a pro-Beijing reporter. AFP

US: Due process for ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero AMERICA’S top diplomat for Africa has urged a fair trial for “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina, as concern mounts over the mysterious circumstances of his arrest and return to his home country.

Rusesabagina, who saved more than 1,200 Rwandans during the 1994 genocide by sheltering them in a hotel, appeared in handcuffs in Kigali this week accused of serious charges including terrorism after a quarter century in exile abroad.

It remains unclear how the strident opponent of long-ruling President Paul Kagame, who had been living in the US and Belgium since leaving Rwanda in 1996, was extradited to his homeland.

Tibor Nagy, US assistant secretary for African Affairs, said he met Wednesday with Rwandan ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana to discuss the circumstances around Rusesabagina’s arrest.

“The United States expects the Rwandan government to provide humane treatment, adhere to

the rule of law, and provide a fair and transparent legal process for Mr. Rusesabagina,” Nagy said in a statement.

Rwandan investigators say Rusesabagina, who was played by US actor Don Cheadle in the 2004 Oscar-nominated film “Hotel Rwanda,” was arrested “through international cooperation” but have refused to elaborate.

Rusesabagina’s family have said they cannot understand why their father, a high-profile regime target, would return by his own free will to Rwanda where almost certain prosecution would await.

“We believe he was kidnapped and taken by extraordinary rendition to Rwanda,” a spokesman for the family said in a statement Wednesday.

He “is being held by President Paul Kagame’s government on false charges,” added the statement shared by the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, a charity in his name. AFP

THIS year’s Arctic Circle wildfires, still ablaze, have already surpassed the record set in 2019 for CO2 emissions, adding to the carbon pollution humanity needs to curtail, the European Union’s Earth observation program said Thursday.

Uncontrolled forest fires across one of the planet’s coldest regions have sent a quarter of a billion tons of CO2 spiralling into the atmosphere since January this year, topping by more than a third the total for 2019, according to satellite data.

The Arctic Circle includes latitudes upwards of 66 degrees North.

Almost all of the fires are in Russia, the EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts jointly reported.

Russia’s Eastern Federal District, which includes parts of the Arctic Circle, emitted more than half-a-billion tons of CO2 from June to August 2020, also the highest amount to date.

“The Arctic fires burning since midJune with high activity have already beaten 2019’s record in terms of scale and intensity,” said CAMS senior scientist Mark Parrington.

While satellite images do not reveal how these fires start, many of the blazes early in the summer are thought to have been caused by “zombie” fires that smoulder through the winter and then reignite, he said.

Freakishly warm weather across large swathes of Siberia since January combined with low soil moisture – likely a consequence of global warming – have fuelled the flames. AFP

Business E-cigarette maker Juul plans Europe and Asia exit NEW YORK—Troubled e-cigarette maker Juul plans to pull out of Europe and Asia and lay off more workers after already shedding a third of its workforce, the Wall Street Journal said Wednesday.

The start-up could end sales in 11 countries including Italy, Germany, Russia, Indonesia and the Philippines, the paper said, noting the US, Canada and Britain accounted for 90 percent of its sales in the first quarter.

That is expected to be accompanied by lay-offs, but no precise numbers have yet been announced.

Juul did not respond to an AFP request for comment late Wednesday.

The labor cuts would allow the company to invest in developing new products, according to an email sent to staff by Juul CEO Kevin Crosthwaite.

“While those investments will not provide short-term revenue, they will help us earn trust and build a company for the long term,” said Crosthwaite who took over the company a year ago.

Juul was accused of illegally selling its products to underage consumers and of having targeted high school kids, unleashing a landslide of lawsuits.

Since then, Juul has essentially stopped advertising or selling sweet or fruit-flavored products in the US and has pulled out of several overseas markets such as South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Portugal and Spain, as sales plummeted.

It laid off almost a third of its 3,000 workers earlier this year, and now has a staff of around 2,200, the Journal said.

In addition, in April the Federal Trade Commission moved to block a huge investment by competitor Altria, which owns the Marlboro brand, in Juul. sAltria had spent $12.8 billion for a 35-percent stake in Juul in December 2018, valuing the start-up at $38 billion. Altria now values the company at $12 billion. AFP

2 1700

B3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market advances to break five-day slump T HE stock market rose Thursday to snap a five-day slump on bargain hunting, with select blue chips leading the rally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 34.47 points, or 0.6 percent, to 5,772.86 on a value turnover of nearly P5.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 105 to 77, with 48 issues unchanged.

Casino operator Bloomberrry Resorts Corp. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. advanced 6.8 percent to P7.05, while food processor Century Pacific Food Inc. of the Po family climbed 5.3 percent to P17.50.

Manila Water Co. Inc., a unit of Ayala Corp., increased 2.8 percent to P14.50, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, also rose 2.8 percent to P105.40.

The rest of Asian equities were mixed Thursday following another blow-out

session on Wall Street, with new vaccine hopes and central bank largesse offset by a well-below-forecast US jobs reading and tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The New York rally seeped through to Asia early Thursday but some markets were unable to maintain their rallies.

Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and Wellington all posted big gains, while Taipei and Bangkok were also higher. Mumbai and Singapore were in the red.

Hong Kong and Shanghai were well down after Washington’s decision to impose fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats in the US, the latest salvo in a long-running standoff that includes issues including the virus to technology and trade.

The new requirements of People’s Republic of China diplomats “are a direct response to the excessive restraints already placed on our diplomats by the PRC,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

PSEi September 3, 2020

TOP GAINERS

Payrolls firm ADP said the US added 428,000 new jobs in August—a third of what was expected—boding ill ahead of the release of Friday’s much-anticipated government data, which is used as a guide for the state of the world’s top economy.

Still, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq clocked record highs, and the Dow jumped an impressive 1.6 percent.

Analysts pointed out that gains were beginning to broaden out from the technology giants who have helped power much of the past months’ surge.

“Quite why the rally has broadened out is frankly anyone’s guess, though both the ‘rates lower for longer’ and ‘vaccine round the corner’ pretexts received some (small) succor overnight,” said National Australia Bank’s Ray Attrill.

US officials have called on states to prepare to distribute a possible vaccine

by November 1—two days before the presidential election. With AFP

TOP LOSERS

BEIJING TRADE FAIR.

This picture shows the Meituan Autonomous Delivery vehicle at the China National Convention Centre, the venue for the upcoming China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing on September 3, 2020. AFP

United Airlines pursues layoffs if no more Washington help In this file photo, a United Airlines plane is parked at the gate on April 23, 2019, at Boston Logan International Airport. United Airlines said September 2, 2020 it plans to lay off up to 16,000 workers starting in October amid a prolonged industry downturn due to the coronavirus. AFP

MOST ACTIVE

Manila

Standard

TODAY 16th to 22nd Floors, Fort Legend Towers 31st Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 Statement of Condition (Head Office and Branches) As of June 30, 2020 AMOUNTS

ASSETS

CURRENT QUARTER

PREVIOUS QUARTER

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Other Assets-Net

462,650,119.47 2,700,714,928.42 1,165,057,666.32 1,528,759,277.74 3,824,994,620.37 3,274,840,808.69 36,529,834,237.33 2,292,180,000.00 34,626,715,607.28 00.00 389,061,369.95 525,294,995.98 1,083,798,389.09 101,586,132.92 1,118,296,176.49

559,453,425.88 2,909,657,265.83 3,437,159,709.84 103,120,510.16 4,115,316,918.71 3,406,467,230.34 39,401,085,692.32 5,953,755,218.16 33,897,992,761.71 00.00 450,662,287.55 253,682,883.54 461,053,297.85 101,169,905.96 942,096,989.30

TOTAL ASSETS

52,315,827,352.82

55,690,263,829.73

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable a) Interbank Loans Payable Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

168,976,532.75 33,371,424,835.03 4,722,074,335.99 4,722,074,335.99 310,336,273.90 2,859,068,575.14

61,418,903.98 38,171,974,523.66 4,781,665,696.80 4,781,665,696.80 301,954,003.98 1,810,460,327.32

TOTAL LIABILITIES

41,431,880,552.81

45,127,473,455.74

5,505,833,769.57 282,638,196.90 5,095,474,833.54

5,505,833,769.57 -38,518,229.12 5,095,474,833.54

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

10,883,946,800.01

10,562,790,373.99

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

52,315,827,352.82

55,690,263,829.73

Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts Derivatives Others

1,695,864,777.11 71,306,442.19 139,470,522.28 41,700,933.12 0.00 1,915,625,624.96 1,692,375,135.21 574,414,101.54 1,117,961,033.67 13,551,117,799.03 964,965,512.57

2,172,578,642.42 92,005,543.30 325,158,649.64 10,986,207.68 506,800,000.00 421,475,073.66 1,753,654,112.41 559,326,119.99 1,194,327,992.42 12,014,921,433.54 248,987,109.22

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

20,072,426,746.47

17,546,566,771.87

Gross Total Loan Portfolio (TLP) 37,636,249,677.67 Specific Allowance for credit losses on the TLP 717,354,070.39 Non-performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 908,443,249.02 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 2.41% c. Net NPLs 416,333,604.76 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.11% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPL (%) 121.79% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPL (%) 78.97% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 5,131,054,327.08 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses 14,932,839.44 Ratio of DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to TLP (%) 0.04% Gross Non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables 0.00 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivable to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 3.52% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 2.59% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 5.75% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis a. Total CAR (%) 22.74% b. TIER 1 Ratio (%) 21.92% c. CET 1 (%) 21.92% Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00 Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received 0.00 Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) in Single Currency on Solo Basis (%) 165.63% Basel III Leverage Ratio (BLR) on Solo Basis (%) 19.09%

40,353,276,722.57 501,528,742.70

LIABILITIES

By John Biers

lasted longer than almost any expert predicted, and in an environment where travel demand is so depressed, United cannot continue with staffing levels that significantly exceed the schedule we fly,” the company said.

“Sadly, we don’t expect demand to return to anything resembling normal until there is a widely available treatment or vaccine.”

Last week, American Airlines said it would furlough around 19,000 staff members if federal funding is not approved. Delta Air Lines has also signaled that 1,900 pilots could be furloughed. AFP

NEW YORK―United Airlines said Wednesday it plans to lay off up to 16,000 workers amid a prolonged industry downturn due to the coronavirus and the continuing stalemate in Washington over further federal support for the industry.

The big US carrier, which had previously said as many as 36,000 workers could be terminated, said early retirement and other programs had lessened the need for even deeper job cuts, but the “devastating” impact of CoManila vid-19 on airline travel still required layoffs.

Standard But even with voluntary programs and TODAY 106 Carlos Palanca St. Legazpi Village Makati, Metro Manila Philippines, 1229 other cost-cutting, the savings “have not been (+632) 8-726-8888 • inquiries@ptt.com.ph • ptt.com.ph enough to avoid involuntary furloughs entirePHILIPPINE TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION ly,” the company said.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING “Today, each of our operations leaders comNotice is hereby given that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Philippine Telegraph and municated directly with their teams to share Telephone Corporation (“Company”) will be held on 25 September 2020 (Friday) at 11:00 A.M. The Presiding Officer will be presiding the meeting at Spirit of Communications Center, 106 C. Palanca the heart-wrenching news that approximately Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229.

16,000 United employees will be notified of The order of business will be as follows: an involuntary furlough effective as early as October 1.”

1. Call to Order 2. Certification of the existence of quorum and sending of notices The announcement comes on the heels lay3. Approval of the minutes of the last Stockholders’ Meeting held on 28 June 2019 off warnings from American Airlines and Del4. Report of the President 5. Election of the members of the Board of Directors ta Air Lines.

6. Amendments on the Articles of Incorporation a. Amendment on the corporate name to include business or trade name (Article I) Unions representing flight attendants, pib. Amendment on the corporate purpose (Article II) lots and other airline workers are holding ralc. Amendment to increase the number of Directors (Article VI) d. Amendment on the feature of Series “A”, “B”, and “C” Serial Redeemable Preferred Shares (Article VII) lies and engaging in letter-writing campaigns 7. Amendments on the By-Laws to prod Congress to roll out another round of a. Amendment on the sending of notices during stockholders’ meeting (Article II) b. Amendment on the number of Directors (Article III) support that would avert layoffs.

8. Ratification of actions taken by the Board of Directors and officers since 28 June 2019 9.

Appointment of Alas Oplas & Co. CPAs So far, progress on the package has been 10. Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for the period ending 31 December 2019 stymied by partisan gridlock in Washington.

11. Adjournment “Flight attendants are resilient in the face of For purposes of the meeting, the close of business on 07 August 2020 has been fixed as the Record Date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice and to vote during the meeting. adversity, 1st responders. Pilots spend years There will be no physical meeting. Stockholders may attend or participate in the meeting by training to acquire skills & knowledge to fly remote communication. Stockholders may vote electronically subject to validation procedures. The the public safety,” the Association of Flight procedures for participating in the meeting through remote communication and for casting of votes are set forth in the Information Statement.

Attendants tweeted late Tuesday.

We are not soliciting your proxy. However, if you cannot personally participate in the meeting and “Inaction by Congress will now send us to you wish to be represented, you may coordinate by email to investors@ptt.com.ph so that we the unemployment line.” can assist you in the submission of proxy forms. The proxy forms together with voting instructions and other documents required for stockholders submitting a proxy must be received by the Long downturn Office of the Corporate Secretary by email to investors@ptt.com.ph on or before 05:00 P.M. of 18 United’s cuts affect nearly 7,000 flight atSeptember 2020 (Friday). tendants and almost 3,000 pilots, among other staff.

(SGD.) ATTY. KENNETH JOEY H. MACEREN Corporate Secretary “The pandemic has drawn us in deeper and (MS-SEPT. 3 & 4, 2020)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

915,068,720.96 2.27% 458,579,628.71 1.14% 104.06% 54.81% 1,884,528,749.97 16,245,435.65 0.04% 0.00 0.00% 3.30% 2.01% 5.68% 22.13% 21.26% 21.26% 0.00 0.00 174.10% 17.42%

I/ We hereby certify that all matters set forth in this Published Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Sgd.) ANDREW A. FALCON Chief Finance Officer (Signature Over Printed Name)

(Sgd.) OLIVER D. JIMENO President and CEO (Signature Over Printed Name)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MR. JACK LEE Chairman MR. WILLIAM B. GO Vice Chairman DIRECTORS MR. YEUN-GINN CHEN MR. CHIH-CHUNG HUANG MR. OLIVER D. JIMENO MR. EDWIN B. VILLANUEVA MR. ALEXANDER A. PATRICIO MR. STEPHEN D. SY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS MR. OLIVER D. JIMENO President and CEO MR. ARTHUR WANG Deputy Chief Executive Officer MS. MA GRETCHEN S. MACABASCO Senior Vice President MR. JIMMY ARSENIO Y. SAMONTE Senior Vice President MR. JOSEPH B. ESTAVILLO Senior Vice President MR. RAFAEL V. RUFINO III Senior Vice President MR. REMO ROMULO M. GAROVILLO JR. Senior Vice President MR. LOLITO RAMON A. CERRER, JR. Senior Vice President MR. JUSTINE BENEDICT G. DELA ROSA Senior Vice President

CYA

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

B4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

Business

OceanaGold laying off 800 employees in Didipio mine KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya –OceanaGold Philippines Inc. announced Wednesday several hundreds of miners at the Didipio mine here will be laid off.

“We will be letting of go more than 80 percent or around 620 of [our] workers as mining operations were stopped and the Didipio mine continues to suffer financial losses due to continuing blockades by [the] local government,” Oceanagold said in a press statement.

Oceanagold said it complied with labor laws that requite companies to notify employees several months ahead of their termination.

“It is unfortunate that the authority granted to the company by the national government to continue operating pending [the] grant of renewal of the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement was not being recognized by local government units,” OGPI said.

The mining company set the initial permanent separation of affected workers effective Oct. 13 this year as it could no longer hold the entire workforce after over a year of nonoperations.

Oceanagold was constrained to halt the operations of the Didipio mine in July 2019 when a blockade was set up and a stoppage order from the local government effectively prevented the entry of supplies and the transport of mineral products to the market.

Underground mining activities ceased with the depletion of mining consumables as a result of the blockade. Milling activities were stopped in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The company said the national government has regulatory authority over the Didipio mine.

The enforced lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic worsened the situation, forcing the company to temporarily lay off the first batch of workers on April 15.

OGPI general manager David Way said that while there had been no mining operation and no commercial activities for around 10 months, the company held on to the entire workforce for as long as it could.

Moody’s expects PH economy to fall 7% this year MAJOR credit watcher Moody’s Investors Service on Thursday downgraded its 2020 economic growth forecast for the Philippines to -7 percent from its previous estimate of -4.5 percent because of the worse-than-expected impact of the COVID-19 health crisis.

The downgrade was contained in Moody’s Credit Opinion report released on Sept. 2. Moody’s expects the Philippine economy to rebound next year and grow by 6.8 percent.

Moody’s said that in 2020 forecast, it considered the 0.7-percent contraction in the first quarter and the deeper 16.5-percent decline in the second quarter. This brought the first-half contraction to -9 percent.

It said the record contraction in the April-June quarter reflected the severe impact of the enhanced community quarantine on domestic demand with household consumption falling 15.5 percent and gross fixed capital formation plunging 53.5 percent, both of which contributed to a collapse in import demand of around 40 percent.

Exports of goods and services also fell 37.0 percent, reflecting similar pressures on external demand on account of the global pandemic shock.

By contrast, government consumption rose 22.1 percent over the same period, although the large increase also incorporated base effects from weak public spending in the first half of 2019 on account of delays to the implementation of the national budget.

It said that in light of rising coronavirus infections following the relaxation of strict lockdown conditions at the beginning of June, the government re-imposed tighter containment measures for Metro Manila and surrounding areas in the first two weeks of August. Julito G. Rada

URC AWARD.

Marketeer Business Magazine awards Universal Robina Corp. Thailand’s Fun-O as No.1 Brand Thailand for 2019 to 2020 for Biscuits & Crackers categories.

Receiving the award are URC Thailand’s officers (from left) marketing manager Porntip Leelalertwong, senior advisor Premchai Navarasuchitr, general manager Tanant Suwanraks, marketing director Jane Bernardo and brand manager Vipa Vanlopnusorn.

4.6 million Filipinos remained unemployed as of July—PSA

By Julito G. Rada

U

NEMPLOYMENT rated eased to 10 percent in July from a record high of 17.7 percent in April, following the government’s easing of quarantine restrictions to support the economy, which went into a technical recession in the first half because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Economic and Development Authority said Thursday.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, however, showed the July figure was higher than the unemployment rate of 5.4 percent in the same month last year.

The PSA said there were 4.6 million unemployed Filipinos who were 15 years old and over in July 2020, up by 2.1 million from the same period last year but down by 2.7 million from three months ago.

“The decrease in the unemployment rate means that some 2.7 million jobs

returned as the quarantine level eased.

In addition, some 4.9 million workers rejoined the labor force. All in all, some 7.5 million jobs were restored,” acting NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in press briefing.

He said the five sectors that saw the most number of returning jobs were trade, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and transport. These sectors directly benefited from the relaxation of quarantine measures and were important contributors to jobs and GDP growth.

Meanwhile, the underemployment rate, which represents those with jobs who still need more hours of work, decreased to 17.3 percent in July from 18.9 percent in April.

“Government programs to provide income support to workers through the Small Business Wage Subsidy Program and to low income families through the Social Amelioration Program have contributed to the moderate increase in underemployment amid the crisis,” Chua said.

He said the July survey figures showed a direct link between the level of quarantine restriction and labor market outcomes. In the first half of May, 78.8 percent of the economy was placed under ECQ. As a result, GDP and unemployment worsened to record levels.

Data showed that in the first half of

July, only 2.1 percent of the economy was placed under ECQ. Chua said the result was a significant reduction in the unemployment rate and the return of some 7.5 million jobs.

“In the coming months, better GDP and job numbers will hinge on how open the economy is. This entails a better strategy to ‘prevent, detect, isolate, treat and recover’. It also requires a safe and sufficient number of public transportation that, if needed, is supported by service contract subsidies,” Chua said.

He said without the public transport system back sufficiently, many people could still not go back to work. He said under GCQ, the share of the NCR economy that was allowed to reopen was 58.2 percent, but without sufficient public transport, it declined to 35.5 percent.

“To bounce back from this crisis, we will need to open the economy even more. This will depend on everyone working together to adhere to health standards, as the government accelerates the implementation of the recovery program,” Chua said.

The PSA data showed that labor force participation rate in July averaged 61.9 percent, lower than 62.1 percent in July 2019. In April 2020, the lowest LFPR in the history of the Philippine labor market was recorded at 55.6 percent.

BSP working with NBI to uncover cyber heist in UCPB BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday the regulator is working closely with law enforcement agencies to uncover the reported cyber heist that targeted state-run United Coconut Planters Bank.

“The BSP is well-aware of the reported UCPB incident and has been in close coordination with the bank since the early part of its investigation,” Diokno told reporters.

“UCPB is undertaking the necessary remedial measures to heighten cybersecurity, including collaborating with the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] for the investigation and eventual prosecution of the suspected criminals,” Diokno said.

He said initial investigation results indicated “no financial losses or damages were incurred by UCPB accountholders in this particular incident.”

Diokno assured the BSP remained “steadfast in fully resolving the matter as we work closely with the bank and relevant law enforcement agency.”

He said that in pursuit of cybersecurity agenda, the BSP was collaborating and engaging financial institutions to ensure the safety and integrity of the financial system as well as the protection of the financial consumers.

An emailed statement from UCPB in response to a query on Thursday said UCPB “is investigating the incident in close coordination with the NBI and other concerned authorities. Pending completion of the investigation, the bank continues to review and strengthen its IT and security controls.”

UCPB said it assures stakeholders that clients’ funds were not affected by the incident and that security measures were implemented to avoid recurrence

of the June incident.

“UCPB remains to be a strong and profitable institution, registering a net income of P2.9 billion for the first half of 2020,” it said.

Earlier reports said that the cyber theft occurred in June involving the withdrawals from automated teller machines and online transfers perpetrated by Nigerian nationals and their local accomplice.

Reports said the total loss of the bank reached P167 million, which was first reported by bilyonaryo.com early this week.

Following the Bank of Bangladesh’s $81-million cyber heist in early 2016, the BSP intensified its campaign against money laundering to prevent the inclusion of the Philippines in the so-called gray list of jurisdictions with deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance.

Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX

Thursday, September 3, 2020

34.47 PTS. 5,772.86

TOTAL VOLUME 961,019,472 TOTAL TRADES 85,793 TOTAL VALUE 5,270,168,578.50 ADVANCES 105 DECLINES 77 UNCHANGED 48

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5910

Japan

Yen

0.009419

0.4577

UK

Pound

1.335600

64.8981

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129036

6.2700

Switzerland

Franc

1.098780

53.3908

Canada

Dollar

0.766166

37.2288

Singapore

Dollar

0.733730

35.6527

Australia

Dollar

0.733400

35.6366

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655478

129.032

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.9565

Brunei

Dollar

0.731048

35.5224

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032031

1.5564

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2300

Euro

Euro

1.185700

57.6143

Korea

Won

0.000841

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.146252

7.1065

India

Rupee

0.013649

0.6632

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241371

11.7285

New Zealand

Dollar

0.676400

32.8670

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034124

1.6581 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Glitches hit GMA, ABS-CBN web sites

ABS-CBN Corp. said it is investigating the technical problem of its online news website that went inaccessible Thursday morning.

“ABS-CBN’s websites may currently be inaccessible to some users today [Sep. 3] due to a technical problem detected early this morning,” the broadcast unit of the Lopez Group said.

“While we have resolved the issues and restored the sites, some users may still encounter problems but should be able to access them within the next 24 hours,” it said.

ABS-CBN said it was working with its partners in investigating the cause of the incident. “We apologize for whatever inconvenience this may have caused,” the network said.

GMA News Online, the online website of GMA Network Inc., was also inaccessible for several hours. The network has yet to issue a statement as of press time.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Globe’s GCash books record transactions

GCASH, the mobile wallet of Globe Telecom Inc., said it expanded its nationwide footprint as the number of cashless transactions reached an all-time high amid the pandemic.

“Nowadays, cashless is slowly becoming the norm, and increasing our cash-in outlets will help provide not only greater convenience to our users, but will also provide them a means to adapt to the new normal. Providing a wide array of cash-in touchpoints—both online and offline—is all about prioritizing the health and safety of our customers,” GCash president and chief executive Martha Sazon said.

“While we already have over 33,000 branches nationwide as cash in locations for GCash users, this number is still seen to grow as we find more ways to cater to Filipinos across the archipelago and even outside,” she said.

GCash users may cash-in anytime and anywhere to their GCash wallets through partner grocery stores—Puregold and All Day and retail outlets such as Robinsons Department Stores and Business Centers, SM Retail Outlets, LBC, Lawson and Shell Select.

They can also cash-in via over the counter transaction in outlets such as Villarica Pawnshop, TrueMoney, Palawan Pawnshop, Tambunting, Pera Hub, RD Pawnshop, Express Pay, Jaro Pawnshop and Bayad Center. Darwin G. Amojelar

Berjaya PH cuts stake in 7-Eleven Malaysia

BERJAYA Philippines Inc. said it sold a portion of its minority stake in 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad for P161 million.

Berjaya Philippines said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it sold 9,843,000 shares in SEM to its Malaysia-based parent firm Berjaya Land Berhad.

SEM, through wholly-owned subsidiary 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.. is the owner and operator of 7-Eleven stores in Malaysia.

7-Eleven Malaysia is the single largest convenience store chain in Malaysia with more than 2,300 convenience stores all over the country.

Berjaya Philippines said it still has 6,856,975 SEM shares, representing 0.60-percent equity interest in the company. Berjaya Philippines is a primarily engaged in gaming, food, hotel and automotive businesses in the Philippines.

Jenniffer B. Austria

PH climbs 4 spots in global innovation ranking

By Othel V. Campos

RIVER CLEANUP. After Tullahan River, San Miguel Corp. is now looking to clean up Pasig River as part of its Pasig River Expressway project. SMC says the removal of silt and garbage along with the deepening of the river will improve water flow and help address flooding. Shown is the initial phase of Tullahan River cleanup, where SMC is removing an average of 600 tons of silt and garbage daily.

THE Philippines climbed 4 places in the Global Innovation Index to 50th among 131 economies in 2020 from 54th spot in 2019.

It is also 23 notches higher than 73rd rank in 2018. GII, released by the World Intellectual Property Office, ranks world economies according to their capabilities through 80 indicators grouped into innovation inputs and outputs.

The latest GII report showed the country’s improved ranking in innovation output to 70th. It ranked 41st in innovation input.

It is the second consecutive year that the Philippines performed on innovation beyond expectation for its level of economic development.

The Philippines ranked fourth among the 29 lower middle-income group economies and 11th among the 17 economies in South East Asia, East Asia and Oceania.

It made the most significant progress

in the GII innovation ranking over time, along with China, Vietnam and India.

The report said the Philippines continued to stand out for the innovativeness of its business sector and the innovation outcomes produced by its investments, with level of outcomes that remain even above some high-income economies.

The country’s capacity to blend and integrate into global trade also contributed to its high innovation ranking. It ranked first in high-technology imports, third in high-technology exports, eighth in ICT services and 10th in creative goods export.

Among its highest ranking indicators, productivity growth ranked 6th. The country ranked at 7th spot in terms of companies offering formal training and 8th in utility models by origin.

The country’s innovation profile shows top 25 rankings for other indicators like market capitalization, research talent in business enterprises and high-technology manufacturing.

Sports

GAME CLINCHER. James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets blocks the shot by Luguentz Dort (5) of the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Seven of the NBA Playoffs on September 2, 2020. This block decided the outcome of the game and the series, propelling the Rockets to a second round playoff against the Los Angeles Lakers. AFP

No practice took place—Perasol T

By Peter Atencio

HERE was no practice that took place when Nigerian big man Bright Akhuetie visited the home of his coach Bo Perasol last month.

Perasol said this when he answered accusations alleging that the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons men’s basketball team have been holding training sessions last month.

One session allegedly took place while parts of the National Capital Region and the Southern Luzon region were under General Community Quarantine.

“That was August 1. Bright visited me at my home, had a shootaround, and he was all alone,” said Perasol in an interview with the Manila Standard.

Perasol made this clarification before the Board of Managing Directors (BMD) of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines during a

De los Santos wins 5th gold at E-Karate Games 2020 JAMES de los Santos used the unsu technique to win another online karatedo tournament yesterday.

The 30-year-old de los Santos upstaged Sternisa Nejc of Luxembourg, 25.9-23.4 in the individual male seniors finals of the E-Karate Games 2020, This allowed the Cebu-based De los Santos’ continue his streak of victories to five.

“I’m really happy winning my fifth gold. But that doesn’t stop there,” said de los Santos.

The goal of making it to the no. 1 spot in the world e-kata rankings is in the mind of de los Santos.

To reach the championship round, de los Santos outpointed Tani Hossein of Iran, 25.5-24.3, in the individual male seniors semifinals.

“This tournament will add points to the rankings, which is why this victory is important to me,” said de los Santos.

To refine his video presentation, de los Santos sought the assistance of his coach Masa Saito, who is in Japan.

And it was Saito who instructed de los Santos to take the unsu form, which is the shito ryu version of Unsu.

Unsu is the most advanced kata found in the Shotokan, and it is known as cloud hands.

And it was the delicate hand movements of Unsu which wowed the judges.

“As someone coming from a samurai country, we won’t celebrate until we win the world ranking no 1.

This is a path,” said Saito.

De los Santos reached the semis after beating British rival James Parfitt, 25.1-20.4, Last month, de los Santos earned his fourth gold medal after he emerged victorious over Garcia, 25-24.9, in the online Athletes’ ETournament’s Kata Individual Male Seniors Division. Peter Atencio

virtual meeting yesterday.

The meeting tackled the issues surrounding the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team and the National University women’s volleyball squad.

The case of the Fighting Maroons was taken up since their situations are related, according to sources.

“Iyun nga ang tinatanong ko. Kung may violation ba iyan. Kasi nag-iisa nga siya. Kung marami, meron,” added Perasol.

The board will study if action will be taken after they receive the reports that UST and NU officials have forwarded to the Board of Trustees in their meeting last Friday.

There is a video footage of a shootaround involving center Bright Akhuetie, reportedly taken on August 1 which is supposed to have taken place in Silang, Cavite.

Cavite was under GCQ at that time.

Relevant action will be taken by the managing directors during the online conference.

Some members of the board believe sanctions will not be handed down by the UAAP since all three schools have not violated league rules.

Instead, it should be the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases which should hand down penalties, according to sources.

A government panel is currently looking into possible health and safety protocol violations that may have been committed by the UST Growling Tigers men’s basketball team and the NU Lady Bulldogs

women’s volleyball team.

The body known as the Joint Administrative Order Group is composed of officials from the Philippine Sports Commission, the Games and Amusement Board, the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Health.

In a Zoom web conference last Tuesday, UST presented its case through legal counsel Atty. Melvin Verzosa and Atty. Elgin Perez. They handed details that the university collated on the Growling Tigers’ training camp in Sorsogon, Bicol.

NU athletic director Otie Camangian talked about the events that the Lady Bulldogs went through when they were stranded.

Camangian said this took place when the team transferred from NU’s campus in Manila to Laguna last March, days before the quarantine lockdowns were handed down.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

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NBA fines Morris $35K while Luca gets $15K NEW YORK, United States—Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) for a reckless blow to Dallas guard Luka Doncic, who was fined $15,000 for throwing a ball into a referee.

The punishments were handed down for incidents that took place in Sunday’s 111-97 Clippers’ victory over the Mavericks, which advanced Los Angeles into the second round of the NBA playoffs with a 4-2 win in the best-of-seven series.

Another fine of $5,000 was issued later Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) to Boston’s Marcus Smart for flopping.

Morris was fined more than normal for the reckless contact to the head of Doncic, the amount based upon the fact Morris has been disciplined on several prior occasions for physical altercations on the court.

On the play, which took place with 67 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Morris was issued a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected from the game.

Doncic’s fine came for throwing the ball off the legs of a game official, which incurred a technical foul with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter.

The Clippers were physical on Doncic throughout the series, trying to disrupt the Dallas playmaker. The Slovenian averaged 31.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.2 steals a game for the Mavs in the playoffs.

The Clippers will open their secondround playoff series against Denver on Thursday in the spectator-less Covid-19 quarantine bubble campus at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Smart’s fine for violating NBA antiflopping rules took place with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter of Boston’s 102-99 victory Tuesday over the defending champion Toronto Raptors.

The Celtics own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven second round Eastern Conference series with game three set for Thursday. AFP

PBA eyes more games per week in season restart THE Philippine Basketball Association plans to hold more games per week during its planned restart.

This will ensure that the hoop fans will be treated to a full PBA season spotlighting all the teams albeit in a shorter period.

“Sa tingin ko hindi na natin babaguhin yung format. Ganun pa rin, pero baka damihan natin yung game days, (puwedeng) four or five times a week, or double o triple header (per day),” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial in a published report.

The PBA season could conclude in two months under this new schedule which was discussed during a meeting between Marcial and deputy commissioner Eric Castro.

The proposal will be decided upon by the PBA Board of Governors which will meet next week.

The board will also discuss whether

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial says the PBA restart will retain the same exciting format as previous PBA Seasons. PBA Media

the PBA Finals would still be a best-ofseven or the semis to be reduced to a best-of-five.

“Yun ang mga pinag-aralan natin.

Ginawa na namin at ipapakita na lang namin sa Board of Governors. Katulad nung Finals, hindi naman puwedeng araw-araw yun,” said Marcial.

The PBA honcho said the discussion also took into consideration the exposure of all the member teams who also have fans expecting to see their favorite players back on the hardcourt.

“Kung puwede mas marami mas maganda. Hindi naman maiksi para lang matapos agad. Siyempre gusto natin ma-expose yung mga teams,” said Marcial PBA fans will certainly be pleased to learn that the coming PBA conference, which will necessarily be All-Filipino, will retain the same exciting format as previous seasons.

Overeem faces Sakai at UFC Fight Night

By Reuel Vidal

Alistair Overeem (right) of the Netherlands batters Walt Harris of the United States in this file photo of UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 16, 2020. AFP

GRIZZLED veteran Alistair Overeem, all of 40 years old, takes on Brazilian Augusto Sakai in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

In the co-main event another veteran Ovince St. Preux, 37, battles dangerous striker Alonzo Menifield.

Overeem, ranked 6th in UFC standings and who has lost three of his last six fights by KO/TKO, tries to wheel back into championship contention when he takes on Sakai.

In other fights of the main card of the evening Sijara Eubanks battles Karol Rosa in a Women’s Bantamweight bout; Michel Pereira takes on Zelim Imadaev at Welterweight; Brian Kelleher faces Kevin Natividad in a Featherweight bout; and Thiago Moises battles Jalin Turner at Lightweight.

Overeem, who either wins big or losses big, will be fighting his 65th MMA battle. He was on his way to beating Jairzinho Rozenstruik by decision when

the latter split open Overeem’s face with four seconds left to win by stoppage.

Even Overeem’s last bout—a knockout victory over Walt Harris—could have gone either way. Overeem seemed to be on the way to being knocked out

by Harris before turning the bout around and scoring his own knockout victory in the second.

Meanwhile, Sakai made a spectacular debut at UFC when he beat Chase Sherman in 2018 by TKO in the third round. He struggled against Andrei Arlovski April last year but eventually won by split decision.

Sakai tallied another spectacular victory inside the Octagon last May when he knocked out Marcin Tybura in the first round.

The enigmatic Overeem will have his hands full against Sakai. Overeem has shown glimpses of greatness but has never quite lived up to that promise inside the UFC Octagon. He has beaten five former UFC Heavyweight champions but has challenged for the crown only once.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

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TODAYFRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 4, 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”.

3.

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

4.

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

CC

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.

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

FXo

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

PHCPIm

= 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.

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.

AE

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

= 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. 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.

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

where: Fuel Cost = Base Fuel Cost, in USD/MT x -

Newcastlem Newcastleo

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

Davao Light’s General Information Sheet

C

SMCPC’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

D

Write-up on Shareholder’s Agreement

E

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

F

Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power and its Subsidiaries

G

SMCPC’s Certificate of Registration with the BOI

H

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

I

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

J

Certification from the DOE regarding PDP

K

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

L

Davao Light’s Demand Side Management Program

M

PSALM Certification

N

Davao Light’s Historical and Forecasted Supply and Demand Scenario

O

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

p

Davao Light’s Letter to DOE dated 07 October 2019

Q

Department of Energy’s Certificate of Exemption

R

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

S

SMCPC and NGCP Connection Agreement

T

SMCPC Point-to-Point Approval

U

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

V

Davao Light’s Metering Service Agreement with NGCP

W

Executive Summary of the Davao Light and SMCPC EPSA

X

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

Y

Rate Impact Analysis

Z

Details of the Fuel Procurement Process

AA

Explanation on the Fuel Supply Agreement (Confidential)

BB

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

CC

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

= 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.

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

AE

= 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)

AA

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

CR

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

B

IV. FUEL FEE (Fuelmonth) Fuelmonth = [(

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;

3

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:

CC

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:

2

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

1

= Total plant capacity (net) per unit in kW

where:

2.

9.

= 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:

8.

CC

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.

7.

= 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:

6.

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

I.

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

5.

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

1.

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

7

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

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

W

ITH so much time on hand, especially that nobody knows how long our country will stay in quarantine, perhaps this pandemic is the perfect time to pursue a new hobby or rediscover an old activity to keep ourselves busy.

If you’re on the hunt to find new diversion to pass the time, in a productive way, of course, Cool Hub can serve as your inspiration on what to do while at home or while in self-isolation.

The new GMA Artist Center show, which premieres tomorrow, is hosted by Yasser Marta, Myrtle Sarrosa, Manolo Pedrosa, and Ayra Mariano. The online program, produced right in their respective homes, features the different collections of the stars.

“Cool Hub is all about collections and hobbies, it’s an infotainment show that caters to younger audiences and kids at heart.

With celebrity guests, we feature arts and crafts, different hobbies, including health and lifestyle,” Ayra told Manila Standard Entertainment in a video interview.

For Manolo, who shared that he has already read 43 books­—a hobby he picked up only this quarantine—the show is a collaborative program that features four different hosts with different personalities and interests.

“We were chosen to be part of the show not just to be its hosts, we get to share our interests as well with our guests and that makes it more interactive. My new hobby will also be featured in Cool Hub, and it’s so exciting, it’s like we are letting the audience into our little world, and somehow we can inspire them with our respective feature,” Manolo shared.

The young actor further said that the show was inspired by another GMA digital program, I Know Right/IKR, where the topics are suggested by the hosts.

“That’s how we get involved, we suggest topics that we want to discuss in the episode that we’re going to do. So, there’s a personal touch because we get to pick the topics we want to showcase in the show,” Yasser said.

Cool Hub is among the shows that will premiere on GMA Artist Center’s newlylaunched YouTube channel.

Quarantine life’s ‘Coolest Hub’

Cool Hub is the latest addition to the growing numbers of GMA Network’s online shows.

The multi-awarded comedian added how new and different this experience was for all of them, “Shooting from home is a very different experience. There’s a lot of discipline involved. You gain a new appreciation for the crew during times like these.”

As a survivor of COVID-19, Bitoy will open up about what he went through during his self-quarantine period so that the audience may find hope and inspiration amid these trying times.

The episode will also feature an amusing

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

2)

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

3)

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;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

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

catch-up segment where the cast members will showcase the skills and talents they have learned during quarantine; “Pipito Para Manalo,” an intriguing mystery object game; and “Bring It Tommy”, a new spin on a classic game.

Together with Michael V. are Manilyn Reynes, John Feir, Maureen Larrazabal, Arthur Solinap, Mosang, Mikoy Morales, Janna Dominguez, and Ronnie Henares.

Prepare to laugh out loud this Saturday in Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kuwento after 24 Oras Weekend on GMA-7.

‘Pepito Manaloto’ returns Viewers can get excited as the beloved family of Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay Na Kuwento airs a very special comeback episode to thank its loyal fans and viewers for their unwavering support. The episode airs tomorrow.

“The cast and I are all very excited! We have a lot of quarantine stories we would love to share with our audience,” the show’s creative director and concept creator, Michael V., shared. “This Saturday’s episode is a good way to start the “new normal” for our show.”

The cast of ‘Pepito Manaloto’

ZRewards, Globe Games launch Mobile Legends cosplay contest

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)

C3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 nickie.standard@gmail.com

IN CELEBRATION of National Heroes Day, ZRewards by Zeal and Globe Games and esport came together for an online cosplay competition that runs until Sept. 6.

The Grand Prize offers the winner 10,000 diamonds, the official currency inside the Mobile Legends platform. Winners will be announced on Sept. 7.

Each participant must post a photo of himself in cosplay of his favorite Mobile Legends character.

To qualify, each entry must be posted on Instagram through a public account, use the hashtags #WeAreHeroes and #MLBB, register at https://zeal.ph/signup , and follow the official Facebook and Instagram pages of both Mobile Legends and Zeal PH. To validate the Zeal registration, the user must post his referral code in the caption of the photo. Interested participants may visit weareheroes.zeal.ph for the complete mechanics as a guide.

There will be a total of 25 winners - a grand prize winner who will receive 10,000 diamonds, four gold prize winners who will receive 5,000 diamonds each, and twenty silver prize winners who will receive 1,000 diamonds each.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which has millions of users in the Philippines, is on the top of mobile games played in the country. Its creative and dynamic characters, immersive gaming environments, and community building activities, allows the app to facilitate team building, strategy, and com-

munications development.

ZRewards

by Zeal is the country’s newest one-stop shop for awesome deals. Through their website, users from all over the Philippines can grab hold of premium and solid offers redeemable at their favorite online shops and physical stores.

Membership is free.

Globe Games and eSports, on the other hand, leads the way into enhancing customer experience in the use of data and internet services for leisure gaming activities.

From creating eSports leagues to the promotion of exclusive Globe offers to cater to the needs of gamers, Globe Games and eSports continues to reshape the digital gaming industry.

ZRewards by Zeal is a brand under 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Mountain Dew celebrity ambassador James Reid (center) with Bret Jackson (right) and Astro Kidd.

James Reid leads interactive event for Mountain Dew BEVERAGE brand Mountain Dew is introducing its latest carbonated drink via an interactive YouTube Live event with live games, cool hangout segments led by brand endorser James Reid along with Ylona Garcia, Ronnie Alonte, and Kyle Echarri.

The online affair also featured special performances by Dew icebreakers Parokya ni Edgar, The Itchyworms, and Skusta Clee who showed how they found success by staying relentlessly true to who they are, in the pursuit of their own version of cool.

“We’re really excited to introduce our coolest new product Mountain Dew Ice, to give Filipinos a refreshing lemon-lime beverage with an extra kick,” says Mountain Dew Philippines’ CSD Flavors Category Manager, Melai Lazaro-Javier. “With our campaign, we want to remind everyone that when it comes to pursuing their passions, sometimes you have to break the ice to reach your goal. And Mountain Dew Ice is there to always give you that much-needed boost!”

The YouTube Live event culminated with a new music video featuring James, alongside Bret Jackson and Astro Kidd, for an original song by the trio from Careless Music Manila.

Specially blended with a mouth-watering mix of lemons and limes to give you that extra kick, the new Mountain Dew Ice is the answer for those who dare to go their own way.

For more information about Mountain Dew Ice, visit Mountain Dew’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ mountaindewPH/. To watch the music video, visit https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=jXoTLvK-_QI&feature=youtu.be

ZRewards by Zeal and Globe Games' cosplay competition is open to everyone in the Philippines.

Life

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

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

XTENDED stay-at-home protocols and complex travel requirements have pushed people itching to go out to get creative and come up with clever ways to explore new places.

Some look at photos, while others stage photoshoots as if they were there or edit pictures to make it seem like.

E

And as Agoda’s Usage and Attitude survey reveals food and dining experiences as the third top motivation to travel for Asians, some Filipinos recreate the dishes their dream destinations are known for.

The destination: Thailand The dish: Phat Kaphrao Agoda’s booking data show that Thailand has been the top country of choice for Filipino travelers. To bring the experience here at home, why not give phat kaphrao a go? This classic quickie lunch order is easily available at high-end Thai restaurants, street-side carts, and floating markets throughout Bangkok, and is typically served over rice with a nice, crispy fried egg made in a stir fry wok. The dish embraces the contrast of saltiness, sweetness, and sourness that are the secret to good Thai cuisine.

The destination: Indonesia The dish: Rendang Travelers who had looked forward to soaking up the sun and immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of Bali this year can still get a taste of Indonesia’s wonderful culture through their food. Rendang is a spicy slow-cooked meat dish—usually beef— made with lemongrass, coconut milk, and a ton of flavorful spices. This dish is traditionally served on special occasions. While the rendang is cooking, “quaranchefs” can pass the time exploring the many places to stay at and things to do in Bali or Jakarta and beyond.

Savor Indonesia’s famous slow-cooked meat dish rendang while exploring the many places to visit in Bali or Jakarta.

Thailand’s phat kaphrao is available at floating markets, as well as streetside carts and highend restaurants.

Traveling through food The destination: South Korea The dish: Jjajangmyeon Korea, the third most popular country for Filipino travelers, boasts a number of tasty offerings, from samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) to tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and even dalgona (spongy sugar candy) which inspired the lockdown favorite dalgona coffee. But slurping down a bowl of South Korean delivery food staple jjajangmyeon is sure to instantly transport people to their favorite K-drama locations. Enjoyed by many, jjajangmyeon is not too complicated to make at home, as chunjang or Korean-style black bean paste, which is the main ingredient for this dish, is readily available at most K-marts.

The destination: Japan The dish: Sushi Pining for the vibrant flavors of Japan? Aside from scrolling through travel guides and staring longingly at the lovely photos of what could be, home chefs can rise to the challenge and learn how to make one of Japan’s signature dishes and global favorite: sushi.

Learning to make sushi is a delightful achievement to take away from this whole quarantine situation and is quite therapeutic as well. Sushi-making is regarded as an art form, with master sushi chefs taking years— or even a lifetime—of training before they can man their own sushi counter. Aside from using only fresh fish, the key to delicious sushi is ensuring to season the rice well with a balance of vinegar, sugar, and salt.

K-marts in the Philippines are also replete with ingredients needed to recreate Korean dishes.

Sushi-making is regarded as an art form, which can also be therapeutic.

Mid-Autumn Fest and 500 Years IF THE title of this week’s column confuses you, read on and you’ll discover a couple of delightful offerings which I’m sure will arouse your interest.

Lacson is a gripping novel that takes a comprehensive and holistic view of our country’s present-day social entanglements and was launched the other day in an online event, with speakers Senator Panfilo LacChina Blue by Jereme Leung son, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Professor This award-winning restaurant of Solita Monsod and Ben Punongbayan, and Conrad Manila celebrates the Midmoderated by Boy Abunda.

Autumn Festival with handcrafted In this novel, the author painstakingly exmooncakes elegantly presented in poses the various root causes of the counsignature designer bags produced by try’s social malaise through the story of Anthe hotel and Malaysian style icon ton Hinirang and the members of his family, Christy Ng. highlighting their daily struggles and the The delicious mooncakes, specially reality experienced by some Filipinos. Anprepared by Executive Chinese Chef Eng Yew Khor, have ton’s family members work in different sectors of society, each to be pre-ordered and may be available from September 8 of which suffers from ills that contribute to the country’s coluntil October 1. lective social ills.

This culinary delight comes The author also points out in boxes of four with the folthat the Spaniards drew the lowing flavors: baked tradifirst map of the Philippines in tional red bean single yolk, 1734, defining our territory, baked white lotus with lava helping us become a country. custard, and baked fragrant So, if we count the coming of pandan with lava coconut. the Spaniards in 1521 as the What makes them doubeginning of our quest for nably attractive are the stylish tionhood, next year, 2021, will bags that they are presented not only be our 500th year of in: the hotel’s design, Pacific Christianity but also of our bePearl, highlights East Asianing a country. inspired gold markings on a For almost four centuries, the purple weave accentuated by Filipinos were colonized and a pearl handle; Tropical Alenslaved by foreign rulers— lure by Christy Ng, is availfirst by the Spaniards, followed able in royal purple and crimby the Americans, then by the son red, and features hibiscus The stylishly designed container for China Blue’s Mid-Autumn Japanese. Nowadays, the author Festival mooncakes. points out, many of our people continue to be enslaved by their prints, gilded zippers, and own kind, in many political territories and corporate fences. trimmings. These bags can Towards the end of the book, the author offers his ideas of “A actually be used later to Dream Philippines,” a package of reforms which, he believes, highlight any fashion state- could make a lasting change in our country. More information ment, casual or otherwise. on the book’s availability may be obtained from info@alexlacMore information on son.com. these unique Mid-Autumn delights from my favorite YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE seaside hotel may be obI never thought the comment “I wouldn’t touch him/ tained from 0917-650-4043 her with a six-foot pole” would become a national policy, or (02) 8833-9999. but, here we are!

Author Alex Lacson

500 Years Without Love This new book of Alex

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

The destination: Iloilo The dish: Adobong Pula / Adobo sa Atsuete In the never-ending debate for the title of “Philippine national dish,” the Ilonggo version of adobo is a noteworthy point of consideration. Just like Iloilo, this red-hued dish has a rich and flavorful history. Travelers can try their hand at it while sheltering in place for the meantime, but shouldn’t miss the chance to head south to experience authentic adobo sa atsuete for themselves once they’re able. When planning a trip to Iloilo, check out the Goldberry Lite Hotel with its unique façade and modern interiors

Goldberry Lite Hotel in Iloilo features a unique facade and modern interiors.

FRONT DESK

Hotels offer accommodation with COVID test packages TRAVELERS flying out of Manila via Cebu Pacific are offered an exclusive accommodation with COVID-19 testing package at any of three participating Resorts World Manila hotels.

Holiday Inn Express Manila, Savoy Hotel Manila, and Belmont Hotel Manila are now offering three-day/two-night stay packages inclusive of one-way airport transfer, full-board meals, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

The PCR (swab) test will be administered by accredited partner hospitals.

Rates start at P11,900 for single occupancy. Double occupancy rooms are available for P17,200.

Guests who wish to extend their stay may do so for additional P3,800

per night for single occupancy, and P4,300 per night for double.

This offer may be booked until December 30 via the Cebu Pacific Travel Reminders page (bit. ly/CEBFlightReminders).

Passengers will then be redirected to RWM’s website (www.rwmanila. com/cebu-pacific-hotel-package) where they will finalize their booking.

Guests are encouraged to secure reservations at least five days prior to the check-in date.

“Since some destinations require Negative RT-PCR test results prior to entry, we are working with Resorts World Manila to provide our passengers with more options,” said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president of marketing and customer experience.

Savoy Hotel Manila offers travelers flying out of Manila via Cebu Pacific accommodation packages inclusive of PCR (swab) test.