Manila Standard - 2020 September 7 - Monday

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RECOVERIES SURGE TO NEW HIGH AT 23K ; UP TEAM SEES CURVE FLATTENING (Story below)

YULE-READY.

In preparation for the Yuletide season, a barangay worker dusts off Christmas lanterns to be displayed at the barangay hall in Quiapo district of Manila on September 06, 2020. Christmas decorations are being re-used or recycled amid the economic slump brought on by the virus pandemic. Norman Cruz VOL. XXXIV • NO. 185• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sotto sticks to PhilHealth raps

Presses for indictment of top execs based on Committee of the Whole report

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

S

ENATE President Vicente Sotto III said he is confident that Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) officials tagged as corrupt by a Committee of the Whole report will be indicted.

"I believe that all those whom we recommended… [for] criminal and civil cases will be charged," Sotto said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday.

After three hearings, the Senate proposed the filing of charges against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who also sits as ex-officio chairman of the PhilHealth board, the agency’s resigned

chief Ricardo Morales, and several other top officials.

They were accused of involvement in the "improper and illegal implementation of the interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM)," or the cash advances to health care institutions.

Sotto pointed out the IRM implementation does not have any legal Next page

House leader bats for audit of ’trust fund-rich’ agencies

By Rio N. Araja HOUSE Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday called for an audit of all government agencies with big trust or investment funds and to go after possible corruption activities.

“I think it's about time that right after the budget (approval), we must look into government agencies with huge trust or investment funds, such as the Pag-IBIG Fund (Home Mutual Devel-

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 6)

237,365 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,839 48,803 NEW

ACTIVE

3,875

85

DEATHS

NEW

184,687 23,074

opment Fund), the Government Service and Insurance System, the Social Security System, [and] the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," he said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV .

“All of these have their revolving fund or trust fund or investment fund, whether government financial institution or an agency of the government. I think we have to have an expert team with a capability on financial forensics who could look at these,” he said.

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RECOVERIES

NEW

Recoveries surge to new high; UP: Curve flattening

By Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja Frontline medical workers who are at the forefront of the war on coronavirus disease are assured of a P53-billion share of the Health department's budget for next year. File photo

38% of DOH budget for healthcare

By Willie Casas, Rey Requejo and Jess Malabanan ABOUT 38 percent of the Health department’s budget under Bayanihan 2 will be used to deploy healthcare professionals in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, an official said

LOCAL ROUNDUP Saturday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said “about 38 percent of the funds are for human resources for Next page health.”

THE country logged another high of 23,074 new recoveries from COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing to 184,687 the number of patients who have recovered from the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The new data was released as researchers from the University of the Philippines tracking the COVID-19 pandemic said the country has already flattened the curve on new coronavirus infections.

“Actually, cases have already flattened, and we said around two weeks

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NBI told: Dig deep into death TF vows to respect people’s privacy of Parojinog

HISTORIC CIRCLE. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno inspects the Anda Circle rehabilitation and beautification project at Port Area on Sept. 6, 2020. Moreno has embarked on several projects to spruce up historical landmarks and tourist spots in the city.

UNDER fire for saying the police will monitor social media to uncover quarantine violations, the officer in charge of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said they would do so while respecting people's privacy.

Eleazar had come under fire from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr., who said the Philippine National Police was using the pandemic to turn the country

into a police state.

“We will not violate their privacy,” Eleazar said in Filipino, in a radio interview.

“We really don't care what they do inside their homes with regard to quarantine rules and regulations.”

Over the weekend, Eleazar urged police commanders and their personnel to regularly monitor social media for violations of quarantine protocols.

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By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday he had ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to find out if former Ozamiz Councilor Ricardo Parojinog was already ill before he was transferred to his province.

Parojinog was found dead inside his detention cell last Friday several hours before he was to testify on the criminal charges against him.

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UN-PROTECTED. Fish traders bring in their catch of the day in Rosario town of Cavite, without wearing any protective gear such as face mask and face shield in total disregard of health protocols required by the provincial government. JR Josue

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News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

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DOJ bucks Pemberton release Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said prosecutors in Olongapo were now drafting a motion seeking to overturn the order of Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of the Olongapo City RTC Branch 74 last week.

“Our trial prosecutors are still drafting their motion for reconsideration,” Guevarra told reporters in a text message.

“I expect that jurisdictional issues, apart from the divergence in GCTA computation, will be included in the motion for reconsideration,” Guevarra said.

He said in case their motion was denied by the trial court, they would leave it up to the Solicitor General to take the next legal steps to prevent Pemberton’s release.

Pemberton was convicted of homicide on Dec. 1, 2015, for killing trans-

gender Jennifer Laude inside a lodge in 2014.

He was sentenced to six to 10 years in prison and has been detained at the Joint US Military Assistance Group facility in Camp Aguinaldo.

Guevarra earlier expressed hope the Solicitor General would join them in seeking a reconsideration of the Olongapo City court’s decision.

The court ordered Pemberton’s release after computing his total accumulated time served with his GCTA. Based on the computation, Pemberton had served a total of 405 days during his preventive imprisonment and 1,737 days serving his 10-year prison term.

The court said the US marine was entitled to a 260-day GCTA during preventive imprisonment and 1,288 GCTAs during the service of his sentence.

Pemberton’s actual time served in

Sotto...

“Through abandonment or negligence, you knew billions were released,” Sotto said of Duque, adding that it would be impossible for the Health secretary not to know this was irregular.

By saying he had no hand in implementing the IRM, Duque is practically pleading guilty to malversation by way of negligence under the Revised Penal Code, Sotto said.

He also said President Rodrigo Duterte's continued trust in Duque should not stop the Department of Justice from filing charges against him.

The Senate leader also said they stand by their recommendation for the President to appoint a new DOH secretary.

He said the successor of Duque should be an officer who has a strong will to fight corruption inside PhilHealth and the other agencies under the country’s health insurer.

Earlier, the senators passed a resolution demanding the resignation of Duque over

his failure of leadership and allegations of corruption hounding PhilHealth.

Meanwhile, House ways and means committee chairman Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd district) has filed a bill in Congress that seeks to overhaul the main segments of PhilHealth's operations to “fully fund universal health care and root out corruption and mismanagement in the agency PhilHealth.”

Under his PhilHealth Reform Act of 2020 (HB 7578), Salceda said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will no longer have to pay PhilHealth premiums since they don’t earn their income in the country and do not use its services, and and low income earners will save about P4,800 in yearly contributions.

The lawmaker said the bill incorporates the recommendations contained in a 33page aide memoire he recently submitted to the House leadership and members of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, to solve

the PhilHealth crisis.

Salceda said his proposed reforms are both structural and anti-fraud. Under his bill, the premium contribution scheme is made more progressive, linking income tax rate with premium contribution.

Minimum wage earners who are exempt from income taxes will only pay P100 minimum contributions monthly, down from around P250-500 per month under the current system.

The bill also reforms the PhilHealth governance structure and makes the secretary of Finance as its board chairman, since PhilHealth is an insurance and investment agency, and a financial company.

The bill also requires an independent audit of PhilHealth, apart from those conducted by the Commission on Audit, and mandates the PhilHealth president to report to the President of the Philippines and to Congress measures taken to address adverse audit findings.

Recoveries...

cases were reported.

Eighty-five new fatalities reported Sunday brought the death toll due to COVID-19 to 3,875.

Minus deaths and recoveries, there are 48,803 active cases undergoing treatment or under quarantine, 88.6 percent of which are mild cases, 8 percent asymptomatic, 1.4 percent severe and 2 percent in critical condition.

Metro Manila still recorded the highest number of new infections at 1,170, followed by Negros Occidental with 195, Laguna with 190, Cavite with 182, and Rizal with 154.

The DOH earlier said it would report time-based recoveries every Sunday under its “Oplan Recovery” initiative, where asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases are re-tagged as recovered after completing a 14day quarantine without developing

symptoms.

The Philippines has the highest number of total cases in Southeast Asia despite implementing the longest and strictest lockdown in the region.

An official from the National Task Force against the pandemic said Sunday that the government aims to flatten the COVID-19 curve by end of September, or seven months after the first infection was reported in the Philippines.

Guido had earlier told ABS-CBN that Metro Manila and Calabarzon were starting to flatten the curve on COVID-19 infections, citing a virus reproduction rate of 0.95 in the two regions.

The positivity rate in the virus epicenter also declined to 12 percent from 19 percent, he added.

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Justice department will seek a reconsideration of the decision of an Olongapo court ordering the early release of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton after having served 10 years in prison for good-conduct time allowance or GCTA, its top official said Sunday.

From A1

justification as the board resolution concerning it was belatedly adopted on March 31, 2020, while the Circular 20200007 was implemented on March 20, 2020.

Duque has said he had no say in the controversial IRM, and that the Senate Committee of the Whole, "made baseless findings on mere allegations alone."

He questioned his inclusion in the charges when he was not even part of the deliberation on IRM and did not even sign the resolution in question.

Although Duque’s signature did not appear in the documents, Sotto however said Duque tolerated the illegal release of funds from the IRM. Sotto said this was the reason Duque should be slapped with criminal charges, among them graft and corruption and technical malversation.

Unioil sets off price rollback

By Alena Mae S. Flores CONSUMERS can expect a price rollback of as much as P0.50 per liter of pump prices this week due to the slump in demand from the United States, one of the world’s biggest consumers of oil products.

“Diesel should go down by P0.40 to P0.50 per liter and gasoline by P0.30 to P0.40 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said.

The Energy Information Administration said last week that gasoline demand fell to 8.786 million barrels per day on Aug. 28 from 9.161 million bpd on Aug. 21.

On Sept. 1, the oil firms also cut diesel prices by P0.05 to P0.10 per liter and kerosene by P0.10 per liter, but raised the price of gasoline by P0.10 per liter.

These resulted in the total year-todate adjustments amounting to a net decrease of P3.92 per liter of gasoline, P8.99 per liter of diesel and P13.39 per liter of kerosene.

The government is now looking at establishing an interim oil stockpiling mechanism while waiting for the implementation of a national Strategic Petroleum Reserve program, which has been pushed back to next year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Energy department has ordered Philippine National Oil Co., the government's oil and gas arm, to help it draft a circular that will address the establishment of the interim oil stockpiling mechanism, which is intended as a preliminary initiative relative to the wider and more comprehensive and capitalintensive National Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program.

"This mechanism will provide the government with an effective means of government intervention in response, should it be required, to the disruption in oil supply and price stability in times of price spikes, while also taking advantage of the low global oil prices due to a combined demand decrease and oil glut caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," PNOC said in its first half report.

The company said details of the project specification of the interim oil stockpiling program would be presented to the Budget department to justify the special provision for the intended budget for the program through the Energy department’s endorsement.

"The preparation of the in-house feasibility study and implementation plan of the program is ongoing," PNOC said.

The company said the target activities this year were supposed to entail the hiring of a project transaction adviser for the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which were large stockpiles of crude oil and/or petroleum products stored in facilities located around the country and possibly overseas.

From A1

ago that we are seeing a flattening of the curve by the end of August or early September, said Prof. Guido David of the UP Institute of Mathematics.

Guido told CNN Philippines that the country’s reproduction number or the number of people that one COVID-19 patient could infect has declined to 0.94 and continued to go down.

“So they (cases) are decreasing and that is very good news. That only means we have sustained the flattening of the curve,” he added.

The DOH reported 2,839 new cases Sunday, bringing total infections to 237,365. This was the second straight day in which fewer than 3,000 new

Local...

From A1

The Health department will get almost half or P53.48 billion Under Bayanihan 2, a stimulus package with a budget of P165 billion.

The department says the budget allocation will support healthcare workers. It will keep them protected while preventing the influx of patients into hospitals.

Department to study JAO report The Justice department said Sunday it will first determine if it can believe the report by the so-called Joint Administrative Order group on COVID-19 about its probe on the alleged violations of quarantine protocols by the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra says they will first study the report to determine if they have jurisdiction over it.

“We will wait for the report of the JAO team and determine if the [department] has any jurisdiction over the matters raised

House...

From A1

He said that in his over 20 years in public service, he never heard the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. complain that it was losing funds until its officials admitted that its funds were depleting.

He said the Commission on Audit

therein,” Guevarra said in a text message.

The JAO group is composed of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Department of Health, and the Games and Amusements Board joined by the Commission on Higher Education.

Province to regulate fees CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The high cost of swab tests has prompted Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda to call the attention of the Health department in a bid to make the medical procedures affordable.

Pineda said the department must regulate government and private laboratories over their swab test fees. It must set a price ceiling on the cost of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction commonly used to detect coronavirus as prices have skyrocketed from P5,000 to as high as P10,000.

The laboratories doing RT-PCR tests, Pineda says, have different rates. The Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital charges P3,485, the Philippine Red Cross P4,000 and the Green City Medical Center P6,500.

and National Bureau of Investigation must beef up their financial forensics.

With the right financial forensics team, he said, problems would be spotted right away.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the reshuffling of regional offices in PhilHealth and the Bureau of Customs.

“I want to see a reshuffle of different regional offices within the next two or

TF...

From A1

He said some social media users were uploading photos and videos of celebrations they attended despite prohibitions under the community quarantine.

Eleazar said police will only be able to monitor posts that are public or complaints brought up through social media pages.

“The social media are full of photos and evidence of hardheaded people deliberately violating the quarantine protocols. These can be used as pieces of evidence to warn, to fine and to summon the people concerned in coordination

jail was 2,142 days and 1,548 days for the GCTA. The court said Pemberton’s total accumulated time served in prison with entitlement of the GCTA was 10 years, one month and 10 days, which was already beyond his 10-year maximum sentence.

The court also said Pemberton had already paid the amount awarded by the court to Laude’s family in its decision dated Nov. 18, 2015, as amended by the appellate court in its April 3, 2017, decision. He paid a total of P4.32 million.

Laude’s family has also filed a motion for reconsideration over the court’s decision and has a scheduled hearing today, Monday.

The family insisted that Pemberton had failed to show proof of good conduct while in jail to warrant his early release, and that they wanted him transferred to the New Bilibid Prison.

three days,” Duterte said.

The President added those who refuse to surrender their positions despite being linked to corruption issues must report to him directly.

“I will ask them to do research on how not to serve the government properly,” Duterte said.

The President singled out the regional vice presidents of PhilHealth, who he said should be removed from their posts.

with the barangay officials concerned,” Eleazar said on Saturday.

Eleazar said the directive, issued by PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan, covers violations of minimum health safety standard protocols such as mass gatherings for drinking sessions and other forms of celebrations.

Eleazar did not address social media photos that were posted in May of Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas violating quarantine protocols at a party on his birthday.

Sinas and 18 other police officers were slapped with criminal charges before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office for violating quarantine protocols such as wearing face masks and observing physical

DENR violated laws in ’beach’ project—Oceana

By Willie Casas AUTHORITIES violated several laws when they dumped crushed dolomite on a 500-meter stretch of the Manila Bay's naturally gray shoreline in Manila to make it appear like white sand, environmental group Oceana Philippines said Sunday.

Oceana Philippines vice president Gloria Estenzo-Ramos said among the laws that were flouted were the Fisheries Code and the National Cultural Heritage Protection Act. The so-called “beach nourishment project, which costs around P349 million, also did not undergo environmental impact assessment, Ramos said.

"I'm aghast, appalled, considering we're facing a pandemic and public funds are used to prioritize a so-called beautification campaign. Many laws were violated by the agency mandated to protect the environment,” she told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

However, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said no law was violated.

Antiporda said there was no Fisheries Code violation since authorities cleaned up Manila Bay and replaced the garbage with sand. He also denied the NHCP Act was violated since past administrations have also made improvements along the beach front.

Antiporda added that the funding for the project was already allocated last year, way before the pandemic.

He also claimed dolomite, a sedimentary rock, will not affect Manila Bay’s ecosystem.

However, Ramos said dolomite contains mercury and lead that could be harmful to marine life.

"Even scientists are saying this is a waste of taxpayers’ funds. For sure rains will bring the sand to the ocean. And it's disheartening because this is fake sand – it has mercury and lead content,” she said.

“Many laws were violated so we’re also teaming up with other groups calling on the agencies to investigate actions taken by these officials,” Ramos added.

The DENR is scheduled to inspect the project on Sept. 19, in time for International Coastal Cleanup Day.

NBI...

From A1

Guevarra says NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor will send a team to verify reports that Parojinog,57, was already showing signs he was not feeling well when he arrived in Ozamiz City in Misamis Oriental last Thursday.

“I have already discussed this matter with [NBI] OIC Chief Distor. We agreed to let our field operatives do some initial fact-checking,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

He says the NBI team will focus on gathering information on the state of Parojinog’s health before he was found lifeless inside his detention cell while under police custody around 6 a.m. on Sept. 4.

“The NBI will find out if Parojinog had already been sick before he was transferred, and what his condition was upon his actual arrival in Ozamis,” Guevarra said.

He says he will leave it to Distor to decide which NBI unit will be mobilized for the assignment.

Parojinog was said to have belonged to a family that founded the infamous Kuratong Baleleng Gang that changed from a criminal organization into a political clan.

He was the younger brother of former Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., who was killed in a police raid along with his wife and 13 other people in July 2017.

In July 2018, Parojinog was deported from Taiwan where he had fled after a police raid. He had been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame and was only transferred to the Ozamiz City Police Station on Sept. 3 to attend a hearing on the criminal charges he was facing related to illegal drugs, murder and illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

distancing but then PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the case was “closed.”

Reyes said the order to monitor social media posts furthers the government's militarized response to the pandemic.

“The PNP wants to use the pandemic to turn the Philippines into a police state, where every action is monitored by the authorities,” Reyes told Manila Standard.

“There are no clear guidelines for this. Quarantine violations are also not punishable by imprisonment. This proposal can be abused in so many ways as has been the case with quarantine guidelines since the enhanced community quarantine started,” he added.

News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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18k beneficiaries to receive shelter fund—PCUP

By Rio N. Araja THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor on Sunday said that the distribution of the 18,000 interim shelter fund for the beneficiaries of the Oplan Likas program of the Department of Interior and Local Government would continue despite the pandemic.

Chairman and chief executive Alvin Feliciano vowed to pursue the distribution and make it even faster to help the poor, especially those who have lost their jobs and could not travel.

“Since there is no transportation yet, PCUP personally delivers the checks house to house, and also, to avoid gathering of people to help stop the spread of the virus,” he said.

The program aimed to help ease the burden of displaced informal settlers living on major waterways and hazardous areas in Metro Manila.

The PCUP Resettlement Unit has already distributed checks to 1,793 beneficiaries from 2017 to 2019.

Under quarantine in May and July, the agency has reached 200 beneficiaries brought directly to relocation sites in Pandi, Bulacan; Calamba, Laguna; Bocaue, Bulacan; Trece Martires, Cavite; Rodriguez, Rizal; SJDM, Bulacan; Teresa, Rizal; Baras, Rizal, and Norzagaray, Rizal.

The DILG is currently processing over 18,000 claimants.

For September alone, It is ready to endorse to PCUP the list of beneficiaries in Parañaque Homes II, Parañaque City, and an additional 20 individuals living in other NHA and Social Housing Finance Corporation’s shelter programs.

DAY’S CATCH. A krill fisherman

known as “pag-pag” gathers his catch in Rosario, Cavite on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020.

JR Josue

‘Digital payment now a must’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara said the country needs to institutionalize a digital payment system to prevent the spread of diseases in adapting to the new normal.

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“Our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to institute digital payment systems and to have every Filipino benefit from cashless transactions,” said Angara.

“We saw thousands of people lining up for the distribution of cash aid under the social amelioration program, which was not only inefficient, but unnecessarily exposed the beneficiaries and the people paying out the money to possible

infection to the virus,” he added.

Angara noted the growth of digital payments in the Philippines at a rate of 27% to 30%, which is higher than the 25% average of emerging Asian countries. But he said that it is still just one percent by volume of the estimated 2.5 billion payments made per month.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas suggest that the low volume of digital payments is due to the absence of

banking offices in parts of the country and the high percentage of households that do not own bank accounts.

BSP noted that 37% of the 1,634 cities and municipalities across the country do not have banking offices and that 81.3% of households in Metro Manila have no bank accounts at all.

Angara said all agencies and establishments should institute digital payment systems at the soonest possible time for faster and more efficient transactions in both the government and private sector, To help fast track the adoption of digital payments for financial transactions of the government and all merchants, Angara has filed Senate Bill 1764 or the Use of Digital Payments Act of 2020.

A counterpart measure to the bill

filed by Bataan Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Senate Bill 1764, seeks to provide the enabling environment to accelerate the adoption of digital payments in the country.

Under the bill, all national government agencies, government owned and controlled corporations and local government units will be required to “utilize safe and efficient digital payment” in the collection of taxes, fees, tolls, imposts and other revenues and in the payment of goods, services and other disbursements.

To facilitate compliance, NGAs, GOCCs and LGUs are required to adopt account-based disbursements whereby target recipients directly receive government payments through their bank or digital accounts.

Solon files bill to protect couriers

By Rio N. Araja HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera has filed a bill providing broader protection for independent couriers delivering for e-commerce companies, such as Lazada and Shopee.

Herrera filed House Bill No. 7559 or the “Magna Carta of E-Commerce Delivery Personnel’’ to ensure the safety and welfare of e-commerce delivery contractors by promoting cashless payment for home deliveries and penalizing cancellation of cash-on delivery transactions.

She said it is only “right and just” to provide wider protection to delivery riders, who have become “inadvertent”

frontliners in the fight against COVID-19.

“In order to increase efficiency and protect the welfare of delivery riders whose lives are put at stake to keep us safe within our homes, this bill seeks to provide more secure measures to these service providers and penalize those who unreasonably and inconveniently cancel their orders upon delivery,” she said.

Cashless transaction not only prevents virus transmission through currency notes, but also protects delivery workers from unscrupulous customers.

“Customers are more responsible for their purchases when they opt to pay online and in advance, while delivery rider simply transport the items to the customers’ homes without having to bear the costs,” Herrera said.

GUNNED DOWN. Manila Police officers check the body of a male victim who was killed by unidentified gunmen along the railroad track in Port Area, Manila on Sept. 6, 2020. Norman Cruz

Immunize high-risk groups—lawmaker Romualdezes donate

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo seeks the approval of a measure providing immunization service to vulnerable and high-risk groups during outbreaks, pandemics, epidemics and other unforeseen public health emergencies.

Crisologo, House assistant majority leader, said the emergence of coronavirus disease-19 has posed all kinds of threat to the general public and badly affected the world economy.

He filed House Bill No. 7463 which seeks to establish a mechanism that could immediately protect the public from potential pan-

demic, outbreaks and epidemics.

He said the Department of Health shall create an emergency immunization program for the vulnerable and high-risk sectors to ensure the health of the general public.

“In times of national emergencies, proactive planning is of great importance for optimizing the countries policies,” he said.

“The creation of an emergency immunization program is to provide for an equitable protection of the people by guaranteeing that the disproportionate chance of vulnerable sectors surviving the virus are promptly remedied through the strategic allocation of the limited fund of the country,” he said.

Russia offers scholarship grants to Pinoys

By Rio N. Araja SAN Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes, a member of the House committee on people participation, on Sunday said the Russian government is inviting Filipino students and graduates to avail of its scholarship grants to its many universities.

She said she called for a meeting to inform fellow legislators about the scholarship grants being offered by the Russian government to Filipino students and graduates.

Denis Karenin, second secretary of the Russian Embassy, told the committee that the Russian government has been reserving slots for scholarships for Filipinos every year.

He said the Russian government is giving scholarships to any field of study for both undergraduate and post-graduate courses.

Application forms are available online in the embassy website.

Courses available are in nuclear physics, agriculture, medicine and energy and railway management, among others.

equipment to EVRMC

By Rio N. Araja TINGOG party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez and House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, in a joint “malasakit” (compassion) project with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), have given hospital equipment to Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center-Magsaysay branch in a bid to boost Tacloban City’s health-care services amid the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic.

The OCD and the Romualdezes have turned over one ventilator, a portable X-ray machine, four medical oxygen tanks and two wheelchairs to EVRMC Magsaysay.

“More medical equipment are expected to arrive and will benefit other public hospitals in Eastern Visayas,” the Majority Leader said.

“We are grateful to the OCD for partnering with us in this endeavor that will surely help Tacloban boost its medical services especially now that we are in the middle of a pandemic,” he added.

“We hope that the spirit of bayanihan and malasakit will continue to guide all public servants and stakeholders so that we may emerge victorious in these uncertain times.”

DELIVERY. A rider of an express door-to-door delivery company sits relaxed on his

motorcycle with lighted cigarette between his fingers while waiting for the next order along Quirino Highway in Fairview, Quezon City on Sunday (Sept. 6, 2020). The imposition of community quarantine measures to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has boosted the delivery services, particularly in Metro Manila which remains under general community quarantine. PNA Photo

‘Sagip Saka Act ensures enough food’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AS part of the new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sagip Saka Act of 2019 which institutionalizes and incentivizes direct food purchase from farmers, fisherfolk, and other food growers will ensure that no one goes hungry in the country, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said.

He said access to affordable nutritious food is a key to having healthy Filipinos, adding that healthy food producers and growers­—physically, culturally, and economically—ensures everyone’s health.

In an online consultation-dialogue on Friday, the senator listened to the concerns of farmers, other food growers and local executives on food production and distribution in

Pampanga during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Froilan Soriano, barangay captain of San Juan Baño, Arayat, said his office was able to use Pangilinan’s pet Sagip Saka Act to buy palay directly from the farmers, mill it in the barangay’s milling machines, and give an additional 3 kilos of rice to all families in his village.

Soriano said buying the rice at P18 per kilo (or P1 higher than the prevailing P17) was much lower than the P40 per kilo commercial rice.

He said this allowed him to help the farmers earn more, as well as distribute to all households, including the 600 households that were not part the 2015 census and therefore not entitled to any ayuda, or official government support.

LGUs

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

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Handwashing stations fixed in Quezon City

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FOR CLEAN HANDS.

Mayor Joy Belmonte distributes hygiene packs from Manila Water Foundation and P&G Safeguard Philippines after the turnover ceremony. The handwashing facility’s unique “hybrid” design allows users to turn on the faucet in two ways, either via a lever that can be used by a hand or an elbow, or by using a foot pedal.

Tamparan mayor settles ‘rido’ wars without ‘diyyah’

By Ayunan G. Gunting-Al Hadj SECOND to values-based leadership, controlling “rido” or clan feuds is vital for the progress of Tamparan, maintains Mayor Juhar Dimaporo Disomimba of Lanao del Sur. The province is reported to have the highest incidences of rido, a revenge Mayor Disomimba (mamauli) born out of maintaining the family honor. The disputes are prompted by petty matters such as taunting and small-time thefts to bigger issues such as land disputes and political rivalries.

“Rido is triggered by misunderstanding, envy of positions such as being barangay chairman and the like. When youngsters start quarreling, the older relatives get involved,” says Disomimba.

The conflict is complicated by social pressures. Other members of the family or clan feel bound by duty or family honor to join the retaliation. They are looked upon as cowards or are ostracized if they refuse to support the family and strike back.

Rido has led to violent deaths, destruction of property, a paralyzed economy, and an atmosphere of fear. In Bangsamoro, rido escalates into armed conflict, which includes the military and insurgent groups.

Rido is normally settled by diyyah or blood money. Disomimba says that in Islamic law, victims or their heirs are entitled to financial compensation for the death or damage wrought by rido.

The criminals are sentenced in court and serve a long prison term.

The mayor recalls that his father and grandfather, who were both datus and politicians, settled the rido with blood money. They also brought justice by putting the accused behind bars.

However, Disomimba maintains that diyyah alone will not solve the root of the social problem. He hopes to stamp out rido through attitude change.

He envisions that an information campaign should enlighten the younger generation about this age-old malpractice and educate older generation in respecting the rule of law. He also hopes to train the people on how to respond to conflicts to prevent death.

Disomimba also believes in creating an environment of cooperation among the LGUs, community elders and a peace council. Their alliance can set the parameters in any conflict and quickly resolve it.

He also sees the importance of studying the family tree of the warring clans so that neutral members can be tapped as arbitrators. A hands-on mayor, Disomimba has likewise served as a mediator between warring families.

He plans to invite religious leaders to help the clans to revert to Islamic values and to make them realize that their true nature is peace.

“Islam teaches brotherhood and harmony. Rido is violent and fractious. The people of Tamparan remain true to the teachings of Allah,” says Disomimba.

“We can resolve family feuds by empowering our religious leaders and the council of elders of the clans, training youth leaders, developing partners in the security department and community. Broken fences can be mended with tolerance and understanding,” said Mayor Disomimba, who is now one of the most popular young mayors in Lanao province.

Cebu gov grieves death of 2 brothers

HE Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Sunday extended condolences to Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and the rest of her family after learning of the death of former Dumanjog Mayor Nelson Garcia and Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia.

T

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar remembered the two mayors -- brothers of the governor -- for the development they made in their respective municipalities.

“Throughout the years as former chief executives of their respective local government units, they were instrumental towards the development of the municipalities of Dumanjog and Barili and that of its citizens,” he said in a statement.

He also extended prayers to their families and friends.

“We pray for the eternal repose of their souls and that their families find strength in this time of grief,” he added.

Last Sept. 1, former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chief Winston Garcia confirmed that his brother Nelson died.

“To my dearly beloved brother, words cannot express the deep sense of loss and grief for your untimely departure,” he said on Facebook, without giving details on his sibling’s cause of death.

Marlon’s death on Sept. 6 was also confirmed by Winston without stating the cause of death.

“To lose one brother is painful enough, but to lose another brother in the same week, my heart just cannot take any further. The true fighter that he was, my brother, Marlon has been fighting for his life for the last few weeks,” Winston said. “This morning, he joins my brother, Nelson, and my mother in heaven.”

The matriarch of the Garcia political clan, retired Judge Esperanza “Inday” Fiel Garcia died due to kidney failure in 2016.

At least six Cebu mayors had announced they tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 since the pandemic began in March. PNA

AS THE pandemic persists, Manila Water Foundation (MWF), together with its partners P&G Safeguard Philippines, JCI Quezon City Capitol, and the Quezon City Government, formally inaugurated four new handwashing facilities and rehabilitated two existing ones in various strategic public areas in Quezon City on September 4.

The handwashing facility’s unique “hybrid” design allows users to turn on the faucet in two ways, either via a lever that can be used by a hand or an elbow, or by using a foot pedal. There is also a one-meter distance between faucets to observe physical distancing.

The facility is person with disability (PWD)-friendly as well as it has a ramp and a lowered sink, which can also be accessed by small children.

Each facility is built with three faucets with readily available soap containers, and signages about COVID-19 precautionary measures, proper handwashing, and water conservation.

The general public frequenting the QC Hall Complex, patients and medical frontliners of the Kamuning and Murphy Super Health Centers, and 64 locally-stranded individuals are immediate beneficiaries of these handwashing facilities because they can readily wash their hands as they enter or leave the premises.

Compared with makeshift handwashing facilities, this “hybrid” infrastructure design is more reliable and sustainable because it has direct access to clean water and connection to a drainage system, the foundation said.

Salvador Patingo, a former construction worker who lost his job due to the pandemic took temporary shelter in the Quezon City Memorial Basketball Court.

“This facility is a huge help for us.

We can now drink clean water and wash our hands. This is helpful not only for us but for those who will use this facility as well,” he shared.

As the first line of defense against the coronavirus, proper handwashing is essential, but the lack of handwashing stations in Metro Manila can be a challenge, especially for marginalized communities.

TMC-Clark: No to syndicates using hospital

By Jess Malabanan

MEGA-FACILITY. The Department of Public Works and Highways has successfully completed and turned over a 151-bed capacity

healthcare facility in Carmona, Cavite. DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said the repurposed evacuation center at Barangay Lantic in Carmona will facilitate treatment and care of COVID-19 patients from the town and other parts of the industrial zone of Calabarzon. DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, head of Task Force to Facilitate Augmentation of National and Local Health Facilities formed by Secretary Villar, turned over the facility to Carmona Mayor Roy M. Loyola. Benjamin Chavez

Mariveles councilors come to aid of 2 townsmen MARIVELES, Bataan—Members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Mariveles led by Vice Mayor Lito Rubia recently extended assistance to two constituents who needed help badly.

SB Mariveles members include Councilors Tito Catipon, Angel Sunga, Susan Murillo, Ronald Arcenal, Joey Carandang, Harry Golocan, Turing Isip, ABC President Venancio Villapando Jr., SK

Municipal Federation President Vincent Charles Banzon, and IP Municipal Representative Manuel Pacayay.

SB Mariveles gave considerable financial aid and groceries to Ryan Torrevillas Serrano of Brgy. Townsite, who is undergoing dialysis treatment for two years now, and to Geraldine Estopa of Sitio Paliparan, Brgy. Batangas 2, whose Baby Alhorine has a physical

defect of a missing anus opening.

Personnel of SB Mariveles brought the assistance to the homes of the beneficiaries.

“This is just a simple way for SB Mariveles members to help needy residents using money from their own pockets, especially now in the time of COVID 19 pandemic,” the councilors said on their Facebook account. Butch Gunio

CLARK FREEPORT—The full force of the law awaits individuals who will be caught using The Medical City (TMC)Clark in their modus operandi.

TMC-Clark warned of this after it received reports on alleged unlawful activities of individuals posing as employees of the medical facility, as it denied sending statement of accounts through online and other means of communications.

“TMC-Clark will never send you statements of accounts online or request payment to be processed by private banks,” TMC-Clark said in a statement.

TMC-Clark also sought the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to get the scammers and put an end the illegal transactions.

“These people have fake credentials and believed responsible in circulating fake court decision as part of modus to deceive their prospects,” TMC-Clark warned.

TMC-Clark urged the public not to entertain individuals claiming to be connected with the medical institution by showing counterfeit credentials and court decisions. To avoid and prevent being victim, clients of TMCClark are advised to transact business directly to the hospital management.

“Clients who received court decision, letters or electronic statement of accounts, please inform the proper authorities or call 045-598-4000 or 0919-069-5536.

LGUs urged to shield children SAVE the Children Philippines has urged local government units (LGUs) to prepare for emergency response as the onset of the typhoon season is expected to compound the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in communities with limited budget and weak health systems.

The child rights organization, through its Alert, Accountable and Resilient Communities (A2RC) project, provides technical support to the government agencies in improving its risk reduction and response mechanism to build resilience of communities.

It also implements a two-year program funded by the European Union (EU) in typhoon-stricken municipali-

ties of Sulat and Dolores to protect deprived and marginalized children, pregnant and lactating mothers from emergencies in partnership with Caritas-Borongan and the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar.

Lawyer Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines, said children’s rights to survival, education, and protection from abuse and exploitation are at stake during emergencies such as natural disasters, conflicts, and health crisis.

“Children face the harsh impact of natural calamities and other emergencies as they highly depend on adults for protection and developmental needs,” said Muyot.

FARM PRODUCTION. Mean Tan (left) the owner of Ecoden Nature Farm, and her son

introduce the products made from various herbs and plants—turmeric coffee, lemongrass water extract, ginger tea or salabat, orchid hand sanitizer, kakawati soup, acapulco Soap, acaulco pet shampoo, pure honey, lemongrass, cayenne and citronella massage oils, coco peat blocks and bricks, coco fiber floor mat, and coco juice wine—from their farm in Sitio Centro, Brgy. San Andres, Candelaria Quezon. Roy Tomandao

Opinion NY Philharmonic is back, pandemic-style

By Maggy Donaldson ITS fall season has been cancelled and its concert hall closed indefinitely, so New York's Philharmonic is taking it to the streets.

One of America's oldest musical institutions, the famed symphony orchestra is playing outdoor pop-up shows, getting creative during the coronavirus pandemic that has kept concert halls closed and New Yorkers starved for live music.

Each weekend, small ensembles play at surprise locations throughout the city, wearing T-shirts and masks in front of a pickup truck dubbed the "bandwagon."

Sometimes musicians get rained on or people just walk on by -- but sometimes a nearby delivery truck honks along in exactly the right key.

In those moments, says opera singer and series producer Anthony Roth Costanzo, "it feels like the city is our orchestra and we're the soloists."

"In this moment of pandemic, in this moment of social change, we're exploring new ways together... to connect to people and to realize that we have to reinvent the concert-going ritual," the countertenor told AFP after performing a set in Brooklyn's Betty Carter Park, a small leafy urban oasis above a subway track.

"It's not just about bringing people into our house. It's about getting our house out in the world, and sharing what music can do."

On a balmy Friday evening, Roth Costanzo and a string duet—Quan Ge on violin and Cong Wu on viola—drew a socially distanced crowd to their show that began with Mozart's Allegro in G Major and wrapped with the classic New York ballad "Somewhere" from "West Side Story."

Unlike at its traditional classical music concerts, the Philharmonic encourages its pop-up audiences to dance, applaud and interact between songs.

Roth Costanzo played the role of MC, speaking to the crowd between each song from the bed of the pickup, at one point giving a shoutout to the vendor selling sheets and towels next to the makeshift stage.

Drivers slowed to roll down their windows and pedestrians took cell phone

videos, as dozens of audience members— including children and dogs—stopped to take in the tunes that featured a string arrangement of Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind."

"I love you!" applauded one onlooker, Lorri, whose eyes welled with tears as Roth Costanzo finished a moving rendition of the somber "Lachrimae Pavane."

"It touched me," Lorri told AFP afterwards, calling the surprise concert "heaven-sent."

Share the energy Like many musicians, members of the Philharmonic took their shows online when the spread of Covid-19 shut their doors in March.

And while virtual concerts offered a stop-gap solution, they are simply "not the same," said Cong.

"Music is about communication," he said. "We need the stage."

Outdoors, he continued, "it's nice to feel the energy from people—we play, we share the energy, and we have energy back from the audience."

The Philharmonic isn't publicly announcing when and where each concert will occur, to avoid large crowds from amassing.

The organization is planning three performances a day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays into at least mid-October, aiming to eventually cover all five city boroughs.

In each audience is the co-president of the League of Women Voters, who acts as a groupie of sorts, following the performers and helping those gathering to register to vote.

After Friday evening's mini concert wrapped at the park, where Brooklyn's Academy of Music towers across the street, Roth Costanzo called it "gratifying" to be back out performing live.

"There was a moment at the end when the violins finished playing, and there was a perfect stillness, silence like you'd have in a concert hall," he said. "I can feel people connecting—it's not just me to them and them to me—it's them to each other as well."

"That's so important in our world right now." AFP

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net) TO THE POINT

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Legislation and democracy THE FIFTH GOSPEL JUDE ACIDRE Our country just missed an opportunity to craft a piece of timely and long-overdue legislation. House Bill 4062 could have been the enabling law needed to carry out Article VII, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution.

The first paragraph of this section outlines the line of succession in case of a vacancy in the presidency. Fundamental is the proviso that the Vice President shall serve the unexpired term. But in the unlikely event of his or her death or inability, the Senate President, or if he or she is also unable to do so, the House Speaker shall act as President until a new President or Vice President shall have been elected and qualified.

The second paragraph of the same con-

stitutional provision reads, “The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the President or the Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President.”

In plain language, the proviso, “by law” means Congress is mandated to pass a law establishing who shall serve as Acting President when a person within the line of succession as explicitly named by the Constitution dies, is permanently disabled, or has resigned—subject to “the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President”—which primarily means that he or she shall serve only until the election and assumption to office of a new President or Vice President.

Given the state of global events, ensuring a continuity in government should be given importance. In times when terrorist attacks, health pandemics and even natural disasters

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

Sand in our faces

W

HAT would boost our mental health is the knowledge that the government is addressing problems at the core and not resorting to superficial solutions.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has implemented its brilliant idea of using synthetic white sand—crushed dolomite boulders from Cebu—to cover the baywalk of Manila Bay. Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said his agency intended to bring the beach experience closer to Filipinos who could not travel amid this time of the pandemic.

He also said that the white-sand project would raise people’s awareness of our common responsibility to take care of the environment. “We did this so people could see that when something is white, you should take care of it and not make it dirty,” he added in Filipino.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque also defended the project, saying the white sand would improve people’s mental health by distracting them from their thoughts about the pandemic. Going to places like Manila Bay would give people peace of mind. He himself,

he volunteered, liked strolling along and sitting by the coastline.

Roque added that the white sand would make Manila Bay more picturesque because it would complement the beautiful sunset for which it is already known.

We wonder how these two officials can believe that we can take them seriously.

What would boost our mental health is the knowledge that the government is addressing problems at the core and not resorting to superficial solutions.

Foremost, the expense is just staggering.

An infrastructure think tank estimated the cost P795,000 per coastline meter covered.

Assuming a 500-meter beach, the whitening project could set Filipino taxpayers back by P397.5 million. Think of the many other worthy projects this amount could be spent on.

Second, health and environment groups have raised concern that the synthetic ma-

terial could actually be bad for the cleanup—which is not even completed, anyway.

Worse, dolomite in large amounts may be bad for the health. Effects include irritation, burning, and redness of the eye; dry and irritated skin, coughing and irritation of the lungs, and in extreme cases, silicosis, bronchitis, emphysema, and cancer.

Mr. Roque thinks the DENR wold not have pushed through with the project without the benefit of studies. But we would like to hear from the agency’s leadership: Is the white-sand project backed by credible study at all?

Finally, there is common sense. Filipinos are not babies who sulk about not being able to go to the beach. We know there is a public health emergency and we are willing to make sacrifices, just as we have done so for nearly six months now.

What would give us peace of mind is the knowledge that our officials know their priorities well, and that they exercise prudence in spending our money at a time when the future is uncertain and millions are losing their jobs.

What would soothe our anxieties and boost our mental health is the knowledge that our officials are doing their best to address problemsenvironmental degradation, a weak hospital system, lack of accountability in public spending—instead of kicking artificial sand in our faces.

EO 79 policy blunder LAST Friday, the House Committee on Appropriations started its series of deliberations for the government’s proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021.

According to the briefing of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, the first seven months of this year suffered a total revenue fall of 6.8 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

“Emerging” tax revenue for 2020 is projected to drop to P2.5 trillion from P3.1 trillion in 2019. With government expenditures estimated to reach P4.3 trillion, there will be a deficit of about P1.8 trillion to be incurred by the end of this year. This would only slightly improve in the next few years—that is, assuming no more extreme lockdowns will stop economic activity.

To bridge the anticipated budget gap, Secretary. Dominguez stated that the government will leverage its good credit rating to borrow the funds needed and to support priority expenditures to boost the pace of recovery from this economic recession. Gross financing for 2020 will reach over P3 trillion, tapering off to P2.3 trillion by 2022.

He stressed the urgency of three priority economic recovery bills: the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, (CREATE) bill, Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) bill, and the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) bill.

In addition to these recovery bills, what I would say is the most strategically important pending tax measure that the Finance Secretary said he will be pushing is the new mining tax regime that has hurdled the House committee on Ways and Means since November 2019. This was likewise approved by the Committee on Appropriations in January this year. This bill has undergone long debates between industry and government and is seen as a viable compromise. It would not only increase the government’s share in mining revenues; it would of increasing magnitude have become likely instead of remote possibilities, it would be best for the country to ensure a ready successor to the President, instead of simply leaving such matters of state to fate.

Unfortunately, the barrage of opposing public opinion from people who are too quick to make hasty conclusions even if they have not thoroughly verified or carefully researched the subject matter has stifled what could have been a truly landmark legislation.

It is clear from the Constitution itself that

The Designated Survivor bill is not unconstitutional.

House Bill 4062 is not unconstitutional. In fact, determining the constitutionality of proposed legislation is usually deferred until after such bill has already been passed into law—only then can the Supreme Court decide on its constitutionality.

The reason for is that introducing a bill does not establish a “fait accompli.” The very aim of the legislative process is to thor-

OPEN THOUGHTS ORLANDO OXALES also but be a significant step toward a more competitive and stable policy environment to open up the untapped trillion dollar economic potential of our mineral development industry.

A new mining revenue tax regime is a requisite of the problematic Executive Order 79 imposed since 2012 to institute reforms to ensure environmental protection and

I hope this is resolved with urgency. responsible mining. However, one of the damaging provisions of this order stopped the issuance of new mining permits. This effectively froze what should now be one of the country’s major economic machines.

Mining critics are quick to quip that there is no urgency to harvest our endowed mineral wealth and that mining companies who have violated environmental regulations should not be allowed to operate. There is really no debate when it comes to minimizing the environmental impact of mining or any industry for that matter. What I find so foolish is the caricature bias of anti-mining groups who demonize the legitimate and highly regulated mining industry as the biggest threat to the country’s environment.

This propaganda has created an unfair and harmful misunderstanding of an industry that in truth, is indispensable to the world’s technological advancements.

So, what did we lose in the eight-year impasse since EO 79?

Still stuck in this regulatory limbo is the

oughly deliberate on proposed measures and examine its timeliness, scope, purpose and necessity, and to take action appropriately.

The Constitution requires three readings before a law is finally approved and transmitted. It would take months of exhaustive deliberations both in the committee and on the plenary. This will be accompanied or followed by another lengthy parallel process in the opposite legislative chamber, culminating in weeks of further fine-tuning in the bicameral conference committee. Even then, the President may choose to approve or veto, in part or as a whole, the approved bill.

Needless to say, the constitutional test of all proposed legislative measures is of fundamental importance in the legislative process.

Take, for example, House Bill 4062. Essentially, the bill is a “Designated Survivor Bill.” It empowers the President to designate a successor in the unlikely event that the President, the Vice President, the Senate President and the House Speaker were to die or become incapacitated at the same time— therefore contemplating a scenario wherein the constitutional successor and even those in the constitutional line of succession are unable to assume the presidency.

How likely is this possibility? Say a terrorist attack on Congress during the State of

$5.9-billion project to develop the Tampakan copper-gold deposit in South Cotabato.

This is known to be one of the largest undeveloped deposits in the world with 2.94 billion tons of ore with 0.6-percent copper and some 18 million ounces of gold. Had the original timelines been allowed to proceed, the project could be producing some 375,000 tons of copper and 36,000 ounces of gold per annum. Based on prevailing gold prices of $1,940 per ounce, that’s about $70 million or some P3.3 billion just for the gold production of one mine.

Philex Mining’s Silangan project in Surigao del Norte is estimated to yield 4.94 billion pounds of copper and 9 million ounces of gold, with pre-COVID 19 prices valued at P752 billion and P605 billion, respectively.

Other multi-billion-dollar investments in the same predicament include Nadecor’s Kingking project in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental’s Asiaticus project, Lepanto Mining’s FSE project in Benguet, and Masbate’s Philsaga Mining contract, among others. From a 2016 list of only 11 pending mining projects, the total capital investments would have been USD 23 billion.

Interesting to note is that according to data from the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, our total Foreign Direct Investments in 2017 was only $10 billion.

This does not include revenue from production.

This is an enormous policy blunder that I hope our policy makers will resolve with urgency. A less confrontational and more collaborative approach to environmental concerns would have realized the full operation of 11 mining projects bringing in over $23 billion in investments. The multiplier effects of the economic linkages, the millions of jobs, and the infrastructure development that these projects should now be supporting in the undeveloped areas where its desperately needed would have been an even bigger GDP story. the Nation Address. Or a mega-earthquake in the nation’s capital. Or a nuclear attack on the Philippines centered on Metro Manila.

This has happened in many countries, there is no reason not to believe this could happen to our own.

It is exactly this scenario that House Bill 4062 has in mind. In fact, consistent with the Constitution, the bill proposes the following provisions: First, the appointment by the President of a “designated survivor” is made “pro hac vice” and shall limited to the circumstances under which it had been made.

Second, a “designated survivor” is to be appointed only when all those in the line of the presidential succession are attending the same event or all in the same place.

Third, the appointment shall have no effect if one in the presidential succession (such as the Vice President, etc) survives the occasion or the gathering.

Far from what many insinuated, the bill does not attempt to supplant the Constitution, particularly the established line of presidential succession provided for in Article VII, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution.

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Germany dangles sanctions vs. Russia G

ERMANY, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday.

UMBRELLA OF PROTECTION.

A demonstrator shields himself from Rochester police officers on September 5, 2020 in Rochester, New York. Protests have been held for four consecutive nights now to denounce the death of Daniel Prude, an African-American.

Prude was arrested on March 23 by Rochester police officers who had placed a ‘spit hood’ over his head and pinned him to the ground while restraining him. AFP

Hong Kong activist arrested for ‘seditious words’ ahead of rally AN opposition activist was arrested in Hong Kong on Sunday by a new police squad for “uttering seditious words,” hours before a rally against a controversial security law.

The arrest of Tam Tak-chi, vice president of radical democratic party People Power, is the latest detention of a high profile democracy supporter in the financial hub and came on the morning Hongkongers had been due to vote in a general election, delayed because of the coronavi-

rus.

An unauthorized protest in opposition to a new law that gives authorities sweeping powers – as well as the poll’s postponement and a Beijing-backed COVID-19 testing program – had more than 10,000 online subscribers.

Tam, a former radio presenter known as “Fast Beat,” was arrested at his home in northeast Hong Kong by police officers from the national security squad, although he was not detained under the new law,

police said.

“The gentleman we arrested this morning was arrested for uttering seditious words under the Crimes Ordinance’s section ten,” senior superintendent Li Kwaiwah said, referring to legislation enacted in the British colonial era to clamp down anti-government expressions.

According to Li, Tam was held for using words that “brought into hatred and contempt of the government and raised discontent and disaffection among Hong

Kong people” in speeches made across Hong Kong this summer.

Li said the national security police was leading the arrest because at the initial stage of investigation the force suspected Tam of committing “incitement to secession” in article 21 of the national security law.

“But after collection of evidence and consulting the Department of Justice, we decided that it is more suitable to use the Crimes Ordinance,” Li said.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225, QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF ENTRIES CORRESPONDING TO THE BIRTH RECORD OF CLINTON REY SARMIENTO SUPE AS TO THE SURNAME FROM CLINTON REY SARMIENTO TO CLINTON REY SARMIENTO SUPE, Petitioner, -versus-

Several stabbed in Birmingham ‘major incident’ —UK police

SP PROC NO. R-QZN-20-03203

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY Through the Administrator MS. LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, PHD.; CRISTINA FRIAS SUPE, TRISTAN FRIAS SUPE; RAYAN FRIAS SUPE AND ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE CLAIM ANY INTEREST WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED THEREBY, Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER A verified petition was filed on March 12, 2020 praying that a judgment be accordingly rendered allowing petitioner herein to use the surname of his father pursuant to the above-quoted pertinent provisions of Executive Order No. 209, which is otherwise known as the Family Code of the Philippines, as amended.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto.

Considering that the National Capital Region (NCR) has been declared under General Community Quarantine, the verified petition is set for hearing on October 8, 2020 at 10:00 o’ clock to 10:30 o’clock in the morning.

WHEREFORE, let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regiona1 Trial Court, Quezon City. Hearing on the verified petition is hereby set on October 8, 2020 at 10:00 o’clock to 10:30 o’clock in the morning at Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, at which time and place, any person having interest in the petition may appear.

Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff/Process Server thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of petitioner: 1. At the main entrance of the City Hall Building of Quezon City; 2. On the Bulettin Board of the Court, Hall of Justice Building, Quezon City; and 3 . At the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the property is located.

Petitioner through counsel is ordered to coordinate with the Branch Sheriff/ Process Server of this Court. as to the service of this Order and copy of his verified petition together with its annexes to the Office of the Solicitor General.

The Branch Sheriff/Process Server of this Court is directed to submit his Return showing’ proof of compliance and at least two (2) weeks before the hearing date.

Let copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Counsel’s are directed to provide this Court with their electronic mail addresses and cellphone numbers. Orders and other court processes shall be sent through electronic mail rather than registered or private courier.

Should the parties opt that this case be heard via videoconferencing, a motion must be filed by their respective counsels through electronic mail stating the reason/s therein. Once the motion is granted, the parties will have to submit to this Court their documentary exhibit/s one (1) week prior to the scheduled hearing for prior disinfection of the documents.

Please take note of the safety protocol to be followed before an individual is allowed to enter the courtroom: Parties and their respective counsels including witnesses are directed to arrive on time for their court appearance, as each case shall be called one at a time and will be heard only within the period allotted. In the event that a witness would arrive after the period given for the case where he/she is set to testify, his or her testimony shall be considered waived.

Only the counsel, litigant and witness/s are allowed to enter the courtroom, individuals who have no business to be in court shall not be allowed to enter the courtroom nor loiter along the hallway.

Upon entering the Annex Hall of Justice Building, all parties including their counsels and witness/s are required to accomplish and submit their respective Declaration Forms to the guard on duty. Before entering the courtroom, each individual must subject their person to the thermal temperature scanner located at the entrance of the courtroom.

Every individual who shall enter the courtroom must properly wear the necessary protective gear i.e. face mask and/ or gloves and shall observe social distancing at all times. Anyone found to be not wearing the protective gear properly or observing social distancing shall be immediately sent out of the courtroom and sanctioned accordingly.

SO ORDERED. June 22, 2020, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) MARIA LUISA LESLE G. GONZALES-BETIC Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Office of the City Prosecutor - Quezon City Office of the Solicitor General - Makati City Philippine Statistics Authority - 3/F Vibal Bldg., Times St., cor. DSA, West Triangle, Quezon City Office of the Local Civil Registrar .- Quezon City Civil Registrar General Ms. Lisa Grace Bersales, PHD --c/o Philippine Statistics Authority, PSA Complex, East Avenue, Diliman. Quezon City Atty. Cayetano Ramos - Alafriz Domingo Bartolome Lachica Agpaoa Calvan & Cantil (ADBLACC) Law Office - 4--1 Future Point Condominium III, 111 Panay Ave., Quezon City Clinton Rey Sarmiento Supe - South 17, Father Martinez St., Barangay Obrero, Quezon City Cristina F. Supe - 176 5th Street, Area 4, Veterans Village , Pasong Tamo, Quezon City Tristan F. Supe - 176 5th Street, Area 4, Veterans Village, Pasong Tamo, Quezon City Rayan F. Supe - South 17, Father Martinez St., Barangay Obrero, Quezon City (MStandard - Aug, 24, 31 & Sep. 7, 2020)

Russian opposition leader Navalny fell ill on a flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin.

Germany said last week there was “unequivocal evidence” that President Vladimir Putin’s top foe had been poisoned using the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.

“If in the coming days Russia does not help clarify what happened, we will be compelled to discuss a response with our allies,” Heiko Maas told German daily Bild.

Any sanctions decided should be “targeted,” he added.

Russia on Sunday accused Germany of stalling efforts to probe Navalny’s case.

“Berlin is stalling the process of investigation for which it’s calling. On purpose?” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Facebook.

Western leaders and many Russians have expressed horror at what Navalny’s allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the attack and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Germany is yet to share any findings with Moscow’s prosecutors.

Maas on Sunday said there were “several indications” that Russia was behind the poisoning, in the strongest accusations yet from Germany.

“The deadly substance with which Navalny was poisoned has in the past been found in the hands of Russian authorities.

“Only a small number of people have access to Novichok and this poison was used by Russian secret services in the attack against former agent Sergei Skripal,” he said, referring to the 2018 attack in the English city of Salisbury. AFP

In this photo, men return from swimming in the Yangtze River in Wuhan, China’s central Hubei province. China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemic’s origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing. AFP

‘Reborn’ Wuhan: China flips pandemic script CHINA is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemic’s origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing.

The PR blitz plays out daily in comments by Chinese officials and lavish state media coverage of a “reborn” Wuhan that trumpets China’s epidemiccontrol efforts and economic recovery while the United States struggles.

The drive peaked in the past week as Chinese primary schools welcomed back students with considerable fanfare and Wuhan hosted executives from doz-

ens of multinationals, from Panasonic to Dow and Nokia, on a highly choreographed tour of the central Chinese city.

“There are few places in the world today where you don’t need a mask and can gather,” a Chinese official, Lin Songtian, told the executives, implying that Wuhan was one of those places.

“This testifies to Wuhan’s triumph over the virus and that (the city) is back in business.”

Lost in this retelling, however, is that a wet market in Wuhan is widely believed to be ground zero for the pandemic.

China’s foreign minister suggested on August 28 during a European outreach trip that the virus might not have emerged in China.

The drive indicates China recognises COVID-19’s damage to its brand and wants to leverage its relatively successful recovery to counter growing international challenges, analysts said.

China faces foreign bitterness over the virus and an initial cover-up attempt

by Wuhan officials, plus criticism of Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong and generally more aggressive international posture.

BRITISH police declared a “major incident” early on Sunday after multiple people were stabbed in the centre of England’s second city Birmingham.

“We can confirm that at approximately 12:30 a.m. today (Sunday) we were called to reports of a stabbing in Birmingham city center,” West Midlands Police said in a statement.

“A number of other stabbings” were reported in the area shortly after and “this has been declared a major incident”, the statement added.

“We are aware of a number of injured people, but at the moment we are not in a position to say how many or how serious. However, all emergency services are working together at the scene, and making sure that those who are injured receive medical care.”

Footage aired on British television news channels showed large areas of the city centre cordoned off as police officers wearing forensic suits worked at the scene.

“Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything,” West Midlands Police said.

“At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.” AFP

Trump: Down in the polls, but tops for bettors FOR the time being, all the polls seem to be going Joe Biden’s way ahead of the November 3 presidential election. But gamblers see a different reality and are putting their money on Donald Trump.

The Republican incumbent, who is seeking a second term, has slowly climbed back since late July to nearly even with the Democratic former vice president.

For some Australian and British bookmakers, Trump is the odds-on favorite.

Betting on national or local elections is illegal in the United States. All the ac-

tion is happening on foreign gambling sites—which Americans can sometimes access.

A $100 wager on a Trump win today could bring the punter a return of $190 if he notches the victory.

“There is no doubt that the momentum appears to have swung back into President Trump’s favor,” said Rupert Adams, a spokesman for British bookmaker William Hill, which has already accepted more than $1.3 million in election bets.

Lee Price, a spokesman for Irish gambling brand Paddy Power, explains that after a slowdown in betting activity due to

the coronavirus crisis, interest has “started to pick up again in recent weeks.”

“We think the Trump factor is sure to keep punters interested,” Price told AFP. Many who have placed their bets on Trump now are hoping for a repeat of 2016, when the Manhattan real estate mogul staged a stunning comeback against Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton to win the White House.

British bookmaker Betfair has taken in $13.3 million in bets on the White House race since August 23, on the eve of the ReTrump publican nominating convention. AFP

Business PSEi September 4, 2020

TOP GAINERS

Market to trade in narrow range ‘Made in HK’ S brand suffers

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to remain range-bound this week on foreign selling and lack of catalysts to push the market higher.

TOP LOSERS

B3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

First Metro Investments Corp. said the index may temporarily hit 5,500 points before trekking upward to 6,500 to 7,000 by year-end as lockdowns ease.

Given this expectation, First Metro said investors must be selective in their stock acquisition and consider the financial conditions of companies, industry leadership and the external environment

before investing their money.

The current slump in the market could encourage bargain hunting. But analysts said investors are still staying on the sidelines on expectations the market could still go down further.

Meanwhile, the stable August inflation rate and the strengthening of the peso against the dollar are providing the positive backdrop for the possible quick recovery of the domestic economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week fell 1.7 percent to 5,785.09, while the broader All Shares Index slipped 1.2 percent to 3,493.73.

Except for the industrial sector which added 0.30 percent, all other sub-indices ended in red, led by property which declined 2.7 percent and holding firms which lost 1.7 percent.

Services rose 1.7 percent while financial and mining and oil dipped 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P3.7 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P5.9 billion from the previous week’s average P9.1 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which jumped 14.4 percent to P7; EEI Corp., which climbed 12.8 percent to P6.42; and Century Pacific Food Inc., which advanced 6.6 percent to P17.30.

Weekly top price losers were ABSCBN Corp., which fell 6.2 percent to P6.80; GT Capital Holdings Inc., which declined 5 percent to P380; and SM Prime Holdings Inc., which dropped 4.3 percent to P27.95. With AFP

An estate agent’s board reads “Public House For Sale” above the closeddown Tery’s bar in the rural village of Dunmore, west of Ireland, on September 3, 2020. After a 15-week hibernation, those serving food were permitted to reopen.

But so-called “wet pubs” serving drink only remained shut, with the government repeatedly pushing back reopening.

AFP

MOST ACTIVE

Record pub lockdown leaves rural Ireland high and dry

By Joe Stenson DUNMMORE, Ireland—In the pubs of Dunmore in the west of Ireland, the Guinness glasses gather dust and the kegs are stacked dormant. Among the locals, a sober mood has taken hold.

The lengthy coronavirus shutdown of pubs in Ireland has hit the 3,000 or so people in the village and surrounding area particularly hard.

Five out of its six village pubs have been shut since March, depriving the community of institutions which act as pillars of rural life.

Publican Joe Sheridan unbolts the door of Walsh’s Bar in the County Galway village.

“They drink their pints along coun-

Personal finance tips and tricks THERE is a difference between rich and wealthy people. Rich people splurge their money on branded products while wealthy people invest their money on real estate and the stock market. Most people live a luxurious life and fail to achieve financial freedom. While most of us, including rich people, impulse buy, wealthy people stick to their buying list. Most people also pay interest charges, whereas wealthy people pay their credit card balance in full to avoid penalties. Also, most people love to gamble. Some of us are addicted to winning the lottery that if you can only sum up the money invested in gambling and lottery, you could have already bought a house. Wealthy people, meanwhile, put their money to guaranteed rewards such as stock markets, mutual funds and real estate. Likewise, wealthy people invest their time and money wisely by reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending webinars or seminars while most of us spend time and money on Netflix subscriptions.

It maybe difficult to achieve financial freedom, especially for some of us who are the family’s breadwinner or if we are already used to a certain lifestyle. But with these simple do’s and don’ts, we can start to reach our financial goals: 1. Don’t buy what you don’t need.

I admit this is the hardest rule I had to make. I tend to get excited every time I see a big red sign that says SALE. But you know what I started doing? I try to avoid malls and online shopping app unless it’s needed so that I won’t have the impulse to buy discounted items. If I can’t avoid them, I pause and ask myself multiple times if I need it or if it’s just a short-term retail therapy.

2. Don’t spend so much money on eating and going out.

I know this one is tough, too because eating and going out are social activities that are fun to do with friends. Plus, it helps build personal and professional relationships. However, it is crucial to set

ters like that with their peers to discuss politics, to discuss the news of the day, to understand what’s going on in their own life,” he told AFP. “I have people that would confide in me here in the bar that may not necessarily say to their GP (doctor) what’s going on with them.”

With bars shut, “you can see the people carrying the woes of life on their faces”, said Sheridan, a seventh-generation publican.

Inside his wood-paneled pub, he finds a pile of unopened post and the musty smell of inactivity.

Walls are jammed with group photos, sports memorabilia and dusty bottles.

It is testament to the pub’s fluid role as

community hall, museum and an understated sort of group catharsis in the village.

“The lights are going out in rural Ireland,” he said.

Dry spell Irish pubs shut on March 16, as the nation braced for the coronavirus, which has so far claimed 1,777 lives.

After a 15-week hibernation, those serving food were permitted to reopen.

But so-called “wet pubs” serving drink only remained shut, with the government repeatedly pushing back reopening.

Restrictions are due to expire on September 13 in what the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland has called the “longest lockdown in the EU.” AFP

Manila

Standard

as US-China row deepens

HONG KONG, China—At the Koon Chun Sauce Factory workers are scrambling to cover hundreds of thousands of bottles with new “Made in China” labels as the popular Hong Kong brand falls victim to spiraling diplomatic tensions.

Founded nearly a century ago, the family-owned factory has survived a world war, multiple economic crises and the slow withering of Hong Kong’s manufacturing base as companies looked for cheaper labour in mainland China.

It remains one of the financial hub’s most enduring brands, churning out culinary staples such as soy, hoisin and oyster sauces found in Chinese restaurants and kitchens around the world.

But from November it can no longer place the words “Made in Hong Kong” on any products exported to the United States—part of Washington’s response to Beijing imposing a tough new security law on the restless city.

The new rules, announced by US Customs in July, came just two days before a Koon Chun shipment of 1,300 boxes was about to set sail for Atlanta.

The factory suddenly had to re-label the entire shipment and all other cargo the firm planned to ship to the US this summer.

“It was a mission impossible,” Daniel Chan told AFP from the factory his great-grandfather founded in 1928.

China blanketed Hong Kong in a new security law to stamp out huge and often violent pro-democracy protests that convulsed the city last year.

Both Beijing and local authorities said it would have no impact on businesses and would restore stability.

Impossible situation But economic consequences have rippled through the recession-hit hub as authorities use the new powers to pursue political opponents.

Rattled tech firms have declined to share data with local police while some companies and universities are struggling to attract international talent.AFP

CITIBANK N.A.

TODAY

Balance Sheet (Head Office and Branches) As of June 30, 2020

MEG ACURATO

Green Light a monthly budget and stick to it. You need to be creative and find alternative ways to enjoy other’s company, such as visiting the museums or attending free events.

3. Do forgo convenience.

This is what I always ask myself, and you should too: Do I really need to pay for cable when I don’t watch TV? Do I need to buy a new fancy smartphone? Do I really need to buy Starbucks coffee when I can drink 3-in1 coffee? Do I need to order delivery when I can prepare for my home-cooked meals?

Do I need to take a Grab when I can use public transportation? We need to fight the initial impulse to spend and live below our means.

4. Do list your priorities.

I am guilty of this. I know I want my own house, but I tend to buy stuff I don’t need, and I tend to book a ticket, thinking that traveling is a reward to all my hard work.

Since the pandemic started, I was forced to save money because I can’t travel outside the country. Little did I know that this pandemic would become an advantage to me because, in just a few months, I was able to save money and paid for a condominium down payment. This made me realize that even the small changes in our lifestyle can make a big difference.

With this recent achievement I felt extremely liberated! Finally, I was able to take control of my personal finances. For some of us, it might take time and patience, but once you change your mindset and start to transform your lifestyle, it will provide you more options for financial security.

The author is an MBA student of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. This article is part of her blog, a requirement of the courses, Lasallian Business Leadership, Ethics, and CSR. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of De La Salle University, its faculty, and its administrators.

ASSETS Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 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 Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS

LIST OF OFFICERS Current Quarter 661,275,144.97 38,157,629,082.26 775,085,380.20 86,228,330,153.66 49,388,261,354.69 164,697,727,842.71 119,815,756,836.63 47,214,889,887.80 2,332,918,881.72 1,451,965,718.65 227,434,200.00 1,205,707,895.55 11,594,845,562.70 354,388,262,335.39

Previous Quarter 809,390,097.41 21,627,610,894.63 2,082,873,823.64 77,262,233,652.44 35,063,112,253.21 216,740,768,001.79 12,710,160,000.00 121,298,624,556.30 84,395,567,834.47 1,663,584,388.98 1,394,275,627.50 227,434,200.00 1,238,116,880.39 7,730,650,315.40 364,176,465,746.41

2,090,717,378.89 226,270,438,584.97 41,360,422,321.94 2,460,746.46 2,460,746.46 10,470,917,982.84 16,702,759,040.17 39,068,586,684.35 335,966,302,739.62

1,839,458,101.42 222,565,027,234.05 48,601,189,936.36 8,348,393.57 8,348,393.57 11,287,375,613.17 10,955,721,460.71 53,391,700,310.77 348,648,821,050.05

AFTAB AHMED Citi Country Officer MANOJ VARMA Consumer Business Head PAUL RAYMOND FAVILA Country Treasury and M&SS Head MANISH CHAWLA Country Operations and Technology Head VIKRAM SINGH Corporate and Investment Banking Head SARAB SINGH Country Human Resources Officer ARNOLD SAN GABRIEL ICG Risk Management Head ERWIN WIRIADI GCB Risk Management Head

LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,321,950,951.73 940,161,152.92 13,159,847,491.12 18,421,959,595.77 354,388,262,335.39

1,430,372,912.73 937,424,292.51 13,159,847,491.12 15,527,644,696.36 364,176,465,746.41

280,311,870.32 4,019,702,864.38 136,769,516.05 272,061,281.88 211,255,301,460.00 8,287,756,992.06 438,097,939,065.97 34,657,218.04 34,657,218.04 121,736,830,246.23 446,744,532.75 784,568,075,047.68

337,997,323.13 3,884,226,167.21 217,653,036.58 1,516,489,987.32 203,338,980,113.00 11,384,472,324.42 474,350,582,202.27 34,890,182.83 34,890,182.83 119,509,276,502.05 621,135,312.82 815,195,703,151.63

169,536,720,552.14 2,506,073,827.71

220,922,520,914.23 2,518,168,523.46

1,030,349,436.64 0.61 35,040,338.99 0.02 469.65 243.23 5,391,277,964.60 89,762,443.42 0.05 -

1,639,621,685.24 0.74 563,366,150.71 0.26 255.04 153.58 4,422,585,680.39 93,438,281.06 0.04 -

0.03 21.76

0.03 22.02

18.96 18.23 18.23 -

16.35 15.61 15.61 -

35,969,554,512.56 383,566,067,908.47 9.38

32,771,802,700.49 392,833,259,110.26 8.34

224,267,425,920.82 94,359,899,443.00 237.67

230,170,489,179.37 92,495,108,373.37 248.85

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advisory/Consultancy Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) c. Common Tier 1 ratio (%) Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received Basel III Leverage Ratio (BLR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations i. Capital Measure - Tier 1 Capital ii. Exposure Measure iii. Total BLR (%) Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) on Single Currency Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations i. Total High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) ii. Total Net Cash Outflows iii. Total LCR (%)

We, ASIM MUNIR and AFTAB AHMED of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD) ASIM MUNIR Country Finance Officer, Director

ATTY. ANGELICA PIA LACSON Country Legal Counsel RODORA GRANADA Country Corporate Affairs, Acting ATTY. NARLETTE MANACAP-JARAVATA Country Compliance Officer ASIM MUNIR Country Finance Officer DON MARK RANCES Country Controller Head EDITH FADUL Country ORM Head

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

ARLENE NETHERCOTT Treasury and Trade Solutions Head

(SGD) AFTAB AHMED Citi Country Officer, Managing Director

MARK ADRIAN RAMIREZ Market Risk Manager LAURENCE KING Chief Internal Auditor

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

B4

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Business

Petron reopens Bataan refinery P

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PSE INDEX

Thursday, September 4, 2020

12.23 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

554,567,111 85,343

5,454,177,939.60

ADVANCES 77

5,785.09

DECLINES 104 UNCHANGED 51

F oreign E xchange R ate

ETRON Corp.’s 180,000-barrel refinery in Bataan province has resumed operations, its top executive said over the weekend, after being shut down for maintenance and economic reasons in May.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5320

Japan

Yen

0.009422

0.4573

UK

Pound

1.328300

64.4651

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129034

6.2623

Switzerland

Franc

1.099263

53.3494

Canada

Dollar

0.761847

36.9740

Singapore

Dollar

0.732654

35.5572

Australia

Dollar

0.727100

35.2876

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657878

128.992

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.9408

Brunei

Dollar

0.729980

35.4274

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031827

1.5446

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2139

Euro

Euro

1.185200

57.5201

Korea

Won

0.000839

0.0407

China

Yuan

0.146049

7.0881

India

Rupee

0.013626

0.6613

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241255

11.7086

New Zealand

Dollar

0.670700

32.5504

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034154

1.6576

“Moving forward, we will work to ensure our operations are efficient, maintain high product and service quality levels, protect the jobs of our employees in every way we can, and continue to be a long-term partner in our country’s recovery and growth,” Petron president Ramon Ang said earlier.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the Philippine fuel industry, including Petron.

“Even Petron Corp. has not been spared, but we continue to be committed to serving Filipinos and doing our part in helping our country and economy manage the setbacks,” the executive said.

Petron suffered a consolidated net loss of P14.2 billion in the first half, a turnaround from a P2.6-billion net income on year, as the company reeled from the impact of the pandemic.

Petron’s inventory losses reached nearly P15 billion because of the combined slump in demand, poor refining margins and collapse in prices.

“We continue to improve our productivity and reduce our expenses to help the company cope with COVID-19’s impact. At the same time, we have initiated cash preservation initiatives and prudently manage our capex,” Ang said.

Petron’s consolidated revenues also fell 40 percent in the six-month period to P152.4 billion from P254.8 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated sales volume from its Philippine and Malaysian operations went down 19 percent to 41.9 million barrels from 51.9 million barrels a year ago amid a sharp decline in fuel demand because of COVID-19’s impact.

Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

Airlines want PH border reopened to foreigners

AIR Carriers Association of the Philippines wants to re-open the country’s boarder to foreigners with “essential travel” after five months of lockdown to boost the local economy.

“We should open our borders initially to foreigners starting with ‘essential travel’ (business investment , professional, expats) because we can screen them and track them,” Robert Lim, vice president and executive director of ACAP, said.

He said the country’s major airports— Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Clark International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport—have invested on PCR testing capacity to screen all international arrivals.

“The philosophy is that business and the economy has to restart already after five months of lockdown for the greater good,” Lim said.

He added the country’s domestic travel should also open their “ borders” with the new screening test that are coming out.

Darwin G. Amojelar

DOF, PhilHealth execs discussing operations THE Department of Finance is discussing with the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) ways on how to improve the controversial agency’s actuarial systems and financial planning.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said over the weekend while funding was a key component, improvements in PhilHealth’s financial planning and control and actuarial systems were fundamental to the achievement of the government’s goal of providing universal healthcare.

“These will help plug all leakages so as to allow the funds from members’ premiums and the taxpayers to be utilized properly,” Dominguez said.

He said a DoF team composed of an undersecretary, the National Treasurer and a deputy commissioner of the Insurance Commission had been working closely with PhilHealth since October 2019.

Dominguez also said he had already discussed the possible improvements last week with new PhilHealth chief Dante Gierran.

He said another meeting was scheduled this week. Julito G. Rada

FUEL MARKING. The Department of Finance reports that 12.05 billion liters of fuel were marked by the government from Sept. 1, 2019 to Sept. 3, 2020 under the Fuel Marking Program. Data from the department show that of the total volume of fuel marked, Petron Corp. accounted for 2.786 billion liters, followed by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. with 2.435 billion liters and Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc, with 1.297 billion liters. The Bureau of Customs raised P107.77 billion in duties and taxes as of Sept. 3, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P18.74 billion in excise taxes from gasoline, diesel, kerosene and other fuel products as of Aug. 20.

396 workers lose jobs as 2 export firms stop operations

By Othel V. Campos NEARLY 400 workers lost their jobs after two Mindanao-based export companies shut down operations amid the health crisis, according to an industry group.

The Philippine Exporters Federation said South Bukidnon Fresh Trading Inc. and Valencia Rubbertex Inc. closed shop over their inability to sustain manufacturing activities because of the quarantine restrictions.

PhilExport Cagayan de Oro Chapter managing director Valerie Lasmarias said only the two companies disclosed their decision to close shop, while others might not be as transparent in declaring the status of their operations.

“I have no concrete data as to how

many firms have temporarily shut down, but as far as I know, some companies have either completely shut down or some must have been operational but have minimal exports or catering to the local market only,” she said.

She said the limited operating capacities and transport restrictions had affected the efficiency of factories.

South Bukidnon Trading is a unit of Del Monte Philippines with 204 employees. Its last export transaction was worth P60.65 million.

Meanwhile, Valencia Rubbertex employed 192 workers, with latest exports receipts valued at P100 million.

“If I’m not mistaken, Valencia Rubbertex was already operating on a more or less unstable footing, and push came to shove when the pandemic happened,”

Insular Life appoints Martinez as senior VP

Lasmarias said.

“South Bukidnon, on the other hand, shut down because of the pandemic,” she said.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority said export companies had lost over P100 billion since the lockdown was enforced mid-March and might continue to incur P34 billion in losses every month until the economy stabilized.

PEZA said that while health and safety is a top government priority, the economy is also as important.

Data showed that coming from a harsh lockdown, about 35.5 percent of the export companies had not yet resumed operations, while 55.7 percent of the economic zone workforce had yet to return to work.

HAND WASHING FACILITIES. Manila

INSULAR Life (InLife), the country’s largest Filipino life insurer, announced the appointment of Rosalyn Limsiaco Martinez as chief marketing officer with the rank of senior vice president.

As InLife’s CMO, Martinez will direct marketing operations and implement the company’s growth agenda in all distribution channels, including InLife’s bancassurance business.

She brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise on product development, branding, marketing communication, e-commerce, digital marketing, market research and in-sighting.

Martinez has close to 30 years of solid work experience in sales and marketing gained from multinational and domestic financial services companies, where she handled portfolios covering investments, deposits, liabilities, credit cards, consumer loans and insurance.

Martinez is a Magna Cum Laude BS Economics graduate of the University of the Philippines and a full Citibank scholar for Master in Business Management at the Asian Institute of Management.

Water Foundation and partners P&G Safeguard Philippines, JCI Quezon City Capitol and the Quezon City government inaugurate four new hand washing and two rehabilitated facilities. Attending the inauguration rites are (from left) JCI QC Capitol member CJ dela Cruz, MWF executive director Reginald Andal, JCI QC Capitol president Dean Prado, Mayor Joy Belmonte, MWC senior territory manager Connie Lising and DOH health promotion officer Andrea Lee-Llacer.

Anti-trust body approves Consunji Group’s purchase of 2 Smart Towers in Makati THE Philippine Competition Commission said over the weekend it approved the acquisition by DMC Urban Property Developers Inc. of two Smart Towers and their 2,400-squaremeter lot in Makati City from PLDT Inc. DMC-UPDI is a real estate development company established by the Consunji family in 1977. It leases office spaces in Makati and BGC, land in Davao and Antique and land and

improvement in Makati, Taguig and Manila.

DMC-UPDI also has subdivision housing and condominium projects in Davao and Bataan.

The anti-trust body said it approved the transaction after assessments showed it would not affect the competition in the office leasing space in the central business districts of Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

The transaction involves the ac-

quisition of two parcels of land from PLDT aggregating 2,400 square meters by the property developer, along with improvements consisting of two buildings—Smart Tower I and II— along Ayala Ave. PLDT is a telecommunications company providing fixed-line, wireless and other ICT services. PLDT also owns commercial properties primarily for its own use and use of subsidiaries. Other properties not for its

own use are leased to third parties.

The Smart Towers houses PLDT’s fully-owned subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. and leases a portion of the property to retailers.

PLDT did not disclose the cost of the transaction, but earlier said the sale of the Makati properties could raise up to P5 billion. It said it would use the proceeds to help fund 2020 capital expenditures.

Othel V. Campos

PH Resorts set to proceed with P1.125-b share sale in October

By Jenniffer B. Austria PH Resorts, the gaming and hospitality unit of Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp., will proceed with a P1.125-billion share sale in October.

The company said in a prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would conduct the offering from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 and schedule the listing on Oct. 12.

It plans to offer up to 300 million common shares with an over allotment option for another 150 million common shares at an indicative price of P1 to P2.50 apiece.

The company plans to use the net proceeds of the offering to partially fund the construction of the first phase of Emerald Bay Resort and Casino in Mactan, Cebu and for general corporate purposes.

Emerald Bay, the first integrated resort and casino outside Metro Manila, will be constructed in two phases. Upon completion of the first phase, Emerald Bay is expected to have a casino with 4,514 square meters of gaming floor area, 600 electronic gaming machines, 122 gaming tables and a five-star hotel with around 270 hotel rooms.

PH Resorts said it would invest some P21.7 billion to complete the first phase of Emerald Bay that would be completed by the second quarter of 2022.

The second phase is expected to have 12,164 sq. m. of gaming floor area, with 729 electronic gaming machines, 146 gaming tables and a five-star hotel with 780 hotel rooms, including five villas.

“The company believes that Emerald Bay will be one of the Philippines’ premier integrated tourism resort and gaming complexes, offering a premium gaming experience to all of its customers in a gaming facility designed and operated according to world-class standards,” PH Resorts said in the prospectus.

The company also plans to develop an integrated resort and casino in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province.

PH Resorts tapped Unicapital Inc. as the issue manager and lead underwriter for the offering and Abacus Capital & Investments Corp. as the co-lead underwriter for the transaction.

BSP bares plan to actively seek trading of gold

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said over the weekend the regulator will actively engage in gold trading to seize the opportunity presented by the increasing price of the precious metal in the global market.

Diokno said in a statement the shift to active gold trading—from passive trading previously done before he became BSP governor—would be good to manage the rising international reserves.

“Before, the price of gold was in the neighborhood of $1,400/FTO [fine troy ounces]; now, it’s around $2,000/ FTO. Second, a new law makes BSP gold purchases from small miners more attractive,” Diokno said in a message to reporters.

He said the third reason is that the gross international reserves climbed to about $100 billion, the highest on record.

“MB [Monetary Board] sees the need to better manage the country’s international reserves. Studies show that the optimal portfolio mix of gold to GIR should be 9.8 percent. A World Bank survey showed that the average allocation of gold relative to reserves should be around 9.55 percent,” he said.

Diokno cited a World Gold Council report showing that a portfolio with 10-percent allocation to gold had a higher risk-adjusted return compared to 0-percent or 5-percent allocation.

“At the moment, the ratio of gold to GIR exceeds 10 percent. BSP will always be opportunistic in its reserves management,” Diokno said.

The country’s GIR level hit $98.6 billion as of end-July 2020. At this level, the GIR represents an ample external liquidity buffer, which can cushion the domestic economy against external shocks.

This is also equivalent to 8.9 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. Moreover, it is also about 7.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.9 times based on residual maturity.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

C1

Dominic Thiem

Thiem chases first Grand Slam at US Open tennis NEW YORK, United States—Second seed Dominic Thiem said he must raise his game if he is to win a first Grand Slam at the 2020 US Open after ousting Marin Cilic in four sets to move into the last 16 Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

The 27-year-old Austrian, the losing finalist in the Australian Open this year, battled to a 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory in the late match at an empty Arthur Ashe stadium.

“I felt a little bit flat,” said Thiem, explaining his labors in sets three and four. “It’s normal, it’s really late, (and) without the crowd,” he added.

Thiem said he had yet to play at 100 percent in the tournament.

“I still have to raise my level if I want to go deeper,” he explained.

The world number three will play 20-year-old Canadian hotshot Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the quarter-finals.

The 15th seed blew away France’s Corentin Moutet 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 in just 1hr 57 mins, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to reached a Grand Slam fourth round.

“Dominic has been getting stronger and stronger year after year,” said Auger-Aliassime.

“You feel like step by step he’s been reaching later stages of these tournaments, really becoming like a power in the tennis world. For me, it would be a good matchup,” he added.

Auger-Aliassime was joined in round four by 94th-ranked compatriot Vasek Pospisil, who shocked eighthseeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, 7-5, 2-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Pospisil, 30, struck 70 winners to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

“I’m thrilled. I was playing great tennis all the way through,” he said.

With 12th seed Denis Shapovalov already through, the next round marks the first time three Canadian players have reached the second week of a Grand Slam at the same time. AFP

Authentic (18), ridden by jockey John Velazquez (left) leads the field to the first turn during the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on September 05, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. AFP

JAO studying how student athletes can start practices

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Joint Administrative Order group is now working with universities and colleges to make it possible for student athletes to return to practice.

The government panel is making strides in this direction as investigation of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers for health and safety protocol violations continues.

“We’ll be working with collegiate leagues and universities on how we can move forward in the training of student athletes,” said national training director Marc Velasco of the Philippine Sports Commission.

A shift in the JAO group’s discussion took place after they found out about the alleged ages of the athletes from UST who went to Sorsogon to train.

They learned that eleven of the 17 players who allegedly participated were reportedly below 21 years of age.

The ages of student athletes were among the concerns of the tripar-

tite body which is investigating the Growling Tigers for health and safety protocol violations Details on these young players surfaced following a meeting with the Commission on Higher Education last Friday.

And this will be tackled further when the government panel brings its findings to the Department of Justice in a meeting today.

The CHED, through chairman Prospero de Vera, felt that violations may have been committed when the Growling Tigers did team workouts while lockdown protocols were still in place.

Among that violations which the training camp committed centered on “the movement of all persons in areas placed under GCQ.” Under GCQ, rules have it that “any per-

son below 21 years old, those who are 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.”

The JAO now has a copy of a proposal which San Beda Red Lions team manager Jude Roque submitted to the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases three weeks ago.

The measures are stricter than what have been proposed for by the Philippine Basketball Association.

But the JAO will also seek input from the professional leagues on what best practices to follow, and how this can be done.

“San Beda has submitted its proposal. Now the JAO will draft the guidelines,” said Velasco.

NLEX coach Guiao believes PBA could hold games at Smart Araneta NLEX Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao believes that the Smart Araneta Coliseum is a good place to hold the PBA games when the league resumes its season.

Araneta is near hotels, which could house the PBA teams during the tournament. The hotels will have easy access to practice facilities where teams could work out.

“From the hotel, we can go to our own practice venues. May sariling bus, our own transportation going to practice, then balik sa hotel.

Tulog doon, then laro sa Araneta. That’s still considered a bubble,” said Guiao in a published report.

The NLEX mentor however believes the league should hold the conference within a shortened time period.

“Ang hirap pag ‘di iko-compress. You have to be in a bubble for three to four months? Masisiraan ng ulo yung mga players, lalo na yung mga coaches. I think there’s gonna be a mental health issue kung masyadong matagal,” said Guiao.

The league is actually not wanting

in possible venues when it resumes competition.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said at least 13 hotels have reached out to offer hosting services. Some hotels even suggested transforming their ballrooms into practice facilities to remove the need for teams to leave and go to a separate facility to practice in between games.

One provincial resort offered to build a tent for the games with the goal of promoting the season as a boost for tourism.

League chairman Ricky Vargas on the other hand expressed gratitude at the outpouring of support for the league’s plan to resume its games.

“When we seriously started talking about the bubble, we’re getting offers from LGUs and resorts. We welcome that, we really welcome that,” said Vargas.

The PBA Board of Governors will meet this week to finally decide on the format of the NLEX Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao believes that the Smart Araneta season which they hope will be approved by Coliseum is a good place to hold the PBA games when the league resumes its season. PBA Media the government.

Authentic holds off Tiz the Law to rule 146th Kentucky Derby LOUISVILLE, United States—Authentic held off heavily favored Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law to capture the 146th Kentucky Derby on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), giving trainer Bob Baffert a record-equaling sixth victory in the Run for the Roses.

Johnny Velazquez piloted Authentic to the victory at Churchill Downs, ensuring that a topsy-turvy Triple Crown year will not produce a 14th winner of US flat racing’s coveted treble when it concludes with the Preakness Stakes on October 3.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, US racing’s most prestigious event was held not on the first Saturday in May but on the first Saturday of September.

Instead of more than 100,000 spectators jammed into the grandstands and infield, no more than 1,000 essential personnel, owners and trainers were on hand.

Despite the lack of fans, there was a heavy police presence outside the racetrack.

Louisville was the site of daylong protests demanding for justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old local paramedic killed in her own home after police mistakenly burst into the apartment in March.

There were tense standoffs with right-wing counter-demonstrators but no violence, despite heavily armed supporters on both sides.

Protesters outside Churchill Downs chanted Taylor’s name as the race prepared to get underway, the Courier Journal newspaper reported. Overhead, a plane flew over the track trailing a banner: “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor.”

On the track, front-runner Authentic set the early pace as expected under Velazquez, who claimed a third Kentucky Derby victory.

Tiz the Law, who won the belated Triple Crown opener at Belmont on June 20 and went off as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite, settled into a comfortable fourth position under jockey Manny Franco and challenged for the lead as they swept through the final turn.

But Authentic, who went off at 8-1, held on to win ahead of the Barclay Tagg-trained Tiz the Law with 46-1 longshot Mr. Big News third. AFP

Nuggets trounce Clippers to tie NBA series

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (right) shadows Lou Williams of the LA Clippers during the third quarter of their game of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 03, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AFP

MIAMI, United States—The Denver Nuggets bounced back with a vengeance on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), powering to a 110-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to even their NBA playoff series 1-1.

It was all-square between the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, too, after the Raptors notched a second straight win, 100-93, to knot their Eastern Conference semi-final series 2-2 in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.

The Nuggets, routed 120-97 in game one of the Western Conference series on Thursday, turned the tables with a blistering first half in which they led by as many as 23 points.

“Game one, we were tired. I hate to admit it, but we were tired,” said guard Jamal Murray, who led Denver with 27 points. “We came out sloppy, came out exhausted, fatigued. We didn’t make any shots, we didn’t get back on defense.

“Tonight we just upped the energy and that’s all it took to win.”

Nikola Jokic added 26 points and 18 rebounds for Denver, who had rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Utah Jazz in seven games in the first round.

The two—who combined for 27 points in game one—had a total of 26 between them by the end of the first quarter as the Nuggets took a 44-25 lead.

It was 72-56 at half-time, and the Nuggets were up by 12 going into the final quarter.

The Clippers managed to cut the deficit to five early in the fourth and they got it to seven on Marcus Morris’s three-pointer with two and a half minutes remaining. Murray promptly answered with a three-pointer and the Nuggets were away again.

“I thought tonight we were a noticeably different team than we were in game one,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Paul George scored 22 points for the Clippers and Ivica Zubac added 15.

Toronto ‘starting over’ Two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard

finished with 13 points on four-of-17 shooting with 10 rebounds and eight assists.

“They were the aggressor tonight,” Leonard said.

“A few easy ones didn’t fall early, and that was it from there.”

The NBA champion Raptors, who won game three against the Celtics on Thursday on OG Anunoby’s buzzer-beating three-pointer, clamped down defensively to win again, holding the Celtics to 20 percent shooting from three-point range while draining 17 threepointers themselves.

Pascal Siakam shook off a slow start to score 23 points as the NBA champion Toronto Raptors levelled the series.

Kyle Lowry scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds with seven assists for the Raptors, who won their second straight game and will try to gain the upper hand in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series for the first time in game five on Monday. AFP

Sports

C2

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

UFC veterans Overeem, St. Preux KO foes

By Reuel Vidal

E

XPERIENCE proved the decisive factor as veterans Alistair Overeem, 40, and Ovince St. Preux, 37, scored knockout victories at UFC Fight Night 176 in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday September 7, 2020.

Overeem fought a measured fight in the early rounds against the younger Augusto Sakai, 29, content to trade strikes at the center of the Octagon in their Heavyweight bout. Overeem made his move late in the third round. He brought down his opponent then administered vicious ground and pound.

Overeem continued the strategy the rest of the way with the referee stopping the fight 26 seconds into the fifth round to save his opponent from further damage.

St. Preux was equally cautious against KO artist Alonzo Menifield. St. Preux kept his distance while circling his opponent and trading strikes.

Menifield overextended himself late in the second. He lunged forward leaving his face unprotected for a split second. It was all

the opening St. Preux needed as he landed a counter left hook flush on the jaw to knock out Menifield.

Overeem tallied his 47th win against 18 losses. The fight went according to plan said Overeem who did not really expect a quick end.

“I kinda knew he was durable.

He could take a shot. He could take a punch. I kinda felt (we could go) second or third round. Take it to five. I kinda knew it would not be first round,” said Overeem.

“I was actually focused on maybe submission. But I kinda saw the damage was substantial in the ground (and pound). I thought, well done. I’ll just stick to this.”

Overeem seemed to gain his second wind late in the third.

He put his arms around Sakai, brought the big Brazilian down into the ground then proceeded to

administer punishing ground and pound with punches and elbows.

He split open Sakai’s left eyebrow which left blood pouring out.

Sakai regained his bearings early in the fourth and proceeded inflict damage with strikes while they were upright. Sakai opened a cut on Overeem’s forehead with an elbow and seemed to be in control until Overeem clinched again and brought him down again.

Sakai was still on full guard but Overeem was so long that he could hold Sakai’s left hand with his own left and then come down with heavy elbows on Sakai’s head and face.

Sakai barely survived the fourth round. But the referee stopped the fight just 26 seconds into the final round.

It was the 55th professional fight for Overeem who felt that he still had more to give before hanging up his gloves.

“I just keep learning and keep evolving. That’s one of the things as a fighter that you need to always do. And again, I’m very happy with the guys at Denver Team Elevation. Because they just got a lot of new stuff and I’m just soaking it up. Great chemistry there,” said Overeem.

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

Old debt (Old CAPEX amortization)

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR CONFIRMATION AND APPROVAL OF EMERGENCY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECT, NAMELY: PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF NEW 10MVA POWER TRANSFORMER FOR BAGANGA SUBSTATION

Promulgated:

20,312,456.04

20,312,456.04

2,916,194.52

2,916,194.52

91,500.00

91,500.00

Cash Balance Ending, Php, excess/(shortfall) Excess/(Shortfall) on RFSC, Php/kWh

Notice is hereby given that on 10 March 2020, Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORECO) filed an Application dated 27 January 2020 seeking the Commission’s approval of its emergency Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) project in the purchase and installation of a new 10MVA transformer for Baganga Substation.

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

2.

It holds an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission, to operate an electric light and power distribution service in Mati City and certain municipalities of the province of Davao Oriental, namely: San Isidro, Governor Generoso, Lupon, Banay-Banay, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel and Boston.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2009 and other laws and rules, and in line with its mandate to provide safe, quality, efficient and reliable electric service to its consumers, DORECO submits the instant application for the Honorable Commission’s confirmation and approval of its Emergency Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Project, namely: Purchase of New 10 MVA Power Transformer for Baganga Substation.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

4.

Sometime on October 9, 2019 at around 8:03 P.M., the head of the Substation Evaluation and Substation Tending Section of DORECO received a report regarding power interruption of SF6 Circuit Breaker which has detected a fault current, thereby causing an abrupt breakdown of the 5MVA Power Transformer of Baganga Substation, resulting in total power outage in the municipalities of Baganga and Caraga, and some areas in the municipality of Manay.

5.

Immediately thereafter, DORECO’s technical personnel performed a series of tests on the 5MVA power transformer to determine the cause of the detected faults. After the final testing with the assistance of the technical personnel from Asiaphil Energy Solutions, Inc.,it was confirmed that the power transformer was damaged.

6.

The personnel who performed the tests recommended the replacement of the damaged power transformer which has likewise already reached its economic life.

7.

Hence, the emergency capital expenditure project subject of the instant application.

8.

The project subject of the instant application involves the Purchase and Installation of a New 10 MVA Power Transformer for Baganga Substation.

9.

There is an urgent need to replace the damaged 5MVA power transformer at Banganga Substation and at the same time upgrade its power transformer to 10MVA, to ensure efficiency and stability of the delivery of power supply to the three municipalities served by the substation, namely: Baganga, Caraga and Manay, ensure the safety of the substation, and farther meet the growing demand in the covered municipalities in the years to come.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

10. This project will also serve power to two more municipalities, Cateel and Boston, in case of maintenance or unexpected interruption of the Cateel Substation.

PROJECT SCHEDULE 11. The project was commenced on December 1, 2019 and completed by December 20, 2020.

12. The cost of the purchase and installation of a brand new 10MVA Power Transformer for Baganga Substation is Twelve Million Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP12,200,000.00).

FINANCING PLAN 13. The project is financed through a loan from the Rural Electrification Financing Corp. (REFC).

Amortization of the loan is computed based on a 7.25% interest rate per annum payable in five (5) years.

RATE IMPACT 14. The table below shows that DORECO’s projected collections of Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditure (RFSC) is insufficient to cover the annual capital project cost and loan amortizations of the cooperative in 2021 and 2022 after implementation of the project. RFSC collections will be able to cope with the annual loan amortizations only by year 2023, as shown below: 2019

Cash Balance beginning, Php excess/(shortiall)

2020

2021

2022

2023

TOTAL

135,826,677

143,467,238

151,330,442

159,342,780

167,450,167

757,417,304

29,224,710.23

55,992,617.50

3,328,247.75

(137,416.51)

(913,098.54)

87,495,060.42

45,601,090.27

48,166,255.81 50,806,169.29 53,496,15153 56,218,044.57

254,287,711.47

CASH INFLOWS Current Year Collection @ Php 0.3534/ kWh @ 95% Loan Proceeds (CAPEXRegular), Php Loan Proceeds (CAPEXEmergency), Php

151,000,000.00

12,200,000.00

151,000,000.00

12,200,000.00

Government Subsidy (if any), Php Total Cash Inflows, Php Available Cash for disbursement

55,992,617.50

3,328,247.75

(137,416.51)

(913,098.54)

1,033,112.46

59,303,462.65

0.4122

0.0232

(0.0009)

(0.0057)

0.0062

0.0783

REQUIREMENTS

57,801,090.27

199,166,255.81 50,806,169.29 53,496,151.53 56,218,044.57

4i7,487,711.47

87,025,800.50

255,158,873.31 54,134,417.05 53,358,735.02 55,304,946.02 504,982,771.89

Markings

Nature of Document

Annex “A”

Executive Summary of the Emergency Capital Expenditure Project

Annexes Proof of furnishing of copies of the Application to the Sangguniang Panlungsod “B”and series of Mati City and Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental Annexes “C” and series

Proof of publication of the Application in a newspaper of general circulation in DORECO’s franchise area or where it principally operates.

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that after due notice and hearing, DORECO’s Emergency Capital Expenditure Project: Purchase and Installation of New 10 MVA Power Transformer for Baganga Substation, be confirmed and approved accordingly.

Other reliefs, just and equitable in the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the instant Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 01 October 2020 (Thursday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.), through a virtual hearing using the Zoom Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof.

Due to the continuous threat to public health and safety brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Commission deemed it necessary to conduct and convene the virtual hearing through video conferencing, subject to certain limitations as set forth herein.

ACCORDINGLY, DORECO is hereby directed to host the virtual hearing at DORECO’s Main Office in Madang National Highway, Barangay Central, Mati City, Davao Oriental, as the designated venue for the conduct thereof, and ensure that the same is open to the public and that the community quarantine guidelines are observed at all times. Moreover, DORECO 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 electronic mail (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.

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)

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

PROJECT COST

Forecasted Energy Sales, kWh

217,589,001.42 54,271,833.56 54,271,833.56 54,271,833.56 445,679,309.24

15. Finally, in compliance with the documentary as well as profiling requirements under ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2009 and the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, respectively, the following documents are being submitted herewith to form integral parts hereof, as follows, to wit:

DORECO is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative, duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at Madang National Highway, Barangay Central, City of Mati, Davao Oriental;

LEGAL BASES FOR THE APPLICATION 3.

31,033,183.00

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTARY AND PRE-FILING

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

1.

31,043,183.00 54,271,833.56 54,271,833.56 54,271,833.56 224,891,866.68

New Amortization (CAPEXEmergency), Php

Total Cash Outflows, Php

August 24, 2020

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING

31,033,183.00

New Amortization (CAPEXRegular), Php

ERC Permit Fee, Php

ERC CASE NO. 2020-010 RC DAVAO ORIENTAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (DORECO), Applicant. x-----------------------------------------------------------------x

Ovince St. Preux (right) battles Ben Rothwell in this file photo of their Heavyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

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 Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, 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 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 Application may request the Commission for the e-mail addresses of the Applicant 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 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, thru 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 12th day of August 2020 in Pasig City.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

CASH OUTFLOWS CAPEX Requirement -Regular

185,267,292.00

185,267,292.00

CAPEX Requirement -Emergency (BGASS)’

12,200,000.00

12,200,000.00

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chaikwerson and CEO

M. Standard – Sept. 7 & 14, 2020

Obiena misses Golden Roof Challenge

By Peter Atencio ERNEST John Obiena was supposed to see action in the 16th International Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), But bad weather because of rain and unplayable conditions forced organizers to call off competitions in pole vault and long jump.

Safety and health protocols that were strictly enforced compelled local athletics officials to halt ongoing attempts in men’s pole vault.

The 24-year-old Obiena was able to clear 5.3 meters, and was going for 5.4 meters when his foot hit the bar on his first attempt.

Obiena was competing against Cole Walsh and Audie Wyatt of the United States and Greek bet Konstantin Filippidich.

The competition offered an innovation this year, with organizers using a mobile facility for the event with the use of a ramp known as the “The FlySwat MultiTrack”.

The FlySwat is a unique, mobile combinationtrack that can be used for pole vault, long jump/ triple jump, shot put or sprint. It has a total length of 83 meters and a total weight of up to 25 tons.

His stint came a week after Obiena came up short in his quest for a medal in the 2020 Janusz Kusocinski Memorial Athletics meet in Tuesday in Chorzow, Poland.

The 24-year-old Obiena made it as far as 5.62 meters to finish at fifth place back then.

A few weeks back, he did 5.6 meters in the online Fine Guard meet back then.

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

On Tuesday, Obiena will take part in another meet in Ostrava, Austria.

Lichess.org hosts Balinas online chess FIVE hundred Filipino woodpushers from all over the world are expected to vie for honors in the Baby Uno Chess Challenge dubbed as Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. online chess championship at the lichess.org.

The “free registration” online tournament will be a 21-round Swiss System, two minutes plus two seconds increment time control format, open to all Filipino chess players here and abroad according to Bayanihan Chess Club founder Arena Grandmaster Marlon Bernardino.

The total cash prize for the event held as part of the 79th birthday celebration of the late Grandmaster Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. on September 10 is P35,000.

Organized by Bayanihan Chess Club, the event, hosted by Bethesda, Maryland USA based frontliner Dr.Joe Balinas in close cooperation with engineer Antonio Carreon Balinas and Mr. Fernan Donguines of Hybreed Apparel Collections, offers a whopping top purse of P10,000 to the champion.

“We are glad to see chess players playing online chess tournament at home during this pandemic,” said Bethesda, Maryland, USA based frontliner Dr.Joe Balinas. “ Staying at home is the best way to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease,” he added.

Seeing action this weekend are Grandmasters (GM) Mark Paragua, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna as well International Masters (IM) Kim Steven Yap, Ricardo de Guzman, Angelo Young, Chito Garma, Petronio Roca, Barlo Nadera, Joel Pimentel and Ronald Dableo, Woman International Masters (WIM) Bernadette Galas,Marie Antoinette San Diego and Kylene Joy Mordido.

Entertainment Movies by the Bay

SM Cinema brings the drive-in experience to the SM Mall of Asia.

F

OLLOWING its successful run at SM City Pampanga, SM Cinema brings the drive-in movie experience to the Metro in Movies By The Bay, which premieres at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds Block 16 starting Sept. 9.

This brings back the attraction of watching movies under the stars, this time as #SafeAndFunMovieWatching from the comfort of their own cars in the new normal.

The SM Cinema Drive-in will be open every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The opening film is Train 2 Busan: Peninsula, the most anticipated horror movie from

South Korea.

Peninsula is the next nail-biting chapter in acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho’s post-apocalyptic world four years after Train to Busan, the zombie thriller that captivated audiences worldwide.

Entry to the SM Cinema Drivein starts at 5:00 p.m.. One movie is screening per day starting at 6:45 p.m. on a 20 meter by 8.5 meter larger-thanlife outdoor screen raised four meters above the ground. To ensure guests have an optimal viewing experience, the cinema using a dual projector for sharper and crisp images.

For the best movie-viewing experience, two persons are allowed per vehicle with a maximum of 4 persons.

To optimize the viewing experience for all our guests, each vehicle is as-

‘Train to Busan: Peninsula’ by acclaimed director Yeon Sang-ho was selected to be shown at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

signed their parking spots upon arrival depending on the size of their cars.

Traffic marshals will assist guests and direct them to their designated spot.

Once parked, guests will be instructed to turn on their car’s FM radio to a specific frequency to broadcast the sound straight into their vehicles.

Guests are also welcome to bring their ßown radio and other devices with FM capabilities. The venue can accommodate 106 vehicles per screening, and individuals ages between 21 and 59 will be admitted in accordance with IATF Guidelines and Safety Protocols.

For added safety, viewers will also be asked to stay inside their vehicles with their masks on and practice social distancing all throughout the duration of the film screening.

All tickets must be purchased online in advance. Each ticket costs P400 per person, and this already includes a Snack Time bundle consisting of bottled water, regular-sized popcorn, and beef franks. Food concessions will be available on-site. To encourage contactless transactions, guests can scan the QR code at the SM Cinema Drivein to see the menu. A mobile number will be given which guests can contact to place their order.

Tickets for SM Cinema’s “Movies by the Bay” must be purchased online in advance at www.smtickets.com to ensure an uninterrupted viewing experience. No tickets will be sold at the venue, and viewers are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled screening.

Millennial muse IS IT still relevant to honor the entertainment industry’s best and brightest this time of the pandemic? If the buzz and reaction to the announced nomination from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino that gives out the Gawad URIAN are set as indicators and qualifiers, a resounding yes is the answer to the opening question.

All of us are in dire need to be entertained. News, that has nothing to do with the virus and all the political bickering are welcome by the bored public.

As always, the highly contested battle is the best actress trophy with 11 acting nominees that include the likes of national treasure Angie Ferro for Lola Igna, mainstream darlings Kath-

ARIAS

ALWYN IGNACIO ryn Bernardo for Hello, Love, Goodbye, and Nadine Lustre for Ulan and of course, the millennial muse Janine Gutierrez for Babae at Baril. Winners will be announced in October.

Janine’s reaction to her nomination, “I am very happy to be nominated alongside amazing actors.”

“You know, I never expect when it comes to nominations or awards. I have learned in the past that it's best to be grateful and take things day by day, so for me it’s already a victory to be nominated,” she states.

A recollection of her Babae at Baril experience, she shares that her character doesn't have a name.

“On the set, we call her ‘babae’ and I think that was so meaningful.

It showed how this woman's experience is representative of every women's experiences.

And that's what attracted me to the role as well,” she explains.

“It was a difficult role because you cannot be seen ‘acting.’ Sometimes it is easier to do roles that are so loud and nuanced because you can use different techniques or movements or ward-

robe to take you through the role but for this, it had to be raw and honest and unpretentious and that's what I tried to achieve. This character was the type of person that did not draw attention but had a very deep inner life and strong feelings,” Janine relates.

Apart from her nomination, her followers are excited for the T-Rex Entertainment’s Prime Cruz’s helmed Ngayon Kaya, opposite Paulo Avelino.

“My name in the film is A.M. and I could relate to her a lot,” Janine says.

“She is optimistic, believing that the universe always has a plan, and that everything happens for a reason. At times, masama din na iasa mo lang lahat sa universe,” she ends with a chuckle.

On Avelino, she divulges that he was so much fun to work with. She had the best time on set with him and discovered that he wasn’t that serious and that he also has a quirky side.

“He’s just really so good! I could see the shift in his face and his movements when the director would yell action and being around that kind of energy brings you up, too. He helped me a lot with some scenes also wherein after one take he would suggest how we can do it better. And I was just so comfortable around him and I feel like that's already half the job,” she says.

Since Ngayon Kaya is part of the 2021 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, the millennial muse assures the movie-going public that they will fall in love with the story.

“That I guarantee. I am so in love with it. I feel that I've been through it and many others have. It’s nostalgic and sweet and funny and honest. And after, you'll know, if you still believe in meant-to-be,” she ends.

Janine Gutierrez is among the Best Actress nominees in this year’s Gawad Urian.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

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Viva launches search for the next big composers THE Viva Music Group announced on Sept. 2 the launch of Viva Musika, a massive talent search aimed to discover promising unsigned composers from all over the country.

Vic del Rosario, Jr., Viva Communications chairman and Chief Operating Officer sees the nationwide call as a continuation of what he has been doing for over fifty years.

“This search intensifies Viva’s longrunning efforts to look for hidden talents and to nurture their music careers to the fullest potential,” says Del Rosario.

“The music business is dependent on compositions and these compositions are the works of composers. We cannot have hit songs without these talented creators,” the media executive added.

Del Rosario has been at the forefront of the local music scene since he formed Vicor Music Corporation back in the late ‘60s. He steered Vicor to the pinnacle of success as the leading proponent of original Filipino music.

Along with that, Vicor discovered and led some of the greatest songwriters in the country to the peak of their careers. Among these were George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Jose Mari Chan, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, the Juan de la Cruz Band with Pepe Smith, Wally Gonzales and Mike Hanopol, Dennis and Rene Garcia of Hotdog, Rey Valera, YoyoyVillame, Freddie Aguilar, and Odette Quesada among others.

The quest for hitmakers continued when Del Rosario formed Viva Records thirty-nine years ago. Viva Records saw the release of memorable songs from Vehnee Saturno, Louie Ocampo, Ogie Alcasid, Moy Ortiz, Edith Gallardo, Freestyle, Rivermaya, Itchyworms, and Soap-

dish, and in present time, The Juans, ALLMO$T, John Roa, Juan Caoile, This Band, Karencita, Because, and Caleb Santos, to name a few.

With the launch of The Viva Composer Search, Del Rosario is hopeful he will find more composers with the songs that will add to the list of Filipino classics that he keeps adding to over the years.

Entry forms to Viva Musikawill be available online starting Sept. 16 until Nov. 24 at vivamusika@viva.com.ph.

Interested composers are required to submit three original songs that have never been recorded or performed before or licensed to any music publisher.

Ten composers with the best songs will be chosen by a panel of judges.

These ten composers will be signed to contracts with Viva Music Publishing. They will receive one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) each in advance royalties and the chance for their songs to be recorded and used in the soundtrack of a Viva production. The names of the composers will be announced on Dec. 18.

Viva Communications top gun Vic del Rosario, Jr.

GMA Network reaches 20 million Facebook followers GMA Network further strengthens its social media presence as its official Facebook page recently reached 20 million followers.

The boost in GMA’s follower count is attributable to its growing line-up of trending video content which includes various clips from GMA programs as well as exclusive videos of Kapuso artists that cater to fans.

Among the trending posts were from #KAPUSOREWIND, a series of videos that featured throwback moments from well-loved GMA Drama pro-

GMA continues to motivate and inspire netizens during these challenging times via Kapuso Words of Wisdom, which features shareable and inspiring videos with quotes and verses to help uplift spirits, and three-minute celebrity workout videos in Kapuso Quick Workouts to encourage people to become more active and keep a healthy lifestyle even while staying at home.

Kapuso followers also continue to enjoy daily uploads of Episode Highlights from currently airing GMA programs, hang out with their favorite

'Encantadia' cast reunion on Kapuso Artist Tambayan

grams, and#KAPUSOFEELS, which are relatable video memes from unforgettable Kapuso characters and drama scenes. Recording an average of over one million views were favorite scenes from Ika-6 Na Utos, Mulawin vs Ravena, and My Korean Jagiya.

Complementing the rich array of videos from GMA programs, netizens get their daily updates with the latest entertainment news via Kapuso Showbiz News, which airs one-on-one interviews with favorite celebrities, as well as GIVE ME 5 that showcases the celebrities' Top 5 trivia and lists to make sure fans are never out of the loop.

celebrities via live stream on Kapuso Artistambayan, and listen to song covers from Kapuso stars and musicians with Playlist@Home.

Meanwhile, so much is in store for Kapuso viewers as GMA also recently launched GETS (GMA Entertainment Shows), which treats fans to 24/7 access to free online content that are sure to keep them entertained and engaged.

Catch the daily showbiz news and exclusive videos of your favorite Kapuso celebrities and shows by following GMA Network’s official Facebook page on www.facebook.com/ GMANetwork.

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

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

Life FOOD

By Monica Sanchez

L

IMITED movement and safety protocols nationwide have pushed us to live with just the essentials and grab what’s accessible— something that also shows in our reignited, if strengthened, love of home-cooked meals.

Household kitchens have become busier, and neighborhood restaurants have gained more customers.

Home-style restaurants, many now open for business, serve the best of both worlds: a taste of home amid a relaxing and safe ambiance, and the conveniences and gastronomic experience in a fine dining spot.

In a premier community in Tagaytay, for instance, the culinary experience of residents and their guests is catered by an impressive array of fine dining outlets and specialty restaurants.

Touting the best steak right off the grill and wines from the finest vineyards, the Highlander Steakhouse in Tagaytay Highlands is the Club’s premier restaurant. Located along Belle View Drive, it features a log cabin design that enhances its rustic ambiance as diners enjoy US and Australian Wagyu steaks complemented by one of the most impressive collections of single malt in the country.

Tagaytay’s flair for fine fare HERE’S THE BEEF. Juicy Tomahawk steak paired with fine wine served at the Highlander Steakhouse in Tagaytay.

Neighborhood Chinese restaurant is taken care of Highlands China Palace, located along Palace Drive near the Sports Center. Its Winter Garden on the ground floor serves a la carte Cantonese specialties.

The Great Room, which sits on one of the highest points of Tagaytay Highlands,

provides guests of The Spa and Lodge fine and healthy meals close to home with a side of authentic log cabin ambience as diners get a whiff of the aromatic scent of its western red cedar logs.

Classic and well-loved Filipino dishes can be savored at Concha’s Garden Café, located at the Highlands Golfers’

Lounge and Midlands Golfers’ Lounge.

Delectable heirloom dishes served include caldereta, crispy pata, lauya (pork and vegetable stew), and lechon kawali, among others.

Meanwhile, Aozora Japanese Restaurant, features a mouthwatering selection of Japanese a la carte set fare. The restau-

rant’s authentic Japanese meals earned for it the Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Award in 2018 and 2019.

Italian restaurant Amare La Cucina, located along Gourmet Avenue, is Tagaytay Highlands’ go-to place for the biggest lineup of pizza and pasta selections.

BITES

Cadbury Dairy Milk Lickables with Kung Fu Panda toys inside.

Restaurants that serve dishes that taste like home include (clockwise) Concha’s Garden Café with its Classic Bulalo Soup, Amare La Cucina’s Gorgonzola Pizza, and The Great Room’s healthy American Breakfast.

A PREMIER mall in Taguig invites diners to its restaurant tenants now accepting dining in guests.

With required safety protocols in place, Paul Boulangerie and Niu Vikings at SM Aura are open for those eager to once again sink their teeth in the former’s freshly baked Flute Ancienne and Flute Sesame, and the latter’s bestselling steamed fish.

Japanese food lovers can look forward to Yabu’s signature katsu specialties, Ogetzu Hime’s Matsukasa Sukiyaki Tempura, or Ramen Nagi’s create your own ramen. Other Japanese restaurants open include Genki Sushi, Ikkoryu Fukuoka, and Nadai Fujisoba.

Spanish paella, wines, and tapas await at Barcino’s; Chinese dishes at Lugang Café, Paradise Dynasty Four Seasons Chinese Cuisine, and Tuan Tuan; Southeast Asian flavors at Banana Leaf; authentic Mediterranean dishes at Hummus Elijah; and Italian delights at Cibo.

Filipino food can be savored at XO Bistro Heritage, Mesa, and Manam’s SM Aura branches.

Restaurants and other food outlets offering sweet treats such as Paper Moon and its milk chocolate crepe cake, Mary Grace and its cheese rolls and ensaymadas, Crazy Crepes’ crepes are also open.

Bread Talk, Cinnabon, Baskin Robbins, and Brownies Unlimited are ready to

Dine in at Aura

Yabu’s signature katsu dishes.

serve customers.

Starbucks and Toby’s Estate Café are also open to serve hot and iced coffee for their customers. Milk tea, frozen yoghurt, and fruit juice enthusiasts can get their favorite flavors from Melon Pan Ice, Merry Moo, Tsujiri, Pink Berry, Pure Nectar, and Tiger Sugar.

Other restaurants that are open for dining are Honolulu HK Café, Jollibee, KFC, McDonald’s, Farmery, Pepper

Lunch Express, Poke Poke Express, Sizzling Plate, Teppanyaki Brothers, The Great American Burger Joint, Jin Joo Korean Grill, Prego Trattoria, Nanyang, and Rack Shack.

Should customers prefer to dine outside of the aforementioned establishments, SM Aura has designated two areas at the Atrium and Skypark where they can enjoy their ordered meals and ensure proper social distancing

From left: Ramen from Ramen Nagi, authentic Mediterranean cuisine from Hummus Elijah, and Barcino’s Paella Chorizo and Paella Negra.

A kung fu surprise SOMETHING fun awaits in every Cadbury Dairy Milk Lickables.

The Kung Fu Panda gang: Master Shifu, Po, Tigress, Viper, Crane, and Mantis are featured in over 70 new toys in each of the chocolate treat. Roll

into fun with the Po Bobble Ball, dance with the Dancing Warriors, complete the different Hero Stamps, and more.

Cadbury Lickables are available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

The Empress Dining Palace marks 1st anniversary with dim sum deals CHINESE restaurant The Empress Din- niversary was fraught with challenges, ing Palace celebrates its first anniversary especially during this pandemic. But through our collective efforts, we are with a weeklong deals and discounts.

Ongoing until September 9, both grateful to reach one year of sharing small and large dim sum platters are the genuine flavors of Chinese cuisine discounted 30 percent off, bringing to our patrons,” shared Aida Velasco, chief operating ofthe price down to ficer of The Empress P1,252+ and P1,752+, Dining Palace. respectively.

She added, “Dim Both platters feasum is at the heart of ture Steamed Pork Cantonese cuisine, and Shrimp Dumpand what’s the betling with Crab Roe ter way to thank our (siew mai), Steamed patrons than treating Shrimp Dumpling them with their fa(hakau), Steamed vorite dishes.”

Shrimp and Spinach The Taguig-based Dumpling, Steamed restaurant serves an Cream Custard Bun extensive menu of with Salted Egg Yolk, classic Cantonese cuiand Steamed Shrimp sine and selected dishand Scallop Dumpes from the Northern ling with Crab Roe. region, from mouthThe large dim sum watering appetizers platter comes with Baked Bolo Pork and savory, tender BBQ Bun. meats, down to its The deal is availhighly-prized seafood able for dine-in and and dim sum roster. It pick-up orders as well also offers an impresas through the Emsive range of refreshpress Express, the Large dim sum platter at 30 percent ments and desserts. restaurant’s official off and jumbo xiao long bao at only P1 each. delivery brand.

The Empress DinOn Sept. 8-9, dining Palace is located ers spending P2,000 can get Empress’ at 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, crowd-favorite Jumbo Steamed Soupy BGC, Taguig City. It is open daily from Pork (xiao long bao) for only P1.

10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Last order is at Dine-in guests celebrating with Em- 6:00 p.m. Orders for pick up and depress will also be gifted with a special livery may be placed by calling 8292rat plush toy.

0807 or 0915-543-1862, or via food“Our journey towards our first an- panda and GrabFood.