Manila Standard - 2020 September 11 - Friday

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‘Vaccine over Pemberton’ Rody wants access to US drug in return for soldier’s pardon—Roque

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

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PALACE spokesman on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte probably granted an absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted of killing a Filipino transgender woman, Jennifer Laude, because he wanted the country to gain early access to a COVID-19 vaccine.

In a press briefing, presidential dier’s release from jail on grounds of spokesman Harry Roque, who once his eligibility under the Good Conduct served as the lawyer for Laude’s family, Time Allowance law. said he was not surprised by the PresiNext page dent’s pardon, believing it was done in the national interest.

“I think the President granting [a] pardon to Pemberton is part of his desire for the Philippines to get a vaccine from America in case they develop one. Because at this time of the pandemic, I know that the President puts emphasis on getting vaccines for Filipinos,” Roque said.

During the press briefing, Roque said Pemberton may have been one of the topics the President discussed in his phone conversations with either US President Donald Trump or outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. On Thursday, the Bureau of Corrections approved the release order for Pemberton.

On Monday, Duterte granted absolute pardon to Pemberton who was convicted in 2015 for killing Laude in October 2014.

Last week, an Olongapo City regional trial court ordered the American sol-

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 189 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPTEMBER 11)

248,947 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,821 58,823 NEW

ACTIVE

4,066

80

186,058

563

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

US, China swap charges; rivalry mars SEA talks WASHINGTON’S top diplomat urged Southeast Asia on Thursday to cut ties with Chinese companies helping build islands in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, even as Beijing denounced the United States as “the biggest driver of militarization” in the region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s comments came at a regional Asian summit overshadowed by the US-China rivalry over a range of issues, from trade to the coronavirus.

Tensions are also simmering over the South China Sea, with the US last month sanctioning 24 Chinese stateowned companies it said had helped Beijing’s military buildup in the resource-rich waterway.

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GOOD RIDDANCE. Camp Aguinaldo sentry guards check vehicles entering the military headquarters on Thursday Sept. 10, 2020 as detained American soldier Joseph Scott Pemberton, convicted of killing a Filipino transgender, is set to be released after having been granted an absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte. Inset shows Pemberton and his defense lawyer discussing plans for his release from detention and flight back to the US after the Bureau of Corrections receives a copy of the presidential order. Norman Cruz

House assures DENR of support

By Maricel Cruz and Willie Casas

SEVERAL ranking lawmakers have expressed House support to the P384million Manila Bay project and that they see no valid objection to it, with one of them asserting that the use of dolomite to beautify the shoreline could even help clean the bay waters.

But Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, chairman of the House committee on natural resources on Thursday said he would press for an investigation if the issue were referred to his committee.

“As long as there is an issue, we shall act on it. The investigation will provide the oppositors and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to present their sides as part of due process,” Barzaga said.

Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, a former environment secretary Next page

SAND AND SUNSET. Workers spread white sand (dolomite) on a stretch of the Manila Bay shoreline as part of the rehabilitation project

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• DOJ re-opens Pimentel case • Infections rise

By Rey E. Requejo, Willie Casas, Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Justice has re-opened its preliminary investigation of the complaint filed against Senator Aquilino Pimentel III for alleged vio- caption lation of quarantine protocols last March 24.

In a one-page order, Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval, who is

of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources aimed at enhanching the view of the world-famous Manila sunset. Norman Cruz

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Senators protest hefty cut in DSWD budget

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo LAWMAKERS on Thursday quizzed the administration’s economic managers over various aspects of their proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021.

In the Senate, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian questioned the 53 percent cut

Signs virus could be invading the brain the part of the Church in the past, Pope Francis says in a book of interviews published Wednesday.

HEADACHES, confusion and delirium experienced by some COVID-19 patients could be the result of the coronavirus directly invading the brain, according to a study published Wednesday.

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Pleasures of food, loving sex ‘divine’ THE pleasures of a well-cooked meal or loving sexual intercourse are “divine” and have unjustly fallen victim to “overzealousness” on

in the allocation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), saying it would need more funds given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The DSWD budget for the current year is P366 billion, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recommended its allocation be cut to P172 billion in 2021.

Based on the projection of the National

Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Gatchalian said next year’s poverty rate would be 15.5 to 17.5 percent.

He said the poverty rate would be higher in urban areas which have been adversely affected by the pandemic. He also said the vaccines for COVID-19 will likely be available no earlier than the middle of next year.

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• Pandemic exacts heavy global toll FROM the first cry of alarm out of central China to worldwide lockdowns and masks, here are 10 key developments in the spread of COVID-19, classed as a pandemic six months ago.

More than 900,000 deaths have been registered from 27.7 million cases of infection.

WORLD ROUNDUP

First death

On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization is made aware of a “cluster” of pneumonia cases “of unknown cause” in the central city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.

The UN agency gets confirmation Next page

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News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Unli’ treatment for patients ends

By Willie Casas

spokesman Rey Baleña said.

But he said PhilHealth was studying the possibility of extending the availability of “unlimited” dialysis treatment for its members after Sept. 15.

He says PhilHealth is studying how it can extend the privilege beyond 90 dialysis sessions.

“We are studying how the privilege can be extended because this policy depended on the declaration of a state of calamity,” Baleña said.

“We are discussing it, and we will see.”

On March 17, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Philippines under a state of calamity to allow the gov-

ernment to tap more funds to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The dialysis sessions taken while the country is under a state of calamity will also not be counted for next year, PhilHealth says.

The insurer says the patients who paid for their sessions during the state of calamity may get reimbursements from PhilHealth offices as long as they have the receipts.

As the free dialysis sessions will last only until Sept. 15, patients and their families have appealed for the sessions to continue after the state of calamity is lifted.

“The date of Pemberton’s actual exit from the country depends on his flight arrangements, considering that he is a military personnel of the US,” Guevarra said.

Pemberton killed Laude after finding out the latter had male genitals after having sex in a motel in Olongapo City, north of the capital Manila.

Laude’s body was found wrapped in a bed sheet, with her head slumped in the toilet bowl.

Pemberton was in the country at the time to participate in joint US-Philippine military exercises.

Before the pardon, Roque had described the Olongapo court’s order to release Pemberton early as “judicial overreach.”

He quickly changed his tune, however, after the President pardoned Pemberton.

“Like the rest of the members of the Cabinet,” Roque said, he serves “at the pleasure of President Rodrigo Duterte.”

mined peace, security and rule of law in the region,” said Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

But the Philippines already said last week it would not follow the US lead because it needed Chinese investment, even as a fresh dispute between the two nations over Scarborough Shoal – one of the region’s richest fishing grounds – hangs over the talks.

And Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi laid blame on the United States for tensions, claiming Washington was “becoming the biggest driver” of the waterway’s militarization.

Beijing claims the majority of the resource-rich South China Sea, invoking its so-called nine-dash line to justify its alleged historic rights to the key trade waterway, also contested Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

As tensions simmer, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told an online meeting of foreign ministers from Southeast Asian countries that “the United States is becoming the biggest driver of mili-

tarization of the South China Sea.” Wang said that China’s greatest interest in the waters was “peace and stability,” while accusing the US of “creating tension and seeking profit from it.”

“The United States is becoming the most dangerous factor damaging peace in the South China Sea,” Wang added, the state news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday.

China has reinforced its claim to the South China Sea by building up small shoals and reefs into military bases with airstrips and port facilities.

It rejected a 2016 UN-backed tribunal’s ruling that its claims were without legal basis.

This year’s ASEAN summit is the first meeting since the US announced sanctions on two dozen Chinese companies over Beijing’s construction of artificial islands in the disputed waters, which Beijing blasted as “tyrannical.”

Pompeo accused the Chinese Communist Party this week of being engaged in a “clear and intensifying pattern of bullying its neighbors.” AFP

handling the preliminary investigation, ordered complainant lawyer Reco Paolo Quicho and respondent Pimentel to submit their respective comment on the incident report submitted by Makati Medical Center Medical Director Dr. Saturnino Javier, in connection with the case.

Javier’s report was forwarded by the National Bureau of Investigation on September 4, 2020 for consolidation of records with the conduct of preliminary investigation by the DOJ. “In view of the foregoing, and in line with the policy of admitting all evidence that could assist in the judicious

resolution of complaints, the preliminary investigation of this case is hereby re-opened,” the order stated.

“The complainant and respondent are hereby directed to submit (through electronic [means] their respective comment on the said memorandum report by the NBI , particularly on the said incident reports of the MMC, on or before September 21, 2020,” it added.

It’s been more than five months since Pimentel was accused of violating Republic Act No. 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act ) and its implementing rules and other Department of Health (DOH) regulations.

Quicho, former University of Makati School of Law dean, filed the complaint after Pimentel reportedly entered the

premises of the Makati Medical Center to accompany his wife who was about to give birth despite allegedly knowing that he was suspected of being infected with coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19

ters as proven by certain golf courses.

“I think we should give the secretary a chance,” Villafuerte said referring to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Earlier, Barzaga, Defensor and Villafuerte supported DENR’s project during the House committee on appropriations deliberations Tuesday on the proposed budget of the department under the P4.506 trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) of the Duterte administration for 2021.

The Makabayan Bloc in the House

filed Resolution 1194 directing the chamber to look into “the suitability and sustainability to the Manila Bay Reclamation Program” of the shoreline filling project.

Those who opposed the project – lawmakers and environmental groups alike – complained about its cost and timing as well as raised health concerns.

Cimatu defended before a House budget briefing the use of dolomite, stressing that the project underwent a technical study.

“We are really very sure of the safe-

ty of the use of dolomite in that area,” Cimatu said, rejecting warnings from the Department of Health.

“Dolomite in its natural state is not a known health hazard,” Cimatu said, recalling also that the Manila Bay’s beautification project was an offshoot of the mandamus issued by the Supreme Court for the government to clean up the area.

Cimatu’s statement drew the backing of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who said that the dolomite being spread in the Manila Bay project was not harmful.

P

ATIENTS will no longer be able to avail themselves of unlimited dialysis treatments through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation after Sept. 15, when the six-month declaration of the state of calamity due to the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted, the state insurance firm said.

A PhilHealth circular said that while the country is under a state of calamity, the limit of 90 dialysis sessions will not be in effect.

If patients have used up their free dialysis sessions during the period, Phil-

Health is obliged to pay for the additional sessions.

“If patients have exhausted their cap of 45 or 90 days, they can still avail themselves of the benefit if they need it while we are still in the pandemic,” PhilHealth

Senators...

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‘Vaccine...

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Because of this, Gatchalian underscored the need for a bigger DSWD budget next year.

But Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said the DSWD budget for this year was actually pegged at P164 billion but rose to P366.5 billion due to the Bayanihan 1, a law that funded the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also said the DSWD budget was lower next year because it will no longer have the social amelioration program (SAP).

Gatchalian said, however, that because of the pandemic, the department’s unconditional cash transfer program should be extended until next year.

Avisado said he would not oppose an extension.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe questioned the multi-billion peso allocation for f lood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which she noted was even bigger than the budget proposed for the Department of Health (DOH), which is at the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since COVID-19 is still present, one would assume that including our health facilities would be the priority,” Poe said at the continuation of a briefing with economic managers on the proposed 2021 budget.

She vowed to scrutinize the details of the proposed appropriations for the DPWH during deliberations with the agency.

“Environmental factors should not be neglected and there are really some legitimate flood control projects. But there are a few flood control projects that are questionable because it’s hard to keep track of them if they were really done,” she said.

“We will look at this in depth when we have the individual hearings with the department and ask the DPWH to clarify,” Poe added.

The senator pointed out the country is in the midst of a pandemic that requires enormous resources to adequately respond to public health needs.

Ensuring that the country is winning the battle against COVID-19 will also lead to economic recovery, the senator said.

The US Marine served more than five years into his 10-year homicide sentence at the Philippine military headquarters in Quezon City.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said that Pemberton’s release and deportation from the country “can be completed by the weekend.”

House...

From A1 and now chairman of the public accounts committee, also vowed House support for the Manila Bay project which sought to transform the shoreline into a white-sand beach using Cebu province’s crushed dolomite rocks.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said dolomite could even help clean Manila Bay’s wa-

US, China...

From A1 Pompeo said it was time for Southeast Asian governments to reconsider their own relationship with firms working in the sea.

“Don’t just speak up, but act,” he told the 10 foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during an online summit.

“Reconsider business dealings with the very state-owned companies that bully ASEAN coastal states in the South China Sea. “Don’t let the Chinese Communist party walk over us and our people.”

This year’s ASEAN summit comes days after Beijing launched ballistic missiles in the South China Sea as part of live-fire exercises.

Vietnam, which is chairing the summit, expressed “serious concern” about recent militarization of the sea.

“This has eroded trust and confidence, increased tension and under-

Local...

From A1

Signs...

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World...

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The research is still preliminary -- but offers several new lines of evidence to support what was previously a largely untested theory.

According to the paper, which was led by Yale immunologist Akiko Iwasaki, the virus is able to replicate inside the brain, and its presence starves nearby brain cells of oxygen, though the prevalence of this is not yet clear.

S Andrew Josephson, chair of the neurology department at the University of California, San Francisco, praised the techniques used in the study and said “understanding whether or not there is direct viral involvement of the brain is extraordinarily important.”

But he added that he would remain cautious until the paper underwent peer review.

It wouldn’t be completely shocking if SARS-CoV-2 is capable of breaching the blood-brain-barrier, a structure which surrounds the brain’s blood vessels and tries to block foreign substances.

Zika virus, for instance, also does this -leading to significant damage to the brains of fetuses. AFP

from the Chinese authorities only three days later.

On January 7, 2020 a new coronavirus is identified. Four days later China announces its first death in Wuhan.

COVID updates The Philippines now has 248,947 cases of COVID-19 after the Department of Health announced 3,821 new infections on Thursday, the third consecutive day in which more than 3,000 new cases were reported.

Metro Manila still logged the highest number of new infections at 2,079, followed by Rizal with 286, Cavite with 174, Laguna with 168, and Bulacan with 142.

The Philippines has tested 2,764,242 individuals. There are 89 licensed RT-

‘Threatening humanity’ On March 24, the Tokyo summer Olympics scheduled for July 2020 are put off until next year.

The next day the United Nations warns that the pandemic is “threatening the whole of humanity.”

Half of world confined

Lockdown measures are enforced all around the world.

On April 2, more than 3.9 billion people—half of the Wuhan cut off world’s population—are forced or called on to confine On January 23, Wuhan is placed under quarantine and themselves, according to an AFP count. The same day cut off from the world. Hubei province follows two days the threshold of one million cases is crossed. later. Countries start to repatriate their citizens from China.

Economy on its knees On February 15 France reports the first death conOn April 29, battered US aircraft manufacturer Boefirmed outside Asia, a Chinese tourist. ing slashes 16,000 jobs.

‘Pandemic’ Many other groups including airlines and car manuBy March 6, more than 100,000 cases have been re- facturers follow. corded around the world.

Hydroxychloroquine controversy On March 8, northern Italy is locked down, quickly Backed by US President Donald Trump as a potential followed by the rest of the country. treatment for Covid-19 patients, malaria drug hydroxyOn March 11, the WHO says Covid-19 is a pandemic. chloroquine is judged to have no benefit in a study pubGlobal stock markets crash. lished in The Lancet on May 22.

Governments and central banks roll out massive ecoThe study is retracted due to problems with the data nomic support measures. but on June 5, a British research group also concludes Europe in lockdown that the medicine did not help Covid-19 patients at all.

Spain on March 14 and France on March 17 confine Surge in Latin America their populations, while Germany calls on people to

By June 7 the death toll reaches more than 400,000. stay at home and Britain to avoid all social contact. The The surge of cases and deaths in Latin America caus27-nation European Union closes its external borders. es concern. AFP

‘Animal, avian population down by 70% in 50 yrs’ GLOBAL animal, bird and fish populations have plummeted more than two-thirds in less than 50 years due to rampant over-consumption, experts said Thursday in a stark warning to save nature in order to save ourselves.

Human activity has severely degraded three quarters of all land and 40 percent of Earth’s oceans, and our quickening destruction of nature is likely to have untold consequences on our health and livelihoods.

The Living Planet Index, which tracks more than 4,000 species of vertebrates, warned that increasing deforestation and agricultural expansion were the key drivers behind a 68-percent average decline in populations between 1970 and 2016.

It warned that continued natural habitat loss increased the risk of future pandemics as humans expand their presence into ever closer contact with wild animals.

2020’s Living Planet Report, a collaboration between WWF International and the Zoological Society of London, is the 13th edition of the biennial publication tracking wildlife populations around the world.

WWF International director general Marco Lambertini told AFP of the staggering loss of Earth’s biodiversity since 1970.

“It’s an accelerating decrease that we’ve been monitoring for 30 years and it continues to go in the wrong direction,” he said.

“In 2016 we documented a 60-percent decline, now we have a 70-percent decline.

“All this is in a blink of an eye compared to the millions of years that many species have been living on the planet,” Lambertini added.

The last half-decade has seen unprecedented economic growth underpinned by an explosion in global consumption of natural resources.

Whereas until 1970, humanity’s ecological footprint was smaller than the Earth’s capacity to regenerate resources, the WWF now calculates we are over-using the planet’s capacity by more than half. AFP

PCR laboratories and 29 licensed GeneXpert laboratories in the country.

The DOH also reported 80 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 4,066, and 563 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 186,058.

Deployment ban A nurses’ organization Filipino Nurses United has called for the total lifting of overseas deployment ban for healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

FNU secretary general Jocelyn Andamo, in a television interview, said that healthcare workers had the right to choose better opportunities abroad.

Andamo said some healthcare workers had spent nearly P100,000 for the requirements of working abroad.

Pleasures...

From A1 “Pleasure arrives directly from God, it is neither Catholic, nor Christian, nor anything else, it is simply divine,” Francis told Italian writer and gourmet Carlo Petrini.

“The Church has condemned inhuman, brutish, vulgar pleasure, but has on the other hand always accepted human, simple, moral pleasure,” he added.

Francis—born Jorge Bergoglio in Argentina—said that there was no place for an “overzealous morality” that denies pleasure, something he admitted existed in the Church in the past but insisted is “a wrong interpretation of the Christian message.”

“The pleasure of eating is there to keep you healthy by eating, just like sexual pleasure is there to make love more beautiful and guarantee the perpetuation of the species,” the pope said.

Opposing views “have caused enormous harm, which can still be felt strongly today in some cases,” he said.

“The pleasure of eating and sexual pleasure come from God.” Francis, the spiritual leader of 1.3-billion Catholics around the world, singled out a 1987 Danish film called “Babette’s Feast” as reflecting his message on pleasure.

Set in the 19th Century, it tells the story of a lottery-winning chef who invites a group of ultra-puritan Protestant worshippers to a sumptuous banquet.

The film is “a hymn to Christian charity, to love,” the pope said.

News NBI agents arrest Nigerian nationals for hacking, theft

By Willie Casas NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation agents on Wednesday arrested four Nigerians who allegedly stole over P100 million from a still unidentified financial institution in the Philippines.

According to “24 Oras,” the suspects were arrested in a Muntinlupa condominium by the NBI Cybercrime Division.

The NBI said the Nigerians were hackers who were part of a bigger international syndicate. “‘Yung grupo kasi diyan, it is complicated because it is composed of international hackers tapos may mga local players tayo. Compartmentalized kasi ang trabaho nila,” NBI Cybercrime Division chief Vic Lorenzo said. “[‘Yung] proceeds na makukuha nila, dadaan naman sa local partners nila pero ‘yung iba Filipinos, ‘yung iba, foreign nationals… in connection with international organized group,” he added.

The NBI said three months before the crime, the suspects set up accounts at the targeted financial institution with the help of their Filipina partners.

The NBI said the Filipinas were also tasked to withdraw the money that was deposited by international hackers into the accounts created by the Nigerians.

“Pinag-aralan nila ‘yung sistema diyan, nakita nila ‘yung vulnerabilities, in-exploit nila ‘yung vulnerabilities kaya nila na-break ‘yung system noong financial institutions,” Lorenzo said.

One of the Filipinas involved withdrew P2.5 million in five separate withdrawals.

“Nakikitaan ko po siya ng pera. Sasabihin niya po, dadalhin niya ‘yun sa pinsan niya. Ang sabi po niya, money changer ‘yung pinsan niya… Hindi po talaga ako kasama kasi meron naman po ako talagang trabaho, may negosyo rin po ako,” said one of the women involved.

One of the suspects denied participation in the crime.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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TURNOVER. T he Armed Forces of the Philippines together with the Department of Public Works and Highways held a turnover and blessing Ceremony of an Emergency Quarantine Facility built inside the AFP’s General Headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday, September 10. The ceremony was attended by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar who served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker, and the AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gilbert I Gapay. Also in attendance were Lieutenant General Ramon Antonio A Lim, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff and representatives from DPWH.The EQF was constructed under the supervision of the Quezon City Second District Engineering Office, NCR-DPWH and was designed to augment existing healthcare facilities inside the camp.

P1.6-m party drugs seized at Clark

By Jess Malabanan

C

LARK FREEPORT—Some P1.6 million worth of sex-enhancing drugs were intercepted at the Clark International Airport by joint elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Customs Port of Clark shortly after the parcel passed through the x-ray division area.

BoC Port of Clark District Collector drugs, was neatly concealed in an air lawyer Ruby Alameda said the parcel, humidifier box and was consigned to a carrying three plastic bags of illegal certain Monica Santos of barangay Tat-

alon, Quezon City.

Alameda said the shipment was declared as containing massage oil and pet foods by shipper Reship.com, believed to be an online seller from United Kingdom.

The contraband was shipped via air courier to Clark International Airport on Aug 30 and was later discovered to be carrying prohibited substance when checked thoroughly by BoC examiners assigned at the airport.

PDEA-Pampanga agents immediately launched a “controlled-delivery” operation after they confirmed that the parcel

was carrying close to 1,000 tablets multicolored party drugs inserted on the air humidifier box.

PDEA agents and BoC police disguised as delivery men of a courier firm tracked the consignee address, but nobody came forward to pick up the package.

“The occupants of the apartment seemed to have abandoned the place as nobody showed up despite repeated calls, “ PDEA agents said.

PDEA said it waited for another week hoping that someone will come forward to claim the package.

‘Act on sick, old detainees cases’

By Rey E. Requejo

URBAN DEVELOPMENT. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep Martin Romualdez (center) and Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Cavite Rep. Crispin “Boying” Remulla (right) chat with Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario (left) of Human Settlement and Urban Development during a short meeting and courtesy call before the Briefing of the Human Settlement and Urban Development 2021 Budget at the plenary of the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Esperon slams Makabayan bloc

By Maricel V. Cruz THE country’s top security official on Thursday assailed members of the leftleaning Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives who earlier claimed that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is asking for a budget that is intended to be pork barrel.

In an open letter addressed to the Makabayan Bloc members, particularly Party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite of Bayan Muna, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said that the NTF-ELCAC has marching orders from the President to ensure delivery of basic services to the

countryside.

Esperon reacted to Gaite’s interpellation during the budget hearing of the Presidential Communications Operations Office in the House, accusing the agency getting funds not for barangays development but pork barrel.

“As vice chairman of the NTF-ELCAC, I have ensured that all its activities have been conducted within the bounds of the law,” Esperon said.

“I question the motive behind Gaite’s comments on the budget allocation and his objection to the empowerment and development of vulnerable communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.”

PECO threats ‘self-serving’—solon FORMER Iloilo distribution utility Panay Electric Co. is protecting its own selfinterest when it threatened the Supreme Court that any decision favoring new distribution utility More Electric and Power Corp. (More Power) will set a “bad precedent” for businesses in the country.

According to Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, there is no legal basis for the allegation of PECO lead counsel Atty. Estella Emlaparo that a judicial ruling in favor of More Power will legitimize hostile takeovers of companies and franchises from interested parties without showing their technical capacity.

Pimentel said Congress did not renew PECO’s service as the power distributor of Iloilo to favor a new company so

there is no truth of a hostile takeover since PECO was removed because the consumers finally stood up and rejected them due to its poor service.

“The opinion of PECO is self-serving because they still want to operate the electric utility but the truth of the matter is that it is the consumers who have been clamoring for another utility company because for several decades PECO has a very poor service and they have several pending cases because of complaints from the customers,” Pimentel said.

He added that some of the complaints against PECO include overbilling and poor service, among many others, which were used as basis why its legislative franchise was not renewed.

THE Supreme Court has remanded to trial courts the petition of elderly and sick detainees to be released amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The SC Public Information Office on Thursday confirmed that a full court issued a decision referring to the petition of 22 elderly and sickly detainees seeking for release on humanitarian grounds.

The SC PIO said the high tribunal treated the petition as an application for bail, and left it to the trial courts where the petitioners’ cases are pending to hear and resolve.

“The Court noted that the Petitioners have all been charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua. As such, they are not entitled to bail as a matter of right under the Constitution,” the SC said in a statement.

“Hence, in order for the Petitioners to

be granted bail, it is imperative to conduct hearings and receive evidence in order to weigh the strength of the prosecution’s evidence as to the guilt of the Petitioners.

These proceedings are within the competence of the trial courts,” it added.

The SC ordered the concerned trial courts to “conduct the necessary proceedings and resolve the incidents immediately.”

According to the SC PIO, the proceedings before the SC are now considered “closed and terminated.”

In their petition, the detainees asked the SC to order their release, citing their age, existing illnesses, and in one case, pregnancy, as added COVID-19 risk factors in crowded jails.

The pregnant detainee, activist Reina Mae Nasino, gave birth while the petition was pending before the SC. A local court has ordered that she be separated from her child.

‘Military camps no-go zones for telco towers’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Pro tempore Ralph Recto said that military camps should be no-go zones for a possible electronic Trojan horse.

Recto said Dito Telecommunications can build their sites anywhere in wide expanses of land in the county -- and government should help them -- except in the 25 Navy bases and stations, 53 Army bases, and 17 air bases and stations.

These areas, Recto said, should be declared as no-go zones for this company.

The senator said that the military is not that big a landlord whose holdings are crucial in a telco’s operations. “Why insist on building on military real estate?” he asked.

Recto said that should health and environmental rules allow it, Dito should instead explore building towers in the almost 50,000 public school and state university campuses. He said it should pay rent in cash and in kind, the latter in free broadband for the students.

The Senate leader added that for the past 50 years, the military has enjoyed a most-favored agency status, as affirmed in the annual national budget and does not need a land lease sideline business to augment its budget, more so if the tenant is 40 percent owned by a state-owned foreign company whose principal allegiance, under the laws of that country, is to its government.

CEMETERY CLOSED. The Manila City government has issued a public advisory on the

closure of the Manila North and South Cemetery during the observance of All Saints’ and Souls’ Days from October 31, to November 3, 2020, as seen on this photo taken on Thursday (September 10, 2020). The move is to prevent the crowding and mass gathering of people amid the coronavirus disease pandemic. PNA Photo

Gov’t mulls over options on ‘Undas’

By Vito Barcelo THE government is studying several options for Filipinos to visit their loved ones on All Souls’ Day to prevent the spread of COVID 19, Malacanang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he would suggest a 5-day time allowance for the public to visit cemeteries for “Undas,” an annual tradition when millions of Filipinos visit their departed loved ones.

Roque made the remark after several local governments, including capital Manila, Marikina City and Angeles City, an-

nounced temporary closures of public and private cemeteries in their localities for several days between the end of October and the start of November.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 only allows a group of 10 people to visit cemeteries.

“We will see if there are alternatives because we know how important Undas is to Filipinos,” Roque said.

He said there will be a problem if crowding in cemeteries will be uncontrolled.

The government has banned large gatherings to stem the spread of COVID-19.

LGUs

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

A4

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Enforcers to get 20 percent of fines on Parañaque quarantine violators

By Joel E. Zurbano BARANGAY officials and personnel in Paranaque City will get 20 percent in incentives from the fines paid by violators of health and safety protocols, as the city government rolled out several financial assistance measures that will benefit the frontliners.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez has prioritized the granting of incentives to barangay enforcers as they continue to risk their lives in implementing and enforcing the provisions of COVID 19-related measures to ensure the safety of residents.

“It is high time that the hard work and efforts of barangay officials and enforcers during this pandemic are recognized,” Olivarez said.

Olivarez signed the approved city

Mayor accuses CL police chief of slay attempt

By Jess Malabanan CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—The mayor of a Nueva Ecija town who escaped an ambush on Tuesday has accused the Central Luzon regional police director of masterminding the attempt on his life.

In an interview with Nueva Ecija reporters on Thursday, San Antonio Mayor Arvin Salonga said Police Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia was the brains behind the foiled assassination attempt on him and his driver, Danilo Malamat Camilo, at a bridge at Barangay Esquivel, Jaen town.

Sermonia has yet to answer queries from the Standard as of presstime.

Salonga filed an abuse-of-authority case against the general with the Ombudsman last year for dismissing San Antonio’s police chief, Police Major Roderick Corpuz, without informing the mayor or local government unit.

“Wala naman akong alam na kalaban except si Sermonia na kinasuhan ko sa Ombudsman dahil sa pagtangal nya sa hepe ng San Antonio ng walang pasabi sa local government unit or sa akin,” the mayor told reporters.

Salonga said that under Section 63 of the Republic Act 8551, or the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act, the chief executive of a local government unit has the authority to choose from a list of five eligible police chiefs recommended by the provincial police director.

In the case of the San Antonio police chief, Salonga said Sermonia booted out Corpuz for overstaying without informing the LGU chief executive, which the mayor said was a violation of RA 8551.

“The working relationship between San Antonio and the police had been exemplary under Corpuz’s watch,” said Salonga in his complaint affidavit filed before the Ombudsman.

Policemen are chasing the group of armed men believed responsible for the Sept. 8 daytime ambush of Salonga and Camilo Security cameras are being reviewed to identify the suspects, Central Luzon police authorities at Camp Olivas announced Thursday.

Salonga, 48, escaped unhurt while Camilo, 52, was slightly injured, hit by a stray bullet to his neck, after gunmen strafed the vehicle they were riding on while approaching the bridge between San Leonardo and Jaen towns past 8 a.m.

Nurses answer queries of suspected COVID-19 patients at the Pure Force and Rescue Corp. office in Manila on Wednesday.

They will forward the information later to the government’s One Hospital Command Center for referral of quarantine facilities and hospitals.

Norman Cruz

council ordinance 2020-33 after learning that a number of individuals continue violating health protocols being enforced in the city.

The city chief executive claimed that residents “should strictly comply with health protocols to prevent COVID-19 cases from soaring if general community quarantine is extended until the end of the month.

Olivarez said it is now simple for the barangay officials and enforcers to apprehend violators. He said the city council also passed an ordinance requiring everyone to wear face mask and shields when outside their home during community quarantine.

Under the ordinance, violators will be slapped with P1,000 fine and eight hours of community service for firsttime offenders or a six-hour detention.

Makati biz stimulus gets dads’ nod T

HE Makati City Council approved on Wednesday the administration’s P2.5 billion cash grant program for Makati-based businesses, Mayor Abby Binay said.

The Makati Assistance and Support for Businesses (MASB) is the city’s economic stimulus package where Makatibased businesses can get a grant ranging from P10,000 to P100,000 for their employees’ salaries and to pay suppliers registered in Makati.

Businesses with over 12 Makatizen employees will get the maximum

amount of the grant, Binay said.

“The P100,000 grant is Makati’s way of boosting local businesses. The city only asks that they continue to run their businesses, keep their Makati resident employees, and comply with all guidelines and protocols for operation,” Mayor Abby said.

The mayor also called on owners of unregistered businesses in the city to secure the necessary permits to qualify for the grant.

On Monday, the mayor announced new initiatives aimed at helping Makati businesses recover from the blows dealt by the pandemic.

Besides the closure or heavily di-

minished operations of commercial establishments, shops, and other enterprises, the mayor said she was also concerned about the job security of the tens of thousands of Makatizens they employ.

“When businesses are shuttered permanently, they have to let go of their employees. In Makati, businesses employ mostly Makati residents.

This poses a double whammy for us—revenue losses for the city and loss of livelihood for our residents.

This is why we are stepping up and doing something about it,” Mayor Abby explained.

She said the P100K MASB Program

Navotas presents tracker to CODE

Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan pays a courtesy call on Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid before the Senate plenary session on Wednesday.

Lapid—also known as "Pinuno" in a long-running television soap opera—discussed with Cascolan how he can support the reforms the new chief latter would like to implement in the police force.

Lino Santos

Valenzuela opens Arkong Bato COVID-19 facility

By Jun David WITH the “no home quarantine” protocol strictly observed and in effect in Valenzuela City since March, the opening of a new, government-funded quarantine facility at the Arkong Bato National High School is a welcome development for the City’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response.

It could not have come at a more

importantly to display the beauty of the city and how it has changed over time.

“These photos are not just simple pictures; they tell how rich and beautiful our city is,” San Jose del Monte Tourism Officer Roberto Peralta Ramirez Jr. said as he shared how he wanted to take this opportunity of promoting the city online.

TANGLAWAN ART. Entries to the “Kwentong San Joseño” photo and art contest are displayed at SM City San Jose del Monte, which drew professional, amateur, and aspiring photographers and artists from across the city, as the mall marked the 5th Tanglawan Festival and 20th Cityhood Anniversary of San Jose del Monte. Jun David

will not only pump prime the local economy but will also promote the continued employment of Makatizens.

Binay noted that she does not want Makati residents to become part of the more than 10 million people projected to be rendered jobless by the pandemic.

Under the MASB program, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with special business permits endorsed by the Makati Barangay Business Association and other businesses may all apply for the grant.

The amount released will vary on the number of Makati residents the business employs or if it is owned by a Makati resident.

IN BRIEF

CHIEF AND ‘PINUNO’.

Tanglawan art show at SM San Jose A PICTURE paints a thousand words, and photographs truly bring back memories.

And in this digital age, one thing that people never forget doing is to take pictures, especially when they are in beautiful places.

The local government and SM City San Jose del Monte celebrated the 5th Tanglawan Festival and 20th Cityhood Anniversary of San Jose del Monte in a simpler but more meaningful way through a photo art exhibit promoting the tourist spots and landmarks of the city.

Dubbed as the ‘Kwentong San Joseño” the local government organized a photo art contest open for all professional, amateur, and aspiring photographers and artists in the city.

It is one way to showcase the talent of San Joseños in taking pictures and most

COMMAND CENTER.

opportune time as the City’s isolation units and isolation beds have almost reached their full capacity, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said Thursday.

“We run close to 1,040 beds in the city, spread across 12 isolation units. ...On and off, napupuno, but now we are running to about 90% occupancy,” Gatchalian confirmed.

On September 1, he tweeted, “Salamat sa DWPH at sa IATF sa pagpa-

patayo ng isa pang isolation facility sa Arkong Bato. ...Dagdag sa 1,000 beds na currently being operated by the city.”

The Arkong Bato Quarantine Facility, which was inaugurated and turned over to Valenzuela City on Thursday, was completed under the COVID-19 Makeshift Quarantine Facility Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

THE City Government of Navotas has presented to the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team the web application it has developed to monitor the city’s response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The City Government also highlighted its best practices in dealing with the dreaded disease.

“We have developed the Navotas City Health COVID-19 tracker to help us monitor and assess our actions taken, identify and address problems, and craft data-informed decisions to curb the further transmission of the virus,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

The tracker provides live statistics on the number and status of confirmed cases, whether they have been advised of their test result, transferred to isolation facilities, or discharged.

It also provides tracking on close contacts, the schedule of their swab test, their test results, and if they have been brought to or discharged from isolation facilities.

Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco welcomed the CODE team composed of Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia, Department of the Interior and Local Government National Barangay Operations Office Director Dennis Villaseñor, Department of Health–National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director Paz Corrales, and Dr. Eleanor Galvez from the National Incident Command. Jun David

BPSU training for Palili farmers held SAMAL, Bataan—The Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) recently conducted training on backyard composting using Compost Fungus Activator (CFA) for 25 residents of Barangay Palili here.

Dr. Hermogenes Paguia, BPSU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training Services, served as resource speaker for the one-day activity.

The training was conducted under the BPSU Abucay Campus Extension and Training Services Office (ETSO) headed by its Chairperson and University Vice President Dr. Rina Paguia, in partnership with the barangay government of Palili.

ETSO Chairperson Paguia said the training was aimed to equip household participants with the detailed knowledge on backyard composting using CFA and was in line with the thrust of BPSU President Dr. Greg Rodis to help host communities by conducting trainings and extension works.

Rodis has been urging Bataan folk to do backyard vegetable farming as source of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. Butch Gunio

Opinion ‘Your Honor please, I move…’

FOOTNOTES

TRANQUIL G.S SALVADOR III IT IS a common phrase uttered by a lawyer in open court before making a request or application for relief. In legal parlance this is known as a “motion.” A motion shall be made in writing except those made by the lawyer in open court.

For a young lawyer like myself 28 years ago, appearing in court for a motion hearing is the rite of passage into litigation practice.

Motion hearings are a rite of passage for young litigators.

I still remember the first day I was instructed to appear for a motion hearing; the reminder was short and simple­—be on time, state who you represent, and when your case is called by the clerk of court, request for at least 10 days to file a comment. It was fairly easy work for a young lawyer since it did not entail much thinking and preparation.

However, handling cases, filing motions, opposing motions and attending motion hearings through the years, made me realize that the entire process causes a tremendous delay in the progress of the case. It definitely eats up at least two to six months in the life of the case depending on the complexity and impact of the motion to the main action.

In fact, the filing of motions have been used and abused by some lawyers to stall the fnal resolutions of their cases.

Setting motion hearings also presents monetary gain for some lawyers, especially for those who are paid on a per-appearance-in-hearing basis.

Hence, the more hearings you have, the more you get paid. However, it does not mean that lawyers only work for their attorney’s fees because most of them also provide pro-bono services.

In a recent amendment, the provision in the Rules of Civil Procedure on motion hearings as initiated by lawyers was dropped and deleted. This means that lawyers can no longer set a motion for hearing. It is now only the court in the exercise of its discretion that can call for a hearing (Section 6, Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure). With this amendment, the trial court rules are now consistent with the appellate court rules that say “motions shall not be set for hearing unless the court otherwise directs (Section 3, Rule 49, Rules of Civil Procedure).”

To further end the delay caused by the filings of motions, the amendment had to limit the exchange of the pleadings to just a comment by the opposing party within five days from receipt of the litigious motion (Section 5 (b), Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure). An important change in the Rules on Motions is the classification of motions as either

“non-litigous” and “litigious”; non-litigious motions are motions which the court may act upon without prejudicing the rights of the adverse party (Section 4, Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure), while litigious motions are the opposite.

Examples of non-litigious motions are: motions for postponement, motions for extension of time to file an answer, motions for issuance of alias summons and motions for issuance of final certificates of sale (Section 4, Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure). On the other hand, motions to dismiss, motions for bill of particulars, motions for reconsideration, motions for execution pending appeal, motions for judgment on the pleadings and summary judgment, among others, are litigious motions (Section 5(a), Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure).

For non-litigious motions, there is no hearing and comment required from the other party, and the court will have to resolve the motion within five days from receipt (Section 4, Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure). Likewise for litigious motions, there is no hearing unless required by the court. There is, however, an opportunity for the other party to oppose or comment within a period of five days from its receipt. The litigious motion will have to be resolved by the court within fifteen days from its receipt of the opposition (Section 5 (b), Rule 15, Rules of Civil Procedure).

On the other hand, in criminal cases motions are classified as either “meritorious” or “prohibited.” Prohibited motions are those which are denied by the court outright before the scheduled arraignment without the need for comment or opposition (Rule III, 2(b), Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial In Criminal Cases) because they have a tendency to delay the proceedings.

Some of the prohibited motions are: motions for determination of probable cause, motions to quash information when the ground raised is not stated in Section 3, Rule 117 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, motions to suspend the arraignment based on grounds not stated in Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, and motions for reinvestigation when the preliminary investigation is not required in the case as set forth in Section 8, Rule 112 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rule III, 2(b), Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial In Criminal Cases).

Meritorious motions are those that allege plausible grounds supported by relevant documents and competent evidence, such as motions to quash a warrant of arrest, motions to discharge an accused as a state witness under Section 17, Rule 119 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, motions to withdraw an information, and motions to exclude an accused originally charged (Rule III, 2(c), Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial In Criminal Cases). These guidelines are directed to limit the filing of baseless and erroneous motions in criminal cases.

Full version at www.manilastandard.net

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

EDITORIAL

T

Uphill recovery

he International Monetary Fund made an honest assessment on the prospects of global economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic. The global economy has shown signs of bouncing back but a full recovery, says IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, is “unlikely” without a vaccine.

to displaced workers has limits. Unlike the economic powerhouses of the US, Japan and a few European countries, the Philippines cannot afford to give away the precious revenues it is earning from tax collections without sacrificing the needs of the health and education sectors. Manila also needs revenues

The government should pursue a wider reopening of the economy pending the arrival of the vaccine.

The funding institution called on governments to continue supporting workers and businesses to prevent bankruptcies and job losses around the world. The partial reopening of the global economy and various fiscal stimulus programs, indeed, led to increased factory production and employment.

For a poor nation like the Philippines, however, extending financial assistance

to finance an ambitious infrastructure program aimed at creating jobs, solving gridlocks and opening up the urban markets to farmers and fishermen in the countryside.

The IMF, for instance, favors governments taking equity in troubled or insolvent companies or extending grants

WITH crime on the rise, shops and apartments increasingly vacant and homeless people on the sidewalks, New York on Friday will mark the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and a bitter fight with the White House.

The city will hold its annual ceremony in memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the bloodiest terrorist attack in US history, punctuated by a minute's silence at the exact moments that Al-Qaeda jihadists crashed two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center towers.

Instead of reading out the roll call of the dead, this year the families of victims have recorded themselves. But they will still be present at the "Ground Zero" memorial.

The site museum will also open for the first time since the novel coronavirus brought the city to a standstill in March.

Almost two decades after the attacks, September 11 remains synonymous with New York's heroism and resilience.

City leaders have emphasized the latter in the past months as the Covid-19 in-

fection rate—which killed 23,00 people here, the early epicenter of the disease in the United States—has been lowered to under one percent.

New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday reminded New Yorkers that their resilience is likely to be tested once again by the social and economic "after-effects" of the pandemic.

Offices empty until 2021?

Gale Brewer, president of borough of Manhattan, recognizes that the island renowned for its hustle and energy now faces an array of problems.

Some of these stem directly from the coronavirus pandemic: almost all the white collar workers, such as bankers, traders and insurance employees, have been working from home since March.

This has emptied Manhattan's business hubs, leaving thousands of small stores and restaurants without customers.

Boris Tulchinskiy, a 26-year-old software engineer, misses Manhattan but expects to "keep working from home" in neighboring New Jersey until July 2021.

If the more than 60 million tourists who visit New York every year have gone, so too have New Yorkers, fleeing

in exchange for higher tax rates later to save jobs. But it cautioned governments on allocating scarce resources, noting that some firms will unavoidably flounder, like those in the travel industry, in a post-pandemic environment.

Strict social distancing rules to contain the spread of COVID-19 have prevented the Philippines from fully reopening the local economy. They have restricted mall and hotel activities, and limited the operations of trains, buses, jeepneys and airlines. The travel restrictions and the reduced number of transportation fleets available to office, restaurant and mall workers have pushed back the country's economic rebound.

But the government should pursue a wider reopening of the economy pending the arrival of the vaccine. It is the preferred option because subsidies and dole-outs will stretch the resources of the state. They do not guarantee economic productivity and they do not certainly create additional jobs.

Where are the PhilHealth billions?

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

PEOPLE are up in arms about the Manila Bay “white sand” controversy, and rightly so, because nearly P400 million is being spent on a non-essential urban beautification project during a time of pandemic and rampant unemployment.

But what it also is, is a distraction from one of the worst corruption scandals in government—what has been rightly called the PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corp.) mess.

According to former employee and whistleblower lawyer Thorsson Keith, some Philhealth top executives may have been responsible for diverting some P15 billion of the agency’s funds into their pocket through fraud.

Palace spokesperson lawyer Harry Roque in early August said Keith’s allegations sounded “convincing,” because “I had another source say that more or less that’s how much money is being lost annually.”

Philhealth was also in the news last year over the WellMed dialysis scam, another fraudulent scheme where the agency was billed for procedures on “ghost” patients.

While Roque said there is no evidence linking former Philhealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales to the scams, he did says that Morales nothing to curb the corruption occurring under his nose.

Other illegal scams in the agency have been brought to light. Former Philhealth senior auditing systems specialist Ken Sarmiento, who worked on the agency’s overseas Filipino program, bared a loss of P1.2 billion in contributions from OFWs through a scheme involving fake receipts.

Other allegations have been made about "illegal orders" Morales supposedly gave Keith, among them to “fix”

the WellMed case and re-accredit a physician who was among those said to be involved in the case.

Keith was also allegedly told to “massage” the agency’s pending case before the Presidential Anti-Corruption Council related to allegedly overpriced COVID-19 testing rates.

Show us that you are on the side of the people.

Murmurs of corruption in PhilHealth have been rumbling for years, and it is thanks to whistleblowers that we are now learning of its extent. President Duterte has responded by appointing a new agency head, former National Bureau of Investigation director Dante Gierran.

Gierran has said, quite humbly, that he doesn’t know anything about the healthcare business. But he is a lawyer and an accountant, and according to the Presidential Communications Operations Office, the President has ordered him to sniff out erring officials, reshuffle them within the organization, and use the next two years to “fight against corruption.” We hope Gierran will perform his job with faithfulness and integrity.

What is most galling about this for us, the regular folk, is that a certain

New York to mark 9/11 anniversary amid the coronavirus pandemic

By Catherine Triomphe

B1

the city by the thousands.

At least 35,000 people have moved out of Manhattan, judging by requests for absentee ballots for November's presidential elections, Brewer said.

Many businesses are now shuttered: between 2017 and 2020, the number of vacant commercial spaces has almost doubled, up by 78 percent, she said.

Homeless people are now more visible due to the closure of numerous shelters for health reasons, and the transfer of almost 13,000 to live in less contagious conditions in Manhattan's vacant hotels.

The rise in homicides and shootings— up 47 percent and 166 percent in August, compared with the previous year—is one of the more striking aspects of the crisis hitting the city.

Even if it is still far below the endemic levels of crime that plagued the city in the 1970s and 80s, New York, which prided itself on being one of the world's safest cities, has now slipped back to 2012 crime levels, the New York Times reported.

Trump wants to 'kill New York' "I can't tell you how many phone calls I get from people especially in New York

City, who are literally worried about the degradation of New York City," governor Cuomo said Tuesday.

Even as the city shows signs of revival—which include museums reopening in late August and restaurants welcoming diners inside in late September—its full recovery could take up to three years, Brewer said, citing the estimates of realtors.

In the meantime, and less than two months from one of the most bitterly fought presidential contests in history, the crisis has become the focus of a dispute with Republican President Donald Trump.

The native New Yorker, who made his name in real estate, insists that the rise in crime in the Democratic bastion is due to the incompetence of its leaders. On Tuesday he once again accused the mayor and the governor of "destroying" the city.

New York officials in turn slammed Trump's refusal to free up billions in emergency federal funds to help the city through the worst of the crisis.

"Trump is actively trying to kill New York City. It is personal. I think it's psychological," Cuomo said. "He is trying to kill New York City." AFP

percentage of our paychecks are taken and remitted to Philhealth as a mandatory payment. For this money to be forcibly taken from us only to go into the pockets of the evil and corrupt is unconscionable and disgusting. May the errant officials and personnel be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Though I have been through many medical crises, including major surgery, I have never availed of my PhilHealth benefits—first because they are low, and second, they take too long to process, particularly when you just want to go home from the hospital. I’ve also thought that by foregoing my benefits, there would be that much more money to help other people. I was wrong. And this makes me very angry.

While lawmakers, the Cabinet, and other higher powers are sorting through this mess, what do we do?

I am not inclined to fork over any more of my hard-earned money to PhilHealth until the criminals there are weeded out.

I refuse to let my money be used to fund the lifestyles of people without consciences, who can shut their ears to the crying of their sick kababayan asking for the succour they are entitled to because they make mandatory payments to PhilHealth.

I will not be sidetracked by other controversies such as the “white sand” project, the irrelevant plan to censor Netflix, and the other dumb ideas we’ve been hearing about lately.

To those in charge of fixing this mess: Root out the evil in PhilHealth.

Try to get back some of those billions.

And show us that for once, you are on the people’s side.

FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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

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An illegal appointment

Developing our own vaccine for COVID-19 Early Christmas in Aduana

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A US lackey?

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VIRTUAL REALITY

Duterte’s achievements

TONY LOPEZ

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IN BRIEF COVID outbreak hits 19 at Japan sumo stable A CORONAVIRUS outbreak at a sumo stable in Tokyo has infected 19 people, the governing body said Thursday, adding that a tournament will go ahead this week as planned.

The Japan Sumo Association said one wrestler and 18 trainees at the Tamanoi stable have tested positive for the virus, with 12 of those infected sent to hospital.

The cases follow the death in May of a 28-year-old sumo after contracting coronavirus, the sport’s first COVID-19 fatality.

They were discovered after a trainee became sick last week and tested positive, prompting the stable to test everyone who had been in contact with him, the association said. AFP

US revokes visas for 1,000 Chinese students, researchers THE United States has revoked visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers under an order by President Donald Trump that accused some of them of espionage, the State Department said Wednesday.

Trump, in a May 29 proclamation as

tensions rose with Beijing on multiple fronts, declared that some Chinese nationals officially in the United States for study have stolen intellectual property and helped modernize China’s military.

The State Department, offering its first figures on the effects of Trump’s order,

said that more than 1,000 visas have been revoked since it began implementing the proclamation on June 1.

“The high-risk graduate students and research scholars made ineligible under this proclamation represent a small subset of the total number of Chinese students

Florid prose of Trump-Kim letters N

ORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un deployed flattery and florid prose in the letters that forged his diplomatic courtship of Donald Trump, according to a new book on the US president.

Journalist decapitated in eastern Mexico A JOURNALIST was found decapitated Wednesday in a violenceplagued area of eastern Mexico, police said, the latest in a string of killings in one of the world’s most dangerous countries for reporters.

Julio Valdivia of the newspaper El Mundo de Veracruz is the fifth journalist slain in Mexico this year, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Hugo Gutierrez, security minister and head of the police in eastern Veracruz state, condemned the “cowardly murder” of the 41-year-old reporter.

“In coordination with the state attorney general’s office we will exhaust all resources to find those responsible,” he said in a statement. AFP

RAGING FIRE. Butte county firefighters watch as flames tower over their truck during the Bear fire in Oroville, California on September 9, 2020. Dangerous dry winds whipped up California’s record-breaking wildfires and ignited new blazes, as hundreds were evacuated by helicopter and tens of thousands were plunged into darkness by power outages across the western United States. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION MANDALUYONG CITY BRANCH 278 IN THE MATTER OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE STATE OF JOSELING LAPERAL ARCE AND FOR ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF ADMlNISTRATION TO ESPERANZA A. VERGEL DE DlOS AND RONALD A. VERGEL DEDIOS SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-MND-20-00849-SP ESPERANZA A. VERGEL DE DI0S, Petitioner. x------------------------------------------------x

ORDER A petition was filed on July 06, 2020 for the settlement of the intestate estate of the Joseling Laperal Arce and issuance of letters of administration and appointment of co-administrators.

Petitioner alleged, that the decedent is her nephew who died on December 08, 2019 while a resident of Unit 56D, South Tower, One Shangri-La Place, Internal Road, Brgy. Wack-Wack Greenhills, Mandaluyong City leaving an Estate estimated at PhP21,751 000.00, more or less, composed of real and personal properties, including bank deposits, condominium units and parking spaces, a motor vehicle, and securities.

In view thereof, notice is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Court on October 09, 2020 at 08:30 a.m. at which date and time, interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

The petitioner shall cause a copy of this order be published once (1) a week, for three (3) consecutive weeks, in “MANILA STANDARD”, a newspaper of general circulation chosen in a raffle conducted by the Executive Judge of this Court on July 13, 2020.

Petitioner is likewise directed to cause the service of the copies of this order, together with a copy of the Petition and its annexes, to the known heirs, viz: a.) Clarissa Arce Medina b.) Edgardo Arce Garcia c.) Pedro Garcia, Jr. d.) Merceditas Garcia e.) Ramon Garcia f.) Carmelita Garcia Baldonado g.) Carmencita Drucco Arce h.) Ramon Arce III i.) Violeta Arce Molina j.) Nieves Arce k.) Zenaida Arce I.) Linda Arce m.) Myrna Arce n.) Norma Arce Reyes

0.) Serafin Arce p.) Faustino S. Arce q.) Eloisa Arce Romero r.) Maurita Arce Kuhn s.) Cynthia Arce Jose t.) Armida Arce Jimenez u.) Edmund Arce v.) Dennis Arce w.) Edwin Arce x.) Exaltacion Aree Arabit y.) Evangeline Schanssema z.) Analyn Arce aa.) Patricia Arce

Petitioners shall also deposit in the post office, with the postage thereon prepaid, at least twenty (20) days before the above-mentioned hearing date, to each of the aforementioned persons, copies of this order, together with a copy of the Petition and its annexes.

SO ORDERED. City of Mandaluyong, Philippines, July 27, 2020 Copy fumished:

(Sgd.) JAIME FORTUNATO A. CARINGAL Judge

Nisce Mamuric Guinto Rivera & Alcantara Law Offices Counsel for Petitioner 8th Floor 139 Corporate Center 139 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City Clarissa Arce Medina 106 Gem Road, Pilar Village, Las Piñas City Edgardo Arce Garcia thru Merceditas Garcia 22 Flamingo Street, Green Meadows, QC Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City Carmencita Drucco Arce thru Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City Pedro Garcia, Jr. thru Merceditas Garcia 22 Flamingo Street, Green Meadows, Quezon City

Edmund Arce Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Dennis Arce Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Edwin Arce Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Quezon City Violeta Aree Molina thru Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City Nieves Arce thru Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes.

Quezon City Zenaida Arce thru Ramon Arce 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City

Merceditas Garcia 22 Flamingo Street, Green Meadows, Quezon City

Linda Arce thru Ramon Arce 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City

Ramon Garcia thru Merceditas Garcia 22 Flamingo Street, Green Meadows, Quezon City

Myrna Arce thru Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City

Carmelita Garcia Baldonado thru Merceditas Garcia 22 Flamingo Street, Green Meadows, Quezon City

Norma Arce Reyes thru Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City

Faustino S. Arce Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City

Serafin Arce thru Ramon Arce III 15 Ruby Street, Mira Nila Homes, Quezon City

Eloisa Arce Romeron Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Maurita Arce Kuhn Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Cynthia Arce Jose Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Armida Arce Jimenez Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City (MStandard-Sep. 11, 18 & 25, 2020)

Exaltacion Arce Arabit 114 Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Evangeline Schanssema 114 Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City

Koala row threatens New South Wales leader A DISPUTE over protection measures for Australia’s endangered koalas threatened Thursday to topple the government of the country’s biggest state.

Angered by a new koala conservation law it says comes at the expense of farmers in New South Wales, the ruralbased Nationals party withdrew its support for state Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s governing Liberals.

The move left Berejiklian with a minority government, lacking the numbers in parliament to pass legislation as the state battles to recover from the coronavirus crisis.

The uniquely Australian political stoush comes months after unprecedented bushfires destroyed vast swathes of koala habitat, prompting fears for the survival of the beloved tree-dwelling marsupials.

Berejiklian’s Liberals have governed

in a delicate coalition with the Nationals in NSW, a state that runs from populous coastal areas that include Sydney to a vast rural outback.

In a statement, the Nationals decried the koala bill passed last December as “a blunt instrument to make city-centric lawmakers feel good about themselves,” claiming it prevents farmers from clearing their own land.

Environmental groups criticized the stance, saying koalas were on track for extinction in NSW by 2050 without urgent intervention.

“Wanting to retain the right to kill koalas is an extraordinary hill for the Nationals to want to die on, but here we are,” Nature Conservation Council CEO Chris Gambian said.

Corey Bradshaw, professor of global ecology at Flinders University, said the

legislation that sparked the political fight was “a mere band-aid in the fight to stem further deforestation.”

NSW has some of the weakest antiland clearing laws in Australia, Bradshaw said, with poor enforcement and insufficient penalties exacerbating the problem.

“With increasing mega bushfires, the legacy and persistence of broad-scale deforestation, and weak laws, koalas in New South Wales are effectively doomed,” he said.

“Koalas live in and eat trees – you don’t need a university degree to predict what will happen when you continue to destroy their already highly degraded habitats.”

Berejiklian, who has steered the state through the devastating bushfires and coronavirus pandemic, is yet to comment publicly on the row. AFP

The pair’s personal relationship has been a key driver of diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, veering from mutual insults and threats of war to a declaration of love from Trump.

“Rage” by Washington Post investig ative journalist Bob Woodward unveils 25 letters the pair exchanged, in which Kim uses over-the-top wording as he fawns over Trump while they formed a most unusual friendship.

Addressing Trump as “Your Excellency,” Kim’s letters are filled with flattering language and personal comments, according to transcripts released by CNN. “Even now I cannot forget that moment of history when I firmly held Your Excellency’s hand at the beautiful and sacred location as the whole world watched with great interest and hope to relive the honor of that day,” Kim wrote to Trump on Christmas Day, 2018, following their first meeting in Singapore.

It was the first ever encounter between a North Korean leader and a sitting US president and even after the collapse of their second summit in Hanoi, Kim described Singapore as “a moment of glory that remains a precious memory.”

“I also believe that the deep and special friendship between us will work as a magical force,” Kim added in a June 2019 missive.

Three weeks later the two held a short-notice meeting in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula.

Ahead of the encounter, Trump wrote to the North Korean leader – the third generation of his family to rule the isolated country – that they had shared “a unique style and a special friendship.” AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

IN THE MATTER OF THE DEFINITIVE GENERAL SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON THE IMPORTATION OF CEMENT FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN Codes 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

NOTICE On 27 August 2019, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued DTI Administrative Order (DAO) No. 19-13 imposing a definitive general safeguard duty on imported cement under AHTN Codes 2523.29.90 and 2525.90.00, effective for an initial period of three (3) years. Under the subject DTI-DAO the amount of the safeguard duty to be imposed for the first year shall be P250.00/MT or P10.00 per 40kg bag, for the second year - P225.00/MT or P9.00 per 40kg bag, and for the third year - P200.00/MT or P8.00 per 40kg bag. Further, it provides that the said amount shall be subject to regular review, to give DTI the opportunity to modify the same if necessary.

The DTI-DAO took effect upon issuance by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of Customs Memorandum Circular (CMC) No. 239-2019 on October 22, 2019. Thus, the first year of the implementing period will end on 22 October 2020.

Given that the end of the first year of implementation is approaching and the definitive safeguard duty is set to be reduced to P9.00 per 40kg bag, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) is requesting for the postponement of the said reduction and for the safeguard duty to remain at P10.00 per 40kg bag.

CeMAP asserted that the cement imports seem to be bouncing back, as the first half of 2020 shows, that it is sequentially posting a +14% increase according to data from the Bureau of Customs, while the local cement industry growth is estimated to be on the negative terrain and the adjustment or reduction of duty will pose greater injury to the already battered domestic cement industry as caused by the COVID19 pandemic.

In view thereof, we are hereby requesting all interested parties to submit their comments on the aforesaid matter to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 3rd floor, Tara Building, #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or through electronic submission to bis_irmd@dti.gov. ph, within fifteen (15) days upon publication or receipt of notice hereof.

SO ORDERED. Makati City, 25 August 2020.

Analyn Arce Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City Patricia Arce Arce Compound, Selecta Drive, A. Bonifacio St., Quezon City

and scholars coming to the United States,” a State Department spokeswoman said.

“We continue to welcome legitimate students and scholars from China who do not further the Chinese Communist Party’s goals of military dominance,” she said. AFP

MS (SEPT. 11, 2020)

ATTY. LUIS M. CATIBAYAN Director

BODY LANGUAGE. A woman holds up her middle finger and exposes her buttocks to Los

Angeles Sheriff’s deputies while they block Imperial Highway at the intersection of Normandie Avenue in South Los Angeles to protect the Sheriff’s Department station as protesters gather for the fifth consecutive night in the wake of Dijon Kizzee’s killing, in Los Angeles, California on September 9, 2020. The 29-year-old Kizzee, was riding his bicycle the afternoon of Aug. 31 when deputies tried to stop him for a code violation, according to the sheriff’s department. Kizzee fled on foot and when deputies caught up to him, he punched one of them in the face while dropping a bundle of clothing he was carrying, authorities said. AFP

Joshua Wong treads fine line in HK NOT A day goes by without Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong wondering how long it will be before the police’s new national security unit comes for him.

The 23-year-old is the city’s most highprofile political dissident, and has twice been jailed for leading anti-government protests in the city.

But since Beijing imposed a draconian new security law in July, the stakes have risen significantly.

“Every day when I sleep, I can’t imagine when will the police storm into my home,” Wong told AFP. “The question for every activist is how much private life is still left? How much time we can spend with our friends before the day Beijing arrests us with the national security law?”

Wong knew the law would dramatically

alter the semi-autonomous city’s freedoms, which China pledged to protect until 2047 under the handover deal with Britain.

And it wasn’t long before he saw firsthand how his own daily life had changed.

In mid-July he was on his way to submit his candidacy to stand in local elections – an application rejected because of his political views – when he noticed a convoy of at least six vehicles following him.

“It’s like one of those Hollywood movies,” Wong recalled. “The drivers even held the walkie-talkies to coordinate.”

One of the many provisions of the new security law was to allow mainland security agents to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time, and they moved into a requisitioned luxury hotel days after the legislation passed in June. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN

Business

B3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks fall; Bloomberry, Ayala dip S TOCKS fell slightly Thursday on another bout of profit taking as investors continued to cash in on their recent gains.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 30.45 points or 0.5 percent, to 5,902.39 on a value turnover of nearly P6 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 101 to 85, with 53 issues unchanged.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. declined 2.6 percent to P6.82, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. slipped 2.2 percent to P700.

Philippine National Bank, the fifthbiggest lender in terms of assets, however, jumped 15.3 percent to P22.90, while canned tuna producer Century

Pacific Food Inc. rose 4 percent to P18.30.

The rest of Asian markets rose on Thursday following a rebound on Wall Street, while a report that a promising vaccine trial could soon resume after being put on hold added further cheer.

The Nasdaq led a surge in New York as technology firms, who had suffered painful losses since the end of last week, staged a strong recovery led by giants including Apple, Microsoft and Tesla.

Analysts said the three-day retreat

came after months of mind-boggling gains that had pushed company valuations to unsustainable levels and provided a much-needed release of pressure.

The Nasdaq piled on 2.7 percent and the S&P 500 chalked up a two-percent jump, providing a healthy lead for investors in Asia with the tech sector a big winner, though initially gains faded and some markets went into reverse.

Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Mumbai, Taipei, Bangkok and Wellington were all well up while Hong Kong was marginally higher.

But Shanghai ended in negative territory, while there were also losses in Singapore. Jakarta plunged five percent after authorities reimposed containment measures in the capital to battle a resur-

gence of the coronavirus.

“The rebound rally might suggest that investors remain confident about the economic prospects where a virus vaccine still provides a pillar of support, albeit with some dents in the armor,” said Stephen Innes at AxiCorp.

“But ultimately, they remain codified around the Federal Reserve boards’ redoubtable policy support,” he added, referring to the US central bank’s multitrillion-dollar financial backstop.

However, he did warn that virus concerns continue to play in the background as governments try to balance rebooting their economies against fueling fresh waves of the disease, particularly with the northern hemisphere winter approaching. With AFP

PSEi September 10, 2020

TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

Full global economic recovery not likely—IMF WASHINGTON—The global economy is showing signs of bouncing back from the severe downturn caused by the global coronavirus pandemic, but a full recovery is “unlikely” without a vaccine, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Wednesday.

In a column co-authored with IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath, the officials stressed that governments should continue to support workers and businesses since the unprecedented nature of the crisis could give rise to a wave of bankruptcies and job destruction.

As lockdowns have eased and businesses around the world have been allowed to reopen, there has been a “sharp rebound of output, consumption and employment,” they said in Foreign Policy magazine.

The massive scale and speed of government support has helped cushion the blow and allowed for the initial rebound, Gopinath and Georgieva wrote.

“This crisis, however, is far from over,” they said. “The recovery remains very fragile and uneven across regions and sectors. To ensure that the recovery continues, it is essential that support not be prematurely withdrawn.”

Businesses, even insolvent firms, will need continued help to prevent destruction of millions of jobs. That could include governments taking equity in firms or providing grants in exchange for higher tax rates later, they said.

But governments will have to be cautious in how they distribute their scarce resources, and some companies will inevitably fail, especially in industries like travel that may not survive or will be curtailed in a post-pandemic world.

In a speech Wednesday to the World Economic Forum, Georgieva said rapid government action “put a floor under the world economy,” which helped everyone without “differentiating between... winners and losers.”

Going forward, policymakers will need to invest wisely in areas that have the broadest benefit, including green jobs—such as training workers to make buildings more energy efficient—and “accelerating digital transformation” in a way that will reduce inequalities, she said. AFP

MOST ACTIVE

POP-UP RESTAURANT. People sit on airplane seats as they dine in at a Thai Airways pop-up airplane-themed restaurant at the airline’s headquarters in Bangkok on September 10, 2020. The restaurant, catering to those missing air travel and onboard dining, serves about 2,000 meals a day as ongoing travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus mean that commercial flights into the kingdom are currently halted. AFP

Vaping among US youth down sharply in 2020, says report WASHINGTON―The number of American middle and high schoolers using e-cigarettes declined dramatically in 2020 compared to last year, an official report showed Wednesday.

The drop came after a large outbreak of e-cigarette linked lung disease last year, and after the US government made legal changes to curb youth vaping.

About 3.6 million young people in the US were current (in the past 30 days) e-cigarette users in 2020, down from 5.4 million in 2019, according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey.

“Although the decline in e-cigarette use among our Nation’s youth is a notable public health achievement, our work is far from over,” said Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Youth e-cigarette use remains an epidemic, and CDC is committed to supporting efforts to protect youth from this preventable health risk.”

The self-administered survey was taken between January 16 and March 16 by around 20,000 grade 6-12 school students, who are generally aged between

11 and 18.

The end date was before most regions in the US had gone into Covid-19 lockdowns so school closures were probably not a major driver of the reported decline.

Last year’s outbreak of vaping-associated lung injury, which led to 2,700 hospitalizations and 60 deaths, could have been a deterrent.

Flavored e-cigarettes remain popular The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eventually identified Vitamin E acetate, an additive in certain illicit THC-vaping products, as a primary culprit.

In 2020, approximately one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students were current ecigarette users.

Last year the equivalent figures were just over a quarter of high school students and one in 10 middle school students.

E-cigarettes entered the US market in 2007 and have been the most commonly used tobacco product among American youths since 2014.

To curb youth vaping, the Trump ad-

ministration earlier this year barred flavors from smaller e-cigarettes that use pods, such as those made by market leader Juul.

Tank-based rechargeable vaping devices, primarily sold in vape shops, were left exempt.

US lawmakers also raised the federal minimum age for tobacco and e-cigarette sales from 18 to 21 in December 2019.

The 2020 survey showed that flavors such as fruit, mint or menthol remained favored by youth e-cigarette users.

Eighty-three percent of high school vapers reported using flavors and 74 percent of middle school vapers reported the same.

Pre-filled pod or cartridge-based ecigarettes were the most commonly used device among youth vapers.

However, from 2019 to 2020, disposable e-cigarette use increased from two percent to 27 percent among high school users (a 1,000 percent increase).

Disposable e-cigarette use grew from three percent to 15 percent among middle school users, or a 400 percent rise.

AFP

New York City to resume limited indoor dining on September 30 NEW YORK―New York City will soon allow indoor dining in restaurants, officials said Wednesday, as economic pressure mounted to lift coronavirus curbs in America’s largest metropolis.

The city―once the epicenter of pandemic in the United States―has seen steadily declining case numbers for weeks, but authorities had held off green-lighting indoor restaurants over concerns of another outbreak.

“Restaurants pose a possible risk with the concentration of people inside with indoor dining―but there’s also a great economic loss when they don’t operate,” New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo told journalists Wednesday.

The easing of restrictions will come September 30 as outdoor temperatures cool, with restaurants allowed to fill 25 percent of their indoor tables.

The re-opening plan will be more strict that elsewhere in the state, where restaurants can operate indoors with 50 percent capacity.

Temperature checks will be required

In this file photo taken on August 30, 2020 a member of the staff prepares a table at a restaurant in Manhattan in New York City. AFP

at the door, and no indoor dining establishment will be allowed open after midnight. Bar service will also be prohibited.

Diners must wear masks when they aren’t seated, and each party will be re-

quired to provide contact information for possible contact tracing.

Since June 22, businesses serving food in New York have been allowed to serve customers outside.

City officials granted hundreds of

permits so restaurants could create or increase their outdoor space.

But on Tuesday several restaurant owners in the city filed suit seeking the right to reopen indoor dining, arguing that the infection rate there is low and that all other counties in New York state had already lifted curbs.

Many elected officials on both sides of the political spectrum―including President Donald Trump―had urged the re-opening of the city’s restaurants indoors.

As late as Tuesday Cuomo had ruled out indoor dining in the city in the short-term, saying it would be “negligent and reckless.”

According to a New York Times study, based on data from crowdsourced review site Yelp, nearly 900 restaurants have closed since the start of the pandemic.

Nearly two-thirds of all restaurants still operating in the state say they will have to shut down by year’s end if they don’t get federal aid, according to a poll published last week. AFP

ECB mulls over new stimulus on deflation fears

By Ed Frankl FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY―The European Central Bank is expected Thursday to hint at new stimulus measures, armed with a fresh set of economic forecasts amid rising Brexit tensions and fears of a coronavirus resurgence.

The ECB will publish its latest assessments on the eurozone’s growth prospects through to 2022, which will be closely scrutinized for signs of whether the worst of the pandemic’s devastating economic impact is over.

Inflation trends will also be key as fears of deflation are fueled by a climbing euro, faltering oil prices and consumers putting off purchases in the grim economic climate.

Second-quarter data published on Tuesday confirmed the largest-ever quarterly decline in eurozone GDP and while the recovery in the third quarter may be steep, many economists predict the rapid rebound phase has already come to an end.

News this week that Britain may renege on its withdrawal agreement with the European Union, raising the possibility of a no-deal Brexit that could massively disrupt trade, further complicates the picture.

The Frankfurt-based institution is in the process of pumping 1.35 trillion euros ($1.59 trillion) into the eurozone economy through its pandemic emergency bond-buying program, known as PEPP. The aim of the huge stimulus scheme is to keep borrowing costs low and to encourage spending and investment in a bid to drive up growth and inflation.

But with no end to the health crisis in sight, investments are lackluster while households are hesitant to take on loans.

Across the Atlantic, a major policy shift by the US Federal Reserve has also thrown a spanner in the works.

In a stunning change, the Fed last month said it would allow inflation to accelerate to let the economy generate more jobs.

The announcement triggered a significant weakening of the US dollar against the euro, which could make eurozone exports more expensive and less competitive.

BNP Paribas economist William De Vijlder said the ECB was faced with “three headaches.” AFP

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

B4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

NTC recalls all frequencies of ABS-CBN over lack of franchise

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE National Telecommunications Commission said Thursday it recalled all the frequencies of ABSCBN Corp. after the broadcast unit of the Lopez Group failed to obtain a new Congressional franchise to operate television and radio networks.

The NTC said in an eight-page decision dated Sept. 9 “all assigned frequencies/channels assigned to ABSCBN are hereby recalled” due to the absence of a valid legislative franchise.

“The denial of respondent’s franchise renewal application by Congress coupled with the denial of the respondent’s petition by the Supreme Court lead to no other conclusion except that the respondent had already lost the privilege of installing, operating and maintaining redo broadcasting in the country,” the NTC said.

It said ABS-CBN had no valid franchise to continue operating television and radio broadcasting station nationwide. Congress denied ABSCBN’s application for legislative franchise on July 10, 2020.

The NTC on May 5 ordered ABSCBN to stop operating its various television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide, “absent a valid congressional franchise as required by law.”

ABS-CBN Convergence’s franchise expired on March 17, 2020, while ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise ended on May 4, 2020.

The network announced the closure of its television and radio operations as well as its other consumer businesses, resulting in a massive retrenchment of employees ABS-CBN shut down the operations of its experience and retail businesses on Aug. 31, including Studio Tours, ABS-CBN Store, Hado Pilipinas, Heroes Burger and ABS-CBN Studio Experience.

Business Bangko Sentral expects GIR to exceed $100b by yearend

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Thursday he expects the gross international reserves to top $100 billion by yearend, taking into account the surging price of gold in the world market.

“The short answer is yes…, ” Diokno said in a virtual press briefing, when asked on the possibility of the reserves going beyond the $100-billion mark, a record high.

“If the price [of gold] goes up significantly, then it will gradually increase the reserves,” Diokno said.

He said gold holdings account for 12.8 percent of the GIR while the rest is composed of cash.

Diokno said on Monday the BSP would actively engage in gold trading to seize the opportunity presented by the increasing price of the precious metal in the global market.

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

He said the price of gold climbed from around $1.400 per FTO (fine troy ounce) to around $2,000/FTO. He said

a new law also made BSP gold purchases from small miners more attractive.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects the gross international reserves to remain robust in the near term with exports, remittances and investments rebounding amid the gradual opening of business sectors across the globe,” Diokno said in the briefing.

Data from the BSP showed that from $$3.2 billion in 1980, the GIR rose steadily over the last 40 years to reach an alltime high of $98.6 billion in July this year.

The July figure is equivalent to 8.9 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. 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.

Among the factors that contributed to the rise of GIR are higher revaluation gains on BSP gold holdings from ris-

ing gold and bond prices; BSP’s foreign exchange operations; and the national government’s foreign currency deposits with the BSP from its borrowings to finance funding requirements, including for COVID-19 response.

The BSP said the latest GIR continued to represent an ample liquidity buffer that protects the domestic economy against external headwinds such as the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The GIR level also improves the country’s creditworthiness and provides confidence as an additional buffer against external economic and financial shocks amid an uncertain global economic environment,” Diokno said.

Like most central banks, the BSP holds international reserves to provide a standby supply of FX for instances when FX holdings of domestic commercial banks temporarily fall short of the total demand from the private sector and the government.

The strong balance of payments surplus, on the back of remittance inflows and exports, allows the BSP and the banks to increase their dollar hoard.

It also supports the value of the peso which gained more than 4 percent against the US dollar since the start of the year.

BEVERAGE manufacturer Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc., which is majority-owned by South Korea’s Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co. Ltd., said Thursday it will delist its shares from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

PCPPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board of directors approved the voluntary delisting of shares from the main board of the PSE after its public ownership fell below the required 10 percent.

“Considering the level of its public ownership and the prevailing market conditions, it will not be able to comply with the minimum public ownership requirement by 18 December 2020,” PCPPI said.

PCPPI said it would also file a petition with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the voluntary revocation of registration of securities and permit to sell securities.

The public float of PCPPI fell to 2.1 percent in June after Lotte Chilsung conducted a tender offer to increase its stake in the company to 69.5 percent.

Quaker Global Investments B.V., the wholly-owned subsidiary of PepsiCo Inc. which owns a 25=percent stake in PCPPI, did not participate in the tender offer.

After to drop in its public float, the PSE immediately suspended the trading of PCPPI shares.

Lotte Chilsung said PCPPI would remain the exclusive bottler in the Philippines of PepsiCo’s beverage brands Pepsi, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Sting and Aquafina.

PCPPI reported a net loss of P429 million in the first half, a reversal of the P446-million net income in the same period last year as the quarantine restrictions imposed by the government in mid-March in response to the pandemic limited consumer movement and consumption.

First-half revenues also declined to P15.3 billion from P18.4 billion a year ago.

30.45 PTS. 5,902.39

TOTAL VOLUME 770,865,399 TOTAL TRADES 86,416 TOTAL VALUE 5,957,745,355.13 ADVANCES 101 DECLINES 85 UNCHANGED 53

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.6150

Japan

Yen

0.009418

0.4579

UK

Pound

1.300200

63.2092

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129022

6.2724

Switzerland

Franc

1.095410

53.2534

Canada

Dollar

0.760746

36.9837

Singapore

Dollar

0.731475

35.5607

Australia

Dollar

0.728100

35.3966

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652309

128.942

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266631

12.9623

Brunei

Dollar

0.728810

35.4311

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031867

1.5492

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2365

Euro

Euro

1.180400

57.3851

Korea

Won

0.000844

0.0410

China

Yuan

0.146370

7.1158

India

Rupee

0.013643

0.6633

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239866

11.6611

New Zealand

Dollar

0.667800

32.4651

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034112

1.6584 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF Okada Manila bares reopening of casino OKADA Manila will soon resume the operations of its gaming and hotel facilities at 30-percent capacity, its Japanese shareholder said Thursday.

Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp., which controls Okada Manila, said in a statement posted on its website the temporary suspension on gaming operations issued by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. on March 15 was partially lifted which would enable it to reopen its casino business.

“The temporary suspension of gaming business order issued by Pagcor on March 15, 2020 has been partially lifted. In response to this, Okada Manila will be partially operational,” Universal Entertainment said.

The company did not say the exact date for the reopening of the facility in Entertainment City in Paranaque City.

“We will thoroughly implement hygiene management protocols sugc as disinfect and cleaning according to the modes of operations of each facility, and strive to operate facilities that customers can enjoy at ease,” Universal Entertainment said. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH exports dropped at slower pace in July BOTH exports and imports dropped at a slower pace in July, compared to the previous months, as the trade sector continued to feel the impact of community lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said exports declined 9.6 percent in July to $5.65 billion following a 12.5-percent slump in June.

“The export earnings in July 2020 marked the fifth month in a row in which value of export contracted but the annual drop continued to weaken as it posted its third consecutive month of slower decline during the period,” the PSA said.

Meanwhile, imports fell 24.4 percent in July to $7.48 billion from $9.89 billion a year ago.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said the ongoing pandemic continued to weigh on overall trade activity with both exports and imports falling in July. “Exports are likely to remain subdued for the balance of the year and possibly into mid 2021 as the global economy slowly recovers from the ill effects of COVID-19,” Mapa said.

Julito G. Rada

Pepsi Cola PH board approves shares delisting

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PSE INDEX

Thursday, September 10, 2020

PLDT’S AWARD. PLDT Inc., along with wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., receives the 2020 Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award from US-based Business Intelligence Group for its environmental stewardship program, Gabay Kalikasan. The BIG Sustainability Awards honor organizations and individuals who have made sustainability an integral part of their business practice or overall mission. PLDT and Smart are the only Philippine companies to be recognized by the international award-giving body.

DOT requires beach resorts to deploy safety marshals

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Tourism is requiring beach resorts to employ safety marshals along with lifeguards before they can reopen under the “new normal.”

It said the safety marshals should be on site to monitor physical distancing among guests and beach goers.

The department also required all resort owners and operators to do hourly check on and disinfect bathrooms. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said restrooms should meet the requirements and qualifications prescribed under the ASEAN Public Toilet standards.

These are among the conditions con-

tained in the guidelines issued by the DOT for the reopening of beaches, resorts and other tourist destinations in the country.

Puyat signed Memorandum Circular No. 2020-007, or the “Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operation of Island and Beach Destinations under the New Normal,” on Sept. 7.

The circular was among the standards that aim to ensure the safe reopening of tourism establishments.

“The DOT maintains its commitment to safely resume tourism in the Philippines under a ‘new normal’,” said Puyat.

She said the participation and cooperation of the public are crucial in the

effective implementation of the guidelines.

Puyat said under the guidelines, mass gatherings and group events including sports competition, youth camps and other activities should comply with the health and safety protocols of the national and local governments.

“In a new normal scenario where no quarantine classification is imposed, swimming, surfing, running, walking and other forms of outdoor non-contact sports and exercises will be allowed in our island and beach destinations, as long as minimum public health standards are strictly observed,” Puyat said.

Ayala unit sells 20% stake in Aussie firm UAC Energy Holdings, which is majorityowned by AC Energy Inc., said Thursday it sold its 20-percent stake in Infigen Energy Ltd. of Australia to Iberdrola Group of Spain.

UAC acquired the stake in Infigen Energy over several months from April to July this year after seeing an opportunity to invest in Infigen Energy, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and has nearly 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity. UAC completed its investment in Infigen Energy in July at an average price of A$0.794 per stapled security.

UAC on Thursday accepted the takeover offer of Iberdrola, one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies, for all its securities at A$0.92 per stapled security.

Iberdrola continued to secure significant levels of acceptances and last week achieved a 75-percent ownership of the company, enabling it to move towards a delisting from the ASX. “With the potential delisting of Infigen, AC Energy has decided to divest its stake in the company. We wish Iberdrola well on its successful acquisition of the platform,” AC Energy International chief operating officer Patrice Clausse said in a statement.

Alena Mae S. Flores

ADB okays $500-m emergency assistance

ADB is providing the Philippines quick access to emergency financing to strengthen the country’s overall response to disasters and pandemics.

THE Asian Development Bank said Thursday it approved a $500-million policy-based loan to give the Philippines quick access to emergency financing in the event of disasters triggered by natural hazards or public health emergencies that result in a declaration of a state of calamity.

“The Philippines has been hit by several major disasters in recent years, including Typhoon Haiyan [Yolanda] in 2013, the Taal Volcano eruption in January 2020 and the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic,” said ADB vice-president Ahmed Saeed.

“This new contingent disaster financing instrument will help the government manage fiscal risks posed by those shocks and lessen the economic and social impacts on people’s livelihoods and the country’s economy,” he said.

Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is among the most disasterprone countries in the world, including

active volcanoes, frequent earthquakes and an average of 20 typhoons a year causing floods and landslides.

Nearly three-fourths of the country’s population are vulnerable to multiple natural hazards, and such disasters worsen poverty in typhoon-prone provinces along the country’s eastern seaboard.

Disasters cost the Philippines 0.7 percent to 1.0 percent of gross domestic product every year, including about P43.5 billion ($890 million) caused by earthquakes and around P133 billion ($2.7 billion) from typhoons.

“The Disaster Resilience Improvement Program will support government policy reforms aimed at ensuring the government can quickly address the needs of vulnerable segments of the population following disasters. It will also strengthen the Philippines’ overall response to disasters and pandemics,” said ADB financial sector specialist for Southeast Asia Benita Ainabe.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

C1

JHI supports UP Maroons for Seasons 83, 84 of UAAP

Sports ALL TIED. Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) attacks the hoop against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Orlando, Florida at The Field House. The Raptors won to tie their best-of-seven playoff at three wins apiece. AFP

Tan answered plea of UST players Obiena joins 2020 Poznań Athletics Grand Prix FILIPINO pole vault sensation Ernest John Obiena is still finding his form.

To stay in shape, the Tokyo Olympics-bound Obiena will join the Poznań Athletics Grand Prix 2020 athletics meet, which will be held Friday.

The 24-year-old Obiena will be ranged against world-class stars at the Golęcin Stadium when competition starts 4:30 p.m.

The presence of world record holder Swede Armand Duplantis and defending champion Paweł Wojciechowski, who won the event last year, is expected to fire up Obiena.

“I’m definitely not at my peak. I’m at my 16 step approach,” said Obiena.

The last time around, a confident Obiena still managed to record a season best attempt of 5.74 meters to grab the men’s pole vault gold in the 59th Ostrava Golden Spike competition in the Czech Republic on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Both the Tokyo Olympics-bound Obiena and 2012 Olympic champion Renaud Lavillenie of France cleared the same height when action ended at Městský stadium.

But, since the Frenchman cleared 5.64 meters in three attempts in the countback, Lavillenie was awarded the silver medal.

The 24-year-old Obiena aced the 5.64 meters in just two tries.

“I just tried to stay in good posture,” added Obiena.

The guidance of coach Vitaly Petrov helped the 6’2” Obiena.

With Duplantis in attendance, along with Wojciechowski, Obiena believes that he is now in good company.

“I’m quite comfortable competing with them. We travel a lot during the circuit and I have made friends,” said Obiena.

Last February, Duplantis won the All Star Perche in Clermont-Ferrand by clearing 6.01 m in his last indoor competition for the season which ended with unsuccessful attempts at 6.19 m. Peter Atencio

By Peter Atencio

T

HERE was a call for help when team members of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers men’s basketball team started packing up and began leaving their training camp in Sorsogon three weeks ago.

Teammates Rhenz Abando, Ira Bataller and Brent Paraiso were looking forward to bolting the squad and transferring to another school.

Mounting fears that the team will be sanctioned and members of the coaching staff will eventually be penalized by the government and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines for health and safety violation were among their concerns.

Answering their cries for assistance and support became the mantra of Letran Knights coach Bonnie Tan when he eventually decided to accept the players into the team as reserves and studentathletes in residency.

“Humihingi sila ng tulong, Mahirap para sa isang coach na tumanggi sa mga talented players na katulad nila,” said Tan, who is beefing up the roster of the Knights following their title conquest in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic

Association last year.

It took time, around three weeks, for the coaching staff and sports officials of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran to get the papers of the three players readied for their eventual transfer, according to Tan in an interview with Manila Standard.

This was because members of the squad were coming home in batches, and not in one big group.

When all members of the team finally got home, Abando, Bataller and Paraiso were all able to touch base with Letran officials, and their willingness to serve out at least two years of residency before they could finally be allowed to play.

“Nag-express sila kung puede pang humabol. That was two and a half weeks ago,” said Tan. Of the three, the 6’2” Abando has the best stats, after averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in the finals

against Ateneo last year.

Abando, Bataller and Paraiso won’t be suiting up in the next season of the NCAA. Tan said four tall players, led by Larry Muyang, have graduated.

For next season, the Knights have gotten the commitment of National University Bullpups Jeff Mailim and Jimly Lantaya from the Bullpups in high school.

Mailim and Lantaya were around when the Bullpups took the last two UAAP juniors championships.

A 5-foot-10 guard, Mailim averaged 2.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.0 minutes of action last year.

The 6-foot-9 Lantaya had averages of 3.8 points and 2.5 boards last season, while playing in the second unit behind Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao.

The pair will come in handy when they team up with Fran Yu and Jeo Ambohot.

Controversy involving the Growling Tigers began last August 20.

That was when Growling Tigers skipper CJ Cansino was removed from the team after he made efforts to explain to Ayo his mental health issues at that time.

Cansino eventually transferred to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

GAB chief approves of PBA practice protocols GAMES and Amusements Board chairman Baham Mitra personally visited a workout session of a PBA team yesterday, Thursday and was satisfied with what he saw, making him more confident the PBA can return to play soon.

Dropping by the Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong, Mitra personally witnessed how the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters properly conducted training based on approved guidelines by the government.

“Actually, sobrang bait nila. Kasi yung inabot ko apat lang in a session.

Eh allowed sila hanggang lima. Very good, they’re complying and self-regulating,” said Mitra.

“Sabi ko nga tuloy-tuloy lang nila, para ‘di na kami mahirapan mag-ikot,” added Mitra as to his chat with Rain or Shine assistant coach Mike Buendia, a family friend.

But the GAB chief stressed they will continue with their random visits not just to the workouts of PBA teams but other clubs—pro boxing, pro football—under their supervision.

Mitra is with these professional leagues in their hope to resume play soon.

“I think we’re slowly seeing the flat-

Members of the PBA team Alaska Aces—from left: Vic Manuel, assistant coach Danny Ildefonso and Rodney Brondial—practice social distancing during non-contact practice at their Gatorade Hoops Center practice facility. PBA Media

tening of the curve. International actions are back. At kailangan din naman natin ibalanse. Kailangan din ng mga kababayan natin ang sports entertainment,” said Mitra.

PBA has a pending request with the

IATF for the approval of the shift of the ball clubs to a more active training that will include 5-on-5 scrimmages.

And the pro loop is looking at resuming PBA Season 45 Philippine Cup in October.

Waterson faces Hill at UFC Fight Night

By Reuel Vidal

Michelle Waterson (right) battles Carla Esparza in this file photo of their fight at UFC 249 held May 10, 2020 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. AFP

MICHELLE “Karate Hottie” Waterson tries to bounce back from back-to-back losses when she faces Angela “Overkill” Hill in a women’s strawweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Sunday September 13 at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Waterson lost a close split decision to Carla Esparaza at UFC 249 last May, 9 and a more convincing unanimous decision loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC Fight Night 161 held October last year.

In the co-main event unbeaten Ottman Azaitar takes on Khama Worthy in a lightweight bout.

Thiago Santos’ return inside the UFC Octagon was supposed to be the main event for this fight. But his opponent Glover Teixeira tested positive for Covid-19

forcing the reschedule of their fight to October this year.

Other fights in the main card include Roxanne Modafferi taking on Andrea Lee at women’s flyweight; Ed Herman against Mike Rodriguez at light heavyweight; and Billy Quarantillo versus Kyle Nelson at featherweight.

In the preliminary card Matt Schnell battles Tyson Nam at flyweight; Julia Avila faces Sijara Eubanks at women’s bantamweight; Matt Frevola takes on Roosevelt Roberts at lightweight; and Bobby Green battles Alan Patrick at lightweight.

Other fights in the preliminary card include Alexandr Romanov taking on Roque Martinez at heavyweight; Frank Camacho aganst Brok Weaver; Bryan Barberena facing Anthony Ivy at welterweight; and Sabina Mazo against Justine Kish at women’s flyweight.

THE University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) will still have Januarius Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary STATS Performance Apparel among its top supporters for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Seasons 83 and 84.

JHI Chairman and chief executive officer JJ Atencio bankrolled the UPMBT’s training camps in Las Vegas, Serbia and Tokyo in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. This year the Covid-19 pandemic has ruled out overseas trips for the Fighting Maroons but Atencio and company are still including advanced training as part of their plan.

“Our journey with the UPMBT started three years ago, when, acting on a strong gut feeling, we decided to be major sponsors, despite the team just coming out of a lackluster season, the absence of significant community support, and my not even being a UP alumnus. We wanted to be part of the dream and help create something that eventually we could all be proud of. Fast forward to today, it’s a completely different situation, isn’t it?” said Atencio.

Atencio is a graduate of UP’s Katipunan rival, Ateneo de Manila University, but believes he has a mission with the Fighting Maroons and it is not yet done.

“While the team has accomplished a lot these past years, the work isn’t finished yet. That dream continues to unfold. Success is a process after all, and we continue to be motivated and encouraged to keep on supporting and being part of this journey—in good times and bad. We think that the next two years will be really good for the team,” said Atencio, who is now taking up his master’s degree in UP. Atencio said he believes that foreign training is a game changer that can quickly produce the desired results.

“We’ve seen it. After three straight years of training abroad, we placed fifth the first year, second in the second year, and third after last year’s training. We’re still committed to sending the team for training abroad in Seasons 83 and 84 as soon as it’s possible,” said Atencio.

Besides the team outfits and the commitment to send the team abroad for training, Atencio announced that JHI will provide the Maroons with data analytics technology.

Cordero seeks UST head coach position FORMER player Ed Cordero could be the next head coach of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

The 61-year-old Cordero made his intentions known when he sent UST sports officials an email last Wednesday, the day when former Growling Tigers coach Aldin Ayo was indefinitely banned from activities that are sanctioned by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

“I just sent my email kahapon. Kasi, email ang procedure for applying,” said Cordero during the weekly online session of TOPS: Usapang Sports.

The 6’4” Cordero is best known for scoring 54 points during the Glowing Goldies’ narrow 95-89 win over the Adamson Falcons in July 29, 1979.

Since his retirement as a professional player in the Philippine Basketball Association, Cordero has served as an assistant coach of the Mapua Cardinals and the San Beda Red Lions.

Cordero believes that the Growling Tigers need to rebuild at the soonest time possible time.

“Yes, that has to be as soon as possible,” added Cordero.

Ayo was sanctioned by the league for allegedly holding training activities without getting the proper go-signal from concerned authorities.

Since the submission of the UST report last week, Ayo has stepped down from his post, along with assistant coaches McJour Luib and Jinino Manansala. Peter Atencio

Junior tennis coach Bacani passes away .

JUNIOR tennis coach Jacinto “Butch” Bacani passed away on September 9, 2020 due to cardiac arrest at the Capitol Medical Center.

Bacani will be cremated tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

Among his students were Filipino tennis stars Jennifer Saberon, Felix Barrientos and PJ Tierro.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 Standard C2 TODAY Section 3 of these rules;

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 25 Series of 2020 TO

WHEREAS, Section 73 of Republic Act No. 11232, otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines (“RCC”), provides that corporate records, regardless of the form in which they are stored, shall be open to inspection by any director, trustee, stockholder or member of the corporation in person or by a representative at reasonable hours on business days, and a demand in writing may be made by such director, trustee or stockholder at their expense, for copies of such records or excerpts from said records.

WHEREAS, the same Section also states that any officer or agent of the corporation who shall refuse to allow the inspection and/or reproduction of records in accordance with the RCC shall be liable to such director, trustee, stockholder or member for damages, and in addition, shall be guilty of an offense which shall be punishable under Section 161 of the RCC: provided, that if such refusal is made pursuant to a resolution or order of the board of directors or trustees, the liability shall be imposed upon the directors or trustees who voted for such refusal: provided further, that it shall be a defense that the person demanding to examine and copy excerpts from the corporation’s records and minutes has improperly used any information secured through any prior examination of the records or minutes of such corporation or of any other corporation, or was not acting in good faith or for a legitimate purpose in making the demand to examine or reproduce corporate records, or is a competitor, director, officer, controlling stockholder or otherwise represents the interests of a competitor.

WHEREAS, the same Section further provides that, if the corporation denies or does not act on a demand for inspection and/or reproduction, the aggrieved party may report such to the Commission, and, within five (5) days from receipt of such report, the Commission shall conduct a summary investigation and issue an order directing the inspection or reproduction of the requested records.

WHEREAS, the same Section further provides that the inspecting or reproducing party shall remain bound by confidentiality rules under prevailing laws, such as the rules on trades secrets or processes under Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines”, as amended, Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”, Republic Act No. 8799, otherwise known as “The Securities Regulation Code”, and the Rules of Court.

WHEREAS, the same Section also provides that any stockholder who shall abuse the rights granted under the aforesaid section shall be penalized under Section 158 of the RCC, without prejudice to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines”, as amended, and Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”.

NOW THEREFORE, the Commission hereby promulgates the guidelines in enforcing the right to inspect and/or reproduce corporate records and the procedure for the conduct of investigation for violation of the same.

b.

Failure to take, within a reasonable amount of time, the necessary steps that would allow the director, trustee, stockholder, or member of the corporation to inspect any of the corporate records in person, or by a representative;

c.

Failure to give the director, trustee, stockholder, or member a reasonable amount of time to inspect any of the corporate records in person, or by a representative;

d.

Outright refusal to allow the director, trustee, stockholder, or member of the corporation to reproduce any of the corporate records in person, or by a representative, at his/her own expense;

e.

Failure to take, within a reasonable amount of time, the necessary steps that would allow the director, trustee, stockholder, or member of the corporation to reproduce any of the corporate records in person, or by a representative, at his/her own expense; or

f.

Failure to give the director, trustee, stockholder, or member a reasonable amount of time to reproduce any of the corporate records in person, or by a representative, at his/her own expense.

SECTION 3. Contents of the Verified Complaint - The Verified Complaint shall contain the following: a.

Corporate Name, SEC Registration Number, and complete mailing address of the subject corporation;

b.

The relevant facts and circumstances pertaining to the violation of the right to inspect and/or reproduce corporate records, which shall include: i.

The date and time of demand;

ii.

A statement that, at the time the demand to inspect and/or reproduce the corporate records was made, the complainant is a director, trustee, stockholder, member, or an authorized representative of a director, trustee, stockholder, or member, of the subject corporation: Provided, that pieces of evidence that will support such fact shall be attached to the Verified Complaint;

iii.

The complete name and mailing address of the custodian of the corporate records and/or corporate secretary to whom the demand was made and/ or addressed, and the custodian’s position in the corporate structure of the subject corporation;

iv.

The complete name and mailing address of the directors, trustees and/or officers deemed by the complainant to be liable;

v.

The form of the demand, whether written or verbal: Provided, that, if the demand was in writing, a clear photocopy of the written demand letter shall be attached to the Verified Complaint;

vi.

The specific corporate records to be inspected, as stated in the demand;

vii. The manner and circumstances by which the demand was made by the complainant; and viii. The relevant circumstances after the demand was made; c.

The statement that the complainant acted in good faith or for a legitimate purpose in making the demand to examine or reproduce corporate records;

d.

Name and signature of the complainant, and his/her position in the corporate structure of the subject corporation: Provided, that, if the complainant is a duly authorized representative, his/her proof of authority shall be attached to the Verified Complaint: Provided, further, that the signature of the complainant shall serve as a certification of the truthfulness of the allegations in the Verified Complaint;

e.

f.

An affidavit duly signed by the complainant, which shall allege the following attestations: i.

The allegations in the Verified Complaint are true and correct based on his or her personal knowledge, or based on authentic documents;

ii.

The Verified Complaint is not filed to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of regulation and/or litigation; and

iii.

The factual allegations therein have evidentiary support or, if specifically identified, will likewise have evidentiary support after reasonable opportunity for discovery;

A Certification Against Forum Shopping duly signed by the complainant, wherein he/she shall certify under oath: i.

That he/she has not theretofore commenced any action or filed any claim involving the same issues in any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of his/her knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein;

ii.

If there is such other pending action or claim, a complete statement of the present status thereof; and

iii.

If he/she should thereafter learn that the same or similar action or claim has been filed or is pending, he/she shall report that fact within five (5) calendar days therefrom to the Company Registration and Monitoring Department, or the appropriate Extension Office, of the Commission;

g.

Photocopy of the Official Receipt or other proof of payment of the filing fee;

h.

The supporting documents and/or evidence, if any, to support the allegations or arguments; and

i.

Such other matters the complainant deems necessary to include.

A sample of the Verified Complaint is attached below as ANNEX “A”.

The Complainant shall file three (3) original (properly marked) copies of the Verified Complaint with its supporting documents, and an additional copy per Respondent.

Hence, if there are five (5) Respondents, the Complainant shall file three (3) original copies of the Verified Complaint with its supporting documents, and Five (5) additional copies.

SECTION 4. Outright Dismissal of Verified Complaint - After an initial examination of the allegations in the Verified Complaint and such evidence that may be attached to it, the Director of the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office, or his/her duly authorized representative, may dismiss outright the Verified Complaint based on any of the following grounds: a.

The Verified Complaint is not compliant with the requirements set forth in

Name and Signature of the Director of the CRMD, or the appropriate Extension Office, or the duly authorized representative.

c.

Pending action or complaint involving the same subject matter or issues in any court, tribunal or agency; or

d.

The CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office finds insufficient evidence as would reasonably tend to establish prima facie the truth of the factual allegations contained therein, on the basis of the documents, affidavits and other evidence attached to the Verified Complaint.

SECTION 14. Administrative Sanctions. - After due notice and hearing, the Commission may impose any or all of the sanctions under Section 158 of the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, taking into consideration the extent of participation, nature, effects, frequency and seriousness of the violation of the right to inspect and reproduce corporate records.

SECTION 5. Summons. - Upon the filing of the Verified Complaint, the payment of the filing fees, and the determination by the Director of the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office, or his/her duly authorized representative, of its authority to act over the Verified Complaint and of the sufficiency in substance of the Verified Complaint, the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office shall issue a Summons within Five (5) calendar days from the filing of the Verified Complaint. The Summons shall be directed to the respondent, or the person alleged to have violated the complainant’s right to inspect and/or reproduce, and shall contain:

SECTION 15. Appeals. - The 2016 SEC Rules, or the amendments thereto, on motions for reconsideration, appeals and execution proceedings shall apply.

SECTION 16. Confidentiality. - The inspecting or reproducing party shall remain bound by confidentiality rules under prevailing laws, such as the rules on trades secrets or processes under Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines”, as amended, Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”, Republic Act No. 8799, otherwise known as “The Securities Regulation Code”, and the Rules of Court.

a.

The name of the appropriate Extension Office, or the CRMD, and the names of the parties to the action;

b.

A direction that the respondent file with the Commission, and serve to the complainant, his Verified Answer within Ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the Summons;

c.

A notice that, unless the respondent files and serves a Verified Answer, the complainant will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for;

d.

The signature of the Director of the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office, or his/her duly authorized representative; and

e.

A photocopy of the Verified Complaint and the supporting documents and/ or evidence, if any.

SECTION 18. Role of the Commission in the Prosecution. - Unless otherwise provided by law or the Rules of Court, the Commission may assist in the prosecution of the violation of the right to inspect and/reproduce corporate records upon the order of the Commission En Banc. The task of assisting in the prosecution of the said violation, including the preparation of the necessary criminal complaint and filing with the Department of Justice. may be designated to the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD), the Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD), and/or the appropriate Extension Office.

SECTION 6. Verified Answer. - Within Ten (10) calendar days from the receipt of the Summons, the respondent shall file three (3) original copies of his Verified Answer, and serve a copy thereof to the Complainant. If there are several Respondents, and they decide to file their separate Verified Answers, each Co-Respondent must also be furnished a copy of their respective Verified Answers. The Verified Answer containing the following:

SECTION 19. Exclusion from the Alternative Dispute Resolution System. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 9285, otherwise known as the “Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004”, its implementing rules and regulations, and the arbitration agreements provided in the articles of incorporation or by-laws of corporations shall not apply to the resolution or settlement of disputes or controversies arising from violations of the right to inspect and/or reproduce corporate records.

a.

The facts or circumstance relevant and necessary to explain why the respondent should not be held liable for the alleged violation of the complainant’s right to inspect and/or reproduce the corporate records;

b.

The legal grounds on which the Verified Answer is based;

c.

Name and signature of the respondent, and his/her position in the corporate structure of the subject corporation, if any: Provided, that, if the affiant is a duly authorized representative of the respondent, his/her proof of authority shall be attached to the Verified Answer: Provided, further, that the signature of the respondent or the duly authorized representative shall serve as a certification of the truthfulness of the allegations in the Verified Answer;

d.

SECTION 17. Procedure for the Imposition of Sanctions for the Abuse of Right to Inspect and Reproduce Corporate Records. - The procedure for investigations, and administrative actions or proceedings, including the rules on decisions, final orders, resolutions, motions for reconsideration, execution and appeals, of the 2016 Rules of Procedure of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“2016 SEC Rules”), or the amendments thereto, shall apply in the imposition of administrative sanctions on the abuse of the right to inspect and/or reproduce corporate records.

SECTION 20. Effectivity .- These rules shall take effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least Two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Done this 20 day of August 2020, Pasay City, Philippines.

EMILIO F. AQUINO Chairperson

An affidavit duly signed by the respondent or the duly authorized representative, which shall allege the following attestations: i.

The allegations in the Verified Answer are true and correct based on his or her personal knowledge, or based on authentic documents;

ii.

The Verified Answer is not filed to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of regulation and/or litigation; and

iii.

The factual allegations therein have evidentiary support or, if specifically identified, will likewise have evidentiary support after reasonable opportunity for discovery;

SECTION 2. Grounds. - The following shall constitute a violation of the right to inspect and/or reproduce corporate records: Outright refusal to allow the director, trustee, stockholder, or member of the corporation to inspect any of the corporate records in person, or by a representative;

e.

The CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office has no jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Verified Complaint;

SECTION 1. Who may file a Verified Complaint; Filing fee. - An aggrieved party may file a report, in the form of a Verified Complaint, with the Company Registration and Monitoring Department (“CRMD”), or any of the Extension Offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), if a corporation, or any of its officers or agents, denies or does not act on a demand for inspection and/or reproduction of corporate records. For the purpose of docketing, a filing fee of Ten Thousand One Hundred Thirty Pesos (P10,130.00), inclusive of Legal Research Fee (LRF) and Documentary Stamp Tax (DST), shall be paid.

a.

The appropriate order, sanction, grant of relief or denial thereof or such other conditions or terms to be imposed, and a demand for payment of the penalties, if applicable; Provided, that administrative sanctions shall be imposed after due notice and hearing.

b.

: ALL CONCERNED

SUBJECT : Guidelines in the Filing, Investigation and Resolution of Complaints for Violation of the Right to Inspect and/or Reproduce Corporate Records x---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

d.

e.

Proof of service to the Complainant and Co-Respondents, if applicable.

f.

The supporting documents and/or evidence, if any, to support the claims or arguments; and

g.

Such other matters the respondent deems necessary to include.

If the Respondent fails to answer the Verified Complaint within the period fixed in these rules, the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office may, motu proprio, proceed to render a judgment granting such relief, or imposing the sanction/s, as the Complaint and/ or the evidence presented may warrant.The Director of the Operating Department may require the Complainant to submit additional evidence ex parte.

SECTION 7. Clarificatory Conference. - Before the rendition of a Final Order, the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office, in its discretion, may conduct a clarificatory conference or hearing for the purpose of ascertaining facts, issues and other matters necessary and relevant to the resolution of the proceedings, and further examination or submission of additional documents thereto, not later than Thirty (30) days after the last Verified Answer is filed.

SECTION 8. Amicable Settlement; Effect of Withdrawal of Complaint - Before the issuance of a Final Order, the complainant and respondent may arrive at an amicable settlement or resolution, which shall be in writing, in English or Filipino language, signed by them and accompanied by a jurat or acknowledgement before a notary public. The execution of the amicable settlement has the effect of withdrawing the verified complaint.

The withdrawal of a verified complaint does not automatically result in the outright dismissal of the investigation on the violation of the right to inspect and/or reproduce corporate records, nor discharge the Respondent/s from the possible imposition of any administrative sanction or penalty when there is merit to the charges, or where there is documentary evidence which would tend to establish a prima facie case warranting the continuation of the proceedings.

SECTION 9. Final Order. - Within Thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the clarificatory conference or hearing, or the receipt of the last affidavits, documents, or papers requested or ordered to be submitted during the conference or hearing, or the expiration of the period for filing the same, the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office shall issue a Final Order, containing the appropriate order, sanction, grant of relief or denial thereof or such other conditions or terms to be imposed, and a demand for payment of the penalties, if applicable; Provided, that administrative sanctions shall be imposed after due notice and hearing.

SECTION 10. Verified Status Account (VSA). - If the Final Order includes a directive to the respondent to allow the complainant to inspect and/ or reproduce any of the corporate records within a specified period, both parties shall file a joint Verified Status Account (“VSA”), or their respective VSAs, within Fifteen (15) days from the date of compliance, or from the last day of the period within which to comply.

If an Appeal or Motion for Reconsideration has been made and is denied, both parties shall file a joint VSA, or their respective VSAs, within fifteen (15) days from the finality of the Final Order and/or the Decision or Resolution on the Appeal or Motion for Reconsideration.

Unless contradicted and overcome by evidence, it shall be presumed that the respondent complied with the Final Order if the respondent filed a VSA while the complainant failed to file a VSA within the period stated in this section.

Unless contradicted and overcome by evidence, it shall be presumed that the respondent did not comply with the Final Order if: a.

The complainant filed a VSA while the respondent failed to file a VSA within the period stated in the immediately preceding paragraphs; or

b.

Both the complainant and the respondent failed to file a Joint VSA, or their respective VSAs, within the period stated in the immediately preceding paragraphs.

The CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office may issue a Show Cause Order, which shall include a directive to the respondent to show good cause as to why the Commission should not impose sanctions or penalties for failing to comply with the Final Order.

SECTION 11. Contents of the VSA. - The Verified Status Account shall be filed in three (3) original copies, and shall include the following: a.

The name of the appropriate Extension Office, or the CRMD, the names of the parties to the action, and the SEC Case Number;

b.

Corporate name and SEC registration number of the subject corporation;

c.

The facts, circumstances and justification why the directive was not complied with;

d.

Name and signature of the complainant and/or the respondent: Provided, that the signatures of the complainant and/or respondent shall serve as a certification of the truthfulness of the statements and/or allegations in the VSA;

e.

An affidavit duly signed by the complainant and/or the respondent, which shall allege the following attestations: i.

The statements and/or allegations in the VSA are true and correct based on his or her personal knowledge, or based on authentic documents;

ii.

The VSA is not filed to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of regulation and/or litigation; and

iii.

The factual allegations therein have evidentiary support or, if specifically identified, will likewise have evidentiary support after reasonable opportunity for discovery;

f.

The supporting documents and/or evidence, if any, to support the allegations or arguments; and

g.

Such other matters the complainant and/or the respondent deem necessary to include.

A sample of the Verified Status Account is attached below as ANNEX “B”.

SECTION 12. Second Clarificatory Conference. - Before the rendition of a Resolution, the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office, in its discretion, may conduct a clarificatory conference or hearing for the purpose of ascertaining facts, issues and other matters necessary and relevant to the resolution of the proceedings, and further examination or submission of additional documents thereto.

SECTION 13. Resolution. - Within Thirty (30) days from the receipt of the joint VSA or the last VSA, or from the expiration of the period within which to file the VSA, the CRMD or the appropriate Extension Office shall issue a Resolution which shall contain the following: a.

A concise statement of the facts, findings and conclusions;

b.

The reasons and the law on which it is based;

c.

The names of the persons responsible or liable, if applicable; (MS-SEPT. 11, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPSTEMBER 11, 2020

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Broadcast journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes explores new territory MULTI-AWARDED broadcaster and journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes joins the talk show circuit with TV5’s newest program, Usapang Real Life with Luchi.

Line-produced by ContentCows Company, the lifestyle program shows the veteran newscaster and noted investigative reporter in a new light.

Here we meet a different side of Luchi, one who is lighthearted, nurturing, and compassionate. This side of her allows her to connect to her guests, bringing out close and personal stories of celebrities that many people do not usually get to see.

“The show doesn’t want to use the controversial card. Our main goal is to allow our guests to tell something about themselves, stories that people would want to hear from them, stories that they might be hearing for the first time,” the broadcast journalist said in a recent virtual conference.

“Every person always has a story to tell. Whether it’s about their personal life or their struggles and their triumphs, each narrative deserves to be heard,” she added.

The show showcases ordinary Filipinos and encourages them to share their stories to illustrate that all of us, the famous and the homespun, go through the same struggles, the same challenges, the same acts of courage, and compassion for each other. At the end of the day, these meaningful stories and experiences are what make us human and belong to the same community values and ideals we share as a nation.

“People are used to seeing me talking in a very serious tone. This time it’s going to be different. It’s like I'm exploring an entirely different territory as a broadcast journalist,” Luchi stated.

In her talk show, Luchi herself

opens up about little known facts of her life and the issues she is similarly facing as the rest of us. For instance, she’s a devoted mother of three and a widow, and an avid fan of Korean dramas. She likewise has her personal viewpoints on the issues of the day, as well as trendy topics and concerns that people talk about, which she shares on the show. These cover the gamut of life in the province, mental health, married life, motherhood, passions, and advocacies, and how people deal with change.

Luchi noted that the program puts a spotlight on life behind the camera; unveiling real experiences and celebrating our common humanity. It’s about harnessing the lessons of everyday life and using these to empower and give hope.

KC Concepcion and Karen Davila were Luchi’s first guests in the pilot

episode which premiered Aug. 15. Other celebrities that have since appeared on the show are Darna star, Jane De Leon, Through Night and Day’s Alessandra de Rossi, Youtube sensation Emman Nimedez, in one of his last interviews, as well as Tiktok influencers Marvin “Bhie” Fojas, Zendee, Richo “Walang Ganun Mars” Bautista and Christian Antolin, and Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray.

Each episode of Usapang Real Life with Luchi tells the narrative of different individuals, from comedians, athletes, digital influencers, celebrities, and even Luchi’s colleagues. Other episodes will feature real life stories of guests such as celebrity power couples Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, and Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Judy Ann Santos.

Catch Usapang Real Life with Luchi every Saturday, 9:00 p.m. on TV5.

Broadcast journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez takes a break from investigative reporting by hosting a lifestyle program on TV5.

Celebrating women’s winning moment Robi Domingo appears in one of 'IbaYahihan' episodes.

New digital show appeals for continuous help of Filipinos affected by pandemic ABS-CBN public service program hosted

by Angel Locsin, Iba ‘Yan has found more ways to help Filipinos as it launched its digital show IbaYanihan, which reiterates its call to help those who are greatly affected by the pandemic on Kapamilya Online Live.

Streaming during commercial gaps, IbaYanihan features Kapamilya artists talking about the inspirational stories shown on Iba ‘Yan while providing ways where people can send donations and other forms of assistance from their homes.

One way is by donating through theABSCBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s BDO Account 005630050932 (Mother Ignacia branch). Donors can also send their donations via GCash to the same

This month 'Wish Ko Lang!' airs a series of four fresh episodes bannered by some of the country’s top-notch actresses Glydel Mercado, Rochelle Pangilinan, Arra San Agustin, and Jean Garcia.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

S

EPTEMBER is not the women’s month but there are valid reasons to celebrate each month of the year dedicating it to women.

Last Saturday, award-winning public service program Wish Ko Lang! trained the spotlight on the story of a mother who did everything to save her children from a flash flood that threatened their lives. The main role was played by Glydel Mercado.

“This episode has a very interesting and moving story to tell. As a mother, I felt really affected since it talks about a mother going to great lenghts just to save her children,” Glydel told Manila Standard Entertainment in a zoom

bank account.

On the show’s first streaming last Aug. 23, Robi Domingo encouraged viewers to donate to Wipe Every Tear, an organization that helps women and children who are victims of human trafficking. On Aug. 30, Dimples Romana, appealed for more funding for Nanay Ligaya Piadoche’s recently opened charity for frontliners.

Apart from the heart-wrenching stories, the digital show also features inspiring performances from Kapamilya singers. In its last episode, Angeline Quinto sang her heart out by performing a touching OPM song.

Iba ‘Yan airs every Sunday, 6:15 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live.

EXTRA INTERNATIONAL interview.

In this episode, the top-notch actress was joined by equally effective screen stars Allen Dizon and Therese Malvar.

Tomorrow (Sept. 12), Rochelle Pangilinan headlines the “Inararo” episode, a story about a couple who lost their jobs amid the pandemic and became fruit vendors to earn a living.

Jason Abalos plays Rochelle’s husband in the story. Also in the episode are Shayne Sava, Lexi Gonzales, and Irma Adlawan.

“Like the previous episode, our episode talks about a mother’s unconditional love. My character, in a surreal way, is fortunate to have been given a chance to express her love for her family despite dying due to an accident.

As mothers, we wanted to always have an opportunity to express our love for our children. We don’t know what the future holds, so the episode teaches people to express their love while they are still alive,” Rochelle said.

Meanwhile, Arra San Agustin, Thea Tolentino, and Juancho Triviño are siblings whose relationship is tested because of Herlene Budol’s character in the Sept. 19 episode entitled “Nasunog.”

In the story, Almira Muhlach plays the

mother of Arra, Thea, and Juancho.

Rounding off the fresh stories this month is the “Inilibing” episode bannered by no less than Jean Garcia.

Airing on Sept. 26, the episode also features Vaness del Moral and Adrian Alandy. In the story, Lorna (Jean) thought that Efren (Adrian) was the perfect guy only to find out otherwise. It turns out that on top of being an abusive partner, Efren has another woman (Vaness). Lorna will do everything to fight for her life and for her child.

Wish Ko Lang! continues to win the hearts of viewers and netizens as well.

For the past few months, the program has been airing fresh episodes amid the pandemic. Host Vicky Morales is grateful for the positive feedback the show has been getting.

“I’m thankful to all the people who spend their Saturday afternoons watching our special fresh episodes.

More than the assistance we get to extend to our case studies and our show’s followers, I am happy that Wish Ko Lang! is able to inspire people to hope and help one another amid these trying times,” the program host stated.

Catch of Wish Ko Lang! Every Saturday 4:00 p.m. on GMA-7.

Konchalovsky's tribute to ’pure’ Soviet soul tipped for Venice win A PAEAN to the "pure" soul of the Soviet people by Russian master Andrei Konchalovsky has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the top prize at the Venice film festival.

Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin may have slaughtered millions of his people, but he can do no wrong for the good women of Novocherkassk who feature in Konchalovsky’s new film, Dear Comrade.

"If only Stalin were still alive... he knew what to do," one of them says. "Prices didn't go up under Stalin, they went down," says another.

Based on the hushed-up massacre of 26 striking workers under Stalin's successor Nikita Khrushchev in 1962, ambivalence is everything in the latest offering from one of Russia's most renowned film and theatre directors.

The movie is "not about politics or even the event itself. It's a fairytale," Konchalovsky told AFP. "It’s about the characters, and they are good and bad at the same time."

None more so than one of the most ambiguous KGB officers ever to grace the

screen.

At the heart of the film, however, is a powerful Soviet woman, a war veteran, and diehard communist official who is forced to choose between her striker daughter and the Party.

The Venice film festival rolls out on the glitzy beachfront Lido through Sept. 12.

AFP

Actress Julia Vysotskaya poses with director Andrei Konchalovsky, whose latest film is set in 1960s Soviet Russia.

Malvar grandson and author of Pacquiao movie, dies

Prof. Villegas (center) with his brothers Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas Jr. (left), founder of Citizens Crime Watch/Katipunan Kontra Krimen at Korapsyon (CCW/KKK), and Dr. Bernardo Malvar Villegas Ph.D., founder of Center for Research and Communication/ University of Asia and the Pacific (CRC/UA&P).

JOE lad Santos, the official spokesman of JMV Film Production, producer of Malvar Tuloy Ang Laban, has announced the passing of Dr. Edberto Malvar Villegas, Ph.D after he suffered a severe stroke.

In a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment, the spokesperson said that the former head of the University of the Philippines (UP) Political Economy Department and grandson of National Hero Gen. Miguel Malvar passed away at the Makati Medical Center. The cause of his death was not, in any way, related to COVID-19 because he was cleared by

the hospital of being afflicted by the virus.

According to Santos, Dr. Villegas was known by thousands of followers in the academe. He was a political detainee during Martial Law. Dr. Villegas wrote the best selling book Gen. Miguel Malvar and the Philippine Revolution and had it published after his release from detention by the military. He distributed the book to the public in collaboration with the history professors from the UP Historical Department.

The book he wrote about his grandfather Gen. Malvar was the basis for the movie-

documentary script and screenplay of Malvar Tuloy Ang Laban, with Sen. Manny Pacquiao playing the title role.

Under the direction of Jose "Kaka" Balagtas, president of Movie Industry Workers for Progress and Development, Inc., the script and screenplay were written

by Joe Lad Santos and Danny Marquez.

Camarines Sur Vice Gov. Imelda Papin, president of the Actor’s Guild of the Philippines, is the movie’s line producer.

In memory of Dr. Villegas, his colleagues in the academe are launching Prof. Ed Villegas Memorial Historical Writers Foundation.

Life

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

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

T

HE dictionary defines “staycation” as vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home involving day trips to local attractions.

The word was coined by the writers of a Canadian TV comedy show in an episode broadcast in October 2005, but some records also show that, a few months earlier, the word already came out in an issue of the Washington Post.

In our country, it simply means local residents checking in at any of our deluxe hotels, to avail of its facilities and services, while staying away from their usual sphere of activity.

Our Department of Tourism (DOT) recently announced that a survey on 3,000 residents of the National Capital Region revealed that the top three activities when quarantine restrictions are no longer imposed would be: domestic travel, staycations, and international travel, in that order.

It is obvious that, even when the government allows us free movement to wherever we want, people will still be apprehensive about COVID-19. This display of caution is expected to prevail until such time that the vaccine will be made available to everyone and the threat of infection will no longer be perceptible.

This is the reason why outbound travel agencies, which are expected to open for business by month-end, are instead preparing all kinds of tour packages to domestic Philippine attractions.

They have also obtained special rates from local luxury hotels to offer attractive staycation packages for those who prefer to be away from home but still be within the metropolis. Local hotels are also expected to open to leisure business by the end of this month.

These travel agencies have to train their sights on these local vacation packages so they can stay financially afloat while waiting for the resurgence of international travel, which is expected to happen starting the middle of next year.

If you want to break free from your many months of detention in your residence and enjoy a new ambience, take a staycation. I know that the following hotels, located in every section of Metro

Staycations, anyone?

Seda Residences Makati’s swimming pool has a breathtaking view of the metropolis.

The Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites offers the biggest rooms in floor area among all the hotels in Metro Manila.

The unique architecture of Conrad Manila copies the bow of a ship.

Hilton Manila’s skybridge connecting it to Resorts World Manila.

The swimming pool of Park Inn by Radisson at North Edsa.

Manila, have already given out very special staycation rates which are available only through licensed and DOT-accredited travel agencies.

If you want to be in the heart of the Ortigas Business District, there is Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites which prides itself on being the only hotel not used as a quarantine facility for returning OFWs. It also has the biggest rooms, in floor area, among other hotels in the metro, and each room has its own steam bath.

This mid-scale deluxe serviced residence with 229 fully furnished and petfriendly suites has a fitness center, temperature-controlled swimming pool, an all-day dining restaurant, and is a short walk from large shopping malls.

Then there is my favorite seaside ho-

FREQUENT FLYER

tel, Conrad Manila. The 347-room luxury property banners an architecture shaped like the bow of a ship, which sits on top of the S Maison retail complex and is right beside the country’s biggest shopping mall.

At Newport City, there is the new Hilton Manila, the 356-room deluxe hotel which is connected via a skybridge to the Resorts World casino, entertainment and shopping complex. It also has another skybridge that connects it to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

For those who want to get away from it all and stay at the northern tip of the metropolis, there is Park Inn by Radisson North Edsa which has 238 contemporary designed rooms and is a leisurely walk away from the Quezon Memorial Circle,

The Diamond Hotel has a front-seat view of the famous Manila Bay golden sunset.

popular for its gardens, museum, shrine, and amusement park. The hotel is also connected to one of the largest shopping complexes in the country.

If you prefer to enjoy the facilities and services of “the jewel by the bay,” any of Diamond Hotel’s newly refurbished 500 rooms would be the perfect choice.

The guest’s front-seat view of the worldfamous Manila Bay golden sunset is the best stress reliever one can find. And, be ready, because the hotel’s culinary offerings are always difficult to resist.

There is also the new Seda Residences Makati, which boasts unparalleled views of the metro from its Sky Lobby on the 19th floor and from the roof deck bar on the 35th floor. It has 293 luxuriously furnished rooms and sits on the Ayala North

Exchange Mall, which offers casual dining options and shopping.

As you can see, anywhere you want to be in the metro, there is a staycation hotel waiting for you. Book yourself early so that when these hotels will be allowed to open for leisure bookings, you’re already on your way! Staycations are for everyone!

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE: Having to stay home all the time during this pandemic, with less activity in spite of several meals in a day, the buttons on my jeans have started to practice social distancing.

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

Hotels offer huge discounts in September sale

By Angelica Villanueva

AirAsia offers buy one, take one for 2021 flights.

Buy 1, take 1 on AirAsia tickets LOW-COST airline AirAsia offers an exclusive buy one, take one deal to its BIG members.

The special promo, available for booking at airasia.com or via the AirAsia mobile app, allows members to buy tickets for two different

persons for the price of one. Sale period is ongoing until September 13 for travel from January 1 to October 31 next year.

All-in, one-way fares go as low as P1,022. Promo seats are limited and subject to availability.

Cebu Pacific offers 99-peso seats

Cebu Pacific offers tickets as low as P99 (base fare).

LAST chance to score 99-peso seats (base fare) at Cebu Pacific’s ongoing 9.9 Super Seat Fest.

The three-day sale offers lowfare flights to local and interna-

tional destinations for travel period starting May 1 until August 31, 2021.

Go to www.cebupacificair.com or its mobile app to book.

AS THE badly hit hospitality industry slowly gets back on its feet, the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association announced on Wednesday huge discounts from its member hotels and resorts nationwide.

The September Online Sale or SOS, happening on September 15-30, will offer up to 70 percent discount on regular rates as well as promos and packages.

“Some of the promos are valid for up to a year—and even more—while the others have no expiration on their validity,” HSMA spokesperson Pearl Maclang said during a virtual press conference.

Filipinos who are planning to travel when restrictions are lifted can take advantage of the huge discounts available at the online travel mart.

“For travelers, the SOS is both a limited-time offer that can help them save on their next trip and a chance to help the Philippine tourism industry bounce back from COVID-19,” said Maclang.

According to organizers, the program also aims to sustain the jobs of about 5.7 million hospitality employees and workers nationwide.

HSMA president Christine Ann Ibarreta admitted the unprecedented impact of the pandemic caught the industry off guard. “This is our worst nightmare,” she said.

But life goes on.

HSMA ensures the health and safety protocols are implemented in the featured hotels.

“Most hotels and resorts are ready with all health, safety, sanitation protocols, and are well-prepared to welcome guests again,” said HSMA chair Margarita Munsayac.

Munsayac continued, “Months of quarantine have enabled these properties to plan carefully and in detail all these protocols, as prescribed by the government, to ensure safety of guests as well as employees.”

Among the participating hotels are Belmont Hotel Manila, Discovery Primea, Makati Shangri-La, Seda BGC, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Twin Lakes Hotel, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Discovery Shores Boracay, and Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu.

Interested wanderers may check for vouchers and promos of participating resorts and hotels at https://hsma. org.ph/sos/.

Living area of a Valero Grand Suites room

Microtel by Wyndham restaurant

Twin Lakes Hotel Tagaytay swimming pool