Manila Standard - 2020 September 18 - Friday

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CCP TURNS GOLD. The Cultural Center of the Philippines concludes its 50th anniversary celebration with a light and sound show at its iconic building facade in Pasay City on Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, 2020. The projected images showcase CCP’s excellence in the fields of performing, literary, visual, and multi-media arts. PNA

‘Purge PhilHealth of crooks’ Duterte orders new agency chief to finish clean-up job in 6 months

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered newly-appointed Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president Dante Gierran to rid the state-run agency of corruption in six months, the Palace said Thursday.

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 196 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

“The President wants to clean up do in order to cleanse the ranks of PhilPhilHealth, and that is why the deadline Health,” presidential spokesman Harry [was] given to Attorney Gierran.... File Roque said in an online briefing. all the cases that need to be filed, susGierran, a former director of the National pend, terminate, whatever you need to Next page

COVID-19 PH

LOCAL ROUNDUP

AT A GLANCE

• State of calamity extension definite • MM cases surge

(AS OF 4 PM SEPTEMBER 17)

276,289 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,375 63,408

By Willie Casas, Othel V. Campos, and Macon Ramos-Araneta

JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra has said the Chinese government will have to pay P12 million the 22 fishermen and owner of M/V Gem-Ver

53

208,096

317

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Social distance stays at 1 meter, Tugade says

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AGAINST DUI. Members of the PNP-Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office and the Metro Manila Development Authority conduct a joint operation against drivers driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs along the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard and A. H. Lacson Avenue in Manila on Wednesday night. Drunk driving ranks among the most common causes of road accidents. Norman Cruz

‘Boat ramming’: Chinese told to pay P12m to Pinoy fishermen

By Rey E. Requejo

4,785 RECOVERIES

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Story on B4

ACTIVE

DEATHS

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will “definitely” extend the declaration of a state of calamity in the Philippines as the country continues to have rising infections and deaths caused

Fortunes of richest Filipinos dwindle by 22% in 2020

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rammed by a Chinese fishing vessel off Recto Bank on June 9 last year.

Citing a report submitted by the prosecutors in Occidental Mindoro, Guevarra said it was assessed that the losses and damages sustained by the 22 fisher-

men as well as the owner of the wooden fishing boat M/V Gem-Ver would amount to about P12 million.

According to him, the amount of compensation was based on the testimonies given by the fishermen.

WORLD ROUNDUP

• ‘Haves’ corner vaccine stocks • Alarming rates

PEDAL POWER. A bicycle repair station is now a regular fixture along Fugoso Street in

Central Market, Manila since the two-wheeled wonder has become the favorite transport mode for workers in Metro Manila. The station, equipped with a rack to hold the bike, an air pump, and other repair tools, can be used free of charge. According to Manila Rep. Yul Servo, more bike repair stations will be installed in his district in the coming days. Norman Cruz

RICH nations representing a fraction of the global population have already bought up over half the promised COVID-19 vaccine stocks, a study showed, as US President Donald Trump pledged to begin inoculating Americans within weeks.

Big pharma is racing to produce an effective jab to counter a virus that has now killed more than 935,000 people around the world and infected almost 30 million.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday warned against “vaccine nationalism” that she Next page

“From their report, the total estimated civil damages amount to something like P12 million plus for the repair of the fishing boat, for lost income and wages for a period of six months. The owner of

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TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade has suspended a controversial plan to reduce physical distancing among passengers in public transport vehicles amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he would await President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision on the matter, the Palace said Thursday.

In a virtual Palace briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tugade announced his decision to revert physical distancing in public transportation to one meter in a meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force

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DOJ pores over draft anti-terror rules

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11479, the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act, is ready for promulgation

next month.

He says he has started reviewing the draft implementing rules and regulations before these are submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Council.

“I got the first draft of the IRR [on Next page

Winter is coming: Gloom, doom in Santa’s hometown BETWEEN November and March, Finland’s far north usually throngs with international holidaymakers who come to experience a snowy wonderland of reindeer rides, ice castles and the “real” Santa’s grotto.

But despite record visitor numbers in recent years, the coronavirus Next page

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Marcos Jr boosts anti-virus drive

By Maricel V. Cruz

F

ORMER senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has distributed 13,000 kits for rapid antibody testing to help strengthen the defense of Quezon City’s first congressional district against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marcos, through his brother-in-law Martin Araneta, turned over the testing kits to House Assistant Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo.

Crisologo, one of House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s trusted and reliable floor leaders during plenary sessions, thanked Marcos for his continuing commitment to help Filipinos,

especially his constituents, in the global fight against COVID-19.

Marcos celebrated his 63rd birthday on Sunday.

“My sincere gratitude and appreciation to our good former senator Bongbong [Marcos] for his dedication to serve the people.” Crisologo said.

“I hope that many will emulate the very laudable initiative demonstrated by him

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the vessel also asked for moral damages,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra revealed they had submitted the estimated amount of compensation to the Department of Foreign Affairs that earlier sought the Department of Justice’s assistance to assess the compensation that the Chinese government should give to the fishermen and the boat owner, reportedly owned and operated by Arlinda dela Torre of San Roque, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

“We have submitted this estimate to the DFA. We’re expecting they will forward this to the Chinese government.

We’re just waiting for the reaction of the Chinese government,” Guevarra said, in an interview with CNN Philippines.

On June 9, 2019, the 22 Filipino fishermen from Occidental Mindoro were asleep on board the fishing boat F/V Gem-Ver off Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), when their boat was rammed by a Chinese fishing boat that caused the boat to sink.

They were rescued by a passing Vietnamese fishing boat hours later.

The Chinese fishing vessel was identified as Yuemaobinyu 42212, owned by Liang Jin and from Guangdong Province.

The owner of F/V Gem-Ver received donations and was able to repair the boat and was able to sail again last November. However, it was damaged once again because of Typhoon “Ursula” in December of last year.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Thursday Beijing remained committed to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea as well as for the adoption of a Code of Conduct to lessen tension in the disputed waterways, but denounced interference of a certain country outside of the region.

The Chinese Embassy made the statement after Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. called for a resumption of talks on the COC which has been hampered by the restriction on travel and face to face negotiation imposed to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

Locsin made the call during last week’s virtual ASEAN ministerial meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Locsin stressed it was important to push through with the talks on the COC to demonstrate to the world that ASEAN and China are committed and determined to have a conclusive result on the issue that has evaded resolution for years.

The embassy said the Chinese government shared the sentiments of Locsin because it is in the common interest of Beijing and ASEAN to have peace and stability in the South China Sea. China stressed that even without the COC, China and ASEAN had maintained overall stability in the disputed waters through a “dual track approach” wherein they managed their territorial and maritime disputes while carrying out dialogue on such issues through bilateral mechanisms.

“On the other hand, China and ASEAN countries are committed to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of Conducts of Parties and to advancing consultations of the Code of Conduct. On the COC consultations China is sincere in its attitude and firm in resolve,” the embassy statement said.

Bureau of Investigation, had earlier vowed to reduce corruption in PhilHealth within two years.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the President had wanted PhilHealth abolished or privatized, but agreed to wait a few months to see how Gierran would perform.

Sotto said he told the President that he would be filing a bill making the secretary of Finance instead of the Health secretary the chairman of the board.

“He agreed to my proposal,” Sotto said.

“I explained that PhilHealth is an insurance corporation, not a health entity.”

Senator Christopher Go said the President and legislative leaders also looked at lengthening prison terms for certain crimes during their meeting on Wednesday.

Sotto said the President also wanted to reduce red tape further by amending the Ease of Doing Business Law. Sotto said he promised to send the President first a copy of a bill that Congress would come up with in coordination with the House of Representatives before filing.

The Universal Health Care and PhilHealth law, he said, was also taken up during the meeting.

Sotto said the President did not bring up the case of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who senators said should be charged with negligence.

“I was ready to talk about it but he did not bring the name up,” Sotto said.

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From A1 Wednesday]. Edits or changes will be made if necessary,” Guevarra told CNN Philippines.

“I hope it will be ready for promulgation before its deadline in October.”

After he reviews the draft IRR, Guevarra says, the Justice department will forward it to the ATC for its approval.

The law says the IRR should be promulgated 90 days after RA 11479 took effect in July.

And while the provisions of the anti-

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From A1 by the coronavirus pandemic – with total lockdown imposed on March 17.

There are at least 276,289 infections, 4,785 deaths and 208,096 recoveries based on official figures as at before sundown of Thursday.

Duterte initially declared a 6-month state of calamity last March 16 then placed the main island of Luzon under total lockdown the next day to check the spread of the coronavirus.

“Yes, definitely [it will be extended].

It’s in (sic) the desk of the President, probably signed by now,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a Palace press briefing, although Malacañang has not yet released a document on the possible extension.

to support the national and local government’s COVID-19 response efforts.”

Crisologo said Marcos’ donations would help the local government units identify possible COVID-19 cases.

“Let us always bear in mind that every Filipino can be a hero in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic by simply following the government’s minimum health standards such as physical distancing, regular hand-washing and the wearing of face shields and masks,” Crisologo said. He distributed the testing kits to the different health centers in District One of Quezon City.

“These testing kits will surely benefit many of my constituents,” Crisologo said.

Last Sunday, Romualdez and Rep.

Yedda Marie Romualdez distributed gift packs to 206 COVID-19 patients and 191 health workers at the isolation facilities in Tacloban City.

The project, in partnership with Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, was made in celebration of Marcos’ 63rd birthday.

“In celebration of Bongbong’s birthday, we are reminded to give back to the people, especially the medical frontliners and COVID-19 patients who were victimized by this pandemic,” Romualdez said.

“They continue to face the brunt of the impact of the coronavirus and this gift-giving is a simple message that, as their representatives, we support them, and we are here for them.”

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said the task force looking into corruption in PhilHealth has not yet cleared Duque and other board members.

Guevarra also expressed support for the suggestion of a change in leadership in the state-owned health insurer.

Guevarra said the DOJ-led task force did not see sufficient evidence to pin down Duque for corruption and wrongdoing when it submitted its preliminary findings to the President Monday.

However, the DOJ chief said they are not yet discounting the liability of Duque and other members of the board as they dig deeper into the widespread irregularities at PhilHealth.

In its preliminary report to the President, the Task Force PhilHealth found anomalies in the agency’s interim reimbursement mechanism, procurement of ICT equipment, and its policy on accountability.

Two composite teams are still investigating PhilHealth’s legal and IT sectors, which may likely result in more officials being recommended for prosecution.

Sotto earlier expressed surprise that Duque was not among those recommended by the task force to be charged in connection with the PhilHealth fund mess.

The Senate and House of Representatives conducted separate investigations into alleged anomalies at PhilHealth.

When asked about differences in the findings of the task force and of the Senate, Guevarra said that it was possible that the two bodies received different pieces of evidence and evaluated these differently.

However, Guevarra said the DOJ would make sure that the complaints it will file against those liable are supported with evidence.

Guevarra also supported the proposal to reorganize the leadership structure of PhilHealth because he believes that the Health secretary might have “spread himself too thinly” across his many responsibilities.

“In the case of PhilHealth, it was possible that the proper attention due to PhilHealth might not have been given precisely because the secretary of Health has been spread too thinly,” Guevarra said.

“But that’s not really an excuse,” he added. “It’s a pity because PhilHealth is a very important agency or corporation of the government and I believe that more attention, especially in the light of so many anomalies or irregularities being reported, should have been given by the secretary and the members of the board.

Guevarra also said he is looking at creating a third composite team to investigate anomalies in connection with PhilHealth’s finances.

In a message to reporters, Guevarra said this composite team would focus on PhilHealth’s financial management and issues like window dressing of financial statements.

Two composite teams have already been formed by Task Force PhilHealth to tackle issues arising from the firm’s IT (information technology) system and its legal sector.

On Wednesday, Guevarra said the teams have a month to submit the results of their probes.

in the past 14 days.

The DOH also reported 53 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 4,785.

The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were NCR (742 or 29 percent), Region 4A (482 or 19 percent) and Region 6 (249 or 10 percent).

Moreover, there were 67 cases that were previously reported as recovered but after final validation, they were 11 deaths and 56 active cases.

government intends to distribute about 20 million reusable face masks, for free.

The DTI will disperse the sewing jobs to communities that benefited from shared services facilities and to unemployed and underemployed sewers who have sewing machines in their homes.

Women’s cooperative are also welcome to join and sewers from communities, as well.

“We want to distribute these masks in as early as 1 month and we hope to complete the initial 20 million (face masks) in 2 months,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

While the price of disposable face masks has dropped to less than P10 a piece, the DTI finds it prudent to give away washable face masks that can be reused over and over again.

Health workers

The number of health workers in the Philippines who have died due to COVID-19 has increased to 58, the Department of Health said in its latest report.

Last week, the DOH logged 16 coronavirus-related fatalities among health workers.

DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the sudden Deployment ban jump in health worker deaths was due Senator Joel Villanueva has renewed to delayed validation.

Metro Manila As of Sept. 15, the cumulative total his appeal to the government to lift the Metro Manila still logged the highest number of new infections at 963, of health workers infected with COV- prevailing deployment ban on healthcare workers, as he suggested to health followed by Bulacan with 448, Cavite ID-19 had reached 8,665. authorities to make improvements in with 274, Negros Occidental with 153, Face masks their working conditions and contracts and Batangas with 119.

The Department of Trade and Industry to make it more commensurate to the Seventy-five percent or 2,519 of the newly reported cases caught COVID-19 announced Thursday that the national risk involved.

Winter...

From A1 shutdown will leave many of Finnish Lapland’s tourism businesses facing ruin this winter.

Many fear that government moves to ease travel restrictions in the Nordic country will not go far enough to offset the damage.

“We’ll be bankrupt after December if we don’t get any bookings,” tour op-

terrorism law may already be implemented, Guevarra says, it would be better for the authorities to wait for the IRR to be drafted and promulgated considering the many petitions filed before the Supreme Court challenging its constitutionality.

Thirty-four petitions have been filed before the high court against the antiterrorism law, the most recent being the petition filed by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines last Friday.

Guevarra says there are sections of the law that must be f leshed out to prevent confusion or even abuse in its implementation.

Workers gain from new law, DOLE asserts SOME 700,000 workers from the informal sector will benefit from the funds allocated to the Labor department under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2, an official said Thursday.

“For example, if the allocation to our displaced workers is P5 billion in the TUPAD program, we will have 700,000 beneficiaries,” Maria Karina Perida-Trayvilla, head of the department’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, said in a briefing.

She also said more than 600,000 informal-sector workers had benefited from the program.

“Based on our data, a total of 604,901 have benefited from the program, and out of this around 423,511 were employed under the disinfection and sanitation programs in their houses. The bulk of the beneficiaries are from the National Capital Region,” Trayvilla said.

She says under the program, a beneficiary will be working for four hours a day for 15 days, and will be given a salary equivalent to the highest prevailing minimum wage in the region where the project is being implemented.

“Applicants may go to their local government through the public employment service offices or to the nearest [Labor department] regional office to apply for the program,” Trayvilla said.

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From A1 said could put lives at risk by depriving the most vulnerable in poorer nations of immunity.

But a study released by Oxfam showed a group of wealthy countries representing just 13 percent of the world population has already secured the lion’s share of doses.

“Access to a life-saving vaccine shouldn’t depend on where you live or how much money you have,” said Robert Silverman of Oxfam America.

Repatriating students The Solomon Islands said it would repatriate hundreds of students stranded in the Philippines despite fears their return will torpedo the Pacific nation’s rare coronavirus-free status.

More than 400 students have been stuck, with many complaining of difficult conditions, since the island nation closed its borders in March.

Their return has become a headache for officials in one of the few COVIDfree countries in the world, while the Philippines has recorded more than 260,000 cases.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said all students -- including 12 who have tested positive for the virus -would be repatriated, and that officials were working with the Red Cross.

Flights from Manila to Honiara are planned on September 27 and 29. A third on October 24 will carry students who tested positive, after they recover and undergo quarantine.

Alarming rates Meanwhile, the European chapter of the World Health Organization on Thursday said it saw “alarming rates of transmission” of Covid-19 across the region and warned countries against shortening quarantine periods.

“The September case numbers... should serve as a wake-up call for all of us,” the WHO’s regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said. AFP

erator Sini Jin said from Rovaniemi, an Arctic Circle town that markets itself as “the official hometown of Santa Claus”.

Jin has run Nordic Unique Travels for five years, offering Northern Lights safaris and expeditions into the Arctic wilderness to thousands of travelers from Europe and Asia every season.

“Now we’ve had one or two bookings a week, and mostly we’re just doing refunds,” Jin said.

Her firm will only employ “two or three” seasonal staff this year instead of

the normal 80.

Jin’s company received emergency financial aid after the government put aside over a billion euros ($1.2 billion) to help businesses, but it has not been enough to compensate for the lack of tourists.

“Everything we’ve worked for will be gone so quickly if we don’t get help.”

Her predicament is shared by tourist companies across Finland’s vast Lapland region, where the sector supports 10,000 jobs and generates one billion euros of annual revenue.

A tourist board survey found that without international visitors this winter, around 60 percent of tourism companies expect to lose at least half their turnover and three-quarters would have to lay off staff.

“We’re not hopeful of getting any significant bookings,” Kaj Erkkila, managing director of Husky Park, said.

The 10-person family firm has been a popular dog sledding destination for “many decades” and keeps 109 Siberian huskies. AFP

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come up with a recommendation that it submitted to Duterte on Thursday.

Roque said Tugade decided to suspend the 0.75 meter physical distancing between passengers so as not to pressure the President.

On Monday, the government started implementing the directive to decrease physical distancing inside public utility vehicles to 0.75 meters from one meter.

The distancing would then be reduced to 0.5 meters (about 1.8 feet) on Sept. 28 and 0.3 meters (about a foot) starting Oct. 12.

Medical groups opposed the move, warning that it could lead to an increase

in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said they prefer maintaining a one-meter distance between passengers to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

Año said he supports the one-meter distance as it follows minimum health standards, saying the economy can be opened but to sacrifice the one-meter distance was “non-negotiable.”

The easing of physical distancing drew support, however, a group led by two former Department of Health (DOH) secretaries.

for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Thursday.

“The 0.75 meter rule is suspended.

We are back to the one-meter rule until the President decides on this matter,” Roque said.

On Wednesday, Roque said the IATF met for six hours on Sept. 15 to reassess the policy to relax physical distancing guidelines following opposition to the plan from medical groups.

He said the task force has decided to

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Congress joins Du30’s war on corruption

By Maricel V. Cruz

CHR slams NPA on abuse of minors

T

HE leadership of the House of Representatives on Thursday rallied behind President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching order to Congress to go all-out in the fight against red tape and corruption in all levels of governance.

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Human Rights on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged cases of sexual abuse committed against minor girls by reported members of the New People’s Army in Kananga, Leyte.

“We strongly denounce the use of sexual violence as a widespread and systematic tactic of war. The commission underscores that in armed situations characterized by violence, brutality, and coercion, perpetrators can operate with even greater impunity.

Last Sept. 13, two 14-year-old girls were reportedly rescued by the 93rd Infantry Battalion from the armed group’s camp.

The girls were sexually abused and forced to take oral contraceptive pills supposedly by the rebels.

Lawyer-spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said sexual slavery and recruitment of child soldiers are forms of human trafficking.

Such horrendous acts toward vulnerable individuals being practiced by rebel forces are not just employed to spread fear and gain victims, but to use them as incentives to recruit new fighters, she added.

She explained that civilians, most especially the vulnerable population, including women and children, are equally protected under international humanitarian law.

Respect for the human rights and dignity even in times of armed conflict is a mutual obligation of both State and nonState parties, she also noted.

“We call on the government to provide redress for the victims including multisectoral assistance for health, psychosocial support, and reintegration in their communities. They require rehabilitation and special attention after their demobilization from the camp,” she said.

“Most importantly, we urge the authorities to conduct swift investigation on the case to further find out the truth behind these accounts and ensure that offenders will immediately be held to account. The Commission for its part will launch an independent probe to shed light on the issue,” she added.

MORE FACE MASKS. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Christopher Go pose with officials of Fortune Logistics and

Marketing Philippines during the ceremonial turnover of the one million face masks donated by Tasan Health and Medical Tech (Shanghai) Company Limited at the Rizal Park Hotel in Manila on September 17, 2020. The face masks will help the government in combating COVID-19.

Presidential Photo

CEB says it paid P2.4-B refund for cancellations

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Cebu Pacific Air announced on Thursday it has paid P2.4 billion refund for clients’ booking cancellations related to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

In a statement, the CEB management said since the start of the pandemic, the airline has received an unprecedented number of refund requests due to the flight cancellations brought about by the lockdown.

“Our refund process then was originally not designed to handle this

volume of requests, and this resulted in a backlog. We have since then revamped our procedures in order to address this,” the CEB said.

“As many know, the tourism and aviation industries have been among the worst hit by COVID-19 and currently, Cebu Pacific is only able to operate 10% of its pre-COVID network,” it added.

To date, CEB refunded over P 2.4 billion booking cancellations which is equivalent to 50 percent of the refund requests it received.

“We remain committed to our cus-

tomers to complete pending refunds, and will update them once these have been processed. We are currently halfway through refund requests filed last April.”

“We understand how challenging this whole situation is, and we sincerely apologize for the delay. At present, refunds may take up to six (6) months to process from the time the request was filed. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding as we continue to enhance our processes for this to be resolved soonest,” the CEB management said.

“The leaders of the House of Representatives are in full agreement with President Duterte. We are ready to comply to with his orders to prioritize the passage of legislative measures that would cut red tape and corruption,” said Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

“The President stressed that any delay in the release of business permits is tantamount to corruption, he added.

Romualdez joined Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Christopher Go in a meeting with President Duterte last Wednesday night to discuss the Chief Executives’ priority measures.

Cayetano, for his part, said he could “feel the weight of burden on President Duterte’s shoulders” as they talked about the problem of red tape and how it is “choking the life our of our economy and people.”

“He desperately want(s) to make life even just a little bit easier for all Filipinos,” he said.

Cayetano said Duterte had a “clear and unwavering message” to the nation’s leaders during the meeting: “Lets fix this now!”

“The President’s anger was palpable against those who make life harder for our kababayans through red tape and bureaucratic inefficiencies, or worse, those who take advantage and corrupt the system for their benefit,” he said.

Cayetano also said the President was “very clear” that the enemy in this time of pandemic is not just the novel coronavirus but also “the heartless bureaucracy that has made life unbearable for many of our kababayans.”

PCUP holds virtual meet for urban poor

By Rio N. Araja THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Is set to hold a comprehensive virtual convention for 100 accredited urban poor organizations in October in order to provide them with a variety of knowledge, especially on the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Chairman and chief executive officer Alvin Feliciano said the purpose is to inform the urban poor communities of the steps and actions taken for their welfare.

“In this convention, we will also give everyone the opportunity to hear their grievances and problems, so that we can think of appropriate solutions,” he said.

Feliciano said the PCUP is aware that

the marginalized sector is consisting of the poor and informal settler families who are the most affected by the pandemic.

He said that the Commission will provide the 100 urban poor organization leaders with their own zoom rooms.

The convention is ready to livestream on the official Facebook page of PCUP for those who want to participate and ask questions.

Apart from the PCUP chairperson, Commissioners Norman Baloro, Randy Halasan, Romeo Jandugan and Melvin Mitra will take part to answer questions.

Feliciano said they would want to lift the spirits of the poor so that they could have a positive outlook on facing the challenges of life under the new normal.

USAID DONATION. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna receive 100,000 face masks, hygiene kits and handwashing stations donated by the United States Agency for International Development and Procter & Gamble during a turnover ceremony in Delpan Quarantine Facility, Manila on Thursday. Norman Cruz

Drilon backs CoA’s bid to audit NTF-ELCAC

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

FISHKILL. Fish drifted to the shores of Manila due to fishkill along the shores of the Baseco Compound portion of the Manila Bay on September 17, 2020. Norman Cruz

CITING the lack of transparency on the use of billions of pesos in the government’s anti-insurgency program, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon backed the Commission on Audit’s plan for a special audit on the budget of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“The COA’s timely intervention is welcome” in light of serious concerns over the disbursement of funds allotted to the NTF-ELCAC,” Drilon said.

BI deports 129 foreigners from Bicutan detention center THE Bureau of Immigration on Thursday said it has deported 129 foreigners to decongest its detention center in Bicutan, Taguig City, and reduce the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

“Total (foreigners): 315. Total deported as of Sept. 15: 129 from BI Warden Facility for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL),” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval

said in a Viber message.

The 129 deported foreigners include 88 Chinese, 14 Vietnamese, seven Americans, and five Pakistanis. Also deported were two Taiwanese, two British nationals, two Mongolians and two South Koreans, and one each from Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden.

Last April, BI Commissioner Jaime

Morente has ordered to decongest the detention center to reduce the risk of Covid-19 among the foreigners confined in the facility.

The bureau’s legal division and other concerned offices have fast-tracked the resolution of deportation cases and secured the necessary clearances needed to facilitate the foreigners’ departure from the country. PNA

He added that “the COA should keep an eagle eye on these funds especially with the birth of a new program called Barangay Development Program.” The minority chief earlier said that the huge funds could be used for 2022 elections.

Under the proposed P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget, over P19 billion is allotted to the NTF-ELCAC, P16.4 billion of which will go to its Barangay Development Program. Through the program, the government plans to distribute P20 million to various barangays that have been cleared of communist rebels, which they

can use to build farm-to-market road, school building, water and sanitation system, health stations, electrification, as well as for agricultural, livelihood and technical vocational trainings/projects; and assistance to indigent individual or families.

Drilon, however, questioned the manner of disbursements, saying the task force is given too much discretion. Besides, Drilon said that the programs cited can be funded through implementing agencies, which is the common practice.

Villar: No ‘pork’ in DPWH budget

By Maricel V. Cruz THE proposed P667 billion public works budget for 2021 is devoid of pork barrel or lump sum appropriations, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said on Thursday.

Villar was reacting to the claim of Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas that there were lump sum allocations in the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

What was alleged as lump sum, Villar

said, “will go to specific projects.”

“There are no lump sum items. We already submitted the annex... the details of the projects, and I think the Committee on Appropriations will confirm that the annex has already been submitted,” Villar said.

Brosas said the supposed “lump sum” allocations in the DPWH budget were three times bigger than the proposed budget of the Department of Health for next year, which was only at P131.7 billion.

LGUs

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

A4

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CORAL TRANSPLANT.

Volunteer scuba divers conduct a ‘coral transplant’ at the Tuka Marine Park and Beach Resort, one of the top beaches and diving tourist attractions in the Soccsksargen region. It involves collecting loose coral fragments due to waves or human activity and replanting them to regrow into new colonies, thus enriching aquatic life. Led by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Sarangani and Municipal ENRO of Kiamba, the twoweek initiative successfully transplanted some 1,400 fragments of branching corals 15 feet underwater.

Situated at a secluded cove in Sarangani Bay in Kiamba town, the marine sanctuary takes pride in its powdery white sand, crystalline water, and abundant fish species, which make it ideal for snorkeling.

‘Ecstasy’ pills worth P1.8m seized in Pasay

By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT agents on Thursday seized another smuggled shipment of the party drug Ecstasy worth P1.8 million from the Netherlands.

The shipment of 980 pills of Ecstasy sent by a certain “U Janssen” and consigned to one Joey S. Ramos Jr. of Malate, Manila was misdeclared as “samples” at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City.

Agents of the Bureau of CustomsNinoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) seized the contraband in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

The authorities placed the parcels under x-ray scanning and 100 percent physical examination, and discovered three vacuum-sealed pouches containing gray, turquoise, and orangecolored pills.

Field test conducted at the PDEA Chemical Laboratory confirmed that the seized tablets were Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy or Molly, a party drug that killed five people during a rave party four years ago in Pasay City.

QC inks pact with private sector group to fight virus

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Quezon City government and a multisectoral organization have partnered to strengthen the city’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday led the signing of a memorandum of agreement with key officials of Kilusang Kontra Covid (KilKoVid) Alliance, headed

by Dr. Tony Leachon as chairman and

lawyer Dot Gancayco as president.

KilKoVid is a coalition of concerned citizens and organizations aiming to complement and supplement the COVID-19 plans and strategies of the city government.

“We need all the help that we can get in the fight against COVID-19. The assistance offered by the alliance is very much welcome as it will help beef up the current efforts of the local government,” Belmonte said.

“With our teamwork, I trust that little by little we can succeed in the fight against the pandemic,” she added.

The agreement entails a united and

concerted action under a strategy “To Teach, To Heal, and To Lead” with an aim toward achieving “Kaligtasan, Kalusugan at Kabuhayan” or 3Ks. “In this time of crisis, unprecedented in our history, the civil society should step up to the plate to help the government in resolving this huge problem to give hope, courage and inspiration to our people,” Leachon said in a statement.

Under the agreement, KilKoVid will help the local government in its mission of reducing the COVID-19 cases by engaging the private sector as partners in the endeavor.

‘PADYAK’ AID. Cauayan City Council’s PADYAK, led by Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy, Vice Mayor Bong Dalin and city councilors, distribute 200 food packs for senior citizens and persons with disability and 100 packs of educational kits for children on its 16th weekly campaign at the community grounds of Nagrambuan.

PADYAK aims to promote the proper health and well-being of the city populace. Jessica Bacud

Buy-bust yields P1.3m in shabu in Angeles City

By Jess Malabanan ANGELES CITY—Anti-narcotics operatives confiscated P1.3 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu during a buy-bust operation, leading to the arrest of three drug peddlers at Purok Sto. Nino, in Barangay Balibago here Thursday.

Police Colonel Joyce Patrick Sangalang, director of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), identified the suspects as Sunny Pelle, 43, of Balibago; Ashraf Tumawis, 18; and Michael Garcia, 18, both of Brgy. Lourdes Northwest in this city.

Sangalang said the suspects are on the police drug watchlist and high value targets operating in Angeles and nearby areas in Pampanga.

The suspects, Sangalang said, are known in the community as sources of illegal drugs being distributed across the city, including the Fields Avenue entertainment strip of beer joints and girly bars.

Police Station 4 chief Major Aris Gonzales, who oversees the Fields Avenue and Balibago area, launched the buy-bust against the suspects through series of negotiations via text messaging.

Makati shutters 2 more biz over lack of permits THE Makati City government recently shut down two more business establishments, this time a Chinese convenience store and a boarding house, for operating without a business permit.

First to be closed was a boarding house at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and Mascardo Street under the name of Josy Lee del Aguas. It was shut down on Sept. 10.

On Sept. 14, personnel from city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) then padlocked the Sasa Convenience Store at The Beacon Tower 2 at the corner of Chino Roces Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue, Pio del Pilar.

In a statement, the city government said the two businesses were padlocked for violation of the Revised Makati Revenue Code City Ordinance No. 2004-A-025. The actions against the establishments were also initiated due to complaints received by the Office of the Mayor.

“On orders of Mayor Abby Binay, the city will continue to crack down on erring business and commercial establishments operating in the city to protect the interest of legitimate businesses, residents, and the general public,” the city government stated.

Last month, the city government also shut down two businesses also for operating without a permit and for violating the general community quarantine guidelines being enforced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

BPLO personnel padlocked the Casa Bambu in Barangay Poblacion for failure to secure a business or mayor’s permit and for failure to comply with health and safety protocols.

Joel E. Zurbano

IN BRIEF Lady scammer falls in Bulacan CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—A 29-year old woman allegedly responsible for a multimillion-peso investment scam was arrested by police during follow-up operations at Barangay Pagala, Baliuag, Bulacan.

Maria Lea Ulang, of Bgy. Layunan, Binangonan, Rizal, did not resist when lawmen arrested her at past 10 a.m. She went into hiding after her victims, mostly Bulacan residents, filed a large-scale estafa case against her before the Bulacan Regional Trial Court.

Police Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Central Luzon police director, said Ulang was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Mario B. Capelan of Malolos City Regional Trial Court.

Part of the suspect’s modus, Sermonia said, was to entice prospective clients into a “double your money” scheme, only to find out their investment went into fraudulent transactions. Jess Malabanan

Farmers, fishermen get more city aid BALANGA CITY, Bataan—More farmers and fishermen received aid from City Mayor Francis Garcia and Vice Mayor Vianca Venzon-Gozon amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Through the leadership of Garcia and Venzon-Gozon, another 32 farmers received P25,000 each in loans for palay production and fishery fingerlings, payable in ten years with no interest and no collateral.

The City Agriculture Department said the program is under the Sure Aid Covid Program, ALPAS COVID-19 (Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat) of the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with GR Bank.

Previously, 51 farmers in the city benefitted from the loan program last month.

Earlier, the city government gave 2,390 bags of fertilizer to 603 local rice farmers, and also distributed cash aid of P2,000 each to tricycle drivers. Butch Gunio

Manila’s second RT-PCR molecular lab almost finished, says Isko

By Willie Casas THE second reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) molecular laboratory being built in Manila to address COVID-19 using a more high-tech machine that can perform more swab testing, is nearing comple-

tion and may be operational before the end of this month.

Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso said that once the laboratory is finished, the number of those who may be swabtested at gold standard level through the RT-PCR machine will increase by about a thousand per day.

The RT-PCR machine is being utilized by the national government for confirmatory testing of coronavirus cases.

With the current laboratory, Domagoso said about 200 to 250 persons are being tested per day. It is located at the second floor of the Sta. Ana

Hospital, which also houses the Manila Infectious Disease Control Center (MIDCC).

Dr. Grace Padilla, director of the Sta. Ana Hospital, said the new machines being installed in the second laboratory at the hospital’s ground floor will produce 90 tests per hour.

MHD gives 300 seniors flu vaccine THE Manila Health Department (MHD) recently administered free flu vaccines for senior citizens of the capital.

The two-day program was scheduled from 8:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. on September 10 to 11 and held at the assembly hall of the Manila City Hall.

Around 300 senior citizen employees of City Hall were immunized during the first day of the program.

Another 200 senior employees were immunized during the second day.

Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso directed the MHD to administer the flu

vaccination on Manila’s senior citizens, noting that seniors, especially those with existing health problems, are more susceptible to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Health experts are encouraging the public to get vaccinated for the flu amid the continued spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Flu vaccination matters even more during this time, with the MHD noting it will prevent the development of signs and symptoms similar to COVID-19, which can be mistaken for the flu. Willie Casas

PAYMENT MACHINE. Narvacan Mayor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson (center), president of

the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and Charissa Singson (left), head of Gracia Telecom, introduce another Automated Payment Machine (APM) inside the NSCC in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. Witnessing are Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson (3rd right), Vice Gov. Jerry Singson (2nd left), Caoayan Mayor Germie Goulart (2nd right) and other guests. Mar T. Supnad

Opinion A Philippine perspective foreign country the methods of procedure to be followed are those of the foreign tribunal (Dulay v. Dulay, G.R. No. 158857, November 11, 2005). As it turned out, the deposition was not taken before the Clerk of Court of Massachussets who was the addressee of the letters rogatory, but was instead taken before the notary public in New York.

The deposition taken through the notary public in New York, though originally not accepted by the Philippine court, had to be authenticated by a Philippine Consulate in the United States.

In a recent 2019 decision, the Supreme Court in the case People v. Sergio and Lacanilao applied suppletorily in a criminal case Rule 23 of the Rules of Civil Procedure because of compelling reasons and the right to due process of Mary Jane Veloso and the State (G.R. No. 240053, October 9, 2019). It has long been settled in the cases of Manguerra v. Risos and Go v. People in relation to Rule 119, Section 15, Rules of Criminal Procedure that the deposition or conditional examination (testimony ahead of the trial) of the prosecution witness in criminal cases will be taken only in the court where the case is pending, and it must be shown that the witness is either too sick or infirm to appear at the trial, or has to leave the Philippines with no definite day of returning.

The Supreme Court said that “Mary Jane is currenty imprisoned in Indonesia for having been convicted of the crime of drug trafficking” and “she was already sentenced to death and is only awaiting her execution by firing squad.”

Her situation according to the Supreme Court was not akin to a person whose limitation of mobility is by reason of illhealth or the grounds cited in Rule 119, Section 15. In fact, her restriction of movement is due to deprivation of liberty by reason of her detention in a foreign country(G.R. No. 240053, October 9, 2019). Hence, the taking of the written interrogatories of Mary Jane Veloso was allowed not under the restrictive provisions of Rule 119, Section 15 but under Rule 23.

With the challenges faced in the taking of evidence in a foreign country, including the present global pandemic, it is high time for the Philippines to consider acceeding to the HCCH Convention on the Taking of Evidence.

The Convention applies to both civil or commercial matters in a judicial proceeding which is requested by a Contracting State from the competent authority of another Contracting State.

The means by which the evidence or some “other judicial act” shall be taken is through a Letter of Request. The Convention requires that the evidence obtained through the Letter of Request shall be used only in judicial proceedings (Article 1, HCCH Convention on Taking of Evidence).

The Contracting States to the Convention shall designate and form a Central Authority which will undertake the receipt of Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State and to transmit them to the competent authority within the State to execute them. (Article 1, HCCH Convention on Taking of Evidence). The method and procedures to be followed in the taking of evidence is the law of the judicial authority which executes the Letter of Requests (Article 9, HCCH Convention on Taking of Evidence).

FOOTNOTES

TRANQUIL G.S SALVADOR III THIS article is an excerpt from the lecture I delivered in the Hague Conference on Private International Law (webinar series) on 17 September 2020.

We need to revisit and review the usefulness of the HCCH Evidence Convention on the Taking of Evidence.

One of the difficulties of taking testimonies in a foreign country is dealing with their procedural rules and processes. While the world today is borderless and people may easily move from country to country, the taking of evidence has to comply with the legal formalities and requirements of the state where the evidence will be obtained. Now more than ever, when the world is in a pandemic, there is a need for our country to revisit and review the usefulness of the HCCH Convention on the Taking of Evidence.

As a young lawyer in the 90s, one of my first experiences in taking evidence outside the Philippines was through written interrogatories. I still remember reviewing carefully the provisions of Rule 23, Sections 25 and 26 of the Rules of Civil Procedure to faithfully comply with its requirements on forms and the periods in which to prepare written direct examination and redirect examination questions. These written interrogatories together with the cross and re-cross interrogatories of the opposing counsel were then collated and were sent to our consular officer in a foreign country where the deponent resides. I vividly remember when I sought the assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs to liaise with the Philippine consular office in the foreign country. Years have passed and I have yet to receive the responses/answers to the written interrogatories.

The difficulty in taking evidence outside the country was even highlighted in the case of Dulay v. Dulay (G.R. No. 158857, November 11, 2005). In this case a sibling assisted his brother and a nephew to migrate to the United States.

Rodrigo, a former Filipino citizen, took care of his brother and nephew; and because of his trust and affection toward his nephew Pfeger he opened a deposit account with the amount of $230,000.00 under his name. Both the brother and the nephew returned to the Philippines and squandered the money. In a complaint instituted in the Philippines by Rodrigo against his brother Godofredo and nephew Pfeger for the recovery of the sum of money with a prayer for writ of attachment, he applied for letters rogatory to take the deposition of several witnessses residing abroad which was granted by the court (G.R. No. 158857, November 11, 2005).

Letters rogatory is a request to a foreign country to give aid, backed by its power, to secure the desired information. If the request is entertained by the

Full version at www.manilastandard.net

Stop Zoombombing POINT OF IMPACT

ERWIN TULFO AN ONLINE grade school class being conducted via Zoom video conferencing was hacked earlier this week, exposing the students to lewd pictures posted by an uninvited participant.

What is the DICT doing about all of these?

A parent of one of the students of the prestigious institution sent me screenshots of the hacking incident wherein photographs of a naked couple performing lascivious acts

popped up during a class session.

The school’s administration is working with authorities in the investigation of the hacking, also called a zoombombing attack.

An expert on information technology, in an interview in my radio-TV program, said some popular video conferencing applications, particularly Zoom, are susceptible to hacking.

He said Zoom, which is relatively a new app, does not have adequate security features to prevent hacking or encroachment by an unauthorized user during an online meeting.

This revelation raises serious concerns as private schools have began online classes, many of which are conducted via Zoom.

Public schools which will resume classes this coming October 5 will also make use of online sessions, al-

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

Slow economic recovery T

a rebound in full throttle for the meantime is not expected—not when the contagion is still around.

HE Asian Development Bank no longer expects a quick recovery in the economies of the Asia Pacific region next year. Even the pace of recovery is not crystal clear.

The availability of a vaccine to neutralize COVID-19 remains the X factor.

A rebound in full throttle for the meantime is not expected—not when the contagion is still around.

The lending institution sees a “swooshshaped” recovery for the ravaged economies of Asia Pacific that stretches from the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean to Kazakhstan in Central Asia. This type of recovery, as opposed to a V-shaped or a more vigorous one, is a slower rebound because of several factors—foremost of which is the capability of nations to contain the pandemic.

The economies of Asia Pacific will surely bounce back after bottoming out in the second quarter when varying degrees of lockdowns were imposed in the region. But

The ADB sees the region contracting this year before growing 6.8 percent in 2021, noting the resiliency of developing Asia. But the bank strongly warned against the reimposition of lockdowns and other forms restrictions, saying they could derail the recovery and even spark “financial turmoil.”

The ADB, meanwhile, sees the Philip-

pine economy shrinking by 7.3 percent this year, deeper than its previous estimate of a 3.8-percent decline. It expects the local economy to recover 6.5 percent in 2021, on expectations the health crisis will be over by that time.

The rate recovery, of course, is dependent on how the global economy fares. The Philippines relies heavily on trade investment and remittances of its migrant workers.

For Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, opening the local economy in the safest possible way will be the key to full recovery. The pandemic largely affected the urban areas of Metro Manila, neighboring provinces and Cebu. The government, thus, must pump prime the economy to create and restore jobs, while ensuring the safety of the population.

The road to economic recovery will not be smooth as the COVID-19 danger still lurks around. Taking the route with caution, however, will reward the traveler at the end of his journey.

3 to 7 Mbps speeds are not okay IT IS unsurprising that our country lags in internet speed and connectivity, given that the head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology thinks that 3 to 7 Mbps (megabits per second) speeds are “hindi na …masama” (not bad).

Speaking in a House hearing on Tuesday (Sep. 15) DICT chief Gringo Honasan said: “Without going into figures, we are not doing too badly. Kaya lang po, naiintindihan natin na napakahirap nito ipaliwanag sa taumbayan.”

Why not go into the figures, Mr. Secretary? What are you not telling us?

What is it that is so hard to explain to the people – are we dumb or stupid that we can’t understand your explanation?

What we regular folk do know is that internet speeds in this country are abysmally slow and the services are expensive, compared to other countries in the region.

DICT Assistant Secretary Emmanual Caintic, at the same hearing, admitted that our ASEAN neighbors are enjoying speeds of “213.18Mbps … fixed broadband [and] 56.43…mobile.”

We have had this problem for years, but it took a pandemic of global proportions for many decision-makers to realize how urgently this needs to be addressed.

‘New normal’ needs fast Wi-Fi COVID-19, deadly and stealthy, has changed the world’s normal into one where those of us who can, work and study from home to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy of suspending face-to-face classes until a vaccine is found is sound, because while we can make up for lost time, we can’t do anything at all when we’re dead.

But with the shift to online classes and work-from-home, it is imperative that we have the right tools. We need fast broadband if we are to be not only productive but above all competitive.

How much time is wasted and work lost because connectivity keeps drop-

though in a limited scope as most students do not have access to personal computers or laptops.

How can teachers and parents be assured that no inappropriate photos, graphics or videos would suddenly appear on the screen during the lecture or webinar?

The school class Zoombombing is but the latest of cases where the public is treated to improprieties and criminal acts perpetrated by public figures and celebrities.

Just three weeks ago, a barangay chairman and his barangay treasurer were exposed when they were caught live on video having sex at their office, unaware that they were being watched on Zoom that was inadvertently left up and running.

Quite a number of celebrities have figured in a similar scandal, like former pop singer-composer Jim Paredes whose self-recorded sex video dubbed “Otso Derecho” went viral in April last year.

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE ping or the signal fades in and out? For all our talk of entering the international digital economy, we are still hampered by our lack of competitive-level infrastructure.

We must not settle for this.

According to Ookla/speedtest.net’s August figures for average global speeds, the Philippines ranked 119th for mobile, behind Botswana, and 106th for fixed broadband, behind St. Kitts and Nevis. That’s embarrassing.

Work-from-home has many benefits, chief among them that it saves money, time, and effort. No longer is there a need for the miserable commute in hellish traffic. WFH also allows us to live where we please—we are no longer forced to live in or near Manila, a situation that only puts money in the pockets of landlords and condominium developers.

The Acronis Cyber Readiness Report 2020, released last week, found that of their respondents, “only 12 percent of global employees chose full office work as an ideal work arrangement,” and predicted that “a new normal will likely emerge” in line with this. But the Philippines is inadequately equipped for this.

Congressional inquiry Alarmed by what she called the “sad state” of internet speed and connectivity in the country, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Bernadette Herrera also on Tuesday called for a congressional inquiry to discover the reasons for the sluggishness and high cost of internet service.

These perverts who might have deliberately leaked their own sex scandals should be criminally liable and thrown in jail.

Needless to say, the limitless cyberspace is inundated with pictures, video games and movies glorifying sex perversion, violence and drugs.

In this sense, the perils of unregulated freedom of information technology may outweigh the advantages of its uses in modern communication and social media.

The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) must wake up once and for all, and do something to help the Department of Education (DepEd) in facing the gargantuan challenge of reopening classes amid the continuing pandemic crisis.

Why, these DICT officials have also failed to act on the problem of poor telephone and internet services. Indeed, they should be quizzed by Congress and given a one-peso budget.

She rightly said that “fast, efficient, and stable internet access” is important for “managing business operations, exploring novel sources of personal income, and continuity of education.”

Herrera cited a December 2019 Daily Guardian report that claimed $20 can buy internet plans of 890 Mbps in Russia and 600 Mbps in China and Lithuania.

The same amount will get you a measly 5 Mbps in the Philippines.

This is not the first time a suggestion has been made to hold such a hearing, and not the first time for a lawmaker to become indignant over the sorry state of the country’s internet.

Can the third telco help?

What those previous harangues achieved is that the President opened the field to the entry of a third telecommunications company, in an attempt to break the duopoly of PLDT-Smart and Globe Telecom and challenge them with a competitor who might do better.

The winner of the 2018 provider bidding was Dito Telecommunity (formerly Mislatel), which is expected to roll out its commercial services in March 2021.

They committed to the government to provide 27 Mbps to 37 percent of the country’s population in its first year of operation.

Having said that, the question is—can Dito do better than its competitors and provide faster, more stable Wi-Fi speeds at a lower cost?

We mustn’t settle In its June 2020 Philippine Economic Update, the World Bank found an urgent need for Philippine digital infrastructure to be substantially improved in order for the country to operate successfully in the new normal.

To the DICT officials: 3 to 7 Mbps is awful. We mustn’t settle for “hindi na masama.” We need to do much better if we—and our children—are to succeed in this new world created by COVID-19.

FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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TODAY

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 148, Makati City

IN RE PETITION FOR REHABILITATION., R-MKT-20-01806-SP MARSMAN DRYSDALE MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC. Petitioner. x---------------------------------x

COMMENCEMENT ORDER Raffled to this Court on August 24, 2020 is the instant verified petition for voluntary rehabilitation filed by petitioner debtor Marsman Dyrsdale Medical Products, Inc., (MDMPI) through counsel, pursuant to Section 12, Republic Act No. 10142 or the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act of 2010 ( FRIA), and the Supreme Court En Banc Resolution A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC dated August 27, 2013 otherwise known as the Financial Rehabilitation Rules of Procedure to initiate voluntary rehabilitation of petitioner corporation.

On September 1, 2020, the Court after a review of the petition issued an order directing the Petitioner to submit with five (5) days from receipt of the order, the lacking documents and details in its Annex “G” or its Inventory of Assets and/or to file a supplement petition to comply with the requirements set forth in Section 2(B)(5) of A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC or the Financial Rehabilitation Rules of Procedure.

On September 7, 2020, the petitioner filed a Compliance to the said order submitting the revised Inventory of Assets with the attached evidence of title or ownership of their properties. The Court finding the Compliance sufficient. Thus the present Commencement Order.

Petitioner avers that Section 4(p) of the FRIA and Section 5(k) of Rule 1 of the Rehabilitation rules define insolvency as the financial incapacity of the debtors to pay their liabilities as they fall due in the ordinary course of business or whenever their liabilities are greater than their assets. Petitioner however asserts that it is merely technically insolvent and not actually insolvent; that as distinguished in Philippine National Bank vs. Court of Appeals et.al. 1 actual insolvency is where the corporation ‘s assets are not enough to cover its liabilities while technical insolvency is where the corporation has enough assets but it foresees its inability to pay its obligations for more than one year.2 Petitioner alleges that it is only technically insolvent as its assets exceed its liabilities. Thus, petitioner claims that its rehabilitation is economically feasible and its creditors can recover by way of the present value of payments projected in the Rehabilitation Plan, more if petitioner continues as a going concern rather than if it is immediately liquidated.

Petitioner’s principal place of business as stated in its petition is located at Ground Floor, Molave Building, 2231 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, hence this Court has jurisdiction over the present petition.

Meanwhile, the filing of the present petition was approved and authorized by at least a majority of the board of directors of MDMPI and by at least the vote of the stockholders representing at least two thirds of the outstanding capital stock of MDMPI as evidenced by the President and Secretary’s Certificate of MDMPI attached as Annex “A” to the Petition.

Formally incorporated in December 1999, petitioner’s primary purpose as per their Articles of Incorporation (Annex “N”) -, i.e. engage in business of buying, importing, trading, selling, distributing and marketing goods, commodities and merchandise of every kind and description insofar as permitted by law such as but not limited to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical, hospital and industrial products and equipment, including related software and programs, on wholesale basis; enter into all kinds of contracts for the import, purchase, acquisition, sale at wholesale and other disposition for its own account as principal or in a representative capacity as manufacturer’s/ service provider’s representative, merchandise broker, indentor, commission merchant, factors or agents upon consignment, of all kinds of goods, wares, merchandise, products and services, whether natural or artificial and conduct seminars and training regarding the corporation’s products and services for the development of professionals.

Petitioner alleges that it conducts business nationwide as it has sales and marketing personnel and service engineers deployed all throughout the Philippines and deal with key dealers and resellers in Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It also partnered with globally recognized suppliers including among others, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Intrumentation Laboratory, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Randox Laboratories, Ltd and Bio Rad Laboratories.

Petitioner further avers that with its partnership with top global brands enabled it to provide almost 80% of all the routine tests done in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory; establish itself as one of the key players in the in-vitro diagnostics industry; grow customer base to a total of 214 government and private hospitals and free standing laboratories nationwide; and holds shares ranging from 2% to 15% of the distributor market in its core businesses. Petitioner also claims that its business performance has reflected well on its creditworthiness.

In filing the present petition, petitioner alleges that due to COVID 19 pandemic, it does not have sufficient cash or liquid assets to cover all obligations as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. According to petitioner corporation, as of July 31, 2020, MDMPI’s total assets amounted to P1.26 billion consisting mainly of medical equipment consigned with clients, trade receivables, and inventory of reagents, spare parts and brand new medical equipment. Petitioner also avers that its trade receivables due from customers have payment terms ranging from 30 to 90 days although the average age of receivable is 168 days. Meanwhile, petitioner claims that its total liabilities amounts to P1.06 billion. These liabilities pertain to six bank creditors, five leasing companies, 154 trade suppliers, some 111 employees for accrued retirement benefits and shareholders/affiliates for accumulated advances.

Petitioner corporation asserts that while its total assets exceeds its total liabilities, most of its assets are not easily convertible to cash; that as of July 31, 2020, petitioner has cash in the amount of P17.5 million, thus, it has no sufficient cash or near-cash assets to pay all its liabilities as they fall due, hence, it is therefore merely technically insolvent.

Petitioner further avers that due to the pandemic brought about by COVID 19 and the government’s imposition of the community quarantines, these severely affected all sectors including the health care industry. Cash flows of hospitals and clinics suffered and dampened the demand for diagnostic tests. As a result, petitioner alleges that its sales were down to P32 million for the month of April and deteriorated to P22 million in May and by mid-year, cumulative sales have fallen by 24.7% from the year-ago level which clearly indicated the need to recast the sales budget from the original P650 million to a reduced target of P410 million. Petitioner corporation also avers that its obligation to meet purchase commitments from suppliers have remained in force but in slightly lower levels than in 2019 putting further strain on cash flows; the said compounded pressure have nearly exhausted financial resources, resulting to the corporation’s failure to make timely payments on its maturing bank debts and on trade and other payables falling due.

Petitioner also states that while its sales and collection of receivables continue to be affected by the pandemic, the maturity dates of its financing obligations remain virtually unchanged except for the temporary relief brought about by the Bayanihan Act 1, leading to liquidity problems of the company.

Petitioner further alleges that it is not aware of any pending actions or proceeding against it but if it becomes aware of such, will promptly inform the Court.

Nonetheless, there are threats or demand to enforce claims or liens against the petitioner by its Creditors as enumerated in its Statement of Possible Claims attached as Annex “K” to the petition.

Petitioner also avers that despite its business reverses and increasing liabilities it is confident that it will be able to continue its business and eventually pay all its obligations with a workable rehabilitation plan which is feasible, possible and reasonably attainable.

Said Rehabilitation Plan is outline in detail and attached as Annex “H” of the petition.

In view thereof, petitioner prays that the Court finds its Petition sufficient in form and substance; issue a Commencement Order that includes a Stay or Suspension Order; give due course to the petition; approve the rehabilitation plan; confirm the said plan and grant other just and equitable relief available under Rule 2 of the Rehabilitation Rules.

After an evaluation and examination of the allegations in the petition for voluntary rehabilitation and the documents attached thereto, the Court finds the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, and petitioner debtor corporation MARSMAN DRYSDALE MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC. is hereby declared for REHABILITATION.

suspension of all actions or proceedings in court or otherwise for the enforcement of all claims against petitioner corporation Marsman Drysdale Medical Products Inc. retroactive to the filing of its Compliance on September 7, 2020 in accordance with Rule 2(B) Section 7 of A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC; (b) suspension of all actions to enforce any judgment, attachment or other provisional remedies against petitioner debtor corporation retroactive to the filing of the Compliance on September 7, 2020; (c) prohibiting petitioner debtor corporation from selling, encumbering, transferring or disposing in any manner any of its properties except in the ordinary course of business; and (d) prohibiting petitioner debtor corporation from making any payment of its liabilities outstanding as of the Commencement Date, except as maybe provided herein.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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The issuance of a stay order however does not affect the right to commence actions or proceedings in order to preserve ad cautelam a claim against the debtor and to toll the running of the prescriptive period to file the claim.3 And for that purpose, the plaintiff may file the appropriate court action or proceeding by paying the amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) or one tenth(1/10) of the prescribed filing fee, whichever is lower.4 The payment of the balance of the filing fee shall be a jurisdictional requirement for the reinstatement or revival of the case.5 Further, the petitioner debtor corporation’s suppliers of goods and/ or services are prohibited from withholding the supply of goods and services in the ordinary course of business for as long as the petitioner debtor make payments for the goods and services supplied after the issuance of th is Commencement Order.6 All administrative expenses which refer to those expenses that are incurred in the ordinary course of business of petitioner corporation after the issuance of this Order shall be paid as they become due7 All creditors and interested parties including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and all regulatory agencies concerned are directed to file their verified comment on or opposition to the instant petition for rehabilitation with supporting affidavits and documents not later than fifteen (15) days before the date of the initial hearing and to prepare for the initial hearing of this petition.8 Similarly, all creditors and other interested persons are also directed to establish their claims against petitioner debtor corporation by filing their verified notices of claims, together with supporting affidavits and documents with this Court at least five (5) days before the initial hearing date subject to the warning that their failure to do so on time may bar them from participating in the instant rehabilitation proceedings but will not prejudice their right to receive distributions if recommended by the rehabilitation receiver and approved by the court, in accordance with Section 12 of the Rehabilitation Rules. 9 For this purpose, petitioner debtor corporation is directed to make available copies of the petition and the rehabilitation plan for examination and copying by any interested party at its principal office- located at Ground Floor, Molave Building, 2231 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, in addition to copies that are available with this Court.

Pursuant to Section 16 (h) of RA No. 10142, Mr. Gener T. Mendoza is hereby appointed from among the three (3) nominees of petitioner corporation submitted as its Rehabilitation Receiver and for him to enter into the discharge and exercise of his powers and function upon : (a) posting of a bond in the amount of Pl00,000 .00 conditioned that he will faithfully discharge his duties and obey the orders of this Court; (b) taking of an oath that he will perform his powers, duties and functions faithfully; and (c) accomplishment of Certification under oath that he possesses all the qualifications as such receiver and is not disqualified by reason of conflict of interest. Petitioner debtor corporation is further directed to immediately serve a copy of this Commencement Order upon Mr. Gener T. Mendoza and the latter is directed to manifest his acceptance or non-acceptance of his appointment not later than ten (10) days from receipt hereof. While the Court already appointed a receiver from among the nominees of herein petitioner debtor corporation any dissatisfied creditor may submit the name or nominate any other qualified person to the position of rehabilitation receiver at least five (5) days before the abovementioned initial hearing date.10 The Court’s issuance of the instant Commencement Order shall in addition to the effects of a Stay or Suspension Order produce the following effects as provided under Section 17 of R.A. No.1 0142, to wit: (a) vest the rehabilitation receiver with all the powers and functions provided for in R.A. 10142 such as the right to review and obtain all records to which the petitioner debtor corporations management and directors have access including bank accounts of whatever nature of the debtor subject to the appraisal of this Court of the performance bond filed by the re habilitation receiver; (b) prohibit or otherwise serve as the legal basis for rendering null and void the results of any extrajudicial activity or process to seize property, sell encumbered property, or otherwise attempt to collect on or enforce a claim against the debtor after the commencement date, which retroacts to the filing of the petitioner of its Compliance on September 7, 2020 unless otherwise allowed under these Rules, subject to the provisions of Section 49 of the Rule; (c) serve as the legal basis for rendering null and void any set-off after the commencement date of any debt owed to the debtor by any of the debtor’s creditors; (d) serve as the legal basis for rendering null and void the perfection of any lien against the debtor’s property after the commencement date which retroacts to the time of the filing of petitioner’s Compliance on September 7, 2020; (e) consolidate the resolution of all legal proceedings by and against the debtor in the court: Provided, however, that the court may allow the continuation of cases in other courts where the debtor had initiated the suit; (f) exempt the debtor from liability for taxes and fees, including penalties, interests and charges thereof due to the national government or the LGU as provided in Section 19 of the Act. Meanwhile, all contracts not confirmed in writing by petitioner debtor corporation within ninety (90) days following the issuance of the commencement order shall be automatically terminated. 11 In accordance with Section 19 of R.A. No. 10142 upon the issuance of this Commencement Order by this Court and until the approval of the Rehabilitation Plan or dismissal of this petition, whichever is earlier, the imposition of all taxes and fees including penalties, interests and other charges thereof, due to the national government or to the LGUs shall be considered waived in furtherance of the objectives of rehabilitation.

Unless lifted by this Court, the instant Commencement Order shall be effective for the duration of the rehabilitation proceedings for as long as there is a substantial likelihood that herein petitioner debtor corporation will be successfully rehabilitated subject to the petitioner debtor corporation’s ability to meet the minimum requirements as provided under Section 21 of R.A. 10142.

As mandated under Section 16(f) of R.A. 101422 and Section 8(G) of A.M No. 12-12-11-SC, petitioner debtor corporation is directed to cause the publication of this Commencement Order in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for at least two(2) consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made within seven(7) days from the time of its issuance and to submit to the court five days before the initial hearing, the publishers affidavit showing that the publication requirement as directed by this Court has been complied; with the further directive for petitioner debtor corporation to personally serve and deliver copies of the instant petition on (i) each creditor holding at least ten(10%) of its petitioner debtor corporation total liabilities as determined from the schedule that they attached to the instant petition; (ii) the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and (iii) the appropriate or relevant regulatory agencies such as but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Insurance Commission, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board ( HLURB), and the Energy Regulatory Board, within five(S) days from receipt hereof. 12 Lastly, in case of foreign creditors if there are any, petitioner debtor corporation is directed to ensure that foreign creditors with no known addresses in the Philippines be served with a copy of the Commencement Order at their foreign addresses in such a manner that will ensure that the foreign creditor will receive a copy of the order at least fifteen (15) days before the initial hearing. 13 ACCORDINGLY, the initial hearing is hereby set through videoconferencing on October 21,2020 at 9:00 in the morning for the purpose of determining whether there is substantial likelihood for the debtor to be rehabilitated. On said date and time, all creditors and any and all interested parties are directed to appear and prepare for the said initial hearing.

SO ORDERED. City of Makati. September 11, 2020.

ANDRES BARTOLOME SORIANO Presiding Judge 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Pursuant to Section 16(q) of R.A. No. 10142 and by virtue of the authority of this Court, a Stay or Suspension Order is hereby issued ordering the (a)

B2

8 9 10 11 12 13

G.R. No. 165571, January 20, 2009.

Ibid.

Rule 2 (B) Section 8 (V) last paragraph of A.M. No. 12- 12-11-SC. Ibid.

Ibid .

Rule 2(B) Section 8(0) of A. M. No. 12-12-11 -SC. Rule 2( B) Section 8( P) of A.M No. 12- 12-11-SC. Rule 2(B) Section 8(N) of A.M. No. 12-12- 11-SC. Rule 12 of A.M. No. 12- 12-11-SC. Rule 2(B) Section SeT) of A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC Rule 2(B)Section 8(U) of A.M . No. 12-12-11-SC Rule 2(B) Section 8(H) of A.M No. 12- 12-11-SC Rule 2(B) Section 8 (J) of A.M. No. 12-12- 11-SC.

(MS-SEPT 18 & 25, 2020)

SECOND WAVE. A woman walks past South Korean health officials from Bupyeong-gu Office wearing protective gear and

spraying disinfectants at a shopping district in Incheon on September 17, 2020. South Korea—which largely overcame an early COVID-19 surge with extensive tracing and testing – has seen several clusters in recent weeks, raising concerns of a second wave and prompting authorities to tighten social distancing measures last month. AFP

US sends top diplomat to Taiwan, defies China The trip, the second high-ranking US visit in as many months, is likely to rile China, which baulks at any recognition of Taiwan and has mounted a decades-long policy of marginalising the democratic island.

Relations between the United States and China are at their lowest point in decades, with the two sides clashing over a range of trade, military and security issues, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

“The United States honours President Lee’s legacy by Keith Krach, undersecretary of state for economic continuing our strong bonds with Taiwan and its vibrant growth, energy and the environment, was heading to Taipei democracy through shared political and economic values,” to attend a memorial service for late president Lee Teng- spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement announcing Krach’s trip. AFP hui on Saturday, the US State Department said.

A

TOP US diplomat will arrive in Taiwan on Thursday, the highestranking State Department official to visit in 40 years, in a further sign of Washington’s willingness to defy China and its campaign to isolate the self-ruled island.

‘China blocking virus lawsuits’

An undated and unplaced handout photo received from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland on September 17, 2020 hows a detailed view of the gympie-gympie stinging tree that secretes a “scorpion-like venom.” AFP

Australian stinging trees contain ‘scorpion-like venom’ AUSTRALIA is notorious for its venomous spiders, snakes and sea creatures, but researchers have now identified “scorpion-like” toxins secreted by a tree that can cause excruciating pain for weeks.

Split-second contact with the dendrocnide tree, a rainforest nettle known by its indigenous name gympie-gympie, delivers a sting far more potent than similar plants found in the US or Europe.

The tree, which has broad ovalor heart-shaped leaves, is primarily found in rainforest areas of northeast Queensland, where it is notorious among hikers.

A team of Australian scientists say they now better understand why the gympie-gympie’s sting haunts those unlucky enough to brush up against its leaves.

Victims report an initial sting that “feels like fire at first, then subsides over hours to a pain reminiscent of having the affected body part

caught in a slammed car door,” the University of Queensland researchers said Thursday.

In the final, drawn-out stages, simply taking a shower can reignite the pain.

Though the gympie-gympie is covered in fine needle-like hairs similar to other nettles, previous testing for common irritants such as histamines came up empty.

Irina Vetter, an associate professor at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, said the research team discovered a new class of neurotoxin miniproteins, which they christened ‘gympietides.’

“Although they come from a plant, the gympietides are similar to spider and cone snail toxins in the way they fold into their 3D molecular structures and target the same pain receptors – this arguably makes the gympie-gympie tree a truly ‘venomous’ plant,” she said. AFP

WUHAN pensioner Zhong Hanneng endured every parent’s worst nightmare when coronavirus claimed her son in February, and – alongside other bereaved relatives—she wants to sue the local government she blames for his death.

But they have had their lawsuits abruptly rejected, dozens of others face pressure from authorities not to file, and lawyers are being warned against helping them, according to people involved in the effort.

The families accuse the Wuhan and Hubei provincial governments of concealing the outbreak when it first emerged there late last year, failing to alert the public, and bungling the response, allowing Covid-19 to explode out of control.

It has killed nearly 3,900 in the city and over 900,000 globally so far.

“They say the epidemic was a natural calamity. But these serious outcomes are man-made, and you need to find who’s to blame,” said Zhong, 67.

“Our family is shattered. I can never be happy again.”

At least five lawsuits have been filed with the Wuhan Intermediate Court, said Zhang Hai, whose elderly father died of the virus and who has emerged as a vocal advocate and spokesman for families of virus victims.

Plaintiffs are each seeking around two million yuan ($295,000) in damages and a public apology.

But the court has rejected suits on unspecified procedural grounds, said Yang Zhanqing, a veteran Chinese activist now in the US. Yang, who is coordinating two dozen lawyers in China who are secretly advising families, said the rejections have come via curt phone calls—not through official written explanations, as legally required—apparently to avoid a paper trail.

Staff at the Wuhan court refused AFP requests for comment.

The virus emerged in Wuhan last December but city authorities initially dragged their feet, pressuring whistleblowing doctors to keep quiet. AFP

Dutch mushroom coffins turn bodies into compost IN THE Netherlands you can keep helping the planet after you die—by opting for a living coffin made of mushrooms which speeds up the decomposition of your body.

The coffin turns corpses into compost that enriches the soil thanks to mycelium, the root structure of fungi.

The “Living Cocoon” is a world first, according to Bob Hendrikx, who invented the idea in his student laboratory at Delft Technical University.

“This is the world’s first living cof-

fin, and actually last Saturday the first human being in the Netherlands was composted and returned into the cycle of life,” he told AFP. The coffin was the final resting place for an 82-year-old woman, whose body will decompose within two to three years.

If a traditional coffin with varnished wood and metal handles is used, the process normally takes more than ten years.

The casket itself will meanwhile disappear within 30 to 45 days.

“It’s actually an organism, so it’s made from mycelium which is the root structure of mushrooms,” Hendrikx said.

“They’re the biggest recyclers in nature.”

“This is the most natural way to do it... we no longer pollute the environment with toxins in our body and all the stuff that goes into the coffins but actually try to enrich it and really be compost for nature.”

The coffin is the same size and shape as a classic coffin but its pale colour is typical of mycelium. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market ends flat; Puregold, Ayala rise T

HE stock market closed virtually flat Thursday in the absence of a catalyst that could push the benchmark index back to the 6,000-point mark and on Wall Street’s losses overnight.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 3.10 points, or 0.05 percent, to 5,943.52 on a value turnover of P6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 106 to 78, with 58 issues unchanged.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity

distribution, hospital and infrastructure, fell 3.4 percent to P3.40, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, declined 2.3 percent to P130.20.

Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co, however, rose 3 percent to P49.15, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. climbed 2.4 percent to P715.

The rest of Asian markets mostly dropped Thursday following a broadly negative lead from Wall Street after the head of the Federal Reserve warned of an “uncertain” outlook for the US economy and stressed the need for fresh stimulus.

While the central bank indicated interest rates were unlikely to begin rising for another three years, allowing businesses to borrow at ultra-low levels, Jerome Powell’s call for more fiscal help came

with US lawmakers unable to find common ground on a new package.

Wall Street saw fresh losses, with the Nasdaq down more than one percent as tech giants took another hiding. And Asia mostly followed suit.

Hong Kong, Sydney and Seoul all lost more than one percent while Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok and Jakarta were also well down.

Wellington shed 0.5 percent, a limited drop despite data showing New Zealand’s economy fell into recession for the first time in a decade after a record 12.2-percent contraction in the second quarter.

Donald Trump sowed some confusion after claiming a vaccine could be available as soon as next month, directly contradicting the head of the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, who Nancy Pelosi and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows each made encourhad given a timeline of mid-2021.

Fed boss Powell told reporters that aging statements about the potential to while the recovery was looking bet- break the impasse. ter than anticipated, “overall activity Trump on Wednesday tweeted that remains well below its level before the Republicans—who last week put forpandemic and the path ahead remains ward a $500-billion proposal—should highly uncertain.” “go for the much higher numbers,” sug“It will take a while to get back to the gesting he is keen to reach an agreement levels of economic activity and employ- with Democrats, who are aiming for $2 ment that prevailed at the beginning of trillion. With AFP this year,” he said. “My sense is Manila Manila that more fiscal support is likely to REPUBLICOF OFTHE THEPHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC Standard Standard DepartmentofofFinance Finance Department be needed.”

TODAY SECURITIESAND ANDEXCHANGE EXCHANGECOMMISSION COMMISSION TODAY SECURITIES Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard,Pasay, Pasay,1307 1307 Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Talks on a new rescue bill have MARKETSAND ANDSECURITIES SECURITIESREGULATION REGULATIONDEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT MARKETS been stuck in the mud for weeks, THEMATTER MATTEROF OF REGISTRATIONOF OFCOMMERCIAL COMMERCIALPAPERS PAPERS ININTHE REGISTRATION with both sides digging in their CITYLANDDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT CITYLAND heels and swapping the blame, CORPORATION CORPORATION x----------------------------------------x x----------------------------------------x though Democratic House Speaker NNOOTTI ICCEE Noticeisishereby herebygiven giventhat thatonon44September September2020, 2020,aasworn swornRegistration RegistrationStatement Statementwas wasfiled filedwith withthe the Notice Securitiesand andExchange ExchangeCommission Commissionononbehalf behalfofofCITYLAND CITYLANDDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENTCORPORATION CORPORATION Securities the registration registration ofof One One Billion Billion Four Four Hundred Hundred Million Million Pesos Pesos (P1,400,000,000.00) (P1,400,000,000.00) worth worth ofof forfor the CommercialPapers.

Papers.

Commercial

PSEi September 17, 2020

Accordingtotothe thepapers paperspresented, presented,the thefollowing followingpersons personsare arethe thedirector/officers director/officersofofthe thecorporation: corporation: According

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Name Name AndrewI.I.Liuson Liuson Dr.Dr.Andrew StephenC.C.Roxas Roxas Stephen GraceC.C.Liuson Liuson Grace JosefC.C.Gohoc Gohoc Josef PeterS.S.Dee Dee Peter GeorgeEdwin EdwinY.Y.SyCip SyCip George HelenC.C.Roxas Roxas Helen BenjaminI.I.Liuson Liuson Benjamin EmmaA.A.Choa Choa Emma

Position Position Director/ChairmanofofthetheBoard Board Director/Chairman Director/ChairmanofofthetheExecutive ExecutiveCommittee Committee Director/Chairman Director/ViceChairman ChairmanofofthetheBoard Board Director/Vice Director/President Director/President IndependentDirector Director Independent IndependentDirector Director Independent Director Director Director Director Director/ExecutiveVice VicePresident/Treasurer President/Treasurer Director/Executive SeniorVice VicePresident/Chief President/ChiefFinancial FinancialOfficer/Compliance Officer/Compliance&&Corporate Corporate Senior RudyGoGo Rudy InformationOfficer/Data Officer/DataProtection ProtectionOfficer/Investors Officer/InvestorsRelations RelationsOfficer Officer Information MelitaM.M.Revuelta Revuelta VicePresident/Alternate President/AlternateCompliance Compliance&&Corporate CorporateInformation InformationOfficer Officer Melita Vice MelitaL.L.Tan Tan VicePresident President Melita Vice RomeoE.E.NgNg VicePresident President Romeo Vice RosarioD.D.Perez Perez VicePresident-Executive President-ExecutiveAffairs Affairs Rosario Vice WinefredaR.R.GoGo VicePresidentPresident-Purchasing PurchasingDepartment Department Winefreda Vice Atty.Emma EmmaG.G.Jularbal Jularbal Vice VicePresident-Legal President-LegalAffairs/Corporate Affairs/CorporateSecretary Secretary Atty.

DorothyU.U.SoSo AssistantVice VicePresident-Head President-HeadofofInternal InternalAudit AuditDepartment Department Dorothy Assistant CatherineGrace GraceT.T.Wong Wong Assistant AssistantCorporate CorporateSecretary Secretary Catherine ordertotoimplement implementnecessary necessaryhealth healthprotocols protocolsconsistent consistentwith withthe thedirectives directivesand andguidelines guidelinesofofthe the InInorder DepartmentofofHealth Healthforforthe theprotection protectionofofitsitsemployees employeesand andthe theinvesting investingpublic, public,the theCommission Commission Department herebysuspends suspendsthe thephysical physicalinspection inspectionofofthe theRS RSand andother otherpapers/documents papers/documentsattached attachedthereto thereto hereby (collectively referred referred toto asas “Documents”) “Documents”) asas well well asas (ii.) (ii.) providing providing physical physical copies copies thereof thereof toto (collectively interestedparties, parties,until untilfurther furtherNotice.

Notice.InInlieu lieuthereof, thereof,the theCommission Commissionhas hasadopted adoptedananalternative alternative interested modeofofviewing viewingand/or and/ordownloading downloadingthe thesaid saidDocuments Documentsand andany anysubsequent subsequentamendments amendmentsthereto thereto mode enablinginterested interestedparties partiestotoaccess accessthe thesame samethrough throughthe theMSRD MSRDcorner cornerofofthe theSecurities Securitiesand and bybyenabling ExchangeCommission’s Commission’swebsite website(www.sec.gov.ph) (www.sec.gov.ph)ororthe theCompany’s Company’swebsite websitewww.cityland.net. www.cityland.net.

Exchange

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signed signed VICENTEGRACIANO GRACIANOP.P.FELIZMENIO, FELIZMENIO,JR. JR. VICENTE Director Director

(MS-SEPT.1818&&21, 21,2020) 2020) (MS-SEPT.

MONACO EXPANSION. This picture taken on September 16, 2020, shows cranes operating at the construction site of Monaco’s offshore extension project of the future district witch will be built on the sea. In Monaco a new eco-neighborhood will be built on six hectares of newly created land extending into the sea. By 2025 five buildings and fourteen villas must come out of the water, placed on a submarine embankment of unprecedented depth closed by a dike now almost completed. AFP

Bank of Japan keeps policies as economy picks up MOST ACTIVE

TOKYO, Japan—Japan’s central bank on Thursday said it would maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy as the virushit economy gradually picks up, with no big changes announced the day after new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took office.

Suga has pledged to continue the policies of former leader Shinzo Abe, whose signature “Abenomics” program included vast government spending, massive monetary easing and the cutting of red tape.

The Bank of Japan kept its negative interest rate of 0.1 percent on bank deposits, as well as its policy of unlimited purchases of Japanese government bonds, to ensure their 10-year yields remain around zero percent.

It said in a statement it would closely

monitor the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the world’s third-largest economy, “and will not hesitate to take additional measures if necessary.”

The bank was slightly more upbeat in its evaluation of the economy’s health than in July, although it warned that the overall outlook was rocky.

“Japan’s economy has started to pick up with economic activity resuming gradually, although it has remained in a severe situation due to the impact of the novel coronavirus at home and abroad,” it said.

While there has been a slow rise in consumption, “the pace of improvement is Manila Manila expected Standard Standard TODAY TODAY to be only moderate

Belgrade’s sewers taint Europe’s Danube

By Miodrag Sovilj BELGRADE, Serbia— Just down the road from Belgrade’s historic city center, gates open for trucks to pass to the banks of the Danube, where they dump raw sewage into Europe’s venerated river.

It’s not a secret operation, but rather a business nobody likes to mention in the Serbian capital—the only one in Europe to spew all of its unfiltered wastewa- People look at the estuary of the river Sava into the Danube in Belgrade ter into the continent’s on September 11, 2020. Belgrade is the only European capital to pour second-longest river. unfiltered waste water straight into the continent’s second-longest river.

A heavy odor rises AFP as the brown stream of meters (1770 miles) before draining into the feces flows into the waterway, a far cry from the colors that inspired Black Sea. A group of Austrian scientists in 2019 noted Johann Strauss to write his famous waltz “On a “critical” presence of E. coli bacteria in Serthe Beautiful Blue Danube.”

For fishermen who live off the fruits of the bia’s strip of the river, which local experts say Danube and the Sava rivers that join in a beau- is a sign of the high levels of organic pollution.

If consumed, the bacteria can cause infectiful, broad confluence around Belgrade’s old tions, said Igor Jezdimirovic, from the local fortress, this daily practice is “disastrous.”

“I want to cry, and nobody cares,” Dragoljub NGO Environment Engineering.

Riverbed build-up Ristic, a 59-year-old fisherman told AFP. Thanks to its sheer size and power, the DanAround a third of Belgrade, a city of 1.6 million, has no connection to drainage systems ube mostly manages to “cleanse itself,” said and instead relies on the septic tanks that the Bozo Dalmacija, a chemistry professor leading a water quality research team in Serbia. trucks empty straight into the rivers.

For most of the year bacterial particles The rest shunt their unprocessed waste into stay below 500 micrograms per milliliter, the river through around 100 sewage drains.

Roughly 190 million cubic meters of waste- the level at which they pose a health hazard, water—or 60,000 Olympic-sized swimming he told AFP. Those who spend their lives on the river say pools—are poured into the rivers annually, according to estimates made by infrastructure they have already seen it change, with a build up of waste shallowing out the riverbed. minister Zorana Mihajlovic.

While scientific studies are hard to come by, “No big city in Europe commits such a crime towards its rivers,” claims Belgrade Deputy fishermen say the sewage has altered the variMayor Goran Vesic, who has called for a prop- ety of fish that end up in their nets.

Whitefish are harder to find whereas bottom er wastewater treatment system.

The Danube begins in Germany and snakes feeders like catfish, which eat the waste, are through nine other countries over 2,850 kilo- more abundant. AFP

while the impact of Covid-19 remains worldwide,” it warned.

In its July quarterly report, the bank said Japan’s economy will contract 4.7 percent in the year to March 2021, projecting a recovery the following year but adding that deep uncertainty remains.

The economy shrank 7.9 percent in the second quarter of this year—the worst figure since comparable data became available in 1980.

It was in recession even before the coronavirus hit owing to damage from a powerful typhoon last year, and a sales tax hike in October. AFP

INTHE THEMATTER MATTEROF OFTHE THESETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT IN OFTHE THESTATE STATEOF OFJOSELING JOSELINGLAPERAL LAPERAL OF ARCEAND ANDFOR FORISSUANCE ISSUANCEOF OFLETTERS LETTERS ARCE OFADMlNISTRATION ADMlNISTRATIONTO TOESPERANZA ESPERANZAA. A. OF VERGELDE DEDlOS DlOSAND ANDRONALD RONALDA. A.VERGEL VERGEL VERGEL DEDIOS DEDIOS SP.PROC. PROC.CASE CASENO. NO. SP. R-MND-20-00849-SP R-MND-20-00849-SP ESPERANZAA. A.VERGEL VERGELDE DEDI0S, DI0S, ESPERANZA Petitioner.

Petitioner. x------------------------------------------------x x------------------------------------------------x

ORDER ORDER

petitionwas wasfiled filedon onJuly July06, 06,2020 2020for forthe thesettlement settlementofofthe the AApetition intestate estate estate ofof the the Joseling Joseling Laperal Laperal Arce Arce and and issuance issuance ofof intestate letters of administration and appointment of co-administrators. letters of administration and appointment of co-administrators.

Petitioneralleged, alleged,that thatthe thedecedent decedentisisher hernephew nephewwho whodied died Petitioner on December December 08, 08, 2019 2019 while while aa resident resident ofof Unit Unit 56D, 56D, South South on Tower,One OneShangri-La Shangri-LaPlace, Place,Internal InternalRoad, Road,Brgy.

Brgy.Wack-Wack Wack-Wack Tower, Greenhills, Mandaluyong Mandaluyong City City leaving leaving an an Estate Estate estimated estimated at at Greenhills, PhP21,751000.00, 000.00,more moreor orless, less,composed composedofofreal realand andpersonal personal PhP21,751 properties, including including bank bank deposits, deposits, condominium condominium units units and and properties, parkingspaces, spaces,aamotor motorvehicle, vehicle,and andsecurities. securities. parking viewthereof, thereof,notice noticeisishereby herebygiven giventhat thatthis thispetition petitionwill willbe be InInview heardby bythis thisCourt Courton onOctober October09, 09,2020 2020at at08:30 08:30a.m. a.m.atatwhich which heard dateand andtime, time,interested interestedpersons personsmay mayappear appearand andshow showcause cause date whythe thepetition petitionshould shouldnot notbe begranted. granted. why The petitioner petitioner shall shall cause cause aa copy copy ofof this this order order be be published published The once (1) (1) aa week, week, for for three three (3) (3) consecutive consecutive weeks, weeks, inin “MANILA “MANILA once STANDARD”, aa newspaper newspaper ofof general general circulation circulation chosen chosen inin aa STANDARD”, raffleconducted conductedby bythe theExecutive ExecutiveJudge Judgeofofthis thisCourt Courton onJuly July13, 13, raffle 2020.

2020.

Petitionerisislikewise likewisedirected directedtotocause causethe theservice serviceofofthe thecopies copies Petitioner thisorder, order,together togetherwith withaacopy copyofofthe thePetition Petitionand andits itsannexes, annexes, ofofthis theknown knownheirs, heirs,viz: viz: totothe

NOTICE OF OF POSTPONEMENT POSTPONEMENT NOTICE OF ANNUAL ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING MEETING OF ToAll All Stockholders: Stockholders: To Please be be informed informed that that the the annual annual meeting meeting of of stockholders stockholders Please of BRIGHT BRIGHT KINDLE KINDLE RESOURCES RESOURCES && INVESTMENTS, INVESTMENTS, INC.(the INC.(the of “Corporation”) for for the the year year 2020 2020 which which isis scheduled scheduled to to be be held held “Corporation”) on 22 October October 2020 2020 (Friday) (Friday) has has been been postponed postponed and and reset reset to to 23 23 on October 2020 2020 (Friday).

(Friday).

October The purpose purpose of of the the postponement postponement isis to to give give the the Company Company more more The time to to prepare prepare for for additional additional matters matters that that will will be be presented presented to to the the time stockholders at at the the meeting. meeting. stockholders Noticeof ofMeeting Meetingwill willbe beissued issuedin inrelation relationto tothe thenew newmeeting meeting AANotice date on on 23 23 October October 2020.

2020. date

a.)Clarissa ClarissaArce ArceMedina Medina a.) b.)Edgardo EdgardoArce ArceGarcia Garcia b.) c.)Pedro PedroGarcia, Garcia,Jr. Jr. c.) d.)

Merceditas Garcia d.) Merceditas Garcia e.)Ramon RamonGarcia Garcia e.) f.)Carmelita CarmelitaGarcia GarciaBaldonado Baldonado f.) g.)Carmencita CarmencitaDrucco DruccoArce Arce g.) h.)Ramon RamonArce ArceIIIIII h.)

VioletaArce ArceMolina Molina i.)i.)Violeta NievesArce Arce j.)j.)Nieves k.)Zenaida ZenaidaArce Arce k.)

I.)Linda LindaArce Arce I.) m.)Myrna MyrnaArce Arce m.) n.)Norma NormaArce ArceReyes Reyes n.)

MAILAG. G. DE DE CASTRO CASTRO MAILA Corporate Secretary Secretary Corporate

0.)Serafin SerafinArce Arce 0.) p.)Faustino FaustinoS. S.Arce Arce p.) q.)Eloisa EloisaArce ArceRomero Romero q.) r.)Maurita MauritaArce ArceKuhn Kuhn r.) s.)Cynthia CynthiaArce ArceJose Jose s.) t.)Armida ArmidaArce ArceJimenez Jimenez t.) u.)Edmund EdmundArce Arce u.) v.)Dennis DennisArce Arce v.) w.)Edwin EdwinArce Arce w.) x.)Exaltacion ExaltacionAree AreeArabit Arabit x.) y.)Evangeline EvangelineSchanssema Schanssema y.) z.)Analyn AnalynArce Arce z.) aa.)Patricia PatriciaArce Arce aa.)

Petitioners shall shall also also deposit deposit inin the the post post office, office, with with the the Petitioners postage thereon thereon prepaid, prepaid, atat least least twenty twenty (20) (20) days days before before the the postage above-mentioned hearing hearing date, date, toto each each ofof the the aforementioned aforementioned above-mentioned persons,copies copiesofofthis thisorder, order,together togetherwith withaacopy copyofofthe thePetition Petition persons, andits itsannexes. annexes. and SOORDERED. ORDERED. SO CityofofMandaluyong, Mandaluyong,Philippines, Philippines,July July27, 27,2020 2020 City Copyfumished: fumished: Copy

(Sgd.)JAIME JAIMEFORTUNATO FORTUNATOA. A.CARINGAL CARINGAL (Sgd.) Judge Judge

NisceMamuric MamuricGuinto GuintoRivera Rivera&& Nisce AlcantaraLaw LawOffices Offices Alcantara Counselfor forPetitioner Petitioner Counsel 8thFloor Floor139 139Corporate CorporateCenter Center 8th 139Valero ValeroStreet, Street,Salcedo SalcedoVillage, Village, 139 MakatiCity City Makati

Makati City, City, 16 16 September, September, 2020.

2020.

Makati

(MS-SEPT.17 17&&18, 18,2020) 2020) (MS-SEPT.

REPUBLICOF OFTHE THEPHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC REGIONALTRIAL TRIALCOURT COURT REGIONAL NATIONALCAPITAL CAPITALJUDICIAL JUDICIALREGION REGION NATIONAL MANDALUYONGCITY CITY MANDALUYONG BRANCH278 278 BRANCH

ClarissaArce ArceMedina Medina Clarissa 106Gem GemRoad, Road,Pilar PilarVillage, Village, 106 LasPiñas PiñasCity City Las

EdmundArce Arce Edmund ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. DennisArce Arce Dennis ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. EdwinArce Arce Edwin ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. QuezonCity City Quezon

EdgardoArce ArceGarcia Garcia Edgardo thruMerceditas MerceditasGarcia Garcia thru 22Flamingo FlamingoStreet, Street,Green GreenMeadows, Meadows,QC QC Violeta 22 VioletaAree AreeMolina Molina thruRamon RamonArce ArceIIIIII thru RamonArce ArceIIIIII Ramon 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 QuezonCity City Quezon QuezonCity City Quezon NievesArce Arce Nieves CarmencitaDrucco DruccoArce Arce Carmencita thruRamon RamonArce ArceIIIIII thru thruRamon RamonArce ArceIIIIII thru 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes.

Homes.

15 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 QuezonCity City Quezon QuezonCity City Quezon ZenaidaArce Arce Zenaida PedroGarcia, Garcia,Jr. Jr. Pedro thruRamon RamonArce Arce thru thruMerceditas MerceditasGarcia Garcia thru 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 22Flamingo FlamingoStreet, Street,Green GreenMeadows, Meadows, 22 QuezonCity City Quezon QuezonCity City Quezon LindaArce Arce Linda MerceditasGarcia Garcia Merceditas thruRamon RamonArce Arce thru 22Flamingo FlamingoStreet, Street,Green GreenMeadows, Meadows, 22 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 QuezonCity City Quezon QuezonCity City Quezon RamonGarcia Garcia Ramon thruMerceditas MerceditasGarcia Garcia thru 22Flamingo FlamingoStreet, Street,Green GreenMeadows, Meadows, 22 QuezonCity City Quezon

MyrnaArce Arce Myrna thruRamon RamonArce ArceIIIIII thru 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 QuezonCity City Quezon

CarmelitaGarcia GarciaBaldonado Baldonado Carmelita thruMerceditas MerceditasGarcia Garcia thru 22Flamingo FlamingoStreet, Street,Green GreenMeadows, Meadows, 22 QuezonCity City Quezon

NormaArce ArceReyes Reyes Norma thruRamon RamonArce ArceIIIIII thru 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 QuezonCity City Quezon

FaustinoS. S.Arce Arce Faustino ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A.

SerafinArce Arce Serafin thruRamon RamonArce ArceIIIIII thru 15Ruby RubyStreet, Street,Mira MiraNila NilaHomes, Homes, 15 QuezonCity City Quezon

EloisaArce ArceRomeron Romeron Eloisa ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. MauritaArce ArceKuhn Kuhn Maurita ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. CynthiaArce ArceJose Jose Cynthia ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. ArmidaArce ArceJimenez Jimenez Armida ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. (MS-SEPT.18, 18,2020) 2020) (MS-SEPT.

(MStandard-Sep.11, 11,18 18&&25, 25,2020) 2020) (MStandard-Sep.

ExaltacionArce ArceArabit Arabit Exaltacion 114Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, 114 A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. EvangelineSchanssema Schanssema Evangeline 114Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, 114 A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. AnalynArce Arce Analyn ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A. PatriciaArce Arce Patricia ArceCompound, Compound,Selecta SelectaDrive, Drive, Arce A.Bonifacio BonifacioSt., St.,Quezon QuezonCity City A.

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN

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

B4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

DITO Telecom spending P27b to build towers

By Darwin G. Amojelar DITO Telecommunity Corp., a joint venture of businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecoms, said Thursday it will spend more than P27 billion next year to roll out telecom towers nationwide and fund other operating expenses.

“We are aiming to spend P27 billion or more next year to expand our network,” Atty. Adel Tamano, chief administrative officer of DITO, said.

Tamano said the company planned to construct an additional 3,500 fourthgeneration cell sites and about 1,500 5G cell sites next year.

DITO said it already spent nearly P150 billion for the initial rollout of its infrastructure and other operating expenses.

DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said the company fully constructed 500 towers and recently completed an additional 359 towers.

Santiago said that as of Sept. 13, DITO had 859 towers out of the 1,300 estimated number of towers needed to achieve the mandated targets of 37 percent population coverage and speed of 27 megabits per second by January 2021.

Santiago said the company also signed on additional six contractors for its common tower initiatives, on top of LCS Holdings for North Luzon and NCR, ZEAL Power for Southern Luzon, ALT Global for the Visayas and CEEC Tower for Mindanao. Two of the six newly-appointed contractors were Aboitiz for Cebu and Davao and the LEO Group for NCR. Santiago said the DITO has the needed data centers with eight regional and two permanent core network centers in construction. He said that of the 10,590-kilometer backbone and feeder cable under construction, 5,701 km was finished.

Tamano said DITO was ready for the technical audit by January 2021 and commercial rollout by March 2021.

Santiago said that in terms of security, the company was working with Fortinet, NexusGuard, McAfee, Nessus, Veritas, Pentaho Data, IDAM Systems by BeyondTrust, Microsoft, Cisco ISE, Siemplify, ManageEngine and SolarWinds which are all leaders in cyber security solutions to ensure that DITO and the country are safe and secure.

Manila falls 10 places to rank in bottom 10 of Smart City Index

By Othel V. Campos MANILA fell 10 places to rank No. 104 among 109 cities surveyed in the second edition of 2020 Smart City Index Report.

The Smart City Index ranks cities based on economic and technological data and their citizens’ perceptions of how “smart” their cities are.

Joining Manila in the bottom 10 were Sau Paulo, Brazil at 100th place; Rome, Italy at 101th; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 102th; Cape Town, South Africa, 103rd; Rabat, Morroco, 105th; Cairo, Egypt, 106th; Abuja, Nigeria, 107th; Nairobi, Kenya, 108th; and Lagos, Nigeria in the last spot.

Singapore retained its spot as the smartest city with a rating of AAA while Helsinki jumped 7 places to rank second place from 8th. Zurich dropped a notch to third.

Rounding up the top ten cities were Auckland, Oslo, Copenhagen, Geneva, Taipei, Amsterdam and New York.

The Institute for Management Development, in collaboration with Singapore University for Technology and Design, released the 2020 Smart City Index, with key findings on how technology is playing a role in the COVID-19 era in a way that is likely to remain.

Hundreds of respondents from 109 cities were surveyed in April and May 2020 and were asked questions on the technological provisions of their city across five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities and governance.

From a list of 15 indicators, the respondents were asked to identify priority areas of concern that were most urgent for their city.

Business Regulator okays SMIC’s plan to sell P30-b bonds in 3 years

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission approved the P30-billion bond shelf registration program of conglomerate SM Investments Corp.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received a pre-effective clearance from the SEC regarding its proposed debt securities program. The bonds will be issued in tranches over a three-year period.

SM Investments plans to issue of up to P5 billion fixed-rate bonds with an oversubscription of up to P5 billion in the first tranche. The Series H bonds will have a tenor of 3.5 years and will mature in 2024.

The net proceeds from the fund-raising activity will be used to fully pay the conglomerate’s maturing loans. These are short-term loans which were utilized to fund the working capital require-

ments of the company and other corporate purposes. These short-term loans are extended on a monthly basis.

The bonds will be listed with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

SMIC tapped BDO Capital and Investments Corp., ChinaBank Capital, BPI Capital Corp., First Metro Investments Corp. and SB Capital as the joint lead underwriters for the transaction.

The Series H Bonds were assigned PRS Aaa rating with a stable outlook by the Philippine Ratings Services Corp.

Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk.

This means that the issuer’s capacity to meet its financial commitment is extremely strong. PRS Aaa is the highest credit rating assigned by PhilRatings.

SMIC, which has investments in banking, real estate and retail, plans to spend between P94 billion and P98 billion in capital expenditures this year.

The group earlier allocated P80 billion to fund the shopping mall and residential projects of real estate subsidiary SM Prime Holdings Inc. The conglomerate said it would

strengthen its digital offerings to adapt to changing consumer behavior amid the coronavirus pandemic.

SM malls and retailers initiated clickand-collect, curbside pick-up, smartphone messaging communities for deliveries and concierge style personal shopping via social media in response to increased customer needs.

“We have been improving both our online and physical experience and operations across the group—and building new ways to serve customers: from banking, to retail, malls, and property,” SMIC vice chair Teresita Sy Coson said in July.

SMIC reported consolidated net income of P7.1 billion in the first half, down 69 percent from P23.0 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues decreased 21 percent in the six-month period to P185.5 billion from P233.7 billion a year ago.

The property and banking businesses accounted for 61 percent and 34 percent of SMIC’s net income, while retail contributed 5 percent.

PSE INDEX

Thursday, September 17, 2020

-3.10 PTS. 5,943.52

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

952,323,569 68,755 6,012,083,647.17 78 106 58

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, September 17, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.3940

Japan

Yen

0.009530

0.4612

UK

Pound

1.296900

62.7622

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129034

6.2445

Switzerland

Franc

1.099747

53.2212

Canada

Dollar

0.759071

36.7345

Singapore

Dollar

0.736865

35.6598

Australia

Dollar

0.730000

35.3276

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655055

128.4887

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

12.9027

Brunei

Dollar

0.734160

35.5289

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0032

Thailand

Baht

0.032154

1.5561

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1763

Euro

Euro

1.181800

57.1920

Korea

Won

0.000853

0.0413

China

Yuan

0.148017

7.1631

India

Rupee

0.013600

0.6582

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242248

11.7233

New Zealand

Dollar

0.672900

32.5643

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034270

1.6585 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF NEDA chief pushes economic reopening THE opening the economy in the safest possible way will be the key to fully recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to National Economic and Development Authority director-general Karl Kendrick Chua.

Chua said in a television interview over ABS-CBN News Channel that a gradual recovery of the economy could be achieved as long as the economy is allowed to safely open up.

He said the pandemic largely affected urban areas where cities in Metro Manila and Cebu had more cases that compelled the government to impose enhanced community quarantines and general community quarantines.

“The real solution here is to open as much of the economy in the safest possible way.

The government is proposing a higher budget next year. We are going to put P1.12 trillion in infrastructure that will create around 1.5 million jobs,” he said.

Chua said cooperation and maintaining the minimum health standards would ensure gradual resumption in livelihood and poverty reduction as the economy safely opens up. Julito G. Rada

Ayala unit to open more Healthway clinics

FDC REMITTANCE. FDC Misamis Power Corp. remits P9.5 million to the provincial government of Misamis Oriental as financial benefit to strengthen the initiatives against COVID-19. The power firm remitted the fund in compliance with the Energy Regulations 1-94 Program of the Department of Energy. Attending the turnover ceremony are (from left) FDC Misamis president and chief executive Juan Eugenio Roxas, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano, provincial board member Dexter Yasay, acting provincial treasurer Ronald Jame Violon and provincial health officer Dr. Jerie Calingasan.

Fortunes of richest Filipinos dwindle by 22% in 2020 THE combined fortunes of the 50 richest Filipinos suffered a 22-percent decline this year to $60.6 billion from $78 billion last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Forbes Asia.

More than half, or 32 of the country’s 50 richest, saw a decline in their net worth amid the strict lockdown implemented by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The six children of retail and banking tycoon Henry Sy remained at No. 1 in the list with a net worth of $13.9 billion, but they took the biggest hit in dollar terms as their fortunes went down by $3.3 billion from the previous year as the country entered recession in the second quarter this year.

Former senator and real estate tycoon Manuel Villar was second in the list,

SUMITOMO FACTORY.

Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd., a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric, breaks ground for its factory at North Luzon Aero Industrial Park in Binalonan, Pangasinan to support the Philippines’ push for greater innovation.

Leading the groundbreaking ceremonies are (from left) Sumi North-Philippines Wiring Systems Corp. president Takeshi Morikawa and vice president Masaru Yamamoto.

but was the leader in individual ranking with a net worth of $5 billion, down by $1.6 billion from 2019.

Port and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. moved up to No. 3 this year with a net worth of $4.3 billion, down from $5.1 billion previously.

Lance Gokongwei and his siblings debuted at No. 4 with a net worth of $4.1 billion. They replaced their father John Gokongwei Jr. who passed away in November 2019.

Jaime Zobel de Ayala was fifth with a net worth of $3.6 billion. Rounding up the top 10 were Andrew Tan of Alliance Global Group Inc. ($2.3 billion), Lucio Tan of LT Group Inc.($2.2 billion), Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp. ($2 billion), Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Foods Corp. ($1.9 billion) and Lucio and Susan Co of Puregold ($1. billion).

Six names dropped off the list, including Edgar Saavedra of Megawide Construction Corp. Megawide’s shares fell by more than 65 percent after reporting a first-half net loss of P398 million.

Four tycoons returned to the list because of this year’s lower cutoff, which fell 23 percent from last year’s list to $100 million.

They are Michael Romero (No. 46, $135 million) of Globalport 900; Luis Virata (No. 48, $115 million) of Nickel Asia, Mikel Aboitiz (No. 49, $110 million) of Aboitiz Equity Ventures and Lourdes Montinola (No. 50, $100 million) of Far Eastern University.

The list was compiled using information from the individuals, stock exchanges, analysts, private databases, government agencies and other sources.

Jenniffer B. Austria

AYALA Healthcare Holdings Inc., a whollyowned subsidiary of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said it plans to expand to more than 100 its network of clinics under Healthway Medical.

The aggressive rollout of Healthway Medical’s family, multi-specialty and corporate clinics is in line with its goal to become the largest network of clinics in the country, AC Health said.

Under the plan, AC Health will integrate its existing clinic network under Healthway, which aims to offer a broader set of quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services, covering primary to multi-specialty care.

“We are excited to integrate our clinic network under the Healthway brand. For over 20 years, the Healthway name has become synonymous to quality healthcare and has been well-regarded by patients and medical professionals. Our clinics play such a vital role in our ecosystem, serving as the first point of care for many of our patients, especially in this pandemic. With this expansion, we can truly be wherever our patients need us,” AC Health president and chief executive Paolo Borromeo said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

GCash reports 1000% rise in money transfer GCash, a mobile wallet platform, said money transfer volumes surged by over 1,000 percent in August as a result of the huge influx of Filipinos using the service during the pandemic.

GCash said it recorded a 400-percent year-on-year surge in the monthly active users of the Send Money service with peer-topeer money transfer transactions soaring by 500 percent. This led to overall transaction volume ballooning to over 1,000 percent.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos find that GCash Send Money is the easiest and fastest way to transfer money – whether it is for sending or remitting money to loved ones or doing payments to online merchants or other small and medium enterprises,” GCash president Martha Sazon said.

A variety of Send Money features are available through the GCash app: Express Send, Bank Transfer and sending money with photos to name a few.

GCash can also accommodate global money transfers, receiving money from anyone abroad, such as overseas Filipino workers who are stuck in quarantine which is made possible through the claim remittance feature.

MORE Power welcomes SC ruling on franchise

By Alena Mae S. Flores MORE Electric and Power Corp. on Thursday described the decision of the Supreme Court affirming its role as the new electricity distributor in Iloilo City as the city’s triumph for consumer rights and protection.

“This victory has definitely made every step of the year-long legal wrangle very much worth it despite PECO’s delaying tactics and fake news propaganda against us. The ruling, more than anything else, is a clear message by the High Tribunal that nothing is over and above the welfare of the general public,” MORE Power president Roel Castro said in a statement.

“This is definitely a major win for all of us, most especially for Iloilo power consumers who spent years, decades even, putting up with all the unbridled violations and inequities of the former utility distributor,” Castro said.

He said the decision of the Supreme Court validated Congress’ power to choose the best company to provide vital public services to Iloilo City and its 65,000 consumers.

Castro said this assured Iloilo consumers of safe, quality and reliable electric service under MORE Power’s program to modernize the city’s distribution system.

“We applaud the Supreme Court for making this decision and by standing alongside the advocacy of the people to finally oust a monopoly that has trampled on the rights of the Ilonggos for so long. Rest assured that MORE Power will continue working to improve and modernize the distribution system as we carry forward the tradition of noble public service which we believe Ilonggos have every right to demand for and which they fully deserve,” Castro said.

MORE Power earlier committed to invest P1.8 billion to modernize and upgrade the distribution system of Iloilo City.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

LeBron, Giannis named to All-NBA First Team

LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers powers to the hoop against the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals in Orlando, Florida at AdventHealth Arena. AFP

Duke recruit welcomes Gilas stint

By Peter Atencio

Elauria announces launch of pro chess tourney ORGANIZING the first professional chess league in the country took many years.

And it was supposed to take off early this year, but the coronavirus situation worldwide kept this from materializing many months ago.

Professional Chess Association of the Philippines founder and commissioner Paul Elauria said this following yesterday’s online press conference on Zoom.

“The plans were conceptualized many years ago. But, we decided to move only while there is this pandemic,” said Elauria following a meeting with the Games and Amusements Board and its chairman by Baham Mitra.

Elauria said they plan to have around 20 to 32 team when action finally gets going by next year.

So far, they have gotten commitments from 12 teams.

And these groups are mostly local government units, with the San Juan Preda-Torres, Cagayan Valley Kings and Makati Red Gambits leading the way.

Others joining are the Palawan Beach Masters, Subic/Zambales Knightmares, Tarlac Top Guns, Pampanga Master Bankers, Pasig Pawn Stars, Mindoro Golden Tamaraws and the Manila Noble Knights.

Officials of the PCAP said a lot of work still has to be done, and in terms of the application of players, drafting, then launch.

Mitra hopes that the tournament will be off to a good start next year, and that cheating and game-fixing will be checked.

Peter Atencio

V

ANESSA de Jesus, whose parents immigrated to United States decades ago, welcomes a chance to play for the Gilas Pilipinas national women’s basketball team.

The opportunity to join the national squad came her way yesterday following talks with national women’s coach Patrick Aquino.

The 5’8” de Jesus, who has a colorful career in high school, is suiting up for the Duke University Blue Devils in the Division 1 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association this November.

She will be an asset for Duke, which is currently ranked no. 3 before the pandemic cancelled the rest of their postseason campaign.

Aquino met her recently after being introduced in a meet-up with prospects in one of FilAm Nation’s activities.

Fil-Am Nation, considers itself as the leading basketball organization in the United States that represents Fil-

American basketball players.

But Aquino said he missed a chance to see de Jesus back in February.

“I’m happy. My hard work has paid off. And with all the help I got, this helped me grow as a player and as a person,” said the 18-year-old de Jesus following an online meet-and-greet on Zoom yesterday.

The Valencia, California-based de Jesus caught the attention of new Duke coach Kara Lawson when she tried out for the team.

De Jesus is part of the All-California Interscholastic Federation Open Division first team in 2020, with the Suddenlink first team All-State in 2020, and the All-CIF Southern Section Co-Player-of-the-Year in 2019.

C1

All these she earned while playing for Sierra Canyon High School.

There’s excitement in me,” added de Jesus, on her stint with the Blue Devils.

De Jesus’s dad Philip is from Pangasinan while mom Maria is from Boracay.

She is the first-ever student-athlete of Asian descent to see action for the Blue Devils.

De Jesus normed 5.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game while with Sierra Canyon.

She said she had offers to join Ivy League school with good academic programs. But the academic and varsity programs from Duke University attracted her most.

Aquino said he is glad that de Jesus is open to the idea of playing for Gilas.

“With the experience that she is going to get from Duke, she will give it back to the national team in the future. And she will do something with it for the Philippines in the future,” said Aquino.

LOS ANGELES, United States—Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and four-time league MVP LeBron James were both unanimously chosen to the All-NBA First Team, the league announced Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time).

Los Angeles Lakers forward James set the league record with his 16th AllNBA Team selection, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, who all have 15.

James has 13 selections to the First Team, two to the Second Team and one to the Third Team.

Reigning league MVP Antetokounmpo now has a total of four All-NBA selections, including two to the First Team.

He and James both received All-NBA First Team votes on all 100 ballots to finish with 500 points each. The voting is conducted by a group of sports journalists from the US and Canada.

Joining James and Antetokounmpo on the All-NBA First Team were Houston Rockets guard James Harden (474 points), Lakers forward Anthony Davis (455) and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (416).

Earlier James had 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Los Angeles Lakers advanced to their first NBA Western Conference final in a decade with a 119-96 blowout win over the Houston Rockets.

Anthony Davis tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds, Kyle Kuzma had 17 and Markieff Morris finished with 16 for the Lakers, who eliminated the Rockets in five games in the quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.

Los Angeles advanced to their first NBA final four since the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers beat Phoenix for the conference title and then defeated Boston for the 2010 NBA championship, the last time they won.

“It’s the reason I wanted to be a part of this franchise is to take them back to a place they were accustomed to being.

And that’s competing for a championship,” said James.

“It’s an honor for me to wear the purple and gold and for us to just try to continue the legacy and just play great basketball for our fans.”

This will be James’s 11th career conference finals but when asked by reporters how it feels, he changed the subject to talk about the group as a whole. AFP

Nadal off to ‘Perfect start’ against Carreno Busta ROME, Italy—In his first match in over six months, Rafael Nadal swept aside fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) to reach the third round of the Italian Open.

The nine-time Rome winner came through 6-1, 6-1 against 18th-ranked Carreno Busta, a recent semi-finalist at the US Open.

“It was a perfect start for me. It was solid, good shots on the forehand and backhand. I didn’t expect to play that well,” Nadal said.

“Maybe Pablo was a little bit tired from a great tournament there in New York, but thinking about myself, I played a very solid match and very serious and doing a lot of things very well.

So very happy.”

The world number two has not played since winning in Acapulco at the end of February, opting to skip the US hard court tour because of coronavirus concerns.

The 34-year-old will next play either Canadian Milos Raonic or Serb Dusan Lajovic for a place in the quarter-finals.

Nadal, a 12-time French Open

winner, is the second seed behind world number one Novak Djokovic in the tune-up for the final Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros on September 27.

But he does not believe the brutal switch from hard to clay surface will be a disadvantage for his rivals at the French Open.

“If Roland Garros is this week, maybe yes, (but) Roland Garros is two weeks away so I don’t think so.”

“Of course I have to improve things.

But the things that I have to improve, the only way to improve is to keep practicing with the right attitude and intensity and to spend hours on the competition matches.

“And today have been a positive start for me.

“This year, of course situation is different, but I gonna keep trying my best,” added the Spaniard who did not pick up a racquet during lockdown.

“Then I started to practice on hard for a while. And then I switch to clay.

“But I really do not remember when, honestly, but quite a lot. But I have been practicing on and off not every single

Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta on day three of the Men’s Italian Open at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. AFP

day since the beginning.

“I had to come back very slow.

“After two months without touching a racquet, I needed to make things step by step, trying to avoid injuries.

“And of course after the lockdown, the body had some issues, too. Just try-

ing to do the things the best way possible to come back when I felt ready.”

Nadal, who has a 62-6 record in Rome, is attempting to capture a record 36th ATP Masters 1000 title, which would break a tie with four-time former Rome champion Djokovic. AFP

Dodgers clinch spot in post-season

Chris Taylor (3) of the Los Angeles Dodgers is hit in the head with a pitch during the eighth inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States—AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor hit solo home runs Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) as the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-5 to become the first team to clinch a spot in MLB’s expanded playoffs.

The win, in the rubber match of a threegame series, increased the 35-15 Dodgers’ won-loss lead on the Padres to 3 1/2 games in the National League West standings.

The Dodgers scored runs against five of the nine San Diego pitchers. Left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek earned the win by pitching two-thirds scoreless innings at PETCO stadium in San Diego.

Right-hander Dustin May entered the game in the third inning and held the Padres to three runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The Dodgers took the lead for good in the third when Max Muncy belted a tie-breaking RBI double off Joey Lucchesi and Will Smith followed with a single to drive in another run and made it 3-1. Smith finished with three RBIs. Los Angeles broke it open with three runs in the fifth. Taylor scored the Dodgers’ final run with a homer off Garrett Richards to lead off the sixth, making it 7-1.

Meanwhile, the 2020 World Series will take place at a neutral venue for the first time in modern baseball history.

The league said in a statement teams would be based at neutral venues following the initial best-of-three wild card series rounds, which get under way once the abbreviated 60-game season concludes this month.

The American and National League wild

card rounds, which open on September 29 and 30, will take place at the home ballparks of each league’s top four seed.

Thereafter, games will shift to designated neutral sites.

MLB said the switch to neutral venues this year had been taken for “health, safety and competitive considerations.”

American League Division Series games will take place in Los Angeles and San Diego at Dodger Stadium and Petco Park respectively.

National League Division Series games will be held at Arlington’s Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, and Houston’s Minute Maid Park.

The American League Championship Series will be held at Petco Park in San Diego, while Arlington would host the National League Championship Series.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

C2

TODAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

Lichess.org hosts Balinas online chess FIVE hundred woodpushers are expected to vie for honors in the Baby Uno Chess Challenge dubbed as Grandmaster and Attorney Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Death Anniversary Free Registration Online Chess Tournament on September 27, 2020, Sunday, 11 a.m.

Manila Time at lichess.org.

Backed by Bethesda, Maryland USA based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and engineer Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas, the one-day competition will feature country’s top chess players in the 21-round Swiss-System, two minutes plus two seconds increment time control format.

United States-based Grandmasters Mark Paragua, Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia, are among the favorites in the P50,000 total pot prize tournament which offers a whopping top purse of P10,000 to the champion.

The three placed first, second and third last September 6, 2020, in another tournament celebrating the 79th birthday of GM Balinas.

All games are aired live thru the YouTube channel of Arena Grandmaster Voltaire Marc Paraguya as well Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe’s Official National Chess Federation of the Philippines Facebook channel. The tourney attracted 654 All Pinoy participants, including 100 Filipino chess masters from all over the world in the event supported by Fernan Donguines of Hybreed Apparel Collections.

Paragua, Barcenilla and Garcia expect to be challenged anew by US-based GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and Oliver Barbosa, Italy-based GM Roland Salvador, GMs Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Jayson Gonzales and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna.

“This event is extra special because of the participation of GMs (Julio Catalino) Sadorra, (Roland) Salvador and (John Paul) Gomez,” said Arena Grandmaster Marlon Bernardino, founding head of the organizing Bayanihan Chess Club.

“We are also thankful for the support of Bethesda, Maryland USA based frontliner Dr. Joe Balinas and engineer Antonio “Uncle Paps” Balinas,” added Genghis Imperial, co-founder of Bayanihan Chess Club.

De los Santos targets ninth gold

By Peter Atencio

C

EBUANO bet James de los Santos is set to increase his gold medal count in the individual male seniors’ division of online karatedo tournaments.

The 30-year-old de los Santos is going for his n i nth gold med al i n the Mit ad Del Mu ndo Hat amotokai E-Tou r nament Ranked Event’s individual male seniors’ division.

An opportunity to gain another gold medal came to de los Santos after he won over Chrisley Philipart Belgium,

24.5-23.1, yesterday.

The world no. 2 ranked de los Santos will meet Murillo Alves of Brazil, who won over Matias Domont of Switzerland.

Domont, ranked no. 7 in the world, failed to advance after his video presentation was rejected.

Last week, de los Santos won three

gold medals in succession using difficult techniques.

Since shifting to more demanding forms, James de los Santos won his sixth, seventh and eight championships in a span of three days.

His title victories allowed de los Santos to firm up his grip at second position in the world rankings with more points.

Utilizing the explosive execution of the ebi-geri formation twice, and the graceful moves of a turning jump in Unsu enabled de los Santos to rule with his video presentations in the second Dutch Open, and Miyamoto Musashi

Djokovic eases past Caruso at Italian Open

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic serves to Italy’s Salvatore Caruso on day three of the Men’s Italian Open at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. AFP

PBA to hold season restart in Clark City bubble THE Angeles University Foundation (AUF) gym in Angeles City will hold games of the Philippine Basketball Association when it returns under a bubble setup in Clark City in Angeles, Pampanga this October.

The gymnasium served as venue for wrestling and combat sports events last December in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“We’re ready and we’re excited,” said PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas, as organizers brace for ac-

(MS-SEPT. 18 & 19, 2020)

5-Rings E-Kata competitions.

His last two trophies came his way after he tinkered with the levels of difficulty of the Ebi-geri to collect enough points to claim the crown in the Echampions Trophy Series 1.

The ebi-geri, known as shrimp kick, came handy for the second time when he unraveled the Sansai kata to turn score points over Alvez, 25.3-24.5 in Musashi finals.

This was when he outperformed Matias Domont of Switzerland, 25.724.5, in the finals to claim the crown in the Echampions Trophy Series 1.

tion which starts Oct. 9.

The league will utilize a full bubble format, with players and crew staying in a certain venue.

And this will be the Quest Hotel in Mimosa.

“If we can start tomorrow, we would start tomorrow. The Commissioner’s Office has done a good job with the plans,” said Vargas.

According to plans, all concerned personnel will be transported to the venue and back to the hotel, to the practice facility and playing area.

(MS-SEPT. 18 & 19, 2020)

The plans are now with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for approval.

“They’re ready to execute as soon as we’re given the go-signal,” said Vargas on the plan that are being finalized in cooperation with Clark Development Corporation officials.

Participating squads will enter the bubble on Sept.

26 and scrimmages start the following day.

There will be two matches that will be played daily, seven days a week. Peter Atencio

ROME, Italy—World Number 1 Novak Djokovic made winning returns at the Italian Open on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) easing into the third round of the clay-court tournament in Rome.

Djokovic eased past Italian wild card entry Salvatore Caruso 6-3, 6-2 after his unbeaten record this season was ended with a US Open last 16 default for accidently striking a line judge with a ball hit in frustration.

“I didn’t feel that I had any mental or emotional blockages or any dramas playing a match today,” said the world number one.

Djokovic, who had said he had learned a “big lesson” was keen to move on in Rome.

The 33-year-old playfully greeted an imaginary crowd in an empty Central Court because of strict coronavirus measures.

Only some noisy workers managed to unnerve the 17-time Grand Slam winner after missing break points.

“I don’t know who it was, but it was noise coming from there during the points.

“That’s the only thing that we, I and Caruso, also told chair umpire.”

Djokovic continued where he left off before his US Open exit, having won the Cincinnati Masters on the same Flushing Meadows courts.

“It was a very good test for me. I’m very pleased with the way I handled myself in important moments,” said Djokovic, who has reached nine finals in Rome and won four.

He next plays 29th-ranked fellow Serb Filip Krajinovic for a place in the quarter-finals.

Halep, Azarenka advance Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas fell to Italian teenager Jannik Sinner 6-1, 6-7 (9/11), 6-2, with sixth seeded Belgian David Goffin also exiting 6-2, 6-2 to Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

Top women’s seed Simona Halep returned a month after winning in Prague to ease past 99th-ranked Italian Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-4. AFP

(MS-SEPT. 18 & 19, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

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VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

A

RE you obsessed with anything Korean, K-drama, K-pop, or K-beauty? Then, you are definitely a Koreanboo and there’s a channel designed just right for you.

GMA Network is giving Filipino The cast of the hit comedy-variety show ‘Running Man.’ viewers a front seat to Asian pop culture with a daily dose of hit shows across the continent. With its partnership with Jungo TV, the network rewards its audiences with a more exciting viewing experience by launching Hallypop, the newest and first-ever digital channel in the Philippines that’s set to be a one-stop-shop for K-Pop, variety, and entertainment programs beginning Sept. 20.

“We are grateful to Jungo TV and Mr. Chung for entrusting us with their channel and content to be the first here in the Philippines to distribute their content,” GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, in a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment, shared his excitement towards this partnership with international content distributor Jungo TV. Meanwhile, Jungo TV CEO and cofounder George Chung underscored that Hallypop represents a new and exciting direction in the reimagined world of Asian entertainment.

“We are excited to expand on Hallypop’s success in the United States and honored to be partnered with GMA, led by the vision and leadership of Mr. Gozon, that allows us to bring top-tier Korean and Asian pop culture entertainment to the best and most loyal fans in the world,” the K-pop group ITZY performs on ‘Music Bank’ stage.

Jungo TV executive said.

Get ready for the best tunes in Korea and the most sensational music show on TV. show Running Man, as it arrives in the First Vice President for Program Fantastic performances and awe-inspiring country for the very first time. Experience Management Jose Mari R. Abacan aims harmony by the nation's top musicians a mix of thrills with its games and series of to widen GMA’s library of content via await viewers on Music Bank. Follow missions that are entertaining and will keep Hallypop. the latest trend in the Korean music scene viewers at the edge of their seats.

“We have the heart of fans and that's through the K-chart, a summary of the Showcasing the highly-requested going to be seen in the way we program week's hottest songs. concerts in the country and across Asia, Hallypop. A lot of people are looking Know what the hype is all about on the HallyStage is set to give the spotlight to forward to that Hallyu (Korean Wave) airing of the top-rating South Korean variety the hottest singers in the concert stage. content. Having another channel that

One-stop-shop for anything K-pop, Korean entertainment

Remembering Martial Law through shadow play performance

‘Awit Ng Hinirang’ by Karilyo will stream live on Facebook on Sept. 21 at 3:00 p.m.

TO MEMORIALIZE the 48th anniversary of the declaration of the Martial Law that sparked social unrest that led to the People Power Revolution, Awit ng Hinirang, a fourminute multimedia presentation that blends the wonders of kundiman, shadow play, live-action documentation, and stop-motion and digital animation, premieres Monday, Sept. 21.

To be presented by the Karilyo Shadowplay of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in collaboration with the internationally lauded Coro San Benildo, Awit ng Hinirang unravels the various faces and voices of heroism, the distinct beauty of the traditional Filipino love songs, the importance of the ideal image of a hero – in its varying interpretations in different

landscapes, timescapes, and perspectives.

The performance likewise attempts to answer the question: Who deserves to be the chosen hero?

Awit ng Hinirang features an original kundiman conceptualized by Coro San Benildo Trainer, Anino Shadowplay Collective Member, and contemporary artist Teta Tulay.

It is arranged by Coro San Benildo Trainer and Conductor Lorenz Gealogo.

It showcases fresh visual elements crafted by the student-artists of Benilde Culture and Arts Unit.

Awit ng Hinirang is open to the public and premieres on Monday, Sept. 21 at 3:00 p.m. on the official Facebook account of Karilyo at https://bit.ly/KarilyoBenilde_FB.

EDM superstar LANY, local top acts banner music fest on National G Day A TREAT for all music-lovers, come together, and feel the electric energy and unbridled fun by being part of Globe’s online music festival.

The G Music Fest lines-up international band LANY and favorite local acts namely The Juans, Massiah, Kiana Valenciano, UDD, SB19, Ben & Ben, and December Avenue.

Globe customers can stream the music fest for free on Sept. 26, 4:00 p.m. through GlobePH, Globe’s Facebook page.

Meanwhile, gather your friends, sharpen your skills, and be one of 1,000 teams that will compete at the G Legends Cup. With a prize pool of P600,000, this is the biggest amateur Mobile Legends tournament for Globe customers. Interested teams must redeem their tournament codes via Globe Rewards app. Once they receive a tournament code, they need to go to globe.com.ph/NationalGDay and enter that code on the team registration form.

The list of participating teams was announced on Sept. 17 with the best of the best battling out for the top spot at the G Legends Cup finals on Sept. 24. The emerging top 64 teams will also be rewarded with cash prizes that they will receive through their GCash accounts.

Meanwhile, Globe customers are in for a treat with the telco’s biggest raffle promo using Globe Rewards or Globe at Home apps. They may also use their reward points to turn them into more raffle codes.

At the G Chance the raffle, customers have the chance to win prizes that they can use to work, learn, and play at home. These exciting prizes include 5G smartphones, gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, Segway Ninebot, Samsung products, Xiaomi Mi Box, Globe Rewards points, GCash credits, and so much more!

Customers can also use their Globe Rewards points to get 917 lifestyle essentials, shoor experiences, and discount codes for

Alternative band The Juans

P-pop group SB19

Konsulta MD, Puregold, Health Now, Healthway Clinics, Zalora, Grab, Lazada, Shopee, and other partners.

For this year’s National G Day, Globe myBusiness has also something in store for entrepreneurs. On September 23, Globe myBusiness will host the first-ever G Summit 2020 - Usapang Diskarte: Pivot your Business to Success.

Business owners will hear from local and international experts like Josh Linkner, #1 most booked innovation speaker, new york times bestselling author, and business leaders from Google, Taxumo, and CIA Bootleg Manila.

Attendees will learn about business opportunities in the new normal, running a business amidst uncertainty, and how innovation and digital transformation can help you turn a challenge into a business opportunity.

G Summit aims to bring Filipino businesses together into fulfilling the vision of transforming the Philippines into a digitally empowered nation.

South Korean singer-songwriter Kang Daniel guests in the weekly music program ‘Music Bank,’

could actually focus on having certain materials like variety shows, K-pop, and reality shows, it can complement what we have started for the Heart of Asia so I'm excited about it because we have a lot of things to learn from these Asian contents.”

For GMA Affordabox users, be sure to rescan to get dibs on Hallypop’s test broadcast by clicking the SCAN button on

the remote and wait for all the exclusive channels to appear.

A full rundown of Hallypop’s programming is available on www. gmanetwork.com/gmahallypop Don’t miss the premiere of Hallypop and its exciting lineup only on GMA Affordabox, the network’s digital TV receiver.

Alden, Nadine co-host Superbods finals THE Century Tuna Superbods 2020 finals night is happening tomorrow with special participation from Alden Richards and Nadine Lustre. The two stars are joining top celebrity Marc Nelson as hosts of the highly anticipated event.

“The Finals” is taking place after a series of digital competitions that allowed the Superbods to show what it truly means to #StayStrong amid the pandemic. They showed off their diet and fitness regimen, as well as empower others to pursue their own journeys towards a healthy lifestyle.

Following the challenges, the finalists will face each other one last time during The Finals where one male and one female grand winner will receive P500,000 each, as well as other amazing prizes.

During The Finals, Century Tuna will also be naming the winners of the special awards namely Superbods Ageless Awards, the Superbods Advocacy Awards, and the Superbods Social Impact Awards.

Ultimate Superbods Alden Richards and Nadine Lustre

Other awards to be given in The Finals include Mr. and Ms. Dermaworld, Mr. and Ms. Congeniality, and Mr. and Ms. Photogenic.

There will also be eight winners of the digital challenges. Four winners will be selected for the Kraver's Canteen #FishEveryDay Challenges, two for the Fitness Challenge, and another two for the Stay Strong Challenge.

To help determine the winners, Century Pacific Food, Inc. executive vice president, and chief operating officer Greg Banzon, Century Tuna marketing director Carlo Endaya, triathlete and SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, GMA Network senior assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, fitness advocate Isabelle Daza, and actress Alice Dixson will be part of the esteemed panel of judges.

Catch Everybod Superbod 2020: The Finals on Sept. 19 at 5:00 p.m. on Century Tuna's official Facebook page. It will also be televised on GMA on Sept. 27 at 10:05 a.m..For more information, make sure to like and follow @ centurytuna on Facebook and @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram.

Life

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

C4

TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

WHITE SAND, SOON.

A view of the Manila Bay, famed for its breathtaking sunset, from Roxas Boulevard prior to the ongoing beautification project. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

HE hot issue being debated upon these days is the beautification project of Manila Bay by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The agency has been getting a lot of flak for using white sand from crushed dolomite rocks.

As a tourism advocate, I’d like to chime in on the many issues raised on this project.

T

Manila Bay’s white sand: Why not?

Engineering interventions are being done to ensure the white sand overlay will endure strong typhoon winds.

A preview of how Manila Bay will look, with all its white sand splendor.

First, they say it is a wasteful expense made at a time when the money could have been used for the country’s current fight against COVID-19. As far as I’m concerned, any beautification project on any of our tourist attractions is never wasteful because our tourism industry is among the top revenue producers for our coffers.

Department of Interior and Local Government Usec. Jonathan Malaya declared that the dolomite sand costs only P28 million and not P389 million, as originally claimed by critics. Besides, the government has never scrimped on budgets needed to equip ourselves against the virus. In fact, the President just approved the Bayanihan 2 (The Bayanihan to Recover as One Act), which is our government’s second pandemic relief measure for our country’s health and economic problems brought about by this COVID-19 outbreak.

If there is a perception that a lot of our medical frontliners have been unnecessarily exposed to the virus due to lack of protective equipment and facilities, it was not because of the government’s unwillingness to fund the frontliners’ requirements. It could have been caused by an oversight on the part of those at the helm of the Department of Health. If proven, these negligent officials should be meted with administrative sanctions.

And, more than anything else, life has to go on. Just because this pandemic has

brought the country down to its knees, it doesn’t mean we have to disregard or stop all other aspects of our existence. Since we are already tackling this virus outbreak the best way we can, we should also embark on other endeavors that will help make our country whole again.

Moreover, I learned from an announcement made by Yorme (Manila Mayor Isko Moreno) that this Manila Bay Beautification Project has been budgeted for and approved since before the pandemic. So now would be the perfect time to accomplish it, as we prepare for the re-opening of our erstwhile very profitable tourism industry, which is expected to be either by the end of this year or early next year.

There is also this noise about dolomite sand being a health hazard when inhaled.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu has already announced that while it is true that dust particles of only 15 microns are hazardous when inhaled for extended periods, the dolomite sand used in Manila Bay is 5000 microns, too big and too heavy to be airborne, making it less likely to be inhaled by anyone.

Others also rant about the artificial sand’s ecological impact on marine life.

But, how come nobody skewered those in power during those years of neglect which have taken its toll on Manila Bay’s water quality brought about by waste and industrial pollution? A 2008 ruling by the Supreme Court to clean up, rehabilitate, and

Sunshine Place to host online mini concert

Anna Migallos, soprano

Marvin Bautista, tenor

SENIOR recreation center Sunshine Place will bring music to everyone’s home with its online mini concert on October 1-15.

Sunshine Classics presents “Viva Voce,” a mini concerto of Broadway, opera, and Filipino songs streamed via Sunshine Place’s YouTube channel.

Renowned Filipina pianist and National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) winner Mariel Ilusorio will host the concert featuring Viva

Voce members—soprano Anna Migallos and tenor Marvin Bautista.

Tickets are priced at P250 for seniors and P350 for non-seniors. Once registered, an email will be sent to the registrant containing the program’s link. Link will be valid from October 1 to 15 and can be accessed as many times as they want.

For ticket reservations, contact Mariel Ilusorio at 0917-709-2255 or email marielilusorio@hotmail.com.

restore the waters of Manila Bay did not spark activities that made it to the headlines.

It was only last year’s Executive Order by the President that prompted dedicated efforts to rehabilitate the bay through continuous clean-up drives and the relocation of hundreds of homeless persons who have set up makeshift dwellings along the seawall. This initial move of the authorities to rid the water of some of its pollutants is certainly laudable. Now, I even see a new sewage treatment facility along the boulevard which, I’m sure, will help de-

crease the water’s coliform content to a manageable level.

In reply to those who are worried about the dolomite sand being blown away during typhoons, DENR Usec.

Benny Antiporda announced that engineering strategies are being implemented so that the sand overlay will withstand the many powerful typhoons that hit our country.

My parting shot is: Why can’t we just leave those in government to do their job?

We still have this aggressive COVID-19 which is worth worrying about, so why don’t we just make life easier for us and, instead, show our government officials some support? On my part, I am looking forward to this project’s completion which is reportedly scheduled for December.

Incidentally, when Gustave Eiffel built his famous tower for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, the citizens criticized him for its “strange” design, pelted him and the tower with eggs and tomatoes on Opening Day. When the Rio de Janeiro government officials decided to beautify and widen Copacabana Beach by

dumping white sand imported from other parts of Brazil, the city’s residents were against what they called an “unnecessary” expense.

The Eiffel Tower is now the most famous and most recognizable tourism landmark in the world. The four-kilometer Copacabana Beach is now Brazil’s main tourist attraction and has been named the best beach in the world! So, by next year, I’m sure hordes of tourists, both domestic and foreign, will be seen cavorting on the white sands of Manila Bay. I can almost hear the tourism industry’s cash register ringing non-stop!

Shouldn’t life be this way, by always being more positive and less stressful?

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE So what if I don’t know what Armageddon means? It’s not the end of the world!

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

Movies by the bay WATCH the sunset then movie later?

Following its successful launch in Pampanga, SM finally brings the drive-in cinema experience to Metro Manila at SM Mall of Asia concert grounds.

At the opening on September 9, MOA’s drive-in theater screened the Korean horror film Train 2 Busan: Peninsula, delighting guests which included members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and members of the media.

“In this new normal, and in consideration of the current health situation, I congratulate SM for finding opportunities to keep cinema alive as an industry, an art, a form of entertainment,” enthused Martin Macalintal of the Embassy of France. “Drive-in movies bring together the lifestyle of the good old days and the technology of tomorrow.”

Tomoko Nakamura of Japan Foundation Manila went to the drive-in theater for the first time and “totally enjoyed it.” She was likewise impressed with “SM Cinema’s dedication to security and safety. There was a lot of staff to make the operation smooth before/during/after the screening. It was indeed a safe and fun entertainment.”

Rollie de la Cruz of the Australian Embassy, meanwhile, described it as “a one-of-a-kind experience. It was completely different and exciting, and it felt good to watch a movie again with friends but in a safe way because you’re in a car and far away from other people.”

Florabel “Pong” Aureus of the US Embassy expressed her “huge congratulations to SM Cinema for allowing us to experience a whole new level of entertainment. It is some-

French Embassy Cultural Attache Martin Macalintal ready to watch the movie with his popcorn

thing to look forward to and I would encourage everyone to check it out.”

The SM Cinema Drive-in is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Entry to the theater starts at 5:00 p.m., Only one movie will be screened per day, which starts at 6:45 p.m., on a 20-meter by 8.5-meter outdoor screen raised four meters above the ground.

To ensure guests have an optimal viewing experience, the cinema uses a dual projector for sharper and crisp images.

Much like in Pampanga, only two persons are allowed per vehicle with a maximum of four persons. Once parked, guests will be instructed to turn on their car’s FM radio to a specific frequency to broadcast the sound straight into their vehicles.

Guests are also welcome to bring their own radio and other devices with FM capabilities.

All tickets must be purchased online (www.smtickets.com) in advance. The P400-per-person ticket includes a Snack Time bundle consisting of bottled water, regular-sized popcorn, and beef franks.

SM brings its drive-in cinema to the Mall of Asia concert grounds, letting movie-goers watch a movie safely in their vehicles.