Manila Standard - 2020 September 21 - Monday

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EU move to cost jobs­—VP Robredo says Palace reaction to Euro threat counterproductive

By Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

A

BOUT 200,000 Filipino workers stand to lose their jobs if the European Union revokes the country's tariff privileges for Filipino goods over concerns about human rights abuses here, Vice President Leni

Robredo's warning dovetailed with that of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport), the umbrella organization of Philippine exporters.

The European Parliament's threat to suspend the country's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status will affect up to 20 percent of its

exports to the EU, Philexport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. “If you cannot find a replacement, of course, companies will be affected, especially during this pandemic... If the status will be removed, many jobs will be affected," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

He described the threat as alarming, since 9 percent of the country's exports go to the EU. In 2019, he said, the country had 8 billion euro in trade and enjoyed a GSP preference of some 1.9 billion euro.

Robredo, meanwhile, urged the government to make good its commitment Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 199• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody, solons ’happy’ with House gains

By Rio N. Araja

congressional post, a staunch supporter said Sunday.

Interviewed over Dobol B sa News TV, Cavite Rep. SPEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano would win by a Elpidio Barzaga said if President Rodrigo Duterte would landslide if members of the House of Representatives not announce his choice for speaker and lawmakers were to vote on who should occupy the top Next page

SANDS AND SUNSET.The city of Manila, world-famous for its awesome view of the setting sun on the Bay, has an added attraction in the form of 'White Sands' (crushed dolomite) covering a half-kilometer stretch of the coastline, but enough to send tourists coming in droves for a two-day preview. Environment authorities and the city government have temporarily opened the site, setting intervals of three minute on 50 visitors who largely have ignored social distancing and other health protocols, resulting in the sacking of the Ermita police station commander. YhaMae Vlogs/DZMM Teleradyo (Inset photo).

Bay tourists defy But Duterte son hints at lower chamber shakeup protocols; police chief loses post THE station commander of the Ermita Police in Manila was relieved over the weekend following the policemen’s failure to enforce social distancing during the opening of the "white sand beach" on Manila Bay. Manila Police District Chief Rolando Miranda confirmed that Police Lt. Col. Ariel Caramoan had been removed from his post.

The Ermita Police has jurisdiction over the controversial beach beautification project.

Thousands of people flocked to Roxas Boulevard in Manila before sunrise on Sunday to walk on Manila Bay’s Sands — ­ the white-sand portion of Baywalk­violating social distancing and with some of the visitors even removing their face masks.

Reports said the crowd was already thick as of 5:30 a.m.

On Saturday, thousands of people also flocked to the white sand beach and ignored physical distancing.

As the world celebrated International Coastal Cleanup Day, the staff of various government agencies and members of private organizations gathered on Manila Bay to collect trash.

Several people and vloggers also flocked to Baywalk during its temporary opening to see the white sands.

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PRESIDENTIAL son Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Sunday hinted at a possible change in leadership in the House of Representatives amid the ongoing squabble over next year's proposed budget.

Duterte confirmed sending a Viber to declare the positions of Speaker and message to ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Deputy Speakers vacant today (Monday).

Yap, chairman of the committee on apHe said the issue goes all the way up to propriations, where he reportedly threat- the House leadership under Speaker Alan Next page ened to ask the Mindanao bloc to move

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 20)

286,743 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,311 51,894 NEW

ACTIVE

4,984

55

DEATHS

NEW

229,865 20,021 RECOVERIES

NEW

• New recoveries surge by 20,021 • 51K still active

By Willie Casas, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

TAGAYTAY'S LURE. Local tourists flock to Tagaytay's leisure parks on a foggy Sunday morning, many of them casting aside antivirus protocols in their haste to get there first and prompting law enforcers to tighten up on violators. JR Josue

WHO: Herbs potential virus cure THE World Health Organization has endorsed a protocol for testing African herbal medicines as potential treatments for the coronavirus and other epidemics.

COVID-19 has raised the issue of using traditional medicines to battle contemporary diseases, and the endorsement on Saturday clearly encouraged testing with criteria similar to those used for molecules developed by labs in Asia, Europe or the Americas.

It came months after a bid by the president of Madagascar to promote a drink based on artemisia, a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment, was met with widespread scorn.

On Saturday, WHO experts and col-

leagues from two other organizations "endorsed a protocol for phase III clinical trials of herbal medicine for COVID-19 as well as a charter and terms of reference for the establishment of a data and safety monitoring board for herbal medicine clinical trials," a statement said. $13,000 fine for violators People in England who refuse to selfisolate to stop the spread of the coronavirus could face fines of up to $13,000 under the tough new regulations announced Saturday to tackle a surge in cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week that Britain was seeing a second wave of COVID-19, and introduced new

WORLD ROUNDUP

SURVIVORS. Two Filipino survivors of the ill-fated cattle ship“MV Gulf Livestock 1”that sank off Japan on Sept. 2, 2020, receive a warm welcome from personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Foreign Affairs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. @coastguardph (Story on A3)

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THE Philippines on Sunday logged a high 20,021 new recoveries from COVID-19 in a single day, bringing the total number of patients who have recovered from the disease to 229,865, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

The country logged 3,311 new CO VID

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Workers adapt to new normal IN THE sweltering heat and humidity, 31-year-old Caitlyn Tojanes grumbles about having to wear a face shield over her mask as she waits in line for her bus in Manila.

"It's uncomfortable. Combined with the long queues it means we get to work already tired and bathed in sweat," said Tojanes, whose commute involves three buses and takes several hours.

But she is resigned to the new normal in the Philippines, where it is now compulsory to wear both masks and plastic shields in indoor public spaces and on public transport to curb the spread of the Next page coronavirus.

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News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

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Ex-envoy: Act now on sea spat M

ANILA should take action over its claims in the West Philippine Sea after some European states expressed their support for the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory against Beijing at the United Nations, a former envoy said Sunday.

China has been claiming virtually all of the South China Sea—including the West Philippine Sea—as its own.

Former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lauro

Baja told Dobol B sa News TV the support from France, Germany and the United Kingdom provided a good opportunity for the Philippines to do so.

“The pronouncement of the UK,

EU...

country qualified for GSP+, and revoking the benefits of GSP+ amid the COVID-19 pandemic “will also exacerbate the economic situation” in the country.

Under the EU GSP+, some 6,274 types of goods enter the EU market at zero tariff.

In the EU GSP+ report for 2018-2019 published early this year, the country’s utilization rate of the preferential trade arrangement is at 73.1 percent in 2018.

The EU Delegation to the Philippines also estimated that around EUR 2 billion (P113 billion) or 25 percent of the country’s total exports to EU enter the trade bloc under GSP+.

EU lawmakers released a resolution last week calling on the EU Commission to initiate the procedure to temporarily revoke the granting of GSP+ status to the Philippines over the alleged "seriousness of the human rights violations” here.

Under the preferential trade arrangement, the Philippines must adhere to the 27 international conventions on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance to continue enjoying the GSP+ benefits.

Maurizio Cellini, head of Trade and Economic Affairs of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, said in an

From A1

to uphold human rights, instead of challenging the EU's recommendation to revoke the Philippines’ GSP+ status.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque dared the European Parliament to “go ahead” with its threat to pull the Philippines’ trade privileges.

Robredo criticized Roque's statement, saying the right reaction would be to show that the country is abiding by its human rights commitments.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), meanwhile, called for the retention of the country's GSP+ status, saying revoking it would result in massive social and economic repercussions in the Philippines, and would compromise the notable progress that the EU and the Philippines have built over the years.

ECCP president Nabil Francis said considering the EU is among the largest trading partners of the Philippines, removing its GSP+ status would jeopardize jobs in both the agriculture and manufacturing sector.

He said Philippine exports to the EU increased by 27 percent a year after the

But...

From A1

Cayetano—who, under a term-sharing agreement, is set to hand over the speakership to Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco next month.

“As Congress continues to be hounded by the issue of budget—something that finds its way up to the current House leadership, how it treats its members, how it approves allocations and budgets with fairness or lack of it—let me reiterate my position: I do not want to get involved. However, I wish to help my fellow lawmakers find answers to their questions or remedies to the budget that they proposed for their people," Duterte said in a statement.

He said he is ready to lose his post as Deputy Speaker if his colleagues seek to install a new House leadership.

“If the members of Congress will push for a change in House leadership, as a reaction to their sentiments, obviously I would be among the casualties because I am a deputy speaker. I am ready to accept the consequences,” he said.

Despite this, the Davao City lawmaker said he would “stay away” from the issue “out of delicadeza because my father is the

World...

From A1

restrictions for millions of people across northwest, northern and central England.

In a further measure announced late Saturday, Johnson said that from Sept.

28 people will be legally obliged to selfisolate if they test positive or are told to by the National Health Service tracing program.

"The best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they’re at risk of passing on coronavirus," Johnson said in a

Workers...

From A1

"With COVID, it's up to the people to maintain discipline," said Tojanes, who works as a store manager in the sprawling capital of 12 million where most of the country's infections have been recorded.

"People should not put the entire burden on the government. We must practice self-discipline."

The latest measure comes as the country struggles to contain the virus outbreak, recording the highest number of confirmed cases in Southeast Asia with more than 283,000 infections and over 4,900 deaths.

Six months after tough restrictions

From A1

-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections since the pandemic began to 286,743.

This marked the 13th straight day in which more than 3,000 new cases were reported.

Metro Manila accounted for most of the new cases at 1,432. Negros Occidental had 261, Laguna, 231, Rizal, 204 and Cavite, 174.

The DOH also reported 55 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 4,984.

online media conference on Aug.13 hosted by ECCP that the EU draws its “overall assessment on the basis of the whole picture” -- looking it in a global perspective and overall situation in the country.

Cellini was commenting on the possible development concerning restoring the death penalty in the country, a human rights issue also flagged by the international community.

“GSP+ also depends on human rights issues, labor issues, environmental issues, good governance issues. We would like to look at the picture from a global angle,” he said.

Meanwhile, a senior economist at Kuala Lumpur-based Juwai IQI Global said the Philippines can survive even if the EU decides to halt granting the GSP+ status, “The recent action of the EU against Manila clearly indicates that the EU has failed miserably in terms of economic outlook and wants to pursue myopic policies which are going to hurt European consumers more than Philippines consumers,” Juwai IQI Global chief economist Shan Saeed said in an e-mail. “[The] Philippines can find new markets,” he added.

Also on Sunday, a former envoy to

President.”

He said his Viber message to Yap was “an expression of my personal dismay upon hearing the concerns of my fellow lawmakers."

"It was the same message that I sent after one congressman from the Visayas bloc dragged my name into the issue even after I have already strongly made myself clear over this issue...As much as I am part of Congress with a duty to be involved in the goings on inside, I cannot discount the fact that I am a Duterte. Anything that comes out of my actions or mouth could be construed or manipulated as having the blessing of my father.

And so I would rather suffer or work in silence rather than sacrifice the supposed independence of the House from the Palace.”

“Most of these concerns shrouded doubts over the process and mistrust of the lawmakers ruling the House, those who are acting as if they are bigger than their colleagues. Respectfully, I told them that I did not want to get involved,” he added.

Last week, questions over the allocation of the public works budget for 2021 – specifically over Taguig and Camarines Sur getting the lion's share – have turned into a speakership issue as Cayetano's allies accused his critics of trying to derail the passage of the General Appropriations

statement.

Seoul holds annual circus A clown juggled and acrobats launched themselves through the air above a stage in an open field in Seoul at the weekend as the audience watched from the safety of their cars, cocooned from the risk of coronavirus.

The annual circus—usually held in May—was pushed back twice this year because of the virus until organizers turned it into a drive-in event.

"The performing arts are very important even during a pandemic," said Cho Beong-hee, manager of the Seoul Street Art Creation Center. AFP

New...

France and Germany on the West Philippine Sea is a positive development for the Philippines,” Baja said.

“On that basis we have to act, we have to speak out.”

In a note verbale filed by the permanent mission of the UK before the UN in New York, the European states referred to the arbitral ruling in 2016 that upheld the Philippines' claims based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Baja said the impact of the Europeans’ support would depend on “how far these countries are willing to go to help us,”

especially if the Philippines brought the issue before the United Nations.

On Friday, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario said the Philippines should raise before the United Nations its arbitral tribunal victory in 2016 against China.

Earlier, however, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. expressed opposition to Del Rosario's bid, claiming the topic would only subject the Philippines; legitimate win to a debate.

“We won it already. Why litigate something you already won?” Locsin said.

the United Nations said the Philippine should not be too concerned by the recommendation to revoke the country's tariff privileges.

Former Philippine permanent representative to the United Nations Lauro Baja said Manila should instead monitor the response of the European Commission to the EU Parliament’s call.

“We take notice, we pay attention but no reason to be duly concerned. The EU Parliament is a deliberative body. What they issue is a declaratory resolution, which we are entitled to do,” Baja said, in an interview over Dobol B sa News TV. “Let’s watch out for what the European Commission will do. That is the EU executive arm,” Baja added.

Baja stressed that the Duterte administration can settle the issue through dialogue with the EU. Nonetheless, Baja considered the move of the EU Parliament as a clear intervention in domestic affairs of the Philippines.

He said the principle of sovereignty should prevail over the feelings, resolution, or statement of a regional organization.

“The EU threat is off because we are in the middle of a pandemic,” Baja said.

Act until the earlier agreed upon term sharing deal takes effect.

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., in an earlier budget hearing, confronted officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways about rumors that Taguig and Camarines Sur were getting the largest slices of the public works budget for next year.

This prompted Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte to turn his guns on Teves, calling the latter a "rumormonger" for raising concerns based on "hearsay."

Villafuerte then linked Teves's accusation to an alleged plot concerning the speakership.

"It is clear as day that Congressman Teves launched this chicanery on the basis of mere hearsay as part of the sinister ploy hatched by the Velasco camp, in cahoots with former Negros Occidental representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, to wreck Speaker Cayetano's commitment to fasttrack the approval of the 2021 GAA by hopefully finishing the committee and plenary deliberations on the budget in record time by end-September," Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte insinuated that the Velasco camp wants its principal to be the speaker to hand over the approved 2021 national budget to Malacañang.

Bay...

The sands, comprising crushed dolomite, were spread out on the beach as part of Manila Bay’s rehabilitation efforts and cost P28 million.

The event was attended by Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Danny Lim, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero De Vera and Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.

The Manila Bay sands drew criticism after concerns were raised on the effect of crushed dolomite on people’s health.

The area will be closed starting Monday for rehabilitation work to continue on Manila Bay. The day before, reports said traffic slowed down as people occupied up to two lanes of Roxas Boulevard.

Miranda said Caramoan would be reassigned to Manila Police headquarters but did not elaborate.

In a statement, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield said the decision to remove Caramoan was made by PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan.

were introduced to curb the contagion ­ including stay-at-home orders, travel — bans and no talking on buses and trains ­—infections are still rising by several thousand every day.

Some measures have been eased to help kickstart the devastated economy.

"It's a big adjustment having to wear a mask and a face shield and having to wash your hands with alcohol each time

you touch something," said Jeff Langurayan, 31, his voice slightly muffled by the layers of material and plastic over his face.

But he accepts the need for precautions.

"A lot of people have died and you do not know what will hit you and what effect it would have on your body." AFP

From A1

There are a total of 51,894 active cases in the country. Of these, 86.6 percent are mild, 8.7 percent are asymptomatic, 1.4 percent are severe, and 3.3 percent are critical.

More than 3.1 million individuals have been tested for COVID-19.

Of the 20,021 recoveries logged, 625 were from routine reports while 19,396 were timebased recoveries in which asymptomatic and mild cases are re-tagged as recovered after completing a 14-day quarantine without developing new symptoms.

In other developments:

• Ako Bisaya party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the reopening of cockfighting events to help create jobs and rebuild the economy.

• Senator Christopher Go said the extension of the state of calamity would ensure the continuity of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. “As the COVID-19 virus continues to threaten the public’s health and safety, it is imperative that we continue to remain vigilant and focused on preventing a bigger outbreak as well as addressing the urgent needs facing our people,” Go said.

Oil players shift gears, hike price

by P0.60 a liter

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil distributors are expected to raise pump prices starting Tuesday, and by as much as P0.60 per liter to reflect the movement of oil prices in the world market.

The looming price increases would end several weeks of oil price rollbacks amid the weak global demand.

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week (Sept 22 to 28). Diesel should increase by P0.10 per liter and gasoline by P0.50 to P0.60 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said in an advisory.

The oil companies on Sept. 15 cut the price of gasoline by P1 per liter, diesel by P1.50 to P1.55 per liter and kerosene by P1.45 per liter.

The cuts resulted in the total yearto-date adjustments to a net decrease of P5.22 per liter of gasoline, P10.99 per liter of diesel and P15.39 per liter of kerosene, according to the Department of Energy.

World oil prices went up last week amid reports that Saudi Arabia was agreeable to new production cuts.

Saudi Arabia also called out its allies in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries who were accused of cheating on their production quotas.

The Energy department said OPEC’s 13 members produced 24.37 million barrels of oil per day in August, a four-percent rise from July, while its nine partners including Russia added 12.67 million barrels per day for a six percent increase.

Rody,...

From A1

were to vote, Cayetano would emerge as the leader of the House.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said he believed the President still wants Cayetano to stay on as speaker.

“The President was visibly pleased,” Romualdez said, citing the President's remarks about the speaker's performance in a meeting at the Palace Wednesday.

“The members of the House of Representatives are happy that under the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, so much legislation has been passed despite the limitations and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

Cayetano is speaker until October 2020 as part of a term-sharing deal brokered by the President. The gentleman's agreement would have Cayetano step down after that in favor of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, who would become speaker until the 18th Congress ends in 2022.

But Barzaga said it would be better for Congress if the term-sharing agreement would not push through.

“Although there is separation of the executive and the House, naturally most of us will obey the President,” he said.

“Just in case the President… tells us to have an election, I think it will be a landslide win [for] Alan Peter Cayetano," he added.

He said Cayetano has been effective in getting legislation passed in the last year and two months. Should Velasco become the speaker in October, Barzaga said, he must be able to unite those who support him and those who do not.

“We all need to unite so we could pursue whatever must be crafted and passed in Congress,” he noted.

"That will be a test of his leadership.

If he could not gain the cooperation of the majority in Congress, it will be very hard on his part to lead the House of Representatives," he said of Velasco.

A word war erupted between allies of Cayetano and Velasco on Sept. 18 over the distribution of funds under the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021.

Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Rau Villafuerte, a staunch ally of Cayetano, accused Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. of being a rumormonger for supposedly peddling the disproportionate allocations of funds under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in certain congressional districts.

Teves slammed the huge P11.8 billion and P8 billion allocations in the proposed 2021 budget of the DPWH for Camarines Sur and Taguig City, respectively.

News

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Bello lauds PH seafarers’ bravery amid crisis F ship that sank off the turbulent waters of southern Japan early this month.

Bello also lauded Chief officer EduarILIPINO seafarers do Sareno and deck crew Jay-nel Rosales are among the bravest for their courage and will to survive the violent seas. in the world, Labor “I admire the never-say-die attitude of Secretary Silvestre Bello III our seamen in the face of great danger, a said on Sunday. trait common to many Filipinos particularly our OFWs,” Bello said. “Filipino Bello extolled the seafarers as he led seafarers are one of the bravest in the officials in extending a warm welcome world. That’s why many employers prefer for the two survivors of the ill-fated cargo their company at sea,” he added.

By Rey E. Requejo

Sareno and Rosales were flown home Saturday via Philippine Airlines from Tokyo after undergoing medical checkups and spending weeks in hotel quarantine in accordance with health protocols in Japan to prevent the spread of corona virus. The two are awaiting their Covid test results before they are brought to their hometowns.

The two were rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard days after Panamanian-registered M/V Livestock 1 experienced engine trouble in high seas amid one of the strongest typhoons to hit Japan in years. The

rest, except one, in the 43-man crew of the cargo vessel remain missing without a trace, according to Coast Guard of Japan.

The remains of Filipino crewman Joel Canete Linao were flown home on Friday.

Bello said the government will provide full support to the two survivors and the families of Linao and the still missing seafarers.

“They will get help from government in the form of livelihood assistance and other benefits,” Bello said. “We are also looking at possible job opportunities for

them in other shipping companies in case they want to get back at work as soon as possible,” he added.

The Labor Department has started coordinating with foreign employers who are in need of overseas Filipino workers, Bello said. These are companies in countries where restrictions have been eased due to improving health conditions, he added.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Department said on Monday that some 127 Filipino seafarers are still awaiting repatriation amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

Gov’t seeks P152-B budget for climate change program

By Rio N. Araja THE government wants a P152.35billion budget for the implementation of its convergence program on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in 2021, according to Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction, chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Cabinet cluster said the Duterte administration has allotted P152.35 billion for the government’s risk resiliency program under the 2021 National Expenditure Program it submitted to the House of Representatives.

The amount is roughly 30 percent higher than the P117 billion allocated for the program this year.

The increase was due to alignment of programs and activities to the priority policies, strategies and projects of the Inter-Agency Task Force Technical Working Group on Anticipatory and Forward Plan for the new normal in the CCAM-DDR sector.

Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said the proposed funding would be used to build resilient and sustainable communities as the country continues to deal with the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis.

“We are still in the midst of a health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country needs programs that will strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacities of its communities, especially in climate-vulnerable provinces and major urban centers,” she said.

The risk resiliency program seeks to increase the adaptive capacities of vulnerable communities; ensure the adequate supply of clean air, water, and other natural resources; increase the resilience of critical infrastructure, and enhance knowledge, access to information and institutional capacities of communities.

ACTIVE PLAYGROUND. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora together with Jimmy Ysmael, President & CEO of Ortigas Land and Arch. Renée Bacani, VP of Ortigas Malls and San Juan City Vice Mayor Warren Villa lead the launching of the Greenhills Malls Active Playground that promotes a convenient space for bikers, joggers and people who want to have a leisurely workout throughout the day. Norman Cruz

P27.4-B readied on ROW acquisitions for ‘infra’ projects

By Rio N. Araja THE national government will spend up to P27.4 billion next year on right-of-way acquisitions for new public infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program, according to Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

“The Department of Transportation’s right-of-way outlay is meant to set in

motion new rail and maritime transport projects, including the north-south commuter railway, the Philippine National Railways’ south long haul and the New Cebu International Container Port,” he said.

Based on the proposed National Expenditure Program for 2021, Pimentel said the DOTr and Department of Public Works and Highways plan to spend P14.8 billion and P12.6 billion, respectively, on

ROW acquisitions.

“In the case of the DPWH, the ROW expenses are meant to clear the way for the construction of new expressways, flyovers, bridges and flood control projects,” Pimentel said.

The law mandates both departments to settle all ROW obligations before the commencement of the projects.

ROW expenses are allowed under Republic Act 10752, An Act Facilitating

the Acquisition of ROW Site or Location for National Government Infrastructure Projects.

According to Pimentel, the combined fund of the DOTr and DPWH would spend in 2021 on ROW payments is 34 percent, or P6.9 billion, higher than the P20.5 billion In the General Appropriations Act for 2020. He added that the DOTr has P9 billion for ROW payments, while the DPWH has P11.5 billion.

‘File Dengvaxia cases before MTCs’

By Rio N. Araja

BAY VISITORS. A flock of migratory egrets dropped by during the Manila Bay “White Sands” project’s opening on Sunday, as if drawn in by the fuss over the beach area spruce-up.They came in fleet, probably looking for fish in the bay to feast on. LINO SANTOS

Stroke patients need emergency hospital care—experts

By Macon Ramos-Araneta STAYING at home is one of the wisest actions people can do amid the pandemic.

But if one sees or experiences any sign of stroke– such as numbness on the face or arm and slurred speech, consider it an emergency and go to the hospital immediately. In such potentially life-threatening cases, choosing to stay at home may

prove to be dangerous.

Stroke, a disease that occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts, remains to be one of the leading causes of death in the world and second in the Philippines. The burden of stroke is enormous as every year, 17 million people suffer from stroke. One-third of these people die as a consequence and

DENGVAXIA-related cases must be filed before a regional trial court, and not before a metropolitan or municipal trial court, according to the Public Attorney’s Office.

PAO chief Persida Acosta reacted to the dismissal of a petition for certiorari filed against Presiding Judge Ana Florence Cuntapay-Oamil of the Municipal Trial Court of Balanga City, Bataan and the other respondents, former health secretary Janette Garin, now an Iloilo lawmaker; ex-health undersecretary Dr. Vicente Belizardo; Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go of the Food and Drug Administration; Dr. Julius Lecciones of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center; Dr. Gerardo Bayugo; Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy; Dr. Irma Asuncion; Dr. Rosalin Vianzon; Dr. Mario Baquilod; Maria Lourdes Santiago and Melody Zamudio of FDA; Dr.

Socorro Lupisaj and Dr. Maria Rosario Capeding of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; Carlito Realuto, Stanilas Camart, Jean Louis Grunwald, Jean Francois Vacherrano, Conchita Sanyltis and Jazelle Ann Calvo of Sanofi Pasteur Inc., all respondents in crime of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 in relation to Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code.

The judge earlier dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction and also junked the investigating prosecutor’s motion for reconsideration, prompting them to file a petition for certiorari before Judge Philger Noel Inovejas.

Earlier, Acosta urged the Supreme Court to designate special courts to litigate civil and criminal cases over the deaths of children inoculated with the Dengvaxia vaccine to expedite the resolution of cases.

another third are left permanently disabled.

However, a recent survey with members of the World Stroke Organization that garnered over 100 responses from countries worldwide, showed that stroke admissions decreased up to 90% as compared to a comparable period in 2019. The median decrease was 5070%.

Housing czar to clarify issues on Marawi City rehab

By Rio N. Araja HOUSING czar Eduardo del Rosario on Sunday vowed to answer more queries from members of the Commission on Appointments to settle issues and address disinformation about the Marawi City’s ongoing rehabilitation.

Del Rosario said he would welcome more questions from the CA composed

lawmakers during the resumption of deliberations for his ad interim appointment next week as an opportunity to clarify being allegatioins he claims are being peddled by several interest groups.

He said he views the second round of the CA deliberation as an opportunity to “finally clear the air” on several issues, particularly regarding his role

as chairman of the Task Force Bangon Marawi and the progress of the rehabilitation.

“I thank our lawmakers for giving me this opportunity to finally clear the air and focus on our pressing mandate of providing decent and affordable shelters and developing resilient and sustainable communities for the underprivileged and low-income Filipinos,” he said.

WORLD VOLUNTEERS. International Coastal Clean-up is the world’s largest volunteer effort for the ocean’s health. This event is held every third Saturday of September of each year where thousands of volunteers from around the globe participate, cleaning tons of trash from coastlines, rivers, and lakes as well as recording every piece of trash collected.

Over the past 32 years, volunteers from 153 countries have shown their enduring alliance for trash-free seas.

LGUs

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

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

INAUGURATION. Mayor Oscar Malapitan (second from left) cuts the ribbon for a new quarantine facility (inset), located behind the Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC), which is reserved for patients with mild symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways. It has a 32-bed capacity, clean toilets, and complete and comfortable beds, Malapitan said. Jun David

Valenzuela debuts own tracing app IN LIGHT of the emerging cases of COVID-19, the City Government of Valenzuela takes the lead in using contactless forms -- maximizing the use of technology by developing software that could help in contact tracing and in the prevention of further transmission of COVID-19.

Aside from the usual thermal scanning, a person will not be welcomed by pen and paper anymore when entering enclosed indoor establishments in Valenzuela City, as the use of QR or Quick Response codes will now be strictly implemented starting November 16, 2020.

The Valenzuela Tracing (ValTrace) Application, supported by City Ordinance No. 783, Series of 2020, now enables Valenzuela and non-Valenzuela residents to register and download their own QR codes starting September 12, and have it presented upon entering enclosed indoor establishments in Valenzuela City.

It officially rolls out on November 16, when a “No QR code, No Entry” policy will be mandated.

The traditional practice of manual logging of customers, visitors, and employees in contact tracing forms prior to entering an establishment is highly discouraged by the local government, as it can cause direct contact to possible carriers of the pandemic virus.

With ValTrace, the City Government established an automated contact tracing system through the use of QR codes to provide safe, timely, and more complete contact identification and follow-up compared with the traditional system.

Known for tapping the capabilities of the private sector into local governance, the City Government collaborated with Appcase Inc. to develop the ValTrace Application.

Steel factory workers want to return to work

By Jess Malabanan

S

AN SIMON, Pampanga — “We were misled!” This was the chorus of all 42 workers of Real Steel Corporation here who recently filed their resignation after being deceived by former employees who spread “baseless and unfounded” stories against the firm’s management, as the group appealed for reinstatement.

“Naniwala kami sa kwento at paninira ng dati naming kasamahan... wala po kaming reklamo laban sa kumpanya kasi maayos naman ang pagdala sa amin bukod sa maayos at airconditioned na barracks na aming tinutuluyan,” said one of the employees, who requested he not be named, as he was among those who voluntarily resigned due to homesickness.

The Department of Labor and Employment regional office in Central Luzon

also clarified reports the 42 Real Steel laborers were allowed to leave the job site after they filed their resignations and were not “rescued” as earlier reported.

“It was just a miscommunication and wrong angling of the story by a media entity from Manila,” said Maria Zenaida Angara-Campita, DOLE 3 regional director, stationed at the Government Center in the City of San Fernando.

The workers are appealing to management to take them back, as they

said they were deceived by a former employee who apparently spread the wrong stories about Real Steel.

Campita said there are more than 400 workers at the Real Steel Corp., but only 42 of them voluntarily resigned due to “homesickness” after a six-month lockdown imposed by the company to prevent them from being infected by the coronavirus.

“They were prevented to go out of the factory compound because of the quarantine issue and lockdown and health concern,” said Campita, adding that DOLE-3 is looking into alleged offenses committed by Real Steel in terms of administrative violations.

Meanwhile, Real Steel owner Irwin Chua cried foul over reports made by other media outlets and posted in various social media platforms.

DISPOSING CIGARETTES.

The Bureau of CustomsCustoms Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) Chief Alvin Enciso, assigned at the Manila International Container Port (BOCMICP), together with ESS and the Philippine Coast Guard, secure, monitor and guard the destruction of P120 million worth of fake imported cigarettes at a condemnation facility in Porac, Pampanga. This is part of the ₱240 million worth of accumulated smuggled cigarettes that have been seized by the BOC-MICP so far this year.

Lazatin to extend free Wi-Fi to all Angeles residents, not just students ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. will be providing free Wi-Fi Internet for all Angeles residents.

The mayor’s Chief Adviser and Tactician, IC Calaguas, who met representatives of Pil-Chi Telecoms on Friday, said 772 satellites are now being installed throughout the city to provide the free internet.

Pil-Chi Telecoms has partnered with local provider Converge ICT Solutions for the city project.

Calaguas said the initial plan was for free Wi-Fi internet access for city students only, but Lazatin decided to make the free internet citywide.

“The city government will issue internet access cards to students which would be used strictly for education purposes,” she said.

The internet access cards will be distributed together with the computer tablets purchased by the city government

for public school students from Grades 4 to 12 and the 3,200 students at the City College of Angeles (CCA).

Calaguas was the head of the Angeles City Information Communication Technology Division way back in 2001 during the time of former mayor Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, the incumbent’s father.

Pil-Chi is targeting to finish the installation of satellites by the first week of October before the classes start.

Lazatin allocated a total of P161 million for the computer tablets of 48,000 public school students and another P15 million for the tablets of CCA students.

P20 million was allotted for the free Wi-Fi for Angeles residents.

The full computerization of the city government revenue offices was also certified as ISO 9001:2000 in 2002, the first local government unit outside Metro Manila to receive the certification. Butch Gunio

Caloocan opens new quarantine center via DPWH

By Jun David THE Caloocan City Government led

by Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan on Sunday inaugurated a new and complete quarantine facility with representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

According to the mayor, the new facility, located behind the Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC), is reserved for patients with mild symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

It has a 32-bed capacity, clean toilets, and complete and comfortable beds, Malapitan said.

In addition, medical personnel are also on standby to regularly monitor the condition of the patients. Food and vitamins are also given free to patients to boost their immune system.

Mayor Oca sincerely thanked the DPWH for leading this project.

“We thank the DPWH and Secretary Mark Villar for choosing our city to build this timely project,” said Malapitan.

“With this new facility, we will be able to better provide hospitals to those with severe symptoms and critical patients,” the mayor added.

The new quarantine facility is in addition to the 1,222 current bed capacity of all quarantine facilities throughout Caloocan, Malapitan noted.

Isko: P100k reward for marshall killer

By Willie Casas MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso on Saturday announced a P100,000 reward for the capture of each suspect in the killing of a COVID-19 marshal, according to a 24 Oras News report.

Ronald Malonzo Castelo was shot to death in Manila’s Port Area on September 6.

Domagoso identified the suspects as Musa Sangkity, alias Johari or Joe; an alias Arnel; and an alias Benhur Mapagmahal.

Domagoso also appealed to the public to report to authorities any information that may lead to the three suspects’ arrest.

Meanwhile, the city government boosted its efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by strengthening local hospital capacity in the treatment of COVIDpositive patients through new machines for the city’s public hospitals.

“We continue to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the city. From this day, Ospital ng Sampaloc patients with severe COVID-19 infection may now use the high-flow oxygen system to help them recover faster,” Domagoso said in a Facebook post.

Three units of high-flow oxygen systems were installed at the Ospital ng Sampaloc (OSSAM), as hospital director Aileen Lacsamana expressed her gratitude to Domagoso and to Manila City Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna for their support.

“It does a different mechanism in the lungs other than plain oxygen delivery. What’s good about it is that, even though OSSAM is only licensed by DOH as a primary hospital, our Covid pathway has evolved into managing Covid moderate to severe cases, with the availability of remdesivir and now this HFO system,” Lacsamana said.

The city government previously acquired remdesivir for COVID-19 patients in Manila City’s public hospitals.

Domagoso said aside from OSSAM, the city’s five other public hospitals will also receive three units each of the high-flow oxygen system.

“I want to inform Manilenyos that all the six district hospitals of the city will each receive three units of this. In our little way, we will continue to try to look for ways to face the problems caused by the pandemic, and your city government is with you,” he said.

SM Bulacan Malls’ #TogetherSaPaskoAtSM IT MIGHT be hard to believe, but it is true; there are less than 100 days to go until the most wonderful time of the year! And although the festive season might look different this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, shoppers can be sure there will still be plenty of fun and goodwill around when it comes to SM Christmas celebration.

Bulakeños can now embrace the Christmas early as SM Supermalls in Marilao, Baliwag, Pulilan and San Jose Del Monte build up festive season with full range of great deals, digital promos, virtual entertainment, and bigger surprises from September to December.

“2020 is not an ordinary year. This year gave us more reason to level up our

Christmas celebrations as we reconnect with our loved one to celebrate life and create memories with them” shares SM City Marilao Mall Manager Engr. Emmanuel Gatmaitan.

Because it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, SM Malls in Marilao, Baliwag, Pulilan and San Jose Del Monte recently launch its Christmas 2020 campaign: “Ngayong Pasko, sama-sama tayo sa SM Supermalls – everything’s here!”

Starting September 16, shoppers can look forward to SM’s weekly online catalogues of gift ideas and take advantage of the merry markdowns, digital coupons, freebies, and discounts on select items and services.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN. SM City Marilao greets shoppers a very Merry Christmas during the 100 Days Countdown at the mall, as SM City Baliwag’s ‘Glittery Christmas’ ornaments greet shoppers at the mall’s entrances.

Opinion Good news, false results? abled seamstresses in Laguna called the United Organization of Persons with Disability, as well as Marillac Hills, a national training school for girls in need of temporary shelter and protective custody.

Japanese companies such as Sumitomo, Nitto Denko and Mitsubishi pitched in with their HEPA filter inserts. The fabrics and cords were provided by the Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP), Jinwon Trading Co., Ltd., Sun Yueh Corp, MSK Group, MCX International Inc., and Townes, Inc. Production and labor were provided through the Francis Ferrer Foundation Inc., while printing and packaging came from the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cua. Mike Ignacio, our present hard-working investment officer in Taipei told me they named the project “BEA,” short for Beatrice, whose archaic roots translate to “Bringer of joy and blessings.” The logo of Project BEA was designed by a ten-year old boy, Luis Yap, who is the son of a staff officer of our Tokyo trade office.

In these difficult and trying times, it is so refreshing to write about something good, and we applaud these foreign service officers, along with all those who pitched in effort and resources to Project BEA. *** Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, once again contradicted his president, the muddle-headed Donald Trump, who keeps fooling his people and the world that salvation, through a vaccine, is coming very, very soon—as in right before the presidential elections where he is nine points behind the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden.

It won’t be until the latter part of the second quarter next year, or early third, before a vaccine could be amply distributed, declared Dr. Redfield.

For his part, the prevaricating Trump said Redfield was just “misquoted.”

Redfield advised the public that the best weapon against COVID-19, which will linger for some time, is still the face mask.

This is what people in Japan and Taiwan have taken to heart, out of routine practice when ill, and it is what saved them from widespread community transmission. *** We were quite unnerved last week when reports from a labor agency informed MECO that several Filipinos who flew in recently from Taipei, were diagnosed ill of the coronavirus upon arrival. We had to close our offices for disinfection because of the possibility that some of the OFWs had been in our offices, or had been in contact with our ATN and labor officials here, for a quantum of caution.

Informed of this, Taiwan health authorities immediately went into action and as we write this piece, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) was able to track 122 contacts of the OFWs. All tested negative, after both antigen and PCR tests were conducted.

While that gives us a sigh of relief, we wonder about how Taiwan health authorities now regard the trustworthiness of our testing methods and protocols. I hope these incidents are not a case of multi-testing (the highest in SEA, according to Spox Harry) with (occasionally) false results.

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO A FEW good men and a lady from the Foreign Trade Service Corps under the Department of Trade, who found themselves freed from the encumbrances of long total lockdowns, have come up with a notable project as their personal contribution to the Filipino people now suffering from the pandemic.

In these difficult and trying times, it is so refreshing to write about something good.

Realizing the effectivity of face masks in preventing community transmission of COVID-19, and the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the Philippines, the four—our very own Director of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Taipei, Michael Alfred Ignacio; Jojie Dinsay of PTIC in Seoul; Ben Uy in PTIC Brussels; and their senior colleague, Dita Angara-Mathay in Tokyo—embarked on the BEA mask project aimed at manufacturing reusable cloth face masks with HEPA filter inserts, as a practical solution to the Philippines’ lack of access to surgical grade masks.

Dita Angara-Mathay of Tokyo recruited her colleagues in the other capitals in sourcing raw materials and in the actual manufacture of PPE’s.

Dita used to be our PTIC Director, also known as commercial counsellor for MECO in Taipei.

When she was transferred to Tokyo, Ben Uy, now in Brussels, succeeded her in Taipei. The current PTIC director in Taipei, Mike Ignacio, used to be in New Delhi, and before that, Brussels. Jojie Dinsay of Seoul PTIC used to be assigned in the Middle East, and is now based in South Korea. All four are very professional career members of our DTI foreign service corps.

In the course of PPE raw material sourcing, Dita shared that Nitto Denko whose patented HEPA filter is being used in Europe for N95 masks, could be used as a special insert to the reusable mask.

With personal funds pooled together, the group collaborated with other parties in their networks, putting into good use tools of their trade: networking, research, resource-sharing, social enterprise and innovation.

Through a compelling powerpoint presentation, the group was able to inspire and convince their contacts in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines to support their project. On the production side, they were able to tap a community of dis-

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

CROSSROADS

J.A. DELA CRUZ

EMIL JURADO

Flattening the fear

A threat to national security

From arms to farms, from ARMM to BARMM, from revolution to reformation: The struggle for peace and development

NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO

A wolf in sheep’s clothing?

by Enrico Gaveglia and Chetan Kumar

A science lesson for the Philippines THE FIFTH GOSPEL JUDE ACIDRE IF THERE is one more lesson to learn from this coronavirus pandemic, it is the importance of a more comprehensive and stronger science and technology policy in our country.

An often-raised criticism of the administration’s response to COVID-19 is the need for our policymakers to heed science—at least in this case, what healthcare experts believe—in their decision-making.

There is no doubt that science and technology is to be credited for the significant improvements in the quality of life in many parts of the world. Scientific innovations have made life a lot easier and help find novel solutions to age-old problems.

Science and technology has also been the main driving force in the economic success of our Asian neighbors such as China, Taiwan and Thailand. These countries have gained

immensely from the heavy investments they made on research and development as well as science and technology education.

On the other hand, the Philippines continues to have among the lowest numbers of science and technology graduates in Asia.

Our elementary and high school students score low on science assessment tests. Support for the few scientists and researchers in our country has been minimal. The number of patent applications is the lowest in the ASEAN region, an obvious clue into the limited integration of scientific innovation into the economy.

In the 2020 Global Innovation Index Report, the Philippines ranked 50th out of 128 economies. While this is already a steady progress from the 54th rank in 2018 and 73th in 2017, there remains much to be done for our country to catch up with other knowledge economies in the Southeast Asian region.

There is no substitute for a stronger and more focused application of our science and technology agenda in ensuring our nation’s long-term development.

But that could prove a daunting task given the weak culture of science, technology and innovation in the country.

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

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EDITORIAL

Family first

T

Families faced health issues whether or not their members were COVID patients. Finances became unstable as millions lost jobs or saw their businesses crumble. Measures toward the new normal—for instance,

ODAY begins the celebration of National Family Week. This year’s occasion is heightened by the pandemic that has gripped the nation in the past several months.

The family is our first line of defense against the dangers and uncertainties of this pandemic.

The National Committee on the Filipino Family has refined the theme, initially focusing on a comfortable, resilient and peaceful family, to providing compassionate response and protection for the Filipino family from the problems brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the pandemic, the Filipino family was already threatened by numerous factors, among them psychological issues brought about by a grossly inequitable, fast-changing, technology-driven, and for some an increasingly materialistic world.

COVID-19 magnified these issues.

distance learning for the children and work-from-home arrangement for parents­—are also exerting additional pressure on families that have already been struggling to get by.

We observe these even as families were forced to be physically together in their homes at the height of the community quarantines. This enforced togetherness occasioned both good and not-so-good results—en-

joyment of each other’s company on the one hand, but also increased tension and even instances of abuse, on the other.

Whatever the circumstances, the family is undeniably the first line of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the people who are constantly around us who will be the first to remind us to always wear a mask when outside, or observe the minimum physical distance from others.

It is our family who will ensure we eat healthy, take vitamins, exercise, and avoid non-essential excursions outside the house. It is our family who will tell us that different Filipinos are affected differently by this crisis, so we should always be both grateful and empathetic.

We do not need to look far to appreciate those who should come first, whether in ordinary times or in crisis situations. Some people are bereft of the comforts of home and the warmth of family. May we never take ours for granted, today and henceforth.

Alarming connections LEGAL eagles of the country held a virtual webinar hosted by the Philippine Bar Association to hear an extensive discourse that examined the emerging constitutional issues and geopolitical implications of the recent House of Representatives approval of the Public Services Act (PSA).

The objectives of the bill are sound and supported by well-respected economic think-tanks like the Foundation for Economic Freedom. The principal author, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Salceda, said that foreign ownership restrictions on basic services such as telecommunications, water, power, and electricity inhibits competition and foreign investments. Therefore, there is need for a clear definition of public utility.

The measure proposes a more limited list of services that will be subject to the 60/40 foreign equity ownership restrictions on public utilities. Telecommunications has been excluded from the list, therefore if this legislation becomes law, will be open to foreign ownership.

Therein lies the rub. There are two complications being raised. First, is that the passage of HB 78 would be an infringement into Article XII, Section 11 the 1987 Constitution which states that, “no franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens, nor shall such franchise, certificate, or authorization be exclusive in character or for a longer period than fifty years”.

Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio clearly expressed his opinion on this issue, saying that it is unconstitutional and that if questioned before the Supreme Court, it will be struck down because it is the power of the Supreme Court that’s being challenged.

That being said, governance has an indispensable role to play.

If we were to increase awareness of the importance of science and technology and consequently maximize the gains of scientific innovation, it must begin with an increased budget allocation for the science and technology sector.

This must happen now.

As it is, the Philippines allocates the least amount to science and technology as well as research and development compared to our ASEAN neighbors. In fact, the country spends only about 0.2 percent or a fifth of the 1 percent of GDP benchmark set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Even the proposed national budget now pending before Congress shows a measly 0.5-percent allocation for the Department of Science and Technology.

This year’s allocation may be higher than previous budgets—but a significant portion of that will go to the establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the

OPEN THOUGHTS ORLANDO OXALES “If Congress will pass a law interpreting and redefining these terms and phrases, you are taking away the power of the Supreme Court. This is a battle of turf between the Congress and the Supreme Court. It is the Supreme Court that will decide, and they will also decide that Congress cannot reserve the power of the Supreme Court and to be the final arbiter of interpreting the Constitution,” Justice Carpio said.

These links all have consequences.

The second issue has a more complex geopolitical dimension where our ongoing territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea and National Security comes into play with the owner of the “third telco” DITO Telecommunity and the President.

In the scenario that the PSA is passed at its current form and telecommunications will be open to foreign ownership, third Telco DITO will most certainly be controlled by its major partner, state owned company ChinaTel. Justice Carpio again illustrates this clearly, “Our problem with ChinaTel is (that) it is a state-owned company of the People's Republic of China. China has a law that any Chinese citizen or corporation must cooperate with the state intelligence services of China. They are bound to give any information that they have to the Chinese intelligence agencies.”

This Chinese law, and considering the

Philippines.

Given the social and economic returns that could come with higher investments in science, technology and innovation, it is high time for the government to consider increasing our science and technology budget.

With the COVID-19 pandemic grappling our nation, one can only hope that the government made science and technology a priority in previous years.

Given its strong capability for scientific innovation, Vietnam, for example, was able to quickly develop its own COVID-19 testing kits and readily repurpose its car factories to produce mechanical ventilators—all within months from the first COVID-19 case in the country. Not only was Vietnam able to implement mass testing in months, it is also now exporting mechanical ventilators to Europe.

Furthermore, government has to take the lead in integrating science and technology into the economy. Increased knowledge creation will further strengthen the knowledge economy value chain.

Incentives must be given to Filipino businesses that readily utilize research output from the country’s scientific community and transform them into high-value innovative products.

The same could be said if scientific breakthroughs were to be integrated into agriculture, disaster resilience, education, health,

conflicting interests and multiple incidents of incursions and harassment of our Filipino fishermen in our own territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea, makes you ask why in high heavens the government allowed ChinaTel to install telecommunications equipment right inside our military camps?

“We do not have that problem with Globe, PLDT, or with the Indonesians because we do not have territorial disputes with them.

So, this is unique to DITO and ChinaTel. We have to be very careful because we are fighting to preserve our territorial maritime zones in the West Philippine sea and China is encroaching on our territory maritime zones,” said Justice Carpio.

As technology has a “black box” character where only the real controllers invisibly commanding the inputs and outputs of a device have full control, It really doesn’t take much imagination to identify real risks of how hi-tech espionage, or even sabotage, can be executed through this essential public service that we now are heavily dependent on since the lockdowns that started six months ago.

Reported in news articles, the President’s ally, Davao tycoon Dennis Uy, who controls DITO and the Udenna conglomerate, is partnered with China Harbour Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Co., a US-blacklisted company because of its role in expanding China’s military capability in the South China Sea, and is poised to be the contractor of the reclamation project of the Sangley Point airport project, a US$1.2 billion project with a local partner, and how swiftly the sincere objections of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Secretaries were reversed, are more than enough dots to connect to see the seriousness of Beijing’s infiltration in our country.

These are alarming connections with consequences that will go beyond this pandemic crisis.

industry and infrastructure.

Appointing scientific advisors to the different executive departments could be a step in the right direction of overcoming the barriers to the adoption and adaptation of science and technology in crafting public policies.

The experience of our ASEAN neighbors has already proven that economies could grow at an accelerated rate if emerging technologies and knowledge were tapped to optimize productivity.

This is bolstered by the fact that among the biggest business enterprises in the world today are from the tech industry sector.

Finally, we need to stop the long-standing brain drain in our country’s scientific community. Underemployment has caused many of our highly skilled and locally trained scientists and engineers to migrate to other countries, leaving our local industries and enterprises with the challenge of securing the workforce needed to ensure growth and sustain productivity.

During the post-Korean War reconstruction, South Korea experienced its worst economic crisis. In response, the government called on its scientists and engineers to return home and help rebuild the economy. In less than three decades, South Korea’s tech economy became one of the biggest in the world.

Full version at www.manilastandard.net

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Number of employees IN RE: Guidelines on the Filing of Operational and Financial Reports x--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

RESOLUTION NO. 40 (BM 04-06-25-2020) WHEREAS, Republic Act 776, as amended, otherwise known as the “Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines, mandates the CAB to exercise general supervision and regulate air carriers, general sales agents, cargo sales agents, and airfreight forwarders as well as their property, property rights, equipment, facilities and franchise pursuant to RA 776, Section 10 (A) which provides: “SECTION 10. Powers and duties of the Board. - (A) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Board shall have the power to regulate the economic aspect of air transportation, and shall have the general supervision and regulation of, the jurisdiction and control over, air carriers, general sales agents, cargo sales agents, and airfreight forwarders as well as their property, property rights, equipment, facilities, and franchise, in so far as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.” WHEREAS, Republic Act 776, as amended, likewise authorizes the CAB to make and amend such general and special rules, regulations and procedures to carry out the provisions of RA 776, Section 10 (B) thereof, which states: “SECTION 10. Powers and duties of the Board. B) The Board may perform such acts, conduct such investigations, issue and amend such orders, and make and amend such general and special rules, regulations, and procedures as it shall deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.” WHEREAS, CAB Resolution No. 27 (s. 2000) requires all air carriers to submit a report of all International Charter Trips undertaken during each month without expressly requiring the former to submit reports in case of non-operation; WHEREAS, CAB Resolution No. 39 (s. 1998) provides for a list of revised penalties for nonsubmission and non-compliance with the mandatory CAB reporting requirements. The said Resolution states in part that: “The Board Resolved to order all foreign and domestic air carriers, including international and domestic airfreight forwarders to submit to the Board its financial and operational reports on or before the due dates and in the prescribed CAB forms as duly provided for by law.”

WHEREAS, the Board sees the necessity to continuously review and revise existing policies to keep abreast with developments in civil aviation and to ensure that entities intending to operate air transport services and offer ancillary services continues to be compliant with the conditions of its permit and the regulations issued by the CAB; NOW, THEREFORE, the Board RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to adopt the following guidelines, in addition to existing requirements, on regular filing of financial and operational reports with or without operation in any given period (monthly, quarterly or annually, as required).

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Coverage: This Guidelines shall apply to all air carriers, general sales agents, cargo sales agents, and airfreight forwarders.

Section 2. Compliance in case on non-operation: Non-operation does not in any way exempt the grantee from its regular reportorial obligation. Provided, that should there be no operation for a specific month, the grantee shall clearly state such fact in its report. Otherwise, the grantee shall be treated as “Non-compliant”.

Section 3. Effects of Non-compliance: Non-submission and/or non-compliance with the above CAB reporting requirements will subject the grantee to the corresponding penalties as provided for in Section 5, Chapter 3 of this guidelines, effectively amending CAB Resolution No. 39 (98) otherwise known as the “Revised penalties for non-submission & non-compliance with CAB reporting requirements”.

Section 4. Method of filing: Filing of reports should be done through electronic means. Provided, that manual submission may be allowed only when electronic submission is impossible/unavailable.

Insurance Policy (with O.R. or proof of premium payments made)

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To be paid before the end of the Calendar year

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Certificate of Authority

Upon grant of the Permit (release of the Board Resolution)

c. Reportorial Requirements of the Legal and Enforcement Division (LED) To further ensure grantee’s compliance with the provisions of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (DOTCDTI Joint Administrative Order No. 1), a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to operate commercial air transportation services must submit with the LED on or before the 15th day of the following month a duly accomplished APBR COMPLIANCE REPORT consisting of the following: a)

DENIED BOARDING (LED-FORM-001)

b)

FLIGHT CANCELLATION/S (LED-FORM-002)

c)

FLIGHT DELAY/S (LED-FORM-003)

d)

LOST, DAMAGED, OFFLOADED BAGGAGE (LED-FORM-004)

e)

PASSENGER DEATH AND INJURY ONBOARD (LED-FORM-005) AIR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES BEING UTILIZED IN FURTHERANCEOF BUSINESS

Special Requirement of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division A grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to conduct Air Transportation Services in furtherance of business, shall regularly file with the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division its Audited Financial Statements on or before before the end of June for those who adopt the calendar year; while for those who are using the fiscal year, the same shall be submitted on or before the end of the fourth month following the close of the fiscal year.

III INDIRECT AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES A. AIRFREIGHT FORWARDER a. Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD) A Domestic and International Airfreight Forwarder must submit with the PRD either of the following forms depending on its actual operation, namely: International Airfreight Forwarder Cargo Production Report (CAB Form No. CPR-IAFF-71a) or Domestic Airfreight Forwarder Cargo Production Report (CAB Form No. CPR-DAFF-71b) The above report with an attached Certification, shall be due every 15th of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day. b. Reportorial Requirements of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division (ACASFAD) A grantee is likewise required to submit the following documents to the ACASFAD and pay the appropriate fees within the prescribe timeline as indicated herein, namely:

DOCUMENT TYPE

TIMELINE For Calendar Year, on or before the end of June; For Fiscal Year, on or before the end of the 4th month following the close of the Fiscal Year.

Financial and Operating Report (QC-ACFD-10) Audited Financial Statements Latest General Information Sheet

CHAPTER 2

List of Officers (for single proprietorship) or List of Partners (for partnership)

REPORTORIAL REQUIREMENTS I. SCHEDULED AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES A. INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULED (PASSENGER) a. Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD) A grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) or Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) to engage in International Scheduled Air Transport Services for the purpose of carrying passengers must submit with the PRD a duly accomplished INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC FLOW REPORT (CAB Form PTF-SIS-51a) which shall be due every 15th day of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day. b. Reportorial Requirements of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division (ACASFAD) A CPCN grantee is likewise required to submit the following documents to the ACASFAD and pay the appropriate fees within the prescribe timeline as indicated herein, namely:

On or before the end of June of every year

Fire Insurance Policy and a Certification issued by the insurance company indicating the updated payment of premiums

Upon every renewal of the insurance policy

Annual Review Fee

To be paid on or before every anniversary date of the permit

Annual Certificate of Registration

Upon grant of the permit and renewable every anniversary date of the permit

Certificate of Authority

Upon grant of the permit and renewable every five (5) years

B. CARGO SALES AGENT a. Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD)

DOCUMENT TYPE

TIMELINE

Audited Financial Statement Latest General Information Sheet

For Calendar Year, on or before the end of June; For Fiscal Year, on or before the end of the 4th month following the close of the Fiscal Year.

List of aircraft owned / leased Ground Handling Agreement

To be paid before the end of the Calendar year

Certificate of Authority

Upon grant of the Permit (release of the Board Resolution)

On the other hand, an FACP grantee shall accomplish and submit the following:

DOCUMENT TYPE

TIMELINE

CAB Form No. 51 Schedule D-4 – Dollar Remittance Report

Quarterly, on or before the 15th day after the end of each quarter.

Audited Financial Report / Annual Report

For Calendar Year, on or before the end of June; For Fiscal Year, on or before the end of the 4th month following the close of the Fiscal Year.

Annual Review Fee

To be paid on or before every anniversary date of the permit.

c. Reportorial Requirements of the Legal and Enforcement Division (LED) To further ensure grantee’s compliance with the provisions of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (DOTC-DTI Joint Administrative Order No. 1), a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) or Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) to operate commercial air transportation services must submit with the LED on or before the 15th day of the following month a duly accomplished APBR COMPLIANCE REPORT consisting of the following: a)

DENIED BOARDING (LED-FORM-001)

b)

FLIGHT CANCELLATION/S (LED-FORM-002)

c)

FLIGHT DELAY/S (LED-FORM-003)

d)

LOST, DAMAGED, OFFLOADED BAGGAGE (LED-FORM-004)

e)

PASSENGER DEATH AND INJURY ONBOARD (LED-FORM-005)

DOCUMENT TYPE

TIMELINE

Financial and Operating Report (QC-ACFD-10) Audited Financial Statements Latest General Information Sheet List of Officers (for single proprietorship) or List of Partners (for partnership)

A grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) or Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) to engage in all-cargo International Scheduled Air Transport Services must submit with the PRD a duly accomplished INTERNATIONAL CARGO TRAFFIC FLOW REPORT (CAB Form CTF-SIS-51b) which shall be due every 15th day of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day.

Fire Insurance Policy and original Official Receipt or proof of premium payments made

Upon every renewal of the insurance policy

Surety Bond Policy and Official Receipt or premium payments made

Upon every renewal of the surety bond policy (terms may vary)

Annual Review Fee

To be paid on or before every anniversary date of the permit

Annual Certificate of Registration

Upon grant of the permit and renewable every anniversary date of the permit

Certificate of Authority

Upon grant of the permit and renewable every five (5) years

C. GENERAL SALES AGENT (For Domestic and Foreign Air Carriers) Reportorial Requirements of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division (ACASFAD) A General Sales Agent must submit with the ACASFAD and pay the appropriate fees within the prescribe timeline as indicated herein, namely:

TIMELINE

a. Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD) A grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to engage in Domestic Scheduled Air Transport Services for the purpose of carrying passengers must submit with the PRD a duly accomplished DOMESTIC PASSENGER TRAFFIC FLOW REPORT (CAB Form PTF-SDS-51c) which shall be due every 15th day of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day. b. Reportorial Requirements of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division (ACASFAD) A grantee is likewise required to submit the following documents to the ACASFAD and pay the appropriate fees within the prescribe timeline as indicated herein, namely:

TIMELINE

Audited Financial Statement

Ground Handling Agreement

For Calendar Year, on or before the end of June; For Fiscal Year, on or before the end of the 4th month following the close of the Fiscal Year.

Number of employees

To be submitted on or before the 15th day of the following month

Audited Financial Statements

For Calendar Year, on or before the end of June; For Fiscal Year, on or before the end of the 4th month following the close of the Fiscal Year.

Latest General Information Sheet

On or before the end of June of every year

Surety Bond Policy and Official Receipt or premium payments made

Upon every renewal of the surety bond policy (terms may vary)

Annual Review Fee

To be paid on or before every anniversary date of the permit

Annual Certificate of Registration

Upon grant of the permit and renewable every anniversary date of the permit

Certificate of Authority

Upon grant of the permit and renewable every five (5) years

C. DOMESTIC SCHEDULED (PASSENGER)

List of aircraft owned / leased

On or before the end of June of every year

DOCUMENT TYPE

Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD)

Latest General Information Sheet

CHAPTER 3 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 5: Penalties Pursuant to the provisions of Section 42(B) of RA 776 on General Penalty, all grantees who fails, without justifiable cause, to submit to the Board its financial and operational reports in accordance with these guidelines shall be liable to pay the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00).

Provided, that the grantee shall be liable to pay an additional amount of Two Hundred Pesos (Php 200.00) for every day of delay until full compliance thereof has been made.

Section 6: Separability Clause Any provision, found to be contrary to or in violation of existing laws and the Constitution are deemed null and void; all other provisions shall remain in force.

Section 7: Repealing Clause All other issuances, rules or regulations contrary to the foregoing are hereby deemed amended.

Section 8: Effectivity Clause This Resolution shall take immediately after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and deposit in the UP Law Center.

Insurance Policy (with O.R. or proof of premium payments made)

Upon every renewal of the policy

Annual Review Fee

To be paid before the end of the Calendar year

Certificate of Authority

Upon grant of the Permit (release of the Board Resolution)

Adopted 25 June 2020.

Pasay City, Philippines x----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

c. Reportorial Requirements of the Legal and Enforcement Division (LED) To further ensure grantee’s compliance with the provisions of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (DOTCDTI Joint Administrative Order No. 1), a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to operate commercial air transportation services must submit with the LED on or before the 15th day of the month a duly accomplished APBR COMPLIANCE REPORT consisting of the following: a)

DENIED BOARDING (LED-FORM-001)

b)

CANCELLATION/S (LED-FORM-002)

c)

FLIGHT DELAY/S (LED-FORM-003)

d)

LOST, DAMAGED, OFFLOADED BAGGAGE (LED-FORM-004)

e)

PASSENGER DEATH AND INJURY ONBOARD (LED-FORM-005)

MANUEL ANTONIO L. TAMAYO Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Department of Transportation Alternate Chairman

Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD)

JIM C. SYDIONGCO Director General Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Member

A grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to engage in all-cargo Domestic Scheduled Air Transport Services must submit with the PRD a duly accomplished DOMESTIC CARGO TRAFFIC FLOW REPORT (CAB Form PTF-SDS-51c) which shall be due every 15th of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day.

II. NON-SCHEDULED AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES a. Reportorial Requirements of the Planning and Research Division (PRD) A grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) authorized to engage in Non-Scheduled Air Transport Services, (Air Taxi, International Non-scheduled Air Services, Agricultural Air Spraying and RPA Commercial Operations) along with those who are authorized on the basis of a valid permit issued by the CAB to operate Ad hoc air charter operations, must submit with the PRD a duly accomplished AIR OPERATORS TRAFFIC REPORT (CAB Form AOTR-NSS-51d) which shall be due every 15th of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day. b. Reportorial Requirements of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division (ACASFAD)

EDMUNDO F. GAMMAD Member

EDGARDO M. LOPEZ Member

Attested by:

JEAN MARIONNE A. BERMUDEZ Acting Board Secretary Noted:

A grantee is likewise required to submit the following documents to the ACASFAD and pay the appropriate fees within the prescribe timeline as indicated herein, namely:

TIMELINE

PSYCHEDELIC ART. DJ Rezz performs onstage at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival ‘Underplayed’ screening at OLG Play Stage at Ontario Place on Sept. 19, 2020 in Ontario. AFP

Protesters install ‘People’s Plaque’ vs Thai monarchy THOUSANDS of protesters cheered as activists installed a plaque in Bangkok Sunday declaring that Thailand “belongs to the people”—the boldest show of defiance in a youth-led movement which is questioning the unassailable monarchy’s role in the country.

Thailand has seen near-daily protests for the past two months led by student activists calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former army chief who masterminded the 2014 coup.

Demonstrators spent Saturday rallying in Bangkok’s historic Sanam Luang field next to the Grand Palace, where organizers took a stronger line on reform, calling for the royal family to stay out of the kingdom’s politics.

Authorities said the demonstration drew 18,000, though AFP reporters on the ground estimated a 30,000-strong crowd at its peak—

making it the largest such gathering Thailand has seen since the 2014 coup.

On Sunday at dawn, student activists installed a commemorative “People’s Plaque” in Sanam Luang field.

“Down with feudalism, long live the people,” shouted protest organiser Parit Chiwarak to the cheering crowd.

The new plaque states the date Sept 20, 2020, followed by the proclamation: “The people have expressed the intention that this country belongs to the people, and not the king.”

The movement is pushing frank questioning of the royal family’s role into the public – once a taboo topic due to Thailand’s draconian royal defamation laws.

The plaque references the original brass one embedded for decades in the ground of Bangkok’s Royal Plaza, which commemorated the end of royal absolutism in 1932. AFP

Trump: Woman to succeed Ginsburg in Supreme Court

EDWIN R. ENRILE Undersecretary for Legal and Special Concerns Department of Tourism Alternate Vice-Chairman

D. DOMESTIC SCHEDULED CARGO

DOCUMENT TYPE

to force everyone to wear virtual reality goggles” and accept its version of events, adding: “The world is not an American computer game.”

According to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the measures were “back in effect” from 8:00 pm Washington time (0000 GMT Sunday).

“Today, the United States welcomes the return of virtually all previously terminated UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Pompeo said in a statement.

The administration of President Donald Trump also promised to “impose consequences” on any UN member-state which does not comply with the sanctions, even though the United States appears to be the only country in the world which believes they are in force.

The threat is formidable: those deemed to be in defiance by Washington will be denied access to the US financial system and markets. AFP

For Calendar Year, on or before the end of June; For Fiscal Year, on or before the end of the 4th month following the close of the Fiscal Year.

Monthly Ticket Sales Report – (QC-ACFD-13) (Applicable to GSA for Passengers of Foreign Air Carriers Only)

B. INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULED (CARGO)

DOCUMENT TYPE

Iran on Sunday immediately called on the rest of the world to unite against US “reckless actions” while the Russian foreign ministry condemned the unilateral declaration as “illegitimate” and “unacceptable.”

“We expect the international community and all the countries in the world to stand against these reckless actions by the regime in the White House and speak in one voice,” foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a news conference in Tehran.

“The illegitimate initiatives and actions of the United States by definition cannot have international legal consequences for other countries,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a separate statement.

Russia, a key ally of Iran, accused Washington of putting on a “theatrical performance” and insisted that the US statements “do not correspond to reality.”

It accused the US of “trying

b. Reportorial Requirements of the Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division (ACASFAD)

Upon every renewal of the policy

Annual Review Fee

CAB Form No. 51 – Gross Receipts and Disbursements Report

T

HE United States unilaterally proclaimed that UN sanctions against Iran were back in force and promised to punish those who violate them, in a move that risks increasing Washington’s isolation but also international tensions.

A grantee is likewise required to submit the following documents to the ACASFAD and pay the appropriate fees within the prescribe timeline as indicated herein, namely:

Number of employees Insurance Policy (with O.R. or proof of premium payments made)

A Cargo Sales Agent must submit with the Planning and Research Division a duly accomplished Cargo Sales Agency Report (CSAR-71-C). The report shall be due every 15th of the month; Provided, however, that should the 15th day of the month fall on a weekend or holiday, the same shall be filed on the immediately succeeding working day.

US defies world: ‘Iran sanctions back in effect’

CARMELO L. ARCILLA Executive Director (MS-SEPT. 21, 2020)

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Saturday said he would nominate a woman to succeed late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The president’s desire to “to move quickly” on the process, despite Democrats’ vehement opposition, is likely to dominate the campaigns – alongside other hotbutton issues such as the coronavirus and America’s ongoing racial reckoning – ahead of the November 3 election.

“I think it’s going to move quickly actually,” Trump told reporters

outside the White House Saturday, adding that he thought his choice would be made “next week.”

Addressing a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina later that day, he took an impromptu poll from the crowd, asking them to cheer for either a woman or a man to be his pick. The crowd cheered considerably louder for the former.

“That’s a very accurate poll because that’s the way I feel. It will be a woman. A very talented, very brilliant woman, who I haven’t chosen yet – but we have numerous women on the list.” AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business Manila

Standard

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TODAY

Libyan state oil company lifts force majeure on ‘safe’ fields TRIPOLI, Libya—Libya’s state oil firm lifted force majeure on what it deemed secure oil ports and facilities on Saturday, a day after strongman Khalifa Haftar said he was lifting a blockade on oilfields and ports.

Pro-Haftar groups had blockaded key oilfields and export terminals from January 17 to demand what they called a fair share of hydrocarbon revenues.

The blockade, which has resulted in more than $9.8 billion in lost revenue according to the state-run National Oil Corporation (NOC), has exacerbated electricity and fuel shortages in the country.

“The National Oil Corporation announces the lifting of the state of force majeure over safe oil fields and ports,” a post on its Facebook page said.

But it said “force majeure continues on the oil fields and ports that confirmed the presence of elements of Wagner gangs and other armed groups that impede the activities and operations of the National Oil Corporation”.

Force majeure refers to external unforeseen elements that prevent a party from fulfilling a contract. The Wagner group alludes to a shadowy private security firm reportedly close to Moscow.

Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The main military fault-line pits Haftar and an administration in Libya’s east against a UNrecognized Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli.

Haftar’s announcement on Friday about lifting the blockade comes after hundreds of Libyans protested last week in the eastern city of Benghazi, one of his strongholds, and other cities over corruption, power cuts and shortages in petrol and cash.

AFP

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Profit-taking to check market rally

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices this week will continue to track a sideways movement, with investors likely to take profits after slight gains in the market due to prevailing uncertainties.

Analysts said while share prices of some blue chips had fallen to oversold levels, investors were still reluctant to buy and were opting to stay on the sidelines on weak economic prospects.

BDO Unibank chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas says investor sentiment has turned sour as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects the industry and services sectors to contratct.

Ravelas says the BSP report, which expects manufacturing production to

remain below the 50 point expansion threshold, suggests limited improvements in mobility indicators and that the public is opting to stay at home, which could affect retail sales and spending on other non-essentials. The negative factors will likely reduce consumption growth.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week ended at 5,908.90, down nearly one percent from the previous week’s close, while the broader All Shares Index slipped 0.7 percent to 3,553,58.

Sectoral indices ended mixed, with mining and oil rose gaining 1.2 percent, property adding 0.4 percent and financials rising 0.3 percent.

The industrial index declined 2.8 percent while services and holding firms dropped 1.2 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers during the week by P3.75 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P5.8

billion from the previous week’s average of P4.7 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were MacroAsia Corp., which rose 6.8 percent to P4.99; Metrobank which advanced 5.6 percent to P36.50; and Alliance Global Group Inc., which climbed 4.6 percent to P7.25.

Weekly top price losers were Universal Robina Corp., which fell 7.5 percent to P134,;PLDT Inc., which declined 6.8 percent to P1,383; and Jollibee Foods Corp., which dipped 3.9 percent to P130.

the week with losses.

The downcast Wall Street session came as the United States cracked down Manila again on TikTok, heightening tensions Standard with China.

TODAY "Continued drama in Washington added to the mix, amid the looming highly contentious presidential election and a non-existent fiscal relief package," a note from Charles Schwab said.

With AFP

PSEi September 18, 2020

Global stock markets, meanwhile, concluded on a lackluster note Friday as investors fretted over renewed coronavirus restrictions, the stuttering global economic recovery and US lawmakers' failure to agree on new stimulus measures.

In Europe, London, Frankfurt and Paris stocks all lost ground, while all three major US indices fell again to end

TOP GAINERS

St G

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A woman harvests grapes on September 15, 2020 in the vineyards of the Ricasoli wine estate at Castello di Brolio castle, the most extensive in the Chianti Classico area, in Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany. AFP

TOP LOSERS

The declin 5,908. lion. G each, SM Group while gest sn to P13 Man er of cent t Inc., t tions fi The

Italy’s ‘Black Roosters’ fight back as virus hit wine sales

By Jan Hennop

GAIOLE in CHIANTI, Italy—Two days before the coronavirus pandemic shut down Italy for two months, shattering wine exports and sales, the owner of one of its most historic vineyards headed back into the country a worried man.

Six months later Francesco Ricasoli and his wine-making team are leading the charge by Italy’s “Black Roosters”—the trademark for Chianti Classico—to put the country’s most famous label back on restaurant tables.

“These are probably some of the most turbulent times in Italy,” said Ricasoli, 64, the 32nd Baron of Brolio whose family’s roots to Tuscany stretches back to 1141.

“We’ve seen a strong decrease in wine sales—particularly in restaurants and bars that specialize in the high end of the market,” he told AFP at his winery with the same family name.

Hard hit by the virus that has killed more than 35,500 people in Italy, wine sales and consumption have been battered on a level not seen in 30 years, Italy’s agricultural trade union Coldiretti said recently.

Exports too have slumped by 4.0 percent as the virus forced the closure of bars and restaurants in Italy—which makes nearly a fifth of all the world’s wine—and elsewhere, it said.

But “instead of sitting in a heap and crying like some wineries, we saw an opportunity,” Ricasoli said overlooking his vineyards, made famous by the landmark Castello di Brolio, a medieval red-bricked castle which has been family property for more than 800 years.

“We became active in other ways,” he said.

Touch of Tuscany The Ricasoli winery’s strategy saw an early and vigorous online campaign including overhauling its social media presence including posting a series of short

and snappy videos about the estate, believed to be one of the oldest winemakers in Italy.

They feature Ricasoli explaining the creation of the “recipe” for Chianti Classico in 1872 by his ancestor and blackand-white film of a youthful Sophia Loren frolicking in the estate’s vineyards and helping to harvest grapes like Sangiovese, the main ingredient for the famous wine’s blend.

Drones took footage of Tuscany’s breathtaking landscape around the castle, situated in the rolling foothills of the Chianti mountains outside Siena.

“Our idea was instead of visitors coming to Brolio, we would take it to them,” laughed Ricasoli.

Latest sales figures are not yet on hand, but Ricasoli’s technical director Massimiliano Biagi told AFP the estate hoped to see much of its annual production of around two million bottles consumed this year. AFP Manila

MONIQUE PUNONGBAYAN

Green Light “THE only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”

This quote from Steve Jobs truly inspires me to work not just to acquire basic needs but also to find meaning in it. While some prioritize the financial gains that they could get when finding a job, I’m more focused on how my job will improve me. Will this job make me grow in terms of how I see things, act on given situations, interact with different people, decide on various alternatives, and manage people? For me, it’s easier to find a well-paying job than to find a company that will let you discover and learn at your own pace with the help of your support team.

However, the unemployment rate in the Philippines shot to a record of 17.7 percent in April 2020 due to the pandemic. When I watch television, I always see people complaining about their life status as the government’s financial aid is not enough to cover their daily expenses. As one of the concepts in the right to work, the government has direct responsibility to employ its citizens. But since not everyone can be a government employee, the government is also seeking the help of private companies.

Concerning the government’s role in providing work as a means to live, I remember our President’s promise to end contractualization. It is a worthy goal to ensure job security. Though this aim may also cause unemployment, I can see it as a

Standard

TODAY

Seek and You Will Find way to have a stable job, wherein the due process at work will be applied. As I have learned in Business Ethics, employees, if given a chance, will surely choose a permanent job than on a one year or less employment. But since employees need a job to survive, they desperately accept a temporary job offer. It is frustrating to know that the end of contractualization is not happening because businesses use it to minimize human resource costs.

In reality, not all of us are privileged to finish our studies, making it difficult for others to find a job satisfying both economic benefits and moral rights. So for me, going back to the inspirational quote of Steve jobs, whatever job we have right now, as long as we see the value on it, we still have to be grateful.

But if we think that our current job affects your physical, mental, spiritual and moral health, then don’t settle for less. We are into this world to find our purpose and not allow others to disregard our identity, including what we value and what we believe in.

As a graduate student, through my costudents and professors, I realize how lucky I am to be allowed not only to learn but also to serve. I too am fortunate that this subject will enable me to gauge what is happening around me because usually, I’m just focused on myself and the closest people in my life. I have started to reflect and see things on a deeper level, which makes me aware of the need to be a more concerned citizen. So to whoever reading this column, I hope you also find time to

give yourself a break and reflect on how you can have an impact on someone’s life.

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. This article is part of her blog, a requirement of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership, Ethics, and CSR.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that (i) on August 5, 2020, the members of the Board of Directors and the stockholders of MAGANDEST PROPERTY HOLDING, INC. (the “Corporation”) unanimously approved the dissolution of the Corporation and the amendment of its Articles of Incorporation shortening its corporate term up to September 30, 2020, and (ii) a copy of the said Amended Articles of Incorporation will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

All parties with valid objection/s to the dissolution of the Corporation are requested to present the same before the SEC within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the dissolution of the Corporation.

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CaixaBank, Bankia

MADRID, Spain—Directors from CaixaNOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING

Bank and Bankia Thursday approved their To All Stockholders: merger into Spain’s biggest lender in a move which will transform the landscape Please be advised that the annual meeting of stockholders of of Spanish banking.

MARCVENTURES HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Corporation”) will be held A source closep.m. to the deal theCitibank board Floor, virtually on October 16, 2020 (Friday) at 2:00 at the 4thsaid of Makati directors both banks approved the Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, City.of Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and for the health and safetymerger, of the stockholders and other attendees, the details of which will be made pubmeeting will be held virtuallylic and who wish to attend should onstockholders Friday. register according to the process below in order to have access to the The negotiations involved Bankia’s bigmeeting through the following link: gest shareholder, the Spanish government. https://agm.conveneagm.com/marcventures/#/agm The merger creates the country’s largest bank with combined assets of around The Agenda of the meeting is as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Call to Order Proof of Notice and Certification of Quorum Approval of Minutes of Previous Stockholders’ Meeting Approval of the Management Report and Audited Financial Statements 5. Ratification of All Acts of the Board of Directors and Management 6. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to Change the Corporate Name (from Marcventures Holdings, Inc. to Marcventures Nickel Holdings, Inc.) 7. Election of Directors 8. Appointment of the External Auditor 9. Other Matters 10. Adjournment

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of De La Salle University, its faculty, and its administrators.

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF MAGANDEST PROPERTY HOLDING, INC.

MOST ACTIVE

For purposes of the meeting, stockholders of record as of August 24, 2020 are entitled to receive notice and to vote at the said meeting.

Stockholders intending to participate by remote communication should pre-register at https://agm.conveneagm.com/marcventures/#/agm on or before October 6, 2020. Please refer to the Procedure for Registration, Participation, and Voting at the 2020 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (attached to the Definitive Information Statement) for detailed information on the procedure for registration and participation by remote communication and voting in absentia (electronic voting) or by proxy. Validation of proxies will take place on October 9, 2020.

Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Notice dated April 20, 2020, a copy of the Notice of the meeting, Definitive Information Statement, minutes of the previous meeting of the stockholders, and other documents related to the meeting may be accessed through the Company’s website at www.marcventuresholdings.com and will also be available at https://agm.conveneagm.com/marcventures/#/agm and PSE Edge.

For information about the conduct of the virtual meeting, you may visit https://agm.conveneagm.com/marcventures/#/agm, or email rfrondoso@ marcventures.com.ph.

Makati City, September 17, 2020.

[Laguna, Philippines] [ Sept. 10, 2020] (SGD) DESIDERIO M. CALIBA PRESIDENT (MS-SEPT. 14,21 & 28, 2020)

ROBERTO V. SAN JOSE Corporate Secretary *

All proxies which have been previously submitted shall remain valid unless revoked.

(MS-SEPT. 21 & 22, 2020)

664 bi Renta new en both o presen Und in Cai bank, w entity, take th The holds j hold a

BPOs eye 10,000 tourism workers M PSE INDEX

Thursday, September 11, 2020

65.57 PTS.

5,967.96

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES

1,111,602,778 68,640 4,176,031,102.16 90 92

UNCHANGED

51

F o r e i g n e x c h a n g e r at e Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5790

Japan

Yen

0.009422

0.4577

UK

Pound

1.280800

62.2200

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129031

6.2682

Switzerland

Franc

1.098901

53.3835

Canada

Dollar

0.758323

36.8386

Singapore

Dollar

0.730087

35.4669

Australia

Dollar

0.725400

35.2392

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652238

128.843

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

12.9523

Brunei

Dollar

0.727431

35.3379

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031949

1.5521

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2267

Euro

Euro

1.182400

57.4398

Korea

Won

0.000842

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.146331

7.1086

India

Rupee

0.013618

0.6615

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240269

11.6720

New Zealand

Dollar

0.664400

32.2759

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034171

1.6600 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF BRIEF IN

TRB set to harmonize Go PHTPLEX taps PT&T NLEX, roads

to support e-learning

THE Department of Transportation, through the Toll Regulatory Board, plans to implement PUBLICLY-LISTED Philippine Telegraph and toll harmonization between North Luzon Expressway Tarlac-Pangasinan La Union with ExTelephoneand Corp. said it signed an agreement pressway by theafourth quarter of 2020.

Go Philippines, community-driven social enter“We start with NLEX and TPLex prise, to intent providetointernet connectivity. by last quarter of the year and we will be pushThe partnership with PT&T will enable Go Philiping the others by 2021,” TRB execupinesfor to meet the heightened need said for connectivity and tive director of Abraham Sales. distance learning tools among their partner schools, Sales said TRB was in discussions with the amidMiguel the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

San Groupdisease for the interoperability of “Relevant support causes this, its expressways in thefor north andlike south of espeMaciallywith in these nila other challenging operators. times, is essential for ourSan nation to bounce back,”Skyway, PT&T general Miguel operates South manLuager Expressway, for broadbandSTAR services Ricky Pena zon Tollway and said.

NAIAx, “PT&T continues to seek out Expressway, opportunities while MPTC runs Manila Cavity C5 Link andand Cavity Laguna Exwhere we,Expressway in our capacity industry, can serve pressway. where we are most needed, in this case, in providToll Collection Interoperability project ingThe much-needed infrastructure in the education was launched sector,” he said.in 2017 with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the DOTr, An efficient and reliable internet connectivity the Department oflearning Public for Works andand Highis critical to online schools stuways, Land Transportation Office-Philippines, dents this year.

Toll Regulatory Board, San Miguel Group, “Schools to adopt distance Metro Pacificmoved Group quickly and the Ayala Group. learning tools to overcomeDarwin challenges of the panG. Amojelar

demic,” Go Philippines co-founder and chief visionary officer Michael Goldsmith said.

Aboitiz backs DTIG. call Darwin Amojelar

to use local products

Energy companies vow to keep investing in PH

THE Aboitiz Group fully supports the appeal of the Department of Trade and Industry to prioritize the use of local materials in the administration’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) program ENERGY players the saideconomy business and confidence the to help jumpstart sustainisjobs keyFilipinos to economic amid the coronavirus for amidrecovery the health crisis. pandemic.

Aboitiz, which is into cement manufacturof Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. ingExecutives and property development, reiterated its support to government initiatives, boasting its and AC Energy Inc. said during a webinar sponsored capability to provide unhampered services, as

by Standard Chartered they remain committed to inwell as in competitive quality products. vesting the country and despite the pandemic.

“As country heals and slowly recovers “Thethe energy sector’s rebound is really depenfrom thethe current the Aboitiz Group dent on speedpandemic, of the country’s recovery and continues to look for ways to also address ability to cope with the crisis and making surethe we economic impact of this health crisis. We will are able to rebuild consumer confidence,” Pilipikeep on investing resources to help the govnas Shellfire Petroleum Corp. treasurer Jose Jerome ernment up the economy through solutions Pascual III saidthat during the webinar titled “Philipand products are proudly Filipino backed pines-The tiger ofsaid Asia.” by global rising expertise,” company president Energy chief officer executive JohnAboitiz.

Eric Francia andAC chief executive Sabin said while the power sector waswith alsostrong hit byand the “We envision a Philippines durable infrastructure thathad will serve Filipinos crisis, business confidence returned. for “Definitely generationsour to confidence come,” he is added. there. We took a Thewhen DTI has forbut the now use of pause the pushed crisis hit, welocal are conback struction materials in BBB and on track. We are investing. We areother very national thankful and local infrastructure projects. that government is taking that balance between Campos health and economic crisis andOthel thingsV.are moving

along,” Francia said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Villar’s AllHome

notes rising sales BSP plans to increase HOME improvement and furniture retailer Allvolume of ofsecurities Home Corp., said sales appliance and other

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to increase essential remain strong despite plans the challenges the volume of its issuance amid strong brought about by securities the pandemic.

AllHome Camille Villar demand, a top vice officialchairman said over the weekend. reported a significant increase in sales in the The BSP, in its maiden issuance on Friday, company’s wide range of products despite the awarded P20 billion 28-day BSP bills in full. The imposition of a modified enhanced community bills were oversubscribed, as total tenders reached quarantine and community quarantine.

P43.4 billion, orgeneral 2.2 times the offer volume.

“During the 2nd Quarter of this year, appliBSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila said ances contributed 40 percent of our sales, genthe results of the auction reflected robust demand, erated by our tactical pop-up stores placed near with Day banksSupermarkets. pricing the 28-day bills relatively All WeBSP recognized and close to the 28-day depositretail facility rate. capitalized on ourterm AllValue ecosystem, “Going AllHome forward, the BSPintegral will gradually adjust of which is an part,” Villar auction volumes depending on market response and said. consistent liquidity forecasts,” “As thewith country moved to a Dakila more said. relaxed GCQ, sales sawDiokno improvement, with BSPAllHome’s Governor Benjamin earlier said the shoppers resuming home projects and select securities issuance formed part of its initiative to businesses started reopening,” she added. shift to more market-based monetary operations.

Because of the pandemic, Villar said shopHe said the inclusion of securities issuance pers had more time at home and that of household in the standard monetary operations the BSP incomes were diverted from travel and nonprovides an additional instrument for managing essential entertainment to renovations as well liquidity inprojects. the financial systemB.and support the as passion Jenniffer Austria implementation of monetary policy under the Interest Rate Corridor framework. Julito G. Rada

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs raised P1.636 trillion in the first eight months, up 7.17 percent over the revised P1.527trillion target set by the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Partnership: Overcoming Adversities

By Othel V. Campos Committee.

Through New Opportunities” will proCiting preliminary BIR and BOC vide on-site and work from home jobs ORE than 10,000 jobs in the business process data, the Department of Finance’s in light of the new normal.

Revenue Operations Group said the outsourcing industry will be made available to “Both the tourism and the BPO industwo agencies collected P109.5 billion tries are people-oriented.

We believe in displaced tourism workers nationwide in a job Ray S. Eñano, Editor more than the revised collection goal your talent and skills, and we know you Roderick dela Cruz, Assistant fair thisT.September, theEditor Department of Tourism said over set by the DBCC in July. will rise above this crisis through this new The DOF said the BIR collectthe weekend. and exciting undertaking,” Puyat said. business@manilastandard.net ed P1.289 trillion in the first eight Applicants should be at least high extrastory2000@gmail.com months, exceeding by P96.44 billion “The DOT is taking this as a timely mal,” said Tourism Secretary Bernaschool graduates, can comfortably conor 8.08 percent the DBCC target of blessing for affected tourism workers. dette Romulo-Puyat. verse in English, possess good computP1.192 trillion for the period. It did Our tour guides and frontline service The DOT and Concentrix will open er skills and problem solving skills with MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2020 not provide year-on-year compariproviders certainly have an 21, edge, es- positions for customer service reprepleasant personality when faced with sons. pecially those who speak foreign lan- sentatives, technical support represenmultiple concerns.

The Customs collected P347.6 bilguages, as they find work in the BPO tatives, frontline/specialists, superviThe hiring process will be completed lion over the January-August period, industry while tourism operations are sors, trainers, managers and others for in less than 24 hours after a series of onwhich was P16.97 billion or 5.13 perstill limited. Part-time jobs are also the human resources and recruitment, line interviews and assessments. Hired cent more than the DBCC target of available, and have work-from-home finance, IT and marketing sectors. applicants will be compensated while P330.63 billion. arrangements in light of the new norThe virtual job fair “Mabuhay! on training.

The BIR and BOC also exceeded their DBCC-set collection targets for August despite the curtailed economic activities in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal from Aug. 4 to 18, when these areas were placed under a strict modified enhanced community quarantine.

Combined collections of the BIR and BOC reached P216.65 billion in August, which was P61.38 billion or 39.53 percent more than the DBCC target of P155.27 billion for that month, the DoF said.

The BIR collected P172.06 billion in August, exceeding the DBCC target of P118.2 billion by 5.5 percent or P53.87 billion.

A total of P44.59 billion was collected by the BOC in August, topping the DBCC target of P33.68 billion by P10.9 billion or 32.58 percent.

SEWAGE PLANT. Manila Water Co. Inc. holds a ceremonial signing of the usufruct agreement to set the ball rolling for the construction of the Hinulugang Taktak Sewage LGU ASSISTANCE. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (center) and Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Prospero de reported earlier that Treatment Plant insurgical Antipolo City. Leading the signing ceremony are (from left) Environment Cimatu, president andThe chiefDOF executive Jose Rene Almendras, Vera (left) present masks and personal protective equipment to Marikina City MayorSecretary MarcelinoRoy Teodoro forManila use byWater front-liners budgetliter deficit by 86.21 Antipolo Ynares Manila Trail, WaterMarikina chief operating officer Abelardo The project involvesOperations the construction of a 16-million per dayclimbed STP and laying of six in the city.City TheMayor event,Andrea which held at and the Animal River Park on Sept.

10, is Basilio. part of CODE (Coordinated to in July Taktak to P140.2 Defeat Epidemic) Team’s visit lines. to different local government get a first hand onfrom the local situation and the interventions kilometers of sewer network The sewerage system willunits helpto ensure wastewater the community is cleaned before it isbeing dischargedpercent to the Hinulugang Falls. billion from the P75.3-billion shortfall a implemented in the fight against COVID-19. year ago, as expenditures increased 10.4 percent and revenue collection dropped 11.2 percent during the month.

“The higher deficit for the month TOYOTA Motor Philippines said it will would decide either to maintain the current duce the Vios, and of course the Innova. reflects the 10.40-percent growth in expand vehicle production starting this output or “play it by ear” in November, de- The current program is six years, and government expenditures, boosted by we are actually halfway. It is affected by week by returning to two-shift opera- pending on the volume of demand. the implementation of various COCOVID-19, but weon have face2018 the HeExchange said demand for the Vios tions to catchG. upAmojelar on improving demand and Commission of and the Inin- the public Act No. 10972 Feb.to 22, VID-19 rehabilitation and recovery

By Darwin challenges,” heNOW said. Telecom’s legislative vehicles picked up, encouraging and comply with the required produc- nova measures vis-à-vis an 11.22-percent crease in authorized and paid-up capital. which renewed “Of course we want government to tion volume under the automotive incen- the company to operate in two shifts. drop in revenue collection,” the TreaIt also requires NOW Telecom to acfranchise for another 25 years to engage in Toyota vice president for corporate affairs extend the number of years of the CARS tives program. sury said in a statement.

Business

B4

NOW gets license as fourth telco D&L Industries expects profit N to exceed P1b

Toyota PH expanding automotive production this week OW Telecom Company Inc., owned by the Velarde family, secured a permit from the government to operate as the country’s fourth major mobile phone operator.

TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto said manufacturing was expected to return to original pace before the COVID-19 outbreak.

“By Sept. 14, we will start to see two shifts in Sta. Rosa. That means that our production volume, our production efficiency will return to normal, same as before the COVID pandemic,” he said during the launch of the improved Toyota Hilux over the weekend.

Okamoto said improved production would in October but the company Thecontinue National Telecommunication

celerate the installation Rommel Gutierrez said of thebroadband company data saw the return two-shift operations urgent to service intothe suburban and rural areas. to on missed opportunities for the In catch each up phase of project implementation, Vios that were lost to the pandemic.

NOW complyunder with ViosTelecom was theis required enrolled tomodel the 70:30 ratio of urban to suburban and Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program. rural network rollout coverage.

“It always a challenge to Thehas NTC order been prohibits NOW Telemeet the target volume requirement of com from sharing or co-using its frequenthe program. So what Toyota does of cy to other playerstosuch as PLDT/Smart, course in relation employment is that we haveTelecom, to keep the current number of Globe DITO Telecommunity workers, so that weentity will continue to proCorp. or any other without first se-

Commission on Sept. 14 issued a provisional authority allowing NOW Telecom to install, operate and maintain a nationwide mobile telecommunications system.

The authority is not specific to 3G or third-generation mobile communications technology but can extend to other technologies such as 4G, 5G or even outer space.

The PA is subject to a number of conditions, including the infusion of an additional capital of at least P1.9 billion from the first two years, capital expenditure of P6.3 billion in the submitted rollout plan and approval by the Securities

curing approval from the commission.

Smart, Globe, Dito and NOW Telecom are the only four cellular mobile telephone service licensees in the Philippines.

The NTC said that based on NOW Telecom’s financial position, its debt-toequity ratio complies with the 70-30 requirement of the commission. It said its total capital requirement for five years should reach P15.9 billion and the company should infuse at least 30 percent of total capex requirement for two years or in the amount of P1.89 billion.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Re-

the business of providing telecommunicaprogram because definitely we cannot comply with the volume communications requirement as tions including electronic originally said. communications That was set under norand electronic services mal circumstance at that time. But so throughout the Philippines and between the many things have happened. It started Philippines and other countries andexcise other from the introduction of the new tax, whichincluding affectedouter the sales. territories, space. Of course [came] Taal Volcano eruption, and NOWthe Telecom, an affiliate of pubdefinitely the COVID-19. So as far as licly listed telecommunications, media extension of the number of years of the and technology Now Corp., setCARS program firm is concerned, weisdefinitely support In fact, welisting may have ting the stage that. for its public and to that separately,” 5Gask network rollout. he said.

NOW Telecom appointed Unicapital Inc. as financial advisor for a planned corporate restructuring and exclusive issue manager and financial advisor for a planned listing by way of introduction.

“We are moving forward with the corporate restructuring of NOW Telecom to take it to the next level. NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom were the first to introduce 5G broadband speed of up to 2 Gbps [gigabits per second] direct to our existing enterprise clients,” NOW Group of Companies founder and chief executive Mel Velarde earlier said.

BSP orders banks to provide 60-day grace period on loans

By Julito G. Rada

with Section 4(uu) of Republic Act No. interest on interest, penalties, fees or 11494, or Bayanihan 2, that took effect other charges during the grace period to future payments or amortizations of the THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or- on Sept. 15, 2020.

Diokno said all BSP-supervised finan- borrowers. dered banks to implement a mandatory “They likewise from prohibited cial institutions shouldincomply with the one-time 60-day, grace period to all collects OIL TAXES. The Department of Finance over P129 billion import duties and taxes from are fuel products Sept. 1, from their clientswere to waive the 2019 10, 2020and under the Fuel Markingmemorandum Program. Someimmediately.

12.321 billion liters of diesel, requiring gasoline and kerosene marked foraploanstoofSept. individuals entities followtaxation by the government during the period. Petron Corp. accounted for 2.842 billion liters or 23.07 of percent of the total,offollowed by plication the provisions the BayaSection 4(uu) requires all covered ing the passage of the Bayanihan to RePilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. with 2.528 billion liters or 20.52 percent, andaUnioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. with 1.297 billion nihan to Recover as One Act. No liters waiver institutions to implement mandatory cover as One Act into law. or 10.53 percent.

It said the move would help individu- one-time grace period of two months previously executed by borrowers covals and businesses recover from the im- to all loans that are existing, current ering payments falling due until Dec. pact of the COVID-19 pandemic that and outstanding falling due, or any 31, 2020 shall be valid,” it said.

The accrued interest for the onethereof, on or before Dec. 31, battered economy since this part Freda said for a country with so many indeed for anyone who has the logistics “Illegal the tobacco makers areearly directly time 60-day grace period may be paid 2020. like the Philippines, it was a huge in year. The memorandum alsolegitimate requires islands place and can copy our products and stealing from the state. As by the borrower on staggered basis “The mandatory one-time 60-day banks not to impose interest on interest, is businesses, we are a very effective tax challenge to control the problem, but the import without paying the taxes, which until the end of the said. year. Nonetheless, grace period shalltoapply to each loan of unacceptable,” Freda needed be stronger. collector clearly we can’t do that if deterrents penalties,and fees or other charges during Freda saidnot with JTI products, qual“Stiffer sanctions are required we need this there is anperiod. illicit problem. Illegal trade individuals should preclude the borrower and entities with - multiple the grace waspaying assuredthe throughout stages of see people being caughtsaid. and brought ity cheats everyone―governments, con- to from accrued allinterest in loans,” the memorandum BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno sumers and legitimate businesses,” Fre- to justice in a way that deters others from sourcing, manufacturing, storage and disfull on the new due date, the memoIt said BSP-supervised financial insaid he signed an order on Friday rebeing part of this criminal endeavor,” he tribution in full compliance with regulada said. randum stated. stitutions should not charge or apply tory quiring comply and legal requirements.

“In myfinancial previousinstitutions role, I had to seen situ- said.

Japan Tobacco asks gov’t to impose on tougher penalties against cigarette smugglers

Gatchalian warns of power outages with depletion of Malampaya field

JAPAN Tobacco International Philippines, the local unit of Japan Tobacco International, asked the government over the weekend to impose stiffer penalties against people or groups found involved in illicit tobacco trade.

JTI Philippines general manager John Freda said in a statement the problem of illegal trade in tobacco was a growing one and required more attention. He said while the government was striving hard to stamp out the problem, the situation required absolute vigilance.

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian, chair-

man of the Senate committee on energy, expressed concern over the imminent depletion of natural gas from the Malampaya field in northwest Palawan.

The $4.5-billion Malampaya-gasto-power project is the second biggest source of electric power in the Luzon.

“We’re racing against time. If we fail to act now, we could be experiencing anew a debilitating rotational brownout by 2024 once our power supply from the Malampaya gas field is depleted,” Gatchalian said in a statement over the weekend.

Gatchalian said the absence of replacement fuel could threaten energy security and might lead to possible rotational brownouts.

The Malampaya project has been supplying fuel to the Luzon grid, providing about 21 percent of the national demand for electricity nearly for two decades.

The gas field is expected to run dry by 2024, although the Malampaya consortium earlier said gas supply might last until 2027.

The Malampaya consortium led by operator Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. is seeking for an extension of Service Contract 38 with the government to ensure additional gas supply.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 1819 to provide a national energy policy and framework for the development and regulation of the Philippine midstream natural gas industry.

He cited the power crisis in the 1990s when Metro Manila and several provinces in the Luzon power grid experienced rotating brownouts of up to four hours daily because of insufficient electrical generating capacity. Alena Mae S. Flores

ations where if the issue is not mitigated early, things can go badly wrong like Malaysia where over 60 percent of the cigarette market is illegal,” he said.

“The illegal tobacco trade is a feast for criminals who make huge profits often with very low risk of being caught and insignificant penalties. A lucrative business

He said JTI’s factory in Batangas ensured that all products passed rigid quality checks before they were released in the BANTAYAN POWER. market. Julito G. Rada

Vivant Energy Corp. president Arlo Sarmiento delivers a speech during the turnover of three units of 3-megawatt generators from Isla Norte Energy Corp. to Bantayan Electric Cooperative. INEC, a partnership of Vivant Energy and Gigawatt Power Inc., provides the much-needed emergency supply that will ease the occurrence of almost daily outages in BANELCO’s franchise area.

INEC is also constructing a 23.3-MW diesel power plant that will supply the longterm electricity requirement of Bantayan Island. INEC received a 15-year contract to supply BANELCO’s power requirements following a successful competitive selection process.

Gov’t prohibits pork products infrom second half Germany

THE Department of Agriculture over

By Jenniffer B. Austria the weekend issued a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and FOOD ingredient and plastics manuwild pigs, pork products and by-products from D&L Germany. facturer Industries Inc. said said the was toimposed it Itexpects net ban income exceed afP1 ter the confirmation theasfirst billion in the secondofhalf thecase doof African Swine Fever in Schenkmestic economy continues to recover endöbern, Spree-Neiße, Brandenburg following the government’s move to which affected wild boar, as reported ease Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut quarantine restrictions. by (National Laboratory).

D&L president Alvin Lao said in an The official reportthewas submitted interview following annual stockon Sept. 10, 2020 by Dietrich busiRasholders’ meeting theDr. non-food sow, director for animal health and ness, which accounted forveterinary a signifianimal welfare and chief cant portion the group’sofearnings, officer of theofDirectorate Animal saw a and fasterAnimal recovery than initially Health Welfare, Federal Ministry expected. of Food and Agriculture, Berlin, Germany, to the OrgaThe food business is World also picking nization for Animal Health. upAside even from as dine-in sales remain weak the temporary ban, Agand people are reluctant to eat in also resriculture Secretary William Dar taurantsanbecause of thesuspension pandemic, he issued immediate of the said.processing and evaluation of the application and issuance sanitary “Second-half profits of would be and phytosanitary import clearance more than P1 billion as indications to domestic and wild pigs, pork prodare itand would be better thanGermany. what we ucts by-products from thought,” Lao said.

The department said all shipments said while Manila reimof He pigs, pork and Metro pork products from Germany the Philippines be posed theto more stringent would modified confiscated by all DA-Bureau of Anienhanced community quarantine for mal Industry veterinary quarantine two weeks in August, most customofficers at all major ports of entry. ersThe remained open as they were better DA lifted on Sept. 7 the ban on preparedimports this time. poultry from Brazil after the Lao said D&L’s customers were Brazilian government presented coronavirus prevention measures. able to generate revenues by tapping Brazilsales earlier that the online andcomplained delivery channels.

Philippine government committed The oleo-chemical business is bentrade violations for imposing the imefiting from increased mobility which port ban on poultry meat without foltranslated bio-diesel while lowing theinto necessary and sales mandatory principles steps under Article with 5 of specialty and plastics rebounded the Trade Agreethe World reopening of Organization the global economy ment Sanitary Phytosanitary whichon lifted sales and to export-oriented Measures. Othel V. Campos

automotive companies.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of the health and wellness trend, allowing sales of specialty products related to personal care, organic cleaning products and disinfectants to grow.

Demand for plastics used for packaging enjoyed stronger demand as consumers preferred using single-use plastics over washable items because of sanitation, the company said.

“The third quarter is definitely better than the second quarter where operations of some customers were practically zero,” Lao said.

“The fourth quarter will be hard to say because there may not be Christmas parties although new COVID-19 cases are not rising while there seems to be fewer serious cases than before,” Lao said.

Electronics exporters revise sales forecast as bulk orders from foreign clients pick up

By Othel V. Campos A GROUP of electronics exporters expects full-year sales to decline slower than the initial forecast of 20-percent slump, as bulk orders from overseas clients began to pick up.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. said instead of the 20-percent contraction, members of the group were now looking at a 16-percent drop.

SEIPI chairman Glen Everett noted an increase in orders since the economy re-

opened in June. Electronics exports plummeted by nearly a third in May. “So if I go back to the Philippine electronics industry growth forecasts, simple number is minus 20 percent for 2020.

Pre COVID-19 projection was 5 percent growth. And this year, we see among our members a general estimate of a contraction of 16 percent,” Everett said during the group’s general membership meeting.

“Most companies surveyed reported some sort of V shaped sales impact. Some are fast. Some are recovering quickly,

some recovering slowly over the course of things,” he said.

Everett said if the industry would continue to respond to demands of the clients, there would be a better outlook for the fourth quarter.

Data showed that electronics exports dropped 2.61 percent in July to $3.35 billion from $3.44 billion a year ago. The sector accounted for 59.3 percent of total exports in July 2020.

Electronics exports fell 10.45 percent in June and 33.53 percent in May.

Everett said that while the COVID-19 impacted almost all sectors in the Philippines including the semiconductor industry, the global demand had increased at an average of 4.9 percent since the pandemic broke out.

“The global semiconductor market has remained largely resistant to global macroeconomic headwinds, at least in the first seven months of the year, but you see continued growth. Sales in the Americas and China have remained strong and increasingly significant especially for memory and non-memory products,” Everett said.

Sports

Obiena will miss Diamond athletics leg in Qatar ISSUES with his visa will keep Ernest John “EJ” Obiena from seeing action in the Doha leg of the Diamond League athletics meet this Friday in Qatar.

His visa is set to expire in less than six months, and Obiena was not able to renew it in time.

And more complications would have awaited him if he went home to Philippines, and sought to return to Formia, Italy, and then to Doha afterwards “Di po ako tuloy sa Doha,” said the 24-year-old Obiena, after clearing 5.80 meters and settling for the bronze medal in the men’s pole vault event of the star-studded Rome leg of the Diamond League 2020 last week at the Olympic Stadium in Italy.

Obiena won’t be going home, and will just continue training Italy while waiting for his visa to be renewed.

“Less than six months na lang ang visa and passport niya. Mahirap na, baka hindi na siya payagan, at hindi rin siya makabalik,” said EJ’s dad Emerson.

Recently, Italy issued tight restrictions for foreigners in relation to efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the latest guideline, “foreigners, by virtue of the new Italian law decree, who have expired permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) are allowed to apply for issuance/renewal of the permit to stay 30 days after its expiration, which gives foreigners a total of 90 days from the expiration of permit of stay to renew his/ her permit. The same decree also gives 30-day allowance for foreigners with expired visas who are currently in Italy to apply for visa extension.”

Obiena expressed his gratitude for his recent European stint on his Facebook messages.

“We finally come to say goodbye to the weird 2020 season. My 2019 self wouldn’t have predicted that 2020 would be so unpredictable. It has been a roller-coaster ride since January and still doesn’t show signs of slowing down,” wrote Obiena.

In Obiena’s last outing in Rome, Armand Duplantis made heads turn when he broke Sergey Bubka’s world outdoor record at 6.15 meters on his second attempt.

Peter Atencio

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

C1

Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a forehand to Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman for the quarter final match of the Men’s Italian Open at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. AFP

Aranas, Hontiveros tipped to seek POC presidency T

By Peter Atencio

HIS early, archery chief Clint Aranas and handball president Steve Hontiveros are tipped to seek the presidency in the Nov. 27 elections of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Many heads of national sports associations are considering the two based on their experience and expertise.

Aranas is getting support for his knowledge as a lawyer and as a legal expert, while Hontiveros is being sought after for being a longtime hand in the Philippine Olympic community.

“The POC needs new faces, and Mr. Aranas is there. Mr. Hontiveros has been around for a long time. But they still need experience,” said POC first vice president Joey Romasanta.

Talks on the candidates started right after the POC executive board deferred its decision to introduce of changes in the Philippine Olympic Committee constitution and bylaws.

Discussions on the amendments have been put off for after the polls.

Members of the executive board is keen on using the current charter of the POC. There were many proposals that have been forwarded over the past months.

And the first to be approved is the

age limit of 78 that will be imposed for leaders of national sports associations who are running for elective positions.

Another proposal that is being reviewed is that board members who are elected will be limited to just two straight terms.

After that, anyone running for a post can do so after resting for one, fouryear Olympic cycle.

Changes in the charter will take effect after the November polls.

The POC election committee is to be composed of Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV as chairman, former International Olympic Committee representative Frank Elizalde and the chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Eric Martinez.

The filing of the certificate of candidacy will be from Oct. 1 to 30. The campaign period starts on Nov. 1.

Covington, Dern post spectacular victories

By Reuel Vidal COLBY “Chaos” Covington and Mackenzie Dern posted spectacular, though contrasting, victories at UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas yesterday morning.

Covington pushed around and bullied Tyron Woodley in four rounds before finally forcing a stoppage over the former UFC Welterweight champion in the fifth round of the main event.

Dern didn’t need as much time as she seemed in a hurry to end her fight winning by submission (Armbar) right in the first round.

In the interview immediately after the fight, Covington veered completely off the expected track as he instead commented about how US President Donald Trump will win the presidential election November this year.

“Ladies and gentlemen. The silent majority is ready to make some noise.

If you thought that was a beating, wait till November 3rd when Donald Trump gets his hands on Sleepy Joe (Biden). That’s gonna be a landslide,” said Covington, an avowed supporter of the US President.

Covington also took a shot at pro-

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

Mackenzie Dern (right) battles Amanda Cooper in this file photo of their women strawweight bout at the Ultimate Fighting Championship 224 (UFC 224) event at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro on May, 2018. AFP

fessional athletes, in particular singling out NBA star LeBron James, who have been supporting the civil rights campaign in behalf of blacks in the US.

“I want to dedicate this fight to all the first responders, all the military out there. You know, this world would not be safe without you guys.

You know, you keep us safe. Not this

‘woke’ athletes. I’m sick of these ‘woke’ athletes, man, and these spineless cowards like LeBron James,” said Covington who had an American flag draped around his shoulders in the cage-side interview.

The fight was virtually even early on with Covington holding a slight edge until late in the fourth round.

Covington stayed away from Woodley’s powerful strikes. When they engaged it was mostly Covington pushing Woodley against the cage and administering punishment with short chopping blows.

Woodley barely survived the fourth round. Covington pushed Woodley against the cage late in the round and split open his right eyebrow with an elbow. The badly battered Woodley had blood streaming out of a cut above his right eye when the round ended.

Covington, who had won every round, was on top of Woodley again early in the final round. Woodley had Covington under his armpit and was apparently trying to complete a guillotine choke when Woodley suddenly screamed in pain.

With Woodley apparently injured and unable to continue the referee stopped the fight awarding Covington the victory.

Nadal stunned in Italian Open before French Open defense ROME, Italy—Rafael Nadal warned he knew how to fix his errors before his French Open title defense after crashing in the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), the final warm-up before Roland Garros.

The nine-time Rome winner slumped 6-2, 7-5 on a humid night in the Italian capital to Argentine Diego Schwartzman, a player the second seed had beaten in all nine of their previous clashes.

It was Nadal’s last chance to tune-up before his bid for a 13th French Open, and record-equaling 20th Grand Slam to match Roger Federer in just over a week.

“It’s a completely special and unpredictable year,” said the 34-year-old.

“I’ll probably go back home and then let’s see what’s going on. I did my job here.

“I fought until the end. But losing that many serves, you can’t expect to win a match.

“Something that I have to fix. I know how to do it.

“I’m going to keep working and keep practicing with the right attitude and try to give me a chance to be ready.

“I did a couple of things well and other things bad. And that’s it. At least I played three matches.”

The two-time defending champion was making his comeback after a long coronavirus-enforced break having skipped the US Open.

Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, a US Open semi-finalist, 6-1, 6-1 in his first match this week followed by Serb Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-3.

But Schwartzman pulled out a stunning performance to leave Nadal with no answer.

“After such a long time without competing, I played good two matches, and now today I played a bad one against a good opponent,” said Nadal.

“It was not my night, at all,” he said.

“Then we have to think internally why, how I can fix it.”

Schwartzman, with just three career titles to Nadal’s 85, said he had come close a few times to beating the Spaniard.

“I think four or five times I was close enough to feel like maybe if I play my best tennis I’m going to have chances,” said the world number 15.

“Also, he was coming back this tournament after seven months, more or less, eight months. AFP

De los Santos wins 10th gold in quest for perfection CEBUANO bet James de los Santos continued to strive for perfection and bagged two more gold medals in the individual male seniors’ division of online karatedo tournaments.

In adding flawless movements to his routines, the 30-year old de los Santos earned his ninth and tenth gold medals when it was over.

And de los Santos considers his close 24.8-24.5 triumph over world no. 1 Eduardo Garcia of Portugal in the finals of the the SportData eTournament World Series #4 as one of his greatest accomplishments.

“I worked on everything. Every tech-

nique and movement in a kata counts,” said de los Santos.

Once again, the graceful movements, including a quick turning jump in Unsu were among the movements that enabled de los Santos to score points.

De los Santos advanced to the finals after outperforming Jaime Teruel of the Dominican Republic, 23.8-23.5.

His ninth gold medal came when de los Santos got past Murillo Alves of Brazil, 24.6-23.6 in the Hatamoto Kai Mitad Del Mundo E-Tournament.

The other week, de los Santos won three gold medals in succession using

difficult techniques.

“The judges are there to find every mistake you make, so I do my best to make my kata as nearly perfect as possible,” said de los Santos.

His string of successes came de los Santos’ way since shifting to more demanding forms in kata.

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

An eighth gold came when de los Santos outperformed Matias Domont of Switzerland, 25.7-24.5, in the finals to claim the crown in the Echampions Trophy Series 1. Peter Atencio

James de los Santos holds up the okay sign after he bagged more medals in the individual male seniors’ division of online karatedo tournaments.

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Sports

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Wolff pounces into lead as Oosthuizen charges NEW YORK—Matthew Wolff, a 21-year-old American making only his second major start, fired a five-under par 65 to seize the clubhouse lead in Saturday’s third round of the US Open.

The 2019 US college champion for Oklahoma State, who shared fourth at last month’s PGA Championship in his major debut, solved wicked Winged Foot to stand on five-under 205 after 54 holes.

“Every time I was in the rough and had a good lie I took advantage of it,” Wolff said. “I minimized the mistakes. It was a good day all around.”

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, fired a 68 to stand second in the clubhouse on 209 with American Bryson DeChambeau the only under-par rival still on the course at two under.

“Any under-par round at a US Open you’ll take,” Oosthuizen said. “(Wind) definitely died down for us. Definitely lucky on the draw today.”

World number 36 Wolff, who won his first PGA Tour title at Minneapolis in only his third tour start, needed only 10 putts over his first nine holes, shooting a astonishing 30 on the front nine as veteran rivals struggled on the famed Mama-

roneck, New York, layout.

He found only two of 14 fairways but made impressive iron shots to match Winged Foot’s lowest US Open round ever, Justin Thomas’s opening 65.

“I tried to shoot as low as possible with hitting as few fairways as possible,” Wolff joked.

“That will get me ready for tomorrow.

“I got really fortunate with the lies in the rough. I just stuck with my game. We had a bunch of good lies. It was a grind out there.

“I’m just going to go out there, do the same thing and whatever happens happens.”

Wolff, who began the day four back of leader Patrick Reed, made a 14-foot birdie putt at the opening hole, a 15-footer to birdie the par-4 fourth, a five-footer for birdie at six and a 13-foot birdie putt at the par-3 seventh.

He closed the front nine with a three-foot birdie putt at the par-5 ninth then grinded out six pars in a row before his first bogey at the 16th, missing an eight-footer for par.

Wolff blasted out of the rough 10 feet from the cup at 18 and sank his closing birdie putt.

“I feel really good with my putting,” Wolff said. “I just told myself it was just another putt.”

Matthew Wolff of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during the third round of the 120th U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. AFP

Oosthuizen sank an eight-foot birdie putt at the fifth and added eight pars on the front nine. On the back side, he followed a bogey at the par-3 10th by sinking an 18-foot birdie putt at 11.

At 14, Oosthuizen blasted out of the rough to 10 feet and made his birdie putt,

then found rough and a bunker to bogey 16 before dropping his approach at 17 to three feet and making another birdie in response to a bogey.

Oosthuizen suspects he will need a repeat performance to capture his first major in a decade.

‘PBA games can provide relief’ H

OUSE Deputy Speaker and NorthPort owner Mikee Romero said giving the Philippine Basketball Association the green light to resume its games could be the best entertainment the government can give to Filipinos during these difficult times.

With almost everybody still dealing with the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic—mentally and financially—Romero has urged the Inter-Agency Task Force to allow the PBA to resume its season via a bubble concept in Clark, Pampanga.

“The resumption of the PBA will help the Filipinos cope with depression and COVID-19. I am certain it will provide relief,” said one of the wealthiest lawmakers in the country. “We need to relax a bit after months of anguish.”

While he’s fully aware that the government task force is still facing a gigantic task in trying to mitigate the

spread of the deadly disease, Romero, who saw action for the PH polo team in last year’s SEA Games, is confident in the leadership of the pro league and the all-out support of the team owners.

“Under the leadership of Chairman Ricky Vargas and Commissioner Willie Marcial, the PBA has exhausted everything to make the bubble type concept safe for everyone,” said Romero, who was again included in Forbes’ 50 richest Filipinos.

Romero, who has an estimated worth of P6.5 billion, also noted that PBA players, including his Batang Bier squad, are already eager to get back

Rep. Mikee Romero

into action after the league was forced was to halt in March due to the COVID outbreak.

The 1 Pacman representative said even the league’s marquee players are also one in supporting the government’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ campaign.

Being the president of the Partylist

Coalition Foundation Inc., Romero has been very busy the past months as he oversees the organization’s distribution of relief assistance to frontliners and displaced workers.

If given the green light, the PBA will have a two-week scrimmages before resuming its games tentatively set Oct. 9.

In a way, the PBA bubble, according to Romero, could just become a catalyst as the country is trying to live under a new normal.

“The PBA bubble could just be the start of something good for Philippine sports.

Even how hard it is, we have to move on and stay focused,” said Romero.

And while the country’s economy is opening up bit by bit, Romero, 48, said it’s time that the country’s national pastime bounced back.

“We need to get up slowly but surely,” added the former amateur basketball godfather.

Champagne on ice with Tour arriving in Paris PARIS—The world’s greatest cycling race will culminate in a triumphant procession into Paris on Sunday after a 21-stage jaunt around France that provided thrills, spills, heroes and chokers while outsprinting the dark shadow of Covid-19.

After 3,400km of intense racing, stage 21 starts with a parade for the winners of the various categories before a pulsating finale of eight laps around the iconic Champs Elysees in Paris.

The task of leading the peloton into the French capital in his yellow jersey will fall on the shoulders of the 21-yearold Slovenian Tadej Pogacar. His 22nd birthday, which falls on Monday, may be a bit special.

The youngest post-war winner is entitled to be as shocked as anyone after producing a remarkable turnaround on Saturday to snatch the title from the seemingly unshakeable grasp of his countryman Primoz Roglic.

Roglic will never forget the stage 20 individual time-trial which provided the kind of painful choke that haunts sportsman of all kinds well into their

Team Jumbo rider Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, rests after crossing the finish line at the end of the 20th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a time trial of 36 km between Lure and La Planche des Belles Filles. AFP

dotage. Aged 30, he is still some way away but this was perhaps his one and only tilt at the title.

Due to coronavirus restrictions only 5,000 fans will witness the awards ceremony in front of the Arc de Triomphe as the curtain falls on a race that very nearly never happened.

French President Emmanuel Macron is credited with giving the event the green light for a rescheduled event

heavy in virus protocols to go ahead.

Race director Christian Prudhomme was left with a red face when he was sent home mid-race when he tested positive after the first week.

Worse, Prudhomme had shared a car with Prime Minister Jean Castex two days previously and both were put on a seven-day quarantine.

“We’ll make it to Paris,” Prudhomme told AFP on his return. “Life must go on.”

Generational shift Dutch team Jumbo-Visma dominated the 2020 race with their yellow and black jerseys always grouped at the head of the race as they outpowered everyone until the last and crucial day.

But in the greatest turnaround in a generation their captain Roglic chose the wrong moment to let his nerves get the better of him, dropping to second on the last day of real racing.

Winners of the past five editions, Britain’s Team Ineos also had a Tour they may regret.

After leaving out Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, who have five Tour wins between them, Ineos were bedevilled by problems as they mourned the recent death of their longtime sports director Nicholas Portal.

They put their faith in defending champion, Egan Bernal, but in spite of spending a week in the white jersey, he struggled to impose himself, lacking perhaps the wisdom and experience of Thomas or Froome. He lost over seven minutes on stage 15 and dropped out the following day. AFP

“I need to play pretty similar to what I did today,” he said. “A lot can happen even in the last two, three holes, so try and get yourself in a position with three, four, five holes to go and see what you can do.

“Just need to go out and play some good golf tomorrow.” AFP

Stars, Lightning square off in unprecedented Stanley Cup final LOS ANGELES—The Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars will meet in an unprecedented Stanley Cup final, each pursuing a second NHL title in a season upended by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It might be one of the hardest Cups to ever win,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said after the Lightning clinched the Eastern Conference crown with a victory over the New York Islanders in the league’s quarantine hub at Edmonton.

“Whoever raises this Cup, they’ll have earned this one, I’ll tell you that.”

The Lightning will take the ice against the Stars for game one in the best-of-seven series on Saturday, less than 48 hours after polishing off the Islanders.

Dallas enjoyed a bit more time off in the bubble after clinching victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final on Monday.

Denis Gurianov scored a power play goal in overtime for Dallas, which reached the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2000—a year after they claimed the championship.

The Lightning are seeking to add a second title to the one they captured in 2004. They fell in six games to Chicago in the championship series in 2015.

But no NHL team has played a Stanley Cup final at a neutral site with no fans in attendance—and never before have two teams from the US “Sun Belt” faced off for the ultimate prize.

For the Lightning, their run to the title series is a vindication after they were swept in the Eastern Conference first round last season after earning the Presidents Trophy for best regularseason record.

“We put that behind us,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said.

The Stars have taken a wild ride through the playoffs, trailing Calgary 2-1 in their first round series and trailing 3-0 in the sixth game against the Flames before rallying to advance. AFP

PBA players, coaches have high hopes for SMC airport WHILE the holding of big sports events may not yet be in the offing, several Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players and coaches, specifically from Bulacan and Pampanga, yesterday expressed high hopes that San Miguel Corporation’s P734-billion new Manila International Airport project in Bulakan town as part of the country’s post-Covid-19 recovery, will give Philippine sports a big shot in the arm.

“It will definitely be a big help for sports. We already have the biggest sports venue in Philippine Sports Arena. With the new airport, we can now host any major local and even international sporting event,” said Bocaue, Bulacan native Jonas Villanueva, coach for the Bataan Risers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and former player for the San Miguel Beer and Purefoods teams in the PBA. His fellow Bocaue native Billy Mamaril, a player for San Miguel Beer, believes that the airport will promote sports tourism.

“Having an airport in Central Luzon will boost all sectors. Sports and sports

entertainment in general will be elevated because the ease of traveling by air will be easier. Having games abroad and having foreign athletes compete in the Philippines will be even more possible. Even fans from abroad could come here to watch major sports events. It will make us Filipinos very proud,” Mamaril said.

Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok coach Chito Victolero, who hails from Sta. Maria town, said the new airport could eventually make Bulacan province a go-to place for sporting events.

“Kasi nga pag ma-build yung economy then magkaroon ng maraming gyms and sports facilities, then there will be more sports programs, especially basketball. I think maka-build kami ng coliseum dito that will attract the big leagues like the PBA na magkaroon ng out-of-town game or regular game sa province namin,” Victolero said.

They agree that the Bulakan Airport will not only a have a beneficial effect on sports, it can also improve the standard of living of locals through the jobs that will be created during its construction and through its ac-

Chito Victolero

tual operations. Jobs will also be generated at its adjacent development, the Bulacan Airport City economic zone.

“The airport will boost the economic growth of the area. People will be more willing to do business in the Central Luzon district because traffic and overpopulation will be at minimum com-

pared to Manila. At the same time, with employment for thousands of people, residents of the area will have more spending capability, and that will improve the local economy,” Mamaril said.

Magnolia Hotshots’ Ian Sangalang meanwhile said that people from his hometown Pampanga will no longer need to go to Manila to look for opportunities.

“Siyempre, new airport means new job openings, tapos marami ring mga food chains dyan na magbubukas panigurado.

Malapit lang yung Pampanga sa Bulacan, so yung mga kababayan namin hindi na kailangan pumunta ng Manila dahil mas may magandang opportunity na,” the Magnolia forward said.

Barangay Ginebra’s Arthur de la Cruz, who traces his roots to Hagonoy, opined: “Makakatulong ang airport na ito dahil magkakahanap-buhay ang karamihan sa negosyo na nagsara dahil sa pandemic.

Madaming taga-Bulacan ang mabibigyan ng maayos na trabaho.”

Victolero and Aris Dionisio, a Magnolia rookie from Bustos town, said that Bulacan’s businesses and tourism will also

benefit from the airport project.

“It will add more jobs and business especially sa mga local people ng Bulacan.

Mas makikilala yung mga products namin dito sa Bulacan at pati yung tourism magimprove din, “Victolero said.

Dionisio said the project will give hope and new opportunities for a lot of people who lost their jobs during the lockdown.

“Unang una ay madaming tao ang mabibigyan ng trabaho na kailangan na kailangan ngayon ng karamihan dahil sa pandemya. Sunod ay maraming produkto na gawang Bulacan ang mas makikilala hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas pati na rin sa ibang mga bansa,” Dionisio explained.

The Bulacan airport will be capable of handling up to 100 million passengers per year, seen to create about 30 million tourism-related jobs, and generate more than a million direct jobs for host province Bulacan and nearby provinces.

Sangalang added that the new airport will reduce congestion at the NAIA. The new airport will have four runways with the provision for two more, a world-class terminal and a seamless transport system.”

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Top rating K-dramas now on TV5

‘Reply 1988,’ the third installment of tvN's Reply series, is the fourth highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history.

Doing it for love ARIAS

ALWYN IGNACIO ONE Broadway anthem that illustrates the very reason why artists follow the calling and seduction of the Muses, is the iconic ballad “What I Did for Love" from A Chorus Line.

Clocking so many hours in rehearsal, pushing limb, bones, and spirits, an artist, be it in the movies or the theater, always do it for the passion and the love. The applauses and the awards inspire and intoxicate.

The critiques, rejections, and tragedies are rammed to throats like humble pie and bring you back to the ground.

With the sweetness of recognition come the sorrows—clashing egos, backstabbing, and gossip—that are not only unavoidable but inevitable.

Still, those who choose to embrace the world of the arts not only as a career but also as a vocation do not forget the things they did as they continued their passion.

The Philippines is home to some of the most illustrious musical theater artists, Lea Salonga, Joanna Ampil, Rachel Anne Go, Jose Lana, Paolo Montalban, and Gerald Santos, to mention a few.

Another name worthy to be part

of this crème de la crème of world-class musical theater Filipino greats is Iroy Abesamis.

The former Philippine High School of the Arts graduate and a UP alumnus spent 13 years in Hong Kong Disneyland performing in Festival of the Lion King, and Mickey and The Wondrous Book.

Two years ago, he was also part of Miss Saigon UK and International Tour.

His most recent work was in The King and I, UK and International Tour 2019 to 2020 but the latter part of the tour was canceled due to pandemic.

Abesamis shares his musical theater beginnings, “I am a bit shy in person but it feels like magic when I am onstage. It’s as if I am in a different place.

I love the feel of adrenalin rush when I’m onstage. The adrenalin rush is the feeling I love best during a performance.

I also enjoy working with other people from different backgrounds. The experience itself is something that I will always remember.”

Continue reading ARIAS on manilastandard.net.

Iroy Abesamis as Simon of Legree in ‘The King and I’ touring production.

GMA News TV brings back full lineup of newscasts LEADING local news channel GMA News TV beefs up its programming lineup as topnotch newscasts Balitanghali, Quick Response Team (QRT), State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA), and Stand for Truth return on air beginning today.

Connie Sison and Raffy Tima bring viewers the day’s news and updates from Monday to Friday via the midday newscast Balitanghali, while Emil Sumangil reports news straight from the field via on-the-scene newscast QRT weekdays at 3:30 p.m..

GMA Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, hosted by Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, and Vicky Morales, continues to simulcast on GMA News TV from Monday to Friday at 6:30 p.m..

Viewers can catch the simulcast of 24 Oras Weekend anchored by Pia Arcangel and Ivan Mayrina at 6:15 p.m. on Saturdays and at 6:05 p.m. on Sundays.

Making the much-awaited comeback as well at 10:00 p.m. is State of the Nation (SONA) anchored by GMA news pillar Jessica Soho. Over the years, SONA has been considered as the nightly news authority by providing depth and context to the headlines.

Giving viewers access to local news that matters is GMA Regional TV Strip airing weeknights at 11:00 p.m.

Every Monday, catch the North Central Luzon newscast GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan. Central and Eastern Visayas’ GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak follows every Tuesday.

Delivering the latest news and information during Wednesday is unified Hiligaynon newscast GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas. Unified local newscast GMA Regional TV One Mindanao airs every Thursday, while the replay of GMA Regional TV Live! rounds off the line-up every Friday.

Also returning on air at 11:35 p.m. is pioneering mobile journalism newscast Stand for Truth anchored by Atom Araullo with Richard Heydarian and the network’s young mobile journalists.

Stand for Truth continues to air online every night at 9:00 p.m..

Meanwhile, GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594 kHz continues to air newscasts and programs via Dobol B Sa News TV Mondays to Fridays beginning 5:30 a.m. and weekends at

6:00 a.m..

On Saturdays, GMA Regional TV Weekend News airs the latest news from all over the Philippines at 5:00 p.m..

GMA News TV gives viewers more reasons to stay glued to their television with fresh episodes from its roster of award-winning documentaries and entertaining shows.

On weekdays, catch back-to-back afternoon entertainment with Legend of Fuyao at 1:00 p.m. and Siesta Fiesta Movies at 1:30 p.m.. Hit Korean romcom series My Absolute Boyfriend airs at 8:30 p.m..

Surviving the new normal continues with New Normal: The Survival Guide at 9:15 p.m. Airing every Monday is Newsmakers hosted by Winnie Monsod, followed by Bright Side on Tuesdays with Kara David. Susan Enriquez takes the Wednesday slot with Pera Paraan, while Tonipet Gaba and Rovilson Fernandez join forces for Home Work on Thursdays. Rounding off the week is Drew Arellano in Family Time every Friday.

At 10:30 p.m., Power Block features GMA Public Affairs’ highly-acclaimed documentary programs.

Catch Front Row every Monday, Alisto on Tuesday, Tunay na Buhay on Wednesday, Reporter’s Notebook every Thursday, and I-Witness on Friday.

For the complete lineup and more information, follow GMA N e w s TV on its social media accounts.

Stand for Truth anchor Atom Araullo

PINOY Korean drama fans are in for a double treat as two of Korea’s outstanding drama series, Reply 1988 and Wok of Love, premiere tonight on TV5.

Starring Lee Hyeri (Sung Deok Sun), Park Bo Gum (Choi Taek), Ryu Joon Yeol (Kim Jung Hwan), Go Kyung Pyo (Sung Sun Woo), and Lee Dong Hwi (Ryu Dong Ryong), Reply 1988 is a cult favorite in Korea and in other countries where it is broadcast. Set in the year 1988, the series revolves around five childhood friends and their families living in the same neighborhood.

Its final episode recorded an 18.8 percent nationwide audience share in Korea, making it the fourth highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history, beating the ratings of Pinoy favorite K-dramas such as Crash Landing on You and Itaewon Class. The show even emerged as the biggest winner in the tvN10 awards of 2016, bagging eight out of 18 nominations including the Grand Prize (Daesang) Drama Award and Content Grand Excellence Award. Ryu Joon Yeol, who plays Kim Jung Hwa, was even awarded the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New

Actor in TV in 2016.

Wok of Love, on the other hand, features a stellar cast that includes Lee Jun Ho, member of K-pop boy group 2PM, Jang Hyuk, and Jung Ryeo-Won. The series is described as “a charming love story of a group of men and women that is hotter than the boiling oil in a sizzling hot wok.”

Bask in the excitement and ride the Kdrama wave as you tune in to and Wok of Love on TV5 airing back-toback from Monday to Fridays, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

BTS treats cyber fans in Smart’s month-long fest kickoff

EXPLOSIVE. K-pop sensation

BTS delivered a high-energy set right from Korea and it was indeed full of dynamite!

W

ORLD’S biggest boyband BTS closed the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Festival performing in colorful sets from a sound studio in Korea.

After an introduction from Elvis Duran in New York, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook started their set performing five of their biggest hits including “Dynamite,” “Make It Right,” and “Boy with Luv.” The 2020 iHeartRadio Music Festival, which also saw explosive performances from Coldplay, Keith Urban, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Kane Brown, Migos, Khalid, and Bon Jovi, was the opening salvo of Smart GigaFest, a month-long thanksgiving celebration featuring world-class entertainment, esports tournaments, digital innovations, and promos and freebies to give back to its patrons and new subscribers.

According to Jane Jimenez-Basas, Smart SVP and Head for Consumer Wireless Business, the fest is the telco’s “simple but massive way” of giving back to their subscribers who continue to entrust their digital life to them especially during these unprecedented moments.

“We hope to hold this every year as we go beyond providing fast and reliable mobile services—after all, being a Smart subscriber also comes with many amazing and rewarding experiences,” Jimenez-Basas said.

Cyber fans were able to watch the performances of their favorite artists in Los An-

VERY WANG

NICKIE WANG geles and Nashville through the Philippine exclusive streaming on GigaFest.Smart on Sept. 19 and 20. The television airing via TV5 will be on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4.

On the OPM front, music lovers must not miss the GigaFest Virtual Concert on Sept. 26 as Smart gathers some of today’s biggest Filipino artists to unveil a new simple, easy, and smart way to enjoy the Giga Life. Subscribers can also expect exclusive promos and giveaways on this special day.

Philippines’ first digital Korean Film Festival For film buffs, Smart has teamed up with the Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines for the first-ever online run of the Korean Film Festival happening until Oct. 2. The film fest features the works of Korea’s biggest stars and Smart endorsers Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin. Fans can catch Hyun Bin’s The Swindlers and Confidential Assignment streamed from Sept. 12 to 18; Son Ye Jin’s Be With You and The Last Princess is available until Sept. 25; and Park Seo Joon’s Midnight Runners and The Beauty Inside is streaming from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 at http://phil.korean-culture.org/. For larger-than-life movie experiences, watch out for special perks at drive-in cinemas at SM Mall of Asia and other SM branches.

GIGA gameplays Throughout the month, subscribers can also expect action-packed gameplays as Smart has teamed up with Moonton for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League—Philippines Season 6, as well as Eplayment Entertainment for the all-female esports league Liga Adarna: Laban Para Sa Korona. Subscribers can watch the match on the Smart Facebook Page with a chance to win free skins and other game rewards.

For more mobile gaming, Smart recently unveiled ‘Free Games For All,’ which comes with a solid allocation of 2GB data per day of top mobile games like Mobile Legends, Clash of Clans, Arena of Valor, Clash Royale, and Call of Duty Mobile.

To avail of Free Games For All, download the Smart App and choose FREE GAMES. Smart is also supporting the upcoming Philippine Qualifiers for the International Esports Federation World Championships to be held in Israel this December. The qualifiers, which is the first event organized by the Philippine Esports Federation (PESO) since its recent accreditation as the country’s official National Sports Association for esports, will feature titles such as DOTA2, Tekken 7, and PES2020 Football, and will be livestreamed for avid gaming fans and enthusiasts.

For more details on Smart GigaFest and the latest Smart offers, follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (www.fb.com/ SmartCommunications), Twitter, and Instagram (@LiveSmart). Continue reading VERY WANG on manilastandard.net

ABS-CBN’s COVID-19 response wins a Stevie THE international community has rec- to employ and to operate as a vital news Another effort that made a huge differognized ABS-CBN’s swift initiatives channel,” another judge commented. ence is ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Founto help Filipinos during the COVID-19 With about 70 million Filipinos watch- dation’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig fundraispandemic despite uncertainties over the ing its programs on TV, ABS-CBN kept ing campaign in cooperation with local renewal of its legislative franchise.

Filipinos updated on the pandemic through governments and the private sector. The The network won a Silver Stenetwork donated P50 million as vie for Most Valuable Corposeed money to the cause that has rate Response at the 17th Inraised over P448 million cash and ternational Business Awards in-kind donations as of August 14 (IBA), which will have its and has delivered food and basic virtual awarding in Decemnecessities to over 880,000 famiber. lies affected by the community The judges commended quarantine. the Kapamilya network’s Part of this effort was a groundvarious response strategies breaking digital concert featuring to serve Filipinos when the more than 100 celebrities from COVID-19 crisis hit the ABS-CBN that received 3.7 milcountry. lion views on Facebook, YouTube, Kapamilya stars share their talent, insight, inspiration “ABS-CBN nobly answered in ‘Pantawid Ng Pag-ibig At Home Together’ digital and on ABS-CBN streaming services fundraiser. the call to respond to the paniWant and TFC.tv. demic through a variety of imIBA or the Stevie Awards is conpactful initiatives. The network’s its newscasts and entertained Filipinos sidered as the world’s premier business dedication to their community is with its inspiring entertainment programs awards that confers recognition for noteworthy,” said one judge. on multiple media platforms. Its “Ligtas achievement and impactful contributions “This entry is astounding due to the Pilipinas sa COVID-19” information cam- of companies worldwide. This year’s fact that ABS-CBN invested in assis- paign, meanwhile, helped the government competition attracted over 3,800 nomitance where needed whilst continuing educate citizens about COVID-19. nations from 63 countries.

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

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Life

RECIPE FILES

Upgraded hotdog-based dishes BEST when fried and served with rice or in a bun or on a stick, this kid-favorite meat is also great with a variety of dishes—something tried and tested like spaghetti sauce, or something new and experimental like the following recipes

by Chef Dino Datu.

FOOD

Ingredients: 4 pcs.

2 packs 1 pack 1 pack 1 pack 2 tbsp.

1 cup 1 stalk

Korean Army Stew Mekeni Picnic Hotdog, sliced into segments Spicy Korean instant noodles Mekeni luncheon meat, sliced enoki mushrooms shimeji mushrooms Korean chili paste (gochujang) kimchi leeks, sliced Procedure: 1. In a saucepot, boil four cups of water.

2. Open the Korean noodles. Take out the seasoning packets and add them to the boiling water. Place the sliced hotdog and luncheon meat into the boiling water. Add the noodles, enoki mushrooms, and shimeji mushrooms.

3. Once the noodles are tender, remove them from the pot and place them in a bowl.

4. Arrange the hotdog and luncheon meat on top of the noodles. Pour some soup over the noodles, hotdog, and luncheon meat.

5. Top it with kimchi and leeks. Serve.

JUICY PORK IN FOCUS. Chefmom Rosebud’s US Pork Belly Casserole (left) and US Pork Spareribs Sinigang with Watermelon.

Chef Rosebud

promotes US Pork Celebrity chef Rosebud Benitez prepares her dishes using US Pork in her latest e-cooking series on YouTube.

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ONSISTENCY and flavor are important in cooking—and of course, quality is a much welcomed addition.

Celebrity “chefmom” Rosebud Benitez demonstrates recipes made using high-quality and wholesome product that promises great flavor, juiciness and tenderness, and consistent cuts in her newest ecooking series on YouTube.

Entitled “US Pork, Eats the Best,” it features the exported US Pork made of pigs fed with “quality US corn and soybean” that its makers said “give it a unique sweet taste, juiciness, and tenderness.”

Benitez cooked US Pork Belly Casserole and US Pork Spareribs Sinigang with Watermelon.

“What I love about the US Pork is that the pigs were grain-fed to perfection so it’s definitely a highquality and delicious meat option for hearty dishes.

As a chef, using US Pork in the food I cook is also a lot more convenient with its consistent primal and new pork cuts,” shares Benitez.

The pork, brought into the country by local meat importers, is guaranteed by stringent food safety standards monitored by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Another USDA agency, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, also checks and operates livestock health and welfare programs. Both agencies are recognized by the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and the National Meat Inspection Service.

Its exporters said in a statement that US Pork is nutrient-rich with a relatively low calorific value.

Aside from providing protein, pork is also a source of vitamins B6, B12, niacin, riboflavin, and iron.

Ingredients: 6 pcs.

500g 2 cups 2 pcs.

6 cloves 1 can 1 can 2 tbsp.

1 tbsp.

1 tbsp.

3 tbsp.

Chili Con Carne Mekeni Picnic Hotdogs, sliced into cubes ground beef crushed tomato onions, peeled and chopped garlic, peeled and chopped cooked red beans cooked black beans chili powder onion powder garlic powder oil salt and pepper to taste grated cheddar cheese to serve (optional)

Procedure: 1. Sauté the hotdog pieces in oil for two minutes and set aside.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pot, sauté onions, garlic, and ground beef until beef is brown. Make sure to break chunks of ground beef while cooking.

3. Add beans, crushed tomato, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add half of the hotdog pieces to the mixture.

4. Add about one cup of water to the mixture and stir well, then simmer on low heat for about one hour.

5. Stir the ground beef mixture once in a while to ensure the bottom doesn’t stick to the pot and burn.

6. To serve, ladle some chili in a bowl and top with grated cheese and reserved hotdog pieces. Serve with nachos or rice.

FOOD NEWS ROUNDUP Max’s launches buildyour-own chicken sandwich

Fried chicken served with the new ready-to-eat UFC Gravy Sa Sarap.

Everything’s great when there’s gravy

FRIED chicken, for many, wouldn’t be complete without gravy. Like hotdog with ketchup and puto with dinuguan, these two are tried and tested partners that evoke memories of the good ‘ol days.

To make it easier to recreate those days of relishing this comfort food combination mostly enjoyed at fast food chains, sauces and condiments Dipping sauce for meatballs. maker NutriAsia introduces its ready-to-eat gravy, UFC Gravy Sa Sarap.

“We want Filipinos to relive that joyful feeling they had when eating out—right in the comforts of their home. It is reminiscent of the classic gravy flavor we savored during restaurant visits with our families,” says NutriAsia senior group category manager Jean Reyes.

The new gravy in pouch can be enjoyed in its own, no cooking required. Its makers also recommend using it with other viands aside from fried chicken. It’s available at supermarkets nationwide.

Pancake House’s new taco chips

The chain known for its fried chicken, Max’s Restaurant, introduces a sandwich version in an exciting way—build-your-own set.

Available at P839 for takeout and P923 for delivery, the Sarap-In-A-Box comes with four servings of chicken sandwich, Max’s trademark blend of banana ketchup and Worcestershire sauce with an added twist of garlic cream, pickled cucumbers, shredded cabbage, buttery brioche buns, and a Max’s build-your-own chicken sandwich side of sweet potato fries.

Taco every Tuesday and any other day at Pancake House which now offers the new Taco Chips with Baked Dip. Priced at P399, it consists of crunchy taco chips, specially-baked dip, and taco salsa.

Taco Chips with Baked Dip

Krispy Kreme’s signature iced coffee

Dencio’s free delivery promotion

The doughnut chain’s bestselling Signature Coffee is now available in iced version. Starting at P75, variants include Iced Classic, Kremey Iced, and Kremey Iced Blend.

In celebration of its 30th year, Filipino restaurant Dencio’s is offering free delivery for every minimum order of P1,000 booked through its website (www.dencios.com.ph).

The promo runs until October 3 and available in all stores except at Edsa Eats.

Krispy Kreme’s signature iced coffee variants

Dencio’s offers free delivery.

Meals for two at Teriyaki Boy, Sizzlin Steak

Teriyaki Boy offers donburi for two for P499. Rice bowl choices include Teriyaki Boy Chicken Tendon, Tonkatsu Tendon, Tori Karaage Tendon, and Teppanyaki Tendon.

Meanwhile, Sizzlin’ Steak serves two orders of its Beef Salpicao, made with tender Australian beef and served with plain rice and egg, for P499 as well.

Duo donburi from Teriyaki Boy

Jamba Juice introduces frozen fruit mixes

Bringing the frozen goodness at home, Jamba Juice introduces its new #BlendAnywhere frozen products: Live Fruitfully Kits and Superfood Smoothie Tubs.

The Live Fruitfully Kits are frozen fruit mixes that blend with other ingredients to make the perfect smoothies at home.

It comes in daily packs which starts at P300 for five days, and 500g packs which starts at P299. Meanwhile, the Superfood Smoothie Tub, priced at P225 per pint, comes in four different flavors: Banana Berry Blush, Creamy Strawberries Wild, Jamba Juice’s frozen fruit mixes PB is a Moo’d, and Mango-A-Go-Go. and smoothies