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Hunger cases rise to 30.7% SWS: Record-high 7.6m households suffered hunger in past 3 months

OME 7.6 million Filipino households experienced hunger in the past three months – a new record-high of 30.7 percent from the previous record-high of 23.8 percent in March 2012 – an independent survey released Sunday by pollster Social Weather Stations showed.

The survey, conducted from Sept. 17 to 20, showed 7.6 million families reported involuntary hunger, or hunger due to lack of food, amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has shuttered businesses and left many jobless. The country's hunger incidence had steadily declined from the March 2012 record-high of 23.8 percent to 8.8 percent in December 2019. The hunger trend, however, has been rising since May this year. Hunger incidence in September was

up by 9.8 points from 20.9 percent in July, and by 14 points from 16.7 percent in May. SWS said there was an increase in the scores in all survey areas, with new record hunger rates logged in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. In Metro Manila, 28.2 percent, or an estimated Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 206• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

'CHILLAX' NIGHT. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (2nd from left) and his wife, Taguig Rep. Lani Cayetano strike a relaxed pose with presidential son Rep. Paolo Duterte of Davao City, along with Party-list Rep. Eric Yap and House Deputy Secregary-General Brian Yamsuan after a dinner in Davao City on Saturday, Sept. 26. @congericoyap

Cayetano, Duterte son hold dinner amid speakership row

By Rio Araja and Joyce Pañares

COVID-19 PH

SIX days after Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte said he wanted to declare the top leadership positions in the House of Representatives vacant, Speaker Alan Cayetano flew to Davao City to have dinner with him. Cayetano was accompanied by his wife, Taguig City Rep. Lani Cayetano, and allies ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap and House Deputy Secretary-General Brian Yamsuan. “There was no work-related discussion. We just chatted about our personal lives. It was just catching up,” Yap said in a text message to reporters, after he posted photos of the Saturday Next page

AN EXECUTIVE order setting maximum prices of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or swab tests for COVID-19 may be issued next week, the spokesman of the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday. Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire, in an interview on Dobo B sa News TV, said the DOH has already submitted a proposal for an EO from the Office of the President. “We have no news yet, but maybe next week,” Vergeire said. She added that because the country has no law regulating the prices of COVID-19 diagnostic methods, the DOH cannot just simply set price caps on these processes. Sources of misinformation traced The Department of Health (DOH) has already traced and reported some of the sources of misinformation about COVID-19, the agency’s spokesperson Next page has said.

STI CLOSES 12 SCHOOLS BUSINESS / B4

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 27)

304,226 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,995 46,372 NEW

ACTIVE

5,344

DEATHS

NEW

252,510 19,630 RECOVERIES

NEW

Keep Metro under GCQ, expert advises; cases surge

LOCAL ROUNDUP

• Price control EO on test kits out soon • Mixed signals

AT A GLANCE

By Willie Casas

MONITORING STATION. Philippine Navy flag-officer-in command Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo leads his inspection team on a visit to the offshore gas platform Matinloc, situated in Malampaya, northwest of Palawan on Sept. 26, 2020. Bacordo earlier inspected the Nido platform, also off Palawan. These platforms are being eyed for conversion into littoral monitoring stations, the Navy said. @PN_Speak.

A HEALTH expert urged the government to keep Metro Manila under a general community quarantine (GCQ) as COVID-19 infections rose to 304,226 on Sunday. While the virus reproduction rate—or

the number of people infected by each person carrying the coronavirus—has dropped to a point where it will eventually peter out, the country is still reporting about 3,000 new cases daily, said Dr. Tony Leachon, former adviser of the government's pandemic task force. Next page

Navy wants offshore listening posts VICE Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo has visited the now-idle gas platforms Nido and Matinloc to see if those could be converted into littoral monitoring stations to beef up the country's maritime security, the Philippine Navy said Sunday. The Navy commander visited the

SEAFARERS’ DAY.

A Coast Guard officer scatters flowers and petals of red roses to honor seafarers who perished at sea during the National Seafarers Day wreath-laying ceremony held five nautical miles from PCG headquarters in Manila on Sunday, Sept. 2020. Norman Cruz

facilities off Malampaya in northeast Palawan on Sept. 26. “This inspection intends to look at the viability of these retired gas platforms to be converted into observation posts for the Recto Bank and Malampaya gas platforms, Bacordo said. Next page

COLLISION. Three people including a 3-year-old boy are hurt in a collision involving a truck and a motorcycle at the corner of San Marcelino St. and UN Avenue in Manila early Sunday morning. The motorbike driver is accused of allegedly trying to beat the red light at the intersection, police said. Norman Cruz

Race for vaccines: Long wait for FDA By Macon Ramos-Araneta WHILE nine vaccines for COVID-19 are racing to the finish line around the world, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has yet to receive any

applications from vaccine manufacturers to hold phase 3 trials in the Philippines. “No vaccine has reached the FDA for a clinical trial application for a COVID-19 vaccine,” said FDA Director Next page General Eric Domingo.

News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

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Robredo chimes in on ‘No-El’ V “If Manila Bay was opened and Boracay and the other tourism sites are about to open, there is no reason to postpone [the elections],” she said. House Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo had asked the Commission on Elections if the 2022 elections could be postponed

due to COVID-19. But Robredo said despite the COVID-19 crisis, the United States, New Zealand and South Korea were pushing through with their elections. An amendment to the 1987 Constitution is the only way to postpone the May 9, 2022 elections, Cagayan de Oro City

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said. He told Dobol B sa News TV that the postponement of the 2022 elections would be unconstitutional. “There is a provision in our Constitution that there must be an election for the national officials, meaning President, vice president, senators and congressmen, and the local officials, provinces, cities and municipalities, excluding the barangay, on every second Monday of May," Rodriguez said. "That date is provided for under the Constitution. There is no way unless by Constitutional amendment to postpone it. So there is no way that we can sus-

Hunger...

ate hunger and 8.7 percent or around 2.2 million families who experienced severe hunger. SWS defines “moderate hunger” as those who experienced hunger "only once" or "a few times" in the last three months. Severe hunger, on the other hand, refers to those who experienced it "often" or "always" during the sur-

vey period. The nationwide poll was conducted through mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing covering 1,249 adults. The survey had a ±3 percent error margin, ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, and ±5 percent for Balance Luzon.

ICE President Leni Robredo said Sunday if the government has allowed the reopening of tourist spots amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there could be no reason to postpone the May 9, 2022 elections.

From A1

941,000 families, reported hunger in the past three months, up from 16.3 percent in July. September's 30.7 percent hunger rate covers 22 percent or around 5.5 million families who experienced moder-

Cayetano,... From A1

night dinner at Duterte's residence in his Instagram account. The caption read “Chillax night.” A week ago, Duterte sent a Viber message to Yap, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, saying he would ask the Mindanao bloc to move to declare for a change in House leadership as some lawmakers questioned the huge budget allocation for Taguig, the political bailiwick of the Cayetanos, in the 2021 national budget. Questions were also raised about the large outlay allotted to Camarines Sur, bailiwick of Deputy Speaker Rep. LRay Villafuerte, another Cayetano ally. Cayetano's allies quickly accused his critics of trying to derail the passage of the General Appropriations Act until his term-sharing deal with Rep. Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque is supposed to come into effect by the end of October. Cayetano's allies have also been vocal about keeping him in place and the value of reneging on his “gentleman's agreement” with Velasco.

Navy... From A1

“This will further enhance our capability to protect our maritime interests in these strategic locations.” The Armed Forces of the Philippines plans to convert the two gas platforms into Navy’s observation posts. The platforms' location is deemed to be "strategic and vital" due to its proximity to the Recto Bank, Malampaya and Galoc Gas Fields. The Malampaya Gas Field is 820 meters deep and 80 kilometers off the coast of Palawan, which falls under the area of responsibility of Naval Forces West.

Keep... From A1

The virus reproduction rate is currently at .82 nationwide and .73 in Metro Manila, Leachon said, below the benchmark 1, at which point the virus could peter out. But Leachon said the holiday season could bring more problems as more people go out. “It's better to control this now so when the holidays come, we have what we call a sandbag and we can somehow decrease the cases,” he said in Filipino during an interview on ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo. He said relaxing restrictions now could lead to a surge that would last until the Christmas season. Researchers from the University of the Philippines have submitted their recommendation for another monthlong GCQ in Metro Manila. The Philippines on Sunday logged 2,995 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases bringing the total to 304,226, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. This marks the sixth consecutive day where fewer than 3,000 cases were reported. The DOH also reported 60 new fa-

Race... From A1

Neither Russia's Sputnik V vaccine nor the ones being developed by Johnson & Johnson or China's Sinovac have reached the FDA review panel. Domingo said once the applications arrive, vetting would be done by an expert panel with a target to begin clinical trials by the end of October. At this rate, he added, a vaccine would be likely rolled out in the middle of next year.

Earlier, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. 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 2021. This prompted Villafuerte to turn his guns on Teves, accusing him of being part of an alleged plot to remove Cayetano as speaker. A manifesto asking Cayetano to renege on his gentlemen's agreement with Velasco is already making the rounds of the House of Representatives and several congressmen have reportedly signed it. Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said he signed the manifesto and denied that Cayetano supporters were promised big allocations from the 2021 budget for projects in exchange for their signatures on the manifesto. Erice cited himself as an example, claiming that his district received one of the smallest allocations amounting to about P400 million in next year's budget. Erice called on Velasco to "sacrifice his personal ambition" for the betterment of all. Velasco is on his last term as congressman while Cayetano has just returned to the House after 12 years in the Senate.

The future littoral monitoring stations of the Navy are a welcome addition to its improving capability to better serve the country, especially in its critical location near the nation’s source of natural gas. The Department of Energy last year stopped the over 40 years of production operations of the two gas fields. The department offered the transfer of ownership of these platforms in several meetings of the National Task Force in the West Philippine Sea. It is the Defense department’s position to acquire the platforms and to transfer it to the Armed Forces. Former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to seek the support of other countries to pressure

China into complying with the 2016 ruling of a UN tribunal that invalidated Beijing’s excessive claims in the South China Sea in favor of the Philippines. “Please, Mr. President, get the support of other countries to pressure China to comply with the arbitral ruling,” Del Rosario said, referring to the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that Duterte invoked this week before the UN General Assembly. Del Rosario also lashed back at presidential spokesman Harry Roque for questioning his personal qualifications. “We wish to say that this is not about me. This is about our countrymen and the West Philippine Sea,” Del Rosario said.

talities, bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 5,344. The department logged 19,630 new recoveries, 18,892 of which were patients that had finished 14 days of quarantine and showed no symptoms—even though they were not tested again. This brought active cases to 46,372, 86 percent of which were classified as mild and 8.8 percent of which were asymptomatic. Severe cases accounted for 1.6 percent of the total, while critical cases made up 3.7 percent. The Philippines has the highest number of total cases in Southeast Asia despite implementing the longest and strictest lockdown in the region. The government has said that it aims to flatten the COVID-19 curve by the end of September, or seven months after the first infection was reported in the Philippines. The country’s first confirmed COVID-19 case was a 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan, China. Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines OCTA research group cautioned that a decline in cases was "not irreversible" and much needs to be done to sustain the downturn before relaxing quarantine measures. The group noted that while the situation in Metro Manila has improved, it

has yet to achieve the 28-day case doubling time set by the country's pandemic task force as a prerequisite to relax quarantine restrictions. The group noted that the positivity rate, or the ratio of people who test positive for the virus out of the total number tested, has been at 10 percent over the last two weeks. But the group warned that a premature downgrading of Metro Manila's quarantine status could bring a surge of new COVID-19 cases in December. On the other hand, Dr. Benigno Agbayani Jr. of the Concerned Doctors and Citizens Philippines (CDCPH) said their group believed that it was appropriate to ease quarantine protocols. Maricar Limpin, vice president of the Philippine College of Physicians, said the general community quarantine (GCQ) should be maintained in Metro Manila. In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Limpin said easing the community quarantine would imply that the contact tracing efforts of the government were sufficient and effective. "Right now if we try to loosen up and the things we need to do are not in place, that's where we will lose,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Phase 3 is the longest part of vaccine development that typically takes five to six months and involves thousands of people. However, he noted passing phase 3 is not a guarantee that a vaccine is effective. In his presentation during an online seminar on vaccine development, Domingo cited the need to ensure the full protection of human rights and the safety of human subjects and integrity of the clinical trial data. He said the FDA would release its decision on an application within 60 calendar days.

Meanwhile, Pharmaceutical Association of the Philippines (PHAP) President Teodoro Padilla said their members would be keen to make sure that Filipino patients have access to the COVID-19 vaccines. But all vaccine manufacturers will still have to go through the clinical trials and would have to be registered with the FDA for clearance and approval. Meanwhile, UP Professor Dr. Josefina Carlos said that as of Sept. 22, 38 candidate vaccines are in clinical evaluation, 149 in pre-clinical evaluation and nine are in phase 3 clinical trials, six are in phase 2

pend it.” Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, for his part, is pushing for the holding of early voting for close to 10 million senior citizens and people with disability to ensure greater participation in the electoral process and to reduce the risks to their health of the COVID-19 pandemic. Angara aired his concerns about how seniors and the disabled faced disenfranchisement because they had to line up with millions of other voters at the precincts. He believes it would be better to set a special date for the seniors and the disabled to vote.

Bus group eyes fare hike as oil price rise looms A GROUP of provincial bus operators said it will call for a fare increase as 12 routes to the provinces will finally open on Sept. 30, according to a report on 24 Oras News Alert on Saturday. The South Luzon Bus Operators said it will request the fare increase on Monday. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said the fare will be maintained for the opening of the modified provincial bus routes to and from Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4-A. The LTFRB allowed only 286 buses to resume operations starting Sept. 30. According to the group, operators and drivers will lose since buses are only allowed to accommodate 50 percent of their passenger capacity. The group will also ask the LTFRB to allow more buses to operate and to open more routes. Meanwhile, pump prices are expected to have a mixed movement this week with gasoline prices going up by P0.20 per liter but diesel prices staying the same. “Expect fuel prices to have a mixed movement next week (Sept. 29 to Oct. 5). Diesel should have no price change. Gasoline should increase by P0.20 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said in its weekly advisory. The global demand outlook continues to worry oil traders due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The re-imposition of a lockdown in France and the UK and rising cases in the US raised concerns on the global oil price recovery. On Sept. 22, the oil companies adjusted pump prices and gasoline prices went up by P0.60 per liter, diesel by P0.20 per liter and kerosene by P0.55 per liter.

Watchdog raises a howl over drug war By Willie Casas THE government last week released new statistics on the war on drugs, and those showed that the police killed 46 people during anti-drug operations in August. Human Rights Watch had reported a more than 50-percent increase in drug-war deaths during the COVID-19 lockdown from April through July, Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement on Sunday. The new data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s monitoring system, #RealNumbersPH, showed that the situation was getting worse, Robertson said. Based on #RealNumbersPH statistics, during the four-month lockdown the average monthly drug war deaths totaled 39, a 50-percent increase from the four months before the lockdown, or from December 2019 to March 2020, when the average monthly death rate was 26. The total of 46 reported killings in August was more than a 76-percent increase from the four-month average, Robertson said. Drug war operations were typically carried out in the major cities, targeting impoverished communities facing the dual increased risk from the anti-drug campaign and the pandemic, Robertson said. During the lockdown, these communities had been hemmed in by police and local governments, with the residents largely confined to their homes. They become sitting ducks for antidrug raids by the police and their agents. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a report to the UN Human Rights Council in June, put the number of drug war fatalities at more than 8,000 since the campaign was started by President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2016, Robertson said. Domestic human rights groups and the governmental National Commission on Human Rights believe the actual toll is triple that number. #RealNumbersPH, which only includes police killings and not those by gunmen linked to the police, puts the total killed at 5,856, Robertson said. “These numbers are horrifying however you add them up. That even more are occurring under a cheerleading President Duterte as Filipinos endure lockdowns, checkpoints, and quarantines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 is further reason for the Human Rights Council to step in and investigate the country’s human rights violations,” Robertson said. “As long as the drug war remains official policy, the killings will continue and impunity will remain rife.”

Local... From A1

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the agency has asserted its role as the Philippines' health authority, even in cases where "mixed signals" came from government officials themselves. "We have been successful for some, we were able to trace the sources of this fake information and we were able to endorse them to proper authorities," Vergeire said at a recent webinar hosted by the US Embassy. Asked about "mixed signals" coming from high-ranking government leaders, the official said the DOH has consistently provided the public with science-backed information. Lancet’s ranking unfair, doctor says An infectious diseases specialist on Sunday expressed disappointment over the ranking of the Philippines as 66th out of 91 countries in suppressing COVID-19, describing it as “unfair.” The data used was based on August figures, Dr. Benjamin Co, of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, said during an interview on Dobol B sa News TV. The international medical journal The Lancet published on Sept. 14 a study showing the Philippines ranking 66th out of 91 countries in the suppression of COVID-19. It said that one of the reasons for the Philippines' failure to suppress the pandemic is medical populism, defined as simplifying the pandemic by downplaying its impact or touting easy solutions or treatments. Co disputed this, but acknowledged that the response to the pandemic should have been more about encouraging people to take the right measures rather than using scare tactics in enforcing health protocols. Willie Casas clinical trials and 24 in phase 1 or 2. She noted, however, that it would take years to completely ensure the vaccine is safe and effective. Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that while the world still lacks a proven coronavirus vaccine, Chinese officials are inoculating tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people outside the traditional testing process. Three vaccine candidates are being injected into workers whom the government considers essential, along with many others, including employees of the pharmaceutical firms

themselves, the Times reported. Officials are laying out plans to give shots to even more people, citing emergency use, amounting to a big wager that the vaccines will eventually prove to be safe and effective. No other country has injected people with unproven vaccines outside the usual drug trial process to such a huge scale. The unproven vaccines could have harmful side effects. Also, ineffective vaccines could lead to a false sense of security and encourage behavior that could lead to even more infections.

News IN BRIEF

NEDA asked to clarify nat’l ID system contract

MBUDSMAN Samuel Martires should reexamine his memorandum circular that limits public access to Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chair Dante Jimenez said Sunday.

Lawmaker seeks more e-learning centers

PNC outlines RevGov Priority Program THE People’s National Coalition for Revolutionary Government and Charter Change bared its priority program under a revolutionary government within its limited period of twelve months. In its assembly held in Sto. Tomas, Batangas hosted by Southern Luzon Solidarity for Charter Change attended by forty eight organizations including Federal Coalition of Filipino Tribes, Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army and the Moro National Liberation Front, Bobby Brillante, RevGov Committee Chairman and National Deputy Spokesperson disclosed their 10-Point Priority Program to be accomplished within one year period before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s term end on June 30, 2022.

Martires urged to review memo

BAGONG Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera wants the National Economic Development Authority to answer serious concerns raised about the P4-billion supply contract for the Philippine Identification System or the national ID project. She said NEDA, PhilSys Policy and Coordinating Council head, has a lot to clarify about alleged bidding irregularities, which resulted in the award of the PhilSys contract to a lone bidder, the Madras Security Printers Private Ltd. In the Sept. 4 initial budget hearing of the House committee on appropriations, the party-list lawmaker questioned NEDA’s bids and awards committee for the PhilSys project for the adoption of an additional provision. “Why did we change in the middle of the game the terms of reference from 100 percent cloud implementation to a hybrid approach of on-premise and cloud implementation? According to the Philippine Computer Society Foundation, it is very risky and a first of its kind,” she said. Rio N. Araja

ANG Probinsyano party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong wants the establishment of more elearning centers for public schools to arrest the shortage of gadgets and lack of internet access under the Department of Education’s blended learning system. He said the education department is not that fully equipped in providing quality education under the new normal. He urged local governments to establish e-learning centers similar to his Frontrow ESkwela hubs. Out of the targeted 25 E-Skwela hubs, nine have already been established in Baguio City, Metro Manila’s Manila and Pasig City, Cebu’s Danao and Tuburan, and Camotes Islands’ Poro, Pilar, Tudela and San Francisco towns, he cited. Rio N. Araja

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CLOSURE. The MMDA started the gradual closure of U-turn slots along EDSA on Monday to give way to the EDSA bus carousel program. The first to be closed is the U-turn slot near Trinoma Mall in North Avenue, Quezon City.MMDA advises motorists to use Quezon Avenue service road U-turn slot, Quezon Academy U-turn slot as alternate routes.

Gov’t wants stricter work permits for foreign nationals TO ENSURE local jobs are protected and to prevent foreign workers from being victimized by fly-by-night employers, the Philippine government is pushing for stringent work permits issued to foreign nationals. The National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment, along with the employers, business and labor groups including the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers and Sentro, are in the final stages of revising a stringent Alien Employment Permit issued to foreign nationals who wish to work in the country. The biggest group of workers in the Philippines, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, has been calling on the government to enforce the work permit policy for all foreign workers in the country to ensure protection for foreign work-

ers and domestic jobs. “We have to make sure local jobs are not taken away by any foreigners and at the same time see to it foreign workers are not victims of slave labor,” said TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay in a text message. Aside from human trafficking and flyby-night manpower agencies, the AEP was reviewed in the light of the reported series of kidnapping, torture and violent acts inflicted on Chinese POGO workers last year, the “pastillas” bribery scandal on Immigration officials, and the Philippine government’s decision to allow blue-collar Chinese workers to work in the construction industry, which are taking away jobs from Filipino workers. The group noted a report that Chinese workers were allowed by the government to work on the Binondo-Intramuros bridge and in the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge projects in a Manila-Beijing deal called Agree-

2021 nat’l budget debates start today By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta HOUSE Appropriations Committee chairman and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Sunday said he is looking forward to smooth plenary debates on the proposed 2021 P4.5 trillion national budget starting today under the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap. “Eric is working hard and works well with House Majority Leader Martin. Upon the instruction of Speaker Cayetano, the schedules are well grouped and assignments are well organized,” he said. Yap is set to deliver his sponsorship speech for House Bill No. 7727 or the General Appropriations Bill to signal the start of the plenary deliberations. After 15 days of budget briefings, Yap, on Sept.

25, said that “House Bill No. 7727 was passed” on the same day “at the committee level.” “I could not thank the vice chairpersons and members of the committee enough for their dedication and hard work to have it approved. Of course, I would also like to thank the House leadership for their undying support and to everyone who helped the committee in overcoming the first hurdle in the passage of the 2021 national budget,” he said. The House of Representatives will take a break starting Oct. 17. “As we have said many times, this year’s budget proceeding is both historic and challenging not only because of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but also because of other circumstances that this august chamber is in. We may have encountered a few bumps in the road during the past couple of weeks, but it surely helped us recalibrate our focus and take one step closer toward our goal,” Yap said.

NO TO FACE MASKS. A member of the Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines defends the decision of the group not to wear face masks during the launching of its #FlattenTheFear campaign. Jose Mari Kaimo, a volunteer of CDC-PH, denied on Thursday, September 24, that the group opposes the protocols set by the government. Kaimo assured that CDC-PH practiced social distancing during the event, and attendees drank a prophylactic treatment against the 2019 Coronavirus Disease.

Villar extols value of Las Piñas-Zapote River By Macon Ramos-Araneta IN observance of the World Rivers Day every 4th Sunday of September, Senator Cynthia Villar recognized the importance of Las Piñas-Zapote River as a “life artery” for the people of Las Piñas and nearby cities. Villar said that “while we no longer have a river as pristine as those in the 70’s, back in the time when the river is teeming with fish, the Las Piñas-Zapote River continues to provide for the city through livelihood projects.” Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said the rehabilitation of the Las Piñas-Zapote River paved the

way to social enterprises that provided livelihood to residents. In 2002 when Villar was still a congresswoman, the Sagip Ilog project was launched. It involved the daily collection of floating garbage which continues up to this day. Workers were employed to clean one kilometer each of the river stretch aboard a boat made of PET bottles. The water lilies collected from the river were also used as material for weaving handicrafts. The Las Piñas Weaving Center employed women and helped housewives earn an income. The coconut husks thrown into the river were also processed into coco nets for slope protection and coco peat, which is used as a potting mix and organic fertilizer.

ment on Economic and Technical Cooperation that was signed in May last year. The recent reports of Chinese nationals being caught in the act by police as they blatantly violated COVID-19 health protocols is also a serious cause for concern. On Sept. 26, Makati Police raided a KTV bar and found 30 Chinese nationals not observing physical distancing in violation of the government’s COVID-19 health regulations. The Chinese nationals were issued citation tickets by the police for violating the safety and health protocol. The labor groups is bringing up the issue of workers being allowed in the construction industry in a meeting by the Construction Industry Tripartite Council made up of labor groups, DOLE, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Public Works and Highways, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Filipino contractors.

In an interview over DZBB, Jimenez dared the Ombudsman to reconsider his circular, expressing concern that the public may have lost a “weapon” against corrupt government officials. “Ang challenge ko sa Ombudsman puwede po ba instead na eto ay inyo pong papairalin, tingnan niyo naman (My challenge to the Ombudsman, instead of letting that circular apply), have a second look on that otherwise the trust and confidence of the Filipino people will depend on how you perform, how you do your job,” he said. Jimenez said the circular caused the public to lose their trust and confidence in the anti-graft body, since restricting SALNs “defeats the purpose” of transparency within government. “Nasira dito ang reputation ng Ombudsman. Mabagal na nga yung imbestigasyon ninyo e bibigyan niyo pa po ng restrictions ang ating mga kababayan (This circular destroyed the reputation of the Ombudsman. Their investigations are already taking too long, then they give restrictions to the public),” he said. Jimenez also found it hard to believe the Ombudsman’s reason to restrict public access to SALNs and suspend lifestyle checks to prevent journalists from using them as means to extort money from politicians. “Respectfully, I don’t buy that idea. Kung ikaw ay maayos na tao sa gobyerno what is the fear? Wala ka dapat itago, wala ka dapat ikatakot (If you’re a decent government worker, what is the fear? You have nothing to hide, you should have nothing to fear),” he said. According to Jimenez, all government workers and officials, including the President should be transparent. “I don’t know the motive, with due respect. It may have a good intention to protect but we should be transparent, we have to be accountable to the people,” he said.

New Anda Circle to be unveiled next month

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

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CCTVS IN CHINATOWN. The Manila Chinese Action Team (MCAT) poses after donating 16

closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) (inset) covering the area from Moriones-Dagupan up to Asuncion, or the stretch of Divisoria Recto, under Manila Police Station 2. Norman Cruz

Local designers to aid Angeles face mask tack ANGELES CITY—Fifteen local designers have pledged to assist the city government’s face mask livelihood program. Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. met on Friday with local designers and discussed the program with his Chief Adviser and Tactician, IC Calaguas. Lazatin recently launched the face mask livelihood program in an effort to help residents recover financially as well as protect the environment. Calaguas said the city government has asked local designers to create face mask designs and patterns. “Humingi po tayo ng tulong sa ating mga local designers upang pangunahan nila ang nasabing face mask livelihood program at mabigyan nila ng gabay ang mga mananahing kasama sa project na ito. At nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila dahil agad naman silang tumugon,” said the long-time political officer of the Lazatin family. The designers who answered to the mayor’s call are Marlon Tuazon, Jhune Angeles, Cholo Ayuyao, Rosette Ramos-Biag, Jojo Macapinlac, Frederick Policarpio, Manny Ocampo, Philip Torres, Mich Viray, Danica Zita, Stephen Victoriano, Joey Feliciano, Rop Syquia, Rich Sabinian, and Bhry Adefuin. Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel explained the city government will hire home-based seamstresses or “mananahi” to produce reusable face masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) that will be donated to the frontline workers of Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Health Office, and Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center. The face masks will also be given free to the city’s poorest of the poor. Butch Gunio

Manila unveils six large pharmacies

By Willie Casas

HE Manila Health Department (MHD) has opened six large district pharmacies, one for each of its six district locations in the city.

The opening was made a day before the celebration of World Pharmacists Day 2020, held every September 25. Acting City Health Officer Dr. Arnold M. Pangan, RSW, led the opening of each of the pharmacies -- located in each of the district health centers of the MHD -- in the six city districts, namely: District 1 - Vitas Health Center, 2403 Vitas St, 101 Tondo Vitas St, 101 Tondo, Manila, 1012 (Zip code); District 2 - Atang Dela Rama Health Center, Tirso Cruz St., 175 Zone 15,

Manila, 1013; District 3 - F. Lanuza Health Center, F. Lanuza Bldg, 1533 Alvarez St, Santa Cruz, Manila, 1003; District 4 - F. Legarda Health Center, 554 Kundiman, Sampaloc, Maynila, 1008; District 5 - Paco Health Center, 1427, Canonigo Street, Paco, Manila, 1007; and District 6 - Bacood Health Center, 406 Lakas, Santa Mesa, Manila, 1016. Pangan said the goal of opening the large pharmacies is to decentralize the distribution of the medicines, expedite

their release, and avoid having these medicines expire. The medicines are given for free to the city’s residents and to the city government employees. The medicines originally come from the Department of Health (DOH) or are donated by private organizations. The medicines are delivered to the DOH, and samples are collected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for testing. After approval, these are then distributed to the regional offices of the DOH and to the local government units, which will allocate to their respective local health facilities. World Pharmacist Day aims to promote awareness about the importance and role of a pharmacist, to showcase them and their positive effects on a nation’s health.

APM SYSTEM.

Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas (center) signs a memorandum with Narvacan Mayor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson (left) and Charissa May Singson, President and CEO of Gracia Telecommunications Corp. (right) for the Gracia Telecom Automated Payment Machine (APM) at Sta. Rosa City Hall. Roy Tomandao

SM Foundation donates 3 ICU-grade ventilators to Reg. 2 hospitals THREE hospitals in Region 2 each received an ICU-grade ventilator recently from SM Foundation, which strengthens their capacity to manage severe COVID-19 cases, particularly for patients who require intubation.

The hospital beneficiaries are the Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC), Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC), and Gov. Faustino N. Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital (GFNDSMH). Present at the turnover were the heads

of the three hospitals namely Dr. Glenn Mathew Baggayao of CVMC; Dr. Emmanuel Salamanca of SIMC; and Dr. Nelson Paguirigan of the GFNDSMH. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello and SM City Cauayan Mall Manager Sheila

Marie Estabillo also graced the event. To date, SM has donated almost P400 million in essential medical supplies, equipment, RT-PCR testing, and assistance to help national efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

A NEW Anda Circle, complete with a dancing color fountain that will be illuminated at night, will be the latest addition to the growing list of “selfie” spots in Manila when it is inaugurated on the first week of October. The monument, also known as “Rotonda Anda,” serves as a roundabout on Bonifacio Drive for vehicles going to and from the Port Area, Navotas, Malabon and Roxas Boulevard. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso visited the site over the weekend and had the multimillionpeso color dancing fountain tested, assisted by City Engineer Armand Andres, City Electrician Randy Sadac, and Department of Public Service chief Kenneth Amurao. Just like many historical and heritage sites that the current city government refurbished, Anda Circle also used to be smelly, dirty and totally neglected by previous administrations before the rehabilitation works were done. The fountain, the Standard learned, cost over P30 million to refurbish. The mayor lauded Amurao for having cleaned up the entire area, which was filled with trash and feces courtesy of vagrants when he assumed mayorship last year, even as the circle also bore ugly signs of vandalism. Aside from it now being totally clean, Domagoso also commended the efforts of Andres in making the site look almost unrecognizable after undergoing muchneeded rehabilitation works. Andres said that through the efforts of the mayor, the Asian Terminals Inc. funded the fountain, which will be the main attraction and new feature in the said rotunda. Apart from major landscaping, Andres said the obelisk was restored and repainted with the same color as the original. Lights were also installed to illuminate the area for the benefit of motorists passing by during the night. The Anda Circle was not gated and its size was retained, keeping its 360-degrees view unobstructed. The roundabout, located at the boundary of Intramuros and Port Area districts, is an interchange system at the junction of Bonifacio Drive, Mel Lopez Boulevard, Andres Soriano Avenue (formerly Calle Aduana) and Roberto Oca Street. Willie Casas

Santa Rosa gets APM machine at City Hall SANTA ROSA CITY — Mayor Arlene Arcillas, together with city officials, met Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis Chavit Singson and Charissa May Singson, President and CEO of Gracia Telecommunications Corp., to launch the Gracia Telecom Automated Payment Machine (APM) at City Hall here. Arcillas said the APM is part of the city’s campaign to minimize the movement of people amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment machine was turned over by Mayor Singson, who is president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, on Saturday, September 26. Charissa May Singson said: “With APM, people can make online payments of utility bills, prepaid load, withdraw and deposit money, remittances and even government taxes and services. Gracia Telecom will also provide debit cards to residents for free.” Arcillas said: “Initially the first APM is now installed inside the city hall lobby that employees and visitors can use. Soon APMs will be installed in strategic locations in some Barangays in Santa Rosa.” “This effort is part of the city’s campaign to minimize the movement of people amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Singson said. Roy Tomandao

Polio vaccines for 250k Pampanga kids By Jess Malabanan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Health authorities and the provincial government of Pampanga joined forces in administering polio vaccines to more than 250,000 children from zero to 59 months old. Recipients got the vaccine to protect them from polio, as the provincial government aims to eradicate the disease that infects children, especially in the slum areas of the country, said Penafrancia Yalung, head of the National Immunization Program in Pampanga. Dubbed as “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (SPKP)” the group combed depressed areas in search for newborn infants up to five-year-old kids. As of August 27, a total of 213,703 Kapampangan children were vaccinated with the Monovalent Oral Poliovirus

Type 2 (mOPV2). This is equivalent to 82.6 percent of the total target coverage of 258,572 of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for the first round of the immunization drive. Yalung said this is the response of the Department of Health and the provincial government led by Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda to stop the transmission of the virus after polio cases have been confirmed in Metro Manila and nearby Central Luzon areas, including Cabanatuan City. “We always do this every time there is an outbreak to cut the spread of the virus and protect the children at the community level,” she said. DOH recently commended Pampanga’s contribution and accomplishment to the SPKP campaign during an awarding ceremony on September 23 at the Benigno Aquino Hall here.

NEW VENTILATORS. Various hospitals in the Cagayan Valley region receive the three ICU-grade ventilators donated by SM Foundation, bringing to P400 million its total contribution to the national effort against COVID-19.

Opinion Opinion Opinion Family first

Adelle Chua, Editor

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

Good news, false results?

se results?

abled seamstresses in Laguna called the United Organization of Persons with Disability, as well as SO Marillac Hills, a national training school for girls in need of temporary shelter and protective custody. seamstresses in Laguna called theI SEE United Japanese companies such as Sumitomo, Nitto ization of Persons with Disability, as well as Denko and Mitsubishi pitched in with their HEPA ac Hills, a national training school forLITO girls in filter inserts. The fabrics and cords were provided f temporary shelter and protective custody. BANAYO by the Confederation of Wearables Exporters of anese companies such as Sumitomo, Nitto abled seamstresses in LagunaJinwon calledTrading the United the (CONWEP), Co., realPhilippines legislation. of Corp, Persons withGroup, Disability, as Internawell as o and Mitsubishi pitched with theirSO HEPA A FEW good meninand a lady from the Foreign Organization Ltd.,We Sunhave Yueh MSK MCX a multiplicity of parties, whether Hills, national Inc. training school for girls in Trade Service the Department of Marillac nserts. The fabrics andCorps cordsunder were provided tional Inc., andaTownes, national, regional orwere even provincial which of temporary shelter andprovided protective custody. Ifreed SEE Trade, who themselves from Production and labor through the Confederation of found Wearables Exporters of the en- need are mere flcompanies ags of convenience used byNitto perJapanese such as while Sumitomo, of long total Trading lockdowns, Ferrer Foundation Inc., printing and ilippinescumbrances (CONWEP), Jinwon Co.,have come Francis Denko and Mitsubishi pitched in with their HEPA sonalitiescame or families political ambiwith aMSK notable projectMCX as their personal contri- packaging LITO from the with generosity of Mr. and Sun YuehupCorp, Group, Internainserts. The and cords were provided tions. farfabrics too many elections. Thus, to the Filipino people now suffering from filter Mrs. EarlAnd Cua. Inc., andbution Townes, Inc. BANAYO by the Confederation ofa Wearables Exporters of politics has become business concern, and the pandemic. Mike Ignacio, our present hard-working investduction and labor were provided through the the (CONWEP), Trading Co., ment officer Taipei told meJinwon they named the projto Philippines hell withinpublic service. s FerrerAFoundation FEWPresident’s goodInc., men while and a printing lady fromand theUN Foreign Sun Yueh Corp, MSK Group, MCX InternaTHE speech before the Gen- Ltd., ect “BEA,” short for whose archaic roots Candidates forBeatrice, a three-year term, once Trade Service Corps of tional Inc.,toand Townes,ofInc. ging came the generosity of the Mr.Department and “worthy translate “Bringer joy and blessings.” The eralfrom Assembly wasunder a masterpiece victorious, spend the fi rst year rewarding who found themselves freed from the enProduction and labor were provided through the Earl Cua.Trade, of Project BEA was designed by a ten-year of an Emmy award,” said Sen. Ralph Recto. logo their financial supporters with projects cumbrances of long total lockdowns, have come Francis Foundation Inc.,son while and ke Ignacio, our present hard-working investold boy,Ferrer Luis Yap, who is the of aprinting staff officer Indeed, it was the President’s best. and othercame favors. The na of loob” also with atold notablethey project as their personal contri- packaging the “utang generosity Mr. and of our Tokyo tradefrom office. officer inupTaipei named thethe projFirst off,me it was people short now by President’s gives back to the and elected offi cial by way of bution to the Filipino suffering from Mrs. Earl Cua. In these difficult trying times, it is so reEA,” short for Beatrice, whose archaic roots standard extemporaneous the pandemic. hour-long Mike Ignacio, our present hard-working investcuts (a.k.a. kickbacks) so theygood, can and recoup freshing to write about something we te to “Bringer of joy and blessings.” The speeches, just a tad longer than his inaugu- ment in foreign Taipei told me they named the projtheirofficer campaign expenses. Come the second applaud these service officers, along with f Projectral BEA was Both designed a ten-year speech. wereby written and delivered ect “BEA,” short for Beatrice, whose archaic roots and third years, the offi cial plans for his all those who pitched in effort and resources to The National Committee on the Fily, Luis Yap, who is the son of a staff officer translate to “Bringer of joy andenough blessings.” The without the usual off-the-cuff perorations. Project BEA. re-election, and how to get in kickTokyo tradeUniversally office. of Project BEA was atheme, ten-year ipinologo Family has refined the hailed but for the leftists *projects * *designed backs through their to by finance their boy,Robert Luis Yap, who is head the son ofthe a staff officer hese difficult andstatement trying times, it isthe so arbitral rewas his about rul- old Dr. Redfield, of Center for initially focusing on a comfortable, re-election expenses. of our Tokyo trade office. ng to write about good, andit, weas hein said, Realizing the effectivity of face masks pre- Disease Control and most Prevention, once again coning on thesomething WPS which made The thing that legislators preoccuresilient andhisdifficult peaceful family, In these and the trying times, ittois prosoDonreud theseventing foreign service officers, along with community transmission COVID-19, tradicted president, “part of international law; of beyond com- freshing py themselves with something is muddle-headed what projects, and to write about good, and we viding compassionate response and the shortage of personal equipment ald Trump, who keeps fooling his people and the ose whoand pitched inand effort and resources promise beyond theprotective reach to of passing with that how much can along get out applaud these foreignvalue, servicethey withof in the Philippines, thediminish four—our very own world salvation, through aofficers, vaccine, is from coming t BEA. (PPEs) protection for the Filipino family governments to dilute, or abanall those who pitched in effort and resources to the annual appropriations act. the Most of these Director of Philippine Trade and Investment very, very soon—as in right before presidential * *the *declarative, don.” Very indeed. Project BEA. projects are inserted within layers of the nathe problems brought about by the in Taipei, Alfred Ignacio; Jojie elections where he is nine points behind the DemRobertCenter Redfield, head Michael of the Center for * * * like layers of fat in tionalcandidate, budget figuratively Dinsay PTIC in Seoul; Uy conin PTIC Brusocratic Joe Biden. COVID-19 pandemic. se Control and of Prevention, onceBen again Dr. Robert head of the the Center for slabs of pork liempo. Hence “pork sels; and their senior colleague, Dita Angara-MaIt won’t be Redfield, until the latter part ofterm the second ed his president, the DonRealizing themuddle-headed effectivity ofonface masks pre-Before Disease Control and Prevention, once again conthe pandemic, the Filipithay in Tokyo—embarked the BEAinmask quarter next year, or early third, before a vaccine barrel,” as in the barrels of salted pork cuts venting community transmission COVID-19, tradicted his president, the muddle-headed Donump, who keeps fooling his people reusable andofthe project aimed at manufacturing cloth face could be amply distributed, declared Dr.plantation Redfield. no family was already threatened by that were distributed by white and the shortage of personal protective equipment ald Trump, who keeps fooling his people and the that salvation, through a vaccine, is coming masks with HEPA filter inserts, as a practical solu- For his part, the prevaricating Trump said Redfield owners to their imported African slaves in numerous factors, among them psy(PPEs) in the Philippines, the four—our very own world that salvation, through a vaccine, is coming very soon—as before the tion to in theright Philippines’ lackpresidential of access to surgical was just “misquoted.” pre-Civil War days. Director of the Philippine and Investment very, veryissues soon—as in before the chological about a ns where he is nine points behindTrade the Demgrade masks. Redfield advisedbrought theright public that thepresidential bestby weapSo now, looking forward to the 2022DemelecCenter Taipei, Michael where he is nine points behind Dita Angara-Mathay of Alfred Tokyo Ignacio; recruitedJojie her elections on against COVID-19, which will lingerthe for some c candidate, Joein Biden. grossly inequitable, Dinsay of PTIC Seoul;capitals Ben Uyininsourcing PTIC BrusJoe Biden. fast-changing, tions, the “election year budget” is the inlatter theinother raw ocratic time, iscandidate, still 2021 the face mask. won’t becolleagues until the part of the second sels; and their senior colleague, Dita Angara-MaItThis won’t be until theand part thethe second most covetously eyed. In contrast, 2022 technology-driven, for an materials and in the actual of PPE’s. is what people inlatter Japan andofsome Taiwan have r next year, third, beforemanufacture aonvaccine thay or in early Tokyo—embarked the BEA mask quarter next year, or early third, before a vaccine budget, which is deliberated upon next Dita used to be our PTIC Director, also known taken to heart, out of routine practice when ill,year, and increasingly materialistic world. be amply distributed, declared Dr. Redfield. project manufacturing cloth face could be“lame-duck” amply distributed, declared Dr.community Redfield. He aimed spokeat counsellor against those who “weaponbudget. Lame duck beas commercial for reusable MECO in Taipei. itisisthe what saved them from widespread s part, the prevaricating Trump said Redfield magnified these issues. masks withwas HEPA filter as inserts, asreferred a practical soluFor his part, the prevaricating Trump Redfield ize human rights” theCOVID-19 When she transferred tothey Tokyo, Ben Uy,to now transmission. cause public works spending aresaid proscribed tion to the Philippines’ lack access to surgical just “misquoted.” * * * st “misquoted.” Philippines, and toher me, his sincere offer was in Brussels, succeeded inofTaipei. The current during theadvised campaign period, and elecgrade masks. Redfield the public that the since best reports weapdfield advised the public that theMike bestrefugees weap- used to shelter the Rohingya in our PTIC director in Taipei, Ignacio, to We were quite unnerved last week tions areCOVID-19, held in early May, it when is very difDita Angara-Mathay of Tokyo recruited her on against which will linger for some ainst COVID-19, which will linger for some be in New Delhi, and before that, Brussels. Jojie from a labor agency blood informed MECO that several country was the most eloquent way to time, ficultis to squeeze from the lame-duck colleagues in the other capitals in sourcing raw still the face mask. s still theDinsay face mask. ofwhat Seoulhis PTIC used to beinassigned in the Filipinos whocampaign flew in recently from Taipei, were refute detractors theofinternabudget materials andand in the actual manufacture PPE’s. This isfor what inexpenses. Japan and Taiwan Middle East, is now based in South Korea. All diagnosed ill ofpeople the coronavirus upon arrival.have We s is what people in Japan andhave Taiwan have tional accused of. taken Dita usedcommunity to be our PTIC Director, alsohim known to heart, out of routine practice when ill, Thus, this is the season when pigs flyand all are very professional careerill, members of our had to close our offices for disinfection because of to heart,four out of routine practice when and He was more humanitarian than many of as commercial counsellor for MECO in Taipei. itover is what them from widespread community thesaved HoR. foreign service corps. community the possibility that some of the OFWs had been in hat savedDTI them from widespread those who the fl of human rights, When she waswave transferred toagTokyo, Ben Uy, now transmission. *country *in*contactheld LEGAL eaglesorofhadthe a virIn the course of PPE raw material sourcing, Dita our offices, been with our ATN mission. inhis Brussels, succeeded her in Taipei. current * * * the 15-21 “deal” befor human life”The explicitly let’s juxtapose shared“concern that Nitto Denko whose patented HEPAtual fil- webinar andNow labor officials here, for a quantum of caution. hosted by the Philippine Bar * * * PTIC director in Taipei, Mike Ignacio, used to We were quite unnerved last week when reports proven compassion the tween Speaker Alanextensive and speaker-to-be Lord ter is beingby usedhis in Europe for N95towards masks, could Informed of this, Taiwan health authorities Association to hear discourse be inunnerved New Delhi, before that, Brussels. Jojie from a labor agencyan informed MECO that several were quite lastand week reports Rohingya refugees. of the heads be used as a special insert when toNone the reusable mask. immediately went into action and as webudget write Allan with the juicy 2021from national Dinsay of Seoul PTIC used to be assigned in the Filipinos who flew in recently Taipei, were that examined the emerging constitutional a labor agency informed MECO that several ofWith state who spoke beforetogether, the UNGA ad- this personal funds pooled the group piece, theare Central Epidemic Command Cenwhich they to passupon in Congress. Middle and is now in South Korea. issues All diagnosed ill of thetrying coronavirus arrival. We os whocollaborated flew inEast, recently frombased were geopolitical ofmonths the withplight other parties their networks, terand (CECC) was able toimplications track contacts of the dressed the ofTaipei, theinRohingya like Strictly speaking, if we122 count 15 four are very professional career members of our had to close our offices for disinfection because of osed ill of the coronavirus upon arrival. We putting into and goodhis useoffer tools of their trade: networkOFWs. All tested negative, after both antigen and recent House of Representatives approval Duterte, was consistent with from end-July 2019ofwhen thehad deal DTI foreign service corps. the possibility that some the OFWs beenwas in ing, research, resource-sharing, close our offices for disinfection because of enterprise PCR testsSpeaker were conducted. previous statements thissocial humanitarian of theour Public Services Act (PSA). In the course of PPE rawonmaterial sourcing, Dita struck, Alan offices, or had been inshould contactbecome with our funcATN innovation. While that gives us a sigh of relief, we wonder ssibilityand that some of the OFWs had been in issue.that Nitto Denko whose patented HEPA fil-Theand shared labor officials here, for a quantum of caution. objectives the bill are and tus ofi cio by of end-October thissound year. If the Through aincompelling presentation, about how Taiwan health authorities now regard fices, orterhad been used contact ATN *with *powerpoint *forour is being in Europe N95 masks, could Informed of this, Taiwan health authorities budget passes the HoR by next month, then supported by well-respected economic the group to inspire and convince their immediately the trustworthiness of our testing methods and bor officials aable quantum ofthecaution. be used as was afor special insert reusable mask. wentLord into action and preside as we write Ahere, friend from our to chat group sent me a protocols. speaker-to-be Allan will only contacts in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the PhilipI hope these incidents are not a case of think-tanks like the Foundation for Ecoormed ofmessage this,personal Taiwan health authorities With funds pooled together, the group this piece, the Central Epidemic Command Cenlast Monday about the skirmishes over next year’s “lame-duck” budget delibpines to support their project. On the production multi-testing (theable highest in 122 SEA,contacts according to nomic Freedom. The principal author, collaborated with other parties in their networks, ter (CECC) was to track of the diately went into action and as we write at the House able of Representatives which he Spox side, they to tapofatheir community of diserations. Foie gras, though Frenchy-frenchy Harry) with (occasionally) false results. putting intowere good use tools trade: networkAll tested negative, after both and HouseOFWs. Committee on Ways andantigen Means

Good news, results? When false pigs fly

EDITORIAL

Adelle AdelleChua, Chua,Editor Editor

mst.daydesk@gmail.com mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MONDAY, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER21, 28,2020 2020

B1 B1

Family first T While Family wefirst wait T EDITORIAL EDITORIAL

Families faced health issues whether joyment of each other’s company on ODAY begins or not their members were COVID the one hand, but also increased tenthe celebration of patients. Finances became unsta- sion and even instances of abuse, on National Family the other. as millions lost jobs or saw their on of each other’s company Families faced health issues whether blejoyment ODAY begins businesses crumble. Measures toorWeek. not their members COVID the one hand, but also increased ten-Whatever the circumstances, the This year’s were occasion the celebration of family is undeniably the first line of normal—for sionthe andnew even instancesinstance, of abuse, on patients. Financesbybecame unsta- ward is heightened the defense against the COVID-19 panjoyment each other’s company on Families faced health issues whether (with theof trial) is December, last quarter. National Family ODAY blepandemic as millions lostbegins jobsFood or saw their the other. HE country’s and that has gripped demic. It is the people who to are conone hand, but also increased tenor not their members were COVID the And the vaccine trials according experts Whatever the let circumstances, the Measures The family isour our thecrumble. celebration of to- patients. Drug Administration Week. This year’s occasion businesses Let’s not stantly us who be the first andaround even of abuse, on Finances became unsta- sion will range from instances three to sixwill months. I think the nation in the past several family is down, undeniably the first linethe ofremind ward the has new normal—for instance, presented what it first line of defense National Family to us to always wear a mask the very early forecast that we have of 2nd other. ble as millions lost jobs or saw their guard for our is heightened by the months. defense against theMeasures COVID-19 quarter 2021 is the best forecast that when outside, orcircumstances, observe the miniWhatever thestill the businesses crumble. to- pancalls a best-case scenario for against the dangers Week. This year’s occasion sake Itand others’—not In these difficult pandemic that has gripped we can give,” de la Peña said. demic. is the people who are conmum physical distance from others. National Committee on the Fil- ward the new normal—for instance, family is undeniably the first line of a The COVID-19 vaccine, and ofbe the first The family iswhich our heightened by the evenuncertainties for a minute. and trying times, it is the nation in the past several is amid the FDA’s to stantly around us who will It This is ourisagainst family who will promise ensure we defense the COVID-19 panipino Family has refined the theme, may be made available in the expedite procedures. this pandemic. pandemic that has eat healthy, take vitamins, exercise, first line of defense so refreshing to write months. demic. It approval is the people who are coninitially focusing on agripped comfortable, to remind us to always wear a mask While health authorities are seeing The family is our the miniPhilippines bythe April 2021. and avoid non-essential excursions stantly around us who will be the first resilient and the peaceful family, to pro- have the nation in past several when outside, or observe about something finished the clinical trials and probaagainst dangers a longer time for COVID-19 cases and first line of defense outside the house. It is our family to remind us to always wear maskc viding compassionate response and mum physical others. bly already submitteddistance to FDA thefrom applicaThis scenario may come up the stage, deaths to double, there remainaspecifi months. good. and uncertainties of who will tell us that different Filipidistance learning for the children when outside, or observe the miniprotection for the Filipino family from tion the results their if clinical trials are completed by Deagainst theofdangers areas in Metro Manila where clustering It and is our family whotrial. will ensure we In these difficult nos are affected differently by this and work-from-home arrangement mum physical distance from others. the problems brought about by the The National Committee on the FilAt the moment, the Philippines, which cember or January, and a company of cases have been observed, and this, this pandemic. eat healthy, take vitamins, exercise, and uncertainties of addiand trying times, it is crisis, should always be both Itaccording is oursofamily whomust will we parents also exerting COVID-19 logged as at —are weekend more than 300,000 wouldFamily file anpandemic. application, ipino has refinedwhich the means theme, for towe experts, beensure considered. and pressure avoid non-essential this pandemic. infections and more than 5,200 deaths there willfocusing be approved vaccine by healthy, take vitamins, exercise, grateful andwith empathetic. tional on families thatexcursions have eat We agree health authorities that so refreshing to write initially on a comfortable, Before the anpandemic, the Filipioutside the house. It is our family from the coronavirus, is negotiating with next summer, FDA Director General theWe public must observing and avoid non-essential do not needcontinue to lookexcursions far to apalready been struggling to get by. resilient andwas peaceful to prono family alreadyfamily, threatened by about something vaccine withdifferent at families least sixFilipiEric Domingo, replying a them question, willdevelopers, tellthese us that distance learning for to the children health protocols and should down their outside the house. Itnotisletour family preciate those who come first, We observe even as viding compassionate response and 17who numerous factors, among psygood. ofnos them having signed confichildren dentiality said work-from-home in a virtual press briefing on Friday. guard amid encouraging reports about arelearning affected by this and arrangement who will tellordinary us that times different Filipifordifferently the whether in or in crisis were forced to be physically togethprotection for the Filipino family from chological issues brought about by a distance

Politics has become a business concern, and to hell with public service.

This best-case scenario of between for parents —are also exerting the problems brought about by addithe grossly inequitable, fast-changing, three and six months will allow those COVID-19 pandemic. technology-driven, and for some tional pressure on families that have deeply involved in the vaccine to com-an Before thematerialistic pandemic, the increasingly already struggling toworld. get by. plete allbeen their analyses which theyFilipiwill no family was already threatened by COVID-19 magnified these issues. submit to the authorities posthaste. We observe these even as families numerous factors, among them psyThis time frame is the experts’ estimate were forced to be physically togethchological about by a on Phase IIIissues clinicalbrought trials of COVID-19 ergrossly in theirScience homesSecretary at thefast-changing, height vaccines, Fortunatoofdethe inequitable, community quarantines. This enla Peña explained in the same ng. an technology-driven, and forbrieﬁ some forced occasioned both Thetogetherness expertsmaterialistic prefer to useworld. the longer increasingly forecast their estimate, since that good andin not-so-good results—enCOVID-19 magnified these issues. LEGAL eagles of the country heldwould a vir-

disclosure agreements thatarrangement would of allow COVID-19 vaccine soon inare the bereft country. nos are affected by thisof and situations. Some differently people er in work-from-home theirso homes at the height the crisis, we should always be both the sharing of their earlier trial results. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario crisis, so we should always be both for parents —are also exerting addithe comforts of home and the warmth community quarantines. This engrateful and empathetic. The Philippine government said it Vergeire put it suitably: “Protect yourgrateful and empathetic. tional pressure on families that have of family. May we never take ours for forced togetherness occasioned both Weprioritize do not the need to look would World HealthfarOr-to apselves. Let us not be complacent beWe do not need to look far to apalready been struggling to get by. granted, today and henceforth. good and not-so-good results—enganization’s Solidarity Trial, which incause we are hearing our health system preciate those who should come first, preciate who should first,to We observe these evenofas families volves synchronic testing several vaccapacitythose is improving. Let uscome continue whether in ordinary times or in crisis whether in ordinary times or in crisis were forced to be physically togethcines in different countries. follow health protocols to prevent infecpeople are of Someour people are bereft of er situations. in homes at the height of bereft the Thetheir WHO isSome scheduled to release its situations. tion and protect families.” the comforts of home and the warmth list of vaccinesquarantines. and protocols This in October, with ofthe possibility an apcomforts home and theofwarmth community en- theEven of family. never take ours of for which means itMay couldwe only start recruiting proved vaccine before long, should family. May we never takewe ours for forced togetherness occasioned both patients by then. not let ourtoday guard down for our own—and granted, today and henceforth. and henceforth. good and not-so-good results—en- granted, conflicting interests and multiple incidents “The fastest maybe that we can start of others’—sake. Not even for aofminute. OPEN incursions and harassment our Filipi-

Alarming connections

indicate that hosted in thatbyperiod they would tual webinar the Philippine Bar no fishermen in our own territorial waters Association to hear an extensive discourse THOUGHTS in the West Philippine Sea, makes you ask that examined the emerging constitutional ORLANDO why in high heavens the government alissues and geopolitical implications of the OXALES lowed ChinaTel to install telecommunicarecent House of Representatives approval tions equipment right inside our military of the Public Services Act (PSA). conflicting interests and multiple incidents LEGAL eagles of of thethecountry a vircamps? “If Congress will pass a law interpreting The objectives bill areheld sound and vealing now pending in the Senate will open telecomsymptom of China’s ongoing aggresconflicting interests OPEN and multiple incidents of incursions and harassment of with our Filipitual webinarby hosted by the Philippine Bar “We do not that problem and redefining these terms and phrases, you supported well-respected economic munications to have foreign ownership. This Globe, means sive of its digital arsenal for espionage OPENdiscourse of use incursions andTHOUGHTS harassment of our Filipino fishermen in the ourIndonesians own territorial waters Association hear extensive PLDT, or with because we awaytargeted the power of the Supreme think-tanks to like theanFoundation for Eco- are that if left unamended and passed into law, and taking undermine governments. no fishermen in our own territorial waters Philippine Sea, makes youthem. ask that examined the emerging constitutional THOUGHTS dothe notWest have territorial disputes with nomic Freedom. The principal author, Court. This is a battle of turf between the inDITO can be bought by ChinaTel and have full ORLANDO in high heavens the government alissues geopolitical of the in the West Philippine Sea, you why ask So, this unique to become DITO and ChinaTel. Congress and the Supreme Court.makes It is the Houseand Committee on implications Ways and Means control of is it. It will then the third telco. OXALES ChinaTel to install telecommunicarecent House of Salceda, Representatives ORLANDO why inCourt high that heavens the government al-Whether We have tothis be would very careful because we are will decide, and they lowed Chairman Joey said thatapproval foreign Supreme happen or not, China has equipment right our military of the Publicrestrictions Services Act Are these just preserve ourinside territorial also decide thattoCongress cannot re- tions ownership on(PSA). basic services will OXALES lowed ChinaTel installwords telecommunicaafighting law thattobinds any Chinese citizen maritime or corpocamps? “If Congress will a law interpreting Theasobjectives of the bill are sound and zones to in cooperate the West Philippine seaintelligence and China serve the power of pass the Supreme Court such telecommunications, water, power, tions equipment right inside ourand military ration with the state or do they represent do not haveonthat problem withmaritime Globe, redefining terms phrases,ayou supported by broke well-respected economic is“We encroaching territory to camps? be the finalthese arbiter ofand interpreting the services and electricity inhibits and forWHEN news outcompetition on Facebook’s an- and of China. Theour presence of their equip“If Congress will pass a law interpreting PLDT, or with the Indonesians because we are taking away the power of the Supreme think-tanks like the Foundation for Ecoreal shift in policy? zones,” said Justice Carpio. Constitution,” Justice Carpio said. eign investments. Therefore, there is need nouncement of the purging of two separate ment in our Philippine military camps is too “We do not have that problem with Globe, and redefining these terms and phrases, you have territorial disputes with them. nomic Freedom. The principal author, Court. This is a battle of turf between the do not As technology has a “black box” charfor a clear definition of public utility. propaganda networks using fake identities good an opportunity that China’s Ministry PLDT, or with the Indonesians because wethis is unique to DITO and ChinaTel.of areHouse takingCommittee away the on power of and the Supreme Ways Means acterSecurity where only the real controllers invismeasure proposes a more limited to The spread propaganda targeting the US, Congress and the Supreme Court. It is the So, State will surely seize as an integral elhave that territorial disputes Court. This Joey is a battle of said turf that between the do notCourt We to be verythe careful because we areof will decide, and with they them. Chairman foreign iblyhave commanding inputs and have outputs list of services that be subject toit the Southeast Asia,Salceda, and will the Philippines, put Supreme ement of what geopolitical thinkers called ThisThese has prompted a growing number of links all have this is unique to DITO and ChinaTel. andmy the Supreme Court. It is the willSo, preserve territorial maritime also decide that Congress cannot re- fighting ownership restrictions on it basic services ece, the described Central Epidemic Command a devicetohave full our control, It really doesn’t 60/40 foreign equity ownership as “so sad for the Cencountry.” An- sounding, isn’t as juicy as good old liempo. Congress a smile on face. Indeed is restrictions a most welwarfare” to achieve its expansioncountries to ban Chinese wireless technology “asymmetric ing,able research, resource-sharing, social enterprise PCR tests wereSalceda, conducted.said that foreign in theimagination West Philippine sea andreal China the power of very the Supreme Court and wezones such asdevelopment. telecommunications, water,and power, We have to be careful because are Supreme Court that will decide, they serve Chairman Joey ECC) was to track 122 contacts of thethat take much to identify on public utilities. Telecommunications other chimed in correctly saying “nothconsequences. come ist agenda. As we continue to see its acts ofrisks haand smartphone company Huawei. The US, Maybe that’s why the deal wasn’t 18-18, and innovation. While that gives us a sigh of relief, we wonder isofencroaching on our territory maritime be the final arbiter ofour interpreting the and electricity inhibits competition and fors. All tested negative, afterbickering both antigen and amidst fighting to preserve territorial maritime will that Congress cannot re- toAustralia, ownership restrictions on over basic how hi-tech espionage, orthe even sabotage, hasalso beendecide excluded from the list, therefore if ing is worse than for power Facebook’s release said: “Although the rassment and militarization in South China Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and as inhow “hating kapatid” theservices three-year Through a compelling powerpoint presentation, about Taiwan health authorities now regard zones,” said Justice Carpio. Justice Carpio said. eign investments. Therefore, there istoneed ests were zones in the Philippine the powerthis of the Supreme and Constitution,” such as telecommunications, water, can be through essential aconducted. crisis.” And alltothese while our President this legislation becomes law, willCourt be open people behind activity attempted conSea, theexecuted destabilizing effect this is going beyondpubthe most recently theWest UK have imposed sea bansand andChina the group was able inspire and convince their period. Para “may pakialam” papower, si Lord the trustworthiness of our testing methods and serve As technology has a “black box” charfor a clear definition of public utility. ile that contacts gives usina Japan, sigh ofKorea, relief,his we wonder was about to deliver speech before the lic service that we The second issue has a more complex to foreign ownership. theirfinal identities and coordination, our inencroaching on our territory maritime be the arbiter of interpreting the areisphasing and electricity inhibits competition and for-ofin to ceal Taiwan and the Philipprotocols. hope2021 thesebudget, incidentseven, are not case countries of Southeastnow Asia.are heavily depenout Huawei products from their Allan inI the ataleast, acter where only real controllers invisThe measure proposes a more limited how Taiwan health authorities nowOnregard general assembly, byproduction miles eign the investments. on since thethe lockdowns started six dimension where are ouralso ongoTherein lies the rub.Carpio There are two compines to support their outclassing project. the multi-testing highest SEA, according to Constitution,” vestigation found links to individuals in the geopolitical Further thickening the plot that is the fact that networks. and Germany se- dent zones,” France said Justice Carpio. Justice said. there is need the critical (the endTherefore, game ofin the bicameral conibly commanding the inputs and outputs of list of services that will be subject to the ustworthiness ofpronouncements our testing methods and Trump. side, they were able to tap a community of disSpox Harry) with (occasionally) false results. earlier of Donald months ago. ing territorial dispute with China in the plications being raised. First, is that the Fujian province of China.” a close ally of the President, Davao Tycoon riously considering bans anda are beefing up charference where last minute wheeling-dealing These links all have As technology has “black box” for a clear definition of public utility. a device have in fullnews control, It really doesn’t 60/40 equity ownership restrictions ols. I hope But theseitincidents are not a(www.manilastandard.net) caseatofthis time, is done. is all political, and Reported PresiPhilippine Sea and real National Securipassage of HB 78 would be an infringeTheforeign propaganda operation consisted of West Dennis Uy who controls articles, DITO andthe the Udensecurity measures against purportedly built- invisacter where only the controllers The measure proposes a more limited take much imagination to identify real risks on public utilities. Telecommunications consequences. testing (the highest SEA, according to nothing elsein matters to our elected repdent’s ally, Davaoistycoon Dennis Uy,China who comes into play with the owner of the na ment XII, Sectionbut 11 its theprima1987 ty Pagesinto and Article Instagram accounts, conglomerate, partnered with in “back-doors” in the Chinas company’s But now most congressmen want the ibly telco” commanding the inputs and outputs of list of services that will be subject to the how hi-tech espionage, or evenconglomersabotage, has been excluded from theidentities list, if Harry) with (occasionally) falsetons results. TOofTHE resentatives but the pork they can deal set aside to protect the election year controls DITO and the Company Udenna “third Telecommunity and US the ofHarbour Constitution which states that,therefore “no franry focus was running fake on FaceEngineering which is technology toDITO allow spying activities. The CROSSROADS a device have full control, It really doesn’t equity ownership restrictions can beisexecuted through this essential pubthis becomes law, will becontent. open stash away “for their POINT constituents” 60/40 and foreign partnered with China Harbour Enchise, certificate, or anyto other form of au- President. booklegislation which were used amplify subsidiary China Communications Conhas uncovered cases alleging the stealing of aate, budget they have previously worked out lic service that we nowa are heavily depenThe second issue has aPSA more complex to foreign ownership. take much imagination to identify real risks utilities. Telecommunications likely, the slices of fat they could trimon for public gineering Company, subsidiary of ChiIn the scenario that the is passed at thorization for the operation of a public People running profi les ‘posed as locals’.” struction Co., a US black-listed company betrade secrets, fraud, even evading US sancwith conniving departments. That is why J.A. dent on since the lockdowns that started six a EMIL dimension where or our ongoTherein rub. There are two comofcurrent how hi-tech espionage, even sabotage, has been from the list, therefore if their pockets, too. na Communications Construction Co., its form and telecommunications utility be the granted exceptGletcher’s to citizens of geopolitical Headshall of lies Security Nathaniel blog CRUZ cause of its role in building Chinese military tions against Iran. Just last month. Local telco theyexcluded argue about theDELA importance of “contimonths ago. territorial dispute with Chinaessential in third the pubplications First, is or that the ing can executed through this legislation becomes will be open The 2021 budget, to JURADO be spent a year before US-blacklisted company because of itsHarrole will bebe open toannounced foreign ownership, the orraised. tocase, corporations associpostPhilippines said, being “In each the people behind facilities in the South China Sea. China Globe Telecom thatthis it has begun nuity.” That is likely law, the reason even Pres(www.manilastandard.net) Reported inChina’s news military articles, capability the Presi-in West Philippine Sea and National Securipassage of HB 78 would be an infringethe 2022 elections, is the single most to im-foreign in expanding DITO will certainly con-depenations organized under thewith of the Phil- Telco this activity coordinated one another lic service that most we now areasheavily The second issue has alaws more complex bour Engineering Company is set to execute shifting to “non-Huawei” devices abeprimaidentownership. Duterte quipped “kawawa naman si ally, Davao tycoon Dennis Uy, who comesbyinto play with the owner of the dent’s ment intoatArticle XII,per Section 11 the 1987of ty the portant a three-year term.Therein the Sea, is poised to be trolled its major partner, state owned Alegislation threatwithin toTO national and used fake accounts as a central ippines least sixty centum of part whose with its localChina partner the and US$1.2 billion reclarydent response to ensure network security. on since the lockdowns that started six South dimension where our ongo- “third lies the week’s rub. There are fear two Lord”Flattening in last meeting with comthe top geopolitical THE controls DITO and the Udenna conglomertelco” DITO Telecommunity and the Constitution which states that, “no franIt is the period when pigs fly all over plications the dogs being the contractor of the reclamation project of their operations tobymislead people about who company ChinaTel. capital is owned suchwith citizens, nor in shall mation for the Sangley Point airport project. This brings up a developing issue sparked CROSSROADS of Congress. months ago. ing territorial dispute China the raised. First, is that the security ate, is partnered China Harbour Enchise, certificate, or any form of auPOINT chamber its members love to call “august.” theyPhilippine are and whatcertificate, they areother doing, and that was President. theAll Sangley Pointwith airport project, US$1.2 Justice again this such franchise, or authorization these factors will worsen thea already when alarmCarpio bells were setillustrates off whenthe the Presihonorable members of the HoR will West Reported in news articles, Sea and National Securipassage The of HB 78 would be an infringeCompany, subsidiary ChiIn the scenario that the with PSA is passed atis gineering thorization the operation a public J.A. the Senate will * * *EMIL theexclusive basis forfor our action,” billion project withofa alocal partner, of and how clearly, “Ourallowed problem ChinaTel be in character or forof a longer dominant distrust the Filipinos towards government thetycoon installation of third next Article have to parry the cuts dent’s ally, Davao Dennis Uy, who comes into play with the to owner ofpement into XII,to Section 11 from the 1987 ty utility Communications Construction Co.,Fora current and telecommunications shall be granted except citizens ofthe its DELA CRUZ From arms farms, The fault really liesJURADO inNAKED that stupid proviHethan added that, “We removed 155 accounts, swiftly the sincere objections the (that) it is form a state-owned of the na riod fifty years”. the Chinese government. Thoughof President telco DITO partner ChinaTel,company a wholly-owned want to impose. It is a hurdle in the most “third controls DITO and the Udenna conglomertelco” DITO Telecommunity and the US-blacklisted company because of its role Constitution which states that, “no franwill be open to foreign ownership, third the Philippines or to corporations or assocision in the 1987 Constitution for all elective ARMM“third” to BARMM, 11Retired Pages, 9Supreme Groups and 6 Instagram accounts People's eign Affairs and Defense Secretaries were Republic China. under Chinathehas Court Senior Associate for the first time, and to the United state corporation andoftherefore irona Duterte important chamber offrom Congress— CROSSROADS THOUGHT expanding capability DITO will most certainly beHarbour con- inreversed, ations organized under theagainst laws ofexpressed the Phil-or Telco ate, isofany partnered with China chise, the certificate, or any other form of au- President. officials other than the president, vice-presfor violating ourT. policy foreign areChina’s more military than enough dotsinto law that or corporation Justice Antonio Carpio clearly Nations at that, asserted the non-negotiability control theChinese Chinesecitizen Communist Party, to Enbicameral conference committee. revolution to reformation: Flattening the fear the SouthtoChina Sea, and is poised to be by its Company, major state ownedof Chitohave national ippines at least sixty per centum whose gineering aequipment subsidiary In the scenario thatissue, thewhich PSA passed thorization for the operation of abefore publicthe ident A andthreat senators a termV.of only government interference isisof coordinatconnect seevictory the seriousness of Beijing’s must cooperate withpartner, the state intelligence his opinion on this saying that it isat trolled J.A. to CHARLIE our arbitral junking China’s imaginstall telecommunications inside of That won’t happen until just the the reclamation project of ChinaTel. The for the peace is owned by such shall MANALO three years. namilitary Communications Construction acontractor current form and telecommunications utility Christmas shall be struggle granted citizens of itscapital ed inauthentic behavior oncitizens, behalf ofnor a foreign DELA CRUZ infiltration in of our country. services of China. They are bound to give unconstitutional and that if questioned be- company nine-dash claim to annex the whole of our camps. DITO, having no track re-Co.,inary security break, except and by to way things Sangleyare Point airport project, a US$1.2 Justice Carpiothat again this such franchise, certificate, authorization and Three years is way too short for the any Philippines or be government US-blacklisted company because of its the role connections with open toentity,” foreign third any information they illustrates have to the or development to associfore the Supreme Court, ownership, itor will be struck theThese South Chinaalarming Sea, there is still a disconnect cord in telecommunications, is relying on Chihave shaped upcorporations last week, it or will still be will project with a local partner, and how “Our problem with ChinaTel is billion be exclusive in character oroperation for a longer pe- clearly, A wolf in sheep’s constructive governance to materialize, This online Chinese further consequences that will go beyond this nese intelligence agencies.” down because it is the power of the Suwith the administration’s preferential andpanunnaTel’s capacity to source, install, and maintain in the reign of Speaker Alan, with Lord in expanding China’s military capability in Telco DITO will most certainly be conations organized under the laws of the PhilFrom arms to farms, from NAKED units orby Enrico Gaveglia and Chetan Kumar the sincere objections of the Forriod than years”. actions and its expan- (that) it is a state-owned company of the swiftly whether among local government stacks upfifty its offensive demic crisis. ThisSouth Chinese law, Sea, and considering the to balanced preme Court that’s being challenged. relationship with China. How the communications equipment. This has elicited clothing? Allan and the Magellan formula reduced the China and is poised be trolled by its major partner, state owned ippines at least sixty per centum of whose to BARMM, from Republic of China. China has a eign Affairs and Defense Secretaries were Retired Supreme Associate THOUGHT to craft to ARMM for that matter among congressmen sionist agenda, bothCourt with Senior clear and present People's government will be acting to address these strong criticism fromofsecurity analysts and teleifcitizens, at all. nor shall company the contractor the reclamation project of ChinaTel. capitalrevolution is“hating ownedkapatid,” by such reversed, are more than enough dots to law that any Chinese citizen or corporation Justice Antonio T. Carpio clearly expressed to reformation: implications to our country. connected threats of digital warfare, violacommunications experts which, considering CHARLIE V. such franchise, certificate, or authorization thecooperate Sangley with Pointthe airport project, a US$1.2 Justice Carpio illustrates this must connect to see the seriousness of Beijing’s state intelligence his opinion on this again issue, thatChina it is The fake accounts taken saying down from the developments in other countries, should be tions of our sovereignty, national security, The struggle for peace MANALO infiltration in our country. China. with Theyaare bound to give unconstitutional and that if questioned be- is services billionofproject local partner, and how “Our problem with ChinaTel be exclusive in character or for a longer pe- clearly, targeting thesaid, US were posting about harassment of our fisherfolk, and the rule of taken seriously by this administration. That being governance has be anPresident indis- Philippines. industry om arms to farms, from and development These and areinfrastructure. alarming connections with anyswiftly information that theyobjections have to the of Chifore the Supreme Court, itcompany will struck the sincere the For(that) it is a state-owned of the riod than fifty years”. Donald Trump and Democratic presidential law, will tell usscientific if these are just words or differa real Though DITO is 60-percent Filipino owned, A wolf in sheep’s Given the social and economic returns that pensable role to play. Appointing advisors the consequences that will go beyondtothis pannese intelligence agencies.” down because it is the power of the SuRMM to BARMM, from eign Affairs and Defense Secretaries were Republic of China. China has a Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate People's candidate JoetoBiden. Thisawareness is yet another re- could shiftexecutive in foreigndepartments policy. a provision inwith the proposed Public Services Act ent come higher investments in sciIf we were increase of the could be a step in by Enrico Gaveglia and Chetan Kumar law This Chinese and than considering the demic crisis. preme that’s being challenged. clothing? reversed, arelaw, more enough that Court anyofChinese or corporation Justice Antonio T. Carpio clearly expressed volution to reformation: technology and innovation, it is highdotsthetoright direction of overcoming the barriers importance science citizen and technology and ence, connect to see the seriousness of Beijing’s cooperate with the state ofintelligence his opinion on this saying that it they is must forSanto the government to consider consequently maximize theendure. gains scientif- time immensely from issue, the heavy investments the Filipino people had to sity of Tomas, founded in 1611, increasis much to the adoption and adaptation of science and recorded Mass celebrated by Magellan’s The struggle for peace infiltration in our country. services of China. They are bound to give and that if questioned being our science and technology budget. ic innovation, it must begin with an increased made on research and development as well THE FIFTH unconstitutional That Spain colonized our archipelago is an older than Harvard University, which was es- technology in crafting public policies. chaplain, Father Pedro de Valderrama, on and development WithThese the COVID-19 pandemic grappling with budget allocation for the science andtotechnolThe experience of our ASEAN neighbors are1636. alarming connections any information that they have the Chi-Philippines. as science and technology education. fore the Supreme Court, it will bealso struck established historical fact. tablished only in the island of Limasawa. It will mark That being said, governance has an indisindustry and infrastructure. GOSPEL down the our nation, one can only hope that the governogy sector. has already proven that economies could On quincentennial the other the Philippines conconsequences that will go beyond this pannese intelligence agencies.” because it is hand, the power of the SuBut whether or not the Spanish conquest of But it cannot be denied that excesses, inanniversary of the pensable role to play. Given the social and economic returns that Appointing scientific advisors to the differgrow at an accelerated rate if emerging techment made science and technology a priority tinues to that’s have among the lowest numbers of our islands was not without signifi cance to our equality and abuses did happen during the ico Gaveglia and Chetan Kumar demic crisis. This Chinese law, and considering the preme Court being challenged. presence of the country’s most celebrated could come with higher investments in sciIf we were to increase awareness of the ent executive departments could be a step in JUDE nologies and knowledge were tapped to optiin previous years. science and technology in Asia. importance nation is a question worth Spanish rule, andand eventually the calls re- the icon, the Santo Niño, in graduates Cebu. technology innovation, it isfor high of science andexamining. technology and ence, right direction of overcoming the barriers ACIDRE mize productivity. Given its strong capability for scientific inOurHowever, elementary and high school students Spain brought Christianity to the Philipform led to a revolutionary struggle. with his usual nationalistic rhettime for the government to consider increasconsequently maximize the gains of scientifto the adoption and adaptation of science and immensely from the heavy investments they This is bolstered by the fact that among the novation, Vietnam, forunifi example, able of to score low on science assessment tests. SupThis must happen with all its piety, pomp pageantry. ing Spain, in aand way, ed budget. thewas people oric, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte haswell pre- icpines, our science technology innovation, it must begin withand an increased technology in crafting public policies. made on research and development as THE biggest business enterprises in the world toquickly develop its twice ownpandemic COVID-19 testing port for the few scientists and researchers in IFTHE THERE is one more lessonFIFTH to learnin from That the Philippines is the biggest Catholic these many islands in history. First, by Black Lives Matter protests the as viously downplayed the Catholic signifi cance With the COVID-19 grappling budget allocation for the science and technolThe experience of our ASEAN neighbors science andgovernance technology education. now.in Asia is perhaps the most lasting evi- kits Philippines. That being said, has out an indisindustry and infrastructure. country the bond of a common religion. Second, by day are from the techthat industry sector. could and readily repurpose its car factories to our country has been minimal. The number this coronavirus pandemic, it isathe imporUnited States have turned into flash point ofOn the quincentenary, pointing instead to GOSPEL nation, one can only hope that the govern- has already proven economies the other hand, the Philippines con- ogy sector. Given theSpanish socialpresence and economic returns that our pensable role to play. Appointing scientific advisors to the differdence of in the country. awakening their nationalistic fervor. within for protesters to deface and toppledand down stat- of Finally, we need to stop the long-standing produce mechanical ventilators—all patent applications is the lowest in the tance of a more comprehensive stronLapu-Lapu’s victory over Magellan as the (www.manilastandard.net) techment made science and technology a priority grow at an accelerated rate if emerging tinues to have among the lowest numbers of But morewith than higher that, Spain gave our country Withexecutive countries around could the world utesscience of historical gures. These, in theirinmind, JUDE brain drain in our country’s scientific commonths from the first COVID-19 case in the ASEAN region, an obvious clue into the limger and fitechnology policy our main for the event. could come investments in sciIf wescience weretheme to increase awareness of the ent departments be a step in nologies and knowledge were tapped to optiin previous years. and technology graduates in Asia. a name—“Las Islas Filipinas”—and with it a re-examining the legacy left by their former are powerful and hurtfulACIDRE symbols of racism As it is, the Philippines allocates the least munity. Underemployment has caused many country. Not only was Vietnam able to impleited integration of scientific innovation into country. ence, technology and innovation, it is high importance of science and technology and the right direction of overcoming the barriers Given its strong itcapability scientific in- mize productivity. Our elementary and high school students sense identity and governance. colonial masters, may adaptation be for reviewing and amount tonationhood, science and technology asincreaswell novation, of our ishighly skilled andfact locally trained the sciment testing in months, itworth is was also now exthe economy. Ancolonialism. often-raised criticism ofthey the adminisfor of the government to consider consequently maximize theassessment gains of scientifto mass theVietnam, adoption and of science and nsely from the heavy investments This bolstered by the that among for example, able to score low on science tests. Sup- time This must happen Spain built our fi rst cities—Cebu, Iloilo the signifi cance of our own colonial past. Even monuments to Christopher Columas research and development compared to entists and engineers to migrate to other porting mechanical ventilators to Europe. In the 2020 Global Innovation Index Retration’s response to COVID-19 is the need ing our science and technology budget. ic innovation, it must begin with an increased technology in crafting public policies. on research and development as well develop of its the own testing biggest business enterprises in the world tofor theWe few scientists researchers in IF THERE istaken one more lesson to learn from areranked a and people and Manila,neighbors. which later on as our quickly The injustices pastCOVID-19 cannot be bus were down. under the port now. ASEAN fact,served the country countries, localsector. industries and Furthermore, government has factories to corrected take the port,country the Philippines 50th outnumber of 128 our for our policymakers to Sailing heed are fromleaving the techour industry and readily repurpose car to day our hasthe been minimal. The this coronavirus pandemic, it is science—at theit imporWith the capital. COVID-19 In pandemic grappling kits budget allocation for science and technolThe experience ofitsour ASEAN neighbors ence and technology education. country’s by simply erasing our historical memory. patronage of the Spanish Crown, was the that endures and spends only about 0.2 percent or a fifth of the enterprises with the challenge of securing the lead in integrating science and technology economies. While this is already a steady least in this case, what healthcare experts beFinally, we need to stop the long-standing produce mechanical ventilators—all within of patent applications is the lowest in the our nation, tance of a more comprehensive and stronone can only hopeset that ogy sector. already proven that economies the other hand, thedecision-making. Philippines Spanish laws were applied to govern FilipiEven the concept of a Filipino nation is a could 15th-century navigator whocon“discovered” of GDP benchmark bythe thegovernUnit- months workforce needed to ensure scientific growth and susintohas thefrom economy. Increased knowledge creprogress from the 54th rankclue in 2018 and 73th 1 percent lieve—in their brain drain in our country’s comthe first COVID-19 case in the ASEAN region, an obvious into the limger science and technology policy in our prevails. noNations society.science Even toand thisScientific day, theyand continue to ation grow atfurther an accelerated rate ifknowledge emerging ment made technology aCulturpriority Spanish invention. Had Christianity arrived techs to haveAmerica, among the lowest numbers ofand opening the way for the Europeed Educational, tain productivity. will strengthen the in 2017, there remains much to be done for There is no doubt that science techAs it is, the Philippines allocates the least Underemployment has caused many country. Not only was Vietnam totapped impleintegration of scientific innovation into country. shape our years. civil and penal codes. bynologies at least two decades later,able Islam wouldto munity. an exploration and colonization. Colum- ited andchain. knowledge were optiprevious ce and nology technology graduates in Asia. al Organization (UNESCO). During theskilled post-Korean Wartrained reconstruceconomy value oureconomy. country to catch up with other knowledge inamount is to be credited for tomuch-maligned science and technology asinwell of our highly and locally sciment mass testing in months, it iscountry’s also now exthe An however, often-raised criticism ofthe thesignificant adminisLike a hole The character the have been the religion of our mabus, is accused of the complete mize productivity. Given its strong capability for scientific inelementary and high school students Even the proposed national budget now tion, South Korea experienced its ecoIncentives must be given to Filipino busieconomies in the Southeast Asian region. improvements in the quality of life in many as research and development compared to entists and engineers to migrate worst to other porting mechanical ventilators to Europe. In the 2020 Global Innovation Index Retration’s response to COVID-19 isindigenous the need Spanish colonial establishment—the “frailjority. Its religious, cultural and even politigenocide of thousands of pending before Congress shows a country measly This bolstered by the fact that amongcountries, the crisis. Vietnam, for example, was able to nesses nomic Inthe response, the government thatisreadily utilize research output low onparts science assessment tests. SupThere is no substitute for50th a stronger and novation, of policymakers the world. Scientific innovations port, in head our ASEAN neighbors. In fact, the leaving our local industries and Furthermore, government has to take the the Philippines ranked out of 128 for our to heed science—at es”—were probably their most effective cal infl uence would have been irreversible. populations. He is also criticized for his more Nevertheless, it cannot be science denied and that 0.5-percent allocation for the Department of from the country’s scientific community and called on its scientists and engineers to return focused application ofalready our have made life a lot easier and help find novbusiness enterprises in the worldenterprises todevelop its COVID-19 or the few scientists researchers spends only about 0.2own percent or aschools fifth oftesting the with the challenge of securing the in integrating science and have technology While this islead steady quickly least in this case, what healthcare experts be- economies. agents. The friars founded and leadbiggest Our country would not even alleged acts ofand brutality, abuse in and torture, the quincentenary will usour toaconfront Science and Technology. home andneeded help rebuild the growth economy. less transform them into high-value innovative technology agenda in ensuring nation’s el solutions to age-old problems. day are from the tech industry sector. kits and readily repurpose its car factories to ountry lieve—in has beentheir minimal. The 1 percent of GDP benchmark set by the Unitworkforce to ensure andInsusinto the economy. Increased knowledge crefrom the 54th rank in 2018 and 73th decision-making. colleges, taught children to read and write, existed as we know it today. The fragincluding for sending the number first slaves across progress our colonial past. With Spain subjuThis year’s allocation may be higher than than three decades, South Korea’s tech econproducts. long-term development. Science and technology has also been the Finally, we need to stop the long-standing produce mechanical ventilators—all within tent applications is the lowest in the ed Nations Educational, Scientific and Culturwillbarangays further strengthen the been knowledge 2017, the there remains much be done There is no doubt that science and tech- ingating mented would have easily tain productivity. the Atlantic. country with “thetocross andfor the introduced new crops such as corn, cacao, ation previous budgets—but abuilt significant ofthe economy omy became of the biggest the world. The could said if scientific breakBut that could prove a daunting task given months main driving force in into the economic success Organization During the one post-Korean Warinreconstrucvalue chain. country to catch up with other knowledge nology is the to discovery be credited the significant and coffee andCOVID-19 towns, portion roadsin and conquered by the Southern sultanates. As combrainsame drain in be our country’s scientific Itan was of for the World that our from the(UNESCO). first case AN region, obvious clue theNew limsword,” even religious undertones cannot alsugar that will go to the establishment of the Virolthroughs were to be integrated into agriculthe weak culture of science, technology and of our Asian neighbors such as China, Taiwan Even the proposed national budget now tion, South Korea experienced its worst ecomust be have giveninstead to Filipino busiin the Southeast Asianthe region. improvements in the quality ofMagellan life in many bridges thatonly crisscross the countryside. a Incentives result, weUnderemployment could been part many eventually brought Ferdinand toAs the it economies escape historical scrutiny. is, the Philippines allocates least country. munity. has caused Not was Vietnam able toofimplentegration of scientific innovation into ogyItScience andCongress Technology Institute the ture, Full version at www.manilastandard.net disaster resilience, health, nomic the country. and Thailand. These countries have gained wasbefore because the efforts Auguspending shows aanmeasly of of a pan-Malayan nation. thathighly readily utilizeeducation, research output is in no substitute for a the stronger of theinworld. Scientific innovations Philippines 1521. Next year would be five innovation For the 300 long years amount toThere science and technology asfollowed, welland ment our skilled and locally trained sci- crisis. In response, the government mass testing inofmonths, it isofalso now ex- nesses conomy.parts tinian friar, Andres de Urdaneta, that slavery, We would not even be speaking Filipino, hundred years since then. 0.5-percent allocation for the Department of called on its scientists and engineers to return fromentists the country’s scientific community more focused application ofcompared our science have made life a lot easier and help novthe Philippines would become Spain’stoand far- porting mechanical ventilators to Europe. research and development and engineers to migrateandto other the 2020 Global Innovation Index Re-findas once widespread among the natives, was transform with its heavily vocabulary, but in- home and help rebuild the economy. In less The Catholic Church in the Philippines has technology and Technology. them Hispanized into high-value innovative agenda in ensuring nation’sa Science el solutions to age-old problems. thest colonial possession. Spainour instituted our ASEAN neighbors. In fact, the country countries, leaving our local industries and Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Furthermore, government has to take the the Philippines ranked 50th out of 128 Slaves were freed, andbeSpaniards who products. stead a language much closer to the Bahasa of than been preparing for years now celebrate the long-term This year’s allocation may higher than fierce Catholic and Hispanic culture in this banned. three decades, South Korea’s tech econdevelopment. Science and technology hastoalso been the Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser enterprises with the challenge of securing the spends only about 0.2 percent or a fifth of the lead in integrating science and technology omies. main While this is already a steady ManilaStandard Hannah held Filipino slaves were punished.portion of Indonesia Malaysia. be accessed at: quincentenary of the of Christianity Honor one Blanco Cabie Night L.be Tomeldan Managing Editor omy became Asian nation. budgets—but a significant of the biggest in Editor the world. TheRamonchito sameand could said if scientific breakBut thatcan could prove a daunting task given previous driving force inarrival the economic successin Southeast manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury 1 percent GDP benchmark set by thecourse, Unit-andis into ONLINE workforce needed to the ensure growth and sus- Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor economy. Increased cre- throughs ess from the 54th rank in 2018 73th The strong of Manager the knowledge Spanish friars The truth isto that distasteful epithe country. historical of Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors thatthe will go to theefforts establishment of the Virolwere be even integrated into agricultheofOur weak culture of narrative, science, technology of our Asian neighbors suchand as China, Taiwan Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Neumann, MEP would into our time. The oldest universodes ofproductivity. the colonial past are very much a part The celebration will highed Nations Educational, Scientific Culturtain willpersist strengthen the knowledge Baldwin R.further Felipe Head—Ad Solutions 17, there remains to be done for replete with thecountry. supposed and tyranny of the ation Publishing Inc.year-long at 6/Fmuch Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de be Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor ogy Science and Technology Institute of the ture, Full version at www.manilastandard.net disaster resilience, education, health, innovation in the and Thailand. These countries have gained MEMBER Roxas, corner with Perea St.,the Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone sityM.inValmorida the country, the 400-year old Univer- of ourDuring presentAdelle lighted commemoration rst Spanish regime, the recorded abuses that economy Philippine Pressand Institute Chua Opinion al fiOrganization (UNESCO). the post-Korean War Editor reconstrucvalue chain. ountry to catch up with other knowledgeof the Edgar Circulation Manager

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numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all

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(Editorial) 832-5554, proposed national budget now Incentives must be given to Filipino busiomies indepartments), the Southeast Asian(Advertising) region.832-5550. P.O. Even the of Philippine Newspapers Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. ere is no substitute for a stronger and pending before Congress shows a measly nesses that readily utilize research output manilastandard.net Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser ManilaStandard can be accessed at: Department Member & Chief Legal and Adviser Former Chief S. Puno Board allocation for the of Justice fromReynato the country’s scientific community focused application of our science and 0.5-percent ManilaStandard can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager ONLINE manilastandard.net and Technology. transform high-value ology agenda in ensuring our nation’s Anita F.them Grefal into Treasury Manager innovative Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Science ONLINE PublishedInc. Monday Sunday Re by Building, Philippine106 Manila Standard Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing at 6/Fto Universal Paseo de MEMBER This year’s allocation may be higher than products. term development. Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing at 6/F Re Building, de MEMBER Philippine Press Institute Roxas, cornerInc. Perea St.,Universal Legaspi Village, Makati106 City.Paseo Telephone Edgar Valmorida Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554,a832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all previous budgets—but a significant portion of TheM. same could Circulation be said ifManager scientific breakt that could prove daunting task given Philippine Institute The NationalPress Association Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. The NationalNewspapers Association of Philippine departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, 832-5550. that will go toofthe establishment throughs were to be integrated into agriculeak culture ofManila science, technology and Philippine Newspapers of the VirolBox 2933, Central Post Office,(Advertising) Manila. Website: www. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. ogy Science and Technology Institute of the ture, disaster resilience, education, health, ation inmanilastandard.net the country. manilastandard.net

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tion, South Korea experienced its worst ecoEmil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board G. Estabillo Publisher nomic crisis. In response, theRolando government Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito TomeldanandManaging Editor called on its L.scientists engineers to return Honor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray Eñano Associate EditorsIn less Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor home help S.rebuild economy. Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Chin and Wong/Ray S. Eñano the Associate Editors Chief Photographer Pangco Pañares Editortech econ- Lino M. Santos than Joyce three decades, SouthNews Korea’s Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Adelle Chua Opinion Editor omy became one of the biggest inEditor the world. Adelle Chua Opinion Emil P. Jurado

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board Full version at www.manilastandard.net

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16 dead in coal mine poisoning

1st Trump-Biden debate set T

HE volatile US presidential election enters a fierce new stage this week when Donald Trump and Joe Biden hold their first debate – a television spectacle finally allowing Americans to witness the two antagonists head to head.

SIXTEEN workers died and one is in a critical condition after being trapped underground in a coal mine in southwest China on Sunday, reported state broadcaster CCTV. A conveyor belt caught fire in the early hours of the morning, state news agency Xinhua cited the government as saying, which produced dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Medics are fighting to save the life of the remaining survivor, CCTV reported. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, said the Qijiang district government on social media platform Weibo. The facility, Songzao Coal Mine, is owned by state energy firm Chongqing Energy and located just outside the city of Chongqing. Mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record and regulations are often weakly enforced. At least 14 miners were killed in a coal and gas blast last December at a mine in southwestern Guizhou province. In December 2018, seven miners were killed in Chongqing after the connecting segment of a skip broke and fell down a shaft. In October the same year, 21 miners died in eastern Shandong province after pressure inside a mine caused rocks to fracture and break, blocking the tunnel and trapping the workers. Only one miner was rescued alive. AFP Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

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NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY MARJORIE G. DENOLONG, Petitioner, -versus-

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-18791-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

JEFFREY WAYNE FLEEMAN, Respondent. x--------------------------------------------x

ORDER On February 17, 2020, petitioner filed a Motion for Leave of Court To Effect Extraterritorial Service of Summons, praying that Summons be served by publication to the respondent considering that he is residing at 11222 S Cardinal LN Yuma, Arizona, 85365 USA. On February 20, 2020, the court granted the said motion. It appears that this is one of the instances wherein summons by publication may be allowed. Section 6, A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC (Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages in relation to Rule 14 of the Rules of Court) provides: “Sec. 6. Summons – The service of summons shall be governed by Rule 14 of the Rules of Court and by the following rules: a) Where the respondent cannot be located at his given address or his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service of summons may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines and in such place as the court may order. In addition, a copy of the summons shall be served on the respondent at his last known address by registered mail or by any other means the court may deem sufficient. b) The summons to be published shall be contained in an order of the court with the following data: (1) title of the case; (2) docket number; (3) nature of the petition; (4) principal grounds of the petition and the reliefs prayed for; and (5) a directive for respondent to answer within thirty days from the last issue of publication. WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, let service of summons and copy of this Order be effected upon respondent Jeffrey Wayne via by publication at the expense of the petitioner once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation chosen by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079. Respondent shall be given a period of thirty (30)Manila days from the last issue of publication the summons to file his answer serving a copy thereof upon the petitioner. Likewise, let copies of this Order, summons and amended petition be sent to respondent at his last known address by registered mail at the expense of the petitioner.

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SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, February 20, 2020. (Sgd.) ROSLYN M. RABARA-TRIA Presiding Judge

Copy furnished: ACP Arceli C. Ragsac

HORSEPOWER. A man stands next to a horsecart laden with oil drums on a street in Lahore on Sept. 27, 2020. AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF MAGANDEST PROPERTY HOLDING, INC. 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. [Laguna, Philippines] [ Sept. 10, 2020] (SGD) DESIDERIO M. CALIBA PRESIDENT (MS-SEPT. 14,21 & 28, 2020)

Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

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National Capital Judicial Region Branch 5-FC, Mandaluyong City

IREESH JANINE T. SIBBALUCA Petitioner,

-versus-

Macron: Lukashenko must go, end Belarus power crisis FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that Belarus’s leader Alexander Lukashenko must step down, after the EU refused to recognise him as the legitimate president of the exSoviet country. “It’s clear he has to go,” Macron told French weekly the Journal du Dimanche ahead of a trip to EU states Lithuania and Latvia, which border Belarus. “It is a crisis of power, an authoritarian power that cannot accept the logic of democracy and which is hanging on by force. It is clear that Lukashenko has to go.” Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Belarus since August 9 elections which opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she won, despite Lukashenko’s insistence he took a landslide victory. The embattled leader has

Civil Case No. R-MND-19-00734-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

OSG-134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Vill., Makati City M.A. Magsombol Law Office 9/F Filinvest One Building Northgate Cyberzone, Alabang-Zapote Road corner Northgate Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City Marjorie G. Denolong 138 Rosal St., Payatas, Quezon City Jeffrey Wayne Fleeman (at the expense of the petitioner) 11222 S Cardinal LN Yuma, Arizona, 85365 USA

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY MARJORIE G. DENOLONG Petitioner, -versusCivil Case No. R-QZN-19-18791-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage JEFFREY WAYNE FLEEMAN, Respondent. x----------------------------------x SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION TO:

JEFFREY WAYNE FLEEMAN 11222 S Cardinal LN Yuma, Arizona 85365 U.S.A.

GREETINGS: WHEREAS, an Amended Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage has been filed by petitioner Marjorie G. Denolong against Jeffrey Wayne Fleeman; WHEREAS, on February 17, 2020, petitioner, through counsel, filed Motion For Leave of Court to Effect Extraterritorial Service of Summons; WHEREAS, on February 20, 2020, an Order was issued granting the motion and directing the service of summons be effected upon the respondent by publication at the expense of the petitioner; WHEREAS, in the Amended Petition, the relief/s prayed for are hereby quoted as follows: “WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that judgment be rendered declaring the marriage between Petitioner MARJORIE G. DENOLONG and Respondent JEFFREY WAYNE FLEEMAN contracted on 30 May 2016 as NULL AND VOID AB INITIO, pursuant to Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines; “Other just and equitable reliefs, under the premises, are likewise prayed for.” NOW, THEREFORE, You, respondent JEFFREY WAYNE FLEEMAN, is summoned and required to file with this court your verified Answer or any responsive pleading to the Amended Petition of herein petitioner within thirty (30) days from the last issue of publication, serving a copy thereof upon petitioner. If you fail to file your answer within the said thirty (30) – day period, petitioner shall take action as authorized under the law and ask from the court the relief/s applied for in the said Amended Petition. Let this Summons and copy of the Order dated February 20, 2020 be published by the petitioner at her expense once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, and likewise, to deposit copy of the same as well as of the Amended Petition and its Annexes in the Quezon City Post Office/other courier, postage prepaid and by registered mail addressed at respondent’s last known address, also at the expense of the petitioner. WITNESS MY HAND SEAL of this Court, this 24th day of February, 2020, at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

Cc:

(Sgd.) Atty. MA. ADORACION J. BAETIONG Clerk of Court V

M.A. Magsombol Law Office – 9/F Filinvest One Building Northgate, Cyberzone Alabang-Zapote Road corner Northgate Avenue, Alabang, Muntinlupa City 1781 Jeffrey Wayne Fleeman – 11222 S Cardinal LN Yuma, Arizona, 85365 U.S.A. (at the expense of the petitioner) (MStandard - Sept. 28 & Oct. 5, 2020)

launched a brutal crackdown against the protesters – drawing condemnation from the West, but support from Moscow. This week he triggered new demonstrations and fresh Western criticism when he held a secret inauguration for himself. Macron on Sunday said he had been “impressed by the courage of the protesters.” “They know the risks they are taking by demonstrating every weekend, and yet, they are pushing forward with the movement to make democracy come alive in this country that has been deprived of it for so long,” he said. “Women in particular, who march every Saturday, command our respect,” he added. More than 90 people—most of them women—were arrested on Saturday at opposition rallies, according to one NGO. AFP

BARCLEE GEM ANGELO T. SIBBALUCA Respondent. x--------------------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION WHEREAS, as per Order dated March 10, 2020, it was DIRECTED that Summons be issued and be served upon the person of respondent Barclee Gem Angelo T. Sibbaluca by publication, in a newspaper of general circulation. WHEREAS, notice of the following is hereby given: That “Petitioner alleges that she and the respondent were childhood friends as they both grew up in Peñablanca, Cagayan. They became lovers after a short courtship but subsequently separated due to a third party. They reunited in college but despite rekindling their relationship, they persistently argued over the third party that initially caused their breakup as respondent continued his relationship with the said woman. Over time, petitioner became very anxious of respondent’s behavior who threatened her that she would not like to see how he gets jealous and angry. They eventually engaged in sexual intercourse which resulted to a pregnancy that he wanted to abort. Petitioner gave birth to their daughter on October 11, 2008 after a difficult pregnancy and after enduring the unpleasant actions of the respondent and his family. All expenses related to their daughter’s birth were shouldered by the petitioner’s family without any form of support from the respondent. Months later, petitioner and her family forgave the respondent. Thereafter, the parties and their child resided with respondent’s family where they were maltreated and abused. On March 22, 2013, the petitioner was suddenly brought before respondent’s grandmother, who was then the Clerk of Court of Municipal Trial Court of the Peñablanca, Cagayan, and was forced to enter into marriage upon the latter’s manipulation. After their supposed marriage, petitioner continued to live with the respondent where her maltreatment and physical abuse continued. In 2016, petitioner ran away from respondent because she feared for her life. Throughout their relationship, respondent indulged in several vices and blamed petitioner for his failures and insecurities. Presently, her daughter is being kept away from the petitioner.” That “Lastly, petitioner alleges that the respondent is psychologically incapacitated to comply with his essential marital obligations or understand the consequences of marriage and prays that after trial, judgment be rendered, to wit: 1. Declaring the Respondent BARCLEE GEM ANGELO T. SIBBALUCA psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential marital obligations pursuant to Article 36 of the Family Code; 2. Declaring the nullity of the marriage between Petitioner IREESH JANINE T. SIBBALUCA and Respondent BARCLEE GEM ANGELO T. SIBBALUCA for being void ab initio on the ground of psychological incapacity on the part of the Respondent in accordance with Article 36 of the Family Code; and 3. Further, order the concerned Government Agencies to make the necessary changes in the Petitioner’s civil status. Other just and equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.” WHEREFORE, “Respondent Barclee Gem Angelo T. Sibbaluca is hereby DIRECTED, within thirty (30) days from the last issue of the publication of this Summons, to file with this Court and serve on the petitioner and her counsel his answer to the Petition, which must be verified by himself and not by counsel or attorney-in-fact.” He is reminded of the provision in IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the answer. If he fails to answer within the time fixed, the Court shall order the prosecuting attorney to investigate whether or not collusion between the parties exists and, if there is no collusion, to intervene for the State in order to see to it that the evidence submitted is not fabricated.

IN RE : APPLICATION FOR ORIGINAL AUTHORITY TO OPERATE AS A DOMESTIC AIRFREIGHT FORWARDER CAB CASE NO. EP-20-2872-ACFD-092020-0451-0 KUEHNE + NAGEL LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS, INC. Applicant x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF PRELIMINARY HEARING Pursuant to the provision of Republic Act No. 776, as amended, Notice is hereby given that KUEHNE + NAGEL LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS, INC. has applied with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) an application for original authority to operate as a Domestic Airfreight Forwarder. The application shall be given due course by this Board within three (3) working days from completion of all requirements. Parties opposed to the granting of this application must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence within ten (10) working days from publication hereof, furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant, and if any so desire, appear before the Board. Failure on the part of any interested party to register its opposition on time shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard. Thereupon, the Board shall act upon the application on the basis of the records and documentary evidence presented by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or testimonial evidence. The applicant is required to have this Notice of Preliminary Hearing published at least once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, and/or have copy thereof sent to existing airfreight forwarders either by personal service or registered mail with return card at least ten (10) workings days from complete submission of the documentary requirements by applicant. Let a copy of the petition and this Notice be posted at the CAB Bulletin Board beginning today. September 16, 2020 Pasay City, Philippines

ATTY. MARIA CECILIA C. PAGUIRIGAN Chief, Air Carrier Accounts and Field Audit Division

March 10, 2020, Mandaluyong City. (Sgd.) ATTY. ALAIN KRIS C. CONCEPCION Branch Clerk of Court (MStandard-Sep. 28, Oct. 5 & 12, 2020)

(MS-SEPT. 28 & OCT. 5, 2020)

Tuesday’s clash, coming right after Trump defied Democrats and nominated a conservative to replace the late Supreme Court liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, could again upend an already nail-biting contest. Biden, 77, leads in polls against the Republican incumbent, both nationwide and in most of the crucial swing states set to provide the decisive electoral college count on November 3. But Trump, 74, is campaigning hard, criss-crossing those battlegrounds on Air Force One while Biden runs a far lower profile strategy. And with his history of skillful showmanship and brutal debate tactics, Trump is hoping the meeting in Cleveland will put him back on top. Because of COVID-19 restrictions this has been a mostly long-distance election season. That puts even more weight on the first of three 90-minute debates, where tens of millions of Americans will weigh up two CYAN YELLOW BLACK menMAGENTA who each accuse the other of posing an existential threat to the United States. Trump sees his nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court – potentially tilting the court to the right for years – as a fundamental boost to his troubled reelection campaign. But the live TV debate will be a wild card. Trump needs to break through the bad news of 200,000 coronavirus deaths, the long-lasting economic fallout, and fatigue among swaths of the country at the constant scandal and upheaval roiling his administration. AFP

IN BRIEF Nokor warns Seoul vs. search for dead official NORTH Korea on Sunday warned the South Korean navy to stop crossing into its territorial waters as ships search for the body of a Seoul official shot dead at sea by Pyongyang’s soldiers. State media said the North will begin its own search for the body and warned that the South’s naval operations threatened to raise tensions. The fisheries official was shot dead by North Korean soldiers on Tuesday—the first killing of a South Korean civilian by Pyongyang’s forces CYAN in a decade—prompting a rare public apology from leader Kim Jong Un. Seoul’s military has accused the North Korean soldiers of pouring oil over the man’s body and burning it after shooting him. The death was an “awful case which should not have happened”, the North’s official KCNA news agency said Sunday, adding that Pyongyang was organising a search operation in its waters to help locate the body. It said the country was considering “procedures and ways of handing over any tidebrought corpse to the south side ... in case we find it during the operation.” AFP

Lone whale saved from grim mass stranding A LONE whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia. The country’s largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbor on Tasmania’s rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals. It was “absolutely remarkable” another whale was found alive six days after the pod was first discovered, a Tasmania environment department spokeswoman told AFP, adding that it had been taken back out to sea. More than 100 rescuers toiled for days in chilly waters, but many volunteers and conservationists have now packed up as efforts turned to disposing of the remaining carcasses. “There has been a tremendous team effort and this combined commitment has allowed us to get as many whales as we can back out to sea,” Parks and Wildlife Service manager Rob Buck said of the “complex rescue.” AFP

Mexico: Arrest soldiers over 43 missing students MEXICO has ordered dozens of military personnel to be arrested for suspected involvement in the disappearance of 43 students from a teacher’s college six years ago, in an unresolved case that outraged the country. The arrest warrants were announced by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Saturday as he presented a report on a lengthy investigation into the tragedy. “Those proven to have participated will be judged,” he said at an event with parents of the missing students The president did not detail any charges against the suspects. The disappearance of the students in southern Gurerro state sent shockwaves around Mexico. They had commandeered five buses to travel to a protest, but were stopped by corrupt police officers in the city of Iguala, Guerrero and handed over to a drug cartel. AFP

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Manila Manila

Standard Standard TODAY TODAY

Flat trading seen this week; laxer quarantine rules eyed By Jenniffer B. Austria

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to remain on sideways mode again this week as investors await the government’s decision to ease the quarantine rules in Metro Manila and key regions. The government is set to make an announcement before Sept. 30, but majority of Metro Manila mayors seemed to be in favor of extending the general community quarantine status in the capital region to ensure the continued decline of COVID-19 cases. “Attention is trained on the deliberation for quarantine policy for the month of October, further relaxation,

particularly in Metro Manila, will mark a period where the economy is most open since March and should spur optimism heading into the historically brisker 4Q,” 2TradeAsia.com said. With the third quarter period nearly over, investors are likely to position ahead of the release of their quarter earnings. Investors will be looking at stocks that are expected to recover over the near- to medium-term period. The PSE Index last week rose nearly 1 percent to 5,908.90, while the broader All Shares Index added 0.7 percent to 3,553.58. Sectoral indices were mixed. Mining and oil rose 1.2 percent; property gained 0.4 percent; and financials increased 0.3 percent. The industrial dropped 2.8 percent; services fell 1.6 percent; and holding firms dipped 1.1 percent. Foreign investors were net sellers for the week by P3.7 billion, while the average daily value traded reached P5.8 billion, up from the previous week’s

average of P4.7 billion. Weekly top price gainers included Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. which advanced 5.6 percent to P36.50; Philex Mining Corp., which rose 5.4 percent to P4.30, and Alliance Global Group Inc., which climbed 4.6 percent to P7.25 each. Weekly top losers were PLDT Inc., which dropped 6.8 percent to P1,384, Jollibee Foods Corp., which declined 3.9 percent to P130 and SM Investments Corp., which fell 3.6 percent to P872 apiece. US stocks, meanwhile, finished a choppy week solidly higher as tech stocks outperformed, though the cheer did not extend to Europe where investors were spooked by surging virus infections. After a see-saw of a week in which indices repeatedly closed sessions in the red, the Dow finished up 1.3 percent on Friday while tech stocks, which had a banner August but have struggled for much of this month, pushed the Nasdaq to close 2.3 percent higher. With AFP

European airlines offer lower fares PARIS, France—With the coronavirus crisis putting a chill on travel, European airlines are reducing fares to attract passengers and fill the planes that are still flying. Travel restrictions adopted by many countries to stem the spread of the disease have clobbered airlines, bringing air traffic to a near halt in the spring. And while traffic picked up during the summer, it is now falling off again. According to Eurocontrol, which coordinates air traffic in Europe, traffic has been slowing over the past couple of weeks, and is now 54 percent below its comparable level last year. A European airline trade association has put August traffic even lower, at just 30 percent of 2019 levels. Eurocontrol is now more pessimistic STRICTER RULES. about a recovery for the sector. Two women wearing protective face masks walk In the spring it had expected traffic to through The Old Truman Brewery’s markets in east be 30 percent below 2019 levels in OcLondon on September 26, 2020, as Londoners tober, but it now sees a 57-percent drop. live with new restrictions, introduced to combat While the pandemic has left airlines the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. starved for cash, they have begun to cut Britain has tightened restrictions to stem a surge of fare prices. coronavirus cases, ordering pubs to close early and advising people to go back to working from home According to ForwardKeys, a comto prevent a second national lockdown. AFP pany which analyzes the tourism market, airlines trimmed Manila Manila Standard fares from Britain, Standard TODAY TODAY France, Germany and the Netherlands to destinations in southern NOTICE OF OF ANNUAL ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING MEETING NOTICE Europe by 15 percent in August compared To ToAll All Stockholders: Stockholders: with the same period Please be be advised advised that that the the annual annual meeting meeting of of stockholders stockholders Please last year. of BRIGHT BRIGHT KINDLE KINDLE RESOURCES RESOURCES && INVESTMENTS, INVESTMENTS, INC. (the of (the In a study released “Corporation”) will be held virtually on October 23, 2020INC. (Friday) “Corporation”) will be held virtually on October 23, 2020 (Friday) Thursday it found that at at 2:00 2:00 p.m. p.m. Due Due to to Covid-19, Covid-19, there there will will be be no no physical physical venue venue for for prices on some routes the the meeting. meeting. The The meeting meeting will will be be held held via via remote remote communication communication provided by by AGM@Convene AGM@Convene at at https://agm.conveneagm.org/ https://agm.conveneagm.org/ were down by more provided brightkindle, with with the the Chairman Chairman of of the the meeting meeting presiding presiding from from brightkindle, than one third. Makati City. City. Makati ‘Entice travelers’ “You have to entice TheAgenda Agenda of of the the meeting meeting isis as as follows: follows: The travelers to return to 1. Call Call to to Order Order 1. flying and price is a 2. Proof Proof of of Notice Notice and and Certification Certification of of Quorum Quorum 2. factor,” said Reginald 3. Approval Approval of of Minutes Minutes of of Previous Previous Stockholders’ Stockholders’Meeting Meeting 3. Otten, deputy manag4. Approval Approval of of the the Management Management Report Report and and Audited Audited 4. Financial Statements Statements ing director for France Financial 5. Ratification Ratification of of All All Acts Acts of of the the Board Board of of Directors Directors and and 5. at budget airline easyManagement Management Jet. 6. Election Election of of Directors Directors 6. He said the airline 7. Appointment Appointment of of the the Independent Independent External ExternalAuditor Auditor 7. 8. Other Other Matters Matters had managed to reopen 8. 9. Adjournment Adjournment 9. some routes during the summer and the planes For purposes purposes of of the the meeting, meeting, stockholders stockholders of of record record as as of of For it flew were nearly full. September September 02, 02, 2020 2020 are are entitled entitled to to receive receive notice notice and and to to vote vote at at “But we are never- the the said said meeting. meeting. Stockholders Stockholders intending intending to to participate participate by by remote remote communication should should pre-register pre-register at at https://agm.conveneagm. https://agm.conveneagm. theless around 30 per- communication org/brightkindle on on or or before before October October 13, 13, 2020. 2020. Please Please refer refer to to the the cent of capacity, which org/brightkindle Requirements and and Procedure Procedure for for Participation Participation and and Voting Voting at at Requirements is a very, very low fig- the the 2020 2020Annual Annual Stockholders’ Stockholders’Meeting Meeting (attached (attached to to the the Definitive Definitive ure, and the summer Information Information Statement) Statement) for for detailed detailed information information on on the the procedure procedure for for registration,and andparticipation participationby byremote remotecommunication communicationand andvoting votingin in is the most important, registration, absentia(electronic (electronicvoting) voting)or orby byproxy. proxy. most popular (time) absentia for people to travel,” Pursuant to to Securities Securities and and Exchange Exchange Commission’s Commission’s (SEC) (SEC) Pursuant he told AFP. Notice dated dated April April 20, 20, 2020, 2020, aa copy copy of of the the Notice Notice of of the the meeting, meeting, Notice Definitive Information Information Statement, Statement, minutes minutes of of the the previous previous meeting meeting Lower prices also Definitive of the the stockholders, stockholders, and and other other documents documents related related to to the the meeting meeting stimulate traffic, ac- of may be be accessed accessed through through the the Company’s Company’s website website at at www www cording to Eddie Wil- may brightkindle.com and and will will also also be be available available at at https://agm. https://agm. brightkindle.com son, head of Ryanair conveneagm.org/brightkindle conveneagm.org/brightkindle and and PSE PSE Edge. Edge. DAC, one of the two For any any question question about about the the conduct conduct of of the the virtual virtual meeting, meeting, For firms which operate you may may visit visit https://agm.conveneagm.org/brightkindle https://agm.conveneagm.org/brightkindle or or email email flights under the Ry- you mdc.bkr@gmail.com. mdc.bkr@gmail.com. anair brand. Ryanair, which has Makati City, City, September September 24, 24, 2020. 2020. Makati used a low-cost model to become one of EuMAILAG. G. DE DE CASTRO CASTRO MAILA rope’s biggest airlines, Corporate Secretary Secretary Corporate this week launched a proxieswhich whichhave havebeen beenpreviously previouslysubmitted submittedshall shallremain remainvalid validunless unlessrevoked. revoked. brief buy-one-get-one- ** AllAllproxies free promotion. AFP

(MS-SEPT.28 28&&29, 29,2020) 2020) (MS-SEPT.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Rediscovering optimism: Teaching management during the pandemic MY DISSERTATION adviser, in contrast to his optimistic demeanor, PATRICK ADRIEL embraced the harsh “VUCA” H. AURE reality of our macro-environment— volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The pandemic heightened the jarring VUCAness of our times. With every news of death— be it our loved ones or even our favorite establishments—the world seems to impose its will of stopping its movement. We are left struggling to find balance. Do we stop, grieve and dwell on recent memories before they become distant nostalgia? Or do we march forward, carry our Sisyphean boulders, and attempt to find meaning in this most absurd situation? Teaching management online truly felt like carrying a Sisyphean boulder. Just as I felt momentum adjusting to new pedagogical platforms, there would be internet and technical interruptions. When it felt like I am about to hit my stride, I would encounter draining news like loved ones getting infected with COVID. Most heartbreaking would be hearing news of death. Numerous times, I had to cancel my online classes. Maybe I felt worse than Sisyphus; at least he gets to carry his boulder near the top of his hill. Whereas for me, there were dark days when the boulder felt too heavy and too heartbreaking. As I attempt to teach management, I struggle to find authenticity as an ‘expert.’ I do not know management formulas to solve this pandemic. I feel challenged balancing grief, rest and progress. During these times, I wonder how my dissertation adviser did it: how can he remain so optimistic yet so accepting of our VUCA reality? As our Ph.D. professor, he made statistics easier to understand and eased our quantitative research method anxieties. As our former Dean, he had this undeniable charisma that made it easy for my colleagues to approach him yet respect him to the fullest. Perhaps the secret to his optimism lies in his talent for building authentic human connections. Every statistics lesson was an opportunity to brainstorm (and even laugh at!) potential dissertation topics. Every administrative meeting was a coaching session for our personal and career development. I realize that rediscovering optimism in a dire situation is not about knowing details, formulas, or specific answers. It is about empowering each other to enjoy the duality of the learning process: trial and error, success and failure. I realize that optimism means being comfortable with not knowing the answers right away. Optimism happens not despite, but because of sober awareness of this VUCA times while virtuously choosing to be human for others. As I continue to carry this Sisyphean boulder of authentically teaching management online, I realize that pedagogy should not be dictated by topic coverage and quantity of requirements. Perhaps the key to the authentic teaching of management lies in a brand of optimism that puts faith in the power of authentic human connections and our ability, as a collective, to be resilient. I write this piece in honor of Dr. Brian C. Gozun(+), my dissertation adviser, and former Dean of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University. We will always be inspired by his legacy and optimism.

Green Light

The author is an assistant professor from the Management and Organization Department, Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. He advocates humanistic management and social entrepreneurship as head of the Social Enterprise Research Network of the Center for Business Research and Development and a committee member of the Lasallian Social Enterprise for Economic Development committee at De La Salle University. patrick.aure@ dlsu.edu.ph 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.

CapitolView ViewPark, Park,Barangay BarangayBulihan Bulihan Capitol Cityof ofMalolos, Malolos,Bulacan, Bulacan,Philippines Philippines City ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com

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NOTICE OF OF ANNUAL ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING MEETING NOTICE Dear Stockholders, Stockholders, Dear Please be be informed informed that that the the Annual Annual Stockholders’ Stockholders’ Meeting Meeting of of Allied Allied Care Care Experts Experts (ACE) (ACE) Malolos Malolos Please Doctors, Inc. Inc. (“ACE (“ACE Malolos MalolosDoctors”) Doctors”) will willbe beheld heldon onOctober October21, 21,2020 2020(Wednesday) (Wednesday)at at8:00 8:00o’clock o’clockin in Doctors, the morning, morning, via via Zoom ZoomWebinar, Webinar, in in light light of of the the current current health health crisis. crisis. the To be be able able to to attend attend the the Zoom Zoom Webinar, Webinar, please please register register on on or or before before October October 19, 19, 2020, 2020,through through the the To following link: link:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoK57CCeTnKS3kcU0o-wDw https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NoK57CCeTnKS3kcU0o-wDw following The link link will will provide provide you you the the process process for for the the registration. registration. You You will will receive receive aa confirmation confirmation email email once once The you have have successfully successfully registered registered in in the the online online platform, platform, including including the the details details and and procedures procedures for for the the you conduct of of the the meeting. meeting. Voting Voting will will be be done done via via the the online online tool tool which which you you can can access access once once you you have have conduct logged in in to to the the Webinar; Webinar; voting voting in in the the election election of of directors directors may may also also be be done done in in absentia absentia through through the the logged above link. link. above TheAgenda: Agenda: The I.I. II.II. III. III. IV. IV. V.V. VI. VI. VII. VII. VIII. VIII. IX. IX. X.X. XI. XI. XII. XII. XIII. XIII.

Call to to Order Order Call Invocation Invocation Determination of of Quorum Quorum Determination Welcome Message Message from from the the Chairman Chairman of of the theBoard Board Welcome Reading and andApproval Approval of of the the Minutes Minutes of of the the Y2019 Y2019Annual Annual Stockholders’ Stockholders’Meeting Meeting Reading Audited Financial Financial Report Report for for Y2019 Y2019 Audited President’s Report Report President’s Ratificationof ofthe the Acts Actsand and Proceedings Proceedings of of the the Board Boardof ofDirectors, Directors, Officers, Officers, and and Ratification Management of of the the Corporation Corporation Management Amendment of of By-Laws By-Laws Amendment Election of of the the Board Board of of Directors2020-2021 Directors2020-2021 Election Appointment of of External ExternalAuditor Auditor for for the the year year 2020 2020 Appointment Other Matters Matters Other Adjournment Adjournment

Only stockholders stockholders of of record record at at the the close close of of business business on on October October1, 1, 2020, 2020, Thursday, Thursday, shall shall be be entitled entitled to to Only notice of of and and to to vote voteat at the the meeting. meeting. IfIf you you cannot cannot personally personally attend attend the the meeting, meeting, you you may may opt opt to to send send notice yourproxy proxy to to attend attend in in your yourbehalf. behalf. Kindly Kindly submit submit your yourduly duly executed executed proxy proxy form form with with the the undersigned, undersigned, your via email, email, at at ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com not not later later than than 5:00 5:00 via p.m. on on October October 20, 20, 2020, 2020, but but preferably, preferably, on on October October 19, 19, 2020, 2020, to to enable enable your your proxy proxy to to register register in in the the p.m. ZoomWebinar. Webinar.Attached Attached is is aa sample sample proxy proxy form form for for your your reference. reference. Zoom [NOTE: Management Management is is not not soliciting soliciting proxies.] proxies.] [NOTE: The meeting meeting shall shall be be recorded recorded (visual (visual and and audio) audio) for for future future reference. reference. The The Information Information Statement Statement and and Management Management Report Report and and SEC SEC Form Form 17-A 17-A are are available available at at the the The Corporation’s website website www.acemalolosdoctors.org www.acemalolosdoctors.org Corporation’s You may may contact contact the the undersigned undersigned via via email email at at ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com ace.malolos.doctors@gmail.com or or call call 044-8167698 044-8167698 ifif You you have have inquiries/concerns inquiries/concerns regarding regarding the the meeting. meeting. you Very truly truly yours, yours, Very ARLENE NG NG LIM-VITUG, LIM-VITUG, MD MD ARLENE Corporate Secretary Secretary Corporate (MS-SEPT.28 28&&29, 29,2020) 2020) (MS-SEPT.

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN

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

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

IN BRIEF

Tower Club approves permanent closure SHAREHOLDERS of Tower Club Inc. approved a plan for the permanent closure of the club due to growing operating losses through the years. The club said losses would continue to rise and become more unsustainable because of the COVID pandemic’s devastating impact on the dining, entertainment and leisure sector. In an annual general shareholders’ meeting held at the club and through videoconference on Friday afternoon, the shareholders voted to shorten TCI’s corporate life effective January 31, 2022, subject to regulatory approvals. The shareholders also approved the permanent closure of the club’s food outlets and gym, which have been closed due to the pandemic. The club’s financial statements showed rising operating losses through the years due to declining patronage and higher delinquency rates from the non-payment of monthly dues that outweighed efforts to maintain operating expenses. Higher losses exacerbated by the pandemic are expected to make TCI capital deficient by next year. TCI’s revenues fell by 28 percent in the first half of the year due to COVID-19.

Vivant investing P2b in energy, water infra VIVANT Corp., a listed company based in Cebu, is investing more than P2 billion in energy projects and plans to expand its water infrastructure business, including bulk water supply and wastewater treatment. Vivant Energy executive vice president and chief operating officer Emil Andre Garcia said during the annual stockholders’ meeting the company plans to invest over P2 billion in renewable and energy storage technologies, as well as in the hybridization of power plants. “We plan to look into new technologies and improvements into existing technologies that would help us grow our presence in the industry while promoting more sustainable energy,” said Garcia. “Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, we are well-situated to carry on and thrive by adapting and future-proofing our investments in power. To continue supporting Vivant’s mission of bringing excellence to industries that improve everyday living, Vivant Energy will continue to grow its position in the power industry so Vivant can endeavor to enter into new waters,” he added. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business Low enrollment forces STI to close 12 schools S By Jenniffer B. Austria

TI Education Services Group Inc., which owns one of the largest networks of private schools in the Philippines, closed down seven schools and suspended the operations of five others on low enrollment turnout caused by the pandemic.

STI-ESG said in a disclosure to the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. it suspended the operations of four company-owned schools for school year 2020-2021, including STI Cebu, STI Iloilo, STI Quezon Ave. and STI Tuguegarao. It also ceased the operations of STI Pagadian, another company-owned school effective SY 2020-2021.

“STI ESG determined that continuing the operations of these schools was no longer viable due to low enrollment turnout and the high cost of facility rental,” the company said. Six franchise-owned STI schools or education centers were also shut down amid low enrollment turnout and low market potential in their respective areas. These are STI College Bohol, STI College Recto, Sungold Technologies, STI College Pasay, STI College Dipolog and STI College San Francisco. STI College Parañaque Inc., another franchise-owned school, also decided to suspend its operations effective SY 2020-2021. STI-ESG said students enrolled in the affected schools were given the option to transfer to other STI schools. “The suspension and cessation of operations of the STI schools mentioned above will not have a material financial impact on the corporation since most of the affected students will be transferred to other STI schools and the savings on

costs outweigh the revenues to be received,” the company said. The company said that as end-2019, STI-ESG’s network had 76 schools, with 38 company-owned and 38 franchised schools. It offers degree programs in information technology, business and management, tourism, computer engineering, accountancy, communications and multimedia arts, among others. STI ESG is also offering senior high school. STI reported a net income of P68 billion out of nearly P2 billion-revenues in 2019. Meanwhile, STI-ESG approved the sale of 20-percent stake in Maestro Holdings Inc. to Carret Private Investments Limited. MHI owns 100 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of PhilPlans First Inc., 91 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Philippine Life Financial Assurance Corp. and 99 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Philhealthcare, Inc.

PT&T tests 5G fixed wireless broadband PHILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Corp. will start testing 5G fixed wireless broadband “on a proof of concept” basis as part of a strategy to join the 5G bandwagon. PT&T during the virtual annual stockholders’ meeting on September 25 said it received 200 megahertz (MHZ) of High Band Spectrum from the National Telecommunications Commission and would be “undergoing Proof of Concept on 5G Fixed Wireless Access use cases.” “This is in line with the company’s initiative to get into 5G broadband services in the near future,” PT&T said. PT&T highlighted an upturn in performance in the past three years as the need for connectivity heightened during the quarantine period. Following a 22-percent increase in its broadband connections, PT&T posted a 23-percent revenue growth in the first six months of 2020 to P207.67 million year-on-year. Net loss during the period dropped 45 percent to P19.5 million from P35.72 million last year. Darwin G Amojelar

Stable BOP position to help economy grow amid pandemic By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said keeping the balance of payments manageable will help the economy bounce back immediately from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beltran issued the statement following the release of data showing the current account—one of the main components of the balance of payments—reverted to a surplus of $4.4 billion in the first half (2.6 percent of gross domestic product) from a deficit of $2.5 billion (1.4 percent of GDP) in the same period last year on lower gap in trade in goods. “The current account reverted to a surplus from a deficit last year as the economy slowed down, bringing down import demand with it. As a result, the peso strengthened from end-2019 level of P50.8/$1 to P48.3/$1 as of mid-September 2020,” Beltran said in a report over the weekend. “Maintaining good fundamentals by keeping both the budget deficit and balance-of-payments manageable, keeping interest rates at the level that sustains investments, keeping inflation at the lower end of the inflation target and allowing the exchange rate to maintain its competitive level will allow the country to recover promptly as the lockdowns set up to battle the pandemic are eased,” Beltran said. The current account is the balance of exports and imports of goods, services and income balances. This is the equivalent of the investment-saving gap, an indicator closely monitored by credit rating agencies.

LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM. The Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga launches the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay Livelihood Seeding Program under the trees in Barangay Camagong Nasipit, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. As the barangay gymnasium was turned into a COVID-19 facility, Negosyo Center Nasipit business counselors searched for an alternative venue to provide current and potential entrepreneurs with the services of the LSP-NSB.

DTI reviews rules on labeling imported cement as local By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Trade and Industry plans to review the trade practice of allowing imported cement to be relabeled as local amid the complains of the domestic industry. Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the Bureau of Product Standards allows imported cement to be relabeled as local and assume different branding if given proper accreditation. “It was cleared that according to BPS guidelines, when the foreign manufacturer is accredited by BPS, they can label it as made in the Philippines,” Castelo said over the weekend. She said the government responded

quickly to the letter filed by the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines after the group found out and reported that Philcement Corp. was importing and selling the same product as its own. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the DTI would study the case “but offhand, if product is not really manufactured here, then it cannot be labeled as ‘Made in the Philippines’.” CeMAP, in a letter to the DTI in early 2020, asked the Consumer Protection Group to investigate the case and cited breaches in the minimum requirements set under DAO 17-06, or the New Rules and Regulations Concerning the Mandatory Certification of Portland Cement and Blended Hydraulic

Cement with Pozzolan. A market monitoring conducted by the group showed Philcement brands Union V Super and Union V Ultra lacked PS License markings on the bags. PS license number, supposedly, is one of the minimum requirements under DAO 17-06. The group also noted that the brands failed to show clearly the print batch identification number and manufacturing date on the bag. The BPS said it would verify the case and find merit to CeMAP’s complaints. The DAO 17-06:2017 specifies that an importer should apply for a statement of confirmation on a per product, per shipment, per bill of lading basis prior to its distribution in the market.

PSE INDEX

Friday, September 25, 2020

-7.14 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

5,838.66

1,405,147,473 59,259 3,659,321,065.70

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

110 86 44

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5450

Japan

Yen

0.009488

0.4606

Pound

1.275800

61.9337

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129034

6.2640

Switzerland

Franc

1.080264

52.4414

Canada

Dollar

0.748839

36.3524

Singapore

Dollar

0.726850

35.2849

Australia

Dollar

0.704300

34.1902

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651887

128.7359

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266638

12.9439

Brunei

Dollar

0.724218

35.1572

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031656

1.5367

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2174

Euro

1.167100

56.6569

Korea

Won

0.000855

0.0415

China

Yuan

0.146466

7.1102

India

Rupee

0.013532

0.6569

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240038

11.6526

New Zealand

Dollar

0.654300

31.7630

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034166

1.6586 Source: BSP

Meralco plans to buy about 4,420 MW of power supply By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. will secure about 4,420 megawatts of supply for its power requirements from 2020 to 2027 to meet the projected 3-percent annual growth in demand in the franchise area. “The first wave of supply procurement will be for 70-MW basel load supply, 200 MW RE base load supply and 1,800 MW base load supply,” Meralco said in its latest power supply procurement plan submitted to the Department of Energy. The company needs 70 MW of base load supply starting September and 200 MW base load supply from renewable energy by 2022. The company will also need 1,800 MW of base load power supply starting December 2024. Meralco will need to secure 1,850 MW by 2025, of which 1,000 MW is base load, 600 MW mid-merit and 250 MW in renewable mid-merit supply. The company will also need 500 MW from mid-merit renewable energy supply by 2027. Meralco’s system peak demand in 2019 reached 7,740 MW, up 4.61 percent from 7,399 MW in 2018. Meralco in March posted a system demand of 7,614 MW before dropping to 5,506 MW in April amid the quarantine imposed by the government. Demand is seen to reach 6,754 MW in September. Meralco expects system demand to peak to 7,800.75 MW in May next year. Peak demand will steadily rise to 8,118 MW by May 2022. “The peak demand was forecasted using the load factor approach and was projected to occur on the month of May due to seasonal increase in electricity consumption during summer months,” Meralco said. “In general, peak demand is expected to grow at a rate of 3.3 percent annually over the period of 20202029,” the company said. Peak demand is seen to continue to go up to 8,420 MW in May 2023, 8,742 MW in May 2024, 9,109 MW in May 2025, 9,476 MW in May 2026 and 9,864 MW in May 2027.

DOTR awards 3 contract packages for 45-km Malolos-Clark rail project By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Transportation said the construction of the Malolos-Clark extension of the North-South Commuter Railway System is on track after awarding three contracts for the project. The DOTr and the Philippine National Railways awarded the three civil works contract packages for the PNR Clark Phase 2 project, or the MalolosClark extension, completing the five civil works packages of the project. Contracts for Packages N-04 and N-05 were signed on Aug. 1, 2020. The notice of award for Contract Package N-01, which covers 17 kilometers of elevated rail viaduct, seven balanced cantilever bridges and two station buildings in the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan and in the towns of Apalit and Minalin in Pampanga, was given to the joint venture of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd., Megawide Construction Corp. and Dong-ah Geological Engineering Company Ltd. Meanwhile, Contract Package N-02,

which covers 16 kilometers of elevated viaduct and one station building in the towns of Minalin, Sto. Tomas and San Fernando in Pampanga, was awarded to the joint venture of Acciona Construction Philippines and Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. Contract Package N-03, which spans 12 kilometers of elevated viaduct and one station building in the towns of San Fernando, Angeles and Mabalacat was awarded to the Italian-Thai Development Public Company Ltd. Meanwhile, PNR general manager Jun Magno said “the [PNR Clark] Malolos-Clark segment has an over-all progress rate of over 26 percent” as of August,. “It seems to quite catch up with PNR Clark Phase 1 or Tutuban to Malolos segment with over 40 percent,” Magno said. “We remain hopeful, and we keep exerting not just double, but triple effort to fast-track this added project and at least make it partially operable before the end of President Duterte’s term,” he said.

ISOLATION FACILITIES. Public Works Undersecretary and Task Force to Facilitate Augmentation of Local and National Facilities Emil Sadain head leads the inspection of a new isolation facility being constructed at the Davao City airport for arriving air passengers. In a report to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Sadain said the construction of a 400-bed isolation facility is ongoing as the city government of Davao under Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio implements stringent control measures to ensure air travelers do not transmit the virus in the city.

Sports

Djokovic insists ‘won’t commit same New York mistake twice’ PARIS, France—Novak Djokovic insisted Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) there will be no repeat of his sensational US Open disqualification at Roland Garros as the world number one promised: “I won’t make the same mistake twice.” Djokovic was defaulted in New York when a ball he swiped away in frustration struck a line judge. As well as attracting wide-ranging condemnation for his perceived petulance, the incident also went down in the record books as a defeat—the Serb’s only loss in 32 matches in 2020. “Well, obviously I am going to be extra careful of hitting a tennis ball around the court,” said Djokovic. “That’s something that is staying in my mind after what happened in New York. It’s going to stay there for a long time. “Of course, I will make sure I don’t make the same mistake twice.” The aftermath of his New York brain fade hasn’t, however, slowed down the Djokovic juggernaut. He captured the Italian Open in Rome on Monday for a record 36th Masters title, breaking out of a tie with Rafael Nadal. It was also his fourth trophy in five events this year. He also took his total weeks spent in the world number one ranking to 287, passing Pete Sampras on the all-time list and with just Roger Federer on 310 ahead of him. ‘It’s very cold’ “I really want to be my best version as a player, as a human being on the court, and win a tennis match,” added Djokovic. “It is what it is. I don’t think significantly it (the default) does impact me (or) that I’m unable now to show the fist pump or scream or something like that. It has happened in Rome already and everything is fine.” Now the 33-year-old takes aim at a second French Open title to add to his 2016 victory, a triumph which made him just the third man in history after Don Budge and Rod Laver to hold all three Slams at the same time. Victory in Paris would also take Djokovic to 18 career Grand Slams, one behind Nadal and two off Federer’s record. Djokovic is seeded to face 12-time Roland Garros champion Nadal in this year’s final. On Friday, Nadal complained of the new Wilson balls being used this year in Paris, claiming they are too heavy for a clay court. AFP

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

MONDAY,

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic removes his mask while holding his trophy after winning the final match of the Men’s Italian Open against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy. AFP

Casimero KOs Micah to retain WBO belt

By Jessica Luna

OHN Riel Casimero showed challenger Duke Micah a real, world title ﬁght experience.

Casimero displayed his punching power, aggressively halting Micah’s 24 fight-win streak with a one-sided, third-round technical knockout victory on Sunday to retain the World Boxing Organization bantamweight belt at the crowd-less Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. Despite his showboating during the bout, the 31-year-old Casimero was relentless as Micah stood his ground and traded punches in the opening round. But it was a mistake, particularly in the second round when Micah was caught with a solid left straight that knocked him down.

“I worked hard and got the win tonight. In the first round, I saw the body shots hurt him and thought I could get him out right away. But he’s a good boxer who was undefeated for a reason,” Casimero explained to Showtime Sports after the fight. Just like a great white shark that smelled blood in the ocean, the Ormoc City native stalked his wobbled prey, waiting for the kill. A thunderous uppercut and hard-hitting jabs landed on the former 2012 London Olympian, forcing referee Steve Willis to halt the beating with seconds to go in the third. “The second round uppercut hurt him, but Duke Micah works hard. He’s strong and has a good chin. I knew I was facing a good fighter, so I didn’t expect to knock him out so fast. He’s strong, so I was prepared to go all 12 rounds,” said Casimero. After celebrating and doing one-hand push ups, Casimero insulted original foe Japanese International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association bantam-

weight champion Naoya Inoue for not pursuing their canceled April 25 bout due to the pandemic. “I’m the real monster. Naoya Inoue is scared of me. You’re next. I would have knocked out anyone today. If Inoue doesn’t fight me, then I’ll fight Guillermo Rigondeaux, Luis Nery, or any of the top fighters,” he said. Casimero, who improved to 30-4 winloss card with 21 knockouts, can finally go home next week after spending seven months in the United States even before the pandemic to prepare himself for the canceled Inoue unification showdown. Micah suffered his first loss in 25 bouts with 19 knockout wins. He finally experienced facing a world-caliber fighter. According to the compubox, Casimero recorded 140 thrown punches, with 59 of them solidly hitting his rival. Micah, for his part, made 122 thrown punches, and only landed 26.

Perry’s OT goal keeps Stars in Stanley Cup finals LOS ANGELES, United State—Corey Perry scored at 9:23 of the second overtime Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) and the Dallas Stars stayed alive in the NHL Stanley Cup final with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning had a chance to seize the Cup in the NHL’s quarantine bubble in Edmonton, Alberta, after an overtime win in game four on Friday. Instead the Stars narrowed the gap in the best-of-seven series to 3-2, with game six on Monday. “We talked about it all day, we get one we keep going,” Perry said. “We start building here, and I think we’re starting to do something special.” Perry’s second goal of the contest came after John Klingberg fired a shot from the blue line. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy left the puck waiting in the crease and Perry slotted it home, the officials reviewing to make sure the play was onside. Joe Pavelski scored at 13:15 of the third period to knot the score at 2-2. With his 61st NHL post-season goal Pavelski passed Joe Mullen for most by a United States-born player. “We hang in there, we really do,” Pavelski said. “We stick with it, stick with the plan.

Corey Perry (10) of the Dallas Stars celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second overtime period to give the Stars the 3-2 victory in Game Five of the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. AFP

“We’re in a hole,” Pavelski acknowl- ing up 2-1 3:38 into the third period on a edged. “This gets us a step closer, but one-timer from the blue line. we’ve got a ways to go.” Perry had given the Stars a 1-0 lead Mikhail Sergachev had put the Light- at 17:52 of the first period, scoring off a

loose puck in the slot and Ondrej Palat tied it at 1-1 at 4:37 of the second, cutting across the crease and firing the puck past Stars goalie Anton Khudobin. Khudobin made 39 saves for Dallas, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 30 for Tampa Bay. “Yesterday and tonight, we had so much fun,” Stars center Tyler Seguin said. “It’s such a great time to be playing hockey and these games have been so good, and we’ve been told we’re the underdogs non-stop, which we are, so we’re relishing that and we’re having a good time.” Both teams are chasing a second Stanley Cup crown. The Lightning’s run to the title series in the pandemic disrupted season was a vindication after they were swept in the Eastern Conference first round last season after earning the Presidents Trophy for best regular-season record. “It’s obviously not the outcome you want,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. “But at the same time we knew it was going to be a hard series and, you know, we had some good looks in overtime and throughout the game. “It wasn’t our night, and they scored. So at the end of the day, we look forward to next game.” AFP

Manansala eyes return to UST hoop program as head coach By Peter Atencio COACH Jinino Manansala is making a bid to return to the University of Santo Tomas basketball program. Manansala, who was part of the coaching staff of former mentor Aldin Ayo, has sent his resume to the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics for the position. The IPEA, now headed by Fr. Rodel Cansancio, is reviewing a growing list of aspirants to become the next head coach of program. So far, there are now 10 candidates for the position. This includes retired Philippine Basketball Association import Sean Chambers, former national youth team member Aries Dimaunahan, former Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquingcen, Chris Cantonjos, Estong Ballesteros, Chris Gavina, Potit De Vera, Ed Cordero, and Gilbert Lao. When Ayo came aboard to coach the Growling Tigers, Manansala became one of his assistants. Manansala was also appointed as the head coach of the UST Tiger Cubs in 2020. Other applicants include former UST captain Jeric Fortuna, who has expressed his desire to be part of the Growling Tigers’ staff as an assistant coach. Then, there’s Kim Lo, a player from 2010 to 2012. Ayo was recently sanctioned by the league last week for allegedly holding training activities without getting the proper go-signal from concerned authorities.

Players eager to resume PBA action By Reuel Vidal ABOUT time. The Philippine Basketball Association received the go-signal from the IATF to resume its season on October 11. Alaska Aces Head Coach Jeff Cariaso said that based on experience with his own team, PBA players are more than ready and are actually eager to resume regular competition. The PBA stopped its 2020 Season last March as part of safety protocols to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Teams have recently resumed only non-contact drills at their own practice facilities. The Alaska mentor said his players are chomping at the bit and certainly want more than just one hour of on-court practice a day.

“To be honest, one hour isn’t enough for the guys. They miss playing. Like I said, they want to stay longer. But you know they’ve only been given one hour to refine their skills a little bit. To find their touch. To find their timing. And really just getting up a lot of shots. So that’s been a problem because they want more (time on the basketball court),” said Cariaso. After months of being isolated at home during the nationwide lockdown of all activities, players have only been recently allowed to return to their practice facilities to execute drills. Players are certainly grateful to be able to return to conventional basketball practice with balls, a basketball court to dribble on and a hoop to shoot at. “To me they’ve been good. We’ve gone

through, uh, this is our fourth week. Initially, it was really nice to see the look on the guys’ faces to be back on the court. Super excited. Super happy to be back holding a ball. Wearing their basketball suits and being able to be on an actual court. So super excited sila for the workout,” said Cariaso. “Now that we’ve gone through four weeks —this being the fourth—I think now they are ready for a more normal practice where all the players are involved. But you know, we can’t complain. We understand that right now, this is what’s allowed. And we’re maximizing it by getting a lot of shots. Getting a feel of the court. Being around teammates and working hard. So I can’t complain. The guys are really working hard and I really appreciate that.”

Alaska Aces players—from left: Robbie Herndon, Jaycee Marcelino, Mike DiGregorio and Jayvee Casio—conduct non-contact practice at the Gatorade Hoops Center. PBA Media

Sports

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Adesanya retains UFC crown with Costa TKO By Reuel Vidal TOO easy. UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya battered challenger Paulo Costa from distance with leg kicks, then knocked him down with a left to the head and finished him off with ground-and-pound late in the second round to retain his crown at UFC 253 held yesterday, Sunday at the Flash Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. What was expected to be a tough, competitive fight turned into a lopsided beat down as Adesanya overwhelmed Costa with technical precision. “Fastest man in the world, baby! Cuz I run so fast. I’ll run right into your face,” said Adesanya immediately after he was declared the winner of the fight by UFC announcer Bruce Buffer. Costa stalked Adesanya in the first round waiting for the opportunity to deliver powerful roundhouse strikes. But Adesanya kept him at bay with jabs and punishing leg kicks. Costa’s left leg had large, red welts after the first round which Adesanya won. In the second Adesanya continued to punish Costa’s left leg with chopping kicks. The tide had turned with Adesanya

now stalking a cowed Costa. A head kick opened a cut on Costa’s right eyebrow and blood flowed down his face. Adesanya moved forward with confidence and the end came swiftly, decisively late in the round. The two fighters engaged at the center of the Octagon. Adesanya connected with a left to the head which sent Costa to the ground. Adesanya mounted him to administer ground-and-pound and the referee stepped in to stop the fight. “I’ve been telling you guys, man. But everyone thinks… Hey. Like Roy Jones said: ‘You all must have forgot. You all must have forgot.’ Cuz of what happened last time. You thought, ‘Oh. He’s so boring. Blah blah blah.’ And I see you media people as well. With your click bait headlines. But trust me. I had to make you all remember. Remind the world why we the best,” said Adesanya in the post-fight interview still inside the Octagon. Adesanya then called out Jared Canonier as his next possible opponent. Canonier is scheduled to fight former UFC middleweight title holder Robert Whittaker at UFC 254 on October 24. Adesanya said he would like to fight Canonier if he beat Whittaker.

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya acknowledges the cheers of the audience in this file photo as he walks out of the UFC Octagon after beating Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 held October 5, 2019. AFP

Carrasco wants to be POC chairman T By Peter Atencio

RIATHLON chief Tom Carrasco is once again seeking the chairmanship of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

After a four-year absence as an official, Carrasco is seeking a return to the old post he once occupied from 2012 to 2016 during the term of former Tarlac rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco jr. This time, he will seek another tenure under the banner of Congressman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino when the POC holds its elections on Nov. 27. Tolentino, the president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines, revealed Carrasco as one of the old hands whom he asked to be part of his ticket during the coming polls.

“This is for the new normal of the new POC, which is for good governance, and as the trusted team of the sports community and private business,” said Tolentino, who bared his lineup in a virtual meeting. The announcement was done some four days before the start of the filing of candidacy. The head of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines will seek positions with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio and Ormoc City mayor Richard Gomez.

Panlilio, who is also the president of Smart Communications and chief revenue officer of PLDT, is going after the post of first vice president. Gomez, who is the president of the fencing and the modern pentathlon federation, is in the race for the post of second vice president. Gymnastics head Cynthia Carrion, another old hand, will run for treasurer, along with baseball’s Chito Loyzaga as auditor. For his list of board members, Tolentino will have Muaythai secretary general Pearl Managuelod in his roster, with judo’s Dave Carter and surfing’s Dr. Raul Canlas. House Deputy Speaker and Surigao rep. (first district) Prospero Pichay Jr. will also seek a place in the board in his capacity as president of the National

Chess Federation of the Philippines. Archery chief Clint Aranas is expected to reveal his own ticket in the coming days. Aranas, a lawyer who used to be the president of the Government Service Insurance System, will challenge Tolentino’s bid for the presidency. The president of World Archery Philippines earlier bared that POC chairman Steve Hontiveros of handball and former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Ella Juico of athletics will form part of his group in the polls. Hontiveros will once again seek the post of chairman, while Juico will run for the position of first vice president. The filing of the certificate of candidacy will be from Oct 1 to 30 and, with the campaign period set to start on Nov. 1

Hamilton takes Russian pole after ‘horrible’ qualifying SOCHI, Russia—Runaway Formula One series leader Lewis Hamilton emerged from a “horrible” red-flagged qualifying session at Sochi on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) with a stunning pole position for Sunday’s (Monday) Russian Grand Prix. In a crash-hit session the Mercedes sixtime champion held his nerve to clock a best lap in one minute and 31.304 seconds to outpace Max Verstappen of Red Bull by half a second. His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, 55 points behind Hamilton in the title race, was third-quickest with Sergio Perez of Racing Point sharing the second row. Hamilton is bidding to claim his fifth win at the Sochi track where Mercedes have dominated winning all six races since 2014. If he translates pole into victory, he will equal Michael Schumacher’s career record of 91 Grand Prix wins. The action was interrupted for 10 minutes in Q2 when four-time champion Sebastian Vettel crashed his Ferrari—he was unhurt and climbed from his wrecked car—leaving Hamilton, only 15th fastest, racing against the clock to reach Q3. In close liaison with his team, he squeezed through with only seconds remaining before going on to take pole with a flawless fastest lap. On a topsy-turvy day, Hamilton was

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton gives the ‘thumbs up’ sign after taking the pole position after the qualifying session for the Formula One Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom Circuit in Sochi. AFP

called to the stewards, along with three other drivers, after the session for missing bollards at Turn Two during Q2. “It was one of the worst qualifying sessions,” said Hamilton. ‘Heart in my mouth’ “It was horrible, heart in my mouth the whole way. I lost my first (Q2) lap by go-

ing wide for the first time this weekend and I wanted to stay out for another lap. “They said I had new tires, but then there was the red flag. It was a risk and ultimately I am starting on the soft tire which is not good. “I will probably get out-dragged as this is one of the worst places to start from

pole and the two drivers I am racing are on the other tire.” Verstappen is counting on a quick start. “On the final run, it wasn’t too bad – to be second, I didn’t expect it. If we have a decent start, the tow effect is very big so who knows what can happen at Turn Two!” Bottas said: “I just couldn’t go any quicker in the end, but P3 is a good place to start here and I think I am on the right tire.” Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo was fifth, Carlos Sainz sixth for McLaren, ahead of Esteban Ocon in the second Renault, Lando Norris in the second McLaren, Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tauri and Alex Albon in the second Red Bull. The second runs had brought immediate drama when Kimi Raikkonen spun at the troublesome Turn Two, wrecking his hopes of a good position for his recordequaling 322nd start. Hamilton swiftly put in a 1:32.085, but it was deleted for exceeding the limits at Turn 18, forcing him to do it all again. Vettel’s smash thankfully looked far worse than it turned out, with the German even picking up a stray wing of his Ferrari and helpfully handing it back to the officials attending his stricken car. For Ferrari it might have been worse, but Leclerc—on a fast lap behind his team-mate—managed to slow and veer between Vettel and his debris. AFP

Pinoy prodigy rules online Frontier Wheel U-12 Chess PINOY chess prodigy Oshrie Jhames “OJ” Constantino Reyes, who is nine-years-old, bested a strong field of contenders to rule the Frontier Wheel Chess Under 12 Arena online international chess tournament via lichess.org last Saturday, September 26, 2020. Reyes, a grade four pupil of EZEE School in Guagua, Pampanga, was actually tied with 11-year-old Ryien Bahita, a grade six pupil of Barangay Aquino Elementary School in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental who also finished with 60 points. Reyes, a native of Dila-Dila, Santa Rita, Pampanga, clinched the coveted title by virtue of higher tie break points. Reyes received the top prize 30 Singapore dollars (around P1,000) from tournament organizer and Singapore chess teacher Arena Grandmaster Robert Suelo, Jr. Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based Jimmy Reyes, father/coach of OJ congratulated his son for his latest achievement in chess. Bahita, meantime pocketed $20 (Singapore) (around P700) for his effort. In third place is Alex Tan of Singapore who had 28 points to go home with $10 (Singapore) (around P350). Meanwhile, tournament organizer and Singapore chess teacher Arena Grandmaster Robert Suelo Jr. announced the staging of F1 Chess Challenge Lichess Online Invitational Tournament on October 3, 2020, Saturday. After the successful staging of the Babin Smith Anniversary Cup International Online Chess Tournament last Monday, September 21, 2020, tournament director National Master Homer Cunanan will organize another online chess tournament dubbed as Haring Bastos Cup. The 15-round Swiss System tournament, 3-minute blitz time control format, backed up by AGM Angelito “Anji” Camer and Johnny Teves, gets underway on October 4, 2020, Sunday at lichess.org.

Charlo twins both post world title wins

Jermell Charlo (left) talks to twin brother Jermall Charlo in this file photo after beating Jorge Cota in a super welterweight fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States—Charlo twins Jermell and Jermall put on a show Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) with impressive world title wins in the boxing ring at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Jermell Charlo knocked out Jeison Rosario with a brutal blow to the body in the eighth round of their super welterweight unification bout. In his first fight since he won the WBC belt with a knockout of Tony Harrison in December, Charlo added Rosario’s WBA and IBF belts to his collection. Charlo stopped Rosario 21 seconds into the eighth round with a left jab that sent the Dominican sprawling onto his back. Rosario lay shuddering on the canvas, finally trying to rise but unable to beat the count from referee Harvey Dock. Charlo, who improved to 34-1 with 18 knockouts, had knocked Rosario down twice—in the first and sixth rounds—on the way to victory.

Charlo was credited with a knockdown in round one, when in a wild push forward he backed Rosario up, the Dominican’s foot appearing to slip as Charlo landed a hook to his head. Rosario, who fell to 20-2 with one drawn and 14 wins inside the distance, got Charlo’s attention with his punching power. He backed Charlo into the ropes with a left hook early in the fifth and Dock warned Charlo in the middle of the round for pushing Rosario down by his head. The fifth ended with a tough exchange, Rosario landing a hard jab before Charlo backed him up with a right. Rosario came out on the attack in the sixth, but was warned by Dock in the middle of the round for low blows. Charlo tagged him with a hard left hook that dropped him to one knee shortly before the round ended. He answered the count moments before the bell rang and he still looked wobbly on the way to his corner.

“I definitely proved that I’m more than just a puncher, but I’m also a puncher,” said Charlo, who left the ring at the spectator-less arena with all three belts draped around him calling out “Team Charlo!” Earlier in the evening, Jermall Charlo battered Sergiy Derevyanchenko on the way to a unanimous decision victory to retain his WBC middleweight crown. The 30-year-old American champion overcame stubborn resistance from the Ukrainian challenger to extend his unbeaten record to 31 fights. But he was pushed all the way by Derevyanchenko, who fell to 13-3 with the defeat. Derevyanchenko, bleeding from cuts around both eyes, launched a furious late onslaught in the 12th round as he chased a knockout. But Charlo, leading comfortably on points, had too much savvy to let victory slip and closed out a third defence of his WBC belt. AFP

Entertainment

Myrtle Sarrosa is a player hile trying to figure out what else she could do to be more productive this pandemic, actress and top cosplayer Myrtle Sarrosa admitted to playing a massively popular strategy game with her “squad” in between online engagements as a TV star and product endorser.

Myrtle with Megasoft’s executive Aileen Choi Go

In an online catch up over the weekend, the former PBB Teen Big winner and now Kapuso artist said that she’s back to gaming playing Ragnarok Mobile Eternal Love. In fact, she’s taking this hobby seriously that she even joined a Southeast Asian tournament. Her squad made it to the top 100 teams and she was also hailed as one of the top Filipino players. “I played the game Ragnarok mobile in Triple App tapos nag-group leader din ako for the guild Exodiac. Thousands competed to be in the Top 600. It was the first time for a long time na maraming Filipina na nakapasok. I think I was the highestranking Filipina pero may mas mataas pa sa akin na Pinoy. Pero ka-guild ko din sila,” Myrtle shared during a zoom conference where she renewed her contract as Megasoft’s celebrity ambassador for the third time. “I played together with teammates from Malaysia and Singapore... so ’yung guild namin was dalawang Filipino, tatlong Malaysians, tapos isang Singaporean. So, napalaban ’yong English ko,” she added in jest. Myrtle said that 2020 may be a hard year, but she decided to channel her energy into different activities online where she excels. “We’re glad that we have Myrtle as our celebrity endorser. Before the pandemic, we were doing school caravans and on-ground events. Now, we do it online. We reach out to students via online events with the help of Myrtle. She knows what she’s doing, techie kasi siya. We wouldn’t have executed our online events well without her assistance,” Megasoft Hygienic Products Inc.’s Aileen Choi Go told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual interview on Saturday. Despite the pandemic, Myrtle and

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONday, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Myrtle Sarrosa

Megasoft persistently work hand-inhand in spreading the word on good hygiene to the youth through their online platforms. Before the community quarantine was enforced by the government, Megasoft was also able to do school tours. The last one, its 86th leg, was held at the Aranguren Integrated School in Capas, Tarlac. Myrtle and Megasoft continue to forge their bond stronger. Myrtle was still a college student when she was first chosen by the company to represent its products for young females in 2016.

Four years later and having graduated with honors from the University of the Philippines, Myrtle continues to represent the brand. “Myrtle continues to exemplify the image of a smart and empowered woman. She strives to be the best in her field and at the same time is a good role model to females everywhere. We are proud to sign Myrtle once again,” Choi Go said adding that Myrtle’s renewal of contract came just in time for their 20th anniversary celebration next month.

‘Walang Hanggang Paalam’ makes global premiere A kidnapping incident will test the characters of Paulo Avelino, Zanjoe Marudo, Arci Munoz, and Angelica Panganiban and the values they hold dear in ABS-CBN’s new action-drama series Walang Hanggang Paalam, airing tonight. Filipinos worldwide will be able to watch and begin the series at the same time as it will be simulcast in the Philippines, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TFC, and iWant TFC. In the series, Angelica and Paulo play former lovers Celine and Emman, who go their separate ways after he ends up in jail due to a wrongful conviction. Believing he is guilty of the crime, Celine breaks up with him and raises their son Robbie as a single mom. After spending years in jail, Emman is finally released but his hopes of rebuilding his family are shattered when Celine falls in love with Anton (Zanjoe), a wealthy businessman. Looking to start anew himself, Emman tries to make up for lost time

The cast of ABS-CBN’s latest action drama led by (clockwise) Angelica Panganiban, Paulo Avelino, Arci Munoz, and Zanjoe Marudo.

with his son. But before they can even reunite, Robbie gets kidnapped by a suspected syndicate. As they search for the kid, their efforts are muddled by bitterness and old issues, while Celine gets caught between Emman and Anton, who are both determined to look for Robbie and prove their love to her. Emman, meanwhile, finds comfort in Sam (Arci), a former colleague who is secretly in love with him and helps him in his search. How far are they willing to go to find Robbie? Will they be able to set aside their personal issues? Walang Hanggang Paalam also stars Jake Cuenca, JC Santos, Tonton Gutierrez, Lotlot de Leon, Ronnie Lazaro, McCoy De Leon, Mary Joy Apostol, Sherry Lara, Victor Silayan, Javi Benitez, and Cherry Pie Picache. The show is directed by Emmanuel Palo and Darnel Villaflor and produced by Dreamscape Entertainment. Walang Hanggang Paalam premieres tonight at 9:20 on cable and satellite TV via Kapamilya Channel (SKYchannel 8 on SD and channel 167 on HD, Cablelink channel 8, G Sat Direct TV channel 22, and most cable operator- members under Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association).

Alden and Jasmine find love while in quarantine Alden Richards reunite onscreen with Jasmine Curtis-Smith in the mini-series ‘Love On The Balcony.’

Kapuso stars Alden Richards and Jasmine Curtis-Smith reunite on the small screen via GMA Network’s mini-series, I Can See You: Love On The Balcony. The latest TV offering is part of a unique drama anthology that highlights four miniseries – including High Rise Lovers, The Promise, and Truly. Madly. Deadly. – dwelling on the common visual storytelling mnemonic device which is the use of a camera as a witness to the tales of love and mystery from everyday people; hence the title – I Can See You. The ground-breaking program gifts viewers with compelling, contemporary, and unique stories produced by four different teams in a remarkable four-week viewing experience. In observance of anti-COVID-19 protocols alongside the network’s precautionary measures, the cast and crew of the show underwent RT-PCR tests, lock-in tapings and strictly practiced government-mandated safety and health protocols on the set. Love On The Balcony, which kickstarts the drama anthology, tells the timely story of a wedding videographer, Gio (Alden), who crosses paths with a frontline nurse, Lea (Jasmine). Uninspired and creatively drained, Gio is encouraged by his business partner and friend Val (Pancho Magno) to search for a potential fling during the quarantine. After their unfortunate encounter, romance eventually blossoms between Gio and Lea amidst the pandemic. Is this the beginning of a beautiful chapter in their love story or is it just destiny’s way of putting people in our lives for a purpose? “Regardless of what you are or what you do or no matter what situation you’re currently in, there’s always love in the corner. And someone who looks for love will definitely find it. That’s the intention of the series, it’s finding love in these very trying times,” Alden told Manila Standard Entertainment in an online interview. Love On The Balcony, which premieres tonight, is directed by LA Madridejos. Completing the cast are Denise Barbacena and Shyr Valdez. Heating up primetime TV viewing on Oct. 5 is the second installment of the series High Rise Lovers which stars Lovi Poe, Winwyn Marquez, and Tom Rodriguez. It follows the story of married couple Saman-

tha (Lovi) and Luis (Tom) whose relationship dwindles as their opposing goals in life get the best of them. After moving into a new condominium unit, Samantha continues to strive for a big promotion at work while Luis, an unemployed contractor, is forced to accept a renovation job for another occupant – the mysterious and sultry Ysabel (Winwyn). Will Luis yield to the temptation of a new lover who comforts his bruised ego or will Samantha realize that her marriage is still worth saving? Also starring in the episode are Teresa Loyzaga and Kenneth “Tetay” Ocampo. High Rise Lovers is under the helm of Monti Parungao. Bannered by Andrea Torres, Yasmien Kurdi, Benjamin Alves, and Paolo Contis, The Promise gives viewers more reasons to believe in the power of love this Oct. 12. The story begins with a rich widowed man named Frank (Paolo) who loses his passion for life and became a recluse after losing his wife Clarisse (Yasmien) from an accident. When Jude (Benjamin), his cousin and right-hand man in the company, visits him in the lake house where he stays at, Frank takes an interest in the latter’s girlfriend Ivy (Andrea), an aspiring artist who is willing to do anything to take her family out of poverty. Also playing an exciting role in this series is Maey Bautista. The Promise is directed by Zig Dulay. Finally, set to bring mystery and romance is the last installment Truly. Madly. Deadly. headlined by Dennis Trillo, Rhian Ramos, and Jennylyn Mercado premiering on Oct. 19. In this installment of I Can See You, Coleen (Jennylyn) is a professional woman who, after being ridiculed online for a scandal with a married man, moves out of the city and works in a remote resort where she meets the mysterious resident IT guy named Drew (Dennis). Life seems to be going well for the recovering Coleen until her best friend turned enemy Abby (Rhian) shows up and her past begins to haunt her once again. Joining the talented cast of this episode is Jhoana Marie Tan and with the special participation of Ruby Rodriguez. Truly. Madly. Deadly is directed by Jorron Lee Monroy. I Can See You: Love on the Balcony airs right after Encantadia on the Telebabad block.

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

MOONCAKE:

A bite of legend and tradition By Steph Llarena

in celebration of successful harvests, could pass as a charming tchotchke with its intricately designed imprints on OONCAKES always the crust consisting of the Chinese chardelight at the first acters for “longevity” or “harmony.” sight. But once you get past that initial wonThis Chinese pastry, traditionally der, and perhaps unwillingness to bite eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival into and therefore “ruin” the pastry,

what you’ll get is a sweet and dense filling—traditionally lotus seed paste— with a salted egg yolk or two which is said to be the symbol of the full moon. Aside from the uniqueness of this delicacy, what makes it special are the legends attached to it. One folk tale says mooncakes were

used by the Ming revolutionaries to overthrow the Mongolian rulers of China at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. They used the pastry to pass the secret message to kill the rulers on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. But while there are no more secret messages inside this handcrafted deli-

cacy, mooncakes continue to be offered between family and friends as the round shape symbolizes unity and prosperity. In celebration of this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, some of the metro’s premier restaurants and hotels, as well as Hong Kong’s famous mooncake maker, are offering their luscious treats.

Manila Marriott

Mooncake gift sets consisting of white lotus paste, red lotus paste, and five spiced nuts with dried scallops variants.

The five-star hotel’s Mid-Autumn offering is elegantly arranged in a luxurious crimson red lattice box with gold stamping and patterns of cherry blossoms—ideal as gift to clients and relatives. Mooncakes come with various fillings such as white lotus paste, red lotus paste, and five spiced nuts with dried scallops, with whole salted duck egg at the center. The mooncake gift sets, available until October 2, are available in a box of six priced at P2,020++. To order, call 0917-624-5980 or visit www.manilamarriott. com. Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance. They are available for pick-up and takeaway. Delivery may be arranged via Delishvery or through the customer’s chosen courier.

Jasmine

The Empress Dining Palace offers two classic mooncakes—white lotus with double egg yolk and plain white lotus.

The Empress Dining Palace BGC-based restaurant The Empress Dining Palace offers two classic mooncakes, white lotus with double egg yolk and plain white lotus, to attract harmony and prosperity. A “treasure box” of four, with two of each flavor, retails at P2,088. Bulk orders of six and above

are priced at P1,888 per box. Orders may be placed by calling (02) 82920807 or 0915-543-1862 and are available for pick-up and delivery. Delivery may be arranged via The Empress Express or through the customer’s chosen courier.

New World Makati’s Cantonese restaurant Jasmine offers four decadent mooncake flavors, namely red bean, red lotus, white lotus, and five kernel (watermelon seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, Terminalia seeds, and almonds). Specially packed in an elegant tangerine box with gold accents, a box of two is priced at P1,088 nett, while a box of four is P1,588 nett. Bulk orders of 30 and up get 20 percent discount. To place an order, call (02) 88116888 ext. 3679 or 0917-888-4194. Jasmine’s mooncakes are packed in elegant tangerine box with gold accents.

Hong Kong MX Mooncakes

Edsa Shangri-La

Edsa Shang’s Summer Palace Mooncake 2020 collection consists of six mooncake flavors.

Six delightful mooncake flavors comprise the hotel’s Summer Palace Mooncake 2020 Collection: Over the Moon. Edsa Shang’s white lotus reduced sugar, red bean, mixed nuts, durian, chestnuts, and black sesame are packed in an elegant box perfect for gifting or reusing. Price starts at P2,888+ per box. Those who prefer to buy per piece can get the small variant at P388+ and the large variant at P588+. Bulk orders get up to 30 percent off. Call (02) 8633-8888 or email summerpalace.esl@shangri-la.com for orders and inquiries.

Hong Kong MX Mooncakes’ Lava Duet combines custard and chocolate filling.

Hong Kong’s leading mooncake brand returns to the Philippines for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, bringing its classic lineup and brand new offerings. Available through official online channels and a pop-up store at the main mall of SM Mall of Asia are Hong Kong MX’s f lagship White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with two Egg Yolks and the Lava Mooncake Series, and the new Lava Duet (combining custard and chocolate goodness), and Lava Chocolate filling. The brand also offers its Low Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Egg Yolk, and the Delightful Moon Assorted Mooncake with both three classic and lava mooncake variants. These mooncakes and more are available until October 4.

FOOD NEWS ROUNDUP El Pollo Loco opens at Glorietta 4 Tex-Mex restaurant El Pollo Loco brings its popular flame-grilled, healthy chicken and more at Glorietta 4 in Makati. Awaiting diners at the newly opened branch are chicken meals served ala carte or loco (with rice or tortilla) and are bundled with the customer’s choice of sides, salads, soups, ta-

Isla Sugbu offers chicken inasal at 50 percent off

cos, and quesadillas. Aside from chicken meals, it also serves the brand’s signature Crunchy Tacos (with a choice of either chicken or beef filling), Beef Nachos, Spaghetti con salsa, Chicken Cheese Taquitos, Chicken Quesadilla, Chips and Salsa, and more.

Chicken inasal offered at half the price, until available stocks last.

In a bid to highlight its other dishes, local restaurant known for its offerings from the sea, Isla Sugbu Seafood City is slashing the price of its chicken inasal by 50 percent—until available stocks last. For only P138, customers get to enjoy two pieces of the restaurant’s chicken inasal prepared with a special marinade, and grilled to perfection to achieve its deliciously smoky, savory, and tangy flavors. The offer is available for dine-in and take-out at Isla Sugbu Seafood City branches at 2/F Venice Grand Canal Mall, Taguig City and Grand Convention Center, Cebu City. It’s also available for pick-up and delivery via www.centraldelivery.ph.

Santino’s Pizza now available online

El Pollo Loco brings its flame-grilled chicken and other dishes to its newest branch at Glorietta 4.

Popular pizza kiosk brand Santino’s Supreme Slice Pizza is now available for pick-up and delivery via foodpanda, GrabFood, Storehub, Mr. Speedy, ShopBuddy with Getmo, Pasugo, and Maxim in select areas nationwide. Customers may also order at www.pacificbay.com.ph. A box of eight slices is available at P280. They’re available in baked or Santino’s Supreme Slice Pizza’s baked and ready-to-bake variants frozen ready-to-bake formats. Those interested to open their own are now available online. pizza kiosk, contact Santino’s hotlines (02) 8442-9444 (Manila); (032) 520-8811 (Cebu); and (082) 295-7943 or 0925-511-9444 (Davao).