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Source: Velasco next Speaker ‘Takes over Oct. 14;‘ Cayetano camp tight-lipped after meeting Duterte By Maricel V. Cruz

HE term-sharing deal in the House of Representatives will push through as Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will succeed Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano as Speaker by October 14, following their meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.

TERM-SHARING TALK.

President Rodrigo Duterte (seated, back to the camera) meets with House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (center, in barong), Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (left) and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go. Velasco will become Speaker on October 14 after Cayetano resigns from the post, fellow lawmakers said Tuesday. Photo from Sen. Bong Go via Twitter VOL. XXXIV • NO. 208 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DPWH opens UP experts say lower ‘repro’ rate to flatten curve biggest isolation facility in NCR By Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

PUBLIC Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar announced the opening of the biggest quarantine facility in Metro Manila at Bagong Nayong Pilipino, Parañaque City. Villar said the Solaire-PAGCOR Mega Quarantine Center funded by the Razon Group was inaugurated Tuesday, Sept. 29, along with a newly-constructed access road completed by the DPWH. The newly-opened quarantine center will encourage mild to asymptomatic patients from Metro Manila and other nearby provinces to isolate outside their homes. With Metro Manila still recording the highest daily number of cases of COVID-19 patients, the DPWH Task Force continues to expand isolation capacity to address the dearth of facilities from over the past months. DPWH is working on the implementation of a total 603 isolation or quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients

TO FLATTEN the curve of coronavirus infections in Metro Manila, authorities must cut down COVID-19’s reproduction and positivity ratios to less than five percent or one in ten persons, research-

ers from the University of the Philippines who have been tracking the pandemic said Tuesday. Butch Ong of UP-OCTA Research Team made the comment a day after President Rodrigo Duterte decided to keep Metro Manila under a general community quarantine (GCQ), a protocol that allows

only limited public transportation and restricted operation in various industries. “To flatten the curve is to lower the number of cases so our healthcare capacity can take care of those who are sick. The curve, in a way, is being flattened but it can increase any time,” Ong said. Next page

By Macon Ramos-Araneta DESPITE his frustrations over corruption in the government, President Rodrigo Duterte will not actually resign, his spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday. Although Duterte revealed Monday night he offered to resign, Roque said the President will use his last two years in power to weed out corruption in the government. “The President's resignation did not push through. I think he would no longer resign because he only has 2 years left in power, but he will use that time to cleanse the different government agencies,” the spokesman said. Instead of resigning, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Dutere only needs to be Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPT. 29)

309,303 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,025 50,025 NEW

ACTIVE

5,448

252,930

290

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

New PH cases of 2k up total to 309,303—DOH THE Philippines on Tuesday logged an additional 2,025 new coronavirus COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 309,303, the Department of Health reported. “As of 4PM today, September 29, 2020, the Department of Health reports the total number of COVID-19 cases at 309,303 after 2,025 newly-confirmed cases were added to the list of COVID-19 patients,” the department said in a bulletin. Next page

Rody won’t quit; vows to rid graft in his last 2 yrs.

A source in the Velasco camp, who requested anonymity, told the Standard that Duterte advised Cayetano, his running mate in the 2016 national elections, to wrap up his duties as Speaker in two weeks. Several online news outlets also broke the story, quoting lawmakers in the Velasco camp, after the 6 p.m. conference with the President at Malacanang. “We will let Speaker Cayetano make the announcement,” said Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte’s longtime aide who also sat in on the meeting. Cayetano's camp did not return calls for comment as of presstime. Asked for an official statement from the Office of the President, spokesperson Harry Roque said: “I cannot comment until I talk to the President.” “Tapos na po ang laban (the fight’s over). #1521,” added Ron Munsayac, executive director and public information

BIGGEST QUARANTINE CENTER. Metro Manila’s biggest COVID-19 isolation facility will open soon after the Solaire-PAGCOR Mega Quarantine Center in Bagong Nayong Pilipino, Parañaque City was inaugurated and turned over by the Razon Group to the national government on Tuesday. Leading the ceremony are National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chairman and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, NTF Deputy Chief Implementer Secretary Vince Dizon, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Prime BMD CEO J.V. Emmanuel “Jocot” De Dios, and Public Works Undersecretary for Project Management Office Emil Sadain. Also present were Dan Lichauco of Archion Architects and Maynilad Head Assistant Vice President for Government Relations Annette de Ocampo. BCDA Photo

WB: PH ECONOMY TO SHRINK 6.9% BUSINESS / B4

Palace raps Facebook censorship By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte's administration claimed Tuesday that Facebook was imposing censorship in the Philippines after the social media giant took down several propaganda networks in support of Duterte and his allies. Facebook last week removed pages, accounts, groups and Instagram profiles

that were allegedly targeting the Philippines for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" or manipulation campaigns on the platform. Calling the removed accounts as part of the government's "advocacies," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the removal of the pages could be considered censorship because Facebook did not classify these as "fake news." Next page

Carpio-Morales slams Martires limiting access to SALN public access to a government official’s “It goes against the constitutional Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net principle that public office is a public FORMER Ombudsman Conchita Car- Worth (SALN), saying his statement is trust... there is this law [that] mandates pio-Morales has criticized her successor against the Office of the Ombudsman’s the filing of SALNs and also mandates Samuel Martires for ordering to limit mandate to promote transparency. Next page

By Maricel V. Cruz

MID-AUTUMN CELEBRATION. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (left) and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian unfurl a scroll to Celebrate China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, both falling on October 1. The Secretary and Ambassador exchanged views on China-Philippines relations, strategic cooperation, and issues of common concern, according to a statement. Chinese Embassy photo

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Strict ‘staycation’ guidelines set T By Othel V. Campos

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the department will allow “staycations” to accommodate visitors of all ages, except those with underlying medical conditions, within areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), which includes Metro Manila. “We welcome the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to permit ‘staycations’ or a

minimum of an overnight stay for leisure purposes in GCQ areas. This decision adds to the DOT’s drive to slowly but safely resume tourism in the country and finally bring back jobs to our workers in the industry,” Puyat said. Puyat has previously signed an administrative order that created the guideline for observance of both the hotels and accommodation facilities, and guests. Accommodation establishments will

be required to seek a negative antigen result from a rapid antigen test for every staycation guest conducted on the same day of check-in. The order provides that all accommodation establishments in areas declared to be under GCQ must secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycations (DCAOS) prior to receiving guests for staycation. The establishments must follow guidelines on guest handling, including the maximum number of guests per room, as well as health and safety standards for ancillary establishments. They may also resume operations of ancillary facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, restaurants and other food and beverage outlets, except for bars which remain prohibited in GCQ areas. “As safety remains the DOT’s top

Source:...

Corporation CEO Ramon Ang, who served as a godfather in the baptism of the lawmaker’s youngest daughter. THE ruling PDP-Laban on Tuesday earlier said it hoped Speaker Cayetano would abide by his term-sharing agreement with Velasco, issuing the statement ahead of Cayetano and Velasco’s meeting with the President Tuesday night. The PDP-Laban said it expected the final word from the President on who would be the next speaker as Cayetano reaches the end of his 15-month period by Sept. 30 and as Velasco’s term was supposed to begin. But allies of Cayetano, who belongs to the Nacionalista Party, have been pressing for him to stay on, despite the agreement. The PDP-Laban, on the other hand, said Velasco becoming speaker would be “a realization of the party’s major accomplishment” of heading the lower chamber of the legislative department while its honorary chairman, the President, heads up the executive branch. Cayetano ally and Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur maintained his attack on Velasco, saying he squandered the opportunity to work with the leadership of Cayetano and saying he accomplished little in the 18th Congress. “He’s an absentee congressman. He didn’t perform well. His peers call him lazy,” Villafuerte said in a statement. Velasco has taken to social media to accuse Cayetano of breaking his word, but Villafuerte belied this and said Cayetano himself honored the agreement at the onset when he tapped Velasco as his

senior deputy speaker. Villafuerte said this meant Velasco would be the “speaker-in-waiting, the presumptive speaker.” Velasco, however, refused the offer and said he would rather chair of the House energy committee. “Look at his legislative work track record as a congressman and as chairman of the energy committee,” Villafuerte said. “He assumed, just by the endorsement (of the President), he can just be speaker. He didn’t even try to earn the respect of his peers.” Villafuerte also dismissed Velasco’s claim of being a “man of honor,” saying Velasco never followed the agreement for the past 15 months. “We should have worked together for 15 months. But he did not. He (Velasco) attempted, at least twice, to oust Cayetano,” Villafuerte said. Villafuerte was apparently referring to Cayetano’s revelation last February that Velasco had been promising chairmanships and budget allocations to members of the House in an attempt to grab the speakership ahead of time. Cayetano earlier accused Velasco of being behind a move to replace him in the middle of the budget hearings this month. Villafuerte on Tuesday played down any talk of a revamp in leadership positions at the House of Representatives amid the speakership row. Villafuerte said the chamber was focused on the 2021 budget deliberations. Over the weekend, over 200 congressmen, including the heads of various political parties as well as lawmakers from the minority bloc in the House

reportedly signed a manifesto of support for Cayetano. Villafuerte, one of the signatories to the “Let Cayeyano Stay” manifesto, said the changes would depend on consultation and consensus with the House leadership. Both Cayetano and Velasco were expected to have their trusted lieutenants with them in their meeting with the President Tuesday night. In a statement, PDP-Laban executive director Ron Munsayac said Velasco will be with his "most trusted team,” including Deputy Speakers Mikee Romero and Johnny Pimentel, Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan from the Northern Alliance, and AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon Garin of the Party-list Coalition. Also on Velasco’s side are Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano from the Visayan Bloc, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga and Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit from the Nationalist People's Coalition, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon from PDPLaban. Cayetano is expected to have Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Villafuerte with him. Earlier, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said the President should tell Cayetano and Velasco to honor the termsharing agreement. "The President was the witness in forging that agreement. He was the third man, and he is the best man now to tell both parties: 'You better follow your commitment. You gave your word of honor,” Atienza said.

right now. He added that while the hospital capacity in NCR is not yet critical, hospitals would still be unable to handle a surge of cases. It’s one reason why the Department of Health said a clustering of COVID-19 cases and the high occupancy rate of hospital beds prevented the authorities from placing Metro Manila under an MGCQ. The lockdown level can be downgraded to modified GCQ "if we can reduce the number of clustering of these cases," said DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an interview on ANC. "It was decided that it would remain under GCQ because there are still some areas with a clustering of cases. We needed to monitor these areas," she said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he believes Metro Manila could be downgraded to a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) within a month, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to keep it under a GCQ until Oct. 31. "Actually, many LGUs in Metro Manila want to downgrade to MGCQ. However, there are still those, I think about half, who would like to continue with GCQ so they could arrange their COVID-19 prevention efforts so these could be sustained. I think one month more (won't hurt us), it will help us a lot," Lorenzana said in Filipino on the sidelines of the inauguration of the SolairePagcor Mega Quarantine Center at the Bagong Nayong Pilipino in Parañaque City on Tuesday.

Lorenzana, also chairman of the National Task Force Against Covid-19, said some Metro Manila LGUs are afraid to loosen restrictions, fearing a return to a modified enhanced community quarantine if new COVID-19 cases spike. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said they needed to strengthen efforts to put COVID-19 patients in isolation facilities. He added that this measure was discussed during his meeting with Metro Manila mayors. Año said the people who had close contact with the COVID-19 patients must be tested for the disease before being allowed to go out of their homes. Through this, he said the chain of Covid-19 transmission would be broken.

City, and weigh results against the World Health Organization's advice to refrain from using this test for border screening. "We are trying to see if the government can use it as well so we can have this more efficient and faster turnaround," Vergeire said. "We need to wait for this pilot use... so that when our experts provide their recommendations on the appropriate use of antigen, our results will be accurate. It's not going to give us false positives or false negatives," she added. -- Willie Casas DOH sets 30% target for hospitals The Department of Health (DOH) is planning to reduce the critical care utilization rate of hospitals at 30 percent or less, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday.

New...

This is similar to a July 2020 survey that also found 85 percent of the respondents worried about catching the virus. The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were the NCR (540 or 33 percent), Region 4A (296 or 18 percent) and Region 3 (239 or 15 percent). The top provinces by newly-announced cases were the NCR, 628; Cavite, 279; Negros Occidental, 218; Laguna, 108 and Bulacan, 102. There were 50,925 active cases. Of the active cases, 86.5 percent were mild; 8.8 percent asymptomatic; 1.4 percent severe and 3.3 percent critical. Of the 68 deaths, 49 occurred in September (72 percent), 12 in August (18 percent), four in July (6 percent), two in May (3 percent) and one in April (1 percent). The deaths were from the NCR (26 or 38 percent), Region 6 (13 or 19 percent), Region 4A (7 or 10 percent), Region 3 (6 or 9 percent), Region 5 (3 or 4 percent),

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) has issued strict guidelines for “staycations” to ensure the safety and well-being of guests, as the government re-starts the economy through tourism.

From A1

officer of Velasco’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), on Twitter, using a boxing glove emoji. Munsayac was referring to the length of the term-sharing deal, as in July 2019, Duterte brokered the pact between the lawmakers where it was agreed that Cayetano will serve for the first 15 months and Velasco would take over as Speaker in the next 21 months of their three years in Congress. According to reports, Velasco and Cayetano were joined by eight lawmakers each in the meeting. Velasco was accompanied by Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel, Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson; 1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Mikee Romero, AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon Garin, Bacolod City Rep. Caraps Paduano, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon. Cayetano came with his wife Lani, also a Taguig City representative, with Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Deputy Speakers LRay Villafuerte and Rodante Marcoleta, Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino, Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, and Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado. The son of retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and now Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco, Lord Allan served as provincial administrator before becoming a lawmaker. His mother and sister also were legislators in previous congresses. Velasco has close ties to San Miguel

UP...

From A1

“The only way we can maintain it is by lowering the reproduction value. It is now at .77 in NCR. If we could make it to .5 or lower, that will surely bring the curve down to a very controllable state. And if we can bring the positivity rate at 5 percent or below, that will further flatten the curve to the ideal level,” Ong added. At present, the positivity rate in NCR is at 9 percent, he said. Prof. Ranjit Rye, also of the UP-OCTA Research team, said the situation in the National Capital Region has been improving, although it is still premature to downgrade its quarantine status

DPWH... From A1

nationwide with a total bed capacity of 21,609, as well as 75 off-site dormitories for medical workers with a capacity of 1,806 beds. Antigen tests still being studied The Department of Health (DOH) is still studying the use of antigen tests to further reopen the tourism industry that the COVID-19 pandemic had badly affected for nearly seven months. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in an interview of ANC, said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) leading the pandemic response gave the DOH two weeks to study the use of antigen screening in a pilot test in Baguio

Rody... From A1

consistent in applying the current antigraft and corruption laws to both friends and foes. Lacson said Duterte’s strong words and warnings may work, but only when followed by concrete actions. “There is no better way. Appearing before a congressional hearing may not be necessary (as the President volunteered to do),” said Lacson. He noted that the Senate is already proposing a bill to give him “Bayanihanlike” emergency powers to address red tape in government. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said it should be the corrupt in the government who should think of resigning, and

not the President. “He was elected by the country and he cannot turn his back on his specified task by the Filipinos. I don't think he means it,” Sotto added. Duterte, in a public address on Monday night, said he was done with the bureaucracy and corruption in government. "I offered to resign as President," Duterte said. "There is no end to corruption. It is difficult to stop.” It was not the first time for the longtime Davao City mayor to make such a remark. "He (Duterte) is serious about his expression of exasperation. He seriously has had it with corruption,” Roque said. Following the President's remarks on Monday, the hashtag #PaalamDuterte became a trending topic on microblogging site Twitter.

From A1

The department likewise announced 290 recoveries, bringing the total to 252,930. Of the 2,025 reported cases, 1,641 (81 percent) occurred within the recent 14 days from Sept. 16 to 29, 2020. The department made its announcement even as Social Weather Stations said about 85 percent of the Filipinos it surveyed remained fearful of catching COVID-19 some six months into the pandemic lockdown in the Philippines, one of the longest in the world. Of the 1,249 adults polled from Sept. 17 to 20, 85 percent said they were "worried a great deal" or "somewhat worried" that anyone in their immediate family might contract the respiratory disease. Nine percent were "worried a little", and six percent were not.

Palace... From A1

"Fake news is not the issue now. The issue is, what is the effect of the removal of those pages?” Roque told reporters. "The Philippine government submits it's a form of censorship.” Roque also questioned Facebook's basis for the removal of certain accounts— many of which were in support of the President—hinting at bias in the move. "The President was clear: this has to be discussed and the President does not condone censorship of pro-government advocacies. The point here is why do

priority, establishments that will offer staycation services will be strictly monitored. They will be required to keep a record of occupancy and submit it every 10th of the month to the relevant DOT regional office and local government unit tourism office for data analysis purposes,” Puyat said. Accommodation establishments are required to “develop staycation packages that are appropriate for the present market demands and conditions. The offerings must strictly adhere to the existing health and safety guidelines of the DOT and will likewise be monitored by the concerned regional office of the department,” she added. To promote minimal physical contact among staff and guests, contactless and cashless transactions for taking bookings and payments are also mandatory.

they remove pages that are in favor of the government? And they allow pages against the government?” Facebook’s removal of several pro-government pages had reached Malacañang and caught the attention of Duterte, who enjoys a wide range of support in the platform. Facebook removes China-based, PH military and police-linked networks for “coordinated inauthentic behavior.” In a late-night public address on Monday, Duterte invited Facebook for a talk as he noted that the government allows the US-based social media platform to operate in the Philippines, "hoping that you could help us also.

7 men get ‘life’ for Davao night market bombing SEVEN men have been convicted of multiple murder and multiple attempted murder charges over the deadly explosion at the Roxas Night Market in Davao City in 2016. According to parts of the decision posted by the Davao City government on its Facebook page, the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 266 sentenced TJ Tagabaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan, Musali Urbano Mustapha, Jessy Vincent Guinto Original, Zack Haron Lopez, Jackson Mangulamas Usi, and Ausa Abdullah Mamasapano to reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment of up to 40 years. On the evening of September 2, 2016, an improvised explosive device detonated by a cellphone went off at the Roxas Night Market, killing 15 people—including a pregnant woman who died from her injuries days later—and wounding almost 70 others. The trial court ordered the convicts to jointly pay the heirs of each of the 15 bombing victims P100,000 as civil indemnity, P100,000 as moral damages, P100,000 as exemplary damages, and P50,000 as temperate damages. The convicts were also told to pay each of the 69 people wounded by the explosion P50,000 as civil indemnity, P50,000 as moral damages, and P50,000 as exemplary damages. The court dismissed the case against them for terrorism under the Human Security Act of 2007, which has now been replaced by the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, "for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt."

High Court sustains Comelec ruling on party-list winners By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has sustained the proclamation by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of the winning party-list groups in the 2019 national elections. In a September 15, 2020 en banc decision, the SC junked the petitions of party-list groups Aksyon Magsasaka-Tinig Partido ng Masa, Serbisyo sa Bayan, and Angkla: Ang Partido ng mga Marinong Pilipino, Inc., which placed 52nd, 53rd, and 54th, respectively, in the last party-list election where the Comelec proclaimed 51 winning party-lists only. The petitioners sought to nullify the constitutionality of Section 11(b) of the Republic Act No. 7941 or the Party-list System Act that provided the procedure for the allocation of seats for the party-list sector in the House of Representatives. This provision provides that party-list groups that get at least 2% of votes cast will get one seat each; those that get more are entitled to additional seats "in proportion to their total number of votes," with a limit of three seats. According to the petitioners, this formula leads to a double counting of votes and is thus unconstitutional. In its ruling, however, the high court failed to reach a majority vote of eight needed to nullify the provision. "As a consequence, the proclamation by the Comelec of the winning party-list groups during the 13 May 2019 elections in accordance with the formula espoused in the Banat Case was upheld," the SC Public Information Office said, in a statement.

Carpio-Morales... From A1

that the public shall be entitled to even a photocopy of the SALN of public officials or employees for as long as they don’t cross the prohibited acts,” Morales said in a television interview on Thursday. Martires issued his order on Wednesday, amid the controversy involving the alleged non-filing of Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Marvic Leonen of his wealth document for several years. Incidentally, Carpio-Morales and Leonen were both appointed to the high court by former President Benigno Aquino III. Martires is also a former Supreme Court Associate Justice. Last week, Martires limited public access to Leonen’s SALN just as a lawyer was urging the current Ombudsman to secure copies of the document. Leonen allegedly failed to file his SALN when he was still teaching at the University of the Philippines. Republic Act 6713 of 1989, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, requires all government officials and employees to file their yearly SALNs. As Martires was issuing the order, lawyer Larry Gadon, the “sworn enemy” of Aquino III appointees to the high court, was reiterating his appeal to Solicitor General Jose Calida to file a quo warranto petition seeking Leonen’s removal from his post.

News

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF PAL resumes regular flights to Boracay via Caticlan LEGACY carrier Philippine Airlines is set to resume flight operation in Boracay via Caticlan airport in Aklan. Beginning Thursday, Oct.1, the island resort of Boracay will accept tourists coming from areas with General Community Quarantine classification or lower, including travelers from Western Visayas. The first PAL Manila - Caticlan - Manila flight service on Thursday will depart from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11:10 a.m. while PR 2041, is set to arrive at Caticlan’s Godofredo P, Ramos Airport at 12:10 p.m. The return flight, PR2042, will leave Caticlan at 12:55PM and touch down in Manila at 1:55 PM. PAL is also considering operating flights on Oct. 4Sunday; Oct. 9, Friday and Oct.11 Sunday, which will pave the way for a regular twice weekly Manila-Caticlan-Manila schedule operating every Friday and Sunday from Oct. 16 onwards. oel E. Zurbano

‘Air travellers not allowed To transport more than THE Bureau of Customs - Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday reminded air travelers that transporting money more than P50,000 are prohibited. Violation of this rule may lead to seizure of the money and civil penalties and or criminal prosecution against the owner. The Customs - NAIA issued the reminders a day after it presented a seized package containing US dollars equivalent to more than P300,000 from New Jersey. The package, with 8,000 dollars in $50 and $100 bills concealed between the pages of a cooking magazine, was discovered at Federal Express warehouse. It was misdeclared as “correspondence,” from New Jersey, USA, and consigned to a resident of San Pedro in Laguna. In its latest advisory, the agency said that a “person may bring into or take out of the Philippines, or electronically transfer legal tender Philippine notes and coins, checks, money order and other bills of exchange in an amount not more than P50,000.” woel E. Zurbano

NEW LAKAS-CMD MEMBERS. House Majority Leader and Lakas- CMD Party President Rep. Martin Romualdez, assisted by Lakas-CMD Vice-President for Luzon and Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Mikey Arroyo (center) administers the oath taking of Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo (left) and Dinagat Island Rep. Alan Ecleo who is taking his oath via Zoom.Romualdo and Ecleo are the latest members of the House to join the Lakas-CMD Party. Ver Noveno

PUJ drivers air plea before SC

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

tion Franchising Regulatory Board, the Department of Transportation and the RIVERS of the country’s public utility jeepneys Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Inon Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to nullify fectious Diseases, prohibited petitioners government’s discriminatory issuances governing their from plying the roads on all areas under the Enhanced Community Quarantine in operation despite the easing up of lockdowns in many areas March 2020. “Even as the government eased quararising from coronavirus pandemic. antine measures and gradually allowed other public utility vehicles back on the In a petition filed by the officers and that affected PUJ operation in the coun- road traditional PUJs were placed last in members of the National Confederation try. priority—or not at all,” they said. of Transport Workers Union, the SC was The petitioners said that the govern“To make matters worse, the issuasked to annul 16 government issuances ment, through the Land Transporta- ances of respondents showed an obvi-

ous preference to modernized jeepneys even though petitioners aver that no substantial distinction exists between modernized and traditional jeepneys,” they added. According to them, these events “snatched the petitioners’ right to work for at least four (4) months -- and counting. “Traditional jeepney drivers are fed up with the state’s inconsistent standards and issuances regarding public transportation,” they added. Named respondents in the petition were Health Secretary Francisco T.

Two solons join Lakas-CMD By Maricel V. Cruz TWO congressmen have joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) as the party continues to fortify its united voice to help President Rodrigo Duterte defeat the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Lakas-CMD President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez of Leyte and Lakas-CMD Vice President for Luzon and Deputy Majority Leader Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga administered the oath to Reps. Xavier Jesus Romualdo and Alan Ecleo of Dinagat Islands on Tuesday afternoon, bringing its total House membership to 36 with 19 district congressmen and 17 party-list allies and friends. “It’s a great pleasure and happiness that we are here today (Tuesday) to report to you that Lakas-CMD party is growing stronger and better every day,” Romualdez, chair of the House Committee on Rules, told the hybrid oath-

taking event. “Lakas-CMD is gaining momentum in its goal to strengthen its ranks in the House of Representatives. We will continue this feat in the coming months by strengthening our support for our 19 regular members and 17 party-list allies,” added Romualdez. He also welcomed the two legislators to what he described as “the ever growing Lakas-CMD party. The party will remain a staunch ally of the government and will continue to support the swift passage of President Duterte’s legislative agenda.” Arroyo, for his part, said he was happy to see his fellow legislators joining the Lakas-CMD. “I am very happy to see everyone. Although we have the pandemic, we are working very hard to strengthen our political party because only in strength that we can really help our people. We need to do this as part of our mandate to provide basic services to our people,” Arroyo said in his opening remarks.

STIMULUS PROJECT. Photo shows an architect’s rendering of the elevated NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway Section 1 Project is one of MPTC’s four economic stimulus projects set for completion in 2022.

MPTC ready to complete P28-B road project by 2022 THE Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation has set for completion in 2022 a package of road infrastructure projects with a combined project budget of P28 billion. Some of these projects have begun rightof-way acquisition efforts and are ready for construction, while other projects are awaiting government approval. This was disclosed by Raul L. Ignacio, MPTC Chief TollwayDevelopment Officer, pointing out that these are “stimulus projects,which are meant to contribute to the government’s top priority goal for the country’s quick economic recovery.”These stimulus projects, he added, will create employment, improve mobility of essential goods and services,

stimulate inter-regional development and reduce traffic congestion. Ignacio Identified the four notable projects, which belong to the alignments of the North Luzon Expressway and the Cavite Expressway. Now in various stages of development and construction, the projects are the following: The first project is theP10 billion NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway Section 1, which is a 5.1-kilometer stretch to Anda Circle from the C3-R10 Navotas Interchange of the NLEX Harbor Link. It will extend the NLEX direct to the Manila Ports via an elevated expressway over the Mel Lopez Boulevard from Navotas through Tayuman, Morio-

DFA nixes sale of PH properties NEW INTERCHANGE. Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Engr. David Galang and DPWH Spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo inspect the fullycompleted 8-kilometer Sison Interchange of the Tarlac Pangasinan-La Union Expressway before its final opening on the first week of October. With the project, the travel time from Manila to Baguio was reduced to only 3 hours. Norman Cruz

‘Palay’ bought at low prices—Recto By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the Department of Agriculture should look into reported low buying price of palay with farmers taking to social media to complain that a newly-harvested kilo is being bought at P12, “which is lower than the price of a face mask.” As of the first week of September, he said the government official reports peg

at P17.64 the average farm gate price of a kilo of palay. But Recto said “this should be verified, because this may not be what is happening on the ground.” “The least that the DA can do is to spot areas where palay is being bought at bargain prices and recommend measures on how to shore it up so that farmers will not be at the losing end,” Recto said.

By Rey E. Requejo FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. on Tuesday rejected anew the proposal to auction off the Philippine properties in Japan “for any reason” and instead suggested that properties of the Department of Health should be the ones be sold for its “lousy response” to coronavirus pandemic. “I will never agree to the sale of our properties in Japan for any reason. Sell the properties of the departments of budget, treasury, health above all for its lousy response to COVID,” Locsin said, in a Twitter post. “Sell the properties of our line departments. Many idles ones.” In a latest post, Locsin suggested: “To raise funds to fight Covid, don’t sell Japan properties. Sell corrupt and incompetent health officials in

the slave markets of South Africa. Although nearly worthless if we sell them all we’ll raise a bit. I think. Sell the authors of the bill.” In particular, Locsin proposed that the San Lazaro Hospital and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine be sold instead and “rob PhilHealth some more instead” to fund the programs of the DOH. “I don’t mean the secretaries. The properties are idle. Imagine selling our Japan properties to fund the programs of DOH? Rob PhilHealth some more instead. They’re good at that. Sell San Lazaro. Sell RITM,” he said. Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs rejected any proposal to sell the Philippines’ four real estate properties in Japan that the country acquired as part of World War II reparations.

nesand then to Anda Circle, around the area of the Manila South Harbor. The Port Link aims to decongest the local roads by diverting cargo trucks to the elevated expressway. In turn, this new truck route will be available 24/7, without truck ban, providing savings in time and vehicle operating costs for the truckers. The second project is theP12 billion Section 3 of NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway, which will link CAVITEX to Gil J. Puyat Avenue via another elevated expressway. Coming from the south, this CAVITEX extension will be a 4.8-kilometer elevated expressway above Diosdado Macapagal Avenue.

DENR slams violence against forest workers By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday denounced the violence committed against a forester and two police officers involved in anti-illegal logging operations in the provinces of Aurora and Northern Samar. “We vehemently denounce any kind of violent acts inflicted on our defenders of the environment, especially at a time when we are all dealing with an unprecedented public health crisis,” Secretary Roy Cimatu said. He said he wants swift justice for forest management specialist II Danilo Pascasio, who is now fighting for his life after being brutally attacked by an illegal logging suspect in Aurora, and Patrolmen Jessie Golondrina and Edwin Fernando Velarde, who both died while conducting an operation against three suspected timber poachers in Northern Samar.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

Swab test lab opened

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Willie Casas TO STRENGTHEN the capital city’s mass testing efforts, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has opened the Sta. Ana Hospital’s second swab testing laboratory capable of processing 1,000 tests a day. Market vendors will be among those to be prioritized for mass swab testing which will soon be carried out by the Manila City government, Domagoso said Tuesday. With a capability of 1,000 swab tests a day, the Sta. Ana Hospital will be able to process about 30,000 tests a month for the City of Manila. Officials of the Ayala Group of Companies joined Domagoso during the inauguration of the Sta. Ana Hospital’s RT-PCR Molecular Laboratory to manifest their support for the Manila City government’s efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ayala Group of Companies has contributed P8.5 million for the construction of the molecular laboratory in support of the Manila City government’s mass testing efforts. “We were trying to ask for a discount for the construction of the Sta. Ana Hospital. When City Engineer Armand Andres reported back to me, he said the Ayala family will provide a discount—about 100 percent,” Domagoso said as he thanked the Ayala Group for the donation. “[The City of Manila was able] to achieve flying colors because our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers focused on the infected. We invested in our facilities, doctors, all available sciences, available medicines allowed by the national government through the Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration,” Domagoso said.

Batanes reports 1st COVID-19 case By Willie Casas

ATANES has recorded its first case of COVID19—a locally stranded individual (LSI) who arrived there on September 22, according to the provincial government on Tuesday.

P100K FOR CENTENARIAN. Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (left) turns over a P100,000 cash incentive to Brgy. Putatan resident Lola Edilberta Cosio as she celebrates her 100th birthday on September 29. The local government of Muntinlupa grants cash incentives to city residents reaching 100 years old through the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA). Recently, OSCA also led an anti-flu / anti-pneumonia vaccination program for the elderly together with the City Health Office as part of the local response to curb COVID-19.

MDPS gets int’l acclaim for clean-up efforts By Willie Casas THE Department of Public Services has received international recognition for its massive clean-up efforts in the nation’s capital, Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso said on Monday. The department’s Team Mandaragat, Estero Rangers and Baseco Beach Warriors have been recognized as stewards

of the environment by the International Council for Environmental Law-Madrid, Normandy Chain for Peace at Institute for Governance Sustainable Development, Washington DC. DPS Director Kenneth Amurao recognized his staff for their unwavering dedication and their service for the city’s clean up efforts. “It’s our mandate to do some cleanup,

but be assured we can do more than that for Manila,” Amurao said. Likewise, the Manila City Mayor acknowledged their invaluable contributions in reviving the city’s coastal areas and estuaries. “The City of Manila will not stop. We will continue, we will pursue efforts to remove all grime of Manila,” Domagoso said.

BREAD AID. Workers of Eagle Cement Corp. distributes Nutribun packs and other healthcare packages to households and various communities in San Ildefonso and Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company also launched a 120day feeding program for the children of its host community and neighboring barangays.

Police arrest, detain woman drug dealer suspect By Joel E. Zurbano POLICE busted a woman drug dealer and seized 139 grams of shabu worth almost P1 million in an entrapment operation Monday in Taguig City. The suspect was Racquel Arales, 38, a resident of No. 07 Road 65, Manggahan Site, Barangay North Daang Hari, Taguig City.

Operatives of the Taguig City Police Station - Drug Enforcement Unit led by Capt. Salvador Camacho conducted the entrapment against Arales in Manggahan Site around 11 a.m. A police officer acted as buyer and was able to negotiate with the suspect resulting in her arrest. Recovered from the suspect were nine plastic sachets containing 139 grams of

66k tablets for Caloocan By Jun David THE Caloocan City Government will provide free tablets to all Grade 9 to Grade 12 students of public schools in the city. This was announced by Mayor Oscar Malapitan in his State of the City Address (SOCA) and 1st City Development Council General Assembly 2020 held via Facebook live and zoom virtual conference. According to Malapitan, the 66,000 tablets on purchase would

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

help students for blended learning starting this October. The Mayor clarified that students who would not be given a tablet would not be left out because the City Government would answer all the modules that would be distributed. Even the machinery used in printing the module will also be answered by the City Government. “Despite this pandemic, we will continue to work on ways to help every citizen, especially the youth,” said Malapitan.

shabu, a mobile phone, a coin purse, five 100 peso bills used as buy-bust money, six P1,000 bills boodle money, and drug paraphernalia. The entrapment operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency - National Capital Region and North Daang Bakal barangay officials led by Kagawad Mario Butial.

Tarlac farmers export tons of okra to Japan By Jess Malabanan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—A big volume of okra (lady finger) has been exported to Japan by Tarlac farmers in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, apparently to fill up the huge market and demand for such vegetable fruit. Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the first batch of okra export during simple rites at Pairpags Center, Airport Road, Pasay City Tuesday. Okra produce by Tarlac farmers is of good quality and enough to cover the high demand of such kind of vegetable. Two tons of okra export have been harvested from different farms of Tarlac including 14 barangays in Victoria, Balayang, Palacpalac, Batang Batang, Lalapac, Mayang, San Pascual, Villa Bacolor, Matayumtayum, San Jose, San Manuel, Balingcanaway, Cutcut, and Lapaz. The okra plantation involved 300 farmers led by young farmer entrepreneurs Jeffrey Fernandez and Rap Pelayo of Jel Farms. “As other business sectors continue to bleed on account of an economic slowdown due to this COVID-19 pandemic, we are blessed to have a sustained activity on the agri-industry front,” said Dar. Fernandez and Pelayo told reporters that okra famers could earn up to P90,000 to P100,000 net of expenses per hectare. Same goes with another in-demand agricultural product for Japan – edamame, also known as vegetable soybean. Both products are in demand in the cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya in Japan. Harvesting schedules are from September to July, while planting can be done all year round. Farmers are targeting 900 to 1,000 hectares for the expansion project for okra plantation for export.

MASKS FROM TOYOTA.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP), the country’s leading automotive company, has donated 5,000 units of face masks to its supported communities to help in the nation’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Pulong Sta. Cruz Barangay Hall, Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School, and Toyota-City of Santa Rosa-Gawad Kalinga Village in Laguna.

In a post on Facebook, the provincial information desk of Batanes said the patient, who is asymptomatic, arrived via the Philippine Air Force (PAF). “We regret to inform the public that one Locally Stranded Individual who arrived last September 22 via Philippine Air Force has tested POSITIVE of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) yesterday, September 28, 2020,” said the Batanes government. “This is the first confirmed COVID case of the Province,” it said. The Batanes government said the patient was currently with no symptoms. But for precautionary measure, the patient is under strict isolation at the Batanes Resort and being strictly observed and managed. All identified “closed contacts” and other LSIs under quarantine are being strictly monitored by the Provincial COVID-19 Task Group. “In the meantime, we remind everyone to continuously observe minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields, observe physical distancing and practice proper hygiene,” said the Batanes government. On the other hand, the Department of Health said on Tuesday this case had not been officially reported to the DOH. “Case has not been officially reported to DOH yet (as of 29 September 2020 database), but we have coordinated with the appropriate CHCD for relevant info,” said the DOH, in reaction to the Batanes government’s post on Facebook.

IN BRIEF Nueva Vizcaya gives P7M for irrigation BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government recently gave more than P7 million to irrigators and barangay officials for their Farm to Market Road and irrigation system project. Governor Carlos Padilla gave P4.063 million for the barangay officials of Dagupan in Quezon town for their FMR project. He said this would boost agricultural productivity within the upland town as farmers cater to the agricultural needs of the adjacent towns such as Solano, Bagabag, Villaverde and Bayombong. The farmers’ products from Quezon town are upland vegetables, root crops and rice. Padilla also gave P3 million to the members of the Lower Sisi Irrigators Association in Kasibu town. The fund will be used for the organization’s Communal Irrigation System project which is expected to boost the rice and vegetable produce of the town’s upland farmers, he said. The fund was given as counterpart of the provincial government to the Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program of the National Irrigation Administration. Ben Moses Ebreo

Mariveles council aids sick child MARIVELES, Bataan—Members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Mariveles led by Vice Mayor Lito Rubia have extended assistance to a child here afflicted with a severe disease. Other SB Mariveles members who provided help were Councilor Tito Catipon, Councilor Angel Sunga, Councilor Susan Murillo, Councilor Ronald Arcenal, Councilor Joey Carandang, Councilor Harry Golocan, and SK Municipal Federation President Vincent Charles Banzon. The town council members gave financial aid and groceries to Von Calilung of Brgy. Baseco. According to the child’s parents, he was sufffering from acute ischemic stroke secondary to unruptured left MCA aneuysm takayasi arteritis. Personnel of SB Mariveles brought the assistance to the beneficiariy and checked his condition. This is just a simple way for SB Mariveles members to help needy residents using money from their own pockets especially now at the time of COVID-19 pandemic, said SB Mariveles in its Facebook account. Butch Gunio

DELA CRUZ C Apparently, these continuing attacks mimernment included, is grasping at straws ic the “sustained hacking and information scrounging around for funds just to stay gr in place, this heist is truly disheartening. which can immobilize entire communities. warfare carried out in the 2016 presidenlives wou Still, the worst and most insidious hack- tial race in favor of then candidate Trump The culprits have to be brought to justice One of th and the cash, at least whatever is left of it, ing operations are done to subvert political against his Democratic rival, former US returned. Having said that, we should put processes and undermine societies. The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s camof that ch everybody on notice that this UCPB caper controversy over the Russian interfer- paign.” system. Microsoft has also spotted state-sponence in the 2016 US elections in favor of will probably not be the last. No matter how condemnable this inci- then-candidate Donald Trump lingers. In sored hackers in China and Iran, targeting Adelle Chua, Editor Public sc dent is, some groups are saying: We told fact, it remains a key issue against Trump individuals involved in both presidential mst.daydesk@gmail.com ber 5, but you so. Others are even going to the extent all over again in the run-up to the Novem- campaigns but more intensely against the tions have of insinuating that this could not have hap- ber elections, with the Democrats and a Trump organization. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 NAKED Through a But experts say Moscow is the adversary pened without any insider help. In fact, as number of US security experts insisting the narrative goes, itTHOUGHT could have been sim- that the Russian hackers are back in the that worries them the most, given Russia’s and asynch lengthy track record. ply an inside job considering the internal dents and te CHARLIE V. has seen An expert, John Hultquist, senior execuproblems rocking UCPB, which time, and w MANALO tive of the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has its top officials resigning en masse. They are here to their own, raised alarm bells over the Russian hackers In any event, this heist should serve as Adel ing to make stay. noting that while multiple cyber-espionage a wake-up call not only for banks. This is reachmst.dayd out to actors have targeted organizations associalso for regulators, government agencies learn, notw SEPTEMBER 16, ated with the upcoming election, WEDNESDAY, the exand other companies doing essential and posed by th Act or Republic Act 3019. even getting a handle on a public THE FIFTH The incident reminds various cases beingincumbent president’s corner. And this perts are “most concerned with that of the official’s SALN?sensitive Not at all.services. As Citing The teach to double their efforts securing GOSPEL by hisinoffice, Martirestime around they are joined by Chinese Russian military intelligence unit..which Martires himselfthem explained, the handled ficult time a their systems said and thatdevices. there are better andand Iranian hackers presumably in Demo- poses the greatest threat to the democratOmbudsman is not thedigital only reJUDE their work. AfterSALN. all, activities seek to means compromore that responsive whichcratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the ic process.. as this hacking group has been pository of an official’s ACIDRE the comfort can beeven usedentire to probe corruption,sanctions imposed and high profile bashing responsible for some of the most provocaThat official’s agency a copy mise has digital devices, systems, nitely nothi negligence and imof his/her SALN.for Thefinancial Ombuds-or inefficiency, state gains or just plain these two countries have been getting from tive and aggressive cyber operations of all advisors, SKDKnickerbocker...” THAT news about the P167 million lost by proper conduct in government man’s is just some kind of a back work in the tact meant an introduction to the Western accounts concerned to make thingstime.” advisors, SKDKnickerbocker...” THAT news about the P167 lost by administration. advisors,are SKDKnickerbocker...” THAT news about the P167 million lost by the hacking Trump “gotcha” moments have become such lu- million The giant giant advised that this even decade UCPBinreportedly to asyndicate syndicatemoreThe as hasUCPB been reportedly proven thea past. up. In fact, keeping those back world, the impetus inUS the tech eventual formasober, objective and believable. The US tech advised that this to hacking US tech giant advised that this UCPB reportedly to a hacking syndicate Iftionthese latest hacking attempts on othInalready the case of theparticular Russian operations for crative, even highlyInsought and developed CROSSROADS particular Russian hacking group called has again an exhausted ILIPINOS have a love-hate relationship social media giant Facebook. of with itsRussian territorial identity—often Russian hacking group called has againjust shocked an already exhausted his again appearance before theCROSSROADS up records is actually a tiny CROSSROADS particular hacking group called has shocked anshocked already exhausted Strontium is widely known as Fancy Bear altogether n erwise secure organizations in US soil public six months cooped out under a naTrump’s re-election, the reports coming out undertakings in the past few years. 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At a time when almost goveveryone, Russia’s military intelligence agency, GRU. a time when almost everyone, govneylives—the toward nation-building. In an ideal world, the Russia’s military intelligence agency, GRU. At a activated time when almost everyone, with c al race in the planet, using as they do Microsoft itself is that Russian DELA CRUZ hacking operations can be in no DELA CRUZ katulad ng charge ng undue of its time andernment resources. Raisa Mabayo should COVID-19 pandemic has mimCO DELA CRUZ Apparently, these continuing attacks we mimincluded, is grasping ernment at straws included, Apparently, these continuing attacks ernment isincluded, is atgrasping at straws “...To Spain, whose monarch commisCOVID-19 OPEN from-home set-up would Apparently, these continuing attacks mimgrasping straws we took with the family, that present received from the signifi cant other, even find it diffi injury ang bidding. most sophisticated methods available, it is hackers have targeted 200 US organizations time ataround all. Indeed, they become part icmake the “sustained hacking and information scrounging for funds just dahil tohave stay mali ic the “sustained hacking and information sioned the voyage that set sail in 1519, scrounging around for funds just to stay greatly altered people’s theout storytellers gre to pay closer attention to ic the “sustained hacking and information scrounging which aroundcanforimmobilize funds just tothe stay greatly alter THOUGHTS song keeps playing head—evolved, over into something weThis warfare carried in in theour 2016 presidencommunities. in place, this heist life. is trulyHindi disheartening. ho namin kailangan ng(political year, on March 16, 2021 toparties, bewhich ex-that this means awould celebration of roleinin the warfare out the 2016 presidenwhich can immobilize entire communities. inNEXT place, heist is entire truly disheartening. using the notwarfare farfetched to think that the same can think tanks, consultants of everyday work habits. is trueon fo lives bethe anitsyears, understatement. carried out carried in the 2016 presidencan immobilize entire communities. in place, this heist isthis truly disheartening. pause. lives woul HE Offi ce of the tial race in favor of then candidate Trump Still, the worst and most insidious hackThe culprits have to be brought to justice lives would betoan uO act, we will advanbe commemorating the to 500th technological development ofoftime nautical race inatfavor thenTrump candidate Trump Still,and themost worst andwithout. mosthackinsidious hackSALN. 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Opinion

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO

Opinion Opinion Opinion Opinion Coordinated

Weaponizing SALN

CROSSROADS

J.A. DELA CRUZ WHAT prompted Ombudsman Samuel Martires to issue that memorandum limiting the access of any individual to a public official’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth? Simple. He just wants to make sure that such access by any citizen will be proper and responsible. Under the said circular, an individual can only have access if one of the following requirements apply: a) he/she is the declarant or the duly authorized representative of the declarant; b) the request is upon lawful order of the court in relation to a pending case and c) the request is made by the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office/Bureau/Unit for the purpose of conducting a fact-finding investigation. So, what’s wrong with these conditions? Is the Ombudsman unduly restricting access to what is usually construed as a public record? Is he violating RA 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Practices of Public Officials by providing conditions for such an access? Is he protecting some government officials including the President? The answer is No. Only ill-informed or ill-motivated individuals or out-and-out administration critics would find fault with these conditions. After all, if one wants access, he/she can simply follow the guidelines and pronto the requested SALN can be provided. Now, will the Ombudsman’s circular prevent anybody from

EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL E

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P50 million, (Undue to handle 150,000 requests for around Through a m experts say Moscow is the adversary number of USexperts security experts insisting pened any insider help. Instory fact,like as of post, share, and comment here was linked to the amiliThrough mix of offic so-c experts But saythereafter, Moscow is the adversary number US security insisting pened without anywithout insider In fact, accounts often help. dependent onasthe ofBut globalization; the exchange story tellertrack has his or her own “construct” could beInreleased: If the lengthy record. ply an inside job considering the internal the real world, how dents that and teacher are present all at the same worries them the most, given Russia’s that the Russian hackers are back in the narrative goes, it could have been simand asynchro injury due to the bidding defects, SALNs on an annual basis. on. These then go into an intary and the police. Last year, that worries them the most, given Russia’s that the Russian hackers are back in the the narrative goes, it could have been simand asynchronous metho for Forty advocacy. teller. Much like many facets of our his- of that ideas, andthey technology was tasks ourHultquist, history. eight her requests i An period expert,in John senior execu-of cultures, problems rocking UCPB, which has seen ply cially as thedents public schoo time, lengthy and where perform other on representative record. ansuch inside jobassassination considering internal and tea don’t atory SALN. Worse, many of those trying to enwe lengthy track record.trackheights. ply anneed inside job considering the internal formation trove that can be who have Facebookaretook down some dents andtheteacher arecould pre asGiving the ofthe Antonio spurred to unprecedented years after, those orders its release in relation t tive of the cybersecurity firmharangued FireEye, has its top officials resigning masse. They are here to weeks, situation their own, respectively—educators try- execuAn expert, John Hultquist, senior problems rocking UCPB, which has seen time, and wh expert, John Hultquist, senior execu- case, UCPB, hasused—is seen brothers advantage, alsowhich access these documents Luna,we the death ofdo the Bonifacio time, and where per “...Not surprisingly, an eventual disconthrown tons of garbage then Presbeingand used, in fact— 200 accounts linked the so- they raised alarm bells over the at Russian hackers An In any event, have this heist undue shouldproblems serve as rocking or ofto a Children request ismay made ferent. not ing to make do with available technology to Army commanders. tive of the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has top officials resigning masse. stay. They are here to tive their investig own, re the firm cial FireEye, has its This top officials resigning masse.inen the mass Samar They are here to nectofinreach thecybersecurity narrative surrounding Spanish Marcos and those who presided noting that while multiple cyber-espionage need SALN. Also inenmurders the become collectors, to fornot a wake-uptrying call not only banks. is itsand their own, respectively— Ombudsman’s field to profiduring leserve eachasident user and make media manager of Presior functioning equipme out to their students and enable them tohackers raised alarm bells over the Russian In Fil-American any event, this heist should In 2019, the Human Rights Watch reraised alarm bells over the Russian hackers Inplunder, any event, this heistfor should as ing to make the war, toserve name a few, the actors have targeted organizations associalso records for regulators, agencies arrival in the Philippines developed as each over the country’s fate during those years for the purpose of a fact-findin ing to make do with avai case of no need a get as many such of of-government may not be an ideal place learn, notwithstanding the great challenges stay.overupcoming that user This receive information he or she is likely to dent noting Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016cyber-espionage campaign. thatsecurity while multiple acall wake-up callfor not only for noting that while cyber-espionage arrival the flotilla and This the banks. death its iscould a wake-up not of only banks. is of stay. ated not withgetthe election, the ported exother companies doing essential and we country went onthese tomultiple construct their own na- and Someone reach out toat the fact that more and who requests that “State forces govreach out toMontheir students learn new things. Parent posed by untested methods. SALN. What need is solid, ficials as theyand feel like having. act upon. “Act upon” might mean buying an item, or This likely explains why, in a televised speech actors have targeted organizations associalso for Magellan, regulators, government agencies pertspoints are “most concerned that of the incumbent president’s corner. this more sensitive services. The incidentalso reminds leader, as well as the And eventual actors targeted organizations associ-aofficial’s for regulators, government agencies tional have identities. In the practice of national of view, of actualwith accounts learn, notwit SALN must the present ious about where next The teachers themselves are having diflearn, notwithstanding th ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to responsive evidence that this Reports have them it that one indivoting for aand candidate, or during espousing a certain day night, Mr. Duterte lashedthe out at letter Facebook and made atedupcoming with the election, upcoming election, the exand other essential Russian military intelligence unit..which time around theyexpedition’s are doing joined by Chinese to double their efforts inand securing landing ofcompanies the remaining ated the exother companies doing essential and mythwith making, what transpired that period contra- adof authority the posed by thes from, even if from they did noo ficult timehistorical adjustingevents to the are new pedemands of posed by these untested m guy accumulated or amassed ill vidual asked the of 100 harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in poses the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably in DemotheirSALN digital systems and devices. perts are “most concerned with that of the incumbent president’s corner. And this sensitive services. The incident reminds vocacy. Sometimes the information is used by those a veiled threat to ban it in the Philippines. Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockship, Victoria, in Spainreminds under Magelrused,are selected exclusion or inclusion vening their ‘construct’ haveAnd been this com- perts “most concerned with that of thefrom incumbent president’s corner. sensitive services. The incident SALNabout granting theThe request. a COVID-19 infecti teache their work.for Sure, they may be teaching The teachers themselv ic process.. as this hacking group has been cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the Afterfor all, activities seek tothem comprowealth which a efforts SALN different officials reasonsthat gotten Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they joined bysome Chinese them to double their efforts securing lan’stheir second-in-command, Juan SebasVIRTUAL by storytellers, in this caseto the states, who want toworld. invade our physical virtual security. allow you operate here,” Mr.inspecting Duterte said. ing out. Their narrative even ifChinese they insist Russian military intelligence unit..which time around they are joined by to double in securing instances attack and kill political acfor or taking downs inin the Still, even if or itare was the Everybody is trying hi the“I comfort of their homes, but and there is defificult time ad ficult time adjusting toph t responsible for some the most provocasanctions imposed andand high profile digital entiretheir systems, poses the greatest threat to thefrom democratand Iranian hackers presumably inposes Demotiandigital Elcano, has engendered in that itsbashing wake systems devices. then told and retold—proselytized, realprovide). unknown. It mise turned outdevices, theseevencannot aswhat non-debatable has of been the greatest threat to the democratand Iranian hackers presumably inscrutinized Demodigitaltheir systems and devices. SALN shall be allowed. And is just we know. “You cannot bar or prevent me espousing the still be able to learn in th nitely nothing comfortable about doing your tivists, environmentalists, community leadworld’s longest and strictest, the lockdown their work. S tive and aggressive cyber operations of all two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain these their work. Sure, they ma REALITY a trove of accounts, written or otherwise, process.. as this hacking group has been challenger Biden’s side given the After all, activities seek to comprotheiric respective peoples. and cratic found wanting. ItJoe is not only We were hoping thatcomfort Ombuds icly—to process.. as this hacking group cratic challenger Joe Biden’s side given the After all, the activities that seek comproSimply put, SALN and life-tothat SALNs were used to blackmail ment. Students will learo work in the same manner forhas many years, We keep logging on, anyway, because itthe also serves objectives of government. Isbeen there life after Facethe time.” Trump administration. “gotcha” moments have become such lu- mise and journalists.” thethe comfort ofreflect their on home failed to contain the pandemic. each changing with every narrative. “...One such example ofsome this is the responsible for of the most provocasanctions and writers high profile bashing digital devices, even entire systems, story to tell. and Asimposed some noted and ers, has had time to responsible forI don’t some ofthen the most provocasanctions imposed high profile bashing mise digital devices, even entire systems, educators will learn tohis te even decades, and having to shift to an checks are just some ofRussian and extort officials. our purpose to talk about our lives, project ourselves book? know. But we need to talk.” If these latest hacking attempts on othInSuch the case of the operations for crative, evenAnd, highlyas soughtstyle and developed nitely nothin nitely comfortab is the nature theplain beast, asthese weplain marked difference incyber the of retelling of the academics have been saying the Duterte hasand vowed to continue his “war tive aggressive cyber operations of allnothing thesesecure two countries havelately, been getting from for orOmstate gains or just Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockhow blatantly itwill goes against the tive and aggressive operations of all two countries have been getting from for Hackfinancial orfinancial state gains ortheof just parents learn how be altogether new way teaching. the instruments which the expected, usedundertakings by political operwise organizations in US soil Trump’s re-election, reports coming out in the past few years. inevents a favorable light, orlaw even keep innot touch with family, The following day,death. however, “clarifi ed” work the work the sameinmann used to say, that accounts ofbecome inci-Trump TONY LOPEZ story of They Ferdinand An-theirthe martial years were as dark andelectorut- on time.” the Trump administration. “gotcha” moments have such forPalace transparency. Unfortunately, time.” the administration. “gotcha” have become such luport in their children. Nothh couldMagellan’s have with drugs” which will trouble be “as relentless and down on orMarch 2020, there were only involve the most hotly contested not just of the security establishment but oflu- 15, ers aremud lurking aroundbudsman the corner and canmoments use towhether properly ponents to throw at just each acquaintances and colleagues. During thetonio that the President has nothey plans of tools banning Facebook. even decades dents, personal or friends, historical rests Pigafetta, the Italian scholar who even decades, and then h terly useless as these guys are saying they time to perfect his argument aga If these latest hacking attempts on othIn case of the Russian operations for crative, even highly sought and developed for this, so complaining w If these latest hacking attempts on othIn the case of the Russian operations for crative, even highly sought and developed and with connectivity, or could also race inAt the this planet,writing, using as they do chilling the itself is that Russian military al hacking operations can beundertake activated in noits Microsoft onerwise the day it events began.” Heing wants TWO confirmed cases. the constitutional other. heavily on the story teller. Inorganizations the case of it has altogether ne lockdowns, also been helpful platform Ban or not, users in the Philippines afind detailed journal of Facebook the the would want everybody to believe. Like altogether new waygovernm of tea lifestyle checks for secure organizations US soil Trump’s re-election, theavailable, reports coming in theyears. past few years. HackIn finding our stride, it difficult to be effective at their jobsof erwise secure organizations in ofUS soil in Trump’s re-election, the areports coming outin undertakings in thehave past few Hackmost sophisticated methods itfor iskeptout hackers targeted 200 US time at all. Indeed, they have become part undertakings Inot HAVE beto the Magellan expedition and subsequent death penalty, banned under the Constitumandate to,“investigate on its In a word, asofthe wrote of how Magellan was beall distress conflict situations as Philippines is just the pandemic epicenter in the They coul “Wealth does translate small online businesses. We just tell ourselves tocan bevoyage, to be circumspect about the tradeoff that this INOmbudsman A previous column talked about PresiThey could havecrisis troub involve the most hotly contested electornot justand of the security establishment but have of ers are lurking just around the corner and member that one using the only available medium of instrucnot farfetched to think that thebut same (political parties, think tanks, consultants everyday life. involve the most hotly contested electornot of the security establishment ofthe ersI are lurking just around the corner and events thereafter ancan article written by sieged bymost natives inin Cebu while attemptcountry was atthat that time, there were missons for my he said before lawmakers at a bu and with co own, or on complaint by any decried, it has been weaponized. al race the planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is that Russian military hacking operations be activated in no and communities differen be done anywhere at any time and against and with connectivity, and even the main Democratic fundraising What makes these activities dangerous tion for crimes, to be reimposed for careful, and to mind our settings—conveniently forconvenient—and near-ubiquitous—platform cartion. 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casal race in the planet, using as they do the Microsoft itself is Russian military hacking operations can be activated in no dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now,our Third Secretary and takes and low points but there were high ing to help Rajah Humabon, a recently Raisa Mabayo, fact, he empathy said that anyhackers perceived adversary. Given such an platform) for cyber attacks. Microsoft vice whennoticed these arethat done inperson, suchtime a brazen find it be diffic improve our mosthave sophisticated methods it In is difficult have targeted 200 US organizations time all. Indeed, they have become part former Nat any act oratomission Some experts ishave Meanwhile, students are also adjusting to find it to effa most crimes. sophisticated methods available, it available, is Tuesday. hackers have targeted 200 US organizations at all. Indeed, they haveof become part getting that the moment we post anything, “private” ries. We to be mindful that at every step, there drug es. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines here are his failures: Vice-Consul inBurt charge of Cultural DiploCatholicized ruler demands convert others and celebratory ones asand well. erning lifestyle isDante illogic environment, the tanks, security stability of Tom has been as say- points and wayward manner toofficial, short-sightedness. In onl doi the much-changed of schoolwork. using the notlocal farfetched to the think thatcan the same canthe checks (political parties, think tanks, consultants ofpresident everyday life. using only available not farfetched to think that same (political parties, think consultants of everyday life. anyhappened public employee, the SALN, together with in-as what chief isquoted rendered are predators and manipulators lurking about, ready But the people love the President for macy inthetheinitial Philippine Embassy inBiden’s Ma-meaningless. dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely to Catholicism and loyalty to Spain. MaBut that would be another story. The Philippines’ greatest depression nations and societies as well as the Back integrity intends to ask Congress to also ame ing that failed attempt ondangerous UCPB1. which can unhinge the banking sys-makes cope, but we should They may have grown up with technology, be done anywhere at any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising What makes these activities tion. be done anywhere at any time and against and even the main Democratic fundraising What these activities dangerous tion. office or agency, when such determinable tem. lifestyle checks, Facebook has been called out for allowing these to take advantage of our carelessness and gullibility. executive of drid provides an interesting insight and a gellan believed that his display of force to Mabayo’s notes on the quincentennial standing of and institutions was are targeted by andNo. Or, tothe companies providing essential takes issuewill with the phras the war.” In May top sons come handa 23,000 cases below 20,attacks. Italy, 288,761. but mostly for recreation and2019, socialization. any perceived adversary. Given such anthat platform) forcompanies cyber attacks. Microsoft vice iscampaign when these in such aplatform) brazen second quarter of 2020, the Philipany “drugs perceived adversary. Given such antwoHe Meanwhile for cyber Microsoft vice when these areperspective done in“...specifically such a brazen Meanwhile, students actthose oris in omission appears to bedone have been used as In some sort of fresh on how shouldattacks view various forms of manipulation. After all, many want us be too lazy to verify information, and be enough to toaccomplish those celebrations posted The Diplomat: of note can as indeed bein easily undermined bywouldThey Russian hackers via we phishing goods and services such as food the Under Se yond one’s means” and insists sis is finally over. That w Today they have to use technology to subenvironment, the and of president Tom Burt has been quoted as sayand wayward manner as what allies made itthehandily into themisSenate elecenvironment, security andsecurity stability of stability president Tom Burt has been quoted as saywayward manner as campaign’s what tohappened Secretary Carlos Dominguez says the much-ch the much-changed pine economy slumped to its lowest ever inhistory and even teach inFinance our schools and to illegal, unjust, improper, or in-happened a shortcut in corruption probes a“...On click ofMarch afrom finger Grabe. against the communications manufacturing or in power andand utilities tasks.to That fateful decision and his 16, 2021, we will com- and quarters have benefi ted the targeted posts mistake propaganda for advocacy. They want(Universal us to dema may only have “distorted valueH priceless. stitute the interactions and experiences theyintegrity nations and societies as well as the ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysnations and societies as well as the integrity ing that the initial failed attempt on Biden’s UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysThey mayofha They may have grown tions which solidified power “theInadvertisements, decisive helped us avert anthelies. the younger generations. this Mabayo(lockdown) calculation of people enemy forces, ledDuterte’s by Lapu memorate 500thwere anniversary of the record country’s -- a 16.5-percent conefficient.” which based on the havehistory ties.” This, he says, is none ou even ifthe these downright idolize andofdefend theirand words and acts no matommendatio and companies institutions campaign was “...specifically by Or,the to oft-repeated companies providing essential and standing of standing companies and institutions campaign was targeted bytargeted tem. Or, totem. companies providing essential but mostly fo but mostly for recreation piece, note—history is Lapu, resulted inaide, Magellan’s death. arrival of“...specifically Europeans in the Philippines. We agree that wealth does base. Longtime Christopher Go, and estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordThere are, as should be, better been less than useful in arriving traction in economic production. On top of Facebook has in turn responded—belatedly and ter what. They want us to stop thinking for ourselves of note caneasily indeed easily undermined by Health, viaattacks phishing and services suchinasfood those in food note can indeed be undermined by sarilyToday the Russian viahackers phishing goods and goods services such those the h written by theasvictors—which has been have tothey use P He was struck in the face by abeMactan It is the a hackers dayRussian that means different things to ofattacks equatethey to Today corruption. M waysmanufacturing to realize this mandate toortheand at convictions anyway. Davao’s police chief, Ronaldo dela ing togets researchers from our universities. The inadequately—by looking intoand the and comthen against us when them out. a click of ascimitar. finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications manufacturing inpeople, power and utilitiesdifferent the 0.7-percent contraction in the a warrior clickand of using aformer finger Grabe. against the campaign’s communications or in quarpower utilities Army commanders. de first rigueur for most a better stitute thefor in a turn local After, the we call countries theirposts peoples. preside stitute interactions an should not the takecy’s Filipinos full than keeping SALN records As Martirester 2020, explained, the Human Rights re-Spanish ments and weeding accounts that perform Let us not rely onCebu. external parties to flagthat “coordiRosa, who spearheaded theWe “drug enabled usInout to2019, reinforce our health than even counterpoint as far as historical shipsinitially retreated from the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop lockdown “...To the Philippines, that firstWatch con-what know many governm non-ex-offic that inauthentic “State securitybehavior.” forces and govto these with to those system SALNs are not means required a andisgiving it terms “coordinated We were nated elected inauthentic behavior” for us. Let us teach ourwar,” to the Senate. Dela Rosa and as build upported our capacity to do widetheforcountry now access in recession This ernment-backed paramilitaries continue to corruption probe under the An- who are bent on misusing these cluded in the shortlist. Oth know these more popularly as trolls.Fromarrest, selves to these fakes andcommittee resist their attempts to mea named to spot head theTO Senate spread in our communities. just andwas THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily inArmy first semester drop economic output of 9 one Duterte imposed of the testing earliest lockArmy commanders. point Gierra commanders. ident cannot legally appoin Now, the lockdowns will make half of forin their own selfish ends. ti-Graft and Corrupt PracticesVIRTUAL Just last week, Facebook revealed it had taken take over our good sense. some instances attack and kill political acdowns in the world. Still, even if it was the with police ber reof the Board of Trustee PCR tests per day concharged 2019, the Human Rights Watch In the 2019, theIninvestigating Human Rights Watch re-matters POINT percent. It is the worst recession in our his- around 1,282 actual people poor. world’s longest and strictest, the lockdown tivists, environmentalists, community lead-ported that “State REALITY ported that “State security forces gov-more as president an security forces and of govwar.” Remittances—a mainstay the andmuch ducted in the last week of March, our capacity and the “drug tory.

Gier

Duterte’s failures

Gierran’s appointment is il Marc Gier Gierran’s EMIL

Duterte’s failures Duterte’s failures Calamity elections Duterte’s failures

A performer and achiever DURING the 2019 elections, one of the candidates for the Senate was a close aide of President Duterte, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. In the beginning, I had serious doubts about Go because he had never worked in government aside from being an assistant to Mr. Duterte. But now, I must say that I have never seen a senator who has done so many things for the people in such a short time, Santa Banana!

I have changed my mind about Go. He has been building Malasakit Centers—a one-stop shop created by the law. All Filipinos who need medical and financial assistance can now go to these Malasakit Centers. They can do this instead of lining up for hours at the offices of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. There are Malasakit Centers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Bong Go is doing all these as chairman of the Senate committee on health. Whenever and wherever there is a fire, Bong Go is also there to provide aid and comfort to the victims. Santa Banana, he does this aside from being with the President at all times even when the latter is in Davao City. And yet, he still finds time to always be at the Senate during sessions. With all these things that he’s doing for those who need his help, I consider him a performer and an achiever! *** With no less than 202 members of the House of Representatives signing a manifesto expressing support for speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, he is assured of being Speaker until the end of the term of President Duterte. My gulay, even the

ers, and journalists.”

failed to contain the pandemic.

Finally, lower credit card rates, charges

Thus, the answer to

ernment-backed paramilitaries to ernment-backed paramilitaries to continue economy thatthe iscontinue the one that tobecause contain communist inDuterte has vowed to continue his “war 4. Failure Ten days whether or not the appoint For the whole 2020, the economy is before ex- Duterte imposed the lockinimposed theDuterte first quarter of 2020, 16.5 perharass,arbitrarily threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in depends on wheth harass, threaten, arrest, in imposed onerelentless ofbythe earliest lockDuterteon one of lockJURADO fuels consumption—fell by and 4.2 perTONYofLOPEZ drugs” which willthe be earliest “as and is legal down on March 15, 2020, there were only ThTP Muslim separatist move- acpected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia cent in on theinthe second quarter, 9surgency perVIRTUAL downs VIRTUAL instances attack andpercent kill instances attack and kill political ac- political insome thethe first half. That 4.2 downs theday world. even if itsome wascent the and the world. Still, even ifStill, it and was the in that shortlist for the Bo it began.” Heby wants TWO confirmed cases. At this writing, the inchilling Without ainpenalty, vaccine cent the first half. We are having the IisHAVE tivists, environmentalists, community leadtivists, community leadequivalent to losing billion of It’s world’s and strictest, the lockdown world’s longest and strictest, thement lockdown been environmentalists, requested to$1.4 repeat my reapretty basic. the GDP contraction the whole death banned under the ConstituREALITY REALITY Philippines is the pandemic epicenter in the longest IN estimates A previous column I talked about Presi- for clearly worst recession in our history. sons for myand belief that the appointment of alyour dollar income. ers, and journalists.” ers, journalists.” *** E failed to contain the pandemic. failed to contain the pandemic. tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casThe killings of political activists and dentof Rodrigo achievements. Now, -- assuming a could beDuterte’s as large ashim 30 to percent members the minority want be for general use, the About 75 percent of the economy was former National Bureau of Investigation In an earlier column, I su Is there hope in that bleak scenario? Duterte has vowed to continue his “war Duterte has vowed to continue his “war drug crimes. Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockTen days before Duterte imposed the lockes. It is No. 21 in the world. The Philippines here are his failures: the law leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the Speaker despite turntrillion sharingfor agreeloss ofhis P1.5 each month of lockTONY LOPEZ TONY LOPEZ chief Dante Gierran as president chief President a down. Household consumption, Well, Liftbe the which But the15, people love President on drugs” which will “aslockdowns relentless and onyes. drugs” which will be and “as relentless and should createJU dislodged Germany yesterday and is down barely on shut March 2020, there were only for down on March 15,the2020, there were only 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression executive officer of PhilHealth is illegal. the wake of so many jobles recession could rage ment with Marinduque Representative providing three-fourths of GDP, fell by 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim have senseless and produced the TWO “drugscases. war.”At In this May 2019, two topchilling 23,000 below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. down. Thisquarter lockdown thePhiliplongest andcases severonproved the day it began.” He wantsthe He wants chilling on the day it began.” In the second of 2020,–the TWO confirmed writing, thewriting, confirmed cases. At this the Under Section of Republic Act 11223 ofMARCOS thebeen COVID-19 pand 15.5 percent in the Q2 for 7.8-percent it handily into the aSenate opposite effect. lockdowns were ConstituLord Allan Velasco. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says allies Isult HAVE requested AS haters r I HAVE been pineest economy lowest in seven death penalty, banned under theupon Constituterrorists on the1The warpath marked death penalty, banned under Philippines is made the pandemic epicenter inepicenter theelecPhilippines is pandemic in(Universal the are IN previous I talked about PresiIN Acolumn previous column I talked about Presiin theslumped worldto–itshas runAever for months. Healthcare Act), the the rec- by aThe Department of Lab well into 2021. decline in H1 2020, according to MaPRESIDENT Duterte has extended tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped us avert an supposed to save 4,000 people from sons for my belief that th dark days of Martial Law sons for my the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conThe new regulation also waives themost reFINALLY, after allowing the banks andASEAN VelascoThis has means hardly half madeof his prestion phenomenon—suicide for crimes, to be reimposed for Board of Tru tion for most crimes, toofbeof reimposed forwill card receivables P446 billion. Apply 42 11-nation with a total of 265,888 cas11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casdent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements. Now, ommendation of the Board Trustees Philment deny this, for su new bombers. The theOn economic production nila-based Asian Development Bank. the state ofcard calamity forinfections one yearaccordbase. aide, Christopher Go, anddrug crimes. estimated 1.3 to 3.5issuing million dying, people who shall would die anyway, traction Cayetano in economicsimply production. 21, theyNational went on Bureau theNatio usu former drug crimes. es.until Itmake is No. 21Longtime world. Philippines quirement credit card issuers to notify their credit subsidiaries ence known. deserves Health, the President appoint theyou agenes. Itinisthe No. 21for inThe the world. The Philippines showed that almost half here top are of hishere failures: percent of that and get former P187.32 billion his2021. failures: the Board re PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, former police more chief, Ronaldo dela Unemployment than tripled, Sept, Please note: That is upThe to Davao’s ingare to21, researchers from our universities. the is 0.7-percent contraction in thecannot first quarchief Dante Gierran pG lockdown or no lockdown, because gone by now. That be recovered in chief portraying Marcos as the d cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s But the people love the President forPresident adult labor as force ofDante 60as mi But the people love the for dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression the cardholder of the said changes on inpiles and piles of money, with untrammeto continue his speakership. First, he is 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression in whopping revenues for the banks fithe Presiden Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug lockdown enabled to reinforce our health from 5.1 average percent indaily April tests 2019 toa17.7 eight months justusbefore the May 2022 ter four 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop executive officer of PhilH most of them already had fatal disexecutive off But did not Shakespea worrying sign. non-ex-officio members. Santa Banana, they are the has grown to about 32,000 the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top months. 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.” In May 2019, two top 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. In the second quarter of 2020, the PhilipIn the second quarter of 2020, the Philipterest or finance charges at least 90 calenled abandon, at the expense of consumers fair in the distribution of pork and other wereinelected the Senate. Rosa nance charges. Apply 24 percent ofSection P446 system and build up our capacity to do wide- war,” percent April to 2020 “whenDela lockdowns elections when we choose means the country is now in recession with presidential Under 1 of Re Thus, bef eases than COVID. But several Under Sec do lives after them Thisother that the President cannot apThemen newest of the “new allies made itmeans handily into the Senate elecFinance Secretary Dominguez says most allies made it handily into themilitary Senatethat elec5. Coddling ofbillion the police and the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says pine economy slumped to slumped itsour lowest ever in From this (August).” economy tothe itsBangko lowest ever Finance Carlos Dominguez named toCarlos head the Senate committee spread in communities. justin was dar days before such take effect. and thetesting cardholders, Sentral benefitsfirst to semester every member of the House. drop inSecretary economic output of 9 pine were widespread and at changes their Duterte’s successor. and get P107 Deduct (Universal Healthcare Ac point Gierran unless he isare ayou member of the billion. 119,000 toPresident 140,000 retre thousands more people dying or will (Universal H interred with their bones.” an tions which solidified Duterte’s power “the decisive (lockdown) helped uspolice avert an us by which solidified power “the decisive (lockdown) helped avert an tions the country’s history -- ayear 16.5-percent concountry’s history --state a tests 16.5-percent concharged with matters around 1,282 actual day conDuterte has of employed moreDuterte’s generals, It is thehas worst recession in our his- the Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, strict,” says investigating ADB. Exports declined Another ofPCR ofper andThis staff, outommendation of the ommendation ofme the more Boar Diokno has been a very pro-consumer ng Pilipinas has put aAdds stop tocalamity their pracexplains that “no matter how much money Speakerpercent. Cayetano delivered Presidie because hunger, malnutrition, and brings to as P107 billion from P187.32 billion and you base. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and be first appo estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordbase. Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordtraction in traction economic production. On top of and the “drug war.” ducted in the last week of March, our capacity economic production. On top of tory. schools which will remai percent in thecould first BSP half. means restrictions andinfections regu- 21.4and Health, the President shall Health, the Pr diseases spawned by the lockdowns. Marcos a heel or a hero? the military the police, than any and pro-people governor, making tice of continuing onerous and extortionate dent Duterte’s legislative agenda during the rate of deaths have getand P80.32 billion—that is the amount countries pump into their theircontraction former police chief, Ronaldo dela ingcharges to researchers from our universities. The from Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela 4.ing Failure to contain the communist in-Davao’s to researchers from our universities. The the 0.7-percent contraction inoftheprime first in quarFor the whole of 2020, the economy is economies, ex- the 0.7-percent the first quarschools have lost b ofcard Trustees. lations. Prices commodities, cy’s and CEO cy’s presiden Saidinitially acting Economic Planning SecItpresident depends. Ifincome you look him my No. 1 candidate for best central that cry to high heavens for justice. this pandemic. Above all, with his leadother president before him. More than 45 holders will save, in theory, if credit card fiThe reasons are been much worse. The latest data suggest that Rosa, who spearheaded the “drug surgency and the Muslim separatist movelockdown enabled us to reinforce health our health Rosa, who initially spearheaded thenon-ex-officio “drug GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. enrollees. lockdown enabled us toourreinforce pected to decline by 10 percent. BizNewsAsia ter 2020, theterespecially 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop 2020, the rice, 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop corn, and fish, will be members. What is/a non-ex-offici retary Karl Kendrick Chua: ble achievements and go Without a vaccine governor Thepackage Monetary Board last weeksystem ment ership, Cayetano national budget were elected tooccupy theelected Senate. Rosa The group representing nance charges are cut to just 24 percent. build upand ourbuild capacity tocases do wide- star-rank estimates thehad GDP contraction the whole war,” were toDela the Senate. Dela Rosa system upever. our capacity towar,” do widemeans the country is now recession officers cabinet and civillittle over 1approved percent ofbank all COVID-19 means the country is anow inwith recession withand clearly spelled out inCOVID controlled. In infact, under current laws, This means the Pre It is not thethe sheer sizeforof the stimulus This mean “No one anticipated that the he would be athat hero. For Gierran can The of political activists andcuts al-From and staff claim that the was toin head the Senate committee could be as large as 30 percent -- first assuming a first Mr. President, The series interest rate henamed has ortothe cap the interest rate and penalties the card spread testing inkillings our communities. Fromlift just passed on time. was named to head the Senate committee Actually, 42 percent is just a starting rate. semester drop in economic output of 9output spread testing in of our communities. just for general use, the semester drop in economic of 9 point Gierran unless heP5 is price of anything, and its supply, can point Gierran pandemic will [strike] the global ian positions the government. who envy his ingenuity, in the country are severe or critical. Our morthat matters now but also whether it is actualthe law. cated to them is not enough leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the the Board of loss of P1.5 trillion for each month of lockcharged with investigating police matters around actual PCR actual testspandemic per day concharged investigating matters thecontrolled worst our The his- in 1,282 PCR tests per out dayincondered since the broke March companies can charge. ceiling is1,282 2 around Traditionally, the speakership mustpercent. have It is be the in government during percent. It isrecession thebyworst recession our hiscredit card companies an addithe lockdowns. They economy. InThe thewith first three months ofpolice the charge sight, and those who desi recession could rage The jobs policy that P 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim Despite the overwhelming dominance of tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people down. This lockdown – the longest and severly saving productive parts oftory. the economy. the “drug war.” ducted in theducted last oflast March, capacity Section and the “drug tory. in the week ofmarked March, ouraand capacity a state of In 24 a major election, thisweek year the our BSP liquidity measures to percent percalamity. month or percent per year. the blessing of the the president. Majority quarantine, we prioritized saving lives ofhas tional 5 war.” percent for failure cardholders to away13 definitely to adopta heel. right s terrorists are on thesense. warpath by est in the world – has run for seven For months. make noand generals, the Duterte administration hasusually not 4. Failure to the communist inwell into 2021. per a ishundred thousand.” 4.contain Failure toused contain the communist in- happens the whole of 2020, the economy exThis is because the problem is not a systemic the price and supply of Nov. bellwether goods ance Act ofsc2 For the whole of 2020, the economy is exagainst COVID. We this time to Board of Trustees of PhilHealth, and unless emergency employment pump cash into the battered economy have The ruling is effective 3 and could be House leader Martin Romualdez said that settle bills on time, which new phenomenon—suicide bombers. The This means half of the economic production The reason surgency and the Muslim separatist moveThe surgency andsystem the separatist movelikeby rice, corn,by fish, fuel, even school pected percent. BizNewsAsia the Board recommended hisMuslim appointment to any proven itself any more competent nor the ranks the unemploye pected to10 decline 10 percent. BizNewsAsia improve our health capacity.” He notes that perPNP 100,000, the EU member has tripled anti-insurgency budget, contraction orcannot a cyclical bust. Simply, necesdirector shal meant additional P1.5 trillion inment the hands of renewed every six months. Cayetano had spoken the President re-toindecline is gone by now. with That be recovered because the banks send their bills lateofor notproblem Without aitsvaccine Without a vaccine the“By President. supplies, medicines, and PPEs, are cruthe poverty ofo ment estimates the GDP contraction forstates theaverage whole the models of UP and Ateneo, enclearly estimates the contraction fordaily the whole a worrying sign. 70, spelled has grown to GDP about 32,000 tests less corrupt than past administrations. months. clearly average 31 deaths, UK Spain 61, consumers and the financial system. The ceiling covers interest rates or figarding four thesary speakership. I have no reason to from a short mobility restrictions hamper aggregate at all (there is a fee of P200 for sending those Thus, before Gierran can be appointed as The killings of political activists and almany years to come. cial, especially in battleground regions, The killings of political activists and alcould be as large as 30 percent -assuming a we averted some 59,000 to 171,000 5. for Coddling of the police and the the military could be as large as 30 percent -- assuming ageneral this (August).” for use, the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez Is he a hee general use, When theleaders chief ofleaders the capital’s nance charges on the unpaid outstanding doubt the words of Romualdez. Myloss gulay, President andbills), CEO of PhilHealth, hethe must Sweden 57, and the US 52. has While the President may or usenational intricate passwords before the the law. Commission demand.” leged NPA have failed to dent the law Hardest hit employed was Luzon island which andAdds especially, when the highest leged NPA have failed to dent the of P1.5loss trillion for each month of lockdeaths. Our death rates reduced from more generals, Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, ofmost P1.5 trillion for each month of lock- Duterte explains that “no matter how much money beforce firstcommunist appointed asinsurgency. a member of the Board law Bayanihan 2, theCorpo billion hero? credit card balance of a cardholder. It recession could rage just lookcountries at theGovernment photos thetheir dinner between 52-year old Muslim cardholder can decipher his balance due onproduces 70 percent of total economic post of the land is at stake. police was caught on social media recession could rage 3. Unprecedented human rights violations from the military and the police, than any trolled 52-year old communist insurgency. Muslim down.their This lockdown – the longest and severa high of 17 percent to just 1.6 percent the rate of infections and deaths could have economists earlier projected pump of into economies, down. This lockdown – the longest and severof Trustees. project are only stop-gap m production andBut is home toMore 50 percent of What isrun not during state areterrorists on the warpath marked by amarked should not exceed 2run percent peramonths. month. other president before him. thanhaving 45terrorists Cayetano and presidential Davao been much worse. The latest data suggest that Duterte oraWhat around deaths. We line. Also, inparty the averted statement of account, the are onrequirements the warpath by a people’s estCity in the world –the has for seven months. GDP have shrunk anyway. breakfast with more est in world –controlled has for seven Under thi What has made a strong president, well into 2021. 24 percent per is/are4,000 thebirthday legal before viate the needs. a would recovery of son, 7 massively, percent to 8 percent in GDP well into 2021. Board of Trustees PhilH the population. of calamity is how the government disBoardof ofand Trus star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilnew phenomenon—suicide bombers. The a little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 cases some 1.3 to phenomenon—suicide 3.5 million cases, of indicated, which It is not the sheerDuterte. size of the stimulus package other charge or fee may be This meansThis halfAlso, of theno economic production new bombers. The representative, Paolo card number is not only the “cusGierran can be appointed as a member of means half of the economic production What is essential uh pointed by than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prothe vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also the Board recommended growth rate in 2021. That is now overly optiian positions in thecontracted the Board rectM by 53.5 perpenses money. The incumbent President in the country are severe oron critical. Our mor-cash PNP has tripled anti-insurgency budget, now butin also whetherIt’s it is actualyear isgovernment. still the highest 68,000 would be number” severe and critical sobudget, Let me policy quote Justice is gone by now. That cannot be recovered PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency the Board ofits Trustees? term jobs to preven or collected credit card Well,that thatmatters is how it is politics. the isimposed gone by now. That cannot beinrecovered in Investments tomer is shown; the cardholder the President. Board of Go Tr Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying gatherings ofsign. tenwhich or more peoplelem in of poverty. talityget ratio, themoney other hand,wants is at 2.5 people thewas President ingrown the second quarter and byhibiting 36.6 can allon the tohas have given him one of hiscent major failures—massive saving the productive of thefour economy. sign. cases on the peak day, willGovernovergrown to about 32,000 average daily tests mistic. Withoutparts a vaccine for general use, the who the Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC months. a worrying has to about 32,000 average daily tests four months. advances except ahe maximum processnumbersly that prevail. doesn’t know which card he isLazaro, actually tryThus, before Gierran caM in nearly all of Asia. generals, the Duterte administration has not 5. per ahands hundred thousand.” Thus, befo percent in the first half. “Private investhis on and for deploy it rights to whoever This is because the problem is not a systemic ance Act of5. mandates that anmilitary appointing included in whelm our healthcare sector.” Coddling of2011) the police and the MyCounsel gulay, ifduring there’s one rate the thisviolations. (August).” one place at the same time), Duterte refused Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez Coddling of the police and the military human Critics say he killed this (August).” recession could rage well into 2021. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez fee of P200 transaction. * President and CEO ofand Phj ing toinpay, ifbyhesix has many cards. proven itself “Without anyinmore norfor anyin-Duterte He notes thathe perper 100,000, the EU President contraction or*a*cyclical bust. Simply, neces-thating mentAdds slumped Q2 competent with outlays and wherever wants tomoney send it.member director shall be appointed the President it’s an urgent and lasting “What we find the last months, has employed more generals, beneficiaries of the Februa Adds Dominguez: the lockdown, explains “no matter how much by the GCG Duterte has employed more generals, Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, explains that “no matter much to fire from the aerring general. more than 27,000 in the guise be appointed asplace less corrupt than of pasteliminating administrations. When the President camepump tostates power in31 rate average deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, re“The interest caphow on credit card As seen health experts, the easing short-list prepared by thethan Governance sary by mobility restrictions hamper aggregate first appoi tatalfirst Banana, Ibe foresee aa me bleaa The 5police, percent add-on the monthdustrial machinery and could transport equipCombine those powers—control ofmoney the is the lower quarantine restriction event of time, fromhave thethat military and the any makes rate of infections and deaths have countries into 57, their their the from the military and the police, than any the rate of infections and deaths could countries pump into their economies, their dent cannot When the chief of lower the national capital’s of Trustees. Sweden andeconomies, the US 52. Commission for Government-owned or-ConPhilippines without any ass demand.” of Trustees. the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent and for private price and supply of any commodity or conceivables aims to ease the financial burden of health protocols to he Modified General July 2016, stumbled into the greatest and ly interest rate 8.5 percent (3.5 plus 5) or has actually opened more sectors of the have fashioned and susta other president before him. More than 45 been much worse. The latest data suggest that GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. other president before him. More than 45 been much worse. The latest data suggest that GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. police force was caught on social media What is/are the legal re 3. Unprecedented humantaxpayers rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG). ple can get employed whe Government economists earlier projected ber of the B What is/are construction 46.8 percent lower,” says sumer goods, redirecting money economy andoccupy helped bring back jobs.” The Philippine is in a recession, the of consumers and micro, small and medibarrage of adverse publici Community Quarantine would be too biznewsasia@gmail.com star-rank officers cabinet and civilan effective annual interest rate of 102 Human Rights Watch says many of the a little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 cases longest economic expansion in the country’s It is not the sheer size of the stimulus package star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civila little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 cases aPublic breakfast birthday partyslipped with more Under this law, Gierran can only be ap- Gierran finally ends! is anyone not thehas sheer size of the package having What made Duterte a stimulus strong president, can be appointed a recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP It to Gierran can ADB. construction by a or anywhere, and the restrictions a PhilHealth Mr. ian President, lift theagovernment. lockdowns. identmoney Marcos from* *the* ta ian positions in positions thepercent; government. deepest and the worst inprothe um enterprises amid acampaign, difficult economic risky especially here inconsecutive Metro inactualthe are severe orare critical. Our morbanks double their in that quarters matters now but alsonow whether it is actualpointed by the President as member of the the in the than guests (despite strict lockdown 27,000 areit has “vigilante-style killings perpetratin50 the country severe or critical. Ourcountry’s mortheof vicious illegal drugs alsocountry Board ofthe Trustees? matters but also whether is growth rate in 2021. That is nowManila. overly opti- that history—70 growth. Board of marginal 0.9 percent inatQ2. on flow of goods and people under atality lockThey make no one sense. I think They pursued what notab Take note Despite the overwhelming dominance of ratio, on thegatherings other hand, is 2.5 people Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if heeven was I don’t know whoever history. So the moves to refloat the econcaused by the COVID-19 The number of new cases is still lyrising saving thelyenvironment productive parts of the economy. hibiting of ten or more people in given him one of his major failures—massive Despite the overwhelming dominance of just month. tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people Section 13 of RA 10149 mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the saving the productive parts of the economy. Section 13 ed by policeper officers themselves or by killers Duterte may not know it but he down of whatever form or acronym—and Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth without the lockdowns, you can win ard Maitland sharply obse included in the list and submitted easing the one-meter socian thegenerals, Duterte administration has not aPilipihundred thousand.” oneper place at the same time), Duterte refusedgenerals, human rights said violations. Critics sayahesystemic killed This is because the problem is not asuccessor—without systemic your theprepared administration has not rage well is into 2021. Act ofclude 2011) mandates omy should alsoemployment be unprecedented. pandemic,” Bangko Sentral ng and the recession numbercould of fatalities still high. a hundred thousand.” In aDuterte previous column, Iance said not even This is because the problem is not ance Act of 20 achieved almost full durDuterte can pick hislinked an election. tial matter of history is no to the authorities.” by the GCG to the President. But the Presitocol in public transport. before it went negative in the first quarter of proven itself any more competent nor any to fire the erring general. He notes that per 100,000, the EU member more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating Whenit is theonly President came power in contraction contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, necesdirector shall be appointed provenbank itselfrobbery any more nor any of HeThe notes thattrillion per an 100,000, the be EUenough. member P1.5 may not Itcannot is nas (BSP) Governor Benjamin ment as shall a orm This is why right that wetoremain awhether cyclical bust. Simply, neces- ing his director cancompetent match that kind profpresidency, unprecedented regard as or to that guy isE. a Diokno. genident legally appoint Gierran a membut what people wrote worsen the problem. the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less corrupt than past administrations. states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, July2020. 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and saryrestrictions Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during from a short-list prepared b sary mobility hamper aggregate less corrupt than past administrations. states average 31 deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, from a short-l mobility restrictions hamper aggregate just 7.6 percent of oursay 2016 averBSP circular pegs separate interachievement. Economists thatGDP. whenThe us,The a technocrat, a nincompoop, or ofeven under GCQ until the nation can be assured berbiznewsasia@gmail.com of Board more as theirMark ofalso Philhealth it-making by much banks from credit card my words, there Lazaro said thatw biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights Watch saysa many the When thethechief of of theTrustees, national capital’s longest economic expansion in the country’s Sweden 57, and the US 52. Commission for Governm demand.” When the chief ofmythe national capital’s Sweden 57,above and the US 52.are the campaign. Any numbers that Commission f demand.” a PhilHealth president/CEO, gulay! unemployment hits 5 percent, practicala dog. So today, the people must already Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a 4.2COVID-19 cases in the co age stimulus spending in other countries is est rate ceiling for credit card installment of a vaccine. We can never be too careful. ministrations have used l a no-sweat business. Ifmine you wheth are “vigilante-style killings perpetrathistory—70 consecutive quarters ofGovernment growth. 27,000 police force was operations, caught on the social media 3.orUnprecedented human rights violations (GCG economists earlier projected police force was caught on media 3. Unprecedented rights trolled Corpor Take note that before GCG cansocial in- trolled of thisCorporations nonsense. Government economists earlier projected ly everyone needing a human job has a job.violations It’s decide—do want more of or Duterte, classified as “homicides investigation.” sought to destroy or co ed by police officers themselves by killers atunder least 15 percent ofpresident, a country’s GDP. Our loans, just atothey 1-percent add-on. fold increase in14the size of econoI know thathimself there is also aquarters demand toPhilippine Duterte added growth assume credit card bad loans average 5ideaGierra having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Under office. What has made Duterte a strong a of recovery of 7 percent 8 percent in GDP clude your name in the shortlist for appointThey say the was having a breakfast birthday party with more thist Under What has made Duterte a strong president, like having a factory running at 95 perless, or none at all? recovery of authorities.” 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP oblivion, notwithstanding linked to the before it(from went negative inbillion the firstgrowth quarter of ato GDP, or the size of the economy, is P25 Since these are ceilings, the card comAside from the drugs war killings, the relax health protocols because many peopointed by the President percent of receivables, 102 minus 5 still than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown promy $72.2 in 1998 $304.9 bilthe vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also ment as a member of the Board of Trustees and drivers of public utilit rate in 2021. That is now overly optiMy gulay pointed by tha than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prothecapacity. vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also Duterte has imposed longest and growth rate in 2021. That isthe now overly opti- cent edented achievements for Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during 2020. Board ofLocal Trustees of Phi Philhealth, the GCG first needs to more deterrior and Governmen hibiting gatherings ofgatherings ten or more people ina 97-percent trillion. About 15 percent ofmilthat isofP3.75 panies maylockdown charge lower interest rates, ple are losing their jobs and closingmistic. their given him one ofin his major failures—massive leaves the banks with return. Human Rights Watch has also noted the Without a vaccine for general use, the Board of Tru hibiting of ten or people in lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, But April 2020, more than 7.3 most strict in the world—for given him one of his major failures—massive ident canno mistic. Without a vaccine for general use, the the campaign. Any numbers above that are nation and its people. Begun in 1999, the expansion meant a 4.2mineatwhether youtime), to hold this included ardo Añoin said that this the listifprepa place the same Duterte refused human rights violations. Critics say he killed trillion. Other countries have pumped as ifmore they want. But I under doubt thatmotivated they will businesses. Butmiddle-income safety first. If we included inwhis th recession ragethan well into 2021. one place atare thequalified same time), Duterte refused lion people lost theirhis jobs—“largely in six months now from March human rights violations. Critics sayone he killed classified aswith “homicides politically detention of most recession could rage well into investigation.” 2021. Imore could well repeat foldand increase in thecomes size of Philippine econostatus for could Filipinos, Health pres office. addthe jeepneys, buses, by GCG to the Presid to fire the erring general. more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating by the GCG t When the President came to power in much as half of the value of their economy have the kindness of heart and generosity have already survived the past seven to services—mainly trade, transport, ac15, 2020. And what do we get after to fireit’s the erring general.The Pres- ofeloquently Aside the fromPresident the drugs war killings, theinSenator biznewsasia@gmail.com more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating mytheir (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilWhen came to power that “good deed My gulay, a long process! transportation—not eas prominent critic, Leila de Lima, the dent cannotmanent legally appoin per dramatic capita income exceeding $3,000. Com pervasive drugs curse. dent cannot le July 2016, he stumbled theofgreatest andgreatest restaurants, and enter- ident cannot just pick anybody to be Phil- tancing giving most our liberties? Human Rights Watch hasbasic also noted the theillegal illegal drugs curse. lion in 2016), reductionwe in poverty, topervasive refloat their economies. of spirit toheinto do that, especially in the these dif-commodation, eight months beinga in quarantine, can beneficial to the nation and July 2016,up stumbled into the and protocol. ber of the Board Truste removal in May 2018 ofAtChief Justice Mabiznewsasia@gmail.com berexpunged, ofofsay the Bo m Human Rights Watch says many of Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecolongest economic expansion in the country’s politically motivated detention ofneed his most tainment—but also in industry, espeWell, nothing—but misery and poverty. middle-income status Filipinos, with biznewsasia@gmail.com president and CEO. The three per- a be Health experts thi Human Rights Watch says many of Health the on effacedex-officio or G longest economic expansion in the country’s the same time, thetheinterest rate ficult times when the banks to raise certainlyandsacrifice some more.for PhilHealth president/CE a PhilHealth 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetratprominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, the history—70 consecutive quarters of growth. cially manufacturing. Lowerincome The Philippines today is the epicenter their per capita income exceeding $3,000. manent Commissions of GCG and the two (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of amWhat can happen here is th Carlos Dom (www.manilastandard.net) triumphs in the end.before Marco nomic performance of the Philippines ever. 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetrathistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase funds elsewhere to make up for pandemTake note that My gulay, my wife and I have already Takegained note removal in14May 2018 of in Chief Justice Maedgrowth by officers themselves or by killers ex-officio members (Secretary of Finance everything we Marcos have Today, Duterte presides over theDuterte worst ecoand semi-skilled workers, most ofor them of COVID pandemic the whole ofpolice himself added quarters growth is secure. laws ed(now by police officers themselves by killers Budget Secr himself added 14 reduced quarters of nesty given Senator retired) Antonio yourThe name inyour the sh Theperformance slump also theand worst in Duterte ASEAN. The (RRP) facility remains at 2.25 percent. ic-induced losses and business. been indoors for manyisofmonths weever. clude rianegative Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of am- to employed Carlos Dominguez and Department of clude * * * nai (www.manilastandard.net) nomic the Philippines linked the authorities.” only informally, were hit hard Asia, outside of India, Pakistan, and before it went in the first quarter of fit us. They are embedded linked to the authorities.” before it went negative in the first quarter of ment as a member of SO have to vote Trillanes IV who led mutinies in 2002 and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado) will also ment as atothe me This has been the lowest policy rate since Inthe a given press statement, BSP saidAntonio its reformbecause Thecontinue ban of going ce nesty Senator (now retired) don’t mind this little sacrifice. should collapse makes worst Theeconomic slump is also the worst We inalso ASEAN. The him Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during few had the option to work from Bangladesh. With over 3,000 cases daily, 2020. and to govern and Authorities admit SO to 7,000 deaths during Philhealth, the GCG fi 2020. I SEE you or not of have to vote whether to include “Undas” orinAll Saints’ Da Trillanes IV who 300,000 ledmeant mutinies in 2002 and ofthe Philhealth, shortl economic alsogood. makes him the the beginning ofI numbers thethat pandemic. initiative is1999, pursuant to the BSP’s also think of thecollapse common home,” notes ADB. we are reaching and will 2007, and the passage of a numbers new Anti-Terror thesupervicampaign. Any above are Begun in 1999, theperforexpansion acases 4.2president ever in terms ofworst economic Marcos’ vision and foresi the campaign. Any above that are SEE mine whether you are qua Begun in the expansion meant a 4.2in the shortlist. Day is no problem for me a 2007, and20theinpassage of of acredit new mine president ever in terms of economic Duterte had rescued be No. number totalAnti-Terror COVID LITO classified “homicides under investigation.” The GCG Ben,ashowever, should havesix done more sory authority over all card issuersasIronically, fold perforincrease in the size of forForgovernance arewhether richly Act (ATA). LITO classified “homicides under investigation.” mance. * * * The GCG is akin to the Judicial and Bar office. many office. years, we hav fold in Philippine the size of econoPhilippine econoActincrease (ATA). BANAYO poverty—defined as an cases in the world among 220 countries. Aside million fromAside thefrom drugs war killings, the BANAYO varied and numerous legal mywin (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilgood if he pegged credit card interest under the Credit Card Industry Regulation I havemance. been asked who I think will Council. Bep My gulay, it’s a long Council. 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Lungs and bubbles failure. politically motivated detention ofdetention his mostper Health included, you must pass through the Health andand foresight of Marcos, he ber pray for our loved (www.manilastandard.net) status for and Filipinos, with president and CE rights defenders, alleged New People’s Opportunities politically motivated of his most – about 16 to 18 percent year. The credit card lending in the country. 2. Pandemic vember. My answer mismanagement is I don’t know.and middle-income and middle-income status for Filipinos, with Health presid Health inclu percent by 2022, fromPeople’s 30s in thethe2000s. wringer of the GCG, and you must be in- manent The economy collapsed by 0.7 percent gone ahead us.apply and prominent critic, Senator Leila de Lima, suances thatofstill and alleged New their per capita income exceeding $3,000. 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ex-officio me Today,for Duterte presides over the worst eco-en- nearly all of Asia. SO forms the issuance dential Candidate Joe Biden is likely LourdesriaSereno, theSereno, revocation of amDominguez and (www.manilastandard.net) nomictoperformance of payments, the Philippines ever. riawill Rolando G.Carlos Estabillo Publisher Lourdes the revocation of amCarlos Dom (www.manilastandard.net) nomic performance of the Philippines ever. But the 24retired) percent hasLegal been a deep cut.S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser credit cardholders toThe settlenesty financial win. But bookies outside the US are I SEE Budget Secretary Wendel given Senator (now Thestill slump isable also the worst inthe ASEAN. Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member &Antonio Chief Former ChiefAdviser Justice Reynato Budget Secre nesty given Senator (now retired) Antonio ManilaStandard The slump ManilaStandard canisbealso accessed at:worst in ASEAN. The Honor Blanco Cabie Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor can previous be accessed at: rate was 3.5 per cent per L. Tomeldan SO The transactions underhim more affordable pricingIV haveRamonchito to votehave whether to Ni betting on re-electionist Donald Trump. Trillanes who led mutinies in mutinies 2002 andin 2002 and economicONLINE collapse also makes the worst manilastandard.net SO Editors manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager toS. vote LITO Trillanes IV who led Anita Grefal Treasury Manager ONLINE economic collapse also makes him the worst Jimbo Owen Gulle Ci ChinF.Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Chin Wong/Ray Eñano I SEE Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard in the shortlist. Published Monday to by Philippine Manila Standard 2007, and the passage of apassage new Anti-Terror month 42 percent among terms,” according to Governor Diokno. RecallPublishing that Inc. inat2016, Hilary Clinton was MEMBER SEEBANAYO president ever in terms ofSunday economic perforin the shortlis Former Chief Reynato S. Puno Board Member &IEditor Chief Legal Adviser Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions 2007, and or the ofJustice aper newyear— Anti-Terror 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de M. Santos Ch Joyce Pangco Pañares News Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad president inManilaStandard terms of106 economic perforPublishing Inc.ever at 6/F Universal Re Building, Paseo de Joyce Pangco Pañare MEMBER at: LITO Solutions TheLino GCG isRamonch akin to the can be accessed Act (ATA). corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.she Telephone mance. the highest in the world. The setting of a maximum ceiling on inLITO leading Roxas, in the surveys. In fact, won Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone TheChua GCG Philippine Press Institute AdelleCirculation Chua Opinion Editor Act (ATA). Philippine PressCirculation Institute Manager Edgar M. Valmorida BANAYO Adelle mance. EdgarF.M. Valmorida Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all Council. Before you Bef can 832-5554, 832-5558 (connectingmanilastandard.net all National Association Anita Grefal Treasury Manager BANAYO ONLINE Recently, there have been sensational National Association And that terest isnumbers allThe due tois832-5556, the second biggest Council. Chin Won Diokno has called the 42 percent annufinance charges on 832-5550. credit card trans- The departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550.won P.O. the popular vote. But Donald Trump there have been sensational departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) P.O. ofor Philippine Newspapers And that all due to the second biggest ofRecently, Philippine Newspapers Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard member of the Board toth Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website:failure. www. No quick fixes Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. killings of known political activists, human Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board member of Em al rateofunacceptable. actions is also MEMBER in keeping with the country’s killings Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions becausemanilastandard.net ofPublishing the electoral collegeResystem. known political activists, human Opportunities Inc. at 6/F Universal Building, 106 Paseo de Joyce failure. Health included, you mus manilastandard.net Opportunities rights defenders, and alleged New People’s Health includ 2. Pandemic mismanagement Roxas,to corner PereaaSt., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone rightsPer defenders, and alleged New People’s BSP data, banksEdgar have total credit current low interest rate environment. 2. Pandemic mismanagement Thus, I refuse make prediction. wringer of the GCG, and Philippine Press Institute A M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

PPI

ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

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wringer of th

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Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser J.A. HonorBoard Blanco Cabie Night Editor can be accessed at: Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Member & Chief Legal Adviser Ramonchito L. Tomeldan ManilaStandard can be accessed at: Ramonchit manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal TreasuryJimbo Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager DELA CRUZ ONLINE Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñan Owen Gulle Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager City Editor ONLINE Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Chin Wong Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re de Joyce Pangco Pañare Baldwin R.Building, Felipe106 Paseo Head—Ad Solutions Lino M. Santos Solutions Chief Photographer Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor Baldwin R. Felipe MEMBER Head—Ad at 6/FMakati Universal Building, 106 Paseo de Joyce P MEMBER Roxas, corner PereaPublishing St., LegaspiInc. Village, City.Re Telephone Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Edgar M. Valmorida Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Telephone Chua Opinion Editor Circulation Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all Makati City. Philippine PressAdelle Institute Ad The National Association Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all

Board MemberManilaStandard & Chief Legal Adviser

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departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website:(Advertising) www. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net manilastandard.net

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World

US to roll out quick tests for coronavirus WASHINGTON—Coronavirus tests that deliver results in 15-30 minutes are to be rolled out across the United States and in scores of poorer countries, as health authorities worldwide try to get a handle on a disease that has now killed more than a million people. US President Donald Trump announced 150 million tests would be distributed in America, while the World Health Organization said 120 million more would be available for the developing world at $5 each as long as funding was secured. The testing push comes as the virus shows no sign of receding, with infection numbers climbing rapidly in Europe again and governments there clamping down on movement in an attempt to curb the surge. Paris, London and Madrid have all been forced to introduce controls to slow infections, and on Monday Dutch authorities became the latest to tighten curbs, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia said they were preparing to declare a state of emergency. The WHO said its $600 million scheme to roll out the quick diagnosis kits across 133 countries in the next six months would enable low- and middleincome nations to close the gap in testing with the rich world. The kits are far faster, cheaper and easier to administer than regular standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests but are less sensitive and more likely to return false negatives. “This will enable the expansion of testing, particularly in hard-to-reach areas that do not have lab facilities or enough trained health workers to carry out PCR tests,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference. Experts have for months been calling for widespread adoption of this low-cost technology so that people can test themselves several times a week. AFP

In Brief Washington Post endorses Biden WASHINGTON—The Washington Post endorsed Joe Biden for US president on Monday, calling the veteran Democrat a leader of “decency, honor and competence” who stands in stark contrast to incumbent Donald Trump. The leading paper in the nation’s capital joins other recent notable Biden endorsements, including Pennsylvania’s Republican ex-governor Tom Ridge, senator John McCain’s widow and the actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Many Americans might be willing to vote for nearly anyone “in order to expel the worst president of modern times,” the Post’s editorial board wrote, citing Trump’s bungled coronavirus pandemic response and attacks on democratic norms. AFP

Nicaragua: Prison rap for fake news MANAGUA—Deputies from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s party on Monday proposed a law that would make spreading fake news on social media punishable by up to four years in prison, government sources said. The draft bill would allow sentences of two to four years for “the publication or dissemination of false (or) distorted information, likely to spread anxiety, anguish or fear,” according to the text published on the National Assembly website. Under the proposed law, people convicted of fraud or cyber espionage, identity theft or use of the internet to corrupt minors or for child pornography will be punished with two to 10 years in prison. AFP

TALE OF THE TAPE.

Details on the first TV debate between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden on September 29 (September 30 in Manila). AFP

Before debate, Trump reeling from tax woes W

ASHINGTON—President Donald Trump reeled Monday on the eve of his first televised debate against challenger Joe Biden after a bolt-from-the-blue report showed he has been avoiding paying almost any federal income tax for years.

The scoop from The New York Times, reporting that Trump paid only $750 in federal income tax in 2016 and 2017, and none at all for 10 of the previous 15 years, was a shot to the jugular of the self-described billionaire. Trump, who portrays himself as a hard-nosed businessman on a mission to drain the Washington swamp, dismissed the Times story -- which the newspaper says is based on examination of his long-secret tax returns. “The Fake News Media, just like Election time 2016, is bringing up my

Taxes & all sorts of other nonsense with illegally obtained information,” he tweeted Monday. But with several new polls on Sunday once again suggesting Biden has the upper hand, the Republican goes into the debate in Cleveland on Tuesday ever more on the defensive. A Washington Post/ABC News poll put Biden 10 points ahead of Trump nationally, at 53 to 43 percent support among registered voters, while an NBC News-Marist poll gave the Democrat a similar lead of 54 to 44 in key swing state Wisconsin -- which

Trump had carried in 2016. Trump’s Democratic challenger is homing in on the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his controversial rush to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the late liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. But the tax report threatens the core of Trump’s political identity -- that vaunted ability to connect with blue collar voters. Though its impact on voters was still unclear, the Times report hands Biden piles of new ammunition. And the Democrat’s campaign immediately opened fire with an ad comparing typical income tax payments by ordinary Americans, such as $10,216 for nurses, to that reportedly paid by Trump the year he took office: $750. AFP

Californians flee growing blaze in wine regions SANTA ROSA, California—Tens of thousands of Californians were forced to flee their homes in the world-famous Napa and Sonoma wine regions Monday as another new wildfire fanned by fierce winds killed three people. Under an opaque orange sky and a sweltering heatwave, Napa vineyards were consumed and buildings devastated by a blaze that spread at a “dangerous rate” through 11,000 acres (4,500 hectares) and was zero percent contained, state fire agency Cal Fire said. Celebrated wineries such as Chateau Boswell and part of Castello di Amorosa went up in smoke, while there was a “significant loss” of buildings on the fringes of Santa Rosa -- neighboring Sonoma County’s largest town -- said fire chief Tony Gossner. Around 200 miles (320 kilometers) north, three people perished in a “very fast moving, very fluid, very hot” fire in Shasta county, said Sheriff Eric Magrini. Between the two blazes more than 35,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, with thousands more poised to flee, as “explosive fire growth” burnt through dry vegetation and difficult mountainous terrain, officials said. The causes of the fires are still being investigated. Calistoga, a picturesque community at the top of the Napa Valley known for hot springs and as a launchpad for wine

BEIJING—The coronavirus is a wake-up call for the world, and trading blame “will only bring greater disaster,” China’s foreign minister said Monday. Days after the United States and China lashed out at each other on UN platforms over the coronavirus outbreak, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi told a forum in Beijing that individual countries had “turned the solemn international venue of the UN into a performance space for serving their own politics and self-interest”. China has recently moved to reshape the pandemic narrative away from its early outbreak in Wuhan to a story of the country’s success in stopping the virus spread. But the US has led nations criticizing Beijing for its handling of the epidemic. China suppressed news of the respiratory disease when it first emerged last year, and initial advice played down risks of transmission. “Apart from working together and helping each other, we have no other choice,” Wang added at the event co-hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association, where he sought to position China as a responsible major power. Wang’s remarks came less than a week after US President Donald Trump used his annual address to the UN General Assembly to attack China’s record, and the US ambassador to the global body took an outraged tone that surprised diplomats. AFP

Huawei exec says US misled Canada on raps POUR IT ON. A firefighting helicopter performs a water drop as firefighters work below during the Martindale Fire in the Angeles National Forest on September 28 near Santa Clarita, California. Evacuations were ordered for residents near the area as wildfires have burned a record 3.75 million acres this year in California. AFP

tours, has largely been evacuated. CeeBee Thompson spent sleepless hours watching flames in the distance and packing her car, as Calistoga’s recently installed warning sirens sound-

ed twice during the night. “We could see flames shooting up all night long,” Thompson told AFP. “The only thing we have left to do is put the cats in the car.” AFP

Fighting unabated in Karabakh

MASKS OFF. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (right) and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab take off their face masks for a photo session during their meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul on September 29.

‘Fighting COVID alone will only bring disaster’

YEREVAN—Fierce fighting raged between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces on Monday, sparking bellicose rhetoric from regional power Turkey despite international pleas for a halt in fighting between the long-time enemies. Yerevan and Baku have been locked in a territorial dispute over the ethnic Armenian region of Nagorny Karabakh for decades, with deadly fighting flaring up last July and in 2016. The region declared independence from Azerbaijan after a war in the early 1990s that claimed 30,000 lives but it is not recognized by any country -- including Armenia -- and is still considered part of Azerbaijan by the international community. On Monday evening, Azerbaijani forces

launched a “massive offensive at the Karabakh frontline’s southern and north-eastern sectors,” said Armenia’s defense ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan. Karabakh’s defense ministry said 26 more of its troops were killed late on Monday, bringing the rebels’ total military losses to 84. The overall death toll rose to 95, including 11 civilian deaths: nine in Azerbaijan and two on the Armenian side. Azerbaijan has not reported any military casualties, but Armenian separatist officials released footage showing burnt-out armored vehicles and the bloodied and charred remains of soldiers in camouflage it said were Azerbaijani troops. AFP

VANCOUVER—Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers returned to a Canadian court on Monday to press for her release, arguing that the United States, by omitting key facts, blatantly misled Canada about her alleged crimes to secure her arrest. The defense started the five-day hearing by saying that the crux of the US charges against Meng -- that she hid Huawei’s relationship with former subsidiary Skycom in Iran from HSBC bank -- is false and lacks context. Meng’s lawyer Scott Fenton accused the United States of having “breached its duty to be forthright and candid.” “The misstatements (and) omissions in the record of the case,” he told the British Columbia Supreme Court, “go to the very heart of the fraud case.” As such, he said, the extradition proceedings should be halted. The Chinese telecom giant’s chief financial officer was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver. She is charged with bank fraud linked to violations of US sanctions against Iran and has been fighting extradition ever since. The case has added to severe strain in Sino-US ties and created an unprecedented rift between Canada and China. AFP

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Parent company takes over NTT Docomo in tender offer

IN PROTEST. Restaurant workers and others hold a protest outside the office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office September 28, 2020, in protest of strict COVID-19 measures placed on the the city’s independent restaurants and bars. AFP

PSEi September 29, 2020 TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

TOKYO—Japan’s biggest mobile carrier NTT Docomo will be taken over by its parent company, governmentbacked Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, in a tender offer worth $40 billion, the two firms said Tuesday. The move comes with Docomo and other Japanese telecoms firms under government pressure to cut the price of mobile phone services, and is expected to help the company boost investment in 5G tech. “Today we decided to make Docomo a wholly-owned company,” NTT’s chief executive Jun Sawada told reporters, adding that the move would boost the carrier’s “competitiveness and growth.” NTT, which currently holds more than 60 percent of NTT Docomo’s shares, is proposing a price of 3,900 yen ($37) per share to buy out the whole subsidiary, it said. That represents a 40-percent premium on Tuesday’s closing price and values the purchase at around 4.25 trillion yen.

Market slips; Dito, Jollibee climb S TOCKS declined Tuesday, weighed down by the government’s decision to keep Metro Manila under a general community quarantine until the end of October.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 19.79 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,841.60 on a value turnover of P5.7 billion. Losers beat gainers, 109 to 88, with 52 issues unchanged. Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan fell 2.1 percent to P6.90, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group dropped 1.3 percent to P392. Dito CME Holdings Corp., the third major telecommunications firm, however, jumped 11.1 percent to P4.99, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain rose 4.1 percent to P144.80.

The rest of Asian equity markets were mixed Tuesday as investors struggled to extend a global rally as they weighed a fresh US stimulus proposal from the Democrats while looking ahead to the first presidential debate later in the day. Bargain-buying and upbeat economic news from China provided support Monday but the ever-present specter of the coronavirus and the reimposition of containment measures in several countries were keeping optimism at bay. A major hindrance to further upside is the lack of movement on Capitol Hill in stimulus talks, with both sides digging in and making the chances of a new package unlikely before the November 3 presidential election. Democrats put forward their latest offer, a $2.2-trillion bill that is more than $1 trillion lower than their previous plan, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “provides the absolutely needed resources to protect lives, livelihoods and the life of our democracy over the coming months.” Pelosi’s spokesman said she had

spoken to Treasury Secretary Steven Seoul, Singapore and Taipei were all in Mnuchin on Monday and would talk positive territory along with Bangkok, again in the morning. though Hong Kong and Sydney were all However, with Republicans offer- lower. AFP ing to go only as high as $1 trillion—and hostilities exacerbated NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC by the row over a replacement for Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Notice is hereby given that Ginsberg—hopes for a breakthrough are thin, despite millions of Mr. Avi Levak and Ms. Cristina Americans struggling to cope with Velez are no longer connected the economic impact of the virus. with ACCESS Inc. Any transaction “We definitely need another made by them will not be honored round of stimulus here, not only for by the company. confidence for the American public and workers, but also for the markets,” Michelle Connell, at Portia Capital Management, told Bloomberg Television. “Going into this election, that would definitely help. I’d expect the markets to be weak, volatile, and have some downside here as N OTICE we’re waiting to find out who our Notice is hereby given that FIESTA COMMUNITIES next president is.” INCORPORATED Doing business under the commercial Tokyo, Shanghai, Mumbai, name of FIESTA COMMUNITIES-PORAC; FIESTA (MS-SEPT. 30, 2020)

Britain standing by ‘illegal’ Brexit bill Washington starts coming back to life

MOST ACTIVE

BRUSSELS, Belgium—Britain stood by its provocative bid to change the terms of its EU divorce deal on Monday, as a make-or-break week of postBrexit trade talks began under a storm cloud. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen insisted though that a deal was still possible following a meeting in Lisbon with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. The British government unveiled an “Internal Markets Bill” last month which is winding its way through parliament and would override parts of the Brexit treaty that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck with the European Union last year. The proposed law has infuriated the Europeans—who have demanded that it be withdrawn or amended before a deadline of Wednesday this week. But after meeting with EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in Brussels earlier, senior British minister Michael Gove insisted it would not be changed.

“Those clauses are there. They’re in legislation supported by the House of Commons as a safety net if need be and those clauses will remain in that bill,” Gove told reporters after the talks. Von der Leyen called for “responsibility.” “We want an agreement and I’m still convinced that an agreement is possible,” she said. Both Britain and the 27-member bloc have seen their economies “severely hit by the pandemic, and we should do everything possible to find an agreement that is manageable, so that we do not increase the negative impact on our economies,” she added. Johnson argues the “Internal Markets Bill” will provide a “safety net” against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland—although his government has admitted that in overwriting a treaty it breaks international law. AFP

Turkey seeks new life for submerged ancient tourist town By Raziye Akkoc HUSANKEYF, Turkey—Just two roofs poke through the vast expanse of an artificial lake that has swallowed a Turkish town whose caves and pre-Ottoman ruins once drew in global tourists. The dust settling from the hammering of construction sites around the Tigris River lake outlines the makings of a brand new city, with an unfinished bazaar and roads that are all works in progress. But trader Abdurrahman Gundogdu worries whether the new version of Hasankeyf in Turkey’s mostly Kurdish southeast will ever recapture the magic it had before the Ilisu Dam erased the original town that stood here for 12,000 years. “I’m making one percent of what I used to earn before in the old town,” the 48-year-old complained, outside his empty shop filled with jewelry but no people. “There are local tourists but they have no money to spend.” ‘Magnificent project’ The dam, completed and filling with water since last year, is meant to bring electricity to an underdeveloped region

Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has repeatedly said the country’s mobile rates should be reduced, as they are relatively high compared to prices abroad. By taking full control of the carrier, NTT may be able to push down prices quickly, and force competitors to follow suit. But the heads of both companies denied that pressure over pricing was behind the deal. “We are not doing this because of cutting service fees,” Sawada said. But, he added, “Docomo will get stronger with the move, which would strengthen its financial foundation and room to cut prices.” Docomo’s CEO Kazuhiro Yoshizawa said the move was about responding to a changing business environment, including the coronavirus pandemic. “The background of the move is that our market environment is facing a big change... and competition is intensifying.” AFP

In this file photo taken on December 16, 2019 the 15th century Er Rizk Mosque is transported from the old town of Hasankeyf to new Hasankeyf. Despite years of protests by residents and activists, an artificial lake has swallowed a Turkish town whose caves and pre-Ottoman ruins once drew in global tourists. AFP

that officials hope to revive with jobs and long-needed investment. “This is such a magnificent project,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan enthused, when he was still prime minister in 2009, promising to build “a very modern” town in place of the old one.

Yet his dream has already created tensions with neighboring Iraq by limiting its access to water. And some of the town’s 3,000 residents lament the 500 or so graves that had to be exhumed and urgently moved to higher ground last September. AFP

WASHINGTON—Life is slowly restarting in Washington as many major attractions, including the Washington Monument, begin to reopen after a six-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Washington Monument, built in 1886 in honor of the first US president George Washington, will open from October 1, the National Park Service announced Monday. Visitors must reserve tickets online, masks will be mandatory and elevator capacity is limited to eight people. Once at the observation deck, visits are limited to 10 minutes per group. Restrictions against the coronavirus vary by state, and even by county, in the US, which is by far the hardest-hit country with 204,967 deaths. The capital city, where more than 600 people have died of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, has been largely at a standstill. Movie theaters remain closed and restaurants can only operate at half capacity. But several museums run by the famous Smithsonian Institution recently reopened their doors, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History and the National Portrait Gallery. The number of visitors is limited, and those who do enter must comply with social distancing measures. Another of the city’s major cultural institutions, the Kennedy Center, has partnered with a nightclub to organize a series of parties on the performing arts center’s huge terrace overlooking the Potomac River. Tickets for the first night, October 3, sold out within 15 minutes, the organizing group announced on its Instagram. Some of Washington’s public pools will reopen on October 13, mayor Muriel Bowser also announced Monday. AFP

COMMUNITIES-MABALACAT; FIESTA COMMUNITIESTARLAC AND FIESTA COMMUNITIES-ANGELES with office address at 43-35 Don Bonifacio Avenue, Pulung Maragul, Angeles City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List – Mass Housing (Fiesta Communities – Castillejos Phase 3) with a capacity of 201 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Del Pilar, Castillejos, Zambales.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-SEPT. 30, 2020)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, September 29, 2020 -19.79 PTS. 5,841.60

TOTAL VOLUME

1,452,399,502

TOTAL TRADES

85,115

TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES

5,673,151,135.66 88

DECLINES UNCHANGED

109 52

Foreign E xchange R ate

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.3670

Japan

Yen

0.009555

0.4621

Pound

1.281800

61.9968

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129037

6.2411

Switzerland

Franc

1.093613

52.8948

Canada

Dollar

0.751541

36.3498

Singapore

Dollar

0.734484

35.5248

Australia

Dollar

0.722400

34.9403

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

128.2876

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.8968

Brunei

Dollar

0.731797

35.3948

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032031

1.5492

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1690

Euro

1.177100

56.9328

Korea

Won

0.000859

0.0415

China

Yuan

0.146964

7.1082

India

Rupee

0.013592

0.6574

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242718

11.7395

New Zealand

Dollar

0.666300

32.2269

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034522

1.6697 Source: BSP

NLEX set to hire 1,500 workers for road link project

Business World Bank expects PH economy to shrink 6.9% By Julito G. Rada

HE World Bank said Tuesday it expects the Philippine economy to contract 6.9 percent this year on the deeper impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but said a recovery is possible in the next two years if the government successfully manages the health crisis. The forecast is contained in the bank’s October 2020 Economic Update for East Asia and the Pacific. The projected 6.9-percent decline is worse than the -1.9 percent gross domestic product estimate announced by the bank in June. It said the Philippine economy, however, might rebound by 5.3 percent in

2021 and 5.6 percent in 2022. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, said in a briefing assistance to poor and vulnerable families and micro and small enterprises would help cushion the impact of the pandemic and hasten recovery in the country. “The government must act now to reduce the impact... and to strengthen the recovery,” Diop said. Economic growth averaged 6.6 percent from 2015 to 2019, which the bank said was a result of prudent macro-fiscal management, significant investments in infrastructure and human capital and favorable external conditions. The robust growth in household incomes reduced the national poverty rate from 23.5 percent in 2015 to 16.7 percent in 2018. “The COVID-19 shock is now abruptly pushing the economy into recession and threatening these economic and social gains. The pandemic has triggered declines in remittances sent by Filipino overseas workers

and job losses caused by strict containment measures,” the World Bank said. It said recovering from the pandemic would require effective public health management and social protection measures and resuming the government’s strong emphasis on human capital investments and infrastructure that characterized the Philippines’ successful growth before COVID. Diop said that in the short term, “every peso put directly in the hands of poor and vulnerable families through social assistance translates into demand for basic goods and services in local communities, which in turn supports micro and small enterprises and the government’s recovery efforts.” “At the same time, one cannot overemphasize the importance of improvements in public health management including testing, tracing, isolating, and treatment to effectively control the spread of COVID-19 and secure a definitive recovery,” Diop said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. said Tuesday it is hiring more than 1,500 technical and skilled workers to accelerate the construction of the 8-kilometer NLEX Connector. NLEX president and general manager Luigi Bautista said priority would be given to overseas Filipino workers who were displaced and unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Being a government partner in infrastructure building, NLEX Corp. and the entire Metro Pacific Tollways group are keen in helping the economy recover from the adverse effects of the pandemic. With our ongoing projects, we can create more opportunities for people thus propel growth in the country,” Bautista said. The tollway company said that as infrastructure projects spur economic activities, it would mobilize more construction equipment to improve productivity at the site and speed up the construction of the NLEX Connector. The all-vehicle class elevated expressway will traverse the Caloocan Interchange, 5th Avenue/C3 Road in Caloocan City, pass through España Boulevard and eventually link up with the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 at PUP Sta. Mesa in Manila. “We are currently working on the first five-kilometer section of the NLEX Connector from Grace Park, Caloocan City to España St., Sampaloc, Manila. As projected, more than 1,500 workers are needed to accelerate the construction works,” Bautista said. Targeted for completion in 2021, the P23-billion NLEX Connector aims to significantly cut travel time from NLEX to South Luzon Expressway from two hours to about 20 minutes and provide improved accessibility for cargo trucks bound for the Manila Ports (North and South Harbor) and the international airports such as NAIA and Clark.

IN BRIEF Megawide increases share offering to P8b MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said Tuesday it increased the size of its preferred share offering to P8 billion. Megawide said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission an application to issue P3 billion worth of preferred shares, with an oversubscription option for another P5 billion. The company earlier said it would raise P5 billion from the preferred share offering. It plans to complete the fund-raising activity by November. “We see significant opportunities in both our organic and external pipeline amid the challenges emerging from the health crisis. We are very thankful to our partners for arranging this facility and gathering together the sources and users of fund, especially in this critical yet exciting stage for the company,” Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said. The company plans to use net proceeds from the issuance to fund growth program, including the development of the 1.7-hectare Lot 2 at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange. Jenniffer B. Austria

PLDT expands fixed, wireless networks PLDT Group said Tuesday said it expanded the reach and capacity of fixed and wireless networks across the country to cater to increasing customer demand amid the pandemic. PLDT said that as of August, its fiber infrastructure, the most extensive in the country, spanned 382,500 kilometers, up 19 percent from end-2019. The expansion boosted the coverage of its fiber-powered fixed network to 8.1 million homes, up 12 percent from end2019. It said with the increase in fixed network coverage, it also raised available capacity by 8 percent to 3.78 million ports. Smart ramped up its LTE rollout, increasing the number of LTE base stations on its network by 15 percent to 28,200 as of endAugust. The accelerated network rollout included the firing up of LTE sites in far-flung areas, including Pag-asa Island in Palawan and the town of Kawayan in the island province of Biliran. PLDT and Smart said despite challenges linked to COVID-19 and the lockdowns, they continued their nationwide network expansion program by combining the rollout of physical installations with software systems upgrades that could be done remotely. Darwin G. Amojelar

PAFMI buys 133,500 tons of domestic corn

MANILA TESTING LABORATORY. Officials of Manila inaugurate the Manila Molecular Testing Laboratory at Sta. Ana Hospital in partnership with the Ayala Group of Companies. The district hospital’s second molecular laboratory is equipped with the gold standard swab test for COVID-19. At the unveiling ceremony for the commemorative plaque at the entrance of the facility are (from left) Bank of the Philippine Islands vice president Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corp. president Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Mayor Francisco Domagoso, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Department of Health Director Dr. Corazon Flores and Sta. Ana Hospital Director Dr. Grace Padilla.

THE Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. said Tuesday its members bought 133,500 metric tons of local corn from growers in Isabela, Bukidnon, General Santos, Iloilo, Davao and other provinces, encouraged by the bumper harvest and the good quality of this cropping season’s produce. Some 17 members of PAFMI reported purchasing the corn in August and September this year. August and September are peak harvest months for the wet-season corn crop. The dry season harvest is in March and April. PAFMI is the largest organization of feed millers in the country with 33 member companies spread all over the country. Agriculture Secretary William Dar is encouraging the feed milling industry to buy more local corn as an incentive for farmers to produce more of the feed stuff. The Department of Agriculture and PAFMI are set to sign an agreement on corn and soybeans contract growing in select provinces. The MOA seeks to assure local farmers of a market for their produce, with technical assistance from DA and PAFMI providing the market, according to PAFMI president Nicole Sarmiento Garcia.

Meat processors support DTI’s proposal to increase capacity of businesses By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. said it fully supports the Department Trade and Industry’s proposal to allow more businesses to operate at their rated capacity to expedite economic recovery. “While we recognize that there are risks associated with opening up more businesses, we believe that Secretary [Ramon] Lopez’s proposal will be more beneficial to our economy and to our people in the long run for as long as the standard protocols for COVID-19 prevention are strictly observed,” said PAMPI president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr.

Tiukinhoy said the prolonged lockdown would not drive the coronavirus away “but it will certainly drive millions more of our workforce out of jobs.” There are businesses whose employees do not work in close proximity to each other or interact closely with each other, he said. “Hence, we support Secretary Lopez’s call for such businesses to be allowed to operate at full capacity. We also call on our consumers to be more conscious and disciplined in observing prescribed health and sanitation rules to help speed up resolution of this pandemic,” Tiukinhoy said.

The DTI earlier called for the full reopening of the remaining sectors that have not yet opened or are partially opened. “We are proposing to reopen the economy safely, with same degree of enforcement and minimum health standard. It can still be GCQ, and just reopen other sectors under Category III from 50 percent operating capacity to 100 percent,” said DTI Lopez. Category III industries include legal/ accounting; financial services; management consultancy; architecture and engineering; science and research and development; advertising and market

research; computer programming; publishing and printing; film/music/TV production; recruitment and placement agencies for overseas employment; photography services; wholesale/retail trade services; and repair of motor vehicles motorcycles and bicycles. Others are malls/commercial centers; hardware; clothing and accessories; bookstores; baby and infant care supplies; pet care supplies; IT Communications and electronic equipment; flower jewelry stores; music and toy stores; art galleries; firearms and ammunition trading which are subject to PNP regulation; and public and private construction projects.

Mining Special Issue

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

advertise@manilastandard.net

PGMC keen to serve communities even during coronavirus pandemic

By Peter Paul Duran

HE pandemic has brought many changes in our lives, but one thing remains constant: the initiative to help is inherent in the brightest of individuals. Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), a mining company focused on the production of platinum and palladium, is also keen on serving the communities, especially amid the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, PGMC provided P6.65 million in assistance to its partner communities through its #PGMCCares Corporate Responsibility Program as part of its overall #MineResponsibility. The towns of Cagdianao and Hayanggabon in Surigao del Norte were given P4.97-M and P1.683-M worth of relief goods and health essentials, respectively. These included rice, canned goods, noodles, as well as facemasks, alcohol, thermal scanners, PPEs, and disinfectants to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

PGMC also gave assistance to the non-mining barangays of Claver, amounting to P1.27-M, while their Food Security Project provided aid to all 12 Barangays in Claver and selected municipalities Turn to C2

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

advertise@manilastandard.net

Mining Special Issue

Cagdianao mine finds inspiring alternative to rice

N MINING communities, the challenge has always been growing value crops in lateritic areas, where the soil naturally lacks enough nutrients for them to propagate. So, imagine the excitement at Cagdianao Mining Corp. (CMC), when sorghum, an ideal alternative to rice, starts propagating in a mined-out area. The excitement about sorghum is shared by farmers from all over the world, who think it adds optimism for the industry, that despite the pandemic that stifled many commodities, exports and revenue are strong for the grain. At CMC, with operations in Barangay Valencia, Dinagat Islands, value crops are successfully grown in lateritic soil such as—onions, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and radish; and fruits such as papaya, dragon fruit, etc. But not without aggressive intervention, applying scientifically-proven agricultural processes to improve the soil nutrients in mining areas. The growing of sorghum in CMC’s mined-out area is the company’s most recent accomplishment. CMC, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia

Corp. (NAC), proudly claims that the company has its very own and dedicated agriculturist in Jessie Dagami Dumanig—a proof that as a mining company, CMC takes agriculture very seriously. The idea of sorghum growing came to Jessie’s immediate boss, Marine Biologist Phoebe Jean G. Alac, CMC’s Environmental Manager, who started looking for seedling for other value crops when the availability of seedlings for rice became hard to come by due to the pandemic. “The uncertainty the pandemic has brought to the communities compelled farmers to re-assess their farming techniques to ensure food security for their family, so the circulation of the seedlings became a bit controlled and were kept in smaller groups. We had to look for alternatives, and sorghum is perfect,” Alac explained. Sorghum seeds are easily available and there is an abundance of

supply available to everyone. “We want alternatives to rice and sorghum saved the day. Sorghum is rich in fiber, protein and calcium, it’s good for the heart and bones and easy to grow and can be planted all year round with less water requirement,” Dumanig excitedly shares. The Department of Agriculture is currently campaigning for farmers to grow crops with market potential to raise their incomes and address the threat to food security. “Especially because of the pandemic, CMC has stepped up its efforts to protect food security by encouraging the people in the mining communities to consider high-value crops. Sorghum is good because it can withstand heat and the dry season plus it is in demand even in international markets so we are promoting this in the communities” said Engr. Arnilo C. Milaor, Resident Mine Manager for CMC. Milaor says CMC is introducing sorghum to the communities by showcasing how the mining company is growing them its minedout areas. “Sorghum has no season, its grows all year round, it does not need special irrigation, the rain is

CMC is introducing sorghum to the communities by showcasing how the mining company is growing them its mined-out areas.

enough, our only problem are the birds who love to feast on them,” said Milaor. Dumanig is also introducing to the communities the concept of calendar farming. “This basically means farmers would shift from being supply-oriented to demand-driven, planting and harvest will be paced accordingly to ensure continues supply of rice and/or sorghum grains plus

PGMC...

there be income from other crops because the soil is healthy enough to yield the entire year,” explained Dumanig. CMC is excited to promote sorghum in the communities. “It has less sugar content compared to rice and corn, so it’s healthier. It will be in-demand soon when more people learn of its benefits, so that means good income for the farmers,” said Dumanig.

in SDN (Sison, Gigaquit, Surigao City, Tubod, Mainit, San Francisco/ Anao-aon and Socorro), benefitting a total of 3,332 families. "We are truly grateful to PGMC. This is really a big help to us. Saludo po kami sa inyo!" said Mayor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia of Sison, Su-

Personal Protective Equipment, as well as boxes of surgical masks, protective suits and goggles were given to the respective health facilities. “Thanks, PGMC for donating testing kits for the provincial hospital of Surigao del Norte. This is a big boost to help the province combat COVID-19 and to ensure there would be minimal to no local transmission," said Dr. Crismar Mocorro of the Su-

rigao del Norte. Medical Supplies and Test Kits Assistance were also provided by PGMC as part of a P1.39-M project to help in the fight against COVID-19. Beneficiaries included the CARAGA Regional Hospital, Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital, Surigao City Health Office and Claver Rural Health Unit. A total of 6,000 RAT Kits and

rigao del Norte provincial Hospital. The company's P31-M COVID assistance program includes P18-M from SDMP, P4-M from CSR, and P9-M from EPEP, while P12-M or 32% of their total COVID assistance is for their Food Security Program, lauded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as "one of a kind."

From C1

Jessie D. Dumanig, Agriculturist at Cagdianao Mining, says sorghum is an exciting alternative to rice. It has less sugar content so it’s healthier and easier to grow, which means good income for the farmers.

Platinum Group Metals Corporation ramps up food security programs to help Surigaonons PLATINUM Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) has partnered with the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and related line agencies to help provide sufficient food supply to residents of the local community amidst the current health crisis. The Company has so far allocated a total of P12.81 million to fund projects relating to egg production, communal gardening, and aquaculture. The funds were generated by re-aligning 3.03 million pesos of its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) budget and 9.03 million pesos

from its Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) budget for the current calendar year. 12 barangays

in Claver and 6 municipalities within Surigao del Norte are expected to benefit from the projects. PGMC is already done with site preparations and has already identified project recipients numbering 3,332 families. The technical aspects of the program will be provided by personnel from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The project proponents will closely monitor the progress of each of the projects to ensure they become sustainable and will create a long-lasting positive impact to the lives of the local community.

Sports PBA to enforce strict measures at Clark bubble By Peter Atencio THE National Basketball Association allowed players on the bench not to wear face masks and make contact with players and equipment. But this will not be the case in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup’s own “bubble” starting on Oct. 11 in Angeles, Pampanga. Bases Conversion Development Authority president Vince Dizon said this yesterday after two batches of teams showed up at billeting areas of the 200-hectare Mimosa Golf and Country Club. “May mga risks sa pagsimula ng bubble. Ang nakikita natin sa NBA ay ang mga players na nasa bench na hindi naka-mask. Dito sa PBA, ang players ay kailangang naka-mask,” said Dizon in a virtual online meeting. Dizon added that that organizers will be doing something stricter in implementing their health and safety protocols during the bubble. Players, coaches and staff involved with the NLEX Road Warriors and the Blackwater Elite were the latest to arrive at the Mimosa and went through disinfection, swabbing and other health and safety checks as they passed through the checkpoints. The BCDA chief put emphasis on tests that will be done during the preentry, entry and every three days. Dizon said a team of doctors will be on hand to do this, checking for symptoms and signs of the flu and fever. The Magnolia Hotshots were the first to arrive at the Quest Hotel in Mimosa.After that, members of the TnT Tropang Giga, Terra Firma Dyip, Meralco Bolts and the Phoenix Fuel Masters followed suit. Commissioner Willie Marcial said the protocols may be strict, but these will have to be done to ensure that the games go on smoothly and without a hitch. This will also mean that players can’t express themselves by doing high-fives or wiping balls with their jerseys. Everyone inside the “bubble” system will be monitored via a contact-tracing app that can track everyone’s movements during the duration of the restart of the PBA Philippine Cup.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Lakers, Heat ready; bubble a triumph O RLANDO—LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers begin the ﬁnal challenge in their bid to return to the summit of basketball on Wednesday when they take on the Miami Heat team in game one of the NBA Finals.

A full 11 months after the 2019-2020 NBA season first tipped off, a marathon campaign plunged into crisis by Covid-19 and tumultuous social unrest finally reaches its climax in Orlando. The fact that the NBA season has managed to reach the home stretch is itself a triumph of sorts, a testament to assiduous planning by league officials to create a secure “bubble” at Disney World in Florida. Since July, teams have been housed at the sprawling entertainment park in Orlando, largely sequestered from the outside world and the raging coronavirus crisis which has claimed more than 204,000 American lives. Even then, the season has not been immune from external forces. A month ago, the season threatened to unravel as a tide

of anger against racial injustice prompted teams led by the Milwaukee Bucks to boycott games. The Lakers, who will be chasing a 17th NBA championship against Miami in the finals, were one of two teams who reportedly voted to abandon the season altogether on August 26 following the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. That walkout threat was only headed off by the intervention of former President Barack Obama, who reportedly counseled James and other players against a season-ending boycott. LeBron determined A little over one month later, and the 35-year-old James is now girding himself for a 10th appearance in an NBA Finals, a tally bettered by only two players in the

history of the league. It also marks the vindication of James’ decision in 2018 to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Lakers, a faded superpower of the NBA who were floundering before his arrival two years ago. Although James first season in Los Angeles ended in disappointment, with injury restricting his appearances and the team once again failing to make the playoffs, the bolstering of the squad with Anthony Davis last year, who has formed a superb partnership with James, returned the team to dominance. “This is what I came here for,” James said on Saturday after the Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets to clinch the Western Conference championship and book a place in the finals. “I heard all the conversations and everything that was said about why did I decide to come to LA (that) the reason I came to LA, it was not about basketball. “All those conversations, just naysayers and things of that nature. I understood that, with the season I had last year and my in-

jury, it just gave them more sticks and more wood to throw in the fire to continue to say the things that they would say about me. “But it never stopped my journey and never stopped my mindset and never stopped my goal.” Honoring Kobe The Lakers’ odyssey back to the finals has also been marked by tragedy. In January, the team was plunged into mourning following the death in a helicopter accident of franchise legend Kobe Bryant. A determination to honour Bryant’s legacy has driven the Lakers into this year’s finals. “Every time you put on purple and gold, you think about his legacy,” James said. “You think about him and about what he meant to this franchise for 20-plus years, and what he stood for both on the floor and off the floor.” Standing in the way of James’ bid for a fourth NBA championship is a Miami team who are happy to be cast in the role of underdogs. AFP

Ancajas to battle Franco or Rodriguez THERE are two possible fights waiting for Jerwin Ancajas when he and Eumir Marcial finally get to leave for the United States today (Wednesday). It’s either he meets Jonathan Javier Rodriguez, or he gets into a showdown with Joshua Franco when he and Marcial finally reaches Los Angeles and hooks up with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card gym. MP Promotions’ chief Sean Gibbons said this following a virtual sendoff for both boxers yesterday. “We have a mandatory setup with Rodriguez. That’s there. But something is happening with World Boxing Association champion Joshua Franco in his unification fight. That’s on the table also,” said Gibbons. The 28-year-old Ancajas, the reigning International Boxing Federation junior feather champion, is hoping to get a bout by November. And he has not had a fight since December 7 after fighting Miguel Gonzalez in Mexico. He spent six months in lockdown after flights from the Philippines to the US were cancelled to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Rodriguez has not had a bout against anybody since December as well, when he won technical knockout over Felipe Orucuta. On the other hand, a unification clash is also up in the air with Franco, the WBA titleholder. Franco dethroned former world champion Andrew Moloney last June 23, and Moloney is seeking a rematch. Ancajas said he has stayed in shape, while in home quarantine with his coach and manager Joven Jimenez. “Masaya ako at matutuloy na ako sa pag-alis. Pinaghandaan talaga namin ito ni coach,” said Ancajas. Marcial, who is one of five national athletes who can earn the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next year, will get ready to go on the ring and get at least three professional fights before the Olympics next year. Time may be running out, but Gibbons is making arrangements so that these three bouts against not-so-prominent fighters will happen to allow him to stay prepared for the Olympics. “May konting pressure at excitement. Marami kasing Pilipino ang nag-hihintay sa aking laban bilang professional,” said Marcial. Peter Atencio

Standing in the way of LeBron James’ bid for a fourth NBA championship is a Jimmy Butler-led Miami team, who are happy to be cast in the role of underdogs. AFP

Making new sports traditions with LG technology IT IS a well-known fact that Filipino families love watching sports. It has actually become a tradition for most – catching live basketball games, trying to get a glimpse or a selfie with your favorite player together with the kids, and eating out at a favorite restaurant after. It is a wholesome ritual that creates unforgettable memories. With the pandemic however, this tradition abruptly came to a halt for most families. Sporting events are slowly starting to resume, but actually watching it live especially with little ones are still out of the picture. This however, doesn’t mean that the bonding time as a family has to go away. LG’s OLED TVs make watching sports and movies at home in the new normal just like the real thing. LG’s OLED technology lets you watch sports just like you’re at courtside or in the driver’s seat. It gives you a sense of realism like no other. LG OLED TVs show every small movement and facial expression without any color shift, blur, or flicker. You’ll never miss a play as every move stays smooth with the fast response speed. This is made possible by LG’s new self-lit pixel technology, which aside from offering stunning picture quality, also gives an equally great view from wide viewing angles. LG OLED screen technology uses self-lit pixels, that works independently

THE LINK REY JOBLE DURING his playing days, he was considered a remorseless assassin. He was a cold-blooded hitter, a shooter with no conscience. It didn’t come as a surprise he wound up as one of only six players to hit 1,000 threepoint shots in his entire PBA career. Who could forget that dagger trey in the closing seconds of Game 5 of the 1990 Third Conference championship showdown between Purefoods and Alaska? That shot from the right quarter court served as the winning basket that enabled the Hotdogs to end three frustrating years of being the bridesmaid.

to emit their own light. This allows for perfect black levels, outstanding colors, infinite contrast, and the sharpest details which ultimately uncovers all the details in darker scenes. This works especially well for cinema. Every single pixel illuminates one by one, and the richness in color, small details and textures are clear in every scene. Even for gaming, LG’s OLED TVs

bring a whole new depth of experience. With its NVIDIA G-SYNC® compatibility, providing exceptional picture quality of perfect black and intense colors combined with smooth gameplay to take PC gaming to new heights. The perfect black canvas of an LG OLED TV provides an unparalleled experience in gaming on your favorite consoles. Immerse yourself with

cinematic virtual 5.1 channel surround sound and enjoy the latest innovations with HDMI that allows for responsive gameplay that gives you the edge. LG’s OLED TVs provide fast response and fluid motion. A 1ms response time and low input lag allow for smoother, realtime action. Its Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) supported on the latest HDMI standard, delivers the best graphics with minimal stutter at the fastest speeds for the best gaming experience. As everyone slowly transitions into the new normal, experiences made with the family are still important even at home. While some outdoor traditions like watching live sports or having a movie night are still not encouraged for safety reasons, viewing the same things at home is a good option to consider. Especially with the clarity and detail present with LG’s OLED TVs, it’s just like you’re right there at the moment. Experience the best that TV has to offer with your family and create a new tradition to cherish for years to come. Create new traditions distinctly your own with the help of LG’s OLED TV. Shop today at Lazmall and other authorized online sellers and dealers nationwide. For a complete list of retailers, please visit www.lg.com/ph

Al Solis’ faith through basketball For many years, he was instrumental in his team’s championship runs—with Swift/Sunkist and Mobiline, where his shooting prowess was crucial. He would embrace that role until he retired 10 years after before retiring from playing in the PBA. That man was Al Solis. However, Solis did retire from playing in the PBA with a bang and he became one of a few players to hit 1,000 Three-Point Shots during his last tour of duty with then expansion team Batang Red Bull handled by his old coach, Yeng Guiao. “Hindi ko ito inaasahan, kasi noong Year 2000 pa-retire na ako galing sa Talk ‘N Text. Pero may tumawag sa akin sa PBA para palaruin pa ako ng isang taon para makuha mo ‘yung 1,000 Three-Point

shots. Twelve three-point shots na lang kailangan ko. Ang ginawa ko, lumapit ako kay (Coach) Yeng Guiao. Binigyan niya ako ng isang conference sa Red Bull,” said Solis. “At that time, ‘yung minutes ko, two minutes lang, bibigyan ako ng chance ni Coach Yeng. Sa two minutes, minsan makakapasok ako ng isa, minsan dalawa, tatlo, ganu’n. Pero there was a time nagkalaban kami ng Sta. Lucia. It was a no-bearing game dahil pasok na kami. Binigyan ako ni Coach Yeng ng minutes na medyo mataas kaya nakuha ko.” After retiring from the PBA, Solis did have a cameo role as a player of the Cebu Gems. He then joined Boy Cabahug in the coaching staff of the UV Lancers that won nine straight championships, before simply fading away from the spotlight. He assumed a higher calling, one that is

not considered profitable, but is regarded as priceless by faith. Solis turned down coaching offers from mainstream basketball leagues. He passed up on the opportunity of taking over the coaching chores of Granny Goose in the PBL as well as the assistant coaching job at Red Bull, presented to him by Guiao. Instead, he embraced the more challenging role as head coach of a ministry—the (ACES) Athletes For Christ In Excellent Service. There, Solis was able to renew his faith where his talent was harness by God and basketball was used as an instrument to serve thru this sport. The once deadshot gunner, the shooter with no conscience, and a player who was being paid to play the hit man’s role, is now embarking on the next chapter of his life.

Years after his playing career ended, Solis turned to God and allowed the Lord to carry him to his next destination. “I asked God, sinabi ko ‘Lord ikaw na bahala kung saan mo ko dadalhin’,” said Solis during his interview with The Link Podcast. “Imagine, big money ‘yung offer sa PBA as an assistant coach, then head coach ka sa PBL. Itong sa ACES, ang offer is by faith. Wala kang bayad. Para sa Panginoon. For me, it’s a miracle na doon ako dinala ng Panginoon. Iba pala ‘yung purpose niya. Ang purpose niya is to use my talent, the gift na ibinigay niya sa akin, which is basketball, to be able to share it to the youth, to the young generation, para makilala nila si Jesus Christ sa buhay nila.” Until now, Solis continuously coaches this sports ministry. He won’t stop as long as God wants him to carry on with

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

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Life FASHION AND BEAUTY

Bela Padilla’s secret

to snow-like glow

By Angelica Villanueva

HE COVID-19 pandemic has made people either focus on their skin care routine because they have more time, or disregard it due in part to lack of motivation thereby leading to a host of skin problems such as acne, dryness, and dullness.

Despite her busy schedule even during the quarantine period, Bela Padilla believes “It’s always a good thing to take care of yourself no matter the circumstance.” “Maskne,” or breakouts that appear because of prolonged wear of facial masks, notwithstanding, the 29-year-old actress continues to look for ways to improve her skin while staying safe. “Terrible ‘maskne’ was my biggest skin concern during quarantine and it can’t be an excuse to not wear your masks,” she related during a virtual press conference. In her quest of “glass skin,” a term popularized by Korean beauty brands which refers to smooth, even-toned, and lustrous skin, Padilla, together with her business partners Dongwoo Kang and Wonyoung Ryu, brings to the Philippines a skincare brand from Seoul. “I shot a film in Korea in February, and I loved every second of it. More

than all of that, what I really noticed while I was there, while I was working with the Korean team and Korean actors, was how beautiful their skin was,” she shared. “My co-stars had perfect skin. They had no pores. They looked amazing with or without makeup.” Her admiration for her co-stars’ flawless skin and her love of K-drama and K-beauty have led her to Britory, a portmanteau or “bright” and “laboratory,” a skincare brand which Padilla said was from the same makers of CosRx and SkinFood. For the brand’s Philippine launch, Padilla and her business partners introduce two products—Britory Like Snow Serum and Britory Like Snow Cream. Snow Cream’s ingredients include Panthenol, Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate, niacinamide, glutathione, ceramide, and Neem tree flower extract that soften and lighten the skin. The

cream helps the skin achieve firmness, plumpness, and youthful glow. Meanwhile, the Snow Serum harnesses the power of niacinamide, glutathione, arbutin, ceramide, Neem tree flower extract, walnut leaf extract, and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate to make the skin “glow as snow.” The serum addresses common skin concerns like dark spots and wrinkles. According to Padilla, who’s also the brand ambassador, the two aforementioned products are more than enough for daily skin care routine in starting one’s journey to achieving glass skin, just like your favorite oppa or unnie. “I love how we

GLOW LIKE SNOW. Actress Bela Padilla, together with her

Korean business partners, brings to the country a skincare brand from Seoul that promises to brighten the skin, helping achieve what the K-beauty world refers to as ‘glass skin.’

only have two products in our line, but they’re more than enough because they’re packed with quality ingredients. The products’ formulas really help make my skin’ glow like snow,” she shared, adding that she tried the products on herself first to make sure they work on Filipino skin. “By cutting down my skin care routine by more than half, it just saves more time because I don’t have that downtime, irritation, redness. It’s so much easier for me, it’s hassle-free,” she said. Padilla also emphasized that these skincare products aim to make the skin brighten and glow, not whiten. “We like to embrace all skin colors and these two products are compatible with all skin types and all skin colors,” she said. Filipinos can now grab Britory Like Snow Serum (P899) and Britory Like Snow Cream (P990) on Shopee and Lazada.

Britory (a portmanteau of ‘bright’ and ‘laboratory’) Like Snow Serum and Like Snow Cream are packed with quality ingredients that address common skin concerns like dark spots and wrinkles.

SPOTTED

J.Lo bonds with family in a handkerchief dress JENNIFER Lopez was seen spending the Labor Day with her family, including fiancé Alex Rodriguez, wearing Tory Burch Handkerchief Embroidered Gown, first seen in the spring/ summer 2020 show. The lovely ivory dress features embroidered English garden flowers and scalloped details that mimic a vintage handkerchief’s decorative edge. Lopez looked summer-ready in this cotton-silk number. While the same gown is not available in Tory Burch Philippines, you can recreate the look by pairing the Handkerchief Embroidered skirt and camisole, both of which feature the same prints and details as the dress.

Call and collect to order Crocs’ (clockwise) Classic Clogs, Crocband III Slides, LiteRide Flips, and Tulum Sandals, among others.

Tory Burch is located at Greenbelt 5, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Power Plant Mall.

Tory Burch Handkerchief Embroidered camisole and skirt. Jeniffer Lopez with family in Tory Burch’s vintage handkerchief-inspired dress.

VANITY CORNER

Call and collect Crocs FROM the classic clogs to the new summer-y sandals and flats from the Tulum collection, pieces from American footwear label Crocs are now available for purchase via call and collect. To use the call and collect service, go to the brand’s Facebook page (@crocsphilippines), look for the blue checkmark beside the logo to make sure it’s the authentic Crocs page. Select an item and contact the chosen store (ideally the one nearest to the customer) via Viber to place an order. Once order has been placed, a confirmation message will be sent with order summary, the total amount

due excluding delivery fees, and payment guidelines. Customers must settle the payment through cash, GCash, PayMaya, or online bank transfers. The shopper should arrange their preferred courier and settle the delivery fee directly to the courier. If the order will be picked up, a Crocs representative will advise the pick-up time and will personally hand over the order. For other ways to order Crocs online, go to crocs.com.ph or its official pages on LazMall (bit.ly/CrocsLazMall), Zalora (www.zalora.com.ph/crocs), and Shopee (shopee.ph/crocsphilippines).

Kojic soap brand zeroes in on dark spots, scars LEADING kojic soap label Kojiesan introduces a new skin lightening innovation that promises to address dark spots, age spots, scars, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. The new Zero Pigment Light “supercharges” the original formula in the classic Kojiesan Skin Lightening Classic Soap. “Dermatologically tested and parabenfree, the Classic Soap remains one of the best soaps in the market, as proven by its very loyal following,” the brand said in a statement. Zero Pigment Light is also infused in the brand’s newest variant, Skin Lightening HydroMoist Soap, which prom- The new Zero Pigment Light ‘supercharges’ the original Kojiesan ises to help keep skin moisturized and well hydrated for soap formulation to address dark spots, scars, and more. up to 24 hours. The new formulation helps skin achieve light and even- Kojiesan is available at all leading supermarkets and drugtoned complexion with regular use. stores nationwide, as well as on LazMall and Beauty MNL.