Manila Standard - 2020 October 01 - Thursday

PET ACTS ON MARCOS’ POLL PROTEST AGAINST ROBREDO

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja comment on some issues related to the in the 2016 national elections.

tice Benjamin Caguioa. third cause of action of the election proThe PET’s action came after 11 Caguioa had recommended the disTHE Supreme Court, acting as the test filed by former Senator Ferdinand months of dormancy despite the tribu- missal of the entire election protest Presidential Electoral Tribunal, has re- Marcos Jr. against his rival, Leni Ro- nal’s rejection on Oct. 15, 2019, of the after Robredo’s lead increased with quired the Commission on Elections to bredo, as the duly elected vice president controversial decision of Associate JusNext page

BIDEN FACES DOWN RAGING TRUMP

Story on B2

FLOOR MEETING.

House Majority Leader and Committee on Rules Chairman Rep. Martin Romualdez (center) discusses with other congressmen the motion of Rep. Mike Defensor for nominal voting to reject the resignation of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (right photo), who delivers his privilege speech at the plenary of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Ver Noveno

Speaker row far from over Cayetano offers to quit, predicts Velasco’s ouster if he ever gets post

Palace keeps mum on issue, lets solons be

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

PEAKER Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday offered to step down as part of a term-sharing agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte, but predicted that his replacement, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, would be ousted in a week by a majority of lawmakers.

As if to make his point, House members voted 184-1 with nine abstentions to reject Cayetano’s offer to resign.

In a privilege speech, Cayetano offered his resignation a day after he and Velasco met with the President.

“I will not be a party to letting the President down so I am offering my Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 209 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Status quo for majority leader, other House positions

By Maricel V. Cruz THE majority leader of the House of Representatives, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, will stay in his post up to end of the 18th Congress, an ally of the Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco,

the speaker in waiting, said Wednesday.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Velasco have agreed that the committee chairmanships as well as other leadership posts in the chamber would be maintained, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon, a supporter of Velasco,

told a television interview.

Leachon made the statement hours after Cayetano and Velasco met with President Rodrigo Duterte and agreed to adhere to the gentlemen’s agreement they forged just before the start of the Next page

NEW FARE SYSTEM. Commuters board point to

point carousel buses at the EDSA Monumento stop in Caloocan City on Wednesday. Beginning today, October 1, the Department of Transportation will enforce cashless fare collection scheme using Beep cards (inset) on public utility buses plying the EDSA busway route.

Manny Palmero

‘AWKWARD’ for Malacañang to announce new House Speaker, says Duterte spox It would be awkward for Malacañang to announce the leadership change in the House of Representatives, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte met with House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco to smooth out issues over a term-sharing deal the President brokered last year.

“It will be awkward if the announcement on the leadership of the House will come from the Palace,” Roque said in an interview on ANC. “It is the House leadership that should address what has been agreed upon,” he added, noting that it was agreed that Cayetano would make an announcement on last night’s meeting.

Sources on Tuesday night told the Standard the meeting between Duterte, Cayetano, and Velasco ended with the agreement that the term-sharing deal would be honored, meaning Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM SEPTEMBER 30)

311,694 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

PH on eight-month quarantine, still top in cases in Southeast Asia MARKING eight months in various levels of lockdown, the Philippines logged 311,694 COVID-19 infections after recording 2,426 new cases on Wednesday.

The country was 21st worldwide in

total coronavirus cases, just behind Pakistan but ahead of Germany, and remained the top country in Southeast Asia in infections ahead of Indonesia, according to a European Center for Disease Control tally.

The latest figures are within the University of the Philippines OCTA Research Group’s estimate of 310,000 to 330,000 cases by the end of September.

Before Monday, the country has been logging less than 3,000 new cases daily

for six straight days.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said there are different factors contributing to the continued increase in cases.

2,426 52,702 NEW

ACTIVE

5,504

58

253,488

585

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

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‘Halt banks’ online transaction fees’ AS SOME banks will resume collecting online transaction fees via InstaPay today, Thursday, Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday asked the government to suspend or reduce those fees until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

should step in and suspend or slash the online transaction fees during this health emergency,” he said.

Pangilinan noted that the infection numbers are still rising, and that the government should concentrate on ensuring Next page

Easy water bill payment ordered

By Rio N. Araja THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System on Wednesday ordered its two water concessionaires to implement a grace period and installment plan for the enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced

community quarantine water bills.

“In solidarity with the spirit and intentions of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), the MWSS Regulatory Office has directed Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to grant all customers a Next page

THREE IN ONE. Students of Saviour School -- Amber, Ashley, and Audrey Borja – look at the lone a cellular phone screen and listen attentively to the lessons during an online class on Wednesday at their home in Cogeo Antipolo City. Private schools have already started classes ahead of public schools, which begin on October 5. PNA/Rico H. Borja

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

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House to probe Facebook actions

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE House of Representatives will investigate Facebook’s actions, including its removal of several pro-government pages thar are detrimental to freedom of expression in the Philippines, Speaker Alan Cayetano said Wednesday.

One such page, Hands Off Our Children, as well as the accounts of several people associated with it, were recently deleted by Facebook without an explanation.

“We note with grave concern the recent reports that Facebook is being partisan by allegedly deactivating verified accounts of Filipinos who have voiced their support for our soldiers and police officers, as well as their respective organizations and advocacies,” Cayetano said in his post.

“Yet at the same time (Facebook) continue(s) to allow the proliferation of Facebook accounts, pages and communities that directly call for the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government, or altogether support

outright terrorism in our country and among our people.”

Cayetano said while the government “always welcomes” dissent and protest, “we should never tolerate violence and terrorism.”

Duterte had issued a proclamation in December 2017 declaring the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations, following similar designations by the United States and the European Union.

Cayetano said favoring one sector or ideology — especially one that had been tagged by the international community as a terrorist organization — “directly contradicts Facebook’s core purpose of connecting all people globally in a free, open and neutral marketplace of ideas.”

Cayetano urged Facebook Philippines to “reflect on the soundness of its actions” after President Rodrigo Duterte cited the social media network for favoring certain segments at the expense of those supporting the government.

“As the House of the People is currently preoccupied in the plenary proceedings of the 2021 Government Budget, we call on Facebook Philippines to take this time to introspect and reflect on the

soundness of its actions that tend to undermine the democratic principles upon which its phenomenal success is based,” Cayetano said in a statement posted on his Facebook account late Tuesday.

He issued the call a day after Duterte questioned Facebook’s decision to delete pages and personal accounts that have been vocal against the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army.

Status quo...

From A1

DOH: Duterte has prerogative to axe PhilHealth

18 Congress in July 2019.

“I think they both agreed also that there will be more or less no changes in the House leadership and that includes the committee chairmanships,” Leachon said.

Velasco is supposed to assume the House’s top position on October 14.

Romualdez will also finish his whole term as majority leader, Leachon said.

What is problematic, however, is the presence of close to 50 deputy speakers and about the same number of assistant majority leaders.

Before Cayetano became speaker, there used to be be only three deputy speakers representing the country’s three main island groups and one or two assistant majority leaders.

But as far as Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, the speakership issue is far from over, saying Velasco still cannot claim victory unless the majority of House members move to declare the position of speaker vacant and elect a new one as provided by House rules.

Villafuerte, a staunch Cayetano supporter, also disputed Leachon’s statement saying that Velasco was already saying that he would replace ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap as chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

Villafuerte claimed Velasco is eyeing Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as Yap’s replacement. Ungab held the post in a previous Congress.

Villafuerte also said that Velasco would also change the chairmen of the legislative franchises as well as the good government and public accountability committees. Reps. Franz Alvarez of Palawan and Jonathan SyAlvarado of Bulacan sit as chairmen of the two committees, respectively.

“I am very sure that he will change chairmanships because he has made promises to his supporters,” Villafuerte added.

This developed as Leachon also pooh-poohed the claim of Villafuerte that there was no agreement on the date of leadership change.

He also claimed that Cayetano tried appeal to the President to allow him to finish his term until after his birthday on Oct. 28 but Velasco objected even as he also lamented that Cayeteno’s allies were atacking him in front of the President.

“It’s true that those on Cayetano’s side launched personal attacks versus Velasco in the meeting with President Duterte last night; Velasco was openly insulted,” Leachon said as the President prevailed upon Cayetano’s allies to honor the term-sharing agreement.

By Rey Requejo and Willie Casas tember 14.

Easy...

From A1 30-day grace period to settle their water bills that fall due within the ECQ and MECQ, and implement a three-month installment scheme for all cooperatives: micro, small and medium enterprises and domestic customers after the grace period,” chief regulator Patrick Lester Ty said in a statement.

Palace...

From A1 Velasco will assume the speakership.

But details on when the turnover would happen were sketchy, with one side floating an October 14 date and another a December handover, when Congress would have passed the 2021 budget bill as the President hoped to happen.

The term-sharing deal, however, was put in question after some lawmakers rejected the agreement, in favor of Cayetano staying longer in power.

Roque also addressed criticism on the President’s intervention in the leadership squabble, saying the chief execu-

Instead it pushed for intervention of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) into the operation of PhilHealth.

“In our report to the President, we recommended that the GCG be directed to study the possible reorganization of PhilHealth (not its abolition) and the creation of an interim management committee in the meantime,” Guevarra, head of Task Force PhilHealth, said in a text message to reporters.

According to the Justice Secretary, the President has not yet decided on what to do with PhilHealth following the discovery of its multibillion-peso fund mess.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health on Wednesday said the President has the prerogative to abolish PhilHealth, an agency created by law supervised by the DOH. But even if PhilHealth is indeed dissolved, the government will still have a mechanism to help Filipinos with health care costs, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.

of the 2020 national budget as well as legislative efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite his offer to resign, Cayetano kept attacking Velasco in his speech, saying that the congressman had rejected appeals from the President to agree to take over in December after the budget was enacted.

“The President repeatedly asked congressman Velasco to move the term sharing agreement to December so that Congress may be able to finish the budget. The President himself made the request,” Cayetano said.

“The President asked this not to give me a few months as a speaker but because it was for the good of the country.

This was not for the sake of Alan but for the sake of the budget, but this appeal to congressman Velasco was rejected many, many times despite the reasonings given,” he added.

The House is expected to pass the budget bill on final reading on Oct. 14 or two days before it adjourns on Oct. 16.

But Cayetano said Velasco refused and kept asking the President what date he would assume the post. Velasco even told the President that he should have

taken over by Sept. 30 per his computation of the 15-21 agreement.

Cayetano said Velasco told the President he was ready to assume the speakership, even though he was absent in the deliberations on several crucial bills.

Earlier in his privilege speech, Cayetano said that Velasco might win if he steps down as speaker, but he might be ousted after a week.

“Under the Constitution, you need the majority of all members to be elected speaker. So I can step aside. But I can’t guarantee he will be elected,” he said.

“In fact, I will make a fearless forecast: he will not win. Or if I step aside, he might win but after a week, he might be replaced in a coup. Why? There are many [who are] more popular in Congress.”

Cayetano also said Velasco would turn the House into a rubber stamp of the executive, claiming he would pass the 2021 National Expenditure Program “as is.”

“The President is not asking us to be a rubber stamp. It is congressman Velasco who’s asking or was telling the President we will be a rubber stamp.

Whatever is in the NEP, that is what we will approve,” Cayetano said.

14,436,337 votes following a revision and appreciation of the ballots in the pilot provinces over Marcos, who obtained 14,157,771 votes. After the revision and appreciation of the votes, Robredo’s lead increased from 263,473 to 278,566.

The Marcos camp welcomed the latest assertion by the tribunal “on the validity of our second cause of action calling for the annulment of the election results in Lanao del Sur, Basilan and

Maguindanao as separate and distinct from the manual recount and judicial revision.”

“Notwithstanding such affirmation, we view with extreme reservation the route chosen by the justice in charge.

Instead of directly proceeding with the technical examination and forensic investigation he lamentably added another layer that would cause tremendous delay in referring the matter to the Office of the Solicitor General and the Comelec to file their respective Comment,” Marcos spokesman and lawyer Vic Rodriguez said in a statement.

“Considering the very thin time left

in the term of the contested position, our protest is under real threat of becoming moot and academic by events leading to 2022 such as the filing of candidacy, campaign and national election that would reduce the clamor and right of the people to know who really won the vice presidency illusory,” Rodriguez added.

In the latest resolution, the 15-member electoral tribunal ordered that the Comelec and the OSG be furnished copies of its Oct. 15, 2019 resolution and of the separate memoranda submitted by the Marcos and Robredo camps on that resolution.

“The said directive will provide customers ample time to update payments for water bills that fell due within the 04 to 18 August 2020 MECQ period without incurring interests, penalties and other charges.”

Ty says the MWSS-Regulatory Office is assuring the public “that it will do everything in its mandate to protect their welfare and provide the assistance they need to alleviate the financial burden brought about by the

COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We will abide by the Bayanihan Law and abide just as well by the 30day grace period for ECQ and MECQ bills, since we have already been providing extended payment terms for our customers. If you will recall, all ECQ bills since March 2020 were given initially six months to settle their bills until Sept. 30,” Manila Water spokesman Jeric Sevilla told reporters in a text message.

“The 30-day grace period, especially for those MECQ bills covering Aug. 4-18, 2020, will provide them further relief. We have put off disconnection of services since the imposition of ECQ. Also, Manila Water does not charge customers with interest and penalties. Please note as well that before any current bill gets disconnected, there is already a 60-day window for customers to pay their bills.”

tive did so as chair of the ruling PDPLaban political party.

“He is the party chair of the PDPLaban. He facilitated an agreement of sorts between the two members but that is not really a function of the President per se,” Roque said.

Velasco is from PDP-Laban while Cayetano, the President’s defeated 2016 running-mate, is a Nacionalista Party member.

Duterte had to stop the allies of the Speaker from hurling insults against the Marinduque solon before the two camps agreed to a change in the House leadership next month, Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Salvador “Doy” Leachon said Wednesday.

In a TV interview, Leachon confirmed an ABS-CBN source’s claim

that Duterte, in his meeting with Cayetano and Velasco late Tuesday, stressed the importance of honoring one’s word and enforcing the Speakership termsharing deal.

“The President was waiting for both parties to speak... He did not say, ‘Obey me.’ He didn’t want to impose, even though he was very clear in his heart, in his mind what he wanted to convey,” Leachon told ANC. “He just let these two agree on some terms.”

Cayetano, Velasco, and the Speaker’s allies -- Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado -- all gave speeches before the President, said Leachon.

THE Department of Justice-led task force that investigated widespread corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) did not include among its recommendations the abolition of the state-owned health insurer, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday.

Guevarra said Task Force PhilHealth did not recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the abolition of the agency when it submitted its report last Sep-

Speaker...

From A1 resignation here and now to you my dear colleagues. My fate and the fate of the 2021 budget and the fate of the leadership of the House is in your hands,” Cayetano said.

“Please don’t vote on party lines.

Don’t accept or deny because of positions or what the President may say or what I might think. Vote for me or not, you are my friends, my colleagues,” he added Velasco was not seen at the plenary hall during Cayetano’s speech, and it was not immediately known if he was present online and if he participated in the vote to turn down the Speaker’s resignation.

As of press time, the Marinduque solon had yet to issue a statement in response to Cayetano’s speech.

Under the term-sharing deal, Cayetano would serve as speaker for the first 15 months while Velasco would serve for the remaining 21 months.

But his supporters want Cayetano to remain as speaker, saying a change in leadership would derail the passage

PET...

From A1

‘Halt...

From A1 the safety of Filipinos.

“So while COVID hasn’t stopped spreading, it would be better to suspend or lower the collections of online transaction fees,” he said, noting a suspension or lowering of those fees would help the people struggling due to job losses or reduced incomes.

InstaPay is an electronic service that allows the transfer of Philippine peso funds between accounts of participating BSP-supervised banks and nonbank e-money issuers in the country.

Banks initially waived online transaction fees voluntarily. The BSP later

Fil-Am farmer rescued by Army after firefight A FILIPINO-American farmer from Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte, who was abducted earlier this month, was rescued by authorities on Wednesday.

Reports from the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division said that troops of the 42nd Infantry Battalion were able to engage the group holding 62-year-old Rex Susulan Triplitt at Barangay Pisa Itom in Sirawai town.

Triplitt was abducted by armed men wearing camouflage uniforms last September 16, while he and his wife were on board their motorcycle on their way home to Barangay Piacan in the same municipality.

The government side incurred no casualties from Wednesday’s firefight, while Triplitt is now undergoing medical checkup in a health center in Sirawai.

A press statement of the 1st ID quoted Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, Commander of 102nd Infantry Brigade, as saying that operations will continue despite the accomplishment.

“We are happy to inform the public that our operating troops successfully rescued abducted farmer, Rex Triplitt at 10:30 in the morning today,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., WestMinCom Commander.

“Based on the initial report from the ground, the five are members of the Sulu-based Daesh Inspired- Abu Sayyaf/kidnap for ransom group under Injam Yadah, a.k.a. Injam,” said Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade Commander.

Triplitt was heading home onboard a motorcycle when he was abducted on September 16.

“Our troops were acting on information of the presence of five fullyarmed men and one unarmed individual, believed to be Mr. Triplitt, in their community,” said Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, JTF ZamPeLan Commander.

“When the five engaged with the operating troops, Mr. Triplitt found an opportunity to hide and ask for help,” Ponio added. Francisco Tuyay

PH...

From A1 For example, she said Negros Occidental, which often lands in the list of provinces with the most number of new cases, used to have COVID-19 patients who were mostly locally stranded individuals.

Now, there are already cases of community transmission there, she said.

Isolation rule may make people lie--DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it is possible that people lie about symptoms or refuse to be tested for COVID-19 because of the government’s policy to send even mild and asymptomatic patients to facilities for isolation.

This can be remedied by properly explaining to people the benefits of staying in a temporary treatment or monitoring facility, the department said.

Earlier, Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19, composed of local medical societies, asked the government to reconsider the policy against home quarantine, saying the new rules could lead people to lie.

“I am not disagreeing with them. That is a possibility. But we just need to explain it to our citizens,” Vergeire said of the concerns raised by the various health groups.

Misdeclaration a problem

The misdeclaration by the patients of the date of the onset of illness was the main reason few COVID-19 infections were reported months after they happened, the DOH said on Wednesday.

Vergeire, during an online briefing, said the DOH recognizes the “gap” in their information system.

However, Vergeire said they are continuously working to make it more timely, accurate, and complete. Willie Casas urged all entities under its regulation to waive such fees to encourage the public to use online banking to help slow down the spread of COVID-19.

According to the non-government think-tank Infrawatch, some banks will resume collecting such fees on Oct. 1 after suspending it at the start of the pandemic, while others will continue to waive such fees until the end of the year.

“Millions have lost jobs from COVID and the lockdowns. It would be a big help to suspend or lower these transaction fees,” Pangilinan said.

Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Wednesday said the reported P1,000 banknote bearing the misspelled name of the President is not legal tender.

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A3

Marcos cronies told to return ETPI assets

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Sandiganbayan has affirmed its decision that ordered associates of former President Ferdinand Marcos to return assets that they amassed off their shares in Eastern Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. to the government for being ill-gotten.

LEARNER’S PACKAGE. Makati Mayor Abby Binay with officials of DepEd-Makati on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, leads a demonstration on how to use the learner’s package that contains OTG flash drive with digitized self-directed modules and educational videos that students can study even without internet connection. Also in Makati, (inset), teachers load books and educational materials inside a jeepney to be used as mobile learning hubs called “Dyipni MAKI” for the opening of classes on October 5 in Makati Elementary school. Norman Cruz

IN BRIEF MRT-3 trains to increase speed up to 40kph—DOTr Budget cut to hurt PDEA’s operations, says Villanueva THE budget cut of P2.2 billion out of its proposed 2021 budget allocation, will affect the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s barangay clearing operations.

In a radio interview, PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva said the budget cut will ‘badly affect’ its clearing operations of drug-infested barangays, a major strategy under PDEA. He added that the clearing operations fall under the Philippine Anti-Drugs Strategy.

Villanueva said the PDEA would need at least P492 million to wipe out illegal drugs at the barangay level.

“What we are batting for is about P492 million to enable us clear over 7,000 barangays. That is where our main strategy is anchored,” he said.

The agency had proposed a P4.9-billion budget. The Department of Budget and Management, however, endorsed only a P2.7-billion budget for PDEA in the National Expenditure Program for fiscal year 2021. Rio N. Araja

CHR backs New Public Assembly Act measure THE Commission on Human Rights has backed the passage of House Bill No. 6297 or the New Public Assembly Act to strengthen the enjoyment and free exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and petition the government for redress of grievances.

“As the country’s national human rights institution and in exercise of our constitutional mandate to protect and promote human rights, we submit this position paper to the committee on people’s participation (hereinafter, the ‘Committee’) of the House of Representatives, 18th Congress to explain our position of support and to recommend other measures to further strengthen the mechanisms provided in the bill,” its statement read.

Chairperson Jose Luis Martin Gascon, and Commissioners Gwendolyn PimentelGana, Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, Karen GomezDumpit and Leah Tanodra-Armamento shared the same stance that the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances is, together with the freedom of speech, of expression and of the press, a right that enjoys primacy in the realm of constitutional protection. Rio N. Araja

MMDA shuts another U-turn along EDSA

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will close another U-turn slot along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue following the closure of the first one situated on North Avenue near Trinoma Mall.

The U-turn slot (northbound and southbound) infront of Quezon City Academy will be closed beginning Oct. 12 On Oct. 5, the MMDA will start installing directional signages within the vicinity of the affected U-turn slot to notify motorists of the impending closure.

Motorists are advised to take the following detour routes: From northbound going southbound, affected vehicles may take U-turn slot after Congressional Avenue (infront of Landers) and from southbound going northbound, affected vehicles may take U-turn slot after Quezon Avenue Service Road (under Quezon Ave. flyover) The impending closure of U-turn slots along EDSA will make commuters travel through the EDSA Carousel easier, more convenient, and faster,” MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said.

By Darwin G Amojelar THE Department of Transportation said it will increase the MRT3 train speed to 40 kph from the current 30 kph starting October 1.

The agency said this is a result of the installation of the new long-welded rails in all the MRT-3 stations as part of the massive rehabilitation program of the rail line, which is being implemented by Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy from Japan.

The operating speed will gradually increase from 40 kph in October to 50 kph

by November and 60 kph by December 2020.

“Even during the implementation of strict community quarantine levels, with the approval of the IATF, we continued with the massive rehabilitation of the MRT-3, which includes replacing all worn out rails with new ones. Our commuters have suffered enough from the past. It is only right that we give them back their

dignity in commuting using the MRT-3,” Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The MRT-3 has continued its rail replacement works during the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine and Modified ECQ period, where 9,216 (13.98 percent) linear meters were completed.

“After being able to increase the number of running trains, our next target is to increase the speed of our trains in the mainline, until

Makers of Reno apologize to FDA

MODULE HANDOUT.

A teacher points to a form a parent must fill out in receiving her child’s learning modules for the new school year at the Francisco Barzaga Elementary School in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Wednesday.

Classes begin in public schools on October 5.

JR Josue

By Willie Casas THE maker of popular liver spread Reno has apologized to regulators and is seeking for their seal of approval, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

“Sumulat naman sila at nagpaumanhin dahil hindi nga raw sila nakapagrehistro ng produkto nila (They wrote and apologized because they have failed to register their product.),” Director General Eric Domingo said in a television interview.

“Sila’y nag-submit na rin ng application for registration. Hinihintay pong makumpleto nila ang requirements. Basta naman po kumpleto ang requirements, mabilis ang approval sa FDA (They also submitted an application for registration. We are just waiting for them to complete the requirements.

Once these are complete, the FDA approval will come quickly.),” said Domingo.

Domingo said the requirements include a test checking whether or not the product’s ingredients are safe.

The FDA in 2009 got its mandate to register processed foods, which was previously a task of the agriculture department and its meat inspection unit, the official earlier said.

Recently, an FDA agent noticed that Reno Liver Spread was not in the agency’s records.

This prompted the FDA to advise the public to refrain from buying the product.

In a 45-page resolution on Civil Case 0009 dated September 22 on motion for partial reconsideration filed by the heirs of Jose Africa, the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division said “there is preponderance of evidence that the ETPI shares of the defendant-movants substituted by the heirs of Africa, of Polygon, and the individual shareholders are ill-gotten wealth of defendant Ferdinand Marcos.”

Civil Case 0009 involves the ETPI shares of defendants Africa, Manuel Nieto Jr. acquired on June 10, 1974; as well as those of Polygon Investors and Managers, Inc.; and Aerocom Investors and Managers, Inc., namely: Victor Africa, Lourdes Africa, Natalie Africa, Jose Enrique Africa, Paul Delfin Africa, Rosario Songco, Raquel Dinglasari, Manuel Nieto III, Ramon Nieto, Victoria Legarda, Ma. Rita de los Reyes, Rosario Arellano, Angela Lobregat, Benito Nieto, Carlos Nieto, Carmen Tuazon and Rafael Valdes.

The assets were transferred to them by defendant Jose Africa, the court said.

“As the Republic correctly avers, ill-gotten wealth includes the properties and assets subject of this case considering that they have been acquired by defendants in unlawful concert with one another, resulting in their unjust enrichment duringFerdinand Marcos’s 20-year rule. Defendants, in unlawful concert with each other, engaged in devices, schemes and strategies for their mutual benefit and unjust enrichment,” the resolution partly read.

GSIS launches low-interest loan program for members THE Government Service Insurance System will launch on October 1 a loan facility that offers low interest, enhanced loan consolidation feature, longer payment term and one-time waiver of surcharges on all due and demandable GSIS loan accounts of its members, except housing and policy loan.

Dubbed as GSIS Multipurpose Loan, the new loan program gives borrowers an additional credit line that will help them consolidate and pay their outstanding GSIS loan balances. With the implementation of GSIS MPL, the Enhanced Conso-loan Plus will be phased out. All members with

Conso-loan applications that have not been approved by the concerned Agency Authorized Officers on September 30, 2020 will be advised to reapply for GSIS MPL. “GSIS MPL offers our members affordable payment terms, especially those who have reached their borrowing limit and have been unable to pay their GSIS loans,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

Under the MPL, borrowers may apply for up to 14 times their basic monthly salary but not to exceed Php3 million. Firsttime applicants will enjoy waived sur-

charges on their outstanding loan balance.

Macasaet said MPL prevents penalties incurred by members for unpaid GSIS loans from ballooning and eating up their retirement and other benefits.

Qualified to apply for MPL are active and special GSIS members who have paid at least three months of premiums; are not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending administrative or criminal case; have no arrears under the GSIS Financial Assistance Loan or GSIS housing loan; and are working in agencies with existing Memorandum of Agreement with GSIS.

Graft case vs. Cotabato gov junked

By Rey E. Requejo

MOONCAKE. A giant mooncake is displayed at a store in Binondo, Manila on Wednesday, September 30, 2020. The mooncake is a traditional Chinese treat eaten during the MidAutumn Festival. Norman Cruz

THE Supreme Court has ordered the Sandiganbayan to dismiss the graft case against Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco and her former husband Pompey Perez for their alleged involvement in the alleged anomalous government purchase of fertilizers in 2004.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the SC’s First Division ruled that the inordinate delay in the resolution by the Office of the Ombudsman of the graft case was unjustified and constituted violation of the accused’s constitutional rights to speedy disposition of cases.

The high court stressed that the almost five years it took for prosecutors to charge Catamco and her co-respondents in court was unjustified, considering that the issues involved were “simple” and

“straightforward.”

“The issues in this case are simple, straightforward and are easily determinable considering that only one transaction is involved,” the tribunal held.

“There was also no allegation that the petitioners herein had conspired with those involved in the other so-called ‘Fertilizer Fund Scam’ cases,” the SC added.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta and Associate Justices Jose Reyes, Jr., Amy Lazaro-Javier, and Mario Lopez concurred with the ruling.

Court records showed that in 2004, the local government of Poro, Cebu, headed by then-mayor Edgar Rama, purchased liquid fertilizers worth P5 million from a company owned by Perez and Catamco.

State auditors would later find, among others, that the fertilizers were overpriced by more than 1,000%.

A4

LGUs

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

BDO gets award for OFW program BDO Foundation has received another award for the financial education program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), its partnership project with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

In a statement, the Foundation said the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank was awarded by international non-governmental organization Enterprise Asia only a few weeks after the foundation was also recognized by Singapore-based finance publication Asian Banking & Finance for the same initiative.

Enterprise Asia officially conferred the award at the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2020, a virtual event witnessed by thousands of viewers.

Out of the more than 200 entries submitted from 19 countries this year, the financial education program was among 81 honored at the online ceremony.

BDO Foundation was one of only two Philippine organizations recognized as other awardees were based in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, among other countries.

In an interview with the award-giving body, BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito acknowledged the close collaboration of the foundation, OWWA and BSP. He said: “The financial education program for OFWs was made possible by partners working together towards a common goal. Together, we developed financial literacy materials for OFWs and their families.

“We organized training sessions for more than 500 subject matter experts tasked to train OFWs on topics like saving, financial planning, debt management, investing, entrepreneurship and avoiding scams.”

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

PROGRAM FOR OFWS. In a virtual presentation of the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2020, Enterprise Asia honors the financial education program for OFWs, the tripartite initiative of BDO Foundation, OWWA and BSP.

Binay signals use of OTG flash drive

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Wednesday presented the city’s Learning Continuity Plan for school year 2020-2021, and led in demonstrating the use of the On The Go (OTG) flash drive, a device designed for offline learning of students.

“The OTG flash drive is part of the Learner’s Package provided by the city to all public school students in Makati from preschool to senior high school. It is one

of the primary tools we came up with to ensure that no student will be left behind as we go through the new normal in education,” said Binay during the presenta-

tion at Washington Sycip Park in Legaspi Village.

Binay said the project was a product of the city government’s close collaboration with the Department of Education - City Schools Division of Makati (DepEdMakati).

An OTG flash drive, which contains digitized self-directed modules and video broadcast editions, can be used in different gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, desktops, ipads, tablets, and smart televisions.

The device is part of the learner’s package given for free by the local govern-

Free mass swab tests in Manila

By Willie Casas

DONATION TO NOLCOM. Northern Luzon Command Commander Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr receives the 1,000 pieces of Face Shield from Cpt. Mel Hallar, (Res) PA-CSP, Security Consultant of the Pacman Legendary Security Agency Inc. and an officer of the 407th Transport Battalion-Armed Forces of the Philippines Affiliate Reserve Unit-Armed Forces of the Philippine Reserve Command during the turnover of donation at Camp Aquino, Tarlac recently. Maj. Mikko Magisa, Maj. Gem Dy, Capt. Harold Llandado and Capt. Ivin Lopez, staff members of Commander Northern Luzon, (not in photo) thank Hallar for his unconditional support to the men and women of the Nolcom especially in this time of pandemic.

COVID victim’s family gets aid THE family of the late Ma Theresa Cruz, the nurse in Cainta Municipal Hospital whose story went viral recently after she died of COVID-19, received her social insurance and additional benefits for public frontliners from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Aside from the regular GSIS life insurance and burial benefits that were processed four days after the claims were filed, her family received the Bayanihan Fund for Frontliners benefit, the additional P500,000 insurance coverage given by GSIS to COVID-19 frontliners who died while performing their duties.

The family will also receive survivorship benefit after all the documentary requirements have been submitted.

“We condole with the family of Ms. Theresa Cruz and we salute her heroism. She risked her life so others may live,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

Theresa’s family received the full amount of her benefits as her loans were covered by a loan redemption insurance.

Since she paid her loans promptly and regularly when she was still living, she qualified for LRI that deemed her loan fully paid after she died.

Thus, her outstanding balance was not deducted from the proceeds of her benefits.

An essential feature of all GSIS loan accounts for members with updated loan payments, LRI protects the financial security of the member-borrower’s family and pays off the loan when the borrower dies.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

QC bikers required to wear helmets

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has approved Ordinance No. SP-2942 requiring bikers to wear a helmet while traversing roads in the city as a fundamental safety gear, helmets are now required to be worn by bicycle riders while traversing any city roads.

“Now that biking is a part of the new normal, we want to ensure that this activity would be safe for those passing through our city,” she said.

“The use of a helmet would assure that the riders could reach their destination safely,” she added.

Councilors Maria Diorella Sotto, Kaye Galang-Coseteng and Candy Medina introduced the measure.

According to Belmonte, while the wearing of a helmet when biking was al-

ready mandatory under the Road Safety Ordinance, the city council saw the need for another policy to further encourage the helmets as a protection with more people now traveling by bicycles.

The ordinance is imposing fines of P1,000, P3,000 and P5,000 for the first, second and third offense, respectively.

The city mayor earlier initiated the implementation of a bike lane project, a short-term initiative designed to provide a safe place for people who have shifted to biking as an alternative means of transportation amid the lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

As part of her long-term program, she said the city government plans to put up permanent bike lanes to be integrated with the planned bus system routes and pedestrian network.

MANILA City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday ordered his administration to provide free RT-PCR testing for employees of malls, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, vendors in public markets, and drivers of e-trikes, pedicabs, tricycles, jeepneys and buses operating in the nation’s capital.

Under Executive Order 39, Domagoso directed the Manila Health Department to provide free swab tests to these workers after the Sta. Ana Hospital’s second molecular laboratory was launched.

“The real threat of COVID-19 will continue to persist in our community, thereby sending fear to every person of getting infected with it. This fear will affect not only the individual preferences and behavior or every person, but also the economic growth (of the city),” Domagoso said.

“In order to allay the fear of getting infected with COVID-19, there is a need to assure the public that employees of these frequently visited establishments are COVID-19 free and thus spur economic activities,” the Mayor said.

Domagoso said the city “finds it imperative to provide the employees of these establishments with free RT-PCR testing as the city’s proactive initiative in balancing health and economy for the general welfare of Manileños.”

City government heads of the Manila Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila and the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau are “further directed to require establishments under their jurisdiction to require filling up mandatory health declaration forms for contact tracing purposes,” the Mayor said.

The executive order was issued on the same day the Sta. Ana Hospital’s new molecular laboratory was inaugurated. It is capable of processing about 1,000 swab tests a day.

ment to each public elementary and high school student in Makati City for school year 2020-2021.

The city’s Learning Continuity Plan addresses both the common and unique needs and concerns of students arising from the adoption of the blended learning approach consisting of online and modular distance learning modalities, she said.

“The plan deals with issues such as limited access to gadgets and internet connectivity. It contains ways and means to ensure continuous learning while keeping our students and teachers safe from COVID-19 infection,” Binay said.

IN BRIEF ‘Camote’ farming gets fund boost QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya -- Farming for sweet potato in barangay Runruno here will entice more upland farmers to produce more with the expansion of the community plantation project.

The popular root crop is now produced by the 12 sitios or sub-barangays because of the various delicacies that can be made from it and the increasing demand from buyers.

Recently, the Barangay Local Government Unit of Runruno and the FCF Minerals Corporation have allocated P860,000.00 in support of the Sweet Potato Production and Marketing within the 20-hectare plantation of Runruno.

The mining firm, through the Enterprise Development and Networking component of the Social Development and Management Program, is now helping the Runruno Livelihood Development Association in engaging with the production and marketing of fresh sweet potato tubers within the plantation area. Ben Moses Ebreo

QC, Globe distribute 176,000 sim cards THE Quezon City government and Globe Telecom Inc. have partnered for the provision of 176,000 data sim cards to be distributed to all junior and high school students in public schools.

Mayor Joy Belmonte granted a notice of award to Globe Telecom Inc. for the distribution of the data sim cards to be distributed by the Schools Division Office.

The cards would be loaded with 10GB data monthly to allow students to access learning materials online and to complement the 176,000 Samsung tablets that have been turned over to SDO. Globe Telecom Inc. has added security features to prevent access to certain content and gaming websites, ensuring that the tablets would be used only for learning.

Belmonte has said the initiative gives the public school students access to modules and other learning materials under the blended system of learning of the Department of Education. Rio N. Araja

PNP top brass salutes 4 Angeles cops

By Jess Malabanan

OFFICIAL COLOR. Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia hands over the official color of the Pampanga Police Office to incoming Provincial Director Col. Andres Simbajon Jr. during turnover rites at the Bale Katimawan Wednesday. Jess Malabanan

ANGELES CITY­—Four police officers detailed at the Angeles City Police were feted by the Philippine National Police led by Director General Camilo Pancratius “Pikoy” Pascua Cascolan for their dedication and loyalty to the PNP during the traditional Monday Flag raising rites at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Feted were Lt. Romulus B. Ramos, Staff Sergeant Argel R Cabote, Corporal Eric S Sapnu and Patrolwoman Irish G Petiza, all assigned at the Police Station 3 of the ACPO. The four members of the ACPO were directed to report to the PNP National

Headquarters where they received the awards from the PNP Chief himself after their video on the arrest of a Filipina and her Chinese companion went viral on the social media.

The video showed how the four policemen stood their ground and prevented the entry to Angeles City of a certain L.A Abegail Jabel and her Chinese companion Ching Li from National Capital Region after they failed to show travel authority and quarantine certificate as required by the pandemic task force sometime on Sept 25.

The suspects, on board a vehicle, attempted to bribe the police officers that ended in their arrest and brought them behind bars.

Opinion T

HE latest polls show US President Donald Trump continues to trail his Democratic challenger, former vice president Joe Biden. With just a month before the US presidential elections, likely voters have all seemed to have made up their minds, with 51 percent of them favoring Biden and 43 percent of them supporting Trump. A number of national polls fall well within this range, suggesting that very few Americans— under 10 percent--are still undecided.

How their first presidential debate— which often resembled a shouting match between Mr. Trump and the moderator-- will swing the outcome is yet to be seen. But what remains unfathomable to observers on the outside looking in is that as many as 43 percent of Americans support a president who has presided over the deaths of 205,000 of their countrymen in a pandemic that could have been brought under control, if only he had listened to the science. Instead, Mr. Trump contradicted his top health advisers and listened to quacks, and turned the simple and ef-

fective act of wearing a face mask into a deadly political issue. While medical experts the world over found that wearing a mask would reduce the chances of infection by 65 percent, Mr. Trump mocked his political opponent for wearing one, and his campaign continues to stage large public rallies in which there is no social distancing and where very few wear masks.

This was a president who admitted privately to a journalist as early as February

In a dictatorship, we often find a cult of personality in which the masses are fed propaganda declaring their leaders as flawless and demonizing the opposition.

that he knew the coronavirus was deadly and it was airborne, then proceeded to downplay it, promising it would magically disappear, and urging states to reopen without quarantine restrictions.

How is it, we wonder, can so many Americans continue to believe in a president who has time and again been proven to lie to them, not only about the coronavirus, but about his taxes, about Russian interference in their electoral process, and the peaceful protests against police brutality and racial inequality.

How is it that these Americans can stomach a president who describes US war veterans as “losers” and “suckers”?

How is it that so many Americans would vote for a president who has described white supremacists as “good people”?

Among the characteristics of a dictatorship, we often find a cult of personality in which the masses are fed propaganda declaring their leaders as flawless and demonizing the opposition. Check.

Dictators also use their power to control the legislature. Witness the Republican-led US Senate’s blind obedience to Mr. Trump and check this box.

Dictatorships are also marked by systematic efforts to intimidate the media.

Mr. Trump, who describes critical reporting as “fake news,” certainly qualifies.

Dictators also weaken institutions of governance and compromise law enforcement agencies to protect people in the ruler’s inner circle. Mr. Trump has turned his Justice Department into his personal legal team, going easy on allies and filing sedition charges against street protesters. He has also subverted institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and even the US postal service, all in hopes of pushing his political agenda forward.

Dictators live on fearmongering, too.

Listen to Mr. Trump’s ridiculous warnings about “the radical left” to check this box, too.

Mr. Trump’s shameful performance in the first debate merely reinforces the view by the rest of the world that he is a dangerous demagogue who must be stopped in November. If not enough Americans do this, they will truly get the government they deserve—a third-rate country run by a tinhorn dictator.

Pemberton’s pardon SHOULD the President have pardoned United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton?

Ever since transgender woman Jennifer Laude was killed and Pemberton was arrested for the crime, the case has generated so much controversy that it has not really stopped even with Pemberton already out of the country.

Cases like these are almost always controversial not only in this country but also in other countries where the United States maintains military bases.

In Okinawa, Japan, it always results in friction between the officials of the Okinawa prefecture and the US military command.

For us, it is even more complicated.

During the long years of US military bases here, there was much resentment every time a US military personnel kills a Filipino and gets away scot-free without being charged because of legal jurisdictional issues not clearly defined by the existing agreements then. The Visiting Forces Agreement between the US and the Philippines was supposed to have settled this when it came to crimes committed by US military personnel while not in the performance of their official duties.

But even with this, the many cause-oriented organizations were not satisfied, as demonstrated by the Jennifer Laude case. US military presence in this country has long been the favorite punching bag of nationalist groups supportive of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

While other countries like, for instance, Poland, worked hard for the stationing of US military forces in that country, many here are opposed to it.

Still, whether one supported the presence of US military bases here before or not, it can be argued that we somehow benefited from the protective cover pro-

vided by the two huge US military bases especially since our military is so weak.

And unlike other countries hosting US military bases like Japan and South Korea that share in the upkeep of the US military forces in those countries, we never shared in the upkeep of US military forces here. We somehow enjoyed

Those opposing the GCTA Law should ask Congress to amend it. the protection of the American presence without spending anything.

Of course, opponents always love to say that there are other social costs involved. The case of Pemberton was one.

There are others as well like prostitution and other crimes.

It is, however, unrealistic for us to expect that no crime will be committed with the stationing of predominantly male soldiers here. There will always be incidents. That is why we have the Visiting Forces Agreement. We have to be realistic. In the case of Pemberton, he was the first US military personnel ever tried in a Philippine court. He was found guilty and was sentenced from six to ten years. He was incarcerated in a facility agreed upon by the Philippines and the United States, but this too was not enough for people who wanted him

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jailed in Muntinlupa.

Because of the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law, the Olongapo City court that sentenced him ordered his early release. This created a tempest. Laude’s lawyer went to the media to question how the judge could justify good behavior when there was no interaction with anyone. Secretary Harry Roque, who was the Laudes’ lawyer at one point, also accused the judge of judicial overreach.

Maybe the lawyer should try confining herself alone in a room for a few months to see what the confinement will do to her mental health.

For all intents and purposes, Pemberton was in solitary confinement during his entire confinement­—which was worse. With Laude’s lawyer media interviews and Harry Roque getting into the picture not to mention the entry of the Department of Justice into the case and the plan of the LGBT community to enter the fray, the potential of the case being muddled was real.

Remember what happened to Mayor Sanchez of Laguna. When he was about to be released for good conduct, the media blitz that followed generated so much protests that he eventually was not released. Perhaps, all these was one reason why President Duterte simply pardoned Pemberton. Those opposed to the Good Conduct Law should petition Congress to amend the law.

The law was passed to give a second chance to people sentenced to long prison terms. But as is often the case in this country, the law is abused and taken advantage of by corrupt prison officials.

Whether we agree or disagree with the President’s pardon, it nipped in the bud what could have otherwise developed into a protracted issue. This could have taken government attention away from the pandemic—something we cannot afford at this time.

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Hanggang sa muli: An unforgettable four years

By US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Anita F. Grefal

Baldwin R. Felipe

Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

B1

November 3 should be World Election Day

EDITORIAL

Stopping a demagogue

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 mate change and environwill be Election Day mental degradation, so his in the United States. administration’s first maTens of millions of jor foreign policy decision Americans will go to was to get the US out of the polling stations the Paris accord. The conto select a president, flagrations in America’s a vice president, one Pacific states, the horrenthird of the Senate, the dous hurricanes that have entire House of Representatives and all high devastated Puerto Rico and New Orleans, the state officials. However, given the outcome increasingly frequent droughts in the Midwest of the 2016 elections, the issues in the US and similar natural disasters have done nothgovernment and the world geopolitical situa- ing to convince Mr. Trump that global warmtion, US Election Day might as well be—nay, ing is not a figment of scientists’ imagination. ought to be—World Election Day. Considering that the US has the largest carbon The reason for this is that so much is riding, footprint in the world—logical, because it is for the world, on the outcome of the US elec- the world’s largest economy – an American tions—specifically on whether Republican return to the Paris Agreement is imperative.

President Donald Trump would be re-elected, Another geopolitical policy change that a or whether his challenger Joseph Biden of the World Election Day voter would likely vote Democratic Party would be elected. against would be the Trump policy of needIndeed, the November 3 electoral event is lessly offending America’s traditional allies for the world the most important US election —like Germany, Canada and Mexico—and since the end of World War II. Up until the not condemning, and even condoning, the bad 2016 election, it was universally accepted that behavior of non-traditional, not-traditionalthe US was the leader of the free world, the ly-ally countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia and builder and driving Turkey. force of democratAs the world’s ic alliances and most powerful namulti-lateral institution, the US must Until 2016, it was tions, the promoter continually have the of globalization and universally accepted moral high ground. shining beacon of Under Donald that the US was the hope for millions of Trump, the US has people around the come down from leader of the free world who dream that place. world. of a better life. After A non-American four years of Donald allowed to cast a balTrump’s presidency, lot on November 3 is bound to also want to that has ceased to be put an end to the Trump administration’s policy the case.

The four years of the Trump administration of de-prioritizing the North Atlantic Treaty Orhave thrown the free world into near-disar- ganization. So suspicious of Donald Trump’s ray. Washington has pulled out, or threatened real attitude toward NATO are Western security to pull out, of alliances and international in- analysts’ fear that the American president would stitutions founded with US inspiration and pull the US out of NATO if re-elected. There has support. It has either cozied up to, or refused been no world war since 1945; to NATO must to condemn, undemocratic foreign govern- largely go to the credit for that long period of ments. It has virtually shut the door to millions world peace. Donald Trump’s unwillingness to of people trying to gain legal entry into the US criticize or condemn Russia for anything makes in order to pursue the American Dream. It has sense when seen in the context of Russia’s inturned its back on a climate-change accord tense interest in rendering NATO ineffective.

Finally, a non-American citizen of the that the administration of President Barack Obama, backed by the full weight of scientific world, if allowed to participate in the November 3 political exercise, would surely want to evidence, helped to craft.

If November 3, 2020 were World Election cast his or her ballot for the candidate who Day, if the people of the world were allowed would put an end to the racist, anti-outsider to fill out an American ballot, they almost and xenophobic immigration policy of the certainly will vote against the presidential Trump administration. The words of welcome candidate who made all the bad geopolitical inscribed in the Statue of Liberty must be givdecisions of the last four years and for the can- en renewed meaning on November 3.

For all the things that America has lost didate who has pledged to reverse them.

The number-one target for reversal of non- in the world during the Trump administraUS citizens, if they were allowed to vote tion – prestige, influence and moral leaderon November 3, would almost certainly be ship – and all the good things that need to America’s withdrawal from the 2015 Par- be restored. November 3, 2020 should not is Agreement on Climate Change. Donald just be US Election Day. It should be World Trump apparently has never believed in cli- Election Day.

The resumption of small-town lottery COME October 1, Small Town Lottery will be allowed to resume operations provided that authorized agent corporations (STL AACs) have complied with the necessary cash bond requirements and health and safety protocols.

Understandably, many may deem this as a risky step. However, if we put ourselves in the shoes of the now-unemployed collectors who have heavily relied on the STL for livelihood pre-pandemic, this development would bring a collective sigh of relief.

The months-long lockdown and the consequential suspension of STL has left many without income, driving them deeper into poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic has also forced many to leave their day jobs in the metro and go back to their home provinces.

Just this week, the Department of Trade and Industry reported that around 90,000 businesses remained closed during this pandemic.

Notwithstanding the fact that the pandemic poses risks to everyone, we also suffer from the lack of sources of income.

I cannot emphasize enough how this program is needed by these people now, more than ever.

Before the pandemic, we have already established the benefits provided by the STL program as an employment opportunity and alternative source of livelihood for locals, especially those belonging in the marginalized sector and those unable to be hired during job fairs.

The resumption of the STL operations is welcome news. This will not only uplift and help existing collectors, but also those looking for new jobs in the provinces. The resumption of STL will give employment opportunities to the many who lost their jobs because of the pandemic.

Moral issues aside, people need to work, and families need to eat. While there are on-going moral and legal debates on STL, to my mind, it is legal, and we can monetize its operations to inure to the benefits of those on the grassroots level.

Aside from the social effects of the resumption, the government undoubtedly needs funds to sustain its programs. For a long time

until its suspension in 2019, the STL has been the biggest revenue-generating program of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). However, the short suspension last year contributed to the P6.2-billion drop in revenue for 2019 as reported. This June, PCSO General Manager Royina Garma reported that the agency has already lost an estimated P13 billion in total revenue.

We can only imagine how the six-month long suspension would impact the agency’s health and charity programs. The PCSO, however, reported that it has released funds to help in the financing of COVID-19 efforts in hospitals. In a recent Congressional briefing, PCSO GM Garma reported that the agency had already provided assistance to 14 local government units and 82 hospitals across the country. The help amounted to P463 million. How long the PCSO can sustain this as 2021 draws near, with its significantly-cut revenue, we do not know.

Moral issues aside, people need to work, and families need to eat.

While the resumption will hopefully restore and replenish PCSO’s health and charity funds, we are aware of the accompanying risks. I trust that operators will take the initiative to test their employees before deploying them to the localities. Moreover, I hope PCSO and the STL-AACs will devise ways to adapt to the new normal and implement double protection measures to ensure that collectors and other employees will not be facing terrible risks in going back to communities. Perhaps the agency can pivot a significant percentage of their fund to provide the necessary PPEs and other COVID- responsive measures.

We are all on the same boat. We all hope for the gradual resumption of businesses, small or big alike, but we are also considering the livelihood of the bottom sectors as equally valuable. I hope that as we hurdle and overcome this pandemic together, we do not let other sectors get left behind, without compromising the paramount importance of the health and safety of everyone.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor

Adelle Chua Opinion Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

B2

World

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump‘shoutout’ to far-right militia draws outrage CLEVELAND—US President Donald Trump drew outrage on Wednesday after he dodged an opportunity to condemn white supremacists, and instead dropped the name of a far-right militia group during the first presidential debate.

When asked if he was willing to reject racist and militia groups Trump deflected and said: “Proud Boys -- stand back and stand by.”

“But I’ll tell you what, I’ll tell you what, somebody’s got to do something about Antifa,” he continued, referring to the far-left movement.

The Proud Boys, a far-right paramilitary group, then appeared to adopt the phrase, with one known social media account posting a logo that read “Stand Back, Stand By.” Outrage swiftly followed the president’s words.

“At a time of peak far-right violence and growing racism... (Trump) gave another nod to white supremacists, who are already calling that a ‘shoutout’”, tweeted Rita Katz, director of SITE, a US watchdog of extremist groups.

The head of the Anti-Defamation League called on Trump to explain or apologize.

“Trying to determine if this was an answer or an admission. President Trump owes America an apology or an explanation. Now,” Jonathan Greenblatt wrote on Twitter. AFP

IN BRIEF Israel limits protests, cites ‘virus emergency’ JERUSALEM—Israel’s parliament approved a law early Wednesday restricting demonstrations as part of a coronavirusrelated state of emergency, that critics say is aimed at silencing protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The law, which passed its final reading by 46 votes to 38, was meant to be part of a slew of measures approved by parliament on Friday tightening a second nationwide lockdown.

But debate on the measure was put off as the government struggled to secure the necessary votes amid an opposition outcry and a protest outside parliament on Tuesday.

The lockdown, which went into force on September 18, shutters the majority of workplaces, markets, places of worship, schools and cultural venues.

It also bans journeys of more than a kilometer (0.6 miles) from home, other than for essential purposes such as buying food and medicine or receiving medical treatment. AFP

ROUND ONE DONE.

US President Donald Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden (also inset) exchange arguments as moderator and Fox News anchor Chris Wallace (center) raises his hands to stop them during the first presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 29.

AFP

Biden faces down raging Trump C LEVELAND—Democrat Joe Biden told a raging President Donald Trump to “shut up” in a chaotic opening debate that turned almost immediately into a shouting match 35 days ahead of the tensest US election in recent memory.

The debate in Cleveland, Ohio, was as bad-tempered as had been feared, with Trump leading the way in yelling over his challenger and the Fox News moderator Chris Wallace alike.

There was no handshake as the two men took the stage and while this was due to Covid-19 restrictions, the absence

of the traditional greeting symbolized divisions through the country in the final countdown to November 3.

Trump went as hard on 77-year-old Biden as he’d threatened, saying the “radical left” had the centrist Democrat “wrapped around their little finger.”

And he got personal, seeking to rile the

former vice president by accusing one of his sons of corruption, and telling Biden that “there’s nothing smart” about him.

Biden, though, not only gave as good as he got—he launched the kind of attack on Trump the billionaire president has rarely had to endure to his face.

“Liar,” “racist” and “clown” were just some of the missiles launched from Biden, who also branded Trump the “puppy” of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At times, neither Biden nor Wallace could get a word in, as Trump loudly touted his economic record and went after Biden’s son Hunter.

“This will go down as one of the worst

Pompeo in tense visit to Vatican as US vote nears

Twitter defends police monitoring service SAN FRANCISCO—Twitter said Tuesday a service that monitors tweets for police, alerting them to brewing social justice protests and more, does not break the platform’s ban on being used for surveillance.

Twitter defended letting the service, Dataminr, tap into the flow of public tweets to send alerts to police or other government agencies about plans for protests or civil disobedience, such as those involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Twitter prohibits the use of our developer services for surveillance purposes.

Period,” a spokesman for the San Francisco-based company said in reply to an AFP inquiry.

“We see a societal benefit in public Twitter data being used for news alerting, first responder support, and disaster relief.”

The stance provokes a debate as to what exactly constitutes surveillance.

Dataminr is a social media-monitoring service that uses artificial intelligence to comb platforms such as Twitter for userdetermined keywords. AFP

debates in history,” Aaron Kall, a presidential debate specialist at the University of Michigan, told AFP. Conspiracy theories At one point an exasperated Biden, who leads strongly in the polls, turned to Trump and said: “Will you shut up, man!”

That moment symbolized the strength of Biden’s performance in an arena where Trump’s campaign had for months been predicting he would crumble.

The Republican had even spread lurid conspiracy theories right up until the last minute that Biden would need drugs or an earpiece secretly providing answers to get through the night. AFP

ANTI-RAPE PROTEST. Protestors react as they are being detained by police during a demonstration outside the Uttar Pradesh Bhawan

(state house) in New Delhi on September 30, a day after a 19-year-old woman who was allegedly gang-raped died from her injuries near Bool Garhi village. Indian police were accused on September 30 of forcibly cremating the body of a 19-year-old alleged gang-rape victim as anger grew over the latest horrific sexual assault to rock the country. AFP

Boost in vaccine doses planned for poorer countries NEW DELHI—Up to 100 million additional doses of any eventual COVID-19 vaccines will be secured for delivery to poorer countries in 2021, health groups announced Tuesday, as the virus showed no sign of receding after claiming more than one million lives around the world.

The announcement doubles the number of doses already secured from the Serum Institute of India by the Gavi vaccine alliance

and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, following an initial agreement last month.

The public-private health partnership stressed that the eventual total is “potentially several times” greater and said the price would be capped at $3 per dose.

“No country, rich or poor, should be left at the back of the queue when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines; this collaboration brings us another step closer to achieving

this goal,” Gavi chief Seth Berkley said.

As nine vaccine candidates are in laststage trials, the World Bank said Tuesday it had asked its board of directors to approve $12 billion to help poor countries purchase and distribute vaccines.

A World Bank spokesman said that “the global economy will not recover fully until people feel they can live, socialize, work and travel with confidence.” AFP

Taipei Zoo baby boom lightens pandemic blues

BOMB SHELTER. A man gets out of a makeshift bomb shelter in the village of Sahlabad

outside the Azerbaijani city of Tartar on September 29. Azerbaijani and Armenian forces claimed to have inflicted heavy losses as fighting raged for a third day over the breakaway region of Nagorny Karabakh. AFP

TAIPEI—Taiwan’s largest zoo has celebrated a flurry of births in recent months—including pandas and pangolins—in a welcome boost during a visitor slump due to the coronavirus.

Human footfall to Taipei Zoo may have dropped this year but officials have been kept on their toes with an animal baby boom that has just kept coming.

Formosan serows, Eurasian otters, jackass penguins, koalas, marmosets and black-capped squirrel monkeys have all added to their ranks since the beginning of 2020.

“We are very lucky this year with successful breedings from many international cooperation projects with our partner zoos and aquariums in Europe and Southeast Asia,” Taipei Zoo spokesman Eric Tsao told AFP. Tsao said visitor arrivals are down 20-30 percent because of the virus -- even though Taiwan has emerged largely unscathed from the pandemic thanks to a response that has won global recognition.

The birth that has garnered the most excitement is Yuan Bao, the second female cub born to giant panda Yuan Yuan. AFP

ROME—US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Rome Wednesday, just a month ahead of the US elections and hot on the heels of a diplomatic breach with the Vatican, that experts see as an effort to win conservative Catholic votes.

Pompeo will not meet Pope Francis because the pontiff avoids such audiences in campaign periods, a Vatican source said.

Analysts say the pope has also been angered by Pompeo’s public calls for a historic Vatican-China accord to be scrapped.

Instead, Pompeo will speak at a symposium organized by the Holy See’s US embassy in the Italian capital on Wednesday, before meeting the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Thursday.

Francis has been working hard to repair ties with China, but his overtures run contrary to US President Donald Trump’s efforts to push a religious freedom theme against the Communist country in his campaign for a second term.

Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, went on the offensive earlier this month, calling a Sino-Vatican 2018 agreement on appointing bishops, which is up for renewal, a risk to the church’s “moral authority” given Beijing’s human rights record. AFP

Germany mulls over new labor law FRANKFURT AM MAIN—When German carmakers seek cobalt from Congolese mines or when a chocolatier sources cocoa beans from Ghana, they may soon no longer be able to hide behind their suppliers if it turns out that the producers are using child labor or flouting environmental standards.

Under a new law proposed by the labor and development ministries, companies above a certain size will have to meet social and environmental rules all along their production chains.

The mooted law was spurred on by a deadly fire in a textile factory in Pakistan and a devastating dam collapse at a Brazilian iron ore mine that killed more than 250 people -both of which had links to German companies.

Three in four Germans back the proposals, and even major employ-

ers like car giants BMW and Daimler and coffee chain Tchibo are on board.

But industry is divided over the plan, with opponents arguing that it is unworkable and could burden firms with more unwieldy bureaucracy and a mountain of legal cases.

Even some government members are sceptics, with Economy Minister Peter Altmaier concerned that the law would put German exporters on the back foot in international competition.

- Clear rules In 2012, 258 people died in a factory fire in Pakistan’s worst industrial disaster.

A judicial probe found serious safety errors including a lack of emergency exits, poor safety training for workers, and the failure of government inspectors as contributing to the high death toll. AFP

Business Shell bares restructuring plan, to cut up to 9,000 jobs LONDON, United Kingdom— Energy major Shell unleashed Wednesday a major restructuring to combat plunging oil prices driven by the coronavirus pandemic, warning it will also spark more asset write-downs in the third quarter.

Royal Dutch Shell said in a statement that it would ax between 7,000 and 9,000 positions by the end of 2022, of which 1,500 staff have already agreed to take voluntary redundancy this year.

The job cuts would amount to roughly 10 percent of Shell’s total global workforce of 80,000 staff across more than 70 countries.

The Anglo-Dutch giant aims to generate annual savings of between $2.0 billion and $2.5 billion (1.72.1 billion euros) under the plan, which also includes other measures to streamline the business in response to the fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.

Those savings will partially contribute to the $3.0-$4.0 billion efficiency drive that was announced in March and runs to 2021, it added.

Shell had already flagged in July that job cuts were in the pipeline after posting a colossal $18.1-billion second-quarter net loss as coronavirus savaged the world oil market.

It warned on Wednesday that it would suffer more post-tax impairment charges of between $1.0-$1.5 billion in third quarter earnings, which will be published at the end of October.

“This is an extremely tough process. It is very painful to know that you will end up saying goodbye to quite a few good people,” said chief executive Ben van Beurden in an interview on the company website.

“But we are doing this because we have to, because it is the right thing to do for the future of the company.

“We have to be a simpler, more streamlined, more competitive organization that is more nimble and able to respond to customers.”

Shell’s main British rival BP is axing around 10,000 jobs or 15 percent of its total workforce in response to the virus turmoil. AFP

B3

THURSday, OCTOBER 1, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks up; SM Prime advances S

hare prices rose slightly higher Wednesday in light bargain hunting, but many investors opted to stay in the sidelines on lack of catalysts to support a major rally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 22.63 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5,864.23 on a value turnover of nearly P5.5 billion. Losers, however, edged gainers, 98 to 91, with 49 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group climbed 3.2 percent to P29.40, while Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. jumped 11.5 percent to P1.65.

Dito CME Holdings Corp., the third

major telecommunications player, however, fell 1.8 percent to P4.90, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, declined 1.5 percent to P64.

The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly fell Wednesday following a chaotic US presidential debate in which Donald Trump again suggested the election could be fraudulent, although hopes for a second stimulus out of Washington provided a little support.

Another round of healthy Chinese data also lifted optimism, but the everpresent gloom of rising virus infections and deaths continues to dampen the mood on trading floors as dealers fret over the re-imposition of containment measures in key economies.

Hong Kong rose 0.8 percent, helped by data showing factory activity in Chi-

na improved in September, indicating that the recovery in the world’s number two economy was on track.

Mumbai, Taipei and Wellington also edged up.

There were steep losses in Tokyo, down more than one percent, and Sydney, more than two percent, while Shanghai, Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok were also in the red.

Trump and Joe Biden traded personal barbs in the first of three debates ahead of the November 3 vote, with observers saying the president needed a strong showing as he trailed in most national and battleground polls.

The much-anticipated match-up, however, descended almost immediately into a shouting match, with little of substance emerging from either man.

When asked if they pledged to urge

In this file photo taken on July 30, 2020, a woman rides her bicycle past the Shell Pernis site in Rotterdam.

Energy major Shell unleashed a major restructuring plan on September 30, 2020, to combat plunging oil prices driven by the coronavirus pandemic, warning it will also spark more asset write-downs in the third quarter. AFP

calm and refrain from declaring victory if the election result is not immediately known, Biden said “yes,” while Trump would not commit, saying that if he saw “tens of thousands of ballots being manipulated, I can’t go along with that.”

The president’s claims about voter fraud have raised concerns among investors that the result could be drawn out and fuel uncertainty.

Most observers were left disappointed, and Aaron Kall, a presidential debate specialist at the University of Michigan, told AFP: “This will go down as one of the worst debates in history.”

“The market is starting to price in potentially a blue sweep,” Jimmy Chang, at Rockefeller & Co LLC, told Bloomberg TV, referring to Democrats winning the White House and both houses of Congress. With AFP

PSEi September 30, 2020

TOP LOSERS

US Treasury reaches loan deal with seven major airlines WASHINGTON—The US Treasury on Tuesday announced it had reached a deal with seven major US airlines including American and United to offer them loans in a bid to stave off job cuts amid the coronavirus crisis.

But the Treasury statement does not say if these agreements are going to be enough to allow those two airlines to cancel recently announced plans to proceed with job cuts.

Since March, airlines have been grounding planes and delaying jet deliveries to try to limit the cash-burn as the worldwide coronavirus pandemic effectively paralyzed travel for months.

As the US economy gradually reopens, airlines have struggled to convince wary passengers to return to the skies, and international routes have been drastically reduced because of various travel restrictions in effect.

Beyond American and United, the other airlines that signed loan agreements with the administration of President Donald Trump are Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Hawaiian Airlines and SkyWest Airlines.

Delta and Southwest were—unsurprisingly—not part of the agreements, having already said they would not participate.

“We are pleased to conclude loans that will support this critical industry while ensuring appropriate taxpayer compensation,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

Mnuchin called on Congress to extend its aid programs to support jobs across the air travel industry.

The $25 billion in loans have been granted under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act—the $2.2-trillion coro-

TOP GAINERS

navirus stimulus package passed by Congress in March.

Airlines had been in talks with the Treasury since July. Certain conditions will apply, such as maintaining a certain number of jobs and salary ceilings.

The Treasury said the amount of the initial loans could be increased “as a result of some major airlines determining not to move forward” with the process.

“The reallocation of funds will be subject to a loan concentration limit of $7.5 billion per passenger air carrier, or 30% of the $25 billion available for passenger air carriers,” it said.

Airlines have struck agreements with unions to spread out work among employees. Tens of thousands of employees have also accepted unpaid leave or early retirement packages to avert the need for involuntary terminations. AFP

MOST ACTIVE

China factory production posted small rebound in September—official data BEIJING, China—Factory activity in China improved slightly in September, according to official data published Wednesday, showing a small rebound in the economy ahead of the week-long National Day public holiday.

The closely watched Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is a key gauge of manufacturing activity in the world’s second-largest economy, which has largely bounced back after plunging in February because of tough coronavirus measures.

In September, the PMI figure increased slightly to 51.5 after slipping to 51.0 in the previous month. Any figure above the 50-point mark represents growth while below it signals a contrac-

tion.

Zhao Qinghe, a senior statistician at the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that this month’s figures, with increases in several key indices, demonstrated a “steady recovery” and a preholiday consumption boom.

But Zhao also noted that some industries, such as apparel, textile and wood processing, reported insufficient market demand.

“We also see that, although overall manufacturing demand has increased, industrial recovery is uneven... the global pandemic has not been fully and effectively controlled, and there are still uncertain factors in China’s imports and exports,” he said.

In February, the index plunged to 35.7 points after the coronavirus brought much of China to a standstill.

Non-manufacturing PMI came in at 55.9 points—an increase of 0.7 percentage points from August, showing further signs of an economic rebound.

This month’s new export order index and import index were both positive for the first time, at 50.8 percent and 50.4 percent respectively—a rise of 1.7 and 1.4 percentage points from August.

Chinese business media group Caixin noted that “new business expanded at the strongest rate since January 2011” and employment stabilized in the manufacturing sector, while the easing of

lockdown measures contributed to the momentum of recovery.

But the Caixin manufacturing PMI edged down from 53.1 last month to 53.0 in September.

The Caixin PMI mainly surveys SMEs, and is seen by some as a more accurate reflection of the economic situation than the official government figure, which more closely reflects the condition of large state groups.

“The latest PMIs show that economic activity continued to accelerate in September on the back of a broadbased improvement in both services and manufacturing,” wrote Julian EvansPritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics, in a note. AFP

Green shoots: Rooftop farming takes off in space-starved Singapore

By Martin Abbugao SINGAPORE—On the rooftop of a Singapore shopping mall, a sprawling patch of eggplants, rosemary, bananas and papayas stand in colorful contrast to the grey skyscrapers of the city-state’s business district.

The 10,000 square-foot (930 square-meter) site is among a growing number of rooftop farms in the space-starved country, part of a drive to produce more food locally and reduce a heavy reliance on imports.

The government has championed the push amid concerns about climate change reducing crop yields worldwide and trade tensions affecting imports, but it has been given extra impetus by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The common misconception is that there’s no space for farming in Singapore because we are land scarce,” said Samuell Ang, chief executive of Edible Garden City, which runs the site on the mall.

“We want to change the narrative.”

Urban farms are springing up in crowded cities around the world, but the drive to create rooftop plots has taken on particular urgency in densely populated Singapore, which imports 90

This photograph taken on September 7, 2020 shows a staff member tending to a rooftop garden used for urban farming to grow edible plants above the Raffles City mall in Singapore.

On the rooftop of a Singapore shopping mall, a sprawling patch of eggplants, rosemary, bananas and papayas stand in colorful contrast to the grey skyscrapers of the citystate’s business district.

AFP

percent of its food.

Farming was once common in the country, but dwindled dramatically as Singapore developed into a financial hub packed with high-rises. Now less than one percent of its land is devoted to agriculture.

In the past few years, however, the city of 5.7 million has seen food plots sprouting on more and more rooftops.

Authorities last year said they were aiming to source 30 percent of the population’s “nutritional needs” locally by 2030, and want to increase

production of fish and eggs as well as vegetables.

With coronavirus increasing fears about supply-chain disruption, the government has accelerated its efforts, announcing the rooftops of nine car parks would become urban farms and releasing Sg$30 million ($22 million) to boost local food production.

‘Buffer the shock’ Edible Garden City, one of several firms operating urban farms in Singapore, runs about 80 rooftop sites.

But they have also created many food gardens in more unusual places, including a former prison, in shipping containers, and on high-rise apartment balconies.

Their farms use only natural pesticides such as neem oil to repel pests.

“What we really want to do is to spread the message of growing our own food. We want to advocate that you really do not need large parcels of land,” said the firm’s chief executive Ang. The company grows more than 50 varieties of food, ranging from eggplants, red okra and wild passion fruit to leafy vegetables, edible flowers and so-called “microgreens”—vegetables harvested when they are still young. AFP

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

B4

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Wednesday, September 30, 2020 22.63PTS. 5,864.23

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,071,398,155 88,203 5,477,021,637.66 91 98 49

Foreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.4650

Japan

Yen

0.009466

0.4588

UK

Pound

1.286400

62.3454

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129039

6.2539

Switzerland

Franc

1.086720

52.6679

Canada

Dollar

0.746938

36.2004

Singapore

Dollar

0.730834

35.4199

Australia

Dollar

0.712600

34.5362

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651676

128.5135

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266617

12.9216

Brunei

Dollar

0.728173

35.2909

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0032

Thailand

Baht

0.031626

1.5328

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1957

Euro

Euro

1.174200

56.9076

Korea

Won

0.000856

0.0415

China

Yuan

0.146737

7.1116

India

Rupee

0.013559

0.6571

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240674

11.6643

New Zealand

Dollar

0.658600

31.9190

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034477

1.6709 Source: BSP

Govt debt up 4.9% to P9.6t as of August THE national government’s outstanding debt surged P450 billion in August, or 4.9 percent, to P9.615 trillion from the end-July 2020 level following the net issuance of domestic securities, the Bureau of the Treasury said Wednesday.

Data showed the NG debt stock also increased by P1.883 trillion, or 24.4 percent, from the end-December 2019 level. Of the total outstanding debt stock, 30.2 percent were sourced externally while 69.8 percent were secured in the local credit market.

Domestic debt increased by P456.53 billion, or 7.3 percent, in August to P6.713 trillion, from the end-July level with the net issuance of domestic government securities.

Domestic borrowing of the national government in the first eight months reached P2.5 trillion as of end-August. Of the total new issuances, P925.38 billion were in Treasury bills, P447.86 billion were in Treasury bonds and P827.11 billion in retail treasury bonds.

It also included the P300-billion short-term borrowing from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas through a repurchase agreement.

Gross debt maturities reached P914.08 billion (P540.08 billion for T-bills and P374 billion for T-Bonds).

Domestic debt increased by P1.585 trillion or 30.9 percent since the beginning of the year.

Meanwhile, the national government’s external debt of P2.902 trillion was P5.65 billion or 0.2 percent lower than the previous month.

“For August, the decline in external debt was attributed to the P37.36-billion net effect of local currency appreciation. Meanwhile, net availment of external loans added P27.07 billion alongside the P4.64 billion effect of appreciation on third-currency denominated external loans,” the Treasury said.

The national government’s external financing registered an inflow of P509.69 billion in the first eight months, compared to the debt repayment of P117.04 billion. For the period, project loan availment totaled P17.09 billion ($350 million) while program loans amounted to P306.54 billion ($6.32 billion). Julito G. Rada

SMC SKILLS TRAINING. San Miguel Corp., in cooperation with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, launches a massive skills and livelihood training program for residents of Bulacan province. An initial 60 students from Barangay Taliptip will get free training in metal arc welding, electrical installation and maintenance, heavy equipment operations, cookery and dressmaking to prepare them for opportunities in the airport project construction and operations and for self-employment. The P734-billion Manila International Airport and its adjacent economic zone are expected to produce millions of direct and indirect jobs to benefit Bulacan and the rest of Central Luzon.

World Bank approves $600-m loan to support poor Filipinos

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE World Bank said Wednesday its board of executive directors approved a $600-million loan, or around P29 billion, to provide support to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and pursue fast, innovative and responsive service transformation for beneficiaries.

It said at least 4 million families would benefit from a new project designed to protect the welfare of low-income households impacted by COVID-19 and enable the government to harness digital tools to transform social protection delivery in the Philippines.

“We are pleased to support the government’s efforts to sustain social protection for the poor and most vulnerable families,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

“These efforts are critical to ensure that their children can remain in school and stay healthy as the country takes measures to control this pandemic. In these difficult times, cash transfers to the poor and vulnerable indirectly support local economies and boost prospects for recovery,” Diop said.

The project will also support DSWD’s use of cutting-edge digital technologies and platforms to improve beneficiary experience in receiving transfers from the government, develop more efficient processes and systems and enhance targeting mechanisms to maximize equity and impact.

“Global experience shows that countries that have effective government-to-persons payments systems and a coherent approach to social protection beneficiary data management have been very effective in quickly and effectively cushioning the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic” Diop said.

The World Bank has been supporting the 4Ps over the last decade. It provides cash grants to poor families to ensure that children stay healthy and in school, reduce dropout rates and discourage child labor, among other benefits.

Working with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the country’s central bank, the project also seeks to accelerate efforts to modernize the DSWD’s payment delivery systems and promote financial literacy among beneficiaries, accelerating financial inclusion in the process.

PH, India eyeing trade agreement to reinforce ties

By Othel V. Campos

ARGENTINE PORT. TecPlata port terminal, operated by ICTSI Argentina, starts receiving imports from the Far East with the first shipment from China through a new Far East service provided by Evergreen Marine Corp. The import was carried by the company Di Gilio Hnos de Ensenada, which comprised auto parts from Ningbo, China.

The new Evergreen service broadens the range of options for cargo traffic from and to the Far East, which added to operational advantages and lower terminal costs and positioned TecPlata as one of the best port alternatives for Argentine foreign trade.

PLDT launches cleanup drive to replace copper cables with fiber

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said Wednesday it launched a massive cleanup drive nationwide, recovering copper cables no longer needed as it upgrades customers to fiber and promotes safety in the community.

PLDT’s cleanup drive, which consists of preventive maintenance activities, complies with congressional bills and resolutions and ordinances from local government units requiring utility companies to tidy up the country’s streets of sagging cables, tilting poles and the like.

“In these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, high-speed internet connection has become an essential need. Hence, we have launched a modernization program that entails the migration of our service connectivity from copper to fi-

ber, and installing new fiber connections to meet the ever-increasing demand for high-speed internet access,” said Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president.

PLDT said with the migration to fiber, it would remove idle copper cables and wires that were left behind and spruce up the affected streets and barangays to create a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors.

“As a good corporate citizen, PLDT is doing this cleanup drive, mindful of the safety and well-being of the residents as well as the community in general,” Panlilio said.

“We are implementing the programmed preventive maintenance on the barangay level, starting with those having high trouble index and poor line condition,” PLDT-Smart network op-

erations vice president Debbie Hu said.

“Currently, we have completed the inspection of 46 priority barangays and preventive maintenance activities are underway,” she said.

Apart from these 46 barangays, PLDT is also doing several preventive maintenance works in other areas which are triggered by requests from LGUs and netizens’ reports.

The preventive maintenance includes replacement, relocation or re-attachment of network access points, distribution points, local convergence points, closures and poles; replacement, relocation and rehabilitation of cross connect cabinets and main distribution frames; replacement and repair of manhole covers; re-tensioning and re-grooming of fiber and copper cables; and recovery of idle cables.

THE Philippines and India agreed to consider a preferential trade agreement with the potential of forging a better strategic partnership in the face of the global pandemic.

A PTA is a bilateral agreement that aims to reduce and eliminate tariffs on products of mutual interests.

Both countries agreed during the 13th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investments that the bilateral approach would be best to address their respective sensitivities.

“A more focused approach like a PTA is more practical. The Philippines is eager to conclude one with India not only to improve current trade levels in terms of value and volume but also in the breadth of products to be covered as current trade is highly concentrated on a few products,” said Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo.

India’s Joint Secretary Anant Swarup said “India recognizes the benefits of negotiating a PTA with the Philippines” and called for both countries to consult authorities and secure the mandate for the PTA negotiations.

The meeting focused on initiatives that will bring about synergies in various sectors such as textiles, electronics like smart manufacturing and digital technologies; IC design and electronics system design manufacturing; IT-BPM on telemedicine, health information management, software development and IT solutions; and online learning, energy and agriculture.

Recognized as the “pharmacy of the world,” India was also encouraged to consider opportunities in the manufacture of active pharma ingredients, vaccines and essential medicines and establishment of R&D facilities for herbal medicines.

SEC clears SMC’s plan to offer shares worth P20b

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved an application of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. to offer P20 billion worth of preferred shares.

The regulator cleared in a Sept. 29 meeting San Miguel’s plan to offer up to 533.333 million Series 2 preferred shares within a three-year period, subject to certain remaining requirements.

San Miguel will initially offer 133.33 million Series 2 preferred shares in the first tranche, with an oversubscription option for another 133.33 million at a maximum price of P75 each.

The initial tranche to be issued in one subseries, Series 2-J will be listed and traded in the Philippine Stock Exchange.

San Miguel plans to use net proceeds from the fund raising activity to finance investments in businesses, including the Bulacan airport and MRT-7 projects, and general corporate purposes.

San Miguel tapped BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc., PNB Capital and Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. as joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters and book-runners for the offer.

San Miguel reported a P4-billion net loss in the first six months, a reversal of the P26.1-billion net income registered in the same period last year, as the pandemic affected operations of core businesses.

First half revenues declined 31 percent to P352.8 billion.

The conglomerate said it started seeing signs of recovery with the easing of quarantine restrictions in a bid to reopen the economy.

IN BRIEF

DBP’s net income fell 6% to P2.9b in 1st half STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines said Wednesday net income in the first half declined 6.45 percent to P2.9 billion from P3.1 billion a year ago, as the bank allotted higher provisions for credit losses amid the health crisis.

DBP executive vice president for corporate services and head of operations Marietta Fondevilla, however, said gross revenues increased 4 percent to P16.53 billion from P15.91 billion generated in the same period last year.

“Notwithstanding the various congressional initiatives to strengthen DBP’s financial position, the bank will continue to maximize and re-allocate its resources to fund initiatives with optimal development impact, while ensuring DBP’s viability during these challenging times,” Fondevilla said.

The bank boosted its financial support for strategic growth initiatives in the second quarter, with P364.4 billion in loans to borrowers, reflecting a 15.6-percent increase from P315.13 billion recorded a year ago. Julito G. Rada

Barrio Fiesta maker bullish on 2020 sales PRIME Global Corp., maker of the Barrio Fiesta brand, is taking on the “new normal” with optimism as it leverages the opportunities presented by the health crisis while keeping revenue prospects at P500 million in 2020, almost at the same level in 2019.

“Our goal this year is to further dominate the category in both domestic and international markets. And in the next three years, we aspire to be among the top local companies in the sauces, dressings, condiments and package foods categories,” said PGC president and chief operating officer Vincent Ace Villa-Real.

It said with new-found growth and patronage, especially from emerging home-based chefs, it was expecting stronger sales in the remaining months of 2020.

Adjusting to a changed food business landscape, Barrio Fiesta re-calibrated its sales approach, increasing its online presence as it continues to diversify its product portfolio, from its top-selling shrimp paste to new sauces, spreads, dry mixes and snacks. Othel V. Campos

Philcement asserts regulatory compliance PHILCEMENT, a member of the PHINMA Group, on Wednesday asserted its full compliance to the regulation of the Department of Trade and Industry, especially on the guidelines cited in Department Administrative Order 17-06 ,or the mandatory certification of cement plants.

The company said in a statement it was granted the required certifications by the DTI Philippine Standard Quality Certification Mark in December 2019.

“Upon the conduct of its own independent investigation on this issue raised by CeMap [Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines], the DTI granted a favorable decision to Philcement last April 6, 2020, affirming that the markings and labels of Philcement are in compliance with the guidance and instruction of the Bureau of Philippine Standards, and the same standards have been applied to cement terminals operated by CeMap members,” it said in the statement.

“As the complainant on the DTI case, CeMap, represented by its executive director Cirilo Pestaño, should have knowledge of the DTI’s resolution of this issue in favor of Philcement,” the company said. Othel V. Campos

Sports

Butler shrugs off underdog tag as Miami braces for LA ORLANDO—Jimmy Butler says the Miami Heat don’t see themselves as NBA Finals underdogs despite starting the season as rank outsiders for the title.

Miami take on the Los Angeles Lakers in game one on Wednesday with a chance of becoming one of the longest-odds champions in basketball history.

Before the season tipped off 11 months ago, Miami were regarded as 60-1 shots of finishing the campaign as champions. Some bookmakers pegged them at 110-1.

Even before the season restarted in Orlando in July, the Heat were a generous 30-1 to win the title, with the dominant Milwaukee Bucks expected to emerge as the Eastern Conference representatives in the finals.

But fifth seeds Miami, the third lowest seeded team to reach the NBA Finals since 1984, have shredded the form book en route to Wednesday’s opener.

The Indiana Pacers were swept in the opening round before the vaunted Bucks were dismantled in five games in the conference semi-finals. The Heat then defeated Boston in six games to reach the championship round.

“A really good team. That’s it,” Butler said Tuesday when asked to assess the Heat’s status. “Not going to say that we’re any better than anybody else, but I just don’t think that we’re underdogs. I don’t.

‘We truly don’t care’ “So what that nobody picked us to be here? That’s okay. Pretty sure nobody is picking up to win, either.

“But we understand that. We embrace that, because at the end of the day we truly don’t care. We’re just going to go out here and compete, play together like we always have, and I’m going to see where we end up.

“But at the end of the day we’re going to do this our way, the Miami Heat way, and that way has worked for us all year long.”

Butler says the Heat have become a tight-knit group during the months spent in the Orlando bubble in Florida, where teams have been based since the restart in order to ward off the threat of COVID-19.

“I think we enjoy each other’s success so much, man, that you can tell every single day when we’re in the hotel,” Butler said. AFP

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the media during practice and media availability as part of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AFP

LeBron: Bubble season my toughest challenge

O

RLANDO—LeBron James says leading the Los Angeles Lakers into the NBA Finals after nearly three months inside the league’s “bubble” in Orlando ranks as the biggest challenge of his career.

The 35-year-old superstar is readying for a 10th NBA Finals appearance on Wednesday when the Lakers face the Miami Heat in the championship round of an unprecedented season that began 11 months ago.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the NBA to shut down in mid-March, and anger over racism and police brutality almost prompted James and the Lakers to abandon the season in August.

James, who is hoping to win a fourth championship ring with a third different team after previous victories with Miami and Cleveland, said Tuesday that this year’s disjointed season ranked as the toughest of the lot.

“It’s probably been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done as far as a professional, as far as committing to something and actually making it through,” James told reporters.

“But I knew when I was coming what we were coming here for. I would be lying if I sat up here and knew that everything inside the bubble, the toll

Jimmy Butler AFP

that it would take on your mind and your body and everything else, because it’s been extremely tough.

“But I’m here for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to compete for a championship. That was my mindset once I entered the bubble, once I entered the quarantine process the first two days. The main thing was for us to finish the season and compete for a championship.”

James who in July jokingly compared entering the bubble in Orlando to starting a prison sentence, said he had lost track of time in Florida.

‘Feels like five years’ “I don’t even know how many days it is. However many days it is, it feels like five years,” he said. “So it really doesn’t matter. I’ve been as locked in as I’ve ever been in my career.”

James said until the Lakers departed Los Angeles for Orlando in July, he hadn’t even been certain that the season would be completed.

“I didn’t know that this was a possibility until we actually got on the

plane in LA to fly here to Orlando,” he said.

“Until we landed here, actually got off the plane, got on the bus and pulled up here to the hotel, that’s when it became a reality to me.

This year’s finals pits James against his old team and former coach Erik Spoelstra. James won back-to-back titles with Miami in 2012 and 2013, but departed the franchise in 2014 to return to Cleveland.

James, who is reputed to have had a sometimes tense relationship with Spoelstra during his time with the franchise, said winning against Miami would carry no added satisfaction.

“Absolutely not,” James said. “It’s no extra meaning to winning a championship, no matter who you’re playing against. It’s already hard enough to even reach the Finals, to be in this position.

“If you’re able to become victorious out of the Finals, it doesn’t matter who it’s against. I’m just happy that I’m here with the opportunity to represent not only myself but represent our fans, our fan base, our organization, my teammates, our coaching staff, our training staff and so many others that represent this organization to the utmost respect.” AFP

De los Santos nears no. 1 ranking

By Peter Atencio UNSU master James de los Santos once again used arduous techniques of the advanced form of kata(unsu) to bag his 12th straight gold medal on Tuesday evening.

The Cebu City-based De los Santos, impressive with the slow and then explosive ippon-nukite (one finger strike) in his opening sequence, outscored Nejc Sternisa of Slovenia, 25.2-23.7, in the individual male senior finals of the second Venice Cup 2020 e-kata online tournament.

The world no. 2 De los Santos shifted in the finals to the “cloud hands” form, which are among the modern form of kata in the fourth dan level of found in Shotokan.

His efforts paid off as the world no. 5-ranked Sternisa tried to keep up with De los Santos, with the Gojushisho Sho form on his submitted video.

To get the proper mindset, De los Santos went out of his way to assist Maharlika Karatedo Kai of the Philippines International student Fatima A-Isha Lim Hamsain in doing her presentation in the under-16 category of the women’s kata in the Shureido World League.

Hamsain made it to the semifinals with 4-1 win over Maria Alvarado of Costa Rica before settling for the bronze medal.

De los Santos’ latest conquest put the 30-year-old ka-

rateka close to the no. 1 in the world rankings.

“I’m really close to no. 1 now after winning my 12th gold. The hard work is really paying off,” said De los Santos.

With world no. 1 Eduard Garcia still ahead with 8125 points, De los Santos is not far behind with 7675 points.

South African Silvio Cerone Biagioni is at no. 3 with 4030 points, while Matias Domont of Switzerland is fourth with 3645 points.

Sternisa, who beat Norwegian Ruben Fagerland, in the semifinals, 24.4-24.2, with the Unsu form, tallied a 3530 points in 5th position in the world rankings.

“I will always keep my guards up though. There will be players out there who are also skilled, and that’s what will keep me going,” added De los Santos.

De los Santos quickly reached the finals after Domont’s video of his performance was rejected by the judges. The Cebuano used the sansai as his semis presentation, while Domont didn’t have much to present due to illness.

On the other hand, Hamsain bowed to Scottish foe Hannah Benson, 1-4, in their semis tiff.

“What made this sweeter, is a bronze was snagged in the Shureido World League by a fellow MKKPI student Fatima A-Isha Lim Hamsain in the U16 women’s kata.

I’m very glad to have assisted her,” said De los Santos.

James de los Santos

Messi wants to put end to Barca feud BARCELONA—Lionel Messi called for “an end” to arguments at Barcelona as he urged unity at the club he tried to leave before the season.

The Barcelona captain spoke to Barcelona newspaper Sport in an interview published online late on Tuesday.

“After so many disagreements, I

would like to put an end to it,” said Messi.

“We must unite all Barcelona’s people and assume that the best is yet to come.”

Messi referred to his attempt to force Barcelona to release him from the final year of his contract after the disastrous end to last season left the club without a trophy.

“I take responsibility for my mistakes, that, if they existed, were only to make a better and stronger FC Barcelona,” said the Argentine.

“I wanted to send a message to all the club members and to all the fans.

If any of them is bothered for a second by something I said or did, they should never doubt that I am always

thinking about what is best for the club.”

“Adding passion and desire will be the only way to achieve our objectives, always united and pulling in the same direction,” said Messi, who last Friday criticised the way Barcelona had let Luis Suarez go saying “the truth is nothing surprises me anymore.” AFP

NBA willing to share best practices with PBA NOW that the 2020 National Basketball Association finals is about to begin, officials of the league expressed their interest to share their best practices to the Philippine Basketball Association.

The success of their bubble is inspiring organizers of the NBA to let other leagues learn from their success in conducting a big tour nament during the coronavir us pandemic.

“We are very much aware and well connected to the PBA. We have shared our profiles with them already, and we are disseminating this widely to many leagues and the world,” said Scott Levy, the executive vice president and managing director of NBA Asia.

Levy talked about the NBA Finals and their discussions with PBA officials over their bubble setup in Orlando, Florida during a virtual meeting with scribes through NBA Philippines.

“We will share. We are staying connected and available on any questions they may have,” added Levy.

The PBA Philippine Cup is set to restart under a bubble concept at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, Pampanga on October 11.

Levy mentioned their exchanges with officials of the PBA during a conversation centering on the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat Organizers believe that excitement among Filipino fans are picking up with the Lakers and the Heat having reached the NBA Finals in convincing fashion.

Both teams are entering the championship round with 12-3 winloss records in the playoffs.

The Heat, who entered the championship, with a 4-2 slate, are playing with a balanced attack, with a different leading scorer in each of their series.

“We are about to start the NBA finals, and we couldn’t be more excited. That’s because the NBA restart has been a resounding success,” said Levy.

For the finals, the NBA earlier unveiled its new court design.

New design elements include the addition of the 2020 NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV logo at center court as well as the iconic Walt Disney World script written outside opposing lane lines on each side of the court.

The baselines are also adorned with artwork of the Larry O’Brien Trophy in red and blue, respectively.

The winner receives the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, awarded annually to the winning team of the NBA Finals.

The Lakers seek their 17th NBA championship.

If the Lakers get the crown, they would tie Boston for the most titles in league history.

The Lakers’ most recent NBA championship was during the 2009-10 season.

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Sports

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

Hamilton offers veiled apology after Formula 1 accusations

Athletics opens door to innovative formats at Olympics PARIS—World Athletics paved the way for changes to competition formats at the world championships or the Olympic Games when it published its 2020 guide to regulations and competitions on Monday.

The two major meetings of international athletics have been precluded thus far in hosting an “innovative” format, such as the introduction of a decisive final test in the long jump.

“World Championships and Olympic Games (are) no longer excluded from competitions where events may be held in an alternative format,” said World Athletics.

In search of a larger and younger audience, international athletics regularly tries to innovate in its competition formats, by modifying competitions or by introducing elimination races.

The formats have attracted some criticism from athletes.

In August, US triple-jumper Christian Taylor led the offensive at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm which offered a modified long jump competition with the best three jumpers after five attempts qualifying for a final jump which decided the winner of the competition.

“I hope this idea will stop after this season,” the double Olympic and four-time world champion tweeted at the time.

“I would like to understand how this could be better than the traditional format?”

After falling foul of coronavirus, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will now start in July 2021 with the world championships in Eugene, Oregon pushed back to 2022. AFP

Christian Taylor

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Sweden’s Mikael Ymer during their men’s singles first round tennis match at the Philippe Chatrier court on Day 3 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on September 29, 2020. AFP

Novak whips foe as row sparks video replay call

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ARIS—Novak Djokovic was likened to a snake devouring its prey Tuesday as his bid to become the first man in half a century to win all four Grand Slam titles twice got off to a straightforward start at Roland Garros while a ‘double bounce’ row prompted calls for video replays to be introduced in tennis.

World number one Djokovic, returning to Grand Slam action for the first time since his US Open disqualification, eased past Sweden’s Mikael Ymer, ranked 80, in straight sets 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.

It was his 32nd win in 33 matches in 2020 and kept him on course for a second French Open title following his 2016 triumph, and 18th career major.

“It’s always a pleasure to return to Paris on Philippe Chatrier, this important court. The atmosphere is a little different this year with few fans but I remain motivated to win the title,” said Djokovic, only one of two men to have defeated 12-time champion Rafael Nadal in 15 years in Paris.

The 33-year-old top seed is in the second round for a record-equalling 16th time, matching Guillermo Vilas and Nadal.

Djokovic, who suffered no immediate hangover from his US Open contro-

versy by quickly wrapping up a record 36th Masters title in Rome on the eve of Roland Garros, next faces Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis.

Ymer, making just his fourth main draw appearance at a major, graphically summed up the challenge of facing Djokovic.

“It felt like when a snake kills its prey,” said 22-year-old Ymer. “I had chances to rally but then I got suffocated.”

Russia’s Andrey Rublev, the 13th seed who won the Hamburg title just two days ago, staged a remarkable recovery from two sets and 3-5 down in the third to beat Sam Querrey of the United States 6-7 (5/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.

“My attitude today was really horrible and it needs to change,” said Rublev, who had lost both his previous matches in Paris.

Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up in Hamburg, also needed five

sets to make the second round, beating Spain’s Jaume Munar 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on the back of 54 winners.

“I never had a match like this before,” said Tsitsipas after coming back from two sets down for the first time in his career.

Kristina Mladenovic called for a football-style VAR system to be introduced in tennis after her opponent profited from a double bounce to help knock the Frenchwoman out of her home Grand Slam.

Mladenovic was 5-1 up and with a set point against Laura Siegemund when the German scooped a winner despite the ball appearing to bounce twice. The incident was missed by chair umpire Eva Asderaki.

World number 44 Mladenovic pleaded in vain before Siegemund took full advantage, racing into the next round with a 7-5, 6-3 win.

‘Replace human with camera’ “It would be great to have that,” said Mladenovic when asked if video replays should be introduced.

“It’d be a pity to replace a human with a camera but to err is human. I don’t see how the umpire could not see it. Unfortunately, she continues at Roland Garros but I do not.” AFP

When gaming goes corporate, business levels up

By Tristan Ver V. Gonzales, Product Manager, Lenovo Philippines WHAT once began as a tool for simulation and recreation by computer scientists, video games and gaming in general have become bigger than ever and are undoubtedly now a part of popular culture around the world. The phenomenon has become so huge that there are those whose career involve playing video games, either by streaming their gameplays online or engaging in national and international competitive plays for monetary compensation. The same can be said in the Philippines, with streamers being likened to celebrities and eSports becoming endorsed and recognized as an official sport by the government, as was the case during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Video games are also making their way into corporations. Psychologists, along with the gamers themselves, say the benefits go beyond fun or amusement. Businesses that embrace gaming as part of corporate culture have seen higher levels of motivation among their workers, and a greater sense of camaraderie among their teams.

THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO PRIOR to the bubble re-start of the of the NBA, nobody talked of a finals’ match up between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat.

But that is the reality facing basketball fans all over the world.

I normally write this piece two days in advance, so as I write this, I really do not know what will happen in Game 1, even as I am making a small online bet on the Heat to win, with a plus 5.5.

Allow me to take a quick look back at the conference finals.

In the West, I really had no doubt that the Lakers will win over the Nuggets, to fulfil at least half of my “fearful” prediction of

Corporate gaming leagues, like regular sports, can help create a sense of camaraderie that strengthens engagement and collaboration, and nurtures a sense of corporate unity needed by employees to weather the physical disconnection sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A more connected workforce for a stronger corporate culture At the peak of the outbreak, the United Nations had warned of a global mental health crisis as a result of the pandemic. It is therefore critical for organizations to find ways to galvanize employees to work together and maintain a sense of belonging. Doing this can help ensure business continuity in an uncertain climate, despite staff being physically apart.

In addition, familiarity can be nurtured among colleagues, thereby promoting collaboration between teams. While there are a myriad of virtual ways to help staff relate to each other, such as virtual happy hours and meditation classes, our experience has shown that in today’s precarious circumstances, gaming is a fun and effective approach to enable employees to connect with each other, nurture corporate culture and spark creativity.

Tristan Ver V. Gonzales

LONDON—Lewis Hamilton has offered a veiled apology for his claim that Formula One bosses are singling him out after he was hit with a 10-second penalty at the Russian Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s bid to match Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 victories in Sochi on Sunday was wrecked when he was punished with two five-second penalties for pre-race misdemeanours.

He had also been given two penalty points on his super license by the race stewards but they subsequently cancelled them and instead fined his team Mercedes.

The six-time world champion claimed afterwards F1’s governing body, the FIA, were finding new ways to stop him from winning.

But in a social media post on Tuesday, Hamilton wrote: “I may not always get it right in the face of adversity.

“I may not always react the way you want me to when tensions are high, but I am only human after all and I am passionate about what I do.

“I’m learning and growing every day, and I’ll take my lessons and keep fighting on to the next one.

Thank you to those who continue to support and are right there fighting with me.”

Hamilton will now have to wait until at least Germany’s Eifel Grand Prix on October 11 to match Schumacher’s all-time tally.

F1’s motorsport managing director Ross Brawn called on the British driver to learn from the incident.

Brawn said: “Personally, I would go away, lick my wounds and think about how I could prevent such incidences again in the future.

“That’s what I know Mercedes will be doing. I know many of the people from my time at the team and they will recognise they have made some mistakes.

“Bad luck and mistakes happen, but it’s how you respond that matters. It’s easy to think the world is against you but there is nearly always something you could have done differently and you can learn from.”

The F1 circus next heads to the Nurburgring for the first time since 2013 for the 11th of 17 rounds this year.

Despite Valtteri Bottas’s triumph on Sunday, Hamilton, who finished third in Sochi, will head to Germany with a 44-point lead in his quest to be crowned world champion for a recordequalling seventh time.

Gamification builds company culture Research has also shown that gaming in groups helps develop a sense of belonging to the community and members. Whether employees are passionate gamers or not, organizations can leverage on the unifying characteristics of gaming to create a sense of connection among remote employees, by setting up corporate gaming teams and various social gaming communities online.

This has been done successfully in Lenovo Japan, which created the first corporate gaming league in the market. With employees already part of sports interest groups offline, Lenovo Japan replicated a gaming league online, offering its employees a platform to further develop their connections with colleagues during the pandemic.

The initiative has become a social experience that helps employees build connections with colleagues outside of their day-to-day job functions. In addition, gaming also requires employees to exercise similar skills found in face-to-face team building activities, such as teamwork, strategic thinking and planning, creative thinking, communication and managing success and failure. Feelings of camaraderie are formed through teaming and working towards a common goal. By working together over time, employees build relationships that strengthen their sense of belonging over a common interest, quickly becoming a shared part of corporate culture.

Miami will keep series close the Lakers being in the finals.

However, it was in the East that I messed up, believing up to the end that Boston can still come back from a 1-3 deficit against the Miami Heat. I even lost a bet to show my loyalty to the Celtics, even though an inner voice was telling me that the Heat had the number of the Celtics.

And had Boston gone all the way to the finals against Los Angeles, that would have been a bigger draw as the two teams would have met for the 13th time to contest the crown. Boston is way ahead though in its title showdowns with LA, winning nine titles. Overall though, a Lakers’ win this season would tie them with Boston for the most number of crowns at 21 apiece.

My conclusion for that conference finals series, the better team lost to a team that played better. That is how the Heat won,

they played better in the end and deserve that hard-earned finals’ slot against the Lakers.

Now, let us go to the championship match up. No doubt, the Lakers, behind the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with a good supporting cast in all positions, particularly in the middle, are so favored to win that a P2,000 bet on Miami to beat Los Angeles would net P8,000.

As one basketball analyst said, we should not expect the Lakers to lose, but what we can expect is for the Heat to make it a real close championship series.

I believe Miami will make it a close one, and who knows, hard work, for which the Heat is known for, might end up prevailing over talent.

The Pat Riley-initiated Heat culture of being ready to play anyone at anytime and anywhere, and all out any time, will be a

major factor. There were some that pointed out this will be personal for Pat because James abandoned the Heat before.

I will also give Fil-Am Heat coach Eric Spoelstra, who will be in his 5th NBA finals already with two titles to his credit as head coach, another as assistant coach all with Miami, the edge over LA coach Frank Vogel.

Yes, the Heat has its own duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, but after them are relative unknowns, except for the ageing Andre Iguodala, who can still play quality minutes barring injuries.

People will argue that the likes of Goran Dragic and Jae Crowder, plus the blooming Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, who are capable of shooting the daylights out at any time, particularly the former, who set a record 37 points as a rookie in a conference finals, can be a

match against the more known supporting cast of the Lakers like Dwight Howard, Javale McGee, Rajon Rondo, Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, and Alex Caruso.

And I will agree with that observation.

I will even give Jimmy’s back up crew the advantage in self confidence, that they believe they can beat the hell of any one across their path.

But it is in the two teams’ primary players that would be a bigger factor, LeBron, with his all-around skills, can affect the game, but Butler, the way he plays, affects his teammates.

For me, Butler is ahead of LeBron in overall impact as a team leader, including the intangibles.

The big question, will this be enough to carry the Heat past the Lakers?

Only time will tell us.

Entertainment KATHRYN

misses home VERY WANG NICKIE WANG Kathryn Bernardo with Daniel Padilla giving her fans a teaser of another upcoming project.

T

HE House Arrest of Us star Kathryn Bernardo just took a short break this pandemic and went back to her usual grind after it became safe to do so. Amid her busy schedule, the young actress admitted that she misses home, worried about her kababayans in Nueva Ecija, but hopeful for the future because of something big happening in the nearby province of Bulacan.

She badly misses home because of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her heavy workload, she has not been able to go home to her beloved Cabanatuan since the start of the lockdowns.

“I haven’t gone home so I kind of feel sad but I feel blessed pa rin po dahil maraming work na dumadating,” the actress started.

Like most Filipinos today, Kathryn admits that she also worries about her health. On top of that, she is also concerned about so many in her province whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic.

“I know it’s difficult to be positive nowadays but we have to persevere for the sake of our loved ones. As I always say, di naman po tayo bibigyan ng pagsubok na di natin kayang lampasan. But we have to take care of our health, asset po natin yan sa panahong ito,” she said.

As endorser of well-known San Miguel Corporation brands San Miguel Foods’ Magnolia Ice Cream, San Mig Coffee Crema White, and Nutrichunks, the 24-year-old star is happy that the company is building the new Manila International Airport, and an adjacent economic zone, in their neighboring province, Bulacan.

She believes these developments will help revive and boost the economy, including of her home province Nueva Ecija.

“It breaks my heart to see people losing jobs and unable to provide for their families. If possible nga na magawa na yan agad so we can already attract businesses and give people jobs. A lot of people really need help right now. In our personal capacity, what we can do is to help the people around us as much as we can.

But for the long-term, jobs po talaga ang kailangan,” Kathryn related.

Kathryn also sees the airport as providing more and better opportunities for businessmen and even farmers who produce food and raw materials.

“If you need to transport products quickly or perishable yung goods mo, it’s a big advantage to have an accessible airport like the one in Bulacan. I’m sure this is a positive sign for many businesses in Nueva Ecija and even as far as the north

like Baguio, Pangasinan, and Ilocos,” she pointed out.

She believes the airport project will also open Luzon, including her province, to more local and international tourists, once the airport is completed. It will also be more convenient for locals to travel anywhere in the country, or abroad.

“From our house in Cabanatuan, it’s either we use Clark or go straight to NAIA to fly out. But in Manila, I always have to brave the traffic going to the airport and it is difficult pag naghahabol ng flight. We all experience this naman po, we have to be there hours before our flight,” she said.

“But with the new airport, there’s another better option. And from what I heard, it’s going to be really big, spacious and modern. If you are used to big airports like in Japan, Korea, and in Europe, it’s going to be that big and I’m proud to be part of the San Miguel family that is making this happen,” she added.

Kathryn reiterated that she is thankful for all the work she has been getting despite the pandemic, even if that means staying in one place and being closed off from outside contact while taping or shooting.

“Right now we really have to stay in a bubble, as in we have to stay in one place para mabawasan yung chances na magkaCOVID-19. So most of the time I’m away from home. We know it’s for the welfare of everyone so we have to very conscious and compliant with health regulations like washing of hands, wearing masks and social distancing,” she ended.

Mary Pauline Salon

in clients. We also installed THIS pandemic has altered our several cashless payment usual routine, but let it be said that options for clients.” the best of brands can withstand such Established in 2004, with a major challenge and will always its main branch located remain trusted by its customers, in the of Timog, Quezon especially as the finest ones rightly City, Mary Pauline Salon adapt to the requirements of the immediately attracted new normal without sacrificing countless regular customers quality service and trademark. and several celebrities in the Mary Pauline Salon, tagged as field. Young, professional “The Styling Team of Top-Rated stylists who have developed Shows,” is among those able to a particularly good grasp redirect its business and save it. of hair and make-up trends Owner Mary Pauline Dangahave become its backbone Obias personified the resilience personnel servicing clients that turned the brand into success with excellence and warm and eventually withstood a 21st personal touch. century pandemic.

The success paved the “I am the type of person who way for last year's launch would rise up to any challenge. So I of Mary Pauline Skin called up my COO Cathy Roquino that offered a complete and instructed her to get the business set of beauty regimens moving by offering home services from facial soap, toner, to our clients and strengthening our and day and night cream. online marketing,” Obias said.

Steps to distribute the set MPS is arguably the first in the nationwide are being made salon industry to make such a move, with specialized hair care which brought positive impact to products coming to suit the the business as a whole. Instead clientele's diverse needs. of clients going to the salon, MPS “To be able to succeed in staff go to their homes to service this industry, you should be them. In this set-up, pandemic able to have a team to help protocol is carefully placed, with make and implement the staff being tested for COVID-19 decisions needed,” added every two weeks and getting flu/ the lady entrepreneur. pneumonia vaccines. MPS outlets In her case, she has are installed with foot baths, alcohol a strong cast in Larry dispensers, face masks, face shields, Celebrity salon owner Mary Pauline Danga-Obias.

Asistin, a long- time air purifiers, and UV sanitation colleague who manages Sir boxes. The staff, apart from health protection provision, continuously receive their salaries and George Salon, COO Roquino who makes sure that the demands and needs of both the franchisees and clients are met, president allowances on time as well.

"Our aim is for them to feel beautiful inside and out despite this of Mary Pauline Salon Group Franchisees Henry Narioka Lim pandemic," said Obias. COVID-19 might have wreaked havoc who provides insights on the business, Atty. Maggie Abraham on our economy but I believe in the resilience of the Filipino. We Garduque (of Abraham, Pimentel, and Acuna Law Office) for practice social distancing in salon outlets to still cater to walk- the legal inputs, and bookkeeper Chet Urmita.

remains strong amid crisis

YUGEL LOSORATA A SONG given a fresh take in a revival recording should keep the intrinsic beauty of the piece and make it more empowering. That is easier said than done as new renditions often pale in comparison to the originals.

Yet, in the case of Jessamae Gabon's version of a classic OPM song called "Ngunit Dahil Sa'yo," one can argue she has nailed it better than Marizen Yaneza, the seasoned singersongwriter behind it and whose talent is by itself laudable. While that may have to do with the digital recording technology that boosts sound and the details of a track, much can be attributed to Jessamae’s smooth vocal delivery and sincere effort to embrace timelessness. It's like a talented act, like The Beatles as a perfect example, given the privilege to record a fundamentally good song and interpreting it in a definitive way.

“Importante po sa akin kung paano ko i-interpret ang isang kanta especially if maganda po ang melody like this mid-tempo classic,” said Jessamae who currently works in the government’s agriculture sector as project developer.

To her, that means how she puts in her identity in a song she did not write.

Her new single dropped in digital stores certainly has her thumbmark.

A songwriter in her own right, the multi-faceted singer, being a vocal coach and ghost singer to several compilation tracks, has long proven herself, beautifully interpreting spiritually uplifting songs in ASOP (A Song of Praise) songwriting festival and singing for cause-worthy albums.

This year, she already released “Ensayado” and “Ikaw Ang Tanging Alam” which she both wrote and recorded under the guidance of her US-based manager Rosabella Jao-Arribas. She has in a way conquered the Asian scene herself after she sung, co-wrote and co-produced songs for the popular Singaporean children’s show “Junction Tree.” Her love for kids is further showcased in her involvement in the puppet theatre group Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas which tours

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

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Fine song, fresh take

Recording act Jessamae Gabon's flawless rendition of "Ngunit Dahil Sa'yo" reintroduces the classic piece to the digital generation.

around Asia and even beyond.

Referring to her heartfelt ballad “Ikaw Ang Tanging Alam,” Jessa Mae shared, ”I was in an eco-park when I wrote it and was triggered by ‘How Do I Live’ by Trisha Yearwood. I tried to reinterpret that song’s vision in my own way.”

For “Ensayado,” she tackled the issue of overthinking which has baffled people with mental struggles. Then she surprisingly rendered it in pop tune delight.

The diligent worker has kept her focus to reach out to listeners. Last June she appeared in “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” aired on Jeepney TV and delivered a winning performance. She does pre-recorded radio and TV guest appearances, too. Just recently, she participated with other artists in an online concert themed “Pagpupugay sa mga Bagong Bayani.”

Speaking of heroism, she finds the Filipino resiliency commendable.

“Lumabas po ang diskarte ng Filipino sa panahon ng pandemya. Not to romanticize it but seeing that our people are very resourceful makes me proud of my race. It’s reflective of the kind of strong character we have.”

Star builder’s son continues father’s legacy in The Supershow App THE Supershow App came about sometime in early 2019 when Federico Moreno, son of the iconic star builder, the late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno, was asked by one of his friends to help in finding a wedding singer. Federico told them that he would get back to them and make some calls.

To his surprise and being in the entertainment industry, he was not able to find one based on the availability, date, and budget that they wanted. Then he asked himself, “Why is it so complicated and hard to find one?” That was Federico's “light bulb moment.”

He started doing research by asking different sectors in society. From parents needing clowns or magicians for their children’s party. Casting agents in need of television commercial models. Wedding planners looking for wedding hosts and singers. Bar owners in need of bands and lounge singers. Other event organizers in need of talents and performers. He found out that everyone had the same problem.

This is how the Supershow App came about. A convenient, reliable, seamless, and easy to find and discover talents all in one app.

“This app is one way of continuing my father’s legacy in helping the industry by helping talents get bookings and discovering new ones,” Federico said.

Carrying this dream, he instantly built a team with his very own mentor, Jose “Jomag” Magsaysay Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Potato Corner. A team that will inspire these people to become relevant with whatever talents they have.

“At The Supershow App, we cannot wait to connect gifted individuals for the right job/event at the right time and make everyone happy,” added noted.

Federico then spoke to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who is like a brother to him and one of Kuya Germs’ protegee, if he could be a part of the project which he wholeheartedly accepted and collaborated.

It is also the mayor's way of giving honor

to the late Kuya Germs and give support to undiscovered talents which he is a living testimony to it way back when he was starting in the entertainment industry.

And most especially, with the pandemic hitting the industry very hard. It has become a part of the Supershow App's mission to rebuild and set new standards in the industry of entertainment.

Federico and his partners have made it a priority to help displaced talents who are having difficulties getting booked during these hard times and help them adapt to the new normal.

As the Philippine Entertainment world celebrates Kuya Germs' birthday on Oct. 4, the Supershow App is now pooling for talents who can be a part of the team.

Talents can now submit their 30 seconds to 1-minute video material by visiting www. supershow.app.

Everyone can now visit and like The Supershow App social media pages to learn more about it and embrace the "new normal" in the entertainment industry.

Log on to http://www.supershow.app and get discovered and get booked. You can start booking talents for your events starting Nov. 25.

German Moreno's legacy to discover and help talents continues in The Supershow App.

Heart of Asia captivates viewers with impressive catalog Heart of Asia is available on GMA Affordabox and on other digital TV boxes on free-to-air broadcast.

IN JUST three months after its launch, GMA Network’s digital channel Heart of Asia has successfully captured the viewers' preference through its topnotch program offerings.

Proudly known as "Home of the best Asian dramas," GMA Network —through Heart of Asia—brings to Filipino households an impressive line-

up of Asianovelas namely Fighter of Destiny, Marrying My Daughter Twice, The Big One, Princess Hours, and The Good Manager.

Complementing these series are some of the most-loved GMA titles such as Amaya, Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, T.G.I.S. (Thank God It's Sabado), and Legacy.

Viewers can also tune in to hit Pinoy and foreign movies on the digital channel. This Saturday (Oct. 3), Paupahan, starring Master Showman German Moreno, airs on the Strictly Pinoy block; while Action Flicks presents To Kill with Intrigue top-billed by Jackie Chan.

Life

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

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HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020

SUPER SIBLINGS. Young Taekwondo athletes, Kenshin, Jiro, and Amaya dela Cruz make their parents proud by raking in medals and podium places in the sport that teaches them courtesy, integrity, and confidence.

By Diana B. Noche

G

ETTING the children involved in physical activities is a vital part of their life to help them realize their full developmental potential.

Pre-school children have the whole day to put their energy in absolute free-spiritedness as they grow in years.

School-aged kids and adolescents need at least an hour of daily physical activity to strengthen their bones. There is no limit to where they can use their built-in energy—the school, living room, driveway, the backyard, or the local park.

Kenshin, Jiro, and Amaya de la Cruz were born in the USA, in different states wherever their parents, Axel and Wil, would, like most Pinoy immigrants do, find the American bucks greener.

The children delight in the fact that theirs is a family that has been intensely focused on them. All kids have dimpled smiles inherited from their father, very welcoming and warm, and with hints of imp as if stropped for high mischief. It is impossible to dislike them.

Each couldn’t-hurt-a-fly face, however, stores up a crackling wire of energy with some sulfurous whiffs of menace.

To keep them from getting soft, Axel, probably carried away by some childhood dreams of his own, and hoping to get them charged to their maximum potential, did some legwork until he found the activity that would keep the kids both physically and mentally coordinated.

Taekwondo, it is.

Taekwondo has a high emphasis on self-defense, not street fighting, and urges the practice of bowing to instructors (always) as a sign of respect to them, to classmates, to himself, to the art of taekwondo, and to life in general.

Taekwondo lessons usually start at age five. Children who practice the sport get increased confidence level, plus a great sense of self-discipline, improved agility and reflexes, concentration, focus, and leadership skills.

In Taekwondo, there is always that chance to be a hero. Every athlete knows the feeling—trips to the medal stand amid cheers, as well as the defeats to shake off. Kenshin, Jiro, and Amaya certainly know that feeling.

Raising young achievers

Kenshin and Jiro finish at 1st and 2nd places, respectively, at the USA Taekwondo Championship.

On their first encounter, each started cold, surveying and looking in the eye of the opponent, then the awkwardness disappearing, catching fire, and after a few kicks—sharp and straight—that hit their target, each one won their first gold without breaking a lot of sweat. Lesson learned: In any tournament, it is okay to be afraid; just don’t be very afraid.

Aside from Sundays in the park for run through patterns and daily workouts in the garage of their home, the three kids also undergo a regular training course two to four times a week using a smartphone to record their routines to know which skills to improve.

Complicated childhood, you say?

Their individual achievements in school are so remarkable that a look at their upbringing from multiple angles should be viewed with dragonfly eyes. There is no school year that their academic performance had been embarrassing.

Even Jiro, who had more than once visited the principal’s office due to some extra dose of playfulness in the classroom, has been a source of his parents’ pride. Kenshin, in fact, surprised his parents while in 5th Grade with a level promotion and a Presidential Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, the plaque signed by former US President

Barack Obama.

The family princess, Amaya gets a lot of pampering from her two brothers.

She’s no softie, though. You see a nice girl, her ponytail fluttering out through the back of a baseball cap, but what you see isn’t always what you get. Only a nutjob would try to jack-bully her in school.

Always a pleasure to be with these kids go off and on like lanterns on Christmas.

They would talk about Filipino food all the time, boast of the sinigang na bangus, inihaw na pusit, and Pinoy-style spaghetti that they excellently make using ingredients they harvest from their vegetable plots.

When the whole family planes in before the end of this year, settle for good in the Philippines, Kenshin, Jiro, and Amaya will be bringing with them the same challenge of competition, courtesy on the mat, integrity, and indomitable spirit that propelled taekwondo athletes to Olympic greatness—Bianca Walkden, Jade Jones, Steven Lopez, Lee Dae-hoon, Chu Mu-yen, Zhao Shuai.

Keep the eyes on the Olympics, mine some gold, and spark Filipino pride.

Photos by WilAxel de la Cruz

Adding art to your home

Amaya in action on the mat, showcasing her high kicks.

What’s on Alex Gonzaga’s shopping list TELEVISION host, actress, and online payment, bank transfers, YouTube personality Alex GonSM Gift Cards, and SM Sodexo zaga reveals how she shops these Gift Passes), as well as delivery days. and pick-up options the Call to While simply adding to cart Deliver service offers. appears to be the easiest and saf“It’s like you’re bringing SM est way to purchase items, GonStore inside your home,” she zaga prefers SM’s Call to Deliver says. “That’s how convenient it (CTD) service through which she is.” fulfills her shopping duties with As someone who considers the help of a personal shopper. shopping retail therapy, her “It’s nice to be able to talk to picks include “everyday essomeone for orders. It feels good sentials like toiletries and face if someone can answer your quesmasks, things for the home, tions and make some recommenespecially kitchen accessories, dations when you want to buy gadgets, as well as clothes from something,” she shares. the SM Store’s Call to Deliver CTD bridges the convenience service.” of online shopping and the preShe also reveals what’s curmium of in-store assistance. It rently on her CTD list for her started out with a few stores in the loved ones: A comb for fiancé Visayas-Mindanao area on April Mikee, an air purifier with hu13 to assist locked down custommidifier and electric fan for ers who need essential items from Mommy Pinty, water spray for the store. Since then it has become Alex Gonzaga prefers buying essential items and plants for Daddy Bonoy, candle available at all SM Stores nation- other goods online with the help of a personal for sister Toni, and toy trains or wide. shopper, which SM’s Call to Deliver service offers to cars for nephew Seve.

The service provides custom- its customers.

To use the service, call ers with their personal shopper #143SM (#14376), place an orthrough Viber ordering/video call ordering. der with the personal shopper that will be assigned to Gonzaga also appreciates the multiple payment options you, follow payment instructions, and arrange for deliv(cash on delivery, credit/debit card, GrabPay, GCash, ery or store pick-up.

NOW that you have plants in every corner of your home, why not go for artworks this time?

During an online press preview for the recently concluded Tercero virtual auction, Camille LhuillierAlbani, general manager of Casa de Memoria, talked about injecting art into one’s living space, especially now that we spend most of our time at home.

“Art has been used to bring joy, inspiration, and strength, and our homes need these now more than ever,” she said.

Interior decorator Ram Bucoy, one of the guests, advised those interested to spruce up their homes with art pieces to “not hurry.”

“Interior design is something that’s never done in an instant; it’s a process. At Tercero, you’ll find a lot of affordable and small pieces that you can easily place in your home or mount on your wall.

These are perfect starting pieces for your home and you can build your art collection from there,” explained Bucoy.

Some of the lots that went under the hammer during the September 26 auction were a pair

Interior decorator Ram Bucoy

of 20th-century fine prints

by Spanish-Filipino artist Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo, a plaster cast gladiator sculpture by Isabelo Tampinco, and a lithograph titled “The Creation of Eve” by surrealist Salvador Dali, among many others.

The auction event was held for the benefit of Santa Ana Hospital in Manila and its COVID-19 response.

A plaster cast gladiator sculpture by Isabelo Tampinco.

‘The Creation of Eve’ by Salvador Dali

A pair of 20th-century fine prints by Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo