Manila Standard - 2020 October 9 - Friday

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Infection cases on the decline, says UP team

By Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas RESEARCHERS from the University of the Philippines on Thursday said the decrease in COVID-19 cases in the country was in line with the decline in the coronavirus’s reproduction number, or the expected number of people who will be infected by one carrier.

In its Oct. 6 report, the UP OCTA Research team said the country’s reproduction number was 0.87, which is below the threshold of 1 at which the virus will continue to spread.

“The number of cases in the Philippines Next page

BETWEEN 2 CHIEFS.

President Duterte, flanked

by Armed Forces chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay and PNP chief Camilo Gascolan, delivers a message warning House speakership rivals Alan Peter Cayetano and Lord Allan Velasco not to drag him into their feud.

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 217 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody warns Speaker rivals

‘Resolve the impasse and pass the budget or I’ll solve the problem for you’

By Joyce Pangco Panares, Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco to resolve the leadership row at the House of Representatives and pass next year’s P4.5 trillion budget on time or else he will be forced to make his move.

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COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM OCTOBER 8)

331,869 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,363 51,482 NEW

ACTIVE

6,069

144

274,318

697

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

President’s son vows: I’m for unified House

FRONTLINERS’ PROTEST.

Members of the Filipino Nurses United hold placards calling on the national government to resolve all issues besetting the frontline health workers prior to a nurses’ motorcade held infront of the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, on Oct. 8, 2020. Norman Cruz

By Maricel V. Cruz THE President’s son, Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Thursday distanced himself from the term-sharing deal that his father brokered between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

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PH, Russia may join forces for vaccine trials

By Othel V. Campos, Darwin G Amojelar and Rio N. Araja

Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev revealed the proposal during THE Philippines and Russia may collaborate on the manufacture of Sputnik his farewell courtesy call to the Department of V, the first registered COVID-19 vaccine in Trade and Industry.

“Russia not only offered to supply vaccines, the world, the Board of Investments (BOI) anNext page nounced Thursday.

LOCAL ROUNDUP

43 Philhealth execs WORLD ROUNDUP quit amid fund mess France gears up

SWAB LAB. Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle sprinkles holy water on the Philippine Red Cross’ Molecular Laboratory in Mandaluyong City before he takes swab testing along with Red Cross Chairman Senator Richard Gordon. #PRCLifelineOfThePeople

A TOTAL of 43 senior officers of the embattled Philippine Health Insurance Corp. have either tendered their courtesy resignation or retired from service following a directive from President Rodrigo Duterte to clean up the agency.

The 43 officers – 27 of whom resigned while 16 retired – Next page

Gov’t ‘ has done well in handling virus—polls A PULSE survey released Thursday suggested eight out of 10 Filipinos approved of the Duterte administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the government to clamp a lockdown on March 17.

The Sept. 14 to 20 poll found that 84 percent of Filipinos had a “positive opinion about the work done by the Duterte administration to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.”

As of Thursday, the Philippines logged 332,000 infections and 6,069 deaths, according to the latest statistics from the Department of Health.

Some 10 percent of the respondents were neutral on the government’s actions in reining in the pandemic while 6 percent disapproved of their performance, according to the poll results.

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SUN POWER.

Workers install a solar streetlight along GSIS Avenue, Cogeo, Antipolo City, Rizal on Thursday (Oct. 8, 2020). The installation of the sun-powered streetlights is a project of the city government which sees the reduced dependence on conventional energy, conservation of energy, and less reliance on the national grid.

Joey O. Razon

for tighter curbs amid rising cases FRANCE was preparing Thursday for tighter coronavirus restrictions in several major cities, two days after a maximum alert protocol went into force in Paris that included bar closures.

The number of daily coronavirus infections came in at 18,746 in France on Wednesday, health authorities reported, a record since widespread testing began.

The rate of positive test results rose to 9.1 percent from around 4.5 percent a month ago.

“The virus has been spreading faster in recent weeks,” President Emmanuel Macron said late Wednesday.

“In places where it is spreading too fast, especially where it is spreading among the elderly who are most at risk, and where there are more and Next page

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News

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ATA rules out by Oct. 14—DOJ

By Rey E. Requejo

J

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act would be completed by October 14.

Gapay earlier suggested to include social media regulation in the IRR of the anti-terrorism law, claiming that terrorists had been using social media to “radicalize” the youth.

The anti-terrorism law mandates the ATC and the Department of Justice, “with the active participation of police and military institutions,” to promulgate its IRR within 90 days after it takes effect.

Though the law took effect last July, Guevarra said at the time that it was prudent to wait for the IRR before enforcing it.

While Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana agreed, he said the law would be applied in the event of a terrorist act.

Critics of the controversial anti-terrorism law challenged its constitutionality before the Supreme Court where more than 30 petitions have been filed since it became effective three months ago.

Petitioners assailed RA 11479 not only for being unconstitutional, but also because it would violate basic human rights and legitimize attacks against opposition forces and critics of the Duterte administration.

Guevarra expressed confidence they would be able to complete the IRR, which is now “in its final stages” before the deadline ends next week.

Guevarra said the IRR would be published after the Anti-Terrorism Council’s (ATC) meeting on October 14.

The Justice Secretary gave assurances the draft IRR for now had no provision on social media regulation.

However, he declined to discuss the highlights of the ATA’s implementing rules and regulations.

Armed Forces chief General Gilbert

Infection...

From A1

Pediatric society urges anti-measles vaccination

By Willie Casas

has been decreasing, and currently at less around 2,500 new cases per day (based on case reports),” the researchers said in their report.

The figure is lower than the close to 4,000 new cases per day recorded during the last week of August.

“The reproduction number in the Philippines is 0.87, in line with the downward trend in test reports,” the report added.

The number of cases in the National Capital Region also went down to less than 1,000 new cases per day, it noted.

Its reproduction number stayed below 1 at 0.82 from Aug. 25 to Oct. 5.

The positivity rate for Metro Manila dropped to 8 percent from the 14 percent recorded during the end of August. The figure is still above the World Health Organization ideal rate of 5 percent, however.

OCTA Research said the positive development is not irreversible and advised the government to strictly enforce minimum health standards to sustain the downward trend. hat the government must intensify its test, trace, and treat strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On the other hand, the private sector should complement the government’s anti-COVID-19 measures, it said.

The country logged 2,363 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total to 331,869 since the pandemic started, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

This is the fourth straight day that the daily tally of cases is below 3,000, although the DOH reported that 20 testing laboratories were not able to submit their results.

Except for Oct. 4 and Sept. 28, the Philippines has been logging fewer than 3,000 new cases a day for more than two weeks.

The DOH reported 144 new fatalities bringing the death toll from COVID-19 to 6,069.

There were 697 new recoveries, bringing to 274,318 the number of patients who have recovered from the disease.

That left 51,482 active cases, 85.7 percent of which are mild, 9.8 percent of which are asymptomatic, 1.4 percent of which are severe and 3.1 percent of which are critical.

In their report, the UP researchers also advised the government to impose stricter quarantine measures in nine areas are considered high-risk because their daily attack rate per 1,000 is greater than 1.0 percent.

These were Benguet, including Baguio City; Davao del Sur, including Davao City; Iloilo, Iloilo City; Misamis Oriental, including Cagayan de Oro; Nueva Ecija; Quezon Pangasinan, including Dagupan;Western Samar, and Zamboanga del Sur, including Zamboanga City.

43...

From A1 responded to the memo of PhilHealth president and CEO Dante Gierran for all senior officers with Salary Grade 26 and above to tender their courtesy res-

Local...

From A1 but they also wanted to collaborate for the manufacturing of the vaccine in the Philippines. Ambassador Igor emphasized that Russia is the only country who also offers in-country manufacturing of the vaccine,” Rodolfo said.

He added the Russians were briefed to follow all Philippine rules and regulations related to the possibility of manufacturing the vaccine in the Philippines and in the conduct of joint 3rdphase clinical trials.

Clinical trials in the Philippines were, as mentioned in the presentation, ongoing involving a few hundreds of participants aged between 18 and 60 years old.

The proposal is a three-way collabo-

A PEDIATRICIAN on Thursday urged parents to have their children vaccinated against measles as the Department of Health (DOH) warned that another outbreak might occur next year.

Dr. Cynthia Cuayo-Huico, pediatrician and fellow at the Philippine Pediatric Society, said parents were scared to take

their children to hospitals and health centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are really scared because we might have another measles epidemic.,” Cuayo-Huico said during an interview on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

“Our clinics are open. Just schedule your children because we don’t want them to mingle with each other,” she also said.

Cuayo-Huico warned of severe com-

plications such as severe pneumonia and encephalitis if children would not be immunized against the disease.

Two doses of vaccine as the child reaches a year old are recommended, while repeat doses are urged once they turn 4 and 12 years old, Cuayo-Huico said.

Measles, caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract, can be passed through direct contact and through the air.

DFA chief still at it: Sabah belongs to PH FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s position that Sabah belongs to the Philippines.

“It’s ours and we want it,” Locsin told senators during a hearing on the proposed 2021 budget for the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Locsin said while the issue was put in the backburner during the previous administration, he is making clear the country’s position on Sabah, which is also being claimed

by Malaysia.

“That incident is just a casual mention of what’s our claim, I think I slapped

them back hard enough for them to realize to be careful. People will start taking on a realistic view that we are not a country to be ignored,” he said.

In July, Locsin called the attention of the United States embassy in Manila over its tweet saying Sabah is part of Malaysia.

Rody warns...

From A1

Earlier, the Palace said the President may ask Congress to convene a special session to ensure the passage of the proposed 2021 national budget.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President is not keen to operate on a reenacted budget because government projects would have to be delayed and the measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic would be affected if the 2021 national budget is not passed on time.

In televised briefing, Roque said the President may ask both the Senate and House of Representatives to convene in a special session after the next adjournment in December if necessary.

The Palace official insisted that the Senate has enough time to scrutinize the proposed national budget before the year ends.

“The Senate can continue its own deliberations on the budget because it does not depend on the budget hearing of the House,” he said.

Roque declined to comment on allegations that Cayetano was holding the 2021 budget hostage amid a leadership struggle, saying the choice of speakership is an internal matter of the House.

Next year’s budget is expected to fund measures aimed at improving the country’s health care system, ensuring food security, increasing investments in public and digital infrastructure,

and helping communities cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some senators, however, have raised the possibility of a reenacted 2020 budget after the House of Representatives on Tuesday suspended its session until Nov. 16 without passing the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 on third and final reading.

The abrupt suspension took place amid a leadership squabble between Cayetano and Velasco, both allies of the President who brokered a term-sharing agreement for the speakership last year.

President Vicente Sotto III had said senators were hoping the budget bill would be transmitted before Congress goes on break on Oct. 17 so that they can study it during recess and take it up immediately for debates when session resumes on Nov. 16.

Velasco on Thursday joined the clamor of some of his colleagues at the House of Representatives to reopen the deliberations on the 2021 national budget.

“I join the collective call of my fellow lawmakers in the Senate and in the House of Representatives for the resumption of plenary sessions in Congress so we can carry out our sacred constitutional mandate of passing the proposed 2021 General Appropriations Act,” Velasco said in a statement issued late Thursday.

In a statement posted to a Viber group of congressmen, Duterte said Cayetano and Velasco are both his friends.

“As I am all for a unified House, and given the value I place in every member of Congress, I refuse to make any statement that will favor or damage either of my two good friends who are both assert-

ing their right to be our speaker,” the congressman said.

Duterte’s statement came after Velasco sought his help, a source close to the congressman said.

Under the original term-sharing agreement, Cayetano would hold the speakership for 15 months and Velasco would take over to finish the succeeding 21 months.

But as his part of the term draws near, Cayetano seems reluctant to turn over the speakership.

The younger Duterte maintained he will support a “unifying” speaker who will push for the legislative agenda of the administration as well as the development and progress of congressional districts, and move Congress to work as one.

“And when we do make that decision, I hope we can find it in our hearts to vote for someone, not just for convenience or affiliation, but whom we feel strongly can represent the House with the dignity that it deserves,” the congressman said.

ignation, the agency said in a statement.

Gierran, a lawyer and accountant who formerly headed the National Bureau of Investigation, has been tasked

by Duterte to fix the alleged irregularities in the agency within the year.

Of those who resigned, 21 were from the central headquarters while six were

from PhilHealth’s regional offices.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who headed Task Force PhilHealth that investigated anomalies in the state insurer, recommended to President Duterte the reorganization of PhilHealth.

PhilHealth officials have been accused

of misusing P15 billion worth of funds under its internal reimbursement mechanism (IRM), which granted advance payment claims to hospitals even if these do not cater to COVID-19 patients.

Per PhilHealth records, only P5.5 billion of the P15 billion IRM has been liquidated.

“Either you resolve the issue – the impasse – and pass the budget legally and constitutionally….[or] I will do it for you,” the President said in his opening remarks during an unscheduled meeting with Cabinet officials that was aired on PTV-4.

“I am not threatening anyone. I have no ambition to threaten anyone. All I am telling you is if you do not solve the problem, then I will solve the problem for you,” he added.

Duterte chided the House leadership for being focused on keeping their positions while Filipinos continue to suffer from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We always forget that there is something higher than just delaying or maneuvering in Congress because everybody wants to be Speaker,” he said.

“So people are dying, people are sick, people need medicines – this is why we prepared the budget.”

“If we screw up, people will not ask who is responsible for the mess that we are in right now. They don’t care. They will just remember it happened during the Duterte administration. They will not mention ‘ah that Alan in Congress or Lord.’ They will just blame the Duterte administration,” the President added.

President’s...

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ration among the Gamaleya Center, en that only 40 percent of public transport Russian Direct Investment Fund and was still available to meet the needs of 60 the Philippine government. percent of the workforce now required to return to onsite locations but still anAngkas operations chored on safety protocols.

Meanwhile, ride-hailing service pro“Safety has always been the advovider Angkas on Thursday said it ex- cacy of Angkas as we push for inclusive pected to resume operations soon as transportation that is accessible to all. the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerg- We continue to commit to this advocaing Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) cy especially now that we are in a crisis endorsed to Congress the extension of and the people need it more than ever,” pilot testing for the motorcycle taxis in Royeca said.

Metro Manila and other provinces.

Angkas chief transport advocate George Pilot run Royeca said in a virtual press briefing he The pilot run for the motorcycle taxis was hopeful they would secure the green expired last March 23 this year. light soon from the government for the exThe Land Transportation Franchising tension of pilot testing for motorcycle taxis and Regulatory Board earlier allowed Anto resume its operations. gkas, Joyride and Move It to participate in Royeca said transportation was essen- the pilot test for motorcycle taxis in Metro tial to the reopening of the economy, giv- Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

Gov’t...

From A1 The survey coincided with a report that President Rodrigo Duterte garnered a 91-percent approval rating in the middle of the unprecedented crisis.

As the pandemic brought economic activities to a standstill, the Philippine government provided cash aid to lowincome families, repatriated migrant workers and businesses to fend off the impact of the crisis, which got a stamp of approval from Filipinos.

Some 92 percent of Filipinos also believed Duterte “has done well in terms of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” the private pollster said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang is humbled

Forbes mansion still Camcam’s property for now

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained its earlier decision that effectively allows Edna Camcam, a long-time partner of the late Armed Forces Chief of Staff Fabian Ver, to stay in the controversial Forbes mansion property pending resolution on ownership dispute.

In a two-page resolution issued on September 30, 2020, the CA’s Second Division upheld its February 21, 2017 decision and denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Dr. Daniel Vasquez for lack of merit.

The appellate court ruled that there is no “valid ground to reverse, modify, or set aside” its previous ruling.

In the said ruling, the CA set aside the decision issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 66 of Makati City on February 10, 2014 which declared Vasquez as the rightful possessor of the subject property and directed Camcam to vacate the property.

The lower court also ordered Camcam to pay P250,000 per month from her receipt of demand to vacate up to the time that the subject property is actually vacated.

However, the CA ruled that it is the Metropolitan Trial Court which has jurisdiction over the said property being an unlawful detainer case, thus, the RTC should not have decided on the merits of the case.

Consequently, the appellate court directed that the case be remanded to the MeTC for further proceedings.

Prior to the controversy, Vasquez claimed that Ver asked him to provide Camcam and her children a home as they were returning to the Philippines from exile.

Being Ver’s long-time friend, Vasquez offered the Forbes Park mansion which was acquired from the United Coconut Planter Bank through Benjamin Bitanga.

World...

From A1 more intensive care beds being occupied, we must proceed to more restrictions,” he said on French TV.

Madrid court nixes partial lockdown Madrid’s top regional court on Thursday rejected a partial lockdown imposed at the weekend on the capital and nine nearby towns to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus infections.

A court statement said it “had denied the ratification (of the measures) on grounds they impacted on the rights and fundamental freedoms” of the 4.5 million residents affected by the closure, which went into force late Friday night.

Under the restrictions, residents are not allowed to leave the city limits except for work, school or medical reasons as the region battles a soaring infection rate of well over 700 cases per 100,000 people, compared with just 300 per 100,000 in the rest of Spain – in itself the highest rate in the European Union.

Without the measures being ratified by the court, police have no legal grounds on which to issue fines for noncompliance – which they have not done until now, awaiting the court’s decision.

‘Worrying jump’ in cases in Germany Germany is experiencing a “worrying jump” in coronavirus cases, Health Minister Jens Spahn said Thursday, as the number of new daily infections soared past 4,000 for the first time since early April.

Lothar Wieler, the head of Germany’s Robert Koch Institute for disease control, warned the country could see an uncontrollable spread of the virus. AFP by the results of the Pulse Asia survey, with Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque thanking the public for their continued trust in the administration’s efforts to respond to the prevailing health crisis.

“Philippines, thank you very much for the trust you gave our President. After giving him a 91 percent trust and performance rating, you gave his administration an 84 percent rating for handling the coronavirus-19,” he said.

Roque, meanwhile, vowed that the Duterte administration would continue to work to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the lives of Filipinos.

“We are humbled and we are further inspired to serve the Filipino people in this time of pandemic and crisis,” he added.

News Bill gives Duterte power to process licenses, permits

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Fears over modular classes T

By Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

he school year 20202021 for public basic education finally started on Oct. 5, but things are not all rosy as the Department of Education claims.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz ADMINISTRATION senators have endorsed a proposed law that will authorize President Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the processing of government documents like licenses and permits.

Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri sponsored Senate Bill 1844, “An Act Authorizing the President to Expedite the Processing of Permits, Licenses and Certification” in case of a national emergency.

Zubiri says it is hurting to see that red tape still proliferates despite the pandemic, and that Duterte is dismayed by it.

The measure will also grant powers beyond telecommunications, which is considered important as industries begin their road to recovery.

“We will need to streamline and expedite the process for the issuance of local and national permits, licenses and certifications to help us all transition,” Zubiri said.

He made his statement even as Rep. Florida Robes pushed for a pre-audit system in the disbursement of public funds to stop graft and leakages in government funds.

In House Bill 7124, Robes says a pre-audit system, in which transactions and contracts are reviewed before public funds are released, will ensure that government funds are not lost to graft and corruption, plunder or leakage.

Senator Christopher Go, co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1844, said red tape and corruption had been perennial problems and the President was exasperated.

“We have to take radical steps to cut corruption and simplify the requirements and steps in doing business in our country,” Go said.

He noted that Duterte was clear in his message and had built his administration on a strict anti-corruption stand.

Much still needs to be done, but Go says the government has made progress in its fight against red tape. He then urged the Filipino people to help the government by reporting any wrongdoings and filing appropriate complaints against erring government officials.

BOX BARRIERS. Boxes have been placed on the seats at the Social Security System branch inside the Central Mall in Dasmariñas, Cavite, to force visitors to observe physical distancing while waiting for their turns to be served. The SSS advised members and employers to transact on the prescribed schedules as follows: Mondays for SSS or ER ID numbers ending in 1 or 2; Tuesdays for those ending in 3 or 4; Wednesdays for those ending in 5 or 6; Thursdays for those ending in 7 or 8; and Fridays for those ending in 9 or 0.

Pasig Ferry System partially reopens to the public

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Pasig River Ferry System has partially reopened following a week-long clearing operation and the hauling of 770 cubic meters of water hyacinths along the river.

According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief information officer Sharon Gentalian, the ferry service resumed operations on Thursday but for short distance travels only.

“The PRFS will operate short-distance trips from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Santa Ana in Manila,” she said.

The MMDA regularly clears the river of water hyacinths and other waste.

Bill pushes Davao City as PH Chocolate Capital

By Macon-Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar has led a public hearing on a bill seeking to declare Davao City as the chocolate capital and Region 11 as the cacao-producing capital of the Philippines.

Villar, head of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, said Senate Bill 1741 seeks “to garner additional government support not only to maintain, promote and protect the country’s cacao industry but most importantly, to ensure its sustainability for the benefit of farmers and other stakeholders.”

She says Davao’s Malagos Chocolate is one of the frontline brands of the Philippines in the international market, and has made it to the list of the “Best 50 Beans in the World” under the Cocoa Excellence Program in 2017.

Another multi-awarded brand is Auro Chocolates, which takes pride in its bean-to-bar process since they have cacao beans that are fully traceable in the planting communities in the Philippines. Its commitment to quality has earned it 23 international awards, includ-

ing the Top 20 Best Cacao Beans Award—a first for the Philippines—in the International Cocoa Awards.

Citing a study by Euromonitor, Villar said the cocoa sector was projected to grow, driven primarily by its extensive appeal, popularity and wide use in the food and beverage industry. Asia is also expected to become the second largest consumer market for cocoa-based ingredients in the world after Western Europe.

“The Philippines, and specifically Davao, is right in the cacao sweet spot. The island nation is so well situated that it is possible to grow all three major types of cacao varieties such as criollo, forester and trinitario,” Villar said.

Agriculture Undersecretary for High-Value Crops Evelyn Lavina says they support Villar’s bill considering the Davao Region produces 6,704 metric tons or almost 80 percent of the cacao production in the country and has dedicated 18,985 hectares of land for it.

Lavina also said the bill was a recognition of the hard work of the famers who contributed to rural development.

Overstaying Chinese held for selling music videos

By Orlan L. Mauricio AN overstaying Chinese tourist was arrested past noon Thursday by officials of the Optical Media Board for selling and distributing copyrighted music videos and unregistered data storage devices.

Newly-appointed OMB Chairman Christian Natividad identified the tourist as Lin Qing Qun, 50, the owner of a raided store in Carriedo, Manila.

Qun, who initially claimed he did not understand Tagalog or English upon his arrest, admitted he was an overstaying Chinese with an expired tourist visa, and that he had been living in Tomas Pinpin in Binondo for more than

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six years.

Seized from his store were pirated USBs, assorted flash drives, memory discs and other music video recording devices worth P1,527,000.

OMB officials also recovered thousands of pesos’ worth of blank discs and memory flash drives believed to be smuggled.

Qun is said to be one of the biggest distributors of smuggled flash drives and other high-end computer accessories in Manila.

The initial OMB operations dubbed started Monday with the seizure of some P2.9-million worth of smuggled laptops, hard discs and stand-alone CPUs in Las Piñas City.

Gentalian said from July to September, the agency’s clearing operation unit was able to haul 7,235 cubic meters of water hyacinths along the 27-kilometer river.

She said the recent clearing operations from Oct. 1 to 6 resulted in the hauling of 770 cubic meters of water hyacinths.

MMDA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago said the MMDA has already procured a harvester for water hyacinths, but the delivery was delayed because of the pandemic.

“The one we procured was being manufactured in Canada and is scheduled to be delivered at the end of November or the first week December,” she said.

On Saturday, the MMDA suspended the ferry operation due to the carpet of water lilies and other aquatic plants clogging the river.

The water lilies entangle the ferry’s propeller, preventing the boat from traveling at normal speed. The propellers have to be elevated so that the tangled water lilies and even pieces of trash could be removed.

The ferry serves authorized persons outside residence, health workers and government employees who need to report for work free of charge from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the general community quarantine status is being enforced in the National Capital Region.

It is feared that the lack of devices and materials for online or modular classes could lead to a “lost generation,” said a national political party on Thursday.

In a statement, Ben Punongbayan, Chairman and Founder of Buklod, a national political party, said based on early observations, the teaching method being used to replace the face-to-face interaction between teacher and students, at least in the cities, was a combination of “modular” and online teaching.

Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, on Thursday lamented the sorry state of public school teachers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking before the Department of Education Region V’s Virtual National/ World Teachers’ Day Celebration, she said: “Teachers are risking their life and limb exposing themselves to viruses.

They even use money out of their pocket for bond papers and printers for printing the modules. This is so unfair.

“The others are lucky because they are under proactive local government units [who support them in funding the printing modules], but not everyone is similarly situated.”

Punongbayan says in some schools, the students are given hard copies of teaching modules that are picked up by the parents from the school premises.

In other schools, the modules are sent through the cell phones of the parents who print them. The modules contain the reading materials and ordinary school supplies of the student.

The students follow a fixed duration of continuous class hours. The teacher goes on-line for lecture and student recitations.

Generally, the screen time for students depends on the grade level as follows: one hour for kindergarten; 1.5 hours for Grade 1-5; two hours for Grade 6-8; and four hours for Grade 9-12.

To enable the students to participate, the students are given some means that quite likely vary from LGU [local government unit] to LGU, Punongbayan says.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

‘I bought a lemon’

EDITORIAL

time of purchase that it has never been sold or registered with the Department of Transportation and Communications (Section 3 (a), Republic Act No.10642).

The Lemon Law covers only brand-new motor vehicles purchased in the Philippines reported by a consumer not to be in conformity with the vehicle’s manufacturer or distribuTHIS is an expression commonly used when tor’s standards or specifications within twelve a customer buys or purchases a defective or (12) months from the date of original delivery worthless item from a seller, manufacturer to the consumer, or up to twenty thousand or distributor. It was in 1982 when the first (20,000) kilometers of operation after such “Lemon Law” was passed in the United delivery, whichever comes first. Despite the States by the Connecticut State legislature car’s brand new nature, it will not be covered in response to an increasing number of com- by the Lemon Law if there is: (a) non-compliplaints concerning the purchase of defective ance by the consumer of the obligations under new automobiles (https://connecticuthistory. the warranty; (b) modification not authorized org/the-lemon-law-today-in-history/ ). by the manufacturer, distributor, authorized In the Philippines, the Lemon Law was dealer or retailer; (c) abuse or neglect of the passed in 2014 to promote the full protection brand new motor vehicle; and (d) damage to of the rights of consumers against business the vehicle due to accident or force majeure and trade practices in the sale of motor vehi- (Section 4, Republic Act No.10642). cles which are deceptive, unfair or otherwise At any time within the Lemon Law rights inimical to consumers and the public (Section period, and after at least four (4) separate re2, Republic Act No.10642). It also recognized pair attempts to correct the same complaint that a motor vehicle is a major consumer and the issue remains unresolved, the conpurchase or investment. Hence, the rights of sumer may invoke his or her rights under the consumers should law. The repair may be clearly defined, include replacement including the means of parts components, for redress of their or assemblies (SecThis law was grievances (Section tion 5, Republic Act meant to protect 2, Republic Act No.10642). Before No.10642). availing himself or consumers.

The purchasing herself of the remeof a motor vehicle dies and subject to and treatment as compliance with the a personal investprovisions of repairs, ment began sometime in the early 90s when the consumer shall, in writing, notify the Metro Manila traffic conditions deteriorated manufacturer, distributor, authorized dealer due to the construction of numerous flyovers. or retailer of the unresolved complaint, and First among this was the EDSA-corner-Orti- the consumer’s intention to invoke his or gas Avenue flyover. It was then that the odd- her rights under the law within the Lemon even scheme, which would later evolve to Law rights period (Section 6, Republic Act the present number coding scheme, was first No.10642). introduced. Burdened by these circumstances, With the filing of the notice of availment, some were forced to purchase motor vehicles the consumer shall bring the vehicle to the to make sure that they were comfortable de- manufacturer, distributor, authorized dealer or spite being stuck in traffic for hours. retailer from where the vehicle was purchased It was also at this time when new car brands for a final attempt to address the complaint of were introduced into the market, effectively the consumer to his or her satisfaction. It shall putting more cars onto the streets. Decades be the duty of the manufacturer, distributor, passed with no government program for phas- authorized dealer or retailer, upon receipt of ing out motor vehicles, which together with the motor vehicle to attend to the complaints the continuous influx of thousands of new cars of the consumer including, as may be necto our city roads exacerbated the conditions essary, making the repairs and undertaking (https://www.lto.gov.ph/transparency-seal/ such actions to make the vehicle conform to annual-reports/file/908-annual-report-2019. its standards or specifications for the vehicle html). Middle-class consumers who wanted to (Section 7, Republic Act No.10642). circumvent the number-coding rule or avoid In case the nonconformity issue remains difficulty finding a seat aboard public vehi- unresolved despite the efforts to repair the vecles during rush hour on the days their cars hicle, pursuant to the consumer’s availment of are “coding” found a ready solution by buying his or her Lemon Law rights, the consumer another car. may file a complaint before the Department With motor vehicles becoming a necessity of Trade and Industry. However, if the veand now more affordable, consumer com- hicle is not returned for repair; based on the plaints increased due to claims of faulty and same complaint, within thirty calendar days substandard brand-new motor vehicles. Prior from the date of notice of release of the motor to the passage of the Lemon Law of the Phil- vehicle to the consumer following this repair ippines, consumer complaints on brand-new attempt, then the repair is deemed successful. motor vehicles were primarily founded on the In case the nonconformity issue still persists Consumer Protection Act of the Philippines after the thirty-day period but still within the and the Civil Code of the Philippines. A brand Lemon Law rights period, the consumer may new motor vehicle refers to a vehicle con- still be allowed to avail of the same remestructed entirely from new parts and covered dies for the repairs (Section 7, Republic Act by a manufacturer’s express warranty at the No.10642).

Parents are the new frontliners tance learning,” we should give credit to the leadership of Education Secretary Leonor Briones. Hers is an uncompromising commitment to fulfill the state’s constitutional mandate to provide public education.

This early, we salute the parents who are now the key figures in the learning process POOR internet signal and lack of digital as teachers cannot yet have face-to-face ingadgets did not douse the burning desire teraction with the students amid the public of mostly poor 24.4 million students to get health crisis.

Where teachers used to substitute for parback to school work, though off-campus, under the “blended learning” system being ents of students at school, parents now pracimplemented by the Department of Educa- tically have to fill the shoes of the teachers.

To ensure that not one child is left behind, tion (DepEd).

After months of repeated public appeals the overwhelming responsibility falls on the to the telecommunications companies to parents who not only serve as the conduit between the students and the teachers but provide improved also the children’s internet and teletutor, counselor, phone services, proctor and supervithe first day saw sor. virtual classes exThey have to Owing to their periencing difficulassist their children vital role in the chilties in connectivity dren’s education in while also doing their and none at all in a this pandemic crisis, number of areas. regular work. parents may now be Students had to called the new fronttrek to hills and liners. mountains while Parents may lack teachers had to get on top of the roof of school buildings to the teaching skills and the current parent-teacher partnership positively serves as catch a signal.

Anticipating such a problem, DepEd offi- an opportunity to grow.

Unfortunately for a number of parents, cials prepared massive printed modules for distribution to those students without access the time and effort demanded of them in to the internet or those who cannot afford helping their children with their modules means time and effort taken away from smartphones, laptops or tablets.

As we mark the first week of the new ap- work and livelihood.

The government, through the DepEd, proach to basic education, also called “dis-

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net)

A national budget has three parts

Further reopening needed

T

ippine Franchise Association, would be carried over to 2021 amid the lingering effects of the pandemic on the economy. The group sees another 20,000 franchisees eventually halting operations next year. The Philippines will be left with 110,000 franchisees in 2021, or 90,000 fast-food, Millions of Filipino work- outlets, gas stations and mall ers are itching to go back to their jobs but strict quarantine measures are holding them It is also safe to back. Finance Secretary Carassume that workers los Dominguez III urged the who have been locked country’s COVID-19 task force up in their homes are early this week to ease several responsible people forms of quarantine measures who know how to in the country that led to the prevent the spread of closure of many businesses and COVID-19. displaced workers.

One telling data supports Mr. Dominguez’s plea. The country’s franchising sector saw a sharp de- stores going out of business. cline of about 35 percent in the Close to 300,000 workers in number of franchisees to 130,000 the sector alone will have lost so far this year from 200,000 in their jobs in 2021 on the as2019 after the health crisis forced sumption that each franchised many enterprises to close shop. outlet employs a minimum of The drop, according to the Phil- three people. Along with their

HE government should now move to aggressively reopen the economy further, with daily COVID-19 cases in the Philippines plateauing below 3,000.

dependents, these jobless persons will be a burden to the economy and contribute further to the contraction of the gross domestic product.

Reopening further the economy, specifically through the resumption of public transportation, will re-employ those who lost their jobs to the pandemic.

The increased number of workforce, for one, will lead to more visits in the mall which, in turn, fuel consumption in restaurants and raise the sales of department stores. These generate additional jobs and boost the overall economy.

Reopening is the only way to prevent a prolonged recession in the Philippines as the World Bank has warned. It is also safe to assume that workers who have been locked up in their homes are responsible people who know how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Several months of lockdowns have taught them to be safe and be wary of the virus.

Birthdays and the speakership wants to see their duly elected representatives to Congress acting like spoiled brats when there are bigger issues to deal with?

Most commenters were not pleased.

Reading various news websites, I found the following: green123+ wrote, “Mañanita, birthday dinner sa Baguio, now speakership birthday for 300 congressmen. What is it about birthdays that is so important that government officials are forgetting that 30% of the population is suffering from hunger?”

Unleadedzeppelin replied: “more like 70% are suffering from hunger as per government data.”

John Lee: “Bayan atupagin niyo wag birthdays niyo!” (Concern yourselves

HOUSE Speaker Alan Cayetano’s revelation that he asked his rival for the speakership, Lord Allan Velasco, to consider his birthday on the date of their term-sharing agreement struck many as being juvenile and immature.

But before going into that, is such a term-sharing agreement even part of the usual protocol? While it seems that a rotation of leadership would allow other voices to be heard and other opinions shared, it would work only if there were an amicable and harmonious turnover of duties and responsibilities.

There is also power and authority vested in the position, but I believe what our representatives should be thinking about more is their responsibility and commitment to do right by the people.

About the birthday issue, there was a tussle in the date of the turnover by Cayetano to Velasco of the House speakership, a deal brokered by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself at the beginning of the 18th Congress.

In essence, Cayetano wants to still be Speaker by Oct. 28, his birthday.

Cayetano said Velasco’s reply on the matter was, “But it’s my birthday too!”

(His is on Nov. 9.)

Cayetano then said: “Pare (bro), it’s my 50th birthday, it’s sentimental to me.”

Velasco: “You’re so shallow.”

Cayetano: “Yes, I’m shallow.” He added, “I really am shallow, sentimental.

Who among us turning 50 isn’t sentimental?”

Well, at least they both know and admit they are being shallow about this.

Meanwhile, their public meltdowns are embarrassing and off-putting. Who should look into ways of extending financial assistance to families whose parents have to give up their day job to attend to their children’s class modules.

Meantime, the scenario of distance learning or school-from-home also exposes the irrelevance of the elitist K-12 program which the previous administration haphazardly

On to a better digital future

Let both little boys have their ice cream, cake and balloons.

with the country, not your birthdays!)

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, rampant unemployment, problems with online education, a failing economy, piling debt, waste of government resources as in the Boracay-ization of Manila Bay, and massive corruption as in PhilHealth and its missing and misspent billions, our elected congressmen are squabbling about their birthdays.

Cayetano was also recently called out for allegedly muting other representatives in a Zoom meeting. In a fit of petulance, he was said to have cut off the mics of his colleagues in such a way that they could not unmute their mics.

Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza shared a screenshot to this effect. In the image, Atienza is seen in a videoconference holding up a piece of paper with the implemented to introduce vocational training through an additional two years in high school.

The Congress, as well as the DepEd, should review and evaluate the K-12 program which has produced a generation of poor performing and academically incompetent students.

A prejudicial deal

words “I object” in reaction to the second-reading approval of the proposed 2021 national budget and suspension of session up to Nov. 16.

The image also shows Cayetano, with a dialogue box on the screen reading, “The host is not allowing participants to unmute themselves.”

Whether this action was inadvertent or deliberate, it is still a fact that some voices were unheard in that meeting. Atienza said many of his fellow lawmakers were also objecting “at the top of our voices, but again, we were muted on Zoom and all our objections were thrown out the window.”

Speaking of Cayetano, Atienza also said “He didn’t care about Constitutional integrity, throwing everything in the air and making Congress go on a long vacation. Ginulo niya lahat (he messed up everything) and he violated all the rules of the House.”

So in addition to behaving in an immature manner, Cayetano disregarded rules in order to railroad his agenda without hearing his colleagues, silencing their voices and suppressing other thoughts and ideas on the matters under discussion.

It seems simple enough, on the face of it. Let the turnover be on Nov. 3. That way both the little boys get to have their ice cream, cake, and balloons as Speaker.

However, with Cayetano forcing a vacation on Congress up to Nov. 16, that means he prevented Velasco from enjoying his birthday as Speaker. How’s that for petty revenge?

This is not the kind of leadership we need, particularly in these desperate and difficult times. We need leaders who will always put their responsibilities and duty to the country first, and not bring their vapid personal desires into their decision-making. *** What happened to the missing PhilHealth billions? FB and Twitter: @ And while Congress is embroiled in a power struggle and virtually holding hostage next year’s national budget that may affect public education and the war on COVID, we can only hope that the Duterte administration finds a way to support and boost DepEd’s distance learning program.

This, while we wait for the COVID-19

Current PH-China relations

Marcos

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Eleazar: PNP ‘localization’ rolls out

By Jess Malabanan CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- Police Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday conducted an inspection audit of police personnel detailed to different units in Central Luzon amid the “localization” move being pushed by the top officials of the Philippine National Police.

The objective, Eleazar said, is to check the administrative and operational performance of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) and compare it with public expectation, in line with the PNP 9-point program of Police Chief Director Geneal Camilo Pancratius Cascolan.

“The localization thrust involved noncommissioned police officers. It also strengthen other PNP Offices, including

Police Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar (left).

Jess Malabanan

the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) by giving it serious task and responsibilities in terms of anti-insurgency campaign, disaster response and search and rescue operations,” said Eleazar.

It was Eleazar’s first visit to the regional police headquarters since he was designated as the PNP Deputy Director General for Administration (DDA).

Isko: Daytime videoke banned from Mon.-Sat.

By Willie Casas

M

ANILA City government has banned the use of karaoke and videoke machines as well as other sound-producing devices disturbing the communities in the nation’s capital from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he passed the ordinance upon receiving multiple complaints from parents of students whose online classes were “disturbed by neighbors using karaoke machines” since the school year opened on Monday, October 5.

Ordinance No. 8688 was signed together with City Council Majority Floor Leader Joel Chua and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan.

Face-to-face classes in both public and private schools across the country were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the Education department to shift to a “blended distance learning” mode.

Under the ordinance, first-time offenders will be penalized with a P1,000 fine, while second of-

fenders will be fined P2,000.

Violators committing the act for the third and succeeding offenses will be fined P3,000.

“All barangay officials and police offers are hereby tasked to implement this ordinance. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval,” the measure read.

Meanwhile, the city government of Manila has unveiled the redeveloped Anda Circle in Port Area, showcasing a multicolored and multi-patterned dancing fountain seen as another attraction in the city.

Domagoso led the inauguration on Wednesday evening, which was attended by representatives from the private and public sectors who contributed to its development.

SHOPPER-FRIENDLY. SM City Marilao’s organized and spacious bike parking zone offers racks with multiple locking points for customer’s convenience and easy, safe parking experience. The street-level bike parking is nestled at the mall’s green space to give cyclists and bike-riding customers a shaded area to breath fresh air and enjoy nature. Jun David

SM Bulacan malls promote bike-friendly ‘green’ culture AS MORE and more people turn to biking as a mode of transportation during the community quarantines, SM Supermalls have created bike parking facilities across its malls in Marilao, San Jose Del Monte, Baliwag, and Pulilan in Bulacan.

With organized and secure parking zones designated solely for bicycles, SM hopes to make the riding experience safe and convenient for the growing number of bike commuters, especially in communities where SM malls are located. These spaces are also currently free of charge.

For customers who prefer to protect their bikes from the elements, there are covered bike parking areas in SM City San Jose Del Monte.

For customers who enjoy the convenience of nature and streetlevel parking, SM City Marilao,

SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan offer bike parking areas near the mall’s entrance.

Customers have one less thing to worry about when it comes to bike parking safety, with on-duty guards manning and securing bike parking areas. Other security measures at SM City Baliwag and SM City San Jose Del Monte require customers to register on a logbook in exchange for a bike parking pass.

With SM’s bike-friendly facilities, customers can look forward to a safe, convenient, and enjoyable biking experience. SM aims to support inclusive mobility especially during the community quarantine, and hopes to encourage more people to take up biking as a healthy and environment-friendly alternative means of transportation beyond the pandemic. Jun David

IN BRIEF Taguig lifts lockdown on Barangay Sta. Ana THE city government of Taguig has announced it has lifted the localized lockdown imposed in Barangay Sta. Ana following the decrease of COVID-19 cases in the area.

“Taguig CEDSU (City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit) identified certain areas and activities where and how the coronavirus spread in Barangay Sta. Ana. However, due to the progress and drastic decrease in cases of COVID-19 in the area,

the localized lockdown in Barangay Sta. Ana will now be lifted,” the local government stated in its advisory.

But during his Taguig COVID-19 weekly report at the Mercado del Lago last Wednesday, Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano reminded barangay leaders and residents to be strict in implementing the city’s health and safety protocols, such as wearing of masks, face shields, and observing physical distancing. Joel E. Zurbano

Ex-MILF fighters get CLOA from BARMM MAGUINDANAO―Forty-nine former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have received Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from the Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform in Datu Odin Sinsuat, this province.

Dr. Mohammad Yacob, MAFAR minister of the Bangsamoro

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said the CLOAs covered small part of some 3,000 hectares of governmentacquired lands region-wide, under the agrarian reform program.

Moro farmers have averaged 7.87 metric tons per hectare of yield in the latest production tallies of corn harvests in the current cropping-season. Nash B. Maulana

A6

World

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump wants US troops out of Afghanistan P RESIDENT Donald Trump has said he wants all US troops to leave Afghanistan by Christmas, speeding up the timeline for ending America’s longest war.

“We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas!” Trump wrote on Twitter late Wednesday.

The Taliban welcomed the announcement as a “positive step” in implementing their February 29 agreement with the US that would see all foreign forces leave Afghanistan by May 2021.

In return, the Taliban promised not to allow Afghanistan to be used by transnational extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda--the original reason for the 2001 US invasion.

In a statement, the Taliban said they are “committed to the agreement, and want positive relations in the future with all countries, including the United States.”

After intense US cajoling, the Afghan government and the Taliban last month opened peace talks in Doha, although negotiations have got off to a slow start.

Trump’s promise comes less than a month before US elections in which the president, trailing in polls, has sought to show he is making good on his promise to close out America’s “endless wars.”

After 19 years of US military operations his stance enjoys broad support at home including from his Democratic rival Joe Biden, who during his time as vice president had pushed to curtail US involvement in Afghanistan.

Asked last month whether he backed Trump’s plans to withdraw troops from both Afghanistan and Iraq, Biden said: “Yes, I do. As long as he has a plan to figure out how he’s going to deal with ISIS,” the ultra-violent movement that has been active in both countries.

Stalemate in talks The United States first intervened in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks and dislodged the Taliban regime, which had welcomed AlQaeda.

But in the years since the resurgent militants have launched a fresh battle to topple the US-backed government in

Kabul, with civilians bearing the brunt of spiraling violence since NATO combat troops withdrew in 2014.

The former Taliban regime had imposed an ultra-conservative brand of Islam on Afghanistan that banned music and education for girls.

The Doha talks have quickly deadlocked over the Taliban’s insistence that negotiations adhere to a strict Sunni school of jurisprudence, a step the government says would discriminate against Shiites and other minorities.

Speaking earlier Wednesday, the veteran US diplomat who negotiated with the Taliban, Zalmay Khalilzad, nonetheless voiced guarded hope for the talks.

“The overwhelming majority of the Afghans would like to see an end to the conflict,” Khalilzad, speaking by video from Doha, told a forum of the University of Chicago’s Pearson Institute.

Intense shelling between Armenia, Azerbaijan forces erupts anew

IN BRIEF North Korean extradited to US for money laundering A NORTH Korean man accused of laundering money lost a legal bid to halt his extradition from Malaysia to the US to face charges Thursday, but will lodge a final appeal.

Mun Chol Myong, who has lived in the Southeast Asian country for a decade with his family, was arrested last year following the extradition request from Washington.

He denies FBI claims that he led a criminal group that violated sanctions by supplying prohibited items to North Korea and laundered funds through front companies, according to his lawyers.

A Malaysian court in December approved his extradition but Mun challenged the move at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

His lawyers argued his detention was unlawful, as the allegations against him were of a political nature.

But a judge rejected the argument, saying procedures were correctly followed and Mun failed to prove the extradition bid was “politically-charged.” AFP

Prince William launches ‘environmental prize’ BRITAIN’S Prince William on Thursday launched the “most prestigious” environmental prize of all time, aimed at turning “pessimism into optimism” by rewarding innovative solutions to the planet’s biggest problems.

The Earthshot Prize will present five £1 million ($1.3-million, 1.1-million-euro) awards each year for the next 10 years, to “incentivise change and help to repair our planet over the next ten years,” said his office in London.

Kensington Palace described it as the “most prestigious global environment prize in history” and said it was inspired by US president John F. Kennedy’s “Moonshot” project in the 1960s.

“We need to find solutions to be able to live our lives and enjoy our lives and not feel guilty and bad about some of the things we do,” the prince, who is second in line to the throne, told BBC Radio 4 in an interview aired Thursday.

“That ultimately has to change, because I also worry from a mental health point of view, the anxiety and the worry that many of these younger generations are going to have.”

He said he hopes the prize will “galvanise and bring together the best minds, the best possible solutions, to fixing and tackling some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges”.

“The next 10 years are a critical decade for change. Time is of the essence, which is why we believe that this very ambitious global prize is the only way forward.” AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225, QUEZON CITY IN RE: CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF ANGELO RAMOS JABINAR ANGELO RAMOS JABINAR Petitioner, -versus-

Case No. R-QZN-20-06780-SP

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, JUANITA ANSELMO RAMOS, NERRY JABON JABINAR, AND ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST IN THE INSTANT PETITION, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

A verified petition was filed on July 9, 2020 by petitioner through counsel praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, judgment be rendered directing the respondent to make the corresponding correction in the entry in the Certificate of Live Birth of Angelo Ramos Jabinar to reflect the correct entry for petitioner’s Date of Birth from “22 June 2000” to “19 December 1993” for all legal intents and purposes.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto.

WHEREFORE, let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City. Hearing on the verified petition is hereby set on November 5, 2020 at 9:00 o’clock to 9:30 o’clock in the morning at 7th Floor, Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, at which time and place, any person having interest in the petition may appear.

Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff, thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of petitioner.

1. at the main entrance of the City Hall Building of Quezon City; 2. on the Bulletin Board of the Court, Hall of Justice, Quezon City, and 3. at the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resided.

Let copy of the amended petition together with its annexes and a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City personally by the Branch Sheriff of this Court at the expense of the petitioner and thereafter to submit his report at least two (2) weeks before the hearing date.

SO ORDERED. September 11, 2020, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) MARIA LUISA LESLE G. GONZALES-BETIC Presiding Judge (MStandard-Oct. 9, 16 & 23, 2020)

“I believe that the Taliban are quite serious about the negotiations. Many thought that they wouldn’t sit across the table from the Afghan government -- that all they wanted was an agreement for the withdrawal of US forces. But they are now sitting across the table.”

Trump has already reduced US forces in Afghanistan to around 8,600 and the Taliban has stood by promises not to attack Western troops--even as the militants continue their bloody campaign against government forces.

“The level of violence is too high as far as we’re concerned,” Khalilzad said, although he asserted that Afghan civilian and military casualties had declined in the first half of 2020.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, visiting Doha on Tuesday, called on the Taliban to “have courage” and declare a national ceasefire. AFP

In this file photo taken on December 8, 2001 American soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division stand guard at Bagram Air Base north of Kabul. Almost two decades after the United States launched what would become its longest-ever war with air strikes on Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban regime, the hardline group are in a stronger position than ever. The invasion on October 7, 2001 quickly toppled the militants, who had harboured Al-Qaeda, the group behind the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in America just weeks earlier. AFP

French court pressures Google to pay for news A PARIS appeals court on Thursday upheld an order for Google to negotiate with media groups in a long-running dispute about revenues from online news.

The ruling came as the US internet giant announced it was close to a deal on compensating French media groups for news shown in Google search results.

Such a deal would represent a climbdown by Google, which has so far refused to comply with new EU rules giving more copyright protection to media firms for news displayed on search engines and social media.

France was the first European country to ratify the law, which could act as a lifeline to newspaper groups grappling with shrinking print sales.

In April, the French competition authority ordered Google to negotiate with the press in good faith—a ruling it appealed, accusing the authority of overstepping its jurisdiction.

The appeals court sided with the competition authority.

Google argues it should not have to pay to display items produced by news companies since they benefit by receiving millions of visits to their websites.

But in a sign that the Californian company is anxious to do a deal, it announced late Wednesday that it made the French press an offer on copyright.

“We want to support journalism and ensure continued access to quality content for as many people as possible,” Google France director Sebastien Missoffe said in a joint statement with French newspapers.

Global pressure Struggling news outlets have long been seething at Google’s failure to give them a cut of the millions it makes from ads displayed along with news search results.

AFP and other groups lodged a complaint against Google with the competition regulator last November, claiming the company was not negotiating in good faith to resolve the issue.

The main issue before the competition authority— whether Google is abusing its dominant market position— remains to be decided, in a ruling expected early next year.

France is not the only country where Google has come under pressure from the government to share their revenue with local media.

The Australian government has drafted a law to make Facebook and Google pay for news content they use.

To try to defuse the rows, Google announced last week that it would invest $1 billion in partnerships with news publishers worldwide to develop a “Showcase” app to highlight their reporting packages. AFP

FIGHTING between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region spilled over into Thursday, with fresh shelling in the province’s capital ahead of a first meeting of international mediators in Geneva.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov was to meet diplomats from France, Russia and the United States, who make up the “Minsk Group” that has sought a solution to the Karabakh conflict since the 1990s.

Armenia’s foreign minister will not be attending, after Yerevan ruled out talks between the two countries’ top diplomats as long as clashes are ongoing. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan will instead meet his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Monday.

Explosions and sirens sounded in Nagorno-Karabakh’s regional capital Stepanakert as the city continued to face regular shelling, AFP journalists said.

Heavy bombardments have levelled many homes since fighting erupted late last month and Stepanakert is pockmarked with unexploded ordinance and wide craters from shelling.

Defense officials in Azerbaijan and Armenia said fighting continued into Thursday, with both sides claiming to have inflicted heavy losses and accusing the other of shelling civilian areas.

Alongside the new bombardments in Stepanakert, Azerbaijan said Armenian shelling on several villages near the frontline had left people dead and wounded.

Armenia’s rights ombudsman Artak Beglaryan told AFP on Wednesday that the renewed fighting has displaced around half of Karabakh’s 140,000 residents and forced some 90 percent of its women and children from their homes. AFP

Hurricane Delta batters Mexico, heads towards US Gulf Coast HURRICANE Delta regained strength as it headed towards the United States early Thursday after lashing Mexico’s Caribbean coast, where some tourists complained about conditions in crowded emergency shelters during a pandemic.

There were widespread power outages after Delta slammed into the Yucatan Peninsula in southeast Mexico as a Category 2 storm, toppling trees and ripping down power lines.

The region appeared to have escaped major destruction and there were no reports of deaths as the storm headed out into the Gulf of Mexico where it weakened to Category 1 as it churned towards the US Gulf Coast, before regaining its Category 2 status.

In an update at 0600 GMT Thursday, the US National Hurricane Center said Delta was packing maximum sustained winds of 100 miles (155 kilometers) per hour and moving at about 17 mph (28 kph) about 485 miles (780 kms) off the coast of Louisiana.

Earlier strong winds whipped Cancun, one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, where cars were hit by falling trees, street signs were blown over and stores were damaged, according to AFP reporters.

‘Not safe’ Thousands of tourists hunkered down in emergency shelters along the Riviera Maya coastline as the storm blew through, prompting concerns about the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

“They took us into an abandoned building, no heat, no air conditioning, no fans, no kind of ventilation at all,” said 42-year-old American tourist Nick Fifis.

“The staff are trying to help everybody, but there’s a mess. No masks, no social distancing. It’s just not safe,” he said.

Mandy Sears, however, said she was just glad to be out of danger from the storm.

“Were we comfortable? No, but we were safe. Our experience has not been excellent, it has been miserable. But this is a catastrophe. We knew we were coming during hurricane season,” said the 47-year-old from the United States.

Delta was downgraded from an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 as it neared the peninsula, but is expected to become a major hurricane again as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico, the NHC said. AFP

People repair damages caused by Hurricane Delta in Cancun, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, on October 7, 2020. Hurricane Delta slammed into Mexico’s Caribbean coast early Wednesday, toppling trees, ripping down power lines and lashing a string of major beach resorts with winds of up to 110 miles (175 kilometers) per hour. AFP

Sports

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

A7

UST: Ayo’s UAAP penalty was too harsh

By Peter Atencio SUPPORT for the reinstatement of Aldin Ayo as head coach of the University of Santo Tomas men’s basketball team is snowballing.

Sympathy for Ayo came after the Office of the Governor and police authorities in Sorsogon cleared him of any unlawful acts two weeks ago.

Sources said school officials at UST are now backing Ayo’s appeal to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines to lift its indefinite ban on him.

School officials have already endorsed the letter of appeal that Ayo wrote.

School authorities believe “that the penalty imposed by the esteemed UAAP board (was) too harsh.”

And Ayo’s plea is now “subject to the qualification that it stands by the report of its fact-finding committee,” according to an official source.

Ayo was cleared by Sorsogon governor Francis Escudero, in a memo issued on Sept. 23 which said he is in agreement with the findings of probers from the Philippine National Police.

“The result of the investigation conducted by proper government authorities, the PNP, on the ground, at my house and farm, will certainly complement my position on the matter,” wrote Ayo. Ayo said he felt vindicated after police investigators found that, “there is a clear exhibition of legitimate activities undertaken by former UST Head Coach Aldin Ayo.” The findings came out three weeks after Ayo resigned from his post, and the board of directors of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines indefinitely banned him.

Police authorities disclosed that members of the team learned how to raise pigs and do farming activities, and not basketball training done under a low risk area And this comprised most of the tasks that members of the UST Growling Tigers did when they held a camp in Capuy, Sorsogon last June.

Ayo is grateful that the PNP went to his home to find out exactly what took place during those times.

Denice Zamboanga (left) absorbs a kick from Watsyapinya Kaewkhong during ONE: A New Breed held August 28, 2020 in Thailand. Zamboanga beat Kaewkhong by submission in the first round. ONE

Zamboanga asks Lee to step aside O

NE Championship’s top female atomweight contender Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga of the Philippines hit back at reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee following her comments that Zamboanga has not done enough to earn a shot at her title, despite the promotion naming her the next challenger to the throne.

Zamboanga was not happy with the champion’s comments and issued a challenge of her own.

“I would like to say big congratulations to her. I am very happy for her.

Motherhood is a very special experience for every woman. I believe Angela will be a great mother,” Zamboanga told media in the Philippines.

“Angela is the World Champion, she should do the right thing like all great champions do. She should give respect to other fighters who deserve it and most importantly, should vacate the championship belt since she cannot defend it.

“Most great champions would have done this straight away, as soon as they know they won’t be able to defend their belt for personal reasons.

“I have proven myself to the world. I am the number one contender. I earned it through beating world-class opponents. I have already faced Mei Yamaguchi, the fighter who almost beat Angela, in a fight I believe Angela was very fortunate to win. She was in trouble most of the time during that fight. I was never in trouble against Mei. Mei is a great fighter, and I have a lot of respect for her. In my opinion, she is a better fighter than Angela.”

Lee made her sentiments known after ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced plans for a ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship, in lieu of her pregnancy which is expected to sideline her for at least a year.

The 24-year-old champion from Hawaii and Singapore says Zamboanga needs a few more big names on her resume to be truly worthy of a crack at the atomweight belt.

“Honestly, even though Denice beat Mei Yamaguchi, I don’t think that alone qualifies her to be the number one contender. The other girls that she fought were not even ranked. The atomweight division is stacked with at least 10 top talents,” said Lee. “I think that Denice should have to face the top 10 girls first to truly prove herself as the number one contender, and the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship is the perfect way to do that.”

Rays overpower Yankees, Dodgers hold on to beat Padres

Kevin Kiermaier (39) of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a three run home run against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning in Game Three of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States —Kevin Kiermaier belted a tiebreaking three-run home run in the fourth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays moved to within one win of the American League Championship Series with an 8-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Kiermaier felt his blast was the turning point in the contest which allowed the top seeded Rays to grab a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.

“To be quite honest I think my homer got us going and it snowballed from there,” Kiermaier said.

“I knew what I wanted to do from the first pitch and I was trying to execute it.”

The Rays, who were designated the visiting team after being the “home” team for the first two games at the neutral site facility in Petco Park in San Diego, have now won two straight after b e i n g outslugged 9-3 in the opener.

The Rays can wrap up the series and advance to their second ALCS with a

win in game four on Thursday.

Tampa Bay’s other ALCS appearance came in 2008, when they eventually lost in the World Series.

The series winner will meet either the Oakland A’s or the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series starting Sunday.

“We got guys who can do it.

When their names are called on they respond. It was a fun night to do it,” said Kiermaier.

Charlie Morton pitched five solid innings and outfielder Randy Arozarena had three hits, reached base four times and had a home run in the win.

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton belted his sixth home run of the playoffs with a two-run shot in the eighth.

Elsewhere, Cody Bellinger hit a home run and took away another with a spectacular over-the-wall catch in the seventh as the Los Angeles Dodgers put the San Diego Padres on the brink of elimination with a 6-5 win their NLDS series in Texas.

San Diego stormed back to score two runs in the ninth inning against Dodgers closing pitcher

Kenley Jansen. They had the bases loaded against Dodger righthander Joe Kelly before Eric Hosmer grounded out to end it for the Dodgers, who lead the series two games to none.

Los Angeles starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw gave up three runs on six hits over six innings.

He struck out six and walked none to win for the second time in two starts during this year’s playoffs.

Corey Seager had a two-run double among his three hits for Los Angeles, and Max Muncy added two hits and two RBIs. Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning for San Diego.

The Padres looked as if they were about to take the lead in the seventh inning. With Trent Grisham on second base, San Diego batter Fernando Tatis hit a towering ball to centre field, but Bellinger leaped and reached over the outfield wall to snatch the ball and end the home run threat.

“That was huge for us. We scored some runs right after that so it was a bit of a momentum shift right there,” said Kershaw of Bellinger’s grab. AFP

Pascual displays leadership skills DESPITE the uncertainties of college and high school basketball competitions, graduating San Beda High school guard and former Batang Gilas co-captain Migs Pascual is ready for any eventuality and is making sure that he’ll be in great shape once the NCAA competition restarts.

“Ready naman ako kahit anong mangyari kung wala o meron pang juniors basketball. Yun ang pinaghahandaan ko,” Pascual said.

“Nagpi-prepare rin kami. May mga zoom training na rin kami the last three months, preparation na rin.

Para sa akin it’s just a matter of mindset kung paano ko I-approach yung game. Kung paano ako magiging accountable sa mga teammates ko, on and off the court.

Yun yung biggest challenge para sa akin.”

The Red Cubs are the reigning NCAA juniors champions and Pascual, a point guard and considered as one of the leaders of the teams, is expected to play a major role in the team’s title retention bid.

“As early as Grade Four, God-given yung court vision ko. Habang tumatagal akong naglalaro ng basket-

ball, na-go-groom ko na yung leadership kasi as a point gard kailangan yun. Hindi puwedeng tahimik sa loob ang kailangan as a point guard. Kailangan mong pagalingin ang mga teammates mo, kaya mong i-lead sila on and off the court,” said Pascual.

“Ang plan ko kasi talaga is isasagad yung playing years ko sa juniors. Para sa akin at para sa family ko yun. Kailangan before college, hinog na hinog ka na maglaro.”

Basketball never stopped for Pascual, who continued to work on his individual skills while competitions were idle because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a mentality he developed during his stint with Batang Gilas where he was also tasked by then-coach Mike Oliver as one of the leaders of the team.

“Natutunan ko sa Batang Gilas, may mga times na nakakapag-extra work kami nina Forthsky (Padrigao), nina RC (Calimag). At the same time, may natututunan sila sa akin, may natututunan rin ako sa kanila. Yung mga coaches doon, sobrang detailed. Kailangan yung small details hindi mo binabalewala, hindi mo tini-take for granted. Yun yung natutunan ko sa Batang Gilas,” said Pascual.

Migs Pascual (12) gets fresh instructions from his coach.

Pascual is expected to display his leadership skills in team’s title retention bid.

After defeating the highly-regarded Jihin Radzuan in her ONE debut, and then following up that victory with a dominant win over Yamaguchi, Zamboanga was expected to face Lee late this year or in early 2021. But after news of Lee’s pregnancy broke out late last week, and with no clear return timetable, that bout is now doubtful.

Zamboanga should be an entrant in the atomweight Grand Prix, although confirmed details have yet to be announced

by ONE Championship. If and when Zamboanga enters the tournament, she will need to face many of the division’s top talents to make it through to the end.

Sityodtong says the overall winner will not be competing for the atomweight belt, but for a chance to face Lee down the line for the title.

Zamboanga obviously feels she is the rightful number one contender, and didn’t mince her words when speaking of what she thought about the whole ordeal.

Red Bull DIY gives back to PH Skate Communities THIS August, Red Bull DIY has started to work with skateboarding communities across the country—supporting the development of their dream skate spots and giving a platform to showcase their talents and DIY creativity.

Seventeen skate shops and crews were selected from various cities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao from the many entries submitted. These selected teams were provided with initial resources to begin construction on setups based on their entries.

The Top 5 teams were chosen by Margielyn Didal, with the final placements ranked by 2017 Thrasher Magazine Skater of the Year, Jamie Foy. 1st Place: Regfy Skate Shop from Mandaue, Visayas 2nd Place: Taga Baler SC from Baler, Luzon 3rd Place: Quilla Skate Shop from Metro Manila, Luzon 4th Place: STRAP from Cebu City, Visayas 5th Place: Kidaskate from Kidapawan, Mindanao These Top 5 teams were then awarded with additional funding to further realize the potential of their DIY spots.

Red Bull DIY’s commitment towards supporting the Filipino skateboarding community has extended to Asia and 2X SEA Games Gold Medalist and Olympic hopeful, Margielyn Didal, with the construction and development of her own personal skatepark facility in collaboration with Cebu’s Soul Sierra.

Up next, Red Bull DIY will be launching their “Solo Competition” - open to all skaters in order to further support the DIY skate spots developed nationwide.

“Iniimbitahan ko lahat ng skaters na mag register sa darating na Red Bull DIY Solo Competition ngayong Oktubre. Stay tuned on my social media accounts for more updates,” says Margielyn Didal. “Excited to see all your videos!”

Register now for the Red Bull DIY Solo Comp Red Bull DIY Solo Comp runs until October 28, 2020. Registrations are open at win.gs/redbulldiyph. Use and follow #RedBullDIY for more updates.

Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

Eala regains confidence after reaching quarterfinals HER feelings of intimidation gone, Alexandra Eala feels confident in her game, now that she has reached the next stage of the 2020 French Open’s Roland Garros Junior Tennis Championships girls’ singles.

After hurdling Spanish netter Leyre Romero-Gormaz, Eala has stopped worrying about how her opponents react to her aggressive moves on the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

“I am a lot less nervous now the match is over,” said Eala in an online statement after a 6-1,4-6, 6-1 triumph on Wednesday afternoon (Thursday in Manila).

The 15-year-old Eala, who is seeing action as a scholar of the Rafa Nadal Academy, emerged tougher after Gormaz took charge in the second set and forced a deciding third set.

The second seed Eala held her ground, and fought Gormaz to two closely-contested games.

“I am so excited. This is the best result I have had so far in terms of Junior Grand Slams and I am just going to try my best to go all the way,” said Eala, who reached her second Grand Slam quarterfinals since February.

The world no. 4 ranked took a 3-0 lead following two deuces in the third set.

Gormaz, who is at home on clay surfaces, made it even tougher in the fourth game, holding Eala to long exchanges, and yielding after four deuces, and handing the Filipina a 4-0 edge.

“I have tried to focus and work on certain areas of my game and I have seen improvements. But this is only my second tournament since March, so I am really proud of how things have turned out.”

With her milestone victory, Eala made it to the quarterfinals as the highest seeded player.

That’s because giant-killer Alina Charaeva pulled an upset over top seed Victoria Kasintseva of Andorra, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, in the second round.

“It was a tough match as the opponent’s favorite surface was naturally a clay court being a Spaniard,” said her dad Mike on Alex’s clash with Gormaz. Peter Atencio

LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat during a game of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex.

James and Butler have served up a series of high-quality performances through the first four games of the finals but the basketball showpiece has failed to capture its usual US television audience. AFP

POC wants financial statements of SEAG

By Peter Atencio

Y NOT submitting a financial report early, members of the Philippine Olympic Committee’s executive board believe that the organizers of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games may have already broken an agreement it got into last year.

B

Seven members of the 13-man Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board expressed their agreement on this as they sought out the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee for the immediate submission of its audited financial statements.

“Frankly, the Phisgoc is already in breach of the Tripartite Agreement,” said the group as it replied to Phisgoc Inc. president and chief operating officer Ramon Suzara’s disclosure yesterday.

Organizers of the Games have been given a deadline by the POC

General Assembly to submit a disclosure of their financial activities on Oct. 10, Saturday.

“The decision of the POC General Assembly to call for an accounting and liquidation is consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the POC under the Tripartite Agreement,” said the group in their statement.

The board members are POC chairman Steve Hontiveros, first vice president Jose Romasanta, second vice president Col. (ret.) Antonio Jeff Tamayo, Treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go and board members Atty. Jesus Clint Aranas

and Robert Mananquil.

House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano was the chairman of Phisgoc at that time.

The Phisgoc was tasked and mandated to manage and operate the 30th SEA Games under the agreement it signed on Aug. 15, 2019 with the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Under the pact, the POC was tasked to monitor the activities of the Phisgoc, the technical aspect of the Games, oversee its expenditures and marketing activities.

In return, the Phisgoc is supposed to submit a report of its financial activities.

A budget of P6-billion that is under the care of the PSC was supposed to help organizers to be able to tackle its many obligations during the Games when it was held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10.

Djokovic ‘feeling okay’ after reaching French Open semifinals PARIS, France—Novak Djokovic said he was “feeling okay” after overcoming neck and shoulder troubles to defeat Pablo Carreno Busta on Wednesday and set up a French Open semifinal showdown with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Djokovic beat Spanish 17th seed Carreno Busta 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the last four of a major for the 38th time as he chases a second French Open and 18th Grand Slam title.

However, the world number one required treatment on his upper left arm after dropping his first set of the tournament on a chilly autumn evening in Paris.

“I definitely didn’t feel great coming onto the court today, a few things happened in the warm-up,” said Djokovic.

“I had some neck issues and some shoulder issues. I don’t really want to get too much into it.

“I’m feeling okay, I’m still in the tournament so I don’t want to reveal too much. As the match went on, I felt better, didn’t feel as much pain.”

The Serb now sits two wins away from becoming the first man in half a century—and only the third in history —to win all four Slams twice.

His only defeat in 37 matches this year came to Carreno Busta following

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic eyes the ball as he returns it to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta during their men’s singles quarterfinal tennis match on Day 11 of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris. AFP

his disqualification at the US Open for an angry swipe of a ball which hit a female line judge squarely in the throat.

Djokovic again looked vulnerable against Carreno Busta, who twice had chances to break in the second set but

could not capitalise, instead losing his own serve on two occasions.

“For a set and a half he was the better player, dictating the play,” said Djokovic.

The Serb unleashed a primal roar having fended off two break points in

the first game of the third set and appeared in control at 3-0 until Carreno Busta clawed back to 3-all.

But the top seed reclaimed the initiative with another break at 4-3 on his way to taking the third set.

Djokovic grew increasingly animated when he missed out a string of break points early in the fourth set, but he eventually landed the decisive blow in the seventh game when Carreno Busta pushed a forehand wide.

“It was really anybody’s game. It was so close. He had his chances. I had my chances. It was a very even match even though it was three sets to one,” said Djokovic.

Tsitsipas gets revenge Tsitsipas made his second Grand Slam semi-final with a straight-sets win over 13th seed Andrey Rublev, avenging last month’s loss to the Russian in the Hamburg final.

The Greek fifth seed downed Rublev 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 to match his breakout run at the 2019 Australian Open.

“I’m expecting since a young age to potentially triumph at these Grand Slams. I’m happy that I’m able to be in a position where I am today,” said Tsitsipas. “I’m chasing something spectacular.” AFP

Abueva one step away from PBA return

Phoenix Fuelmasters forward Calvin Abueva (88) battles Alaska Aces big man Vic Manuel (87) for ball possession.

ONE of the two final steps that need to be fulfilled before Calvin Abueva can play has been completed.

Officials of the Games and Amusements (GAB) confirmed this yesterday after Abueva went through a seminar of The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of a Professional Athlete.

GAB representative Karen Mallonga confirmed this after meeting Abueva through virtual conference.

Abueva is seeking clearance to play after more than a year since he was banned indefinitely from the league.

“Calvin Abueva was able to submit his tasked activities in a timely manner,” said Mallonga in her report to GAB chairman Abraham Mitra.

Abueva’s second and last task is to undergo a mandatory drug test as part of the medical requirements.

The two conditions were set after the Phoenix

forward was allowed to enter the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga.

And this is while Abueva waits for the green light for him to join the league restart.

So far, Abueva has joined the Fuel Masters at the Quest Hotel.

Abueva has since been joining in the Fuel Masters’ practices.

Abueva has been banned from the league since June 2019.

His banishment came after a series of on-court incidents which included altercations with former Blackwater rookie Ray Parks and former TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones.

He has since apologized for his actions, and went through community service and counseling sessions. Clark Development Corporation people will do the drug test according to Mitra. Peter Atencio

Pandemic reshuffle hurting NBA TV ratings LOS ANGELES, United States— Television viewing figures for the NBA Finals have fallen to record lows but the slump is part of a broader trend caused by a sporting calendar thrown into chaos by COVID-19, industry analysts say.

While LeBron James and Jimmy Butler have served up a series of highquality performances through the first four games of the finals, the basketball showpiece has failed to capture its usual US television audience.

Game one of the finals last Wednesday was watched by 7.41 million people according to figures on the Sports Media Watch website, compared to 13.4 million viewers for 2019’s game one in late May. Game two last Friday fell to 6.61 million while game three tumbled further to 5.94 million, the lowest total ever recorded for an NBA Finals game.

Critics of the NBA claim the fall-off in viewers is attributable to the league’s decision to place social justice issues in the forefront of the sport since it resumed in Orlando in July.

“The NBA is engaged in a concerted effort to (1) insult their fans & (2) turn every game into a left-wing political lecture,” Republican Senator Ted Cruz wrote in a comment on Twitter, using the hashtag “GoWokeGoBroke” in a separate post.

Yet linking the TV viewing slump to the NBA’s embrace of the “Black Lives Matter” movement ignores multiple, unprecedented factors suspected of affecting viewing figures across all US sports.

With the Covid-19 pandemic sending sport in North America into a shutdown in March, the NBA was only able to return in July—a month after the season traditionally winds up in June.

That has left basketball in the unaccustomed position of jostling for attention against the NFL, far and away the most popular televised sport in the United States, as well as the climax of the baseball season.

Diminished spectacle?

Game one of this year’s finals clashed with Major League Baseball playoff games involving the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as the New York Yankees, drawing viewers from the two biggest media markets in the United States.

Game three of the finals went headto-head with the NFL’s traditional “Sunday Night Football”, a staple of weekend sports television in the US. “Going up head-to-head with the NFL and MLB post-season is a first, and the competition has had a negative effect on audience delivery,” media consultant Brad Adgate told the Front Office Sports website.

The NBA Finals are also taking place in subdued fan-free arenas, diminishing the sense of spectacle for television audiences.

Fierce competition from the news cycle—the finals are being held just weeks away from the November 3 US presidential election—is another drain on ratings, experts argue.

“It represents a highly fractionalized environment that is atypical for the NBA to air their finals in, against some pretty steep competition,” Patrick Crakes, a media consultant and former Fox Sports executive told AFP. Crakes is skeptical that politics is driving the declining NBA viewing figures. AFP

Business Cebu Pacific eyeing sale of shares, bonds to raise $500m CEBU Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, said Thursday it will raise $500 million in additional capital to ensure it is well-positioned to recover from the impact of COVID-19.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group, said it notified the Philippine Stock Exchange about its plan to issue $250 million in new convertible preferred shares and another $250 million in privately-placed convertible bonds.

It said the transactions would be taken up in a special shareholders’ meeting on Nov. 20, 2020.

The new convertible preferred shares will be made available to all stockholders, including JG Summit, giving opportunity for all investors to participate while the privately placed convertible bonds will be made available to a limited number of reputable international investors.

“We need to create a longer runway for CEB so that we can continue providing affordable and accessible air transport services for every Juan,” said Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei.

The airline is raising the capital as part of its multi-pronged approach to working with capital providers, creditors, suppliers and other stakeholders, especially its employees, to further strengthen its financial position amid the crisis.

It said that since the start of the pandemic, it had worked on accelerating its transformation towards becoming an even more digitalized airline, resulting in a significantly reduced unit cost, allowing the carrier to continue offering affordable air travel.

The capital raising exercise will provide the airline with the needed runway to withstand the financial challenges it faces as it slowly goes back to preCOVID business levels and settles into the “new normal.”

Gokongwei said Cebu Pacific is an important part of JG Summit Holdings Inc.’s investment portfolio. “We strongly believe in the airline’s vital mission of providing fundamental and value-for-money air travel in and out our country, and its crucial role as a driver for economic growth,” he said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

SEC OKs P7.5-b maiden bond offer of Del Monte PH

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it approved the P7.5billion maiden bond offering of food producer Del Monte Philippines Inc. The regulator gave the go-signal to DMPI’s registration statement for up to P5 billion worth of fixed-rate bonds, with an oversubscription option for another P2.5 billion.

DMPI will issue the bonds at face value, consisting of series A bonds due 2023 and series B bonds due 2025.

The bonds will be listed and traded on Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

DMPI plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay the company’s debt, which are short-term and unsecured in nature.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., First Metro Investment Corp. and RCBC Capital Corp. were tapped as joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners for the offer.

The fixed-rate bonds were assigned a PRS Aaa rating by the Philippine Rating Service Corp. Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk.

DMPI is the local subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Ltd. With its 94-year track record, the company has grown to become one of the leading growers, processors and distributors of premium quality, healthy food and beverage products.

The company owns the rights to the Del Monte trademark for the Philippines for processed products.

It also holds the biggest market share in terms of packaged pineapple and mixed fruit, canned and ready-to-drink juices and tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce categories. DMPI is also into the sale of fresh fruits, largely for export.

DMPI deferred its planned P17.55billion initial public offering in 2018 amid the volatile market conditions.

PSE INDEX

Thursday, October 8, 2020

74.78 PTS. Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

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DOTR signs $1.7-b deals for Malolos-Clark Railway T

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE Department of Transportation said Thursday it signed three civil works contracts worth more over $1.7 billion for the construction of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, a flagship project funded by the Asian Development Bank.

The DOTR said including the latest three deals, it had awarded five civil works contracts for the project totaling $2.5 billion. The first two contracts were signed on Aug. 1, 2020.

“This project is, by far, the ADB’s largest ever financing package for a single project, and is the single largest ‘Build, Build, Build’ project to date in the history of the Duterte administra-

tion,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

“The signing of these contracts means the Malolos-Clark Railway Project construction will now go on full speed, helping the country’s economic revival over the next 12 to 24 months,” said ADB director-general for Southeast Asia Ramesh Subramaniam.

“When completed by 2025 based on current plans, we expect the project to benefit nearly 350,000 commuters daily.

We are proud to work with the Philippine government, development partners and the private sector to deliver this important flagship infrastructure project using modern technology for the country,” he said.

The project is expected to start before the end of the year.

The first contract package of the Malolos-Clark railway line—covering the construction of about 17 km of elevated rail viaduct, seven bridges, and two railway stations—was awarded to the joint venture of Hyundai Engineering

& Construction Co. Ltd. and Dong-ah Geological Engineering Company Ltd. both based in Korea, and the Philippines’ Megawide Construction Corp.

“This project will be significant for Megawide as it will mark our foray into horizontal infrastructure. More than the commercial aspect, we have strong and extremely competent partners in Hyundai and Dong-ah, from whom we will be able to learn and leverage our learnings on as we pursue more projects in this space,” said Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra.

Spain’s Acciona Construction Philippines Inc. and Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. won the second contract package, covering the building and civil engineering works for about 16 km of viaducts and one railway station. The third contract package, for the building and civil engineering works for 12 km of viaducts and two railway stations, was awarded to Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited.

5,942.66

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,263,983,728 124,026 19,567,390,902.07 130 71 39

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.4440

Japan

Yen

0.009437

0.4572

UK

Pound

1.291500

62.5654

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.2508

Switzerland

Franc

1.090631

52.8345

Canada

Dollar

0.754091

36.5312

Singapore

Dollar

0.735781

35.6442

Australia

Dollar

0.713700

34.5745

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657242

128.7274

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

12.9153

Brunei

Dollar

0.733084

35.5135

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032010

1.5507

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1899

Euro

Euro

1.176800

57.0089

Korea

Won

0.000864

0.0419

China

Yuan

0.146737

7.1085

India

Rupee

0.013637

0.6606

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240674

11.6592

New Zealand

Dollar

0.657800

31.8665

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034888

1.6901 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF SMC eyes industrial complex in Quezon CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said Thursday it will build a state-of-the-art integrated agro-industrial complex in Sariaya, Quezon.

San Miguel said in a statement it would establish a modern integrated agro-industrial facility that would include a brewery, grains terminal and feedmill, a ready-to-eat food manufacturing plant, a fuel tank farm and port facilities.

San Miguel said that in cooperation with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, it expanded its livelihood skills and job training program in Sariaya, Quezon province to address unemployment and lack of opportunities due to the pandemic that has affected the country since March.

“We are fast-tracking the training and skills development of residents in areas where we are making big investments and building new facilities, because we want to them to come work for us. Apart from training those who want to get jobs, we’re also equipping other members of the communities with skills to build their own small businesses that can directly or indirectly support our workers,” San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said. Jenniffer B. Austria

PCCI supports revival of mining THE country’s largest business group on Thursday expressed its support for the revival of the mining sector to help in economic recovery.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Benedicto Yujuico said the government should have a good plan on the full reopening of the mining sector as what the Department of Finance announced Wednesday during the first day of the 2020 Philippine Business Conference.

“COVID-19 has made over 4.5 million Filipinos unemployed. The plan to revive the mining industry is very laudable essentially because the sincere desire of our government to create and provide jobs especially those in the rural areas,” Yujuico said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez on Wednesday called for the opening of the mining industry and announced the completion of the review of mining assets held by the government through the Privatization Management Office. Othel V. Campos

CASHLESS PAYMENTS. In compliance with the Department of Transportation’s Department Order 2020-12 on cashless and

contactless transactions in expressways, the House of Representatives through Majority Floor Leader Rep. Martin Romualdez (center), supported by Transport Committee Chairman Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, conduct RFID sticker installation in the HOR Complex. With Romualdez (center) are (from left) Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. managers Tonie Andulan and Leluck Reyes.

Net oil imports of PH plunged 49% to $2.8b in first half

By Alena Mae S. Flores NET oil imports of the Philippines plummeted 49 percent in the first six months to $2.837 billion from $5.568 billion in the same period last year on lower demand and prices, the Department of Energy said Thursday.

Data from the DOE showed that total crude and product imports reached 67.078 million barrels in the first half at a cost of $3 billion, down from 85.422 million barrels costing $5.98 billion a year earlier.

World oil prices based on the Mean of Platts Singapore, the benchmark used by oil refiners, plunged 45 percent for gasoline and 31.5 percent for diesel in April.

Petroleum export earnings reached 6.187 million barrels in the six-month pe-

riod worth $244.8 million, compared to 6.645 million barrels worth $414.7 million a year ago.

Net oil import reached 60.896 million barrels in the first half this year from 78.777 million barrels in the same period last year.

The DOE said first-half demand of petroleum products reached 10.794 billion liters, down by 22.8 percent from 13.978 billion liters last year.

“This can be translated to an average daily requirement of 59.3 million liters compared with last year’s level of 77.2 ML. The decrease is attributed to reduced economic activity due to lockdown and travel restrictions because of the pandemic,” the department said.

Diesel oil and gasoline demand de-

creased by 21.3 and 20.2 percent, respectively compared to 2019 figures.

Demand of avturbo dropped 40.8 percent, while demand for kerosene, fuel oil and LPG also went down by 29.3, 24.1 and 4.6 percent, respectively.

The country’s petroleum inventory as of end-June represented 21.8 days of supply, or equivalent to 974 million liters. Finished products reflected 39.3 days of supply. Total crude oil and finished products had 61.2 days of supply.

Refiners are required to have a minimum inventory of 30-day supply of crude oil and finished product while bulk oil suppliers and LPG importers without refining capacity are expected to maintain 15-day supply of finished products and 7 days of LPG.

Economists, market gurus to hold confab THE Global Filipino Investors Inc. is bringing together powerhouse economists and stock market gurus in one virtual conference to teach Filipinos how to invest as the country charts its path to be one of the leading emerging markets in the post-COVID era.TGFI chairman and Januarius Holdings Inc. chief executive JJ Atencio said the two-day conference scheduled next month would tackle the relevance of investing in bonds and stocks to the Philippine economy recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Filipinos should look beyond the challenges of the present situation and let the national leaders and health authorities worry about the global crisis.

TGFI president Floi Wycoco said the free TGFI Bonds and Stocks Online Conference 2020 will serve as a reminder that there are still people out there who are generous enough to help others.

“It also makes sense to conduct this event now while the PSEI is still in its correction phase, bonds can work as a way to protect the unrealized loss encountered during this phase so our goal is to let our attendees understand the purpose of being diversified especially in times such as the world is in today,” Wycoco said.

For details of the program, speakers, and to register for free just go to www.tgfiph.com/ bsoc.

9 companies relocate from China to PH—DTI

By Othel V. Campos

SM ONLINE STORE. SM Markets, the leading food retailer and the mother brand of SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore Market, is set to launch its online store on Oct. 9, 2020 to provide customers new convenient ways of shopping for groceries and other essentials in the new normal. SM Markets Online is available at SM Hypermarket Valenzuela, SM Supermarket Fairview, San Mateo, Marikina, and Masinag, SM Hypermarket Antipolo, SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket North Edsa, SM Supermarket Megamall A, SM Hypermarket Pasig and Mandaluyong, SM Supermarket Makati, Aura, San Lazaro, and Mall of Asia Annex, SM Hypermarket Mall of Asia, SM Supermarket Southmall, SM Hypermarket Bicutan, Muntinlupa, Sucat and SM Supermarket Bacoor.

NINE foreign companies have relocated from China and invested P3.2 billion worth of projects in the Philippines since 2019, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Thursday.

“There were [several] investments from the Netherlands, Taiwan, US and China. These are mostly manufacturing investments like factories for tennis balls, traveling bags and internet accessories like audio gears,” Lopez told participants of the 2020 Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

He said of the nine investment projects, six are Taiwanese manufacturing companies engaged in the production of luggage, power cords, marine accessories, internet accessories/parts and equipment, audio appliances and health products.

Others were a Dutch tennis ball manufacturer, a US electronics maker and a Chinese automotive bearing producer.

Lopez said the actual investments were among the 44 investment leads that the DTI pursued since 2019.

The DTI is following 14 investment leads with relocation and/or diversification plans for 2020.

A Chinese company producing LED lights and electronic toys is looking for a relocation site in the ASEAN, while five Japanese companies plan to expand overseas and look at the Philippines as a potential expansion site for their products that include imaging equipment/printers, wiring harness, electronic parts/components and motorcycle assembly parts.

Five Taiwanese firms which produce electronics parts/components, optical devices, tool bags, original design manufacturer of consumer electronics, imaging equipment and power supply products are also considering the Philippines for their expansion, according to the department.

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK Manila Manila

Standard Standard

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TODAY TODAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market rallies; ABS-CBN, Jollibee climb PSEi October 8, 2020

TOP GAINERS

T

HE stock market surged Thursday to snap a three-day slump, tracking a Wall Street rally with investors increasingly confident Joe Biden and the Democratic Party will win the presidency and both houses of Congress, paving the way for a huge new stimulus.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 74.78 points, or 1.3 percent, to 5,942.66 on a hefty value turnover of P19.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 130 to 71, with 39 issues unchanged.

ABS-CBN Corp. rose 11.1 percent to P15, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, added 3.6 percent to P142.70.

Now Corp. of the Velarde family, the fourth major telecommunications firm, advanced 6.9 percent to P4.52, while

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, climbed 3.6 percent to P4.04.

The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Thursday. Donald Trump’s decision to break off talks for a second rescue package gave global traders a massive jolt this week, but his call soon after for targeted help—including $1,200 handouts for Americans and help for small businesses—lifted hopes for some sort

of deal.

But analysts said that while the end of the talks came as a blow, there are broad expectations that a new spending bill will be passed at some point as the economic recovery stutters and the coronavirus sees fresh spikes around the world.

“The market realizes that whoever wins, more than likely Biden now, there is going to be significant stimulus and additional infrastructure spending,” Andy Brenner, head of international fixed income at National Alliance, said in a note.

And the odds on a Biden win are shortening, with opinion polls putting him well ahead nationally and enjoying leads in battleground states such as Florida, where polling website

TOP LOSERS

Samsung sees 60% increase in operating profit

MOST ACTIVE

FINAL FLIGHT. A British Airways Boeing 747 aircraft makes a flypast over London Heathrow airport on it’s final flight, in London on October 8, 2020. British Airways’ last two Heathrow-based Boeing 747 planes have departed from the airport on their final flight. The retirement of the airline’s fleet of 747-400 has been brought forward due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

Tuna value worldwide decreasing, industry must plan ahead—new report group, told AFP. Unless governments that PARIS, France—Tuna is holding steady as a $40 bil- regulate the industry through lion-a-year business, but commercial fisheries world- regional management bodies wide are hauling in bigger catches of dwindling value, adopt long-term strategies, threatening the long-term survival of some species, ac- everything from supermarket tuna to $100-a-portion sashicording to a new report.

“Fisheries caught 500,000 more metric tons in 2018 mi could wind up in short than in 2012, but were paid $500 million less in dock supply, the report warned.

Crashing populations of value,” study co-author Grantly Galland, an officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ international fisheries skipjack, bigeye, yellowfin and bluefin would also jeopardize livelihoods and disrupt Manila Manila Standard ecosystems TODAY in which the top-level predators PRIME PRIME MEDIA MEDIA HOLDINGS, HOLDINGS, INC. INC. play a critical role.

NOTICE NOTICE OF OF ANNUAL ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING MEETING Only a To To All All Stockholders: Stockholders: long-term, science-based approach, the report suggests, can keep revenue Please Please be be advised advised that that the the annual annual meeting meeting of of stockholders stockholders of of high without depleting stocks past the PRIME PRIME MEDIA MEDIA HOLDINGS, HOLDINGS, INC. INC. (the (the “Corporation”) “Corporation”) will will be be held held threshold of sustainability. virtually virtually on on 30 30 October October 2020 2020 (Friday) (Friday) at at 2:00 2:00 p.m. p.m. Due Due to to Covid-19, Covid-19, there there will will be be no no physical physical venue venue for for the the meeting. meeting. The The meeting meeting will will be be The new assessment pulls together

By Marlowe Hood

held held virtually virtually via via remote remote communication communication at at (https://agm.conveneagm. (https://agm.conveneagm. org/primemedia), org/primemedia), with with the the Chairman Chairman of of the the meeting meeting presiding presiding from from Makati Makati City.

City.

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Call Call to to Order Order Proof Proof of of Notice Notice and and Certification Certification of of Quorum Quorum Approval Approval of of Minutes Minutes of of Previous Previous Stockholders’ Stockholders’ Meeting Meeting Approval Approval of of the the Management Management Report Report and and Audited Audited Financial Financial Statements Statements Ratification Ratification of of All All Acts Acts of of the the Board Board of of Directors Directors and and Management Management Election Election of of Directors Directors Appointment Appointment of of the the Independent Independent External External Auditor Auditor Other Other Matters Matters Adjournment Adjournment

For For purposes purposes of of the the meeting, meeting, stockholders stockholders of of record record as as of of September September 09, 09, 2020 2020 are are entitled entitled to to receive receive notice notice and and to to vote vote at at the the said said meeting. meeting. Stockholders Stockholders intending intending to to participate participate by by remote remote communication communication should should pre-register pre-register at at (https://agm.conveneagm.org/ (https://agm.conveneagm.org/ primemedia) primemedia) on on or or before before (October (October 20, 20, 2020).

2020). Please Please refer refer to to the the Requirements Requirements and and Procedure Procedure for for Participation Participation and and Voting Voting at at the the 2020 2020 Annual Annual Stockholders’ Stockholders’ Meeting Meeting (attached (attached to to the the Definitive Definitive Information Information Statement) Statement) for for detailed detailed information information on on participation participation by by remote remote communication communication and and voting voting in in absentia absentia (electronic (electronic voting) voting) or or by by proxy. proxy.

Pursuant Pursuant to to SEC’s SEC’s Notice Notice dated dated April April 20, 20, 2020, 2020, aa copy copy of of the the Notice Notice of of the the meeting, meeting, Definitive Definitive Information Information Statement, Statement, minutes minutes of of the the previous previous meeting meeting of of the the stockholders, stockholders, and and other other documents documents related related to to the the meeting meeting may may be be accessed accessed through through the the Company’s Company’s website website www. www. primemediaholdingsinc.com. primemediaholdingsinc.com.

For For any any question question about about the the conduct conduct of of the the virtual virtual meeting, meeting, you you may may refer refer to to the the Frequently Frequently Asked Asked Questions Questions in in the the Company’s Company’s website website www.primemediaholdingsinc.com www.primemediaholdingsinc.com or or email email mdc.prim@gmail.com. mdc.prim@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that the the Annual Annual Stockholders’ Stockholders’ Meeting Meeting of of Benguet Benguet Corporation Corporation will will be be held held on on Wednesday, Wednesday, November November 11, 11, 2020 2020 at at 33 o’clock o’clock p.m. p.m. at at the the Company’s Company’s Board Board Room, Room, 7th 7th Floor Floor Universal Universal Re Re Building.

Building. 106 106 Paseo Paseo de de Roxas, Roxas, 1226 1226 Makati Makati City, City, Philippines.

Philippines.

The The Company Company will will not not hold hold aa physical physical meeting, meeting, but but will will conduct conduct the the ASM ASM virtually virtually via via livestreaming livestreaming through through www.benguetcorp.com. www.benguetcorp.com.

The The agenda agenda of of the the meeting meeting provides, provides, among among others: others: 1.

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For For election election of of the the Board Board of of Directors; Directors; Approval Approval of of Minutes Minutes of of the the annual annual stockholders’ stockholders’ meeting meeting held held on on November November 7, 7, 2019; 2019; Approval Approval of of Management Management Report Report and and Audited Audited Financial Financial Statements Statements for for 2019; 2019; Approval Approval of of re-appointment re-appointment of of Sycip Sycip Gorres Gorres Velayo Velayo and and Company Company (SGV) (SGV) as as the the Company’s Company’s independent independent external external auditor; auditor; 5.

5. Ratification Ratification of of all all acts, acts, contracts, contracts, resolutions resolutions and and proceedings proceedings made made and and entered entered into into by by Management Management and/or and/or the the Board Board of of Directors Directors since since November November 5, 5, 2019 2019 until until the the date date of of the the 2020 2020 Annual Annual Stockholders’ Stockholders’ Meeting; Meeting; 6.

6. Such Such other other matters matters as as may may properly properly come come before before the the meeting meeting and and which which are are not not known known to to management management beforehand beforehand at at aa reasonable reasonable time, time, including including to to adjourn adjourn the the meeting meeting for for up up to to ninety ninety (90) (90) days days from from November November 11, 11, 2020 2020 ifif the the election election of of directors directors is is enjoined enjoined as as of of the the meeting meeting date. date.

Stockholders Stockholders intending intending to to participate participate in in the the meeting meeting via via remote remote communication communication and and exercise exercise their their right right to vote in absentia should first register and be authorized. Stockholders should notify the Company on to vote in absentia should first register and be authorized. Stockholders should notify the Company on or or before before November November 3, 3, 2020 2020 by by email email to to ASMregister@benguetcorp.com ASMregister@benguetcorp.com attaching attaching aa scanned scanned copy copy of a valid government-issued identification card (ID) for registration and verification purposes. Indirect of a valid government-issued identification card (ID) for registration and verification purposes. Indirect stockholders should include in their email their broker’s certification of shareholding. Stockholders who stockholders should include in their email their broker’s certification of shareholding. Stockholders who cannot cannot attend attend by by remote remote communication communication can can still still be be represented represented and and vote vote at at the the meeting meeting by by submitting submitting aa proxy. proxy. A A copy copy of of the the proxy proxy form form containing containing instruction instruction on on each each item item on on the the Agenda Agenda that that requires requires stockholders stockholders vote vote is is downloadable downloadable in in the the Company’s Company’s website website www.benguetcorp.com. www.benguetcorp.com.

The The Information Information Statement Statement (SEC (SEC Form Form 20-IS) 20-IS) with with the the Management Management Report Report and and other other pertinent pertinent documents, the Annual Report 2019 (SEC Form 17-A), and the 2020 Second Quarter Report (SEC documents, the Annual Report 2019 (SEC Form 17-A), and the 2020 Second Quarter Report (SEC Form 17Q) as filed with the SEC and PSE are available for downloading at the Company’s website Form 17Q) as filed with the SEC and PSE are available for downloading at the Company’s website www.benguetcorp.com and in the online system of PSE Edge Portal https://edge.pse.com.ph. www.benguetcorp.com and in the online system of PSE Edge Portal https://edge.pse.com.ph.

Makati Makati City, City, 88 October October 2020.

2020.

MAILA MAILA G. G. DE DE CASTRO CASTRO Corporate Corporate Secretary Secretary **

global data—total catch, along with value from dock to diner table—for the seven main species of tuna found in the world’s oceans.

Skipjack, a staple of supermarket tuna, accounted for 58 percent of all tuna landed in 2018 by weight, and 40 percent of value at the final point of sale.

The three million tons harvested that year was 20 percent more than in 2012.

But it ultimately only brought in only six percent more in sales.

Yellowfin—the second most important tuna species, both by total weight and revenue—saw a similar pattern, with a 15-percent increase in catch from 2012 to 2018, but only a two percent hike in earnings.

For Atlantic bluefin tuna—25 times more valuable by weight than skipjack, and especially prized by connoisseurs in Japan—the gap grew even larger, with catches increasing over that six-year period by 200 percent, but total revenue up only 22 percent. AFP

BENGUET BENGUET CORPORATION CORPORATION 77thth Flr. Flr. Universal–Re Universal–Re Building Building 106 106 Paseo Paseo de de Roxas, Roxas, 1226 1226 Makati Makati City City

The The Agenda Agenda of of the the meeting meeting is is as as follows: follows: 1.

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FiveThirtyEight says Trump is losing the crucial senior vote.

A Biden victory and Democrats taking the Senate and House is also being priced into markets, observers said, as traders grow increasingly optimistic for a bigger rescue plan than what was being discussed before talks were curtailed Tuesday.

The party had initially proposed a stimulus of more than $3 trillion before lowering it earlier this year.

All three major Wall Street indexes ended with gains of close to two percent.

Asia mostly followed suit. Tokyo rose one percent, while Sydney, Mumbai and Taipei added more than one percent, while Seoul, Bangkok and Jakarta were also up. With AFP

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

(MS-OCT. (MS-OCT. 88 && 9, 9, 2020) 2020)

By By authority authority of of the the Board Board of of Directors Directors (Sgd.) (Sgd.) HERMOGENE HERMOGENE H. H. REAL REAL Corporate Corporate Secretary Secretary (MS-OCT. (MS-OCT. 99 && 10, 10, 2020) 2020)

SEOUL—Samsung Electronics flagged a leap of nearly 60 percent in third-quarter operating profits Thursday, as its mobile and chip business were boosted by US sanctions against its Chinese rival Huawei.

The South Korean tech giant said in an earnings estimate that it expected operating profit to reach 12.3 trillion won ($10.6 billion) for July to September, up from 7.8 trillion won in the same period last year.

The prediction would represent the firm’s biggest operating profit of any quarter for two years and was also ahead of analyst forecasts.

Samsung Electronics is crucial to South Korea’s economic health. It is the flagship subsidiary of the giant Samsung group, by far the largest of the family-controlled conglomerates known as chaebols that dominate business in the world’s 12th-largest economy.

Its overall turnover is equivalent to a fifth of the country’s gross domestic product.

James Kang, senior analyst at Euromonitor International Korea, said Samsung’s rollout of its latest premium handset devices—the Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Z Fold 2—in August, coupled with strong sales of mid-range phones, led the firm’s third-quarter performance.

A Washington ban on foreign companies providing Huawei with US-origin technology, that came into effect on September 15—cutting off essential supplies of semiconductors and software needed for making smartphones and 5G equipment—also provided a boost.

Kang Min-soo, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, said US sanctions against Huawei were becoming “a big factor” affecting the global smartphone market.

“For Samsung, it will be a good opportunity to increaseYELLOW market share in Europe, CYAN MAGENTA BLACK where it has been competing with Huawei in various price bands,” he added.

The firm’s memory business also benefited from the feud after Huawei rushed to stock up on Samsung-made semiconductors before the US restrictions kicked in.AFP

Renewable firm overtakes Exxon NEW YORK—After decades of embracing fossil fuels, Wall Street appears to be shifting its allegiance to renewable energy, a sharp turn apparent in the contrasting fortunes of NextEra Energy and Exxon Mobil.

Florida-based NextEra, a big player in wind and solar energy, has overtaken the global oil giant as the most valuable US energy company by market value.

NextEra’s market capitalization has surged to $145 billion compared with ExxonMobil’s $142 billion, another emblem of the Texas giant’s diminished status after it was bumped this year from the prestigious Dow Jones index after more than 90 years.

The ascendance of NextEra and other renewable-oriented companies is not merely a passing trend, said Peter McNally, an energy expert at research firm Third Bridge.

“I’ve seen fads in alternative energy come and go over the last decade, and I’m sure that people would debate the multiple investors are paying for the earnings generated,” he said in an interview.

“They’re in the right place at the right time.”

Founded in 1925 in Florida where it continues to supply power to five million households, NextEra has invested in solar and wind energy since the 1990s.

Those investments are now paying off with technological leaps in renewable energy.

“Alternative power is now getting competitive with traditional forms of electricity, coal and natural gas fired generation,” McNally said.

“If some of those investments had been made 10 years ago, they would likely have had a different outcome, because the cost of generating power from wind and solar has gotten a lot cheaper.” AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

B3

Remembering the laughter of

Bert ‘Tawa’ Marcelo C

OMEDIAN Bert “Tawa” Marcelo did not live long enough to see the transformation of the company that makes his favorite beer. But son Gerard said that his dad would be proud and happy to learn of what San Miguel Corporation has become and that it has remembered to give back to his beloved Bulacan with a soon-to-bebuilt airport 25 years after his demise.

“He would have loved to meet Mr. Ramon Ang, the San Miguel visionary who led the diversification. He would have given him butong pakwan ni Mentong or a box of chicharon from Bulacan, his usual pasalubong to friends,” said the 47 yearold Gerard, one of the comedic legend’s four sons who have carved out their names in different businesses away from the spotlight of the entertainment world.

Gerard said his father’s closest association to SMC’s big boss Ramon S. Ang was the late chairman Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. “I remember, when Boss Danding wants to have a good laugh, he will call my father and tell him to deliver Boss Danding’s favorite joke.”

But his association with SMC was not confined to the higher-ups and not constrained by his role as brand ambassador, a title he proudly held since 1971 until his death in 1995. San Miguel Corporation and subsidiary San Miguel Brewery celebrated their anniversaries last Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, respectively.

“My father was close to San Miguel people from its truck drivers up to the chairman. He can relate to them. He talks to everyone since he is easy-going and has a friendly nature. His jokes were snappy and non- lethal,” he said.

“He lived that value of friendship over money. He would do San Miguel shows for a minimal fee like the Balikbanda shows and appear in their Baguio summer

Blooming in faith Former beauty queen and now entrepreneur and public servant Daisy Reyes with husband Barry Tobias pictured here in one of their trips to California.

By Robbie Pangilinan

With an airport to be built by San Miguel right at his home province, Bert “Tawa” Marcelo’s legacy as quintessential Bulakenyo with an enduring link to country’s iconic beer lives on.

shows yearly in the 80s. He did shows for San Miguel executives and friends for free.

He also lived the SMB value of ‘Iba ang may pinagsamahan,’ another San Miguel Beer tagline,” Gerard said.

Gerard said the gloom of the lockdown due to COVID-19 has led Filipinos to revisit his dad’s old SMC television commercials on Youtube and share these on Facebook. One of the favorite ones was featuring Bert demanding debt payment from Bruno, a karate practitioner, who sends his sparring partner sailing through the front door. A dazed Bert then invites him with his characteristic Bulakenyo lilt, “Mag beer muna tayo.”

Gerard agrees that a lot has changed since then and San Miguel has diversified in many industries. “But my father would be happy that Ramon Ang is investing heavily in the country to help our kababayans by providing employment and improving our country’s infrastructure. His big investments are helping the country’s economy,’ he said.

A different side of Hannah Precillas KAPUSO OST Princess Hannah Precillas showcases a different side of her via the latest musical offering under GMA Music entitled "Sabi Ko Na Nga Ba.” Composed by Jerry Olaguer, this upbeat and novelty song proves that Hannah can go beyond her typical ballad and “birit” genre. It narrates the sappy story of a person who can’t express his/ her romantic feelings to another.

“This song is telling us that whenever we have something that should be told, take the opportunity to tell that person when you still have the chance. Because one of the hardest things in life is not doing or saying what you really want at the moment and regret about it in the future where you don’t have any chance to go back and do what you should’ve done,” says Hannah.

The Kapuso artist also shares that she can somehow relate to the song since it speaks about so many aspects other than romance. It can also be a wake-up call among listeners to encourage them to share their true feelings.

Because his father values the bond and friendship with San Miguel and loves Bulacan dearly, particularly his hometown, Baliuag, Gerard said that the construction of the P734 billion Manila International Airport would definitely make him proud.

“Yes, definitely he will be happy and proud with the development. My father was a proud Bulakenyo. As Jose Guevarra also said, ‘He was one of the two men that the province of Bulacan can be truly proud of.

He placed Bulacan on the map. The other one is Blas Ople, the serious one,” he said.

The airport, set to start construction, will be a game-changer in the province as it can handle up to 100 million passengers per year, eyed to create about 30 million tourism-related jobs, and generate more than a million direct jobs for host province Bulacan and nearby provinces.

It will also be a timely shot in the arm for many Overseas Filipino Workers, who lost their jobs and had to return to the country in droves due to uncertain global economic conditions.

FORMER beauty queen, actress, public servant and businesswoman Daisy Reyes might be a late bloomer when it comes to marriage. The 44-year-old Pateros councilor married the love of her life, the one she said is given by the Lord to her, just last year.

Lawyer and basketball coach Barry Tobias and Daisy tied the knot on Feb. 27, 2019 at Antonio’s in Tagaytay City.

Daisy has bloomed and continues to bloom in public service and in the businesses she established. She has been a councilor of Pateros for two terms already and says she enjoys public service because she is able to share her talent and knowledge with her constituents, get to interact with people, and know what their needs are.

Her self-named salon and beauty soap are blossoming as well. The former Bb. Pilipinas-World started the Daisy Reyes Salon 14 years ago. As a beauty queen and actress, Daisy thinks that beauty is the business for her.

“I’m very hands-on at the salon. I get to teach beauty techniques that I learned while I was still in showbusiness and in my experience being a beauty queen,” said Daisy, who has done a string of movies including the critically acclaimed Cariño Brutal with Rosanna Roces, Palaban and Birador with Rudy Fernandez, Hinahanap-Hanap Kita with Aga Muhlach, Lisensyado with now senator Lito Lapid and Scorpio Nights 2 with

Albert Martinez.

She was last seen in ABS-CBN’s Ang Probinsyano but is now focused on taking care of her family and being hands-on with another business – their family house rental in Tagaytay and Baguio City.

Daisy is also into music. She was only 13 when she joined DZRH’s Fiesta Caravan, and recorded her self-titled album in 2002 under Dyna Records. She also formed a band called DAZE and performed in bars around the metro. Her second album was a pop-rock-alternative titled Ode To The Irony Of Love with five original compositions, three revivals, and two acoustic covers.

But, where Daisy has truly bloomed is in her faith. In fact, she says the achievement she is most proud of is being able to share the word of God. She is a member of Team Ministries International.

“What has kept me strong through the years is my faith in God. I never regretted anything that has happened to my life, because I believe it’s all part of God’s plan for my life. The struggles that I experienced made me stronger and most of all humbled me. All of these are part of what I have become now,” says Daisy.

Daisy holds in her heart the promise of God in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived want God has prepared for those who love him.”

Daisy just wants to continue what she’s doing now and prays to have more properties for rental in the future.

Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis film on WeTV and iflix

Hannah goes beyond her typical ballad numbers and drops the upbeat single “Sabi Ko Na Nga Ba.”

“Sabi Ko Na Nga Ba” is now available for download and streaming across Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other digital platforms worldwide.

THE Vice Ganda-Anne Curtis starrer The Mall, The Merrier delivers all the right punchlines with a hefty dose of good ol’ Pinoy humor. And you can stream it now on WeTV VIP and iflix VIP. Directed by Barry Gonzalez, based on a screenplay by Daisy Cayanan, the film follows the story of siblings Moira/Moises Molina (Vice Ganda) and Morissette "Setset" Molina (Anne Curtis) who get caught up in a bitter feud when they become the heirs of the family property, Tamol Mall. Turning up the ante is the arrival of Aunt Moody (Dimples Romana) who is set to stake her claim as well. Things start to get shady at the mall when mysterious events start to happen and the mannequins and toys come alive after dark. What ensues is a riotous comedy that will leave you ROTFL. The movie marks the first time the Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda are co-starring in a film together, apart from being co-hosts on a popular noontime show. Rounding out the cast are Elisse Joson, Jameson Blake, and Ruffa Gutierrez.

The Mall, The Merrier emerged as one of the big hits out of the Metro Manila Film Festival last year; the film earned over P746 million in the box office. It is a co-production between Star Cinema

A scene from the blockbuster holiday movie ‘The Mall, The Merrier.’

and Viva Films. All the mall scenes were shot in the iconic Harrison Plaza before it closed at the end of 2019. iflix is Asia’s leading streaming platform featuring the best in local, regional, and international content, which can be seen in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and

the Philippines. WeTV is home to Asian Premium content featuring the best shows from China and the rest of Asia. You can download both the iflix and WeTV app on the App Store and on Google Play.

Content featured may not be available in all WeTV and iflix regional territories.

Ultimate stan experience with Stray Kids

Stray Kids is a South Korean boy band formed by JYP Entertainment through the 2017 reality show of the same name.

GLOBE Kmmunity PH’s VLive channel continues to provide exclusive events, experiences, and content for Hallyu fans including the chance to show support and interact with their favorite idols.

Last Sept. 11, its new series called Kmmunity PH LIVE successfully kicked off with an entertaining virtual fan meet with the cast members of Running Man. It garnered more than 12 million hearts and 96,000 plays on VLive. And for those who missed it or just want to relive those fun moments with the cast, they can head onto Kmmunity PH’s VLive channel to watch it again.

Kmmunity PH LIVE promises to delight more fans especially the Filipino STAYs with its upcoming show featuring Lee Know, HyunJin, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N of South Korean boy band, Stray

Kids.

Watch them share the latest updates about the group and their projects, answer questions sent by fans, and play fun games and challenges, live on Oct. 17 exclusively on Kmmunity PH’s VLive Channel.

Together with the other members Bang Chan, Han, and Changbin, Stray Kids (a.k.a. “STAYs”) has garnered a big following of dedicated fans in the Philippines after their successful first concert at the Araneta Coliseum back in April 2019.

After appearing in JYP Entertainment’s reality show of the same name, Stray Kids officially debuted in 2018 with the release of their EP titled I Am Not along with the music video of its title track titled "District

9." They were supposed to be continuing their “District 9: Unlock” 2020 world tour this year, with a stop in Manila, but was postponed due to the global pandemic.

As producer-idols, the members are in charge of their discography starting from song production to songwriting. Through their lyrics, they talk about the struggles and challenges experienced by people everyday, whether it’s big or small. Their touching messages in the form of songs help their fans power through their own hurdles.

To know more about the Ultimate Stan Experience with Stray Kids and get exclusive perks like live interaction and screen capture time with the members visit Kmmunity PH Facebook group at http:// glbe.co/KmmunityPH.

Life

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

B4

TRAVEL & LEISURE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

WELCOME TO WELLNESS.

The Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay, a pioneer in the Philippine spa industry, offers holistic services designed to enhance and rejuvenate one’s body, mind, and spirit.

Time for pampering Guests enjoying their massage performed by internationally licensed and highly trained therapists.

A

FTER having been on various levels of quarantine for almost seven months, I’m sure that, just like me, all of you are now itching to go someplace to relax, have a nice massage and pamper yourself with the little luxuries that give sparkle to our existence.

With the expected easing down of the metro’s quarantine level soon, there is one destination, not too far away, which I am looking forward to visit. A pioneer in the Philippine spa industry, the Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay offers holistic activities designed personally by its founder, Cathy Turvill, to enhance and rejuvenate one’s body, mind, and spirit.

This popular facility has a distinctly Filipino-branded spa menu performed by a highly trained and internationally licensed set of therapists and staff. What makes this spa destination admirable is its practice of recruiting employees from the local community, which directly addresses wellness tourism’s core value of sustainability. It also embraces environmental protection, bannering its eco-friendly environment and its being a member of the elite Zero Carbon Resorts.

Another feature that makes the Nurture Wellness Village laudable is its preference for promoting Filipino products and culture. In fact, their highly popular specialty offering is Nilaib, a Filipino version of the hot stone massage, which uses steamed pouches of traditional Filipino herbs wrapped in banana leaves which, they guarantee, remove body aches and pains,

leaving customers rested and rejuvenated.

They also have a very interesting massage labeled, Lunas Ni Nanay, a tried-andtested way of combining vacuum techniques to promote balance and remove toxins from the body. Or, if one prefers a customized massage, they offer the Hilot Kagalingan, which uses banana leaves, special herbs and coconut oil to detect the source of one’s physical imbalance, bringing the body back to health.

Adding color to the Philippine setting is the Village’s use of abel, the hand-woven Ilocano fabric, for their linens, giving guests the feel of being in a relaxing Filipino home, far from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. Another interesting feature is the cluster of Ifugao spa suites which take inspiration from the worldfamous Banaue Rice Terraces. They are air-conditioned huts, with their own spa area, and are fully equipped with modern technological conveniences.

For those slugging it out daily in the corporate arena, Nurture Wellness Village offers the Work Well Program, a set of fun and interactive teambuilding sessions designed to increase employee productivity and company profitability. Adding a most welcome de-stressing component to the

I can hardly wait for those strong fingers to knead my tired and stressed muscles and bring me to the “kingdom of complete relaxation.” I’m now checking my schedule to see when I can take my long overdue holiday at Nurture Wellness Village.

YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He’s not breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his cellphone and calls 911, “I think my friend is dead!

What should I do?” The operator says, “Calm down. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.” There’s a silence, then a shot. Back on the phone, the guy says, “OK, now what?”

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

The wellness center offers Filipinobranded spa menu.

Almost There: An art show you must visit soon

Home organizer to the stars bares her secret

Issa Reyes shares the method she uses in organizing and decluttering spaces in her latest book.

usual corporate assemblies are the breezy meeting rooms overlooking serene, verdant coffee fields.

Of course, if you are looking for something to help you turn back the hands of time and make you look revitalized and refreshed as how you were decades ago, there is the Choices Rejuvenation Center.

It offers detoxification and health services as part of a highly effective and customized program overseen by a professional medical and wellness team.

And, to ensure your all-important wellbeing, the Gabriela’s Garden Restaurant has delectable Filipino comfort food created with a delightfully healthy twist.

I hear their salads are made of freshly picked items from their own organic garden which is also open for a tour for those who would like to bring home their supply of fresh vegetables.

EXHIBIT

ON THE SHELF

PROFESSIONAL organizer Issa Guico Reyes, known for her work in organizing the homes of Kathryn Bernardo, Neri Miranda, Rica Peralejo, and Cheska Kramer, bares her method in cleaning and decluttering spaces in Neat Obsessions, the latest bestseller published by ABSCBN Books.

The KonMari consultant-in-training penned her journey towards fulfilling a neat and organized home in a book that puts premium on the Pinoy way of life.

“While we can always refer to foreign books and manuals, it is always best if we have a reference that speaks the very same challenges that we have, and offers solutions that fit our background, culture, and lifestyle,” she said.

The proudly Filipino staff of Nurture Wellness Village.

‘Neat Obsessions,’ published by ABSCBN Books.

Neat Obsessions allows readers to establish a connection and find happiness in their own spaces—big or small—by encouraging them to develop a system to put everything in a proper place.

The author disclosed “The Homeward Technique,” her guide to organizing and achieving efficiency in homemaking done in three steps: sorting, detaching, rehoming.

“The goal is for you to reclaim your space, which was once lost in a sea of clutter, and find a semblance of order in a life lost to chaos and disarray,” shared Reyes.

The new book also tackles the importance of health and hygiene in cleaning, suggests ways to declutter spaces with the crafty use of materials like shelving racks and floating shelves, and features tips to counter challenges in letting go of stuff with sentimental value.

Since its launch early September, the book has been sold out and is now preparing for its second printing.

Neat Obsessions is available in National Book Store branches, www. nationalbookstore.com, and at the official NBS store on Lazada and Shopee for P350.

From left: Joey Lina, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, and Kristine S. Lim lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony for ‘Almost There’ art show at the Manila Hotel.

THERE’S a common phrase we always hear, “no pain, no gain.” This is always attributed to the sculpting of our bodies, pushing ourselves to the limit to reach our goals, or to simply reach the pivotal moment of honing ourselves. But there is one thing that most of us hardly achieve and that is to keep a steadfast faith.

This is something Kristine, the artist behind “Almost There” exhibit, wants to show everyone: that faith can paint and unfold countless blessings if you believe in Him. Arriving at the Manila Hotel on October 2 for the unveiling of her masterpieces, Kristine wore a plain black shirt with Swarovski crystals writing “Trust God” and “Pray” on the back. The shirt was designed by a renowned fashion designer and respected pastor, Amir Sali, who also led and officiated the Dedication of the paintings and the exhibit.

The event was successfully and safely done, thanks to the team of CypressArk. Above all, Kristine knew that the safety of the guests was imperative. As such, giving each and everyone involved a swab antigen test. Thankfully, everyone received a negative result.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was initiated by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, together with Joey Lina (president of the Manila Hotel), Jaime Jasper Lim (husband of the artist), and parents.

Kristine, who is managed by a group of Christian artists called Christian+Collective, thought no one would ever dare to visit nor appreciate her artwork. But the Lord said otherwise.

Days before the event, high-profile art collectors as well as elite members of the society called her attention and supported her cause by buying her paintings. One of which is Senator Miguel Zubiri, who fell in love with Kristine’s ver-

sion of the Philippine Eagle. Senator Zubiri thought that by supporting this cause it could help displaced workers and our dear frontliners.

The paintings were already sold out, yet she has more to show on October 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.

Proceeds from the paintings and the actual Aesca products (where the artworks will be translated and reproduced) will be used to support those on the frontlines of this battle and the displaced workers due to the pandemic through missions of JKL Foundation Inc. You may visit today until October 15 at the Manila Hotel and October 16 to 22 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.

Christian artist Kristine S. Lim showcases her paintings at an art exhibit for a cause.