Manila Standard - 2020 October 13 - Tuesday

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Rody: May the best man win Says he's done with House politics, all he cares about is the budget

By Vito Barcelo, Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta

"What the President surely said in Visayan is this: I'm done with politics. It's up you, whatever you want to do.

May the best man (win) for Speakership after the budget (is passed) in the House, please," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque quoted the President as saying.

Roque said the President is staying out of the power struggle after meeting with both congressmen in the Palace last week.

"The request of the President to our lawmakers who are gathering now is to set aside politics and pass the budget. Any talk of Speakership will delay the passage of the 2021 budget... Anything they do after the budget is the affair of the House of Representatives," he added. Next page

M

ALACANANG on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte maintained a hands-off policy in the feud between current House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco over the leadership of the House of Representatives, saying what matters is the passage of the 2021 national budget before the year ends.

The mace: Does Congress need it while in session?

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 221 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The official mace of the House of Representatives.

By Maricel V. Cruz

WHO IS IT? Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco (in green barong) takes his oath as House Speaker among his allies at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City on Monday. At the same time, incumbent House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano presides over a media briefing at the Batasan complex also in Quezon City. CNN Philippines and GMA News photos

Speaker row rages as special session opens ...but Cayetano counters with list of 200 backers

186 solons elect Velasco as new House Speaker

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja ALLIES of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco on Monday elected him speaker of the House of Representatives in a session branded "illegal" by the supporters of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

The Velasco camp held the election at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City, where 186 lawmakers, more than one half of the 299-

seat chamber, voted to elect Velasco as speaker of the 18th Congress. At least 152 votes are required to get a majority vote in the House.

The 186 congressmen held the session outside the Batasan Complex because the plenary hall was closed due to the suspension of the session until Nov. 16.

Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza moved to declare vacant the position of speaker, which was up to that time held by Cayetano.

Next page

By Maricel V Cruz A TOTAL of 200 congressmen have signed a manifesto showing their support for House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano amid a move to unseat him in favor of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

“Following the President’s call for the individual members of the House of Representatives to vote freely and without reservation on who we wish to lead this chamber, we the undersigned hereby manifest our full and

unequivocal support for the continued leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano,” the lawmakers said in the manifesto, a copy of which was released by Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.

The manifesto was released after Velasco, claiming Next page

Workers must get 13th month pay—Palace

By Vito Barcelo THE 13th month pay of workers is "mandatory" under the law, which has not yet been amended, Malacanang said Monday in response to the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE)

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM OCT. 12)

342,816 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

3,564 43,332 NEW

ACTIVE

6,332

11

293,152

150

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

proposal to defer giving workers the yearend additional salary due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic.

“The law has not been amended.

That is the law. That is a mandatory provision of the Labor Code,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in

an online briefing.

Roque said the DOLE would have to take into consideration the current law governing the 13th-month pay.

This developed as Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, House Ways and Means Next page

THE Philippines logged on Monday 3,564 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 after a week of reporting less than 3,000 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 342,816, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

Monday's tally of new confirmed cases, of which 90% occurred in the last two weeks, breaks the 7-day streak of less than 3,000 cases reported per day.

The DOH likewise announced 150 recoveries. This brings the total number of recoveries to 293,152. Of the 3,564 reported cases, 3,197 (90%) occurred

within the recent 14 days from September 29 to October 12, 2020.

There are 43,332 total active cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines. Of the figure, 83.9 percent are mild; 10.8 percent are asymptomatic; 1.7 percent are severe; and 3.6 percent are critical.

Ranked 18th in the world The DOH on Monday cited the Philippines’ high COVID-19 recovery rate, even as the country took the 18th spot with the most coronavirus infections worldwide.

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, during an online media forum, Next page

Next page

304 — Total seats in House of Representatives 299 — Total sitting/active congressmen 200 — Congressmen who signed 'manifesto' supporting Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano 186 — Congressmen who installed Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco as new Speaker 152 — Number of congressmen required for majority in House 87 — Overlap of total congressmen claiming support for Cayetano and Velasco against actual number of congressmen (386 minus 299)

China sets tests for whole city of 9m people

Fresh cases breach 3k mark again

By Willie Casas

THE mace that was used during the gathering of the supporters of Speaker-in-waiting Lord Allan Velasco on Monday was not the “official” symbol of authority of the House of Representatives, the Sergeant at Arms of the chamber said.

House Sergeant at Arms Ramon Apolinario, a retired police lieutenant general, said: "I am in custody of the official mace of the House of Representatives. That is not the official mace."

The camp of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Velasco’s meeting outside the House complex in Batasan Hills also in Quezon City used an unofficial mace.

Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, who supports Velasco, downplayed it and said: “That’s just a symbol of authority. We made our own mace.”

Photos of the Velasco group's gathering at the Celebrity Sports

HAPPY WITH HARDWARE.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the Larry O'Brien Trophy and the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award Trophy after winning Game Six of the NBA Finals on October 11 in Orlando, Florida.

(Story on C1) AFP

BEIJING—All nine million people in a major Chinese port city will be tested for Covid-19 following a tiny outbreak, health officials said Monday, as surging aninfection numbers in Europe force an other round of containment efforts.

The virus has been largely brought under control in China—where it first emerged last year—in stark contrast to many parts of the world still afflicted by rolling lockdowns and high case numbers.

JohnBritish Prime Minister Boris John son will on Monday announce a new coronathree-tiered alert system for corona Gervirus cases in England, while Ger man authorities shuttered Berlin unbars and clubs after 11pm un til the end of the month and France is believed to be mulling local lockdowns in major cities. Next page

A2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Recto blasts lack of fire trucks A Recto said the undelivered fire stations buildings that the Philippine International “are the tip of the iceberg” of the P3.27 Trading Corp. (PITC) has yet to deliver to billion worth of supplies, materials and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“To use firemen’s parlance, the delay has reached ‘general alarm,’” Recto said, noting that the "undermanned and under-equipped" BFP battled 18,612 fires last year, 12 percent more than in 2018.

“The next question is, why would an import corporation under the trade department be given taxpayer funds for a project which is infrastructure in nature? I am asking this because unfamiliarity with the work could be the reason for the delay. It is like asking Duque to build flyovers,” Recto said.

“But still, this policy question remains: Why would a DTI import trading corpo-

ration, chaired by the Trade secretary, be in the construction business?”

Recto said Congress should exercise continuous oversight of the “pasa-buy” business in government procurement, where agencies transfer funds to GOCCs, “to subcontract the procurement, only to face delays in delivery.”

He said PITC’s failures are detailed in the audited financials of the BFP for fiscal year 2019.

“This is unfair to the men and women of the fire bureau who respond to emergencies in minutes, yet have to wait for years for equipment they badly need,” Recto said.

taking sides—even though he and Velasco belong to the same party, the PDP-Laban, and even though he had brokered the term-sharing agreement last year.

Supporters of Velasco on Monday noon gathered at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City to oust Cayetano.

At least 186 lawmakers voted to declare the position of House speaker vacant, Velasco supporters said.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate finance committee, said House members should now focus on passing the national budget for next year.

Senator Christopher Go echoed this sentiment.

“My only appeal to my fellow legislators, given the health crisis we are still in now, is to set aside political and partisan differences as well as personal ambitions

in favor of national interests and the welfare of our people. Let us work together and pass the 2021 national budget on time,” Go said.

By January 1, Duterte's longtime aide said the approved budget, which is responsive to the needs of the country to fight the pandemic, should be ready.

Meanwhile, the Managers Association of the Philippines (MAP) raised concerns that the impasse in the House would lead to a reenacted budget, which would be bad for the economy.

“This unfortunate situation makes probable the repeat of the impasse between the Senate and the House that attended the 2019 budget,” MAP president Francis Lim said, adding that the reenacted budget then caused “massive damage” to the economy.

The MAP reminded legislators that it usually takes about a month for the budget to take effect after it is transmitted to the President for signature.

“We note with concern the observation of Rep. Stella Quimbo, a respected economist, that a re-enacted budget will exact a huge toll on the government’s coronavirus response and the economy. Needless to emphasize, this will cause further suffering to our people,” he added.

The MAP said the President’s decisive action could curb the people’s suffering.

“We call on our politicians to think of country first and subordinate their personal political interests to the public good.

Your duty as public servants demands no less and anything short is an extreme disservice to our people.”

etano was reluctant to honor the agreement and at one point even threatened to oust Velasco within two weeks of his assumption of the speakership.

Former Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, Reps. Michael John Duavit of Rizal, Salvador Leachon of Oriental Mindoro, Kristine Singsong-Meehon of Ilocos Sur, Kiko Benitez of Negros Occidental, Divina Grace Yu of Zamboanga Del Sur, John Reynald Tiangco of Navotas, Joey Salceda of Albay and Esmael Mangudadatu of Maguindanao nominated Velasco as speaker.

Deputy Speaker Conrado Estrella III of Abono Party-list group presided over the session, while Pampanga Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc served as majority leader.

The move to unseat Cayetano came after a manifesto of support to Velasco was circulated to the media late Sunday. At least 187 lawmakers signed the manifesto.

In their desire to unseat Cayetano, the lawmakers cited Section 13, Rule 3 of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and voted to declare the position of speaker vacant.

In his speech, Velasco did not hide his desire to assume the highest post in the House amid a pandemic.

"Why not? The true measure of leadership comes not when things are easy but especially when things are most difficult. Whether famine or feast, poverty or plenty, a leader will always rise to the challenge and respond to the call of service," he said.

"It has been a difficult journey to get to where we are. One fraught with many frustrations and complications.

But then, we are all here. And this is a testament to our indomitable spirit and our collective commitment to honoring our word," he added.

...but... he had 186 votes from other House members, was “sworn in” as speaker in a supposed session held at the Celebrity Sports Complex on Monday.

Velasco’s camp said the 186 votes constitute a majority in the 299-member House, but the Cayetano camp said the 200 signatures on the manifesto showed Cayetano had the majority.

If both sides were telling the truth, it is clear that some lawmakers signed both documents, since there are only 297 members of the House.

Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu on Monday denied to GMA News Online that he signed a manifesto in support of Cayetano remaining as House Speaker.

"I am categorically denying my signature. They do not have my permission for that signature," he said in a phone call to GMA News.

But Cayetano said Velasco’s takeover as speaker was “fake.”

In a press conference, he also said he was dismayed that the Velasco camp held the gathering on the eve of the special session called by the President to pass the 2021 national budget.

“Their purpose is to sow chaos. The last time i checked, the Celebrity Sports Club is not Congress. They are throwing the Constitution into the waste basket. What they did was fake session,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

“This is a very disturbing precedent. They said when there's quorum they can meet any day and anywhere and do whatever they want? If that's is valid, we are now seeing a banana republic,” he added.

Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzales

II, a Cayetano supporter, also said the Monday gathering held outside the Batasan Complex was an "illegal session."

Gonzales said the House suspended its session until Nov. 16, and there was no authority from plenary to reconvene.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte, a Cayetano ally, also denounced the move of his fellow legislators, saying it "totally disrupts" the special session set for the passage of the 2021 budget from Tuesday to Thursday.

"Let's approve the budget first. If anyone wants to invoke leadership change or any other matter, that should be secondary to the budget,” Villafuerte said in a statement.

"We would like to reiterate, we are all in one in passing the budget in a constitutionally sound manner. Whoever disrupts the budget delibrations are the ones disobeying the President,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the election of Velasco by a rump session was illegal.

"A speaker must be elected when the House is in session in open and public plenary proceedings," said Lagman.

“Although the precipitate suspension of the sessions starting in the afternoon of Oct. 6, 2020 up to Nov. 15, 2020 is questionable, the legitimacy of said suspension has not been challenged before the proper forum and there has been no official declaration of its nullity,” he said.

In signing the manifesto, the 200 lawmakers said they were declaring their “common desire to heed the call of President Rodrigo Duterte and the entire nation for the swift passage of the 2021 national budget.”

“We do not believe this is a sound course of action to take in terms of boosting economic activity," Salceda said.

"While the DOLE argues that this is permitted in the implementing rules and regulations of PD (Presidential Decree) 851, we believe this will be subject to legal and constitutional controversy, as the letter of the law appears not to intend to allow this leeway,” the lawmaker said.

Under PD No. 851, employers from the private sector are required to pay their rank-and-file employees a 13th

month pay not later than December 24 every year.

The 13th month pay is equivalent to one twelfth (1/12) of an employee’s basic annual salary.

The Palace said the mandatory 13th month pay should not be confused with the “Christmas bonus” commonly practiced by local business setting because that bonus is not a demandable and enforceable obligation, and can only be released upon an employer’s voluntary discretion.

In terms of both economic and le-

gal considerations, the DOLE proposal appears to be unsound, said Salceda, who also co-chairs the Economic Stimulus and Recovery Cluster-Defeat COVID-19 Committee.

He said the government can, however, exempt “distressed businesses from providing these benefits to management-level workers and executives.”

Considering that rank-and-file benefits are direct labor costs, Salceda said, their deductibility from taxable income should be on peso-per-peso basis.

still studying whether airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is possible.

Vergeire, during an online media briefing, said the DOH has issued Department Memorandum 2020-0429, which provides administrative and engineering measures to improve ventilation and air quality in enclosed areas.

The DOH said “open-air spaces should be prioritized” in choosing where to conduct activities.

More trial participants sought The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday expressed hope that the Philippines will be able to increase the number of participants for the WHO-sanctioned COVID-19 vaccine trial scheduled to begin later this month.

WHO Representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe, during the Laging Handa briefing, said the Philippines is currently looking at around 2,000 to 3,000 participants for the WHO Solidarity Trial.

China...

dao, with nine positive results.

In June large areas of the capital Beijing were subject to mass tests after the city of more than 20 million detected virus cases linked to a food market.

China has bounced back since the virus emerged, closing the country down and hammering the world's second largest economy.

Hundreds of millions travelled across the country for the "Golden Week" holiday last week as the country edges back to growth, while rapid tests and swift lockdowns have tamped down secondary waves of the virus.

The picture elsewhere in the world, however, is strikingly different as countries battle new waves and alarming spikes.

Three-tier system Britain's leader Johnson will unveil his tiered system on Monday, with northwestern Liverpool expected to be the only city placed in the top category.

AFP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T LEAST 242 towns have no fire stations or fire trucks, but a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-attached corporation—whose competence is to import goods—has not been able to complete even one of the 98 fire stations it was contracted to build for P892 million, said Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Monday.

Rody:...

From A1

Roque said the President used the Cebuano word “natagam” to express his regret over the leadership tussle at the House. He also said the President only wants the proposed P4.506-trillion budget to be passed on time.

Duterte had brokered a term-sharing agreement between Cayetano and Velasco, with the former taking the first 15 months of the 18th Congress and the latter taking the remaining 21 months.

But as the turnover date approached, Cayetano was reluctant to relinquish his position, while Velasco has pressed him to honor their agreement.

Roque added that the President was not

186...

From A1

Velasco, who took his oath as speaker after his election, called on Cayetano to accept the “peaceful transition” of power in the House.

"With this compelling proof that has installed me as speaker of the House, I would like to extend my hand to Speaker Cayetano and hope that he would be amenable to sit down with me as we comply with the term-sharing agreement for a peaceful transition for the benefit of our members and the country," Velasco said.

In his speech, Velasco thanked the President and called him a "man of his word."

Velasco urged Cayetano to "step down quietly" from the speakership so that the House under his leadership could tackle the 2021 budget on Tuesday.

"We would want to hold out parang a healing hand to former Speaker Cayetano. Let's stop all this. The majority of Congress has spoken," the Marinduque solon said.

"We are asking him to step down quietly, peacefully nang sa gayon ay maumpisahan na namin ang pagdinig sa 2021 budget tomorrow," he added.

Velasco's supporters said the election fulfilled the supposed “gentleman's agreement” between the Marinduque congressman and Cayetano that was brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2019. Under that agreement, Cayetano was supposed to serve as speaker until September this year while Velasco would hold the post in the remaining 21 months of the 18th Congress.

However, as September came, Cay-

Workers...

From A1

Committee chair, proposed that the government provide loans to COVID19-hit enterprises, at "highly favorable rates and long maturity periods," so they could pay their workers’ 13th month salaries.

Salceda’s proposal is contained in a three-page aide memoire sent Monday to House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

Fresh...

From A1

said the ranking is solely based on the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per country and other figures such as the deaths and recoveries are not yet considered.

The Philippines still has the highest number of COVID-19 cases across the Western Pacific Region, according to the World Health Organization.

Except for since Oct. 4 and Sept.

28, the Philippines has been logging less than 3,000 cases a day in the last 3 weeks.

Open-air venues favored The DOH on Monday advised the public to conduct activities in open-air spaces, install exhaust fans in comfort rooms and avoid using recirculated air option for vehicles to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.

This was even as health experts are

From A1

From A1

In the United States -- the world's worst-affected nation with 7.7 million infections and 214,000 deaths -- President Donald Trump controversially declared himself immune after his treatment at a Washington hospital last week.

Six cases of Covid-19 were confirmed on Sunday in Qingdao -- a northeastern port city of 9.4 million -prompting health officials to announce China's first mass testing in months.

Five districts will be tested "within three days" and the whole city "within five days", a statement from Qingdao's municipal health commission said, although it did not give a precise figure on how many people would be tested.

China has extensive, quick test capabilities and by noon Monday the health commission said more than 277,000 people had already been tested in Qing-

Bilibid still ’tense’ 2 days after big riot

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said the situation at the New Bilibid Prison remained "tense" as of Sunday, two days after violence erupted between two rival gangs.

"The situation was still tense as of yesterday. There were intel reports that one group was amassing to strike back at the rival group," Guevarra said, in a message to reporters.

"But the prison authorities, with the assistance of the police, have so far contained the violence," the Justice Secretary added.

Nine people died and seven were injured following a riot between members of the Sputnik and Commando gangs at one quadrant of NBP’s maximum security compound in the early hours of October 9.

According to Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag, the instigators of the deadly riot will face disciplinary action.

Guevarra admitted that he was still waiting for an update from the BuCor, which he has ordered to investigate what he described as a "tumultuous affray" between the two gangs.

Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco, who supervises corrections, said the National Bureau of Investigation has also stepped in to look into the incident.

’Brace for wet Yule season due to La Niña’

By Rio N. Araja BRACE for a wet Christmas season due to the potential impact of the La Niña phenomenon, the Philippine Atmospherical, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday.

In an interview over ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo, Analiza Solis, Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief, said the La Niña episode will reach its peak in November to December.

“This could possibly last until April next year,” she added.

Meanwhile, tropical depression “Nika” was estimated at 340 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/hr near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h while maintaining its strength.

It was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday and to make landfall over Hainan province, Southern China on Wednesday.

The mace:...

From A1

Plaza in Quezon City with their version of the House mace—the symbol of the authority of the chamber which should be present during sessions—were released to the media.

Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzalez II also said the "real" maces are currently in the possession of the House Sergeant-At-Arms.

However, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National President Domingo Cayosa said having the mace present was just part of the internal rules of the House.

“Under the rules, Congress ideally or traditionally conducts business in Batasan, but they can agree to conduct business anywhere by majority vote. This has happened in the past. It can be online. With 186 votes, they (Velasco group) can decide to change the rules,” he said.

True enough, the Velasco-allied lawmakers at the Plaza even elected new House officials with Mao Aplasca as the Sergeant-at-arms and Jocelia Bighani Sibin as Secretary-General.

The last time the mace issue cropped up was during the last session of the 17th Congress, when Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was elected Speaker, unseating Davao Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

House Secretary General Jose Luis Montales, on the other hand, said in a statement the four “historical maces” of the House of Representatives, as well as the one being used currently, are with the House Sergeant at Arms.

Both Apolinario and Montales are appointees of Speaker Cayetano.

House rules mandate that the mace, being the symbol of the chamber's authority, should be displayed at all official functions of the chamber and its absence will invalidate the particular function that took place in its absence.

It is traditionally placed at the foot of the Speaker's rostrum.

News Bulacan airport bill passes on final reading

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

4K cops sacked in PNP ‘cleansing’ M

ORE than 4,000 police officers were dismissed from the service as part of the intensified internal cleansing program of the Philippine National Police, the country’s top cop said on Monday.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta WITH 22 affirmative votes and no negative votes, senators approved a bill granting a 50-year franchise to a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp. to build an airport in Bulacan.

The Senate approved on third and final reading House Bill 7507 granting a franchise to San Miguel Aerocity Inc. to “construct, develop, establish, operate and maintain a domestic and international airport” in Bulakan, Bulacan.

The franchise will be effective for 50 years after the proposed law is passed. The term of the franchise includes the airport’s 10-year construction period.

The new airport, with a budget of for P735.6 billion for its development, is about three times larger than the capacity of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

After the franchise expires, the grantee should turn over the airport to the Department of Transportation.

After the construction period and during its franchise’s remaining term, it will be exempt only from income and property taxes until it has recouped its investments.

After this, it will be subject to all taxes.

The franchise bill also exempts San Miguel Aerocity Inc. from all direct and indirect taxes and fees during its construction period.

SC reshuffles members of 3 court divisions

By Rey E. Requejo THE assumption last week of Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario as the 15th member of the Supreme Court has paved the way for the reorganization of the membership of the high court’s three divisions.

Effective Oct. 19, the Court’s First Division will be composed of Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta as chairman with Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caquioa as working chairman, and Associate Justices Rosmari D. Carandang, Rodil V. Zalameda and Samuel H. Gaerlan as members.

The Second Division will be led by Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe with Associate Justices Alexander G. Gesmundo, Amy C. Lazaro Javier, Mario V. Lopez and Priscilla J. Baltazar Padilla as members.

Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen will head the Third Division with Associate Justices Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Edgardo L. Delos Santos and Rosario as members.

IN BRIEF ‘Writ of Kalayaan’ needed for jails

SUPREME Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen has urged his colleagues at the Supreme Court to consider implementing what he described as the “Writ of Kalayaan” to address the problem of jail congestion, violations of the rights of people deprived of liberty, and as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among PDLs. In his separate opinion on the high court’s decision on the petition filed by the 22 political prisoners that they be allowed to post bail or be released on recognizance, Leonen proposed that the high court provide a remedy called the Writ of Kalayaan, which is grounded on social justice for inmates.

Leonen made the suggestion after the 15-member bench ruled to treat the petition of the 22 political prisoners “as their application for bail or recognizance as well as their motion for other confinement arrangements.”

Rey E. Requejo

FIGHT FOR ‘13TH’. A protester holds up a placard denouncing a government plan to delay workers’ 13th month pay as various labor groups rallied in front of the Department of Labor and Employment in Intramuros, Manila on Monday. Isa Umali via DZBB on Twitter

Mining our way to recovery, says Surigao solon

By Maricel V. Cruz A LEADER of the House of Representatives on Monday welcomed the government’s policy makers’ decision to reconsider the government’s mining position as the economy continues to suffer as a result of the global pandemic.

In his earlier statements, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers invited the government to look at the looming scenario post-COVID where the economy will take a hard dive as the debts incurred to address the COVID problem will mount and payments will start to fall due and other sources of income are still suffering and have not fully recovered.

“I am elated to know that no less than

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez has finally adopted a positive outlook towards our mining industry. Having come from Surigao del Norte, the mining capital of the country, I know the potential that this industry can bring to our economy,” Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said.

“It is the only industry that does not need to incur loans that the people will eventually shoulder. It is the only industry that can put our economy back on its feet.

“Today, the price of gold is at its highest at around US$2,000 per ounce. We have plenty of gold, estimated at 16 to 18 million ounces.

In the coming years, it is projected that 50 percent of car sales will be on electric

cars. These cars need a lot of copper and nickel to run. We have all these minerals here, more than two billion tons of copper.

Imagine the returns if we are to start now.”

Barbers earlier said mining could contribute as much as 6-10 percent in the GDP. Currently, its contribution is 0.6 percent.

“Secretary Dominguez’ insight is timely as the industry will not only raise much needed revenues but provide jobs to people. This activity will multiply ten-fold and will surely revitalize and jump-start the economy. This is the much needed stimulus that is not based on loans.

We have these God-given resources now, there is no reason for our people to go hungry or for the economy to fail,” Barbers said.

“Of the total number of personnel found guilty of administrative offenses, 4,591 were summarily dismissed from the service for serious infractions, while 7,888 were meted suspension terms and 846 cops were demoted,” PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan told reporters.

Meanwhile, Cascolan said Some 2,000 police officers nationwide would be reassigned to their new assignments within the week as part of the PNP’ localization program in the deployment of personnel.

He said this mass movement of personnel initially covers inter-regional reassignment of personnel to their hometowns and places of permanent residence to give them a strong sense of ownership of their locality and in the process induce better performance.

Cascolan said the dismissed policemen were punished for their involvement in criminal activities including illegal drugs, grave misconduct, serious neglect of duty, serious irregularity, fund misuse, dishonesty and graft and corruption.

He said 608 erring personnel were penalized with forfeiture of salary, 119 were restricted to quarters and the privileges of 205 others were withheld.

Among those dismissed from the service, 549 were for drug-related cases comprising 410 who tested positive for drug use and 139 for involvement in illegal drug activities, Cascolan said.

“The PNP Internal Cleansing Program doesn’t stop there, rather it will continue to be implemented with greater zeal and commitment in the best interest of transparency and accountability in public service,” he said.

He said he would not tolerate illegal and immoral activities of police officers.

“We will not tolerate any wrongdoings of our people. As what I’ve said, if you do not have a valid reason, we will have to arrest you, file cases against you, put you in jail,” Cascolan said.

He made his remarks after Custodial

Glass, steel, cement firms push local product priority PIONEER Float Glass Manufacturing Inc. (PFGMI), Puyat Steel Corporation (PSC), and Sonic Steel Industries Inc. (SSII) have joined the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) and Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) in expressing full support of the government’s prioritization of local products and construction materials for infrastructure and public works projects, as provided for in the recently signed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2.

Since the beginning of the crisis, CeMAP and PISI, whose members include PSC and SSII, and PFGMI have stood in solidarity with government leaders and key industry stakeholders in striking a delicate balance between navigating the health crisis and keeping the economy afloat.

Through this partnering effort and unwavering commitment, many Filipino jobs were preserved and this placed the country on the road to economic recovery, the groups said.

With the use of local building materials, such as cement, steel, and glass for the ongoing Build Build Build program, these industries can fully help support the nation’s economic recovery by continuing to generate employment, contributing to the national income through taxes, and ensuring that the multiplier effect of supporting local businesses is fully taken advantage of, they added.

“The Philippine building materials industries, especially the cement industry, is confident and ready to ensure that our Philippine infrastructure projects will have adequate materials supply from companies that are proud to be manufacturing locally,” said CeMAP Executive Director Cirilo Pestaño.

FLASH FLOOD. A creek along Capitol Hills Drive, in Diliman, Quezon City overflows due to rains that poured on Metro Manila from Tropical Depression Nina on Monday. CNN Philippines via Twitter

‘Grant furlough for baby River’s wake’

By Willie Casas

4 ASG members fall in Zamboanga AUTHORITIES nabbed four members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group in separate operations in Zamboanga City, Philippine National Police Chief Camilo Cascolan said Monday.

He said Kadija Sadji, 31; Abdulman Sarapuddin Tula alias Mahn, 32; and Jailani Al-Rafee Sakandal, 31, were arrested in the first operation by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms and explosives along Love Drive, Kampo Islam, Barangay Lower Calarian on Oct. 9.

Confiscated from them were two hand grenades, a .45-caliber pistol, several rounds of 5.56mm rifle ammunition and a black ISIS flag.

The operations were conducted by the Police Regional Office-9, Regional Intelligence Group, Special Action Force, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

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TELECOM POLES. A group of construction workers together lift a steel pole to be used for a telecommunications site at Barangay Bacon, General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite on Monday. President Duterte has ordered telecom companies to speed up their internet services for the benefit of students taking online classes during the pandemic. JR Josue

A LAWYERS’ group has asked a court to grant furlough to detained mother Reina Mae Nasino after her threemonth-old child River died following their separation.

The baby died before 9 p.m. Friday night, hours after the National Union of Peoples Lawyers asked a Manila Regional Trial Court to allow the mother to see her child.

NUPL-Metro Manila secretary general Kath Panguban says they are studying their next legal move but will prioritize Nasino’s request for furlough to visit the wake of her child.

“Sa ngayon inuuna po namin na mapayagan si Ina makadalaw, masilip man lang niya for the last time para makapagpaaalam siya nang maayos sa kaniyang baby,” she told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

The NUPL was supposed to file a petition before the Court of Appeals Monday questioning the local court’s denial to allow the mother and child to be together as jail facilities must provide lactation areas under the law, Panguban said.

River was born with a low birthweight at 5.5 pounds, requiring her to be breastfed every two hours, she added.

On Oct. 9, her pediatrician gave the baby only a few hours to live based on the court filing.

“The laws, both international and local, recognize the right of an inmate to breastfeed her child and her child also has a right to her breastmilk,” Kath said.

“It recognizes the need for a baby to stay inside a facility especially when her health requires her to stay with her mother to ensure a steady supply of breastmilk.”

LGUs

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

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

In SOCA, Joy pays tribute to frontliners

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte paid tribute Monday to the sacrifices and perseverance of the city’s frontliners and other workers amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We’ve witnessed incredible heroism from our workers. They resolutely fulfilled their duties even in the face of mortal danger,” she said during her State-of-the-City Address, the 44th regular session of the city council.

She referred to their sacrifices she described as not in vain as they helped the city improve from no. 3 in the National Capital Region in terms of COVID-19 cases per capita to No. 15 out of 17 local governments in Metro Mania.

As of Oct. 10, the city’s recovery rate was at 85 percent while positivity rate was down to nine percent from almost 20 percent.

While fighting COVID-19, she said the city government also took the necessary steps to address the needs of its citizens amid the pandemic.

To arm itself with enough resources to fight the pandemic and to provide for the needs of its citizens, the city government passed five supplemental budgets and reprogrammed funding worth over P12 billion, she said.

The lion’s share of the fund was utilized to provide financial assistance to residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pampanga earns P289m from quarries FIVE months after the full lockdown due to coronavirus, the provincial government of Pampanga reported that P289 million in revenue from quarries had been collected from May to September this year, a record high in post-COVID season, according to a statement released by the Provincial Information Office.

In March this year, sand haulers from different places in Central Luzon were forced to stop for more than three months due to quarantine lockdown.

Joel Mapiles, head of the province information office, said quarry industry in Pampanga was back on track after a momentary lull brought about by lockdown and forced stoppage of earth haulers.

“Capitol made no income from March 20 to May 17 when haulers of the non-metallic minerals suspended operations after Pampanga was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified ECQ since March,” said Mapiles in a statement.

He said the five-month revenues brought to P730 million the total quarry collections under Governor Dennis Pineda from July 2019 to September 2020.

“The highest collection of tax and fees related to the hauling of Mt. Pinatubo’s sand and gravel was recorded in September at P68.402 million, said lawyer Charlie Chua, the provincial administrator, citing data from the quarry regulatory unit KALAM headed by former Bacolor Mayor Buddy Dungca. Jess Malabanan

‘ENCHANTED’ READY. Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas (right) inspects the Enchanted Kingdom (EK) to see the theme park’s readiness for the ‘new normal’ and ensure that safety and health protocols are in place when park opens. During the inspection, EK CEO Mario Mamon (left) showcased the park’s social distancing and disinfection protocols from the entrance to the rides. Enchanted Kingdom is the top tourist destination in the City of Santa Rosa, and the first and only theme park in the country. Roy Tomandao

Isko shows off new Manila city library

By Willie Casas

L

IBRARIES operated by the Manila City government will get a fair share of attention and funding to promote the importance of reading and continuous learning among the youngsters and to provide the elderly a place to spend their time away.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said this as he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan led the inauguration of the newly-rehabilitated Manila City Library on Taft Avenue They were joined by Vicente Catabijan, president of the St. Mary’s Publishing Corporation and head of the Manila City Library Mylene Villanueva.

In his speech, Domagoso thanked the staff of the city library for keeping

the library clean and conducive for learning and Catabijan for donating about P1 million worth of books and reading materials.

Villanueva lauded the tandem of Domagoso and Lacuna-Pangan for providing the city library with all its needs in keeping with the times so that aside from physical reading materials, the library was now equipped with computers, laptops and wifi con-

nection to aid the students who visit the library.

According to Villanueva, the support being given by Domagoso and Lacuna-Pangan to the library went a long way for them to fulfill their functions well.

Lacuna-Pangan said that libraries should not be treated as mere storage of books but a venue where one could change his quality of life through continued learning and information research.

For his part, Domagoso said that while most people consider Google as their new library, there was a need to continue reviving libraries and to encourage the youth to visit them, adding in the case of the elderly, reading would help sharpen their memory.

3,000 tablets for Angeles teachers set ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. has given assurances the local government unit will provide nearly 3,000 tablets to public school teachers in the city.

The city government initially planned on distributing 55,000 tablets to Grades 4 to 12 students in 53 public schools only.

But recognizing the crucial role educators play to make ‘virtual learning’ a success, Lazatin decided to give tablets to public school teachers as well.

The city government is distributing a total 58,000 computer tablets.

The city government has begun its distribution of the initial 2,017 tablets to five public schools in the city that included Cutud Elementary School (359 tablets), Epza Resttlement Elementary School (859 tablets), Marisol Bliss Elementary School (493 tablets), Pulung Cacutud Elementary School (259 tablets), and Leoncia Elementary School (91 tablets).

The city mayor urged other parents and students to be patient in waiting for the delivery of their tablets.

The city government is also finalizing the agreement with local internet providers to meet their objective of providing free and fast internet for both teachers and students and the entire city residents in general. Butch Gunio

IN BRIEF Quarantine facility for seafarers set EDC-DOH PACT. Lopez-led Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has partnered with the Department of Health–Center for Health and

Development (DOH–CHD) in Bicol Region to help expand their COVID-19 testing capabilities. EDC donated P4.2 million to fund the expansion and refurbishment of the health center’s building and COVID-19 testing laboratory, one of only two in the Bicol region accredited by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The partnership was formalized with a virtual signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement and Deed of Donation (pictured) between DOH-CHD Bicol led by Dr. Ernie D. Vera, Assistant Regional Director Ferchito Avelino, Chief of the Management Support Division Norberto Balane Jr., and Cluster Head for Infectious and Communicable Disease Dr. Jannish Alcala Arellano; and EDC led by Senior Vice President and OIC of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance Group Engr. Liberato S. Virata, Assistant Vice President and Corporate Support Functions Head Regina Victoria J. Pascua, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public Relations Head Atty. Allan V. Barcena, Bacon–Manito (BacMan) Geothermal Facility Head Engr. Marcel Rosario; and BacMan CSR Head Eduardo Jimenez.

2 mining firms bolster DENR reforestation program BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Two mining firms here recently gave their support to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’(DENR) reforestation program.

DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan led the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the FCF

MInerals Corporation and OceanaGold Philippines, Inc.(OGPI) in support of the agency’s National Greening Program.

FCF Minerals was represented by Leopoldo Castro Jr. while OGPI was represented by Jayson Magdaong in the MOA signing, witnessed by Nueva Vizcaya PENR officer Edgar Martin, Quirino PENR of-

ficer Mariam Frances Malana and regional NGP coordinator Edmund Malupeng.

Bambalan said the three-year tree replacement program which will start in 2021 was part of the mining companies’ compliance with the terms and conditions of the tree cutting permit issued by the DENR. Ben Moses Ebreo

SM Foundation brings Davao de Oro scholars closer to dreams

SCHOLARS ALL. (Pictured from left) SM scholar Edmon Laguna with his mom, Daisy

Mae Puno (right) with her mom (middle) and sister (left), and Daisy Mae Puno during their graduation pictorial last March 2020 before their place was place on lockdown.

DURING a “kumustahan” (how are you) session, new SM scholars Edmon Laguna from Leyte and Daisy Mae Puno from Davao de Oro related how determined they were to finish their studies with the help of the SM College Scholarship program.

Having witnessed the hardships of their families, both Laguna and Puno seconded Tatang Henry Sy’s belief that education was the greatest equalizer that would enable them to help their families bail out of poverty.

Laguna comes from a family of farmers and is now taking BS Accountancy at the St. Paul School of Professional Studies in Palo, Leyte.

He learned about the SM scholar-

ship through an online advertisement on a government site. “I grabbed the opportunity since one of the scholarship’s priority courses is Accountancy.

I applied in December and got notified after a week or so saying that I passed the initial screening. I took the exam, participated in the interview, and then the rest was history,” Laguna shared.

“There were days that we were not able to eat three times a day because our family income goes to animal feeds and crop equipment for the farm. Aside from helping my father tend our farm, there was also a time when I need to save my allowance in order to augment our agriinputs. I have no choice since farming is our bread and butter” he recalled.

ORION, Bataan—A quarantine facility that will serve as staging area for seafarers in Central Luzon and Metro Manila was established at Port Capinpin here to cater for returning sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers as among measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The facility, according to Philippine Port of Authority Port Manager Allan Rojo, was commissioned to address the government commitment to safe and prompt services of sea going vessels.

“This is part part of the government effort to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. The facility was made with utmost regard to the safety of our Filipino seafarers in mind and complements the one-stop shop of Port Capinpin, which aims to create a green lane for the safe, swift, and convenient disembarkation of our fellow Filipino seafarers,” said Rojo. Jess Malabanan

Lazatin orders P10k released for victims ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. immediately ordered the release of P10,000 each to the fire victims in Barangay San Nicolas here.

Lazatin, who nspected the gutted area, instructed the local finance committee to immediately process the financial assistance for the 30 families and business owners affected by the fire last Saturday.

The fund for the assistance will be taken from the Office of the City Mayor’s regular budget.

He has also sent the medical team from Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to check on the victims. Butch Gunio

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World

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HK chief postpones ‘policy’speech on Beijing’s order HONG Kong’s leader on Monday announced she had postponed a policy speech after being ordered to travel to mainland China for meetings with central government officials.

Chief executive Carrie Lam had been due to make a key annual address on Wednesday outlining her administration’s plans for the politically restless city.

But the speech clashed with a sudden announcement that Chinese President Xi Jinping would make a visit that day to the neighboring mainland city of Shenzhen.

Lam said she would also travel to Shenzhen, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a special economic trade zone, ahead of a visit to Beijing later in the month.

Her speech, she added, would now be delivered in late November.

“The best way forward is for the chief executive to go to Beijing and personally explain why these measures are important for Hong Kong,” Lam said of the speech.

Hong Kong is ruled under a “One Country, Two Systems” model that allows it to retain a degree of autonomy and some freedoms that are denied to citizens on the authoritarian mainland.

But last year’s huge and often violent pro-democracy protests prompted Beijing to ramp up control over a city it now sees as a national security threat.

In June it imposed a sweeping new security law on the restless hub which criminalized a range of political offences.

It also allowed mainland security agents to operate openly in the city for the first time, as well as grant Beijing jurisdiction over especially serious cases.

The Chinese government has thrown its full support behind Lam, a pro-Beijing appointee, despite her dismal approval ratings.

Millions hit the streets last year for seven straight months of protests calling for greater freedoms and police accountability.

Both Beijing and Lam have rejected those demands and dismissed the unrest as part of a foreign plot.

Businesses in the city would have watched Lam’s speech this week closely.

The national security law and deteriorating USChina relations NOTICE have raised NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of TAKAYUKI doubts over NISHIMURA, who died intestate in Pasig City on Hong Kong’s June 07, 2020, consisting of future as a reCash Deposit in Philippine National Bank (PNB) - Pasiggional trading Tiendesitas Branch in the amount of P710,975.86, is powerhouse, the subject of an Affidavit of Self-Adjudication made with the city by deceased Nishimura’s mired in a respouse, namely Donah Rose Nishimura, per Doc No. 406, cession even Page No. 83, Book No. 16, Series of 2020, of the Notarial before the coroRegistry of Atty. Ronald C. Sandoval, Notary Public for navirus outand in the City of Makati. break. AFP (MS-SEPT. 29/OCT. 6/13, 2020)

New clashes erupt in Karabakh

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RMENIAN and Azerbaijani forces were engaged in new clashes overnight and Monday morning, AFP correspondents said, as the two sides accused each other of violating a Russian-brokered ceasefire over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

An AFP correspondent in the Azerbaijani town of Barda not far from the front line heard thumping echoes of shelling Monday morning.

In Karabakh’s main city of Stepanakert, an AFP photographer heard the sounds of

shelling from the direction of the town of Hadrut.

The worst fighting in almost three decades erupted last month over NagornoKarabakh, a breakaway region of Azerbaijan controlled by Armenians since a

1990s war but which is not recognised by any state.

The Azerbaijani defense ministry accused Armenian forces of not complying with a ceasefire agreement negotiated in marathon talks in Moscow last week overseen by Russia.

“Armenian armed forces, which did not comply with the humanitarian truce, repeatedly tried to attack the positions of the Azerbaijan army,” the ministry said.

It said it had destroyed a “large number of enemy forces” as well as one T-72 tank

and three Grad multiple rocket launchers.

Armenian defense ministry spokeswoman Shushan Stepanyan said for her part that Azerbaijan was “now intensively shelling the southern front”.

Armenia claimed that “the adversary suffered great losses of manpower and military equipment” but did not provide further details.

After 11 hours of talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Moscow, the arch enemies agreed early Saturday to a humanitarian ceasefire. But the truce has not held. AFP

People stand behind caution tape as rescuers search for victims or survivors at the blast site hit by a rocket during the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in the city of Ganja, Azerbaijan, on October 11, 2020. AFP

Germany seeks EU sanctions vs. Belarus leader UK police arrest GERMANY’S foreign minister on Monday called for EU sanctions on Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, saying renewed violence against protesters in Minsk could not be ignored.

TheNOTICE EU NOTICE has already imposed travel is hereby given that the asset estate freezes of TAKAYUKI bans and on 40 Lukashenko NISHIMURA, who died allies intestate it holdsin responsible Pasig City on for rigging an June 07, 2020, consisting of election August that returned him to CashinDeposit in Philippine Bank (PNB) - PasigpowerNational and for a brutal crackdown on mass Tiendesitas Branch in the amount P710,975.86, protests that ofhave rockedisthe country since the subject of an Affidavit the vote. of Self-Adjudication made deceased Nishimura’s Butby it had so far held back from hitting spouse, namely Donah Rose Nishimura, per Doc No. hoping 406, Lukashenko himself, to persuade Page No. 83, Book No. 16, of 2020, the Notarial with opposition him toSeries engage inofdialogue of Atty. Ronald C. forcesRegistry to resolve crisis.

Sandoval, Notarythe Public for and in the City of Makati.

On Sunday, Belarus police used water (MS-SEPT. 29/OCT. 6/13, 2020)

cannon and stun grenades to break up a protest in Minsk.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, arriving for talks with his 26 EU counterparts in Luxembourg, said it was time to expand the sanctions list to include the strongman leader.

“The violence continues, perpetrated by the Lukashenko regime -- there are still arrests of peaceful demonstrators, so we have to consider how to proceed,” said Maas, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

“I have suggested that we establish a new package of sanctions. And Lukashenko should be among the people who will then be sanctioned.”

The EU has rejected the results of the August 9 election, saying it did not regard Lukashenko as the legitimate president.

Novichok plot Any new round of sanctions will need the backing of all 27 EU countries and it is not clear at this stage whether unanimity will be found.

The ministers will also discuss a joint French-German proposal for sanctions over the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

Germany and France last week accused Moscow of responsibility for poisoning Navalny with the Soviet-developed Novichok nerve agent, saying “no credible explanation has been provided by Russia”. AFP

US ELECTIONS. Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to the press at the Erie International Airport in Erie, Pennsylvania before returning to Delaware on October 10, 2020. AFP

31 suspected online ‘pedos’

POLICE in Britain said Monday they had arrested 31 suspected online child abusers and seized more than 300 phones, laptops and other items during a recent week-long operation.

Officers from a unit dedicated to tackling online child sexual abuse and exploitation, which now features around 200 specialist officers, executed 91 search warrants during the operation across the British capital.

The raids took place between September 28 and October 3, with 100 children “protected” as a result, London’s Metropolitan Police said.

The force added it is now examining tens of thousands of child abuse and exploitation images on phones, tablets, and laptops as part of their investigations.

Detective Superintendent Helen Flanagan, of the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team said the operation was an example of the force’s commitment to policing the problem.

“We are committed to keeping young people safe, and bringing perpetrators of grooming and other child abuse and exploitation offences to justice,” she said in a statement.

“I want to urge parents and young people to remain vigilant and educate themselves around the dangers being online can pose, as well as encouraging them to take steps in order to stay safe.” AFP

Greek court nixes neo-Nazi party leniency plea A GREEK court Monday rejected a request for leniency for the leader of notorious Greek neoNazi party Golden Dawn and his top aides, who were convicted last week at the end of a landmark fiveyear trial.

The court refused to consider mitigating factors when sentencing party founder and long-term leader Nikos Michaloliakos and six other former party lawmakers for crimes that include running a criminal organization.

However, the announcement of the sentencing that had been expected Tuesday will be delayed after one of the defendants—independent Eurodeputy Ioannis Lagos—asked for the panel of three

(MS-OCT. 12 & 13, 2020)

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judges to be replaced.

Dozens of Communist protesters gathered outside the court near central Athens on Monday, demanding harsh sentences for the “Nazi criminals.”

After over five years of hearings, the panel of three judges on Wednesday unanimously labeled the paramilitary party a criminal organization in the trial described as one of the most important in Greece’s political history.

More than 50 defendants were convicted of crimes ranging from running a criminal organization, murder and assault to illegal weapons possession.

As a result, Michaloliakos and six others including Lagos, deputy

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leader Christos Pappas and former party spokesman Ilias Kassidiaris will receive sentences of up to 15 years, a court source said.

Key crimes carried out by Golden Dawn are the 2013 murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas and the beating of Egyptian fishermen in 2012 and communist trade unionists in 2013, the court established on Wednesday.

The announcement was greeted with elation by some 20,000 antifascist protesters gathered outside.

Some of them later briefly clashed with riot police.

Police over the weekend blocked plans by Lagos to hold a demonstration outside the tribunal on Monday.

‘Scared little people’ Lagos, a top Golden Dawn organizer who defected from the party last year after his election to the European parliament, last week said he was convicted by a “scared team of little people carrying out orders and trampling on every sense of law.”

Appearing in court on Monday, Lagos said the court was “biased” against him and said he would seek to have the panel of three judges replaced.

Lagos caused controversy in January by ripping up a printout of the Turkish flag in the European parliament, arguing that Turkey was to blame for illegal migration flows into Greece. AFP

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Stock market closes virtually flat T PSEi October 12, 2020

TOP GAINERS

TOP LOSERS

he stock market virtually closed flat Monday, with many investors staying in the sidelines and monitoring the battle for the speakership post in the Lower house that could influence the passage of the proposed 2021 budget.

The Philippine Stock exchange Index rose just 5.44 points, or 0.09 percent, to 5,937.05 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 105 to 96, with 42 issues unchanged.

AC energy Philippines Inc., a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., advanced 8.4 percent to P3.37, while Nickel Asia Corp., the biggest nickel miner, climbed 5.1 percent to P3.69.

International Container Terminal Ser-

vices Inc. of tycoon enrique Razon Jr., the largest port operator, gained 3.8 percent at P120, but Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, fell 4.2 percent to P3.87.

Meanwhile, optimism that US lawmakers will eventually pass a new stimulus package lifted Asian markets Monday, with the White house ramping up its offer and Donald Trump insisting Republicans want to get a deal done.

The gains followed another strong lead from Wall Street, with hopes for a fresh injection of cash into the world’s top economy overshadowing a surge in virus infections that have forced some governments to reimpose containment measures and targeted lockdowns. hong Kong and Shanghai led Asian markets higher, both piling on more than two percent with support also coming from hopes Xi Jinping will use a speech in Shenzhen later this week to

announce a further opening of China’s economy.

“Investors are optimistic on further reforms and upgrades for Shenzhen, which are expected to drive foreign capital inflows and enhance the tech sector,” Patrick Shum at Tengard holdings Ltd. said.

Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Jakarta and Wellington also enjoyed healthy gains, though Tokyo ended down.

Investors were sent on a roller-coaster ride last week when President Trump called off talks before doing a volteface to say they were back on and saying they were progressing well.

On Friday, he jacked up his offer, proposing a $1.8-trillion package and even saying he favored an even larger package.

The move has instilled optimism that an agreement can be reached, even though the White house plan is $400 billion short of the one put forward by the Democrats. With AFP

PReCAution.

Posters encourage people to wear face masks as a precaution against the transmission of the novel coronavirus in west London on October 11, 2020.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to outline the new regime on Monday as rates of Covid 19 infection surge particularly in the north, worsening a national death toll of more than 42,000 which is already the worst in Europe.

AFP

MOST ACTIVE

French frog farmers jump to meet restaurant demand

By Myriam Chaplain Riou

Virus-hit UK firms get extra wage support LONDON, United Kingdom—The British government on Friday said it would pay up to two-thirds of staff monthly wages to firms forced to close over the winter months, as infection rates skyrocket.

Finance minister Rishi Sunak extended a scheme launched just two weeks ago for workers taking reduced hours to help businesses required to shut as part of efforts to cut transmission rates.

More than 42,000 people have died in the outbreak in Britain—the worst toll in europe—and concern is mounting about a potentially deadlier second wave, and its social and economic impact.

The UK economy grew by a weaker-than-expected 2.1 percent in August and remained far down on prepandemic levels, official data showed Friday.

It shrank by a fifth in the second quarter, entering recession on the back of a full lockdown that was only eased in June.

Under the extended scheme, businesses will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work, with the government paying two-thirds of each employee’s monthly salary up to a maximum of £2,100 ($2,715, 2,309 euros) per month each.

Their employers will pay national insurance and pension contributions but will not be asked to contribute towards wages, unlike other firms using the scheme.

“Throughout this crisis my priority has always been to protect jobs, so today I’m announcing an expansion of our jobs support scheme, specifically to protect those jobs of people who work in businesses who may be asked to close,” Sunak told reporters.

“If that happens those workers will receive two-thirds of their wages for the time that they’re unable to go to work.”

“I hope this provides reassurance and a safety net for people and businesses in advance of what may be a difficult winter,” Sunak added. AFP

PIeRReLATTe, France—every year, the French consume some 4,000 tons of frogs’ legs—the equivalent of 40 blue whales.

But nearly all the amphibian limbs that land on French plates come from abroad, since wild harvesting of the protected creatures is all but banned and their cultivation strictly controlled.

One of France’s handful of frog farmers, Patrice Francois, provides “cuisses de grenouille” to the kitchens of Michelinstarred restaurants and neighborhood bistros alike.

Yet the 100,000 animals being raised at his greenhouses in Pierrelatte in southeast France hardly make a dent in demand for a delicacy that helped earn the French the nickname “frogs,” at least in the english-speaking world.

“Raising frogs is hard!” Francois told AFP amid a deafening chorus of croaks coming from dozens of ponds teeming with marsh frogs, his farm’s speciality.

“It is starting to work out, but I am not yet making a living from it,” said the 56-year-old, who started France’s first frog farm 10 years ago.

To make ends meet, he also runs a fishmonger’s in Roanne, around 230 kilometers (140 miles) north.

From the incubation of eggs through raising the tadpoles and fattening up the adults, it takes about a year to produce a frog weighing 50 to 100 grams (1.7-3.5 ounces), each yielding two hind legs much smaller than chicken thighs.

Finicky frogs “We control the entire production chain, from breeding to slaughter after anesthesia by cold, then butchery and shipping,” Francois said.

But there are many hurdles along the way.

For mating to happen, conditions have to be just right, with the weather and even the lunar cycle affecting the creatures’ amorous moods. each fertilization by a male frog of eggs deposited by a female can have a success rate of zero to 100 percent, depending on conditions, Francois said.

For a million eggs produced on the farm, some 100,000 or 10 percent eventually mature into frogs.

The animals are easily stressed, which is harmful to their health and growth, and can suffocate if too many are grouped together.

The frogs also have to be grouped by size to prevent the larger ones from cannibalizing smaller tank mates.

Extinction risk Five farms in France produce about 10 tons of frog meat every year on average, according to the agriculture ministry, an amount that could reach 20 or even 50 tons as soon as this year.

Frogs have been eaten in France for centuries, particularly in the country’s east, but have been protected species since 2007 because of rapidly declining numbers.

Only small wild harvests for domestic consumption are allowed, with large fines for anyone trying to catch them for sale.

Ninety-nine percent of frogs consumed in the country come from abroad—shipped alive or refrigerated mainly from Albania, Turkey, Bulgaria, egypt, Belgium and Italy, and in frozen form principally from Indonesia, Vietnam and India, according to the French agriculture ministry.

Frogs are also eaten in other european countries such as Belgium, in the southern United States, and in parts of Asia.

Global consumption, according to a 2010 study, was 800 million to 3.2 billion frogs, with the US and european Union the largest importers, and Indonesia and China the main exporters. AFP

French chef Gilles Reinhardt prepares frog legs in the restaurant of Paul Bocuse “Auberge Du Pont de Collonges” in Collonges au Mont D’Or, near Lyon, central France, on October 8, 2020. French people eat around 4,000 tons of frogs each year, according to the Food Safety Agency (Anses, 2017). AFP

Saudi’s NCB buying Samba in bank merger valued at $15b RIYADh, Saudi Arabia—Saudi Arabia’s National Commercial Bank on Sunday said it will purchase rival lender Samba in a deal valued at around $15 billion to create what would be the kingdom’s largest bank.

The deal underscores a push by financial lenders to consolidate as the kingdom grapples with the twin shocks of a coronavirus-led economic slowdown and low crude oil prices.

“The National Commercial Bank and Samba financial group today announced that they have entered into a binding agreement to merge,” the banks said in a joint statement.

“If approved by shareholders and regulators, the merger will bring together two highly complementary banks to create Saudi Arabia’s largest bank.”

The deal is valued at about 55.7 billion riyals ($14.9 billion), the statement said.

The merged entity will have more than $223 billion in assets, it added, making it the kingdom’s biggest lender.

The banks said the deal was aligned with de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the kingdom’s oil reliant economy.

“Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic transformation with Vision 2030,” NCB’s chairman Saeed Mohammed al-Ghamdi was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Our ambition is to create a national champion that can facilitate the transformation.”

The statement said the new bank will support the kingdom’s “landmark deals and mega projects,” which are aimed at diversifying the economy.

The world’s top crude exporter says it plans to slash government spending by more than seven percent next year as the budget deficit is expected to widen to 12 percent of gross domestic product in 2020.

But simultaneously, the government is awarding multi-billion- dollar contracts for planned NOTICE mega proj- NOTICENOTICE NOTICE isis hereby hereby given given that that ects includ- the the estate estate ofof TAKAYUKI TAKAYUKI NISHIMURA, who died NISHIMURA, who died ing NeOM, intestate intestate inin Pasig Pasig City City on on June 07, 07, 2020, 2020, consisting consisting ofof a $500-bil- June Cash Cash Deposit Deposit inin Philippine Philippine National Bank Bank (PNB) (PNB) -- PasigPasiglion futuristic National Tiendesitas Tiendesitas Branch Branch inin the the megacity in amount amount ofof P710,975.86, P710,975.86, isis the subject of an Affidavit subject of an Affidavit the kingdom’s ofthe of Self-Adjudication Self-Adjudication made made by by deceased deceased Nishimura’s Nishimura’s northwest. spouse, spouse, namely namely Donah Donah Rose Rose Nishimura, per per Doc Doc No. No. 406, 406, The bank Nishimura, Page Page No. No. 83, 83, Book Book No. No. 16, 16, merger had been Series Seriesofof2020, 2020,ofofthe theNotarial Notarial Registry of Atty.

Ronald Registry of Atty. Ronald C. C. rumored for Sandoval, Sandoval, Notary Notary Public Public for for and andininthe theCity CityofofMakati.

Makati. months. AFP (MS-SEPT. (MS-SEPT.29/OCT. 29/OCT.6/13, 6/13,2020) 2020)

(MS-OCT. (MS-OCT.12 12&&13, 13,2020) 2020)

CYAN CYAN

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

B4

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

September car sales up by 37% but nine-month purchases fell

By Othel V. Campos AUTOMOTIVE sales increased 37 percent in September from the previous month, putting the industry on track to a stronger recovery in the fourth quarter.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said in a joint report Monday their members sold 24,523 vehicles in September, up from 17,906 units they delivered in August.

Sales, however, were still down by 22.9 percent from the same month last year, as consumer spending remained below pre-pandemic levels.

The two industry group said month-on-month sales were increasingly improving from rock bottom levels in the early stages of the quarantine period.

“CAMPI remains optimistic that the automotive sector will recover until the end of the year amid the new normal environment as the industry posted double-digit growth of 37 percent in September,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.

Data showed passenger car sales went up 34. 9 percent in September to 8,556 units from 5,454 units in August, while commercial vehicle sales surged 65.1 percent to 15,967 units from 13,452 units.

Gutierrez said the demand for new cars posted a double-digit growth month-on-month across all vehicle categories, except trucks and buses.

“But we are still cautious that consumer spending is below pre-pandemic levels due to the evident shifts to essentials goods and services,” he said.

CAMPI said year-on-year sales fell 22.9 percent from 31,820 vehicles sold in September 2019. Passenger car sales dropped 12 percent from 9,721 units during the period, while commercial vehicle sales fell 27.7 percent from 22,099 units.

Business

Foreign direct investments rose 35% to $797m in July

By Julito G. Rada

ET inflow of foreign direct investments jumped 35.2 percent in July to $797 million from $590 million a year ago, sustaining an uptrend for the third consecutive month despite the impact of the health crisis on global financial markets, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

N

“The FDI net inflows rose for the third consecutive month on the back of investors’ improving sentiment due in part to easing of containment measures and some signs of gradual improvements in economic activity based on high-frequency indicators,” the BSP said in a statement.

It said the growth in FDI net inflow in July was led by net investments in debt instruments, which surged 60.1 percent to $643 million from $402 million a year earlier.

Net equity capital investments, how-

ever, declined 19.6 percent in July to $81 million from $101 million in the same month last year, pulled down by lower equity placements of $89 million compared to $170 million in July 2019. This was mitigated by a decline in withdrawals to $8 million from $69 million a year earlier.

Equity capital placements in July came mostly from Japan, China and the United States. These were mostly channeled to construction, real estate, wholesale and retail trade and manufac-

turing industries.

Reinvestment of earnings decreased 16.1 percent in July to $73 million from $87 million in the same month last year.

The increase in FDI net inflow in July mitigated the seven-month decline in the first seven months to 10.9 percent (to $3.8 billion from $4.3 billion).

“Driving this development was the increase in net equity capital investments, which posted a cumulative growth of 111.1 percent to $991 million from $469 million,” the BSP said.

Equity capital placements in the seven-month period grew moderately by 6.2 percent to $1.12 billion from $1.05 billion, while withdrawals declined by 78.5 percent to $125 million from $582 million. These came mainly from Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore and the United States and were invested in manufacturing, real estate, financial and insurance and administrative and support service industries in the first seven months.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Monday, October 12, 2020 5.44 PTS. 5,937.05

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

11,130,413,843 117,479 5,343,495,739.81

ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

105 96 42

Foreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.3080

Japan

Yen

0.009458

0.4569

UK

Pound

1.303200

62.9550

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129034

6.2334

Switzerland

Franc

1.098298

53.0566

Canada

Dollar

0.761847

36.8033

Singapore

Dollar

0.738062

35.6543

Australia

Dollar

0.722600

34.9074

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654844

128.2502

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

12.8801

Brunei

Dollar

0.735348

35.5232

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032206

1.5558

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1529

Euro

Euro

1.181700

57.0856

Korea

Won

0.000874

0.0422

China

Yuan

0.149405

7.2175

India

Rupee

0.013696

0.6616

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241838

11.6827

New Zealand

Dollar

0.664900

32.1200

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034964

1.6890 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF Employers seek longer furlough

EMPLOYERS are seeking an extension of the six-month furlough allowed by government for employees of companies that temporarily shut down operations amid the pandemic.

The Employers Association of the Philippines said the issue was discussed during a recent meeting at National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council.

“Employers are still discussing how the extension should be. There are many sectors that are yet to open and those that are partly operating are at loss on how they could manage business at this juncture,” said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis.

He said the Department of Labor and Employment previously allowed up to six months of floating status for employees of companies that shut down operations or were affected by downsizing operations.

The ECOP said it was waiting for the DOLE to release an announcement on their request. Othel V. Campos

DOTR to provide new fare collection system

SOLAR FACILITIES. Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., through implementing partner Project Liwanag, turns over the Communal Micro-Grid Solar PV Electrification Project to the community leaders of 11 Aeta Mountain Communities in Capas, Tarlac. Through the project, 661 families or close to 2,000 Aetas get their first experience to have lights in their homes and common pathways.

PSE revamps board to elect more independent directors

By Jenniffer B. Austria TWO-THIRDS of the 15-man board of directors of Philippine Stock Exchange will soon be occupied by non-brokers.

A PSE regulatory filing showed the stockbrokers of the local bourse would elect 15 members of the board of directors during the annual stockholders meeting next month.

It said of the 15-man board, at least 10 will be non-brokers, including one president, five independent directors and four directors representing issuer, investors and other market participants.

The remaining five seats will be taken up by the brokers.

Stockbrokers used to occupy seven board seats, while nonbrokers had eight seats, including three independent directors.

The reduction in the number of seats of brokers in the PSE board is in response to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed rules requiring more independent directors in exchanges.

The SEC in June issued a draft memorandum circular which prescribes independent directors constitute at least 20 percent of the board of directors of corporations vested with public interest.

USAID provides P10.8-b grant to cut PH poverty THE United States extended a $213-million (P10.8billion) grant to finance a program that aims to reduce poverty, promote private-sector led growth and strengthen good governance in the Philippines, the Department of Finance said Monday.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III signed the grant on behalf of the government for the Economic Growth and Democratic Governance with Equity program, which will be implemented over a five-year period until September 2025.

Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II signed the accord on behalf of the US Agency for International Development.

“We thank USAID for this latest support by the United States government by way of a $213-million grant for the Duterte administration’s paramount goal of accelerating poverty reduction and attaining financial inclusion for all Filipinos,” Dominguez said in signing the grant agreement.

“This American aid in support of the overriding concern of the Duterte government underscores the strong and enduring bilateral ties between the US government and the government of the Republic of the Philippines that transcend the political chatter,” he said.

The DOF said the EGDGE program aims to “advance poverty reduction, justice and peace in the country” and to “advance macroeconomic fundamentals and open governance in order to promote inclusive growth for a more prosperous, self-reliant and stable Philippines.”

Equivalent to about P10.8 billion, the grant covers technical assistance on public financial management, domestic resource mobilization public-private partnerships and inter-agency coordination; and assistance to develop and strengthen the capital markets, such as municipal bond financing and the promotion of innovative financial products.

It also includes assistance to improve regulatory governance by strengthening the capacity of public officials to develop transparent regulations and expanding opportunities for civil society advocacy for fair and open regulation, the DOF said.

The program is also designed to improve the enabling environment for private infrastructure investments; and provide assistance in technical advising, training, lending guarantees, and/ or private sector partnerships to promote startups and small and medium-sized enterprise development. Julito G. Rada

THE Department of Transportation said Monday it will implement a nationwide interoperable automated fare collection system in partnership with state-run Land Bank of the Philippines by the first quarter of 2021.

Mark Steven Pastor, assistant secretary for road transport and infrastructure said in a virtual briefing the AFCS project would improve the public transport environment by promoting passenger convenience and institutionalizing a streamlined transfer system among all public transportation modes.

Pastor said the DOTR, in partnership with Land Bank, would lead the conduct of the AFCS EMV-compliant contactless pilot production testing.

“The conduct of the EMVCo pilot production testing will verify the major functionalities of the transit system as well as the endto-end AFCS processes before going into full commercial implementation,” he said.

Pastor said the main objectives of the program are the consolidation of PUV operators, the effective management of PUV operations and the mandatory implementation of the AFCS and Fleet Management System on PUVs. Darwin G. Amojelar

Petron supports push against LPG products

PETRON Corp. on Monday lauded the efforts of law enforcement agencies to closely monitor the illegal sources of liquefied petroleum gas.

The country’s largest oil company also reminded consumers to trust only authorized dealers and legitimate retailers for their own safety and protection.

“There are very serious dangers to illegal refilling which is why it has to stop. It puts at risk the lives of consumers because illegally refilled tanks do not undergo proper safety checks nor do they undergo weight inspections, so these are also often under-filled,” Petron president and chief executive Ramon Ang said in a statement.

The company said Petron Gasul cylinders were replicated and sold by unauthorized refillers and sellers without undergoing the proper safety and quality checks.

Two separate raids were conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detention Group in Cavite in a span of two months, capturing millions worth of Petron LPG products.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

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

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

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Phoenix Super LPG routs Meralco Bolts

By Reuel Vidal

The Los Angeles Lakers are shown after winning Game Six of the NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida. AFP

LA Lakers’ long road from heartbreak to breakthrough L

OS ANGELES—Four years after hitting rock bottom, the Los Angeles Lakers are back on top of the basketball world.

With a 106-93 victory over the Miami Heat in game six of the NBA Finals on Sunday, the Lakers took a 4-2 series victory and clinched a record-equalling 17th NBA championship.

The triumph marked the final stop on what has been a long and winding road to recovery following a decade of precipitous decline for one of the most iconic franchises in the NBA. The Lakers had failed to reach the playoffs in six consecutive seasons before this year, and had not reached the NBA Finals since 2010, when a side led by the late Kobe Bryant claimed a 16th championship.

Those six years in the playoff wilderness also included three of the worst seasons in Lakers history, with the nadir coming in 2015-2016, when the team managed just 17 wins against 65 defeats.

The Lakers were also on the wrong end of

De los Santos claims 15th gold at online meet

some humiliating losses during that period, suffering the three heaviest defeats in franchise history between 2014 and 2017.

“The Lakers are not contending—they are embarrassing,” was the withering verdict of the Los Angeles Times in the wake of a 122-73 slaughter by the Dallas Mavericks in January 2017, the team’s worst-ever loss.

Yet a month after that 49-point debacle, the Lakers set in motion the rehabilitation that ultimately led to Friday’s 17th championship in Orlando.

On February 21, 2017, general manager Mitch Kupchak was fired while Lakers legend Magic Johnson was named as president of basketball operations.

Roster rebuild Team governor Jeanie Buss announced that her brother, Jim Buss, had been jetti-

soned as executive vice-president of basketball operations, the final act of a simmering family feud that exploded into public view.

A few weeks later, in early March, Rob Pelinka—Bryant’s agent—was hired as general manager.

“We are going to deliver on Jeanie’s challenge to us all to make the Lakers the greatest sports franchise in the world,” Pelinka declared at his introductory press conference. “That will happen.”

Rebuilding the roster became the immediate priority.

Although coach Luke Walton’s team had shown signs of improvement in the 20162017 campaign, recording 26 wins against 55 losses, Pelinka noted that the squad was in no position to challenge for titles.

“We have some strong, really young talent on this team, but we have to get better talent for Luke to coach,” Pelinka said.

A sweeping overhaul of the team’s playing staff followed.

The 2017-2018 period marked the arrival

We’re trending in right direction, says Butler

By Peter Atencio THE pivoting kick of the unsu jump once again lifted Cebuano bet James de los Santos to two more gold medals in an online kata competition Monday.

The turns of the kick, done in midair at the end of his routine, gave De los Santos first-place honors in the first Euro Grand Prix and the E-Karate Games 2020 for his 15th straight gold medal.

Two female competitors Fatima A-Isha Lim Hamsain and Julie Marcos, who are schoolmates at Sen. Renato Companero Cayetano Memorial in Taguig City, tagged along with De los Santos and also dominated.

A-Isha Lim Hamsain bagged the gold medal after her 23.2-22.9 triumph over Giselle Van Rensburg of Denmark in the Shotokan under-16 female action of the E-Karate Games 2020.

On the other hand, Marcos got the silver medal after bowing to Keira Sanfft of Australia, 23.4-23.6.

The 30-year-old De los Santos, looking focused and intense in his video presentations, went on to snatch his 14th and 15th gold medals.

De los Santos performed the movements in a very slow and precise manner to first outpoint Murillo Alves of Brazil, 24.323.3, in the E-Karate Games 2020 finals.

The same move at the end of his nearly three-minute performance also wowed the judges as De los Santos made a soft landing again to take a 24.6-24.3 win over Silvio Cerrone-Biagioni of South Africa.

This kept the world no. 2-ranked De los Santos on track in his bid to overtake world no. 1 Eduard Garcia of Portugal at the top spot in the individual male seniors’ category.

“I performed Unsu for both tournaments, since they were both final matches on the same day. At that moment, these thoughts of comparison would cross my mind. But I was confident with both,” said De los Santos.

of several players who would eventually play key roles in the 2020 renaissance, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma.

Yet the ultimate prize was snaffled in 2018, when the Lakers landed LeBron James on a four-year $154 million contract.

While that blockbuster signing was a clear statement of intent by the Lakers front office, James himself was careful to damp down expectations of overnight success. “We’re a new ball club trying to get better,” James cautioned.

James’ words would turn out to be wellchosen. A difficult debut season veered off script when James suffered an injury that effectively torpedoed the team’s hopes of reaching the playoffs.

‘Backstabbing’ claim Trouble was also brewing behind the scenes. Johnson and Pelinka had botched a pre-emptive move for Anthony Davis, a pursuit abandoned in February 2019 but only after the locker room had been badly destabilized. AFP

PHOENIX Super LPG made a big splash in the newly-resumed competition of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup with a rip-roaring, 116-98, demolition of the Meralco Bolts at the Angeles University Foundation gym, yesterday, Monday, October 12.

The Super LPG rode the hot hands of an inspired Matthew Wright—who finished with 36 points from 4 triples—to pull ahead early and post the convincing victory.

Wright said he was motivated by memory of his basketball idol Kobe Bryant who passed away earlier this year.

He added that before the game started he talked to new Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson. He told the Phoenix mentor that he would not let him lose his first game as Phoenix head coach.

Phoenix won the game from threepoint distance as they converted 17 triples out of 39 attempts for 43% shooting percentage. In sharp contrast, Meralco converted just 6 of 24 attempts for a poor 25% shooting percentage.

The lone bright spot for the Bolts was veteran Reynel Hugnatan who finished with 16 points despite playing just 16 minutes.

Wright drilled two free throws with 5:14 left in the game as Phoenix posted a 102-81 advantage. By that time, he already had 34 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Wright didn’t let up. With 4:09 left to play he stole the ball and converted a fastbreak layup to hike his production to 36 points and pegged the count at 10785 for Phoenix.

Robinson finally pulled out Wright with 1:22 to go and the game already well in hand.

The Bolts missed a big piece with the absence of center Raymond Almazan.

Phoenix is waiting on Calvin Abueva who may finally rejoin the team after sitting out more than a year after getting suspended.

Hints of the rout started as early as the second period. JC Intal converted fastbreak layup to cap a 9-0 Phoenix run which turned a slim, 44-41, three-point Phoenix advantage to a fat 53-41 lead at halftime.

Jimmy Butler proud of the bond that his Heat built.

AFP

ORLANDO—After a sometimes rocky path through the NBA, Jimmy Butler found a home in Miami, and the Heat’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals doesn’t change that.

“Just the bond that this group built,” Butler said of what he’ll treasure from the season with the Heat— including some three months in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.

“I wouldn’t give that back for the world. We really, really, really love being around one another and competing with one another. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”

Butler arrived in Miami after stints in Chicago, Minnesota and Philadelphia ended on sour notes.

With the Heat, the undeniably talented All-Star appears to have found the perfect landing spot, his grit helping propel the Eastern Conference fifth seeds to an unlikely shot at the Western Conference champion Lakers in the NBA Finals.

It was Butler’s determined triple-double that propelled the Heat to a game-five victory over the Lakers that temporarily put their championship celebrations on hold.

He couldn’t fashion another miracle on Sunday, but he said he departs the quarantine bubble looking forward to what the Heat can still accomplish.

“I think that I grew in every aspect of the game,”

Butler said of his first season with the Heat. “More than anything, I’ve learned that here, me works.

“Here, I’m always, always, always, always going to believe in my guys.

“We’re trending in the right direction,” Butler added. “We’re going to learn from this. We’re going to get better. We’re going to come back. That’s what we’re all saying in that locker room.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said that what Butler found in Miami was not just a team, but a family.

“I think that’s what we’re all looking for, right, is to be part of a family,” Spoelstra said. “To be a part of something where you felt all along that you were searching for something. Where you can just be yourself, you don’t have to make any apologies for who you are.

“We have been searching for him for a long time and I think he’s been searching for something like us for a while.”

That kind of relationship has been even more important this year, Spoelstra said, as players grappled with the coronavirus pandemic that shut down play in March, and saw the season resume in the league’s quarantine bubble that isolated players from friends and family back home.

“This locker room, regardless of whatever happens in the future, we’re going to remember this year, this season, this experience and that locker room brotherhood for the rest of our lives,” Spoelstra said. AFP

Kobe’s spirit lived on in Lakers’ drive ORLANDO—Kobe Bryant’s spirit could be felt by the Los Angeles Lakers as they finished a run to the NBA title on Sunday, nine months after Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash.

The Lakers completed a championship run dedicated to the late LA legend by defeating Miami 106-93 to capture the NBA Finals four games to two in a quarantine bubble at Orlando, Florida.

“Kobe, I know he’s looking down on us super proud,” Lakers star forward Anthony Davis said.

“We miss him, and this is definitely for him.”

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were

killed in the January 26 crash in suburban Los Angeles, stunning the sports world to lose such a gifted talent at age 41.

“I think Kobe and Gianna have guided this team the entire year,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said.

“Kobe’s voice is always in my head, always, every day, every minute... for us to be able to win this championship doesn’t take away the sting of the loss, but what it does is it helps us add to their legacy.

“Kobe and Gianna’s legacy will last forever. It will impact lives around the world in positive ways, and this Lakers championship in

2020 is partly to build on that legacy and honor them. The moment couldn’t be any more special to do that for them.”

Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, posted a congratulations message on Instagram, saying: “Wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this.”

The Lakers captured their first NBA title since 2010, when Bryant led them to the last of his five career crowns.

“There would be times in my hotel room here—when you’re in a bubble for 100 days, it’s tough— there would be times in the middle of the night, I would hear his voice: ‘Stay the course. Finish the task,’” said Pelinka. AFP

Kobe Bryant

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Sports

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

Age just a number for Nadal, rivals P

ARIS—Rafael Nadal’s 13th French Open was hailed as “one of sport’s greatest achievements” by close friend and rival Roger Federer, but for tennis’s flagging chasing pack, it was another dagger in the heart of their ambitions.

Nadal, who has now gone level with Federer on 20 career Grand Slams, has won six since turning 30.

World number one Novak Djokovic has captured five of his 17 since leaving his 20s while even Federer, now 39, claimed four after his 30th birthday.

They are statistics which illustrate even more starkly how big the gap remains between the sport’s ‘Big Three’ and the rest.

Nadal’s staggering 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 win over Djokovic in the Roland Garros final allowed him to join the Serb in winning majors in three different decades.

The 34-year-old Spaniard insists that he won’t become obsessed with ending his career as the all-time greatest Slam winner.

“I would love to finish my career being the player with more Grand Slams,” he said after winning his 100th match at Roland Garros against

just two losses in 15 years.

“But I’m not going to be thinking all the time Novak has this one, Roger is winning the other one.

“You can’t be always unhappy because your neighbour has a bigger house than you or a bigger boat or has a better phone.

“In terms of these records, of course I care. For me it means a lot to share this number with Roger.

“But let’s see what’s going on when we finish our careers. We keep playing. I don’t know what can happen in the future.”

Iron grip of ‘Big Three’ Federer, who missed the US Open and Roland Garros to recover from

A handout photograph taken and released by the Federation Francaise de Tennis shows Spain’s Rafael Nadal posing with The Mousquetaires Cup— The Musketeers in the locker room after winning the men’s singles final tennis match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Philippe Chatrier court of The Roland Garros 2020 French Open tennis tournament in Paris. AFP

knee surgery, believes that he and Nadal have “pushed each other to become better players.”

Nadal is the oldest Roland Garros champion since Andres Gimeno in 1972.

Djokovic, at 33, is the youngest of the three giants of the sport.

Despite his loss on Sunday, which cost him the chance to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors twice, he believes the 20-Slam mark can be bettered.

“If I thought it was too late I would have ended my career today,” the world number one told Serbian media after his seventh loss in eight meetings with Nadal in Paris.

“Myself, Nadal, Federer have been written off many times but we keep coming back and proving that we are still the best in the world.”

“My goals remain the same—the historic number one ranking and Grand Slam titles.”

Djokovic will start his 289th week as world number one on Monday with Federer’s all-time high of 310 comfortably in his sights.

The iron-grip on the Slams of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer is another source of frustration for the young pretenders who have constantly come up short.

From Federer’s first Slam triumph at Wimbledon in 2003, 57 of the 69 majors have been won by the ‘Big Three’.

Only six finals have failed to feature at least one of them.

The most recent even carries an asterik as Dominic Thiem’s win over Alexander Zverev at the US Open last month came after Nadal and Federer opted not to play and Djokovic was defaulted.

Until Sunday, that was Djokovic’s only loss of 2020 compared to 37 wins.

Greek world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost in five sets to Djokovic in the semi-finals at Roland Garros, believes there will be a changing of the guard.

However, the 22-year-old was conservative on the timeframe.

“The big three have been there for a long time. I don’t feel like it’s going to be the same— in five, six years.” AFP

Kim wins 1st major; Pagdanganan in Top 10 NEW YORK—South Korea’s Kim Seiyoung captured her first major title Sunday, winning the Women’s PGA Championship with a record-shattering seven-under par 63, the lowest final round in tournament history..

The 27-year-old from Seoul became the ninth first-time major winner from the past 10 women’s golf majors with a bogey-free finish at Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

“It means a lot,” Kim said. “I feel so emotional. It’s a dream come true. I’m waiting for a while to reach my biggest goal.

“I’m very happy with that. Feel like I overcome myself. Very happy with first major win.”

Meanwhile, Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines, playing in her first major, birdied the 72nd hole to claim her first top 10 (9th place) on the LPGA and earn a spot in another major, the 75th U.S. Women’s Open on December 10 to 13.

Seventh-ranked Kim finished the 72 holes on a tournament-record 14-under 266 to beat compatriot Park In-bee by five strokes with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda sharing third on 273 and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist fifth on 276.

“Sei Young was just really untouchable,” Park said. “She played really, really good golf today. I’d like to congratulate her. She had a

great day. That’s how a champion plays a final round, so it was good to see that.”

Kim’s closing 63 matched the event’s alltime 18-hole record, shared by Americans Patty Sheehan in 1984 and Meg Mallon in 1999 and South Korean Kelly Shon in 2017.

Kim had a chance at a 62 but missed a 15-foot birdie putt at the final hole, instead settling for the low last-round in Women’s PGA history, breaking the record 64 set last year and this year by Hataoka.

“This golf course is really challenging,” Kim said. “I tried to keep the focus on my job. It was really tough.

“Sometimes I’m shaking my head and my legs were shaking but I was able to keep my focus and I was able to reach my big goal so I’m very happy about that.”

Kim beat the 72-hole tournament record low of 267 set by American Betsy King in 1992 at Bethesda (Maryland) Country Club.

It was the 11th LPGA triumph for Kim, her first since last November’s Tour Championship.

“Definitely a different feeling,” she said.

“Winning (that) was great, it was really thrilling, but this one, feels like a dramatic accomplishment.”

Kim had been the winningest active player without a major crown.

“I didn’t know it was going to take this long,” she said. “I’m so excited. I’m actually

FREE THROW SHOOTER

NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ ONLY one team gets to have the Larry O’Brien trophy.

This year, it is the Los Angeles Lakers.

With this much-awaited championship is the deluge of sidebar stories—record-breaking achievements, historic feats, emotional journeys, tales of validation and vindication, all glorifying the exceptional performance of a team built for championship contention and the people behind it —all of these are appropriate and welldeserved, no doubt.

To the victor belongs the spoils—how apt and fitting.

While this is true right now, it is not completely accurate because even if the trophy and the bragging rights and the celebration belong to the Lakers, there is something here of value and teams can benefit immensely from it: the art of clogging the arc.

In recent years, players have ventured further and further away from the three-point arc, and teams have utilized the proficiency of three-point shooting players to win relying on overwhelming, high-scoring offense.

This, in part, gave birth to small ball and 3-and-D approaches to playing basketball which many teams (like Golden State and Houston) now use, allowing them varying degrees of success.

The threat of three-point shooters is legit, and teams

Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines plays her shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. AFP

really hiding my tears.”

Kim’s top prior major showings were runner-up efforts at the 2018 Evian Championship and 2015 Women’s PGA. She became the 26th player to make the event her first major victory, the fourth in five seasons.

‘Stuck to my game plan’ Starting the day with a two-stroke edge, Kim was among those with an early wakeup call as leaders went out in the 10th trio off the first tee in the morning rather than in the final group in a unique start format.

Kim birdied the par-4 third an sixth holes and made another at the par-5 ninth to solidify her spot atop the leaderboard.

“I stuck to my game plan,” Kim said.

“Just focused one shot at a time. I didn’t want to play like this was my final round but just stick to my momentum that I’ve played all week, so that worked out.”

Back-to-back birdies at the par-4 13th and par-3 14th stretched her advantage and Kim added another pair at the par-5 16th and by curling in a 10-foot putt at the par-3 17th to put her in record territory. AFP

Of kings and usurpers have adapted to either capitalize on this or make sure they can defend well against a three-point shooting team. If they can do both, they are a tough team to beat.

Overmatched in size and length against the Lakers, the Miami Heat fought in the 2020 NBA Finals and won two games relying heavily on their three-point shooters and the threat of their three-point shooting to spread the floor and force LA to go small so that perimeter operators are given gaps and driving lanes to exploit. More importantly (and I think statistics do not directly reflect this), the three-point shooting facet in Miami’s offense gives inexperienced players like Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson the confidence they need so that they are not intimidated by the size, experience, and savvy of the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was no Game 7 because the Lakers found a way to ground the bombers of coach Eric Spoelstra, and the master class in defending shooters not only made Game 6 exciting to watch; it also made this game a solid reference when building a team’s playbook on defense.

Judging from the fact that no team is inclined to abandon three-point shooting anytime soon in the NBA, learning how to defend effectively against a potent outside shooting from no less than the reigning champions is a consolation prize to all 29 teams now dreaming of unseating the newly-crowned champs come the 2020-2021 season. It is a gift they should use wisely.

Jae Crowder was 1-of-5, Duncan Robinson was 3-of7, Tyler Herro was 1-of-2, Andre Iguodala was 0-of-2,

Kendrick Nunn was 2-of-4, Goran Dragic was 0-of4. As a team known for its bevy of lethal three-point shooters, the team was 10-of-28; not only did they miss a lot of attempts because of the contest from defenders that stayed attached despite the screens and weaves, they were also denied a lot of times to even hoist an attempt because of the suffocating perimeter defense LA has unleashed from start to finish.

Without the confidence, momentum, and offensive rhythm shooters get from watching three-point shots go in, there was very little Herro and Robinson could do to impact the complexion of the game. While mathematically, the Heat can still come back from the halftime deficit with two quarters to play, the damage to the players’ confidence and resolve guaranteed the Lakers it was game over even before the second half of hostilities commenced.

It is an old, worn-out sound bite, to say that defense is the key to winning. Worse, it makes something complicated and ever-evolving a simplistic matter. With the practice of growing a roster with offensively-gifted players evident in the NBA, there is a very high demand for defense that works because it evolves and adapts.

Teams will have to wait for a full NBA calendar before one of them can steal the trophy from the Lakers. But right now, there is this one golden nugget of wisdom that is out there for the taking, for anyone or any team who can see its use and value.

Take a bow, Los Angeles Lakers. And the rest of the league, take notes.

Smart 5G powers PBA for PH’s 1st 5G-powered sports broadcast MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is setting another milestone in mobile technology and innovations as it brings the country’s first 5g-powered sports broadcast in the Philippine Basketball Association AllFilipino Cup, which began last Sunday in Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

With its fiber-like speeds on mobile devices, Smart 5G will make it so much simpler and more efficient to capture and broadcast all the hardcourt action.

As a result, fans can expect to watch more angles and content on their favorite teams and players.

Smart 5G will also power balltracking cameras and even enable heatsensing cameras to constantly monitor the health and safety of all the members of the 12-team league and the working teams behind the PBA. Media and bloggers covering the games inside the bubble can reach more audience powered by Smart 5G. “Both technology and basketball are in the DNA of Smart. In this unprecedented PBA league, we are bringing these two together with the country’s first ever 5G-powered sports broadcast, paving the way for new exciting experiences for organizers, players, and fans of the sport,” said PLDT-Smart Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

“This reset is huge for Filipino basketball fans all over the country who have been missing the sport since we had that opening and ‘last’ game in March. Our support for PBA is in line with our thrust to bring Filipinos closer to their passions powered by mobile innovations made simple by Smart,” said Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President and CEO. “Pinagtrabahuhan ng PBA Board ang pagbabalik ng PBA at nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng lahat ng PBA teams para mangyari ito. We worked so hard to restart the games via this PBA Bubble para sa mahal naming PBA fans. Isang malaking karangalan din para sa aming lahat na ang liga ay maging fist 5G-powered sports broadcast sa Pilipinas sa tulong ng Smart 5G. Dahil dito, mas mapapabilis ang connectivity at broadcast para sa mga PBA players, fans, at supporters. Mabuhay ang PBA at Smart!, said PBA Commisioner Willie Marcial.

Honda continues PBA sponsorship HONDA Philippines, Inc. announced its continued sponsorship of the Philippine Basketball Association, one of the biggest professional basketball leagues in Asia, this 2020 season.

HPI has been a main sponsor for the PBA since 2018, bringing further the competitive and action-packed spirit that the company is known for.

Since its postponement last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PBA finally announced the resumption of the Philippine Cup on October 11, a move approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases as it released a provisional approval for the league’s “bubble” plans in Quest Hotel in Pampanga.

The league is using the NBA’s “bubble concept,” where the teams will stay at designated areas in the Hotel while playing venues will be assigned elsewhere. It will also have doubleheader games every day at the Angeles University Foundation Gym. HPI President Susumu Mitsuishi said that HPI is proactive in supporting these fun and exciting basketball tournaments as a company known for its innovative spirit.

“As a basketball-loving nation, Filipinos consider this sport as a way of inspiring and nurturing sportsmanship and companionship. We see the value of partnering with PBA, especially that we aim to become part of improving the quality of life of every Filipino. By doing so, we also support Filipino talents and their love for sports,” Mitsuishi added.

The HPI has also supported the local telecast of the National Basketball Association, the world’s most prestigious basketball league, since it resumed its 74th season last August 21.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

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Keiko Necesario

Warner Music’s newest bet A

T THE virtual media conference for Keiko Necesario’s latest music video, the talented music artist had nothing but good words for the experience she had recording her album and signing up with Warner Music Philippines.

Keiko’s new release is entitled Ready, Let Go, an album six months in the making. It’s a product of her collaboration with singer-songwriter and UK-based producers Rusti Russouw and Tristan Charmichael, collectively known as Chasing Fantasia.

“I’ve had some of the songs in this album for years and some of them, I started writing while in process of the recording, but technically, I only started working on the production last November,” Keiko told Manila Standard Entertainment.

“The music video for the single, yeah it’s kind of quirky. I had fun doing it.

We wanted to take the audience back to the ‘90s with its dominant theme.

That’s what we were trying to achieve when we started planning the concept for the music video. As for the title, I don’t remember exactly when I came up with it but the song basically talks about surrendering, letting go of your worries and fears, ” she added.

Talking about the recording process, the singer-songwriter recorded two songs in London and the rest of the album was completed in the Philippines.

The producers even flew from London and we worked on the album for three weeks in Baguio.

“The process of making this album has been an adventure because there’s been a different kind of high in figuring things out; what sounds good and what doesn’t or trying to make the elements work or even just listening to Rusti and Tristan throw ideas for every song and witnessing them talk about some of the technical stuff I know nothing about.

It’s been really fascinating and just fun getting to make a record that way,” the emerging music artist stated.

From London, where she recorded two songs in the span of three days, to Baguio where they had weeks to arrange 10 songs together, Keiko admitted that it was a bit nerve-racking yet exhilarating experience at the same time.

Martin del Rosario and Bea Binene in a scene from last Saturday’s episode of ‘Magpakailanman.’

‘Magpakailanman’ presents all-new episodes this month

Keiko Necesario’s ‘Ready, Let Go’ was crafted in collaboration with UK-based producers Rusti Russouw and Tristan Charmichael of the music duo Chasing Fantasia.

Also during the virtual interview, Keiko’s manager Graham Perkins shared a few insights about the young artist’s collaboration with the UK-based duo.

“This collaboration with Keiko, Chasing Fantasia, and Warner [Music] Philippines has been something very special to me. It’s playing a huge part in my plans as I build my management business across the globe. It’s been the catalyst to creating new partnerships and friends and the merger of my company with Open Door Artists in the Philippines has been a major outcome from the collaboration. For me, it’s all about making music that can come from anywhere,” he noted.

“Here we have a Filipino artist, managed by a UK-and-now-global management company, produced by South Africans,” he carried on.

Meanwhile, Chasing Fantasia shared

in a statement that it’s their first time working with a Filipino artist. When asked about the possibility of collaborating with more talent from overseas, Rusti and Tristan had a positive response.

“It’s amazing when people from different cultures come together and create music. You learn so much and grow as both artist and producer,” the duo said.

“Honestly, we were blown away seeing the amount of talent while attending a few festivals during our time in Manila. We could see real support for the fellow artist! This is sometimes lacking in the west. There also seems to be a real openness to collaborate and build cross-border relationships.

We felt so welcome and were treated incredibly well, thanks. We would be thrilled to do more work in Asia. The west needs to hear more of the diverse talent coming out of these time zones,” they ended.

Filipino-directed interracial friendship drama kicks off Soho filmfest in US FILIPINO director Maria Diane Ventura’s Deine Farbe will have its much-awaited U.S. premiere at this year’s Soho International Film Festival. And it’s not just as another face in the crowd, but as the opening film under the World Feature banner during opening night happening via livestream on Thursday, at 6:30 p.m. EST. Besting almost a hundred hopefuls for the inaugural honors, Ventura’s interracial friendship drama is one of only two frontfacers (the other being an American feature) during the festival’s kick-off. After that, Deine Farbe will have two regular screenings: on Oct. 15 at 12:00 nn, and once more on Oct. 22 at 11:45 p.m..

The SIFFNYC is a decorated independent film body with a pancontinental scope and a pledge to “[celebrate] cutting-edge digital technology while honoring traditional forms of storytelling.” Its expansive and discerning curation has made it a much-buzzed-about cinema gathering, with notables such as Octavia Spencer, Danny Aiello, Adam Brody, Pierce Brosnan, Joe Jonas, and Sean Young, among many others, being spotted in attendance.

Deine Farbe, Ventura’s first international film feature, tells the story of small-town friends Karl (Jannik Schümann) and Albert (Nyamandi Adrian), whose attempts to bolt from their humdrum Ventura (center) on the set with the cast of the film. existence in search of greater things reveal differences deeper than ary magazine NME, Ventura says she still very much identifies as an what is readily apparent. It is not so much a cautionary tale of zeros upstart, noting, “I’m just an independent filmmaker still trying to navivying to be heroes—or a pair of Icarus archetypes edging precari- gate her way into this world.”

The anticipation surrounding Deine Farbe is much-deserved, ously near the sun—but a startling look at the and nods from around the globe abound: Best wedge of ambition that can drive lifelong comWoman Filmmaker and Best Feature for the rades apart.

Vegas Film Awards; Best Director and Best Ventura’s previous film Mulat — shot in Actor at Calella Film Festival in Spain. Best four days while she was essentially still in film Cinematography and Best Feature for the Caschoo l— earned her accolades from Internanadian Cinematography Awards; Best Ensemtional Film Festival Manhattan and World Cinble Cast for Couch Film Festival in Toronto; ema Brazil, among other esteemed bodies. and a citation at Canada’s Cyrus Film Festival.

“I dream of making films in places whose culThe film has also secured official selectures differ from my own. Ultimately, I want to tion status and is set to be in competition in prove that despite our fundamental differences, various territories: at Cardiff International emotional experiences are universal,” Ventura Film Festival in the UK; Spanish film festival says. And she delivers on that goal with aplomb L’Hospitalet De Llobregat in Barcelona; the in Deine Farbe, which has also previously exhibLonely Wolf Film Festival and Gold Movie ited in Berlin and New Delhi.

Awards in London; the Diorama International The cultural journey of Deine Farbe is a cuFilm Festival in New Delhi, India; and the Geeriosity that begs scrutiny: a Filipino-directed long Underground Film Festival in Australia. vehicle starring German actors, it was shot on In the U.S., celebrated cinema entities like the location in the performers’ native country, but Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival, the New also partly in vibrant Barcelona. It is a latent Filmmakers NY Festival, the New York Movie commentary not just on race or immigration, Awards, and Skiptown Playhouse International but also on the great lengths people go to be heard and felt in the age of social media.

Maria Diane Ventura’s ‘Deine Farbe’ bagged Film Festival also took notice. Technical honors at the European Cinematography Awards After a successful turn at Wim Wenders’ fathe Best Direction award at the recently concluded Calella Film Festival in Spain. and the New York Cinematography Awards are bled Hofer Filmtage in Germany, Deine Farbe’s also in the bag.

U.S. premiere via the Soho International Film Learn more about Deine Farbe and this Festival is surely an inspired and inspiring turn of events for the humble production. In a recent sit-down with legend- year’s SIFFNYC at https://sohofilmfest.eventive.org/.

THIS October, GMA Network’s award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman presents five brand new episodes featuring inspiring stories of bravery, hope, and love for all viewers.

On Oct. 3, Shaira Diaz starred in the first episode entitled «Viral Frontliner: The Lorraine Pingol Story,” which showcased the real-life struggles of a nurse who recently went viral online after helping a street dweller give birth. She was joined

by Yayo Aguila, Luis Hontiveros, and Anthony Rosaldo.

Last Saturday (Oct. 10), #MPK aired “The Lockdown Wife,” another timely story of a battered wife who was stuck at home with an abusive husband during the community quarantine.

At first glance, Lorie and Dexter were a happily married couple. To fulfill their dream of having a child, Lorie decided to quit her job and stay home, while Dexter continued to work and provide for their needs. But over time, Dexter began to change and was convinced with the idea that Lorie is his “possession”, one that he could hurt and do anything to.

The episode was headlined by Bea Binene and Martin del Rosario, together with James Teng and Maritess Joaquin. It was directed by Rado Peru.

On Saturday (Oct. 17), love takes on a surprising turn in “Sign Language of Love,” which stars Thea Tolentino and Jeric Gonzales as Jessica and

Louie.

Jessica is a teacher in a school for the deaf where she meets and falls in love with her student, Louie. More than the communication barriers between them, they will face the unforgiving and discriminating judgment of the people around them.

To better portray their roles, both Thea and Jeric underwent a series of workshops to learn sign language. The episode is under the direction of Don Michael Perez.

On Oct. 24, #MPK showcases the inspiring story of Lairca Nicdao, a gold medalist at the 2019 World Para Dance Sport Championships held in Germany. After surviving cancer, Lairca did not let having a prosthetic leg and being bullied for most of her life hinder her from reaching her dreams and becoming the country’s newest Junior World Para Dance champion.

For the final Saturday of the month, a special Halloween presentation will be aired on Oct. 31 with the haunting tale of a woman who grew up being sexually abused in her sleep by a “spirit.” As a child, Mayet has always been able to see otherworldly elements, but things get even more frightening for her when the shadow that she sees and harasses her when she goes to bed followed her until she grew up.

Magpakailanman, which airs every Saturday at 8:15 p.m., is hosted by multi-awarded broadcast journalist Mel Tiangco.

Single, but not ready to mingle IN ERICH GONZALES’ recent vlog, her special Joshua Garcia revealed that at this point, his love life is not a priority.

In their candid conversation, the 23-year-old actor shared that “I’m presently single” and love life is not his focus right now.

“I’m more focused on myself. In fact, I just went back to school. I plan to take up Business Entrepreneurship.

I want to spend my time wisely rather than staying idle,” he averred.

The dramatic actor said that he believes in destiny but made it clear that his “heart is okay” and beating just for himself at the moment.

“There’s also another person who’s searching for the same and who knows… you two might end up together. I feel it is destiny. Perhaps now, God is telling you to focus first on yourself.

Love and improve yourself. So that when the time comes that you’ll be in a relationship, you’ll be able to commit, right? Love is a commitment and you need to commit yourself into it,” Joshua said in vernacular.

Asked for qualities he is looking for in a girl, the bedimpled lad revealed that he wants someone who can accept him for what and who he really is.

“I’m just a simple bloke. I can live in the province and I can also live in the city. She should be able to live with me anywhere I choose to,” he shared adding that his preferences also change in the passing of times.

“You also mature in the process. It’s like right at this moment, I like a girl w h o’s f o n d

of reading. It’s very interesting because you will learn a lot from her. I also prefer someone who’s mature and knows how to do domestic chores like cleaning the house, God-fearing and family-oriented. It’s that simple,” Joshua ended. *** Christian Bautista admits that having a baby with wife Kat Ramnani at this time of pandemic is challenging. Thus, it’s not yet part of their plans.

“Kat and I want to be careful. We are aware that there are families who had babies in these tough times. Of course, there are risks, like there’s no vaccine yet. Though there are people who are okay with the idea of going to the hospital, there are those who are still scared and they can’t be blamed since the virus is everywhere and the number of cases is still going up,” he said.

Meanwhile, Christian is grateful to the Kapuso for finally bringing back The Clash and All-Out Sundays on air. And he also hopes that even without the vaccine, we could move forward and have normal lives.

“I think, even if the vaccine is not yet available, other countries can lower their cases.

Like for example, in South Korea, I have a friend there. They already have musicals in there. So, I believe that we can also achieve that in the long run,’ he said.

Love life is not Joshua Garcia’s current priority as he gets busy with school.

Life

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

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020

Expert says…

Work-from-home burnout is real

‘‘

It is not realistic to be 100 percent productive all the time. If you’re having a hard time at work, don’t beat yourself up about it.

WORK BREAK. Anxiety, stress, and day-to-day activities and pressure from work can potentially lead to burnout, according to a psychiatrist. lishing a good work-life balance and fline and doing other activities such as practicing self-care habits. reading a book or watching a movie.

By Steph Llarena

A

NGELI ORTIZ loved the flexibility telecommuting afforded her when their office decided to allow it because of the pandemic. The time she used going to and from work was spent for rest or more productive activities. She thought she had more time to pursue other endeavors or learn new things.

That was the case three months ago.

Four months into this set-up, Ortiz, a junior auditor for a multinational company based in Taguig, finally felt exhausted, physically and mentally.

“At first I felt like I was working longer, then when I recorded my time—including answering to emails past office hours—I realized I really was,” relates Ortiz, who usually clocks out at 6:00 p.m. but now works till past 10 in the evening.

Working from home, she says, has made her feel guilty of not putting in much work, hence she did. The boundaries between work and home slowly faded when she would respond to work-related messages before going to bed. The sanctuary her bedroom offered before now feels like an extension of her office.

“It’s like I’m always at work,” she laments. “And when I feel frustrated because of it, I often redirect my anger to

Prioritize what needs to be done

Dr. Go-Chu emphasizes the value of identifying tasks in terms of urgency.

Ticking them off one by one may help in managing work and lessening feelings of being overwhelmed.

“It is not realistic to be 100 percent productive all the time. If you’re having a hard time at work, don’t beat yourself up about it.

Tomorrow is another day,” she says.

The expert continues, “If you need help with work-related tasks, ask for it from your colleagues or supervisors. If you need help in non-work-related issues, ask for it from family and friends.”

Stretching or stepping away from work, even for just a few minutes, is vital especially when feeling tired or overwhelmed.

my family.”

The stress and anxiety due to the current situation has made Ortiz, in the past few weeks, lethargic and less productive.

A psychiatrist from a leading healthcare institution in the Philippines said the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extended quarantine have amplified negative emotions, which when piled up on top of one’s day-today work stress and pressure can potentially make a person less productive, unmotivated, and burned out.

Dr. Lovie Hope Go-Chu, psychiatry

Fitbit Sense is the first smartwatch equipped with an electrodermal activity sensor that helps wearers manage stress.

New Fitbit devices now available in PH

WEARABLE fitness company Fitbit on Monday announced two of its latest devices are now available in the Philippines.

Launched in August, the new Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Inspire 2 are now for sale at all Digital Walker outlets and Fitbit’s official Lazada and Shopee stores. Meanwhile, Fitbit Versa 3 will be locally available later this year.

The brand’s most advanced health smartwatch, Fitbit Sense (P19,490) brings the world’s first electrodermal activity sensor on a smartwatch to help manage stress. It also offers advanced

heart rate tracking technology, all powered by 6+ days’ battery life. The device also comes with a free six-month trial of Fitbit Premium.

The latest from the Inspire family of wearable trackers, Fitbit Inspire 2 (P6,290) boasts advanced features like Active Zone Minutes, an enhanced stylish, slim design, and a brighter, more vibrant screen with the longest battery life of any Fitbit device at 10 days.

It also comes with a one-year free trial of Fitbit Premium.

New features and a 10-day battery life boost the new Inspire 2.

section chief at Makati Medical Center (www.makatimed.net.ph), warns that work burnout may manifest in different ways.

“Some may experience anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. Others may feel physical symptoms like headache, fatigue, and gastric discomfort. There are also those who might become clinically depressed, or increase their substance use like alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, or other drugs,” To prevent WFH burnout and build mental resilience in these uncertain times, Dr. Go-Chu recommends estabOVER 16,000 employees of telecommunications companies PLDT and Smart take the lead in addressing mental health awareness amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Promoting an empathic culture starting at the workplace, PLDT and Smart strengthen their wellness revolution program in the hope employees empower themselves and their loved ones with information, and inspire courage to pivot and live through the new normal.

Both companies reinforce its internal campaign called Mind Your Health, which started in March, with a series of webinars this month. On October 9 they also launched “Better Today Conversations,” a storytelling series that promotes mental wellness to be held on all Fridays of October.

The Mind Your Health series aims to break the stigma on mental health in the workplace. It drives positive conversations on mental health issues and how to best address them. It prioritizes the mental well-being of all employees, especially during this unprecedented health crisis.

“We need to provide real-time and responsive mental health support now more than ever. This includes equipping our leaders with skills to manage the well-being of all teams, as well engaging a wider network of healthcare professionals. Our mental wellness continues to be a priority,” said PLDT and Smart chief people officer Gina Ordoñez.

The internal campaign has various learning sessions and virtual live talks featuring doctors, psychologists, and mental health experts on topics such as dealing with stress, developing resilience, and maintaining positivity at work.

E-learning modules are also made

Step away from work

There’s nothing wrong with taking a breather if you’re just feeling downright tired, according to Dr. Go-Chu. “Step away for a bit, do some deep breathing exercises, play a quick game on your phone, then go back to work,” she suggests. “You can also try to move around, do some stretching exercises, go out for some fresh air or if this is not possible, go to a window to get some sunlight.

Give yourself a break.”

She also recommends following regular working hours. Weekends should be days of rest, she adds. Identifying a specific work area is also advisable.

She also recommends lessening exposure to stressful news by going of-

Stay connected with colleagues and friends

Maintaining social connections, even virtually, can help minimize the feeling of isolation from working from home.

Dr. Go-Chu suggests taking time to ask colleagues how they are doing before or after work meetings.

“You can also organize online social gatherings at work or with friends—you can exercise together or generally just unwind together,” she adds.

Look after yourself

Dr. Go-Chu says that taking care of mental health while working from home also includes taking care of physical health.

“Maintain a regular routine. Eat on time. Sleep on time. Expose yourself to sunlight. Get regular exercise, preferably at the same time every day. Socialize at home—eat together, watch a movie together, play board games. Learn a new language, learn a new skill. Get started on mindfulness and meditation.

Pray, if you are religious,” she says.

If stress and anxiety are severely interfering with work and relationships, they should consider getting professional help. “If things get so bad that there are thoughts of death or even suicide, then seek help at the soonest time. It is considered an emergency,” emphasizes Dr. Go-Chu.

Telco giants champion mental health awareness at work

PLDT and Smart launch ‘Better Today Conversations,’ a storytelling series that promotes mental wellness.

available for employees to serve as a reminder on how best to take care of their mental health. PLDT and Smart leaders and executives are likewise empowered to understand their role in promoting

the well-being of their teams.

PLDT and Smart also offer counseling and consultations with accredited healthcare professionals through its medical services team.