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on A4) ILOILO BEAUTY CROWNED MISS(Story UNIVERSE PH; TAGUIG BET POSTS GRIPE ON IG By Eton Concepcion

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 234 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Migrant workers bare test overprice Swab results cost from P7k to P20k; Red Cross tapped to take over testing

RABIYA Mateo, a 24-year old cum laude graduate from Iloilo, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020, edging out 44 other candidates in the semi-virtual pageant held Sunday in Baguio City. A native of Balasan, Mateo, whom netizens said is a dead ringer for 2011 Bb. Pilipinas Universe winner Shamcey Supsup-Lee, was crowned by outgoing titlist Gazini Ganados. However, a series of cryptic posts on Instagram from Taguig bet Sandra Lemonon had Miss Universe Philippines fans asking whether there was more than meets the eye during yesterday's coronation. “Get ready loves, tomorrow I will be announcing big news, it’s time to be honest and speak facts,” read Lemonon's IG story. “The truth always comes out, It’s just about timing Karma is real soon, Because we deserve justice,” she added. By Sunday afternoon, Lemonon was trending on Twitter Philippines, with wnplaying her provocative post as mere sourgraping. Supsup-Lee, now a national director Next page

By Willie Casas

ILIPINO migrant workers stranded in the country's airports have to pay up to P20,000 for immediate coronavirus tests results, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said on Sunday. PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon said the non-government organization was allowed to enter the country's international airports in Manila, Clark,

and Cebu as overseas Filipino workers have asked the Red Cross to directly facilitate their Next page COVID-19 test.

VP Robredo in ‘isolation’ after contact with patient COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM OCT. 25)

370,028 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,223 35,015 NEW

ACTIVE

6,977

DEATHS

NEW

328,036 14,944 RECOVERIES

NEW

LOCAL ROUNDUP Rio N. Araja and Willie Casas VICE President Leni Robredo said Sunday she has undergone self-quarantine after coming in “very close contact” with a person—not a member of her staff-who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). She told an interview on radio dzXL that she came into contact with a patient Thursday and followed protocol by going into isolation. She said this wasn’t the first time she was exposed to COVID-19. “On Friday morning, we learned that Next page

WINNING PUNCHLINE.

Rabiya Mateo proudly beams as she is crowned Miss Universe PH 2020, besting 44 candidates during the semi-virtual beauty pageant held Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Baguio City. Her winning punchline: Beauty pageants give us the power to make a difference. MUP

Chief Justice wants Marcos case resolved soon By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta said the Supreme Court, sitting as a Presidential Electoral Tribunal, would decide soon on the electoral protest filed by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo. “The Supreme Court would like all

election cases to be terminated before the end of the term [of Congress]. That is the policy of the Court. Everybody is aware of that,” Peralta said in an online media briefing on Friday. “It would still be better, I told them, that cases should be decided before the filing of certificates of candidacy which is in October 2021,” the chief magistrate

added. Robredo won the 2016 vice presidential race with 14,418,817 votes or 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes. Meanwhile, legal professionals from the Marcos camp on Sunday said the Supreme Court applied a double standard Next page

’Quinta’ threatens Albay, CamSur; 1,864 stranded By Rio N. Araja and Benjamin B. Chavez TROPICAL storm “Quinta” rapidly intensified into a typhoon on Sunday at 2 p.m., endangering the Albay-Camarines Sur area. Quinta is forecast to continue moving generally westward until its landfall over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur and northeastern coast of Albay between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday. It is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday afternoon. As of 4 p.m., the eye of the typhoon was located at 70 kilometer east northeast of Legazpi City, Albay. It was moving westward at 25 km/h packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 160 km/h. Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1

RFID RUSH.

Motorists form a long queue of vehicles along the Slex-C5 toll plaza to obtain their RFID that will enable them to do cashless transactions and pass through toll gates as part of the precautions against human contact amid the virus pandemic. Regulators have given tollway operators until Nov.2, 2020 to adopt the cashless payment scheme. @Jjonathanandal_

TO THE RESCUE. By boat or land transport, rescuers from the Marine Battalion Landing Team of the Navy come to the rescue of 'Quinta' flooding victims in Cagayan while in the Bicol Region, Coastguards remind via a megaphone residents including fishermen to stay home and get updates on the weather. #MBLTinaction#Coastguard PH

Raise age of sexual consent, fight off child marriage—senator By Macon Ramos-Araneta AS THE COVID-19 pandemic threatens to force 2.5 million girls into early marriage, and the Philippines having the 12th highest number of child brides in the

world, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian cited the urgency of raising the age of sexual consent as one of the measures to combat this form of gender-based violence and human rights violations. Child marriage is the marriage of

a boy or a girl before the age of 18, though the practice affects more girls than boys—with one in 25 boys marrying before they reach the age of 18, according to the United Nations Population Fund. Next page

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Solon pushes same-sex unions B By Rio N. Araja

ATAAN Rep. Geraldine Roman believes the civil partnership bills pending at the House of Representatives could be given a chance to be discussed under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

She told Dobol B sa News TV that cumbent leadership. Velasco was "open-minded" on the proUnder the term of then Speaker Pantaposed measure, adding the passage of the leon Alvarez, who himself was an advosame-sex union would depend on the in- cate of the same-sex union, the bill moved

Migrant... From A1

The Red Cross earlier suspended its COVID-19 testing because the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., (PhilHealth), which was supposed to pay for the tests, had accumulated almost P1 billion in unpaid bills. “Someone from Washington D.C. texted me and said he or she was charged P10,000. It seems someone there is benefitting from this,” Gordon said in Filipino in an interview on ABSCBN's TeleRadyo. “Another one said, my sister paid P7,000 to get the results in 24 hours. She waited beyond 24 hours and got it only after she expressed her rage... For

Local... From A1

someone my chief of staff and I had very close contact with, tested positive for COVID. Following protocol, we decided to do self-quarantining beginning Friday until we get a swab test,” she said. New COVID-19 cases breach 2,000 THE Philippines logged 14,944 new recoveries Sunday, bringing to 328,036 the number of patients who have recovered from COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. The DOH also reported 2,223 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total infections to 370,028 since the pandemic began.. The DOH also reported 43 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 6,977. This left 35,015 active cases in the country. Of these, 82 percent are mild cases; 11.3 percent are asymptomatic; 2.4 percent are severe; and 4.2 percent are critical. Hospital staff test positive Four more personnel of a hospital in Manila have contracted COVID-19, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said on

Iloilo... From A1

of Miss Universe Philippines, posted on her social media account: “To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility – these are the marks of a true QUEEN.” Lemonon posted another IG story that appeared to be in response to Supsup-Lee's statement: “Get your tea. Accepting defeat graciously is one of the many marks of being a beauty queen. But what you forgot to say is that real queens play fair don’t cheat.” During the final Q&A portion, Mateo was asked two questions. The first question was: “If you could create a new paper currency with the image of any Filipino on it, dead or alive, who would it be, and why?” “I would want to use the face of Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For those who don't know, she was an Ilongga, but what I admire about her is that she used her knowledge, her voice to serve the country, and I want to be somebody like her, somebody who puts her heart,

’Quinta’... From A1

was raised over Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Burias and Ticao Islands. At least 1,864 people or 551 families in Bicol have been evacuated ahead of the forecast landfall of Tropical Storm Quinta in the region, the Office of Civil Defense

Chief... From A1

when it fined a Court of Appeals associate justice a year's pay for inefficiency, but failed to discipline one of its own who had 82 unresolved cases, including Marcos's election protest. In a recent en banc decision, the Court found CA Associate Justice

forward, Roman said. “Pero sa panahon ni Speaker Lord Allan Velasco na isang napakabatang Speaker who I believe is open-minded and very compassionate naman, palagay ko, I'm very optimistic na medyo pag-uusapan na iyan sa Committee on Women and Gender Equality kung saan ang inyong lingkod ay bahagi," Roman said. Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera filed House Bill 1357, but Alvarez had his own version under HB 2264.

12 hours, it costs P10,000, and for 6 hours, it costs P20,000," Gordon said. About 6,000 repatriates are stranded in Metro Manila because of the testing delay as a result of the halted PRC service, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier said as the Philippine Coast Guard switched to manual encoding. PhilHealth has said it would pay its debt to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Monday. “I'm surprised about attorney Gierran because I know him. But now, he seems undecided and scared. I don't know who he's scared of because I know he's brave. Maybe someone is being manipulated,” Gordon said of PhilHealth president Dante A. Gierran, who ordered a review of the agency's partnership with the PRC.

Gierran was recently appointed to replace Ricardo Morales, who resigned at the height of allegations of corruption in the agency. An inter-agency task force created to investigate alleged anomalies at PhilHealth has filed a criminal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Morales and several other agency officials. “All I know, Attorney Gierran, if you're listening, is I'm receiving text messages. We were not at the airport. We have just started getting in because many want to transact directly with us because they are being overcharged and are waiting for too long for coronavirus test results,” Gordon said. PhilHealth and PRC entered into a multi-million peso agreement in May

Sunday after it conducted free coronavirus tests for the hospital's frontliners. Seven doctors of Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, the biggest maternity hospital in the country, earlier tested positive for the coronavirus, according to its medical center chief Dr. Esmeraldo Ilem and Red Cross chairman Senator Richard Gordon. “We discovered four more with coronavirus disease. And we can't resist testing because if we don't, more will be put in danger,” said Gordon, in an interview on ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo. Most of the personnel are asymptomatic and under isolation, Ilem said. The hospital is disinfecting its facilities but will accommodate imminent child deliveries, Ilem said. Some 600 mothers are admitted at the hospital, he added. DOH backs having a vaccine czar Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega on Sunday expressed support on appointing a “vaccine czar” who will focus on the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine products in the country. On Saturday, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto suggested that Malacañang name a "vaccine czar" who

can ensure 110 million Filipinos would have access to the COVID-19 vaccine once available. Recto pointed out that the vaccine czar can solve the "importation to injection" challenges since rich countries who are financing the development of COVID-19 vaccines will get the supplies first. On Tuesday, Malacañang said it sees a logistical challenge for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine doses to Filipinos, since the drugs need to be stored at sub-zero temperatures. Break for health workers eyed Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said on Sunday that there is a big chance for health care workers in areas with low critical care utilization rate of medical facilities to be granted a break amid the pandemic. Vega, in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, said hospitals and local governments should decide based on their assessment of the COVID-19 situation in their areas. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque had suggested that hospitals should give health workers a break if the utilization rate for facilities dedicated to COV-

her passion into action, and after all, she is the best president that we never had,” said Mateo, who also won Best in Swimsuit during the preliminary competition. For the second question, the 5-foot7 lass was asked about the relevance of beauty pageants amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a candidate, I know I'm not just the face of Iloilo City, but I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest times. I want to help my community, I want to use my strength to make an impact, and that is the essence of beauty pageants, it gives us the power to make a difference,” Mateo said. Parañaque’s Maria Ysabella Ysmael, niece of former Miss Universe Margie Moran and Best in Evening Gown winner, was named 1st runner-up, while Quezon City’s Michele Gumabao finished as 2nd runner-up. Bohol’s Pauline Amelinckx, who bagged the Face of the Universe, Miss Creamsilk and two other special awards, was named 3rd runner-up. Rounding up the Top 5 was Cavite’s Kimberly Hakenson, a flight attendant.

Raise...

Region V said in a report update at Sunday noon. In an earlier interview on Dobol B sa News TV, OCD-5 Public Information Officer Gremil Naz said the evacuees are from Guinobatan, Albay and Canaman, Camarines Sur. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), meanwhile, warned of potential lahar and sediment-laden streamflows on all river channels draining the slopes of Mayon

Volcano due to tropical depression Quinta. “Prolonged and heavy rainfall may generate post-eruption lahar on major channels draining the Mayon Volcano edifice by incorporating loose material from thick pyroclastic density current deposits and remnant ashfall,” Phivolcs said. “Due to this development, DOSTPHIVOLCS strongly recommends increased vigilance and readiness of communities in pre-determined zones of lahar

Marilyn B. Lagura-Yap guilty of gross inefficiency when she failed to decide on 160 cases during her stint as presiding judge of Mandaue City Regional Trial Court Branch 28. But sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said it was unfair to penalize Yap but not act on Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen, one of the senior justices of the 15-member bench. Court records show that Leonen

Roman is the first transgender lawmaker. "Sana mabuksan din ang kanilang mga utak at mga puso na sa katotohanan na ang mga LGBT ay, number one, anak ng Diyos, may karapatan silang magkaroon ng pamilya at pangatlo, dapat makatanggap sila ng legal protection sa pamamagitan ng civil union or civil partnership," Roman said. “Ito lang ang mensahe ko sa inyo: Live and let live. Be happy and let others be happy."

in which the Red Cross was to conduct a massive COVID-19 testing program charging PhilHealth P3,500 for each test. Last week, the Justice Department cleared the memorandum of agreement between PhilHealth and the Red Cross and the advance payment of P100 million for the COVID-19 tests despite laws mandating reimbursements instead. “Having been in receipt today of the DOJ legal opinion saying that the PhilHealth-PRC MOA is not subject to Procurement Law, PhilHealth will release payment on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, subject to completeness of billing requirements submitted by the PRC,” PhilHealth said in a statement Friday night. ID-19 patients is at a manageable level. Roque made the suggestion to the National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. during a briefing. Virus research center in the works The Philippines is devoting a whole new research center to the study of emerging viruses, including those found in wildlife animals, that could possibly infect people and threaten public health in the future, according to Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, a member of the House appropriations committee. He said the new Virology Science and Technology Institute (VSTI) is getting an initial funding of P283 million in the 2021 national budget. “Once fully operational, the VSTI will enable Filipino scientists to identify evolving viruses in different species of animals,” he noted. “They will then be in a position to ascertain those viruses that could pose the greatest risk of infecting people and spreading between people,” he said. The VSTI will establish its facilities at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Tarlac, and operate under the supervision of the Department of Science and Technology, he said.

The Senate recently approved on second reading a proposed measure to end From A1 child marriages in the country. Panels from both the House of Representatives Meanwhile, the age of sexual consent and the Senate also approved proposals in the Philippines is 12 years old, the to raise the age of sexual consent to 16. lowest in Asia and the second lowest in the world. “Ang mga kabataan ay dapat nagIn its Global Girlhood Report 2020 aaral upang magkaroon sila ng mas released this month, the international magandang kinabukasan. Hindi dapat charity organization Save the Children napuputol ang kanilang mga pangarap said up to 2.5 million girls around the dahil napipilitan silang magpakasal at world were at risk of marriage in the next magkaroon ng responsibilidad sa pamifive years because of the effects of the lya nang maaga,” said Gatchalian, chairCOVID-19 pandemic, including school man of the Senate Committee on Basic closures and economic insecurity. Education, Arts and Culture. In April, the UNFPA warned that Gatchalian also reiterated the imporeconomic hardships and the disrup- tance of ensuring the continued provitions to programs on gender-based sion of child protection programs and violence could result in up to 13 mil- reproductive health services to protect lion more child marriages in the next vulnerable girls from the effects of the 10 years. COVID-19 pandemic. Gatchalian, who originally proHe emphasized the importance of posed to raise the age of sexual consent comprehensive sexuality education since to 18 in Senate Bill 739, said amend- early marriage and family matters are ing the law on statutory rape would be considered the top reasons why girls helpful in combating sexual violence aged six to 24 are not attending school as and abuse that result from child mar- reported by the Annual Poverty Indicariages. tors Survey 2017.

topped the list of justices with a number of pending cases. These include 37 cases that are ready for decision but remain unresolved, and 45 cases which are still awaiting other pleadings to be submitted. Marcos had accused Robredo of cheating in the 2016 elections, but Leonen, who is in charge of the case, only acted upon it last month. The Marcos camp sources said Le-

hazards in Mayon Volcano,” PHIVOLCS said in an advisory. The agency said vigilance should be maintained at the Miisi, Binaaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawg, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matan-ag, and Basuc channels. “Communities and local government units beside these drainages are advised to be additionally vigilant and to move residents to high ground should heavy rain occur," Phivolcs said. onen was mocking democratic processes by not acting sooner on a case that involved the second highest elected position in the land. Yap, on the other hand, was fined an amount equivalent to one year of her salary as a penalty for her inefficiency. She was also admonished to be more diligent in the performance of her sworn duty, especially now that she is an associate justice of the Court of Appeals.

Palace: It's up to House panel to probe SEAG MALACAÑANG is leaving it to a House of Representatives panel whether it would investigate the alleged corruption and irregularities in the use of government funds during the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the Philippines hosted in 2019, an official said Sunday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued the statement after the House's Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chairman Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado said his panel was open to the calls for an inquiry into how billions of pesos were used by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee lead by then Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. Although the Office of the Ombudsman in December created a fact-finding committee to probe those who handled the funds, Roque said, the House panel was also free to conduct its own probe on the issues hounding the biennial sports meet. "We note that the Office of the Ombudsman had created a panel last year to carry out a fact-finding probe in our hosting of the 2019 SEA Games. We welcome this move of the OMB in the same way that we leave the matter to the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation, if need be, on the use of government funds during last year’s SEA Games," Roque said. Roque, meanwhile, reminded the panel not to discredit the efforts made by the Filipino athletes for bringing pride and honor to the country as well as the preparations and execution done by the Phisgoc in the country’s hosting of the regional sporting event. "The 30th Southeast Asian Games showcased not only our local athletes at their best but also demonstrated our successful hosting of a world-class sporting event. Let us, therefore, not dishonor the men and women who gave honor and glory to the country by engaging in political innuendos and witch hunts," Roque said. Last Saturday, Sy-Alvarado said they would be open to a hearing on the issue as long as there was a referral to the panel. However, he said, he was not aware of any resolution that had been filed seeking an investigation. In a TV interview, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said he was also open to an investigation if a resolution were filed.

Transport body allots P1m for aviation infra By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Transportation plans to spend only P1 million on new aviation infrastructure in 2021, and following the collapse of air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday. “The DOTr’s Aviation Infrastructure Program is getting only P1 million in new capital outlay in the 2021 national budget,” he said. “To cope with the pre-pandemic boom in air travel and address airport congestion, Congress had authorized over P16 billion in development funding since 2018 to expand and improve the country’s aviation facilities and services.” Pimentel says he does not expect international air travel to rebound anytime soon. “The DOTr even equipped many airports so that they can operate flights at night,” he said. “But the harsh reality is, we are now in a situation wherein all our 49 airports nationwide may be operating well below capacity for a very long time. “We would urge tourism-related establishments across the country to brace for a long recovery, especially if they used to rely mainly on foreign visitors.” The Montreal, Canada-based International Air Transport Association earlier said it does not see global airline traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels until 2024. Even domestic air travel might take a long time to bounce back, Pimentel said. “Our sense is, many Filipino families will likely avoid local air travel for leisure purposes until a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available,” he said. “Most Filipinos seeking leisure will likely take road trips closer to their homes, such as the nearest beach resort, that won’t require air or sea travel. “The P1-million budget for new aviation infrastructure in 2021 does not mean there won’t be any construction activities in our airports. “The DOTr is just completing airport projects for which funds have already been obligated.”

News

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOH official pushes anti-measles vaccination for children By Macon Ramos-Araneta SAYING that an estimated 2.4 million children under the age of five are susceptible to measles in the country, a Department of Health official stressed the role of vaccination to protect the lives of children. DOH National Immunization Cam-

paign Program Manager Dr. Wilda Silva said that measles is a highly contagious disease that seriously affects the respiratory system of children. “With no specific treatment for the disease, vaccination is seen as the best form of protection,” said Silva, adding that the DOH aims to vaccinate 95% of children in their campaign.

TODAY

MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU Regional Office No. V

DENR Annex Bldg., Regional Center, Rawis, Legazpi CIty E-mail Address:region5@mgb.gov.ph Website: region5.mgb.gov.ph Telefax No. (052) 482-1056Tel No. (052) 482-1156

NOTICE OF APPLICATION

By Rey E. Requejo

VICAR MINING CORPORATION (Name of Company/lndividual)

FOR EXPLORATION PERMIT Notice is hereby given that pursuant to Section 210f DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2010-21, Series of 2010, Providing for a consolidated Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order for the Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the “Philippine Mining Act of 1995”, Vicar Mining Corporation, with office address at 3rd Floor Corinthian Plaza Building, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, has filed an application for Exploration Permit· for the exploration of Gold and other minerals and particularly described as follows: - Registration No.

EXPA-000232-V

II - Date of Registration

November 4, 2019

III - Area Location Barangays

: :

Municipality of Province of Island of

: : :

cination, and the Pharmaceutical and plained how measles is easily transmitted Healthcare Association of the Philippines from one child to another, and highlighted held the fourth in their series of “Health how ‘herd immunity’ prevents this. Connect” online forum, titled “Measles Herd immunity is achieved when a sufThreat in the Philippines: The Need for ficient number of people in the community Herd Immunity”. is immune to an infectious disease. It also Silva was joined by the president of the protects others who have not been vacciPediatric Infectious Disease Society of the nated, including those with very weak imPhilippines, Dr. Mary Ann Bunyi, whoCYAN ex- mune systemsYELLOW and very young babies. MAGENTA BLACK

Judiciary Marshall bill sought

Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard Department of Environment and Natural Resources

She said Phase One will take place in Mindanao, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, MIMAROPA, and Bicol. “We cannot understate the value of vaccines,” added the DOH official during a media briefing. The DOH, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Foundation for Vac-

Docol, Capsay, Eastern Capsay, Lahong Interior, Baao, Banase, Gabi Baleno Masbate Luzon

HIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta urged Congress to also give priority to the passage of a bill seeking to establish Philippine Judiciary Marshal intended to provide better protection to judges and justices from violent attacks.

Peralta expressed hopes that Congress will also prioritize the enactment of the proposed PJM that was patterned after the United States Marshal Service, despite the lawmakers’ preoccupation with the passage of measures aimed at strengthening the country’s response capability to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic and the proposed national

budget for 2021. The chief justice underscored the need for the establishment of PJM intended to provide adequate security and give them authority to investigate and file cases against those responsible for the killing or threatening members of the Judiciary. “We are still waiting for the law that we suggested to be enacted by

Congress but what I heard is in the Lower House, they have already finished their reading. It would already be submitted for plenary and likewise with the Senate but because of the pandemic probably they were very much occupied with the budget and also the Bayanihan 1 and Bayanihan 2 laws,” Peralta said during a press conference on Friday which marked his first year in office as top magistrate. “So we are just waiting. But I hope after the recess or after they have deliberated on the budget or approved the budget, they will calendar the Philippine Judiciary Marshal,” he added. Peralta issued the statement after unidentified armed suspects

ambushed 46-year-old Libmanan Regional Trial Court Branch 56 Judge Jeaneth Gaminde-San Joaquin and her 34-year-old Secretary Rocelle Martinez last Tuesday, while they were on their way to Naga City, Camarines Sur. They were brought to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Peralta said that recent attack on Judge San Joaquin reinforced their position that “we really need your Judiciary Marshals because the Supreme Court cannot give the adequate security.” “We want a security marshal so we would have the power to investigate and file cases before the courts, the investigation will be faster,” he said.

IV - Technical Description of the Area: Corner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Latitude 12° 28’ 30.000” 12° 28’ 30.000” 12° 25’ 30.000” 12° 25’ 30.000” 12° 26’ 30.000” 12° 26’ 30.000” 12° 28’ 00.000” 12° 28’ 00.000”

Longitude 123° 26’ 00.000” 123° 27” 00.000” 123° 27” 00.000” 1230 25’ 30.000” 1230 25’ 30.000” 123° 26’ 30.000” 123° 26’ 30.000” 123° 26’ 00.000”

* Exceptions. The proposed Contract/Permit Area shall be subject to Section 19 of RA 7942 and Section 15 (“Areas Closed to Mining Locations”) and Section 16 (“Ancestral Lands), of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21, Series of 2010. Among other things: a.) The following shall be closed to mining locations: areas with valid and existing mining rights; mining applications and areas expressly prohibited by law; b.) The following shall also be closed to mining locations except upon the written consent of the concerned government agency or private entity subject to the evaluation and validation by the Bureau; areas near or under public or private buildings, cemeteries, archeological and historical sites, bridges, highways, waterways, railroads, reservoirs, dams or other infrastructure projects, public or private works including plantations of valuable or valuable crops. c.) Applications for mineral agreement or financial or technical assistance agreements covering; small scale mining areas; civil or military reservations; areas covered by Certificate of Ancestral Domain claims; or areas of ancestral land as may be defined by law shall require prior written consent of concerned individuals, groups or other government agencies having jurisdiction over the area/s applied for. d.) Tourism development areas as identified in the national and local tourism development plans; e.) Prime agricultural lands, in addition to lands covered by RA No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, as amended, including plantations and areas devoted to valuable crops, and strategic agriculture and fisheries development zones, and fish refuge and sanctuaries declared as such by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. # Notes 1. The approval of an Environmental Clearance Certificate, with all the necessary public consultations, shall be required prior to any and all mining construction, development and production. 2. The notice must be accompanied by a map/sketch plan with index map showing the nearest municipality(ies) and any major environmental feature(s). V - Size of the Area

Nine Hundred Eighteen and 6638/10000 (91,8.6638) hectares

VI - Duration of the Permit: 1. Exploration shall have a term of two (2) years renewable for like period but not to exceed a total term of six (6) years; VII - Extent of Operation to be undertaken: Exploration of Gold and other minerals. Any and all persons having adverse claims, protest and/or opposition to the above mentioned application(s) are hereby notified that their adverse claims should be filed within ten (10) days from the last date of publication/ posting, directly with the Regional Office concerned or Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) or Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of the DENR for filing in the Regional Office for purposes of its resolution by the Panel of Arbitrators and/ or the concerned appellate body(ies). Adverse claims, protests or opposition should be accomplished in accordance with Sections 203 and 204 of DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-21, series of 2010 and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the applicant/contractor by the adverse claimant. For further particulars, apply or course your inquiries to the Regional Director, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional Office No. V, DENR, Annex Building, Regional Center, Rawis, Legaspi City. GUILLERMO A. MOLINA, JR. IV Regional Director

(MS-OCT. 26, 2020)

DRUG BUST. About 13 kilograms of high-grade shabu with an estimated street value of P88.4 million from a drug syndicate operating in the province of Cavite were busted on Sunday by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Team in two separate operations, one in Molino 2 and the other in Mambog 3, Bacoor City. Noman Cruz

House leaders honor JIL movement By Rio N. Araja HOUSE leaders, led by Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, have congratulated and commended the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide under the leadership of CIBAC partylist Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva, deputy speaker for good governance and moral uprightness on for the congregation’s 42nd anniversary. Romualdez, along with deputy majority leaders Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga, Wilter Wee Palma II of Zamboanga Sibugay and Xavier Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin, and Assistant Majority Leader David Suarez of Quezon filed House Resolution No. 1291 to give honor to Villanueva and the JIL for their continuing social and humanitarian programs that benefit not only its members, but the country as a whole. They recognized Villanueva as the “conscience” of the House of Representatives who

fearlessly speak out against major issues that tend to erode the moral fiber of the country. “Now therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the House of Representatives to send its collective commendation and congratulatory greetings to the leaders and members of the JIL Church who are physically and virtually present in the celebration of their 42nd anniversary at 101 Bunlo, Bocaue, Bulacan,” the measure read. For more than four decades, the House leaders said, “the JIL Church has been a faithful advocate for a morally upright government as evidenced by its active participation in relevant issues that beset the nation.” “Whereas, through its Bible-based teachings and programs, the JIL Church has been a positive influence in advancing the welfare of the Filipino family, the youth, the poor and the needy, and other similar sectors of the society,” the resolution stated.

Gov’t seeks to regulate prices of food THE national government is undertaking measures to ensure that prices of basic commodities, particularly food items, will not spike as the holiday inches closer amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Sunday. Even if the government has lifted the price freeze on goods, Nograles said the Department of Trade and Industry will continue monitoring the prices of basic commodities to prevent price manipulation, hoarding, and other instances where unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of artificial shortages of goods. “The DTI is monitoring the prices of not just food, but all products. Prices were initially ordered frozen at the onset of the pandemic, but even with price controls lifted the government continues to be conscious of the need to keep an eye on the prices of goods in the market,” he said via Facebook Live on Saturday night. The price freeze on basic goods was imposed in March almost coinciding with the implemen-

tation of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and eventually nationwide. But the DTI announced that the prices of basic necessities had since returned to the standard retail prices last May. Aside from monitoring the prices of food staples like rice, Nograles said the government was also improving food production to ensure adequate food supplies during the holidays. “To achieve what we call food price stability, we need to assure food production. To ensure food production, we need to promote helping the agriculture sector -- farmers and fisherfolk,” he said. He said that among the government’s priorities is to guarantee that food production will be “uninterrupted” and supply chains will “unimpeded” to ensure adequate supplies and access to the market. “If these measures are in place, we can prevent price fluctuations that can hurt Filipino consumers,” said Nograles, who also chairs the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force. PNA

IN BRIEF

Senators seek stop to rice smuggling, exploitation SENATORS on Sunday called for a clampdown on rice smuggling and abusive practices of some rice traders as they sought better mechanisms to protect small and poor farmers. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sought to stop the exploitative practices of some rice traders who take advantage of the vulnerabilities of many Filipino rice farmers. He was specifically referring to a cooperative in Tarlac allegedly involved in rice smuggling. Go said he had asked the National Bureau of Investigation to probe these reports and hold those involved accountable. The senator recounted a Senate hearing back in 2013 when President Rodrigo Duterte, then Davao City mayor, was invited as a resource person to talk about the issue of rice smuggling. He accompanied the President and saw how determined the then Davao local executive was on going after rice smugglers. Macon Ramos-Araneta

PCUP’s feeding caravan kicks off in Metro cities THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor has started its feeding caravan this month in Quezon City, Caloocan City and Manila that benefited 2,775 families. The program aims to provide immediate food and nutritional support to the urban poor sector, and not only to children but also to other family members, chairman and chief executive officer Alvin Feliciano said. “We have continuous coordination with various organizations that are willing to provide healthy food for our feeding program so that we can deliver more nutritious food,” he said. The initiative is also a anti-coronavirus disease 2019 measure at the community level. The PCUP has partnered with the Jollibee Group Foundation for the distribution of ready-to-cook food. It aims to distribute the food aid to 15,000 families in Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila and Pasig City as of the upcoming Urban Poor Solidarity Week celebration in December.. Rio N. Araja

IN BRIEF Vizcaya closes capitol for disinfection work BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Governor Carlos Padilla has ordered the temporary closure of the provincial capitol for a week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A few provincial capitol employees were earlier found positive for the coronavirus, prompting Padilla to issue the temporary closure order from October 23 to October 30 for both provincial and national government offices within the capitol building to pave way for the disinfection activities. “This will allow us to disinfect all buildings and facilities within the provincial capitol compound and to contact trace and test our employees who had close contact with COVID-19 positive patients,” he said. Padilla said all employees of the provincial government within the capitol compound shall not report to work during the temporary closure period. However, employees of the Provincial Integrated Health Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, provincial hospitals, and provincial jail and security personnel are excluded from the order.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Bacolod’s MassKara Festival goes virtual BACOLOD CITY—The main streets of Bacolod are usually full of life and energy on the fourth Sunday of October as its people, along with thousands of visitors from across the world, celebrate the highlights of the MassKara Festival. The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic changed all that. This year, the public plaza, considered as the hub of the much-anticipated street dance competition, only had a few people sitting on benches and roaming around to while away a quiet Sunday afternoon. “Covid-19 has changed everything for us. This is the day that MassKara should have been celebrated with the highlights. Can you imagine for 40 straight years we had the MassKara and it is only now that the festival has been suspended,” a wistful Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a radio interview. Last Sept. 21, Leonardia issued Executive Order 62 suspending this year’s festival’s public celebration and all related revelries or activities to comply with the health and safety protocols in stemming the local spread of infections. As the city continues to fight the virus, Bacolodnons have found ways to continue the revelry on MassKara’s 41st year virtually.

CCTV CENTER. Police Col. John Guiagui, Manila Police District Station 3 Commander, watches a monitor receiving video from 33 closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) donated by the Manila Chinese Action Team (MCAT) located along Blumentritt (inset photo) to the corner of Aurora Boulevard in Manila. Norman Cruz

PH gets $3.5m in disaster, flood aid T

HE United States government has increased its assistance program to the country to boost the Philippine government’s capacity to protect its highrisk communities against the impact of natural disasters. The fresh aid package provides an additional P170 million ($3.5 million) capability enhancement fund, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to improve on areas of disaster management, response and logistics in the delivery of relief as-

sistance when disasters strike, a press statement from the US Embassy said. USAID will assist communities in Metro Manila, Northern Samar, and Maguindanao provinces that are highly prone to frequent earthquakes, typhoons, and floods.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law stated: “Through this assistance, we hope that Filipino communities are able to prepare, mitigate, and recover quickly from the negative impacts of natural disasters.” The announcement came a week after the Commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, on October 13, which encourages citizens and governments to take part in building more disaster-resilient communities and nations. The 2019 Asia Pacific Disaster Report revealed that the Philippines’ multi-hazard average annual loss was estimated at

$20 billion, with 75.8 percent of the Philippines total population living in high risk areas. Since 2010, the U.S. government through the USAID has provided P16.5 billion ($340 million) in disaster relief and recovery assistance for more than 100 cities and municipalities in the Philippines. The USAID is seen to boost the capacity of community leaders and local governments to mitigate disaster risks, improve early warning systems, and develop better protocols for more rapid disaster responses. Nash B. Maulana

Navotas, BSP put up vertical farm NAVOTEÑOS will now have a more sufficient and sustainable food source following the launch of the city’s first urban vertical farm, the tallest in Metro Manila. Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco, chair of Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)Navotas City Council, together with Simon Villalon, president of Good Greens and Co., led the opening of the farm at NavotaAs Homes 1-Tanza. “This pandemic made us see the need for sufficient and sustainable source of food. We hope this urban vertical farm will help us provide inexpensive healthy and organic produce to our constituents,” Tiangco said. “Navotas is one of the smallest cities in terms of land area. This is why vertical farming is the most apt for us, as it maximizes our limited space,” he added.

The farm features four tower greenhouses, the construction of which was financed by BSP-Navotas and Good Greens. The City Government of Navotas provided the 500 sq. m. area for the project. “We have also secured the Department of Agriculture’s commitment to contribute for the construction of eight more towers,” Tiangco noted. Good Greens will manage the farm to yield high-value and year-round crops through aeroponics. They will also provide learning opportunities for scouts to plant, use their technology, and harvest. “Activities of the BSP-Navotas have been suspended because of COVID-19 but we endeavor to continue the mission of educating our young scouts,” the lawmaker said. Jun David

VERTICAL FARM. Navotas City Rep. John Rey Tiangco (center and inset left) leads the inauguration of the 4-tower vertical urban farm in NavotaAs Homes 1-Tanza. This project is jointly promoted by the City Government, BSP Navotas City Council, and Good Greens + Co. It aims to promote adequate and sustainable food sources. Andrew Rabulan

P3-m Angeles police quarters unveiled

CENTER OPENS. Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas (left) welcomes Metro Drug Inc. (MDI), which formally inaugurated its National Distribution Center on October 20. Located in Barangay Macabling near the Santa Rosa-Biñan Access Road, the center aids MDI, a distribution company of pharmaceutical and healthcare products. Also present were MDI General Manager Agnes Rafinan, Chairman and CBO Jannette Jakosalem, Men FormZuellig of the Zuellig Group, and Maikel Kuijpers of Zuellig Pharma. Roy Tomandao

By Jess Malabanan ANGELES CITY—PATROL Partylist has turned over the new Bachelor Officers Quarters (BOQ) at the back of the main headquarters building of the Angeles City Police Office at Camp Tomas Pepito in Barangay Sto. Domingo here. PATROL Partylist chief of staff lawyer Abner Zamora, who represented Rep. Jorge A. Bustos, said the BOQ started construction in February but works had been stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Full swing construction resumed in August was and completed in time for the scheduled inauguration. He said the building has seven rooms and can accommodate two officers per room, or a total of 14 police commissioned officers. The project is worth P3 million and was funded through the initiative of Rep. Bustos. Zamora and Police BGen. Valeriano Templo De Leon, Central Luzon Police director, led the turnover of the BOQ to its tenants as part of the Command Visit activities.

3-day Manila-MinDa Tienda wraps up By Willie Casas

NEW BUILDING. PATROL Party-list officer Abner Zamora hands over the symbolic key to Police Colonel Joyce Patrick Sangalang, director of the Angeles City Police Office, during simple rites at Camp Tomas Pepito, with Police BGen. Valeriano Templo De Leon, Central Luzon police director, as witness. Jess Malabanan

THE City Government of Manila, together with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa), has launched the “MinDa Tienda Goes to Manila” project that features local agri-fishery products, organic rice and handicrafts made in Mindanao, which will be sold at the Kartilya ng Katipunan Park. The MinDa Tienda event ran from October 23 to 25 at the Kartilya ng Katipunan Park, a statement from the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said on Sunday. This project showcases Mindanao culture through the selling of locally made products such as crafts, delicacies, products by Mindanao farmers, fisherfolks

and suppliers at affordable prices. “Ngayong araw po na ito ay isang napakahalagang araw para sa amin. Katuparan ng isang pangarap na sana po ay mapansin ang Mindanao,” Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Manny Piñol said in the statement. Made possible with the City’s Bureau of Permits, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila and Office of the Mayor Special Projects unit, MinDa Tienda also answers to the call of the national government for food sufficiency in the country amid the pandemic, as well as to contribute to peace and development of Mindanao. With this project, not only will the Mindanao culture be showcased, but also affordable products will be brought to the City for the Manilenos, Pinol said.

Opinion Change the system WE KEEP blaming our elected and their appointed ofﬁcials for whatever ails this country. We criticize, even make fun of, some of their pronouncements as well as their actions. That of course is our right. In some cases, it is our duty, whether because we are part of the media, or because we are citizens and taxpayers who deserve to be served properly. But in the case of our country, it is not just about the quality of our leaders. It is the political system. That system sucks. And because leaders adapt to the system within which they operate, even those who entered politics with so much idealism eventually bend their character and their principles in order to survive within that system.

A presidential form is not compatible with a multiplicity of parties as a two-party system which was what the wise men who framed our 1935 Constitution decided upon. The fault is in our present Constitution. The 1935 Constitution, steered by several wise men which included the venerable Don Claro M. Recto, although written under the auspices of the American occupation through the Jones Law, provided for a political system which in many respects are more suited to us Filipinos than the current 1987 Constitution. Whatever their lack of differentiating ideologies or platforms, the two-party system served our democracy better than the present multi-party set-up which in reality is nothing else than party-less politics. As I keep writing in this space, and even in previous publications where I wrote a column, our so-called political parties are nothing more than flags of convenience—the convenience of personalities with ambitions of getting elected, whether in local or national office. Even worse, these parties are “owned” or were “owned” by businessmen with interests to protect. Take the recent brawls for the speakership of the House. The balance of power was tilted not only by the President’s 15-21 Magellan formula, as insisted upon by his daughter, the city mayor of Davao, but by the “owners” of the political parties coalesced together in support of the administration. Who owns the Nacionalista Party (NP)? The National Unity Party (NUP)? The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)? The Lakas-NUCD? Even party-list FoC’s such as Manny Pacquiao-trademarked but Mikee Romero-owned 1-Pacman? The PDP-Laban, which was organized as the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino by the likes of Nene Pimentel and the revered Lorenzo Tanada, has degenerated from a small but progressive-minded party into an umbrella for all shades of political turncoats. Simply because their chief financier, when he was mayor of the country’s richest city, put up his own coalition when he got elected vice-president and wanted to be president. The party, by a fluke, became the adopted

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

EDITORIAL

standard of President Duterte, when it “lent” a certificate of candidacy to the still-undecided mayor as a Comelec deadline loomed. That party of convenience has elected the president its chairman. In truth, though, he does not interfere in running the affairs of the PDP-Laban. As for the Liberal Party founded by Presidents Roxas, Quirino and followers like the Atienzas of Manila and Jose Avelino of Samar, everyone but a few who used to crowd it have now deserted and moved to other parties not identified with the “yellow” brand. The 1987 Constitution, written by a handpicked 49 men and women while Cory was still presiding over a “revolutionary” government, initially fashioned a multi-party system under a parliamentary form of government. But when the commissioners voted upon the form of government, they strangely decided upon a presidential form by a margin of one solitary vote. They did not bother to correct the fundamental error—that a presidential form is not compatible with a multiplicity of parties as a two-party system which was what the wise men who framed our 1935 Constitution decided upon. Thus we have hundreds of political parties, some local, some regional, and less than a dozen national parties. Add to that the party-list system, of which about the only ones which have a defining ideology are the progressive parties such as Bayan Muna and Gabriela. These are unfortunately labelled by the ultra-right as communist fronts, forgetting that our legislators have long ago repealed the Anti-Subversion Law, precisely to get the “leftists” to participate in the legal, parliamentary discourse. Speaking of which, this writer joins the protest against the warnings issued by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. against actresses Liza Soberano and Angel Locsin, even Catriona Gray, for coming out in defense of the rights of women detainees. Red-tagging should have no place in a free society, where no thoughts are supposed to be illegal. Only when so-called leftists take arms and commit violence against society and government should they be deemed public enemies. Defense Secretary Del Lorenzana did right when he admonished Parlade to shut up if he has no proof about what he accuses people of. If time proscribes amending or even revising the present Cory constitution, then we submit that the next leadership of this country should initiate it as soon as he gets elected. Bring back the two-party system, and along with it the right of the parties to name their precinct inspectors on election day, paid by the government. Independent candidates, while allowed, should finance their own precinct watchers. A vote for the president must be counted automatically as a vote for his vice-presidential running mate. The same should go for the governor and the mayor along with their “vices”. Teamwork, rather than clashing interests, should be the modus vivendi. Senators should be elected by region instead of nationally. At two senators per region, regardless of population, we will have 34 senators. That would allow the poorer regions a bigger voice, and better share of the expenditure budget. “Imperial” Manila will be a thing of the past. Dissolve the provincial boards, and let the municipal mayors comprise the policy-making body for a province. Dissolve likewise the city and municipal councils, right-size the number of barangay and let their chairmen take turns at passing ordinances. Let’s give our elected officials a term of six years, not the present shortened term of three years where they think of nothing except re-election or breeding dynasties. The fewer elective officials, the better government will run. The cost savings alone will be sizable and better used for social services.

The Pope and civil unions TWENTY-NINE countries presently recognize the right of same-sex couples to marry. Another 17 countries allow for civil unions for same-sex partners. All in all that is a total of 43 states that have legislated the right of partnership between persons of the same sex. This represents 22 percent of all countries around the world. Recently, Pope Francis sent shockwaves by expressing support for civil unions for same-sex couples. This stands in stark contrast to the document, “Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons” issued in 2003 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then headed by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who later on became Pope Benedict XVI. The Considerations afﬁrm that: “The Church teaches that respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.” According to the said Church document, “Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean not only the approval of deviant behavior, with the consequence of making it a model in present-day society, but would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity.”

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

At face value, it may seem that Pope Francis has practically shifted the Church’s teaching against same-sex civil unions. In his comments, taken from the recently released documentary, “Francesco,” the pope said, “Homosexuals have a right to be in the family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out of the family or have a miserable life because of it (homosexuality). We need to have a law of civil union (literally: civil coexistence). They (homosexuals) have a right to be legally covered (i.e., protected). I defended this.” While the Pope’s comments has caused an uproar among many conservatives in the Catholic Church, it is important to know what he really said, and understand what he really meant. First, it is important to know the circumstances behind the production of the film. The director, Evygeny Afineeysky, at first sought an interview with Pope Francis. Contrary to his initial claims that the Pope made his comments directly to him, Afineeysky’s request was declined, and instead he was referred to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications, which allowed him extensive access to its television archives. The comments originally came from an interview conducted in 2019 by Vatican reporter Valentina Alazraki for the Mexican broadcaster Televisa. The said interview, however, shows that the Pope did not uttered these statements consecutively, and he had been referring to the right of gay people to be accepted into their own families. Short of sheer manipulation, the documentary “Francesco” had now presented these comments as a cohesive whole, in support of same-sex civil unions.

A grave injustice

HE head of the judicial branch of government, Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, insisted Friday that they did not neglect a jailed activist, Reina Nasino whose three-month old baby died after their enforced separation. ter±and on August 13, the Manila Court Branch 20 ordered that Baby River be separated from her mother.

“I hope Nasino also understands the court and the others. There was no intention to delay [the judgment]. There really are limitations,” Peralta said in a virtual press conference. It seems too much to ask for Nasino’s understanding, given that the 23-year-old mother, after a harrowing separation from her newborn, was only granted a few hours to attend her daughter’s wake, during which she could not even wipe her own tears properly because her handcuffs were never once removed. Despite the Manila City Jail’s claim of a shortage in manpower, no less than 47 police ofﬁcers kept tight watch over Nasino as she mourned her child. Nasino found out she was pregnant after her November 2019 arrest. In April she—along with other sick, elderly and pregnant detainees—asked the Supreme Court to grant their temporary release on humanitarian reasons because of the covid-19 pandemic. But the Court only announced its ruling in September and kicked the decision back to the lower court. Nasino gave birth July 1—even before the 15 magistrates decided on the mat-

That was certainly not your best, Mr. Chief Justice. In fact, that was not anywhere near good enough. The Manila court also denied a plea to allow the pair to stay together at Fabella Memorial Hospital, or even in a jail with natal care facilities for at least a year. Another petition, this time for Nasino to be allowed to express breastmilk and be provided clean lactation facilities, was also denied. There were no such facilities at the jail, she was told. In an interview with this newspaper last week, the executive director of the Commission on Population and Development, Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III, emphasized that there is no dearth of laws and other issuances guaranteeing the rights of the newborn to be

with the mother and to obtain the best nutrition possible through her breast milk. These laws make no distinction between ordinary mothers and infants, and those where the mother is in jail. Perez enumerated the executive orders, republic acts and jurisprudence that support keeping mother and child together. We are aghast at how Manila Judge Marivic Balisi-Umali could be ignorant—or dismissive, we don’t know which is worse—of the scientifically established need to allow the mother to spend time with and nurse her child. We are equally aghast at how yet another judge could cut short a three-day furlough to two days of three hours each, especially given the completely preventable tragedy of the baby’s death. “I take this opportunity to extend my condolence to [Nasino],” Peralta said during his briefing. “We tried our best.” The only opportunity that should be taken is to acknowledge the failure of the courts to render justice, and with urgency, as they must. Such a failure directly resulted in the needless death of a child—and in the erosion of confidence that the officers of the court see the names in the cases as human beings, instead of unresolved issues they can dispose of at their leisure. That was certainly not your best, Mr. Chief Justice. In fact, that was not anywhere near good enough. We hope you understand our indignation.

Power spot market price spike anomaly? sinloc coal-ﬁred plant; Santa Rita gas plant; Kepco-SPC coal-ﬁred power plant; and the Panay Energy Development Corporation generating facility. Yet, despite all these outages, there were no Yellow Alerts issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). In fact, the last Yellow Alert issued was in June 2020. Without this warning, energy stakeholders would be blind to what is happening within the grid. Even more suspicious is why there was even a spike when, in the absence of a yellow alert, there is supposed to be adequate power supply that distribution utilities can draw to deliver to their service areas.

AN UNEXPECTED surge of electricity prices brought about by high charges in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), has resulted in increased generation charges. This prompted consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines—where I am convenor—to ask the Energy Regulatory Commission for an investigation. Specifically, we asked the ERC for a probe on these spot market price spikes during the lockdown months. No “yellow” alerts, or public warnings on thinning power supply, were issued. The following are the salient points of our communication sent to ERC on this odd occurrence that we feel merits public attention. Based on news reports, there were a series of unscheduled power plant outages early September and a gas output restriction at the Malampaya field that triggered spikes in prices at the WESM. This will inevitably be passed on as rate hike in the consumers’ electric bills for October. According to the Daily Significant Variations Report by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), market operator of the WESM, the wave of power plant outages happened on September 5, 2020 which identified forced outages in power plants: Cebu Energy Development Corporation coal plant; GNPower Mariveles coal plant; Limay coalfired plant; Makiling-Banahaw geothermal plant; Pagbilao coal plant; San Buenaventura coal plant; San Gabriel gas-fired power plant; and the Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corporation coal plant. At the same time, power plants on scheduled maintenance shutdown were the MaIt seems now that the “bombshell” that the Pope dropped was but old news. The Pope was still Archbishop of Buenos Aires when same-sex marriage was first proposed in Argentina in 2010. Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio clearly spoke against gay marriages. In a letter to the cloistered nuns, he wrote, “In the coming weeks, the Argentine people will face a situation whose outcome can seriously harm the family. At stake is the identity and survival of the family: Father, mother and children. At stake is the total rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts.”

While homosexuals have a right to a family, it does not mean that the Pope approves of homosexual acts. In a conversation with Rabbi Abraham Skorka, which was later on published in 2013 as a book entitled, “On Heaven and Earth,” then-Cardinal Bergoglio argued that laws “assimilating” homosexual relationships to marriage are “an anthropological regression,” and he expressed concern that if same-sex couples “are given adoption rights, there could be affected children. Every person needs a male father and a female mother that can help them shape their identity.” While the legal recognition of same-sex marriage was being deliberated in Argentina, then-Cardinal Bergoglio silently hinted his preference for extending legal civil union

As consumers, we must be vigilant against all forms of market abuse. The lack of alerts or warnings casts doubt on the monitoring and computation of prices in the spot market. Consider this - based on the same report, on September 5 the WESM price shows that load weighted average price reached P33/kWh at 9PM, which is the nighttime peak. Ironically, the actual peak demand for that day was supposedly at 3PM where the price was at P18/kWh. The Daily Signiﬁcant Variations Report by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) dated September 5, 2020 clearly shows this fact. When a Yellow Alert was issued last June, unplanned outages of power plants were the main driver for the upticks in prices. Correspondingly, due to thin reserves, prices in the spot market reached P33/kWh. As such for the month of July, Meralco reported that the overall generation charge increased by protection to same-sex couples, which was already in effect in his country, as an alternative to the moves to approve same-sex marriage, which he ﬁrmly opposed. It is important to understand the context of the Pope’s recent statement on same-sex civil unions and to consider what else he has said on the matter. In 2017, in a book-length interview, the Pope explained: “Marriage between people of the same sex? ‘Marriage’ is a historical word. Always in humanity, and not only within the Church, it’s between a man and a woman. We cannot change that. This is the nature of things. This is how they are. Let’s call them ‘civil unions.’ Let’s not play with the truth. It’s true that behind it there is a gender ideology. But let’s say things as they are: Marriage is between a man and a woman. This is the precise term. Let’s call unions between the same sex ‘civil unions.’” Pope Francis then is very clear about his position on same-sex unions. It is not something he believes to be ideal in itself, but is clearly to be preferred over same-sex “marriages.” In his recent apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” the Pope made it very clear that “there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and the family.” But why the shift in language on civil unions? What the Pope has said is an example of a reasonable prudential judgement—very much similar to the “pastoral accompaniment” that he proposed for divorced Catholics. Pope Francis makes it clear that while homosexuals have a right to a family, it does not mean he approves of homosexual acts. Thus, his openness to civil unions for homosexual

P0.0799 per kWh, from P3.8586 per kWh in June to P3.9385 per kWh for this month mainly due to higher IPPs and WESM charges. In stark contrast, during the month of September, the lack of the issuance of a Yellow Alert and the high price of P33/kWh signifies an anomaly in the spot market. In contrast with the June situation, there was no notice that reserves were thin due to unplanned and forced outages. Because of the high WESM charges, there was corresponding increase in the generation charge. Based on Meralco reports, from P4.0860 per kWh in September, the generation charge increased by P0.1373 per kWh to P4.2233 per kWh this October. This brings back the near crisis scenario in the months of November and December 2013 where the sudden spike in generation costs sparked several allegations of collusion by some power generators and market abuse. Since then several regulatory reforms have been instituted including the price caps in the WESM which thankfully stopped this strange price spike during the September 5 outages. This health and economic crisis is far from over. We need responsible and supportive behavior from everybody. We are all part of this eco-system that must work to rebuild our economy to pre-pandemic conditions. “Bayanihan” is a culture of cooperation and community and not of dependence and mendicancy. Government must enable and sustain a conducive, secure environment that inspires productivity and not fear or divisiveness that tends to paralyze. The economic recovery that we are hoping for will be driven by the private sector and consumers. As consumers, we must be vigilant against all forms of market abuse and to compensate the parties that have satisfactorily delivered the products we acquired and services we consume. Given crisis conditions, we must be open to innovations that can flank the pandemic barriers and accelerate the cycle of economic growth. couples in no way signals a change in Catholic doctrine or moral teaching. Since same-sex marriages are already a reality in today’s society, the Pope simply points out that the Church must deal with its pastoral consequences, including taking a sound pastoral approach for homosexual persons, including affirming their human dignity, and consequently, upholding their right to legal protection in the civil order. This is not surprising for a Pope who once said, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”

MORE OPINION ONLINE NAKED THOUGHT

CHARLIE V. MANALO

(www.manilastandard.net) TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Same-sex civil unions

Seven months in

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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(3)The investors are motivated by the expectation of profits in view of the promotional gimmicks and statements that Forsage’ s agents and/or representatives utilize; and (4) Finally, the investors earn without significant effort or obligation. Forsage is the one who conceptualized and promoted the earning schemes making the investors efforts in recruiting minimal. Thus, the investor earns primarily from the efforts of others.

IN THE MATTER OF: FORSAGE PHILIPPINES

and

FORSAGE SEC CDO Case No. 09-20-068

Moreover, the evidence presented by the EIPD also shows that Forsage’s investment scheme involves public offering of securities. Public Offering is defined as:

ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTOR PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EIPD), Movant.

“3.1.1 7. Public offering is any offering of securities to the public or to anyone, whether solicited or unsolicited. Any solicitation or presentation of securities for sale through any of the following modes shall be presumed to be a public offering:

CEASE AND DESIST ORDER This resolves the Motion for Issuance of Cease and Desist Order (the “Motion”) filed on 10 September 2020 by the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (“EIPD”) praying: (1) to enjoin FORSAGE and FORSAGE PHILIPPINES (collectively as “Forsage”), its operators, directors, officers, representatives, salesmen, agents, and any and all persons, conduit entities and subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Agents”) claiming or acting for and in its behalf from selling and/or offering securities in the form of investment contracts and to cease its internet presence until the requisite permits are duly issued; and (2) to prohibit Forsage, its officers, representatives, salesmen, and agents from transacting any and all business involving the funds in its depository banks, and from transferring, disposing, or conveying in any manner, any and all assets, properties, real or personal, including bank deposits, if any, of which the named persons herein may have interest, claim or participation, whether directly or indirectly, under their custody, to ensure the preservation of the assets of the investors. RELEVANT FACTS Forsage is an entity that is not registered with the Commission. Neither is Forsage a registered crowdfunding intermediary or a funding portal under Memorandum Circular No. 14, series of 2019.1 Forsage appears to have been developed by one LADO OKHOTNlKOV, and in terms of operations in the Philippines, is joined by a certain RICH ALEX APUNTAR.

xxx 3.1.17.3 Advertisement or announcement in radio, television, telephone, electronic communications, information communication technology or any other forms of communication; or,,19 (Emphasis supplied) In the instant case, evidence adduced by the EIPD shows that Forsage is publicly offering for sale Forsage X3 and Forsage X4 which are unauthorized securities through online advertisements, promotional videos and social platforms to potential investors without prior registration. Section 64 of the SRC has two (2) essential requirements that must be met prior to the issuance of a cease and desist order: First, there must be a conduct of a proper investigation or verification; and Second, there must be a finding that the act or practice, unless restrained, will operate as a fraud on investors or is otherwise likely to cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public.20 In this case, a proper investigation has been duly conducted by the EIPD where it was able to gather information and evidence affirming the complaints of investors who were allegedly defrauded that Forsage is engaged in the public offering of unregistered securities. The EIPD presented the following evidence in support of its Motion: (1)

In June 2020, the EIPD started receiving complaints, reports, and inquiries through its email address and the Commission’s iMessage Mo Facility2, regarding the legitimacy of the alleged investment, specifically in the context of the Advisory that was issued by the Commission3, which prompted the EIPD to conduct an intensive investigation on its operations. Based on the investigation of the EIPD, Forsage claims to own and operate a crowdfunding international platform and the first ever smart contract in the blockchain of Etherium (ETH) cryptocurrency.4 Forsage further claims that it has no managers and is fully decentralized; thus it is not subject to government restriction and control. 5 Considering that its program is embodied in a smart contract based on the ETH blockchain technology, Forsage promises a long-term active and passive income to its investor through a system that is secured, scam-free and one that will continue to function after the closure of its website for whatever reason.6 There are two (2) commission programs or cycler tiers that grant payouts to its investors: Forsage X3 and Forsage X4. These programs require a minimum investment of 0.05 ETH which is equivalent to approximately Six Hundred Pesos (Php 600.00), and allows a maximum investment of up to 51.2 ETH which is equivalent to approximately Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 600,000.00).7 The Forsage X3 and X4 programs have each twelve (12) income slots that an investor may activate. Forsage claims that each investment slot under the X3 and X4 plans all have endless referral cycles which guarantees a potential income that is boundless. The X3 and X4 does not expire and is not susceptible of being deactivated. Under Forsage X3, an investor needs three (3) referrals to complete a cycle. The first two (2) referrals’ membership fees shall be paid to the referring member’s account while the third shall be considered as a “re-entry fee” and shall be awarded to the referring member’s sponsor or upline. Under Forsage X4, an investor needs six (6) referrals to complete a cycle. Unlike Forsage X3, the first two (2) referrals shall be awarded to the sponsor’s or upline’s account while the third until the fifth referral fees shall be credited to the referring member’s account while the sixth referral shall be considered as the “re-entry fee” to the system whereupon the same will now be converted to a four (4) tier matrix which will require only four (4) referrals to complete succeeding cycles. As an added feature, Forsage provides “spillovers” to assist passive investors in completing their cycles. These are overflows or surplus of referrals gathered by the passive member’s sponsor or downlines which automatically forms part ofhis/her compensation cycle. Basically, the active income generated from Forsage’s compensation programs depends on the number of referrals and/or membership fees gathered, while passive income is acquired through spillovers. Hence, the earning capacity of Forsage’s investors are dependent on the number of investors that they bring into the system. This, however is clearly not sustainable because it is bound to reach a point where no more new investors will be willing to invest in it. In the course of its investigation, the EIPD was able to secure Certifications8 from the Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD), the Corporate Governance and Finance Department (CGFD) and the Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD) of the Commission showing that Forsage has not applied for a primary franchise as a corporation or partnership, and has not been issued any secondary license to operate as a broker/dealer of securities and is not a registered issuer of any securities pursuant to Sections 8 and 12 of the SRC, or of mutual funds (including exchange traded funds, membership certificates, and time shares).

Certifications from the Commission’s MSRD, CGFD, and CRMD to the effect that: (a) Forsage is neither a registered entity with the Commission nor has it been issued a secondary license as a Lending Company, Broker and/or Dealer of Securities, Dealer in Government Securities, Investment Adviser of an Investment Company, and Investment House and Transfer Agent; (b) Forsage has not registered any securities pursuant to Sections 8 and 12 of the SRC; and (c) Forsage has not been issued any license authorizing it to issue securities such as mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and membership certificates.

(2)

A finding that Forsage is not qualified to operate as a crowdfunding entity in the Philippines as it must be duly organized under Philippine laws or must be a Filipino natural person, in violation of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 14, series of 2019. Neither is Forsage accredited and/or accepted by a crowdfunding intermediary.

(3)

A finding that Forsage does not appear among the registered companies engaged in digital assets with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”) in accordance with BSP Circular No. 944, or the Guidelines for Virtual Currency Exchanges, which requires all entities engaged in virtual currencies in the Philippines to obtain a Certificate of Registration to operate as a remittance and transfer company.

(4)

Investigator’s affidavit which attested to the online search conducted using Google, Facebook and YouTube to check the veracity of the information received from the public about the business operations of Forsage. Screenshots of the website, and relevant online posts in social media, presentations, and promotional video found online were included in the affidavit as faithful reproductions of such online posts and presentations.

The foregoing shows that the EIPD properly made an investigation and studied the nature and operations of Forsage. Furthermore, the investment practices of Forsage, if not restrained, will operate as a fraud on investors or to the investing public as it utilizes a “Ponzi scheme”. This scheme “is a type of investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors. Its organizers often solicit new investors by promising to invest funds in opportunities claimed to generate high returns with little or no risk. In many Ponzi schemes, the perpetrators focus on attracting new money to make promised payments to earlier-stage investors to create the false appearance that investors are profiting from a legitimate business. It is not an investment strategy but a gullibility scheme, which works only as long as there is an ever increasing number of new investors joining the scheme.” 21

Further, the EIPD conducted an online search using Google, Facebook and YouTube to check the veracity of the information received from the public about the business operations of Forsage. The EIPD was able to get evidence showing Forsage’s online presence by which it promotes, solicits, and entices the public to invest in its programs. Screenshots of the website9, and relevant online posts in social media10, presentations11 , and promotional videos12 found online were included in the EIPD’s affidavit13 as faithful reproductions of such online posts and presentations, and submitted in evidence to support the Motion.

The act of selling unregistered securities would necessarily operate as a fraud on investors as it deceives the investing public by making it appear that respondents have authority to deal on such securities. Section 8.1 of the SRC clearly states that securities shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the SEC and that prior to such sale, information on the securities, in such form and with such substance as the SEC may prescribe, shall be made available to each prospective buyer.” (Emphasis supplied)

The EIPD also continuously received various complaints from the public about Forsage’s investment-taking activities, all of which were attached to the Motion and submitted in evidence to support the same.14 ISSUE Whether or not the issuance of a cease and desist order against Forsage is warranted based on the findings and evidence presented by the EIPD. DISCUSSION The Commission finds merit in the Motion and hereby grants the same. The EIPD’s motion, as supported by substantial evidence, was able to establish that Forsage’s so-called smart contract partakes of the nature of securities being sold/ offered to the public in the form of investment contracts without the necessary license from the Commission.

Finally, Forsage’s claim that it is decentralized and thus not subject to any government restriction and control is baseless. A profit making venture such as Forsage which utilizes smart contracts in selling or offering securities in the nature of investment contracts is required to be registered with the Commission which regulates public offering or sale of securities within the Philippines.25 WHEREFORE, premises considered, Forsage and Forsage Philippines, and its operators, directors, officers, representatives, salesmen, agents, and any and all persons claiming, acting, and operating for and in their behalf, are hereby ordered to IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST UNDER PAIN OF CONTEMPT from engaging in the unlawful solicitation and sale of unregistered securities. Forsage and Forsage Philippines, its operators, directors, officers, representatives, salesmen, agents and any and all persons claiming and acting for and in their behalf are likewise directed to CEASE their internet presence relating to the transactions and investment scheme covered by this Cease and Desist Order. The Commission will institute the appropriate administrative and criminal action against any persons or entities found to act as solicitors, information providers, salesmen, agents, brokers, dealers or the like for and in their behalf. Finally, the Commission hereby PROHIBITS Forsage and Forsage Philippines, its operators, directors, officers, representatives, salesmen, agents and any and all persons claiming and acting for and in their behalf from transacting any business involving funds in its depository banks, and from transferring, disposing, or conveying in any manner, any and all assets, properties, real or personal, including bank deposits, if any, of which the named persons herein may have interest, claim or participation, whether directly or indirectly, under their custody, to ensure the preservation of the assets of the investors The EIPD of the Commission is hereby DIRECTED to:

Section 3 of the SRC defines “securities” as follows:

1) Serve this Cease and Desist Order to Forsage and Forsage Philippines, and its operators, representatives and/or agents including Rich Alex Apuntar, Vhellpoe Forlares Garves, Yuka Kuroyanagi, Christopher Doroliat, lam Kim, Jairra Fab Teoxon, Mark Nicole Escabarte Valerio, Myra Cris Sapar, Romnick Melafiez and Vel Cabalza; or if impracticable;26

“SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. 3.1. “Securities” are shares, participation or interests in a corporation or in a commercial enterprise or profit-making venture and evidenced by a certificate, contract, instrument, whether written or electronic in character. It includes:

2) Cause (a) the posting of this Order in the Commission’s website and (b) the publication of the same in a newspaper of general circulation as provided for under Section 4-2, Rule IV, Part I of the 2016 Rules.

xxx (b) Investment contracts, certificates of interest or participation in a profit sharing agreement, certificates of deposit for a future subscription;” (Emphasis supplied) As a rule, securities cannot be sold or offered for sale within the Philippines without the same being registered with the Commission through the filing and approval of a Registration Statement and a corresponding Permit to Offer/Sell being issued in favor of the applicant. An “investment contract” has been defined as follows: An investment contract means a contract, transaction or scheme (collectively “contract”) whereby a person invests his money in a common enterprise and is led to expect profits primarily from the efforts of others. An investment contract is presumed to exist whenever a person seeks to use the money or property of others on the promise of profits.

The EIPD is FURTHER DIRECTED to submit a formal compliance report, by way of pleading, to the Commission En Bane WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS from receipt of this Cease and Desist Order. Let a copy of this Order be furnished to the Company Registration and Monitoring Department, Market and Securities Regulation Department, Corporate Governance and Finance Department and the Information and Communications Technology Department of this Commission, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Privacy Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology for their information and appropriate action. In accordance with the provisions of Section 64.3 of the SRC and Part II, Rule IV, Section 4-3 of the 2016 Rules of Procedure of the SEC, the respondents may file a verified Motion to Lift the CDO to the Commission En Banc thru the Office of the General Counsel, within five (5) days from receipt of this Order.

A common enterprise is deemed created when two (2) or more investors “pool” their resources, creating a common enterprise, even if the promoter receives nothing more than a broker’s commission.”15 (Emphasis supplied)

FAIL NOT UNDER PENALTY OF LAW.

Pasay City, Philippines; 17 September 2020.

EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson

The concept of an investment contract was adopted and used in Power Homes Unlimited Corporation v. Securities and Exchange Commission, 17 where the Supreme Court ruled that an investment contract in our jurisdiction, to be a security subject to regulation by the Commission, must be proved to be (1) an investment of money; (2) in a common enterprise; (3) with expectation of profits, (4) primarily from efforts of others. Under this definition, whenever an investor relinquishes control over his or her funds and submits their control to another for the purpose of deriving profits from them, he or she is in fact investing in a security. 18 In this case, the investment contract consists of a scheme or transactions whereby the referral, solicited by unregistered individuals, invests his money in the common enterprise, Forsage, and expects profits therefrom with minimal or without any effort at all. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

(1) There is an investment of money by investors who registers in the Forsage programs. The EIPD was able to show that investors actually made a minimum investment of 0.05 ETH or at least Six Hundred Pesos (Php 600.00) to a maximum of 51.2 ETH or almost Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 600,000.00). Without such investment, the investor will not be eligible to any form of payout;

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

(2)The EIPD was also able to show that Forsage is a common enterprise since its operations involve the pooling of the resources of its investors into its programs, and where such resources are being utilized to provide monetary benefits to its existing investors;

While nuclear powers have not signed up to the treaty, activists who have pushed for its enactment hold out hope that it will nonetheless prove to be more than symbolic and have a gradual deterrent effect. Honduras became the 50th country to ratify. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it “the culmination of a worldwide movement to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons,” according to a statement from his spokesman. “It represents a meaningful commitment towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which remains the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations.” NGOs also welcomed the news, including the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a coalition that won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its key role in bringing the treaty to fruition. “Honduras just ratified the Treaty as the 50th state, triggering entry into force and making history,” ICAN said in a tweet. Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said in a statement: “Today is a victory for humanity, and a promise of a safer future.” The 75th anniversary of the nuclear attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, marked in August, saw a wave of countries ratify the treaty. They have included Nigeria, Malaysia, Ireland, Malta and Tuvalu. Thailand, Mexico, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Vietnam and the Vatican are among the countries that had already ratified it. It is now to enter into force on January 22, 2021, the UN said. AFP

21 22 23 24 25 26

US President Donald Trump takes off his mask before speaking to the press after casting his ballot at the Palm Beach County Public Library, during early voting for the November 3 election, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 24, 2020. AFP

Trump votes in Florida after worst COVID spike

PRESIDENT Donald Trump cast his vote Saturday in Florida ahead of another punishing day with three campaign rallies as he works to close the gap with Joe Biden and pull off a 2016-style upset win on November 3. “I voted for a guy named Trump,” he said, flashing a smile after removing his black mask upon emerging from a polling station in West Palm Beach, not far from the Mar-a-Lago resort he officially made his home last year. He thus became one of nearly 55 million Americans to cast early ballots in a year when the coronavirus has made in-person voting problematic. “It was a very secure vote. Much more secure than when you send in a ballot, I can tell you that,” said Trump, who insists without giving evidence that mail-in voting leads to fraud. Continuing his frenetic pace, the president was to hop-scotch later in the day from North Carolina to Ohio to Wisconsin -- returning to the White House only minutes before midnight -- as he works furiously to make up lost ground. But the president’s efforts have been inescapably overshadowed by a grim reality seized on by Biden: the US set a daily record for new Covid-19 cases on Friday, at nearly 83,000, with a further surge expected as cold weather arrives. “That’s Donald Trump’s presidency,” Biden said Saturday during a drive-in rally, one of two events planned for the day in his native Pennsylvania, a critical swing state. He spoke from a stage decorated with bales of hay and Halloween pumpkins. AFP

18 killed in ISIS attack at Afghan learning center

SO ORDERED.

The concept of an investment contract in the Philippines is of American origin. It traces its roots from the US Supreme Court case Securities and Exchange Commission v. w.J Howey Co. 16 where the Court stated that an investment contract is a transaction, contract, or scheme whereby a person (1) makes an investment of money, (2) in a common enterprise, (3) with the expectation of profits, (4) to be derived solely from the efforts of others.

After a careful review of the evidence submitted by the EIPD in support of its Motion, the Commission finds that all the elements of an investment contract are present, thus:

N INTERNATIONAL treaty banning nuclear weapons has been ratified by a 50th country, the UN said Saturday, allowing the “historic” text to enter into force after 90 days.

Moreover, the act of Forsage in selling/offering unregistered securities operates as a fraud to the public which, if unrestrained, will likely cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public.23 This finds support in the case of Securities and Exchange Commission v. CJH Development Corp. 24 (SEC vs. CJH) where the Supreme Court emphasized the need for a prompt issuance of a CDO after a finding of a violation of the SRC that will likely defraud or cause grave or irreparable injury to the investing public, thus: “The law is clear on the point that a cease and desist order may be issued by the SEC motu proprio, it being unnecessary that it results from a verified complaint from an aggrieved party. A prior hearing is also not required whenever the Commission finds it appropriate to issue a cease and desist order that aims to curtail fraud or grave or irreparable injury to investors. There is good reason tor this provision, as any delay in the restraint of acts that yield such results can only generate further injury to the public that the SEC is obliged to protect.

Notwithstanding the Advisory, members and/or representatives of Forsage continued to solicit investments from the public. Worse, they attempted to discredit the Commission by spreading false or misleading information that they are outside the jurisdiction of the Commission. Further, it appears that Forsage devised another plan or scheme to solicit investments or to further their business engagements through Forsagetron.

Nuke ban treaty to take effect after 90 days

This scheme is made evident by Forsage’s own declaration that an investor needs to make an effort to attract new partners and the opening of new platforms in X3 and X4 programs in order to get passive income and to earn good money.22

EIPD’s investigation likewise reveals that Forsage does not appear among the registered companies authorized to engage in digital assets with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”) in accordance with BSP Circular No. 944, or the Guidelines for Virtual Currency Exchanges, which requires all entities engaged in virtual currencies in the Philippines to obtain a Certificate of Registration to operate as a remittance and transfer company.

On 30 June 2020, the Commission issued an Advisory warning the public to stop investing in any scheme offered by Forsage or such other entities engaged in smart contracts, cryptocurrencies, and digital asset trading that are not registered with the Commission and the BSP.

World

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EPHYRO LUIS B. AMATONG Commissioner

JAVEY PAUL D. FRANCISCO Commissioner

KELVIN LESTER K. LEE Commissioner

KARLO S. BELLO Commissioner

Rules and Regulations Governing Crowdfunding Annex C of the Motion. SEC Advisory dated 30 June 2020. Annex D-I of the Motion. Annex E-2 ofthe Motion. Annex F-4 of the Motion. The required investment amount is dependent on the value of ETH Annexes 0-1 to 0-3 of the Motion. Annexes A-2, and E-l to E-2 of the Motion. Annex B of the Motion. Annexes F-1 to F-3 of the Motion. Annex A-J of the Motion. Annex D-2 of the Motion. See Annex “D-2” of the Motion Rule 26.3.5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the SRC. 328 U.S. 293, 66 S. Ct. 1100,90 L. Ed. 1244, 163 A.L.R. 1043 (1946). O.R. No. 164182,26 February 2008. Investment Co. Institute v. Camp, 274 F. Supp. 624 (D. D.C. (967). Rule 3.1.17 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the SRC. Securities and Exchange Commission vs. Performance Foreign Exchange Corporation, G.R. No. 154131, July 20, 2006. People ofthe Philippines vs. Tibayan and Puerto, G.R. No. 209655-60, January 14, 2015. Annex F-4 of the Motion. Section 64 ofthe Securities Regulation Code. G.R. No. 210316, November 28, 2016. In re Black Cell Technology. Inc .• SEC CDO Case No. 01-18-046 (Resolution). [March 2.2018]) Due to Declaration of State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines as declared by President Rodrigo Duterte under Presidential Proclamation No. 922. S. 2020 dated 8 March 2020. (MS-OCT. 26, 2020)

A SUICIDE bomber struck near an education centre in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday, killing at least 18 people in an attack claimed by the extremist Islamic State that rocked the conflict-wracked country. Violence on the ground has spiked in recent weeks despite the Taliban and the Afghan government holding peace talks in Qatar to end the country’s grinding war. The suicide attack, which also left 57 wounded, happened in the late afternoon at the centre in a western district of Kabul, which offers training and higher education courses. “A suicide bomber wanted to enter the education centre,” interior ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said in a statement. “But he was identified by the centre’s guards, after which he detonated his explosives in an alley.” He confirmed the attack had killed 18 people and wounded 57. The extremist Islamic State group subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack. A suicide bomber “set off towards a gathering... in Kabul, where he detonated his explosives jacket” in the crowd, IS said in a statement posted on its social media channels. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

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Business PSEi October 23, 2020

TOP GAINERS

Stockmarket market rallies Stock to test 6,500-point mark for fifth straight day

By Jenniffer B. Austria

P13.06, while Jollibee Foodsinvestment Corp., the BDO Unibank Inc. chief biggest fast-food chain, advanced 5 perstrategist Jonathan Ravelas said imcent to P179. Conglomerate JG Summit proved investor sentiment wasHoldings driving Inc. of the Group climbed optimism in Gokongwei the market after some data 3.9 percent to P66, while Dito CME showed a recovery Holdings Corp., in themanufacturing third major and mo-

on prospects that quarantine measures would be relaxed after the number of COVID-19 cases in the country declined in recent days. Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly Optimism about the US stimulus prorose Friday gainsthe were as gram is also but fueling locallimited equities US lawmakers struggled to hammer out market, accordingrescue to Regina Capital a fresh economic package, while investors were largely unmoved by Development Corp. head of Sales Luis the last presidential debate before next Limlingan. month’s election. Meanwhile, hopes of Mumbai, improvedSeoul, earnTokyo, Hong Kong, ings by listed companies the third Singapore, Wellington andinJakarta all rose. But Shanghai, Sydney the andPhilipTaipei quarter of the year is pushing fell. pine stock exchange Indexback intoand the posiEquities have swung forth tive overterritory. the past week as the will-theywon’t-they of the stimulus discusUniversal saga Robina Corp. and Bank of sions keeps traders on their toes, though the Philippine Islands last week reported observers believe a bill is increasingly mixed earnings results. URCthebooked a unlikely to be passed before November 3 vote. growth in nine-month net 7.2-percent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said income while BPI posted a 22.1-perboth parties “continue to be engaged in cent drop in profit thehopeful same period as negotiations, and Iinam we will able to reach an agreement” but she itbecontinued to increase its loan loss rewarned thatthe opposition serves amid pandemic.to a massive spending plan from Senate Republicans

Among the companies scheduled to release earrings results this week are SM Prime Holdings Inc., BDO Unibank Inc., Puregold Price Club Inc. and Semirara negotiating table Corp. as neither benefits Mining and Power from away,” 9.9 said percent Axi strategist Thepulling PSEi jumped weekStephen Innes. But he said Republicans on-week, or by 585 points, to close at were “unwilling to compromise on the thorniest issues of of an financial aid to states 6,484 on hopes economic rebound and protections, and Pelosi is in theliability fourth quarter. unlikely to hand (Donald) Trump a vicAll sector induced were in the green tory this late in the game. led“So, by property holdunless a (+13.06 surprise percent), occurs before Friday sundown the Lastand Chance Saing firms (+11.38atpercent), financial loon, neither side may be negotiating in (+8.24 percent). good faith.” The daily grinding value turnover Withaverage talks still alongrose on Capitol Hill, focus was thebuying stand-off to P8.5 billion while foreign and between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, selling were even. with analysts saying the president needtop price gainers included edWeekly a big win to overturn his Democratic challenger’s leadwhich in national and crucial Ayala Land Inc., surged 15.8 perstate polls. cent to P33.95; SM Prime Holdings Inc., Innes added: “The... debate was less which to P34.50; chaoticadvanced than the13.3 firstpercent but offered little newURC information to inform the result and which climbed 6.9 percent to for markets. Meanwhile, discussion P141.70. relevant to the post-election economic

bile phone company, rose 4.4 percent to P6.61.

posed a huge hurdle. “Both sides remain at the stimulus

outlook was limited, particularly from President Trump.” With AFP

A T TOP LOSERS

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fter breaking the stock 6,400-point HE market rallied for the for the resistance level, the fifth straight share prices may attempt day, bolstered by hopes to the 6,500 markin ofbreak a possible rebound this on expectations the week economy in the fourth quarter. quarantine measures will The Philippine Stock Exchange Index further ease points, in November jumped 139.43 or 2.2 percent, to 6,484.06 on a value turnover of P8.5 bilthat could boost the lion. Gainers beat losers, 129 to 81, with 48 issues unchanged. recovery of the domestic LT Group Inc. of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan surged 9.2 percent to economy.

MOST ACTIVE

Journalists stand outside a funeral hall for the funeral of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee in Seoul on October 25, 2020. Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee (inset), who transformed the South Korean firm into a global tech titan, died at the age of 78 on UK-JAPAN DEAL. British Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss (left ) and Japanese Foreign October 25, the TRADE company said. Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (front right) attend a signing ceremony for economic partnership between Japan and Britain at the Iikura AFP Annex of the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on October 23, 2020. AFP

Goldman Sachs paying $2.9b in penalty toprice settle The few weekly top losers included ABS-CBN Corp., which fell 4.6 1MDB charges percent to P11.64, and Cebu Landmasters Inc., which slipped one percent to NEW YORK—Global financial titan P4.68. Goldman Sachs agreed to pay $2.9 Global instock markets, meanwhile, billion penalties to settle criminal charges in the 1MDB Malaysian were mostly firmer Friday on hopesbribUS ery scandal, the largest US fine ever in leaders will finally agree to a coronavia corruption case, the Justice Departrusment economic stimulus package, while announced Thursday. Acting US case Assistant Attorney Gensharply rising numbers and weak eral Brian C. Rabbitt said Goldman “acdata in Europe capped gains there. cepted responsibility” in the case that inNew York flatbribes, but the volved $1.6opened billion in theNasdaq largest ever recorded, and gains massive launand S&P managed at gains the close, deredthe through the US financial system. while Dow dipped slightly after a Goldman Sachs helped raise $6.5 mixed bagfor of company results that gave billion the Malaysian government’s sovereign wealth fund. The US some firms sharp losses. Justice Department has said closely more than The markets are watching to $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by see if, as seems to be the case, the uphigh-level officials at the fund and their associates between and 2015. ward momentum of 2009 the third quarter The “was looted by slows in investment the final partfund of the year as govcorrupt officials and their co-conspiraernments introduce new restrictions to tors, including senior Goldman banktame upsurge in theapandemic. ers”the turning it “into piggy bank for

corrupt public officials and their cronies,” Rabbitt said at a press briefing. In a first for Goldman Sachs, the company’s Malaysian unit pleaded guilty in a US court Thursday for violations of American bribery law as part of a deal to end the criminal probe in the sweeping case that involved authorities in nine countries. The guilty plea could curtail activities of Goldman Sachs Malaysia but allows the parent company to avoid admitting wrongdoing in court— which would have damaged its ability to do business. The parent company pleaded not guilty in US court and agreed to “deferred prosecution” for three-and-a-half years, during which time the will SINGAPORE—Hundreds of firm travelface increased monitoring by regulators. starved diners ate lunch and watched But Rabbitt stressed that despite the seat-back aboard parked Sin-in deal, the films company hastwo been charged the bribery scandal, “so there been gapore Airlines jets turned intohas pop-up a significant restaurants on amount Saturday.of criminal liability” for Goldman and “imposes meanWith consequences” the aviation industry in deep ingful in the cases. crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Justice Department has charged three individuals in theways case airlines have turned to alternative two former Goldman toincluding raise cash, from offering “flights exto ecutives. Tim Leissner, the former nowhere” to tours of aircraft. Southeast Asia chairman, has pleadSingapore’s flag carrier, which hasHwa, cut ed guilty, while Ng Chong also known as “Roger Ng,” former thousands of jobs and grounded nearly head of investment for GS all its planes this year,banking offered passenMalaysia, is awaiting trial, and Low gers chance to dine on board Taekthe Jho remains a fugitive. AFPtwo

Singapore’s travel-starved diners ate on 2 parked jets

A380 superjumbos—the world’s biggest passenger jet. On Saturday more than 400 diners checked in at Changi Airport and went Since the theusual start security of the pandemic, 22 through checks before million Americans lost their jobs as arriving at the aircraft lunch. the economy largelyforshut down for “The food is pretty amazing, it’s betmonths. them out ofduring work, the and terHalf thanofthe oneremain they serve 8.4 million are receiving unemployment flight,” Zhou Tai Di, a 17-year-old stubenefits. And then there are those who dentworking in economy class,seen toldtheir AFPincome as he are but have drop drastically. tucked into his soy sauce-glazed chicken While hospitality with spicysome fried sectors eggplantlike and rice. and tourism are still suffering, for Some settledthe in only for a nap wait-a some people waywhile to make living theirwhile own ing forthese their days mealsistotobestart served, business. others watched movies on the seat-back It is hard to know which sectors are entertainment systems. witnessing such job creation because official do seats not give a breakdown. Aboutfigures half the were left empty, Dearie said many are guidebeing inBut keeping with social-distancing created in relation to the pandemic, such lines. as food delivery through services such a 29-year-old civil servantto as Calvin Uber, Teo, which requires its drivers start their own companies. and aviation buff, paid Sg$321 ($236) to Delivery of goods purchased be served a six-course meal in Amazon, business online—via companies like class, saying which he missed and drivers hoped for instance, alsoflying requires to their companies—also has to start recreate theown experience. AFP

Pandemic-hit Americans create start-ups at record clip American, Southwest Airlines improve Korea’s Lee Kun-hee, Samsung Mark(catch)ing Strategies finances, but travel prospects still dim By Julie Chabanas

NEW YORK—US continued at which it burns cash to $44 million a “NEVER write anairlines’ advertisement efforts to rein in costs and step up day in the July-to-September period, which you wouldn’t want your safety measures so travelers will return compared to the $58 million daily family to read. lies to the skies paidYou off wouldn’t in resultstell reported average in the second quarter. Thursday thatwife. showed carriers paring Another 20,000 employees took to your own Don’t tell them to losses in the latest quarter. early retirement or long-term leave mine.”–David But with theOgilvy coronavirus pandemic as American, like other airlines, stillI crushing demand atfor billboard, air travel, struggled to survive and announced love looking executives say prospects will not fully tens of thousands of layoffs after the newspaper, and resumes. tv ads. It recover untilcommercial business travel government’s Payroll Support Program American Airlines and (PSP) consume. for airlinesItexpired. gives life to the products we Southwest usually buy and/or tells you a relatable, both reported smaller-than-expected “During the third quarter, we took funny,inor the tearjerker story. Sometimes, ads just entice our you costs, to buystrengthen because losses July-September quarter, the action to reduce and were able to shave financial position ensure of one word, SALE. Other their EDSAdaily ads useour name recall, pictures andand interesting cash burn while seeing encouraging our customers return to travel with animations to catch the viewers’ attention or readers. But in marketing, we do not improvements in demand. confidence, said American CEO Doug American’s earningsourplunged Parker said in a strategy statement, calling the look at how it catches attention 73 or how the marketing works to the percent in the third quarter, causing a pandemic “the mostwe challenging time in company’s advantage. From the business ethics perspective, must scrutinize loss of $2.4 billion, which was not as our industry’s history.” whyasitanalysts is marketed, how it is marketed, is the pricing etc. We deepindive into bad expected. Even withfair, a small uptick demand, The company, which laid forhuman a full recovery the greater sense of how’srecently and why’s of the psyche. to happen, “It’s going off 19,000 workers after Washington to take, really, much more willingness While I amfailed teaching Philosophy SHS, I businesses became more curious policymakers to renew funding in to the amongst to get back about on the support airlines, reduced and the rate road,”person. he said When on CNBC. AFPabout the the questions insaid life,itbusiness the human we talk

ALVIN OBILLO

Green LiGht

philosophy of business, we always investigate how we should be more profitable in the long run while still being beneficial to society. This profitability sustains the business and makes it the primary driver to expand more. One way to expand and yourVannier business is to do marketing strategies targeted and establishment, buttoitthe is primary a catastrophe, Bygrow Rassin we are running at a loss there secondary markets. According to some marketing specialists, you because must catch VICTORIA, Seychelles—The is no one,” said Sybil Cardon, who had their attention. Whatever takes. Once yourtoattention is caught, people will staff start at let go of 10 percent of her Seychelles, with its itidyllic white hotel the second-largest beaches andit.luxury resorts, has had talking about Publicity, for them, is the her name of on thePraslin, game. Bad publicity is only 149 cases of Covid-19, but the island. still publicity, they say. In Beau Vallon, the most touristy global crisis as caused by the pandemic part ofI realized the main island Mahe, the has ravaged its vital tourism industry. After the discussion on the ethics of marketing, how most products The Indian Ocean island nation, Equinox scuba diving center once did make unethical marketing strategies just forthree themor to promote their products. four excursions a day, The taking famed as a honeymoon destination, tourists to see bountiful fish and marine took ad swift actionthe against the isvirus classic bannered statement “Nakatikim ka na ba ng Kinse Años?” in March, banning cruise ships and life around the granite cliffs and coral Okay, let us dissect In early 2004, reefs.Napoleon Brandy re-introduced international flights this andproduct. implementing Now, in what is usually peak season a lockdown. “Napoleon Quince,” a brandy aged 15 years in their warehouses. Napoleon is But even though the archipelago to see the world’s largest fish, the whale one of the best brandies, and this solidified its hold as atourists good a shark, there are “only a few re-opened to local tourists on August 1, product said Manuela Alcaniz, who runs the global downswing in istravel producer of liquor. So, what wrongand with day,” the ad? If you will look at it, there is devastation wrought by the virus in the center. already sexual connotation. Not onlyinthat, She but we talking about a minorhasare kept her six staff on board major atourist-providing countries Europe and elsewhere, has led to little using state assistance, and some of her sounding sexual connotation. own money. improvement. Banking beingre-opening a male-dominant culture, theJob company believes it will get losses and retraining “Since onthe of the Tourism contributes around airport triedtaste to re-open our a “play good salesweonhave its prime while having of words.” This raised the ire25 of several activists, feminists and conservatives in society. They believe that this is a terrible marketing ploy of the company. Critics condoned the tone of how this was marketed. I remember seeing this when I was a kid. Back then, I did not understand what it meant. I just inferred that “quince” sounds like “kinse,” so it must be referring to the brandy. But when I saw this again several years later, I was shaking my head and wondered how this ad passed through the government’s standards. Another ad that drew ire from the critics is GlutaMax’s ad on apparent discrimination against “kayumanggi” looking women. The brand claimed that being fair-skinned not just means they are beautiful, but they get certain perks and privileges in society. This caused outrage in the internet and feminist circles, suggesting that the billboard is extremely insensitive and discriminatory. And as we know, Filipinos are historically kayumanggi. This really did not sit well with most people. GlutaMax apologized and took down the ads after posting it just a few weeks. There are still a lot of ads that did not pass the sensory test. The bottom line is that we must be vigilant as managers on the sensitivity of some topics, including sexual connotations, gender, racial sensitivities and religions. We must uphold our personal values. As Mr. Ogilvy said in my opening, you have to ask yourself if you would like your family to see this. If your answer is unsure or flat out no, trust it. They would not like it too.

are losing jobs,” said J.D. LaRock, the head of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, which is active in 12 countries. “And people are recognizing that the world is changing, and that there are new needs,” he said. but So nowadays of business murky people are are accused proposing concepts that fromcompetition— the pandemic, political ties andstem stifling or finally acting on business ideas they with Lee himself twice convicted of have had for a long time but never had criminal offenses,orinincentive one case to bribing the opportunity bringato fruition, said LaRock. president. Such is the case of Leland Lambert, Lee’s far-sighted leadership styleoff wasas 38, who in June was laid widely credited withfor turning Samsung operations director a non-profit day care center now and lives in Salt Lake City, Electronics, the group’s flagship Utah. subsidiary, the world’s With no into shortone termofprospects for a new job, he created and a personal coaching leading developers producers of company he had been mulling for years. semiconductors, mobile phones and “I’ve always had a dream of helping LCDs. people become their best selves,” Lambert toldLee AFP. “Chairman was a true visionary Lambert went back to school for six who transformed Samsung into months to polish his skills, and doesthe not world-leading innovator and industrial rule out getting a part-time job if his business doesSamsung not get up andinrunning powerhouse,” said a quickly.

chief, lived a reclusive existence WA S H I N G T O N — A m e r i c a n s enduring a feeble economy and high unemployment because of the coronavirus pandemic are creating startup companies at a record pace. ByThe Sunghee drive isHwang favored by very low interest rates, banks that are eager to lend and people with money saved up— SEOUL—South Korea’s richest and both because no one goes out anymore most powerful industrialist, Lee Kunand because of government stimulus aid. turned hee, Samsung Electronics “Itone is not as surprising as you might into of the world’s biggest tech think,” said John Dearie of the Center companies but lived a reclusive for American Entrepreneurship. “People are starting new businesses because existence. they lost their jobs. And because they Still,capital occasional on have to startpronouncements those businesses.” business by 1.6 the million tycoon, companies who died atwere 78 Around created fromreverberated July to September, by far on Sunday, through the a record, according to the Census Bureau. country. Never before had more than a million start-ups quarter in When heemerged inherited intheone chairmanship ofAmerica. the Samsung group in 1987— “The pandemic has definitely spurred founded his father a fish and and adults fruit interest by among youngaspeople to launch new reason, exporter—it wasbusinesses. already theThe country’s we believe, is very simple. People

largest conglomerate, with operations ranging from consumer electronics to construction. But Lee transformed it into a global power—by the time he was left File photo taken bedridden by a heart attack in 2014, on November it 16, was theshows world’s biggest maker of 2019 tourists walking smartphones and memory chips. on the beach Hewith seldom ventured out from the granite rocks on high walls ofinhis private compound Silhouette inIsland, central theSeoul third to visit the company largest island, headquarters, earning him the nickname Seychelles. “hermit king.” AFP Samsung is by far the biggest of the chaebols, the family-controlled conglomerates that dominate South percenteconomy. to the Seychelles GDP, Korea’s according to officialthe statistics, and They drove nation’s along with the tuna fishing industry transformation from a war-ravaged ruin is the main earner of foreign tocurrency. the world’s 12th-largest economy,

a bright future, said John Haltiwanger, who teaches economics at the University of Maryland.

Republic of the Philippines statement announcing his death. REGIONAL TRIAL COURT “His legacy will be everlasting.” National Capital Judicial Region ‘Let’s change everything’ Branch 216, Quezon City Early in Lee’s chairmanship, IN RE: PETITION TO CORRECT CERTIFICATE 75,000BETWEEN tourists. Samsung was seen as a shoddy OF MARRIAGE CHRISTIAN VIC M. According to the national statistics AND MYLENE ABALOS ASUNCION producer of cheap, low-quality BARASI agency, NO. the secondREGISTERED and third quarter WITH REGISTRY 2020-00432 IN QUEZON saw CITY an 83-percent drop in numbers products. from 2019. VIC M. BARASI, “Let’s change everything except CHRISTIAN And government Petitioner,figures show more our wives and kids,” he said in 1993. than 700 people lost their jobs in the versus R-QZN-20-05175-SP hotel and tourism industry, increasing The company gathered up and THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR unemployment from 4.8 percent to 6.3 burnt all 150,000 mobile phones OF CITY OF QUEZON CITY and ALL percent. WHO HAVE ANY 1 CLAIM it had in stock, paving the way for PERSONSSince July the government has OR INTEREST. put in place the Seychelles Employee the rebirth of the highly successful Respondents. Transition Scheme (Sets) to assist x------------------------------------------------------x “Anycall” handset. workers, paying ORDERtheir salaries in exchange for them following a training Soon afterwards, he ordered The petitioner filed a verified petition for correction of (a) Entry Place of Birth, from “Dupay Del Sur” to “Dupax Del Norte”, Chinese-made products to No. 3, course. “Currently, I didn’t this help, I (b) Entry No. 4b, Citizenship,if from “Filipino”have to “American”, (c) Entry more displayed than 330,000 at tourists, two-thirds be Samsung don’tof know what situation would find No. 8, Name Father, from “Ritchie Nicanor G.IBarasi” to “Ritche of them from Europe. myself inand to (d) pay back my loans and take G. Barasi”, Entry No. 15, Place of Marriage, from headquarters, saying This it represents was Nicanor more than three times the population “Quwzon of care City”of to my “Quezon City”, in his said Certificate of Marriage with children,” Sheila Marie, important to show how China the islands. Registry No. 2000-0043 Local Civil of Quezon City. who used toofwork as Registry an accountant in a the first catching three quarters of the year,The Court hotel andsets is the now following wasInquickly up. AFP hereby Petition for hearing a on course Decemberin 9,

Spared by coronavirus, Seychelles suffers dearth of tourists

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. This article is part of his blog, a requirement of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership, Ethics, and CSR. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of De La Salle University, its faculty, and its administrators.

In 2019, the archipelago welcomed

the country recorded the arrival of only payroll management. 2020, at 8:30 in the morning before thisAFP Court sitting at the Sixth

Eiffel Tower’s visitor numbers plummet PARIS, France—The Eiffel Tower is experiencing a collapse in visitor numbers as foreign tourists stay away and tight coronavirus measures, including a curfew, take their toll, the Paris landmark’s operator said Friday. Ticket sales have fallen by 80 percent compared to 2019, according to the operator, SETE, and revenue by 70 percent. “We have 2,500 visitors per day for a monument than can accommodate up to 25,000,” SETE president Jean-Francois Martins told RTL radio. “Since the end of the summer, we’re down to between 10 and 20 percent of our usual attendance,” he said. Social distancing rules allow lifts going up the tower to carry only half the usual number of people. The Eiffel Tower has also cancelled its night opening hours as curfew rules in Paris are banning people from being out after 9 p.m. But the almost complete absence of foreign tourists, who usually account for up to 85 percent of visitors, hurts the most, SETE spokeswoman Isabelle Esnous told AFP. Paris, as well as several other French cities, has been placed on the highest coronavirus alert. On Thursday, France reported a daily record of 41,622 new cases. The Eiffel Tower’s operator is now concentrating its marketing efforts on “people from Paris, the Paris region and from France,” Esnous said. “We’re concentrating on people who live close by... and who are interested in family outings,” she said. A special area for children with historical information about the tower has been added, and a vast games area is to follow, she said. The operator will use the wait for better days to undertake paint work and service the lifts, Esnous said. AFP

Floor, Rm. 603, Hall of Justice Bldg., Annex, Quezon City at which date, time and place, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any, why said petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published at the expense of the petition in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, to be selected by raffle pursuant to PD 1079. The Office of the Clerk of Court is directed to report to the Court the result of the raffle, with notice to petitioner, within ten (10) days from receipt hereof. The Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Administration, the Office of the Solicitor General, and any persons who has any opposition hereto may file the same, within fifteen (15) days from notice of the petition, or from the last date of publication of such notice. Furnish a copy of this Order and petition to the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Philippine Statistics Administration and the Office of the Solicitor General. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, October 5, 2020. (Sgd.) ALFONSO C. RUIZ II Presiding Judge Copy furnished: Office of the Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village Makati City Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City Quezon City Hall, Diliman, Quezon City Atty. Harry Truman B. Temperante Counsel for Petitioner Unit R PSCOR Bldg., T.M. Kalaw St., BF Homes Subdivision, Parañaque City Philippine Statistics Administration – East Avenue, Quezon City Christian Vic M. Barasi Petitioner Purok 4, Barangay Ineangan, Dupax Del Norte Nueva Vizcaya Office of the Clerk of Court, RTC, Quezon City (MStandard - Oct. 26, Nov. 2 & 9, 2020)

Electric co-ops ask virus body to clarify billing grace period

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

Business

ELECTRIC cooperatives asked the government to clarify the grace period on bill payment by consumers during the community quarantine period, saying a longer period will have a negative impact on their cashflow and the entire electricity supply chain. The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. and the National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperatives Inc., in a letter addressed to the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease dated Oct. 3, sought clarification on the implementation of Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.” The groups said the first part of the provision mandated “institutions providing electric, water, telecommunications and other similar utilities to implement a minimum of 30-daygrace period for the payment of utilities falling due within the period of enhanced community quarantine or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine without incurring interests, penalties”. The group said, however, that in the last sentence of the section, “CQ” alone was used instead of ECQ or MECQ. The same wording of CQ was used by the DOE when it issued advisory on Sept. 23. PHILRECA and NAGMEC said that if CQ be interpreted as any type of community quarantine which would include the least restrictive ones like GCQ and MGCQ, this would have a huge economic impact to the entire electric power supply chain. “In the case of distribution utilities, specifically the electric cooperatives, the prolonged grace period-and the staggered payment of not less than three months to be implemented after that-will certainly affect our operating capital,” they said. Electric cooperatives said they could only absorb so much in terms of a decreased or no cashflow that might result from the mandatory grace period or staggered payments.

Toll operators ready to enforce cashless mode

Friday, October 23, 2020

139.43 PTS. 6,484.06

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

1,379,434,771 130,412 8,494,742,325.15 129 81 48

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020

PH-MALAYSIA TIES. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) discusses more trade opportunities for Halal products with

Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Norman Muhamad (second from left) during the ambassador’s courtesy call at the Department of Trade and Industry. The discussion on trade opportunities is aimed at supporting both countries’ economic recovery efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With them is Malaysian Embassy deputy head of mission Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan.

Poultry ban may provoke trade reprisal from Brazil By Othel V. Campos

HE Meat Importers and Traders Association on Sunday expressed concern over possible trade retaliation by Brazil after the Department of Agriculture banned the entry of Brazilian poultry products except for mechanically deboned meat.

“I hope it is confined to poultry alone and does not spill over into beef and pork,” said MITA president Jesus Cham. Cham said the Philippine meat processing industry was facing another threat—the looming increase in import duty of chicken MDM from 5 percent to 40 percent in 2021. He said if Brazil re-

fused to export beef into the Philippines, it would further exacerbate the already precarious position of meat importers and processors. He said Brazil is a major supplier of boneless beef that goes into burger patties and delivered to restaurants. Cham said while the Philippines was importing dark chicken meat from the United States, Brazil was the main supplier of white meat and boneless meat. The impact will be felt more by the casual dining restaurants, he said. “The impact will be painful, especially with the price of pork reaching historic highs due to the scarcity brought about by African swine fever,” said Cham. He said this would lead to Filipino consumers having less affordable choices for meat. The Philippines banned Brazilian meat for a short time in previous year because of the alleged presence of salmonella but the Office Internationale des Epizooties said the mere discovery of salmonella was not a sufficient justification to ban.

The DA imposed a ban on poultry imports from Brazil in August this year on alleged reports about coronavirus being detected on chicken wings bound for China. However, it was the Philippines and not China that imposed a ban on Brazil products. Brazil threatened to file a case against the Philippines before the World Trade Organization over what it called “unjustified” restriction on poultry imports from the country. The Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in a letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Oct. 19 questioned the two memorandum orders issued by the Department of Agriculture restricting poultry imports from Brazil. “Since such an unjustified and undue barrier has not been lifted so far, Brazil is determined to resort to the appropriate multilateral fora, including the filing of ‘Specific Trade Concerns’ to the detriment of the Philippines at the WTO, anchored by the guidelines recommended by that organization,” the Brazilian Embassy said in the letter.

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Toll Regulatory Board said over the weekend toll operators are ready to implement the electronic toll collection system on Nov. 2 this year. TRB executive director Abraham Sales said that while all expressways would implement cashless toll collections, motorists without RFID stickers would still be allowed entry to the toll plaza but would be led to an area where their vehicles would be provided with the RFID stickers. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. extended the installation of RFID stickers beyond Nov. 2 to accommodate all motorists. MPTC said motorists who have no RFIDs by Nov. 2 would still be allowed passage in North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, C5 Link and Cavite-Laguna Expressway, but would be directed to the RFID installation lanes where they can have their RFID stickers installed. The corresponding toll for their passage will be deducted to the initial load that they paid in getting the RFID stickers. “We will convert some of the remaining cash lanes in all toll plazas of MPTC expressways to RFID installation lanes. At the same time, the off-site customer service stations will continue to operate and install RFID stickers,” MPTC chief of technology and MPT South president and general manager Roberto Bontia said. Bontia said “the stickers will remain to be free except for the initial load.” NLEX Corp. president J. Luigi Bautista said MPTC would open RFID installation lanes in all entry toll plazas to serve motorists who have not obtained their Easytrip RFID yet even after Nov. 2. Aside from the drive-thru installation lanes, other RFID installation and reloading sites in various locations will remain open. At NLEXSCTEX, there will also be drive-thru reloading lanes in Balintawak, Mindanao, Bocaue, Angeles and Tipo.

POO

PSE INDEX

By Alena Mae S. Flores

TRAFFIC-FREE TRAVEL. An average of 30,109 vehicles per day, mostly from the logistics industry, benefit from the travel convenience brought by the NLEX Harbor Link, four months after the completion of its 2.6-kilometer section between the cities of Caloocan and Navotas. Traffic reports also show around 7,222 vehicles were diverted from NLEX Balintawak southbound which allowed motorists going to Quezon City and A. Bonifacio to experience traffic-free travel.

PSALM fails to get interest on negotiated sale of Malaya plant THE negotiated sale of the 650-megawatt Malaya Thermal Power Plant and land failed to receive any participant during the pre-negotiation process on Friday as investor interest could have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said over the weekend. “While there were informal inquiries, no one formally submitted [Friday] their letter of intent to join,” PSALM president and Privatization Bids and Awards Committee chairman Irene Garcia said.

Garcia said PSALM, which manages the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp., would report the matter to the board chaired by the Department of Finance. “The ongoing pandemic and the uncertainty of the times could be affecting the appetite of bidders to invest in Malaya. Whoever will acquire Malaya will necessarily have to spend capex on it. Investors are perhaps much more careful now in taking on new projects that will require substantial costs and capitalization,” the PSALM official said.

PSALM’s PBAC on Oct. 6 asked interested parties to join the negotiated sale process and submit offers for the privatization of MTPP. PSALM scheduled the submission of letter of interest to the PBAC on Oct. 22. The pre-negotiation conference was held on Friday while the offer submission deadline was set Nov. 16. PSALM placed the minimum offer price for the assets in Pililla, Rizal under the negotiated sale process at P2,007,780,000. Alena Mae S. Flores

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.5900

Japan

Yen

0.009539

0.4635

Pound

1.308400

63.5752

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.2697

Switzerland

Franc

1.102536

53.5722

Canada

Dollar

0.761383

36.9956

Singapore

Dollar

0.737028

35.8122

Australia

Dollar

0.711400

34.5669

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652238

128.8722

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.9563

Brunei

Dollar

0.734322

35.6807

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.031980

1.5539

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2297

Euro

1.182400

57.4528

Korea

Won

0.000881

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.149589

7.2685

India

Rupee

0.013576

0.6597

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241458

11.7324

New Zealand

Dollar

0.666600

32.3901

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034842

1.6930 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF URC’s income SEC warns public increased P7% against Olympro to P7.5b in 1st three quarters

THE Securities and Exchange Commission over the weekend cautioned the public from investing in Olympro Stocktrading Web Content Publishing, saying it is not licensed to offer investments. It said in an advisory posted on its website Olympro was not registered with the corporate regulator either as a corporation or as partnerBy ship.Jenniffer B. Austria Olympro was also not authorized to solicit investment from the publicUniversal as it had not seFOOD manufacturer Rocured Corp. license as required undernet the income Securities bina said Friday Regulation Code, it said. attributable to parent equity holder “The public is advised not to invest or stop increased inscheme the first nine investing in7.2 any percent investment being ofmonths to P7.5 billion fromofP7persons billion fered by any individual or group allegedly for orperiod on behalf of year, Olympro… and in the same last driven byto exerciseoperating caution in dealing withlower any individuhigher income, debt als or group of persons soliciting investments and interest expense and for and on behalf of them,” thereduced SEC said.foreign exchange losses. “Further, Olympro Stocktrading Web Content Publishing eitherto a crowd URC said isinnotaregistered disclosure the fundingexchange intermediary or funding consoliportal,” it stock nine-month said. Jenniffer B. Austria

dated sales rose 2 percent to P99.8 billion from a year ago. Juan has to open “TheSan pandemic deteriorated solar bike stop trading conditions andpit resulted in market contractions in several snack food SAN Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, along with Allianz PNB the Life company Insurance and beverage categories Inc., unveiled over thethese weekend the decompetes in. Despite challenges, sign of the country’s first solar-powered URC market bike pithas stopgained that to significant be constructed in the shares andCity performed ahead ofalong the marSan Juan Hall Complex Pinaglabanan St. ket,” the company said. The solar-powered pit stop will feature8a Operating income increased bike parking area, a bikers’ resting area and percent to P11.9 billion on better a small footprint bike repair station complete cost management and inwith hanger arms, repair toolsfavorable and air pump. putThe prices, in designoffsetting of the bikeinvestments pit stop was patterned building after the Allianz race car stopsmildurbrand and close to pit P300 ing Formula 1 races. Safety bollards for bikers lion of COVID-related expenses. will also be installed on major thoroughfares URCthepresident and safe chief executive across city, providing lanes for bikers Irwin Lee said the business environto travel. “Wecontinued are thankfulto forpose the support of Allianz. ment severe chalIt only shows when overall we lead the way, we lenges to the that group’s business. can build private sector confidence in governLee said the weaker consumer senment and support will naturally follow. We timent andunyielding slowing and retail sales ininthe have been consistent our third quarter, plus sluggish bike safety campaign. We hopemacroecoto encourage more people to use their bikes a means for nomic fundamentals, wereas weighing traveling by ensuring their safety,” on the path to market recovery. Zamora said in a statement. Alena Mae S. Flores “Despite these challenges, we remain focused on operational excelPTT, VMware lence, business transformation and sign partnership investing in building stronger brands PHILIPPINE Telegraph and growth. TelephoneThis Corp. and innovation to fuel teamedisuphelping with US-based VMwareahead Inc. toof offocus us perform fer a technology that would help enterprises market trends,” Lee said. manage their bandwidth usage. PT&T said VMware r SD-WAN (SoftwareDefined Wide Area Network) solution is the perfect complement to its connectivity offerings, as SD-WAN improves network quality and application performance, and simplifies support and troubleshooting. By“The Alena MaeofS.VMware Flores SD-WAN in inclusion our product portfolio further strengthens the lineup of core business solutions aimed at conATLANTIC Gulf & Pacific Company tinuously valuetoadded services to of Manilaproviding Inc. plans put up a liqueour customers,” said Ella Mae Ortega, PT&T fied natural gasfor import facility Batangeneral manager IT services andin large engas City to supply re-gasified LNG to terprise. as the next bigIlijan thing in multi-site theTouted 1,200-megawatt natural gas interconnect technology, SD-WAN power plant, documents filed works with by the automating network discovery andand configuDepartment of Environment Naturation, and redirecting network traffic to the ral Resources show Friday. most reliable links. Some solutions also add AG&P said in ato report the DENR security capabilities enable to optimally protected traffic. with an estimated budget of the project “VMware is very pleased to work with PT&T to serve enterprises in the region,” said Sasha Emmerling, senior director of marketing of Vmware. Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Finance said over the weekend it is working to untangle the legal issues tying down idle mining interests held by the government to speed up the privatization of these assets and revive their operations. The Privatization and Management Office, an attached agency of the DOF, said lawsuits filed by the private sector proponents in the operation of these

once-flourishing mining assets had hampered efforts by the government to privatize them. “We are forming an interagency team to study ways on how we can clear the path for these assets to be privatized and revive their operations,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said. Dominguez said the team would be composed of representatives from the DOF, Department of Environment and

Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, PMO and the Office of the Solicitor General. A memorandum by the PMO to Dominguez identified the copper-gold project of the Maricalum Mining Corp. in Negros Occidental, the nickel mines of the Nonoc Mining and Industrial Corp. (Nonoc Mining) in Surigao del Norte and the gold- and copper-rich North Davao Mining Property (North Davao Mining) in Davao del Norte as

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among the idle mining assets held by the government that were under litigation. The PMO also said the copper mines of the Basay Mining Corp. (Basay Mining) in Negros Oriental and the nickel mine once operated by the Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corp. (MMIC Bagacay Mine) in Western Samar remained nonoperational because of the legal concerns on how these assets should be disposed.

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Sports

Tolentino seeks unity THERE should be unity in Philippine sports and not divisions. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said this after he met his “Performance Team” for the POC elections in November. Tolentino convened a group of national sports association leaders under a cheerful atmosphere over lunch on Saturday. “We cannot afford more division in Philippine sports. We have made giant strides since the Asian Games in 2018 and the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019,” said Tolentino. The POC chief said that bickering from within the POC will only hamper their quest for unity. Former POC president Ricky Vargas also joined Tolentino and his group over lunch at the Shang Palace of the Makati Shangrila for some talks. “Internal bickering will set us back. Whatever happens in the POC elections, we must get behind our leaders and help in charting a viable course for Philippine sports,” said Tolentino, who is also the eighth district congressman of Cavite. In the elections set on November 27, triathlon’s Tom Carrasco, will be candidate for chairman, with Al Panlilio, president of Smart Communications and Chief Revenue Officer of PLDT seeking the post of first vice president. Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, who is the president of the fencing and the modern pentathlon federation, is batting to become second vice president. Gymnastics head Cynthia Carrion, another old hand, will run for treasurer, along with baseball’s Chito Loyzaga as auditor. Named in his list of board members are muay secretary general Pearl Managuelod, with judo’s Dave Carter and surfing’s Dr. Raul Canlas. House Deputy Speaker and Surigao rep. (first district) Prospero Pichay Jr., as president of National Chess Federation of the Philippines, has also joined Tolentino’s lineup for board member. Caarrasco added that they seek to focus on what their team has to offer and their vision for a more active, forward-looking and inspiring leadership. “Let’s focus on what we plan and what we can do for Philippine sports. Let’s not get distracted by personal attacks. What we bring to the table is more important and will impact the future of POC,” said Carrasco. Peter Atencio

THE big story should have been Khabib Nurmagomedov choking Justin Geathje to sleep in the second round to retain his UFC lightweight championship at UFC 254 at Flash Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi yesterday, Sunday, October 25. Instead, Khabib’s victory was overshadowed by his retirement from the sport moments after his win. Just as Bruce Buffer was formally announcing the official result Nurmagomedov was gnawing at the plastic tape wrapping his right glove in place. His corner men helped Nurmagomedov remove both gloves which he promptly placed on floor of the Octagon before announcing his retirement. “Today. It was my last fight. No way I am going to come here without my father. It was first time. When UFC called me about Justin I talked with my mother. She doesn’t want me to fight without my father. But I promised her it was going to be my last fight. And if I give my word. I have to follow this. It was my last fight here,” said Nurmagomedov. The MMA champion’s father and coach,

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

Blackwater Elite player Roi Sumang (8) is airborne as he glides past TNT Tropang Giga defenders, from right: Poy Erram, David Semerad and Bobby Ray Parks. PBA

PBA postpones Blackwater game after COVID-19 scare By Peter Atencio

LACKWATER Elite game scheduled for Sunday, October 25 has been moved after one of the team’s players tested positive during a routine exam.

The player and his roommate have been put in isolation while they wait for results of confirmatory tests to come out. Blackwater played against TNT Tropang Giga last Thursday, October 22. And to find out if more players are affected, the members of the Tropang Giga squad will also be tested and quarantined afterwards. Philippine Basketball Association medical consultant Raul Canlas, who is also a member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Medical Commission, said the protocols that were done on a referee that was the first to test positive under the bubble will

again be put in motion. Because of this, the Elite’s match at 4 p.m. against Rain or Shine at the Angeles University Foundation was scrubbed. But, the PBA Philippine Cup clash between the Magnolia Hotshots and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings at 6:45 p.m. was not affected. To find out if more players, coaches and staff are also affected, the teams which Blackwater Elite faced earlier in the season could also be quarantined as more tests are done. And this could also affect the schedules of the NLEX Road Warriors, the Gin Kings, the Northport Batang Pier

and the Tropang Giga. “When we did subsequent tests, he (referee) was negative. We are in the process of improving our safety and our testing. Rest assured that the protocols that we have applied are working,” said Canlas. Commissioner Willie Marcial said the cancellation of Blackwater’s game was done following a meeting with Secretary Vince Dizon, who is the Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force COVID-19 and President of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. Dizon said they are currently applying the best practices seen from sports organizations abroad, and in consultation with the National Basketball Association and the FIBA. He added that any kind testing is not wholly 100% accurate, which was the case for the referee who may have returned a false positive.

Khabib beats Gaethje then announces retirement By Reuel Vidal

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

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, died from complications brought on by COVID-19 just last July. His father’s death gave him a better appreciation of life and family. Nurmagomedov hinted he is retiring from the sport to spend more time with his loved ones especially his mother. Nurmagomedov also requested the promotion to name him as best pound-forpound champion because he was only at second spot behind UFC’s best pound-forpound Jon Jones. “You guys have to put me on number 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world because I deserve this. Undisputed UFC lightweight champion, 13 and 0, with 13 in UFC and 29 in all my pro MMA career. I think I deserve this,” said Nurmagomedov. In the co-main event former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker pounded Jared Cannonier’s face into a bloody mess with his accurate strikes to earn a unanimous decision victory in their three-round fight. Alexander Volkov landed a front kick right on the stomach of Walter Harris, who fell backward into the cage in pain, to score a second round stoppage in their

Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) connects with a right hand to the side of the head of Connor McGregor in this file photo of their fight at UFC 229 held October 6, 2018. AFP

heavyweight bout. Phil Hawes peppered Jacob Malkoun with a buzz-saw attack of punches which left Malkoun staggering backwards into the cage. Hawes kept

moving forward then put away Malkoun with a left straight to the jaw to earn a knockout victory in just 18 seconds of the first round of their middleweight fight.

Kouame to be granted Filipino citizenship THE process of granting Ivory Coast standout Angelo Kouame with Filipino citizenship is under way. Senator Sonny Angara, who is chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), made the initiative after he filed Senate Bill 1892 last Thursday. The act was part of the country’s ongoing efforts to build up its national team in time for the 2023 World Cup. Senate Bill 1892 is a counterpart of House Bill 5951 filed by SBP vice chairman, Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno. “We have seen what Kouame has accomplished as a member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the past three years and his game continues to develop,” said Angara said. The 20-year-old Kouame is expected to be part of the pool of naturalized players of Gilas Pilipinas. And this will make Kouame available to play for the national squad until he turns pro. The 6’11” Kouame averaged 12.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.4 assists a game in Season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The Blue Eagles won the crown via 16-0 sweep in Season 82. The House of Representatives previously g ranted Philippi ne cit izenship to Marcus Douthit and Andray Blatche. Peter Atencio

Abueva finally allowed to play for Phoenix Phoenix Super LPG player Calvin Abueva (8) talks to coach Topex Robinson (left) during the team’s practice at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G. PBA

CALVIN Abueva can f inally play for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel. His suspension has been lifted after the Philippine Basketball Association gave him the clearance early yesterday morning. Abueva was given the green light after he served the longest suspension in league history. Because of this, Abueva will have a chance to see action again when the Fuel Masters’ meet the NLEX Road Warriors on Monday. The decision to lift Abueva’s suspension came after PBA Com-

missioner Willie Marcial, deputy commissioner Eric Castro, and technical officer Mauro Bengua met with Abueva and interim head coach Topex Robinson on Saturday morning. Discussions on Abueva’s case was done after he went through counseling with the Games and Amusement Board, and drug test. Marcial also laid down the fines and penalties (suspension) that will be meted out by the PBA Commissioner’s Office should Abueva commit on and off-court misdemeanor in the future.

Last Friday,the Fuel Masters dedicated their 94-81 win over the Magnolia Hotshots to Abueva. Abueva has been banned from the league since June 2019. His ban came after a series of on-court incidents which included altercations with former Blackwater rookie Ray Parks and former TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones. He has since apologized for his actions. He has also performed community service and has undergone counseling sessions. Peter Atencio

Sports

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

La Union 5 turns back Pampanga, ties series THE La Union PAOwer defeated the Pampanga Delta, 84-80, Saturday night in Game 2 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga to even the best-of-five finals series of the National Basketball League Season 3 Black Arrow Express-President’s Cup. Jayson Apolonio led four players in double digits with 17 points while adding seven rebounds and four steals as the PAOwer kept themselves in contention in the championship series by tying the series at 1-1. Apolonio also converted a jumper to break an 80-80 and La Union protected the slim lead with hustle plays and defensive effort in the end game. The PAOwer also converted 12 threes and limited Pampanga’s Levi Hernandez to only four points to avoid being in a 0-2 hole. Game 3 is slated on Monday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center where the NBL bubble is situated. La Union opened the first quarter with a 30-17 lead, and survived after furious runs by Pampanga throughout the game. Roman Gatchallan also scored 15 points and converted three three-pointers for La Union, which survived a 22-of46 shooting from the free throw line. Dexter Maiquez had 25 points, but it was not enough as the Delta failed to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-offive series. The scores: LA UNION 84—Apolonio 17, Gatchallan 15, Doliente 12, Maynes 10, Silverie 9, Fontanilla 9, Ablao 6, Francisco 5, Caasi 1, Graycochea 0, Camaya 0. PAMPANGA 8 —Maiquez 25, Santos 11, Gania 11, Tamayo 8, Antiza 7, Juico 5, Hernandez 4, Manaloto 4, Llangco 2, Enriquez 2, Binuya 1, Baltazar 0.

Pagdanganan st eyes 1 LPGA crown, trails leader by a shot Bianca Pagdanganan waves to spectators as she walks off the 18th green during round three of the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship at Reynolds Lake Oconee on October 24, 2020 in Greensboro, Georgia. AFP

ASHINGTON—Ally McDonald, hoping to win her ﬁrst LPGA title, ﬁred a three-under par 69 for a onestroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the Drive On Championship.

The American reeled off four birdies in five holes in the middle of her round to stand on 13-under 203 after 54 holes at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. “I played some really solid golf after I settled in,” McDonald said. “I’m excited with the position I’m in. Mentally I think I handled myself really well. Ready to take on tomorrow.” Filipino Bianca Pagdanganan shot 69, the 22-year-old closing with back-to-back birdies to stand second on 204 with American Danielle Kang third on 205, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda fourth on 206 and Australian Katherine Kirk fifth on 207. World number 62 McDonald’s best LPGA finishes have been two third-place showings, most recently at last year’s ShopRite Classic. She hopes for a breakthrough on her 28th birthday Sunday at an event that was created to fill in a gap between US events after the LPGA’s usual Asian swing was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. “I’m sitting on the lead. People are going to be coming for the lead,” McDonald

said. “It’s not shying away from it. It’s embracing where I am and try to not be complacent and just go out and execute my game plan. “I’m definitely in a more comfortable position knowing that what I have in me is enough. I don’t have to push and be more than I am. It’s just trusting what I know I can do.” No spectators are allowed on the course but boaters on the lakeside layout honked horns for good shotmaking throughout the round. World number 233 Pagdanganan, the LPGA driving yardage leader who turns 23 next week, hopes for her first LPGA triumph in only her sixth professional start. Fifth-ranked Kang, who turned 28 on Tuesday won the LPGA’s first two Covid-19 return events in August. “I’ve got to play a little bit more aggressive,” Kang said. “Getting everything together and just firing from the start will be pretty key.” Kang was to have been seeking a third consecutive LPGA crown in Shanghai this week

befire Covid-19 wiped out the event. McDonald, who began the day with a one-stroke lead on Pagdanganan and Kang, opened with a bogey but bounced back with a birdie at the fifth. “I never really got panicked after the first hole,” McDonald said. “If anything, might have calmed me just to get that out of the way. But I settled in and got very comfortable. I’m happy with what I did.” She reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-3 eighth, strong iron shots setting up short birdie putts followed by a long effort from off the green at 10, to reach 13-under. McDonald lipped out from the fringe on a birdie putt at 11 but birdied the par-5 12th to reach 14-under. Kang’s tee shot at 16 soared right and out of bounds and she needed a 10-foot putt just to rescue double bogey. “I pushed it,” Kang said. “It was out by a couple inches. I was pretty upset because just a waste of two shots right there minimum. Just not the time to do that.” When McDonald chipped to three feet and sank a par putt at 16, she reclaimed a four-stroke lead. McDonald missed the green at the par3 17th, barely reached the fringe with a pitch on the way to bogey, while Pagdanganan birdied 17 and 18 to seize second alone. AFP

Webinar on traditional sports, games set THE Philippine Sports Commission is organizing an Indigenous Peoples Forum entitled: “Webinar on Preservation of Culture and Heritage through Indigenous Sports and Games” on October 31, 1:00 p.m., via Zoom and will be broadcast live simultaneously through PSC’s social media pages. Philippine Sports Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, oversight for the Indigenous Peoples Games said that the Webinar serves as an extension of the IP Games program of the agency. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all implementation of sports programs of the Commission was stopped. Now, we came up with an idea of staging this webinar to coincide with the observance of the Indigenous Peoples Month this October,” Maxey said. Maxey said the webinar will be focused on the preservation of traditional sports and games of the Indigenous Peoples. Prof. Henry Daut of the Philippine Sports Institute, Ms. Maria Lourie C. Victor of DepEd’s Indigenous Peoples Education Office and Prof. Madonna Castro-Gonzales of the National Council for Physical Educators of the Philippines will be the resource speakers. Daut is dean of Sports Education of the Philippine Sports Institute, while Victor serves as a Senior Technical Assistant of the IPsEO. Castro-Gonzales is the Coordinator of the Sports and Culture Office and Physical Education Office, Philippine Normal University – North Luzon. “We are expecting more than 60 participants for this Webinar, comprised of educators, sports officials, and other stakeholders,” Maxey added. Interested zoom participants may register on this link: http://bit.ly/ IPGamesWebinarForm which can only accommodate the first 1000 registrants while the rest can join through Facebook live. The webinar is being organized in partnership with Pocari Sweat Philippines.

Rays rally to level World Series against Dodgers ARLINGTON—Brett Phillips’s single scored two runs and the Tampa Bay Rays walked off with a stunning 8-7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday that knotted the World Series at two games apiece. The Rays became the first team in postseason history to homer in four straight innings, but they trailed 7-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth. With two out and two on, Phillips— who entered the game in the eighth as a pinch runner—was down to his last strike in the ninth when he singled to right center field off Dodgers closing pitcher Kenley Jansen and Kevin Kiermaier scored from second base. Randy Arozarena racing from first, rounded third after the ball bounced off the glove of Dodgers outfielder Chris Taylor. Arozarena tripped between third and home and looked done for, but Dodgers catcher Will Smith bobbled the throw to the plate and Arozarena was able to scramble forward and throw himself headfirst across the plate in time. “Golly, what a special moment,” said Phillips, who last got a hit in the Rays’ 58th game of the regular season on September 25.

“I am having a hard time putting my emotions into words,” Phillips said. “Baseball is fun.” Kiermaier called the ending—which sent the Rays into a frenzy of celebration on Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, “truly incredible.” Arozarena notched a record-breaking ninth home run of the post-season. Kiermaier, Hunter Renfroe and Brandon Lowe also homered for the Rays, who are seeking the first World Series title in franchise history. The Dodgers, back in the World Series for a third time in four years after disappointments in 2017 and 2018, are seeking their seventh title—but a first since 1988. “This is certainly a tough one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “They were the best team all year in the American League. “They are not going to give anything away. We’ve got to regroup and get ready for tomorrow.” The spectacular ending, capped a tense back-and-forth battle with a World Series record eight straight half-innings with a run scored. Justin Turner and Corey Seager homered for the Dodgers. Seager’s was his eighth of

the playoffs, temporarily tying the single post-season record until Arozarena notched his ninth in the fourth frame. For the second game in a row Turner got things rolling with a solo homer in the first inning. Seager added a solo shot in the top of the third that put the Dodgers up 2-0, but Arozarena pulled back a run in the bottom of the fourth with a lead-off blast to right centerfield off a 95 mph fastball from Julio Urias. Los Angeles stretched the lead to 3-1 in the fifth when Seager singled off Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks and reached second on a wild pitch. With two outs in the inning Max Muncy reached first on a sharp line drive to right field that scored Seager. The Rays responded with a home run from Renfroe to cut the margin to one run in the bottom of the fifth. Two-run double The Dodgers pushed the lead back to two in the top of the sixth when Enrique Hernandez fired a double down the left field line that scored two. But Lowe—the two-homer hero of the Rays’ game-two victory—put the Rays in front for the first time with a three-run

John Curtiss (84) of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates the team’s 8-7 walk-off victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. AFP

blast off Dodgers reliever Pedro Baez in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh, Dodgers pinch-hitter Joc Pederson came up with the bases loaded and two out and delivered a two-run single that put Los Angeles back in front. All seven Dodgers runs came with two outs—continuing a trend for them

this series. The Rays however, wouldn’t be denied, Kiermaier’s homer off Baez knotting the score at 6-6. “We have no quit,” Kiermaier said. “We have been doing that all year. We’ve been the comeback kids. To do it on the big stage makes it that much sweeter.” AFP

PSC, Go thank Kiwanis Club of Manila for softball donation THE Philippine Sports Commission and Senate Youth and Sports Committee Head Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go found an ally in the Kiwanis Club of Manila in their efforts towards enhancing the government’s youth sports program. The PSC received 655 softballs from the Kiwanis Club of Manila and their international sister chapter Kiwanis Club of Ogaki, Japan through the office of Executive Director Guillermo Iroy on Saturday at the PSC Administration building in Malate, Manila. “We express our gratitude to the Kiwanis Club of Manila for choosing the Philippine Sports Commission to be the recipient of the softballs from Kiwanis

Shown here are (from left) Kiwanis International Philippines Luzon District Gov. Mauro Cocjin, Kiwanis Club of Manila Pres. Francis Villegas, PSC Procurement Head Ethel Goh and Office of Sen. Bong Go Legislative Staff Officer Rico Hernandez.

Ogaki Japan. As the lead sports agency in the country, the PSC is mandated to promote, encourage, and sustain the development of sports in the country. This is a testament that with the help and support of our friends and stakeholders, the development of a healthy and alert citizenry is possible,” said Ethel Goh, head of PSC’s Procurement Division as the PSC Board’s representative. Kiwanis Club of Manila President Francis Villegas, First Vice President Dr. Isabel Maria Villegas, Governor of Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District Mauro Cocjin, along with other KCM members and Sen. Go’s staff headed by Legislative Officer Rico Hernandez were all

present during the ceremony. “Kiwanis Club of Manila and Kiwanis Club of Ogaki, Japan jointly support our government’s youth enhancement program by donating these 655 pieces of softball from Japan to the Philippine Sports Commission through the Office of the Executive Director, Guillermo Iroy. This project’s aim is sports awareness and physical and mental fitness and health. Mabuhay tayong lahat, mula sa amin sa Kiwanis Club of Manila. Maraming Salamat po!” said Villegas. Senator Bong Go, the Chairman of the Philippine Senate Health and Sports Committee, through a message read by Hernandez, expressed his appreciation to Kiwanis Club of Manila:

“I hope that we will not only bring the sport of softball into the mainstream of Filipino consciousness but also make this an avenue to forge even stronger ties between our people.” The senator related in his message that just recently Kiwanis Club of Manila donated 748 boxes of goods for the benefit of the earthquake victims in Mindanao. He cited this act of philanthropy as truly noteworthy and expressed his hope the club will continue to improve the lives of our people especially those who are in need, “you have shown that indeed, you are the government’s partner not only in sports development but also in nationbuilding.”

Entertaintment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

New dawn rises for TV’s new ‘barkada’ A NEW TV barkada aims to inspire viewers and offer life lessons with their intertwined stories in ABSCBN’s new series, Bagong Umaga airing today on A2Z channel 11, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live. Follow Tony Labrusca, Barbie Imperial, Kiko Estrada, Michelle Vito, Yves Flores, and Heaven Peralejo in their journeys through life and as they discover the stories from their past that reveal their true connection with each other. Her family’s tragic past will motivate Tisay (Heaven) to become a successful journalist. Amidst the hardship, she gets support from her parents Jose (Keempee de Leon) and Monica (Nikki Valdez), her adoptive brother, Dodong (Yves), and her best friend, Angge (Michelle Vito). Ely (Tony) falls in love with her because of her outlook in life. Like Tisay, Ely also has dreams of being successful, but as a doctor so that he can take his mother, Irene (Bernadette Allyson), and sibling, Gab (Ali Abinal) away from his abusive father, Matthew (Richard Quan). However, Cai (Barbie), Ely’s best friend, will resent the budding relationship between the two and will try to keep them away from each other, even if it means

using Dodong. Things become even more complicated when Otep (Kiko) tries to befriend Tisay to use her to avenge her family’s painful past. Follow the barkada as they navigate life amid the lies, envy, and anger. Find out what mysteries from their pasts will test them and eventually reveal how they are connected. Joining the six teens are premier actors Sunshine Cruz, Criz Martinez, Peewee O Hara, Glydel Mercado, and Rio Locsin. Under the production of Rizza G. Ebriega, Bagong Umaga -- airs Monday to Friday, 2:30 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel on cable and satellite TV (SKYcable channel 8 SD and channel 167 HD, Cablelink channel 8, G Sat Direct TV channel 22, and in most channels operated by members of Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association) -- offers another value laden series following the success of its previous shows, Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit and Pamilya Ko. The show is also on the Kapamilya Online Live YouTube channel and the ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page, as well as on the iWant app or iwanttfc. BAGONG BARKADA. ABS-CBN introduces Tony Labrusca, Barbie Imperial, Kiko Estrada, Michelle com. Vito, Yves Flores, and Heaven Peralejo as the new crop of young stars to watch on the drama front.

Cast members rave

‘Descendants of the Sun’

Raffy Tulfo strengthens TV5 lineup with ‘Idol in Action’

BROADCAST journalist Raffy Tulfo has been strengthening the lineup of programs on TV5 and on OnePH via Cignal TV and SatLite through his program Idol in Action airing every Monday to Friday with its new time slot at 10:30 a.m.. For 20 years in public service and Philippine broadcasting Raffy has been known to take quick action and provide immediate solutions to issues presented to him by his listeners, and his viewers over TV5. His affable and yet no-holds-barred perBEAUTY AND THE BIG BOSS. sona has helped resolve concerns regarding social injustices committed by people Dingdong Dantes and Jennylyn Mercado play the leads in the local in power against ordinary citizens; gaining him the title, “Hari ng Public Service.” adaptation of the hit Korean drama To date, he has garnered 15.8 million followers on his YouTube channel Raffy ‘Descendants of the Sun.’ Tulfo in Action and has an active community of 3.1 million in his official Facebook group. With these growing number of viewers, alongside his ability to strike a good balance between serious and light segments, there is no doubt that Raffy, who also anchors the primetime newscast Frontline Pilipinas and the radio program WantCREEN ed sa Radyo, has the confidence and admiration of millions of Filipinos here and actor Dingdong around the world. Dantes explains Idol in Action, which debuted on TV5 and on One PH last June 8, is a daytime public service program that shares stories that are relatable, beneficial and insightwhy he is so proud of ful for the masses. It has a unique show format that strikes a good balance of social the accomplishments of empathy along with its fun and light segments. It tackles problems and concerns the Philippine adaptation in straightforward and diverse ways, utilizing the host’s strong networking with government offices and agencies. of the global hit Through its “Tulong ni Idol” segment, the show also assists listeners who write series Descendants of the or call in their personal woes and the chosen ones get a call during the show and Sun. receive from Php5,000 to Php50,000. These video clips are also posted in Raffy’s Facebook Group to allow other good Samaritans who might want to give assistance The local version was recently to our less fortunate compatriots. recognized as The Most Popular Helping Raffy enliven the show is his Liga ng mga Taga-Serbisyo Publiko. Idol in Drama at the 15th Seoul Interna- night continuing the story that made prime- story are Rocco Nacino and Jasmine Action is co-hosted by MJ Marfori and Marga Vargas, both renowned tional Drama Awards. Dingdong as time viewers glued to their television set. Curtis-Smith who play Wolf and Cap- hosts and journalists who have been in the industry for many the lead star tackling the role origiThe series left off with Capt. Lucas tain Moira, respectively. years. Marga handles “Taray Nyo Teh, Tinally played by Song Joong Ki, on (Dingdong) and Dr. Maxine (Jennylyn Rocco shared that he is proud to be the other hand, received the presti- Mercado) deciding that the two of them part of a series that has left a significant kas Nyo Tol’’ where she helps those who gious Asian Star Prize. To top it all, were better off apart because they lead mark in the entertainment industry, “We have issues concerning relationships, moving on, and those who want to start it’s coming to Netflix on Nov. 13. very different lives. And with the medi- are coming back at excited na excited na a new life. MJ shares the latest in celeb“I’m happy not just for the series cal team’s mission in Urdan coming to kami. We’re all very proud of a project Broadcast but of course for GMA. Nagkakaroon an end, they bid their farewells to their that has made a difference and has be- rity news with her segment “Hola!” and journalist is also the show’s social mood checker in kami ng wider reach, mas nakakarat- friends and the military members. In come a game-changer in this field. It’s Raffy Tulfo the segment “MJ’s Timbangan” where she ing sa malayong lugar yung trabaho the midst of their flight back to Manila, nice to know that you’re part of somenatin, and because of the platform an intense earthquake strikes Urdan and thing na tumatak sa mga tao, hindi lang features people’s opinions and reactions on social media. more viewers can access the series. records multiple casualties. sa Pilipinas kundi pati sa ibang bansa.” Also part of Raffy’s Liga We are doing it one step at a time. “We made a promise to our audiMeanwhile, Jasmine highlighted the ng mga Taga-Serbisyo Thank you sa mga Koreano because ence when we started airing, and that relevance of the series especially for are segment they gave us a great story and then was na kukumpletuhin namin ‘yung ku- frontliners during these challenging Publiko hosts: Maricel Tulfo, they also recognized us,” Dingdong wento. So this is us fulfilling that prom- times, “Nakaka-proud na maging part his daughter who speartold Manila Standard Entertain- ise,” Dingdong shared. ng DOTS, not just because of the recog- heads the segment “Sinment in a virtual interview. Also eager for the continuation of the nition that it has, but also because it’s a imulan Mo, Tatapusin The series makes a TV comeback totimely and relevant series. It’s nice that Ko!” where she relays we are able to somehow humanize our the conclusion of the frontliners and give them representation cases the show has before, even more so now. In a way, handled. Kapitana the series gives them love and comfort Carol Domingo who while watching it because they know is in the segment “Ithat they are seen and appreciated.” tag mo, Pasisikatin DOTS premiered on February 10 but ko!” helps people who production was temporarily halted due to post their woes on sothe restrictions brought about by the CO- cial media. The segment VID-19 pandemic. Last month, lock-in “Hani ng Bayan”, hosted tapings that followed strict safety proto- by Hannibal Talete, an cols were held which enabled the produc- off-site show correspondent tion team to wrap up the series. collates the opinions of FilipiDOTS is under the direction of Dom- nos regarding certain topics. inic Zapata. Lastly, Roda Magnaye who Descendants of the Sun: The Philip- is part of the segment “Itpine Adaptation starts with recap epi- imbre Mo Kay Idol!” where sodes tonight and fresh episodes begin- ordinary citizens voice out ning Nov. 5, after Encantadia on GMA their concerns to Raffy onTelebabad. air. Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Rocco Nacino

primetime comeback, Netflix premiere

Cameras start rolling for ‘Balangiga 1901’ in France. This bombastic chunk of Philippine history becomes the centerpiece of BalOUR colorful and tragic-laced historical past has been used quite often as a angiga 1901, a motion picture with a subject in the cinematic arts. Jerrold reported budget of P80 million from JarTarog’s Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang rimine Fortuna Film Production written Batang Heneral, the late Marilou Diaz and directed by Danny G. Marquez. Shooting starts this November afAbaya’s Jose Rizal, and Mario O’ Hara’s Ang Paglilitis Ni Andres Bonifa- ter years of research and fine-tuning cio are some of the significant samplings the script. The ambitious motion picof cinema capturing the life and times of ture will show the full circle of events that led to the bells of Balangiga being our beloved heroes. In terms of fueling the creative juic- brought to the US by American soldiers es, controversy, and the imagination, then to serve as “trophies” and a remindthe Campanas de Balangiga or the bells er of their “victory” in the blood bath of Balangiga, could rival the legend and that happened in Eastern Samar. “We will recreate the town of Balaniconic stature of the Notre Dame bells

giga, Eastern Samar in a sound stage in Tarlac,” says director and writer Marquez. “A lot of songs from Eastern Samar will be incorporated. As well as the Philippine martial arts arnis. The research for this film has been going on since my days as a Pinoy comics illustrator and author. My goal in this film is not to antagonize anyone. I am presenting history as it is,” he adds. To give life to the major character of Valeriano Abanador a.k.a. Kapitan Bale is dramatic actor Ejay Falcon. “I cannot contain my excitement, sobrang nakaka-proud, because what we will make is a part of our history,” Falcon says. “This is the chance, through

this film, for all of us to witness that transpired in Eastern Samar during that unforgettable time.” The actor does not mind being locked in for two weeks in the constructed Balangiga sound stage. He feels grateful for the trust that the film company and the director gave him. He is the first and only choice to be Kapitan Bale. “Ang ipapakita namin dito ay tamang kuwento. Marami ang hindi nakakaalam pero marami talagang mahalagang pangyayari sa Balangiga 1901

na talagang lalong magpapaigting sa pagmamaha;l natin sa bansa natin at sa kalayaang meron tayo sa ngayon,” he

ended.

Ejay Falcon gives life to the major character of Valeriano Abanador a.k.a. Kapitan Bale in ‘Balangiga 1901.’

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020

Halloween at home: Spooky tricks, sumptuous treats

ROM ube cheese pan de sal to Dalgona coffee, the COVID-19 pandemic has spawned several food trends in the country, which is under the longest lockdown in the world.

Among these is baked sushi—deconstructed sushi rolls baked in a casserole which, most likely, you wouldn’t find anywhere in Japan (the purists would be shaking heads and mouthing “iie”), but has become ubiquitous in the Philippines. There are as many flavors as there are food entrepreneurs who made the pivot and brought their business on-

Brain and Eyeball Pasta

Naked Salmon Cake with ikura pearls.

Lockdown food trend:

BAKED SUSHI Tuna Poké

line amid the lockdown. The usual ingredients, however, are layers of vinegared sushi rice, salmon, crab sticks, Japanese mayonnaise, and tobiko (fish roe), with a pack or two of nori seaweed on the side. One of the earliest blogs on “sushi casserole” was in 2011, with online food site Mashed surmising its roots might be traced to Hawaii, with the archipelago’s Spam musubi and poke bowls. Salmon HQ, which is known for its trays of big, fresh, juicy salmon, has carved a name for itself when it comes to baked sushi. It has three types of baked sushi: the crunchy California sushi bake, the aburi salmon scallops ebi sushi bake, and the uni scallops aburi sushi bake. All three boast of premium ingredients—

you can eat directly from the pan on its own, or with the nori sheet. A small pan, which is good for up to three persons (one, if you are feeling exceptionally hungry or simply would like to indulge), costs P800 and comes with a seaweed pack. A medium pan with two seaweed packs good for up to six persons costs P1,600, while a large pan fetches for P1,800 and can feed up to eight persons. Of course, Salmon HQ’s classic Premium Salmon Sashimi Cake is always an indulgent option. The six-inch cake has layers of premium kani kama mixed with ebiko, spicy salmon, and chuka wakame mixed with Japanese sushi rice, topped with layers upon layers of fresh salmon sashimi. Photos from Salmon HQ’s Facebook page.

CONJURE the thrills and chills at home with an eerie spread of sweet and savory treats. Marriott Manila offers Halloween Party at Home Package for a ghoulishly good feast and fun with loved ones. The P1,800 nett package includes Frankenstein’s Joint, crispy pork pata served with atchara and steamed rice; Brain and Eyeball Pasta, spaghetti with meatball sauce; Dracula’s Fingers, fried chicken fillet served with sweet corn and barbeque sauce; Spider Bread stuffed with hotdog; and six-inch Gateau Fantome (Ghost Cake), a dark chocolate moist cake with salted caramel ganache, snickers frosting, chocolate coating, and meringue ghost.

Count Dracula Fingers

The package is good for two to three persons—costumes optional. Sweet Spook-tacular Treats, perfect for kids and kids-at-heart, come in the form of Dead Velvet Cake, a red velvet sponge cake with strawberry compote, cream cheese frosting, and red glaze; Forbidden Fruit Cake with green apple mousse, green apple jelly, roasted green apple caramel maple cremeux, financier sponge, and green glacage; White Lady Cake, made with white chocolate mousse with short crust dough, crunchy layer, berry confit, sponge cake, and neutral glaze; and Gateau Fantome.

Spider Bread

Premium Salmon Cake

FOOD NEWS ROUNDUP Shake Shack to open at Greenbelt

Salmon HQ’s sushi bake and salmon cake.

URC products now available on Zalora

OPENING more channels to enable THE third Philippine branch of New York’s iconic burger joint is opening easy access to its food products, Uniin Makati this week. versal Robina Corporation brings its Shake Shack on October 27 is welcoming customers to its Greenbelt goodies on Zalora. branch, the first Shack to feature Filipiniana elements throughout its deShoppers on the e-commerce platsign. form can now “add to cart” and have The Makati store uses natural materials such as rattan and timber to crePiattos, V-Cut, Dewberry, Vitasoy, ate a banig-like pattern in the space. A feature element of this Shack is its C2, Great Taste, Swiss Miss, Nissin, pendant lamps, handcrafted and handwoven out of arurog vine by artisans and other URC snacks and beverages of Hacienda Crafts. It also features an adequate al fresco dining space. delivered straight to their home. PayDuring the opening week, from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, Shake Shack Greenment options include cash on delivery belt will offer free delivery via GrabFood for orders worth P1,000 and URC food products are now available on Zalora. and debit or credit cards. up, while the first 100 who will order via the app on Oct. 27 will each get a Shack Box of exclusive Shack Greenbelt merchandise. The first guest on opening day ON-DEMAND food delivery service foodpanda is saving will get a year’s supply (free for the best for last for its 12 Surprises of Christmas raffle. After giving away “Gaming Packages” on week 1 and every monthly visit) of signature Concretes from Shack Green- “Music Packages” on week 2, 12 winners will each get belt, while the first 50 guests to the “Ultimate Gaming Package” personally handpicked by order for dine in or takeaway foodpanda brand ambassador and celebrity gamer Alodia will receive free Shack shades, Gosiengfiao. It consists of a whopping collection of monitor, Shack20, and Auro chocolate CPU, headset, mouse, and gaming chair. Another 12 winners will each get an “Ultimate Entertainbars. ment Package,” which includes a Samsung 4K 65” TV, a As part of its commitment to Samsung Soundbar 5.1 Channel, and a Bose Home Bluepromoting bayanihan, P100 from tooth Speaker. Alodia every purchase of Chick ‘n Shack Gosiengfiao Foodpanda is also giving away P500 vouchers to 1,200 at the Greenbelt store during the users weekly. handpicked opening week will go towards the prizes in All entries from October 11 to 31 are included in the fiAyala Foundation’s “Your Sup- nal raffle draw. To join, order a minimum of P299 from resthe ‘Ultimate Gaming port, Their Future,” campaign for taurants available on foodpanda and use the voucher code Package.’. ShackBurger, Chick ‘n Shack, and more are Filipino students affected by the MERRYGALO upon checkout. Each order using the vouchavailable in the chain’s Makati branch. COVID-19 pandemic. er code is equivalent to one entry.

Gadgets and goodies at foodpanda weekly giveaway

Mini cakes priced at P300 each include Brain Cake with white chocolate mousse, strawberry gelee, almond joconde, deco fondant, and strawberry coulis; Pumpkin Carrot made with pumpkin carrot sponge cake with cream cheese frosting with orange juice drizzle; Death by Chocolate made with white chocolate cremeux, roasted milk chocolate mousse, walnut black sesame Florentine, chocolate pain de gene, and chocolate mirror glaze; and Scary Cat Mango Chocolate made with chocolate Breton, chocolate sponge, mango jelly, and chocolate mousse with chocolate glaze. Other treats to up the horror at Halloween parties at home come in the form of Count Dracula’s Finger Cookies (P65/two pieces), Zombie Finger Cookies (P65/ two pieces); Creepy Cupcakes (P500/box of nine); and Creepy Cookie Decorating Kit (P800/kit). The Halloween feast and treats are available today until November 2. Prior reservation of five days is required for the cake collections. Delivery may be arranged via Delishvery or thru the customer’s chosen courier. Call 0917-859-9521, 0917-538-1844, 0917-584-9565, or visit manilamarriott.com for orders and inquiries.

Creepy Cupcakes