Manila Standard - 2020 October 31 - Saturday

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Bracing for worst: Powerful storm ‘Rolly’ lurks in PH area

By Rio N. Araja, Alena Mae S. Sunday evening or early Monday, with the weather bureau warning of winds of Flores and Joel E. Zurbano

175-195 kilometers per hour.

The weather bureau said Typhoon FILIPINOS are bracing for a powerful typhoon that is expected to make “Rolly” (international name Goni), was Next page landfall in the Aurora-Quezon area

‘VIOLENT’ STORM LURKS.

Coastguards carry a rubber boat a la Bayanihan style while disaster personnel prepare their search and rescue gears as they prepare their search and rescue gears as they brace for the feared onslaught of ‘violent’ storm Rolly which is expected to make a landfall on Sunday or Monday. Divers, paramedics and a K9 team also are suiting up for any eventuality. In Manila, the Manila Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office loads up safety equipment at its station in Malate, Manila on October 30, 2020. #Coastguard PH/ Norman Cruz

Red flag on DepEd’s P1.9b

COA rings alarm over unpaid cash advances as corruption probe widens

By Rio N. Araja and Rey Requejo

T

HE Commission on Audit has flagged the Department of Education for unliquidated cash advances of P1.9 billion in 2019.

The report was released days after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a government-wide crackdown on corruption.

The Department of Justice-led task force mandated to probe corruption in the entire government was formally constituted yesterday as its members agreed

on the parameters for determining which allegation of corruption or anomalies will be considered as priority.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the task force will set up an operations center at the DOJ to receive, filter, Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 239 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

COVID-19 PH

Trump, Biden square off in major states

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM OCTOBER 30)

378,933 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,006 41,291 NEW

ACTIVE

7,185

38

330,457

636

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

RAINBOW-INCLUSIVE WORLD. Members of the LGBTQI community and other human rights organizations pushed for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill or SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Indentity Expression) to mark UP Pride 2020 in Diliman, Quezon City yesterday. The SOGIE bill was still pending in Congress since its initial filing two decades ago. In September last year, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would certify as urgent the SOGIE bill but the Palace clarified the chief executive was referring to an anti-discrimination measure for a “broader audience.” Roel Hoang Manipon

Task force to pinpoint areas where vaccines will go, Palace says

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

THE government has formed a task group to prepare a COVID-19 vaccination program to ensure the deployment of vaccines in target areas, Malacanang said Friday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the COVID-19 Immunization Program Management Organizational Structure of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 will be headed by the Department of Health (DOH).

“The creation of a task force is to en-

P13-b cash aid for workers them recover from the effects of the global health pandemic.

The funds from the Bayanihan to THE Department of Labor and Em- Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) ployment (DOLE) will distribute P13 are aimed at ensuring income and Next page billion in cash aid to workers to help

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HILARIOUS.

Mark Fitzpatrick’s image of Terry the Turtle is this year’s 2020 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards winner.

The photo, in which the turtle appeared to be flipping the bird, bested thousands of entries from all over the world. This is the first time an underwater image has won the competition.

sure the successful and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines to the target population,” Roque said in a statement.

However, Roque did not mention if a vaccine czar would be appointed.

President Duterte has named other czars to respond to the pandemic, such

as officials to oversee testing, isolation, treatment, and contact tracing efforts.

The government plans to vaccinate about 20 million Filipinos for free. Priority will be given to the poor, policemen and soldiers.

Next page

DONALD Trump and Joe Biden square off with rallies in key Midwestern states on Friday as a resurgent coronavirus further highlights their sharp differences just four days before the US presidential election.

Even with the United States reaching another daily record in new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, President Trump stuck to his strategy of downplaying its dangerousness and calling for businesses to reopen.

He has also ramped up fearmongering, warning of rampaging “socialists” and seeking to portray his Democratic challenger as intent on shutting the country down.

Biden has sought to persuade the few remaining undecided voters that he would provide a steady hand on the wheel and heal America’s “soul,” calling Trump irresponsible.

The former vice president has held drive-in, socially distanced rallies, while Trump’s gatherings have often seen attendees ignore such guidelines and eschew masks.

Next page

LOCAL ROUNDUP

PH out of top 20 virus-hit nations; tally still down

By Willie Casas and Maricel Cruz THE Philippines has dropped out of the top 20 countries with the most number of COVID-19 cases worldwide.

A tally by the Johns Hopkins University showed that Ukraine has taken the 20th spot with 381,664 cases.

As of Friday, the Department of Health logged 2,006 new infections, Next page

CRIME SCENE. The scene of crime where the suspected leader of a big-time Laguna

drug group was killed in a buy-bust operation in Calamba City during an encounter with police and anti-narcotics agents. Laguna PPO

No Undas treat: Petron ups LPG price by P3.20/kilo on Nov. 1 or liquefied petroleum gas prices effective 12:01 a.m., Nov. 1.

Other oil companies are expected to PETRON Corp. on Friday announced it will implement a P3.20 per kilogram in- follow suit.

The price movement is equivalent to an crease (VAT-inclusive) in cooking gas

By Alena Mae S. Flores

increase of P35.20 per 11-kilo tank, which currently sells from P560 to P798 per tank depending on the supplier, market conditions, location, among others.

Next page

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News

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DFA looks into envoy’s abuses “If there’s [a] prima facie case, I issue a Formal Charge prepared by OTLA (Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs),” Locsin said.

Locsin also said he had extended financial aid worth P200,000 to the Filipino housekeeper who was allegedly abused by Mauro.

The aid given to the househelp was intended to “tide her over,” Locsin said of the househelp who was identified as “Ms. Ocampo.”

“She doesn’t have to do anything for it.

It’s her for being what she is: an OFW. Plus, it’s her tax money,” Locsin said.

The DFA chief earlier recalled Mauro after Brazilian news outlet GloboNews released video footage which showed the envoy “maltreating” her household staff several times on different occasions inside her residence.

This triggered calls for Mauro’s ouster.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said there would be an “airtight case” against the ambassador.

“We must fix the image of our foreign service and the only way to do that is swift action and harsh penalties to be meted out to Ambassador Mauro,” he said.

“She should no longer hold an ambassadorial post at this point in time and she would have difficulties. We, members of the Commission on Appointments, will no longer agree that she will be assigned in other countries after what she has done,” Zubiri stressed.

The Senate leader said Mauro violated Republic Act No. 10361 or the “Batas Kasambahay,” the Revised Penal Code, and Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

lion and Region 7 with P4.7 million.

COA urged the DepEd to strictly comply with its guidelines and COA rules and regulations on the granting, liquidation and monitoring of cash advances and issuance of demand letters to accountable officers to pay their advances.

“In case of failure to comply, DepEd should implement the withholding of salaries or any money due to them, including appropriate legal sanctions pursuant to Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code for failure to render accounts,” the commission stated.

“After all the possible measures were undertaken to ascertain the details of the account and proven futile, [DepEd should] request authority to write off said accounts from the Commission on Audit, in accordance with COA Circular No. 97-001 dated February 5, 1997 and COA Circular No. 2016-005 dated December 19, 2016,” it said.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan, ordered the conduct of a lifestyle check among police officers.

“This would be made by the IMEG (Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group), together with IAS (Internal Affairs Service), so that we would be able to see what’s happening with our people now,” Cascolan said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Friday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the police force and other attached agencies under his office would cooperate with the task force that would go after perpetrators of corruption in government.

“We have carried out many reforms but we must continue them as there are still bad eggs who need to be removed from office. The program to get rid of them

is continuous with the National Police Commission,” Año said in a mix of Filipino and English in a radio interview.

He said the interior department has been relentless in weeding out corruption even before the President issued the order.

“We have suspended many mayors and some have been removed from office due to corruption issues. We have a good collaboration with the Ombudsman and the Office of the President,” Año said.

In a recorded public address on Tuesday, Duterte said the Justice Department may prosecute and file charges against those involved in anomalies.

He added that the directive would be in effect until June 30, 2022, unless sooner lifted or revoked.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday welcomed the Department of Justice-led investigation into the alleged corrupt activities in the government bureaucracy.

“The directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to Secretary Menardo Guevarra to investigate allegations of corruption in the government is most welcome.

Secretary Guevarra is an intelligent and decent public servant who is wellrespected by his peers and colleagues,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said.

“Given this partnership, there is absolutely no basis to detract or underestimate the laudable objectives of the President in creating the DOJ mega task force,” he added.

The Ombudsman and DOJ have been partners in the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council, he said.

“In any case, investigations conducted by the DOJ involving complaints of corruption are subject to the evaluation of the Ombudsman,” Martires added

spotted 980 km east of Casiguran, Aurora at 4 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness up to 230 km/h It was moving westward at 20 km/h.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was in effect in Catanduanes.

“The typhoon is forecast to continuously intensify over the Philippine Sea and is likely to make landfall at intensity of 175-195 km/h,” the weather bureau said.

The weather bureau said Rolly—categorized by the Japan Meteorological Agency as a “violent” typhoon—could cut across Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan and Zambales.

It is likely to bring heavy to intense rains over Northern and Central Luzon and the Bicol region along the typhoon’s

track beginning Saturday or Sunday.

It will also bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the Bicol region, Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Batanes, Cagayan and Isabela.

Storm surges of up to two meters may also be experienced over the coastal areas of Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, and Northern Samar, the weather bureau said.

Undersecretary Ric Jalad, director of the Office of Civil Defense, said Rolly’s powerful winds could cause heavy damage to high-risk structures, medium-built structures and dislodge signs.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday activated all of its units to assist disaster response efforts ahead of Rolly’s arrival.

AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the military’s disaster response units are specifically

trained and equipped to conduct search, rescue, and retrieval operations. Other assets are also available for the transport of relief goods, road clearing, and damage assessment operations, he said.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi called on the members of the energy sector to prepare for the impending impact of Typhoon Rolly during a virtual meeting of the DOE-led Task Force on Energy Resiliency.

“The energy sector must be well-prepared to effectively prevent and minimize potential damage to our energy facilities. Without sacrificing the safety of our personnel, we must also be ready to respond immediately and conduct rapid damage assessments should the typhoon leave a trail of destruction in its wake,” Cusi said.

Energy industry stakeholders have already been alerted to activate their respective disaster risk preparedness and response protocols.

price of LPG for the month of November,” Petron said.

On Tuesday, the country’s oil firms rolled back the price of diesel by P0.25 “AutoLPG prices will likewise in- per liter and kerosene by P0.15 per liter crease by P1.79/li at the same time. to reflect the movement of prices in the These reflect the international contract world oil market.

A report by Bloomberg over the weekend revealed that oil prices declined amid additional output coming from Libya. Global oil demand has been severely dampened by the coronavirus pandemic.

Delays in the stimulus bill in the US

which could help spur economic recovery and oil demand also affected oil prices.

On October 20, the oil companies cut the price of gasoline by P0.25 per liter but increased the price of diesel and kerosene by P0.25 per liter and P0.20 per liter, respectively.

By Rey Requejo

T

HE Department of Foreign Affairs has formed a fact-finding body to begin its investigation of Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro for alleged maltreatment of her Filipino household helper.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. gave the DFA body 15 days to submit a report to the President Management Staff.

“I received Presidential Directive no.

2020-196 directing the DFA to investigate the alleged abusive conduct of the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil confirming his verbal authorization; we have 15 days to report to the Presidential Management Staff,” Locsin said in a Twitter post.

Under Section 51 of the Foreign Service Act, “Chiefs of Mission who are commis-

sioned by the President as ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary shall not be investigated by the Board [of Foreign Service Administration] or separated from the service unless there is an express written directive from the President.”

But that proviso was effectively rejected by the presidential directive, Locsin said and added that the DFA’s Human Resource Management Office would be conducting a preliminary investigation, and subsequently submit to him its report and recommendation.

Task...

From A1

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Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña had previously said that a vaccine would not be available until mid-2021.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he would give preference to the vaccines being developed by Russia and China because other countries allegedly asked for advance payment.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said government officials were scheduled to meet on Friday with representatives from AstraZeneca, one of the leading developers of a candidate vaccine against COVID-19.

“We’re meeting AstraZeneca later with FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Will assure them fairness across the board, no favors, no funny stuff, we need all the vaccines we can get,” Locsin said on his Twitter account.

Locsin said once the supply is available, the European drug maker’s candidate vaccine would be “sold at cost.”

He also clarified that AstraZeneca has no plans to extend its clinical trials to Southeast Asia after FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said the pharmaceutical firm has expressed interest in conducting a clinical study in the Philippines.

“I just talked to AstraZeneca. It is not conducting trials anywhere in Southeast Asia and yet Indonesia has preordered 100 million doses; so since we are all equal members of one human race it doesn’t matter. The primary consideration should be cost per dosage,” he said.

The clinical trials of AstraZeneca and University of Oxford’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine have recently resumed in the US after it was put on hold due to an illness of a volunteer.

Manila is also in talks with Chinese firms currently in the final stages of clinical trials.

Last week, China’s Sinovac Biotech submitted to the FDA Philippines its application to conduct Phase 3 of clinical trials of its vaccine in the country.

The government is also evaluating vaccines of Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute and other pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer.

The Department of Health earlier said the third phase of the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial on a possible Covid-19 vaccine is also set to start in the Philippines by the end of 2020.

Manila, meanwhile, has secured membership in the Gavi COVAX alliance to ensure access to the global COVID-19 vaccine supply.

and validate complaints and reports of corrupt activities in government.

“Our objectives are to investigate and prosecute acts of corruption, expedite the resolution of pending corruption cases, and launch a campaign or advocacy to prevent further acts of corruption,” he said.

In an annual audit report, state auditors said the unliquidated cash advances included unsettled accountabilities due from retired, resigned, transferred or deceased former personnel of regional offices in Cagayan Valley, the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas. Similar unsettled accounts were observed in the subdivision offices of Cadiz City and Nueva Ecija.

Aging unliquidated advances totaled P1.158 billion in the DepEd Central Office and in nine regional offices, the COA said. Of this total,P907.86 million was granted during the year, while P250.47 million involved cash advances granted in previous years that have been due for over one to 10 years.

DepEd’s Region 5 had the highest amount of unliquidated cash advance of P445.5 million, followed by Region 6 with P411 million, Region 12 with P290.3 million, Metro Manila with P158.9 million, Region 13 with P125.6 million, Central Office with P101.8 million, Region 4B with P93.9 million, Region 9 with P79.5 million and Region 1 with P70 million.

The rest were Region 10 with P59.8 million, Region 3 with P34.7 million, Region 8 with P15.7 million, Region 2 with P15.3 million, Region 11 with P14.8 mil-

Bracing...

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P13-b...

From A1 employment retention for workers in the formal sector, and provide wage amelioration and other unemployment benefits to freelance and selfemployed workers, including the repatriated workers from abroad.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that between 1.5 million and 5.1 million SME workers have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bello said the DOLE will have to determine the exact amount of subsidy through the number of affected workers based on either the data of the Labor Department or the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Small firms will need to apply to avail of the assistance and provide

documents showing that they are classified as a micro or small business establishment and detail the amount of their losses.

“They just need to apply not for exemption but for a subsidy from the government to pay the 13th month of their employees. They have to apply and it is up to DOLE to determine whether they are entitled to a subsidy,” Bello said.

The DOLE said the funds will be divided into the following: P5 billion one-time assistance to some 993,000 displaced workers of the formal sector; P6 billion for emergency employment of around 863,000 informal sector workers; and P2 billion for 200,000 repatriated migrant workers.

“Perhaps by this week or early part of next week, this will be rolling, continuous already,” Labor Undersecretary Joji Aragon said in a press briefing.

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From A1 bringing the total to 378,933.

This is the 14th straight day that the daily tally was below 3,000.

The DOH also announced that total recoveries rose to 330,457 after 636 more patients recovered from the illness, while 38 new fatalities brought the nationwide death toll to 7,185.

The number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has reached more than 44.5 million.

Of this, the United States has recorded the most number of cases with 8,858,089, followed by India with 8,040, 203, and Brazil with 5,468,270.

More cases amid increased mobility

Experts from the University of the

Philippines’ OCTA Research team said an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases as public transportation reopens further in many parts of the country.

“One of the big rules in pandemic management is that, as you increase mobility, you increase transmission,” said biologist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco.

“This makes sense from a biological perspective that when people meet each other and are able to leave their home, what you’ll be going see is there is more opportunity for the virus to move from person to another. There’s going to be an uptick, but the uptick doesn’t have to overwhelm or drown us,” he added.

Government has allowed increased ridership in public transportation by optimizing or reducing the physical distance between commuters, reopened more jeepney routes in Metro Manila and resumed motorcycle taxi pilot study since Oct. 23.

Red-tagged bloc seeks TRO vs. terror law

By Rey E. Requejo ANOTHER group of petitioners on Friday prodded the Supreme Court to seriously consider its plea for the immediate issuance of temporary restraining order to prevent the government from implementing Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

In a motion filed before the SC, lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives urged the SC magistrate to issue a TRO to stop the enforcement of the anti-terrorism law.

The lawmakers lamented that their group has become subject of “redtagging” or being labelled as communist rebels or fronts, by officials of the government’s anti-communist insurgency task force.

According to the bloc, the murders of activists Randall Echanis, Jory Porquia, and Zara Alvarez show that “red-tagging kills.”

“Being labelled as ‘terrorist,’ ‘communist,’ or a ‘legal front’ for the armed rebel movement -- regardless of lack of evidence -- makes one a target in a ‘strategic communication’ otherwise known as black propaganda, or is marked for surveillance, up to assassination,” the militant lawmakers stressed.

The petitioner argued that there is an urgent need for the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the ATA in order for them to be able to fulfill their duties as elected representatives “without reprisal or punishment.”

On Thursday, opposition lawmakers including Senators Francis Pangilinan and Leila de Lima, journalists, and human rights advocates, represented by the Free Legal Assistance Group, also sought for the issuance of TRO to stop the implementation of the antiterror law, including its implementing rules and regulations.

Trump...

From A1 The two candidates plan to be in three Midwestern states on Friday, with both campaigning in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Trump will also travel to Michigan and Biden also plans to be in Iowa.

Trump’s wins in Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa helped propel him to victory in 2016.

But polling averages from the RealClearPolitics.com site show Biden up in all four of those states, ranging from 6.5 percentage points in Michigan to just one point in Iowa.

Still, Democrats and Republicans alike have repeatedly warned of the unreliability of polls, pointing to Trump’s shock defeat of Hillary Clinton in 2016 despite surveys showing her to be the clear favorite.

Trump and Biden are concentrating their efforts on battleground states that will decide the election in the days before the November 3 polls, and on Thursday both were in the crucial state of Florida.

Trump, 74, held another raucous rally in Tampa, telling the cheering crowd that coronavirus lockdowns under Biden would banish normal life.

“They will allow you nothing,” the Republican said.

“We’re never going to lock down again.... We’re open for business,” he said, telling supporters that his own recent bout with COVID-19 proved that it can be beaten.

“You know, the bottom line is you get better,” he said.

But the pandemic, which has already taken 228,000 American lives, has shown its resilience and is undergoing a long-predicted second wave. AFP

Price cap for swab test pushed

A congressional leader on Friday renewed her proposal for the government to set at P2,000-P2,500 the price cap for the COVID-19 swab test.

“The price should be affordable by the poor to encourage them to subject themselves to the gold-standard reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) screening if they show any symptom of new coronavirus infection,” House deputy majority leader and Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo said.

She said based on information she received, the cost of RT-PCR varies from P3,500, which is the price the Philippine National Red Cross charges, to a high of P12,500.

She said some government hospitals are charging higher rates than that of the Red Cross.

MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN! Ka Eduardo Manalo Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan

IGLESIA NI CRISTO

Pagbati mula kay:

Gov. Danny and Congw. Aleta Suarez, Cong. David and Cong. Anna Suarez, Bokal Jet Suarez and Vice Mayor Junjun Suarez

NEWS

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

A4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

TARANTULAS INTERCEPTED. The Bureau of Customs-NAIA intercepted 119 live tarantulas concealed inside rubber shoes in the DHL warehouse on Oct. 28. The tarantulas were shipped by a certain “Michal Krolicki” from Poland to a consignee in General Trias, Cavite. (See story below)

IN BRIEF Overcharging of ships in Orion, Bataan denied IMMIGRATION Commissioner Jaime Morente has denied allegations that the bureau is overcharging arriving ships in Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan.

He made the statement following reports that shipping agents posing as Immigration personnel were charging an arriving vessel as much as P20,000 as payment for immigration inspection.

“We have monitored a social media post that reported an alleged corruption incident at the Bataan Port wherein ships were said to be overcharged $600 for immigration boarding formalities. I immediately ordered an investigation following the post,” Morente said.

According to Bayani Agosto Ferrer, alien control officer of BI Bataan, an interagency committee conducted an investigation to check the veracity of the report.

“When the documents were presented to us we were surprised to find that it was signed by a certain Conrado Bustamante and an Armichael Policarpio, and we have no employees with those names,” Ferrer said. Vito Barcelo

Public cautioned against leptospirosis in floods THE Department of Health on Friday cautioned the public against getting leptospirosis from flood waters during the rainy season.

Beverly Ho, director for Promotion and Communication Service, said during an online forum that exposure to floods must be avoided especially if one had open wounds.

“If ever that happens, please reach out to your health care provider so that you might be provided with necessary post-exposure prophylaxis if necessary,” Ho said.

Leptospirosis is a water-borne illness caused by the leptospira bacteria.

The bacteria may enter through wounds when an individual is in contact with flood waters, vegetation or moist soil that has been contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats, according to the department.

It has an incubation period of seven to 10 days.

Among the symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, muscle pain, headache and reddish eyes in some cases. Severe cases may affect the liver, kidney and the brain.

Willie Casas

SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Friday said ‘plantreetos and plantreetas’ should be tapped by the government for its P5-billion reforestation program next year.

He said mobilizing “plantreetos and plantreetas” could shield the proposed budget of the government’s tree-planting drive from wastage and delays.

He said this was just one of his proposals “to mainstream” the National Greening Project, which had cost taxpayers P42.1 billion since 2011.

“This is one program which, like a sapling, should not be hidden under the canopy of tall trees. At a time when pandemichit people on the ground are looking for income, this can be part of the government livelihood menus,” Recto said.

He recommended that NGP’s implementing agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, begin by posting in town plazas details of the NGP projects.

“It can also partner with local governments willing to provide financial or ‘sweat’ equity,” Recto said.

The NGP has a budget of P3.15 billion this year, but will be raised to P5.15 billion under Malacañang’s proposed 2021 national budget.

The amount will be used to produce 72.9 million seedlings for planting on 82,349 hectares of new forest plantations and in existing ones, the DENR said in a briefer for its proposed P25.5billion agency budget for 2021.

Recto said the DENR had spent P42.1 billion on NGP from 2011 to 2020. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Chinese held for kidnapping

By Willie Casas

N

ATIONAL Bureau of Investigation agents arrested four Chinese nationals on Tuesday in Las Piñas City for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

The operation also resulted in the rescue of one Chinese national.

NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor identified the four Chinese nationals as Jiang Zhi Chao, Han Yong, Shi Qi and Zhao Jian Wei. The NBI also arrested two Filipinos: Christopher Belarmino and Darnel Volante.

Meanwhile, operatives of the NBISpecial Action Unit seized counterfeit Black Rhino Wheels with an estimated value of about P7 million.

In a statement on Friday, NBI OfficerIn-Charge Eric Distor said the counterfeit Black Rhino Wheels were seized in an operation following a letter-complaint of Nicolas & De Vega Law Offices against

the owners, managers, sellers and operators reported to be engaged in the sale or distribution of counterfeit wheels bearing the Black Rhino marks and trade name, and in violation of the rights of Just Wheels and Wheel Gallery protected under the Intellectual Property code of the Philippines.

On Oct. 26, someone filed a complaint for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, and was accompanied by NBICTD operatives to determine the exact place where he was detained and to identify the suspects who kidnapped and detained him.

The complainant was able to identify the house at No.51 Aurora Pijuan St., Brgy. Talon Dos, Las Piñas City. He also

identified one of the suspects who kidnapped and detained him after he came out of the gate to throw out some garbage.

He immediately informed the operatives about it, and operatives were instructed to rush to the house to arrest the suspects.

One Taurus .40cal pistol with one magazine and 11 rounds live .40cal ammunition, one Glock 22 with one magazine and 10 rounds with 10 rounds live .40cal ammunition, a pair of steel handcuffs and assorted IDs and documents were seized.

Aside from the suspects, another Chinese was found who claimed he was also a kidnap victim being detained there since Oct. 20.

Romualdezes greet Brother Manalo

By Maricel Cruz HOUSE of Representatives’ Majority Leader Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez on Friday wished a long life for Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, who celebrates his 65th birthday this Saturday.

The Romualdez couple also thanked Manalo for his “kind heart” in serving God and the country with great passion and “malasakit” [compassion].

“Sa ating pinakamamahal na kapatid, ka Eduardo V. Manalo, Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo, isang malugod na pagbati po ang aming ipinapaabot sa pagdiriwang ng inyong kaarawan,” the Romualdez couple said in a statement.

They credited Manalo for the good character formation of the Filipinos, es-

pecially the youth.

“I join the Filipino nation in praying that our Lord God continues to bless you with a long life and excellent health so that you may carry on with the mission of spreading the good word of salvation,” the Romualdezes said.

They wished the continued success of the INC leader in the fulfillment of his aspirations for the Filipinos as one of the country’s moral compasses.

“Under your stewardship and guidance, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has proven itself as a steady source of inspiration for millions of Filipinos here in the country and even in other parts of the globe.

Naniniwala kami na sa ilalim ng inyong tapat na pamamahala, patuloy na magsisilbi ang Iglesia ni Cristo hindi lamang sa ating Panginoon kundi maging sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng inyong kalinga,” the couple said.

INAUGURATION: Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, chief implementer of the national action plan against COVID-19 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Rep. Eric Olivarez lead the inauguration and turnover of the COVID-19 quarantine facility at the Air Force one parking area in San Dionisio in Parañaque on Friday.

Norman Cruz

Shipment of live tarantulas seized

By Joel Zurbano

GSIS set to launch two mobile apps this month THE state pension fund Government Service Insurance System will launch two mobile applications within the month so that clients can access their GSIS records and file their motor vehicle insurance claims using only their smartphones anytime and anywhere.

Even before the pandemic, the GSIS has already been pursuing a “digital transformation” program with the deployment of the “GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System” kiosks in 2006 to improve its processes and services. In 2014, the state pension fund further introduced webbased applications such as the “Electronic GSIS Member Online” and the “Electronic Billing and Collection System”.

The GSIS, in its report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, said it developed the two coming mobile apps so that its clients would have continuous access to its services despite the travel restrictions and safety concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first mobile app dubbed “GSIS Touch” will initially feature three three service nodes: 1. the eGSISMO (mobile version), 2. the GSIS Citizen’s Charter, and 3. the directory of all GSIS Branches.

The mobile apps were developed entirely “in-house” by the Information Technology Services Group of the GSIS without help from outside tech consultants.

Recto pushes reforest plan

BUY-BUST OPERATION. It is estimated that up to P19 million worth of marijuana was confiscated in a buy-bust operation in Angeles City. Two suspects were arrested who were residents of Imus and Tanza, Cavite. Thony Arcenal

CUSTOMS agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted a shipment of live tarantulas smuggled from Poland.

The authorities found the 119 tarantulas concealed inside rubber shoes following physical examinations at DHL warehouse on Thursday.

The parcel was declared as “buty,” the Polish word for shoes, which was shipped by a certain “Michal Krolicki” to a consignee in General Trias, Cavite.

The shipment was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit for proper handling.

Customs NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said tarantulas were classified as endangered wildlife species. She says illegal wildlife trading is penalized with imprisonment of six months and one day to one year and a fine of P10,000 to P200,000 under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Talusan also says such unlawful importation was “penalized with not less than 30 days and one day but not more than six months or a fine of not less than P25,000 but not more than P75,000 or both, if the appraised value of the goods unlawfully imported, including duties and taxes, does not exceed P250,000 under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).

Proposed law to boost small farmers’ organic farming

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SMALL farmers will benefit from producing cheap organic products due to a more affordable system of organic certification under a proposed measure to amend RA 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, Senator Cynthia Villar said Friday.

Villar, head of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform and principal sponsor of the bill, said exorbitant costs prevent small farmers from practicing organic farming. She said this also makes organic products expensive for many Filipinos.

The Senate has ratified the committee report on the bill amending RA 10068,

which would make certification for organic produce cheaper and more accessible.

Also, the bicameral conference committee has reconciled the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1318 and House Bill 6878.

Villar said RA No. 10068 requires the certification of the organic farms of small farmers by a third-party certifier

to facilitate labeling and the marketing of the products to markets.

But the third-party certification amounting to up to more than P100,000 per crop per year “creates a very big barrier for small farmers to overcome.”

Under the recommended bill, Villar said, PGS certification will only cost farmers P600 to P2,000.

Opinion Manila Bay’s ‘white beach’ THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) insistence that it is correct in putting dolomite “white sand” along a part of Manila Bay, is puzzling to say the least. I thought that like many other issues, this would die a natural death after a week or so of receiving criticism from people.

This dolomite “beach” is part of DENR’s Manila Bay rehabilitation project. With a budget of P359 million sourced from the contingency fund of President Rodrigo Duterte, the department intends to cover some 500 meters of Manila Bay shoreline with crushed dolomite from Cebu. As of now, only 120 meters have been covered.

This project is a waste of public funds.

Recent typhoons and heavy rains that hit Manila have shown how wrong the DENR is in embarking on this project. The white dolomite “sand” has been repeatedly washed out and DENR needed to “restore” the area every time. But DENR has a different version, saying that the dolomite is not being washed out. Instead, black sand was being washed in, resulting in the white artificial sand being covered.

Washed out or washed in, the thing is, scientists have said that when nourishing a beach, the material that should be used is one similar to what is already there. Manila Bay’s shoreline is naturally gray, and definitely, its sand is NOT dolomite. Moreover, one international expert said that dolomite is used for construction of roads and not one of the world’s artificial beaches is made of dolomite. Apparently, the project did not undergo an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to determine if what will be done will be good or bad for the environment.

In fact, the DENR issued Administrative Order No. 2003-30 on the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System. This AO requires that projects that pose potential significant impact to the environment need to secure Environment Clearance Certificates (ECC) before they can be implemented to make sure that the environment is protected. Apparently from the get-go, the DENR did not consider the “dolomite project” as potentially harmful since reports say that no EIA was done.

Besides the harm to environment, in a statement, scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) have raised concerns about the high project costs since this will require continuously replacing the sand with crushed dolomite. “The addition of dolomites … cannot serve to anchor the loss of beach sand, nor serve as replacement for eroded sediments… Beach nourishment projects are not one-shot deals, especially for continuously eroding shorelines,” the

statement said.

Simply put, if DENR does not stop now, government will need to spend for more and more dolomite in the future to replace the ones that are washed out. And even with such expenditures, we cannot expect Manila Bay to be rehabilitated.

The health hazards of dolomite have been underscored. The Department of Health (DOH) initially said that dolomite dust can cause respiratory problems. The UP Marine Science Institute warned that prolonged inhalation of dolomite dust particles could cause chronic health effects, chest discomfort, shortness of breath and coughing. Should this artificial beach be opened to the public as initially planned, we can only imagine the health problems that people who will frequent the place may experience.

The DENR and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque defended the project by saying that the project will bring the “white beach” to people who cannot afford to go to the real thing like Boracay. Also, Roque claimed that this will be good for the mental health of people in this time of pandemic.

Evidently, our government officials are not mindful of the actual health hazards of dolomite.

Instead of listening to people, especially environmentalists and scientists, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said that the project will continue and more crushed dolomite will be used to cover the planned 500 meters of Manila Bay’s shoreline.

There is no information on where the dolomite is coming from since the Cebu provincial government has issued a cease-anddesist order for the unauthorized extraction of dolomite rocks.

Additionally, the DENR also said that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will construct a breakwater as additional protection so the dolomite will stay intact. It is unclear if the budget that will be used for a breakwater of 500 meters in length (following the DENR plan) is included in the original P359 million, or if this will be sourced from DPWH budget.

In this case, it should have been included in the General Appropriations Act of 2021.

The cost of building the breakwater is also unknown as of this time.

An important point that needs to be raised is the fact that the “dolomite beach” is a beautification project and NOT something that will rehabilitate Manila Bay. As such, it should not have been under the Manila Bay rehabilitation program.

During this time when tens of millions of Filipino families are suffering due to worsening poverty, and a time when even Duterte has repeatedly said that the government no longer has money, this fake white beach project is a waste of public funds.

This is something that we cannot afford.

Had the P359 million been used to help our impoverished people, almost 60,000 families or 300,00 individuals could have been helped at P6,000 per family. Then we can say that this is money well spent.

The DENR should now listen to the experts and stop this fake white beach project before things get worse. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Pinoys should see the real China EVERYMAN

By Herman Tiu Laurel PRESIDENT Donald Trump has intensified the Cold-War mentality since he stepped into office in 2016. He started by raising the level of the trade war against China and is ending his term calling the coronavirus the China virus. But at the end of the first four years, Trump has been defeated in both the trade war as well as in his misguided war again the virus. In both cases, China has come out on top of the two cold war strategies of Trump.

Why do we say that, like in a boxing match, China’s right arm and gloves have been raised high up in the air? First, US imports from China have risen and its trade deficit in July this year was the highest in 12 years, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) now classifies China’s economy as 1/6 larger than the US ($24.2 trillion versus the U.S.’s $20.8 trillion). As for the “China virus,” Trump recently said it is a blessing instead of a curse when he caught it because now he is immune from COVID-19.

China has said again and again that it does not seek a fight with anyone, least of all the United States, but only that it will “never back down” when threatened. President Xi

Jinping reiterated that policy last October 23 in his speech at the commemoration of the Chinese-North Korean victory in pushing the US down the 38th parallel where the demarcation now stands. As the Chinese semi-official Global Times reported, “China sends stern warning via commemoration of war it won against the US 70 years ago in Korea.”

Forget the Cold-War mentality.

Xi, like Chairman Mao in 1951 warning the US not to cross the 38th Parallel, is warning against starting any aggression against it as it will not back down. But Xi again pledged that China will never seek hegemony, and said that today there is no place for unilateralism the way the US has tried to rule the world the past 50 years. This reminds me of what the famous US economist and now adviser to the UN Sustainable Development program Jeffrey Sachs said in a Webinar on “No Cold War.” Speaking as counterpart to Chinese scholar Zhang Wei Wei, Sachs in his 40-minute talk said that, “We are at the end of the American dominant period... this is the mechanical implication of the declining

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

Bad diplomacy

W

HEN Filipinos abroad experience hardship at the hands of their abusive employers, they run to the Philippine embassy to seek solace and protection.

Mauro has been recalled and would face a probe in the coming days.

Labor groups have demanded the immediate dismissal of Mauro from the foreign service and from the government altogether.

Letting this incident pass would send the wrong message to both the world and our people.

What is one to do, however, when the head of that embassy is the principal abuser, and the ambassador’s residence is where the cruel treatment occurs?

An investigation is still due to be conducted, but video footage very clearly shows Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu Mauro mauling her Filipino domestic staff on multiple occasions.

The 51-year-old worker is already back in the Philippines while Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the department would use the full extent of the law against the diplomat.

Mauro has been described as softspoken and slow to anger by a former colleague. She was also said to be professional and competent, helping resolve many problems of Filipinos in her places of assignment.

So, looking at the CCTV footage of the woman hitting, with gusto, a hapless domestic worker, we wonder:

Where is that supposedly mellow and reserved public servant? Where is that intelligent, capable diplomat who should have known better?

We look forward to hearing what Ambassador Mauro has to say in her own defense, given the visual proof of her apparently indefensible behavior. All of this leads us to reflect on the reality that people show different aspects of themselves depending on whom they are talking to. And while education, competence and professional success may help ensure good character, these do not guarantee that a person can behave the same way in front of the world and in private.

It’s a sobering reminder that our values and acts should remain consistent no matter with whom we are speaking, and even when we believe nobody—neither person nor camera —is around. This is the standard for any decent human being of whatever status or rank.

The importance of the presidency gresses had to first get the blessings of the incumbent president.

President Duterte did not lift a finger to save his first speaker who was ousted by his colleagues on the instigation of his daughter. He had to arrange a term-sharing agreement between two congressmen who could not agree on who should head the House of Representatives.

The president is number one. He normally runs the country all by himself.

President Duterte has been doing this since Day One in office.

He is the commander-in-chief. He appoints the heads of the armed forces and the national police even if they are not on top of the heap.

He can exercise emergency powers, particularly in times of a national crisis such as the pandemic.

EVERYMAN

By Ernesto G. Banawis THE presidential elections in 2022 will be the focus of riveting public attention starting early next year. The center of attraction will be those aspiring, hoping, or dreaming to occupy the most omnipotent position in government, the presidency.

The presidential aspirants will be creating a lot of noise. They will clog the air lanes, the pages of print publications, and the social media platforms to gain attention. They will endeavor to be ahead in the early survey ratings to gain the support of the power brokers and big-time political gamblers.

But there will be first a polarization of political forces before the battle lines are drawn. Only after the realignments of the political parties and sectoral groups will the serious candidates be known.

Since the election is still a year and a half away, let us focus on the importance of the office itself – the presidency.

The people should have a closer look at this prestigious position: its powers, perks and privileges as well as its downsides and drawbacks. This is the best way they can weigh and appreciate the importance of the presidency and measure the fitness of those aspiring to occupy it.

The presidency is the highest, most powerful and most influential position in government. It is not equal to the legislative or judicial branches of the government. The president is not on the same level as the vice president, the Senate president, the speaker or the chief justice.

He is above all of them. This truism has been proven.

President Ferdinand Marcos abolished Congress and the entire judiciary when he declared martial law. No one, not even Congress, prevented the imposition of the dictatorial regime. It took 13 years before President Marcos was ousted not in an armed revolution but in a peaceful demonstration of thousands of people inspired by Divine Providence.

President Duterte ousted a chief justice with the consent of her associates and jailed a senator without a whimper from her colleagues in the Senate.

He also sent mixed messages about working with his vice president – twice appointing her to a cabinet post and yet twice making it difficult for her to perform her job.

Most of those who were elected senate presidents and speakers of previous Con-

It’s open season for treachery.

He can provoke or prevent a war.

President Duterte pivoted to China to the consternation of the US President Barack Obama and his own foreign policy advisers.

The president enjoys privileges that ordinary citizens can experience only in their dreams.

He always sits at the head of the table in private or public events. He can no longer be addressed by his first or nickname. He is either Mr. President or Madam President.

No one is supposed to make a joke at the expense of a president. One columnist was convicted of libel for making fun of a president.

The President can make himself filthy rich. He can amass a fortune which will provide an opulent life for five or more generations of his ilk.

But there are drawbacks and downsides to the presidency.

The president is looked up to by the people as the provider of most of their needs. He is a favorite sponsor for wedding and baptism ceremonies.

The president and immediate family members are instant celebrities. Some presidents are proud of their masculine prowess that they could not resist the allure of beautiful women, particularly movie personalities.

Yet the presidency is not really an enviable position.

The president is usually blamed for every calamity whether natural, manmade, or providential. He is asked

to mediate in quarrels between his friends, political allies, and even between women.

There are certain events where the president enjoys and feels proud of himself. In international conferences, he stands as tall and as important as the heads of state of the richest and most powerful countries.

The awesome powers of the presidency and the opportunities for fame and fortune it offers constitute the mystique and the magnet which attract even lunatics to covet the office.

Political history is replete with accounts of heads of state who have been assassinated. Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy are among the most famous victims.

These are the reasons why the presidency is important to you and me. Every decision he makes affects us and our families. These are same reasons why we should exercise due diligence in voting someone for the presidency. The same reasons why voters should exercise their right of suffrage wisely. Selling your vote is like selling your honor and your dignity.

In his hands, the president holds the future of our country.

Sadly, there is hardly anyone among our former presidents who sincerely loved and cared for the people and the country.

Let us hope that whoever succeeds President Duterte will have the wisdom to address the awesome challenges confronting the country. He should be aware that the most debilitating ailment of the country today is moral bankruptcy. Can he serve as the moral compass for the Filipino people to regain their sense of honor and decency?

We don’t need a superman or superwoman as president to liberate the millions of our citizens who are still living in abject poverty and endless penury.

Lee Kuan Yew and the few others, who made a difference in the progress and prosperity of their country, had one common attribute—honesty.

Mr. Ernesto Banawis is a student of government and history.

MORE OPINION ONLINE

(www.manilastandard.net) share of the world economy. We are geopolitically in a new era, an era where no country can lead, no single country can be a dominant leader. What do we need to do to achieve a truly multilateral approach? That is the biggest challenge.”

Can our Filipino people appreciate the changes going on in the world today? I will keep trying to make our people understand this, even those that speak like “kanto boys” with a bottle of beer in hand who talk and act

as if they know everything and are proudly anti-China. China is already the Philippines’ top trading partner and our economy’s prosperity will now greatly depend on better relations and cooperation with China.

So, I advise these anti-China Pinoys just enjoy their cold beer and don’t entertain “cold war” talk anymore, and just oppose the Cold War mentality -- their future and their children’s future depend now on our warm relations with China.

Induction of Ashoka fellows

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that ROBINSONS LAND CORPORATION with office address at 43rd Floor Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue corner Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Tourist Accomodation Facility under the Special Laws-Tourism-Hotel (Westin Manila Sonata Place Hotel) with a capacity of 303 rooms on Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Avenue, Barangay Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (Formerly: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Bria Homes Urdaneta) with a capacity of 463 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Tulong, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (Formerly: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Bria Homes Manolo Fortich) with a capacity of 566 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Diklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

World

EU sets aside 220m euros for COVID-hit members BRUSSELS has set aside 220 million euros to transfer Covid patients from hard-hit member states to neighbors with spare hospital beds, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday.

Speaking after a videoconference with the 27 EU leaders, Von der Leyen called for European capitals to pool coronavirus data as “the good use of the money

requires good information in exchange.”

The leaders heard calls for greater coordination in their responses to the epidemic, which is once again sweeping over Europe in a second-wave rapidly outpacing the original disaster in March and April.

They were urged not to close their borders to each other, but to work together to share the best techniques for

controlling the virus and prepare the distribution of an eventual vaccine.

According to her spokesman, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel told the leaders that “a coordinated European approach is of great importance in combating the pandemic.

“Especially for Germany, as a country in the middle of Europe, it is important

22 cops killed in Nigeria protests N

IGERIA police said Friday that 22 officers were killed and 205 police stations destroyed during nationwide protests this month and denied reports it had shot at peaceful demonstrators.

VIRUS PREVENTION.

A high-resolution camera is installed at an entrance of the Yokohama Stadium during a test for virusprevention measures in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on October 30, 2020. AFP

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (Formerly: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Bria Homes Calamba Phase 3 and Phase 4) with a capacity of 314 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Bañadero, Calamba City, Laguna.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

UK’s opposition Labor Party warns of ‘civil war’ BRITAIN’S main opposition Labour party on Friday urged shocked members to stand united against anti-Semitism, appealing against a renewal of internecine “civil war” following the suspension of its left-wing former leader.

Jeremy Corbyn was exiled pending investigation after he refused to accept all the findings of a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which found his office had broken the law in its handling of complaints by Jewish members.

New leader Keir Starmer, calling the report a “day of shame” for Labour, promised to implement its recommendations in full, and the party suspended Corbyn after he blamed his internal critics as well as the media for exaggerating the anti-Semitism.

Starmer told Sky News he was “disappointed” in Corbyn, whose angry supporters in the party’s left wing and among some trades unions are rallying behind him.

“I don’t want a split in the Labour

party. I stood as leader of the Labour party on the basis that I would unite the party, but also that I would tackle antiSemitism,” Starmer said.

“Both of those can be done. There’s no reason for a civil war in our party.”

Corbyn’s suspension overwhelmed Starmer’s efforts to “draw a line in the sand” over the scourge of anti-Semitism and get on with his increasingly effective attacks on the Conservative government for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

(MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (Formerly: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Bria Homes Calamba Phase 2) with a capacity of 660 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Bañadero, Calamba City, Laguna.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (Formerly: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Bria Homes Magalang) with a capacity of 958 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Sto. Rosario, Magalang, Pampanga.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (Formerly: CASA REGALIA, INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List-Mass Housing (Bria Homes Kidapawan) with a capacity of 655 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Sudapin, Kidapawan City, Province of North Cotabato.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 31, 2020)

that the borders remain open, that there is a functioning economic cycle and that we fight the pandemic together,” she said.

Von der Leyen, herself an academic epidemiologist before going into German politics, said “massive testing” would be key to getting through the crisis and called on EU states to adopt joint standards for rapid antigen testing. AFP

IN BRIEF

Man linked to knife attacker in Nice, France detained A 47-YEAR-OLD man believed to have been in contact with the suspected knifeman who killed three people at a church in the French city of Nice has been detained for questioning, a judicial source said Friday.

The man was detained late Thursday after the attack in Nice’s Notre-Dame basilica by a 21-year-old Tunisian who arrived in France on October 9.

France’s anti-terror prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said the attacker, identified as Brahim Aouissaoui, had a copy of the Koran, two phones and three knives when he entered the church in the centre of the Mediterranean city at around 8:30am.

He slit the throats of a 60-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man who worked at the church, and stabbed a 44-year-old woman who managed to flee but later died of her wounds.

The victims were “people targeted for the sole reason that they were present in this church at that moment,” Ricard said at a press conference late Thursday.

President Emmanuel Macron called it an “Islamist terrorist attack,” and the government has placed its terror alert at maximum ahead of the Catholic holiday of All Saints Day on Sunday.

Macron is holding an emergency meeting over the attack with top ministers Friday. AFP

Youth-led protests against police brutality and poor governance erupted on October 8 in the biggest show of people power in years across Africa’s most populous country.

The protests were halted after demonstrators came under fire from security forces on October 20 in Lagos, unleashing a wave of unrest by angry mobs.

Amnesty International said 12 people were killed by security forces during the shooting, and 56 civilians overall had been killed since the start of the protests.

But the police insisted its force “exercised commendable restraints” and “some paid the supreme price for peace.”

“Police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters,” spokesman Franck Mba said in a statement, adding that “scores” were injured, “many in life-threatening conditions”.

The police described the rights group’s report as “untrue, misleading”.

“Our police officers never resorted to use of unlawful force or shooting at the protesters as alleged in the report.”

The Nigerian army has also denied shooting at unarmed demonstrators.

“At no time did soldiers of the Nigerian Army open fire on any civilian,” spokesman Major Osoba Olaniyi said in a statement. AFP

HK gov’t appeals to WTO over ‘Made in China’ label

JIHADIST ATTACK. Police officers stand guard by the Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

Basilica in Nice on October 29, 2020 after a knife-wielding man kills three people at the church, slitting the throat of at least one of them, in what officials are treating as the latest jihadist attack to rock the country. AFP

French frigate patrols Mediterranean DEEP in the bowels of a French frigate cruising the tense eastern Mediterranean waters, a dozen men and women scan radar screens through the dark.

Among the red squares showing the positions of vessels at sea, two Turkish exploration ships stand out, the Oruc Reis and Barbaros.

For three months, the stealth vessel La Fayette has patrolled the strategic area off the Syrian, Greek and Cypriot coasts.

The 170-strong crew are on high alert, with geopolitical tensions at boiling point since the discovery of huge gas deposits and Athens and Greece in dispute over their maritime borders.

France has since August deployed more assets in the eastern Mediterranean, known as “Medor” to the navy, amid a war of words over Turkish incursions into Greek and Cypriot waters.

With President Emmanuel Macron pledging “non-negotiable solidarity” for Greece and Cyprus, Paris needs to follow events in the region closely -- as well as communicate clear messages to all involved.

La Fayette took part in August manoeuvres with Greece, Cyprus and Italy

to show a united European front against Ankara.

“Our primary mission is to observe everything that happens, to offer our chiefs and the political authorities our own understanding of the situation,” said the ship’s group operations leader, Lieutenant Mathieu.

He oversees central operations, the CO or nerve center, a dark space to monitor classified information where access is strictly limited.

Data is gathered from surface and aerial radars as well as an infrared camera that follows vessels “of interest” night and day, including submarines that surface.

These instruments of war detect the enemy’s electromagnetic footprints and complement radar to give La Fayette a detailed overview of the eastern Mediterranean basin.

“Avoid mistakes” The screens pick up a British warship in Limassol, Cyprus, Russians off the Syrian coast and Turkey’s Oruc Reis on a disputed energy exploration mission between the Greek islands of Kastellorizo and Rhodes, overriding protests from Athens. AFP

HONG Kong authorities on Friday said they will launch proceedings at the World Trade Organization to challenge a demand by the United States to label imports from the financial hub as “Made in China”.

Donald Trump issued an executive order in June declaring the city no longer sufficiently autonomous from the authoritarian mainland after Beijing launched a crackdown against democracy supporters.

The decision, which came as China imposed a sweeping new security law on the business center, reflected Washington’s belief that Hong Kong is now “just another Chinese city” and does not deserve special trade privileges.

The new rules state that products from the city -- which used to be allowed to carry a “Made in Hong Kong” label -- now needed to say “Made in China”.

On Friday, Hong Kong officials confirmed they would bring the dispute to the WTO’s settlement mechanism.

“The US’ unilateral and irresponsible attempt to weaken Hong Kong’s status as a separate customs territory is highly inappropriate,” secretary for commerce Edward Yau told reporters. AFP

Former Turkish PM Yilmaz, 73, succumbs to cancer FORMER Turkish prime minister Mesut Yilmaz, who oversaw three governments in the 1990s as the country lurched between political crises, died Friday of cancer at the age of 73, his family said.

A conservative with a pugnacious style and trademark square glasses, Yilmaz also served as foreign minister in the 1980s.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office called Yilmaz “one of the pre-eminent figures of Turkey’s political life”.

Yilmaz’s terms in office covered years of unstable coalitions, political scandals and a growing conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

His last premiership in 1997-99 was punctuated by a growing rift with neighboring Syria.

In 1998, Yilmaz sparked an outcry across the Arab world by threatening to “poke out the eyes” of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad for his support of the PKK. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

B3

SATURday, OCTOBER 31, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rallies; JG Summit climbs S TOP GAINERS PSEi October 30, 2020

1 SFIP 2 WPI 3 ACE 4 AR 5 SPM 6 TBGI 7 WIN 8 FDC 9 DFNN 10 PXP

LAST PRICE CHANGE 1.8 0.6 0.495 0.07 1.39 0.17 0.0011 0.0001 2 0.18 0.27 0.023 0.218 0.018 9.7 0.8 3.28 0.26 12.1 0.94

% CHANGE 50.00% 16.47% 13.93% 10.00% 9.89% 9.31% 9.00% 8.99% 8.61% 8.42%

TOP LOSERS

1 TECB2 2 CNPF 3 IMI 4 HVN 5 MB 6 LTG 7 I 8 ATN 9 MARC 10 ION

LAST PRICE CHANGE 0.87 -0.08 15.52 -0.98 6.44 -0.34 354 -16 0.4 -0.015 11.54 -0.42 1.17 -0.04 0.89 -0.03 0.92 -0.03 1.02 -0.03

% CHANGE -8.42% -5.94% -5.01% -4.32% -3.61% -3.51% -3.31% -3.26% -3.16% -2.86%

tocks rallied Friday on bargain hunting to end a three-day slump, and on easing quarantine measures that are expected to limit the damage to the Philippine economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 74.61 points, or 1.2 percent, to 6,324.00 on a value turnover of P7.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 135 to 81, with 37 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group advanced 3.7 percent to P64.25, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of the Sy Group rose 2.7 percent to P33.70.

Speculative issue PXP Energy Corp. jumped 8.4 percent to P12.10, while major property developer Ayala Land Inc. added 2.5 percent to P33.

The rest of Asian markets tumbled Friday with investors spooked by soaring virus cases in Europe and the United States that have forced fresh lockdowns, while uncertainty ahead of next week’s US election was also dampening sentiment.

Regional traders brushed off a healthy rebound on Wall Street and forecastbeating economic growth data out of Washington with analysts warning that a new infection surge and failure to pass a new stimulus would likely knock the recovery off track.

Asian markets extended the week’s losses, with tech firms weighed by warnings from US giants including Apple, Amazon and Facebook that the outlook was murky owing to the impact of the coronavirus.

Hong Kong shed two percent and Seoul dived 2.6 percent, while Tokyo and Shanghai were more than one percent down. There were also big losses in Sydney, Mumbai, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Wellington.

Equities have had a torrid week as governments are forced to act to contain a second wave of disease in the northern hemisphere, with France essentially shutting down for November, Germany putting tough measures in place and several other countries in danger of having to follow suit.

European Central Bank boss Christine Lagarde noted the eurozone was facing a tough few months, saying Thursday that the economy was “losing momentum more rapidly than expected”

after a partial rebound in the summer, adding that risks were “clearly tilted to the downside.”

However, on a positive note she hinted that the bank could unveil fresh measures to keep credit flowing.

Eyes are now on Tuesday’s presidential election, with expectations Joe Biden will win the White House, while Democrats could sweep both houses of Congress, which observers say could see the passage of a huge new stimulus.

However, despite Biden being well ahead of Donald Trump in national and battleground polls, traders remain nervous that the president could contest any tight result, having spent much of the campaign warning of mail-in voter fraud.

“There is going to be more volatility ahead of the election,” Quincy Krosby, of Prudential Financial, told Bloomberg TV. “Over the weekend folks are going to be focused on (key battleground state) Pennsylvania to see whether or not Biden is gaining there. The concern is if he gains a little bit, that may be one where you could actually look to a contested election,” she added.

With AFP

MOST ACTIVE

1 CNVRG 2 BDO 3 DITO 4 ICT 5 SM 6 ALI 7 MBT 8 PGOLD 9 MPI 10 SMPH

VOLUME 47,400,700 6,572,650 80,912,000 3,708,140 361,180 10,161,800 6,291,100 5,827,800 50,634,000 6,005,600

VALUE (PHP) 707,341,938.00 584,322,109.00 559,869,812.00 422,470,502.00 342,410,815.00 330,554,980.00 256,344,025.00 241,358,835.00 202,396,090.00 200,388,645.00

‘Semi-lockdown’ in Germany. Customers stop in front of a restaurant/bar terrace in Berlin on October 29, 2020, prior to a ‘semi-lockdown’ starting on November 2, 2020, which will see a closing of bars and restaurants in Germany. Germany imposed drastic curbs on people’s daily lives to contain a surge in coronavirus cases with France following suit as more than 500,000 infections were reported worldwide in a new daily record. AFP

Hong Kong taking US to WTO over China label HONG KONG—Hong Kong authorities on Friday said they will launch proceedings at the World Trade Organization to challenge a demand by the United States to label imports from the financial hub as “Made in China.”

Donald Trump issued an executive order in June declaring the city no longer sufficiently autonomous from the authoritarian mainland after Beijing launched a crackdown against democracy supporters.

The decision, which came as China imposed a sweeping new security law on the business centrer, reflected Washington’s belief that Hong Kong is now “just another Chinese city” and does not deserve special trade privileges.

The new rules state that products from the city—which used to be allowed to carry a “Made in Hong Kong” label–now needed to say “Made in China.”

On Friday, Hong Kong officials confirmed they would bring the dispute to the WTO’s settlement mechanism.

“The US’ unilateral and irresponsible attempt to weaken Hong Kong’s status as a separate customs territory is highly inappropriate,” secretary for commerce Edward Yau told reporters.

“Such a move also confuses the market and undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system,” he added.

Hong Kong, one of the world’s great trading ports, is a member of the WTO, even though it is part of China.

It is run under a “one country, two systems” model where China grants the city greater rights and autonomy than the mainland, including its own customs and immigration rules.

However, critics say Beijing has been fast eroding that autonomy in recent years, even more so as it responds to huge and often violent democracy protests last year.

The new labelling rules are expected to come into force on November 9, less than a week after an election in the US that sees Trump facing off against rival Joe Biden.

China blanketed Hong Kong in a new security law to stamp out huge and often violent pro-democracy protests that convulsed the city last year. AFP

World Bank: Developing economies Toilet paper and pasta: France girds for 2nd lockdown suffer remittance drop from migrants WASHINGTON—Developing countries are suffering a drop a key source of revenue as the coronavirus pandemic causes worldwide shutdowns, reducing payments from workers living abroad, the World Bank said Thursday.

A new report estimates remittances to low- and middle-income countries are expected to fall this year by seven percent to $508 billion.

They are expected to decline another 7.5 percent in 2021 as employment and migration is slowed by the pandemic restrictions and economic slowdown, curtailing the funds workers can send home to their families.

Although the result is slightly better than April when flows in 2020 alone were projected to plunge by 20 percent, the 14-percent drop over two years it is still a big hit to a revenue source that the World Bank said outstripped foreign direct investment in 2019, when it hit a record $554 billion.

Immigrants are especially vulnerable to loss of wages since they tend to be concentrated in urban areas and work in

service industries hardest hit by the economic shutdown, including food and hospitality, retail and wholesale, tourism and transport and manufacturing.

“The impact of Covid-19 is pervasive when viewed through a migration lens as it affects migrants and their families who rely on remittances,” said Mamta Murthi, the World Bank’s vice president for human development.

He stressed the need for “countries to keep the remittance lifeline flowing.”

The report noted that remittance flows recovered somewhat in June, rebounding from the sharp declines in April and May. However, it appears “some migrants drew on their savings to send money home, but that cannot be sustained for long.”

Some migrants also benefitted from government aid programs, but undocumented workers would not have access to those payments.

All regions are expected to see declines in remittance payments, the report said. AFP

Japan Airlines forecasts over $2.3-b loss TOKYO, Japan—Japan Airlines said Friday it had forecast an annual net loss of more than $2.3 billion after the coronavirus pandemic grounded air travel around the world.

The carrier, Japan’s second-largest by market share, said it expected a net loss of 240-270 billion yen for the year ending March 2021.

It did not issue annual forecasts when it published first quarter earnings in August, citing deep uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

“The airline industry has been... affected in an unprecedented way and fallen into very difficult circumstances” due to the pandemic, the company said in a statement.

“Many countries and areas still show no sign of slowing down the spread (of infection), which makes the recovery of international passenger demand difficult to predict,” it added.

Japan Airlines suffered a net loss of 161 billion yen in the April-September period, plummeting from a 54.2 billion yen profit for the same period a year ago.

Sales plunged 74.0 percent to 194.8 billion yen while it reported an operating loss of 224 billion yen.

The airline said domestic demand was beginning to pick up but it will “take more time... to make a full recovery.”

Its announcement came after the country’s biggest carrier, ANA Holdings, earlier this week forecast a record $4.87-billion net loss for this financial year. AFP-

Clients and deliverymen wait for orders outside a fast food restaurant in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on October 29, 2020, prior to a new national lockdown in France aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, which comes into effect at midnight. French President announced on October 28 a new lockdown aimed at halting an alarming acceleration of Covid-19 cases, to take effect from October 29 night until “at least December 1.” AFP

By Camille Bouissou and Daphne Rousseau PSRIS, France—Stores and businesses across France were filled Thursday by people racing to get supplies—and maybe a last-minute haircut—ahead of a new coronavirus lockdown coming into effect at midnight.

Essentials like pasta and toilet paper were in high demand, as were printer ink and electronics for working from home, while yoga mats were not to be found at many sporting goods stores.

“I’m stocking up, since we don’t know when this will end,” said Catherine Debeaupuis, shopping at an electronics retailer in central Paris.

Just under 33 million people watched President Emmanuel Macron announce the grim news in a prime-time address Wednesday—a mere five days after having said: “it’s still too early” to consider new lockdowns.

The president said hospitals would

soon be overwhelmed by a virus that is spreading “at a speed that even the most pessimistic did not predict.”

On Thursday, the public health agency announced 47,637 new infections in 24 hours and 235 deaths, pushing the overall tally beyond 36,000.

Yet several lawmakers booed in parliament on Thursday when Prime Minister Jean Castex assured that “we knew this second wave was coming,” though a solid majority—399 to 27—voted to approve the new lockdown.

Castex said schools, which will be allowed to stay open unlike during the first March to May lockdown, would require face masks for children as young as six, down from 11 and older until now.

He warned the second epidemic wave would “likely be more deadly” than the first that erupted in March and claimed some 30,000 lives before easing in the summer only to return with new force.

With a ban on mingling the only remaining option, Castex announced that

from Friday, working from home will once again be the norm.

People will be allowed to leave home only if armed with a self-signed certificate stating their urgent business—food shopping, taking the kids to school, going to work if this cannot be done from home, going to the hospital or a pharmacy.

A certificate would also be needed by people wishing to go for a jog or walk their dog, within a limit of one hour and no further than one kilometer (0.6 miles) from home.

Funeral attendance will be limited to 30 and six for weddings.

Those found breaking the rules, which will be policed, risk a fine of 135 euros, said the premier.

‘Something that will last’ Like others in a crowded Paris supermarket, Mourad Amarouche was loading up on toilet paper and pasta for his family.

“Just one of each, we’re going to stay calm,” he said. “There won’t be any shortages, but I’m hoping not to have to come back tomorrow, when there will be tons of people.”

Hairdressers were turning away desperate customers, many of whom were not convinced the lockdown would ease on December 1 as Macron said he hoped.

“Give me something that will last for a while,” said Oulaya, a 50-year-old woman who managed to get a spot at the Angelo Capelli salon on the Place de la Republique in eastern Paris.

At the sprawling La Defense business district west of the capital, employees made a final commute to transfer landlines to mobile phones or give office plants a last watering.

Several people dragged suitcases to empty out their offices of important files or laptops.

With many Parisians seeking to flee to country homes or other havens to ride out the lockdown—the national traffic agency reported unusually large traffic jams in the capital on Wednesday evening, just before Macron spoke. AFP

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

B4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

Business

PSE INDEX

Friday, October 30, 2020

74.61 PTS. 6,324.00

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

2,375,804,523 110,185 7,289,807,456.55 135 81 37

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.4010

Japan

Yen

0.009561

0.4628

UK

Pound

1.293000

62.5825

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129002

6.2438

Switzerland

Franc

1.092299

52.8684

Canada

Dollar

0.750807

36.3398

Singapore

Dollar

0.731636

35.4119

Australia

Dollar

0.703000

34.0259

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652450

128.3812

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.9066

Brunei

Dollar

0.728969

35.2828

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.032010

1.5493

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1782

Euro

Euro

1.167500

56.5082

Korea

Won

0.000885

0.0428

China

Yuan

0.148896

7.2067

India

Rupee

0.013446

0.6508

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240732

11.6517

New Zealand

Dollar

0.662900

32.0850

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035156

1.7016 Source: BSP

Angkas files for employee retrenchment amid crisis MOTORCYCLE taxi ride-hailing firm Angkas, despite adopting operational measures by reducing work hours and cutting the basic pay of employees to sustain financial obligations, could be in serious financial trouble, documents showed Friday.

Angkas filed a staff retrenchment notice with the Department of Labor and Employment because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Singapore-owned company, which earlier this year tried to tweak its ownership structure after regulators and members of Congress noted “serious violations” of the terms of the pilot study for motorcycle taxis, closed some of its offices in Metro Manila and other cities to reduce overhead expenses amid compounding losses.

The company issued a memorandum signed by Cynthia Esquida, human resources and administrative manager of DBDOYC Inc., the parent company of the brand Angkas, informing personnel about the filing of a retrenchment notice with the DOLE and reduction of workforce under ID number 235490.

Some staff from different departments were given the pink slip after agreeing to receive compensation packages.

But some employees were stunned by the retrenchment process, saying the move was not consistent with the company’s strategy of spending huge amounts of operating expenses on ineffective advertising and public relations activities.

Retrenched Angkas employees also questioned the company’s alleged high-profile spending projects without taking into consideration the welfare of the rank and file. With the financial predicament Angkas is facing, the fate of more than 27,000 motorcycle drivers are now uncertain even as the MC taxi service is about to resume.

PXP Energy reduces core net loss to P30.6m

PXP Energy Corp. on Friday reported a slightly lower core net loss of P30.6 million in the first nine months of 2020 from P31.2 million in the same period last year.

PXP Energy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange unaudited consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent company widened to P52.1 million in the nine-month period from P11.2 million a year ago.

Reported consolidated net loss was also higher at P66.5 million compared with P21.8 million in the same period last year.

Consolidated petroleum revenues declined 71.9 percent to P14.4 million from P51.1 million last year resulting from the 35-percent lower output following normal decline rate in field production in Service Contract 14C-1 Galoc field and the 44-percent slump in Galoc crude sale price because of the worldwide collapse in demand. Alena Mae S. Flores

Converge’s 9-month revenues hit P10.67b

PLASTIC NEUTRALITY. Nestlé Philippines Inc. achieves plastic neutrality for two months in a row in pursuit of greener and more sustainable operations, becoming the first fast-moving consumer goods multinational in the country to achieve the feat. The food and beverage manufacturer recovered 4,763 metric tons of plastic waste in a landmark co-processing agreement with Republic Cement. Nestlé Philippines chairman and chief executive Kais Marzouki (left) and Republic Cement chief executive Nabil Francis visit the Republic Cement plant in Norzagaray, Bulacan, one of five sites nationwide where plastic waste is co-processed.

Fitch Solutions: Household spending to fall 8% this year

By Julito G. Rada

H

OUSEHOLD spending in the Philippines is expected to fall 8 percent this year amid the health crisis, before rebounding by 5.6 percent next year on the back of government stimulus measures, Fitch Solutions, a unit of Fitch Group, said in a report Friday.

“We forecast household spending in the Philippines to return to growth in 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic led to a contraction in consumer spending in 2020. In the Philippines, an improv-

ing economy in 2021 will feed through to better employment figures, supporting household disposable incomes, along with ongoing government stimulus measures,” it said.

“As such, we project household spending in the country to grow by a real rate of 5.7 percent year-on-year over 2021, a significant improvement from the 8-percent y-o-y contraction in 2020,” it said.

Fitch Solutions said all consumer spending categories would likely return to positive growth in 2021. It said that as food and non-alcoholic drink spending were prioritized in household budgets in 2020, the growth in spending on these items, while remaining positive, would be slightly lower in 2021.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks spending is seen to rise by 5.3 percent yearon-year in 2021, from the 9.3 percent y-o-y growth it projected for 2020.

Spending within other consumer categories are estimated to record significant contractions over 2020, as households cut spending on non-essential items. These categories would likely grow from a relatively lower base over 2021 and thus would report stronger growth over the year, it said.

“The dynamics behind our improving forecast outlook for consumer spending in the Philippines in 2021 are in line with our Country Risk team’s forecasts that the Filipino economy will grow by a real rate of 6.2 percent y-o-y over 2021, a significant recovery on the -9.1 contraction over 2020,” it said.

Fitch Solutions said the rebounding economy would help reduce the unemployment rate in the country, which is expected to rise to 16 percent of the labor force at the end of 2020 as a result of the economic impact of the health crisis.

DAVAO BYPASS PROJECT. The Department

of Public Works and Highways awards the civil works contract for the initial implementation of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project. DPWH Secretary Mark Villar says the joint venture group of Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka will build contract package 1-1 covering 10.7 kilometers of four-lane highway, including a 2.3-km tunnel for P13.23 billion within 37 months.

Signing the contract are (from left) DPWH Unified Project Management Office Roads Management Cluster project director Virgilio Castillo, Undersecretary Emil Sadain and Makoto Fujii and Gil Manuel of Shimizu-Ulticon-Takenaka Joint Venture.

BSP sees October inflation steady at mid-point range of 2.3% BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Friday inflation rate in October likely remained benign and steady at 2.3 percent, the mid-point of the bank’s forecast range, on slower increases in the prices of rice and fuel.

Diokno, in a message to reporters, cited the projection of the BSP’s Department of Economic Research showing inflation could settle within a range of 1.9 percent to 2.7 percent in October.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the official inflation data in the first week of November.

“Higher electricity rates in Meralcoserviced areas, increases in LPG and kerosene prices and the impact of weather

disturbances on selected food items contributed to upward price pressures for the month,” the department said.

These pressures could be partly offset by lower prices of gasoline, diesel and rice and downward adjustments in the water rates of Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc..

Diokno said the BSP would remain watchful of economic and financial developments “to ensure that its primary mandate of price stability conducive to balanced and sustainable economic growth is achieved.”

Inflation slightly eased to 2.3 percent in September from 2.4 percent in August because of lower food prices. This brought the nine-month average to 2.5

percent, within the 2020 target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Diokno said earlier that inflation in the third quarter settled at 2.5 percent.

“We have ample policy room due to the benign inflation environment,” he said, adding that any tweak in the policy stance in the future would remain “data dependent.”

The manageable inflation environment was one of the reasons for the BSP’s reduction of the policy rate by a total of 175 basis points this year, bringing it to a record-low 2.25 percent.

The BSP also cut the reserve requirement ratios of banks by 200 basis points to 12 percent in previous Monetary Board meetings.Julito G. Rada

Metrobank’s income before provisions climbed 41% to P52.4b in nine months METROPOLITAN Bank and Trust Company said Friday income before provisions climbed 41 percent to P52.4 billion in the first nine months from a year ago on the back of a 20-percent increase in revenues.

The higher profit enabled the bank to set aside additional reserves for bad loans in view of the global health crisis.

Metrobank’s net income in the same period reached P11 billion.

“Our results are relatively strong across

IN BRIEF

the board. Total revenues grew 20 percent to P96.3 billion, income before provisions increased by 41 percent to P52.4 billion and net interest margin improved further to 4.1 percent, while deposits and capital levels remain very healthy. Amid the effects of the pandemic looming over the economy, the Bank’s overall performance is better than expected,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee. “Even though non-performing assets are currently within manageable lev-

els, our strategy is to be conservative by building reserves in case the crisis drags on,” Dee said.

The bank said while non-performing loans were relatively manageable so far, it set aside P35.4 billion in provisions for bad loans, or almost five times more than the P7.8 -billion provisions it booked in the same period last year.

As a result, the NPL cover went up to 174 percent from 96 percent previously, supportive of the bank’s conservative

provisioning strategy.

Metrobank said that as of endSeptember, the NPL ratio rose to 2.25 percent from 1.52 percent in the same period last year. The increase in NPLs remained within expectations amid a slowdown in the economy, it said.

Deposits held up relatively well, increasing by 10 percent to P1.7 trillion, propelled by the 22-percent growth in low-cost deposits. CASA ratio improved to 71 percent from 64 percent a year ago.

CONVERGE Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. said Friday consolidated revenues jumped 67 percent in the first nine months to P10.67 billion from the same period last year.

It said consolidated revenues in the third quarter climbed 71 percent to P4.18 billion from a year ago with the acceleration of the business during the period.

Converge ICT said residential and enterprises businesses generated revenues of P8.41 billion (up 90 percent) and P2.26 billion (up 15 percent), respectively.

Monthly residential ARPU (average revenue per user) steadily increased from P1,270 in the first half to P1,352 in the third quarter, representing a growth of 6.5 percent.

“The steady ARPU increase continues to be a result of the increasing contribution of FTTH subscribers in its customer mix and the upselling to its premium packages, such as its FiberXtreme packages, or add-on products, such as the ‘10for-99’ package offering 10 Mbps bandwidth for P99 per month,” Converge ICT said. Darwin G. Amojelar

EDC, ASUS provide laptops to scholars THIRTY four SIKAT scholars of geothermal power producer Energy Development Corp. received brand-new ASUS laptops on Oct. 22 to 23 as the learning environment in the country shifted to online and modular classes amid the threat of coronavirus disease 2019.

EDC tapped Taiwan-based multinational computer and electronics company ASUS to provide laptops for free to the SIKAT scholars in Kananga, Leyte and Ormoc City as they venture towards the new normal of online learning.

Erwin Magallanes, EDC corporate social responsibility head for its Leyte geothermal facility, said it has always been the company’s top priority to support unprivileged but deserving students through its newly branded flagship education program SIKAT. Magallanes also expressed gratitude to ASUS for the laptop donation to SIKAT scholars. “We thank ASUS for their support to our program, which will definitely help our students in obtaining quality education despite the current remote learning set-up,” he said.

Globe, DITO tap Aboitiz InfraCapital for small cell sites

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ABOITIZ InfraCapital Inc. said Friday it secured separate deals with Globe Telecom Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp. for the deployment of small cell sites to boost network capacity and coverage.

Under separate lease agreements, the two telcos deployed small cells across Aboitiz InfraCapital’s pole network in Cebu and Davao.

“The partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital will complement the company’s target expansion and ensure we sustain the momentum of our aggressive network build,” Globe chief finance officer Rizza Maniego-Eala said.

The Aboitiz Group’s infrastructure arm expects significant increase in pole leases within the next two years as telcos prepare for 5G deployment.

This would need antenna densification to provide users with large data quantities at higher speeds.

“While forging strong partnerships with telcos like Globe and DITO, we are also looking at growing our small cell sites beyond our current footprint as we anticipate the increased demand from telcos and other internet service providers,” said Rafael Aboitiz, general manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital’s small cell site business.

“We are particularly keen on expanding in other key urban cities in Visayas and Mindanao, where network congestion is a primary issue that hampers service quality,” he said.

Heeding the government’s call to help improve the information and communications technology infrastructure, Aboitiz InfraCapital announced earlier this month it was venturing into the small cells site business in addition to its common tower project.

The company is offering its sites nationwide to support telcos and ISPs with wireless network capacity and coverage.

Sports

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

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

C1

Lewis’ legacy questioned due to lack of challengers

PBA games, starting with last night’s highly anticipated tussle between Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, were suspended, to ensure the integrity and safety of the PBA Bubble.

Smart, UAAP gear up for digital partnership MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) is gearing up to bring collegiate sports at the fingertips of Filipinos as the official digital partner of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

This landmark partnership, made possible through the collaboration among Cignal TV, One Sports, and Smart, unlocks new opportunities to promote collegiate sports and foster school pride among students amid the lack of face-to-face campus activities.

As one of the country’s leading amateur leagues, UAAP and its legions of fans can expect more exciting and engaging ways to watch their favorite sports, support their university athletes, and catch the best hardcourt moments and display of school spirit - powered by Smart’s latest mobile innovations and digital technology.

“We share the vision of UAAP in promoting collegiate sports as a breeding ground of the next generation of world-class athletes. As UAAP’s digital partner, Smart embraces this opportunity not just to bring the games to more Filipinos but also help bring the passion for sports to many especially during these challenging times,” said Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President and CEO. It will be recalled that UAAP Season 82 was put on hold in early March with the announcement of Enhanced Community Quarantine in the country leaving all fans, players and students in limbo for the succeeding months. But as the new normal takes over, the UAAP follows through.

“Bringing UAAP right at the fingertips of more Filipinos is aligned with our commitment to simply give our customers exactly what they want and enable them to pursue their passions through cutting-edge digital technology,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

The collaboration involving UAAP, Cignal, One Sports, and Smart will start as soon as the league returns for Season 83 (2020-2021). Prior to this digital collaboration, Smart recently brought National Basketball Association action to Filipinos via NBA.Smart, and now powers the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association bubble with Smart 5G in Clark, Pampanga.

PBA suspends games, waits for new protocols

By Peter Atencio

A

LL games of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup have been postponed until further notice.

This is in compliance with the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Technical Working Group and the Department of Health (DOH) Advisory Group of Experts.

The move was done to ensure the integrity and safety of the PBA Bubble, which involved the gymnasiums at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, Pampanga, and the quarters of the league at the Quest Hotel inside the Mimosa grounds.

Officials said in a statement that the games will resume once “new protocols proposed by the IATF and DOH are out in place.”

The postponement came a week after a player from Blackwater Elite and a referee initially tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be isolated.

But the two individual eventually yielded a negative result on their confirmatory tests. The cases were later classified as “false positives.”

To find out if more players, coaches and staff are also affected, the teams which Blackwater Elite faced earlier in the season needed to be moved, and as more tests are done.

This has affected the schedules of the NLEX Road Warriors, the Gin Kings, the Northport Batang Pier and the Tropang Giga.

The game between NorthPort and

Magnolia was supposed to tip-off at 4 p.m. on Friday. After that, a clash between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra was supposed to follow at 6:45 p.m.

The PBA bubble is the first sports event held in the Philippines after months of lockdown due to the risk brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health measures such as regular testing for the teams and observation of minimum health standards are being strictly implemented throughout the bubble.

The delegations involved in the bubble are currently staying at Quest Hotel inside the 201-hectare Filinvest Mimosa Plus Leisure City.

To keep the players occupied when not playing or having practice, they are indulging in Mimosa’s world-class amenities, that include a 130-hectare golf course, a resort-like swimming pool and a fitness gym.

Warriors catch Giga on a bad night

Yeng Guiao

THE TNT Tropang Giga got caught on a bad night.

And with NLEX, in contrast, playing its best game in three weeks, the Road Warriors pulled off their second win in seven outings.

This had Coach Yeng Guiao feeling good after his Road Warriors went on to hand the Tropang Giga their first setback, 109-98.

“Every team has a bad night. And this time, we played better defense than our previous games,” said Guiao after their Thursday game in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup by at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena, in Angeles, Pampanga.

Even after the loss, the Tropang Giga hardly budged from the top of the leaderboard with their 5-1 win-loss card.

Kevin Alas, returning from a nose injury at halftime, sizzled in the last two quarters and tallied 24 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Jericho Cruz was in a zone and had 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including five triples.

NLEX took a nine-point lead in the last 2:26 after a long bomb from Cruz, 101-92.

The Tropang Giga tried to rally off two successive steals and managed to come within five.

But Kiefer Ravena’s trey with 50 seconds left kept the Road Warriors ahead. Peter Atencio

IMOLA—Lewis Hamilton may go on to win 10 world titles, but his status as the greatest could be undermined by a lack of true rivals, according to two of Britain’s bestknown former racers.

Martin Brundle and Damon Hill both agreed that the six-time champion is a relentless and deserved record-breaking success story, Brundle saying he felt privileged to witness his feats.

Hamilton last Sunday became the sport’s most successful driver when he claimed a record 92nd win, moving one clear of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher’s 14-year record of 91 wins.

Hill, the 1996 world champion, believes Hamilton needs to be challenged by and beat another driver of the same calibre if he is to silence the doubters.

“There’s a risk that Lewis’s achievements will be measured against the intensity of his competition,” said Hill, who had to beat Schumacher to win his title.

“Mercedes have totally dominated this era and Lewis is not challenged.”

Brundle said he would not be surprised if Hamilton won 10 championships.

“I’m not sure we ever thought anybody would approach, let alone surpass, Michael Schumacher’s tally of 91 victories,” the commentator told Sky Sports before adding “and I think there’s a long way to go yet”.

Brundle added that Hamilton, like Schumacher, says he is not interested in statistics and league tables, but did this only to deflect pressure.

“I could see Lewis aiming at something like 10 frankly and a long way north of 100 victories.”

Hamilton will be seeking a 93rd victory to help Mercedes seal an unprecedented seventh consecutive constructors title at this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix amid much speculation about his future.

He is out of contract this year and Formula One is heading towards a likely salary cap for drivers in 2023.

Reports have suggested that Hamilton wants to improve on his current deal, claimed to be worth around 40 million euros per season while Mercedes want to cut costs.

Team boss Toto Wolff is also out of contract this year, but like Hamilton has said he wants to stay with the team—and would much prefer to secure the champion on a multi-year deal instead of a one-year extension.

Hamilton has a lead of 77 points ahead of nearest rival and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who has agreed already to stay with the team next year. AFP

Lewis Hamilton

Zamboanga crowned 3x3 champion CALAMBA, LAGUNA—It’s mission accomplished for Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup powered by TM. Josh Munzon took charge and Zamboanga City took the fight out of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, 22-19 (8:49), in a down-thewire last game of the Grand Finals, Friday inside the INSPIRE Sports Academy here.

Three-man Nueva Ecija was giving the nationals all they could handle and were only down by one, 19-20, with a minute and a half remaining in the ‘Million Peso Game.’

That was the end of the road for them, though, as Munzon’s longball over Jai Reyes crowned Zamboanga City as the best of the best in the Philippines’ pioneering professional 3x3 league.

“From the start, we had a game plan and we

stuck to it,” he said while wearing the gold medal in the post-game press conference.

“Whether we won or lost, we just continued to do the same things over and over and over. Our will was tested, but the results speak for itself.”

The top player in the country and Alvin Pasaol each scored seven points while Santi Santillan and Troy Rike merged for eight markers.

With that, Zamboanga City topped four out of the five legs as well as the preseason inside the ‘CalamBubble.’

In all, they take home P1.35M as well as much valuable experience heading into the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Without a doubt, the nationals were challenged up until the end.

Even sans a substitute as Mac Sabellina continued nursing a fractured rib, the Rice Vanguards were going toe-to-toe with Munzon and co.

They even had a chance to steal the championship, but Gab Banal’s long-range try fell short.

Zamboanga City hauled in the rebound and not long after, Munzon hit the shot that etched their names into the history books.

“Those are the shots I’ve been taking the tournament,” he said. “It felt good coming out of my hands. I was confident about that shot.”

Moments later, the Filipino-American waved goodbye not just to all their fallen opponents, but also the ‘CalamBubble’ that has housed Chooks 3x3 for more than two weeks.

The runner-up finish rewarded Nueva Ecija with P300,000.

More than that, though, the league newcomer won hearts after fighting through the loss of Juan Gomez de Liano from Leg 2 and then Sabellina since the semis of the Grand Finals.

Members of the Zamboanga team celebrate their title romp.

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Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Built for mega entertainment: SAMSUNG Galaxy M51 SAMSUNG’s latest addition to the Galaxy M series, the Galaxy M51, brings with it mega features for those looking for a smartphone with a winning edge to outplay everyday.

The Galaxy M51 includes a Snapdragon 730G processor optimized for smooth and efficient performance when playing the latest games.

The processor pairs amazingly with the smartphone’s 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus display for a vibrant viewing experience and Dolby Atmos surround feature for an immersive 3D sound.

Keeping with one of the Galaxy M series’s best known features, the Galaxy M51 comes with a 7,000mAh battery, one of the largest capacities ever on a smartphone.

With enough power to last all weekend, it also has a 25W Super Fast Charging feature to ensure hours of productivity and entertainment with fewer interruptions.

The device also supports Wired PowerShare via USB-C to USB-C cable, acting as a handy power source for other smartphones.

The Galaxy M51 comes loaded with Samsung’s exciting AI camera features for various photo and video styles. Live Focus adjusts the background blur to make any subject stand out, and Single Take allows one to select the best shot from multiple filters and crops made possible with AI. Its 64MP main camera captures clear and stunning photos, and its 12MP Ultra Wide camera provides for an ultra-wide 123° view.

The 5MP Depth camera makes taking professional bokeh shots a breeze, while the 5MP Macro rear camera keeps even the closest shots in focus. Meanwhile, the 32MP front camera allows for clear and vivid selfies and video calls.

The online-exclusive Galaxy M51, available in black and white color variants, is priced at P19,990.

It is available on Samsung.com and official online partner stores Shopee, Lazada, Abenson.com, MXMemoxpress Online, Galleon, and ePhone. To know more about the Samsung Galaxy M51, visit samsung.com/ph.

S

App Annie: GCash reigns as No.1 finance app in PH

INCE the start of the year, both Android and iOS users have chosen GCash as their finance app of choice, according to data from App Annie, the leading mobile data and analytics company, which found GCash as the top downloaded finance app with the most number of active users.

For nine consecutive months since January, GCash has been consistent in staying at the top spot for the two categories, reflecting the Filipino’s choice for their digital banking and finance needs and helping more people participate in the financial landscape. This means that GCash was also the top financial technology (fintech) app during the period under review.

“Once again, GCash proved that it is indeed the leading fintech app in the country as it is the most trusted and partner finance app of Filipinos in navigating the pandemic towards the new normal,” GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon said.

According to App Annie, a reputable global app ranking authority, GCash has recorded a breakthrough of over 10 million app downloads in just the first nine months of 2020, and registering a whopping 130 percent app active user growth in September compared to the beginning of the year.

It added that the leading fintech app has been growing by 13 percent monthly on average.

The figures reflected the Filipinos’ growing reliance on digital finance to manage their personal finances and to carry on with their daily lives while also staying safe with contactless transactions provided by fintech apps like GCash.

“We saw GCash downloads and active user base reach remarkable heights in the span of months during the pandemic as

The figures reflected the Filipinos’ growing reliance on digital finance to manage their personal finances and to carry on with their daily lives while also staying safe with contactless transactions provided by fintech apps like GCash.

Filipinos are adjusting to the stay-at-home lifestyle. We observed how people rapidly adopted the use of fintech apps in their ev-

eryday lives and how it impacted their way of life. And we are proud to say that GCash is leading the revolution towards that cash-

Acer boosts gaming experience with new monitors, In-Game Live AI translator DURING the recent Next@Acer Global Press Conference, Acer unveils new additions to its award-winning gaming monitor portfoilio. The new Predator and Acer Nitro monitors sport a TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe certification—a first of its kind. These monitors are also designed to selectively filter out blue light while still maintaining crisp and vivid colors.

The fresh batch includes the new Predator XB3 series, a line of FHD (1920x1080) or QHD (2560x1440) displays that feature high refresh rates and VESA DisplayHDR™ certifications. From there, each monitor has been optimized around different criteria: The XB273U NV is Eyesafe-certified, the XB253Q GW boasts an impressive 280 Hz

Huawei Philippines launches Cloud & AI Summit, IP Club FOLLOWING the success of Huawei Connect 2020 in Shanghai last September, Huawei Philippines hosted its own Huawei Connect 2020 to introduce ICT solutions more suitable to the Philippine market.

The event contains two major parts, Cloud & AI Summit and IP Club, aiming to build an innovative and sustainable ICT ecosystem that enables digitalization and intelligent transformation in the Philippines.

The online summit organized brought together business leaders and industry experts, academic scholars and partners to share industry insights, innovation, promote the implementation of cloud, AI, and 5G technology to facilitate digital transformation.

Combining Cloud, AI, 5G and IoT is going to produce a tremendous synergy: Cloud is the foundation to support everything; AI to make all things intelligent; 5G to provide ultra-reliable, low latency, high bandwidth connectivity; and IoT to provide the virtual immersion-interaction.

The combination of these technologies will enable countless possibilities in very near future, with Huawei fully contributing capabilities on Connectivity, Cloud & AI, and Device to make cities, industries, and enterprises smarter.

Sylvia Wang, President of Huawei Cloud & AI Business Group in Philippines, said,

“Huawei Philippines will focus on making these possibilities into reality with our partners, Philippine telecom operators, enterprise channel partners, cloud & AI technology partners, etc. to support a better digital Philippines, make technical not only technical, but the real-life Tech for All, Cloud for Good.”

Featured in the event were the new update of Huawei Intelligent IP network Solution, as well as demos of user experience with AI-powered CampusInsight and innovative automatic minute-level DCN fault rectification. Huawei 5F AR routers that enables the ultra-high-speed branch interconnections were also introduced.

According to Todd Liu, President of Huawei Enterprise Business Group in Philippines, “In today's world, we are entering a digital, smart society. Digital transformation is sweeping across industries. Huawei believes that building a simplified and intelligent Autonomous Driving Network is a new way out. The network can be controlled dynamically and managed in a closed-loop manner. Key enablers include automatic deployment, pre-event simulation, post-event verification, prevention and prediction, and proactive optimization. Huawei appreciates customers continuous support over the years, and also hope the event will not only bring cutting-edge technology information, but also insightful ideas.”

Predator XB253Q

refresh rate (overclockable) and 0.5 ms (G to G) response time, and the XB323U GX is remarkably color-accurate with 99% Adobe® RGB coverage.

Next up is the Predator X34 GS, a monitor that extends users' peripheral view with a giant 34-inch curved UWQHD (3440x1440) screen, working in tandem with an Agile-Splendor IPS panel that delivers clear images even at wide viewing angles. NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, it renders smooth action illuminates the finer details to create sharper images, so no important targets or details are missed, while 98% DCI-P3 spectrum coverage brings images to life in vivid color. Two integrated 7 watt speakers eliminate the need for

less lifestyle of the Filipinos,” Sazon said.

Because of the pandemic, GCash strived to further develop its platform from a convenient mobile wallet to a holistic finance app which offers essential services for the Filipinos to adapt to the new normal lifestyle.

With GCash, people are empowered to do more even in the comforts of their homes. They can shop and do contactless payments via QR codes or online modes of payment via send money.

They can also pay their bills, send money to bank accounts or to any GCash account, buy load, save money, borrow money, invest, get insured and many others.

Aside from consumers, GCash has also empowered businesses to thrive in the pandemic by providing them with enterprisegrade payments, disbursements, and even digital rewards solutions to bring them closer to their customers.

GCash is also a strong partner of the government in the collective fight to win the national health situation. It has assisted both the national and various local governments in disbursing financial assistance to those who were adversely affected by the pandemic.

“Filipinos turned to fintech to address their personal finance concerns.

And GCash has a wide array of service offerings which provide them with the necessary financial tools that will aid them in going about their everyday finances,” Sazon said. “Financial technology still serves as the bedrock of digital services, empowering Filipinos to do more with less.”

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc. GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www. gcash.com/.

external speakers.

Two new 27-inch Nitro series models were also launched; the Acer Nitro XV272U KV and Nitro XV272 LV. The two are ideal for casual gamers who want to get their money’s worth. Both are Eyesafe-certified to help prevent eye fatigue and further viewing comfort, and an ergonomic stand lets gamers find just the right viewing angle.

Planet9’s In-Game Live AI Translator with Game Jargon Planet9 is a next generation eSports platform, partly competitive and partly social, designed to provide an open community for casual and amateur players who want to improve their skills and take steps towards going pro. The platform helps players to connect with others, via teams and social clubs; to improve their skills, via in-depth feedback on gameplay in the form of statistics and, soon, coaching; and to experience organized gameplay, via casual or ranked scrimmages and competitive tournaments for most games. In-game overlays will be supported for League of Legends on launch in late 2020 or early 2021, and support will be made available for additional titles in the future.

5G-enabled Reno4 Z 5G now available OPPO is set to launch the much awaited Reno4 Z 5G in the Philippines.

Adding to the Reno4 Series, Reno4 Z 5G is the newest DNA of the Reno line, capable of connecting to the most advanced 5G network speed available in the country today.

The Reno4 Z 5G is the first 5G-enabled mid-premium smartphone of OPPO in the Philippines. It is built with premium features that will really upgrade the technology experience of the young Filipino consumers.

“With the constant advancement of 5G in the Philippines, OPPO is also working closely with the local networks to bring to life the most advanced connectivity experience for all the Filipinos. The introduction of OPPO Reno4 Z 5G is just the beginning of the many more 5G devices we will be introducing in the country,” said OPPO Philippines Marketing Director Raymond Xia.

Be #ClearlyTheBestYou with the latest OPPO Reno4 Z 5G Level up your creativity and capture the best of your moments with Reno4 Z’s 48MP HD Quadcamera and 16MP+2MP Dual Punch-Hole Cameras. On top of those, the powerful cameras of the Reno4 Z 5G are capable of shooting moments at its slowest speed with the famed 960fps AI Slow Motion and take fun videos with the AI Color Portrait that intelligently puts the background in grayscale while leaving the main subject in full color.

OPPO Reno4 Z 5G is equipped with a screen refresh rate of up to 120Hz that makes every movement on the screen glide so flawlessly. The central hub of Reno4 Z 5G is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 800 chipset that ensures better and faster performance of every application, from camera down to messaging. The SoC is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage

enabling you to play more and record your every best possible moment.

To ensure long lasting performance, Reno4 Z 5G is paired with an 18W VOOC fast charging capability and has 4000mAh battery capacity. As for the software, this 5G-enabled smartphone runs on ColorOS 7.1 that gives the most updated and elevated quality of your smartphone functions Grab Yours Now Exclusively with Smart and Globe Telecom Reno4 Z 5G comes in two color variants Ink Black and Dew White, priced at P20,990 via exclusive network partners Smart and Globe Telecom. The device will come with a free Rock Space EB51 Earbuds worth P3,199.

For Globe Telecom, grab your latest OPPO Reno4 Z 5G device at www.shop.globe.com.ph starting October 29. The exclusive offer will be available at ThePLAN1799 with only P500 cash out. Get 16GB of Data, Unlimited All-Net Text, Unlimited Calls to Globe/TM, and 50mins All-Net Calls. Free subscription to Amazon Prime Video (for 6 months, no data included), iflixVIP (3 months subscription, no data included), and Facebook access (1GB data allocation per month for 24 months) can also be enjoyed during the 24-month subscription. The device will be delivered at free-of-charge.

Tech & Gadgets

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

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Apple developing search engine to compete with Google: report

New Jollibee App adds joy to people’s changing digital habits WITH most people remotely working and students enrolled in distance learning, families are staying at home more than ever. Because of this, the internet is playing a bigger part in today’s normal way of life. Whether for buying groceries or shopping, looking for content for entertainment, or having their favorite meals delivered, online is the way to go.

As people have grown to adapt to a more digital lifestyle in a matter of months, people are looking for options that can make daily errands and regular needs a lot more convenient. Jollibee aims to address this need while bringing more joy online with the launch of the new Jollibee App. The new Jollibee App offers features and exclusive promos that can make one’s online ordering experience more joyful, fast, and convenient. With a user-friendly interface, having one’s Jollibee favorites delivered safely is just a few, easy taps away using mobile phones. The App’s store locator tells which Jollibee branch is nearest to a customer’s address for added convenience.

Choose from Jollibee’s all-time favorite meals as you plan your next food delivery to satisfy your cravings. If you have a busy week ahead, you can order in advance and schedule your delivery with the App’s “Scheduled Deliveries” feature.

This way, you don’t need to worry about what food to have for the day as you go on with your daily routine.

Need a perk-me-up in the afternoon?

Work from home breaks can now be more enjoyable as you browse through your phone and have your favorite Jollibee meal delivered in a few easy steps. You can even save your personal details in the App for future orders.

How about rewarding your kids for doing a great job with their online classes?

Just have their favorite Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti delivered via the App and enjoy an instant family weekend celebration.

Jollibee also makes it easier for people to spread joy to their loved ones. The new Jollibee App comes with a feature that lets customers pay via cashless transactions (debit/credit card or PayPeso portal) to make sending food to friends and families easier and more convenient! Moreover, the app also honors discounts for Senior Citizens and PWDs. “The observed digital shift is relevant now more than ever, that is why we are amplifying our presence in platforms where our customers are mostly engaged. At Jollibee, we take pride in making our customers’ ordering process joyful, easier, and more convenient,” said Charisse Sumulong, Jollibee Philippines Marketing Director— Delivery & Kids Marketing.

With the release of the all-new Jollibee App, people have expressed positive sentiments online sharing how it sends waves of joy as they spend their time working and caring for their families at home.

“Oh, ang ganda na ng app ng Jollibee sa phone ngayon. Che-check ko lang dapat kung nag-aaccept na sila ng card payment (they do) pero sa sobrang aliw ko nag schedule ako ng order para sa lunch ko bukas,” shares @jlmreyes on Twitter, a 23-year old Business Analyst. JL is also a tech hobbyist and gamer. [So having his Jollibee favorites conveniently delivered via the App allows him to balance his time better between his work and hobbies.]

[Oh, Jollibee’s mobile app is so pleasing to the eye. I was supposed to just check if they accept card payments (and they do!), but I got too excited that I scheduled an order for my lunch tomorrow.]

W

ASHINGTON—Apple has accelerated work to develop its own search engine that would allow the iPhone maker to offer an alternative to Google, a Financial Times report said Wednesday.

The report, citing unnamed sources, said signs of the search engine technology have begun to appeal in its iOS 14 operating system.

The move comes amid increased scrutiny by antitrust enforcers, who sued Google in the United States over its dominance in search technology.

As part of the lawsuit, the Department of Justice noted that Google pays Apple billions of dollars to be the principal search engine on iOS devices.

Apple did not immediately respond to an AFP query. Reports in the past have said Apple had begun some in-house research on creating a search engine.

According to the FT, Apple two years ago hired Google’s head of search, John Giannandrea, in a move designed to help build artificial intelligence capabilities and its Siri virtual assistant.

Meanwhile, Apple shares were sent reeling Thursday on word of a steep drop in sales of iPhones, which are at the heart of the tech titan's moneymaking engine.

Apple profit fell 7 percent to $12.7 billion in the recently ended quarter, the Silicon Valley-based colossus said in its earnings release.

The California tech giant's total revenue edged up from last year's level to $64.7 billion in the fiscal fourth quar-

The Apple logo is seen outside the Apple Store in Washington, DC. Apple has accelerated work to develop its own search engine that would allow the iPhone maker to offer an alternative to Google, a Financial Times report said.

The report, citing unnamed sources, said signs of the search engine technology have begun to appeal in its iOS 14 operating system. AFP

ter, but revenue from iPhone sales— the major income driver for Apple— slid some 20 percent from a year ago, unsettling investors.

The company's share price nosedived more than four percent in after-hours trading. "iPhone is the cash cow and the driver of pretty much every add-on service Apple has out there," said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy.

“Everything is tied to that.”

Apple has made a priority of selling apps, games, subscriptions and music to iPhone users in recent years to break its dependence on handset sales.

From Apple TV and the App Store to Apple Watch and AirPod ear buds, the company's other offerings are aimed at iPhone users, Moorhead noted.

"I expect Apple in the next quarter to have a nice big surge due to the new models, and also the financing or new phones with monthly plans," Moorhead said.

Devant: Something big in store for World TV Day WORLD Television Day is coming this November, and Devant has prepared something huge to celebrate this global observance.

If you’ve never heard of it before, World TV Day has taken place on the 21st of November each year since 1996.

Seeing the impact that it has on a person’s decision making process, the United Nations General Assembly established World TV Day to acknowledge the television as an ambassador for the entertainment industry, and a globalization and communication symbol that is capable of informing, entertaining, and influencing audiences around the world.

Since then, people everywhere have continued to celebrate World Television Day, and rightfully so. TV has become such a huge part of life in these modern times, and remains to be a popular source of entertainment, news, and information for many. At home, watching TV is a great bonding activity that the whole family can enjoy, bringing its members closer to one another, and helping to create wonderful memories.

Here in the Philippines, Devant is taking the lead in celebrating World TV Day. You can be sure that what they have planned will highlight all the amazing reasons why this home essential is a must-have for everyone - From its social relevance, as a source of meaningful and influential content

to its role as an instrument for learning, as well as how TV can help connect people to the world.

In this new normal, TV has even gone beyond entertainment and information, and is now a primary tool for instruction in distance education. It also helps people stay fit and healthy while at home, and even provides new ideas for recreation, such as games, hobbies, and DIY crafts.

Mark your calendars for November 21! There is a lot in store that you can

look forward to. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate World TV Day together with Devant.

Enjoy bonding at home, made more meaningful with Devant! Devant products are available in leading appliance stores and ecommerce platforms nationwide.

Follow Devant on Facebook (www. facebook.com/devant.tv), Instagram (www.instagram.com/devanttv), and Youtube Devant Official Channel to get the latest updates on their products.

Freshly-launched iPhone 12 models include some tailored for ultra-fast 5G networks.

“Apple capped off a fiscal year defined by innovation in the face of adversity with a September quarter record, led by all-time records for Mac and Services,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a statement.

Cook added that early response to the company's first 5G-enabled iPhone lineup has been “tremendously positive.”

Duterte’s 3rd telco initiative expected to improve services PRESIDENT Duterte’s initiative of bringing in a third major telco provider continues to gain momentum as DITO Telecommunity announced on Thursday that it has completed the construction of 1,532 towers to date.

This completion rate, DITO claims, is more than enough to satisfy the minimum 37-percent population coverage needed to meet for the new telco’s technical audit on January next year.

In a bidding process that was lauded as fair and transparent by Malacanang and cited by Better Broadband Alliance convenor Mary Grace Mirandilla as a model that should be emulated by other government projects for its transparency, DITO committed to cover 84 percent of the Philippine population and offer a minimum average internet speed of 55 Mbps by the end of 2024.

DITO’s Adel Tamano says that the company has already spent over P150 billion for the telco’s initial infrastructure roll-out and other operating expenses. In its bid, the new telco player committed to spend P250 billion over the next five years to achieve 55 mbps of internet speed and cover 84 percent of the population DITO says it is ready to launch the country’s newest telco in 160 days and that it continues to hire new employees in preparation for its commercial roll-out. The company currently has 626 employees.

DITO’S entry in the market is a welcome development in the telco industry. A healthier competition within the industry fulfills President Duterte’s promise to the Filipino people of better telco service thru cheaper prices and improved internet speed.

SMB brings Oktoberfest Party to your homes

Experience the first-ever San Miguel Oktoberfest Beer and Music Virtual Festival.

THE country’s largest producer of beer, San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB), has come up with an exciting and fun way to reach out despite the social limitations.

Last October 17, and on the 31st, 2020, San Miguel Beer brought and will again bring the Oktoberfest party to your homes through its first-ever San Miguel Oktoberfest Beer and Music Virtual Festival.

With digital events becoming the new norm, SMB one ups the typical by offering its viewers a new and immersive virtual experience. The two-day festival, co-presented by Stream and in cooperation with Set & Stage and Network Rentals, offers plenty to the varying and evolving entertainment preferences of its target market through its multi-stage setup. Audiences can

choose to rock out loud at the Band Stage, move to the beat at the Dance Stage, or hangout with the stars at the Backstage via Zoom.

Catch your favorite bands, artists, and celebrities live online including The Dawn, Razorback ft. Kevin Roy, Mayonnaise, Kylie Versoza, Alyssa Muhlach, and PBA star June Mar Fajardo. With more stages and performers, more people can join and engage in SMB’s first virtual festival.

The best part of this is it’s all for free! The biggest beer event this year is just a few clicks away. Simply visit the Facebook pages of San Miguel Oktoberfest and your beloved San Miguel Beer brands - San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Mig Light, Red Horse Beer and San Miguel Flavored Beer to catch the live event and take part in this once in a lifetime beer and music virtual festival.

To complete the festival experience, SMB offers official merchandise for the San Miguel Oktoberfest Beer and Music Virtual Festival.

Order the San Miguel Oktoberfest pack includes one (1) six-pack of any favorite SMB brands, and a limited Oktoberfest merchandise.

Promo is available through SMB Delivers, and boozy.com (all brands), and The Mall (San Miguel Pale Pilsen, San Mig Light, San Miguel Flavored Beer, Red Horse Beer). Check out these e-commerce platforms, and order to make the most out of the festival. After all, Oktoberfest is best enjoyed with San Miguel Beer.

Don’t miss out on this year’s Oktoberfest! Grab a beer and enjoy a night of good booze and good music with family and friends.

Saan ka man sa Pilipinas o saan mang panig ng mundo, dito tayo magkikita-kita online sa Oktoberfest Beer and Music Virtual Festival!’

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020

Motoring

TRIPLE TREAT AT TOLLWAYS C

ASHLESS toll payments using RFID signal the first of a three-pronged move to step up the transport of people and cargo along the expressways, according to the Department of Transportation.

The cashless transactions also referred to as ‘toll interoperability’ are expected to be completed on or before December 1 as mandated by regulators who have been pushing for this system since 2017, DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddess Hope Libiran told mediamen.

The second phase will come into

play and it entails the use of two digital wallets to activate the unified RFID (radio frequency identification), Libiran said. This means that motorists will need to buy a load for each system to be able to activate the RFID which are supposed to be readable in either north or south expressways.

Phase three simplifies the whole process as it means only one wallet and one RFID for a motorist to clear the toll gates, Libiran said.

Motorists using the tollways have gained some sort of reprieve as the DoTr and its attached agency Tollways Regulatory Board have reset the deadline for the installation of RFIDs on their vehicles from Nov. 2 to Dec. 1, 2020.

The deadline will no longer be extended beyond this date, TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales said.

DoTr allowed the extension in order to give motorists, especially infrequent toll road users, more time to comply with the RFID requirement

and to prevent the long queues currently being experienced at toll roads in the rush to get the RFID stickers, Sales said.

The TRB said the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and the San Miguel Corporation are equipped and ready to implement the Order but have respectively extended the installation of RFID stickers beyond November 2, 2020.

The DOTr earlier issued Department Order 2020-012 which ordered the full implementation of cashless toll collections at the expressways and major toll roads in the the government’s bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and to avoid traf-

Toyota gives Commuter owners a livelihood push THE coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected transportation, further underscoring the importance of mobility for people from all walks of life. As quarantine guidelines ease up in different parts of the country, Toyota Motor Philippines comes to the aid of drivers and operators of Hiace Commuters being used in business restart their livelihood so they can in turn serve more Filipinos in need of reliable and safe way of getting to their destinations.

TMP has announced its Oil-In promo which entitles owners of commercially used Hiace Commuter vans discounted change oil and filter services from any Toyota dealer nationwide. With this offer, Hiace Commuter models being used as school bus, UV Express, ambulance, tourist shuttle, airport shuttle, and in courier or delivery,

THIS early, Isuzu Philippines is making no bones about its plans for 2021 as far as the digital platform is concerned.

No less than Isuzu president Hajime Koso revealed the gameplan for its 2021 opening salvo: The launching of the 2021 Isuzu muX, one of the bestselling vehicles in the carmaker’s lineup.

Koso’s reveal came as music to the ears of a gaggle of motoring journalists who joined Isuzu executives during an afternoon tea/ coffee break online.

“It’s most likely to happen in the first quarter”, Koso said, as he ruled out any more online unveiling of Isuzu autos this year.

Isuzu in Bangkok however managed to play catch-up with the rest of Thailand-based carmakers and launched the Isuzu mu-X on Oct. 29, 2020.

The Thai version is a refreshed

etc. can be serviced by Toyota’s expert technicians with as much as P1,170 savings.

“The Toyota Hiace, the Commuter variant in particular, has played a big role in moving people and industries through the years, and its usefulness has become more evident now that physical distancing is the norm,” said Rain-

nier Gregorio, TMP’s First Vice President for Customer Service Operations. “Commercial Hiace drivers and operators have been doing great service to the public, and we’d like to assist them, especially now that most of them need assistance to restart their operations.”

The Oil-In promo for Hiace

iteration of the SUV which comes with a choice of two diesel engines: A 1.9-liter unit that generates 148hp/350Nm, and a 3.0-liter oil burner that exerts 187hp/450Nm. The latter has an all-wheel-drive system.

Both engines are mated to a 6-speed manual/ torque con-

verter automatic gearbox.

Other features include an advance driv- e r

Commuters being used in businesses is available until December 29, 2020 to owners of Hiace Commuters bought from any Toyota dealer since 1996. Models bought from 1996-2005 can get the change oil and filter service for only P1,599 (from original price of P2,553), while those bought from 2005 - present (except Hiace Commuter Deluxe) can be serviced for only P1,999 (from original price of P3,169).

The Oil-In promo enables drivers and operators of Hiace Commuters being used in businesses to keep their vehicles running in excellent condition by using only genuine parts and materials like Toyota Genuine Motor Oil (Mineral), Toyota Genuine Oil Filter, and Toyota Genuine Drain Plug Gasket. Full promo price already includes labor cost, TMP said.

assistance system 9ADAS), six airbags, Terrain Command Shifton-fly, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning for passengers’ safety.

The Isuzu mu-X has a length of 4,850mm and a ground clearance of 235mm. RLT

Isuzu teaser: mu-X 2021

fic congestion in toll plazas.

Motorists who do not conform to the government mandate will be apprehended and issued a citation ticket.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor reminded motorists to make use of the extended deadline to have RFIDs installed in their vehicles as early as they can.

Vehicles purchased beyond December wil need to have RFIDs installed by the owners although some car dealers offer RFID stickers as part of their extra-services to their clients, according to some automakers. Ramon L. Tomeldan

HARI names Dealer of the Year in 1st Virtual Awards THE country’s official distributor of Hyundai vehicles honored San Juan Group’s Hyundai Commonwealth Avenue as its 2019 Dealer of the Year in Passenger Car at the first virtual HARI Dealer of the Year Awards 2020.

Hyundai Commonwealth Avenue, under the helm of Anna Lyne P. San Juan-Ponferrada, stood out from among the 42-strong Hyundai PC dealerships nationwide for topping HARI standards in the key areas of Sales, After Sales, Customer Relations Management, and Parts Operations.

This is the second Dealer of the Year Award for Hyundai Commonwealth. It also bagged the top award in 2012.

This year’s HARI DOYA turned out more meaningful amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Celebrated virtually, the year’s theme, THE GREAT RESET, reflects HARI’s new approach and renewed drive toward delivering #BetterJourneys to its customers.

HARI President and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo said “The pandemic cannot stop us from giving honor and recognition where its rightfully due. The COVID-19 virus has turned mobility upside-down.

Yet amidst this topsy-turvy world, we faced our fears and joined forces like never before to create our own Better Normal ecosystem.”

“Thank you HARI for this recognition. From Ms. Fe, the

Ma. Fe PerezAgudo, HARI president

executives, officers, and staff who have helped us along the way, all these years. Thank you. To our Hyundai Commonwealth family, this is your award! We are so blessed to have a competent, passionate and dedicated team. All your hard work has paid off. Thank you very much and job well done!,” said HCA President Anna Lyne P. San Juan-Ponferrada.

San Juan-Ponferrada added, “To our Chairman and matriarch, Boss Amang and Ma’am Baby, thank you for all the guidance, the support and trust that you have given us. We dedicate this to you. You are our inspiration and our driving force.

We will not be here without you both.”