Issuu

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

Ulysses casualties mounting Death tally reaches 67 • Farm losses at P1.9b • Infra damage—P469m

By Othel V. Campos, Willie Casas and Macon RamosAraneta

HE death toll from Typhoon “Ulysses” climbed to 67, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its 9 a.m. update on Sunday. The council's spokesman, Mark Cashean Timbal, said 22 persons were found dead in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); two in Region 3; 17 in Calabarzon; eight for Bicol; 10 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and eight in the National Capital Region (NCR). The NDRRMC also reported 21 injuries and 12 persons missing. Damage to agriculture was placed at P1.19 billion in Regions 1, 2, 3, Calabarzon, Bicol, and CAR as the typhoon destroyed agricultural lands in its path and left thousands of farmers and fishermen with no means of livelihood. The Department of Agriculture said so 49,237 farmers were affected by the typhoon, and that 54,043 hectares of agricultural land was destroyed. The typhoon destroyed rice, corn, high value crops, fishery resources and livestock in the CAR, the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the Bicol region. Infrastructure damage was estimated at P469.7 million in Region 1, Mimaropa, and Bicol. Next page

DELUGE. Amid the Ulyssesspawned deluge in Cagayan, a tantalizing view of a rainbow emerges, inspiring hope for the typhoon-battered residents of 24 towns who have yet to see the flood waters subside as of press time. Coast Guard

Climate change exacting its toll, Duterte asserts By Rio N. Araja VOL. XXXIV • NO. 255 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House restarts session: P4.5-t budget, plateful of priority bills By Rio N. Araja THE House of Representatives is resuming session today with the ratification of the P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 and approval of a number of must-pass bills high on its agenda. Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the 301-member legislative chamber is ready to buckle down to work with strict physical distancing and health

protocols in place amid the continuing threat of COVID-19. “We need to hit the ground running and make full use of this year’s remaining sessions to tackle and pass the priority measures, especially those that have been certified urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said the workload would be heavy.

New cases still below 2k absent data from 9 labs

TO THE RESCUE.

A woman gives birth to a healthy baby with the help of several policemen after rescuing her from a flooded area in Tuguegarao City on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Tuguegarao City-PNP

WHOLE NEW (WATER) WORLD. President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator

Christopher “Bong” Go conduct an aerial survey to see for themselves the extent of massive flooding and the resulting damage to the areas devastated by typhoon Ulysses in Cagayan Valley on November 15.

On Sinas: Rody forgives, DOJ dithers PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may only issue an executive clemency after a person has been found guilty, the Department of Justice said Sunday. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra made the statement after Duterte said he had forgiven Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas for holding a ma-

PH, 14 NATIONS INK MEGA TRADE DEAL BUSINESS / B4

By Rey E. Requejo

ñanita birthday party during Metro Manila's lockdown. "The DOJ/prosecutor has to complete the process of preliminary investigation. Executive clemency may come only after a finding of guilt. If there's no finding of guilt, there's no room for the application of executive clemency," Guevarra said. Next page

By Willie Casas The Philippines on Sunday logged 1,530 new cases of COVID-19 infections, bringing the total to 407,838 after nine laboratories failed to submit reports, the Department of Health said. “Nine labs were not able to submit Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM NOV. 15)

407,838 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,530 25,677

Smartmatic poll machines come into question DOUBTS on the integrity of the 2022 automated national and local elections may again be questioned if the Commission on Elections will depend on the vote- counting machines provided by Smartmatic after former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York claimed that the Smartmatic’s VCMs being used in the Philippines—and recently in the United States—were vulnerable to poll fraud. In an interview with the Fox Business Channel, Giuliani, in his capacity as lawyer of reelectionist US President Donald

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said climate change was behind the severe storms that caused massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela in the last few weeks. “The problem really is climate change, whether we accept it or not,” the President said in a briefing Sunday, after Typhoon “Ulysses” caused massive flooding throughout Luzon, from the Bicol region to Metro Manila. Duterte said that during the East Asia Summit over the weekend, he urged nations to take action on climate change. “I was very strong in my language about the people who contribute a lot [to] global warming,” Duterte said, noting that the Philippines itself was responsible Next page for very little of this.

DROWNING VICTIMS. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon carry the bodies of two residents ( a 49-year-old woman) and a 45-year-old man) who appear to have drowned at the height of the massive flooding in Pared, Alcala town, Cagayan on November 15, 2020. PCG

NEW

ACTIVE

7,832

DEATHS

NEW

374,329 11,290 RECOVERIES

NEW

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Alvarez quits ruling party He thanked PDP-Laban’s president, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, for allowing him to serve as the secretary general of PDP-Laban for almost half a decade. He sought the understanding of Pimentel as

he was constrained “to tender his irrevocable resignation from his position and membership in PDP-Laban effective immediately.” He said he resigned from the party because he “intends to commit and pursue a

voter’s education campaign for Filipinos given the importance of the 2022 elections.” “Unfortunately, serving as a ranking officer and member of PDP-Laban while simultaneously handling this advocacy may be misconstrued by critics as politicking by the party presently in power,” said Alvarez. He appreciated the party’s efforts in bringing to the attention of the nation the importance of empowering local governments as a prerequisite for a strong republic. He expressed gratitude to the legacy left behind by whom he called “Tatay,” the late Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. He thanked PDP-Laban for its support

Ulysses...

damage to isolation and quarantine facilities in [Region 5], which would reach P11.2 million,” Duque said. “It’s not much but we need the money right away because this is a basic service that needs immediate attention and repair,” Duque added. He urged the relevant agencies to move quickly to release funds for typhoon recovery efforts. “The problem is historically, the government moves slowly, especially the national government,” he said. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the DOH would send a team to Cagayan Valley to help health workers there respond to the needs of residents affected by the massive flooding due to Ulysses. Cabotaje, in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, said health workers in Region 2 have already asked DOH for help as they are already weary following the successive typhoons that have torn through the region. Cabotaje said the DOH also asked the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the World Health Organization to help them in various health-related concerns, such as provision of medical consultations and psychosocial briefing, and checking water cleanliness and sanitation. Cabotaje reminded the residents to still observe minimum health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as many are still staying in evacuation centers.

She added that they have not yet received any report of COVID-19 infection in evacuation centers. Cabotaje also warned the public against leptospirosis, which could be contracted from exposure in floodwaters. Also on Sunday, Senator Imee Marcos said decades of neglect of the country's dams and other infrastructure led to the severe flash floods that devastated Cagayan and Isabela. “Typhoon Ulysses brought back the horror of Ondoy. The government may have learned to prepare in advance but fell short of the magnitude of disaster,” she said. “The 38-year-old Magat Dam and other old dams have not been upgraded in decades, their surrounding watershed forests have been denuded, and hence Magat would have collapsed under the deluge of Typhoon Ulysses if water was not released,” she said. “The cycle of calamity, panic and suffering will continue unless we improve our water infrastructure.” Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, is filing a bill that aims to upgrade the country’s water facilities and resources and reorganize their management amid the challenges of population growth and climate change. "The water crisis will be the crisis of coming decades: flooding, shortages, the need for rain harvest infrastructure, management. It’s urgent we grapple with the challenges ASAP,” Marcos said.

By Rio N. Araja

X-SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez said Sunday he had resigned from the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan to pursue a voters’ education campaign and revive the non-mainstream political party Reporma.

From A1

Ulysses also damaged a total of 25,852 houses. The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has 17 of its personnel and rescue boats, a water tanker, food trucks, and food and other non-food aid such as tarpaulins, its chairman said Sunday. PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon said the PRC staff would recruit volunteers on the ground. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that the death toll in the Cagayan Valley reached 24, while 13 people were reported missing. In an interview on Dobol B Sa News TV, AFP spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said search and rescue operations of teams from the Army, Philippine Air Force and the Navy continued on Sunday. Arevalo appealed for more relief items and food packs as these are most needed by Cagayan Valley flood victims. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, said the department would need more than P290 million to repair health facilities damaged by Ulysses. In a briefing on the government’s typhoon response, Duque said several facilities such as treatment and rehabilitation centers, rural health units, and barangay health stations were hit hard by the storm. “One of the priorities is to repair the

during the 2016 and 2019 elections, adding “the party’s assistance for those campaigns that led to historic electoral victories cannot be understated.” He said he accepted the offer of former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa to lead as chairman of the Reporma party that they would revive. Reporma was not affiliated with any personality reportedly seeking the presidency, Alvarez said. “This way, the voter’s education campaign can proceed, and rightly be perceived as politically neutral without risking a possible backlash against PDPLaban.” With a population of about 12 million and still growing, Metro Manila will be needing a water supply larger than what the 52-year-old Angat Dam can provide, Marcos said. “In recent years, we have experienced water rationing which can be aggravated by greater sanitation needs during pandemics like COVID-19,” Marcos added. Besides the upgrading of dams, Marcos wants to revive flood control projects like the unfinished Parañaque Spillway conceived in the 1970s and the dredging of Laguna Lake aborted in 2011, both of which could mitigate flooding in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Marcos also said the country can take advantage of typhoons by creating more rain harvesting facilities that will not only reduce flooding but also increase the supply of non-potable water for agricultural irrigation, fish farming, and urban sanitation. Less than 10 percent of rainfall in the country is harvested, with most of it draining toward the sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). “We also need to build more infrastructure, like the Candaba Viaduct built way back in 1976, that are elevated above swamps and flood-prone areas to prevent the interruption of supply chains during heavy downpours,” Marcos said.

Climate... From A1

According to Robert Kaufman, head of the Philippine delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross, the strong typhoons that battered the country one after the other show the impact of climate change "I think the takeaway from this is how heartbreaking it is to see the effects of climate change in real time. It’s one disaster after another. And no matter how much planning and training we do, we always need to do more," Kaufman said. During the summit, Duterte also called on ASEAN's dialogue partners to recommit to climate action and to lead countries towards net zero emissions. He also called for increased climate financing, technology transfer and capacity building in the region to help countries like the Philippines build sustainable and resilient communities. “Climate change is not just a matter of survival. It is equally a matter of justice,” Duterte said. A 2017 study by the Asian Development Bank said the Philippines had a low level of per capita greenhouse gas emissions, but note that these levels were growing at an annual rate of 4 percent between 2006 and 2012. Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said he supported Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s call for the declaration of a climate emergency. The resolution is supported by several civil society organizations and thinktanks, including the University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute. Salceda, who was also co-chair of the United Nations Green Climate Fund in 2013 to 2014, says that the Philippines must pursue foreign policy that will hold the world’s largest polluters accountable for the damage caused by the climate crisis in the country. “I helped the Philippines get accredited with the Green Climate Fund, allowing us to have access to funding from the body. But that’s not enough…. The impact of climate change on countries like the Philippines must be compensated by the countries that benefit from the causes of climate change,” Salceda added.

New... From A1

House... From A1

“We go back to work Monday with a full plate of priority bills scheduled for plenary and committee deliberation. Speaker Lord Allan Velasco wants to place in the front burner all economic and anti-poverty measures so we can approve the President’s priority measures before the onset of the election season next year,” he said. Congress only has four weeks left in session before it adjourns on Dec. 19 for a month-long Christmas break. “We are working with our House leaders in finding ways to fast-track priority measures that will ensure a more efficient and responsive government during these trying times,” Velasco said. “We are confident that our colleagues in the legislature share a common goal as we all report for work on Monday,” he added. Velasco said making sure the President will be able to sign the 2021 gen-

Smartmatic... From A1

Trump, claimed that the Smartmatic vote-counting machines were “hackable.” He said Dominion, the company that provided the automated vote-counting system used during the most recent presidential election, was owned by Smartmatic through an intermediary company referred to as Indra. He claimed that the Smartmatic vote-counting machine was basically developed and designed to commit fraud in the process of vote-counting, particularly for the Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. He claimed that Smartmatic had been behind the electoral frauds in many countries, without actually mentioning the Philippines, which has been using its system for over a decade. Giuliani also hinted about the origins of the Dominion- Voting System and the company’s alleged connection with Smartmatic, one of the most questioned automated voting companies, primarily because of the affiliation of the people behind the company to Chávez. He accused Smartmatic of manipulating the recent US presidential election in key US states, adding that its Dominion Voting System was using machines designed to allow human intervention. Asked what he meant by human intervention, Giuliani said “hackable.” “There no such machine as un-hackable,” said Giuliani who cited 2019, when the secretary of state in Texas denounced what was aptly referred to as “irregularities” and refused to use Smartmatic’s Dominion “Suite 5.5” voting system.

eral appropriations bill into law before the year ends remains the top priority of the House. “We are looking forward to the bicameral conference on the 2021 GAB and hopefully, we will be able to ratify the bicam report before Congress adjourns for the holidays,” he said. The speaker said the record-high budget is the government’s “single-most powerful tool” to fight COVID-19 and help the economy and the people recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic. Also high on the House agenda is the approval of the bill strengthening Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), the proposed Internet Transactions Act, and the proposed Magna Carta of Barangay Workers. President Duterte earlier certified as urgent House Bill 6174 seeking to amend AMLA, saying the amendments are necessary for the country to “comply with legal standards for anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing, as established by relevant in-

ternational bodies.” Velasco underscored the urgent need to pass the bill to avoid an adverse finding against the country, which could lead to a higher cost of doing financial transactions for overseas Filipino workers and local businesses. The measure is now up for second reading approval after it was approved by the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries last month. Velasco said the swift passage of the proposed Internet Transactions Act was necessary to protect consumers, especially with the increase in online transactions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The measure was approved by the House committee on trade and industry during the recess. Other priority measures identified by Velasco are the proposed Coconut Levy Fund; National Land Use Act; Rightsizing the National Government Act; Right to Adequate Food, Anti-Ethnic, Racial and Religious Discrimination Act; and On-Site, In-City, Near City Local Government Resettlement Program.

He also vowed to ensure the immediate passage of economic bills that will “jumpstart the economy and help the country rise above the devastating effects of the pandemic.” “All these economic measures would go hand in hand with bills that will address systemic corruption in government,” Velasco said. “Both are equally important in helping the country get back on track, especially in the last two years of the Duterte administration.” The House leadership and secretariat have put in place health and safety measures to protect lawmakers, employees and guests inside the Batasan Complex in Quezon City amid the COVID-19 pandemic. House Secretary General Jocelia Bighani Sipin said all members and employees reporting for work on Monday are required to undergo the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for COVID-19. Velasco took the lead by having himself tested at the House RT-PCR testing facility last week.

Smartmatic’s Dominion nevertheless was able to take part in the election system covering at least 28 states, which included the territories currently under dispute: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Giuliani said Smartmatic’s not-so-impressive record compelled its top corporate honchos to consider using other company names, or an intermediary, if only to ensure an unhampered operation to make a fortune out of “internal arrangements” outside the legally binding contracts they were sealing and signing. In the case of the US, Giuliani said, Smartmatic used Canada's Dominion Voting System, a company that sells voting machines and software in the US and Canada. Dominion, he added, was owned by Smartmatic through an intermediary company named Indra.” The company Giuliani referred to was Indra Sistemas S.A., a Spanish multinational company that offers consulting services on transport, defense, energy and telecommunications including elections. During his interview, Giuliani said “the votes go to Barcelona, Spain,” where he said the electoral fraud actually took place. But he did not elaborate on the company names that Smartmatic was allegedly using in other countries that it had dipped into. He said Smartmatic was founded by three Venezuelans who were very close to the dictator Hugo Chávez back in 2003, adding that the company was formed to fix elections. “That’s the company that owns Dominion. Dominion is a Canadian company, but all its software is from Smartmatic,” Giuliani was quoted during the interview.

He said three sources informed him that “the funding for Dominion came from Venezuela.” He went on to say that Smartmatic was under scrutiny in the United States for having been present in key states during the elections and having operated for questioned elections in Venezuela for many years. The company, which provides machines and technology, has been marketing its services in the United States since 2006. By 2015, it had already maintained and configured 58,000 counting and voting machines that had been sold to 307 jurisdictions in the country. Smartmatic’s long arms allegedly were also able to touch on the Philippine electoral system. It had in fact been the first and only company that had been administering automated elections in the Philippines since 2010. From the 2010 presidential elections and many succeeding elections thereafter, Smartmatic earned a reputation of allegedly being notorious. Its vote-counting machines had disappointed many with technical glitches, casting doubt on voters and candidates alike. The Commission on Elections has used Smartmatic VCMs, previously known as precinct count optical scan machines, since the first automated elections in 2010. Despite the controversies surrounding the Smartmatic system, the poll body went on to buy 97,000 VCMs that were used in the 2016 elections. Smartmatic-Comelec Conspiracy Lawyer Glenn Chong, former congressman of Biliran, thinks the machines are either manipulated or simply not usable. Chong, who in 2019 ran for a Senate seat, lamented how his votes were counted after his team delivered their report on the election results.

On... From A1

The President is "very much aware" that a case against Sinas remains pending and is "merely indicating his intent to act with liberality, in consideration of General Sinas’ overall performance as a career police officer," Guevarra said. "I didn't hear what the President said exactly. I need to know the context, but whatever it was that the President said about his intent to pardon General Sinas, the DOJ will do what it is duty-bound to do, and the President may also do what he is constitutionally authorized to do." Duterte on Saturday cleared Sinas of violation of rules months after his highlycriticized birthday mañanita, where more than a dozen visitors attended despite the lockdown restrictions. "This is my call. I take full responsibility but I also guarantee his [Sinas’] competence and expertise in police work,” Duterte said in a recorded message. He said it was not Sinas' fault that his colleagues decided to surprise him. For him, Sinas was as good as pardoned. "His colleagues went because it was a mañanita and the man did not know, it's not as if he could turn them away," Duterte said. In May, Sinas drew public ire over the mañanita, or pre-dawn birthday serenade, in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City that allegedly violated the 10-people limit on gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Guevarra had confirmed that two separate complaints were filed against Sinas over the incident, one in Taguig by the police and another by the National Bureau of Investigation.

their data to the COVID-19 Data Repository System on November 14, 2020,” the department said. There were 25,677 active cases, which were 6.3-percent of the total. Of the active cases, 82.5 percent were mild, 8.4 percent were asymptomatic, 5.6 percent were critical, 3.2 percent were severe and 0.20 percent were moderate. The top provinces and cities with new cases were Cavite, 90; Rizal, 84; Manila, 79; Davao City, 78 and Taguig 73. The department also reported 11,290 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 374,329, which were 91.8 percent of the total cases. The “mass recovery” initiative was due to thousands of survivors of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This initiative which is also called Oplan Recovery, is the department’s adjustment or response to the updated guidelines of the World Health Organization, where symptomatic and asymptomatic cases could already be discharged after a 10-day quarantine without retesting. The department also reported 41 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 7,832, which were 1.92- percent of the total cases. The department said 12 duplicates were removed from the total case count, and of those eight were recovered cases. In addition, 17 recovered cases were found to be negative and were removed from the total case count after final validation. Moreover, four cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths. The department also said that, nationwide, of the approximately 1,900 total ICU bed capacity, 56 percent were available; of the approximately 13,500 total isolation bed capacity, 59 percent were available; of the approximately 5,900 total ward bed capacity 69 percent were available; and of the 2,000 total units of ventilators 79 percent were available. The country’s first COVID-19 case was a 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan. Worldwide, the novel coronavirus has infected over 54.34 million people and caused over 1.31 million deaths since it first emerged in Wuhan in late 2019, according to the tracking website worldometers.info. The United States remains the most badly affected country with over 11.22 million infections and more than 251,000 deaths. India follows with over 8.8-million infections. Brazil ranks third with more than 5.84-million infections, but is second in terms of deaths with over 165,000 COVID-19 fatalities.

News

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ASG member, cops kill ASG member, pal in PNP operation

AFP CARES. The Alpha (Adamant) Company of 54IB, 5ID, Philippine Army carried out Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response missions to aid landslide victims in municipalities of Asipulo and Tinoc in Ifugao. Alpha Company Photo

PA, Indonesian chief tackle issues By Ben Cal

T. GEN. Cirilito E. Sobejana, commanding general of the Philippine Army, discussed over the weekend with his Indonesian counterpart, Gen. Andika Perkasa, wide range of issues of mutual interests, especially on security threats, and in containing the spread of COVID-19. In a text message, Sobejana de“We discussed matters of mutual scribed his discussion with Perkasa concerns, especially in addressing as a “very fruitful virtual meeting” the security threats in the territorial using the internet technology. boundaries of the Philippines and

Indonesia,” Sobejana said. The two neighboring countries, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are facing terrorist threats by the Abu Sayyaf for several decades now. Abu Sayyaf terrorists were responsible for several terror attacks in southern Philippines and Indonesia. The latest twin attacks by the Abu Sayyaf were in Sulu, which killed 11 army soldiers and wounded 14 others, and the killing of a civilian in another terror attack.

One person was killed when Abu Sayyaf members fired on a group of civilians in Patikul, Sulu, the military reported. Sobejana is a veteran in combat against the Abu Sayyaf. Sobejana is a medal of valor awardee, the highest award by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, given to a soldier for gallantry in combat. During his virtual meeting with Gen. Perkasa, Gen. Sobejana said they discussed how to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 in their respective countries.

A SUSPECTED Abu Sayyaf Group member and his cohort were killed in a police operation in Zamboanga Sibugay, the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force said on Sunday. Based on a report submitted to PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas, acting SAF Director Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba identified the fatalities as Jomar Aukasa and a certain Buchoy, whose true identity remains unknown. The two died in an armed confrontation with police commandos from the 5th Special Action Battalion led by Maj. Rodel Silaran, backed by operatives from the Zamboanga Sibugay Police and Regional Mobile Force Battalion in Barangay Sisay, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Balba said Aukasa turned violent as the arresting officers tried to serve the warrant of arrest which eventually resulted in an armed encounter. Aukasa is the subject of four warrants of arrest for murder, and another arrest order for robbery, according to Balba. Aukasa, Balba said, is also listed as the fifth most wanted person in the Zamboanga Peninsula region with links to the ASG as facilitator and financier of kidnap for ransom activities. Balba said the neutralization of Aukasa emded eight months of extensive manhunt operation that began on March 17, 2020 under Case Operational Plan or COPLAN “Assassin.” Police operatives seized a Belgianmade FN (Fabrique National) rifle, a Glock 17 pistol, and assorted ammunition. Balba said the recovered Glock 17 pistol turned out to be a PNP property issued to PO1 Mohammad Nur Alamia of Tungawan Municipal Police Station that was grabbed by Aukasa when he escaped from police custody in 2018, and was the same gun used in shooting PO3 Rommel dela Cruz as the suspect fled. Dela Cruz survived the attack. PNA

‘PH needs help from int’l community’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Nancy Binay said she will formally write the Department of Foreign Affairs to seek assistance from the international community to help the government in its relief and rescue missions. “Sa Monday pagbalik namin sa Senado we will formally write Secretary Locsin to explore the option of asking for foreign aid,” Binay said. She said she will ask DFA to activate the Philippine International Assistance Cluster and make the call for humanitarian aid from foreign states and organizations. However, Binay said she hopes the DFA would act even without a formal request from her office and noted how ur-

gent the situation is for those still stranded in flooded areas. “There’s interest of time. We have countrymen who have remained on the roofs of their houses in Isabela there that there should be a sense of urgency,” the senator said. In 2018, the Philippines promulgated the Philippine International Humanitarian Assistance guidelines which contains policies on accepting and coordinating international humanitarian assistance. Under the guidelines, the Philippine International Humanitarian Assistance Cluster led by the DFA was established and will be the primary body in coordinating incoming and outgoing international humanitarian assistance.

COMPREHENSIVE REHAB. The turnout activity at the Taft Avenue station continues today, November 15, 2020, as part of the comprehensive rehabilitation conducted by Sumitomo-MHI-TESP from Japan. Part of this activity is the renovation of the 2A and 3A turnout sections at the Taft Avenue station.

‘Human Settlements Board to address housing gap’ By Rio N. Araja

DRIED FISH. Assorted fish is left to dry in the sun as Typhoon Ulysses leaves the country on Sunday, with many people taking advantage of the sunny weather in Novaleta, Cavite during the weekend. Norman Cruz

Faster response to mishaps urged By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe on Sunday called for faster and better emergency response to road accidents to save lives as the nation observes the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. “Quick and effective emergency medical response to vehicle crashes can reduce the severity of injuries and save lives,” said Poe, author and sponsor of Republic Act 11468 or the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, Survivors, and Their Families Act, which is designated every third Sunday of November. “Attending to the victims and ensuring the necessary immediate treatment within the golden hour can make a crucial differ-

ence,” Poe added. Passed early this year, the law recognizes the costs and suffering caused by road crashes, and demonstrates the government’s commitment to road safety and reduction in road casualty. “Through this law, we honor the memory of our loved ones and make their loss more meaningful by mandating that the government endeavor to improve the trauma care system and provision of emotional support programs; improve the legal response, resolution of pending cases and immediate compensation of victims and/or their families; and address key risk factors in order to prevent the occurrence of similar road crash incidents in the future,” Poe explained.

DEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Sunday maintained that the recently created National Human Settlements Board could address the challenges facing the housing industry. He issued his remark as the board, which he chairs, represents 10 key agencies of the government which also have a stake in the development of the housing sector. “With practically all hands on board, I am very optimistic that the disconnect between the Philippine Development Plan

with regards to housing targets and the corresponding budgetary allocation of DHSUD will be adequately addressed,” he said. The NHSB is made up of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Interior and Local Government. The DHSUD and its attached agencies namely the Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Housing Finance Corp., National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. and Human Settlements Adjudi-

cation Commission are also part of the board. The housing czar said the body’s actions should be set into motion once its technical working committee is created. “Together, the NHSB and its TWC make a formidable and well-rounded body that will set the tone and direction of the Philippine housing sector for years to come,” he said. Describing the NHSB as a “super body,” he said the board will act as a centralized hub that would harmonize regulations, policies and strategies meant to resolve the country’s housing problems.

Congress asked to update nat’l building code By Rio N. Araja CONGRESS must update the National Building Code and create the Department of Disaster Resilience during the second regular session of the 18th Congress, Agusan del Sur Rep. Lawrence Fortun on Sunday said. “I appeal to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and the rest of the House leadership to please expedite action on the National

Building Code bills. More Filipinos will keep dying. More homes, buildings, roads, bridges, and towers will continue to be destroyed, if Congress chooses to sit on the bills to amend the National Building Code,” he said. Typhoons “Yolanda,” “Rolly and “Ulysses,” the eruption of Taal Volcano, lahar floods of Mayon Volcano, and 2019 earthquakes in Central Mindanao and

Davao regions are powerful reminders to the national government and the entire country that we must act now, he said. “Not later, not next year, not after the 2022 elections, but now during this second regular session,” he cited. Additional reminders are the Ozone Disco tragedy and Resorts World Casino crisis where the key issues were about building safety inspections, building security, and fire safety, he noted.

LGUs

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Vizcaya landslide victims retrieved; 10 dead, 2 hurt By Ben Moses Ebreo QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—Retrieval operations for the landslide victims in barangay Runruno here have been completed, with 10 dead bodies and two injured victims. Police Colonel Ranser Evasco, Police Provincial Director, said the retrieval operations lasted for more than a day with the help of their Special Action Force (SAF) teams, Philippine Army, and rescuers from the Nueva Vizcaya Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (NVDRRMO) and local government unit of Quezon. Governor Carlos Padilla and Vice Governor Jose Tomas visited barangay Runruno over the weekend to assist the relatives of the landslide victims. FCF Minerals Corporation, which operates the gold and molybdenum project in barangay Runruno, also gave assistance to the victims. Evasco identified the fatalities as Julie Ann Tanesa, Ben Junior Bulayo, Dexter Kurt Nah-oy, Cresencia Nah-oy, Francisco Taguiling Napadawan, Jomar Cumihang Ohdon, Noel Tayaban Buyaco, Mark Conie Mangandat Binwag, and two unidentified cadavers. The injured were Jaymar Tanesa and Lily Tanesa, who are now being treated at a hospital in Solano town. Evasco said the continuous rains dumped by Typhoon “Ulysses” caused the steep mountain in sitio Compound to collapse, causing the landslide which buried the victims’ houses below.

Northern Samar hikes quarantine enforcement By Ronald O. Reyes TACLOBAN CITY—The provincial government of Northern Samar has intensified its drive on the mandatory wearing of face masks and other protective equipment following the latest spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the province. Governor Edwin Ongchuan warned of immediate arrest, blotter report, and fines for government employees or officials who violate their protocol. In the island town of Biri alone, 14 persons were arrested for not wearing face masks and face shields in Barangay Poblacion on November 12. “Our ordinances are intended to prevent further spread of the Covid-19. I’m appealing to everyone to abide by the rules so that they will not be in trouble since this is for their health safety,” said Lieutenant Mae Ann Erivera, officer in charge of Biri Municipal Police Station. According to Erivera, the violators of the localized general community quarantine (GCQ) protocols were informed of the nature and cause of their apprehension. “After which, they were processed at the Biri Municipal Police Station, rendered community service, and underwent awareness lecture as a penalty for firsttime offenders,” the police official said. She also warned authorities will not hesitate to arrest violators of quarantine protocols. Biri and San Vicente in Northern Samar have remained COVID-free out of the 24 municipalities in the province. As of November 13, Northern Samar logged 39 new cases, bringing the total COVID-19 confirmed cases of the province to 965, with 539 total recoveries, 11 deaths, and 415 active cases.

MUD EVERYWHERE. Police rescuers dig the site of the landslide in barangay Runruno in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya (inset) to retrieve the victims. Meanwhile in Noveleta, Cavite, Mayor Dino Chua (second from right) helps in clearing mud and debris from a road in Bgy. Antonio II after an 8-foot flood inundated the area during the onslaught of Typhoon “Ulysses” on Thursday. Norman Cruz

NV youth mobilize to assist Cagayan

AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Moved by a viral hashtag appealing to the nation not to forget Cagayan’s existence, a youth group here have used their skills in rescue operations and their social media prowess to appeal for help. As Typhoon “Ulysses” exited, its accompanying heavy rains caused flooding of the low-lying areas in the Cagayan Valley region. Residents of Isabela and Cagayan were shocked Friday when the vast plains of the region suddenly turned into a huge ocean after the Cagayan River swelled to a level never experienced since 1981. The #CagayanAlsoExists distress call on social media was sounded while the nation’s attention was focused on rescue and relief work in Metro Manila and out-

lying areas directly hit by Ulysses. A group of young rescue volunteers from Nueva Vizcaya immediately proceeded to Tuguegarao City when they heard of the distress call. By the time they reached there on Saturday morning, many rescue volunteers from other parts of the region have also arrived. “There is overwhelming number of rescuers who came to Tuguegarao. The Office of the Civil Defense already announced they could no longer accommodate more volunteers coming in,” says Terrence Martin Guballa, a volun-

teer from Bayombong. As of Sunday morning (November 15), volunteer rescuers were seen carrying relief goods aboard a small boat in Barangay Linao of Tuguegarao, which is still submerged in waist-level floods. Since Friday evening, Kabataan of LA Towers, a group of young people in Barangay La Torre in this town, started to share their access to online money channels to raise funds to help thousands affected by the massive flooding. Denise Maramba, Czarina Gorospe, Patricia Mae Pilotin, and Roger John Ocampo created a poster showing how their social media friends could send money the quickest possible way. They used bank transfer features of Land Bank, BDO, BPI, and the online smartphone app GCash. Abe Almirol

CHRISTMAS LAUNCH.

Members of the Cavite police hold up teddy bears as SM City Trece Martires welcomed the brightest and happiest season in unveiling the lit-up Sparkling Snowball Surprise Christmas centerpiece, ‘Sama Sama Tayo sa Pasko at SM!’ Norman Cruz

Zamboanga City takes on rising suicide cases ZAMBOANGA CITY—The local government is formulating a mental health program to respond to the rising number of suicide cases here, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Saturday. “Our local government had requested the City Budget Office to study the program together with our mental health professionals,” Salazar said. Salazar said the mental health program will include training to equip mental

health workers with the necessary knowledge and skills in suicide prevention. Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, attributed the rising suicide incidents to the stress brought on by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “With what is happening right now due to the pandemic, this contributes to our stress. Those who cannot cope or handle the stress well get depressed, and some of them commit suicide,” Mi-

COMMAND TURNOVER. Incoming Calabarzon YOUTH FOR TUGUEGARAO. Young rescue

volunteers from Nueva Vizcaya help other volunteers walk in waist-deep water to bring relief goods to Barangay Linao in Tuguegarao City on Sunday (see story above). Abe Almirol

Police Director PBGen. Felipe R. Natividad receives the symbolic command flag from PNP Chief Gen. Debold Sinas during the turnover of command in Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang, Laguna. Outgoing regional chief PBGen.Vicente Danao will take over Sinas’ post as National Capital Region Police Director. Roy Tomandao

ravite said. The health official said they have recorded 20 suicide cases since January this year. Miravite said a team of medical officers from CHO and other government agencies have met to come up with a program addressing mental health issues. “Hopefully in the coming days, we would be able to roll this out in the 98 barangays,” she said.

RADIO TV MOA. Binan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila

(2nd left) and Christopher Sanji (2nd right), Station Manager of Royal Cable TV6 and Provincial PIO, sign a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at airing Binan 87.9 FM the City of life programs on the cable network. Witnessing the pact are Christopher Alba Radio, Binan 87.9 FM station manager (left), and Binan City Information Officer Roman Carencia (right). Roy Tomandao

CIAC to build store for local farm products By Jess Malabanan CLARK FREEPORT—The Clark International Airport Corporation will put up a trading center where locally-made products in Central Luzon would be displayed for sale in its bid to help the local economy, official said in a statement. The project will be built on a 20,000-square-meter lot within the aviation complex formerly occupied by vendors of farm fresh products of Pampanga, said CIAC President and CEO Aaron Aquino. Aquino earlier ordered the immediate demolition of unwanted structures within the aviation complex that he considered as eyesores, including the rickety wet market situated near the Clark International Airport. “Illegal settlers and vendors took advantage of the abandoned building so these prohibited structures have to go for two main reasons — the condemned building endangers lives, and these shanties are just plain and simple ugly,” Aquino said. He added that CIAC is drawing up plans to build a modern site, citing that future locators of the new commercial area may include a showroom for locally-made delicacies and products. The once popular destination of farm-fresh produce inside Clark, especially during weekends, was cleared of illegal structures on Saturday. Aquino also demolished makeshift eateries in every nook and corner of the aviation complex. “When everyone else was clearing debris from the aftermath (of typhoon “Ulysses”), we cleared the frontage of this iconic commercial site from ugly shanties and shacks,” Aquino said.

1k Dinalupihan students avail of work program DINALUPIHAN, Bataan—More than 1,000 college students from this town have availed of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES). With a fund of P9.5 million good for 1,000 students, Mayor Gila Garcia said excess SPES applicants are accommodated with funding from Iskolar ng Bataan. The local government unit, under the program, provides 60 percent of the salary of the student and the 40 percent coming from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). “Students will be required to work in the office under the LGU where they will be paid P9,000 plus for 20 days,” the mayor said. However, due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, Garcia said they decided to have the students plant vegetables instead. She said the move is aligned to the vision of the municipal government of making the town a model agropolis or model center of agriculture in Central Luzon. Garcia said SPES beneficiaries will keep the harvest for themselves. Butch Gunio

Opinion Nature’s wrath TWO successive typhoons, Rolly and Ulysses, have just compounded the problems besetting our country, still reeling from the pandemic. Many lives have been lost, livelihoods shattered, and local economies flattened by nature’s wrath. Strong winds destroyed homes and rampaging floodwaters destroyed billions of pesos worth of farm crops. It could not have happened at a worse time, just some 45 days before Christmas, the country’s most festive season already dampened by the requirements of fighting the contagion that as of last count has breached 406,000 cases and coming close to 8,000 deaths. Many beseech the heavens and ask why we seem to be punished so much, but forget that both people and government are partly to blame for the non-mitigation of predictable disasters. We keep praising our “resilience” and tout platitudes of recovery, because after all, life continues after every disaster, and people pick up the pieces of their shattered livelihoods to begin all over again. In truth, we never learn.

We emote too much and rationalize too little. Floodwaters that engulfed the Marikina Valley in what its residents described as worse than Ondoy was not just because of the unusual rainfall (Ondoy in 2009 poured much more), but because the foothills of the Sierra Madre in Montalban were denuded decades ago, the remaining earth now being quarried with impunity. The usual culprits—local politicians and their business cohorts. When the rains poured, tons of water just flowed by uncontrolled gravity down to the catch basin that Marikina has always been. Logging, both “legal” and illegal, again through collusion between rapacious politicians and their greedy partners, destroyed the holding capacity of both the Sierra Madre and the Cordillera ranges, such that the Cagayan Valley was inundated, unfortunately with little warning because Ulysses which had earlier hit the Southern Luzon regions veered northwards instead of just westward to the China Sea. The situation was compounded by the release of tons of water from our dams, particularly Magat in Isabela, and Angat in Bulacan, which, if science had coordinated well, could have been properly timed and calibrated. *** Meanwhile, the usual carpers and critics find a convenient flogging horse in the president, asking where he was while the calamities struck with fury. “Nasaan ang Pangulo?”, they twit. What was it they wanted? To see a 75-year-

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

EDITORIAL

old leader wade, nay swim, in floodwaters just to make a show of empathy? Should disaster response and effective governance in times of calamity be a mere show that demands the physical presence of a leader? We emote too much and rationalize too little. The fact that rescue teams by both local and national government agencies responded and saved many even without the president presiding over television-broadcast meetings is proof that government works, even if their best is never enough when confronted by the unusually strong rage of nature. *** What we need are medium- and longterm plans in place, ready to be implemented whenever natural calamities, which are part of our geographic location, being in the typhoon swath of the mighty Pacific and its Ring of Fire as well. And plans that are far-reaching, well studied, pro-active and preventive, rather than mere reactions of rescue each time disaster strikes. And these plans ought to be properly funded and continuously implemented, with consistency of purpose and proper coordination between the national government and its local units. Taipei and New Taipei cities, for example, are also catch basins of rainwater from surrounding mountains and the swelling of both the Tamsui and Keelung rivers that flow into the China Sea. They too used to get flooded mightily in the 60s and the 70s. But for two decades, the government constructed weirs and dikes to control the rampage and protect the population centers from overflowing rivers, programmed in the budget each year for 20 years, and assiduously implemented through sound engineering. River banks were cleared, used as parks, baseball fields and parking lots, with hundred meter easements, after which 10-to-12-meter high thickly reinforced dikes were built. Not only have inner population centers been protected from recurring floods, but the easements have become recreational and sports facilities. This, despite the fact that the Keelung River alone, which passes right across the twin cities, is much longer than our Pasig, at some 86 kilometers in length. In Metro Manila, riverbanks with hardly any easement are where we build our houses and shanties, with residents just praying that the rains will abate and floods not occur. *** We end this tale of woe with a sincere note of gratitude to the Taiwan government, whose Ministry of Foreign Affairs last Friday not only expressed to me their sympathies, and before that when Typhoon Rolly struck, but has donated 200,000 US dollars to our government through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila. The check will be accepted by MECO Deputy Representative Gilbert Lauengco from Representative Michael Pei-yung Hsu this week, and thence transmitted to our officialdom. As has been their wont, the Tzu Chi Foundation has likewise mobilized teams to assist victims of these calamities, particularly in poverty-stricken Bicol, just as they responded immediately when Yolanda (Haiyan) struck in 2013. Taiwan has always been ready to help.

Blood on their hands

ONLY a fool would do the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result. But that is how Senators Franklin Drilon, Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon would want Filipinos to do by withholding support for the passage of the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience, now languishing at the committee level at the Senate. In contrast, the House of Representatives has already passed the bill on third reading, at least twice—but on both instances either rebuffed and ignored by the upper house. This is despite the fact that since his first State of the Nation Address in 2016, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself has repeatedly made the appeal for Congress to approve the proposed Disaster Resilience Act. Sen. Drilon has posed the strongest opposition, saying that the country has sufficient disaster management laws in place, and that move pushing for the creation of a full-time disaster management agency is but a “knee-jerk push.” Drilon must be referring to Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act enacted in 2010. The law, among others, provides for the creation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which is currently the country’s focal agency for disaster management. It was the NDRRMC that was on top of things when typhoon Yolanda, the strongest in recorded human history ever to make landfall, struck parts of central Philippines in 2013, af-

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

fecting massive numbers of persons and causing death, injuries, and damage to property. Hundreds of thousands more were displaced from their homes; even to this day, tens of thousands are reportedly dead or missing. Despite the amount of effort given to preparedness and the fact that key NDRRMC officials were on the ground to lead disaster response efforts, the typhoon caused an estimated total cost of damage of a staggering P22 billion. Typhoon Yolanda proved that the existing solution of creating a body composed of multiple offices of the government primarily responsible for disaster preparedness and response simply did not work, but instead contributed to the inefficiencies in the bureaucratic process leading to bottlenecks and delays in the distribution of aid to typhoon survivors. Sen. Drilon was quoted to quip, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But unless the good senator lived in another universe, he must know that the system did break down, not only during typhoon Yolanda, but more recently even in the last five typhoons that hit the country in the last three weeks. If it were not to feign ignorance, then it must be, on his part, gross insensitivity to the gravest level. On the other hand, Sen. Lacson questioned the practicability and feasibility of funding a full department. Estimates from the Department of Budget and Management show that around P1.5 billion is needed to jumpstart the DDR. But compared to the cost of damage resulting from natural disasters or the trillions of pesos of government annual spending, P1.5 billion is but a drop in the bucket. In fact, creating a single disaster agency could be our country’s best investment in strengthening our disaster management capability. The DDR could be in a better position to address the gaps in our disaster response capability. Thus, it could be more cost

Denial

verywhere we see hardships that result from people’s failure or refusal to acknowledge reality. In the United States, for example, the outgoing president continues to exist in a world where he believes he has won a second term. Donald Trump, in forbidding his staff members to cooperate with the transition team of President-elect Joseph Biden, is only making a spectacular fool of himself by displaying his denial for Americans —and all the world—to see. Then again, we do not need to look far to see some cases of denial here at home. As we reel from the impact of a string of typhoons, the most recent of which was Ulysses from last week, we are seeing the big role that denial plays in how we cope with hardships and challenges.

Foremost, we deny that we are perfectly within our rights to demand accountability from our national and local ofﬁcials—in numerous areas of governance, but most especially during times of disaster. They are in ofﬁce exactly to be visible and to commiserate

It determines how we cope with and move on from disaster. with constituents when it matters, to provide help when tragedy strikes, and also to craft and implement strategies to mitigate the effects of disasters way before disaster occurs. We deny that resilience can be a vice. We keep extolling it as a virtue that supposedly deﬁnes us as a people. Yes, we are always able to get up after a

blow. But we also forgive liberally and forget too easily. We are quick to move on, to the relief and delight of those who should have done something but didn’t. We also deny that these extraordinary weather patterns are occurring with increasing and frightful regularity. Ondoy, Yolanda, Rolly and Ulysses and the others are one-day occurrences, and for the other days of the year, the sun shines. During these sunny days, we distract ourselves with many things that convince us that typhoons, storm surges, f looding and the consequent losses are the exception more than the rule. We do this, even though all the evidence points to the fact that their effects are lasting and devastating. Finally, we deny the fact that we have a hand in shaping our future. During elections, we should choose leaders with good track record, experience on the job, and basic decency, instead of being carried away by sound bytes or colorful personalities.

Filipinos believe in the private sector daily sustenance of millions of poor families in the Metro Manila area, quick to mobilize resources and take direct action on the ground were the big business groups in cooperation with civil society and local governments. After the most destructive cluster of typhoons to sweep across the economic heartland of the country, we are again seeing a surge of initiatives from private companies and civil society converging to ﬁll the gaps of the already depleting resources, and I would think pandemic fatigued local government and agencies.

AS IF we did not have enough problems, we get hit by a string of typhoons that in a few weeks left one of the most devastating catastrophes to hit our most economically productive and populous regions. As of Friday, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced preliminary estimates of over P4.2 billion in road infrastructure damage. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported scores of transmission lines that are still down all over north and south Luzon thus causing power disruptions to all distribution utilities. Prolonged power outages and cut fiber optic lines in some areas have likewise caused intermittent to no signal for telecommunications services that since the lockdowns we have heavily depended on. Having been thru many natural calamities before and even with all the warnings that were broadcast thru media and online platforms it seems that many in the most vulnerable areas that already survived the deluge eleven years ago from typhoon “Ondoy” were again caught less prepared. Recently published news quoted the Department of Social Work and Development reporting more than 220,000 families in 8 regions affected by typhoon “Ulysses”, this is more than double the 90,000 families displaced by “Ondoy.” We can anticipate damage assessment figures to go higher as more information comes in but already the extensive damage to our agricultural output, power, road, and telecommunications infrastructure is an unanticipated consequence that will further worsen an already complex crisis When the lockdowns that started more than eight months ago disrupted the livelihood and supply chains critical to the efficient in addressing the future calamities the Philippines is bound to experience in light of its geographical location.

The Disaster Resilience Act is more about building the resilience of the entire community through all phases of natural disasters, from preparedness to recovery. Insisting that the DDR runs counter the administration’s policy of right-sizing the national government is plain callousness, as is if more evidence is still needed to prove that improving our disaster management know-how is crucial for a country located at the nexus of the planet’s typhoon belt and the Paciﬁc Ring of Fire. Disaster management expert Rep. Joey Salceda was right in saying that if funding is the problem, then Congress is duty-bound to source it out—but dismissing that the problem exists is but a careless option. If the Senate could afford to allocate close to 10 billion pesos for the construction of a new Senate building, then appropriating 1.5 billion pesos to establish the DDR shouldn’t be as hard. Lastly, Sen. Gordon thinks that resources should better to invest in improving already existing mechanisms of the government to respond to disasters, such as purchasing badly

We need a style of governance that encourages meaningful partnerships. The compounding dimensions of the COVID 19 pandemic intersecting with more frequent and destructive weather phenomenon confirms the need for a new mindset that harmonizes universal healthcare, the environment, the economy, and governance. Although the government is understandably the instinctive focus for policy and direction in navigating these difficult times, it is actually the private sector that has the capacity, innovation, efficiency, expertise, resources, and developmental drive to get all of us out of this crunch. I strongly believe the pace at which we will recover from this economic doldrum can be accelerated if the policy and regulatory environment is opened up to attract the right local and foreign investors that can develop our industries and infrastructure. We need to get over the protectionist mode of thinking and instead transform the country into an ideal host to innovative technological enterprises of the future. We need a style of governance that encourages meaningful partnerships needed disaster response equipment, such as more rescue boats and C130 planes. Gordon may be right in pointing out that we need to acquire more modern equipment, but he is wrong is thinking that the proposed Disaster Resilience Act is just a matter of creating another government office. Say, for example, the national government procures more rescue boats and C130 planes —who will be responsible for its upkeep? Who will man the equipment? Who will decide on its deployment? How would it be any different from the currently disparate resources available to the NDRRMC? What Sen. Gordon seems to miss out is far from just creating the DDR, more importantly, the bill ensures the continuous development and growth of disaster management programs, as well as building science-based expertise and best practices aimed towards improving the country’s institutional capacity for disaster resilience. In fact, the Disaster Resilience Act is more about building the resilience of the entire community through all phases of natural disasters, from preparedness to recovery. Contrary to whatever the naysayers would propose, one thing is absolutely clear—the Philippines cannot continue to have a focal disaster organization that only has coordinative functions given the country’s high exposure to disaster risks. As the principal authors of the DDR bill, Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Rep. Martin Romualdez, pointed out, our personal experience during typhoon Haiyan has confirmed that the complexity of largescale disasters undermines existing policies

rather than an antagonizing regime that reinforces gatekeeping and rent seeking. A special survey recently commissioned by the Stratbase ADR Institute reveals a very encouraging sentiment wherein 85 percent of Filipinos believe that the national government should partner with private enterprises for economic recovery. The respondents agree that, “To recover from the COVID-19 crisis, government should engage in partnership with qualified and reputable private enterprises to build and operate key development public utilities and social service projects such as healthcare systems, electricity, water, roads, and mass transportation.” The survey further reports that 9 out 10 Filipinos (90 percent) opine that private investors can help to create jobs in the country and 68 percent say private investors can assist in expanding livelihood opportunities and alleviate poverty (62 percent). This survey conducted by Pulse Asia last September is actually the same one that gave President Duterte a record 91-percent trust rating. It seems that despite all the divisive invectives thrown against some of the most successful business groups of the country, this negative narrative does not resonate with Filipinos who on the ground have a more positive appreciation of the role of private enterprises. Some hard data on the Philippine labor force can easily explain this. According to the July 2020 Philippine Statistics office Labor Force Survey more than 41.3 million were employed, out of this total Filipinos employed, there are only 1.7 million career and non-career employees in government (Civil Service Commission, May 2019). Hurting the private sector will definitely hurt millions of Filipino dependents. Foreign observers and analysts have often pointed out the potential of our human and natural resources as being in the “sweet spot” but wastefully unharnessed. It is time to unleash our potential, but it can only be done with meaningful public-private partnership, even with this virus from Wuhan. and structures. The current structure of NDRRMC where authority is shared, responsibility is dispersed and resources are scattered, renders it difficult to operate an appropriate and immediate response, thus delaying critical disaster response and recovery. One thing is clear—the people cannot be taken for fools anymore. One doesn’t have to be an expert to know that the longer the Senate delays the passage of the DDR, the lives, safety and welfare of our people is put at stake —and for that, the blood of all who lost their lives will be on their hands.

MORE OPINION ONLINE NAKED THOUGHT

CHARLIE V. MANALO

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

Positive news

Flooding

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

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

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

World

Standard

TODAY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump loyalists mount last stand

HOUSANDS of die-hard Donald Trump supporters rallied for a last stand in Washington, chanting “four more years” and blaming fraud for an election defeat that will force the president to vacate the White House after just one term. Trump himself made a drive-past in his armored motorcade Saturday, on his way to play golf, smiling through his limousine window to wild cheers and signs saying “Best prez ever” and “Trump 2020: Keep America Great.”

“We wanted to show our support, we’re feeling they are trying to steal the election,” said Pam Ross, who drove eight hours from Ohio to join the rally, referring to the president’s political opponents. The Republican incumbent is sticking

to discredited claims of mass fraud and claiming he defeated President-elect Joe Biden in the November 3 vote, marking another unprecedented challenge to US democratic norms as his time in office runs down. Later Saturday, he took to Twitter with a series of tweets and retweets that included claims of voting machines potentially being hacked and complaints about news networks’ coverage of the rally. Twitter slapped labels on at least eight of the posts as containing “disputed” information.

At least 10,000 people – few wearing masks – massed on the city’s Freedom Plaza before marching to the Supreme Court in a raucous atmosphere reminiscent of a Trump campaign rally. “President Trump deserves to see who’s behind him, he deserves to feel the love,” Kris Napolitana, from Baltimore, told AFP. “I believe that he’s going to win when all the fraud and cheating is found out.” With right-wing militia group the Proud Boys among those attending, a large security presence was deployed to prevent clashes with anti-Trump events outside the

IN BRIEF

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225 – QUEZON CITY

Armenian politician arrested over kill plot

CLARENCE QUILOP, Plaintiff, -versus-

Case No. R-QZN-18-11981-CV For: Sum of money

FREDDIE JACINTO AQUINO, doing Business under the name and style “Freddie Tire Supply”, Defendant. X-----------------------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION In a Complaint filed on September 24, 2018, plaintiff prays that, Judgment be rendered in favor of the plaintiff ordering defendant to pay: (1) P 2,100,000.00 as principal plus legal interest reckoned from, August 2017 until fullpayment; (2) The sum equivalent 20% as attorney’s fee plus P7,000.00 per hearing appearance fee; and (3) Costs of suit Considering that service of summons by personal service to defendant FREDDIE JACINTO AQUINO, doing business under the name and style “Freddie Tire Supply”, failed repeatedly, this Court, on August 29, 2019, issued an Order directing plaintiff to cause the service of summons to said defendant through publication. NOW THEREFORE, defendant FREDDIE JACINTO AQUINO, doing business under the name and style “Freddie Tire Supply, whose last known address is at 707 3D Chateu Elysse Condominium, Dona Soledad Avenue, Bicutan, Parañaque City is hereby summoned and required to file his Answer to the Complaint within sixty (60) days from the date of the last issue of publication with Branch 225, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City, National Capital Judicial Region, 4th Floor, Hall of Justice, Quezon City. In the event that no Answer has been filed, plaintiff shall be allowed to present their evidence in support of the complaint. Let this summons be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation selected by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079 at the expense of plaintiff. WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 2nd day of September, 2020 at Quezon City, Metro Manila. (Sgd.) ATTY. LENE M. MATEN Branch Clerk of Court

CC:

Atty. Servillano J. Conos – Unit 14 2nd Floor, Marikina East Center Bldg., No. 41 Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue, Brgy. San Roque, Marikina City Clarence Quilop – 197 N. A. Amoranto St., Brgy. Sienna, Quezon City (MStandard - Nov. 16 & 23, 2020)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF MANDALUYONG CITY PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK Mortgagee, -versus-

FRE-MC20-1221 EXTRAJUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY 4118

LEON A. DADIOS, JR., Borrower/Mortgagor. x---------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK Mortgagee, against LEON A. DADIOS, JR., Borrower/Mortgagor, with postal addresses at 5B Carlton 1 California Garden Square Libertad Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, to satisty the mortgaged indebtedness which as of September 30, 2020 amounts to TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY SEVEN PESOS & 31/100 (PhP 2,202,687.31) ONLY, Philippine Currency, plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 16th day of December 2020 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter in front of the main entrance of the Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the following condominium unit with all the improvements existing thereon to wit: CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. 008-2016001744 Registry of Deeds for Mandaluyong City ------------------------------------------------The unit identified and described as: CLUSTER : CARLTON TOWER : 1 LEVEL : 5/F UNIT : B TYPE : 2BR AREA (SQ.M.) : 57.50 PERCENT PARTICIPATION (5) : 0.03% OF THE “CALIFORNIA GARDEN SQUARE” CONDIMINIUM PROJECT in the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on Transfer Certificate of Title 16184, 16185, 18483-18486, 18890-18893 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of (THIRTY THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY TWO (33,492) Square Meter, is registered in the name of:

TARGET HARDENING. Thai security forces take part in a joint police and army river patrol along the Thailand-Malaysia border in

Takbai district in the southern province of Narathiwat on November 15, 2020, as Thai authorities sought to prevent illegal entries. AFP

Damage, injuries as Vamco hits Vietnam STORM Vamco barreled into Vietnam on Sunday, damaging buildings and injuring at least five people after wreaking devastation in the Philippines. The storm made landfall on Sunday morning with winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, according to media reports, uprooting trees and blowing the roofs off houses and schools. Vamco is the latest in a series of storms that have pummeled Vietnam over the past six weeks causing flooding and landslides that have killed at least

“In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 28, 2020 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter without further notice. Prospective bidders or buyer are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said real property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Mandaluyong City, Philippines, November 9, 2020. (Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Sheriff

159 people and left 70 others missing. Initial reports from the Disaster Management Authority on Sunday said that five people were injured while they were trying to secure their houses. Vamco has weakened since hitting the Philippines as a typhoon with winds of up to 155 kph, but state media said it had still caused significant damage, though details were not immediately available. Authorities evacuated nearly 650,000 people from seven coastal provinces to higher and safer ground before the storm

A JUDGE on Saturday rejected the White House’s limitations on a program protecting 700,000 so-called “Dreamers,” undocumented migrants brought to the United States as children. The federal judge in New York ruled that President Donald Trump’s acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was not lawfully serving in his role when he issued the new rules for the Manila DACA program Standardin July. TODAY The ruling is another victory for

proponents of the Barack Obama-era program after the US Supreme Court in June rejected Trump’s cancellation of it. President-elect Joe Biden, who defeated Trump in the November 3 polls, had pledged to reinstate the program when he takes office on January 20. Wolf, who has not been confirmed in his role by the US Senate, issued new restrictions on the program in response to the Supreme Court ruling. Saturday’s court decision said his

WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF THE EVALUATION OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE PHILIPPINE NEWSPRINT INDUSTRY TO FACILITATE ITS POSITIVE ADJUSTMENT TO IMPORT COMPETITION

AHTN 2017 Subheading Nos. 4801 .00.12, 4801 .00.14, 4801 .00.22 and 4801 .00.24 FOR:

SAFEGUARD MEASURE Republic Act No. 8800) TCI (SG) No. SG-2020-EVNewsprint

x----------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF AND CONDUCT OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE EVALUATION OF THE PHILIPPINE NEWSPRINT INDUSTRY Pursuant to Section 20 (Evaluation of Effectiveness of Action) of Republic Act No. 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), the Tariff Commission (TC) is commencing on this date its evaluation of the Philippine Newsprint Industry following termination of action under Section 13 (adoption of Definitive Measures) of said law. In connection with said evaluation, a Public Hearing via Videoconferencing (PHV) is scheduled on 16 February 2021, at 10:00 a.m., using Microsoft Teams. The purpose of the public hearing is to evaluate the effectiveness of the actions taken by the domestic industry in facilitating positive adjustment to import competition and at which all interested parties shall be afforded opportunity to present evidence or testimony.

For any inquiries, please contact Ms. Lynly P. de la Cuesta, Acting Chief Tariff Specialist, Deputy Head of the TC Task Force, at email address TC.Assist@mail. tariffcommission.gov.ph. Issued this 13th day of November 2020, at Quezon City, Metro Manila

Copy furnished: Leon A. Dadios, Jr., 5B Carlton 1 California Garden Square Libertad St., Highways Hills, Mandaluyong City

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson

Chuanico Salgado Gordove & Associate 4th Floor PSBank Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeno St., Makati City (MStandard-Nov. 16 23 & 30, 2020)

hit to try to reduce casualties. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong told the VNExpress news website he hoped the precautions would minimise the storm’s impact. Vamco caused severe damage in the Philippines, causing flooding that affected more than 340,000 people. Philippine authorities said Sunday the death toll had risen to 67, though floodwaters are now receding, giving hope that the worst could be over. AFP

restrictions “effectively suspended” DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, while the Trump administration reviewed how to proceed. Wolf’s rules said new applications would not be accepted and renewals would be limited to one year instead of two. They are now invalid because “the court holds that Mr. Wolf was not lawfully serving as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Act” when he issued them, the ruling said. AFP

THE leader of the Tigray region of Ethiopia on Sunday claimed responsibility for rocket strikes on the airport in neighboring Eritrea’s capital, a move that ratcheted up fears of a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa region. Diplomats told AFP Saturday night that multiple rockets had struck the capital, Asmara, landing near the airport, though communications restrictions in Tigray and Eritrea made the reports difficult to verify. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced Nov. 4 he had ordered military operations in Tigray in a dramatic escalation of a long-running feud with the region’s ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). “Ethiopian forces are also using the airport of Asmara,” TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael told AFP Sunday, saying this made the airport a “legitimate target” for the strikes. He added that his forces had also been fighting “16 divisions” of Eritrean forces in recent days “in several fronts”. The TPLF has previously accused Abiy’s government of enlisting military support from Eritrea, something Ethiopia denies. AFP

Peru president faces calls to resign

Details of the PHV, including registration link, will be posted on the TC website https:// tariffcommission.gov.ph/ by 12 February 2021 at the latest.

(Sgd.) HELDER A. DYANGCO Sheriff IV

AN opposition leader in Armenia has been arrested and accused of preparing to kill the prime minister, his lawyer said, adding to the political turmoil created by a controversial peace deal with neighboring Azerbaijan. Artur Vanetsyan, head of the center-right Homeland party, was arrested on Saturday after being summoned to the headquarters of the Armenian security forces, his lawyers Lusine Sahakyan and Ervand Varosyan said. They called the detention a “persecution” and denied the allegations against their client—that he was preparing to seize power after the murder of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Pashinyan has faced violent street protests and fierce criticism from Armenia’s political opposition since he signed a peace deal with Azerbaijan to end fighting over the disputed region of Nagorny Karabakh which erupted in September. AFP

Ethiopia’s Tigray head claims rocket strikes

Judge rejects limitations on ‘Dreamer’ program

Owner: LEON A. DADIOS, JR., FILIPINO, SINGLE, OF LEGAL AGE Address: #29 PLARIDEL STREET, POBLACION 38, INFANTA, 4336 QUEZON “All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.”

Supreme Court. As night fell, police formed lines on either side of a street leading to the White House, separating hundreds of rival protesters. “We’re just holding back people who want to fight,” one officer told AFP. After dark, groups of Trump supporters and counter-protesters clashed on the streets, scuffling and throwing punches, video posted by the Washington Post showed. At least 20 people were arrested during the day, reports said, including four for firearm violations and one for assault on a police officer. AFP

THE head of Peru’s Congress has called for the “immediate resignation” of interim president Manuel Merino after a violent crackdown on protests against his new government left at least three dead and more than 60 injured. Thousands have taken to the streets in days of protests against Merino following the ouster of his popular predecessor Martin Vizcarra, who was impeached on corruption allegations on Monday. “I ask Mr. Merino to evaluate his immediate resignation,” Congress head Luis Valdez said in a statement Saturday night to Channel N television. Lawmakers will meet in an emergency session on Sunday to discuss Merino’s resignation, a statement released later on the Congress Twitter account said. The ultimatum came after news of the death of three protesters during a massive and peaceful march in Lima, which was violently repressed by police firing shotgun pellets and tear gas. Lima mayor Jorge Munoz, from the same center-right Popular Action party as Merino, also demanded the resignation of the president. “I just found out about the third death” in the protests, said the Arch-

bishop of Lima, Carlos Castillo, deploring the police crackdown in a statement to state television. Police reported two deaths, while the National Human Rights Coordinator indicated it was investigating whether there were four. The Ombudsman’s Office said the first fatality, a 25-year-old man, was killed by pellet shots to the head and face. At least 63 protesters were injured, the health ministry said. The police tactics have been criticized by the UN and rights organizations such as Amnesty International since the protests began on Tuesday. Seven of the 18 ministers in Merino’s cabinet announced their resignation Saturday night after the police crackdown, according to local media. The political crisis appeared to be heading towards the resignation of Merino, whose whereabouts were unknown early Sunday. “I’m calling him and I can’t get through, I have no idea if he has resigned. I’m not a fortune teller,” Prime Minister Antero Flores Araoz, the government’s number two, told RPP radio. Merino has remained silent since the crackdown on Saturday and the call for his resignation. AFP

(MS-NOV. 16, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN

Business

MONday, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market set to rise above 7,000 points US defers deadline for TikTok sale to Nov. 27 WaShInGTOn—US authorities have given the Chinese owner of TikTok two additional weeks to divest the social media sensation in order to resolve national security concerns voiced by President Donald Trump’s administration. A notice filed by TikTok owner ByteDance in federal court showed that authorities had extended the deadline originally set for november 12 to november 27. The Trump administration, which has claimed that the popular videosharing app could be used for Chinese espionage, has threatened to ban TikTok unless it is sold to american investors. But the ban has been challenged in the courts. The latest filing said the deadline set by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which reviews corporate deals for national security implications, had been extended. a statement from the US Treasury said the extension “will provide the parties and the Committee additional time to resolve this case in a manner that complies with the order” signed in august by Trump for ByteDance to reverse its acquisition of TikTok forerunner Musical.ly. On Thursday, the Commerce Department said it would delay implementation of Trump’s policy to comply with a court order in TikTok’s favor. The Trump administration has been challenged over its decision in at least two US courts. TikTok and its parent firm have filed suit in the capital, while TikTok “creators” have a separate case pending in a Pennsylvania court, which blocked the ban on October 30. AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria

hare prices may attempt to break the 7,000-point level this week despite the onslaught of recent typhoons that could dampen the growth of the domestic economy.

analysts said the market was on an upward momentum as the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the country remained below 2,000 and as positive rate continued to decline. These factors could justify further easing of quarantine restrictions and reopening the economy. While the devastation caused by typhoon rolly and Ulysses could further slow down the recovery of the economy, analysts said investors were looking at the positive prospects for 2021 after re-

lease of third quarter earnings came to an end. “The week’s close at 6,969.88 signals the bull momentum is at play with a break above the 7,000 levels. expect some pullback towards the 6,700 levels. The next uptick should try the 7,300/7,500 levels,” BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan ravelas said. regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis a. Limlingan said investors could also be weighing in the plan of US President-elect Joe Biden to place the country under weeks-long lockdown to stem the transmission of the virus. The Philippine Stock exchange Index last week breached the 7,000-point mark before closing at 6,969, up 5.7 percent week-on-week, ignoring the series of typhoon that battered many provinces. The typhoons’ damage could dampen economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2020. The index rallied on positive news

about the coronavirus vaccine announced by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. all counters ended in the green, led by property which jumped 10.4 percent; mining and oil which climbed five percent; and financials which rose 3.6 percent. The average daily value traded stood at P14.9 billion, while foreign investors turned net buyers for the week with an average net value of P1.3 billion from the previous week’s net selling of P180 million. Weekly top price gainers included ayala Land Inc., which advanced 12.8 percent to P39.50; SM Prime which climbed 11.5 percent to 38.75; and LT Group Inc., which rose 4.8 percent to P12.48. Weekly top price losers were Jollibee Foods Corp., which declined two percent to P193.20; and Integrated Microelectronics Inc., which dipped one percent to P7.17. With AFP

PSEi November 13, 2020

TOP GAINERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CAT ALCPB MARC SGP MWIDE DAVIN KPPI ABA DFNN PHR

LAST PRICE 22.8 100.1 1.15 210 8.75 4.69 6.05 0.54 4.5 2.78

CHANGE 3.8 10.05 0.11 20 0.75 0.39 0.47 0.04 0.33 0.2

% CHANGE 20.00% 11.16% 10.58% 10.53% 9.38% 9.07% 8.42% 8.00% 7.91% 7.75%

TOP LOSERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

GPH MJC TECB2 C PXP MEG ACEN VVT ATNB BPI

LAST PRICE 10.24 2.32 0.84 5.85 11.7 3.5 4.18 13.98 0.91 81.7

CHANGE -1.74 -0.18 -0.06 -0.23 -0.46 -0.13 -0.15 -0.5 -0.03 -2.65

% CHANGE -14.52% -7.20% -6.67% -3.78% -3.78% -3.58% -3.46% -3.45% -3.19% -3.14%

MOST ACTIVE

BusINEss PRoTEsTs. a demonstrator holds a sign reading “all businesses are essential” during a demonstration from various economic sectors to protest against the closing of ‘non-essential’ businesses in Marseille, southern france, on November 14, 2020, during the national lockdown aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19 caused by the novel coronavirus. AFP

Japan realizes luring business from Hong Kong may be tough By ETIENNE BALMER TOKYO—Tokyo is on a charm offensive, hoping to lure firms in Hong Kong spooked by protests and a controversial security law imposed by China. But the city is proving a tough sell. “I want to make Tokyo Asia’s number one financial city,” Governor Yuriko Koike said in October, as the Japanese capital opened an information center in hong Kong for international businesses considering a move. Tokyo’s courtship comes with some concrete promises, including temporary office space in the city for foreign financial firms that want to try out life in Japan. There are also a number of more theoretical incentives being floated, including tax breaks, streamlined bureaucracy and even a special economic zone like Shenzhen, China’s Silicon Valley. In some ways, Japan might seem an obvious alternative for businesses looking to leave Hong Kong: it is the world’s third-largest economy, home to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and already houses outposts of numerous financial institutions and international firms. But there are some serious stumbling blocks, and competitors, that experts say mean Tokyo’s hopes for regional financial dominance may be little more than a pipe dream. For a start, Japan’s income taxes are sky high, comparatively, topping out at 45 percent against Singapore’s 22 percent and hong Kong’s 17 percent. Low English fluency levels are also a chronic handicap, as is the country’s comparatively sluggish adoption of digital technology. Trade on Tokyo’s stock markets was halted for an entire day last month because of a “hardware failure”—a glitch seen as unlikely to boost confidence and bring new traders flocking. Fierce competition Michael Mroczek, president of the European Business Council in Japan, said there were high hopes for new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s digitization and deregulation push. But “there’s also a lot of skepticism because there haven’t been a lot of changes” over the years when similar initiatives have been proposed, he added. Japan’s particularly strict approach to border control during the pandemic—for months foreign residents were not allowed to return even as Japanese citizens did— has been seen by some as “discrimination” and could also be off-putting for tentative transplants, added Mroczek. Tokyo is also not the only asian city seeking to take advantage of a potential hong Kong exodus. AFP

this file photo taken on december 6, 2014 shows Japan’s highest mountain, Mount fuji (center), seen in the distance behind the skyline of the Shinjuku area in tokyo. tokyo is on a charm offensive, hoping to lure firms in hong Kong spooked by protests and a controversial security law, but wooing big business is proving a tough sell, with competition from Singapore as well. AFP

alMa MaRia JENNifER GutiERREz, Phd

Green LiGht

reCenTLy I stumbled upon a post on Facebook by Pankaj Kumar asking, “Why Google Why?” With the heading “What happens when designers prioritize aesthetics over usability?” It shows the original design icons of Google with the new designs and what we see. So, what is usability and why is it crucial in design interface? Usability focuses on the users’ needs, wants and capabilities. When designing interface, the perspective of the intended users should be considered. The cognitive and physiological constraints of the users must be taken into account. Users need to be defined by these characteristics: age, gender, civil status, profession, intelligence and behavior. In order to get this information, an empathy Map was developed as a framework to improve customer experience and design better work environments and a host of other things. The central feature of this framework is on the “Think and Feel” of the users. To emphasize on the difference between observable phenomena and those that are implicit which are the thoughts and feelings or latent needs. After profiling the users, the next steps are to ask these questions? 1. Is my new design easy to use? 2. Is it more efficient? 3. Will it be easy to recover from errors? 4. Is it easy to remember? If the answers to these questions is yes, then you are on the right track. a well design icon is more than just aesthetics. It should be easy to understand and navigate. In order to meet your users’ needs, the end goal is for them to complete the task. Therefore, usability testing is vital before rolling out a new design. The designers should not only consider their client, in this case Google, but also the end users. Usability design’s mission should be to increase productivity, profitability, reduce costs, and increase satisfaction. Doing usability testing will strike a balance between clients and users’ needs and wants. There are also published guidelines and even International Standards and Organizations (ISO) has come up with standards on user experience design. ISO 9241 and ISO/TR 16982:2002 provides the information standards on human centered usability procedures that are recommended for product design and evaluation. anyway, enough of the technical terms. In summary, usability should focus on the users’ needs and wants. Involve them in the usability testing and modify your design based on their feedbacks. So that they can perform their tasks safely, efficiently and effectively in a pleasurable way. The author is the recipient of the South east asian Network of Ergonomics Societies (SEANES) Educa-

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

BDO ALI BPI SM SMPH GLO ACEN AC GTCAP TEL

VOLUME 10,494,460 24,118,700 9,859,450 533,275 10,605,800 175,465 82,255,000 388,260 571,270 170,635

VALUE (PHP) 983,775,050.50 920,053,735.00 805,420,734.00 553,098,450.00 402,042,550.00 352,093,120.00 339,702,840.00 327,013,470.00 319,642,370.00 237,864,710.00

Hey Google! tor award 2018, in Bangkok, Thailand. She is currently a Full Professor of the Industrial & Systems engineering Department at De La Salle University and also an aSean engineer. She is also the Vice President of the human Factors and ergonomics Society of the Philippines (HFESP). She has publications in the Sustainability Journal, International Journal of Industrial ergonomics, and International Journal of aviation Psychology. aside from this, a book chapter in the human Factors and ergonomics in Consumer Product Design was published by CrC Press Taylor and Francis Group. held leadership positions in the University as the Department Chairperson (AY 2016-2019; AY20062007) and Vice-Chairperson (AY2003- 2006; AY20102012). Engaged in ergonomics consultancy on Safety Productivity enhancement through ergonomics Development (SPEED) program to the government and private sector. Joint Conference of asian Council of ergonomics and Design (ACED) and South East Asian Network Societies (SEANES) 2020 ACED-SEANES 2020 We are delighted to invite you to the first Joint Conference of asian Council of ergonomics and Design (ACED) and South East Asian Network Societies (SEANES) on Dec. 2-4, 2020 in Manila, Philippines. The theme of our conference–Convergence: Creating Ergonomic Breakthroughs thru Partnership. Our mission is to bring together academics, researchers and industry practitioners to network and share their expertise in the area of human factors and ergonomics in the asiaPacific region. aCeD-SeaneS 2020 promises to be both appealing and illuminating with a wonderful array of keynote speakers from all over the world. We were honored to have as keynote speaker our Filipino pride, a well-renowned and multi-awarded furniture designer Mr. Kenneth Cobonpue. also in the roster of keynote speakers is Prof. Birsen Donmez from the University of Toronto, Canada. her research interests are centered on understanding and improving human behavior and performance in multi-task and complex situations, using a wide range of analytic techniques. another keynote speaker is Prof. Stuart Marshall, a Special anesthetist, Lead of Clinical human Factors at the australian Centre for health and Innovation at the alfred hospital in Melbourne and Clinical associate Professor of Medical education at The University of Melbourne, Australia. Here’s the link to the website: acedseanes2020.com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the position of De La Salle University, its faculty, and its administrators.

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Business

IN BRIEF FDC’s net earnings increase 3% to P8.9b

PH, 14 nations sign mega trade deal By Othel V. Campos

rade ministers from Southeast Asian nations and five other Asia-Pacific countries on Sunday signed the world’s largest trade agreement in terms of economic output which is seen as a huge coup for China in extending its influence.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership includes 10 Southeast Asian economies along with China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia, with members accounting for around 30 percent of global GDP.

First proposed in 2012, the deal was finally sealed at the end of a Southeast Asian summit in Vietnam as leaders push to get their pandemic-hit economies back on track. “Under the current global circumstances, the fact the RCEP has been signed after eight years of negotiations brings a ray of light and hope amid the clouds,” said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang after the virtual signing. “It clearly shows that multilateralism is the right way, and represents the right direction of the global economy and humanity’s progress,” he said. The agreement to lower tariffs and open up the services trade within the bloc does not include the United States and is viewed as a Chinese-led alternative to a now-defunct Washington trade initiative. The RCEP “solidifies China’s broader

regional geopolitical ambitions around the Belt and Road initiative”, said Alexander Capri, a trade expert at the National University of Singapore Business School, referring to Beijing’s signature investment project that envisions Chinese infrastructure and influence spanning the globe. It aims to lift or reduce tariffs on industrial and agricultural products and facilitate services and investments, according to Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. “The RCEP will further broaden the Philippines’ economic engagements with its trading partners through improved trade and investment, enhanced transparency, integrated regional supply chains, and strengthened economic cooperation,” Lopez said. “This agreement will also complement ongoing programs and policies to

make the country a manufacturing and investment hub in the region,” he said. Lopez said the newly-formed trade bloc “is a more modern and high-quality FTA agreement which includes other economic technical topics, MSMEs, intellectual property, e-commerce and other new topics.” India was also not included in the RCEP. Without India, the bloc accounts for 30 percent of the world’s global population at 2.2 billion and 28.2 percent of the global GDP at a combined $23.9 trillion, much larger than other regional trading blocs. It also accounts for 27.8 percent of the total trade at $10.5 trillion, with $5.5 trillion in exports and $4.9 trillion in imports, and contributes to 23.6 percent of global inward foreign direct investment and 33.5 percent of global outward FDI. With AFP

PAL Holdings says 9-month loss hit P29b By Darwin G. Amojelar PAL Holdings Inc., the operator of Philippine Airlines, said over the weekend comprehensive loss skyrocketed in the first nine months amid the worldwide travel restrictions brought about by the coronavirus outbreak. PHI said comprehensive loss reached P29.03 billion from January to September, up by 269 percent from the P7.86-billion loss it booked in the same period last year. It said third-quarter loss amounted to P7 billion, also up from the P4.85-billion loss in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues fell 61.6 percent in the first nine months to P45.29 billion from P117.85 billion recognized in 2019. “The reduction in revenues was mainly due to the drop in passenger and ancillary revenues as a result of flight cancellations starting March 2020 due to COVID-19,” PHI said. PAL said in a separate statement that worldwide travel restrictions continued to hold down travel demand, preventing airlines from restoring most of their pre-pandemic flights. “The flag carrier plans a calibrated ramp-up of flights and routes in line with the easing of travel restrictions and gradual uptick in travel demand,” it said. PAL’s daily flight frequencies average about 17 percent of pre-COVID frequency levels, marking a slow recovery in revenues and operations.

FILINVEST Development Corp., the listed holding company of the Gotianun family, said over the weekend nine-month net income climbed 3 percent to P8.9 billion from P8.6 billion in the same period last year, boosted by the robust performance of banking and power generation businesses. FDC said in a statement while nine-month revenues declined 9 percent to P28.8 billion, they were offset by the 36-percent drop in expenses to P15.6 billion as the company implemented cost containment measures. “We are pleased with the strength and resilience of the Filinvest Group. Our banking and sugar businesses covered the gap caused by the hospitality and real estate businesses which are the most affected by the pandemic-related government restrictions,” said FDC president and chief executive Lourdes Josephine Yap. “Overall, we are confident that our balanced portfolio can withstand the current crisis and we are prepared to take advantage of opportunities when the current situation turns around,” Yap said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Private firms needed for economic recovery MORE than 8 of 10 Filipinos believe that the national government should team up with private enterprises for economic recovery, according to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia Research Inc. “A huge majority of Filipinos are of the view that the country’s recovery would entail a partnership between the national government and reputable private enterprises,” according to the survey commissioned by Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute. It said the partnership would be geared toward building and operating key development public utilities and social service projects. The opinion is echoed by as much as 93 percent of Filipinos across geographic areas and by 70 to 91 percent in socio-economic classes. As a continuing advocacy for an allof-society approach in fighting the global health and economic crisis of the virus from Wuhan, Stratbase ADRi ran the survey on the Filipinos’ perception on private enterprises teaming up with government to realize the operation of key public utilities, implementation of social service projects, creating jobs and alleviating poverty in the context of rebuilding the economy. Othel V. Campos

San Miguel to build toll road in Bulacan SAN Miguel Corp. said over the weekend it is building major rail and road network projects that will link the P740-billion airport project in Bulacan and help decongest EDSA. SMC said the airport development plan included an 8-kilometer airport toll road that would connect the airport to the North Luzon Expressway and link it to the recentlycompleted 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 going to the South Luzon Expressway. SMC also proposed road expressway projects that include the NMIA Airport Expressway, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network-Northern Access Link, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network-Southern Access Link, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network- Central Access Link, East Metro Manila Expressway, Northeast Airport Expressway, Calamba-San Pedro Expressway, Bulacan-Tarlac Expressway, Bataan-Bulacan Expressway, Skyway Stage 3-R10 NMIA Expressway, MRT 7 Road and NMIA Expressway MRT 7 (Road Spur Access). Darwin G. Amojelar

AllHome’s net income rose 2% to P312m in Q3 By Jenniffer B. Austria ALL HOME Corp. said over the weekend net income grew 2 percent in the third quarter to P312 million from a year ago on the back of higher sales. AllHome said in a disclosure to the stock exchange third-quarter gross revenues climbed 13 percent to P3.5 billion from P3.1 billion in the same period last year. The third-quarter results also increased from the second quarter—the period when the coronavirus pandemic inflicted havoc on the domestic economy. The company said that on a quarter-onquarter basis, third quarter profit jumped 98 percent while revenues soared 133 percent.

“We remain bullish with the home improvement industry for the remaining months of the year. The level of sales has greatly improved in the third quarter and in AllHome’s case, our fourth-quarter sales historically are our highest, benefiting from the holiday season,” said AllHome chairman Manuel Villar Jr. “The improvement in our performance is driven primarily by the opening up of the economy which resulted in more people visiting and buying at our stores across the country,” he said. Nine-month net profit was still down by 21 percent to P588 million from the same period last year, but revenues rose 2 percent to P8.32 billion.

Phoenix looks forward to TNT Tropang Giga semis playoff

Sports

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

By Peter Atencio PLAYING against the TNT Tropang Giga in the semifinals will make Phoenix Super LPG a better team. Phoenix coach Topex Robinson said this after the Super LPG got past the Magnolia Hotshots, 89-88, Saturday evening in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G. “At this point, we’re just happy to be here. The more we play the best team, the better it is for us,” said Robinson in a post-game huddle on Zoom. The Super LPG, who start playing their best-of-five playoff series against Tropang Giga on Wednesday, grew confident after they snapped the six-game winning streak of the Hotshots to make it to the semis. They banked on Matthew Wright’s late triple to win it for the Super LPG. “We’ll always be the best versions of ourselves, and we’re gonna take our chances against TNT,” said Robinson. The Super LPG trailed by two with the clock winding down. Wright became the hero of the game when he sank a running one-legged three-point shot with 9.8 seconds to go. “That’s just something special. That’s something magical because the Hotshots were focusing their defense on Matt,” said Robinson, who followed advise not to bring in Wright as a starter. Wright went on to tally 32 points, including five treys, five rebounds and nine assists. In this game, Phoenix went 15-of-36 from the three-point area, which was better than their norm of 13 made shots out of 38 attempts.

Phoenix Super LPG’s Calvin Abueva (8) tries to drive past Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok’s Justin Melton. Giving chase are, from left: Phoenix player Jason Perkins and Magnolia Hotshots’ Rafi Reavis and Chris Banchero. PBA

Unbeaten Crawford TKOs Brook, eyes Pacquiao next L

OS ANGELES, United States—Unbeaten Terence Crawford won his ﬁrst ﬁght of 2020 on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) by defending his World Boxing Organization welterweight title with a stunning fourth-round knockout of Kell Brook in Las Vegas. American Crawford shook off ring rust from a long layoff due to the coronavirus epidemic with a statement victory over the former champion from England at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Crawford beat Brook to the punch with a right jab that sent the challenger stumbling back into the ropes. He then finished him off moments later with a chopping right and a flurry of short lefts prompting referee Tony Weeks to stop it at 1:14 of the round. Crawford eyes Pacquiao next He is confident this victory will land him a fight with Filipino superstar Man-

ny Pacquiao, who was the opponent he initially wanted but couldn’t meet because of the virus. Crawford said the circumstances had now changed, and he would reopen talks with Bob Arum and Pacquiao for a fight in the Middle East, maybe Qatar, in the first half of next year. “So now we can go back to the drawing board and try to revisit a fight with Manny Pacquiao,” he added. Arum, who manages Pacquiao, said Saturday the fight is a real possibility, but didn’t go into details. He said previously it could be in March or April in Qatar.

“The money was there. The fight was going to take place in the Middle East,” Arum said. “Then the minister of health said we can’t do it because we can’t guarantee that spectators would be allowed. “Now they called us and said if Terence is successful, then we want to resume talks and see if we can do it in the spring.” The 33-year-old started slowly, looking for an opening to try and take advantage of his superior speed and skill. Brook’s game plan appeared to be working until Crawford seized his chance midway through the fourth with a devastating right jab to the face. “I was trying to gauge the distance. He had good distance,” Crawford said of the frustrating first couple of rounds. “I was trying to find my rhythm. That is why it was so competitive at first. I couldn’t get my shots off.” Organizers decided to allow 100 spec-

tators, including family members, into the Nevada casino to watch the fight in the midst of a pandemic that has killed 1.3 million around the world, including 245,000 Americans. Crawford improved to 37-0 with 28 knockouts despite a size disadvantage against the bigger Brooks, who has fought as high as middleweight. Brook had a different trainer for this fight because his regular didn’t want to come to the US due to the coronavirus. He suffered his third loss in his last five fights and his record dropped to 39-3 with 27 KOs. “I got caught with a shot I didn’t see. I have always said that if I am in a fight, and am going to lose, I am going to go out on my shield,” he said. Crawford was making his first ring appearance since December 2019 when he beat Egidijus Kavaliauskas, and he hopes he doesn’t have to wait as long for his next one. AFP

No. 1 Johnson matches 54-hole mark to seize Masters lead AUGUSTA, United States—Top-ranked Dustin Johnson seized command of the Masters on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), matching the 54-hole record at Augusta National to grab a four-stroke lead in quest of a second major title. Pulling away from an elite field at Augusta National, the 36-year-old American, who grew up only an hour’s drive from the course, fired a seven-under-par 65 to stand on 16-under-par 200 after three rounds. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in everything I’m doing,” Johnson said. “Tomorrow I’m going to have to go out and do the same kind of thing. “I’ve got a lot of of great players around me. I’m going to have to play a really good round if I want to put on that green jacket.” Johnson went a career major best four-under in the first four holes, making a tap-in eagle at the par5 second, curling in a six-footer for birdie at the third and sinking a long birdie putt at the fourth. He added tap-in birdies at the par-4 seventh, par-5 13th and par-5 15th to equal the 54-hole mark set in 2015 by Jordan Speith. “It’s really tough to read these greens,” Johnson said. “You get a lot of putts that break a lot. We’re reading them really well. Definitely pleased with the putting through three rounds.” Johnson is the first player to shoot 65 or better twice in the same Masters after a first-round 65. Four-way chase Im Sung-jae, a 22-year-old South Korean who could become the first debut Masters winner since 1979, closed with a birdie to shoot 68 and share second on 204 with Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, another Augusta newcomer,

and Australia’s Cameron Smith. “I played my first practice round Monday. I felt immediately the course suits my game and I thought I would do a good job,” Im said through a translator. “I really feel I will stay composed. My putting has been really good the past three days and I will just keep doing what I’ve been doing.” Im could become only the second Asian man to win a major after South Korean Yang Yong-eun at the 2009 PGA Championship. Johnson, the 2016 US Open champion, is trying to become the first top-ranked golfer to win the Masters since Tiger Woods in 2002. Defending champion Woods, who began four strokes off the pace, battled through back pain to shoot 72 and stand on 211, answering bogeys at the par-5 eighth and par-4 11th with birdies at the par-3 12th and par-5 15th. “Long days like this, I’m going to get a little bit sore,” Woods said. “I can walk all day. The hard part is bending and twisting.” Woods, a 15-time major winner who turns 45 next month, seeks a sixth green jacket and an 83rd career PGA Tour victory to break the record he shares with Sam Snead. McIlroy fades Nine golfers shared the lead at one stage as Augusta National’s notorious undulating greens dried and quickened. Smith, who closed with an eagle and three birdies to grab a share of the 36-hole lead, birdied 13, 14 and 15 to share second with Im and Ancer, who birdied 15 and 16 in a late charge. South Africa’s 100th-ranked Dylan Frittelli shot a bogey-free 67 with birdies on all four par-5 holes to stand fifth on 205.

Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot on the seventh hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta. AFP

“The putting is the big difference,” he said. “I feel pretty comfortable out there on the greens.” Another stroke adrift was third-ranked American Justin Thomas, who settled for 71 after a closing bogey. AFP

Ayo enjoys transitioning to 3x3 hoop FOR coach Aldin Ayo, transitioning to become a 3x3 coach is a great experience. Basketball players who shift to the sport rely on individual talents. “The players rely on their individual capabilities. It will depend on their talents and skills,” said Ayo when he discussed his new role as coach of the Manila Chooks 3x3 team which will see action in two international meets this year. Ayo, who accepted his new job some two months after getting sanctioned by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, said this last Saturday when he guested in Noli Eala’s weekly Power and Play show. This will be Ayo’s chance to redeem himself after he was named head coach of the newly christened Manila Chooks team that will see action in upcoming international meets organized by FIBA. The 43-year-old Ayo replaced coach Eric Altamirano and was introduced last week to the team. He will handle the team which used to be known as Chooks 3x3 Team Pilipinas. They will have Joshua Munzon, who is currently ranked no. 1 locally. “This is the one thing that fascinates me in 3x3. Walang coach during the game. Pero meron coach during training. Here, you coach a player until he reaches a point that he won’t need you. And that means that these players are good,” said Ayo. Nationally ranked no. 2 Alvin Pasaol, no. 5 Troy Rike, and no. 6 Santi Santillan are the other players Ayo will handle. Ayo quit his job as head coach of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers before getting sanctioned by the UAAP last September 9, That was before Ayo was handed an indefinite ban from participating in all UAAP events and UAAPsanctioned activities by the Board of Trustees. This was after he got involved in an alleged training bubble in Sorsogon that the team conducted last July. Peter Atencio

Zverev says ‘that’s not who I am’ after abuse allegations

Germany’s Alexander Zverev returns the ball to Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka during their men’s singles quarter-final tennis match on day 5 at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 - Paris Masters. AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom—Alexander Zverev opened up about the domestic assault allegations he is facing, apologizing for the negative attention it has brought to tennis and insisting the picture painted by his ex-girlfriend is “not who I am”. Former junior player Olga Sharypova said in a social media post last month that the German world number seven had tried to “strangle” her while at last year’s US Open. In a subsequent media interview with Racquet magazine, the Russian alleged the abuse she suffered drove her to attempt suicide. Zverev, who also found out recently that

he is expecting a baby with another former partner, put out a short statement on Instagram to deny Sharypova’s claims but had refused to provide any further answers to questions on the subject. He changed that stance at his press conference ahead of the ATP Finals in London, saying: “Many people have asked me why I kept my mouth shut, why I didn’t say anything. “While I very much regret that those accusations are made, I have to stick to my initial thing of them being just untrue and continue to deny them.” The 23-year-old German, who won the eight-man ATP Finals in 2018, again stated that the accusations were

unfounded and untrue. “We had our ups and downs but the way our relationship is described in the public is not how it was,” he said. “That’s not who I am, that’s not how I was raised by my parents. It’s not who I am as a person. “It makes me sad the impact that such false accusations can have—on the sport, on the outside word, on myself as well. I truly apologise that the focus has shifted away from the sport. We all love playing tennis. That’s what we’re here to do.” Zverev will play his first match at the O2 Arena on Monday against Daniil Medvedev, with play beginning on Sunday behind closed doors. AFP

Sports

MONDAY, NOVEMBER16, 2020

PFL partners with CAA Sports Licensing NEW YORK—Professional Fighters League, the fastest growing and most innovative league in the world, today announced a partnership with CAA Sports Licensing to serve as the exclusive trademark licensing representative for the PFL across a wide range of product categories globally, including athlete fight kits, fan apparel, video & mobile gaming and training & fitness. “The Professional Fighters League is excited to partner with industry leader CAA Sports Licensing as we continue to grow the PFL brand and globally expand our consumer products and memorabilia business,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL. “The league’s partnership with CAA Sports Licensing will accelerate PFL’s brand presence in retail and e-commerce, while also providing passionate MMA fans from around the world the opportunity to access new, innovative PFL products across athlete performance gear, fan apparel, video and mobile gaming, training and fitness, and much more.” PFL has experienced tremendous year-over-year growth across digital channels - 68% follower increase on Instagram, 30% total audience growth across digital, and a 200% social engagement spike. In 2019, TV ratings in the United States grew by 50%, and PFL live and original content can be viewed in more than 160 countries around the world. In August 2020, PFL launched its first OTT platform with free access to hundreds of hours of PFL content, and recently unveiled a distribution partnership with WAVE.tv. PFL is the first in MMA to have a true sport season format, with fighters competing in a Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship for a million-dollar title. PFL’s proprietary SmartCage™ captures and delivers real-time fighter data and analytics that is integrated into the broadcast and on digital and social platforms. This includes punch speed and fighter tracking, with kick speed, heart rate, and caloric burn to be introduced in 2021. “We are thrilled to partner with the Professional Fighters League, an organization that is reimagining the sport of MMA on a global scale,” said Kit Walsh, Co-Head of Sports Licensing at CAA Sports Licensing. “MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and we are very excited to work with an innovative brand like the PFL whose product, both inside and outside the cage, truly resonates with fans and consumers around the world. We look forward to collaborating with the league to further build their brand and connect directly with fans through licensed products.”

Del Rosario shoots for strong finish in golf bubble

Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas competes during the qualifying session at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola, Italy, a day ahead of the Formula One Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. AFP Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns against Austria’s Dominic Thiem during their men’s singles round-robin match on day three of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London. World number one Djokovic is in Group Tokyo alongside Daniil Medvedev, 2018 winner Alexander Zverev and Diego Schwartzman this week. AFP

Djokovic eyes record; Rafa st seeks 1 ATP Finals crown

ONDON—Novak Djokovic is bidding to win the ATP Finals for a record-equalling sixth time as Rafael Nadal chases the biggest title missing from his glittering resume at London’s O2 Arena. The top eight available players in the men’s rankings—with Roger Federer absent—will compete at the end-of-season tournament, which starts on Sunday behind closed doors despite a coronavirus lockdown in England. The two round-robin groups have been named Tokyo 1970 and London 2020 on the 50th anniversary of the first staging of the event. World number one Djokovic is in Group Tokyo alongside Daniil Medvedev, 2018 winner Alexander Zverev and Argentine debutant Diego Schwartzman. Second-seed Nadal will compete against defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, Dominic Thiem, and Andrey Rublev, who is appearing for the first time, in Group London. The four best-placed players from the round-robin stage will progress to the semi-finals of the event, taking place in London for the final year before a move to Turin. Six-time champion Federer, recovering from knee surgery, is the most notable absentee after a global tennis season truncated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Five-time champion Djokovic, who recently equalled Pete Sampras’s record of six year-end number one finishes, has lost just three matches this season, with one of those his default at the US Open. The Serbian, who has not won the London event since 2015, said he was looking to end his season on a high at the elite eight-man event. “Coming into the tournament and knowing that I have clinched the yearend number one releases some of the pressure, definitely,” he said. “But at the same time it doesn’t change what I hope to achieve in this tournament and why I’m here. “I really want to win every single match that I get to play and try to get my hands on the trophy and I want this trophy as much as anybody.” Nadal drought Nadal, who pulverised Djokovic in the French Open final last month to pull level with Federer on 20 Grand Slams, has qualified for the ATP Finals for a record 16 consecutive years The Spanish world number two is well aware of his shortcomings on indoor

hard courts—only one of his 86 trophies has come on the surface. “I think I am able to play a little bit better the last couple of years indoors than what I did at the beginning of my career without a doubt but that’s the numbers and I can’t say something different,” said the 34-year-old two-time finalist. “I hope to change that this week.” Despite his lack of indoor success, the shortened season could count in Nadal’s favour—he has been forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals six times previously. Last year’s winner Tsitsipas, who beat Thiem in the final, comes into the tournament after early exits in Vienna and Paris. “Very happy to be back, that’s for sure,” said the Greek world number six. “Every year I get to experience being back here is thrilling. “It’s like a meeting spot for those that had a good year to be back here, celebrate their hard work, their dedication to the sport. I’m very privileged to be part of it.” Austria’s Thiem broke his Grand Slam duck at the US Open in September, beating Zverev in the final, and the world number three said he now felt as comfortable on hard courts as he does on clay. Zverev, who has won two titles this season, has been dogged in recent weeks by domestic assault allegations made by a former girlfriend but he insists they are untrue. AFP

LIKE majority of the compact field, Pauline del Rosario is eager to get restarted in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour resumption on Tuesday, armed with a swing she enhanced during the long layoff caused by the global health crisis. “These tournaments are giving me the chance to see some of the changes I’ve been working on in my game,” said Del Rosario, the first Filipina to win on the LPGA of Taiwan in 2017. That feat actually spiked a sterling rookie pro season for the former Philippine Ladies Open champion, who racked up four LPGT victories to claim the Order of Merit diadem. If not for the pandemic, she would’ve played four to five tournaments in Taiwan as part of her buildup for a crack at the LPGA Qualifying School. During the long break, Del Rosario kept herself in form through daily workouts and doing golf drills—and like everybody else, she looked forward to swinging back into action before the year ends. With the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. getting the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) and GAB (Games and Amusements Board) nod to resume operations under strict health and safety guidelines, two tournaments for the men’s and ladies circuits put up by ICTSI were set for Nov. 17-20 and Dec. 8-11 at the Couples and Langer courses, respectively, of the Riviera golf complex in SIlang, Cavite. “I’ve been preparing for the resumption of the tournaments since the lifting of the lockdown. During the break, I’ve been following a workout program and made sure I was physically and mentally in shape,” said Del Rosario. So do the rest of the ladies cast, including fellow former OOM winners Princess Superal and Chihiro Ikeda and three-time OOM winner and former LPGA campaigner Cyna Rodriguez along with Sarah Ababa, Gretchen Villacencio, Marvi Monsalve and Daniella Uy and brand-new pros Abby Arevalo and Chanelle Avaricio. But focus will be on the 22-yearold Del Rosario, thrilled and excited over the LPGT restart and the chance to brandish her brand-new game in new normal times. “If I’ll be able to apply what I have been doing during my practice into a tournament-setting, I can play good golf,” she said. AFP

Que, Lascuña boost PGT Riviera cast

Angelo Que

IT’S not that easy to live in a bubble. This is especially true for TNT Tropang Giga players and staff who have been staying inside the PBA Bubble in Clark, Pampanga, since last month. For Tropang Giga’s bigman Troy Rosario, he relies on his smartphone and the Smart LTE available in their location to stay in touch with his family back home. “I am able to use FaceTime and Messenger because I have fast LTE here. I can talk to my family and kids during my free time,” said Rosario Meanwhile, forward David Semerad said he can maximize his breaks and catch up with his loved ones. “I use the messaging apps on my Smart LTE phone throughout the day, and usually at nighttime, even when I’m eating,” he said. Because of the pandemic, professional basketball players like Rosario and Semerad could only interact with their fans online to avoid the spread of the virus. On the other

JAPAN PGA Tour campaigner Angelo Que gets the chance to touch base again with the local pros while four-time Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña seeks to re-stamp his class in the Philippine Golf Tour restart beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 17) at Rivieras Couples course in Silang, Cavite. The fancied pair, along with two-time Philippine Open champion Miguel Tabuena and former Order of Merit winners Jobim Carlos and Jay Bayron headline the stellar cast in the by-invitation only tournament put up by ICTSI to mark the resumption of the countrys premier circuit disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak mid-March. Que hopes to make the most of his rare stint in the circuit after making Japan his base the last couple of years or so, eyeing no less than a victory in new normal setup on a course that could suit up his long game. He placed fourth in The Country Club Invitational, the hand, fans of TNT Tropang GIGA can easily keep up with the team’s updates on the following official social media accounts: 1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TNTTropangGIGA 2. Twitter: @tnttropanggiga 3. Instagram: @tnttropanggiga Sports in the new normal This pandemic has served as the proving ground for a lot of relatively new technology, especially for sports. Here in the Philippines, Smart has powered the PBA Bubble with 5G technology. “This has paved the way for the use of TV cameras equipped with 5G, helping us capture the on-court action efficiently. There is a 94-foot-wide LED screen beside the court, where the players can see their spectators. Again: Connectivity enables the sports, while the sport provides an avenue for the application of new technology. Representatives of FIBA—the international

flagship tournament of each PGT season, and dominated the PGT Asia at home in Manila Southwoods last year. Meanwhile, Lascuña feels he still got what it takes to win although he remains wary of his chances, particularly against the circuits noted power hitters and the young guns, who are all hungry to slug it out after being kept out of the competitive play the last eight months. Its been a long while since we last competed and that should make it doubly exciting. Theres too much excitement, expectations but I hope it turns out well (for me), said Lascuña, who had kept himself busy and in shape during the break by teaching at Southwoods. The organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. got the green light from the Games and Amusements Board and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to resume the circuit with the PGTI coming up with a two-tournament offering, simultaneous with the Ladies PGT,

to be conducted under various safety protocols now familiar in other pro sports allowed to restart in new normal. But the opportunity, even one that comes with an entirely new set of rules, to play again is worth savoring. I think all the players, men and ladies, just want to get a few tournaments in before the holidays. It has been a tough year for everyone and this will be a good way to sort of end the year on a higher note for us golfers, said Tabuena. The other PGT and LPGT events will be held Dec. 8-11 at the Langers course, also at Riviera. For details, visit www.pgt.ph. Others tipped to contend for top honors in the P2 million PGT event are veterans Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat, Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, James Ryan Lam and young turks Ira Alido, Justin Quiban, Dan Cruz, Sean Talmadge and Rupert Zaragosa.

Keeping up with TNT Tropang Giga basketball federation—have actually expressed their interest in our country’s bubble, both in livestreaming our games on their digital channels, and in using us

TNT Tropang Giga: Living inside the bubble

as one case study for organizing similar bubbles in the future,” said Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart President & CEO.

“The PBA Board of Governors worked very hard to bring back the game that Filipinos love: basketball. We would like to thank the PBA family, and our partners for making this happen, most especially all PBA fans our inspiration. With the help of PLDT and Smart, we’re able to set a milestone in PBA history for having the first 5G-powered sports broadcast in the country, as well as fast connectivity in the bubble. Continue to tune in as the games go to the quarters,” said Ricky Vargas, Chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association, TNT Governor to the PBA, and PLDT Business Transformation Office Head. In the third quarter of 2020, Smart rolled out an additional 279 5G base stations as it accelerates its 5G commercial services nationwide.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MODAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Carlo Aquino with partner Trina and daughter Enola pose for a photo during their first out-of-town trip.

How fatherhood changed B

Carlo Aquino

ECOMING a parent can be a transformative experience for many people and for actor Carlo Aquino, fatherhood has been life-changing.

“The first time I saw her, my baby, I instantly felt that I’m heading in the right direction. I’m going to work hard for my family,” the 35-year-old actor told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual interview. Almost two weeks after celebrating his birthday, the actor and occasional singer shared for the first time a photo of his daughter, Enola Mithi Aquino, on Instagram. “You can thank your stars all you want but I’ll always be the lucky one,” he wrote in the caption, quoting the song “Your Universe” by Rico Blanco and tagging his partner Trina Candaza. The hands-on father spends as much time possible with his daughter. He said the experience, which makes him connect with his inner child, has thought him and made him do things he didn’t know he’s capable of.

“My priorities have changed. It’s no longer about myself, it’s already about my baby and my partner. It’s a nice feeling that you are working hard for them. With work, I’m more focused and inspired because I’m already thinking about my daughter and the future of my family,” Carlo said. “I am more patient. I don’t rush into things. Having a baby, you need to be patient. When your baby cries, kapag hindi mo kayang patahanin hindi naman siya tatahan. You really need to be patient,” he carried on. Meanwhile, Carlo is part of the new series on iWant TFC entitled La Vida Lena with Erich Gonzales playing the title role. The drama premiered on Nov. 14. The story follows Lena (Erich), or once known as Magda, who grows up to be a hardworking and kindhearted girl despite being constantly bullied for an ugly scar that covers half of her face. Trying to make ends meet, she finally catches a big break with her own product called Magda Soap. With her small business quickly becoming a success in her town of Salvacion, she believes she will finally be able to provide a comfortable life for her family.

However, since refusing to sell her business to the Narcisos, the richest family in Salvacion, tragic events continuously ruin her life as she experiences heartbreak, the death of a loved one, getting thrown into jail, and death threats. But in another twist of fate, the once caring and humble Magda receives plastic surgery and transforms into Lena, a stunning and beautiful lady who uses her newfound confidence to begin her devious plans of fighting back against those who wronged her and caused her suffering. “Jordan is one of the interesting characters in the series. He’s Lena’s childhood friend who is deeply in love with her,” shared Carlo adding that the two other men in the series are Adrian (JC de Vera), the son of Lena’s arch-enemy, and Miguel (Kit Thompson), a rich guy who deceives Lena and gets her pregnant. Joining the rest of the powerhouse cast are Janice De Belen, Agot Isidro, Raymond Bagatsing, Sofia Andres, Christian Vasquez, Pen Medina, Ruby Ruiz, Soliman Cruz, Malou Crisologo, Josh Ivan Morales, Hasna Cabral, Danica Ontengco, and Renshi De Guzman.

Carlo (rightmost) with the cast of the latest drama ‘La Vida Lena’ topbilled by (from left) Erich Gonzales, Kit Thompson, and JC de Vera.

After dominating Netflix, ‘Barangay 143’ comes to POPTV

Sharing more blessings through ‘Grateful Tuesdays’ BLESSINGS poured once more in the 7th and season-ender episode of Grateful Tuesdays when Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson appeared as a special guest last Tuesday, Nov. 3. He gave out P200,000 to four lucky and outstanding citizens. The digital show hosted by Chemist Pinky Tobiano gave recognition to the stories of a grandfather, a son, a father, and a mother who have shown industry, perseverance, and resiliency amidst poverty and present crises. The winners had a chance to talk to Mayor Chavit and seek advice on how to survive in their present predicament. While being interviewed by Tobiano and co-host Yeng Constantino, emotions were further stirred when Chavit announced that each of the honorees would receive P50,000 incentive. During the interview, the “Father of Ilocos Sur” also announced the good news

‘Grateful Tuesdays’ host Pinky Tobiano (2nd from left) with co-host Yeng Constantino (leftmost) and guests KZ Tandingan and TJ Monderde. (Right) Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson.

about Gracia Telecom, which aims to solve problems on the internet and debit cards. He also shared about his program that will grant

five full college scholarships to poor but deserving students, whom the mayor will through the help of Grateful Tuesdays.

Ushering in a new cinema experience for Filipinos MANY will agree that watching a movie in a cinema is an experience on its own—the waft of buttered popcorn all-around place, the anticipation for the film to begin as you watch trailers, and the collective reaction during a particular scene. But with most cinemas still off-limits to moviegoers, people have to find creative ways to recreate this experience in their own homes. One great way to do so is with UPSTREAM, a Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD) platform created by Filipinos, for Filipinos. UPSTREAM has recently partnered with the country’s leading digital booking platform for on-ground and online cinematic experiences, GMovies, to introduce a new and affordable viewing experience to Filipinos anywhere they are in the world. UPSTREAM, in partnership with GMovies, will showcase proudly Filipino-made films alongside international films and more mainstream titles in line with its objective to give local producers a space to ensure that their content reaches a wider audience. With easy access and affordable ticket prices, more viewers have the chance to discover a whole new world of films with their families right at home. On Nov. 14, UPSTREAM and GMovies formally launched a special offer that allows movie lovers to watch 14 films for 14 days for only P1 each. For the price of one ticket, films can be streamed together by the entire household. The 14 on 14 lineup includes a string of classics

Over the weekend, UPSTREAM and GMovies formally launched a special offer that allows movie lovers to watch 14 films for 14 days for only P1 each. from Regal, an entertainment firm known to produce an eclectic mix of films ranging from trendy, campy, serious, and art house including Shake, Rattle and Roll 3, Ang Babaeng Putik, The Debutantes, Dahas, Woke Up Like This, Bala at Lipstick, Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle, Daddy’s Little Darlings, Rakenrol, Diliryo, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Inday Bote at ang Mahiwagang Bibe, Sinungaling Mong Puso, and Bihagin: Bilibid Boys. Meanwhile, in line with championing the Filipino spirit, UPSTREAM and GMovies will be extending help to the victims of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses through this launch by donating to Ayala Foundation’s Project Pananagutan. Those who are interested to donate can

also do so by visiting ayalafoundation.org/donate or through GCash and the Globe Rewards App. Moreover, UPSTREAM, in partnership with GMovies will be the exclusive streaming venue for QCinema from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 and the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2020 starting on Dec. 25. From Dec. 7 to 24, viewers can also take a trip down memory lane as UPSTREAM shows MMFF classics and favorites leading up to this year’s festival grand premiere. Through UPSTREAM and GMovies, Globe enables Filipinos to recreate how they enjoy movies from home. As a telco company that bridges content creators and content consumers, Globe supports the battle against piracy to protect the entertainment industry. Through Globe’s #PlayItRight antipiracy campaign, Filipinos are made aware of their responsibility to consume legal online content in respect and support of the works of filmmakers and entertainment content creators. In conjunction with the #PlayItRight campaign, The Upstream platform is poised to deliver a better viewing experience for customers while protecting the content creators’ digital rights. Since the content is distributed online, the Upstream platform features technology developed in partnership with global, industry-leading media delivery providers.

Go to UPSTREAM.ph for the latest content, and visit the GMovies.ph or download the GMovies app to book a ticket now.

After its successful run on Netflix, the first Pinoy animated series ‘Barangay 143’ will debut on the newest streaming platform POPTV. Stars (from left) Ruru Madrid, Julie Anne San Jose, Migo Adecer, and Kelly Day lent their voices to the main characters. BARANGAY 143, widely known as the country’s first anime series, continues to bring local talent to the global stage after it debuted on streaming giant Netflix last month and even landed among the top ten most-watched titles in Netflix Asia. “We are very proud that again we have reached another first with ‘Barangay 143,’ and that is the first Filipino anime series to stream on Netflix. This has been enjoyed by millions of Filipinos nationwide during its free TV run and we believe other countries would enjoy it just as much as Filipinos did. We hope it continues to entertain young viewers and inspire young Filipino animators,” said August Media Holdings CEO Jyotirmoy Saha. “From the very start, we want to make Filipinos proud and to be able to share our story to the rest of the world so we are just overwhelmed with all the positive feedback we are getting. ‘Barangay 143’ represents all of us,” said Synergy88 Entertainment Media COO Jackeline Chua. Since its premiere on the streaming platform, the show has again received positive feedback from Filipinos who expressed how proud they are of the Filipino anime. Some also shared how happy they are that they can finally stream it online and clamor for its second season. Prior to this, Barangay 143 made the headlines as it emerged the best in Asia and won the Best 2D Animated Program and Best Theme Song (‘Alanganin’) categories at the recent Asian Television Awards. It was also proclaimed regional winner in the Best Animated Program, Best Drama Series, and Best Theme Song (“Liga ng Buhay”) categories at the 2019 Asian Academy Creative Awards. Produced by Philippine-based Synergy88 Entertainment Media, Singapore’s August Media Holdings, Japan’s TV Asahi, and ASI Animation, “Barangay 143” tells the story of Bren Park, a young and rising basketball superstar from Korea who in search of his biological father in Manila. Here, he finds a new family in a team of misfits and turns their basketball team from underdogs to being the team to beat in the tournament. Apart from its Filipino storyline, Barangay 143 was dubbed by Filipino celebrities-turned-voice actors led by Migo Adecer, Julie Anne San Jose, Ruru Madrid, and Kelley Day and seasoned actors John Arcilla, Cherie Gil, Edu Manzano, and Lorna Tolentino, among others. Its original soundtrack also features top OPM artists that include Gloc 9, Nina, Top Suzara, Kris Lawrence, Harlem Ty, Kevin Yadao, Krizza Neri, and Willie Revillame. It premiered on free-to-air television via GMA 7 in October 2018 and consistently dominated its Sunday morning timeslot according to data from AGB Nielsen. Barangay 143 is still available on Netflix and will be available on newest streaming platform POPTV this Nov 18. To download just search “POPTV Pinas” on Google Play or Apple AppStore. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/poptvph

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Eat a bowl of salad a day By Steph Llarena

HILE it doesn’t make such claims of keeping doctors away, a bowl of salad a day is great for your health, experts say.

According to registered nutritionists and dietitians, eating vegetable salads, which are usually high in fiber, not only helps a person lose weight (by enhancing satiety especially when they eat a low-calorie food first), but also helps lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation. Nutrient-rich plant foods also contribute to overall health. Several research studies also point to salad’s contribution to lowering risks of many diseases, including cancer. A recent study from the National Cancer Institute reveals those with fruit- and vegetable-rich diets may have lower risks of developing cancers of the head and neck. Salads pack in health benefits and flavors, but some people’s issue with salad is in its prepa-

ration. “It’s easier to open a bag of chips than to slice and dice vegetables and toss them in a bowl,” some snack lovers would say. Keeping the ingredients fresh in the fridge for a couple of days is another challenge. Food chain SaladStop! helps make eating salad part of daily habit easier by offering a subscription-based meal plan service. Customers can now avail of the brand’s freshly-prepared salads, grain bowls, or snacks with vegetarian, gluten-free, and protein-packed options which will be coming from SaladStop!’s newly opened cloud kitchen in Chino Roces (UPRC 1 Building, Chino Roces Ave., Makati). To order, look for the SaladStop! Kitchen -

CHEW COLOR. Experts say a vegetable-rich diet may help lower cholesterol as well as risks of developing

diseases. In photo is SaladStop!’s newest Annyeong Bowl made with romaine lettuce, baked mushroom, edamame, sweet corn, alfalfa sprouts, pumpkin quinoa patty, avocado, beetroot, and Korean chili vinaigrette.

Chino Roces (cloud kitchen) pin on GrabFood, foodpanda, or LalaFood. To order, look for the SaladStop! Kitchen - Chino Roces (cloud kitchen) pin on GrabFood, foodpanda, or LalaFood. Areas covered by SaladStop! Kitchen include Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and select areas in Manila, Pasay, Pasig, Parañaque, Quezon City, and Taguig. The cloud kitchen is also available for long distance delivery through GrabFood and LalaFood. The cloud kitchen is also available for long distance delivery through GrabFood and LalaFood.

For curbside pick-ups (personal or via courier service), simply call the SaladStop! Kitchen at 0917-506-2494 and provide them with following information: name, order, mode of payment, and pick-up time and courier details. The cloud kitchen is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Sunday. The menu also features new salads exclusively available to meal plan subscribers, such as Annyeong Bowl, High Protein Vegetarian Salad, Homemade Quinoa Patty Salad, The Refresher, and High Protein Salad.

The meal plan subscription includes new salads (from left) Homemade Quinoa Patty Salad, The Refresher, High Protein Salad, and High Protein Vegetarian Salad.

BITES

FOOD NEWS ROUNDUP Mang Inasal offers free palabok till Nov. 30 FOR the second half of November, Mang Inasal is treating its customers to a free family-size palabok for every takeout or delivery order of Chicken Inasal family-size large meal Every purchase of Chicken Inasal Family Size Large Paa or Pecho today until Nov. 30 comes with complimentary serving of the chain’s popular Palabok Family Size (good for 4-5 people) made with noodles in thick rich sauce, seasoned with chopped spring onions, slices of hard-boiled egg, chicharon bits, meaty pork, and tinapa. Customers can buy up to a maximum of three orders of Chicken Inasal Family Size Large meals per transaction. Go to Mang Inasal’s Facebook page for list of stores open, or have your order delivered via GrabFood, LalaFood, or foodpanda.

Suteki Aburi, steak nigiri by Taste and Tell MNL featuring Calbee Wasabi Chips.

Sushi bake with wasabi chips SNACK brand Calbee partners with sushi bake makers to offer a limited edition variant of this famous lockdown food trend paired, not with nori wraps, but with chips. Taste and Tell MNL presents Suteki Aburi, steak-flavored sushi bake paired with crunchy Calbee Wasabi Chips. This special sushi bake is made with a 21-day dry-aged tenderloin (prepared under precise temperature control for 2.5 hours), shiitake mushroom, fried garlic chips, teriyaki rice, and Taste and Tell’s secret aburi sauce. Think of it as a deconstructed steak nigiri, perfectly complemented with the extra crunch and spicy kick of Calbee Wasabi chips. Taste and Tell MNL x Calbee’s Suteki Aburi is available in small tray (P1,700) that comes with two small packs of Calbee Wasabi Potato Chips;

On-demand delivery platform foodpanda currently offers 20 percent and up discounts and free delivery.

Merry deals and discounts at foodpanda

The sushi bake is made with 21-day dryaged tenderloin.

medium tray (P2,200) with four small packs of Calbee Wasabi Potato Chips; and large tray (P2,700) with one large pack of Calbee Wasabi Potato chips. Go to www.tasteandtellmnl.com or @tasteandtellmnl on Instagram to order. It’s available every Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Popcorn in your sundae

Caramel Popcorn Sundae Twirl

WE’VE all heard of caramel sundae, but how about caramel popcorn sundae? Following the success of its hit Salted Caramel Choco Sundae, Jollibee releases the new Caramel Popcorn Sundae Twirl. This sweet treat combines the goodness of creamy vanilla sundae, luscious caramel syrup, and crunchy caramel popcorn. The new sundae is now available for delivery via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, foodpanda, and LalaFood. It’s also available for drive-thru and takeout.

SHARING Filipinos’ love of food, on-demand delivery foodpanda offers plenty of deals and discounts this month. As part of its kumukutikuti-TAP Christmas weekly surprises, 20 percent off and more applies to select restaurants on the platform. Customers can avail of discount with no minimum order and no code necessary. In addition to discounts, the platform offers free delivery in select restaurants when customers use the code PANDAMORNING from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Customers also get P77 off when they use the code PANDA77 for a minimum order of P299 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. “We still have lots more up our sleeves in the coming weeks to make this year’s Christmas festive and enjoyable with bountiful selections of your favorite meals available with the best deals,” reveals Daniel Marogy, foodpanda Philippines managing director. Go to foodpanda’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@foodpanda_ ph) accounts or look out for the pink tags on the foodpanda app for more information.

Free family-size palabok comes with every order of Chicken Inasal family-size meal.

Get a cola with your GrabFood order

GrabFood and Coca-Cola team up to offer #ComboDeals on the platform.

PAIRING ice-cold cola with food, no matter what kind, is popular among Filipinos. Hence, GrabFood has teamed up with Coca-Cola to bring #ComboDeals. The promo, which started on Nov. 7, pairs food items from select food brands with a Coca-Cola. To find a combo deal, just head over to GrabFood homepage and tap the Coca-Cola #ComboDeals icon or type #ComboDeals in the search bar.