Issuu

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

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over: 3 more storms forecast before yearend By Rio N. Araja

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 258 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

specialist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical FILIPINOS must brace for another storm Services Administration, said three to enter the Philippine area of responsi- typhoons are usually expected in November, and that another storm has yet bility (PAR) before November ends. Interviewed over ABS-CBN’s Teler- to enter the PAR. adyo, Raymond Ordinario, a weather Next page

QUINTA - Yellow Region 3 Calabarzon Mimaropa Region 5 ROLLY - Orange Region 1 Region 3 Calabarzon Mimaropa Region 5 ULYSSES - Red Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Calabarzon Mimaropa Region 5 NCR CAR

Luzon declared in calamity Du30 issues order to speed up fund releases to typhoon-affected LGUs

FLOOD ALL AROUND. A resident of Barangay Pansol in Calamba City, Laguna wades through flood waters that have persisted since the series of typhoons hit this month. Authorities estimate it could take up to two months before the floods subside in Calamba – and perhaps even longer in Cagayan province, Isabela, and other areas across Luzon (see chart). Dennis Datu/ABS-CBN via Twitter

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity over the entire Luzon after three successive typhoons caused massive damage.

The proclamation was in line with a recommendation submitted Monday by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). A declaration of a state of calamity allows local governments to tap their quick response funds to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts in their respective areas. It also imposes price controls on basic goods and commodities in the affected areas The three typhoons including typhoon “Rolly” said to be the world’s strongest so far this year, pummeled

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM NOVEMBER 18)

412,097 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,383 29,474 NEW

ACTIVE

7,957

DEATHS

374,666 RECOVERIES

NEW

143 NEW

the country one after the other, leaving in total at least 120 people dead. Typhoon Ulysses caused the worst floods in half a century in much of Luzon. The floods caused by Ulysses affected more than 3 million people throughout Luzon, of which 70,784 families still remain in 2,205 evacuation centers and 41,203 are being attended to outside these centers, the NDRRMC said. More than 40,000 homes across Luzon were damaged, 4,473 of which were destroyed. There were 22 deaths recorded after

House sets probe on flooding in Cagayan, Isabela

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

THE House of Representatives’ committee on agriculture and food has scheduled a hearing next Tuesday to investigate the massive floods that sub-

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of a “back-up” government center outside of Metro Manila in case an emergency or disaster strikes the capital region.

and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano urging the House to look into what caused the massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela. “We have already communicated with the proper resource persons an invitation Next page

Rody, Leni trade barbs over storm relief efforts By Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta MALACANANG took a swipe at Vice President Leni Robredo for acting as de facto president although President Rodrigo Duterte remains in charge of the country’s affairs, including the typhoon relief and rehabilitation efforts. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo made the remarks afNext page

HE SAID, SHE SAID. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on

the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Wednesday. The Chief Executive lashed at Vice President Leni Robredo (right), who visited the barangays of Amomokpok, Cale, and Poblacion Ilaod in Ragay, Camarines Sur on Wednesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / OVP PHOTO

Back-up gov’t center to rise in Clark City By Vito Barcelo

merged areas in Cagayan and Isabela at the height of Typhoon “Ulysses.” Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, the panel chairman, said the probe was in response to House Resolution 1348 filed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez,

Duterte signed Executive Order No. 119, dated Nov. 17 and effective upon general circulation, that directs all departments, bureaus, offices and agencies under the Executive Branch “to establish satellite or field offices at the NGAC in New Clark City, Capas, Tar-

lac, to serve as an integrated center outside the NCR, and , in case of disaster, a recovery center and back-up administrative hub.” Government-owned-or-controlled corporations (GOCCs) as well as the Next page

Poor nations grapple with vaccine access SM CHRISTMAS MARKETS. In partnership with the Department of Trade and

Industry’s (DTI) Buy Local, Support Local campaign, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (center) joined SM Supermalls President Steven Tan (right) and SM Retail President Chito Manalo (left) in the opening ceremony of the SM Christmas Markets at the GL Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. The SM Christmas Markets will simultaneously happen in 54 malls nationwide and will run until January 3, 2021.

HAILED this week as a pandemic game-changer, the new COVID-19 vaccine offered countries that had preordered doses a potential escape from a cycle of lockdowns and new waves of sickness and death. But while richer nations plan their vaccination programs through the end of 2021, experts warn that poorer and developing countries face hurdles that could deny billions the first proven Next page

UP gets ire of Duterte for Ateneo students’ call for academic strike By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte threatened to cut the funding of the state-run University of the Philippines (UP) over calls for an academic strike – a euphemism for a boycott of classes. “You stop schooling, I will stop the funding. What they only do there is to

recruit communists,” the President said in a taped speech. A common tactic of student protest is to go on strike (sometimes called a boycott of classes), which occurs when students enrolled at a teaching institution such as a school, college or university refuse to go to class. It is meant to resemble strike action by organized

News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Marcos hits Leni’s PET motion By Rey E. Requejo and Rio Araja

HE legal team of Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to investigate “possible collusion” between former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Office of the Solicitor General on their electoral protest against her 2016 victory.

be a private case between a losing candidate and an elected public official. In separate motions filed last week, Marcos and Calida sought the inhibition of Leonen from handling the election protest of Marcos against Robredo, which has been pending before the PET for more than four years. “The timing and synchronicity of the actions of OSG and protestant Marcos are too perfect to be accidental,” the Robredo legal team said. On Tuesday, the PET dismissed both motions as well as ordered Calida and journalist Jomar Canlas, whose reports Marcos and the solicitor general had cited in their pleadings, to explain why they should not be held in contempt of court for their actions. Robredo’s lawyers noted that the Office of the Solicitor General raised “eerily similar” arguments as Marcos in seeking Leonen’s inhibition. According to them, the PET should conduct an “immediate investigation”

on the “possible collusion among Calida, his 19 assistant solicitors general, and Canlas in “besmirching the reputation of the member-in-charge.” The two motions accused Leonen of being biased against the Marcos family, both citing his dissenting opinion in the Ferdinand Marcos burial case, as well as the supposed delay in the case under Leonen’s watch as member-in-charge. Marcos already denied that he and Calida had communicated regarding the election protest. Robredo’s counsels also stressed that Calida campaigned for Marcos in the 2016 elections, saying this connection makes the solicitor general’s participation in the protest suspect. The Vice President’s lawyers insisted that only Marcos, the protestant, could raise allegations of bias against Leonen. “The State, through OSG, has no obligation to assuage the insecurities, impatience or hurt feelings of protestant Marcos,” the motion said.

The camp of Marcos, through lawyer Vic Rodriguez, lashed back at Robredo when the latter’s lawyers asked the PET to investigate what they described as possible collusion between the former senator and Solicitor General Jose Calida. Calida, like Marcos, also sought the inhibition of Associate Justice Marvic Leonen from handling the former senator’s poll protest. “The bigger issue is the President calling Mrs. Leni Robredo dishonest, liar and incompetent,” Rodriguez said in a text message, referring to President

Rodrigo Duterte’s tirade against the Vice President on national television on Tuesday night. “With the seriousness and gravity of that presidential accusation, it is Mrs. Robredo who deserved to be probed by the Filipino,” the Marcos lawyer and spokesperson added. Rodriguez issued the statement after lawyers of Robredo on Wednesday filed an urgent motion with the PET. Robredo’s lawyers assailed and questioned Calida’s participation in support of Marcos in what they said was supposed to

House... From A1

Deputy speakers loyal to Cayetano booted from posts

for Tuesday next week,” Enverga said at a news conference. This developed as the chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on Metro Manila development on Wednesday said the panel will review laws on rainwater management in light of the massive flooding caused by the series of typhoons that struck the country recently. The committee’s chairman, Manila Rep. Manuel Luis T. Lopez, said the panel will look into the “unacceptable damage and loss of life brought about by the flooding caused by Typhoon Ulysses” and determine how to prevent similar disasters in the future. “Why and how is it, that every year we remain witness to such catastrophes? Are there not enough disaster mitigation infrastructure and policies in place?” Lopez asked. “We have to conduct investigations on why we cannot manage a large inflow of rainwater brought about by tropical storms,” he added. In filing HR 1348, the House leaders wanted the chamber to probe the circumstances that led to the rapid inflow of water into the reservoir, as well as the possible non-compliance with laws, rules, or regulations that may have contributed to the swelling of Cagayan River. In the resolution, they noted the House will also look into the decision of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to open the spillway gates of Magat Dam, and if such a move was done following established guidelines and protocols. Enverga said his panel is expected to wrap up its investigation before Congress goes on a Christmas break by Dec. 18. Deputy Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera, meanwhile, also urged the chamber to look into the alleged illegal logging and quarrying activities in the Marikina watershed, which may have caused massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces at the height of Ulysses. “There is a need to conduct an investigation to determine the accountability of dam operators in the casualties that took the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos,” Herrera said in a resolution. Typhoon Ulysses, the 21st typhoon to hit the country this year, brought rainfall ranging from 271 millimeters to 356 millimeters of rainfall, far below that brought by Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009 of 455 millimeters of rainfall. As of Nov. 15, the official death toll of Typhoon Ulysses climbed to 67, with dozens more injured or missing. To date, damage to agriculture and infrastructure was pegged at more than P1.5 billion. Herrera noted that much of the flooding was further aggravated by

UP gets... From A1 labor. Duterte criticized the UP students even if the calls for staging academic strike was actually initiated by the Ateneo de Manila University students to protest the government’s typhoon and pandemic response. Other university students followed suit. The President said students did not know better than to join anti-government protests. “That’s already there, they have done nothing except to recruit communists. You go to school then criticize the

By Maricel V. Cruz THREE senior leaders of the House of Representatives identified with former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano lost their posts Wednesday in a massive purge of the Taguig lawmaker’s loyalists in the chamber. About a month after Speaker Lord Allan Velasco assumed the top House position, Cayetano allies Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu were removed as deputy speakers. They were replaced by Cagayan de

Luzon... From A1 Typhoon Quinta exited the Philippines on Oct. 27, while 25 were killed when Super Typhoon Rolly lashed the country in early November. Typhoon Ulysses, which battered Luzon last week, has left 73 people dead and 19 others still missing. In a taped public address, Duterte stressed the need to build disaster-resilient structures where people can take refuge during calamities instead of using school buildings as evacuation centers. He asked Senator Christopher Go to bring up his suggestion before Congress, hoping for swift legislative action. Go earlier asked that local government units in affected areas be given the equivalent of 1 percent of their respective internal revenue allotments (IRA). The senator also cited the need to improve coordination among various national agencies and local government units. Despite anger over the release of water from Magat Dam by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Go said

Back-up... From A1 legislative and judicial branches of government are also encouraged to locate satellite or field offices in the NGAC to “the extent consistent with their mandates and purposes.” The current seat of the national government in Metro Manila is vulnerable to gradual or sudden ground sinking, rising sea levels and increased risk of floods. It is also exposed to the threat of a “catastrophic” earthquake that

It ain’t... From A1 Typhoons “Siony” “Tonyo” and “Ulysses” had entered the PAR and battered many parts of Luzon this month. “Our forecast for November is one to three storms. But since we are in midNovember, one more storm may enter,” Ordinario said. The Philippines was battered by a government. You’re too lucky. Don’t threaten me because I will oblige,” he said. The President told them to let the national government do its job in responding to calamities and the health crisis. “You are taking the cudgels of the poor ahead of your time. That is not your worry, that is the worry of government,” Duterte said Duterte assured the students that he and the rest of the government officials were working, disputing allegations that they were sleeping on the job. He said they should wait for the next typhoon and see if the aid extended by the government “is enough to your

All evacuees test clear of virus—DOH By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta NOT a single evacuee tested positive for COVID-19 so far, the Department of Health said on Wednesday. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made the announcement given that the government has made available antigen COVID-19 test for evacuees with COVID-19 symptoms, among other medical and mental health assistance due to their displacement following a series of typhoons amid a pandemic. Vergeire said those showing symptoms for possible COVID-19 infection will be given priority. “Wala pa po sa ating mga evacuees ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19. “Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy naming imo-monitor ang ating evacuees at sisiguraduhin natin na ooberserbahan nila ang minimum health standards habang sila [ay] displaced,” Vergeire said in an online forum. “Priority po natin [sa testing] iyong may sintomas. Kung may nararamdaman po ang ating mga kababayan sa evacuation centers, puwede po kayo pumunta sa mga health and safety officers sa evacuation centers para kayo ay mabigyan ng lunas,” Vergeire said.

Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar. Castro and Fernandez were among the most vocal solons against Velasco during the speakership row that started in September. Castro, who held on to his post despite Cayetano’s ouster, ironically said in a speech at the height of the clash that those who support Velasco’s speakership bid should quit their leadership posts. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, another vocal Cayetano ally, was the first to be sacked as dep-

uty speaker. In Wednesday’s session, the House also elected Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo as chairman of the House Committee on Energy, the position Velasco vacated when he became Speaker. Caloocan City Rep. Dale Malapitan was elected head of the House contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, on the other hand, was elected vice chairman of the House Committee on Accounts, now chaired by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, the President’s son.

the management of dams should remain with the national government. The release of water from Magat Dam sparked anger among residents in Cagayan province, which was already inundated by the rains brought about by Ulysses and the rising Magat River. NIA said it followed protocol in releasing water from the dam, and used TV, radio, print, social media, e-mail, and SMS to disseminate information on the schedule of water releases. Meanwhile, the Palace said the task force in charge of rehabilitating typhoon-hit areas will be headed by the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar will head the task force, not Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as earlier reported. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it is scaling up relief operations for individuals affected by the super typhoon

Rolly and typhoon Ulysses. The assistance provided by the DSWD reached P169 million for both Rolly and Ulysses, based on data from the DSWDDisaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center. DSWD said the assistance comes in the form of family food packs, nonfood items such as hygiene kits and kitchen kits. Financial assistance is also provided for typhoon victims to help them rebuild their homes. Typhoon Ulysses affected residents in parts of the National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). DSWD said some 824,035 families or 3.4 million people were affected by the storm. Super Typhoon Rolly, on the other hand, ravaged parts of NCR, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and CAR. According to its latest report, the DSWD has rolled out P93.67 million in relief assistance.

the West and East Valley Zones might spawn, the President said. “A government center outside the capital would serve as a back-up administrative hub and which may be used as a disaster recovery center, to ensure continuity of government services,” read Duterte’s order. The back-up government center will support the policy of addressing longstanding issues on the lack of sustainable employment opportunities in the countryside, unbalanced regional development, and unequal distribution of wealth,” Duterte said.

The President also noted that this will foster ease of doing business, provide equal access to public services and create economic opportunities outside Metro Manila. Duterte designated the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to determine the phases and clusters on the establishment of satellite offices. The President also ordered the Bases Convention and Development Authority to assist government agencies in securing “advantageous, cost-efficient, and flexible” logistical and financial arrangements on the establishment of their respective offices.

protection against the coronavirus. Vaccine developers Pfizer and BioNTech plan to roll out the first doses within weeks, once they receive emergency use permissions from drug agencies. They expect to have 1.3 billion doses ready next year. The results of phase 3 clinical trials showed their mRNA vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers. At the cost of $40 per treatment, which consists of two separate shots, richer nations have rushed to order tens of millions of doses. But it is less clear what poorer nations can expect. Anticipating the outsize demand for any approved vaccine, the World Health Organization formed the COVAX facility in April to ensure equitable distribution. COVAX brought together governments, scientists, civil society and the private sector -though Pfizer is not currently part of the facility.

series of storms beginning last month with tropical depression Ofel, followed by tropical storm Pepito, Typhoon Quinta (international name Molave), Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni), Siony (Atsani), tropical storm Tonyo, and Ulysses. Ulysses brought torrential rains that resulted in historic flooding in Marikina and Cagayan, leaving at least 73 dead in the entire Luzon. The state weather bureau said last

week four more storms could enter the Philippine area of responsibility before the end of the year. Ulysses was the first. The cost of infrastructure damage caused by Typhoon Ulysses has reached P5.77 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday. The damage was recorded in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, CAR and NCR, according to

the NDRRMC in its latest report. A total of 63,885 residences were also destroyed by the strong typhoon that crossed Luzon last week, which affected over three million individuals. The Department of Agriculture has said the worth of damage in the sector has increased to P3.84 billion, affecting 104,733 farmers and fisherfolk and 101,904 hectares of agricultural areas with volume of production loss at 160,873 metric tons.

Rody,... From A1

served as the “spare tire” in the presidential succession but made it appear she was “calling the shots” during the disaster relief efforts, adding her behavior was “out of order.” “Her Twitter posts were completely out of order that she misinformed the people, the nation, as if she was the one in charge of the relief effort. She was not,” he said in an interview over CNN Philippines. Panelo claimed the government even allowed Robredo to use the military plane for her relief operations. “You were accommodated to ride the military plane but the problem is, you made it appear that you were the one coordinating, you were bringing the re-

lief goods. If that’s not you, maybe it’s your staff. Of course, you must know this,” Panelo said. However, both Panelo and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana later apologized to the Vice President when the latter found out Robredo did not board a C-130 military aircraft when she traveled to her home region of Bicol to deliver aid to communities ravaged by the recent typhoons. An Air Force helicopter, which left for Catanduanes on November 3, carried relief goods that were prepared by Robredo’s office, Lorenzana said in a statement on Wednesday. “Secretary Lorenzana said he has sent his apologies to the Vice President

ter the Vice President acted like she was the only official working and responding to the latest calamity. “The President has been working from the start. That’s why we don’t like VP Leni. It’s okay that you work but don’t make it appear, like Secretary Lorenzana said, as if you’re the only one working and other officials are inutile,” Panelo said in his “Counterpoint” program aired on government-run PTV4 Wednesday. On the other hand, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Robredo

Other assistance

Aside from testing, Vergeire said the DOH already deployed Health Emergency Response Teams in typhoon affected areas for COVID-19 surveillance, as well as medical, sanitation and mental/psychosocial support for evacuees. “We have also provided supplementary ready to eat food as well as medicines such as ferrous sulfate and calcium carbonate,” Vergeire added. Vergeire said that based on Department of Social Welfare and Development records, the number of evacuees as of November 18 is at 55,921 families or 223,378 individuals staying in 1,570 evacuation centers in Regions 2, 3, 4A, 5 and National Capital Region.

Poor... From A1

News

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Maynilad to interrupt water supplies FRIENDLY PASS.

The Philippine Navy’s corvette BRP Conrado Yap (PS39) conducts a Passing Exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy’s ROKS Kang Gam-chan (DDH-979) and ROKS Soyang (AOE-51) (inset photo) in the waters near Manila on Tuesday. Navy Photos

Gov’t urged to implement supplemental feeding program By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe on Wednesday urged the government to implement a supplemental feeding program, saying hunger stalks millions of children due to the recent typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic. On her questioning during the deliberation on the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, it was revealed that at least P2.2

billion or 60 percent of the budget allocated for the program for this year had yet to be spent. The Supplementary Feeding Program is one of the components of Republic Act 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act authored by Poe. Implemented by the DSWD, the feeding program provides undernourished children aged three to five in day-care centers with one fortified meal for not less

than 120 days in a year. Poe said Children-beneficiaries used to receive food rations in day care centers in the past years. But because of the pandemic and the recent calamities, she said, the food packs were also delivered to evacuation centers or directly to the homes of the kids with the help of the local government units. Poe said the government should also maximize the use of ICT solutions into its programs to make the distribution of cash

aid to the people more efficient and faster. The use of mobile wallets, PayMaya, StarPay and the like would make it easier to give the beneficiaries the cash assistance instead of making them wait in long lines. Poe said with the available funds, handing out the food ration to the children as mandated by law, and the cash aid to the families affected by the pandemic and the recent typhoons, should be systematic and fast, especially in times of urgent need.

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz

AYNILAD Water Services Inc., which serves the West Zone, on Wednesday announced rotational water service interruptions from Nov. 18 to 24. At least a million of its customers, or 70 percent of them, will be affected by the interruptions. “Because of the volume of the sludge entering our treatment plants starting Thursday and up to the present because of Typhoon “Ulysses,” we have to clean our basins to make the volume of water that we produce return to normal,” the company said in a statement. Meanwhile, a panel in the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the funding for a bill proposing the establishment of a Department of Water Resources. The House appropriations committee, led by ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap, approved the measure providing the budgetary requirements for the creation of the DWR, one of the priority bills of the Duterte administration. The DWR is one of three agencies whose creation is a priority at the Lower House. Batangas Rep. Marvey Mariño, who sponsored the measure, said the proposed DWR would be the primary national government agency responsible for the comprehensive and integrated planning, policy formulation, management and ownership, utilization, exploitation, development and protection of the water resources of the country. To be affected by Maynilad’s water service interruptions are its customers in Caloocan City, Malabon City, Makati City, Manila, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City, Parañaque City, Pasay City and Quezon City and Imus, Bacoor and Kawit in Cavite. “Kapag bumalik na ang supply ng tubig sa inyong lugar, maaaring malabo o may kulay ang unang-labas na tubig. Padaluyin muna ito nang panandalian hanggang sa luminaw ang tubig,” Maynilad said in a Facebook post.

BI group to join corruption probe By Vito Barcelo A GROUP of Immigration officers has vowed to cooperate with the Department of Justice in investigating the alleged “pastillas” scheme following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to rid the bureau of corrupt personnel. The Immigration Officers Association of the Philippines Inc. said it was fully cooperating in the investigations and the search for the truth in the recent issues involving the agency’s officers and personnel. “We support and stand by our President Duterte and the administration in the campaign against corruption and will respect the rule of law and due process accorded to our members,” the IOAP said in a statement. The Justice department was ordered by the President to look into the corruption activities in Immigration, such as human trafficking involving immigration person-

nel, escort services for a fee and now the “pastillas” scheme, which was coined to describe the packaging of hush money purportedly given to immigration officials. The IOAP says it will give its members who were allegedly linked to the “pastillas” scandal the assistance and benefits due them. “We stand by the hundreds of other Immigration Officers, dedicated and honest public servants who remain steadfast in their duty to protect our international borders, despite the bandwagon persecution, and continue to be united in our aspirations to eradicate corruption in our office and promote a stronger bureau,” the group said. “As border control officers, we shall continue to faithfully serve our country and work for our national security despite the sweeping prejudices against our ranks and the pressing challenges to our mandate.”

ARCHITECTS VISIT. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (2nd left), assisted by Deputy Majority Leader and Zamboanga Zibugay Rep. Wilter ‘Sharky’ Palma (left), Cavite Rep. Francis Gerald Abaya (right), and House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano (2nd right) warmly welcome the United Architects of the Philippines led by National President Ar. Renato Heray (3rd left) and UAP Past National President Ar. Medeliano “Boy” Roldan (3rd right) during a courtesy call on Wednesday. Ver Noveno

IN BRIEF House endorses creation of reserve corps for pandemics PNP chief reshuffles men for second time

BARELY a week after assuming his post as chief of the Philippine National Police, Gen. Debold Sinas has ordered a second reshuffle of police officials to various units. In an order released on Tuesday, Sinas reassigned Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan to the Health Service from the National Capital Region Police Office. Replacing Bathan as deputy regional director for administration at the NCRPO is Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Olay. Brig. Gen. Rex dela Rosa and Col. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. switched positions, with Dela Rosa being transferred to the Directorate for Research and Development and Nartatez to the PNP Finance Service. Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay is the new director at the Eastern Police District, replacing Brig. Gen. Johnson Almaza who retires on Nov. 18.

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives’ committee on health has endorsed the creation of a medical reserve corps to augment the country’s health personnel in case of pandemics and health emergencies. The committee led by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan approved a consolidated bill, which included House Bill 7627 authored by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, in a hearing held on Tuesday.

Tan yielded the job of presiding over the hearing to Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Cavite, a committee vice chairman, and Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. as she is a principal author of the consolidated bill. The other authors of the related measures are Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Joy Myra Tambunting of Parañaque, Alfred Vargas of Quezon City, David Suarez of Quezon, Paul Daza of Northern Samar, Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija and Horacio Suansing of Sultan Kudarat.

which President Duterte heeded by keeping Metro Manila and other high-risk areas under stricter quarantine restrictions. He said the proposed reserve group was patterned after the same organization established in the United States in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and other targets. Tan said medical reservists “are needed in times like this when we are going through a COVID-19 pandemic and in case of disasters as well.”

Continuing coal use criticized By Alena Mae S. Flores

Two more U-turn slots will close next week TWO more U-turn slots along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue will be closed next week in line with the Edsa Busway project, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced on Wednesday. The U-turn slots near Oliveros Drive and Balintawak Market will be closed to vehicular traffic from Nov. 23. Traffic advisory signs have been installed near the U-turn slots to guide motorists on the impending closure. The MMDA urged motorists to take the following alternate routes: From northbound going southbound, affected vehicles may take the Balintawak Interchange, General Malvar/Bagong Barrio U-turn slot. Joel E. Zurbano

Rodriguez said the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a medical reserve corps during health emergencies and calamities. “We saw the lack of medical personnel to attend to those infected by new coronavirus, leaving our hospital front-liners thoroughly overwhelmed and exhausted,” he said. Due to physical and emotional exhaustion, Rodriguez said, health workers had to call for a two-week timeout in August,

AID FOR MARIKINA. The Federation of Filipino Chinese Associations of the Philippines and the Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Vice President Cecilio Pedro, Vice President William Yap Castro, and other officials turn over to Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro (center) thousands of emergency food and relief packs for the victims of Typhoon ‘Ulysses’ held at Marikina Sports Center on Wednesday (see story on A4). Manny Palmero

THE advocacy group Power for People Coalition on Tuesday called for accountability from the Department of Energy and the national government for the role of their policies in worsening the climate emergency. P4P, in a statement, said coal was the Philippines’ biggest source of electricity due to the “technologically neutral” stance of the department. The group said this had encouraged the construction of more coal power plants in the country, bucking a trend among advanced countries to stop further reliance on coal. P4P called on the department to use its declared moratorium on endorsements for new or greenfield power plants to take out all coal-fired power

plants in the country amid a worsening climate change. “So long as we burn coal, its greenhouse gas emissions will continue to heat the Earth and produce typhoons like Rolly and Ulysses, only much stronger and more frequently. It’s already too late to reverse the current trend of typhoons, but it’s not too late to stop the trend from becoming worse,” said Gerry Arances, P4P convenor. He said the coal moratorium was DOE’s way of covering its failures and bad planning and its role in causing the high power rates in the country. The group said the DOE’s coal-moratorium decision showed it finally succumbed to market signals, the strong drive of renewables, the stranding of coal plants in Mindanao with an excess in baseload capacity.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

STARS GOING UP. The Manila City Hall engineering department works on displaying giant lanterns along Padre Burgos Avenue in the capital on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

Makati, Munti help Marikina By Joel E. Zurbano

HE CITY government of Makati continue extending assistance to Marikina City by sending additional modern rescue equipment to help local authorities in rehabilitating communities devastated by Typhoon “Ulysses”. In addition to the mobile kitchen and water tanker delivered to Marikina City Hall last Monday, Makati also sent another tanker, a penetrator fire truck, pickup truck RV-13, and mobile water filtration system on Tuesday. Last week, Mayor Abigail Binay ordered the deployment of a rescue team composed of nine personnel with two rescue boats, a search and rescue vehi-

IN BRIEF Angeles city workers get yearend bonus ANGELES CITY—Christmas came early for the city government employees as they received their year-end bonus on Monday. A total of 1,316 employees in the city hall – 980 permanent, 321 casual, and 15 contractual- received their year-end bonus, equivalent to one-month basic salary, amounting to a total of P32,542,594. They also get P5,000 cash gift each amounting to sum of P6,580,000. “In recognition of their hard work throughout the year, especially during the pandemic, we want our employees to have financial security, and be able to still celebrate the coming holidays,” Lazatin said. Contract of Service employees will also get a P3,000 cash incentive, amounting to a total of P8,415,000, which they will receive on December 10. The grant of the year-end bonus is in accordance with Republic Act 66861, as amended by RA 8441, and under the Department of Budget management circular 2016-4. Association of Government Employees for a New Dynamic Angeles City (AGENDA) President Flordeliza Santos expressed her gratitude to the city government for releasing the cash incentive early. Meanwhile, in his memorandum no. 1198, series of 2020, issued on October 15, Lazatin ordered that qualified city government officials will also receive an additional bonus of P15,000 on December 22, on top of their year-end bonus and cash incentives. Butch Gunio

Malapitan lauds USAID ReachHealth project MAYOR Oca Malapitan sincerely thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ReachHealth Project for its donations in connection with the fight against COVID-19. Malapitan and City Health Officer Dr. Evelyn Cuevas on Wednesday officially received the 4,300 hygiene kits, 59 handwashing stations, 3 sets of teleconsultation equipment and data management equipment from Dr. Laurentiu Stan, Chief of Party of USAID’s ReachHealth Project and other project officials. Mayor Oca also thanked the Department of Health, RTI International, and P&G for being their partners in this project. According to Malapitan, donations will help a lot for the city’s ongoing fight against the pandemic. “Thank you so much for being our partner in fulfilling our desire to be COVID-19-free in the entire city of Caloocan the soonest possible,” Mayor Oca said. Jun David

cle, and an ambulance to Barangay San Roque to assist in the evacuation of residents trapped in their homes due to rising floodwaters. Meanwhile, to extend assistance for the recovery and rehabilitation of typhoon-stricken towns in Luzon, the local government of Muntinlupa will be donating P11 million financial assistance to the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Cama-

rines Sur, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Cagayan, and the City of Marikina. Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) chief Erwin Alfonso announced the donation of Muntinlupa City to 21 local government units that were affected by Super Typhoon Rolly, Typhoon Quinta, and Typhoon Ulysses in the recent weeks. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said that this initiative is the city’s share in helping our kababayans who are in need. “In the spirit of bayanihan, the local government of Muntinlupa will continue to lend its hand to towns in the country needing assistance,” the local exec added. Fresnedi encouraged the local government’s department heads and employees to also donate, whether in cash or in kind, to help the victims of the recent typhoons.

Alfonso said that the Muntinlupa City Council approved the proposed financial aid from the City Government’s 2020 Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund last November 16 as per recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and MCDDRM. Muntinlupa City Government is set to extend P1,000,000 financial assistance to the City of Marikina, while P500,000 each will be given to the towns of Bato, San Andres, San Miguel, Baras, and Gigmoto in Catanduanes; Bato, Iriga, Calagbanga, Caramoan, Garchitorena, and Siruma in Camarines Sur; Tiwi, Ligao City, Camalig, and Malinao in Albay; Naujan and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro; Tingloy in Batangas; Alcala and Claveria in Cagayan.

Isko to invest in GMRC return to all schools By Willie Casas

HE Manila City government will invest in bringing back the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) program in all schools, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said on Tuesday. In a meeting with officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Manila Division of City Schools, Domagoso said they will implement information dissemination efforts such as seminars for the GMRC program for students and teachers. The Mayor said the main target of the revival of the GMRC program would bring back “respect and compassion for each other.” “Kapag nabalik yung respect to point of views, importante iyon. While we argue, while we disagree, but there is certain level of respect among each other, sa tingin ko tatamaan lahat yun, na kapag alam niyang may mali, alam niyang hindi niya dapat gawin iyon,” the Mayor said. “Ang malasakit kasi, it’s a big word. Maraming nang nakapaloob doon - respeto, pagpapahalaga, disiplina. When you care, you’ll understand naturally ultimo yung maliliit na bagay,” he added. Education officials who were present in the meeting were DepEd’s Bureau of Curriculum Development chief Isabel Victorino and director Joyce Andaya, Supervising Specialist Mark Bercando, and Manila Division of City Schools head Dr. Magdalena Lim. Likewise, the Mayor said the local government will also help in strengthening the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program for senior high schools by building more Science and Math laboratories. “We’ll be gladly to support. Anything na pwede naming magawa in our own little way, with the help of Superintendent and the school board, to redirect, go back towards a journey of developing the next generation, the next Batang Maynila while we address the existing one and bring it back right to the community,” Domagoso said.

Malls extend aid via SM OPTE By Jun David BULACAN was one of the hardest hit provinces when the tropical typhoon Ulysses made landfall last week. Philippines’ 21sttropical cyclone did not only unleashed devastating winds and torrential rains but also flooded large swathes and turned some areas in the province into inland seas. SM Supermalls and SM Foundation, through its Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, mobilize relief efforts and extend immediate relief assistance to communities affected by the typhoon Ulysses in Bulacan. Around 7,200 families in Bulacan benefited from the relief operations. SM City Marilao donated truckloads of ‘Kalinga packs’ to the Local Government of Marilao. These donations will be brought to the families and communities that were hardest hit by the typhoon as recommended by the DSWD. Around 4,500 families will be given relief packs that contain kilos of rice and other food essentials. Rounds of relief operations, on the other hand, were conducted by SM City Baliwag in Barangay Tibag, Poblacion, Sabang, Hinukayand Tiaong. A sum of 2,700 relief packs were distributed in flooded areas and evacuation centers in Baliwag.

DOLE-GO AID. Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso huddles with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go during the awarding of cash assistance under the DOLE COVID 19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) to the beneficiaries at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Ermita on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

New Calabarzon police chief Natividad meets troops By Roy Tomandao CALAMBA, Laguna—Leaders and prime movers of PRO4A convened today, November 17 in the 1st Command Conference with the new Regional Director of PRO CALABARZON, PBGen Felipe R Natividad at Multi-Purpose Hall, Camp BGen Vicente P Lim here. RD Natividad pledged to align the regional office to the core programs of the

Chief PNP, PGen Debold M Sinas. He directed all the Provincial Directors from the five provinces of CALABARZON and the Chiefs of Police to strengthen campaign on the five focus thrusts of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte; antigambling, anti-illegal drugs, anti-corruption, anti-criminality and anti-terrorism. He further encouraged the COPs to bolster the drive on End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) and show

strong support to the government’s fight against terrorism. Speaking before the members of Command Group, Regional Staff, Force Commander RMFB 4A, Provincial Directors, and via Zoom are OIC, RIAS4A, Special Staff, Chief Regional Support Units, Chiefs of Police, and Chief NUPAS, PBGEN Natividad reiterated the guidance of the Chief, PNP PGEN SINAS on ‘No Take Policy’ on all forms.

NBI nabs Bataan farmers at technopark By Jess Malabanan

SAVE MANILA BAY AWARD. Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) President Robert Lim Joseph (right) receives from RCM Immediate Past President Jackie Rodriquez the RCM Award for his successful ‘Save Manila Bay’ program during his stint as Commodore of the Manila Yacht Club. The event was held Wednesday during the RCM Handover, Induction and Awarding ceremonies at the Heritage Hotel.

MORONG, Bataan—Government agents arrested Tuesday five farmers who illegally occupied portions of the government property situated at the Bataan Technological Park, a protected area in Barangay Mabayo, Morong, Bataan. The farmers were Marlon Good, Darwin Cojeda, Fely Robles, Edgar Rino and Francisco Lovilla, Jr. all residents of said place. They were arrested based on the complaint filed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno. Some of the farmers however claimed that they have been occupying the property for over 40 years now and there stay there was approved by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), informed sources said.

On Monday, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation - Manila, in full battle gear, stormed five separate residential areas occupied by different group of farmers. The raiding team forcibly removed occupants at gunpoint and herded them to a service vehicle. NBI-Environmental Complaint Division chief lawyer Czar Eric Nuqui said the farmers illegally occupied the areas which are covered by the Natural Park System and Recreation Areas. Nuqui said Good occupied more than 1,000 square meters; Ribo has 10,000 sqm; Cojeda got 837 sqm; Lavilla 72 sqm and Robles has 4,810 sqm, all situated within the BTP property. He said a backyard piggery was also constructed within the community. “The suspects are building illegal structures within the BTP when the NBI raided the area,” said Noqui.

Opinion EDITORIAL

Relief is not a contest

OR the millions of Filipinos suffering in the aftermath of Typhoon “Ulysses,” it really doesn’t matter where help comes from, so long as it arrives. We earnestly hope our government officials keep this in mind before they jostle for credit—or try to throw shade on the efforts of others. In the midst of all the suffering, the last thing we needed to hear Tuesday night was the highest official of the land launch into a 20-minute televised harangue of the second highest official of the land, based on faulty information. In a recorded speech, the President Rodrigo Duterte wrongly accused Vice President Leni Robredo of questioning his absence at the height of Ulysses and starting the hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo (Where is the President). A quick check of Robredo’s posts on Twitter and her official statements show this was simply untrue. In fact, the hashtag in question first surfaced during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. Yet, based on this wrong information, the President tore into Robre-

do, and threatened to make her life a nightmare if she ran for president in 2022. He also appeared defensive about his whereabouts during the height of the storm. “You were assuming I should be giving orders on the day of the storm. That’s why you cannot be president really. The orders were given two or three days [before]. You do not give orders on the day of the war,” the President said.

None of the back-and-forth was particularly helpful. Duterte claimed Robredo asked about his whereabouts when Typhoon Ulysses hit the country—but she never did. The President finished his rant by asking Robredo where she goes at night, hinting at rumors that the vice president has a boyfriend. Robredo seemed to take this in stride, posting a video that showed her repacking relief goods. “When a president is a misogynist, the conversation goes down to this level. This is what we are [doing] every

night, staying up late every week so, every day, there is help given to those who need it.” None of this back-and-forth was particularly helpful. It would help if those around the President did not test his prickly nature by feeding him misinformation, a common commodity these days. Like his chief presidential legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, who wrongly claimed that Robre Robredo had hitched a ride to Catanduanes to distribute relief goods on a military C-130 aircraft. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, whom Panelo had quoted, later apologized for getting that wrong—but the damage, as we can see, had already been done. Or the Palace spokesman, who claimed—also without basis--that Robredo was trying to create the impression that she, not the President, was in charge. Officials who spread misinformation do a great disservice to the President. In the wake of three deadly and destructive typhoons, there is more than enough misery to go around. Providing relief need not be a contest. Officials should be helping each other, for a change.

We never seem to learn WHEN it rains, it pours. Three typhoons, one after the other in less than a month, brought devastation to a people already suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Typhoons hitting our country’s landmass have been more frequent and destructive in recent years. This, according to climatologists is all because of climate change and the warming of sea water. We should therefore, be expecting more destructive typhoons in the future. The question is, what are we doing about it. We have had “Ondoy” followed by “Yolanda” and now, “Rolly” and “Ulysses” and still we seem not to have learned anything from our tragic past experiences. Both “Rolly” and “Ulysses” once again demonstrated that when nature unleashes its fury, there is nothing much that we humans can do. By this time, however, our country should have already perfected emergency response procedures. But as we can see, we seem to be stuck in a time warp. It is the same script being played out every time there is a natural calamity. First is the rescue and relief followed by rehabilitation and then the formation of Task Forces then everything getting stuck in red tape until the next disaster strikes. It is as if people and the government are conspiring to make it harder for ourselves every time there is a natural disaster. I do not wish to sound like a broken record, but these recent typhoons should be a sober reminder to the government to be unforgiving in protecting our dwindling natural resources. The trees on our mountains that help hold water have all but disappeared. Add the destruction brought about by uncontrolled mining and quarrying, and it is not hard to understand why typhoons in recent years have been very destructive. Government must focus on preventing people from insisting on building their dwellings in dangerous places

such river banks, slide prone mountains slopes and sea shores. If the government can only impose strictly building regulations, then perhaps we will not be seeing so much misery every time there is a natural calamity. Unfortunately, the government has been unable to prevent people from building their dwellings in dangerous and prohibited places. We in this country also seem to put our main efforts to the after-disaster activities rather than the before the disaster activities.

It is not difficult to understand why typhoons in recent years have been very destructive. There is a saying in the military which is very applicable to disaster management that “the more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.” In the aftermath of “Rolly” and “Ulyssess,” President Duterte once again formed a Task Force to handle rescue, relief and rehabilitation but with due respect to the President, it would save time if he simply directs the concerned government agencies to do what they are mandated to do in order to speed up the process. What is urgently needed right now several days after the disaster is focus on locating the missing people and the clean-up effort in the different flooded

communities to facilitate government efforts. There is also a need to do a proper survey of how many people lost their dwellings so that they can be moved by the government to safe relocation areas and not be allowed to go back to their old areas. Otherwise, we will be witnessing the same script next time we have another natural calamity. This brings to mind the much-debated subject whether to establish a separate department to handle disaster management. Congress as we know is lukewarm to the proposal, fearing the creation of another department will unnecessarily enlarge government bureaucracy which will waste more government resources without really accomplishing much. But given the frequency and destructiveness of natural calamities nowadays, it is time to do an in-depth study for the possibility of organizing such an agency. Besides, such an agency does not have to follow the traditional organizational structures of current government departments. As we can see, current government capabilities are clearly not enough. If it were, there would be no need to be organizing task forces. Congress must not shut its door to the creation of such a department and should commission an ad-hoc body to study the feasibility. If in the end, that body will recommend against it and just strengthen the current structure, then so be it. But right now, we need something a lot more responsive than the current system that we have. Part of our problem as Filipinos is that we are so personality centered instead of creating a well-oiled system that can function efficiently regardless of who is the Boss. As they say, when an organization is created, that body must be organized, trained and equipped to be able to accomplish its assigned mission. More importantly, it must have the resources to be able to perform its functions. Otherwise, it will fail.

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net)

The sad state of internet in the Philippines

Quo vadis By Ambassador Albert del Rosario

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

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Bad environment for anti-corruption drive WHENEVER it and the nation expect it faces strong public to accomplish that task. demand for decisive An objective review of action on a matter of the performances of the great national signiftask forces that have icance, the Philipbeen created over the pine government’s years shows that not one usual response is of them left an indelible to create a milimark on the history of tary-style task force. Thus, over the years, this country. They all came in with a bang the Filipino people have seen the creation and then left with a whimper. of task forces to examine and make remeEvery right-thinking Filipino wants the dial recommendations for reform of this task force against “all aspects of corrupcountry’s political, legal, economic and tion” to succeed in its assigned task, but social systems. it is likely to go the way of its predecesThe task force of most recent creation sors and become just another also-ran. is that created last month by President Ro- The reason is not that it has been given a drigo Duterte to look into “all aspects of huge task – ferret out and recommend the corruption” in this country. The Depart- prosecution of “all aspects of corruption.” ment of Justice has The reason is that the been designated as present national envithe task force’s lead ronment is not good Yet another task agency. Like all task for a successful cruforces, the anti-corsade against corrupforce is given a ruption task force tion. For such a crugargantuan task. is a multi-agency sade to succeed, the entity, with all of entire governmental the departments and structure, from the agencies involved in President of the Philthe investigation and prosecution of cor- ippines to the barangay officials, must be rupt practices required to work with and absolutely committed to doing everything provide full assistance to the DOJ. Chief they can, each in accordance with his or among these are the Office of the Ombuds- her capability, to help maintain an environman, the National Bureau of Investigation, ment of transparency and accountability in the Commission on Audit and the Presi- the government. dential Anti-Corruption Commission. The right environment for corrupThe creation of a task force invariably tion-free governance isn’t there. What are generates much public attention and media the people of this country to think when mileage. After all, they are created by no no big-time public official – the proverbial less than the President of the Philippines big fish – goes to jail, when the proposed with all the fanfare that Malacanang can national budget is riddled with legislators’ muster. And numerous big-time depart- pork, when President Duterte merely rements and agencies are designated as shuffles clearly delinquent officials, when components of the task force and ordered magistrates sell decisions and temporary to provide all-out assistance to the task restraining orders and when the COA redforce’s lead agency. flags instances of misuse of public funds? But hoopla and media noise do not necTo place things in context, the after-coressarily translate to mission success. At the ruption task force was launched after 1) the outset, a task force gives the appearance billion-peso anomalies were brought to light of success because it is ever in the spot- at PhilHealth and 2) Duterte declared that he light, but if, after a while, the task force could not control governmental corruption, still has not shown the nation any major four years after his I-can-kill-corruption-inaccomplishments, public interest wanes six-months campaign promise. and the task force is slowly forgotten by One of these days, the environment will the people. be good for a successful anti-corruption As its name suggests, a task force is giv- drive. Hopefully it will be there soon. But en a task – a special task – and Malacanang it is not there today.

Secure targets, implement attrition law EARLY this year, the Department of Finance noted that the country has fallen into recession amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The community quarantine caused many businesses and companies to shut down, and employees to lose their jobs. Accordingly, the government’s fiscal targets have been modified and significantly reduced several times this This law year, down to P1.69 trillion. reason. However, the Bureau of Internal Revenue reported that it was able to collect P1.58 trillion from January to October this year, despite the persisting COVID-19 pandemic. This amount exceeded its target of P1.4 trillion revenue collection for the same period. Likewise, the Bureau of Customs reported that it was also able to surpass its target, with a collection of P448.95 billion for the same nine-month period. The amount already accounts for 88.7 percent of the total 2020 target of P506.15 billion. The BIR and BOC have both been applauding their efforts to increase revenue collection. Categorically, I join them in recognizing their work in ensuring that the country hits the target revenue collection. However, this puts to question the implementation of the Lateral Attrition Law of 2005. We have been assured, time and again, that this law will be properly implemented when the conditions of the law are met. For reiteration, the law provides incentives to those who have exceeded their respective target revenue collection in proportion to their relative contribution to the excess collected. Meanwhile, it also prescribes penalties for those who fall behind their targets by 7.5 percent such as removal from office, subject to civil service laws and rules and

regulations. Fifteen years since its promulgation, we have barely seen, if not at all, the full implementation of this law. The only time I can recall that this law was properly implemented was during the time of President Arroyo when employees of the BIR and BOC voluntarily resigned, meanwhile a sizable amount was given to those who exceeded their targets. Now that both agencies have reported exceeding target revenue collections, it is high time that we demand the application of the law to fully see its benefits. While efforts of the tax collecting agencies are truly remarkable, this cannot set aside the fact that there is an existing law that merits implementation under the circumstances. I exists for a given repeat, many times, the agencies have proudly achieved their targets, yet there was no report whatsoever of the successful implementation of the Lateral Attrition Law. The law was passed for a reason. The law intends to curb corruption by rewarding tax collectors who have been performing well and to encourage others to do their job well too. It complements the administration’s vigorous campaign against corruption. This is the perfect time to put this into action and allow the law to realize its full potential given that the government is continuously beset with difficulties in curbing corruption and in reaching its fiscal targets in this pandemic. Give this law a chance. With this, I call on the Executive, particularly the Department of Finance, to do its mandate and properly implement the law. Let it be known to the public how this law was implemented (or not implemented) since its enactment. As the country needs more funds for COVID-19 and disaster response, this law will help raise funds needed to produce the necessary medicines, equipment, and supplies for COVID-19 hospitals, and increase available funds for emergency response in disaster-stricken areas. In reality, we have many laws in place on revenue collection. However, the inability to execute these laws hinder the full attainment of revenue targets.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher 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 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Thai MPs to vote as violence rises THAI democracy protesters will return to the streets of Bangkok Wednesday, a day after six people were shot with live rounds in violent clashes, as lawmakers vote on possible constitutional reforms. On Tuesday in the most violent confrontations seen since the pro-democracy movement kicked off in July, police used tear gas and water cannon on demonstrators, and protesters clashed with royalists near parliament. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has urged protesters to refrain from violence, but ruled out introducing another emergency decree -- like the one banning public gatherings of more than four people which spanned a week in October. “No need. It affects the country stability and confidence. No-one will want to come or invest here because our confidence has been eroded,” Prayut told reporters. Some in the crowd were shot Tuesday night, but it was unclear who opened fire. Bangkok police deputy commissioner Piya Tavichai said officers are investigating the shootings, which happened about 300 meters (yards) from the main protest zone. He said one royalist supporter was shot in the hip and a pro-democracy protester in the leg. “The rest of shooting victims are still under investigation, but the fact was both sides were shot and wounded,” he told reporters Wednesday. Bangkok has been rocked since July by youth-led rallies demanding a constitutional overhaul and the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who took power in a 2014 coup. Some in the movement have also called for reforms to the monarchy -- a once-taboo subject. On Tuesday, as lawmakers debated possible changes to the military-scripted constitution, protesters ploughed through police barricades towards parliament, prompting the use of tear gas and water cannon. AFP EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED ADELAIDA MANAS CARRION Notice is hereby given that the Estate of the late Adelaida Manas Carrion was extra-judicially settled, partition and adjudicate by and among heirs as per Doc. No. 401; Page No. 21; Book No. 3; Series of 2020 before Notary Public Atty. Luisito C. Deveza. (MStandard-Nov. 19, 26 & Dec. 3, 2020)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 94, QUEZON CITY MARK CHRISTIAN A. SERQUIÑA, Petitioner, -versus-

CIVIL CASE No. R-QZN-18-06804-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage based on Article 35 of the Family Code

CHEERYLYN A. SERQUIÑA, Respondent. X --------------------------------------------------- X

DECISION WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is rendered: 1. Declaring the marriage of petitioner Mark Christian A. Serquiña and respondent Cheerylyn A. Serquiña solemnized on 10 March 2006 as null and void ab initio for absence of legal authority of the solemnizing officer to perform marriage with all the effects thereof as provided by law; 2. Allowing the respondent to use her maiden name “Agdigos”; 3. Dissolving the absolute community of property and that no liquidation is ordered it appearing that the petitioner and respondent have not acquired any property during the marriage; 4. The child of the petitioner and respondent, Hailey Margarette Agdigos Serquiña, is illegitimate pursuant to Article 165 of the Family Code. Petitioner and respondent are directed to jointly support the child in accordance with their means and the needs of the latter; and 5. Ordering the City Civil Registrar of Quezon City, the Civil Registrar of San Nicolas, Pangasinan, and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to record this Decision after it has become final and executory in accordance with law. Pursuant to Section 19 (2) A.M. No. 02-11-10-SC (Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages), let the dispositive portion of the decision be published at the expense of the petitioner, once in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle. Let also a copy of the Decision be sent by registered mail to the last known address of the respondent. SO ORDERED. June 17, 2020, Quezon City, Metro Manila. (Sgd.) ROSLYN M. RABARA-TRIA Presiding Judge (MStandard-Nov. 19, 2020)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 106 QUEZON CITY EDEN HULIPAS TEROL, Petitioner, -versus-

Civil Case No. R-QZN-19-03448-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage Based on Article 35 of the Family Code JOEL WAPILLE TEROL, Respondent. x------------------------------------------x

ORDER OF SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

In a verified Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage filed on March 5, 2019, petitioner prays that, after due hearing, her marriage to the respondent which was solemnized on July 9, 2004, by Hon. Perpetua Atal-Paño, Judge, Metropolitan Trial Court Br. 66, Makati City be declared NULL AND VOID, AB INITIO, for being a Bigamous Marriage. Summons was issued on July 5, 2019. The Process Server’s Return dated October 2, 2019 states that “no one is around to receive the Summons with the copy of the petition and its annexes.” On November 14, 2019, petitioner filed a “Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons by Publication.” On November 25, 2019, the court issued an Order granting the issuance of an Order of Summons by Publication. NOW THEREFORE, respondent JOEL WAPILLE TEROL, whose last known address is at Lot 30 Block 6 EP Village I, Pinagsama, Taguig City, is hereby summoned and required to file with the Regional Trial Court, Branch 106, Quezon City, National Capital Judicial Region, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Quezon City, his answer to the petition in the instant case within THIRTY (30) DAYS from the last date of publication of this summons. In the event of failure to do so, this court shall direct the Public Prosecutor to conduct an investigation to determine whether or not collusion exists between the parties in the filing of the instant petition; and if it is determined that there is no such collusion, the petitioner shall be allowed to present her evidence in support of the petition. Let this Order be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in the “The Manila Standard”, a newspaper of national circulation, pursuant to P.D. No. 1079, at the expense of the petitioner. Likewise, let a copy of the summons as well as a copy of the petition be deposited in the Post Office, postage pre-paid and sent by registered mail to the respondent at his last known address also at the expense of the petitioner. Petitioner is enjoined to submit to this court proof of compliance herewith. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, January 9, 2020. (Sgd.) CLETO R. VILLACORTA, III Cc: Acting Presiding Judge OSG; ACP; Atty. Donabel F. Boncolmo-Dave; Eden Hulipas Terol; Joel Wapille Terol (MStandard - Nov. 19, & 26, 2020)

DEFIANT. Former lawmaker

from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition Ted Hui (right), accompanied by veteran prodemocracy politician Albert Ho (left), speaks to the media as he leaves the Western Police Station in Hong Kong on November 18, 2020, following his arrest in connection with throwing foul-smelling objects inside the city’s legislature earlier this year. AFP

3 former HK lawmakers arrested T HREE former lawmakers from Hong Kong’s prodemocracy opposition were arrested Wednesday for protests held earlier this year in the city’s legislature as it passed a law criminalising insults to China’s national anthem. Ted Hui, Ray Chan and Eddie Chu posted news of their arrests on social media. Police confirmed the three men were arrested for “contempt” and for “administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy”. The latter charge refers to the trio throwing a rotten plant and a foul-smelling fertiliser in the chamber as a way to disrupt two debating sessions on the an-

them law, which was ultimately passed. Hong Kong’s legislature is only partially elected by popular vote and is designed to always maintain a pro-Beijing majority. It has a long history of feisty and disruptive clashes between rival political camps. Last week, it became even more of a rubber-stamp chamber after Beijing allowed local authorities to oust four op-

position members, prompting the rest of their colleagues to resign en masse. The inability of Hong Kongers to elect their leaders has been at the heart of swelling opposition to Beijing’s rule in recent years. The finance hub was convulsed by seven straight months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests last year. In response, Beijing has cracked down on its opponents and imposed a sweeping national security law on the city. China says it has restored stability but opponents say Beijing has delivered a hammer blow to the semi-autonomous city’s freedoms and autonomy. Many of the democracy movement’s prominent leaders -- including former lawmakers -- face a growing list of pros-

Pompeo assures Georgia of US commitment US SECRETARY of State Mike Pompeo sought to reassure the Caucasus nation of Georgia over Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties during a visit to the region where Russia is asserting its influence. The visit came a week after a Moscow-brokered peace deal ended fierce fighting between Tbilisi’s neighbors Azerbaijan and Armenia and sees 2,000 Russian peacekeepers stationed in their disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russia’s growing influence in the Caucasus has worried Georgia, which in 2008 lost a brief war with Moscow over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. “We are committed to helping Georgia deepen its Euro-Atlantic ties and strengthen its democratic institutions,” Pompeo tweeted after landing in Tbilisi on Tuesday evening. A senior Department of State official told journalists Wednesday that the United States “stands for their sovereignty, their independence, they’re not happy to have Russian troops present and occupying 20 percent of their country.” After the 2008 war, Russia recognized both breakaway Georgian provinces and stationed military bases in the regions, derailing Tbilisi’s bid to join NATO, a long-time aspiration backed by the US but angrily opposed by Russia. On the Georgian leg of his seven-nation tour of US allies, Pompeo held talks with President Salome Zurabishvili on Wednesday morning, and later with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani. AFP

ecutions and trials. Earlier this month, police arrested seven former lawmakers -- all from the pro-democracy opposition -- for another round of protests inside the legislature. Chan and Chu were among those arrested in that earlier operation. Beijing has warned that any legislature protests in future constitute an offence under the national security law, which carries sentences ranging from 10 years to life in jail. In September, elections for the legislature were postponed for a year, with authorities blaming the coronavirus. The pro-democracy opposition had been hoping to do well, riding a wave of popular discontent after last year’s protests. AFP

IN BRIEF Money laundering fears prevent Sydney casino from opening

HIGH-LEVEL MEETING. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (second from left) looks on as he meets with civil society leaders along with U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan (left), Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker (second from right), and senior advisor to Secretary Pompeo Mary Kissel (right), in Tbilisi, Georgia, on November 18, 2020. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sought to reassure the Caucasus nation of Georgia over Washington’s commitment to strengthening ties during a visit to the region where Russia is asserting its influence. AFP

Trump fires election security official DONALD Trump on Tuesday fired the US government’s top election security official, who had rejected the president’s unsubstantiated claims of “massive” fraud in the vote he lost to Joe Biden. Trump announced on Twitter the termination “effective immediately” of Chris Krebs, who led the agency that jointly declared “the November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.” The US president, who refuses to acknowledge that he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat Biden, has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the voting and count were replete with fraud. “The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud,” he wrote in a tweet. “Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Di-

rector of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.” Krebs, who reportedly told friends last week he expected to be removed, appeared to confirm it in a tweet on his personal account. “Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow,” he wrote. Krebs was in charge of fending off possible foreign and domestic hacker intrusions into myriad voting, sorting and counting machines, as well as databases and other systems that states and localities rely on to tally ballots. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said: “Chris Krebs is an extraordinary public servant and exactly the person Americans want protecting the security of our elections. It speaks volumes that the president chose to fire him simply for telling the truth.” AFP

Israeli warplane strikes kill 10 Syrian, foreign fighters ISRAELI warplanes struck Syria Wednesday, hitting Iranian targets and killing 10 Syrian and foreign fighters in what the Israeli army called a retaliatory attack after explosive devices were found near one of its bases on the occupied Golan Heights. The air strikes came hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to land in Israel for talks including on Iran,

in what was likely to be his last visit to the staunch American ally before President Donald Trump leaves office. An Israeli army statement said its fighter jets had overnight hit “military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force and the Syrian armed forces”. The elite Quds Force is the main foreign operations arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The targets included “storage fa-

cilities, headquarters and military compounds” as well as “Syrian surface-toair missile batteries,” it said. Syrian state news agency SANA said the strikes had killed three of its soldiers and wounded another. The monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 10 people were killed, including foreign fighters as well as Syrian soldiers. AFP

A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR casino in Sydney will not be allowed to open as planned next month after admissions of money laundering prompted regulators to step in Wednesday. New South Wales gambling regulators said there were concerns that profits from drugs, child sexual exploitation, people trafficking and terrorism may have been laundered through operator Crown Resorts, one of Australia’s largest gambling and entertainment groups. Authorities said they were as a result “not comfortable” with operations beginning at the gleaming 75-storey tower on Sydney’s waterfront. Trading in Crown shares were halted on the Australian Securities Exchange after a company lawyer told an inquest that illicit funds were “probably” laundered through two high roller accounts through the company’s operations in Perth and Melbourne. In a statement, the troubled company -long run by media magnate James Packer -- said it would not attempt to open gambling operations in Sydney before February 2021. “Crown will continue to focus on opening the non-gaming operations at Crown Sydney... in the absence of the commencement of gaming operations,” the company said. Crown could yet be barred from operating the casino entirely when a New South Wales commission investigation wraps up by February. Moody’s Investors Service analyst Maadhavi Barber said this week’s ruling “highlights the potential severity” of the commission’s findings “and the risk of meaningful sanctions and/or limitations on Crown’s ownership and operations”. AFP

DR Congo declares end of latest Ebola epidemic THE Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday declared the end of the country’s latest Ebola epidemic, after the outbreak killed 55 people over the past five months. “I am happy to solemnly declare the end of the 11th epidemic of the Ebola virus in Equateur province” in the vast country’s northwest, Health Minister Eteni Longondo told journalists. The World Health Organization said the latest outbreak had killed 55 people among 119 confirmed and 11 probable cases since it began in June. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

THURSday, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances; Dito, SM Investments rise T TOP GAINERS he stock market PSEi November 18, 2020 surged Wednesday on vaccine breakthroughs that can revive the global economy battered by the LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE virus spread.

SGP

313.6

73.6

30.67%

2 3 4

MG BMM PHA

0.179 85 0.58

0.035 14.55 0.07

24.31% 20.65% 13.73%

5 6 7

KEP BHI VUL

3.25 0.031 1.09

0.33 0.003 0.1

11.30% 10.71% 10.10%

8 9 10

OPMB MM ACEN

0.011 5.15 4.93

0.001 0.45 0.38

10.00% 9.57% 8.35%

The Philippine Stock exchange Index jumped 92.64 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,051.78 on a value turnover of P10.9 billion. Gainers beat losers, 126 to 86, with 55 issues unchanged. Dito CMe holdings Corp., the third major mobile phone operator, rose 3.8 percent to P6.54, while AC energy Philippines Inc., the energy unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., advanced 8.4 percent to P4.93.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group climbed 2.7 percent to P1,029, while Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, added 2.6 percent to P3.89. The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday but investors were shifting cautiously as they weighed hopes for a virus vaccine against surging infections around the world that threaten an already stuttering economic recovery. While the mood on trading floors remains broadly optimistic about the longterm outlook, analysts said the coronavirus will continue to cause worry, while the head of the Federal Reserve warned of a “challenging” few months ahead. Joe Biden’s election win—paving the way for a less bombastic presidency—

and news that trials indicated two vaccine candidates had proved to be hugely successful have helped global markets bounce back strongly from a painful October. The breakthroughs by Pfizer and BioNTech, and Moderna a week later, have fanned hopes that life can begin to return to normal from the start of next year, particularly giving a boost to travel and tourism stocks. And Pfizer boss Albert Bourla on Tuesday provided more optimism when he said its drug had passed a key safety milestone, meaning it could now seek emergency-use authorization from US regulators. “Overall risk sentiment could yet be sustained with more vaccine headlines likely over coming days,” said National

OPEC+ signals readiness to act on output curbs

TOP LOSERS 1

LAST PRICE 0.001

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.0002 -16.67%

2 3 4

TFC MJIC MJC

37 1.75 2.2

-3 -0.13 -0.12

-7.50% -6.91% -5.17%

5 6 7 8 9 10

EVER SLF C ACE ATN HOME

0.088 2,000.00 5.69 1.4 0.85 7.75

-0.004 -80 -0.21 -0.05 -0.03 -0.25

-4.35% -3.85% -3.56% -3.45% -3.41% -3.13%

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

BDO DITO BPI SM AC SMPH ALI MM CNVRG ACEN

VOLUME 13,436,650 127,933,700 7,446,580 579,865 595,930 12,278,200 10,291,900 74,627,000 20,245,600 48,137,000

VALUE (PHP) 1,302,773,704.50 836,848,502.00 628,461,115.00 586,511,575.00 506,638,650.00 472,262,340.00 403,944,825.00 368,935,880.00 317,702,806.00 233,614,680.00

Saudi Arabia to host online G20 summit RIYADh, Saudi Arabia—Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 summit Saturday in a first for an Arab nation, but the scaleddown virtual format could limit debate on a resurgent coronavirus pandemic and crippling economic crisis. The two-day meeting of the world’s wealthiest nations follows a bitter US election disputed by President Donald Trump and comes amid criticism over what campaigners call the group’s inadequate response to the worst recession in decades. held under the shadow of a raging pandemic, the summit which is usually an opportunity for one-on-one engagements between world leaders, is reduced to brief online sessions on pressing global issues—from climate change to growing inequality. Discussions are expected to be dominated by the “implications of the pandemic” and “steps for reviving the global economy,” a source close to the Saudi organizers told AFP. New vaccine breakthroughs have raised hopes of containing the virus, which has infected 55 million people globally and left 1.3 million dead. The Paris-based OeCD projects global economic output will contract by 4.5 percent this year. G20 nations have contributed more than $21 billion to combat the pandemic, including production and distribution of vaccines, and injected $11 trillion to “safeguard” the virus-battered world economy, organizers said. But the group faces mounting pressure to help stave off possible credit defaults across developing nations. Last week, G20 finance ministers declared a “common framework” for an extended debt restructuring plan for virus-ravaged countries, but campaign group Action Aid described the measure as “woefully inadequate.” Mistrust between member states has hampered coordination, with a US Treasury official accusing China—a top creditor to poor countries—of a “lack of full participation” and transparency. AFP

Australia Bank’s Tapas Strickland. “Oxford/AstraZeneca results are said to be ‘imminent’ and if similar to the efficacy seen in the other candidates will be important given the amount of shadow production and supply agreements undertaken by AstraZeneca.” hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Seoul, Taipei and Jakarta all rose. But after a healthy rally over the past 10 trading days, investors are taking a step back, with Wall Street’s three main indexes all edging lower Tuesday. Tokyo, Wellington, Mumbai and Bangkok also fell in Wednesday trade. Raging Covid-19 cases across the US and europe—and a pick up elsewhere including Japan and South Korea—are of immediate concern, analysts said. With AFP

Closed in serbiA. People walk past closed cafes and restaurants in downtown Belgrade on November 17, 2020. Serbian government decided to limit work hours of almost all businesses, meaning that they have to be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. decision doesn’t apply to pharmacies, food delivery, gas stations and businesses that work third shift. New measures applied from Tuesday, November 17, and will be in place until december 1st, when the government will decide whether to extend them or not. AFP

After books, clothes, Amazon launches online pharmacy WAShINGTON—After books, clothes, appliances, fresh food and even streaming content, Amazon is branching into one of the last realms it has yet to conquer: prescription drugs. The e-commerce giant said Tuesday it was launching an online pharmacy for US consumers, who will be able to order prescription medications directly from its website or mobile app. The move comes two years after Amazon acquired PillPack, an internet pharmacy offering pre-sorted dose packaging and home delivery. “As more and more people look to complete everyday errands from home, pharmacy is an important and needed addition to the Amazon online store,” said Amazon senior vice president Doug herrington. TJ Parker, vice president of the new unit, said it was designed “to put customers first—bringing Amazon’s customer obsession to an industry that can be inconvenient and confusing.” Amazon has long been rumored to be interested in the pharmacy business,

and the entry by a powerful new player could unsettle a business dominated by large American chains including CVS health and Walgreens. “An integrated pharmacy removes one of the few gaps in Amazon’s offerings,” Art hogan, chief market strategist at National Securities. The announcement hit shares in Amazon’s new competitors—CVS and Walgreens were both down more than eight percent in afternoon trade. Also down were shares in pharma distribution companies like McKesson and Cardinal health. Amazon shares were slightly up. Amazon Pharmacy will allow customers to either use their insurance or pay out of pocket, with discounts and free two-day delivery offered for Amazon Prime members. The tech and retail giant said it would comply with US health privacy laws and not offer certain controlled medications such as opioids. PillPack will continue to operate as a distinct unit, it said. As the coronavirus pandemic

grinds on, the e-commerce giant could quickly earn a decent share of the market, by offering customers a way to fill prescriptions without leaving the house. With consumers demanding more transparency from big pharma on drug prices, and with discount programs like GoodRx growing in popularity, Amazon is clearly betting that price transparency will be an asset. Customers of Amazon Pharmacy will be able to see if a drug is cheaper if bought with insurance, or outright with cash. They will also have access to generic and brand-name drugs. “Infusing transparency into a system that has been frustratingly opaque for consumers could alter the supply chain,” hogan said. The move comes as scrutiny Amazon and other tech giants grows over their increasing dominance in key sectors of the economy. Amazon earlier this year launched an online pharmacy for consumers in India for both prescription and over-the-counter medications. AFP

VIeNNA, Austria—Members of the OPeC+ club of oil producers agreed Tuesday that they had to be ready to act on output cuts in order to prevent another slump in prices. A joint statement issued after the monthly meeting said: “All participating countries need to be vigilant, proactive and be prepared to act, when necessary, to the requirements of the market.” Earlier Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, energy minister of OPeC kingpin Saudi Arabia, had said in a live-streamed address ahead of the OPeC+ meeting that the group “must be ready to tweak the terms of our agreement if need be.” OPeC+ comprises the OPeC oil cartel member countries as well as allies such as Russia. “Flexibility and pro-activeness must continue to be the guiding principles of our deliberations today and in the future,” Prince Abdulaziz added. The alliance is currently sticking to deep cuts to production agreed in April in order to protect prices from a fall similar to that seen when global demand collapsed in the wake of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the deal currently in force, the current reduction in output of 7.7 million barrels per day (bpd) is due to be tapered to 5.8 million bpd as of January 2021. Despite the lifeline for the market represented by encouraging news on several coronavirus vaccines, many market watchers expect the January date to be shifted back by three to six months as the world economy and oil demand remain weak. The delay would be signed off at the next full meeting of the group on November 30 and December 1. The joint statement issued after Tuesday’s meeting noted the positive news on vaccines and robust demand in Asia but said “these developments have been overshadowed by the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in major economies.” AFP

French store re-openings in December not yet certain despite virus decline PARIS—Some French stores may be able to reopen in December for the holiday season, but the prospect is far from certain despite signs that the partial coronavirus lockdown is working, industry minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said Monday. “Letting some businesses reopen on December 1 would be ideal,” she told France Info radio. “But we’re not there yet, and we’ll do everything necessary to slow the virus spread,” she said. A range of businesses deemed non-essential, from booksellers and toy stores to clothing retailers, have been clamoring for permission to once again welcome clients, saying enough precautions were in place to limit contagion risks. Many are also calling to reopen as soon as November 27, to capitalize on the “Black Friday” sales frenzy they say will otherwise profit only huge online competitors

French newspapers published Monday. like Amazon. “We’re getting this epidemic back under control, it’s An open letter signed by some 120 lawmakers, union leaders, NGOs and business owners on Monday called good news,” he said. “But we have not yet beaten this for a special tax on Amazon and other “profiteers from virus... it’s clearly too soon to claim victory and relax our efforts.” the crisis.” Currently there are 4,880 coronavirus patients in Asked about Black Friday openings, PannierRunacher said “we’re still holding talks on this, so I’m intensive care (IC), putting huge strains on French not going to make any indications or false promises”. hospitals which had a total of 5,000 intensive care her comments came as France reported Sunday beds nationwide before the crisis. AFP another decline in new Covid-19 cases Manila and the lowest number of new admissions Standard EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES CORPORATION TODAY in intensive care units—270—in three 11-B Sunrise Drive, Brgy. Bagong Lipunan weeks. ng Crame, Cubao, Quezon City “Thanks to the lockdown, as was the case last March, the virus transmissions are slowing,” health minister Olivier NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER’S MEETING Veran said in an interview with regional To All ERC Stockholders: French Gendarmes patrol in Montmartre, on November 14, 2020 in Paris, as France is on a lockdown to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. AFP

Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of the Educational Resources Corporation (ERC), shall be held on November 28, 2020 at 10:00 am. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety and welfare of our stockholders, the meeting will be conducted virtually via secure online meeting-via zoom-to take up the following matters: 1. Election of new directors for the incoming fiscal year. 2. Report of the President 3. Other matters. Please be guided accordingly (Sgd.) Jonimo C. Bilasano Corporate Secretary (NOV. 19, 2020)

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 92.64 PTS. 7,051.78

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

12,339,836,271 175,168 10,934,806,720.92 126 86 55

Foreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.2400

Japan

Yen

0.009600

0.4631

Pound

1.324900

63.9132

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128992

6.2226

Switzerland

Franc

1.097574

52.9470

Canada

Dollar

0.763242

36.8188

Singapore

Dollar

0.744768

35.9276

Australia

Dollar

0.729800

35.2056

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657525

128.1990

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

12.8630

Brunei

Dollar

0.742005

35.7943

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033167

1.6000

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1344

Euro

1.186500

57.2368

Korea

Won

0.000905

0.0437

China

Yuan

0.152497

7.3565

India

Rupee

0.013428

0.6478

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243784

11.7601

New Zealand

Dollar

0.688900

33.2325

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035074

1.6920 Source: BSP

Air Asia PH says passenger traffic dropped by 97% in third quarter

Business San Miguel building 200-MW solar plant in Bulacan airport By Alena Mae S. Flores

IVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. said Wednesday it plans to build a 200-megawatt solar farm on its 2,500-hectare property in Bulacan province to help power the proposed P740-billion New Manila International Airport project. The company said the move reflected its commitment and efforts to sustainably transition to cleaner energy sources. SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said in a statement the facility would be one of the largest in the country, representing one of the many projects the conglomerate through energy arm SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. is developing to integrate renewables to its diversified power portfolio. Ang said company’s solar farm at the SMC Bulacan airport would come with a battery energy storage facility that could keep power in reserve when generation is high but power consumption is low, and be released when the demand is high. “This battery storage will be a viable solution to balancing electricity loads and storing unstable energy supply coming from the sun and other renewable sources of energy which we

are looking to utilize for the airport,” Ang said. SMC’s international gateway project in Bulacan is expected not only to resolve the worsening airport and traffic congestion in Metro Manila and but also give the Philippine economy a major boost. The new airport is projected to generate trillions of dollars in economic activity and job opportunities, potentially contributing about 9 percent to gross domestic product by 2025. Its estimated annual impact to the economy would reach P900 billion. The airport project is also betting on a green economy to have a dominant role in building a sustainable economy past the pandemic. “Our approach has always been to use cutting-edge technology to shift sustainably to better fuels while balancing the needs of our country, economy, and people for affordable, reliable traditional fuel-based power. We continue to invest in technologies so that our power facilities would have as little impact as possible on the environment,” Ang said. SMC said the circulating fluidized bed technology it uses in its modern, state-of-the-art clean power plants ensures that emissions are way below both Philippine and international emission standards as it transitions to cleaner energy sources. SMC also maintains a mix of renewable and non-renewable facilities, with hydropower and natural gas facilities in its portfolio. Its planned liquefied natural gas power plants are seen to be viable alternative to fossil-based power generation.

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget carrier said Wednesday passenger traffic fell 97 percent in the third quarter from a year ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air Asia Philippines said it flew 67,880 passengers from July to September, down from 2.10 million passengers it carried in the same period last year. The budget airline’s load factor also declined by 30 percentage points in the third quarter to 56 percent from 86 percent in the same period last year. AirAsia Philippines said that while it operated only 5 percent of last year’s capacity in the third quarter, passenger numbers more than doubled from the second quarter. AirAsia Group Berhad continued its recovery momentum into the third quarter as key operational metrics improved in September compared to July, including a 36-percent increase in passengers carried by AirAsia Malaysia, 79 percent increase in passengers carried by AirAsia India and an increase of 65 percent of passengers carried by AirAsia Thailand. Load factor for the group increased 7 percentage points in September compared to July. These improvements highlight a strong upward rebound trend for air travel demand across key markets for the group. “Air travel is essential for the world’s economy and AirAsia is already seeing strong signs of recovery in our key domestic markets where there is much pent-up demand,” Bo Lingam, president for airlines of AirAsia Group said. “AirAsia’s domestic services in Thailand, for example, are already close to 100-percent of pre-COVID capacity levels and there are similar strong positive signs from across the AirAsia Group including in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, indicating that forward bookings for future travel are already on the rebound in our major markets,” he said.

REGENERATIVE LIVELIHOOD.

Geothermal power leader Energy Development Corp. transforms members of Baslay Farmers Association in Negros Oriental province from ‘kaingineros’ into coffee entrepreneurs. The company’s pursuit to produce 100-percent clean and renewable energy, as it enhances the environment and empowers stakeholders, accorded the Lopez-led firm the honor of being Asia’s Top Sustainability Advocate in the recently concluded 2020 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards.

Saudi firm set to invest $30m in local drug facility By Othel V. Campos BASHA’ER Addawa Trading Co. of Saudi Arabia is proceeding with its plan to invest $30 million in the local pharmaceutical industry, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said Wednesday. The company decided to enforce the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Philippines for $30 million in investments in medical and health innovations. The MOU, signed with President Rodrigo Duterte during a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia in 2017, called for the manufacture of basic and generic medicines. PEZA Director-General Charito Plaza said the investment may also cover vaccine production. “They may include vaccines as the global need for this escalates,” she said. Plaza said Senator Francis Tolentino brokered the deal with Basha’er for investment in the Philippines. The company’s pharmaceutical products include therapeutic drugs, oncology drugs, medications for diabetes and hypertension. The Saudi company is looking at a one-hectare site in an economic zone to set up its pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, according to PEZA. PEZA said the investment would employ Filipino workers once a manufacturing plant was established. Plaza said Pfizer and Moderna Inc. also have their eyes set on the Philippines for the production of their COVID-19 vaccines. She did not elaborate. Both Pfizer and Moderna claimed their separate vaccines proved more than 90-percent effective during clinical trials. The vaccines, however, would require complex logistical procedures if they are manufactured in the US and distributed across the world.

IN BRIEF Filinvest Land raises P8.1b from bond offer

GLOBE AMBASSADOR. Globe Telecom Inc. teams up with 12-time, eight-division world boxing champion Senator Manny Pacquiao as its brand ambassador. The partnership is in line with the company’s position to stay closer to customers who are reeling from the impact of the pandemic and the current economic downturn. Leading the partnership agreement are (from left) Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu, Pacquiao and Ayala Corp. chairman and chief executive and Globe chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

INNCO expresses concern over impact of foreign group’s donation on local FDA AN UMBRELLA group of more than 35 national consumer organizations expressed concern over the growing influence of foreign grants on health regulators that may adversely affect the campaign to reduce the harm caused by combustible cigarettes in low- and middle-income countries including the Philippines. The International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations cited the influence exerted by non-government organizations backed by Bloomberg Initiative on regulators, such as the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration. “There is also an element of corruption aided by the Bloomberg NGOs, who are co-opting tobacco policy through the sheer force of money. The legislators in Philippines recently questioned the conflict of interest in their FDA receiving funds from these NGOs while pushing anti-vaping policy,” Samrat Chowdhery, president of INNCO and a leading tobacco harm reduction advocate, said during the recent virtual presentation of “Burn-

ing Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020” published by UK public health agency Knowledge Action Change. Chowdhery was referring to the Philippine FDA’s alleged admission that it received foreign grants from American business interest groups Bloomberg Initiative and The Union while in the process of drafting regulation on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. A ranking FDA official reportedly admitted the agency received grants from foreign anti-tobacco advocates when confronted by Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing and Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano during a public consultation on the guidelines for e-cigarettes and HTPs. The GSTHR report also records various kinds of opposition to low-risk products being mounted by anti-vaping organizations, such as the position paper by the influential Paris-based Union which called for a ban on vaping and HTPs in LMICs.

Economist expects BSP to slash policy rates or RRR again By Julito G. Rada AN ECONOMIST said Wednesday the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may be compelled to reduce further the reserve requirement ratios of banks or cut the policy rates to boost the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic and following a series of destructive typhoons in the fourth quarter. ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa cited the BSP’s recent move of rolling out an aggressive response to the pandemic, carrying out both conventional and unconventional easing measures. He said BSP had slashed policy rates by 175 basis points and reduced reserve requirements by 200 bps with little impact on bank lending, which continued to decelerate as demand for new loans dried up given the elevated levels of unemployment and a bleak economic outlook. “BSP has also jumped into unconventional methods to provide stimulus, conducting quantitative easing [via secondary market bond purchases] and de facto debt financing [via cash advances to the national government] which have led to a substantial spike in liquidity, with excess funds churning in the BSP facilities now at roughly P1.4 trillion,” he said. Mapa said despite these efforts, the Philippines remained mired in recession amid the 10-month lockdown with the economy losing steam. “Faced with dimming growth prospects and recognizing that fiscal help is not likely coming in the next few months, BSP Governor Diokno may be under pressure to provide whatever form of stimulus he can muster, although we are not optimistic it will do much in terms of stimulating loan growth,” he said.

FILINVEST Land Inc., the property unit of the Gotianun family, said Wednesday it raised P8.1 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate retail bonds as it ventures into logistics and industrial space. FLI president and chief executive Josephine Gotianun-Yap said during the bond listing at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. the company would use net proceeds from the fund raising activity o fund capital expenditures. “With this bond issuance, FLI is now wellprepared for its planned expansion. FLI is targeting to further expand its recurring income portfolio particularly in the logistics/industrial and office space,” Yap said. FLI issued P8.1 billion in fixed-rate retail bonds due 2023 and 2026, with dividend rates of 3.3353 percent and 4.1838 percent per annum. The bonds represent the initial tranche of the company’s P30-billion bond shelf registration program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Jenniffer B. Austria

3 groups interested In PSALM properties THREE companies expressed interest in the real estate properties of state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. in Loboc, Bohol; General Santos City; and Camalaniugan, Cagayan. PSALM said Wednesday it held a pre-bid conference on Nov. 17 as part of the process for the second round of public auction of its Loboc, General Santos City and Camalaniugan properties. Bid submission deadline for the assets was set on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. “The pre-bid conference provided an opportunity for prospective bidders to raise any questions that they may have relative to the terms of the sale,” PSALM said. The three interested bidders that participated in the pre-bid conference were Sta. Clara Power Corp., SPC Power Corp. and Cagayan Electric Cooperative II. PSALM set the minimum bid price for the 13,204-square-meter Loboc property at P12,139,000 and the General Santos City property with an indicative area of 1,868 sq. m. at P10,974,500. The minimum bid price for the Camalaniugan property with an indicative area of 2,148 sq. m. was set at P3,222,000. Alena Mae S. Flores

Globe Telecom widens 5G coverage GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Wednesday it expanded its 5G coverage to 17 key cities in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. The telecom unit of the Ayala Group said it sped up the upgrades of technology to improve connectivity, mobile experience and unlock vast potential for customers as 5G technology in Bacolod, Boracay, Iloilo, Talisay, LapuLapu, Cordova, Minglanilla and Cebu City in Visayas; and in Davao City and Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao becomes available. Globe said that as of the first week of November, its 5G network already reached certain areas in Davao City. It said 5G is the latest wireless internet connectivity that promises faster speeds, higher bandwidth and more stable internet connections compared to 4G. “We have a very active 5G development in Metro Manila and we hope to cover 80 percent of that soon,” Globe chief technology and Information officer Gil Genio said. “We are probably in the two-thirds range right now. To complement this, we have also begun to roll out in six key cities in Visayas and Mindanao as part of the overall change we are making to bring 5G to more places and customers in the country,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Sports

De los Santos welcome to join PH team By Peter Atencio TOP e-kata bet James de los Santos is welcome to return to the national team. Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim said this after learning that the 30-year-old De los Santos has been winning medals in online tournaments over the last eight months. Last Monday, De los Santos snared his his 20th and 21st straight gold medals in two virtual meets. “First and foremost, we did not remove him from the national team. We had a selection last January. He chose not to compete,” said Lim. De los Santos decided not to come back to the national men’s kata team when tryouts were held earlier this year. When the national squad was selected for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, De los Santos felt he was left out and decided to focus on online meets, with his students. “So, that’s his loss not ours. And with regards with the online championships he’s been competing in, I’m proud of that,” added Lim. De los Santos was still part of the national pool after the SEA Games, according to the Lim and there was a different selection process that took place after that. With De los Santos vacating his slot, national coach Okay Arpa decided to bring in his replacement, Joco Vasquez. Lim said that while De los Santos has been representing the country in virtual tournaments, online events are different from actual competitions. What De los Santos joins in are club-based tournaments and not at the national level. So far, De los Santos has been doing well with three female bets, Julie Anne Marcos, Fatima A-Isha Lim Hamsain and Christine Colonia.

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Phoenix Super LPG forward Calvin Abueva (8) tries to drive past two TNT Tropang Giga defenders Jayson Castro (17) and Ray Parks. PBA

Castro stars as TNT takes semis opener By Reuel Vidal

more freebies to finalize the count, 95-92. Castro finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to win Player of the AYSON Castro returned from sick bay in time to score Game honors. the crucial points at crunch time and power TNT Tropang Phoenix star player Matthew Wright Giga to a 95-92 victory over Phoenix Super LPG yesterday, missed almost the entirety of the game after rolling his ankle. He had 2 points in 6 minutes Wednesday, November 18 at the Angeles University Foundation of playing time. Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G. Jazul drilled the technical free throw to hike the Phoenix lead to five points, 21-16, late in the Castro nursed an ailing calf. He had long ng teammates ko,” said Castro. to sit out games against the Blackwater Castro stepped into a three-pointer to ex- first period. Poy Erram got a technical foul for Elite and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters tend the TNT lead to 4 points, 90-86, with taunting after blocking Jansen Rio.s Justin Chua added three more free throws and played limited minutes during TNT’s 1:14 left to play. Calvin Abueva countered 104-83 victory over the Alaska Aces in the with a layup for Phoenix to cut the gap to 2 to push Phoenix ahead, 24-16, after the first period. Quarterfinals but returned in time to power points, 90-88, with 54 seconds to go. The Scores: TNT to a 1-0 lead in the Semifinals of the Simon Enciso missed a three-point atTNT Tropang Giga 95 – Jayson Castro 20, 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. tempt but Castro grabbed the rebound then When asked what inspired him to play stretched in for a layup to hike the TNT Ray Parks 17, Roger Pogoy 16, Poy Erram 15, through the injury, the TNT veteran said advantage back to 4 points, 92-88, with 26 Ryan Reyes 11, Kib Montalbo 6, Troy Rosario 5, Simon Enciso 4, Harvey Carey 1. he drew inspiration from all the hard work seconds to go. Phoenix Super LPG 92 – RJ Jazul 21, Jaand sacrifice of his teammates. RJ Jazul drilled a three-pointer to cut “Sa team namin. Since the ‘bubble’ we that lead to just a point, 92-91, with 20 sec- son Perkins 15, Calvin Abueva 13, Alex Mallari 13, RR Garcia 12, Brian Heruela 6, Justin played as a team. Ine-encourage nila ako. onds left to play. Sabi nila kung ano ang kaya kong gawin Enciso and Jason Perkins traded split Chua 3, JC Intal 3, Matthew Wright 2, Dave gawin ko lang. During the bubble puro charities to peg the count at, 93-92, with Marcelo 2, Jansen Rios 2, JayR Reyes 0. Quarter Scores: 16-24, 36-37, 67-61, 95-92. rehab lang. Malaking bagay talaga ang tu- 7 seconds to play before Castro added 2

Week’s best player Wright delivers for Phoenix Matthew Wright finished with 32 points and nine assists to help the second-seeded Fuel Masters reach the AllFilipino semifinals anew.

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY—Matthew Wright proved to be the right man for Phoenix Super LPG after leading the team to a second straight semifinal stint in the PBA Philippine Cup. In one of the biggest games of his career and in Phoenix franchise history, Wright rose to the occasion and delivered big time in the clutch when he hit the game-winning three-pointer in a thrilling 89-88 win that slammed the playoffs door on Magnolia. The 29-year-old Wright finished with 32 points and nine assists to help the secondseeded Fuel Masters reach the All-Filipino semifinals anew, where they clash with no. 3 TnT Tropang Giga in a best-of-five duel. The 6’4” gunner averaged 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists as the Fuel Masters went 2-0 in the final week of the eliminations to clinch a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals. Wright’s heroics and numbers made him the unanimous choice as Cignal TV–PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period Nov. 9-15.

Meralco guard Aaron Black (9.3 p points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) shared the limelight with Wright as he copped a second straight Rookie of the Week citation handed out by members of the media covering the PBA beat. Wright’s consistent showing also steadies his hold on the players’ statistical race with 35.9 SPs behind norms of 22.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. But setting aside his individual goals, Wright is more focused on the far bigger goal of winning a breakthrough championship for Phoenix. “That’s the goal that I’ve always wanted. I feel like I’m one of the best. I know that in order to be mentioned among the best, you have to win certain awards and championships. I’m trying to focus on that and doing the right thing,” he said. “If you do the right thing and you’re humble, those awards will come. Look at June Mar, he’s the most humble guy in the world so I’m trying to take a page from his book. We have seven wins left until the championship. It’s going to be a long playoff. I’d worry about that when it’s all said and done,” Wright said.

Iniong vows to be back at ONE circle IT HAS certainly been a rough go as of late for the Baguio City-based Team Lakay. No one knows that better than Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao. After returning from Singapore, going 1-4 overall with only former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio winning his match, Sangiao says the mood in camp is serious but uplifting. The martial artists at Team Lakay were disappointed with their performances but remain motivated to correct their paths. One athlete who has been waiting on the sidelines, watching intently as her teammates ply the ONE Circle, is female atomweight contender Gina “Conviction” Iniong. Iniong was previously the #5-ranked atomweight in ONE, but due to her inactivity, she was recently removed from the rankings with Thailand’s Stamp Fairtex taking her place. Sangiao wants to tell all the Filipino martial arts fans that Iniong has every intent to return to action. “When she’s all fit to start her training, then she’s back,” Sangiao confirmed Iniong’s willingness to continue her career. Iniong has been out of action for months after announcing that she and husband Richard Araos were pregnant with their first child. Just this week, Iniong gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Gianna Rose. Iniong laid all the debate to rest on whether or not she wanted to return to competition in a recent interview. Sangiao believes Iniong is targeting a slot in the 8-woman ONE Atomweight Grand Prix. “She’s very eager to be in the Atomweight Grand Prix, but she needs to be patient and approach it at the right time. I have no doubt she will be better than ever. Gina is very much motivated. She’s focused and determined,” said Sangiao. “We have seen how Gina performs in the ring or in the Circle, and she’s capable of anything. She has great wins facing some outstanding athletes. Of course, there is still a lot of room for improvement. But she’s eager to learn and enhance her skills. I think fans will be happy when she returns. If she can get a spot in the tournament, we will do our best to prepare her.”

Early birdie-binge nets Zaragosa PGT lead RUPERT Zaragosa went on an early birdiebinge and shot a 69 then pounced on Joenard Rates’ late meltdown to grab a one-shot lead over the erstwhile frontrunner and two others halfway through the rich ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge at the Couples course in Silang, Cavite yesterday. What he lacked in height, the 5-foot-2 Zaragosa made up with his superb shotmaking and putting as he birdied three of the first holes then held sway in tough conditions, finishing with a two-birdie, two-bogey game the rest of the way for a 34-35 and a 141. “I hit it pretty good off the mound and got some good lies for approach shots,” said Zaragosa, whose opening 72 was marred by a double-bogey on No. 11, a par-5 hole which he birdied yesterday to storm ahead of the compact field in pro golf’s resumption after an eight-month break due to pandemic. Aware of the expected charge of the top guns in the last two rounds, the 23-year-old

Zaragosa stressed the need to play it smart to gain a crack at a first pro crown which he blew when he lost in a five-man playoff in the PGT Asia Pradera Verde last January. “I’ll just go for the fairways and greens, minimize my mistakes and make the most of my chances,” said the former many-time national champion, one of the very few who had tapped a caddie in coach-father Boyet. After an impressive opening 69 in the Tour’s return in new normal, where the pros do away with the caddies and abide by the strict health and safety protocols, including wearing of face masks, the 5-foot-3 Rates scrambled to salvage a one-under card after 16 holes and hold on to the lead. But he fumbled with back-to-back bogeys for a 73, enabling the other diminutive shotmaker to take command of the P2.5 million tournament, the first of two events put up by ICTSI to mark the PGT’s restart. The other championship is slated Dec. 8-11 at the adja-

cent Langer layout. For details, visit www.pgt.ph. Still, Rates stayed within a shot at 142 in a tie with another surprising pair in Fidel Concepcion and Rico Depilo, who fired 68 and 71, respectively, as the fancied bets continued to figure out the course while trying to recover from the effects of a long layoff since mid-March. While Zaragosa banked on a solid start to seize control, Concepcion turned in a late charge to get into the mix alongside Rates and Depilo, the unheralded Davaoeño hoping to sustain his charge against the expected assault of the favorites in an attempt to finally gain a crack at a first crown in turning pro at 31 in 2004. Concepcion, a former Southern Utah Univ. standout who grew up in Sydney and placed 15th in the Order of Merit in his PGT debut last year, actually hit two birdies in the first 11 holes then bounced back from a bogey misfortune on No. 12 with three straight birdies from No. 13 for a 35-33.

Rupert Zaragosa cashes in on an early surge, Joenard Rates’ late mishaps to seize control

Sports

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Canelo returns to ring against British champ

NBA reveals format tweak for next season LOS ANGELES—The NBA will use a play-off tournament to determine the seventh and eighth seeds in the 2020-2021 postseason, according to a new format unveiled by the league on Tuesday. The shortened season tips off on December 22, with each team playing 72 games rather than the traditional 82 games in order to allow playoffs to be completed in July and players to be made available for the Olympics. The biggest change to the season format is the new method for determining the top eight postseason teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences. Previously, the top eight teams in each conference advance to the playoffs. This season, the league plans to play a mini-tournament between teams placed from seventh to 10th in order to determine the seventh and eighth seeds. A similar format was used last season when the league restarted in its Orlando bubble following a four-month shutdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Under the new format, the team with the seventh-highest winning percentage in each conference will play a home game against the team with the eighthhighest winning percentage in its conference. The winner of that game will take the seventh seeding. The loser of that game will then play the winner of a playoff between the ninth and tenth placed teams for the eighth and final playoff berth. The playoff tweak was the most signif icant change to the league for mat announced on Tuesday. A full schedule for the 20202021 season will be rolled out in stages, with the first half of the season revealed during pre-season training camps. Fixtures for the second half of the campaign will be confirmed midway through the season. AFP

Austria’s Dominic Thiem (left) taps rackets after winning against Spain’s Rafael Nadal in their men’s singles round-robin match on day three of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London. Thiem won 7-6, 7-6. AFP

Nadal loses to Thiem, but still confident to win crown L

ONDON—Rafael Nadal insisted he can still win the ATP Finals for the ﬁrst time despite a damaging 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4) defeat against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on Tuesday.

Thiem overpowered Nadal behind closed doors at London’s O2 Arena to put a dent in the Spanish star’s bid to finally lift the one major prize missing from his packed trophy cabinet. Thiem became the first player to qualify for the semi-finals a few hours later when reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6). Nadal, who lost the 2010 and 2013 finals of the event, has to beat Tsitsipas in his last group match to reach the semi-finals of the prestigious season-ending tournament. Despite his perilous position, Nadal goes into the showdown against Tsitsipas, with the winner guaranteed to progress to the last four, in confident mood after battling hard against the inspired Thiem. “He played I think an amazing match, and I played well too. So my feeling is not negative. I lost, but I had plenty of chances, said Nadal, who had beaten Rublev in straight sets in his first match.

“I’m happy with the way I played. I think my chances are bigger to have a very good result now than five days ago because the level of tennis, even if I lost today, for me is much higher.” Nadal, who last month equalled Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slams by winning the French Open, has won 86 titles but just one of those has come on an indoor hard court. The world number two has qualified for the ATP Finals for 16 years in a row, but his record at the eight-man elite event pales in comparison with Federer and Novak Djokovic after six injury withdrawals. ‘I have my chances’ Potentially facing another disappointment in the Finals, Nadal said he couldn’t explain his problems at the event. “I think even if I never won here, I don’t want to pretend to be arrogant at all, because I am not. But I really don’t need to show even to myself or to no one that if I

am playing my best tennis I think I can win in every surface and against any player,” he said. “I never won in the World Tour Finals. That’s the real thing at the same time. I have a match against Tsitsipas in two days. Gonna be another tough one. “I hope to be ready. I think playing like this I am confident that I can have my chances in the tournament.” World number three Thiem, who defeated Tsitsipas in his opening match, has won his first two matches in this year’s tournament as he looks to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish. The 27-year-old has already enjoyed a year to remember, reaching two Grand Slam finals and winning one of the four majors for the first time when he defeated Alexander Zverev in the US Open final in September. “It’s definitely one of the better matches I’ve played so far in my career,” Thiem said. “I think that today I played a little bit higher level than at the US Open. It was maybe the best match from me since the restart of the tour and that makes me super happy.” AFP

LOS ANGELES—Pound-forpound king Canelo Alvarez will make his long-awaited return to the ring next month when he battles Britain’s world super-middleweight champion Callum Smith, both fighters’ camps confirmed on Tuesday. Alvarez, recognised as the holder of World Boxing Association’s middleweight “super” belt, has not fought since scoring an 11th-round knockout of Sergey Kovalev in a light-heavyweight duel last November. The 30-year-old Mexican star’s return to the ring has been held up amid a dispute with promoter Oscar de la Hoya and streaming service DAZN. Alvarez, who signed a $350 million five-year deal with DAZN in 2018, earlier this month announced he was a free agent after severing his ties with the platform and De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. However Alvarez’s December 19 fight with Smith will be aired on the DAZN platform on a one-off basis. The exact venue is to be confirmed, but US reports said it is likely to take place in Texas. Smith, who holds the WBA’s supermiddlweight title, is 27-0 with 19 wins by knockout. The 30-year-old from Liverpool will be making his third defence of the title he won by knocking out George Groves in September 2018. Like Alvarez, Smith has also spent a year out of the ring. His last fight was a hardfought unanimous decision victory over John Ryder last November. Although unbeaten, Smith will start as the clear underdog against Alvarez, who boasts a 53-1-2 record with 36 knockouts. Alvarez, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has lost only once in his career, a majority decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2014. AFP

Pacquiao donates Globe endorsement fee to typhoon victims AFTER scoring a brand endorsement agreement with Globe to be its newest brand ambassador, Senator and People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao announced that he is donating his fees to victims of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. At the recently held contract signing at the Mireio, Rafﬂes Hotel in Makati with Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu and Globe Chairman and Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Pacquiao offered to give his earnings to support relief efforts. “I said yes to Globe because I believe in the company, and I use the company’s services. Not only that, I am given another God-given opportunity to be of help to our kababayans in any way I can. That is why my endorsement fee for this will go to relief efforts to help our kababayans who were affected by the devastation of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Ibibigay natin sa mga taong ito ang ating income dito, ibabalik natin sa taumbayan para makatulong ng malaki sa ating mga kababayan na naghihirap at nagugutom ngayon at nawalan ng tahanan. Sama sama tayong babangon, that is my commitment,” said

Pacquiao. The contract signing between Globe and twelve-time, eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao as its brand ambassador was live streamed on Facebook last night, a new standard for events marketing in the new normal. “You’re donating the proceeds of the endorsements—I think that’s a very gallant move, and one that is so timely given the vast devastation that has occurred in the country today,” said Cu. For Ayala, “At a time when the country is facing so many challenges, Manny’s life story has remained a source of inspiration for every Filipino even in this time of pandemic—a constant reminder of the Filipino’s strength, talent, and tenacity to overcome every difﬁculty.” The partnership with Globe also paves the way for Filipinos from all over the world to see Pacquiao’s upcoming ﬁghts live via UPSTREAM, the newest transactional video-on-demand (VOD) platform, and GMovies. “It is indeed a source of pride to partner with Manny Pacquiao, the People’s Champ. His legendary boxing career is a never ending source of Pinoy inspiration to always strive

I WONDER, who among the PBA teams will enjoy a really Merry Christmas when the current the Philippine Cup 2020 winds up its bubble conference in Clark. But deﬁnitely, defending champion San Miguel Beer, which was aiming for a 6th straight All-Filipino crown, will not be among the candidates after getting knocked out by the Meralco Bolts (described by coach Norman Black as his best Bolts team so far) in the quarter ﬁnals. And as early as now, basketball fans are already talking about the need to infuse younger talents to the team after its ageing

Also present at the contract signing were Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Business Development Head of Ayala Corporation; Issa Cabreira, Globe Consumer Business Group Head; Joe Caliro, Globe Senior Adviser; Arnold Vegafria, Talent Manager, and Roselle Monteverde, Regal Films Producer. Globe is a signatory to the United Na-

tions Global Compact and has committed to implement sustainability principles hinged on four pillars including One Digital Nation, Care for the Environment, Care for People and Positive Societal Impact. Globe is actively supporting 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, please visit globe.com.ph.

Shown here are (from left) Upstream Partner Dondon Monteverde, Director Erik Matti, Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu, Uptream Partner Roselle Monteverde, New Globe Ambassador Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Arnold Vegafria, Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO and Globe Telecom Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Atty. Brando Viernesto, Globe Consumer Business Head Issa Cabreira, Ayala Corporation Business Development Head, Corporate Strategy and Development Group Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Globe Senior Advisor, Joe Caliro

Make mine gin this time

THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO

to be better,” said Upstream partner Dondon Monteverde. “This same inspiration goes in line with our vision for Upstream to become the best entertainment platform for the Filipino. It is with great privilege and honour that Upstream will air his next ﬁght through live internet streaming to the Filipino people,” Monteverde added.

stars, playing without big man June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo, got knocked out in the quarterfinals. So the PBA players, who are hoping to have a truly joyous and financially rewarding year, can only come from protagonists Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco, and other semifinalists TNT and Phoenix. Without a doubt, the Gin Kings will be the top favorite to win another title for coach Tim Cone, with their souped-up line up, led by Stanley Pringle, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thomson, Jeff Chan and Joe Devance. This is a team that has made a habit of beating the Bolts in three previous finals’ match ups. Of course, Cone will never admit that his team can easily take care of Meralco. He has too much coaching savvy to take

any opponent for granted, no matter what history says. For his part, Meralco head coach Norman Black knows his team will be the underdog against Ginebra, never mind that the latter will not enjoy its usual live crowd advantage. But I have to agree, Black’s team has improved a lot, particularly with big man Raymond Almazan being able to match up against Aguilar. Veteran Reynell Hugnatan and point guard Baser Amer are having a good season, while Norman’s son Aaron is showing he was not picked just because his father is coaching the team. But in the end, Ginebra should be able yo ﬁnish this series in four games and advance to the ﬁnals. But no, I will not be betting on my own prediction as Meralco is certainly play-

ing with more confidence now. Now, let us talk about the other semifinal match between Phoenix and TNT, which I believe is the more evenly matched game. Phoenix got past Magnolia while TNT beat a rebuilding Alaska squad. But more than the game itself, which I think can go either way and up to Game 5 at that, basketball fans actually will be looking at two individual players on both side—Calvin Abueva, who has been instrumental in his team’s march to the semifinals, and Ray Ray Parks of TNT. Everyone knows that these two had a run in that involved Parks’ girlfriend, and it did not help that Parks denied recently that he and Abueva had made up. I just hope Abueva has learned his lesson already and that no physical altercation

erupts between the two in the semis. Phoenix will rely on sharp-shooting Matthew Wright, big man Jason Perkins and RR Garcia, too, but it seems TNT may have have the edge in talent. Jayson Castro remains a premier point guard for TNT, with ample support from the likes of Roger Pogoy, Poy Erram, Ryan Reyes, and Troy Rosario, plus Parks, of course. If Phoenix’s defense can contain TNT, their chances improve, but I believe, this is an even match, more than anything else. Meanwhile, just a plug this Sunday, it will be ex-PBA player Fritz Gaston who will be our guest in our “THE SWAB,” the sports vlog we kicked off last Sunday with my co host Vivid Jay Gueco. Please watch on YouTube, this Gaston episode and you will ﬁnd it highly interesting.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

Forever believing YUGEL LOSORATA

Japanese Film Festival

unreels at MOA Drive-in Cinema The Japan Foundation, Manila kicks off its first digital edition of the Japanese Film Festival with the workplace comedy ‘Project Dreams: How To Build Mazinger Z’s Hangar.’

HE Japan Foundation, Manila, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan, SM Cinema, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and JT International Philippines, brings together the first and only hybrid Japanese Film Festival this November at the SM Mall of Asia Drive-in Cinema.

With combined physical and online screenings, the Japan Foundation, Manila aims to share Japanese culture with the Filipino people in an exciting and innovative way amid the pandemic. The Japan Foundation has carefully curated 28 full-length Japanese films from comedy, romance, drama, thriller, documentary, animation, and classic movies, which will be available for 24 hours in the newly launched JFF Plus website, https://watch.jff.jpf.go.jp/, run by the Japan Foundation to share Japanese films overseas. Project Dreams: How to Build Mazinger Z’s Hangar by Hanabusa Tsutomu, the festival’s opening film, will have an extended run at the SM Cinema Drive-in at SM Mall of Asia from Nov. 20 to 22. The story revolves around company employees including Doi of the Maeda Construction Company’s Advertising group, who has little passion for his work.

The Japanese Film Festival Plus unreels with an exclusive 3-day screening of the opening film at the SM Cinema Drive-in at SM Mall of Asia.

One day, the group’s leader Asagawa, declares to build the for Mazinger Z, a giant robot star of a sci-fi manga and anime classic series. Having been dragged in by Asagawa, Doi and his co-workers begin living in an imaginary anime world while overcoming the hurdles of their groundbreaking project. Admission fee of P100 per head is inclusive of popcorn, beef franks, and bottled water. Tickets are available online at https://smtickets.com/sm-drive-incinema.

Apart from the drive-in screenings, film enthusiasts from the Philippines, along with those from Malaysia and Thailand, will be the first among 20 countries to enjoy a diverse selection of Japan’s most acclaimed films as the Japanese Film Festival Plus: Online Festival features contemporary and classic films for audiences to enjoy in the comfort of their own space from Nov. 20 to 29. The Japanese Film Festival is one of the exciting cross-cultural events at SM Cinema Drive-in at SM Mall of Asia.

GoDaddy’s ‘Project Go’ premieres tonight on AXN

Joining Maggie Wilson on the show as mentors are successful, innovative leaders in their respective fields: Rappler’s Bea Cupin; the Tung Brothers (Mikko, Macky, and Mark Tung) of Ligo, and GoDaddy Marketing Director for Asia Tina Shieh.

GODADDY, Inc., in collaboration with AXN, premieres its reality series, Project GO, and introduces the expert mentors who will be guiding the entrepreneur contestants. The first episode airs today at 8:25 p.m. in the Philippines and regionally in Southeast Asia on AXN, one of the leading general entertainment channels owned by KC Global Media Asia. Project GO gives Filipino dreamers the opportunity to hone their ingenuity and bring creative ideas to life, with the most striking business idea winning P1 million in funding at the end of the show. Host and chief Mentor Maggie Wilson will share her personal insights and tips as the entrepreneur behind Acasa Manila. The new program will adapt a semidigital show format aimed at enhancing the viewership experience. The show’s host, Maggie Wilson, along with its varied and highly skilled roster of Mentors, will participate directly with the contestants. For cast members who cannot be physically on set, they will be connected via live stream to interact with those on set throughout the course of filming. Accomplished lifestyle journalist

Bea Cupin joins Wilson and Shieh as one of the show’s Mentors. With her vast experience working for a number of the country’s major publications, the current Lifestyle and Entertainment Editor of Rappler will teach contestants the nuances of understanding target audiences, communicating effectively, and identifying opportunities for their respective brands. Also serving as Mentors on the show are the “Tung Brothers” Mikko, Macky, and Mark, company executives and third-generation owners of Ligo, one of the country’s top food brands. Mikko Tung is also the CEO of Odd Job Bob, a personalized home repair service, of which he and Macky are co-founders. With their family’s 60-year legacy of business success and ability to understand the needs of rising generations of new consumers in the Millennial and Gen-Z demographics, as well as their experience as entrepreneurs in their own right, the Tung Brothers exhibit sound business acumen and foresight, making them strong and valuable Mentors for Project GO contestants. Completing the panel of Mentors is

GoDaddy Marketing Director for Asia, Tina Shieh. According to Shieh, “Project GO is all about giving people a fresh start, a chance to learn, and to enable Filipinos to connect with their entrepreneurial spirit.” “GoDaddy admires the perseverance of Filipinos and is committed to helping them grow and thrive online. The truly successful entrepreneurs go all out to overcome challenges and make their ideas a reality,” Shieh added. According to Derek Wong, KC Global Media Asia’s Vice President and Head for Production and Creative Services, “With the times constantly changing, there is a call to be proactive and innovative in designing shows that can offer rich content and quality entertainment. With technology on the rise and consumers digesting content differently today, we saw this as an opportunity to collaborate with GoDaddy to bring such a program to the AXN viewers.” Weekly simulcasts will also be available on AXN Asia and GoDaddy Asia’s YouTube channels. For more information on Project GO, visit the official website: www.axn-asia.com/ProjectGO.

EARLY this year, before the world found itself dealing with a global problem last experienced a hundred years ago, digital pop act Jace Roque advocated mental health through his music and thoughts. Months later, even musical artists felt the weight of the very issue they hope to help address. Musicians were practically paralyzed by the effects of a world where singers and performers can’t do their thing in front of fans and random audiences. Jace himself admitted to feeling depressed going through the ordeal of being unable to promote his music the way he used to. Or when doing so proved effective as he had strings of hits prior to pandemic. He shared, sounding honestly as any artist would, “Before ‘Forever,’ nagkaroon ako ng three consecutive hit singles kaya I had high expectations for my next release. Pero nasira ng pandemic yung release schedule ko kaya I got depressed. I didn’t know what to do. Ang taas ng anxiety ko at the time. When this song didn’t chart, feeling ko doon na magtatapos yung career ko.” Last Friday, Jace appeared in a zoom presser as a young man who survived with an intact smile and a new do saying, “bring it on.” That he launched his latest music video on a Friday the 13th reflected his stance on the blitzkrieg of troubles 2020 had poured on. Not even the threat of a worst-kind of virus, or a typhoon that jives with it, could stop him from directing his and dancing on his music video. The result blended well to a song that pumps up the blood and grooves to the basic idea of everlasting love. That song was released last March, at the height of ECQ. But seeing that it didn’t enjoy the kind of run it could have minus the pandemic, he put out an acoustic version last October that gave it an extra bite. The alternate rendition reached No. 20 on iTunes Philippines. The music video, on the other hand, was shot at SilverMoon Studio, with its proprietor dubbed Mr. Moon allowing Jace to do it for free as a fun ride on the momentum. Mr. Moon apparently was

impressed by Jace’s talent that he was handed the privilege. Mr. Moon noted, “I hope Jace keeps his passion alive because if he does, he’ll surely get through all the hardships that come with being a musician. I believe that all his dreams will come true.” SilverMoon Studio is the Philippine branch of a popular photo studio in Seoul, South Korea. It was perfect for the K-Pop feel Jace hoped to achieve, with its colorfully stunning backdrops and sets. Asked what was on his mind as he tried to keep himself afloat in the foreveraltered music scene, he said, “Hindi po ako sumuko at nilaban ko pa rin. I did everything I could possibly do under the circumstances. Nag-adapt na lang ako sa situation kasi yun lang yung paraan para maka-move forward to stay relevant.”

Pinoy EDM proponent Jace Roque released the music video for his Tagalog song “Forever” last Friday the 13th. He directed and danced on it.

Manny Pacquiao

is the new face of Globe GLOBE announced that it has partnered with twelve-time, eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao, as its brand ambassador. The partnership is in line with the telco's position to stay closer to its customers who are reeling from the impact of the pandemic and the current economic downturn. “Manny is the epitome of a true global Filipino, a homegrown talent who rises above challenges to bring pride to the country. Much like Manny who remains unfazed by the challenges of this pandemic, Globe has remained steadfast in providing Filipinos with digital solutions, mobile, and internet services that have become lifelines under the new normal,” says Ernest Cu, Globe President, and CEO. “Globe has always been an active supporter of local talent. Globe and Manny share a common desire to uplift people’s lives, which makes him a fitting ambassador for us,” Cu adds. “Ang pandemyang ito, at ang mga kaakibat na suliraning pangkabuhayan, ay maaari nang pinaka matinding laban na hinaharap ng bawat Pilipino. Ako ay nakikiisa sa sambayanang Pilipino, kasama ang Globe, sa laban na ito,” said Pacquiao. “Ako ay nagagalak na maging katuwang ng Globe sa paghahatid ng mensahe ng pag-asa sa aking mga kababayan, anumang kalagayan sa buhay, sa mapanghamon na panahon na ito,” Pacquiao shares. Also attending the signing ceremony is Globe Chairman and Ayala Corporation CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. “At a time when the country is facing so many challenges, Manny’s life story has

remained a source of inspiration for every Filipino even in this time of pandemic – a constant reminder of the Filipino’s strength, talent, and tenacity to overcome every difficulty,” says Ayala. Globe also announced that the partnership will pave the way for Manny's upcoming fights to be made exclusively available for streaming live in the Philippines on the internet through Upstream in partnership with GMovies. Upstream is the newest transactional video-on-demand (VOD) platform. With these digital platforms available, more Filipinos will be able to enjoy Manny's live fights, often considered as a national spectacle. “It is indeed a source of pride to partner with Manny Pacquiao, the People’s Champ. His legendary boxing career is a never-ending source of Pinoy inspiration to always strive to be better,” says Upstream partner Dondon Monteverde. “This same inspiration goes in line with our vision for Upstream to become the best entertainment platform for the Filipino. It is with great privilege and honor that Upstream will air his next fight through live internet streaming to the Filipino People,” Monteverde adds. Globe is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and has committed to implement sustainability principles hinged on four pillars including One Digital Nation, Care for the Environment, Care for People, and Positive Societal Impact. Globe is actively supporting 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, please visit globe.com.ph.

Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO and Globe Telecom Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala

Life

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

HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020

MINIMALISM IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. Clean lines, powder-coated metal trims, and large picture windows are heavily featured in Nob Hills’ residential units—fostering simplicity amid nature.

Only the essentials

By Steph Llarena

HIS is the perhaps the year many realized that life feels much simpler and easier— happier, even—when we pare our lives down to the essentials. With many cooped up at home, indulgences are pushed down on the list of priorities, and many return to or opt for just the basics.

geometric linear design and large picture windows. These rhythmic lines complement the homes’ natural, light-colored stone, powder-coated metal trims, and wood glaze finishes and trims. Straddling the highest point of the Greenlands, the residential enclave offers panoramic vistas of Tagaytay Highlands and of the mountains of

No wonder minimalism is one of today’s most enduring lifestyle trends. The minimalist movement has been highly influential in corporate architecture and product design since 2010. Minimalist architecture favors neutral palettes of brown, beige, white, and gray; clean straight lines; well-defined rectangular shapes; long and wide eaves; and design that lets natural light in. This has also been dubbed the millennial aesthetic: simple and orderly, yet classy. Pinterest and Instagram featuring minimalist designs are quite popular among this younger generation. Somewhere in Tagaytay, modern minimalism is combined with countryside charm to create a home that’s simple yet warm, stylish and cozy. Nob Hill in Tagaytay Highlands features stylish homes with simple and

Less is more in millennial-favorite minimalist design which leans toward neutral palettes, clean straight lines, and features that let natural light in. (Photos not from Nob Hills)

Makiling and Maculot in the distance, encouraging a life closer to nature. Aside from having eco-friendly home designs, with atriums and pocket gardens as exclusive amenities, it also boasts a main park with a fitness station, a trellis, children’s play area, a gazebo, and a jogging path. For its homeowners’ convenience and

peace of mind, the developer says the gated community has 24-hour security, 24hour emergency medical and fire-fighting teams, independent and abundant water supply, in-house landscaping, and efficient property management services. Nob Hill residents get exclusive access to the upscale facilities of the complex, such as the Country Club,

world-class dining establishments, the Sports Center, and various indoor and outdoor event venues. Each property also comes with a proprietary share at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club. Nob Hill is accessible via the Suplang Gate through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) Batino Exit or the Sta. Rosa Exit.

ADD TO CART

Cute, functional Miniso items now available online

Penguin plush toys Marvel storage boxes

Screw driver

Silicone baking tools

MINISO’S wide range of products are now available for purchase via multiple online platforms. Via Call and Shop service, shoppers can call their nearest Miniso branch to place their orders, pay online using debit or credit card or via Miniso’s partners payment centers, and wait for their items to be delivered. The list of participating branches

GIFT GUIDE

and other details can be accessed through https://bit.ly/MinisoCallAndShop. Those who prefer to shop on Shopee or Lazada can look for the brand’s official stores. Meanwhile, Metro Manila residents can use Miniso’s Facebook order form to check out products and place their orders or go to foodpanda’s Shop section to purchase.

Presents that care for the future

LOOKING for gifts that make many people happy? Buy mushrooms, help farmers Davao-based Mavil’s House of Mushrooms offers a variety of healthy mushroom chips. Through Mavil’s research, they also have successfully developed a new breed of oyster mushroom and are planning to patent it in the future. They provide hands-on training and free technical support with the hope of raising the income of farmers in Tagum and surrounding areas.

Colorful face masks and pouches from Mori Notes.

Sushi cat plush toy

Mavil’s House of Mushroom’s products.

Multifunctional pouches Providing livelihood to mother crafters is social enterprise Mori Notes which offers multifunctional, quirky-designed pouches for everyday use. The Quezon City enterprise’s flagship product Pursebook Journal combines a purse and a journal notebook into one convenient and sleek item. It also offers Dual Zip Purses, a wallet and cellphone holder in one; gadget organizers; neck pouches; insulated lunch bags; and travel wallets. Mavil’s and Mori Notes were both awardees at the BPI Sinag Reignite 2020 Awards, the flagship program of BPI Foundation that champions Filipino social enterprises.

The new Sodexo+ app allows easy distribution and use of digital gift certificates.

Contactless gifting Sodexo launches digital gift certificate IN A bid to make gift-giving easier and much efficient in a time of distancing and minimized contact, leading gift certificate brand Sodexo launches its new digital solution. Complementing its paper product Premium Pass is the Sodexo+ app, through which users can distribute digital gift certificates from a web portal into the free app. The app is available for download on both iOS and Android smartphones. “We recognize the challenges faced by companies and business owners since the onset of the pandemic. Through our products, we want to help them enhance employee engagement through meaningful rewards, while getting the most value,” says Sodexo marketing director Sharon Kayanan. Digital GC receivers can use their gift certificates at popular merchants nationwide and purchase e-vouchers from e-com-

merce giants Shopee and Zalora. Users can also share their GCs with other users through the Share GC feature on the app. “Now, Filipinos can share and receive GCs in an instant and contactless way,” adds Kayanan. Sodexo has ongoing promotions for corporate clients availing of its products: those who order a minimum of P100,000 co-branded GCs get 1 percent off or rebate (until Dec. 31); get free P500 worth of Sodexo+ credits for every P1 million purchase of Sodexo GCs (until Dec. 31); Sodexo Digital Christmas ham or basket GC is available for instant distribution to employees, partners, and customers (until Dec. 31). Until Dec. 31, consumers also get exclusive freebies and discounts when they use their Sodexo GCs at select Miniso, Red Ribbon, Krispy Kreme, Yellow Cab, and Figaro Coffee branches nationwide.