Manila Standard - 2020 November 23 - Monday

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Senate ups vaccine funds But senators differ on the amount; Recto seeks P100-b purchase

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas

S

ENATORS have agreed to increase the funds for procurement, storage and distribution of vaccines for COVID-19 under the 2021 national budget, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Sunday, without specifying any amount.

Under the proposed budget of the gram is about P2.5 billion.

Even before Sotto's confirmation that Department of Health (DOH), the fundNext page ing for the COVID-19 vaccination pro-

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 261 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

AFTER THE DELUGE. A series of typhoons brought about severe flooding in Cagayan, Isabela and in Mega Manila areas of Rizal province particularly Marikina, has prompted President Duterte to declare a Luzon-wide state of calamity and the House of Representatives to push for an increase of P5 billion in calamity funds under the national budget for 2021 to aid in the rehabilitation of typhoon-hit areas.

House bats for P5-b hike in calamity funds for next year

By Rio N. Araja THE House of Representatives is seeking an increase of P5 billion in the 2021 calamity fund for the reconstruction of areas devastated by recent strong typhoons.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Congress would propose the increase during the bicameral conference on the proposed

P4.506-trillion national budget for next year.

The two chambers of Congress will convene the conference after the Senate approves its own version of the budget.

Velasco said the House passed the 2021 spending bill before typhoons “Quinta,” “Rolly” and “Ulysses” wreaked havoc in many parts of the country.

“Given the tremendous damage caused by these successive strong typhoons, it is imperative that we augment the calamity fund in next year’s spending plan. We have to help our people rebuild their lives and their communities,” he said.

Based on the reports of the concerned agencies, he said, the total damage caused by the three recent typhoons to infrastruc-

ture and agriculture is now at P35 billion.

Under the budget submitted by President Rodrigo Duterte to Congress in August, the calamity fund amounted to P20 billion, up by P4 billion from this year’s P16 billion.

Out of P20 billion, P5 billion was to go for the Marawi reconstruction, while Next page

Trump’s therapy works —drug maker

Silver lining: 92% recover from COVID THE Department of Health said Sunday 92 percent of those who had tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 have recovered.

In its latest bulletin, the department Next page

WORLD ROUNDUP

A COVID-19 antibody therapy used to treat President Donald Trump was approved by the US drug regulator on Saturday for people who aren't yet hospitalized by the disease but are at high risk.

The green light for drug maker Regeneron came after REGEN-COV2, a combination of two lab-made antibodies, was

LOCAL ROUNDUP

shown to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalizations or emergency room visits in patients with underlying conditions.

"Authorizing these monoclonal antibody therapies may help outpatients avoid hospitalization and alleviate the

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM NOV. 22)

418,818

Next page

TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,968 24,209 US DONATION. Following the U.S. government's donation of 100 new

ventilators and supplies to fight COVID-19, technicians of USAID in Manila help install the ventilators in one of the recipient hospitals, the Lung Center of the Philippines. #FriendsPartnersAllies #COVID19PH

Pope to traders: Try new economic model

BELENISMO FINALS. One of the most colorful artistic Belen (Nativity) entries made by residents of Tarlac during the final judging of "Belenismo sa Tarlac Festival 2020”.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses that destroyed some of their prized artworks, they continue to participate to gain positive vibes for the Yuletide season. Lino Santos

POPE Francis urged young Catholic entrepreneurs Saturday to develop a new, more just economic model that could save a mistreated planet while helping the poor and the excluded.

Francis spoke via a video message beamed to a virtual meeting of young business leaders and urged them to make major changes to global economic relationships.

"You recognize the urgent need for a Next page

NEW

ACTIVE

8,123

43

DEATHS

NEW

386,486 10,957 RECOVERIES

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Lifestyle check on DoTr execs T RANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade on Sunday said he had ordered all heads of agencies and other Transport officials to submit their individual Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth to the Department of Justice-led task force in line with his department’s cooperation in the anti-graft probe.

The order includes officials’ chiefof-staff, secretaries, executive assistants and those involved in project management and procurement.

Tugade said he had already assigned a group and a point person who would gather and review the SALNs of all past and present Transport officials, including his.

“I told them to compare the SALNs and show and tell if they see anything that must be looked into,” Tugade said earlier during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay online forum.

Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Justice department to lead a “mega” task force that

would conduct an investigation into graft across all government agencies.

Duterte said the authority to investigate of the DOJ-led task force would be in effect until the end of his term on June 30, 2022.

Tugade said he ordered the comparison of submission for three periods of the SALN or for three years to find out if there was a substantial difference.

“We will support the mega task force. We already had a meeting and agreed to comply with the requirement asked for by the Presidential AntiCorruption Commission, so we can show that we are cooperating with the

government in addressing and eradicating corruption,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tugade said he was glad that his department was not included in the five agencies that Duterte had identified as among the most problematic in the country.

Since 2016, Tugade has been implementing strict anti-corruption policies and measures.

He has directed the Central Office and all agencies under it to livestream the bidding process for transparency and prohibited meetings with contractors during the conduct of the bidding process to prevent bribery and undue influence. He has further ordered the publication of bidding processes conducted.

He has also ordered the strict adherence to the "No Gift Policy" he instituted since Day 1 of his administration, only allowing electronic greetings for occasions since physical greeting cards may be used to insert money for bribes.

More importantly, Tugade has been

uncompromising in implementing the "One-Strike" Policy on corruption.

In fact, since his tenure started until 2019, 20 personnel had been relieved, 17 had been suspended, and 128 had been dismissed from the service for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

He said those dismissed and suspended included not only rank-andfile employees but even middle managers or chiefs and top brass in the Central Office and agencies, with the cases ranging from fixing activities, involvement in payola to receiving fees, gifts or other valuable items in the course of official duties.

This year, five dismissed employees belong to the division chief and director levels while, in November alone, four employees had been preventively suspended due to an ongoing case on grave misconduct, and a job order was immediately terminated. These cases have been reported to the President.

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P6.25 billion would be augmentation for the quick response funds of six agencies.

Of the P6.25 billion, P2 billion would go to the Department of Education, P1.25 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P1 billion to the Department of Agriculture, P1 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways, P500 million to the Department of Health, and P500 million to the Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense.

“That’s a total of P11.25 billion that is specifically appropriated, leaving a balance of P8.75 billion President Duterte could use to help victims of calamities and other disasters. That balance is not even enough to rebuild Bicol, which was hard hit by typhoon Rolly,” the speaker said.

He added “clearly,” next year’s calamity fund has to be increased to provide additional funds for the reconstruction of typhoon-damaged communities.

“Alternatively, we can allocate the additional money in the budgets of the agencies involved in reconstruction and helping typhoon victims,” he said.

He assured the public that there are enough appropriations in the proposed budget from which the needed funds could be taken.

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BLESSING. A lay minister sprinkles Holy Water on the images of the Black Nazarene carried by the devotees at Quiapo Church on Saturday (Nov. 21, 2020). Restrictions on religious gatherings have been eased by the government on condition the church-goers observe the minimum safety health protocols. Joey O. Razon

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the budget would be augmented, some senators had called for the vaccine budget to be increased.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto sought at least P100 billion in funding for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines next year.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the P2.5 billion will only cover the vaccination of 3.9 million Filipinos and that the DOH would need at least P10 billion for the vaccines.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the budget earmarked for the purchase of the vaccines is “grossly insufficient,” noting that the vaccination drive would also require huge logistical and human resource requirements.

Senator Christopher Go emphasized the need for a systematic and comprehensive national COVID-19 vaccination program. He said the poor and vulnerable sectors must be given priority.

Given positive developments on the potential vaccine to fight COVID-19, Go emphasized the need to plan, communicate and implement a national vaccination program to guarantee equitable access and systematic provision once safe and

effective vaccines are made available.

Aside from ensuring enough funds to procure vaccines, Go also called on the government to fully implement a nationwide information and education campaign regarding the vaccination plan.

Go said that while all countries have been caught by surprise by the worldwide spread and adverse impact of the pandemic, health experts and government authorities have enough time to properly plan and implement a national vaccination program.

Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to use its clout to start a new way of doing business in the manufacture, patenting, pricing, and distribution of vaccines for Covid-19 and future pandemics.

Marcos said the ASEAN gained more influence as a trade bloc after its 10 member nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement last week with five non-member states including Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

“The RCEP represents about a third of the world’s population and global GDP,” Marcos said.

“We need a global accord on Covid-19 vaccines, a standard ceiling on vaccine

prices, diversified manufacturing and supply in all world regions,” Marcos said.

“The ASEAN can initiate a new normal for patents and copyrights, a world order of fairness, compassion and commitment to the common good,” Marcos added.

As the G20 met this weekend to address the Covid-19 pandemic, Marcos said the ASEAN must hold the group comprising the European Union and 19 member states to its official statement in March to “spare no effort, both individually and collectively, to protect lives and safeguard people’s jobs and incomes.”

“Less developed countries remain at the mercy of global pharmaceutical firms that hold the patents and dictate the prices of vaccines,” Marcos said.

“Pharmaceutical firms must not forget the priceless role of human participation in vaccine trials. No vaccine could be created without it, so it’s about time they give back to the people of the world,” Marcos added.

A health reform advocate, meanwhile, said the government must exert more effort in promoting its vaccination campaigns, not only for COVID-19, but for other diseases as well, after the Dengvaxia scare dampened public confidence in government immunization efforts.

“That fear started from the sad story of our Dengvaxia fiasco. They rushed it. That was a safety issue. It did not go through the medical community but straight to DepEd.,” said Dr. Tony Leachon, in an interview on ABS-CBN News.

Leachon was referring to the antidengue vaccine that was reported to cause severe symptoms when administered on those who have never had the mosquitoborne disease.

“If 66 percent are willing to be vaccinated and 33 percent are not, there is a need to do more about the vaccination campaign as the Dengvaxia controversy has a halo effect on measles, pneumonia and other vaccines,” Leachon said in Filipino. “That’s why there was a surge in measles, in polio-diseases that have been eradicated so many years ago.”

Also on Sunday, Senator Panfilo Lacson said he had received a vaccine against COVID-19—but later said it was just a joke.

Lacson made the remark a day after Senate President Vicente Sotto III claimed that he and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez had been injected with a COVID-19 vaccine and that they were immune from the disease.

Although Lacson said he was joking, he would not say if he had actually been innoculated.

said the country logged 10,957 new recoveries, pushing the total number of recovered cases to 386,486.

It also reported 1,968 new confirmed cases and 43 new deaths.

Those figures brought the overall tally of active cases to 24,209 and the death toll to 8,123.

Test kit prices for release The joint order covering guidelines on the price range to ensure that COVID-19 tests and kits are affordable and accessible is targeted to be released this week after consultations with stakeholders were conducted, the Department of Health said Saturday.

“We are already finalizing. Last week we had a consultation with the laboratories, with the manufacturers and industry and patient organizations,” Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“We had a final draft that only needs to be signed by [Trade] Secretary Mon Lopez and [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque.”

More workers test positive The Department of Foreign Affairs said the total number of Filipinos abroad who tested positive for coronavirus disease rose to 11,559 after another Filipino tested positive for COVID-19.

But the department said the total recoveries and fatalities remained at 7,478 and 834, respectively, with no new reports.

There are now 3,247 patients still undergoing treatment.

“Compared to last week’s percentages, the total number of COVID-19 fatalities and those under treatment slightly decreased to 7.22 percent and 28.09 percent, respectively,” the department said in a statement.

Workers safely home The government has sent home close to 320,000 returning Filipino workers, according to the latest data from the Department of Labor and Employment.

In a report to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said 319,333 workers were transported to their respective provinces as of Nov. 21 after they were cleared and tested negative for the coronavirus.

For the month alone, 38,516 workers were flown and bused to their destinations, the report said.

OWWA took care of their hotel accommodation and food while waiting for the result of their COVID tests taken upon their arrival in Manila. It also facilitated their transport back to their provinces as soon as they were cleared of COVID-19.

Testing lab opened The Philippine Red Cross has opened a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Isabela that will serve the entire Cagayan Valley, PRC chairman Senator Richard Gordon said Sunday.

He said the laboratory could process up to 2,000 tests daily. It cost P30 million and was built in a month.

“It’s important that we get paid because we reinvest our earnings,” Gordon told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

As of Nov. 5, state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has paid P700 million to the non-government organization, but has yet to settle some P377 million for its COVID-19 testing services.

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burden on our health care system," said Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Leonard Schleifer, Regeneron's president and CEO, added the move was "an important step in the fight against COVID-19, as high-risk patients in the United States would have access to a promising therapy early in the course of their infection."

Regeneron's antibody treatment is the second synthetic antibody treatment to re-

ceive an emergency use approval from the FDA after a similar therapy developed by Eli Lilly was granted the status on Nov. 9.

Global access emphasized G20 nations emphasized the need for global access to coronavirus vaccines at a Saudi-hosted virtual summit Saturday dominated by efforts to tackle the pandemic and the worst global recession in decades.

World leaders, including US President Donald Trump who is refusing to concede a bitter election, popped up in multiple windows across a flickering screen, in a high-stakes webinar held amid the raging pandemic.

The leaders are huddling online for the two-day gathering as international efforts intensify for a large-scale rollout of coronavirus vaccines after a breakthrough in trials, and as calls grow for G20 nations to plug a $4.5-billion funding shortfall.

"Although we are optimistic about the progress made in developing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics tools for COVID-19, we must work to create the conditions for affordable and equitable access to these tools for all people," said Saudi King Salman, the summit's host.

Restrictions to be confirmed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

will confirm that coronavirus lockdown restrictions across England are to end on Dec. 2, his office said Saturday.

The lockdown will be followed by a return to a three-tiered set of regional restrictions as part of the government's "COVID Winter Plan," it added in a statement.

The official announcement is expected to be made on Monday.

The statement quoted a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street as saying that current England-wide restrictions had "helped bring the virus back under control" and "eased pressures on the NHS [National Health Service]". AFP

different economic narrative," the pontiff said in comments translated into English.

"The present world system is certainly unsustainable from a number of points of view and is harming our sister earth, so gravely maltreated and despoiled, together with the poor and the excluded in our midst," the pope remarked.

He pointed out that the coronavirus epidemic had caused people to think about the situation the world found itself in.

"Once the present health crisis has passed, the worst reaction would be to fall even more deeply into feverish consumerism," Francis added. AFP

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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House okays 35-week work in private sector

By Rio N. Araja

PARENTS’ RALLY. Various parents organizations led by League of Parents and Liga Independencia Pilipinas stage a protest rally at the gates of PUP-Sta Mesa to denounce the militant youth’s call for academic boycott. Handout Photo

SC upholds BIR-Kepco deal

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE SUPREME Court has upheld the validity of the compromise settlement between the Bureau of Internal Revenue and electric utility provider Korea Electric Power Philippines Corporation over its tax deficiencies amounting to more than P300 million for year 2006 However, the SC exhorted the government should exercise its power of taxation fairly and uniformly “to maintain the general public’s trust and confidence in the government.”

In a 13-page decision penned by Associate Justice Mario Lopez, the SC’s First Division denied the opposition of the Of-

fice of the Solicitor General, which served as the counsel for the BIR when the tax case was being litigated before the Court of Tax Appeals.

In seeking to invalidate the tax deal between BIR and Kepco, the OSG argued that the compromise agreement is not valid because it failed to prove any of

the grounds for a valid compromise under Revenue Regulations No. 30-2002, otherwise known as the “Basis for Acceptance of Compromise Settlement.”

The chief state lawyer said the BIR arrogated unto himself the power of the National Evaluation Board to decide on the offer of compromise when the bureau accepted Kepco’s additional payment of P16.6 million before the NEB could approve or reject Kepco’s original application for compromise agreement.

The OSG also manifested before the high court that it is entitled to collect a five percent success fee in case of government approved compromise agreement.

But the chief state lawyer asked the high tribunal to order Kepco to pay the

balance of P343.24 million plus additional interest, fees, or surcharges as a consequence of its void compromise settlement with the BIR, and that the OSG be awarded the sum of P17.1 million or five percent of the P343.24 million.

The SC disagreed and upheld that the compromise agreement for deficiency taxes is well-within the power of the BIR as stated in Section 204 (A) of the 11997 National Internal Revenue Code.

“The CIR (Commissioner of Internal Revenue) may compromise an assessment when a reasonable doubt as to the validity of the claim against the taxpayer exists, or the financial position of the taxpayer demonstrates a clear inability to pay the tax,” the SC decision stated.

CONGRESS has approved on second reading a proposed measure seeking to reduce the average weekly 40-hour work schedule to 35-hour for employees in the private sector.

Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means chairperson and co-chair of the economic recovery cluster, authored House Bill No. 309, stating that employers may implement a 35-hour work week scheme provided that terms and conditions agreed upon are not less than the minimum labor standards set by law.

Voting via voce, the House of Representatives approved the bill to allow employees in the private sector to work for 35 hours a week maximum as an alternative work arrangement.

“Length of stay in the workplace does not necessarily equate productivity, and we have known that now to be true in the age of work-from-home,” Salceda said.

“Flexibility in work places accommodated the special needs of families, mothers, and older workers. Shorter worker hours saved on utility bills, and resulted in fewer cars on the road during rush hours,” he added.

“This should be understood in the context of our comprehensive effort to make the economy more skills-based and more output-based,” he further said, citing his 21st Century Skills Act and Comprehensive Education Reform Agenda bills.

He said that his proposed reforms woukr break down “so many false assumptions about productivity.”

Under the measure, an employer shall ensure that an employee working for 35 hours a week shall receive rate of pay, including overtime, night shift differential and other similar benefits; have the right to rest periods, and be provided by the employer with written information on the terms and conditions of the 35-hour working week scheme and the responsibilities of the employees.

SMC boss apologizes to victims

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE head of San Miguel Corp. issued an apology and said that he would help the victims after the freak accident at the Skyway Extension project site in Cupang, Muntinlupa over the weekend.

Ramon S. Ang, SMC president and chief operating officer said that even while project contractor EEI Corporation was the one handling the construction of the project, as project proponent, SMC has a responsibility to take care of the victims.

“Even with a contractor handling construction, ultimately, we are responsible for the welfare of those who were affected. I would like to personally apologize to the victims and their families, as well as to our larger community in Muntinlupa,” Ang said.

The accident, reported to have been caused by a crane that tipped over as it

moved into position, which then hit a steel girder causing it to fall on six vehicles, resulted in one fatality and four injuries.

“This terrible and tragic accident has affected me in ways I can’t even begin to express. I have not stopped thinking about the people who were affected, the four that were injured and most especially, the person who perished, and his family. There are no words that can ease the grief of losing a loved one,” Ang said.

“To the family, I can only offer my sincerest and deepest condolences, and my personal assurance that your family will be taken care of. To those who were injured, please be assured we will provide all the means necessary for you to recover and restart,” he added.

Ang also vowed that the incident will be investigated thoroughly, and that SMC and its contractor EEI will make sure even stricter measures are in place at the project site.

OPEN FOR TRAFFIC. The East Service Road in Brgy. Cupang, Muntinlupa City is now open for traffic after yesterday’s accident when a part of a steel girder for the Skyway project collapsed.

Typhoon-resistant Sinas orders probe into Sulu slay schools pushed

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. As Christmas day draws near, Filipinos on Saturday,

November 21, flock to Divisoria in Manila for early holiday shopping. No physical distancing is observed. The country is still grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.

Double nurses’ basic salaries—Defensor

By Rio N. Araja

ANAKALUSUGAN party-list Rep. Mike Defensor wants to double to P60,901 the entry-level monthly wage for government nurses to discourage some of them from seeking greener pastures abroad.

“Unless we assure our nurses a higher standard of living here at home, we are guaranteed to lose a larger number of them in the years ahead,” he said.

“We are already losing around 19,000 nurses every year to foreign employers. A decade ago, we were losing only 12,000 of them annually,” he added/ Defensor is the House health committee vice chairperson.

Last Nov. 21, Malacañang lifted the temporary ban on the overseas deployment of Filipino nurses and other healthcare professionals.

It removed the ban – previously imposed on account of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, following repeated appeal from the governments of the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy that badly needed new Filipino nurses, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Defensor filed House Bill 7933 with the starting pay grade of all nurses employed in public health institutions to be bumped up by six notches – from Salary Grade 15 to Salary Grade 21.

CITING the country’s exposure to natural calamities and hazards all-year round, Sen. Win Gatchalian on Sunday urged the Department of Education and the Department of Public Works and Highways to convert school buildings into typhoonresistant structures.

Gatchaliam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said having typhoon-resistant school buildings would be a long-term investment on the safety of schools, which sometimes serve as evacuation centers.

Gatchalian’s Senate Bill No. 747, which seeks to establish a permanent evacuation center in every city and municipality, also proposes that in order to ease the pressure on classrooms of schools already utilized as evacuation centers, constructing additional facilities in these schools is an option.

While they are not built to serve as evacuation centers, schools are normally utilized in the country as such during calamities.

SB 747 or the Evacuation Center Act has identified standards for the improvement of school structures. Under the proposed measure, the design of new evacuation centers and improved facilities should be able to withstand wind speeds of 320 kilometers per hour or 200 miles per hour and moderate seismic activity of at least 7.2 magnitude. These structures should also use materials in accordance with the National Building Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 6541).

PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas has ordered an investigation into the shooting incident that killed a former police chief of Jolo, Sulu, Lt. Col. Walter Annayo, in Sultan Mastura town of Maguindanao province on Saturday.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said the incident is now being handled by the concerned police regional office.

“The CPNP (chief Philippine National Police Debold Sinas) himself has tasked the regional police director to look into the case,” Usana said in a statement sent to reporters.

“For now, the PNP cannot ascertain, much less release any result yet as to the motive behind, not even the connection to his previous assignment as chief of police

of Jolo police station where the case involving the alleged shootout between the police and military operatives last July happened. The police will still investigate,” Usana added.

A police report from the Sultan Mastura police station said at around 1:45 p.m., Annayo alighted from his vehicle to buy a drink along Narciso Ramos Highway in Barangay Macabiso when unidentified suspects onboard a sports utility vehicle gunned him down and fled towards Parang town.

Annayo sustained gunshot wounds to his head and different parts of his body that resulted in his instantaneous death.

Annayo, 41, was relieved from his post following the alleged “misencounter” between his men and four Army intelligence officers on June 29 this year. PNA

Declogging in Manila to continue—Isko

By Willie Casas MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Friday has assured Manilenos and its visitors that the city government will continue to conduct declogging operations in the city to make sure flooding will be avoided, or at least minimized, during the rainy season.

“Hindi tumitigil ang buong pwersa ng Department of Engineering and Public Works na siguraduhing malinis ang ating mga kanal sa lungsod at para mas paigtingin ang ating depensa kontra baha (The entire force of the Department of En-

gineering and Public Works do not stop to make sure our canals in the city are clean and to further strengthen our defense against floods),” Domagoso said in a text message to the Manila Standard.

“Umasa kayo na hindi magsasawa ang inyong pamahalaang lungsod na magsagawa ng declogging operations upang magtanggal bara sa ating mga kanal dito sa ating minamahal ng Lungsod ng Maynila anumang oras at araw (Rest assured your city government will not get tired of conducting declogging operations to remove obstructions in our canals here in our beloved City of Manila at any time or day),”

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

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Quezon rallies vs. coal-fired power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores COMMUNITY members and clean energy advocates in Quezon staged protests on Friday against the continued operation and expansion of coal-fired power plants in the province.

The group cited the alleged detrimental impact of the fossil fuel on local livelihood, environment, and the health or residents.

Energy and climate advocacy networks Power for People Coalition (P4P) and Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) led the protects joined by communities and grassroots organizations to demand a cancellation of coal projects in the pipeline.

The groups said in a statement they want to cancel coal projects, especially those that have failed to secure endorsements from the Department of Energy (DOE).

The groups also reiterated their call to decommission existing coal projects through the coal moratorium declared by DOE. “Quezon is not a dump for pollution from coal. To the DOE, President Duterte, and all energy companies that keep forcing more coal in our province and across the Philippines, the Church and communities here will continue to stand together and fight for our right to a clean environment and clean air,” Fr. Warren Puno, convenor of the province-wide environmental group Quezon for Environment (QUEEN) and Director of the Ministry of Ecology of the Diocese of Lucena, said in a statement.

Quezon province, which was recently devastated by Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses, is currently home to three operating coal-fired power plants with an installed capacity of 2,200 megawatts (MW).

The groups said another 3,600 MW more of coal plants are in the pipeline, thus turning Quezon into the country’s “coal capital.”

TAIWAN AID. On behalf of the government of the

Republic of China (Taiwan), Representative Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines donated US$200,000 to the Philippine government as humanitarian assistance for the victims of recent typhoons ‘Rolly’ and ‘Ulysses’ at a hand-over ceremony in TECO on Friday. Vice Chairman Gilberto F. Lauengco of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office accepted the donation on behalf of the government. On the same occasion, Vice Chairman Lauengco also received P700,000 donated by Taiwan Association Inc. in the Philippines (inset).

QC halts virus spread among city evacuees

By Rio N. Araja

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HE Quezon City government has reported that 637 of the 640 evacuees or 99.5 percent who are currently being monitored has tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Only three individuals or 0.5 percent were tested positive and were taken to community-care facilities for immediate medical attention.

Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed this development and credited it to the strict monitoring and hard work of the city’s health and barangay workers.

“We are happy to report that our city was able to control the situation despite the high possibility of having an outbreak in our shelters,” she said.

Dr. Rolando Cruz, chief of the City Epi-

demiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU), said the city’s health workers will continue to monitor the health status of the remaining families in the shelter.

“All results of those who manifested symptoms and swabbed were already released. But we will remain alert and ready in case anyone will show symptoms again,” he said.

As of Nov. 20, 364 families affected by typhoon “Ulysses” are still temporary sheltered in the city’s evacuation centers in Districts 2, 3 and 4.

BARMM foots hospital bills for indigents

As of Nov. 21, the city’s active cases dropped to 2 percent or 489 of total cases, while recoveries are at 23,236 or 95 percent of the total validated cases.

Previously, Quezon City has also recorded 4 percent positivity rate in active cases of coronavirus disease.

After weeks of continuous drop in active cases of COVID-19, the city’s positivity rate now has reached 4 percent, below the 5 percent positivity rate that the World Health Organization recommended as the threshold for reopening the economy.

For the week of Nov. 5-11, OCTA Research group has noted the 4 percent positivity rate from the 6 percent rate recorded in the past week from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, according to the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Disease Unit (CESU) data.

TWIN TROPHIES. Manjinder “James” Kumar,

Filipino Indian Commerce and Welfare Society Inc. (FICWSI) president, takes home two honors -- CSR Company of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year -- from the Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel on Friday.

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has funded hospital services for 8,552 indigent residents through the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG) of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM).

This developed as a congressional inquiry and massive termination of top to mid-level executives had ostensibly slowed down services of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) over allegations of anomalies, based on Senate and House testimonies of whistle-blowers.

Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim cited BARMM’s high poverty incidence in the latest tabulations of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), showing that about 53 percent of BARMM residents live below subsistence level. Of this, he added, only about 50 percent benefit from PhilHealth.

The BARMM Bureau of Public Information said the region has transferred about P73 Million in subsidy from Special Purpose Fund to 11 AMBAG private and government hospital-partners.

AMBAG program is also aimed to help indigent patients bear costs of advanced hospital services, not covered

by PhilHealth and other medical assistance programs.

“This is one of the reasons that the Bangsamoro Government has established AMBAG. This aims to help our people secure hospital services not readily obtainable in random medical services,” Ebrahim said in Filipino.

Officials said AMBAG is BARMM’s response to economic challenges in the region which includes medical services.

The benefit package covers confinement, medicines, dialysis, implant, laboratory, radiation therapy, medical devices, assistive devices, non-and minimal procedures, transplant, rehabilitative therapy, and surgical supplies.

After its introduction last year, BARMM hoped to widen AMBAG’s reach and plans to add partner hospitals within and outside the Bangsamoro Region to ensure that indigent Bangsamoro and non-Moro residents of BARMM receive necessary medical assistance. Nash B. Maulana

Kumar bags double recognition from Asia Leaders Awards 2020

From: Cong. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez President, Cornell Club of the Philippines

BUSINESSMAN and Filipino Indian Commerce and Welfare Society Inc. (FICWSI) president Manjinder “James” Kumar took home two honors from award-giving body Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) in an intimate event held at Makati Shangri-La on Friday.

Kumar is best associated with FICWSI, a non-stock, non-profit organization the Indian national founded in 2015 which is aimed at bringing together Indian and Filipino businessmen and stakeholders under one umbrella organization to look after their needs, welfare and interests.

The first ALA award Kumar received was CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Company of the Year for FICWSI upon meeting ALA’s set criteria, which included the “successful implementation of community program inspiring poverty alleviation, better education, employment opportunities, business

growth and community engagement.”

Kumar also received ALA’s Philanthropist of the Year award for his exceptional generosity by direct financial support and inspiring others to foster the same philanthropic initiatives.

The award was granted by ALA based on the “evidence of direct gift support, description of impact of gift support, and evidence of encouragement and motivation given to others to take leadership roles in philanthropy.”

While FICWSI has been around for five years now, it shone best in 2020. The group put its aid-giving machinery to full, nonstop use when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines in early 2020, causing the main economic region and the country itself to shut down its borders, affecting lives and livelihoods.

Opinion The lost year IN MY opening remarks during the recently concluded 26th Joint Economic Conference held virtually between our country and Taiwan, I quoted a social media post from someone who said that he “is not adding this year to his age, because he was not able to use it.

And indeed, 2020 will most likely be “annus horribilis” for almost everyone all over the world.

Health systems are over-strained and unable to cope with the avalanche of COVID-19 cases, even in the wealthiest of countries. Economies have been devastated. Internal mobility is impaired, just as international travel has almost ground to a standstill. Lives have been shattered by unexpected deaths in families, and current sources of livelihood gone.

Thank God for tender mercies.

For us in the Philippines, life has yet to return to normal, and just as the horrible year is about to mercifully end, with hopeful news that vaccines are being developed with increased frequency in pharmaceutical laboratories in several countries, we are visited by Quinta, then Rolly, and Ulysses. They destroyed wide swaths of land where crops have been painstakingly cultivated by poor farmers, and leaving so many homeless and desperate. All this happened just when Christmas is around the corner.

The light at the end of the tunnel seems to be like a flickering candle instead of a bright lamp leading us on to the “new normal.” *** In the US of A, the unthinkable is happening. A madman surrounded by sycophants in the White House refuses to accept the reality of electoral numbers. He has lost to a man he described as most unfit to lead what used to be regarded throughout the globe as a “beacon of democratic freedoms” and the “land of milk and honey.” The deranged president refuses to concede, with his discredited team of sycophants charging baseless claims of fraud and conspiracy, even as he pressures fellow Republicans in battleground states to reverse the irreversible and violate their state laws.

As a result, the smooth transition of power, which for centuries has been a hallmark of American democracy, is not only delayed but disputatious to the point of not even happening at all. In a previous column, I sarcastically wrote that Donald Trump will be dragged out of the White House by Secret Service agents come January 20. Hy-

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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EDITORIAL

perbolic sarcasm may just become reality.

The American domestic health situation has become worse, and deaths are being reported by the thousands daily, with infection reaching a hundred thousand a day as well.

Still, the unhinged POTUS, an abbreviation used by imperial America to describe their power, closets himself in his Pennsylvania Avenue cocoon in between rounds of golf, with nary a care.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will find it so difficult to govern a scarred and divided nation, once so proud, now so terrified.

Worse, what happens if America’s enemies take advantage of their internal chaos and confusion to create international disorder? What is happening in the United States these days is creating ripe timing and opportunities for hegemonic adventurism and even terroristic activities.

Coronavirus has disrupted America’s Thanksgiving Day traditions, as disease conquers family reunions. Now even Christmas is being robbed by anxiety over their divisiveness borne out of the demagoguery of one man and his minions.

God help America, and God save the world from it. *** On a happy note, we personally visited a cold chain manufacturing facility in Taiwan that could make, if we need it, the minus-80-degree-Centigrade freezers needed for certain mRNA vaccines such as the one created by Pfizer and some European pharmaceutical companies.

The cold storage facilities, which could be converted later on for agricultural and food security usage has patented technology that brings down electrical energy consumption by as much as 70 percent! *** Again on the bright side, the private sector in the Philippines is putting its money on the right side of social responsibility. Without their voluntary and immediate responses during the pandemic, our health situation would have been worse than it already is.

San Miguel Corporation’s Ramon S. Ang for one has announced the building of a hospital in Southern Luzon which would be a hub for infectious disease research and treatment. And again, as calamity after calamity has struck, not only will San Miguel massively buy corn from impoverished farmers, they are also leading the way in providing food packs to the dispossessed in our evacuation facilities.

“This pandemic has been an eye-opener for all of us. Our healthcare system needs to be strengthened. For this reason, we want to help build up our country’s capability to handle future pandemics and other health crises,” Ang said.

Enrique Razon has offered to advance monies for the purchase of vaccines, just as he bankrolled, along with Ang and the SM Group, test kits and PPEs even during the early stages of the pandemic when our public health system was bewildered and perhaps bewitched by a bothered health leadership.

Thank God for tender mercies.

Courtyard of the Gentiles

THE Courtyard of the Gentiles referred to that outer courtyard in the temple of Jerusalem, where non-Jews—the so-called Gentiles —were allowed to enter and pray, if they so desired. It became a meeting place for diversity, where everyone could traverse and could remain in, regardless of culture, language or religion. There gathered the rabbis and teachers of the law who were ready to listen to people’s questions about God, and to respond in a respectful and compassionate exchange.

In a time where there exists an invisible divide between the spiritual and secular, the concept of this “Courtyard of the Gentiles” can be a powerful and inspiring depiction of the significance of faith in modern life.

It represents a rethinking about the role of religion in today’s society. Not only should religion be an avenue for bringing together individuals from different cultures and race—it is also an invitation to bring faith into the once-thought-to-be less-than-sacrosanct realities of modern society.

For example, faith and politics. Religion and the economy. The church and the building up of our communities.

Just like the “Courtyard of the Gentiles” —our faith can be a powerful platform for encounters between persons of differing cultures, opinions or persuasions. In fact, faith can be, even for those who do not believe, a window that is open to the world, in a manner that enriches our understanding of society with its deeply held beliefs, values and principles.

Faith is a powerful avenue toward under-

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

standing the world for five important reasons: discovery, discernment, dialogue, devotion and diversity.

First, discovery. Faith enables us to discover our giftedness—that our life is a gift, that our very existence is in itself meant to be shared more meaningfully with others.

When we think of our relationship with God, we cannot ignore our relationship with others. Everything and everyone in our own lives becomes an offshoot of that relationship.

So must it be in politics. Faith must remind us to think of politics as a means of service, not power. Politics must be grounded in empathy in the circumstances of others, because only in doing so can one fully commit oneself to improving those circumstances.

Faith provides a rich ground for affirming and embracing people simply for who they are.

Second, discernment. Our faith teaches us that our personal actions have social consequences. Our choices do not only define our way of thinking about the world.

They also reflect our manner of living out our faith. One cannot be a person of faith and not have compassion for the poor, the sick and the oppressed.

Consequently, our faith must underscore the moral dimensions of our political choices.

Politics can and will shape the manner of our everyday living—and the greatest danger is ignoring the fact it can and it does affect even our moral boundaries. Thus, it is always important to think about the moral consequences of our societal decisions.

Third, dialogue. Religious practice of-

F

Charitable acts

ILIPINOS are a charitable lot. That a majority of our people are not themselves well off but are always willing to share whatever little they could spare is a testament to how we live this virtue.

Charity comes to fore during times of emergency or disaster. The recent devastation brought by the series of typhoons that ravaged parts of our country in quick succession provided an opportunity for Filipinos to show charity all over again. It is the all-too-familiar “Bayanihan” in action.

We were much moved by the images we saw on the news and on social media, and by the stories we heard from relatives, friends and acquaintances. Many commiserated and tried in earnest to ignore the ugly head of politics that usually comes with helping the needy. We know all too well government officials who grabbed credit for their donations, plastering their names and faces on banners and relief containers when what they were using were taxpayers’ money.

In contrast, ordinary people did not

have to be prodded; they gave in cash or in kind to their networks of choice. Many gave their time and effort, even risking their personal safety as they volunteered for relief operations. Those who organized relief drives gave much of themselves as well. There was a desperate call for help—and many were too human to ignore or delay response.

There will be other opportunities.

There will be other tests.

Of course, we have to be reminded that making an online transfer for donation, for instance, does not automatically make one a charitable person. One has to keep abreast of developments and look ahead.

How are these people doing in evacuation centers? Are their basic needs being met, are their rights being protected, are they kept safe from the reach of the still-raging coronavirus? We know, of course, that there have already been individuals in such shelters that have tested positive for

COVID-19, as if their lives have not been upended enough already. And even when days and weeks have passed, we should remember: How are the typhoon survivors going to rebuild everything they lost? How will they recover from their grief, thrive and be productive again?

Part of charity is to help ensure victims do not remain victims, and that they are able to take charge, even in some small measure, of their future. There will be no shortage of those who are helping now, but how about over time, when we ourselves come to terms with our own scarce resources or uncertain next few days?

One unfortunate thing: For all our charity, we sometimes become too charitable—to those who don’t deserve it. We refer to leaders and politicians who, by reason of apathy or incompetence, not only bungle their jobs and actually cause problems for the very people they are supposed to uplift. We are too charitable when we refuse to call them out, and worse, when we vote then, again and again, into office.

There will be other disasters. There will be other tests. Filipinos will almost always show a kind and giving nature.

It is our hope, however, that we display charity toward those who truly deserve it.

Pilipinas Conference 2020 economists generates over 70 percent of the Philippine economy, has been declared in a state of calamity. This predicates the urgency to address the reality of the worsening seasonal natural disasters that the diverse panel of experts of the second session will be tackling.

THE Pilipinas Conference 2020 starts today in a five-day international virtual conference that gathers distinguished thought leaders to discuss the most critical economic, social, environmental, and political issues affecting the Philippines and the Indo-Pacific region in the context of the global crisis consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the fifth year that the Stratbase ADR Institute is hosting this rare congregation of experts from the national and local government, business sector, academe, and civil society in a developmental spirit to share strategic ideas, encourage healthy debate, and foster multi-sectoral collaboration that will result if responsive policies and effective action.

The first session on “Rebooting the Economy Post-Pandemic: Cushioning the Long Emergency” focuses on how we should re-design economic recovery frameworks that carefully considers the hard lessons from the vulnerabilities exposed by this Wuhan virus outbreak that caused this unprecedented health and economic catastrophe where millions of families have lost their only means of livelihood.

The Social Weather Stations July 2020 survey reported a record breaking 14.5-percent unemployment among adults, a 28-point jump from pre-lockdown figures (17.1 percent) in December 2019. This is very palpable on many busy streets where many are heartbreakingly resorting to begging for their family’s daily sustenance.

Compounding our pandemic challenges is the damage from the three back-to-back typhoons estimated by the Department of Agrarian Reform at P10 billion, excluding the devastation in the still-flooded Cagayan province. Luzon, which according to

Its theme, “Towards Green Economic Recovery: Designing Climate Resilient and Sustainable Communities” will explore viable and holistic approaches to develop the country’s extreme climate resilience and re-thinking the way we build and manage communities through green recovery strategies. How to efficiently and safely harness our natural resources as a major economic pillar for economic growth in underdeveloped regions and developing a circular economy that effectively manages the pollution with responsible behavior of consumers, producers, and governments, will be explored in the context of building better in a post COVID-19 world.

The third day expands attention to geopolitical issues directly affecting the “Philippines and the Indo-Pacific: Responding to the Emerging Regional Political-Security Environment.” This is a national concern that national surveys show a virtually unanimous 93 percent of Filipinos believe that it is important to regain control of the West Philippine Sea and 89 percent feel that it is wrong for the government to do nothing.

The global pandemic did not stop Beijing’s expansionist moves. It even took advantage of the world’s preoccupation with battling the spreading contagion. Still, small and medium powers have an opportunity to increase their role in this geopolitical theater. The security

ten includes reflection, meditation and introspection. This “inward dialogue” must also be complemented with an “outward dialogue”—that of actively seeking to understand others. For us to know and understand one another, we must learn to be present to others, to speak openly and honestly, and then to listen carefully.

This is particularly important in a world where politics has become greatly polarized.

Politics has been caricatured as a place of open criticism and wanton mudslinging. But faith tells us that for politics to serve its purpose, it is important for people in politics to find common ground—one that serves the common good.

Fourth, devotion. Devotion is very much a religious term often used to refer to external acts of piety. Devotion is understanding the underlying and deeper significance of our actions. For example, prayer itself can be hollow and meaningless, unless it becomes an expression of one’s friendship with God. Even an external show of charity can even be worthless, if these are not motivated by a genuine love for neighbor.

In politics, we have similar “acts of devotion” that express the deeper significance of our political beliefs. Election, for example, is a defining ingredient of our

democracy—that is why we say voting is sacred. So is paying taxes, recognizing public office as a public trust, and even the simple badge of citizenship.

Fifth, diversity. Faith teaches us about our common dignity and the shared purpose of our existence, and for which we honor all people for who they are, regardless of what they believe in. In that sense, our faith encourages and nourishes diversity.

From this perspective, faith provides a rich ground for affirming and embracing people simply for who they are. Everything else that they do or believe in cannot negate their value as human persons. That is why politics must affirm freedom and serve our human rights and civil liberties.

Modern societies have been designed along the lines of predictability, that almost everything that is and will be has been carefully studied and quantified. Apparently, it is in that respect that in the face of this pandemic, today’s world has become most vulnerable—to uncertainty, to volatility, to helplessness and for the leaders of nations, to doubt and indecision. What have brought us together in a time of vulnerability and volatility are the certainty of faith, the meaning of our own existence, and the significance of our relationship with others.

Let’s think beyond the political noise and focus on real solutions.

threats are taking on more non-traditional skins, shifting to a digital warfare of disinformation manipulating pandemic and political issues to sow intrigue. This threat to regional stability will outlive the pandemic and needs the strengthening of strategic partnerships with a growing phalanx of like-minded nations who uphold the rule of law.

The other side of crisis is opportunity which in the milieu of the pandemic has forced a global shift to digital technologies for the continuity of all aspects of human interaction.

What used to be a procrastinating attitude has become an urgent and indispensable need for the whole society to accelerate its digital transformation with e-governance and a digitally enabled eco-system of industries.

This is an opportunity to harness technology to solve the inefficiencies of the bureaucracy and to enforce transparency and accountability in the use of public funds which in session four on the “Opportunities Within the COVID-Crisis: Towards Transparent and Accountable Governance” will drive discussions on strategies that integrate digital solutions and civic-engagement in ensuring trust in our democratic institutions.

The culminating session fittingly highlights “The Key Role of the Business Sector in Economic Recovery” that I believe to be the country’s most valuable asset that will drive the momentum to regain our pre-pandemic growth velocity. The contrast between the government bureaucracy and the private sector’s agility, efficiency, nimbleness in resource mobilization, and innovativeness was quite evident and critical in filling the expected gaps in alleviating the plight of the most affected sectors of the lockdowns and typhoons. We will hear our top business leaders share their outlook and sage insights on how we should be working together in rebuilding a much better world.

I do encourage you to log on to any of these sessions. Registration details are at the Stratbase ADR Institute Facebook page.

Let’s think beyond the political noise and focus on real solutions to move forward.

MORE OPINION ONLINE NAKED THOUGHT

CHARLIE V. MANALO

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

A ground-breaking disaster NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO

Christmas comes early TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Are we ready for this regional partnership?

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IN BRIEF Pakistani firebrand cleric’s funeral draws massive crowd MASSIVE crowds of maskless mourners gathered in Lahore on Saturday for the funeral of hardline Pakistani cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who for years terrorised the country’s religious minorities, incited riots and advocated the destruction of European nations in the name of fighting blasphemy.

Vast throngs of men were seen packing the centre of the eastern city ahead of Rizvi’s funeral, chanting in unison and for the most part flouting mask-wearing rules even with the country on the cusp of a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak.

Police told AFP that about 300,000 people had attended the event, though organisers claimed the number was much higher.

“Have you ever seen such a big funeral for any political or religious figure?” attendee Farhad Abbasi said.

“Of course the movement will continue without him.”

No cause of death has been announced for the 54-year-old Rizvi, who died Thursday after suffering a high fever and difficulties breathing, and no Covid-19 test or autopsy were conducted on the long-time wheelchair user. AFP

Trump goes golfing in middle of summit US PRESIDENT Donald Trump went golfing after making a brief online appearance at the G20 summit Saturday, an event hosted by Saudi Arabia but staged virtually because of Covid-19.

Trump, who has still not accepted defeat following President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in November 3 presidential polls, spoke following the opening of the two-day virtual summit.

A source with access to the online sessions, which were closed to the media, reported that Trump had “said that he had done an absolutely incredible job during his term, economically and with the pandemic”.

It was an exercise in “self-publicity” said the source, adding that “he didn’t say anything about the global situation”.

“It’s been an honour working with you and I look forward to working with you in the future and for a long time,” he said according to a second participant.

After his moment in the virtual limelight, Trump was substituted by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin as the other world leaders had their say. AFP Manila

REPUBLIC OFTHE PHILIPPINES Standard Department of Finance

TODAY

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1307 MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT IN THE MATTER OF CITYLAND, INC. x-----------------------------x

REGISTRATION OF COMMERCIAL PAPERS

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on 5 November 2020, a sworn Registration Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CITYLAND, INC. for the registration of Eight Hundred Fifteen Million Pesos (P 815,000,000.00) worth of Commercial Papers.

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the director/officers of the corporation: Name Stephen C. Roxas Dr. Andrew I. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Josef C. Gohoc Peter S. Dee Anastasia Y. Dy Helen C. Roxas Benjamin I. Liuson Emma A. Choa Rudy Go

Position Director/Chairman of the Board Director/Vice Chairman of the Board Director/Deputy Vice Chairman of the Board Director/President Independent Director Independent Director Director Director Executive Vice President/Treasurer Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer/Compliance Officer & Corporate Information Officer/Data Protection Officer Melita M. Revuelta Vice President/Assistant Corporate Secretary/Alternate Compliance & Corporate Information Officer Atty. Emma G. Jularbal Vice President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Secretary Melita L. Tan Vice President Romeo E. Ng Vice President Rosario D. Perez Vice President-Executive Affairs Winefreda R. Go Vice President- Purchasing Department Dorothy U. So Assistant Vice President-Head of Internal Audit Department In order to implement necessary health protocols consistent with the directives and guidelines of the Department of Health for the protection of its employees and the investing public, the Commission hereby suspends the physical inspection of the RS and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively referred to as “Documents”) as well as (ii.) providing physical copies thereof to interested parties, until further Notice. In lieu thereof, the Commission has adopted an alternative mode of viewing and/or downloading the said Documents and any subsequent amendments thereto by enabling interested parties to access the same through the MSRD corner of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov.ph) or the Company’s website www.cityland.net.

(SGD) VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director (MS-NOV. 20 & 23, 2020)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225 – QUEZON CITY CLARENCE QUILOP, Plaintiff, -versus-

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

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

X-----------------------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION In a Complaint filed on September 24, 2018, plaintiff prays that, Judgment be rendered in favor of the plaintiff ordering defendant to pay: (1) P 2,100,000.00 as principal plus legal interest reckoned from, August 2017 until fullpayment; (2) The sum equivalent 20% as attorney’s fee plus P7,000.00 per hearing appearance fee; and (3) Costs of suit Considering that service of summons by personal service to defendant FREDDIE JACINTO AQUINO, doing business under the name and style “Freddie Tire Supply”, failed repeatedly, this Court, on August 29, 2019, issued an Order directing plaintiff to cause the service of summons to said defendant through publication.

NOW THEREFORE, defendant FREDDIE JACINTO AQUINO, doing business under the name and style “Freddie Tire Supply, whose last known address is at 707 3D Chateu Elysse Condominium, Dona Soledad Avenue, Bicutan, Parañaque MS (NOV. 20 & 23 2020) City is hereby summoned and required to file his Answer to the Complaint within sixty (60) days from the date of the last issue of publication with Branch 225, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City, National Capital Judicial Region, 4th Floor, Hall of Justice, Quezon City.

Trump hit with new blow in bid to overturn vote results A

PENNSYLVANIA judge on Saturday threw out Donald Trump’s claims of widespread electoral fraud there, dealing a new blow to the Republican’s bid to overturn his loss in the US presidential election.

The decision -- announced in a scathing judgment which excoriated the Trump team’s legal strategy -- paves the way for Pennsylvania to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s victory there, which is scheduled to take place Monday.

With the clock ticking down to Biden’s January 20 inauguration, Trump’s team has focused on trying to stop battleground states from certifying election results, in addition to his numerous legal challenges that have so far failed.

Judge Matthew Brann wrote in his People give a thumbs down as the motorcade with US President Donald Trump passes on the way to the Trump International Golf ruling that Trump’s team had presented Club in Sterling, Virginia, on November 21, 2020. AFP “strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations” in their complaints about mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.

“In the United States of America, this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone all the voters of its US SECRETARY of State Mike Pom- ed over an hour.

Thani, the foreign minister, on his stop sixth most populated state,” Brann wrote. peo met Afghan government and Taliban His visit came in the wake of a rocket in Doha, which is the Taliban’s base for “Our people, laws, and institutions negotiators in Doha, calling for them to attack which struck densely populated diplomacy. demand more.” speed up their peace talks as Washington areas of Kabul, killing at least eight But there was no announcement of Biden won the state-by-state Electoral accelerates its military withdrawal from people in the latest outbreak of violence any breakthrough in talks between the College votes that ultimately decide who Afghanistan. in the Afghan capital. The Taliban de- Taliban and the Afghan government, takes the White House by 306 to 232.

Pompeo “called for a significant nied responsibility and the Islamic State ahead of Pompeo’s departure.

The Electoral College is due to forreduction in violence and encouraged group claimed the deadly strike.

He flew on to Abu Dhabi for the mally vote on December 14, with certifiexpedited discussions on a political “I would be most interested in getting next leg of his seven-nation tour of CYAN Eu- MAGENTA cations to take place beforehand.

YELLOW BLACK roadmap and a permanent and compre- your thoughts on how we can increase rope and the Middle East, as President States’ certification of results of their hensive ceasefire”, according to the US the probability of a successful outcome”, Donald Trump shores up late-term pripopular votes is usually routine followState Department.

Pompeo said as he met the Afghan gov- orities. ing a US presidential election.

The top US diplomat met separately ernment side, noting the shared interest Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of AfBut Trump’s refusal to concede has with the Afghan government and Tali- in such a scenario. ghanistan’s High Council for National complicated the process and drawn ban negotiation teams in a luxury hotel He also met Qatar’s ruler, Emir Reconciliation, told AFP the governconcerns that he could cause long-term in the Qatari capital, and his encounter Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, ment and the Taliban were “very close” damage to Americans’ trust in their votwith the radical Islamist insurgents last- and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al- to breaking a deadlock in talks. AFP ing system. AFP

Pompeo meets Taliban and Kabul negotiators

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

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

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK Mortgagee, against LEON A. DADIOS, JR., Borrower/Mortgagor, with postal addresses at 5B Carlton 1 California Garden Square Libertad Street, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, to satisty the mortgaged indebtedness which as of September 30, 2020 amounts to TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY SEVEN PESOS & 31/100 (PhP 2,202,687.31) ONLY, Philippine Currency, plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 16th day of December 2020 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter in front of the main entrance of the Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the following condominium unit with all the improvements existing thereon to wit:

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 2nd day of September, 2020 at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

CC:

(Sgd.) ATTY. LENE M. MATEN Branch Clerk of Court

on the premises. No one in the compound, located just outside the Green Zone, was wounded.

Despite the IS claim, interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian blamed the Taliban, saying “terrorists” had fired a total of 23 rockets.

“Based on initial information, eight people were martyred, and 31 others were wounded,” Arian said, noting the final toll would change.

Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz confirmed the same tolls and details.

At least one rocket landed in an office inside the Green Zone, but did not explode.

Several buildings sustained damage to walls and windows, including at the large Sana Medical Complex.

Mariam Rahimi, 26, a nurse at the facility, said she had been thrown off her feet when a rocket struck the hospital.

“The impact broke windows and tables and damaged some parts of a wall. I screamed for help and called other staff members to evacuate the children who were admitted at the hospital,” Rahimi told AFP. “I am scared and have a headache from the shock of the attack. These attackers must die, they don’t even spare hospitals.” AFP

CLUSTER : CARLTON TOWER : 1 LEVEL : 5/F UNIT : B TYPE : 2BR AREA (SQ.M.) : 57.50 PERCENT PARTICIPATION (5) : 0.03% OF THE “CALIFORNIA GARDEN SQUARE” CONDIMINIUM PROJECT in the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on Transfer Certificate of Title 16184, 16185, 18483-18486, 18890-18893 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of (THIRTY THREE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY TWO (33,492) Square Meter, is registered in the name of: Owner: LEON A. DADIOS, JR., FILIPINO, SINGLE, OF LEGAL AGE Address: #29 PLARIDEL STREET, POBLACION 38, INFANTA, 4336 QUEZON “All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.”

“In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on December 28, 2020 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter without further notice.

Prospective bidders or buyer are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said real property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Mandaluyong City, Philippines, November 9, 2020.

(Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Sheriff (Sgd.) HELDER A. DYANGCO Sheriff IV WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law.

Copy furnished:

Atty. Servillano J. Conos – Unit 14 2nd Floor, Marikina East Center Bldg., No. 41 Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue, Brgy. San Roque, Marikina City

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

Clarence Quilop – 197 N. A. Amoranto St., Brgy. Sienna, Quezon City

Chuanico Salgado Gordove & Associate 4th Floor PSBank Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeno St., Makati City

(MStandard - Nov. 16 & 23, 2020)

THE Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the salvo, which slammed into various parts of central and north Kabul—including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses embassies and international firms—just before 9:00 am (0430 GMT).

The attack came hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Afghan government and the Taliban in the Qatari capital Doha amid signs of progress in their peace talks.

The Iranian embassy said on Twitter that its main building had been hit by rocket fragments after one landed

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE No. 008-2016001744 Registry of Deeds for Mandaluyong City ------------------------------------------------The unit identified and described as:

In the event that no Answer has been filed, plaintiff shall be allowed to present their evidence in support of the complaint.

Let this summons be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation selected by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079 at the expense of plaintiff.

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

IS-claimed rocket attack on Kabul kills eight

(MStandard-Nov. 16 23 & 30, 2020)

Several buildings sustained damage to walls and windows. AFP

Demonstrators decry French bill to curb police images POLICE in Paris spray water cannon at protesters opposed to a French draft law seeking to limit the filming of police officers on duty.

Thousands of people marched in French cities Saturday to protest a draft law that would place limits on the filming of on-duty police officers, a move condemned as a curb on press freedom.

The biggest gathering of around 7,000 was near the Eiffel Tower in Paris and was closely watched by police who engaged in minor skimishes with a small group of protesters after the rally was over.

Overall, police and local government data compiled by AFP indicated that roughly 22,000 people had taken

part in demonstrations nationwide.

In addition to representatives of the media, others included members of the “Yellow Vest” and “Extinction Rebellion” movements, along with individuals waving flags of the communist and green parties, and the FO trade union.

A banner deployed by the news agency Mediapart in Paris declared that “Democracy dies in obscurity”.

Late Friday, parliament approved an amended “comprehensive security” law which would criminalise the publication of images of on duty police officers with the intent of harming their “physical or psychological integrity”.

In practice, the law would restrict the

publication of photos or videos taken of police officers’ faces while in action.

In many cases an officer’s face would have to be blurred.

Journalist unions say it could give police a green light to prevent them from doing their work and potentially documenting abuses by security forces.

‘Orwell was right’ An amendment clarifies that press freedom should in no way be hindered by the proposed measures.

French media are also concerned about potential rights abuse via the use of drones to watch demonstrations and facial recognition programmes linked to surveillance cameras. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

B3

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks to stay above 7,000 points TOP GAINERS S PSEi November 20, 2020

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

BCOR PCOR ACEN MWIDE HI DAVIN FAF SMC FRUIT FEU

LAST PRICE 4.65 3.78 5.8 10.6 3.72 5.73 0.72 126 1.52 640

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.65 16.25% 0.42 12.50% 0.62 11.97% 1.05 10.99% 0.34 10.06% 0.52 9.98% 0.06 9.09% 10 8.62% 0.12 8.57% 50 8.47%

TOP LOSERS 1 2 3 4 5 6

AR MJC LFM SSI ALHI MG

LAST PRICE 0.0009 2.25 55.45 1.56 7.8 0.17

7 8 9 10

LSC GPH CDC ACE

1 10.72 0.79 1.5

CHANGE -0.0001 -0.22 -4.05 -0.1 -0.4 -0.007

% CHANGE -10.00% -8.91% -6.81% -6.02% -4.88% -3.95%

-0.04 -0.42 -0.03 -0.05

-3.85% -3.77% -3.66% -3.23%

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices are expected to stay above the 7,000-point level on renewed investor confidence on the economy and hopes a vaccine will soon be available to fight the coronavirus.

Philippine Stock Exchange president Ramon Monzon said investors were slowly gaining confidence on the economy with the gradual restrictions of quarantine restrictions.

Monzon said several investment houses were projecting a more optimistic stock market outlook for 2021 although the impact of the pandemic could last until next year.

Analysts said the surprise rate cut from the Bangko Sentral was a strong boost to market confidence and would support the recovery of the domestic economy.

Analysts though said a market correction was in the offing after its recent

spike that preceded over seven months of slump because of the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

“The tide is quickly turning and while some correction is due, it is not bound to cut as deep,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped past the 7,000-point mark to close at 7,169.70 last week, up 2.8 percent week-on-week amid the vaccine optimism and the unexpected BSP rate cut.

The market traded on the negative during the first four days last week but jumped above 7,000 on Friday after the BSP decided to lower interest rates to a record low of 2 percent.

Except for mining index, which declined 1.3 percent, all sector indices ended in the green territory led by financials (+7.8 percent), holding firms (+2.62 percent), and property (+2.58 percent).

The average daily value turnover declined to P10.4 billion, while foreign investors were net sellers during the week

by P600 million from P1 billion worth of foreign buying in the previous week.

Weekly to gainers included Megawide Construction Corp., which surged 21

Spanish banks eyeing mergers amid recession and low rates

percent to P10.60; BDO Unibank Inc., which climbed 12.6 percent to P104.70; and LT Group Inc., which advanced 10 percent to P13.74.

Weekly top price losers were SSI Group Inc., which fell 3.7 percent to P7.80 P1.56; Anchor Land Holdings Corp., which dropped 4.8 percent to P7.80; and Nickel Asia Corp., which slipped 1.5 percent to P4.36.

Meanwhile, global stock markets moved gingerly Friday, with Europe posting modest gains while Wall Street dipped as traders weighed coronavirus vaccine hopes against lockdowns and the lack of a new US stimulus deal.

In Europe, both Frankfurt and Paris ended the day with a gain of 0.4 percent, while London added 0.3 percent.

But Wall Street ended a volatile week on a negative note, with all three indices finishing lower.

“There’s the push-pull of short-term versus long-term and that’s what investors are looking at right now,” Chris Gaffney, at TIAA Bank, said. “There are some very serious risks in the short term, especially with the lockdowns.”

Equities have garnered support from a series of upbeat coronavirus vaccine announcements. With AFP

BARCELONA, Spain—A wave of mergers is sweeping across the Spanish banking sector as lenders face up to a pandemic-induced recession, ultra-low interest rates and growing competition from financial technology startups.

CaixaBank, Spain’s third-largest bank, and Bankia, its fourth-largest, approved a merger in September which will create the nation’s biggest domestic lender with around 664 billion euros ($788 billion) in assets in the country.

And BBVA, the country’s secondlargest bank, announced Monday it was in talks with Banco Sabadell, Spain’s fifth-largest bank, over a possible tie-up.

If successful, it would create Spain’s second-largest domestic bank, far ahead of Santander, which would still remain the country’s biggest bank by total assets due to its huge international presence.

Mid-sized lenders Liberbank and Unicaja, meanwhile, confirmed renewed merger talks in October.

The trend is not new in Spain, which saw dozens of lenders disappear in a wave of tie-ups that followed the 2008 financial crisis, when Madrid received a European Union bailout of 41.3 billion euros for its ailing banking sector.

These new operations are “defensive to avoid problems in the future,” Xavier Vives, of the IESE Business School in Barcelona, told AFP. But unlike during the previous crisis, when lenders faced a solvency problem, this time around the issue is a lack of profitability, he added.

“Interest rates are low, the yield curve is very flat, and with the Covid pandemic, revisions of interest rates have been postponed. Under these circumstances, the banking business is not very profitable,” said Vives.

At the same time, banks are facing fierce competition from financial technology startups, or the so-called “fintech” sector, which operate online and have much lower operating costs than traditional banks.

“Certainly, with negative interest rates it is very difficult to earn money,” said Ricardo Zion, a bank expert with the EAE Business School.

“But the big problem for banks is that it is impossible to be profitable with a model based on having branches, especially to compete with the ‘fintech’ and new operators.” AFP

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

BDO BPI AC MBT CNVRG PHA URC SCC ALI MPI

VOLUME 10,135,730 6,314,520 544,690 7,784,800 20,955,300 382,220,000 2,045,300 26,202,400 7,562,200 71,962,000

VALUE (PHP) 1,040,939,277.00 551,514,217.00 467,095,595.00 365,803,955.00 344,528,256.00 313,403,360.00 311,001,205.00 310,518,952.00 301,091,785.00 298,690,560.00

DESERTED GLASGOW. A pedestrian crosses a near-deserted Buchanan Street in central Glasgow, on November 21, 2020, following the introduction of further coronavirus restrictions in the city. Swathes of western and central Scotland prepared to enter a three-week period of restrictions this evening. From 6:00 p.m. (1800 GMT) on November 20, non-essential shops, hospitality, gyms and beauty salons were shut in 11 council areas including the most populous city of Glasgow. AFP

In US, booming real estate market highlights rich-poor divide

By Delphine Touitou WASHINGTON—The US real estate market is booming even as the coronavirus crisis intensifies, and the seemingly insatiable appetite for new and older homes has sent prices soaring—meaning more and more families with modest incomes are seeing their dreams of owning property shattered.

“It very much is a tale of haves and have nots,” said Dana Scanlon, a property agent in the Washington area.

In a bid to mitigate the economic crisis provoked by the pandemic, the US Federal Reserve slashed interest rates in March to near-zero.

As Scanlon explains, “that gives a very big boost to buying power for those people who still have jobs... where they can work from home.”

For some, it has, perhaps counterintuitively, even meant a “little uptick in savings” as commuting and other costs have been cut due to restrictions on travel and dining out,

she says.

That means some families have more money to spend on upgrading to a bigger home— or even considering buying a second home.

With many white-collar employees contemplating a long-term shift to telework, and children still going to school over Zoom, the pandemic is still fueling demand.

That soaring increase in home purchases has surprised industry experts, who still remember how the market bottomed out during the financial crisis of 2008-2009.

But all is not rosy for all Americans seeking to buy.

‘Pyramid’ of buyers “There’s a kind of a pyramid, or a ladder, of buyers,” says Scanlon, who works in the US capital, Maryland and Virginia.

Those living in studios are looking for one-bedroom apartments, people in the onebedroom places are looking to move to a townhouse in the suburbs, and so it proceeds.

In October, sales of existing homes hit their highest level since early 2006, accord-

A house’s real estate for sale sign is seen in front of a home in Arlington, Virginia, November 19, 2020.

The US real estate market is booming even as the coronavirus crisis intensifies, and the seemingly insatiable appetite for new and older homes has sent prices soaring—meaning more and more families with modest incomes are seeing their dreams of owning property shattered. AFP

ing to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

But a dip in the number of available homes for sale has sent prices skyrocketing.

According to NAR data, the median price for individual houses rose to $313,500 in the third quarter, up 12 percent year-on-year.

The country’s four main regions saw double-digit increases—13.7 percent in the West, 13 percent in the Northeast, 11.4 percent in the South and 11.1 percent in the central US. At this rate, the NAR said, house prices are rising four times faster than median household income.

As a result, more and more potential firsttime home buyers are finding themselves unable to enter the market.

Indeed, the percentage of first-time buyers has dropped to 31 percent of the total in 2020, from 33 percent a year ago, according to the NAR’s chief economist Lawrence Yun. “Because of the strong price gain, it is increasingly becoming more difficult for renters to save up for a down payment,” Yun said.

However, in April and May, households with more modest incomes were able to take advantage of low interest rates, said Tracey Scott, a real estate agent in West Virginia.

But since the summer, Scott admits more and more of her clients have been well-off families from the greater Washington area.

“We are probably two hours from Washington, DC,” Scott told AFP. “But we still have a lot of land, mountain, rivers. The landscape is very beautiful in the mountains.”

Second homes Some of Scott’s clients are looking for a second home as an investment, but others are hoping to leave the city behind, now that offices are a vestige of the Before Times.

Scott said she “absolutely” did not expect to see such demand—her agency has seen at least a 25 to 30-percent increase in the number of clients seeking second homes.

The boom in demand for second homes is two-fold—as an investment but also as another potential primary residence if the trend towards telecommuting remains.

Scanlon agrees that work as we once knew it is likely gone forever. AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY PHILIPPINE

NATIONAL OIL COMPANY

The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) is offering the sale of condominium units at EI Pueblo Condominium, Sta. Mesa, Manila and commercial lots at Costa Verde Subdivision, Rosario, Cavite, on an “AS-IS WHERE-IS" basis.

CONDOMINIUM UNITS EI Pueblo Condominium Unit No.

Model Unit

Area (sqm)

Selling Price

1 2 3

C-338 C-424 C-547

Alegre 2 Alegre 1 Prosperidad

18.8 18.5 25.3

1,720,576 1,693,120 2,323,805

4

C-616

Alegre 2

18.8

1,726,780

5

C-625

Alegre 1

18.5

1,699,225

6

C-1002

Alegre 1

18.5

1,843,710

7

C-1232

Loft 3-B

55.5

5,531,130

Alegre 1 & 2: semi-furnished, 1 bedroom, 1 toilet & bath Prosperidad: semi-furnished, 3 bedrooms, 1 toilet & both Loft 3-B: semi-fumished, 2 bedrooms, 2 toilet & baths COMMERCIAL LOTS Costa Verde Subdivision 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Blk No.

Lot No.

Area (sqm)

Selling Price

3 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 22 22 22 26 26 26 26 26 26 38 38

3 1 2 3 9 11 26 28 11 12 17 19 4 7 14 17 27 39 60 61

239 363 393 260 260 260 240 240 300 250 250 250 240 240 240 240 240 258 240 240

3,680,600 5,590,200 6,138,660 4,004,000 4,004,000 4,004,000 3,696,000 3,696,000 4,686,000 3,960,000 3,960,000 3,960,000 3,696,000 3,696,000 3,696,000 3,696,000 3,696,000 3,973,200 3,801,600 3,801,600

For inquiries, please call contact nos. 09175312772/(02)88126071/ (02)87897662 Ioc. nos. 7734/7669.

Atty. Graciela M. Barleta OIC-SVP for Energy Invesment (MS-NOV. 23, 2020)

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

B4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

PSE INDEX

Friday, NOVEMBER 20, 2020

172.17 PTS. 7,169.79

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

32,035,789,244 180,053 10,939,469,011.75 159 66 45

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.2790

Japan

Yen

0.009641

0.4655

UK

Pound

1.326400

64.0373

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128981

6.2271

Switzerland

Franc

1.097815

53.0014

Canada

Dollar

0.765052

36.9359

Singapore

Dollar

0.743771

35.9085

Australia

Dollar

0.728700

35.1809

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655055

128.1834

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.8744

Brunei

Dollar

0.741015

35.7755

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.032895

1.5881

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.1450

Euro

Euro

1.187700

57.3410

Korea

Won

0.000898

0.0434

China

Yuan

0.151900

7.3336

India

Rupee

0.013495

0.6515

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.244021

11.7811

New Zealand

Dollar

0.691300

33.3753

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035074

1.6933 Source: BSP

MORE Power approves P2-b capex plan to boost system THE board of Iloilo City distributor MORE Power and Electric Corp. approved P2 billion in emergency capital expenditures to upgrade the distribution system in the area, a top executive said over the weekend.

MORE Power and Electric Corp. chairman Steve Paradies said the energization of the 10-MVA mobile substation to decongest its main substation in Mandurriao reflected the company’s commitment to invest and meet the demand for power in Iloilo City.

“This mobile facility is a sign of More Electric’s commitment to invest in much needed infrastructure to improve electricity distribution in the city of Iloilo. Our board of directors has approved an emergency capital expenditure program of approximately P2 billion to upgrade the distribution system in our franchise area,” Paradies said during the virtual inauguration of the substation.

MORE Power is set to file the emergency capex with the Energy Regulatory Commission next week.

“We are very proud to be the electricity provider in the progressive city of Iloilo which has seen significant growth in the recent past. With the influx of many investors into your city, it is imperative that we invest to meet the growing demand for electric power. After all reliable electric power is a key criteria that investors look at when deciding to set up or expand their businesses in any urban setting,” Paradies said.

Businessman Enrique Razon Jr., president and chairman of MORE owner Prime Strategic Holdings Inc., said the new mobile 10-MVA substation would increase the capacity of the Megaworld area, one of Iloilo’s fastest growing districts. MORE Power is a subsidiary of Prime.

“This is one of the many investments we have made and we continue to make to modernize the existing, decrepit and antiquated distribution grid of the city of Iloilo that has suffered years of neglect and mismanagement,” Razon said.

He said they would execute an investment plan to transform MORE Power into a “world-class, modern electrical grid that is stable, safe, reliable and economical.”

Paradies asked for “a little patience as there is much work to be done on the existing infrastructure we took over early this year.”

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business AC Energy to accelerate divestment of coal assets A

By Alena Mae S. Flores

C Energy Inc., the energy unit of Ayala Corp., plans to divest its coal assets ahead of the original target of 2030, joining other local and international companies in the renewable energy bandwagon, a top executive said over the weekend.

“Our commitment is to divest all our coal assets by 2030, but I don’t think we will wait by 2030,” AC Energy presi president Eric Francia said in a virtual brief briefing.

AC Energy has around 500 megawatts of remaining coal assets after divesting some of its stake in the 540-megawatt,

coal-fired power project in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, the 600-MW facility in Mariveles, Bataan and the 1,200-MW station in Dinginin, Bataan.

The company also owns the 70MW thermal plant in Calaca, Batangas through South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp.

“For Dinginin, unit 1 is targeted for commercial operations next year between March and April. Then soon after that is unit 2. We want to make sure plant is operating well then revisit potential divestment later,” Francia said.

AC Energy completed the partial sale of a 49-percent voting interest with a 60-percent economic interest in AA Thermal Inc. to Aboitiz Power Corp. for $572.9 million in May 2019.

AA Thermal has ownership interest in GNPower Mariveles, which has been operating since 2014, and GNPower Dinginin power plants which are under construction.

AC Energy also signed an agreement last year to transfer its indirect ownership interest in the 540-megawatt, coalfired power project in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte to Power Partners Ltd. Co., the developer-partner.

The GNPower Kauswagan power plant is a partnership of AC Energy and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure Fund and Power Partners.

“GN Kauswagan is expected to reach financial close by 2021,” Francia said.

Francia said AC Energy is “really very bullish of the energy transition” towards clean energy sources.

“We’d like to play a leading role in the energy transition particularly to the shifting to renewable energy technologies. Our vision to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia,” he said.

Francia earlier said the Ayala Group planned to scale up renewable energy portfolio to 2,500 MW in 2021.

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. said over the weekend it will implement higher toll effective Nov. 25 following the completion and opening of the NLEX Harbor Link in June.

The Toll Regulatory Board recently approved a toll rate adjustment of P4 after NLEX opened the 2.6 -kilometer elevated section between the new Caloocan Interchange at C3 Road/5th Ave. and the new Navotas Interchange along R-10/Mel Lopez Boulevard.

NLEX said while the regulatory approval could have been implemented earlier this year, the increase was deferred in consideration of the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

The increase which would take effect past midnight or 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 25 would amount to P4 in the open system and P0.06 per kilometer in the closed system.

The open system, where a flat rate is charged per entry, includes Quezon City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, Malabon City, Navotas City, Meycauayan City and Marilao, Bulacan.

Under the new toll fee matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional P4.00 for Class 1 vehicles (regular cars and SUVs) while Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks) will pay an additional P10. Class 3 vehicles will add P11.

For end-to-end travel, vehicles traveling from Metro Manila to Mabalacat City in Pampanga will be charged an additional toll of P9, P20, and P25 per class.

The latest NLEX Harbor Link elevated section features the new Caloocan Interchange with on and off ramps along Grace Park, the new Malabon Exit with off ramp on Dagat-Dagatan Ave. and the new Navotas Interchange, thereby expanding the NLEX network in the CAMANAVA area.

IN BRIEF Robinsons Land bares plan to list REIT firm

LRMC-BAYAD PARTNERSHIP. Light Rail Manila Corp. announces a new partnership with outsourced payment collection pioneer CIS Bayad Center Inc. to provide a convenient and reliable service to passengers traveling through the LRT-1 network.

Attending the virtual signing ceremony are (top, from left) LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso, CBCI president and chief executive Lawrence Ferrer (bottom, from left) LRMC chief financial officer Marco Duay and CBCI chief commercial and marketing officer Dennis Gatuslao.

Marcventures receives 3 ISO re-certifications for quality standards MARCVENTURES Mining and Development Corp. received International Organization for Standardization re-certification for Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) and the migration from OHSAS 18001:2007 into ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety Management System).

All three certifications are a testament of the unified, streamlined and high-efficiency level of the business processes across MMDC’s management spectrum.

“At MMDC, we are constantly challenged to come up with efficient measures to constantly improve our business processes to ensure occupational safety and environmental sustainability.

We achieve this

by working closely with the communities within the areas we operate,” MMDC vice president for compliance and tenement management Engr. Ramesh Paliza said.

ISO 9001 is an internationally-recognized quality management standard which specifies Quality Management System requirements focused on an organization’s ability to meet and improve upon customer satisfaction and quality requirements.

The ISO is an international standardsetting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. The organization promotes worldwide propriety, industrial and commercial standards.

The Quality Management System

(ISO 9001:2015) standard is an integral part of an organization’s efforts towards sustainable development and promotes it as a tool for improving overall performance.

The Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders.

It also calls for the management of environmental aspects and ensures their conformity to compliance obligations while addressing risks associated with threats and opportunities.

Hedcor ISO.

AboitizPower run-ofriver hydropower arm Hedcor Inc. receives recommendations for ISO re-certifications from the British Standards Group Philippines as organizations across the world continue to confront a global health crisis. Hedcor’s Ampohaw Hydro is the first ISO-certified mini hydro plant in the country.

even through the pandemic and raised the level of virtual conversation about the need to quit smoking.

“We have made a dramatic move to transform our business to achieve our bold new vision to design a smoke-free future. Yes you heard it right, we are a tobacco company working to achieve a world that is free from cigarettes,” Gomez said in the first-ever virtual “CreativeFest Now!” organized by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines

ROBINSONS Land Corp., the property unit of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc., plans to infuse 15 of its 25 office buildings into a real estate investment trust company that will be listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Robinsons Land said in a recent investors’ briefing it plans to infuse 15 office buildings with over 400,000 square meters of leasable area for its planned REIT offering scheduled next year.

The property company did not say how much it will raise from the planned office REIT listing.

Robinsons Land said it would incorporate a REIT, property management and a fund management company in preparation for the planned REIT listing.

Rbonsons Land is one of the country’s leading office landlords with 25 office buildings with a total gross leasable area of 600,000 sq. m.

Aside from RLC, DoubleDragon Properties Corp. earlier announced plans to conduct an office REIT offering that could raise as much as P14.7 billion in proceeds.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Toyota launches new compact Lexus sedan

TOYOTA Motors Philippines, Inc. debuted the all-new IS Lexus, the fourth generation Lexus sedan currently the most affordable vehicle in the Lexus line-up.

“The IS is our most attainable luxury compact sedan and this could be anybody’s first luxury vehicle,” said Toyota Philippines president Atsuhiro Okamoto in a virtual launch Saturday night.

He noted that the IS played an important role in Lexus history when it was first introduced in 1998 and considered as a “great driver’s car.”

In 2005, the second generation IS was introduced which elevated the performance level of the brand and following another seven years, the third generation IS was unveiled.

The third generation IS “redefined driving experience for which Lexus is known for,” Okamoto said. It is the first launch in all of the Asia-Pacific markets.

He said the all-new IS was the first Lexus sedan “born and bred at the Shimoyama Technical Center in Japan.”

Othel V. Campos

Smart deploying 2,000 more cell sites in 2021

PMFTC pursues business transformation amid pandemic for ‘smoke-free’ future PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, is pursuing a business transformation amid the pandemic to provide smokers, who would otherwise continue to smoke, better alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

PMFTC communications director Dave Gomez said since the company launched “Unsmoke Pilipinas,” the company’s transformation strategy to achieve “Smoke-Free Future” in July 2019, it continued to engage Filipino smokers

NLEX raising toll on Nov. 25 after finishing Harbor Link

PMFTC, established in 2010 following the business combination between PMI and Fortune Tobacco Corporation, is an agriculture and consumer products company that is leading the change across the Philippine tobacco industry. Its traditional business supports two million Filipinos who depend on tobacco for all or part of their livelihood.

“We are in no denial. We know we belong to a controversial and highlyregulated industry. We manufacture a product—cigarettes—that have clear

health risks, and yet a product that many adult consumers in the world still largely choose to enjoy. We are part of a bigger society and we want to behave responsibly in it,” said Gomez.

He said despite the global campaign against the tobacco industry in terms of higher taxes, restrictions in smoking areas and health warnings on packs, there are still 16 million smokers in the Philippines today. This is because Filipino smokers are quitting cold turkey at a rate of only 4 percent, he said.

SMART Communications Inc. announced it is deploying an additional 2,000 cell sites next year to further improve coverage and connectivity.

“Our accelerated network expansion efforts will help us reach even the unserved and underserved areas in the country,” said Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart Communications president and chief executive.

Since the Anti-Red Tape Authority issued its Joint Memorandum Circular in August, Smart has secured close to 1,500 permits to build more cell sites and accelerate the company’s goal to improve customer experience across the country.

The permits cover towers to be built in Metro Manila and in typhoon-hit provinces, like Albay, Aurora, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Masbate, Quezon, Rizal, and Sorsogon, which were in the path of recent strong typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Gilas Pilipinas duels Thailand in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

Sports

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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By Peter Atencio GILAS Pilipinas Men’s team is scheduled to face only Thailand in the November window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The squad, which is made up of young collegiate players, will meet the Thais twice. They will first meet on Nov. 27 at the Khalifa Sports City in Manama, Bahrain.

Their next meeting is set on Nov. 30.

The competitions were supposed to be of a home-and-away format, but this was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thailand will face Indonesia before that on Nov. 28, a day after the first Gilas Men-Thailand match.

Scheduled clashes against Indonesia and Korea have not been confirmed, so far.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan said the matches were not supposed to continue because of health and safety concerns brought about by the pandemic.

But the games still pushed through, considering that there was no significant basketball event that has been happening.

“This window is supposed to be postponed until February. But, I guess FIBA felt that it should continue,” said Pangilinan following a recent FIBA Central Board meeting.

Members of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s team left for Manama last Sunday, and they made sure that they have good chemistry coming into the games.

The national pool continued working out inside a training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna two weeks ago. Their number will be trimmed down to 12 before the encounter with the Thais.

“All these are the challenging dynamics in putting this team together, prioritizing chemistry over the tactical complexity of trying to develop a team with a unique approach to the game,” remarked Baldwin, who spoke for head coach Jong Uichico.

The team did not have enough time to practice new defensive and offensive techniques on the floor after the players were assembled on short notice.

The national squad is led by Kobe Paras, Justine Baltazar and Juan Gomez de Liano.

The pool is also made up of Isaac Go, Rey Suerte, twins Matt and Mike Nieto, Ateneo’s Dwight Ramos, Will Navarro and Dave Ildefonso, San Beda’s Calvin Oftana and Kemark Carino. University of the Philippines’ Javi Gomez de Liano have also made the cut.

Also listed are Jaydee Tungcab and naturalization prospect Angelo Kouame.

Phoenix Super LPG guard Matthew Wright (35) drives past TNT Tropang Giga defenders Poy Erram (7) and Roger Pogoy (16). Wright powered Phoenix to a hard-earned 92-89 victory over TNT. PBA

Wright, Abueva power Phoenix past TNT, 92-89

By Reuel Vidal

M

ATTHEW Wright, not yet fully recovered from a sprained right ankle, scored the clutch points to power Phoenix Super LPG to a pulsating 92-89 victory over TNT Tropang Giga, yesterday, Sunday, November 22 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G.

Wright scored seven of his team’s final nine points as Phoenix posted its second victory in a row in this series to post a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinals of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. Wright finished with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal to win Player of the Game honors.

“I just really had to man up and play through the pain. Play through the limited mobility. My ankle still hurts. It’s throbbing right now but I’m just glad we won,” said Wright in the post-game interview.

Meanwhile, Calvin Abueva dominated at both ends of the court for Phoenix to finish with another double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds. He added 6 assists, 4 steals and 1 block.

Justin Chua received a pass from Abueva then drilled an open triple. Wright threw off a pair of defenders with a hesitation move then drove in to convert a layup to hike the Phoenix lead to 6 points, 85-79, with 3:43 to go in the game.

Parks converted 2 free throws for TNT but Wright countered with a crossover and a rhythm three-pointer to hike the Phoenix advantage to 7 points, 88-81, with 3:03 left to play.

Parks converted two more free throws and a layup to cut the Phoenix lead to just 3 points, 88-85 with 1:48 to go.

Jason Perkins missed his triple attempt. At the other end Roger Pogoy missed his own attempt but Troy Rosario was there to follow-up to cut the

Phoenix lead to a point, 88-87.

Abueva drove inside and missed a layup attempt but Perkins followed it up to extend the Phoenix lead back to three, 90-87.

Parks then drove inside, missed his attempt but followed up his own miss to cut the lead back to one, 90-89.

Wright sealed the outcome of the match with a clutch turnaround fadeaway jumper to finalize the count, 92-89.

Parks, like Abueva, had a doubledouble of 19 points and 13 rebounds. He added six assists and 1 steal.

Ryan Reyes barreled inside to convert a layup which trimmed the Phoenix lead to just 2 points, 49-47, at halftime.

Abueva handed the ball to Wright and set a pick which freed the Phoenix guard from his defender. Wright drilled the trey to hike the Phoenix lead to 9 points, 62-53, with 8:31 to go in the third.

But TNT managed to cut the gap. Simon Enciso zipped a pass to a cutting Roger Pogoy who converted a layup to trim the Phoenix lead to just 4 points, 7369, after three quarters.

Hayward reportedly headed to Hornets in $120 million deal LOS ANGELES, United States— Coveted NBA free agent Gordon Hayward is headed to the Charlotte Hornets on a deal reported by ESPN to be worth $120 million over four years.

Hayward’s agents Priority Sports added confirmation of the move on their Twitter feed with a post saying “Congrats to @gordonhayward on agreeing to terms with @hornets!”

Hayward became a free agent Thursday when he declined a $34.2 million player option with the Boston Celtics for the upcoming season.

He had inked a four-year, $127.8 million contract with the Celtics in 2017, but his tenure in Boston was shadowed by injury, starting with a grisly foot and ankle injury suffered minutes into his regular-season debut with the club.

He missed the rest of that season, and after a spotty 2018-19 campaign he averaged 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 52 games of the pandemicdisrupted 2019-20 campaign.

Hayward was sidelined again in the playoffs in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, spraining his right ankle in the opening game of Boston’s firstround series against Philadelphia.

He returned during the Eastern Con-

ference finals, in which the Celtics fell in six games to the Miami Heat.

The NBA’s free agency negotiating period began on Friday, but deals can’t be finalized until the signing period starts on Sunday (Monday Philippine time).

Both the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers had been reported to be in the running to land Hayward, with the 30-yearold forward reported by some to favor a return to his native Indiana before the Hornets apparently swooped in.

Meanwhile, journeyman point guard Rajon Rondo is joining the Atlanta Hawks on a reported two-year, $15 million deal.

The 34-year-old Rondo is entering his 15th NBA season and this will be his sixth team. He spent the last two with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rondo thanked the Lakers, his teammates and the fans on Instagram earlier Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

“To the fans...thank you for welcoming me with open arms from Day 1 and showing me love.

Being a part of #Lake-

Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics plays against the Miami Heat in file photo of action in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. AFP

Show was something special and I’m proud we brought it back to you!”

Also, the Toronto Raptors are poised to sign guard Fred VanVleet to a fouryear, $85 million deal, Canadian media reported.

The deal represents a huge payday for VanVleet, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

VanVleet played a crucial role in the Raptors’ run to a championship in 2019. AFP

Tolentino and others can join POC election THERE is a proper forum that can tackle alleged breaches of ethics that may have taken place from within the Philippine Olympic Committee family.

The election committee said this after it turned down a protest and an appeal to disqualify candidates who are running for positions in the coming election of the Philippine Olympic Committee this Friday.

This means that there will be no stopping the bids of POC president Abraham Tolentino of cycling, along with gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion, Tom Carrasco of triathlon, board member Raul Canlas (surfing) and Dave Carter (judo).

“Specifically, those protesting really accuse the four candidates covered by this issue of alleged ethical breaches of conduct which have yet to be resolved.

In which case, the POC bylaws appear to provide that the appropriate forum to resolve these allegations is either the standing commission on ethics, the executive board and the general assembly,” said the election body, which is headed atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV. The elecom said that there is no reference in the rules which grants the body the power to resolve said allegations.

The group supporting Aranas’ bid for the presidency has sent letters seeking the disqualification of Tolentino and five other sports officials before the elecom earlier this week.

With protests thrown out, the elecom said the certified list of candidates that was sent out last Oct. 31 is now considered as final.

Tolentino is again running for president while Carrion seeks the post of treasurer.

Carrasco is batting to become chairman again, while Canlas and Carter are looking for slots in the board.

In a letter signed by nine sports officials who are supporting Aranas, it was alleged that Tolentino and Carrion violated the POC charter by receiving compensations from the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee during the run-up to the SEA Games.

It was alleged that Tolentino received a monthly compensation of more than P81,000 in the course of helping organize the games with the PHISGOC. As for Carrasco, Aranas pointed out that he does not meet the four-year eligibility rule in running for POC chairman, and because he has only been president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines for the last two years.

Peter Atencio

Saints quarterback Brees has 11 broken ribs Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in file photo of their game on November 01, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States—Drew Brees’ rib and lung injuries have turned out to be more serious than first thought with it being revealed on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time) that the New Orleans Saints star has 11 fractured ribs, US media reported.

That number is up from the original diagnosis of five broken ribs for quarterback Brees, who also has a collapsed lung, US sports broadcaster ESPN reported. Additional tests showed Brees has eight broken ribs on the left side and

three on the right.

Brees exited last week’s win against the San Francisco 49ers at halftime with what the Saints called a rib injury, suffered in a second-quarter sack

by Kentavius Street that was ruled roughing the passer. Doctors also think he might have sustained some of his injuries in an earlier game but continued to play.

The Saints officially placed Brees on their injured list on Friday. He was originally expected to miss three games but

the latest medical update could see him stay out longer.

Brees, 40, is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes. But the Saints went 5-0 without their star signal-caller last season as he recovered from a torn ligament in his throwing hand.

The Saints, who top the NFC South Division at 7-2, host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Taysom Hill will get the starting nod at quarterback ahead of Jameis Winston. AFP

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Sports

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Pacquiao is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang PH Ambassador RIGHT on the heels of celebrating a milestone of 1 billion downloads worldwide, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang reveals its newest endorser to be none other than the boxing world’s 8-division champion, Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

William Mei, Marketing Manager of MLBB for the Philippines, said that they’re very much happy to welcome Manny Pacquiao to the Mobile Legends family.

“We’ve been working on this partnership for more than a year. Based on the studies we’ve done, 70% of our users are big fans of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has a lot in common with boxing. Like boxing it requires skill, determination, physical effort, and most importantly mental toughness. You can’t beat your opponent just by being strong, you have to also be smart.”

According to the boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, he can’t say no to the brand since his kids play and talk about Mobile Legends at home especially when it was included at the 2019 SEAGAMES. “It was easy for me to say yes when Moonton approached me to be their Philippine Ambassador.” said Pacquiao. “I already know of Mobile Legends even before they got in touch because my son, Jimuel, plays the game on his phone and regularly streams with friends. So why not be a part of what my son loves?”

He also teases his fans that there are more surprises in store from them in the coming months and reminds them that they, too, can achieve their goals.

“On behalf of the MLBB team, we can assure you that you can expect more surprises from us in the coming months.

And to everyone who wants to venture into professional gaming or just wanted to be the best version of themselves, be focused, keep pushing, and keep reaching for your dream because everyone can be a legend,” he adds.

In the Philippines, the number of Mobile Legends users increased during the lockdown. Currently, there are over 100 million registered users and 25 million monthly active users.

For more on the Mobile Legend: Bang Bang, follow its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MobileLegendsOnlinePH/

Senators seek more funds for PH team S ENATORS expressed their support to add more funding for the national team during the Senate’s plenary budget hearing on the Philippine Sports Commission’s 2021 budget.

Sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara, the PSC’s budget passed the senate’s plenary deliberations Friday, with several legislators manifesting their support for additional budget on sports.

“May I request the sponsors to add a bit of budget for the Olympics and the SEA Games. I think minuscule ang budget and we need to support the athletes,” said Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, who related that he already got favorable responses from Senators Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Francis Tolentino and Angara.

Zubiri supported his request by assuring the senate that the funds will be managed properly, praising the leadership of PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez.

“The Chairman of the PSC does his best and he has done it with limited resources.

But I must put on record Mr. President,

the Chairman of the PSC’s credibility is untainted in the last four years he has handled the PSC. Even the POC members have no question about his leadership in handling of funds,” said Zubiri, adding in jest that Ramirez wanted to handle the least fund possible as he “was afraid na pagalitan siya ng Presidente kung may mawala at hindi ma-account na pondo. So, I really truly appreciate the leadership of Chairman Ramirez.”

When he took to the floor, Villanueva said “I hope that we can do more for sports not only because we can win medals in the SEA Games or the Olympics, but because sports is such a unifying force. It gives so much hope to our countrymen and our people, especially for the young people of our nation.”

Sen. Imee Marcos echoed these sen-

timents, thanking the PSC and Ramirez for all that has been done for sports.

Sen. Nancy Binay, who started by congratulating the PSC for the “recordbreaking number of medals during the least SEA Games,” expressed her hope that there is ample budget to send enough number of athletes to the SEA Games in Vietnam so they can have the chance to defend their titles.

“We are deeply touched by our senators’ support. We thanked them for recognizing the important role sports play in nation building, as well as recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our athletes,” commented Ramirez, who was physically present for the hearing.

The budget of the sports agency covers, among others, funds for five major international competitions all slated in 2021, namely the 32nd Summer Olympics, 31st SEA Games, Asian Beach Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games and the Paralympics, as explained by Angara upon the clarification of Sen. Frank Drilon regarding the increase in requested funds to 688.4 Million. Drilon wanted to make

sure that athletes have enough funds for these important competitions.

Drilon, along with Binay, also inquired about the submission of the financial report on the SEAG, both on government and private funds. Both Angara and Ramirez assured the senators that the audited financial report will be available by mid-December as the sports agency has already demanded submission of this from private partners in the SEAG. Angara personally expressed to Ramirez his elation on his colleagues’ support for PSC and the national team, as well as his appreciation of the PSC’s efforts. Chairman on Health and Sports Senator Bong Go, also expressed his pleasure on the manifestation of support from legislators, while Sen. Dick Gordon reminded everyone not to forget that grassroots sports is equally important and must also be given support.

Senators Pia Cayetano and Francis Pangilinan asked for documents on the per capita expense on each Olympian and data on how much other countries spend on sports respectively, for reference and comparison.

Medvedev beats Nadal to set up Thiem title match at ATP Finals

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (right) taps Spain’s Rafael Nadal’s raquet after winning their men’s singles semi-final match on day seven of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London. Medvedev won the match 3-6, 7-6, 6-3. AFP

‘Rebirth of the Rebellion Sport’ docu looks into Arnis’ past, future AT THE 30th Southeast Asian Games held in Clark, Pampanga, last December 2019, the Philippine National Arnis Team made history, bagging 14 out of the 20 gold medals, plus four silver and two bronze medals in the Arnis competitions—an exceptional feat for a team of

young athletes, who joined a competition of such magnitude for the first time.

Their journey toward victory is chronicled in the new documentary “Rebirth of the Rebellion Sport,” which narrates how these talented and humble athletes, from

Accompanied by Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) Chairman and President Sen. Miguel Zubiri, SEA Games Arnis medalists pay a courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte.

different parts of the country, overcame various challenges and hardships while preparing for the 30th SEA Games. From enduring tough physical training to managing mental and emotional struggles, their stories are as inspiring and exciting as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport itself.

The documentary also features Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Chairman and President of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF), and a staunch supporter of the Philippine National Arnis Team. Zubiri himself was an Arnis champion, earning the gold medal at the 1989 World Arnis Championships.

As the author of Republic Act 9850, or the Act Declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport, Zubiri appears in the documentary to talk about the brief history of Arnis and how it played a role in the liberation of the country from colonial rule. The documentary also highlights how Arnis has taken the spotlight in key moments in pop culture, showcasing how our very own homegrown sport is ready to take on the international stage with just the right amount of support from the Filipino people. “[Arnis] was a rebellion sport. It really was popularized and developed because of our revolution against the colonizers. Basically, this martial art helped liberate [us] during the Philippine-Spanish war, and again in the Philippine-American war. It has so much historical significance for the Filipino people, that’s why we’re trying to put that in the consciousness and awareness of every Filipino, that Arnis is not just a sport, but it’s practically in our history. It’s in our blood,” said Zubiri Directed and hosted by Franco Mabanta, Rebirth of the Rebellion Sport premieres on Migz Zubiri Youtube channel (Youtube/MigzZubiriYT) on Nov. 23, Monday.

LONDON—Daniil Medvedev sent Rafael Nadal packing after a gruelling slugfest at the ATP Finals in London on Saturday to set up a title match against Novak Djokovic’s conqueror Dominic Thiem.

The Spanish world number two, who has never won the elite event in his illustrious career, faltered when serving for the match in the second set and was beaten 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

Earlier, US Open champion Thiem recovered from 4-0 down in the thirdset tie-break against Djokovic to win 7-5, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 (7/5).

Russian giant Medvedev—who has won nine matches in a row—put Nadal’s serve under intense pressure in the early stages of their evening match at the empty O2 Arena.

But he was unable to make his chances count and a drop in his level allowed the Spaniard to break to love to lead 5-3 before he served out for the set.

Medvedev immediately found his focus at the start of the second set, winning his first service game to love before Nadal, a two-time finalist at the event, double-faulted to give the Russian a 2-0 lead.

Just when it seemed as though Medvedev was cruising, Nadal, 34, broke back twice to take total control and stepped up to serve for the match.

But in another astonishing twist, the 20-time Grand Slam champion played a sloppy game, allowing the Russian back into the match, and Medvedev won the eventual tie-break.

The deciding set hinged on the seventh game—the Russian produced an overhead winner on his third break point, breaking again to beat Nadal for the first time.

The Spaniard entered the match on a 71-match winning streak after taking the opening set, but 24-year-old snapped that run with a gritty mental and physical performance over two hours and 36 minutes.

“I felt really strange until 5-4 for him in the second set, when he was serving for the match,” said the fourth seed, who lost all three of his matches on his debut at the season-ending tournament last year.

“It felt like I was doing great shots but there was no link in my game and that was why I was losing. He was better in the important moments. I couldn’t return in the important moments, I couldn’t make a good shot in the important moments. AFP

Guinness Book honors Paeng for 4th time THE Guinness Book of World Records honored Filipino bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno for the fourth time.

Paeng beat his own record of Most Bowling titles which was first established in 2007.

The Guinness World Records has updated Paeng’s career titles to 133 from the previous 118.

The bowling legend achieved his 133rd title in 2019 in Quezon City when he won the PTBA Mixed Open at 62 years old. It was also a record for being the oldest Masters champion.

Paeng holds three unbroken Guinness World records: He was the youngest World Tenpin bowling champion for winning the 1976 Bowling World Cup (BWC) in Tehran, Iran.

Paeng won the most Bowling World Ti-

tles in three different decades (1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996 Bowling World Cup titles, 1984 World’s Invitational and 1999 World Tenpin Masters).

He also won the most worldwide titles in a career won over five different decades, and in six different continents which is currently 133. His previous World Record was first established (118) in 2007 then (124) in 2013.

Paeng was also enshrined in the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame on November 22, 2018.

He was the first male bowling athlete to be inducted in the World Bowling Hall of Fame in 1993 and is in the entrance of the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in Arlington, Texas, USA. Paeng is currently the first and the only one in Asia to earn a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Gold Coach certification.

The USBC Gold Level Coaching is the

highest certification for coaches, much like receiving a doctorate in a field of study and Paeng is one of only 25 active coaches to currently hold the designation.

Paeng still enjoys being able to compete against bowling athletes many who are half his age, and has the honor of still being able to represent the Philippines in international competitions.

He is also a trustee of the Philippine Bowling Federation and is an adviser to the Philippine Men’s and Women’s bowling team. He is also a senior lecturer professor at the University of the Philippines and teaches bowling.

Paeng has been bowling since he was 12, winning his first major tournament at 15, and his first Bowling World Cup at 19, achieving a rare Grand Slam by winning the Philippine Open, Asian Championships and the Bowling World Cup in a

span of five months in 1976.

The World FIQ, the world governing body of the sport then, named Paeng as the “International Bowling Athlete of the Millennium” in behalf of 100 million bowlers during the opening ceremonies of the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 1999.

During the ceremony, an FIQ official cited Paeng with these words: “No international bowling athlete is more deserving of recognition than Paeng. In addition to his long list of well known achievements as a world champion in three decades, Paeng truly has been and continues to be an extraordinary ambassador to the sport”.

Paeng is the only athlete in the Philippines who has been honored by five Philippine Presidents and was given the highest award to a Filipino.

In 1984, Paeng was awarded the Presi-

Paeng Nepomuceno

dential Medal of Merit by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, the highest award given to a Filipino at the disposition of the President of the Philippines.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MODAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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‘Paano Ang Pasko’ premieres tonight on TV5 Just when most of the traditional Christmas events and specials have been put on hold because of the pandemic, TV5 is premiere Paano Ang Pasko, a star-studded Christmas series that is tailor-made for the times.

Starring some of the most promising and biggest names in the Philippine entertainment industry, Paano Ang Pasko is created by Palanca Hall of Famer Jun Robles Lana and directed by Enrico Quizon, Ricky Davao, and Perci Intalan.

This special drama series revolves around a family’s unprecedented holiday gathering and how old wounds and struggles threaten to dampen the supposed joyous occasion. The series assembles a powerhouse cast that

marks the return to television drama of two award-winning actresses: Urian winner Maricel Laxa who plays Faith, the loving matriarch who is about to discover a long-kept family secret, and Cinemalaya winner Julia Clarete who plays Love, the eldest daughter whose past is coming back to haunt not just her but her entire family.

A familiar lead in most top-rating series, Beauty Gonzalez plays Hope, the second daughter that has a past with her sister’s husband. Young actor Elijah Canlas also stars in his first series after winning Best Actor at the 17th Asian Film Festival in Rome and at the 43rd Urian Awards. He takes on the role of Noel, the troubled grandson who is about to discover the

entertainment service

for Filipinos worldwide

from Down Under Australia-based Filipino singer Jojo Sebastian

Gadista billed as “Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You.” “The original track, ‘Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You’ is my personal favorite,” enthuses Sebastian. “The song is lovingly dedicated to my late father, Jaime Sebastian. When he passed away, my whole family was based in Hawaii, Christmas has never been the same again. I miss him… a lot.”

The traditional carols in the album are all special to him but the one that brings the most reminiscence is “Oh Holy Night.”

“It brings back the time when I was young in the Philippines. Together with my kababata, we made our rounds in our village to do caroling,” he avers.

As a grown-up man, his idea of the perfect Christmas is about spending time with family.

“You know, this pandemic reminded all of us the great importance of being family. Of showing that you care, telling and letting them feel how much they are loved. Nothing beats seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter, the hugs, even the pagmamano to your elders,” Sebastian explains.

With the release of the album, the singer is now planning to stage a solo concert in Australia.

Jojo Sebastian’s Christmas Ain’t Christmas Without You album is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and other available music streaming apps.

Feeling the ‘K-lig’ all over again with ‘My Korean Jagiya’ RELIVE the ultimate fangirl experience as GMA Network’s first-ever FilipinoKorean romantic comedy series, My Korean Jagiya, returns to GMA Telebabad beginning tonight.

Headlined by Heart Evangelista, the series follows the story of Gia, a grade school tutor and a hopeless romantic who is often teased that she is next in their family to become an old maid. She is also a self-confessed K-drama fan girl determined to meet her long-time crush, Korean superstar Kim Jun Ho. But Kim Jun Ho--portrayed by Korean actor and former member of K-pop group U-KISS, Alexander Lee--has mysteriously fallen off the radar and stepped out of the limelight at the height of his career.

An unfortunate incident brings the two of them together and they eventually become friends. But for Gia, Jun Ho will always mean something more. Are some dreams just too good to be true?

“We really need to watch something that will make us feel happy, pampalipasoras because a lot of people are at home.

And at the same time, I’m happy because what we worked hard for and what we enjoyed doing before, we can watch and experience again. It’s so exciting,” Heart says of the rerun of My Korean Jagiya, Alexander affirmed her sentiments and added that the series could bring a smile to people’s faces, “I believe that this is the perfect time to watch My Korean Jagiya again!” he said. “Watching it again could definitely put a smile on

The star-studded cast of Idea First’s Christmas drama special ‘Paano Ang Pasko’ that premieres tonight on TV5.

Providing enhanced

Crooner

WE ARE a proud musical lot because we are in agreement that in this corner of the world, we have a battalion of greatest singers.

Inching his way to be part of this crème dela crème of world-class performers from the country is Jojo Sebastian, an unrecognizable name especially in Manila’s entertainment circuit but in the continent Down Under, specifically in Sydney—considered as one of busiest capitals in the performing arts—his reputation as a great singer, performer, and host/emcee sets the gold standard in live performances.

Sebastian’s love affair with music started a decade ago. Being part of the most passionate astrological sign of Scorpio, it is only but natural for this medical frontliner, a nurse by profession, to realize his dream.

The moment he aims his sight on stage, took the first leap and step to perform, there is no stopping him. In his heart, he knew that telling the stories behind the songs he sings brings him the greatest joys. And knowing that his gift of music and song bring happiness to many, fuels his creativity and emotions, and sing for his enthralled public.

The bedimpled singer has released a Christmas album recently. The record contains three traditional Christmas carols given a contemporary musical twist and an original composition penned and arranged by Maestro Oliver

truth about his lineage.

Alongside these remarkable talents are the veteran actors Ricky Davao and Allan Paule, with Ejay Falcon, John Sweet Lapus, Matt Evans, Danita Paner, Devon Seron, Cedrick Juan, Ace Ismael, and introducing Justine Buenaflor.

Viewers were given a preview of the series through a music video of “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” performed by Jona, posted on the IdeaFirst and TV5 social media channels. It has since garnered hundreds of thousands of views and excitement among Filipino viewers.

Produced by The IdeaFirst Company for Cignal Entertainment Paano Ang Pasko airs Monday to Friday at 9:00 p.m. on TV5.

Heart Evangelista and Xander Lee in a scene from ‘My Korean Jagiya.’

people’s faces and perhaps give them some comfort, happiness, and definitely some kilig too. Hope everyone could stay safe at home and enjoy MKJ again.”

Also starring in the series are Janice De Belen, Ricky Davao, Iya Villania-Arellano, Edgar Allan Guzman, and Valeen Montenegro; with the special participation of Korean stars David Kim, Michelle Oh, and Jerry Lee. Joining them as well are Frances Makil Ignacio, Myke Solomon, Jinri Park, Divine Aucina, and Khane Dela Cruz.

Award-winning director Mark Reyes helms this ground-breaking series.

“My Korean Jagiya” was partly shot in some of South Korea’s most scenic spots that are often used in famous K-dramas including Nami Island, Namsan Park, Love Padlocks at N Seoul Tower, and Daejanggeum Park.

Catch My Korean Jagiya tonight after Descendants of the Sun: The Philippine Adaptation on GMA Telebabad.

A

BS-CBN is providing an enhanced entertainment experience for Filipinos who are craving to watch movies, shows, and uniquely Filipino content wherever they are in the world as it launches the bigger and better iWantTFC, the home of Filipino stories and the first Filipino streaming service available worldwide.

Kim Chiu top-bills an upcoming series based on her viral song ‘Bawal Lumabas.’

With the new and bigger iWantTFC streaming service, users are able to watch the exclusive premiere of advanced episodes of ABS-CBN teleseryes such as FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, Walang Hanggang Paalam, and Bagong Umaga, 48 hours before they air on any ABS-CBN platform or channel with an option to enjoy viewing them without ads.

Filipinos from all around the world can also watch La Vida Lena, ABS-CBN’s newest TV series starring Erich exclusively Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano will Gonzales, star in an upcoming iWantTFC original on iWantTFC. The show streamed ‘He’s Into Her.’ its first episode last Saturday (Nov. 14), as select fans from different countries joined its global fancon and got to interact with the whole cast online. iWantTFC also adds more new and upcoming originals to its catalog soon, including Bawal Lumabas with Kim Chiu, Kyle Echarri, and Franchine Diaz, Hoy Love You featuring the love team reunion of Roxanne Guinoo and Joross Gamboa, I Can Wait Forever with Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte, He’s Into Her with Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, and Ampalaya Chronicles: Me & Mrs. Cruz the latest episode in the heartbreak-themed anthology series starring Beauty Gonzalez and Kiko Estrada.

Users are also able to watch new movies released

by CineXpress straight on the platform such as Star Cinema’s My Lockdown Romance, Boyette, and Four Sisters Before the Wedding. Fans can also continue to follow the ongoing season of The House Arrest of Us on iWantTFC. Users in the Philippines, meanwhile, can enjoy free ondemand streaming of the latest episodes of currently airing ABS-CBN shows within seven days. They can also look forward to the Philippineexclusive streaming of Thai series Theory of Love and The Shipper this year. iWantTFC users can also enjoy new features such as offline viewing of select movies and series and an enhanced viewing experience on bigger screens through select TV brands, as well as Roku and Telstra TV. To experience the latest version of the new iWantTFC, users need to download the app from Google Play and Apple App Store or visit iwanttfc.com and register for an account. First-time users can also avail of a 30-day free trial.

The biggest library of new and wellloved Filipino content comes in three subscription plans—free, standard, and premium.

Binge-watchers who want an ad-free Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz, and Lance Carr on the set of ‘Bawal Lumabas.’ viewing experience can avail of the premium plan that costs P119 monthly, while users can also choose to watch ad-supported content through the standard plan for P59 monthly. However, monthly subscription prices for iWantTFC users outside of the Philippines vary across territories.

Both premium and standard subscribers get full access to iWantTFC’s full library of over 1,000 movies, live channels namely Kapamilya Channel, TeleRadyo, ANC, CineMo, and Knowledge Channel, ABS-CBN’s full inventory of shows, all acquired content, all episodes of 86 iWant TFC originals, and other digital content.

Users can also opt for the free plan, which will grant limited access to an ad-supported catalog of 300 movies, three live channels, select episodes of shows, as well as full access to ten series monthly. iWantTFC’s extensive library of regularly updated content contains currently airing ABS-CBN shows, Kapamilya classics, movies, newscasts, lifestyle programs, award-winning documentaries, originals, religious programs, and acquired series from Thailand’s GMMTV. For updates, like http://www.facebook.com/iWantTFC, and follow @iwanttfc on Twitter and @iwanttfc on Instagram and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantTFC.

Life

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

C4

FOOD

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2020

New dishes await diners at Nobu Manila. The latest additions to the menu include (from left) Nobu Ocean’s 12, Nori Tacos, and Nobu Manila Style Kurobuta Pork Sisig.

Nobu

for dinner Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in City of Dreams Manila now open

W

HEN the clock strikes 5 on Wednesday through Sunday, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous restaurant in City of Dreams Manila begins serving discerning diners its Japanese-Peruvian dishes.

Nobu Manila has begun welcoming guests for dinner since Nov. 6, offering a safe and conducive location for date nights and intimate dinners among family and friends.

In addition to the restaurant’s bestselling Black Cod Miso, New Style Sashimi, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, and Beef Tobanyaki, the reopening brings with it new dishes created by head chef

Michael de Jesus, as well as new sushi and sashimi specialties by head sushi chef Kei Hirukawa.

Chef De Jesus whips up two dishes that creatively infuse Filipino flavors: Nobu Manila Style Kurobuta Pork Sisig, which is a medley of kurobuta pork belly (a highly flavorful premium cut), aji amarillo aioli, bacon furikake, and poached egg; and Green Tea Leche Flan with homemade mochi pearls, az-

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous restaurant in City of Dreams Manila reopens its doors for dinner, starting at 5:00 p.m.

uki beans, and goma tuile.

Tofu Sliders, Nori Tacos, and Tomato Matsuhisa Salad are among the other new dishes available.

Nobu’s eight-course Signature Omakase, specialty tempura, tobanyaki (Nobu roast specialties), yakimono

To meat or not to meat

By Monica Sanchez TWO new burgers are making the rounds on social media: one features the delightful Angus beef flavor made more special with truffle, the other surprises meat-loving folks with its plant-based patty.

Shake Shack’s limited edition Black Truffle Burger and Black Truffle Chick’ n Shack and Black Truffle Fries.

Black Truffle Burger

For a limited time only, the Philippine branches of burger chain Shake Shack is serving this indulgent treat made with 100 percent all-natural Angus beef with Swiss cheese, crispy ale-marinated shallots, arugula, and black truffle mayo.

Joining the “truffle team” this holiday season are Black Truffle Chick’ n Shack and Black Truffle Fries—both with black truffle mayo.

To order Black Truffle Burger and other truffle variants, contact Shake Shack Central Square at (02) 8255-3240; Shake Shack Greenbelt at (02) 7933-6724; Shake Shack Mega Fashion Hall at (02) 8362-1450; or order via GrabFood or foodpanda.

beers and specialty cocktails to nonalcoholic beverages, enhance the dining experience.

Nobu Manila is serving dinner guests until 10:00 p.m., and until 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

SIP Jim Beam and a tin BOURBON brand Jim Beam makes gifting and partying easy with a limited edition tin pack.

Each bundle comes with two oneliter bottle of Jim Beam that come in a special tin that can be used as an ice bucket and a garnish tray.

Beam Suntory, the makers of the bour-

bon whiskey brand, says the tin pack is an ideal starter kit to make Jim Beam Highball made with Jim Beam bourbon, soda, ice, and lemon or muddled red apples or other ingredient of choice.

The limited edition tin pack is available throughout the holiday season at all S&R branches nationwide.

Burger King brings to the Philippines its Plant-based Whopper.

Plant-based Whopper

Burger King’s new Whopper proves that you can have your burger and eat it too.

The vegetarian-friendly Plant-based Whopper features non-meat patty made in partnership with Australia’s leading plant-based company V2Food. In lieu of meat, it’s made of soy proteins which, Burger King says, “look, cook, and taste” like its signature Whopper Patty.

Burger King’s Plant-based Whopper is now available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery at all Burger King branches nationwide. To order, call #2-22-22 or get it via GrabFood, LalaFood, or foodpanda.

Free delivery for Yellow Cab’s group bundles FROM today until Jan. 17, 2021, Yellow Cab’s Squad Stuff bundles are available for free delivery.

The ongoing promotion applies to Squad Stuff L, Squad Stuff XL, and Squad Stuff XXL, offering as much as P865 in savings.

Each bundle consists of pizza, chicken wings, pasta, and soft drinks.

Customers can choose from Hawaiian or Pepperoni; get 10 pieces of either Hot Chix, Garlic Parmesan, Sweet Soy,

(grilled items), brick-oven dishes, kushiyaki (grilled skewers), soup and noodle dishes, and a broad selection of sushi, sashimi and sushi rolls, salads, and soups complete the extensive menu.

A wide range of spirits and other refreshments, from premium sake, wines,

Jim Beam limited edition tin pack

‘The Way’ of Mortlach DUBBED the “Beast of Dufftown,” Mortlach single malt whisky’s dark and complex flavors are the result of an enigmatic distillation process called “The Way” developed by Dr. Alexander Cowie.

Mortlach is distilled exactly 2.81 times—0.81 times more than the Scotch tradition—in six copper stills of completely different shapes. A closely guarded secret handed down through generations of Mortlach distillers, the brand says this process unleashes the most primal essence of Scottish water and malt.

It comes in three variants: 12 Years

Old (deep amber in color, with a nose that’s incredibly rich and deep, immediately warming to tasty oak tones similar to warm wood shavings), 16 Years Old (deep amber color, a rich and deep nose, and opens up to the scent of stewed black and orchard fruits, with earthy notes, spice, and honeyed sweetness), and 20 Years Old (old copper in color, with earthy notes and a meaty element, and delivers the smell of varnish, leather oil, wood resin, and an added oiliness only present in mature whiskies).

Mortlach whiskies are now available at liquor.ph.

or Sriracha chicken wings; choose from Chicken Alfredo, Charlie Chan, or Spaghetti Meatballs; and top it all off with a 1.5-liter bottle of Mountain Dew. Go to bit.ly/YCopenstores to check the complete list of open branches and their respective business hours and contact numbers.

Squad Stuff bundles are now available for free delivery until Jan. 17 next year.

Mortlach single malt whisky