Manila Standard - 2020 December 1 - Tuesday

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Duterte names CPP fronts

‘Zarate, rest of Makabayan bloc in House communist, co-conspirators’

By Joyce Pangco Pañares, Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

STILL IN QUARANTINE.

President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the nation via a televised briefing on Monday before announcing quarantine classifications for December. Presidential Photo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday accused militant lawmakers in Congress of belonging to so-called legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and serving as "co-conspirators" in efforts to overthrow the government.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM NOV. 30)

431,630 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,773 24,580 NEW

ACTIVE

8,392

19

398,658

44

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 270 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

This developed as the death of the daughter of Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Eufemia Campos Cullamat in a clash between the New People's Army and government forces in Surigao Del Sur over the weekend highlights the “senseless conflict” being waged by communists, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

Duterte, who mentioned Cullamat’s death in his televised briefing, said members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives are not being red-tagged but are merely being identified as CPP fronts.

"We are not tagging you. We are identifying you as communists," said the President who previously enjoyed the support of leftist groups when he was still mayor of Davao City and even appointed four left-leaning individuals to his Cabinet in the first year of his administration.

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About 64 gov’t execs, personnel dismissed NCR, 6 other areas remain

By Joyce Pangco Pañares PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte revealed another list of about 64 government officials who were dismissed over graft and corruption cases Monday night.

The President said some of those in the list were officials whose dismissal years ago were recently upheld with finality.

Among the more prominent names in the President's list were former Agriculture Secretary Nasser Pangandaman and

former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Pangandaman served as DAR chief during the term of then President Gloria Arroyo. Mabilog was dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2017 for unexplained wealth.

"I have to honor my commitment to the people to report the progress of our campaign against graft and corruption.

Some names were slapped with cases before which were only decided now.

Some were dismissed years ago but their

dismissal orders took effect with finality only this year," Duterte said.

The President accused Mabilog of being part of the illegal drug trade, and was ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman three years ago for unexplained wealth.

That same year, Mabilog said he had nothing to hide after the President ordered a lifestyle check on him.

Shortly after the President's televised address, Mabilog tweeted: "Coming from him?"

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under GCQ until end of year METRO Manila, Davao City and six other areas will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) up to the end of the year while the rest of the country is under a less strict modified GCQ, President Duterte announced Monday night.

In a public briefing, Duterte said Batangas, Iligan and Lanao del Sur provinces and the cities of Iloilo and

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Vaccine access to most Pinoys set in 2022 yet

9 cops in Jolo shooting face service ouster THE Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the findings of the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service recommending the dismissal of nine police officers involved in the June 29 shooting of four military intelligence operatives in Jolo, Sulu.

In a statement, AFP spokesman Edgard Arevalo said the military was still waiting for the criminal case against the suspects to start rolling.

"The AFP welcomes the reported recommendation by PNP-IAS to separate the perpetrators from the PNP service. And if ever that recommendation will be adopted, it is but an administrative penalty," Arevalo said.

By Willie Casas

BONIFACIO REMEMBERED.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Rene Escalante lead the commemoration of national hero Andres Bonifacio's 157th birth anniversary at Monumento Circle in Caloocan City on Monday. Andrew Rabulan

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Rody calls on people to emulate Bonifacio’s heroism PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday joined the nation in commemorating the 157th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, urging Filipinos to draw inspiration from the heroism of

the supreme leader (Supremo) of the Katipunan amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis.

“Today as we honor great Filipino

Another hefty oil price hike today RISING STAR. Grace Nabus, a Filipino nurse with roots in Baguio City and La Trinidad in Benguet province, was among the recipients of the Rising Star Award 2020 in London. Nabus, a proud Igorot woman, was the first Cordilleran recipient of the Rising Star, which recognizes excellence in patient care, innovation, and leadership from London’s Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) nursing community. RCN London received more nominations than ever this year, which has seen nursing at forefront of London’s response to COVID-19. Dave Leprozo

Tacloban are also under GCQ until December 31, 2020 to control the spread of the coronavirus disease over the Christmas holidays.

Davao del Norte will also be under GCQ from Dec. 1, said Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque. The province was not included in the areas the President mentioned in his televised speech.

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil firms implemented a hefty oil price increase of as much as P1.15 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect price movements in the world oil market.

The oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P1.15 per liter, and diesel and kerosene by P1.10 per liter, respectively.

“Petron will implement the following price increases effective 6 a.m. on Dec. 1: P1.15/li for gasoline; P1.10/li for diesel;

and P1.10/li for kerosene. These reflect movements in the international oil market,” Petron Corp. said in its advisory.

Seaoil Philippines, Cleanfuel and PetroGazz also announced the latest oil price hike while other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

Petron also announced a price increase for cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by P0.96 per kilo and autoLPG by P0.54 per liter to reflect the international contract price of LPG for December.

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hero Andres Bonifacio, we also honor our heroic frontliners especially our health workers---healthcare workers and uniformed personnel. They offered Next page

MOST Filipinos may have to wait until 2022 to be immunized against COVID-19, the country’s vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez said Monday.

Galvez, speaking on ANC’s Matter of Fact, said “equitable access” to the vaccine would most likely be achieved in 2022 because of the limited supply.

For now, he said, priority will be given to health care workers, indigents, vulnerable groups, essential workers, policemen and soldiers.

The government will also give priority to areas that have been hard hit by the pandemic, such as Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

Galvez said the government is already negotiating with China's Sinovac, Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical arm Janssen and US drug maker Pfizer, among others, for possible vaccine supply deals.

The Philippine Council for Health Research Development, meanwhile, said the mass vaccination of millions of Filipinos could start by June or July 2021, despite the expected scarcity of vaccines.

The council’s executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya said the government continues to coordinate with thed suppliers of vaccines.

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News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate bars budget insertions Senate Minority Leader Franklin DrilHe also said Senate Finance committee on, reacting to reports of such an inser- chairman Senator Juan Edgardo Angara tion, said the Procurement Law cannot be has said he will not allow such an inseramended by inserting a clause in the Gen- tion. eral Appropriations Act. Angara was checking on the reported

insertion, but the directive of Senate President Vicente Sotto is clear not to allow it.

Drilon said he did not know if the provision was in the Senate version that was approved.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the General Appropriations Act can only contain provisions that are consistent with appropriations.

He also said that being a general law, it cannot amend a special law, such as that Automated Election Law. Meanwhile, the chairman of the House of Representatives' committee on appropriations said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

is the one that decides on the reallocation of funds for certain congressional districts.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap, the panel's chairperson, made the statement in response to the statement of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte's statement on what he called "undue" cuts in the proposed infrastructure outlays for certain congressional districts under the House-approved version of the proposed 2021 national budget.

Yap said the DPWH may have moved the budget for Villafuerte's district to projects that are expected to be finished by 2022.

government forces is a grim reminder of the effects of the fruitless armed conflict perpetrated by these communist terrorist groups."

But the soldiers who posed in front of the body of Jevilyn Cullamat had committed a war crime, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said on Monday.

The Commission on Human Rights also slammed the military for using the dead photos of the younger Cullamat in an apparent display of victory.

But Lorenzana said linking the progressive group Makabayan Bloc to the Communist Party of the Philippines’ armed group already has basis following Cullamat’s death.

"Actually, dahil sa nangyari ngayon, anak pa ng congresswoman na Makabayan 'yung namatay... 'yung red-tagging namin ay may basis ano. May basis na sila ay sumusuporta, 'yung Makabayan, sinusuportahan nila itong CPP-NPA at saka 'yung tinatawag na armed struggle ng NPA," Lorenzana said in an ambush interview.

Bayan Muna’s Zarate, however, said the killing of Cullamat is not evidence that would link the Makabayan Bloc to communist rebels.

Zarate said he and his fellow Makabayan lawmakers are already bracing for this "propaganda" of the military to intensify the red-tagging and terrorist-tagging against them.

"Pinaghahandaan namin yun dahil palalabasin na naman nila, sasabihin na naman nila kahit walang basehan na ito nga ay ebidensya na kami ay prente ng underground movement," he said.

Jevilyn was killed in a 45-minute encounter between Special Forces soldiers and suspected communist rebels in Surigao del Sur on Sunday. The military said she was a medic of the NPA. Lawyer Jaqueline Ann de Guia, CHR spokesperson, said: “It is a cause

for concern when representatives of the government treat the death of another Filipino as victory. Time and again, we have condemned armed conflict because, in the end, nobody really wins, especially when it leads to ruined lives and communities.”

The CHR reacted after soldiers posted photographs of the slain Cullamat beside seized firearms and communist flags.

Lorenzana said members of the Philippine Army's 3rd Special Force Battalion immediately evacuated the younger Cullamat's body from the encounter site in the hinterlands of Barangay San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, on Saturday afternoon.

"The military has also readily coordinated and provided transportation as well as security assistance to the Cullamat family. I have instructed the responding units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure that the NPA casualty is treated with dignity," he said.

Lorenzana called on Makabayan bloc representatives and all those who condone the atrocities committed by the NPA to denounce the divisive ideology that destroys the lives and property of fellow Filipinos.

"Let this incident bring to the fore the duplicity of the communist terrorist movement whose members in the higher echelons pit Filipinos against fellow Filipinos," Lorenzana said.

The public, he said, could rest assured that Filipino troops would remain vigilant and ready to defend communities against the communist terrorists whose only goal was to sow hatred and violence.

In another interview Monday, Lorenzana said the communists seemed not to care about the deaths of the students and others they had recruited in their senseless fight.

"It seems they do not have any concern for those students and former students who die after joining the NPA because

they have recruited many of them. It seems to me that they do not care if these people die for as long as they can pursue their so-called armed struggle," he said.

Lorenzana, meanwhile, condoled with the Cullamat family over the death of Jevilyn.

"Losing the young is a tragedy in itself but losing them in a senseless war being waged by the NPA against the government is an even greater tragedy. This killing of our youth will continue until their recruitment in or out of school is stopped. I call on all parents to be vigilant to prevent their children from being recruited. I also call on the Makabayan bloc to stop supporting the CPP/NPA and denounce the NPA, who have left a trail of death and destruction all over the country for more than 50 years. Let us unite for our country."

Meanwhile, AFP spokesman Edgard Arevalo, in a statement late Sunday, said the military condoles with the Cullamat family following the death of Jevilyn.

"The AFP deeply condoles with Congresswoman Eufemia Cullamat and her family for the demise of her youngest daughter Jevilyn Cullamat, 22 years old, an NPA combatant who died in an armed encounter with government security forces around 4 p.m. of 28 November 2020 in Barangay San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur," he said.

"We grieve deeply with the Bayan Muna Representative and her family as we would for many Filipino families — including soldiers — who have lost a father, a mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, or kin who died in these more than five decades of fighting."

Arevalo also denied allegations that the body of Jevilyn was used as a trophy.

"The photo was taken for reporting and documentation purposes that is required after every encounter. It was not meant to scoff at the dead or demean the remains whose identity is not known to the soldiers," he said.

Cebu to help promote tourism while Pacquiao went to Batangas to distribute relief goods. Both events violated physical distancing protocols.

Incidents such as these may lead people to believe the health crisis is over, when it is clearly not, Ubial said on ANC’s “Matters of Fact.”

"I think the government, especially the Department of Health, has to remind our top officials about maintaining the health protocols, and making sure that they show this as an example to the public that they are the role models that the public will follow,” she said.

Ubial, who now leads the molecular laboratory of the Philippine Red Cross, also refuted Roque's statement that "general compliance" of COVID-19 protocols were met as the event was held outdoors and the crowd wore masks despite not observing physical distancing.

The virus can still spread through physical contact and if people do not wear their masks properly, Ubial said.

"The chances of viral survival when it's open air is lower but it doesn’t mean [infection] doesn’t happen," Ubial added.

She also urged the government to start relaying to the public the advantages and disadvantages of the upcoming vaccine against COVID-19.

Vaccine...

Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said the government should give priority to Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon when it comes to distributing a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Anthony Leachon said these areas account for 70 percent of the country’s economy.

“They said we can vaccinate in three to five years. I have a different suggestion. The initial volume of vaccines from AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna should be focused on NCR which has a population of 13 million, Calabarzon and Central Luzon because these areas make up 70 percent of the economic epicenter of the country,” Leachon said in an interview on ANC. “Once we are okay with the 70 percent of our economic epicenter, then we should focus on other hotspots [of COVID-19] like Davao and Cebu,” Leachon said.

Doing so would enable the government to achieve its target in two years instead of five, Leachon said.

Leachon was referring to the timeline given byGalvez Jr. that 100 million Filipinos will be given a COVID-19 vaccine in five years or 20 million Filipinos annually.

intelligence and monitoring operations against two suspected suicide bombers when gunned down by nine Jolo police officers.

Arevalo said the AFP was still looking forward to the two-fold criminal and civil liabilities of those involved in the murder of their intelligence operatives.

"We are anxiously waiting for that day that such a verdict will be reached to begin from the filing of the cases, trial, and decision rendered by a competent court," Arevalo said.

Also, he added, the AFP would not renege on its commitment to the victims and their loved ones to pursue justice for them until it was served judiciously and with due haste.

"This is the same covenant that the AFP chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay has with our personnel, that the AFP leadership will look after their well-being and welfare as they perform their tasks dutifully and with utter disregard of their own safety or comfort," Arevalo said. Francisco Tuyay

From A1

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

S

ENATORS on Monday said they would not allow an insertion in the national budget bill that would allow the Commission on Elections to waive safeguards on automated poll equipment, saying such a rider would be unconstitutional.

Duterte...

From A1

"The liability of a mere soldier is the liability of the entire organization... All these legal fronts, they are all communists - Makabayan, Bayan, they are all legal fronts, Gabriela."

"We are not red-tagging you. We are identifying you as members in a grand conspiracy comprising all the legal fronts they have organized headed by NDF (National Democratic Front), the New People's Army, and the Communist Party of the Philippines," he added.

In particular, he identified Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate as being part of the CPP-NDF. "Members of Congress are part of this. This Congressman Zarate, you are a co-conspirator. You are a communist. I know that from way back. Let's unmask everything now," the President said.

Zarate earlier called for accountability following the red-tagging of members of the Makabayan bloc, which is composed of party-list groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kabataan and Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

Formal peace negotiations between the government and the CPP-NDF were terminated by the President in November 2017.

In December 2017, Duterte signed a proclamation declaring the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group and directed the Department of Justice to begin a proscription case before the proper court.

The government, however, has yet to successfully proscribe the CPP-NPA under the 2007 Human Security Act, with the case pending before a regional trial court in Manila.

On Sunday, Lorenzana said in a statement: "The death of 22-year-old armed rebel Jevilyn Cullamat during an encounter between the NPA and

NCR,...

From A1

The rest of the country will be under modified GCQ, which has the least restrictive measures in the country's fourlevel lockdown system, said Duterte.

Metro Manila mayors had recommended the retention of GCQ in the National Capital Region until the end of 2020 to prevent a possible surge in the number of COVID-19 cases during the holiday season, which is usually marked by festivities and gatherings.

Metro Manila, which accounts for about a third of the country's gross domestic product, has been under GCQ since August, with stricter lockdowns enforced in earlier months as COVID-19 infections rose.

Meanwhile, top government officials must be good role models in observing health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a former secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

The admonition from former secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial came after presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Senator Manny Pacquiao were seen during mass gatherings in violation of health protocols against COVID-19.

Roque went to Bantayan Island in

9 cops...

From A1

But Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas on Monday said there was no final decision yet on the Internal Affairs Service's recommendation to have the policemen involved in the Jolo shooting incident be separated from the service.

"Wala pa po. Hindi pa po umabot sa opisina ko. I don't know kung sino ang naglabas ng recommendations na 'yun, supposed to be hindi dapat basta-basta nilabas kasi hindi pa nga namin na-approve 'yun," Sinas said in a press briefing.

"Baka [in] transit pa 'yun. May dadaanan pang mga opisina 'yun at kung bago man dumating sa atin 'yun ay papa-review pa natin sa legal officer namin kung ano ang appropriate."

Killed in the June 29 incident in Jolo ere Maj. Marvin A. Indammog, 39; Capt.

Irwin B. Managuelod, 33; Sgt. Jaime M. Velasco, 38, and Cpl. Abdal Asula, 33.

The four soldiers were conducting

From A1

But Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the vaccine deal signed by the government, the private sector and British drug company AstraZeneca may be voided if its vaccine failed to get regulatory approval in the Philippines.

Duque emphasized that the tripartite agreement requires the candidate vaccine to undergo evaluation by vaccine experts and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the supply deal, secured by the private sector, was an “advanced commitment" to ensure the Philippines will get 2.6 million shots of the vaccine.

AstraZeneca's vaccine, which is reportedly 70 percent effective against COVID-19 at its first half dose and 90 percent after the second full dose, is up for evaluation by the Philippine Vaccine Experts Panel and the Ethics Review Board.

After that, the vaccine would have to get FDA approval before clinical trials in the Philippines could proceed.

Also on Monday, a former adviser of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the

Rody... their lives selflessly in the service of our nation and people. Saludo ako sa inyo, ganoon na lang,” the President said in a televised briefing on Monday night.

In a taped speech played at the wreath-laying event at the national hero’s monument in Caloocan City in the morning, Duterte cited Bonifacio’s legacy of sparking the fires of a revolution that awakened national consciousness and served as the foundation of this Republic.

“His love of country which aroused our ancestors to fight for our freedom and secure our rightful place in the community of nations is very vital,” he said.

Duterte was represented by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in the ceremony. The President attended the commemoration last year.

Duterte asked Filipinos to take a leaf from Bonifacio’s values that helped him stage actions that changed the course of history.

“Now, more than ever, as we overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, as we remember his life and deeds, may the values he fought for inspiring us all to become worthy heirs of a just, progressive and inclusive society that he envisioned more than a century ago,” he said.

He hopes that Bonifacio’s bravery in rebelling against Spain’s colonization would serve as an example for Filipinos in the fight towards a more progressive Philippines.

“Fueled by Bonifacio’s extraordinary courage and determination, let us surmount the many challenges ahead and secure a much better and brighter future for every Filipino,” he added.

Vice President Leni Robredo herself in a statement said Bonifacio was most known for being courageous, adding: “This courage is not for show. This courage doesn't easily fold because of the difficulty of the path ahead."

"What Bonifacio exemplifies is not the cosmetic courage of bluster, or power, or brute strength; it is the courage of compassion."

Kids could be ‘superspreaders’ of virus—doctor

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta CHILDREN can become superspreaders if they are allowed to go outside their homes during the holidays, Dr. Anthony Leachon, a former adviser of the government's pandemic task force, said on Monday.

Leachon made the remark as President Rodrigo Duterte was set to announce quarantine measures for the last month of the year.

"They say the holiday season is about kids and children but I think if they will be allowed to roam around and visit the malls they will be the ones to carry the virus at home. They will be the superspreaders and they will affect their parents and grandparents so this is dangerous," he told ANC's Headstart.

"This has been happening in other countries where the children are actually the superspreaders in the home and in other areas,” he said.

There will be a "confluence" of COVID-19 problems in the remaining month of the year, Leachon said.

"We’re not yet out of the woods given the social mobility that will be happening in the last quarter of the year because of the holiday season. And there will be some after effects of the typhoon because some of the citizens in evacuation centers," Leachon said.

"If we will consider the temperature, I have a projection it might actually be a problem also because as you approach the holiday season the temperature will drop. And based on experience and overindulgence over the holiday season, you might also experience an uptick of cardiovascular cases and these are more vulnerable to COVID infection,” he said.

Gradual rise The OCTA Research Team earlier warned the country may see a gradual rise of COVID-19 cases as virus infections climbed in many parts of the country.

Metro Manila mayors have recommended to the national government to keep the capital region under general community quarantine which limits gatherings to a maximum of 10 people and allows ages 15 to 65 to go outside their homes.

The "single-most effective intervention measure" is physical distancing, Leachon said.

"And then of course you have the face shield and face masks, which are very effective in terms of curbing transmission," he said.

Areas of concern A group of academic experts has classified the National Capital Region (NCR) and seven other places as areas of concern due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

About...

From A1

The former mayor has yet to release a formal statement on the issue.

Other names in the list the President read are as follows: • From the Department of Agrarian Reform: Rowena Agbayani, Ronald Venancio, Teresita Legaspi Panlilio, and Ricardo Oblena; • From the Department of Education: Doroteo Galavia, Lucinda Dela Cruz, Mary Ann Sta. Maria Parcon, Rebecca Teodosio Esto (Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School in Aklan), and Dorothy Calimag; • From the Philippine National Police: PO3 Exequiel Arevalo Jr., Police Inspector Ferdinand Relasyon, and SPO1 Renato Masangkay; and • From Quezon province: treasurers Louie Senolos, Pedro Ruiz Jr., Renato Fontanil, and Royle Macandog and the late San Andres, Quezon mayor Sergio Empresse (killed in August 2019 when he was already the vice mayor).

Another...

From A1

On November 24, the oil firms also increased diesel by P0.50 per liter and kerosene by P0.30 per liter. There was no movement on the price of gasoline.

These resulted in the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net decrease of P4.62 per liter for gasoline, P8.86 per liter for diesel and P12.29 per liter for kerosene, according to the latest calculations of the Department of Energy (DOE).

World oil prices have been going up in recent weeks due to reports of a vaccine rollout that could finally put an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will hold a meeting until Tuesday about its plan to delay the production hike of two million barrels per day (mbpd) but maintain the current production cut of 7.7 mbpd.

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A3

Strike Revilla, 2 more solons join Lakas ranks

By Maricel V. Cruz

FUN RIDE. Around 1,000 cyclists from Iloilo City join the Bonifacio Day Fun Ride Fund Drive on Monday. They were able to raise P103,050 for the typhoon victims in Isabela province.

Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Mayor’s Office

‘De Lima may exhaust legal remedies’

By Rey E. Requejo

J

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Monday detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima had the right to exhaust all legal remedies, including filing an appeal before the Court of Appeals.

This was after the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the administrative complaint De Lima filed against Guevarra for using convicts as witnesses in her illegal-drugs-trade case.

Guevarra said he was unaware that the Ombudsman had dismissed the administrative complaint for gross neglect of duty

that De Lima had filed against him.

She could avail herself of all the legal remedies if she felt aggrieved at the decision of the anti-graft body, he said.

But Guevarra declined to comment on the substantive nature of the case that may constitute sub judice.

“If it’s true that the matter has been

elevated to the CA, then it’s sub judice if asked to comment. I will make the comment in court. It is not my policy to discuss in public cases which are under litigation or review, because such an act may constitute contempt of court, which is punishable under existing rules,” Guevarra said in a text message.

“Suffice it to say that Senator De Lima is free to take all available legal remedies, as she has freely done since the time that she was indicted for serious criminal offenses.”

De Lima filed the complaint against Guevarra for allegedly using convicted drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison as state witnesses in the illegal drug trade

cases the government had filed against her in 2017.

She accuses Guevarra of violating the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program Law. But the anti-graft body ruled that the WPSBP Law does not apply if the crime is “committed in prison and the only witnesses are convicted criminals”.

De Lima said the WPSBP law prohibits those convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude from becoming state witnesses, adding the Bilibid convicts turned state witnesses against her by the DOJ were convicted of heinous crimes including kidnapping, murder and drug trading among other things.

THREE more lawmakers, including a political bigwig in Cavite province, have joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party, and of those 24 are district lawmakers and 21 are party-list allies.

The new members bring the party’s strength in the House of Representatives to 45.

Rep. Strike Revilla of Cavite’s second district was sworn into the party by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, the Lakas-CMD president, in a hybrid oath-taking ceremony held in Imus, Cavite, last Sunday.

The two other new Lakas-CMD recruits were Cagayan Rep. Samantha Vargas-Alfonso and Davao Occidental Rep. Lorna Bautista-Bandigan.

Revilla, formerly with the National Unity Party, had served as mayor of Bacoor and as a member of the board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office before he was elected to the House of Representatives.

“It is time to go back home. LakasCMD is home to our family, and it feels good to be back home,” said Revilla.

His older brother, Senator Ramon Revilla, is chairman of the Lakas-CMD. With Rep. Revilla’s rejoining LakasCMD, according to Romualdez, the party is now a political force to reckon with in Cavite, the province with the highest number of votes.

“We embrace the return of our brother Strike into the party. Now, Cavite may be considered a Lakas-CMD country and a force to reckon with in the next elections,” Romualdez said.

Vargas-Alfonso and Bautista-Bandigan are now the highest-elected officials of the party in Regions II and XI, respectively.

Vargas-Alfonso’s cousin, Melvin Vargas Jr., is the incumbent vice governor of Cagayan.

Last month, Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo, also a former member of the NUP, took his oath as a new member of the Lakas-CMD while Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, an exmember of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, joined the party last September.

IN BRIEF Sinas shuffles

House told to hasten probe on power firms

A PARTY-LIST organization belonging to the Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives and a consumer advocacy group on Monday urged the House Committee on Energy to expedite its investigation on the alleged over-recovery of power distributors.

Bayan Muna and Matuwid na Singil sa Kuryente Consumer Alliance Inc. alleged that there were “significant discrepancies” that they detected in the power distributors’ declarations to the Energy Regulatory Commission as well as in the annual reports and audited financial statements submitted to various regulatory agencies.

Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares said they were concerned that this was a violation of the regulatory rule that power generation would only be a pass-on charge to the consumers.

The groups cited data culled from the monthly filings of generation costs to the ERC from 2008 to 2019, annual reports and audited financial statements of power distributors for the same years.

Maricel V. Cruz

Kiko: Retrieve P33.4b from PITC right away THE Executive branch should waste no time in retrieving the P33.4-billion funds languishing at the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), supposed to have been spent years ago for people’s needs like fire trucks, army boots, and first-aid kits, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said Monday.

“We can cite the anti-graft law especially the provision on causing undue injury due to gross and inexcusable negligence if no action will be done soon. It is criminal that there is a sitting unutilized P33.4-billion fund when we are struggling to look for ways to pay for COVID-19 vaccines and provide aid for millions of typhoon victims.

And we are yet to receive a convincing answer as to why it is just sitting there,” Pangilinan said.

“The Executive should immediately direct the PITC to return the money to the National Treasury for proper disposition,” he said, sharing Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez’s position in relation to the parked billions of pesos. Macon Ramos-Araneta

PNP brass anew

PHILIPPINE National Police Chief Denold Sinas has ordered another revamp of senior police officials as part of a reorganization of the force.

In an order dated Nov. 29, Maj. Gen. Celso Pestaño, head of the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology and Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Cayat, Commandant of Cadets of the PNP Academy, were both reassigned to the Office of the Chief PNP. Pestaño is Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro from Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, while Brig. Gen. Conrado Gongon Jr., from the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao, was assigned to the Communications and Electronics Service.

Gongon replaces Brig. Gen. Joey Runes, who was assigned to the OCPNP. Brig. Gen. Danilo Macerin, from the Directorate for Operations, was moved to the National Capital Regional Police Office while Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo, chief of the Quezon City Police District, was assigned to PRO 7.

Brig. Gen. Ronald Escobar Olay, from NCRPO, was transferred to DO. From PRO 6, Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan was assigned to the Directorate for Plans while Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra was assigned to the NCRPO from the PRO 4-A. From the DPL, Maj. Gen. Jonas Calleja was transferred to the OCPNP while Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr. was assigned to the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Southern from the PRO 9.

NO BUYERS. Vending stalls at the General Trias Public Market in Cavite are full of goods on Monday but have no buyers looking at them, which vendors blamed on price increases of commodities during the pandemic and the previous weather calamities this month. JR Josue

QC, House ink pact to control Batasan COVID cases

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Speaker Lord Allan Velasco have partnered to work closely to control and manage the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the House of Representatives.

On Monday, she revealed that Velasco committed to provide the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) with a copy of the report on the COVID-19 cases at the House for contact tracing purposes.

“We wanted to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the Batasan Complex—House members, employees, and even guests—while the legislative chamber carries out its constitutional duties in these critical times,” he said.

Belmonte thanked Velasco for his initiative and his cooperation.

The city government said Congress registered 28 COVID-19 cases.

“Contact tracing is important so we can isolate possible carriers and to protect communities,” Belmonte said.

Win eyes laptop, Web access for kids

Urban Poor Solidarity Week starts Dec. 7 THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor is ready for this year’s commemoration of the Urban Poor Solidarity Week to be held on Dec. 7.

The online virtual celebration has, for its theme, “The PCUP and the Urban Poor Sector: Together Meeting the challenge of the New Age.” Undersecretary Alvin Feliciano, PCUP chairman and chief executive, says the PCUP wants to serve as a partner that will bring light and hope to the poor sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The government and various agencies are here to accompany you all. All of our programs today are focused on uplifting the lives of the urban poor Filipinos,” Feliciano said.

The PCUP is set to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development that will take place in the celebration of the Balik Probinsiya program, Bagong Pag-asa Program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

There will also be another signing of an agreement with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the awarding of the scholarship caravan beneficiaries. Rio N. Araja

To assist Congress, the city government would deploy its mobile testing unit to administer swab tests to its workers, Belmonte said.

Velasco previously instructed the team in-charge to prepare a comprehensive report on the results of the mass COVID-19 testing conducted in Congress and submit it immediately to the city government.

Before Congress resumed session in November, he initiated the COVID tests in the bigger chamber.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TRAIN TRACK REPAIRS. Workers perform the last day of organizing turnouts on the

MRT-3 train line at Taft Avenue station’s 2B and 3D sections. MRT-3 suspended its operations from November 28 until today to allow for the ongoing activity at Taft Avenue station and will resume operations starting tomorrow. DOTR-MRT3 photo

SENATOR Win Gatchalian is studying introducing legislation that will give every public school learner a laptop and access to the internet.

To emphasize the urgency of this planned measure, Gatchalian pointed to a finding by assessment instruments provider Center for Educational Measurement on the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment or PISA, which revealed that access to computers and internet at home affects student performance.

According to CEM, around 60 percent of the learners who participated in the PISA did not have access to computers and connectivity at home.

The proportion of learners without computers and internet is much higher in

the lower proficiency groups compared to higher proficiency groups, CEM’s analysis points out.

The results of the PISA 2018 showed that out of 79 countries, the Philippines ranked lowest in Reading Comprehension and second lowest in Science and Mathematics.

Gatchalian said the COVID-19 pandemic also underscored the need to make distance learning part of the norm to avoid prolonged disruptions to education, especially in times of calamities, emergencies and crises.

“After this pandemic, laptops and access to the internet are basicrequirements to learning,” he said.

He says no child should be left behind simply because he or she cannot have access to gadgets and the internet. That’s a challenge for the government.

LGUs

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

A4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

TREE LIGHTING.

San Pablo City Laguna Mayor Loreto ‘Amben’ S. Amante (left) joins Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol C. Aragones (2nd left), Vice Mayor Justin G. Colago (3rd left) and City Councilors in lighting the Giant Christmas tree with white ‘parol’ lanterns for the annual 12th PasCocohan, which signals the holiday season in the city on Friday. Roy Tomandao

Watershed rehab begins with new bridge in place

By Jess Malabanan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The government will start rehabilitating the 44,000 hectares of PantabanganCarranglan watershed project situated in Nueva Ecija following the completion of 55-meter long Calaocan hanging bridge in Burgos town. Carranglan over the weekend.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office in Central Luzon said the reforestation project is part of the 10-year Forest Management Program of the government including the rehabilitation of the PantabanganCarranglan Watershed (PCW).

“FMP is a 10-year reforestation project that aims to rehabilitate the PCW, one of the biggest protected areas in Central Luzon, through collaborative and comprehensive community-based forest management strategies,” said DENR3 director Paquito Moreno.

He said the FMP also integrates conservation and development-oriented activities with participation and capacity-building of local communities to rehabilitate degraded forestlands in three critical river basins, including Upper Magat and Cagayan in Region 2, Upper Pampanga in Region 3, and Jalaur in Iloilo.

Caloocan, Manila lead Bonifacio rites

By Jun David and Willie Casas

C

ALOOCAN City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chair Rene Escalante presented the flower offering at the Bonifacio Monument Circle on Monday in commemoration of the 157th birth anniversary of national hero Andres Bonifacio.

Following the simple dedication at the shrine of the revolutionary leader and founder of the Katipunan, the audience heard President Rodrigo Duterte’s virtual message regarding the celebration (see related story on A1 – Editor).

According to Mayor Oca, although this year’s Bonifacio Day celebration “is simple because we are facing a pan-

demic, the tribute for Bonifacio’s bravery and greatness will remain.”

“In this time of pandemic, we will continue to practice Bonifacio’s courage and concern for both the Filipinos and our country,” said Malapitan.

Also attending the celebration were Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria, Northern Police District Director

Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Ylagan, Caloocan Police chief Col. Samuel Mina, Bureau of Fire Protection Caloocan Supt.

Aristotle Foreign, Vice Mayor Maca Asistio, Councilors Enteng Malapitan and Lanz Almeda, City Administrator Oliver Hernandez, and other city government officials.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” led the wreath laying ceremony at the Kartilya ng Katipunan monument on Monday morning near the Manila City Hall to honor Bonifacio’s 157th birth anniversary on November 30.

In Manila, before daybreak, wreaths were likewise laid in place in front of the hero’s statue in Bonifacio Plaza in Divisoria, Tondo district, where the “Supremo” was born.

QC Lions help push diabetes assessment tool TO AID Filipinos in defeating diabetes, global pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk Philippines has come up with a Diabetes Risk Assessment tool that can be accessed conveniently online.

The simple-to-understand and easyto-take survey can help Filipino patients assess their diabetes risk, help prevent its onset by addressing risks that are modifiable and avoidable, get the proper diagnosis and understand the type of diabetes they have, and ultimately get treatment and management tools that can enable everyone to defeat diabetes together.

The Diabetes Risk Assessment tool, created in partnership with the Quezon City Lions Club, aims to promote early detection awareness by adopting a version of the risk assessment survey of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and localizing it for Filipinos. Continuous efforts are also made by finding new ways to overcome the disease and making donations to several foundations.

Apart from the Quezon City Cubao Lions Club, Novo Nordisk has also partnered with Philippine Diabetes Support, Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE), Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, Inc (PCDEF), Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM), Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc. (ISDF), Diabetes Philippines, Inc. (DP), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), and the Danish Embassy, to ensure that the information about this campaign is welldistributed to their community of doctors and their patients.

FOR THE ‘SUPREMO’. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno leads the offering of flowers at the Kartilya ng Katipunan to mark the 157th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio on Monday. The same happened in San Juan City, where Mayor Francis Zamora spoke at Bonifacio’s bust at Barangay Onse. Norman Cruz and PNA/Joey Razon

Taguig City sees active virus cases down to just 62

By Joel E. Zurbano THE number of individuals infected with coronavirus disease continued to drop in Taguig City with only 62 active cases as of Monday.

The city also has the lowest number of active cases per 100,000 population in Metro Manila, with only six active cases.

Latest data from the City Epidemiology Disease and Surveillance Unit (CEDSU) showed that Taguig has 43 new cases and 46 recoveries. The total number of confirmed cases in the city stands at 9,539 as recoveries have reached 9,380, which is a 98.33-percent recovery rate.

No new fatalities were reported as of Monday, thus the city’s case fatality rate is at 1.02 percent with the cumulative death toll remaining at 97.

CEDSU also stated that the increase in reported cases indicates how the government works hard to deliver its services to the people through active case finding and testing.

So far, the city government conducted a total of 79,520 swab tests through Systematic, Mass Approach Responsible Testing (SMART) program.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said despite having early COVID-19 cases in March, Taguig is among the cities with the lowest active cases in the National Capital Region because of its aggressive approach in implementing rules and regulations.

As the holiday season draws near, Cayetano reminded residents and business establishments to always observe healthy and safety protocols in the community and ordered the city police and local government unit enforcers to strictly implement the government guidelines.

‘No-take’ policy enforced on C. Luzon cops CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Central Luzon police director BGen Valeriano De Leon reiterated Monday his “no take policy” for all illegal activities, including the unlawful numbers game jueteng, as he warned his subordinates of drastic action should they be found receiving money from gambling operators in the region.

De Leon said no one among his personnel have been permitted to use his name in exchange for money from illegal sources.

“Not under my watch. I will not tolerate any of my personnel who will be involved in any form of illegal activity particularly in receiving bribes from illegal gambling and other similar activities,” said De Leon in a statement.

He said the campaign against illegal gambling “remains among the priorities under my leadership. As proof, hundreds of suspects engaged in illegal gambling have been arrested and huge amount of cash as bets was confiscated.”

The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) is maximizing its efforts to put a stop all illegal activities especially gambling and illegal numbers game in the region as mandated by the higher police headquarters.

“I never allow somebody to use my name for them to operate their illegal business or to collect for me.

Whoever would dare use my name will be arrested immediately,” De Leon said. Jess Malabanan

DPWH, Villar turn over 27 new ‘isofacility’ vans to Las Pinas gov’t

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TO HELP the government respond to the needs of COVID-19 patients, the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) led by Sec. Mark Villar turned over 27 container vans-turned 96-bed quarantine/ isolation facility to the Las Pinas city government.

MASK DONATION.

Uniqlo, through SM City Baliwag, donated a total of 7,500 Airism mask to three Municipalities in Bulacan namely Baliwag, Bustos and San Rafael. Receiving the first batch of donation for Baliwag is Municipal Administrator Enrique Tagle (right). The Airism mask donation is allotted for the senior citizens, considered as one of the most vulnerable group during the pandemic, in each municipality.

Jun David

“The new quarantine “isofacility” will augment the existing healthcare facilities in Las Pinas City which will definitely help in controlling the spread of Covid-19 affected persons in the city,” noted Villar.

He related that each of the 24 units of the 40-footer container vans, located inside Goodyear Compound in

Barangay Almanza, has four rooms complete with healthcare amenities, toilets, and utilities.

Another two units 20-footer container vans serve as nurse station and one unit of another 20-foot container van is for X-ray facilities.

With proper ventilation, the isolation facility was designed in accordance

with the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and recommendation.

The 35-million budget allocation for project, known as “Rehabilitation of Disaster-Related Infrastructure,” came from the DPWH’s regular fund for 2020 and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

Angeles takes care of cats, dogs ANGELES CITY—A total of 52 dogs and cats were spayed and neutered for free by Angeles City Veterinary Office on Friday as part of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.’s advocacy to put premium in animal welfare.

Twelve veterinary doctors volunteered to assist City Veterinarian Dr. Christian Arcilla in the spaying and neutering of animals on Friday.

The volunteer private veterinary doctors were Dr. Joanna Marimla; Dr. Mocca Gonzales; Dr. Marc Ian Gonzales; Dr. Jennifer Bati; Dr. Lorielyn Galindez; Dr. Precy Magtoto; Dr. John Christopher Mangalus; Dr. Amiel Angeles; Dr. John Luis Aguceta; Dr. Michelle Tulabut; Dr. Mya Leana Abaoag;

and Dr. Marjorie Carreon.

Calaguas led the awarding of their certificates of appreciation for rendering free services after the activity.

Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas led the awarding of their certificates of appreciation for rendering free services after the activity.

Arcilla explained that spaying and castration are two of the most effective means of animal sterilization to control unwanted animal population and the spread of rabies.

Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel said 614 dogs and cats were already accommodated since the start of the program in August. Butch Gunio

Opinion Heroic acts, then and now YESTERDAY, being Bonifacio Day in the Philippines, I reflected on what it means to be a hero in the past and in our times. Philosophers from the early Greek thinkers to modern philosophers like Hegel and existentialists like Camus certainly had different views on what acts and what qualities make people heroes.

Kenda Cherry, in her article The Characteristics of a Hero, quotes Franco, Blau, and Zimbardo who identified heroism as: (1) Acting voluntarily for the service of others who are in need, whether it is for an individual, a group, or a community; (2) Performing actions without any expectation of reward or external gain: and (3) Recognition and acceptance of the potential risk or sacrifice made by taking heroic actions.

Cherry also cited a study published in 2015 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology which suggested that heroes have 12 central traits: (a) Bravery; (b) Conviction; (c) Courage; (d) Determination; (e) Helpfulness; (f) Honesty; (g) Being Inspirational; (h) Moral integrity; (i) Protectiveness; (f) Self-sacrifice; (g) Selflessness; and (h) Strength.

Most of all, Cherry emphasizes, empathy and compassion contribute most to heroic behavior: “People who rush in to help others in the face of danger and adversity do so because they genuinely care about the safety and well-being of other people.”

In the past, we put our heroes on pedestals, revered them for their great acts. Certainly, Andres Bonifacio, who led the Philippine revolution against Spain, deserves praise and recognition. His contemporary Jose Rizal certainly deserves the accolade national hero too. Personally, I hold the three priests we collectively remember as Gomburza (Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora) as my heroes for their courage to confront a Church complicit in the oppression of our people.

More recently, as I have written many times, we have seen the heroism of those Filipinos, many of them in their youth, who resisted the Marcos dictatorship.

Among the martyrs of that time, the lives and examples of my fellow Ateneans Edgar Jopson, Emman Lacaba, and Evelio Javier resonated the most. But the sacrifice of young women like Liliosa Hilao and Lorena Barros must also be noticed.

Not everyone was killed by the forces of dictatorship. Two of my personal heroes Pepe Diokno and Haydee Yorac survived the regime and succumbed to cancer later.

Among Ateneans, my contemporaries in

the alternative law movement—Bobby Gana who died in the Cebu Pacific crash in 1996 and Joy Casis, who died recently – are also heroes in my book. And definitely Susan Quimpo, who fought hard against Marcos revisionism among other things, is a heroine young women should emulate.

Certainly, women like Meggie Nolasco and Rose Hayahay, who fight for the rights of Lumad in Mindanao, and youth leaders Sarah Elago, Ayna Punzalan, and Kara Lenina Taggaoa are also women to look up to. Their courage never ceases to amaze me. That is why I stand with them as they are red-tagged as I do with Eufemia Culliamat, Bayan Muna representative, whose daughter just got killed by military forces.

Environmental defenders are my heroes as well. Last Saturday, I visited the Masungi Georeserve and was awed at the courage of Ann and Billie Dumaliang and the people that work with them. I met their father Ben and discovered that I had a role in the creation of the reserve, always under threat from intruders who want to destroy this ecological oasis near Metro Manila. I stand with them so this does not happen.

It’s common decency.

Local officials like Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro and Alcala Mayor Tin Antonio are definitely heroes of this time of the climate emergency. We need leaders like them all over the country.

In the fight against COVID-19, our medical frontliners are, of course, heroes.

Even with a vaccine, the fight is far from over. The least we could do is to follow the rules and to support them.

Finally, there are those who quietly do good and kind things. They too are heroes. Personally, in these past days, I have seen how Alessandra De Rossi, an actress I have always admired (her movie Homecoming from 2003 is a must- watch for my students during the pandemic as it is about SARS), has gone out of her way to help families and children faced with illness. Using the power of social media, I have seen that she is able to do a lot of good and doing so without fanfare. If many others are like her, we would have a much better world.

Maybe we do not have to be all heroes.

We just need to be good and kind people.

As Albert Camus wrote in The Plague: “There’s no question of heroism in all this.

It’s a matter of common decency. That’s an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of fighting a plague is common decency.”

Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Cleared

WE WITNESSED recently what appeared to be an all-out attack aimed at discrediting the organizers of the highly successful 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in the last quarter of 2019. But the blitzkrieg appears to have failed in spectacular fashion as the very people who were relentlessly attacked in public are the ones left standing.

Last Friday (November 27), Cavite 8th District Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was reelected as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). By receiving a fresh mandate despite the muck that had been flung at him the past months, Tolentino has been vindicated in his efforts to ensure that the biennial regional sports event would bring pride and glory to the nation. His victory in the POC election should also help lay to rest the allegations of irregularities that have been thrown at the organizers of the SEA Games themselves.

Tolentino came into the election with the cards stacked against him. He was, after all, head of the POC for only little more than a year after winning in a special election in July 2019. His opponent, Clint Arañas, had filed a petition for his disqualification (along with four other officials from his party) on various grounds, including conflict of interest relating to SEA Games matters, lack of time to be eligible to run, and a suspended corporate license.

Arañas was one of the POC members pressing the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) to immediately submit its audited financial statements on the expenses for the country’s hosting of the SEA Games, even though he

knew very well that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) finished remitting its financial assistance only on September 4, 2020 or almost 10 months after the event.

It was a good thing the election committee, chaired by Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV, threw out Arañas’ petition because as it turned out, the POC wanted Tolentino to remain as its president. With a convincing 30-22 win, Tolentino now has a full opportunity to turn the country’s sports program around and lead our athletes to greater heights.

Taguig-Pateros First District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who had worked together with Tolentino for the 30th SEA Games when Cayetano was the chair of PHISGOC, acknowledges the lawmaker’s crucial role in the Philippine effort to regain the overall championship in the biennial sporting event.

“His reelection,” Cayetano said, “signifies the vote of confidence by the leaders of the national sport associations in a more progressive and responsive leader…We hope that the POC leadership will continue to inspire and provide our athletes with the support they need during competitions.”

The vote of confidence also indirectly applies to Cayetano himself. As PHISGOC chair, he led the Herculean effort to mount one of the biggest SEA Games in history, and its resounding success as an international event will long be remembered. But along with the success came the inevitable accusations that ranged from irregularities to incompetence— charges that made absolutely no sense given how the organizers managed to pull off one of the best-staged games the region has seen. Indeed, as has been pointed out, any case of irregularity or incompetence would have resulted in a disastrous SEA Games.

That we are now celebrating and not condemning the 30th SEA Games’ first anniversary shows that Filipinos look back to those two weeks with fondness and

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

B1

EDITORIAL

AIDS in the time of COVID-19

M

ANY years ago, AIDS was a dreaded illness, and AIDS patients were regarded with fear and disdain. Myths, not science, dictated people’s reaction to the disease, and a positive diagnosis was usually a death sentence – if the person was not, first, subject to stigma and discrimination.

Today, significant progress has been made with regard to the virus that causes the immune deficiency disease.

While millions continue to be afflicted with, it is no longer a death sentence – with proper and consistent medication, patients can continue to lead productive lives. People have also learned much about the disease, its origins, its modes of transmission, its manners of treatment. It is something one can live with.

Still, now that countries of the world are reeling from the effects of COVID-19, HIV and AIDS remain a challenge--and stark reminder of the gaps and inequalities in our health care systems and societies in general.

The 2020 pandemic is still raging and exacting a heavy toll on the health and economies of nations worldwide.

So even as great percentages of resources and focus have been trained on COVID-19, testing and treatment for AIDS patients have been compromised.

These patients, already weakened

by their ailment, also form part of a vulnerable group that could be easily harmed by exposure to the coronavirus.

Those receiving treatment – which has to be consistent and sustained – may find problems with the delivery of their medicines or the funding for it altogether.

It will be a challenge to keep working on AIDS when COVID-19 is presenting newer and greater health and economic issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic is making it even more difficult for AIDS patients, as well as the people who care for them, to live a normal, productive life.

And now that the race is on to

find a vaccine—and fast—for the coronavirus, may the world be reminded against the excesses and inadequacies present when there was still a mad rush to find a cure for AIDS. “The world is in a dangerous place and the months ahead will not be easy,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima in her message for World AIDS Day 2020, which is today, December 1. It might even be an understatement. It will not be easy, indeed, to maintain the same level of services and support for those already sick. It will not be easy to protect them from getting even sicker when so many other previously-healthy individuals are falling sick, themselves, from the newer virus.

It will be a challenge to keep working on AIDS when COVID-19 is presenting newer and greater health and economic issues.

As we wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to finish testing and to be made widely available, may we all never forget the value of listening to science, rejecting disinformation, practicing empathy, making healthy lifestyle choices, boosting our healthcare system—and demanding much from our leaders in managing and containing a virus that we all have to live with.

‘From the deserts of far Araby…’

GOOD news from the far-away deserts of Araby, where nearly a million Filipinos toil every day to feed their families—latterly, under the additional shadow of economic slowdown in their host country and the implacable presence of the coronavirus.

Effective March 14, 2021, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will abolish the “Kafala” system. Foreign workers in Saudi Arabia will no longer be required to secure their employer’s consent should they decide to leave or change jobs. They will also be allowed to travel even without approval from their employers.

These reforms put an end to the frequent abuses of the old system, when any employer could confiscate a foreign worker’s passport at will and even bring a case against that worker if he or she should leave the employer without obtaining consent.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has lauded the new labor reforms as a “game-changer” for worker protection. The IOM congratulated Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. and the Philippine diplomatic team that worked hard to lobby the Saudi government and almost all international forums, including the United Nations.

••• But the events that led to these reforms started even earlier, on the watch of Locsin’s predecessor at DFA, Alan P. Cayetano, who went on to become a congressman in 2019 and, until recently, Speaker of the House.

Cayetano wanted to make good on commitments made to our overseas workers by then-Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte during his campaign for the presidency.

Candidate Duterte promised to address issues important to the OFW community— including the “tanim-bala” airport incidents that bedevilled OFWs during the last years in power of the unlamented President “Noynoy” Aquino III. As a result of those promises, Duterte

We’re seeing the downfall of the accusers. pride, not anger and shame. A year’s worth of mudslinging against Cayetano, Tolentino, and other people involved in the staging of the games has accomplished nothing but bring about the downfall of their accusers.

DTI agency in Senate crosshairs This time, it’s the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that’s being targeted by the Senate for alleged wrongdoing.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon has charged that the state trading company Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) is using “a devious scheme” to illegally keep at least P1 billion in government funds instead of remitting the money to the nation’s coffers for possible spending for urgent pandemic or disaster response.

topped the 2016 presidential elections in every one of the overseas Filipino voter communities, who were captivated by his tough talk against drug pushers and criminals.

Four years later, as hundreds of thousands of OFWs make their way back home— not just for the holidays, but, all too often, because they have lost their jobs abroad

Actual action, not just empty promises, for OFWs or may be seeking better opportunities at home—the President continues to enjoy their outsized loyalty to him and his nononsense leadership.

••• Our overseas workers, toughened by decades of working abroad under the most difficult conditions, know enough to appreciate actual action and not just empty promises. It’s a tough standard that former Foreign Affairs Secretary Cayetano managed to meet on his watch at DFA. Under his leadership, the DFA saw an increase in the Assistance to Nationals Fund from P400 million to P1 billion, and in the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) from P100 million to P200 million. This allowed the DFA to help nearly 15,000 distressed OFWs and provide legal assistance to 685 migrant workers facing a variety of charges in their host countries.

Such reforms originated from a sea change in the Department’s philosophy: from focusing just on diplomacy, to becoming a lot more responsive to OFWs as the agency’s main clients.

Cayetano opened more consular offices in Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Davao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Tarlac. He instituted the Passport on Wheels program, where passport applications were accepted during The lawmaker alleged that the PITC had “shortchanged” the government by holding on to the interests generated by the money it had received from various state agencies for purchasing goods and services in violation of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, or Presidential Decree No. 1445.

“We are being taken for fools. What they are remitting to the government is loose change compared to the billions of pesos that they are able to rake in,” he said in the course of his close scrutiny of the proposed P4.5trillion national budget for next year.

The DTI is not among the offices that’s believed to be mired in corruption compared to, say, the Bureau of Internal Revenue or the Bureau of Customs. If it has managed to steer clear of controversy, it’s because its job is to monitor prices and facilitate domestic and foreign trade. Now, an agency under it is said to have become involved in wrongdoing.

Let’s see how Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez responds to Drilon’s allegations.

special events all over the country in order to accommodate applicants unable to go to the consular offices or to the central office in Manila.

••• During Cayetano’s year and a half in office, the processing of passport applications greatly improved, from just 9,500 passports daily, all the way up to 20,000 passports a day. The introduction of the e-payment system addressed the issue of fake passport appointments, leading to an increase in the applicants’ show-up rate from 65 percent to 95 percent.

The courtesy lane was expanded, with senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) entitled to bring with them one companion relative. Minors were allowed to join their parents in the courtesy lane. This privilege was later extended to returning OFWs. Lastly, the validity of the Philippine passport was extended to 10 years, making the document more useful and convenient to carry around.

••• After his stint at the DFA, as Speaker of the House, Cayetano carried over his advocacy for OFWs by filing a bill seeking to create a new Department of OFWs. The bill was passed by the House on third and final reading in March 2020, but has since stalled in the Senate.

With at least 10 million Filipinos working and living abroad, temporarily or permanently, this new Department would provide the focus they deserve to have from our government. It would then also free up the DFA to focus on diplomacy and foreign affairs, which continue to be just as important in the ever more complicated world our country has to navigate within.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ yahoo.com.

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(www.manilastandard.net)

We expect nothing in return

Real estate sector bucks pandemic downturn

ernhil@yahoo.com Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Thousands flee as Indonesian volcano erupts T HOUSANDS have fled the scene of a rumbling Indonesian volcano that burst to life for the first time in several years, belching a massive column of smoke and ash, the disaster agency said Monday.

The evacuation of more than 4,400 the sky, triggering a flight warning and residents came as Mount Ili Lewotolok the closure of a local airport. erupted Sunday, spouting a thick tower The crater’s last major eruption was of debris four kilometres (2.5 miles) into in 2017.

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volcanic ash, it is recommended that people Indonesia is home to about 130 active wear a mask or other equipment to protect volcanoes due to its position on the “Ring their eyes and skin,” National Disaster Miti- of Fire”, a belt of tectonic plate boundargation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati said. ies circling the Pacific Ocean where freA two-kilometer no-go zone around the quent seismic activity occurs. crater was also expanded to four kilometres In late 2018, a volcano in the strait beafter Sunday’s eruption, while flights were tween Java and Sumatra islands erupted, advised to steer clear of the area as volcanic causing an underwater landslide that unash rained down on the local Wunopitu air- leashed a tsunami which killed more than port, which was temporarily closed. CYAN400 people. AFP MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

provide the procured Ancillary Services.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City

TODAY

15. The rates under ASPA was subjected to a simulation by NGCP, the results of which are as follows:

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PAGBlLAO ENERGY CORPORATION (FOR REACTIVE POWER SUPPORT), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

RPS

PhP /kW-month

PhP /kWh equiv.

PEC (no IE)

1.1807

0.0023

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation and Details of Rate Impact Simulation for Pagbilao Energy Corp. (PEC) are attached as Annexes “C” and “C-1”, respectively.

16. Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid.

ERC CASE NO. 2020-037 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) AND PAGBILAO ENERGY CORPORATION (PEC), Applicants. x ----------------------------------------------------------- x

17. The ASPA shall be effective for a period of five (5) years, to commence upon receipt of a provisional approval (“PA”), or in the absence thereof, a final approval (“FA”) issued by the ERC, subject to Clause 12 (Termination) of the ASPA. In the event that the PA or FA, as the case may be, does not state a particular date of effectivity, the Agreement shall be effective on the date agreed upon by the Parties.

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

18. PEC respectfully submits copies of the following documents:

Notice is hereby given that on 19 October 2020, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Pagbilao Energy Corporation (PEC) filed an Application dated 18 September 2020, seeking the Commission’s approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) for Reactive Power Support, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

The pertinent portions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: NATURE OF THE CASE 1.

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption in a remote part of the Southeast Asian archipelago.

But authorities advised residents to wear masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash spouting from the crater in East Nusa Tenggar—the southernmost province of Indonesia—and to be alert for possible lava flows.

“To minimize the health impact from

This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (“ASPA”) for Reactive Power Support dated 14 July 2020 between NGCP and PEC, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC entitled: ‘’In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority. “

Document

Annex

Summary of Existing Power Supply Agreements of Pagbilao Energy Corporation (PEC)

“D”

Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles on Incorporation (Company Reg. NO. CS201208121)

“E”

2019 General Information Sheet

“F”

2018 Audited Financial Statements

“G”

Certificate of Compliance (COC No. 18-02-M- “H” 00145L) dated 20 February 2018

“H”

WESM Registration Approval Form of PEC

“I”

THE PARTIES 2.

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95111 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

3.

Applicant PEC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office at 25th Floor W 5th Avenue Building corner 32nd Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel.

4.

It is the owner and operator of the 420MW Pagbilao Unit 3 Coal Fired Power Plant (“Generation Facility”) located in Pagbilao, Quezon Province. The Generation Facility was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Ancillary Services (also commonly referred to as “AS”) in the form of Reactive Power Support (“RPS”) Lagging Power Factor Operation.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF ‘THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAl. AUTHORITY

19. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2(b), EPlRA). To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for Ancillary Services to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required Ancillary Services.

20. RPS is one of the Ancillary Services provided in the PGC that is essential in maintaining power quality and the reliability of the grid.7 TLI having offered to provide its RPS, will significantly help maintain the required power quality and voltage level in Luzon. The Generation Facility is strategically located in Luzon, thus, its provision for RPS will definitely enable NGCP to comply with its mandate. A copy of the List of Ancillary Services Providers in Luzon Certified with Reactive Power Support is attached as Annex “J”.

21. NGCP must be guaranteed of available Ancillary Services on a daily basis to ensure reliability of the grid. Thus, it is necessary for the Honorable Commission to approve the ASPA. As the demand for power in the Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increase. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth .

ANTECEDENT FACTS 5.

6.

7.

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance2 , as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (“PGC”), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and! or ancillary services through the transmission system.3

22. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to ensure the reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lisaflor Bacani -Kater of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of NGCP, which is attached as Annex “K.”

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP, as System Operator, is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and Ancillary Services tariffs to the ERC.4

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:

Ancillary Services (also commonly referred to as “AS”) as defined in Section 4 (b) of the EPlRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon,.

Visayas and Mindanao grids.

a)

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA dated 14 July 2020 granting authority for the procurement and supply, under a per-occurrence basis, of RPS outside the range of 85% lagging and 90% leading power factors, the latter subject to the submission of the accreditation certificate; and

b)

APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA granting final authority.

Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief.

8.

In order to implement and regulate the procurement of Ancillary Services, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (“ASPP”) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (“AS-CRM”) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

The Commission hereby sets the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference and presentation of evidence on 11 December 2020 (Friday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.), through virtual hearing using the Microsoft Teams Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof pursuant to Resolution No. 07, Series of 2020 dated 23 July 2020.

9.

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP on 7, 14, 21 and 28 October 2019 in Philippine Daily Inquirer and on 21 and 28 October 2019 and 4 and 11 November 2019 in the Manila Times5, published a Notice of Invitation for Prospective Ancillary Services Providers, inviting all grid -connected merchant plants and independent power producers to participate in the provision of ancillary services. Upon receipt of the intention from PEC to provide RPS, NGCP commenced negotiation for the execution of an ASPA.

Any interested stakeholder may submit its comments and/or clarifications at least one (1) calendar day prior to the scheduled virtual hearing, via electronic mail (e-mail) at records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com. The Commission shall give priority to the stakeholders who have duly submitted their respective comments and/ or clarifications, to discuss the same and propound questions during the course of the expository presentation.

10. NGCP agreed to procure and PEC agreed to supply RPS outside the range of 85% lagging and 90% leading power factors under a per-occurrence basis. A copy of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement for Pagbilao Energy Corporation dated 14 July 20206 is attached as Annex “A”.

11. During the period of negotiation, NGCP conducted several tests on the generation facility, and certified that the generating units have met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of providing RPS. The copy of the Accreditation Certificate No. 2019-Lo18, for RPS - Lagging Power Factor Operation, issued on 1 December 2019 is attached as Annex “B”. The Generation Facility is also scheduled for testing of RPS - Leading Power Factor Operation capacity. Accordingly, the maximum kVAR capability subject to nomination and schedule under this ASP A shall be based on the most recent test results and the corresponding AS Accreditation Certificate.

CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATE AND IMPACT SIMULATION 12. Under Clause 3 of the ASPA, PEC shall provide NGCP with the following Ancillary Services as specified in Schedule 1 of the ASPA:

Moreover, all persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission via e-mail at records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com. copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc. gov.ph@gmail.com, a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name, mailing address and e-mail address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subj ect matter of the case may file through e-mail at records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document “ letter or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name, mailing address and e-mail address of such person;

Reactive Power Support (RPS)

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

Available capacity of Reactive Power outside the range of 85% lagging and 90% leading power factor, as provided in Schedule 6.

Provision of RPS shall be on a per-occurance basis, following the scheduling and dispatch process in Schedule 2.

3)

The grounds relied upon.

Note that the nomination and schedule shall be based on the latest AS Accreditation Certificate.

13. The Applicable Rates under the ASPA as provided in Schedule 3 are as follows: Per-occurance payments to the AS provider shall have the following components, depending on the way the RPS was scheduled and utilized by the System Operator: Total Payment = kVAR Payment kVAR Payment = Incidental kVARh Rate x Compensable kVARh Real Time Incidental kVARh Utilization while providing energy. This shall be paid based on the total recorded kVARh delivered/absorbed beyond 0.85 power factor lagging or 0.9 power factor leading from the time when the dispatch of RPS was instructed. The compensable k VARh shall be paid at: Incidental kVARh Rate: Php 4.00/ kVARh

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from the Applicants that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing.

The Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, through any of the available modes of service, upon their agreement, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs..

Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. In the alternative, those persons who wish to have an electronic copy of the Application may request the Commission for the e-mail address of the Applicants by sending an email to records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov. ph@gmail.com. Nonetheless, any person may also access the Application as posted by the Commission in its official website at www.erc.gov.ph.

Finally, all interested persons may be allowed to join the scheduled initial virtual hearing by providing the Commission, thru legal.virtualhearings.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, with their respective e-mail addresses and indicating therein the case number of the instant Application. The Commission will send the access link/ s to the aforementioned hearing platform within five (5) working days prior to the scheduled hearing.

WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 30th day of October 2020 in Pasig City.

Compensable kVARh = Actual kVARh - Base kVARh

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO

Where: Actual kVARh = actual reactive power provided within each interval Base kVARh = corresponding kVARh at 0.85 power factor lagging or 0.9 power factor leading, for the unit’s MW loading. For clarity, the MW loading is the unit’s Pmin, or RTD schedule, whichever is greater.

1

2 3 4 5 6

14. Applicants submit that the rates represent a reasonable recovery to

7

An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes.

Section 9 (c) and in relation to RA No. 9511.

Section 9 (d).

Section 6.3 .. 2; The copies of the newspaper clippings are attached as Attachment “B” to Annex “K”; With attached draft Implementing Guidelines (Annex A-1); GC 1.7 (Definitions), Chapter 1, PGC. (MS-NOV. 25/DEC. 1, 2020)

America should prepare for ‘surge upon surge’of virus AMERICA should prepare for a “surge upon a surge” in coronavirus cases as millions of travelers return home after the Thanksgiving holiday, top US scientist Anthony Fauci warned Sunday.

The United States is the world’s worst-affected country, with 266,831 Covid-19 deaths, and President Donald Trump’s administration has issued conflicting messages on mask-wearing, travel and the danger posed by the virus.

“There almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel,” Fauci told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Travel surrounding Thursday’s Thanksgiving holiday made this the busiest week in US airports since the pandemic began.

“We may see a surge upon a surge” in two or three weeks, Fauci added. “We don’t want to frighten people, but that’s the reality.”

The trend is ominous, Fauci and other government scientists said, with the Christmas holidays sure to bring more travel and family gatherings.

Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, noted a surge in Covid-19 after a holiday weekend in May. “Now we’re entering this post-Thanksgiving surge with three, four and 10 times as much disease across the country,’ she told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“We are deeply worried.”

The US surgeon general, Jerome Adams, was equally blunt.

“I want to be straight with the American people,” he told “Fox News Sunday.”

“It’s going to get worse over the next several weeks.”

In the 24 hours to 0130 GMT Monday, the country added 140,651 coronavirus cases, taking its total to 13,373,673, according to Johns Hopkins University. There had been 822 additional deaths.

Elsewhere, thousands of health workers marched in Madrid in support of Spain’s public health system, in one of the European countries hardest hit by the pandemic.

And guards opened fire to quell a prison riot in Sri Lanka, where four inmates were killed while protesting a surge in coronavirus infections. AFP

Former South Korean dictator ‘guilty’ of defaming dead priest FORMER South Korean dictator Chun Doo-hwan was found guilty of defaming a dead priest on Monday, in connection with a pro-democracy uprising his troops crushed 40 years ago.

The 89-year-old dozed off as the verdict was read out in Gwangju, where the 1980 demonstrations ended in a bloodbath, but he was spared a return to prison.

The official toll for the dead or missing is around 200 people, but activists say it may have been three times as high, and Chun is known as the “Butcher of Gwangju”.

He still denies any direct involvement in the suppression of the uprising, and in a 2017 memoir denounced a priest who had repeatedly testified that helicopter gunships had opened fire on civilians, as “Satan in a mask”.

Under South Korean libel law defamation can be a criminal offence as well as a civil matter, relatives can file such complaints on behalf of dead people, and truth is not necessarily a defense.

The priest’s family lodged a criminal libel complaint against Chun and prosecutors took him to trial.

“Chun was aware of the helicopter shots fired,” the court said, adding Chun alone bore the “main responsibility” for the casualties.

It gave him an eight-month suspended sentence, well short of the 18-month custodial term sought by prosecutors, with Yonhap news agency quoting the judge as calling on him to “sincerely atone” for his deeds.

Wearing a facemask and a black hat, Chun -- who was not held in custody during the trial -- did not speak to reporters as he left.

Chun governed South Korea with an iron fist during the 1980s.

He oversaw the country’s economic rise and won the right to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, but also brutally repressed opponents until mass demonstrations forced him to accept democracy.

He was the country’s first president to hand over power peacefully, but remains among its most reviled figures.

In 1996, he was convicted of treason and condemned to death, in part over what happened at Gwangju, but his execution was commuted on appeal and he was released following a presidential pardon. AFP

Four French police officers charged with beating of black man in Paris FOUR French police officers have been charged in connection with the beating of a black man in Paris, with two held in custody, a judicial source said Monday.

The examining magistrate charged three with “willful violence by a person holding public authority” and “forgery”.

Two were kept behind bars, while the other two were put on conditional release.

Video carried by the Loopsider website shows how music producer Michel Zecler was repeatedly beaten by three officers for several minutes and subjected to NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL racial abuse as he tried to enter his music studio SETTLEMENT earlier this month.

Notice is hereby given that the intestate of the late Romulo B. An officer suspected of having thrown a tear Mangahas, who died intestate and without any will or testament gas grenade into the basement of the building and without any outstanding where the attack occurred was charged with debts in favor of any person or entity has been settled by way “willful violence”. of self-adjudication by heirs Bienvenida V. Mangahas, Editha The prosecution had requested pre-trial deAmista Mangahas, Reji Benedict Amista Mangahas and Hannah tention for the first three, and a judicial review Andrea Amista Mangahas of legal age as per Doc. No. 369 for the fourth. page No. 75, Book No. X. Series of 2020, before Notary Public at Lawyers for the group of three declined to Malolos, Bulacan. comment after the magistrate’s decision early (Sgd) Atty. Raymond C. Reyes Monday morning. AFP (MS-NOV. 24, DEC 1 & 8, 2020)

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

UK retailer Arcadia on the brink of bankruptcy

PSEi November 27, 2020

TOP GAINERS 1 2

MACAY LCB

LAST PRICE 8.99 0.154

% CHANGE CHANGE 1.08 13.65% 0.014 10.00%

3

MBC

13.2

1.2

10.00%

4 5 6

ATN VLL LC

1.03 4.75 0.156

0.08 0.35 0.011

8.42% 7.95% 7.59%

7

MAHB

2.16

0.15

7.46%

8 9 10

WLCON PCOR DWC

18 4.27 1.82

1.2 0.26 0.11

7.14% 6.48% 6.43%

TOP LOSERS 1 2

IPM MFC

LAST PRICE 4.35 731

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.5 -10.31% -69 -8.63%

3

JOH

4.99

-0.43

-7.93%

4 5 6

COAL BPI MED

0.31 83 0.34

-0.02 -5 -0.02

-6.06% -5.68% -5.56%

7 8 9 10

SM HI LSC AEV

970 3.93 0.98 42.2

-55 -0.22 -0.05 -2.1

-5.37% -5.30% -4.85% -4.74%

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

BPI RLC SMPH ALI BDO SM GLO HVN AC JGS

VOLUME 79,392,190 167,398,500 64,400,700 41,245,100 12,211,250 1,203,935 532,510 2,275,810 1,111,390 10,901,120

VALUE (PHP) 6,668,544,307.50 2,786,814,146.00 2,317,549,535.00 1,557,528,935.00 1,266,381,129.00 1,174,993,270.00 1,041,018,245.00 978,678,250.00 913,990,860.00 715,925,064.00

CROWDED ROTTERDAM. Security guards point out the one-way traffic on the Lijnbaan towards the end of a busy shopping in the center of Rotterdam, on November 29, 2020. Shopkeepers in the city center, Alexandrium and Zuidplein. have to close their doors at 5 p.m, just like on November 28, 2020 because it is not possible to keep enough distance due to crowds. AFP

Stocks drop as virus cases dash vaccine rollout hopes

H

ONG KONG— Equity markets fell Monday as hopes that vaccines will soon be rolled out were overshadowed by concerns over a pick-up in virus cases around the world.

Oil prices were also under pressure ahead of a two-day meeting of major producers, with traders worried that they had still not agreed on an extension of the output cuts that have provided crucial support for most of the year.

World markets have surged this month thanks to breakthroughs on vaccines, while investors have also been cheered

by Joe Biden’s US presidential election win and signs that incumbent Donald Trump will allow a smooth transfer, despite claims of voter fraud.

With at least three vaccines in the pipeline and approval in some countries

said to be just weeks away, there is a general feeling of optimism on trading floors as dealers forecast an economic rebound next year.

“Vaccines offer the promise that the major disruptions of the pandemic will fade from the scene in 2021,” said Axi strategist Stephen Innes. “Economic life will gradually heal; the world will start to move on from all the human suffering that the virus has wrought.”

Indications that a surge in new infections in Europe looks to be slowing were also providing some hope, while Britain and France are preparing to ease some of their lockdown restrictions.

But Trump’s top infectious diseases expert warned of a fresh jump in cases in the coming weeks after millions of Americans ignored scientific advice and travelled around the country for Thanksgiving.

“There almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel,” Anthony Fauci told CNN’s State of the Union. “We may see a surge upon a surge” in two or three weeks, he said, adding that Christmas

would probably bring more travel and family gatherings.

Parts of Asia are also seeing new spikes, with Hong Kong leaders warning the city is entering a fourth wave, while containment measures have been introduced in South Korea and Japan.

Markets in Asia dropped at the start of the week. Hong Kong led losses, shedding 2.1 percent, while Singapore, Seoul, Taipei and Bangkok were also more than one percent lower while Jakarta fell three percent.

Shanghai was unable to maintain an early rally despite data showing Chinese factory activity increased more than expected to a three-year high this month.

Tokyo also fell, though Wellington added one percent.

“If there is an absence of positive news from the pharma sector we might see stocks drift lower but even if we do, we probably won’t see aggressive selling for fear there will be further breakthroughs on the vaccine front,” said CMC Markets analyst David Madden. With AFP

LONDON—British clothing retailer Arcadia, ravaged by coronavirus lockdowns and fierce online competition, remains on the brink of bankruptcy despite an emergency loan offer, the BBC reported Monday.

The owner of high-street chains including Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Miss Selfridge, Evans and Wallis, is set to enter administration “within hours,” the BBC reported citing senior company sources, in a move that would threaten some 13,000 jobs.

The failure would deliver another body blow to Arcadia boss Philip Green, whose reputation had already taken a battering from the high-profile collapse of retailer BHS four years ago.

British sportswear tycoon Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group meanwhile confirmed Monday that it has offered a £50-million ($67 million, 56-millioneuro) loan to help Arcadia avoid bankruptcy.

Sources, however, told the BBC that they do not anticipate a rescue deal from Ashley, who also owns Newcastle United football club and bought troubled department store chain House of Fraser in 2018.

“Frasers Group notes recent press reports concerning the potential provision of emergency funding by the company to the Arcadia Group,” Frasers said in a statement.

“The company can confirm that it has made an offer and provided draft terms to the Arcadia Group for a loan of up to £50 million and is now awaiting a substantive response.

“Should the company and the Arcadia Group’s efforts to agree an emergency funding package fail and the Arcadia Group enter into administration, the company would be interested in participating in any sale process.”

Arcadia had stated on Friday that the deadly Covid-19 pandemic has had a “material impact” on trading due to enforced closures during lockdowns, adding it was working on “a number of contingency options” to secure the future of its brands. AFP

Mexico prepares for intense trade audit from Biden

November China factory activity rose to three-year high

MEXICO CITY—After years of fiery rhetoric from outgoing President Donald Trump, Mexico is bracing for more discreet but steadfast pressure from Joe Biden’s administration to fulfill its trade obligations to the letter, analysts say.

Mexico and Canada were pressured

by Trump to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the 1994 pact that the Republican branded “the worst trade deal in the history of the country.”

After more than two years of arduous haggling, it was replaced as of July 1 by the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—but only after the Democrats demanded US officials renegotiate key elements including labor provisions.

“Biden won’t be as hostile as Trump, but he will watch to see that the commitments made in the USMCA are fulfilled, which Trump hasn’t done,” Kenneth Smith, who was the Mexican chief negotiator, told AFP. NAFTA erased nearly all tariffs across the region and helped turn Mexico into an export powerhouse.

But Trump had long blamed the agreement for the offshoring of American jobs.

He also threatened to slap tariffs on imports from Mexico if it did not stop a wave of Central American migrants heading overland to the United States.

A new trade war would be devastating for Mexico’s economy, now reeling from the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, as the United States buys more than 80 percent of its exports.

Analysts at the Spanish bank BBVA think Biden’s victory will clear the uncertainty hanging over trade between the US, Mexico and Canada, which in 2019 was worth $1.2 trillion.

Biden “supported the original free trade agreement and the current one.

We would think that he is more committed to this vision,” said Carlos Ramos, chief economist at BBVA Mexico.

Trump’s scorching rhetoric is likely to be replaced by careful monitoring, under Biden, to ensure that Mexico is complying with the fine print of the trade deal, analysts said. AFP

BEIJING—China’s factory activity grew at its fastest pace in over three years in November, official data showed Monday, as the world’s second-largest economy continued its recovery from the coronavirus.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a key gauge of manufacturing activity in China, has largely rebounded following strict measures to curb the virus early in the year, coming in at 52.1 this month.

This was higher than October’s reading of 51.4, and remains above the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction.

The latest figures also bring the PMI data back to levels seen in September 2017.

Analysts said improvement in both domestic and external demand boosted manufacturing activity.

“The main driver was a rise in new orders... In particular, the export orders component picked up,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist of consultancy Capital Economics.

“This suggests that China’s exports continue to benefit from strong foreign demand for Chinese-made goods beyond Covid-19 related products, although fresh lockdowns abroad might have boosted demand for shipments of the latter.”

Zhao Qinghe, senior statistician at the National Bureau of Statistics, which publishes the PMI, said Monday both the production and new orders indexes edged up.

Both sub-indexes fared well in industries relating to high-tech manufacturing such as pharmaceuticals, electrical machinery and equipment, he added.

But recovery in the manufacturing industry remains “uneven,” Zhao said.

Official data showed that small enterprises, which were hurt more by the outbreak, continued to lag behind large businesses.

China is expected to be the only major economy to record positive growth this year.

The non-manufacturing PMI came in at 56.4 in November, slightly higher than the month before, signaling further recovery in the services sector. AFP

Christmas sweets are offered in a sales booth at the drive in Christmas market in Landshut, southern Germany, on November 26, 2020.

Artificial snow, mulled wine, all-youcan-eat sweets and kitsch music: at the Christmas market in Landshut, southern Germany, the essentials are there, but you have to pick it up by car. AFP

Drive-ins, scattered huts: German markets recreate Christmas

By Pauline Curtet LANDSHUT, Germany—Chestnuts roasting, mulled wine steaming and music blaring from wooden chalets lined with artificial snow—the Landshut Christmas market in southern Germany has all the usual trimmings.

But this year, visitors must enjoy the sights and smells of the traditional Christmas market from inside their cars due to precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Every night after dark, several dozen vehicles roll into the Christmas market drive-in, their occupants cozy and socially distanced inside.

Once through the gates, they must wait for an employee wearing a mask and a Christmas hat to knock on their window and offer them a menu of savory treats to choose from, such as crepes, sausages and roasted chestnuts.

Orders placed, they can then drive on to the next hut offering sweets such as candy floss or gingerbread hearts.

“We take our inspiration from fastfood chains,” smiles Patrick Schmidt, 31, market organizer and owner of the Zollhaus Landshut restaurant.

“We wanted to recreate a bit of the Christmas atmosphere, even if it’s more

complicated this year.”

The market is a way of helping his business get through “a difficult time,” he said.

Billions at stake As Germany battles a second wave of coronavirus infections, leisure and sporting facilities have been ordered to close while restaurants and bars can only offer takeaways.

The restrictions also include limits on social gatherings and have been a huge blow to Germany’s 3,000 or so annual Christmas markets.

The markets have been an annual fixture in Germany since the 15th century, when craftsmen and bakers were given special permission to ply their wares in town squares in the run-up to Christmas.

But many German cities have cancelled their Christmas markets entirely this year, despite the huge financial losses—the markets draw about 160 million visitors annually and bring in revenues of three to five billion euros ($3.6 billion and $5.9 billion), according to the BSM stallkeepers’ industry association.

To keep the spirit—and the economic benefits—of Christmas alive, cities across the country have come up with creative initiatives.

500 cars In Berlin’s Charlottenburg-Wilm-

ersdorf district, small clusters of huts have been spread across several streets, though food and drink cannot be consumed on site.

The world-famous Nuremberg Christmas market has been canceled this year but managed to hold an online version of its traditional opening ceremony.

And in north-western Germany, the town of Kalkar is also offering a drivein Christmas market.

The market in Landshut has been open since mid-November and is proving popular with locals, according to Schmidt. “Last Saturday we had 500 cars,” he said.

And they’re not just here for the mulled wine, served in thermos flasks to keep it warm—many are coming with the whole family in tow.

“I’m here to support the restaurants, because I miss them,” said Markus Renneke, 55, visiting the market with his wife. “And I think it’s a great idea.”

Sandra, joined by her teenage daughter Laura, is here to enjoy that special Christmas market “atmosphere.”

“You have to put a bit of time aside and there are no stands selling anything but food, but that’s OK,” she said as a waitress arrived with two grilled sausages.AFP

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

B4

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

IN BRIEF 8990 Holdings to sell P5-b worth of shares MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. plans to raise up to P5 billion from a preferred shares offering.

The company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would offer 30 million preferred shares, with an oversubscription option for another 20 million preferred shares at a maximum price of P100 apiece.

The net proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt obligations of subsidiary 8990 Holdings Development Corp. through equity infusion, it said.

The company tapped China Bank Capital as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter and sole book runner for the offering. The non-voting, non-convertible and redeemable preferred shares will be listed on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The preferred shares will be issued from the company’s 100 million preferred shares offering under the shelf-registration program approved by the SEC in 2017.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Globe rolling out VoLTE in the south GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Monday it will roll out Voice over LTE service in the Visayas and Mindanao in 2021 to boost the mobile and browsing experience of customers in these regions.

The company said the expansion of its VoLTE coverage would include the provinces of Cebu, Davao Del Sur and Davao Del Norte as early as January.

VoLTE is the standard high-speed wireless communication for mobile phones using 4G LTE, instead of the traditional voice networks being used by 2G and 3G. It will become the standard once the 2G and 3G technology become obsolete.

VoLTE has many advantages over the old voice services of 2G and 3G networks. It has voice capacity that is three times more than 3G and up to six times compared to 2G, allowing the network to accommodate more customers placing calls at the same time, enable faster call set-up, provide clearer voice quality, and lower instances of dropped calls.

“We are bringing the VoLTE service in these provinces so that our customers will experience better, clearer and more reliable text and call services which our customers in NCR, Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan are now enjoying,” said Globe chief commercial officer Albert de Larrazabal.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Transco sees lower FIT-All rate next year STATE-RUN National Transmission Corp. applied for a lower feed-in-tariff allowance rate for 2021.

“TransCo respectfully moves for the immediate issuance of a provisional authority…to timely implement the FIT-All rate of P0.1881 per kWh where the FNS [forecast national sales] was computed based on the FIT-All guidelines, TransCo said in a filing with the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“Or alternatively, the FIT-All rate of P0.2008 per kWh where the FNS is based on COVID-19 scenario, effective January 2021,” it added.

FNS refers to an estimated total kilowatthour of electricity billed to consumers who are supplied with electricity in on-grid areas for a given year.

“TransCo is aware that with the present COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that the total national electricity consumption will go down,” the company said.

TransCo said national electricity sales were expected to go down by 5 percent in 2020, but the economy would likely recover by 2021. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Lucio Tan, foreign partners pursue P82.5-b LNG project will play a critical role in meeting the growing demand for power, developing a replacement source of natural gas ATANGAS Clean in preparation for the depletion of the Energy Inc., a Malampaya gas field and ensuring national energy security. company led by The project will also help reduce the US investors and airline country’s carbon footprint by diversifyand tobacco tycoon Lucio ing the generation mix away from coal and diesel-fired generation and provide Tan, is moving forward flexible generation to the grid. with a P82.5-billion “Overall, BCE’s goal is to develop, construct and operate a world-class investment in a liquefied LNG import terminal and CCGT power natural gas terminal and plant that will position Batangas City 1,200-megawatt combined as the LNG hub of the Philippines and contribute to the economic and social cycle gas turbine plant development of Batangas province and project in Batangas the country,” BCE said in documents province. filed with the Department of EnvironThe project was recently certified by ment and Natural Resources.

BCE, led by Gen X Energy LLC and the Department of Energy as an energy project of national significance that LCT Energy & Resources Inc. of Tan

By Alena Mae S. Flores

B

and his immediate family, proposed to develop an integrated LNG import terminal and power plant in Barangays Pinamucan Ibaba and Pinamucan Proper in Batangas City.

Gen X is a Blackstone portfolio company with the sole objective of making investments in energy projects in Asia. Blackstone is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is one of the world’s leading private equity funds with a proven track record of making investments in the energy sector.

The project will be located at the Himmel industrial complex and will an LNG unloading/reloading jetty, LNG storage tank, regasification facilities and the power plant.

The project is in the pre-construction stage, which involves environment impact assessment process, engineering and design and field surveys and technical studies.

Megawide Construction Corp. lists Series 2A and 2B preferred shares at the Philippine Stock Exchange after raising P4.36 billion to finance the expansion of its pre-cast plant and infrastructure projects. Attending the bell-ringing ceremony are (front row, from left) Megawide executive director for infrastructure development Manuel Louie Ferrer and PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran, (back row, from left) Megawide chief financial officer Ramon Diaz and chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra, SEC chairman Emilio Aquino, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon and PSE issuer regulation division officer-in-charge Marigel Garcia; PNB Capital and Investment Corp. senior assistant vice president Jose Eduardo de Rivera, RCBC Capital Corp. first vice president Xavier Zialcita, Securities Clearing Corporation of the Philippines chief operating officers Renee Rubio and PSE general counsel Veronica Del Rosario.

Megawide in talks with LGUs to build more transport hubs

By Jenniffer B. Austria ENGINEERING and infrastructure company Megawide Construction Corp. plans to build more integrated land transport terminals in various parts of the country, its top executive said over the weekend.

Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said the company was in talks with several local government units to replicate the transport terminal it constructed in Metro Manila in other cities.

Saavedra said his group was studying the proposed south-bound terminal project of the local government of Baguio City that would connect to the company’s multi-modal Parañaque In-

tegrated Terminal Exchange. Megawide is eyeing a similar project in Visayas.

Megawide also plans to expand PITX as foot traffic in the terminal reached a pre-COVID level of 56,000 to 60,000 a day.

The expansion of PITX, which will require a capital spending of P4.5 billion, will include the construction of more bus bays and terminals and the expansion of additional commercial and retail spaces.

Megawide said several mall operators expressed interest in teaming up with the company to operate in the transport terminal.

Meanwhile, Saavedra said the group’s order book reached P46 billion, exceeding the pre-COVID level.

Saavedra said the company secured secure new projects, including the casi-

no project of Suntrust Home Developers Inc. in Parañaque.

Megawide said the group’s order book was expected to increase further as it prepares to participate in the tender for the portions of the North-South Commuter Railway project and the Manila Subway project.

The company also expressed hope on securing the rehabilitation project of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s main gateway, which is subject to approval by the National Economic and Development Authority board.

From being a purely-construction firm focusing on building vertical and horizontal housing projects, Megawide pivoted to infrastructure sector to expand its portfolio.

PH keen on free trade agreements with US, other European countries

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines remains interested in forging free trade agreements with the United States and different European countries, a government official said Monday.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez that while the Philippines adopted multilateral agreements such as the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, it seeks to have bilateral deals that will strengthen diplomatic and trade partnerships with individual countries.

“We are right now in talks with partners like Korea and trying to start this process with other countries. We just also closed an FTA with the EFTA countries. Hopefully we’d like to push FTA with the US, as well as the EU,” Lopez said during the virtual meeting “Asia’s Future: A Vision from Within”.

He cited benefits from a bilateral agreement for certain commodities or certain areas of cooperation that may not as easily agreed upon in a multilateral agreement.

“We’re opening up our economy in the same way that we would like also to have increased market access for our country to the benefit from all these FTAs that we perceived and should be mutually beneficial arrangements. We have to pursue both multilaterals which are definitely very important, but bilateral also are similarly important, as

well,” Lopez said.

He said the conclusion of the RCEP took eight years, as “the drive to push through was there.”

Lopez said the Philippines was banking on areas where it has the most advantage like export of goods and services. He highlighted the strength of electronics exports and the information technology and business process management sector in the services field.

Lopez said it would be mutually beneficial for the Philippines and its partners to strengthen their relationships on these two sectors.

Healthcare and retirement are two new sectors that the Philippines and other countries may want to engage in as initial steps to having a full-blown trade agreement, he said.

“We’re really much embedded in the global supply chain, as we saw in the pandemic. The RCEP provides for actually 50 percent of our exports to the RCEP countries, and we source to 68 percent of our imports from RCEP countries, a proof on how important the global supply chain is. And that is where we see we have to continue and pursue this process of multilateral unity and trade order.

And certainly, the ITBPM sector would be one in participating in the deals and they’re already included in some of these agreements,” he said.

PSE INDEX

Friday, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

-136.29 PTS. 6,791.46

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

4,516,781,147 153,712 27,647,302,340.11 129 75 50

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.1020

Japan

Yen

0.009592

0.4614

UK

Pound

1.336200

64.2739

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129019

6.2061

Switzerland

Franc

1.103631

53.0869

Canada

Dollar

0.768462

36.9646

Singapore

Dollar

0.747105

35.9372

Australia

Dollar

0.736100

35.4079

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652309

127.5814

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.8269

Brunei

Dollar

0.744325

35.8035

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033058

1.5902

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0968

Euro

Euro

1.191700

57.3232

Korea

Won

0.000905

0.0435

China

Yuan

0.152112

7.3169

India

Rupee

0.013544

0.6515

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.246002

11.8332

New Zealand

Dollar

0.700500

33.6955

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035089

1.6879 Source: BSP

NLEX Corp.’s net earnings down 44% in nine months

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. said Monday net income fell 44 percent in the first nine months from a year ago after Luzon was placed under the enhanced community quarantine in the second quarter.

The operator of North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway declared a net income of P2.6 billion in the nine-month period, down from P4.6 billon in the same period last year.

“The decrease in income was attributed to the lower traffic volume as a result of the imposition of Luzonwide enhanced community quarantine starting March 16, 2020,” the company said.

The company reported total revenues of P7.8 billion in the first nine months, lower by 30 percent than P11.2 billion booked in the same period last year.

NLEX attributed he decrease in revenues to lower traffic volume during the government’s implementation of the Luzon-wide ECQ to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company said that as of Sept.

30, 2020, average daily traffic in NLEX reached 188,830 vehicle entries, while average daily traffic in SCTEX hit 42,350 vehicle entries.

It said that compared to last year, the daily average vehicle entries in NLEX and SCTEX were down by 29.3 percent and 38.4 percent, respectively.

The company’s operating revenues were derived mainly from toll in NLEX and SCTEX. It also generated income from advertising placements, fees from toll service facilities and rental revenues generated by the company-owned NLEX Drive & Dine through wholly owned subsidiary NLEX Ventures Corp.

NLEX spans about 102 kilometers or 573-lane kilometers and served an average of 270,718 vehicles per day in 2019. NLEX is the main infrastructure backbone that connects Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon.

STORE REBUILDING. Coca-

Cola Philippines teams up with the Department of Trade and Industry and other agencies to launch Rebuilding Sari-Sari Stores Through Access to Resources and Trade, or ReSTART program. Teddy Entena is one of the many sari-sari store owners who remain hopeful on better days ahead, with the support of Coca-Cola in helping them rebuild and restart their livelihood.

Dominguez asks DTI to return interest earnings of PITC to Treasury

By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III formally asked the Department of Trade and Industry to return to the Bureau of the Treasury the interest earnings of the Philippine International Trading Corp. to help augment the government’s COVID-19 response and disaster relief efforts.

Dominguez said in a letter to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez that the P1.15 billion earned by PITC from the funds it was holding in trust as of 2019 which was recorded as interest income of the staterun firm should have been remitted to the National Treasury.

He said PITC’s interest earnings came

from the cash and investment balances transferred by several national government agencies to the corporation for the procurement of their various requirements.

These fund balances, which are considered as trust liabilities of the PITC, amounted to P33.3 billion and P32.6 billion as of end-2019 and Oct. 31, 2020, respectively, Dominguez said.

“Following our discussion, we would like to request the return to the Bureau of the Treasury by PITC, the interest earned on such funds held in trust. From 2018 to 2019, the interest earned on such funds totaled P1.151 billion,” Dominguez said in the letter.

Dominguez said his request “is in line with our continuous efforts to identify sources of fiscal space and to accommodate the country’s various medical and social needs as a result of the pandemic, compounded by the successive calamities which recently hit the country.”

Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado was furnished a copy of the letter to Lopez.

Dominguez cited a 2019 report by the Commission on Audit, which at that time found that PITC recorded its interest earnings “aggregating P581.135 million as of Dec. 31, 2019,” as the corporation’s income, “instead of remitting the same to the National Treasury.

FEATURE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

C1

Little Known Wonders of Nickel

By P. Y. Deligero

T

HE strong, silverywhite metal can be found in almost everything--from batteries that power our electronics to the stainless steel that can be found in kitchen sinks or appliances.

This lustrous mineral is recognized for being resistant against corrosion and oxidation, its ductility, and ability to alloy, or bond, with other metals easily.

It was Swedish mineralogist and chemist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt who first discovered nickel in 1751. Initially, he thought he was extracting copper but it turned out to be nickel as the silver-white color of the metal became apparent.

Some 200 years later, the value of the mineral became highly recognized.

Compared to other minerals, the mining or production of nickel is relatively new.

Mine production of nickel began in Norway in 1848, then in New Caledonia in 1875, and Canada in 1886. Since the mineral is used for nearly everything, the industry became one of the most important in the 20th and 21st centuries.

More than 25 countries worldwide mine nickel-laden ores to create end-use products. The Asia-Pacific Region accounts for more than 75 percent of global nickel mine production, with the Philippines and Indonesia leading the pack. But the largest producers come from Russia, Canada, and Australia.

While mine production in Canada and Russia are linked to sulphite-type deposits, Indonesia and the Philippines mainly mine laterites or a reddish clay-like material that hardens when dry, forming a topsoil in some tropical or subtropical regions.

Thanks to nickel, life as we know it has become easier to go about with the help of innovations that make use of the lustrous, durable material. Plus, the material isn’t harmful to the environment as it can be recycled into new items.

HINATUAN MINING’S VERSION OF A ‘MIYAWAKI’ FOREST Miyawaki is a technique, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, on how to grow plants and build forests 10 times faster. The concept is gaining consideration all over the world now that companies and institutions are being marked by society on how they address environmentconservation issues.

For mining companies, the big challenge has always been growing trees in lateritic soil that are deficient in nutrients. While the Miyawaki Method is building forests on barren lands which is called ‘afforestation’, miners rehabilitate and strive to build forests on mineralized soil, which is called ‘reforestation’.

According to HMC’s environment manager, Forester Manuel A. Torres Jr., the traditional approach of reforestation requires systematic spacing between crops and trees consistent with the ‘carrying capacity’ principle of ecology—where only a certain number of seedling can be accommodated per hectare of land.

Opposite to that, the Miyawaki approach is dependent on natural regeneration with the main goal to achieve a more natural forest-like vibe with grasses, shrubs, and multiple sub-species added to the main trees, all randomly thrown together without specific patterns based on the principle of native planting.

“The traditional methods used by miners and the Miyawaki principle may differ in some of its planting strategies but the results yield the same kind of natural forest stand,” explains Torres.

“I have not heard of Miyawaki before we started the rehabilitation at Eastern 1. We simply called our program‘high-density planting strategy’, initially an experiment which turned out to have very similar goals to Miyawaki,which is to get the target area greener and leafier in half the expected time.

HMC started with picking out good provenance forest tree seedlings mixed them with fast-growing and indigenous forest tree seedlings that are naturally occurring in the area, and applied careful maintenance and tending practices to ensure quality growth in a short fragment of time.

NAC hopes to show off the forests they helped build to the communities.

HMC’s Eastern 1 rehabilitated area - the traditional methods used by miners and the Miyawaki principle may differ in some of its planting strategies but the results yield the same kind of natural forest stand.

As soon as the vegetation renders its microclimate, the natural characteristics of ‘endozoochory’ sets in wherein seed dispersal is aided by flora and fauna— ‘the birds and the bees, and flowers and trees’.

Just like the Miyawaki vision, HMC is seeing a display of lush vegetation to the mined-out area to around 4-6 years.

“This is an exciting case study as the people expect to see more forests and greeneries in the communities,” remarks Torres.

For NAC and all its subsidiaries— Cagdianao Mining in Dinagat Islands (CMC); Dinapigue Mining in Isabela (DMC); Rio Tuba Nickel Mining in Palawan (RTN) and Taganito Mining (TMC) in Surigao del Norte; and of course, HMC—environmentconservation is a critical part of business strategy, and, ‘building forests’ are ‘key performance indicators’ across the organization.

According to Rogel C. Cabauatan, AVP for Environment and Community Relations at NAC, the company has been a part of the Philippine government’s national greening program since its inception and has recorded someP5.3 Million trees planted across the organization from 2009 to 2020.

“We have proof of concept in all our mine sites where you can now find dense forests in mined-out areas that are a prominent part of our showcase

NAC planted 5.3 Million trees from 2009 to 2020 in its mined-out areas.

asa proud responsible mining company,” Cabauatan says.

Engineer Francis J. Arañes, Jr., HMC Resident Mine Manager, cannot wait to open the site to visitors.

“We look forward to when this health crisis is over, because we have great visuals at the mine site that we want to share with the communities. As conscientious stewards of the environment, it will be an honor to show-off the forests we helped build,” Arañes remarks.

C2

Sports

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

Grosjean escapes fiery wreck in Bahrain SAKHIR, Bahrain—Lewis Hamilton powered to his record-increasing 95th victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday in a race overshadowed by Romain Grosjean’s horrific crash, which left the Frenchman receiving hospital treatment for burns.

Newly-crowned seven-time world champion Hamilton cruised to his 11th win this year in his Mercedes with a masterful drive in challenging and chaotic circumstances at the Sakhir circuit.

Hamilton took the chequered flag ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during a late safety car intervention, and was quick to compliment the sport’s modern safety standards for saving Grosjean whose Haas car broke in two on impact before erupting in flames.

“It was such a shocking image to see,” said Hamilton, who like all of the drivers had a near 90-minute wait for the restart after the horrific opening lap crash.

He used the pause to tweet on safety.

“When I get in the car, I know I am taking risks. I respect the dangers that are in this sport. I posted about it during Stewards and medics attend to Haas F1’s French driver Romain Grosjean after a crash at the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in the city of Sakhir.

Inset shows what remains of the survival cell of Grosjean’s car. AFP the break because it is horrifying.

“The car, the cockpit. I don’t know what Gs he pulled, but I’m just so grateful the halo worked.

“It could have been so much worse, but I think it is a reminder to us and hopefully to the people that are watching that this is a dangerous sport. We are out there pushing to the limit and playing with that limit, but you always have to respect it.

“It shows what an amazing job Formula One and the FIA have done for him to be able to walk away from someCYCLING and advocacy groups, inthing like that, but it will be investigated cluding Bikers United Movement, We -- and they will do an awful lot of work The Future PH, DAKILA, Active Vista to make sure something like that does Cayetano said after Friday’s election, Center, Initiative for Dialogue and EmBy Maricel V. Cruz not happen again.” the POC leadership needs to buckle powerment through Alternative Legal Grosjean lost control of his Haas after down to work towards the collective Services and DZMC Young CommuniORMER Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan clipping the front left wheel of Daniil goal of improving the Philippines’s cators’ Guild from the Polytechnic UniPeter Cayetano on Monday said he is hopeful that the Kvyat’s Alpha Tauri, having skewed overall sports performance in future versity of the Philippines, came together right in the intense battle for position at competitions.

Philippine Olympic Committee will usher in a new on Sunday in “Trip ni Bonifacio, Ito Turn Three on the opening lap.

He expressed optimism that under Ang Gusto Ko!,” a National Bike Ride era of sports centered on the welfare of the Filipino athletes Grosjean’s car rammed into the barriTolentino’s leadership, the Philippines activity to celebrate the freedom Andres under the leadership of Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino. ers as he braked hard from around 250 will sustain the “legacy of winning” Bonifacio fought for during the Spanish km/h (155 mph), the front part hammerit had regained during the 30th SEA Colonization era. ing into the steel guardrails which buckGames.

The Bike Ride was held simultane“His reelection signifies the vote of Games last year, commended Tolentino led immediately.

“I am confident that the power of colously in three different areas — Metro confidence of the leaders of the na- for his effective and inspiring brand of laboration and our strength as Filipino Grosjean, 34, trapped in his cockpit, Manila, Bacolod City, and Tacloban tional sport associations to a more pro- leadership which contributed to the re- people, which lies in fighting as one flew under the steel barrier as it gave City. The main route in Metro Manila gressive and responsive leader,” Cay- sounding success of the games. way and his car burst into flames. and winning as one and which we restarted in Luneta Park at 6:30 a.m., went etano said after Tolentino received a He said Tolentino played a crucial discovered during the SEA Games, will Observers suggested his car’s safety through thoroughfares in Manila, Calofresh mandate as president of the POC role in the country’s effort to regain sustain its momentum,” Cayetano said. halo had saved his life as he careered ocan, and Quezon City, and ended at the in elections held in Parañaque City on the overall championship of the Philipthrough the ruptured barrier, the device “I also look forward to seeing the POC Commission on Human Rights office.

November 27, 2020. pines in the biennial sporting event. lifting them above his head, before F1’s step up its programs and remain focused Around 30 bikers participated in the Cayetano, who chaired the Philip“We hope that the POC leadership and committed to our shared vision, chief medical officer Dr Ian Roberts and Metro Manila route, while 35 joined in pine Southeast Asian Games Orga- will continue to inspire and provide our which is to make sports a shining inspihis medical car driver Alan van der MerBacolod City. nizing Committee, which handled the athletes with the support they need dur- ration for the youth and a driving force we joined track marshals with fire extinLaunched on National Bikers Day Philippines’ hosting of the 30th SEA ing competitions,” he said. guishers and helped him escape. AFP for unity in our nation,” he added. and in anticipation of Bonifacio Day today, November 30, the event was organized to find creative ways to practice the freedom of expression at a time when civic spaces are shrinking amid the pandemic and threats to the people’s right to speak out.

A short program was held at the FULL recharged coming off a three-week But a tougher challenge awaits the four-time for seventh place finishes, Commission of Human Rights where break, Tony Lascuña sets out for the last of the PGT Order of Merit winner in next week’s r e s p e c advocates shared solidarity messages two-tournament Philippine Golf Tour restart, ICTSI Riviera Championship where the title tively, on honoring the legacy of Bonifacio by confident of pulling off the same kind of suc- chase is expected to be a lot of more exciting at Coufighting for freedom and human rights. cess he produced in the ICTSI Riviera Invita- and unpredictable since it will be held at the ples.

“Sa gitna ng pandemya na kinakahational Challenge at Riviera’s Couples course in more demanding Langer layout of Riviera.

The duo, however, rap ng bansa, sa sunud-sunod na mga Silang, Cavite.

The P2.5 million event gets under way Dec. will have to tone down their power to sakuna at kalamidad ay marami pa ang The multi-titled Lascuna stalked the leaders 8 with practically the same Couples field vy- achieve driving and shot accuracy and napabigat sa nararanasan at suliranin ng in the first two rounds, made his move in the ing in the 72-hole championship capping the consistency required on a tight, hazardmamamayang Pilipino [...] lalo na nung pivotal third day to wrest control then cruised two-tournament PGT’s restart after the coun- laden layout as the par-71 Langer. binaha ang maraming komunidad dito to a four-stroke win over Ira Alido and Rupert try’s premier circuit went on an eight-month But there sure are some holes that would sa Luzon dahil sa bagyong Ulysses,” Zaragosa in a victory that was more than a tri- hiatus due to pandemic. need to be attacked although it goes with the Jeff Estela from Youth Strike 4 Climate umph of the spirit for the veteran campaigner The upcoming event, however, will risk of falling into bunkers and hazards that Philippines said. “Walang komprehensiwhose work ethics, sheer determination and see the likes of Alido, Zaragosa, along come into play in most holes, especially if the bong plano ang gobyerno para sa green will power remain the envy of his peers and with Justin Quiban, Fidel Concepcion, wind come into play. recovery kahit na isa ang Pilipinas sa inspiration for the Tour’s rising stars.

Michael Bibat, Albin Engino and GerOthers out for a fightback are Dutch Guido pinaka-bulnerableng bansa sa epekto ng He also makes it a point to share his exper- ald Rosales, all pumped-up not just to Van der Valk, former OOM titlist Jobim Carclimate change.” tise with the young and old alike, squeezing stop Lascuña’s sweep bid but also to fuel los, Korean Park Jun Sung, Zanieboy Gialon, “Subalit nakita natin na nag-step up out precious time to teach at Manila South- their own respective drive in the event Dino Villanueva, Rico Depilo, James Ryan Tony ang kabataang Pilipino upang tulungan woods’ driving range in between training and put up by ICTSI to likewise help provide Lam, Jhonnel Ababa, Rey Pagunsan and Jay Lascuña ang bansa — mula noong Taal eruption, practice rounds. something for the pros for the coming Bayron. nag-announce ng online classes dahil “I love to teach and the sport just continues holidays.

Like in the PGT start, all players will return sa pandemic, sa pagpasa ng Anti-Terror to grow and grow through the years with more Angelo Que and Miguel Tabuena, both to a set of rules and safety protocols, includLaw, sunud-sunod na pagre-redtag, at and more youngsters willing to learn and be- former Philippine Open champions and two ing swab tests and restricting the players’ ang pagdaan ng mga bagyo nitong nacome good, strong players someday,” said of the country’s top players, are also raring movements inside the tournament hotel and karaang buwan,” he added.

Lascuña. to redeem themselves from a fourth and tied venue. For details, visit www.pgt.ph.

Cayetano expects new POC to inspire athletes

Bike, advocacy groups observe Bonifacio Day

F

Lascuña seeks sweep of Riviera titles

Mikee to sports execs: Back Bambol, stop ‘sports politics’

Rep. Mikee Romero

WITH next year’s Tokyo Games being trumpeted as the country’s best chance to win its first-ever Olympic gold, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero (1Pacman Partylist) on Monday called on all sports leaders and major stakeholders to give newlyelected Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino all the support he needs to realize that long-cherished Olympic dream.

On a day the country celebrated the birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio, Romero said it’s high time that Philippine sports is revolutionized in order to make a difference in the international

competitions like the Olympics.

“I would like to congratulate my good friend, Cong. Bambol, for securing a full four-year term this time. It’s a tough job being the president of POC, but I know he can handle it being a seasoned leader both as sportsman and politician,” said the former amateur basketball godfather.

Tolentino, who represents Tagaytay City in the House of Representatives, beat out archery chief Clint Aranas in another hotly-contested elections last Friday for his first four-year term.

But to make the Olympic dream a reality, Romero urged everybody to unite and

put an end to “sports politics” which has stunted the growth of some sports.

“We have to plan and work as one because the coming Tokyo Games is really our best chance. No more politics in sports because it destroys the three values of Olympism which are excellence, friendship and respect,” said Romero.

“It’s better that they work with Cong. Bambol for the sake of Philippine sports,” added Romero, who noted the support of Filipinos working in the vibrant city of Tokyo will greatly impact the performance of PH bets.

The cycling chief, however, will have his hands full next year.

Apart from the Tokyo Games that was rescheduled in July due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the national athletes will also be preparing for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, the 4th Asian Youth Games and 6th Asian Beach Games in China, and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand.

“With so many international tournaments next year, I hope our elite athletes will be given the right training so Cong. Bambol will need the financial support from the government and private sectors,” said Romero, who is one of the leading lights of the Philippine National Federation of Polo Players.

Entertainment

BEA

Bea Alonzo is the face of Beautederm’s latest product.

ALONZO’S

secret finally out

VERY WANG

S

But that’s not the secret we are talking about.

The 33-year-old Unbreakable (2019) star has scored an endorsement deal with one of the country’s beauty and lifestyle superbrands. She is happy now that she is part of Beautéderm family.

“It feels great! I’ve always been curious about the brand. I like how it progressed and how its family grew so fast,” says Bea. “A lot of my friends are part of the Beautéderm family, and I’m happy that I can finally endorse this brand alongside them.”

Bea further reveals that she is inspired after finally meeting Beautéderm President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan for the very first time.

PAGEANT CONCEPT ETON CONCEPCION THE iconic OPM Christmas song “Miss Kita Kung Christmas” is making a comeback this holiday season via a new version from Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019 Maria Charo Calalo-Laude. The song debuted on YouTube on Nov. 13.

Calalo-Laude’s cover of the Queen of Visayan Songs Susan Fuentes original, is the carrier single of the beauty queen’s recently launched album Himala’y Laganap, composed and produced by Abe Hipolito and released under Alakdan Records.

Calalo-Laude, who finished Top 18 from 95 contestants in Mrs. Universe 2019, held in Guangzhou, China, has also assumed the role as national director for Mrs. Universe pageant which, for its initial year, will be fielding six representatives handpicked by Calalo-Laude herself.

A former member of GMA-7’s popular teenage television show That’s Entertainment (Monday Group), Calalo-Laude, who was 21 then, joined the Bb. Pilipinas 1998 search that saw the dethronement of its top winner Tisha Silang.

Calalo-Laude’s “Miss Kita Kung Christmas” is available on Spotify and

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

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Stars headline Noel Bazaar 2020, longest-running bazaar goes online GMA Network stars Andrea Torres, Benjamin Alves, Mike Tan, Martin del Rosario, Vaness del Moral, and Ai Ai delas Alas make holiday shopping even more colorful as they banner Noel Bazaar 2020’s official launch of its online shopping platform www.noelbazaar.ph on Monday.

In celebration of Noel Bazaar’s twodecade-strong shopping extravaganza, the longest-running bazaar’s newest online platform is accessible throughout the year to further delight shoppers where they can conveniently score their favorite local bazaar finds and catch exciting promos, flash sales, and live-selling.

Shoppers should definitely not miss the online version of Noel Bazaar’s muchawaited annual GMA Celebrity Ukay-Ukay and prepare to add-to-cart the pre-loved items of the Noel Bazaar ambassadors as well as clothes, bags, and shoes from style mavens Solenn Heussaff, and Lovi Poe, and more Kapuso stars for a good cause!

Proceeds of the items sold will go to GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Expect a variety of amazing finds on Noelbazaar.ph such as clothing, skincare and cosmetics, toys and novelty items, packed and ready-to-eat food items, as well as timely safety essentials.

The newest online bazaar's main initiative is to help local businesses bounce back from the toll of the pandemic by giving them a platform to showcase their unique items.

Noelbazaar.ph takes pride in its hassle-free system for merchants and shoppers alike.

For more updates like and follow Noel Bazaar on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To all interested merchants, Noel Bazaar has an early gift in store for you with their free listing promo for six months. Register now at www.noelbazaar.ph to reserve your slots. For inquiries and more details, contact event organizer Cut Unlimited, Inc. at merchants@noelbazaar.ph.

From left: (1st row) Andrea Torres, Benjamin Alves, Ai Ai delas Alas, (2nd row) Mike Tan, Vaness del Moral, and Martin del Rosario

NICKIE WANG

CREEN star Bea Alonzo made headlines recently when she cut her ties with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and appointed Shirley Kuan to represent her as manager. It was a decision that her mother studio approved of. In fact, the network even issued an official statement supporting her action and to confirm that she still remains a Kapamilya.

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

“I was glad to finally meet her in our shoot. I like being around strong and empowered women. I so am excited about our future campaigns.”

Anicoche-Tan, who celebrated another fruitful year on Nov. 26, marked her birthday with Bea formally becoming part of her company’s growing list of celebrity endorsers.

The actress is the face of the newest product Etre Clair Refreshing Mouth Spray.

Since Anicoche-Tan started the company 11 years ago, it has always been one of her ultimate dreams to have Bea as part of the illustrious roster of Beautéderm Brand Ambassadors and the young CEO is ecstatic to have one of the brightest and most accomplished young actresses in the history of the industry in her amazing stable of endorsers.

“I admire Bea,” says Anicoche-Tan. “It has always been a dream of mine to collaborate with her as an endorser of Beautéderm. At first, it really seemed to be a farfetched dream because of the humble beginnings of the company so my team and I worked very hard until the day finally came when it became a reality. It took me 11 years to make my dream come true and Bea is truly worth the long wait. It was such a joy to deal with Bea and her manager, Ms. Shirley Kuan. She is so professional and so humble – she is everything that I imagined her to be. This is truly a wonderful birthday gift for me.”

Etre Clair, an antibacterial mouth spray, is part of the brand’s all-natural healthcare line as it is every consumer’s partner in

'MMK' showcases stories of resilience and hope in new episodes

The Kapamilya star with Beautederm’s President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan

health and beauté. Made with 100 percent organic ingredients, this mouth spray has potent antibacterial ingredients that help ease throat discomfort caused by harmful microorganisms.

“These days, I use Etre Clair all the time, and I suggest for everyone to use it as often to protect ourselves, especially in these difficult times. Plus, it is organic and mint-flavored, it will leave your mouth feeling fresh,” says the Kapamilya star.

For more information about Etre Clair and exciting updates on Bea Alonzo and Beautéderm, follow @ beautédermcorporation on Instagram, like Beautéderm on Facebook, and subscribe to Beautéderm TV on YouTube.

THE country’s longest-running drama anthology returns to feature new stories of hope and triumph over life’s greatest crises featuring Sylvia Sanchez, Arjo Atayde, Angel Aquino, Jane de Leon, and Joshua Garcia.

Maalaala Mo Kaya’s (MMK) first new episode is a two-part special directed by Dado Lumibao, featuring the story of Dr. El Bactol (Arjo), an emergency room doctor who helped treated COVID-19 patients, but eventually succumbed to it.

Catch Arjo alongside his mother Sylvia and rising actress Jane de Leon. The second part airs on Saturday (Dec. 5).

Joshua, on the other hand, headlines a father-and-son feature with veteran actor Nonie Buencamino on Dec.12. Directed

by Nuel Naval, the episode talks about the life of the fisherman Layot (Nonie) and his son Maro (Joshua), who have different aspirations in life but will try to pursue them with the help of one another.

Meanwhile, Angel Aquino portrays

OFW Vagelyn Tumbaga-Pacio in the inspiring story of a single mother who became the most successful Filipina HR Director of a famous hotel in Dubai. Watch how she rose above the many dire personal struggles that came along her way this January.

MMK airs every Saturday, 8:45 p.m. on A2Z on free TV and digital TV boxes like TVplus. Digital TV box users can scan and look for A2Z channel in Metro Manila and in some parts of Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, and Pampanga.

It is also available every Saturday, 9:00 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel on cable and satellite TV (SKYcable channel 8 SD and channel 167 HD, Cablelink channel 8, G Sat Direct TV channel 22, Cignal channel 22, and in most channels operated by members of Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association) and digital TV boxes.

Sylvia Sanchez with ‘MMK’ co-stars from left Arjo Atayde, Rommel Padilla, and Hero Angeles.

Mrs. Universe PH 2019 covers ‘Miss Kita Kung Christmas’

Mrs. Universe Philippines 2019 Maria Charo Calalo-Laude launches her own rendition of the classic yuletide theme ‘Miss Kita Kung Christmas.’

Apple Records. She said that her debut album’s title Himala’y Laganap comes at a most opportune time when we are all struggling during this time of the pandemic. She hopes to do a followup album when everything is back to normal. ***

Four Fil-Aussies competing in virtual Mrs. Universe 2020 pageant Four married Filipinas, based in Australia, will comprise Team Australia in the upcoming Mrs. Universe 2020 pageant.

The four are led by Mrs. AustraliaUniverse 2020 Mary Rose Salubre, presently the national director of Mrs.

Universe Australia. The 45-year-old Leyte- and widowed women from countries around born Salubre, is a mother of two and works the world, 18 to 55 years old, having a family as a real estate practitioner and entrepreneur. and career, and are involved in a sociallyShe migrated to Australia in 1994 and has significant cause. competed internationally in 2016.

Mrs. Universe 2020 will be a virtual, Second is Mrs. Classic Universe Philippines remote pageant in the whole month of 2020 Ceres Calizo Ledesma, a 56-year-old December. Supporters can follow and vote native of Ibaay, Aklan, who moved to Australia for the four Fil-Aussie representatives at the in 1993.Aformer model, Ledesma was Face of pageant’s official Facebook account. The Asia in the 80s and now works as a Laboratory coronation is on Jan. 1, 2021.

Aide in Sydney.

Third is Mrs. Australia Oceana Universe 2020 Olivia Rosete Wheeler, a 44-year-old, mother of two kids who works as manager and barista in a Coffee Shop in Sydney.

A native of La Union, Wheeler married an Australian after she migrated to Australia in 1994. She won Miss Wow Blacktown 2014 and Mrs. Tourism Australia 2019.

Fourth is Mrs. Australia Universe 2020 Kristine Tootsie Aseron Santos, the youngest at 40 years old, works as a model and pageant coach in Sydney. Born in Manila, Santos moved to Australia in 1996 All four married women are joining the and now has three children.

Founded in 2007, Mrs. Universe pageant to gain experience and to have a voice pageant is open to married, separated, and be an inspiration to other married women.

Life

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

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HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli

deals with pandemic challenges, anxiety

E

VEN pop superstar Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli found herself anxious and worried because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just before the pandemic struck, she had just begun a new chapter of her life as a newly married woman. She had also just completed a Valentine’s concert, and was looking forward to more exciting projects for 2020.

HOW SARAH G DEALS WITH ANXIETY.

However, the pandemic put a pause to many of her plans. She saw herself constantly worrying about the health and safety of her loved ones. She admitted to playing out different scenarios in her head, which caused her much worry.

“Naapektuhan ako ng uncertainty ng panahon, lalo na at may kinakalaban tayo na virus. It was a constant battle in my mind,” shared Geronimo-Guidicelli.

It was this same concern for her loved ones, and her determination to take care of them that gave her the strength to pull herself together. She realized, “Mas maaalagaan mo sila kapag inaalagaan mo rin sarili mo.”

To cope with mental and emotional stress, the singer and actress chose to redirect her anxieties to learning new skills, which, she said, did not only help distract her but also gave her a sense of accomplishment.

“Nag-start ako by learning how to bake bread.

Noong una, hindi siya okay,” she admitted with a laugh.

In fact, when she asked her husband Now that she has her own household to to judge, head, the pop superstar is also learning “ n i l uwa how to better handle money. niya po” (Photo from Sarah Geronimo/Facebook) because it was too hard.

Singer-actress Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli shares her experience dealing with anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how she copes with it.

But she did not let this discourage her and she instead kept practicing. “I eventually learned how to bake other things, like cakes!” she proudly shared.

Geronimo-Guidicelli also honed her cooking skills, making her favorite dishes like kare-kare and pinakbet.

Even though she has been indulging in food, she still does her best to make them healthy.

She tries to be more committed to being physically active. With the influence of her triathlete husband, she has taken up running. While she’s not yet running as often as she feels she should, she is committed to do better. “Plano kong gawing regularly ang occasionally!” she beamed.

Now that she is heading her own household and looking to eventually build her own family, she has also been

learning how to better handle money.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mommy ko dahil tinulungan niya ako to manage my finances noong nagsisimula pa lang ako sa aking career. Ngayon, I’m happy to be working together with my husband and partners like Manulife to help us with our finances and plan our future as a family.”

Geronimo-Guidicelli shared that she has been putting her hard-earned money into different investment opportunities. Now more than ever, she has also developed a deeper understanding of how insurance protection can help one face the future—and even gain peace of mind in the present.

“Dahil ang daming uncertainties, one of the best things you can do is to secure your health and your future by having insurance protection.

Mahalaga rin na you are financially prepared para kahit ano ang mangyari, mayroon kang mapapagkuhanan ng suporta.”

Manulife’s HealthFlex is the first and only life and health insurance product in the market that provides customers the flexibility to select the critical illness plan that’s right for their needs, and allows them to add optional benefits of their choice.

She recognizes that people may be at different stages of their personal journeys. Wherever they may be in life, she hopes her fans and supporters can cultivate self-compassion and take time to appreciate where they are and how much they have grown.

“Huwag nating kakalimutan to not be too hard on ourselves. Enjoy the fruits of your labor,” she encouraged.

WORLD AIDS DAY:

The impact of COVID-19 on HIV-positive patients Make it a goal to finish a jug of water when exercising, and keep a glass nearby while working or studying.

5 effortless ways to stay hydrated everyday DRINK water, they said. Your body will thank you for it, they said.

But many still fail to reach the recommended daily water intake—which experts say is based on several factors such as physical activity, environment, and overall health.

To help seamlessly integrate water into one’s daily routine, a bottled mineral water brand shares the following tips:

sip whenever they are feeling parched, or before they feel thirsty. This simple routine helps cool the body down in between attending meetings, doing assignments, or taking care of household chores.

Take a sip before eating

The best starter before every meal is a glass of water, as several studies say it helps prepare the body for better digesStart the day with a glass of water tion. Drinking more liquids can also give a feeling of fullDrinking water after several hours of sleep is a good way to ness and help control appetite. It is recommended to drink rehydrate the body and get it ready for the day ahead by boosting water after an hour of eating to give body time to absorb the alertness and improving energy levels. Experts also say it helps nutrients. the body cleanse out toxins that have accumulated overnight.

Keep a glass of water while working or studying

Finish a jug of water when exercising

Take sips of water in between exercise routines to avoid Having a glass or tumbler nearby helps one easily take a feeling light-headed as exercising can drain the body’s fluids through sweat. Establish a goal to empty a full 500ml or 1-liter bottle of water as you do your workout.

Set alarms for drinking water

Refresh Mineral Water is now available in 1-liter and 5-liter bottles.

Nowadays, it is ver y convenient to set up reminders to drink water as there are apps that can help track how much water has been consumed throughout the day. These apps also help set drinking goals suited for one’s weight, physical activity, and overall health, among others.

Refresh Mineral Water by Universal Robina Corporation launches its new big packs to make it easier for individuals to reach their daily fluid intake. In addition to the 350ml and 500ml variants, the brand now has 1-liter and 5-liter bottles available in supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide.

A REPORT from the Joint United Na- navirus, alongside HIV and AIDS, has tions Programme on HIV/AIDS (UN- a greater impact on people who are AIDS) reveals that one in four people living already marginalized. Specifically, with HIV has reported problems with it is those most affected by HIV who gaining access to important medications will feel the brunt of the effects of due to the COVID-19 pandemic. the coronavirus, especially with how “For many people living with HIV, lockdowns and quarantines have made accessing antiretroviral therapy from access to much-needed antiretroviral the nearest treatment hub is a welcome medicines, not to mention visits to hosdevelopment. However, the nearest fapitals and health centers, extremely cility may not be within walking difficult. distance, and public transIn light of the current portation has been resituation, and in view stricted,” said Richard of recent data from Bragado, adviser of the D Department of Pinoy Plus AdvoHealth-Epidemi Health-Epidemicacy Pilipinas, an ology Bureau organization that shows of people 2,818 newly living with conf i r med HIV H I V- p o s He added, itive indi“To be able to viduals from reach the HIV January to clinic, some March of this need to pass year, protection through checkcheck from HIV is conpoints, where they tinuously promoted. fear disclosure Actively of their HIV doing its part status, as a few Condom brand Durex promotes the importance of in informing have already protection, preparedness, and education regarding the public on HIV through its PPE multimedia campaign. reportedly exthe imporperienced.” tance of proSimilarly, HIV programs are among tection, preparedness, and education those that have had disruptions in services, regarding HIV is Durex. Through with up to 85 percent of existing programs its latest multimedia Protection and affected based on a survey by The Global Preparedness Education (PPE) camFund, a partnership that mobilizes and in- paign—featuring vlog collaborations, vests funds to support programs towards online university talks, and e-learning AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. videos—Durex wants the public to Of even greater concern, Frontline be properly informed and kept safe AIDS further observes how the coro- from HIV during this pandemic.