Manila Standard - 2020 December 3 - Thursday

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POLL BAN ON MAKABAYAN BLOC EYED; RODY WON’T CRIMINALIZE RED TAGGING

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz, Vito Barcelo, and Rio N. Araja A GOVERNMENT body wants to disqualify the Makabayan bloc’s party-list groups from running for Congress or any public office before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said the task force is confident

there is enough evidence to bar Makabayan from running for elective office in future polls.

“Yes, I had said before that is an option, but we are doing it now. It is not only an option now, but we have firmed up our move and we will do that… you can be sure that we will go towards that direction as soon as possible,” said Esperon, a former Armed Forces chief.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier went on a tirade against the Makabayan bloc, composed of the Bayan Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 272 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PFIZER-BIONTECH VACCINE

UK first nation to okay its use Duterte authorizes local application of COVID drugs in emergency cases

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RITAIN on Wednesday became the first Western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for general use, announcing a rollout of Pfizer-BioNTech’s drug from next week in a historic advance in the fight against the coronavirus.

FIRST IN THE WORLD. Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing a hair net and face covering, poses for a photograph with a vial of a coronavirus vaccine made at Wockhardt’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wrexham, north Wales, on Nov. 30. It is not the same as the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech (inset), but with Johnson’s approval Britain on Wednesday became the first Western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for general use. Britain has been Europe’s worst-hit country during the pandemic, recording more than 57,000 deaths from some 1.6 million cases. AFP

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM DECEMBER 2)

434,357 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

Metro mayors thumb down minors malling

1,438 26,916 NEW

ACTIVE

By Joel E. Zurbano and Willie Casas

8,436

18

399,005

232

MAYORS in the National Capital Region have decided not to allow minors to go outside their home, for the meantime – at the same time that former Vice President Jejomar Binay suggested government officials should have a united voice.

Binay made this suggestion on Wednesday after observing that government officials made contradict-

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

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Anti-graft panel receives close to 100 complaints

By Rey E. Requejo

PhilHealth owes DOH won’t go Red Cross about P623m—Gordon for face-to-face

Next page

By Willie Casas STATE insurance agency Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) owes the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) some P623 million for COVID-19 testing, and the debt keeps piling higher every day, its chairman Senator Richard Gordon said Wednesday.

“It’s really nonpayment of bills on time that is killing us here. They owe Next page

school classes

By Willie Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health said Wednesday authorities were still not recommending the resumption of face-to-face classes in schools in the country as almost all areas still have Next page

“The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use,” the Department of Health said in a statement.

“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week,” the statement said. Priority groups will include care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order authorizing the Food and Drug Administration to grant emergency use authorization (EUA) to COVID-19 vaccines that will be made available here.

The EUA will reduce the processing

MEDICAL MISSION. A young boy receives a check-up and medicines from a volunteer doctor through the Philippine Coast Guard ‘Doctors on Boat’-Philippine Medical Association mission in Calumpit, Bulacan on Wednesday. The mission also distributed 650 relief packs to help with the daily needs of the affected families. Coast Guard Logistics Systems Command photo APPRECIATION.

House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez receives a plaque of appreciation from the Cooperative Sector of the National Capital Region with (from left) Carlitos Duenas, Judith A. Dela Rama, April Rose Marino of ACDI, lawyer Mariel Ursal, the secretary of the House Committee on Cooperatives Development, and Darrell A. Romo. Jun Cabasag

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Justice on Wednesday revealed the Task Force Against Corruption had received close to 100 complaints involving alleged graft and corruption in the government since it was activated last October 27.

Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said as of December 1, the DOJ’s Action Center had received 35 complaints while the Secretariat, through the Office of the Secretary, had received 63, or a total of 98 complaints.

“However, some of the complaints received pertain to the same subject so this could be further reduced,” Villar stressed.

Villar, who now serves as DOJ spokesperson, said members of the inter-agency task force have been holding meetings to finalize the set-up of their Operations Center during the Next page

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News

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

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House assures it’s safe from virus

By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas

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Strict health protocols

HE House of Representatives remains safe even after 98 individuals tested positive during its first-ever mass testing for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the OCTA Research Team on Tuesday urged local government units to strictly implement COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming holiday celebrations to prevent the expected surge of new coronavirus infections in the country.

OCTA earlier estimated that the total COVID-19 cases in the Philippines may reach up to half a million by the end of the year as the trend of new cases continue to show no signs of slowing down.

“Chances are high due to the reopening of the economy, people going out of their houses, and the deteriorating compliance with the health standards,” UP professor Ranjit Rye said in a Laging Handa briefing.

Rye, however, said that COVID-19 cases could surge past 500,000 if minimum health standards would

not be properly implemented come the holidays.

“There could be a surge if we neglect, do not comply with the minimum health requirements, and if the private sector do not enforce these in workplaces or establishments,” he said.

“Once the local government falls short of implementing these health standards surely, the country’s COVID-19 cases will soar past 500,000,” he also said.

House Secretary General Mark Llando Mendoza said the mass testing initiated by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco gave the legislative chamber a true picture of the COVID-19 situation in the legislative chamber, allowing it to determine the courses of action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in its premises.

“Rest assured, as instructed by Speaker Velasco, the safety of all members and employees of the House is our number one priority,” Mendoza said during the weekly Ugnayan sa Batasan media forum.

Mendoza also dismissed the idea that there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in the House following the result of the mass test-

ing conducted from Nov. 10 to 20, saying those who tested positive contracted the virus from their respective communities.

“We did the mass testing to find out immediately whose infected, positive with the virus. But those who are tested positive are community transmission,” Mendoza said.

He added: “Good thing we are able to identify immediately the source because it appears that the virus comes from here. That is not true. It’s not true that the transmission originates here, from the House.”

Metro mayors...

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Rody brings back Evasco to Cabinet, taps Jacinto anew

ing statements on the new lockdown policy which, he said, caused public confusion.

“We have been on lockdown for nine months. You would think that by now, government officials would have figured out how to speak with one voice. But until now, what?,” he said.

In a related development, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año urged local government units in Metro Manila and other areas under general community quarantine to draft unified guidelines for allowing minors to enter malls.

“We told them to have the same implementation from all the mayors in Metro Manila,” Año said in a television interview.

The Inter-Agency Task Force earlier allowed 15 to 65 years old to go out as the quarantine rules were eased as part of the preparation for the new normal.

In Metro Manila, the GCQ status will remain until the end of the year.

The local executives and members of the Metro Manila Council have agreed with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to wait for the expert opinion before making a decision on whether to allow minors to go to shopping malls with their parents.

The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila, is the governing board and the policy-making body of the MMDA. In a virtual press briefing Wednesday, MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said Metro Manila mayors had agreed to wait for the Philippine Pediatric Society’s opinion on easing of age-based restriction, whether minors should be allowed to go out and go to shopping malls.

“We have consulted with Dr. Joselyn Alonzo-Eusebio, President of the Philippine Pediatric Society on this matter. We will await their opinion, based on facts,” Garcia said.

Binay cited contradicting statements made by government officials on the supposed policy allowing children to enter shopping malls.

He said while one official said children would now be allowed to enter malls provided they are accompanied by their parents, another official clarified that the policy would still need ordinances from local government units.

“Then another official said it is not the right time to let children inside malls,” he said.

Binay suggested that government officials meet first and agree before making any official pronouncements.

If such a meeting is physically impossible because of lockdown restrictions, he added, these officials can always talk using group chat apps on their mobile phones.

“Or better yet, deliberate thoroughly, have everyone on board, and prepare the talking points for those who will speak to the media. Much better, just have one person talk,” he said.

Binay said any policy intended to further ease lockdown restrictions first imposed in March should always have the safety of the public in mind.

He reminded government officials

Anti-graft...

From A1 past weeks to make the newly formed TFAC fully operational.

Last Tuesday, the members of the TFAC’s Operating Center met to discuss its functions and the units under it, such as the secretariat and records custodian, Operations Center Information System, the Operations Center Evaluation Committee, special investigation teams (SITs) and the system of filing and receiving.

“Once the department order detailing the duties and functions is issued, it will be fully operational,” Villar explained.

LOCAL ROUNDUP

Minimum public health standards

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, along with Asec.

Elmer Punzalan, Metro Manila Center for Health Development OIC - Director Dr. Corazon Flores, and Celebrity Chef Margarita Fores visited on Wednesday Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City to check the adherence to minimum public health standards.

Angara: Bicam budget meeting will go smoothly

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja SENATE finance committee chair Sen. Sonny Angara on Wednesday expressed hopes the bicameral conference meeting to finalize the 2021 national budget will go smoothly, as members of both chambers of the House were focused on pandemic responses, COVID-19 vaccines and other health programs of the Duterte government.

“I don’t think there will be many disagreements (during the bicam),” said Angara.

He also said the calamity spending would also be particularly important which is one of the prime considerations.

Asked for the timeline of the budget, Angara replied, “very tricky to put a timeline.” But he said they have enough time. He brushed aside any reenacted budget for next year.

Angara guaranteed to give the Commission on Elections (Comelec) additional powers or even funds to conduct elections that meets the challenges of COVID-19.

“This is because we fall in line in polling precincts in barangays and people are at a close distance from each other,” he said.

Meanwhile, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta on Wednesday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to veto a Senate insertion removing the budget of the agency’s forensic laboratory.

At a media briefing, Acosta called the effort of Senators Franklin Drilon and Angara “a brazen act of discourtesy and disrespect” to the President.

Duterte had ordered, through former Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno, the creation of a forensic laboratory at PAO “to be primarily responsible for undertaking medico-legal and forensic-related functions and activities of the agency.”

Diokno, in the Jan. 14, 2019 twopage communications, directed the creation of positions for medico-legal officers, medical specialists, dentist, medical technologist, nurse and laboratory aide and abolished 10 positions for associate attorneys “which are no longer needed by the PAO” to fund the creation of the medical personnel.

DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Ramon “RJ” Jacinto has been named Presidential Adviser for Telecommunications, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr. was also appointed Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes, the Palace announced.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte signed Jacinto’s appointment paper on Nov. 25. He said Jacinto’s appointment will have the Cabinet rank of Secretary.

Prior to his appointment, Jacinto has

served the Duterte administration in various capacities. He was the former Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs and Information Communications Technology, with the rank of Undersecretary.

He was appointed to the DICT after Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. resigned on January 31 this year.

Roque likewise confirmed Evasco’s appointment in a statement sent to reporters.

“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed the appointment of Mr. Leoncio Badilla Evasco Jr. as Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes, with the rank of Secretary, on November 24, 2020,” he said.

Roque welcomed Evasco’s return to the Duterte Cabinet after he stepped down to run for governor of Bohol in the 2019 mid-term polls.

“PA Evasco is not new in the Duterte administration having served as Cabinet secretary in the early years of the current administration. His familiarity with the present bureaucracy would contribute greatly in his new task of streamlining government processes in the Executive.

Welcome back, PA Evasco,” he said.

Jacinto, a musician and businessman, helped campaign for Duterte in the 2016 presidential elections. He also composed a campaign jingle for Duterte. Vito Barcelo

UK first...

From A1

“Help is on its way,” Health Minister Matt Hancock tweeted as his department announced emergency use approval by the UK’s independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

“The NHS (National Health Service) stands ready to start vaccinating early next week,” he said, noting: “The UK is the first country in the world to have a clinically approved vaccine for supply.”

An initial supply of 800,000 doses will be available, Hancock said.

“This will start small and ramp up,” he told BBC radio, anticipating “millions of doses” to be available by the end of the year.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo on Friday said it is possible the vaccines may arrive in the Philippines before the end of the second quarter of 2021.

“Our best case scenario that we have presented is more or less May but for now, if we will succeed in negotiating [for] two to three vaccines from different countries, we might be able to get it during the first quarter,” Galvez said.

He said once vaccine manufacturers receive an emergency use authorization from the FDA of other countries, it will speed up the country’s own regulatory review since there has already been a thorough study of the drug’s safety and efficacy.

Domingo assured the public there would be no safety compromises, despite the accelerated schedule.

He said the FDA and Department of

Health are already working on strengthening the government’s vaccine monitoring efforts to easily spot possible adverse effects after inoculation.

The Philippines is hoping to acquire vaccines developed by the United States, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Under the agreement with AstraZeneca, 50 percent of the vaccines will be distributed to areas identified by the DOH, while the remaining half will be given to geographical areas or sectors identified by the private firm that bought the vaccine.

Dr. Tony Leachon, a former adviser to the Inter-Agency Task Force which is the government’s policy making body on COVID-19 response, earlier suggested that the government prioritize the National Capital Region, Region 4 or Calabarzon and Region 3 or Central Luzon in vaccine distribution to be able to reach the required 70% herd immunity in these economic centers in a span of two years.

“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% of the economic epicenter of the country,” Leachon said in an ANC interview.

“Once we are okay with the 70% of our economic epicenter, then we should focus on other hotspots [of COVID-19] like Davao and Cebu,” he added. AFP with Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

for Batanes. Batanes is the only place that recorded zero COVID cases for the last 2 to 4 weeks,” he said.

“Our policy right now is to continue to have no face-to-face classes.” Duque stressed, saying this was President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive.

Meanwhile, Sen. Christopher Go dismissed Wednesday calls for the resumption of face-to-face learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reaffirmed his position in support of President Duterte’s stand not to allow physical classes in schools until a safe vaccine for COVID-19 is ready for distribution, especially to the poor and vulnerable sectors.

“No vaccine, no face-to-face classes, that’s the firm stand of President (Rodrigo] Duterte … Not yet time. No vaccine yet, no face-to-face classes,”

stressed the chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.

His statement came after criticisms were raised on the reluctance of the national government to allow physical classes to resume, while permitting cockpits and other recreational activities.

While acknowledging the challenges of holding online classes, Go countered that one could not reopen schools and other educational institutions without the risk of exposing students, the school staff, and wider communities to the existing threats of the pandemic.

He said if the President would decide to allow face-to-face classes, government must craft guidelines.

For one, physical classes may only be held in areas with minimal risk of COVID-19 and health facilities in these

Muna, ACT, Gabriela and Kabataan party-list groups. He accused them as “fronts” for the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front.

Duterte’s tirade came after Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Eufemia Cullamat’s daughter Jevilyn, reportedly a medic of the New People’s Army, was killed in a clash between soldiers and communist rebels in Marihatag town, Surigao del Sur last week.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, ridiculed a suggestion to criminalize red tagging, saying the President merely laughed it off.

“I told the President last night of the idea of some to criminalize red tagging, he laughed!” Sotto told reporters in a text message.

He said it was like criminalizing name-calling.

In rejecting the suggestion, Sotto said those who felt they were redtagged should file libel cases against the people who linked them to communist rebels.

This developed as Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday lashed out at the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives for accusing the Senate of going on a witch-hunt with its hearings on red-tagging.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification, and reconciliation, said the hearings have been fair, with all sides given the chance to air their concerns.

PhilHealth...

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“It keeps on moving and moving and we want to compress [it] in such a way as in the original contract that they owe us only P100 million,” Gordon said.

PRC temporarily stopped its testing of returning overseas Filipino workers arriving in seaports and airports, and from the mega swabbing facilities through local governments in midOctober after PhilHealth failed to pay close to P1 billion.

It resumed operations after the state insurer paid the initial P500 million.

Gordon said PhilHealth President Dante Gierran had assured him that the agency has “plenty of money” and will pay PRC, but he is still worried.

He said PRC and PhilHealth agreed that the bill should be settled within three days upon receipt, but “right now, they’re averaging nine days, sometimes even 12 days before they pay.”

“I don’t want to be a hog and say take pay us first, but you see, I have no choice. If they don’t pay us, then we are forced to stop,” Gordon said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He said the PRC was responsible for 37 percent of the testing being done in Metro Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte criticized PRC last month for being greedy after it stopped testing when PhilHealth ballooned to P1.1 billion.

time for the approval of the vaccines for local use from six months to 21 days, Malacanang said.

The issuance of an EO on EUA was proposed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. The Philippines logged on Wednesday 1,438 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 434,357, after 11 laboratories failed to submit their data, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

Top cities and provinces with new cases were Davao City with 142; Laguna, 89; Quezon City, 80; Manila, 63; and Pampanga, 58.

There are 26,916 active cases, which is 6.2 percent of the total cases.

Malacanang last Friday said that the government secured a deal with AstraZeneca to receive at least 2.6 million doses of the company’s coronavirus vaccine.

The DOH also said it will identify the areas where COVID-19 vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University will be administered.

“Since this would be a tripartite agreement and the EUA (emergency use authorization) will be issued by the [Philippine] government, the allocation framework that the companies would follow would be the one prescribed by the Department of Health,” the DOH said.

DOH...

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The DOH said this amid calls for limited physical classes in certain programs.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said that face-to-face classes might resume in areas with zero COVID-19 cases.

However, during a DOH briefing on Wednesday, he said that key areas continued to report new COVID-19 cases.

“In terms of provinces, and highly urbanized cities and independent component cities, almost none of them have zero cases for the last 2 to 4 weeks,” Duque said.

“All of them recorded cases except According to her, the department order will be issued in the coming week, but she admitted that it would depend on the comments of the task force members who are also set to have another meeting.

The TFAC, headed by the DOJ, would be composed of the National Bureau of Investigation, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Special Assistant to the President, National Prosecution Service, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

It would also invite the COA, the Civil Service Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman, but with due consideration of their independence as constitutional bodies.

us, as of Dec. 1, P623.32 million.

It’s a moving target,” Gordon told ANC’s Headstart.

Gordon said the Red Cross spends about P25 million per day for testing, which goes on top of the standing debt PhilHealth owes.

PhilHealth paid some P500 million in October and another P100 million in November.

The latest reports indicate that as of Nov. 5, PhilHealth has paid P700 million to the PRC.

Poll ban...

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BOC collects Senators rally behind Rody’s call for telco firms to shape up P44b in Nov., surpasses goal

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs collected P44.691 billion in revenues in November, surpassing its collection target for the month by 5.85 percent or P42.22 million.

Based on a preliminary report from the agency’s Financial Service, 12 of 17 collection districts hit their November 2020 targets: Port of Manila, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Batangas, Cebu, Tacloban, Surigao, Cagayan De Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark and Aparri.

Meanwhile, the bureau condemned all abandoned and overstaying cargoes at the Port of Clark, including expired medicines and cosmetic products without FDA health approval at the Trece Martires City, Cavite.

The 4,146 kilograms of goods that were condemned include assorted expired medicines, food supplements, cosmetic products and expired foodstuff that were imported without permits.

From January to date, the agency said, it had already collected P493.324 billion, or 97.47 percent of its 2020 target of P506.150 billion.

For the last month of the year, Customs only has to collect P12.826 billion to meet the full-year goal.

The 2020 collection target is 30.8 percent lower than the original target of P731 billion, and by 6.6 percent from the revised target of P541.703 billion set in May. The lower revenue target is in view of the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the country.

TWO senators on Wednesday rallied behind the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to the telecommunications companies to submit their progress reports on improving their services before his imposed deadline at the end of this month.

“Together with the rest of the country, I reiterate my call for better services from our telcos,” Senator Grace Poe said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he supports the President’s directive,

having authored that provision in Bayanihan 2 suspending for three years the need for permits to construct cell towers.

“I have no written report of the number of cell towers constructed since Bayanihan 2. I only know that telco services remain bad,” Drilon said.

Poe, head of the Senate committee on public services, said Congress had done its part and “we expect improvement with the same expediency that we had in waiving

their permitting requirements.”

She also supported the President’s request for a progress report from the telcos and an assessment from the National Telecommunications as primary regulator.

“Not only are we keeping watch on the telcos but we are also monitoring the performance of the NTC,” Poe said.

She says the committee’s Dec. 7 hearing will tackle the franchise renewal of DITO. She says it is also an opportunity for the

‘Kid gloves’ handling of PITC hit

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday criticized the “kid gloves” treatment by the government on the alleged inefficiencies and shady schemes perpetuated by the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).

SC dumps graft case vs. 4 ERC commissioners

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has dumped the graft case filed before the Pasig City regional trial court against four former commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission who had been accused of allowing electric utilities like Manila Electric Company to forgo the bidding of their power supply requirements at the expense of the public.

The high court, through now retired Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., ruled that the Pasig City RTC had no jurisdiction to hear and resolve the complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against ERC commissioners Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Josefine Patricia Magpale-Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana for graft.

“All actions of and all proceedings undertaken by the RTC of Pasig City in the case are declared null and void for lack of jurisdiction,” the high court said.

It made the ruling as it granted the petition filed by the four former ERC commissioners seeking the annulment of the orders issued by the Pasig City RTC Branch 155 on Sept. 10, 2018, and Oct. 22, 2018, which denied their plea to quash the information against them.

The petitioners had sought the reversal of the judgment rendered by Presiding Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang for denying their motion to quash the information on grounds that the provisions of Republic Act 10660 do not give jurisdiction to the RTC over the criminal case as it must be tried by a regional trial court in a judicial region other than in the National Capital Judicial Region.

NTC to show the public how it has been doing its job during the ongoing pandemic.

“It should be able to show in concrete terms how it ensured the compliance of telcos for ample bandwidth allocation and availability of service and signal to its subscribers,” Poe said.

“This pandemic has shown us unprecedented demand. Better services must be delivered in the soonest possible time.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

SAVED FROM FIRE. Bureau of Fire protection (BFP) personnel help a woman come down from the roof of her house that caught fire while others on the ground (inset) try to put out the flame that broke out at the Midtown Executive Homes along United Nations Avenue in Paco, Manila on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

Drilon said Malacanang’s approach to the issue of PITC’s violations of auditing and procurement rules was “poor” and lacked “teeth”.

“The response is rather “soft”. They are treating the issue with “kid gloves”. Maybe they have not realized yet the gravity of the violations committed by the PITC,” Drilon said.

He made the statement as Malacanang ordered a review of the undelivered projects worth P33 billion “parked” with the PITC, a small trading firm attached to the Department of Trade and Industry.

“This is a see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil approach,” Drilon said. He said the government should heed the call of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for the immediate return of the P33.3 billion lodged with the PITC to provide money to the cash-strapped government to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and the onslaught from the three devastating typhoons that hit the country last month.

Drilon, who first announced the multi-billion schemes perpetuated by PITC over a decade, said the funds should be returned to the national coffers as recommended by the head of the economic team, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.

“The finance secretary and the Commission on Audit, in its report, had already concluded that the funds being held in trust by PITC should be returned to the source agencies. Moreover, the interest income earned from the trust should be remitted to the national treasury pursuant to Presidential Decree 1445 or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines,” Drilon said.

Alan renews call for disaster agency

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano has renewed his call for the establishment of an emergency response department or the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience, citing the need to invest in disaster prevention and rehabilitation programs.

“The reality is that we need a department that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to see how to make us more resilient and how to give relief and rehabilitation,” he said.

Cayetano made the statement during a visit to Sta. Rosa City and San Pedro City, Laguna, on Tuesday to distribute relief goods to more than 1,200 families affected by typhoon “Ulysses”. He also handed over relief goods to 30 families affected by a recent fire in Sta. Rosa.

Speaking to local officials, Cayetano said while local governments and national government agencies, including the

Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, may have developed systematic mechanisms for the implementation of their respective post-disaster programs, the whole government itself was not as quick and aggressive in the process of “building back better” after a devastating disaster.

“We saw during typhoon “Yolanda” how long it took the government to come in, to transport medicines, generators and everything else,” he said.

He also cited the case of Laguna, Marikina, Isabela and Cagayan where many areas were flooded during the onslaught of typhoon “Ulysses” on Nov. 11 and 12.

“It’s like what happened in Laguna where so many areas got flooded and we have places where 300 families cannot go back to their homes because the floodwaters are still high. We also saw the gravity of the situation in Marikina, Isabela and Cagayan but the government does not have a longterm plan to address it,” Cayetano said.

Villar receives Chinese youth group donations

HELP FOR VEGGIE PROJECT. Through the Villar SIPAG, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar turned over 100 sacks of organic fertilizer and 50 sets of seed packs to Don Bosco Tondo Buhay Sa Gulay Project. The senator, chair of the Senate committees on food and agriculture and environment and natural resources, has been providing means of livelihood to poor communities. The Villar SIPAG partnered with Don Bosco Tondo, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA) or this program.

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar has received some donations from a Chinese youth group for her relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donations by the Philippine Fujian General Youth Association Inc., led by its President James Go, consisted of almost 4,000 bowls of instant noodles.

Villar will in turn distribute the donations to local government units, frontliners and the people in the communities in support of the government’s fight against COVID-19 coronavirus.

The senator, who has been leading the efforts of Villar SIPAG Foundation to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the pandemic, thanked the group for its support.

Villar and her family have been helping the national government enhance its capabilities and responsiveness to the ongoing crisis. Macon Ramos-Araneta

TOURISM LEADERS MEET. Tourism industry leaders and advocates meet at the

Heritage Hotel to discuss Philippine strategies that could jumpstart domestic and foreign tourism. They explored promoting new tour products, including history and heritage destinations, holding a Philippine Food Fiesta, reviving medical and wellness tourism, strengthening MICE industry, and reestablishing cooperation between the private and government sectors. Shown in photo (from left) are Charlie Yu, PR and Consultant of Philippine Airlines; Angel Ramos Bognot, President of NITAS; Robert Lim Joseph, Chairman of SKAL and NITAS; lawyer Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones, COO of Tourism Promotions Board Philippines; and Ed Nuque, president of Philippine Travel Mart Foundation. Not in photo is Heritage Hotel General Manager Farid Schoucair.

Heavier penalties for wildlife abuse

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House committee on natural resources has approved a proposed new law that seeks to impose heavier penalties on the exploitation and abuse of wildlife.

The proposal, endorsed by the committee led by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., is a consolidation of five bills authored by deputy speaker and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Reps. Josephine Sato of Occidental Mindoro, Juan Miguel Arroyo of Pampanga, Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur and Alfred Vargas of Quezon City.

The consolidated bill calls for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats and the imposition of penalties for violations.

It would replace Republic Act 9147, enacted in 2001 during the administration of Arroyo’s mother, former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“I am happy because of the penalties.

We are prescribing longer prison terms and higher fines for those who abuse our

wildlife, especially endangered species,” Rodriguez said.

He says the country has a diverse variety of wildlife, including the famous Philippine tarsier, tamaraw and Philippine eagle.

“There are 133 terrestrial mammals, 230 birds, 244 reptiles and 97 amphibian species and 120 fishes that can be found only here,” he said.

Barzaga said the nation’s flora and fauna and their habitats “should be protected from overexploitation, destruction, fragmentation, culling, poaching, hunting, pollution and climate change for us and for future generations as well.”

He added that the existing law “has to be updated, improved and strengthened to meet and address the demands and problems we have today.”

Under the consolidated bill, the imposable penalties for serious offenses such as the illegal killing of wildlife are imprisonment of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine of P200,000 to P2 million.

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor

A4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

Villagers furious at Capas waste processing plant

By Jess Malabanan

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CAPAS, Tarlac—Residents in a farming village here are furious about the presence of a hazardous waste processing plant that have been releasing obnoxious odors, allegedly causing health problems among residents of its surrounding communities.

“The black smoke that is being released in the air from the chamber of hazardous waste processing plant has a foul and obnoxious smell. We have been experiencing health problems since the plant started its operation,” said a resident who declined to be named, citing security reasons.

The source, who resides just a few meters away from the Clean Leaf International Corp.’s hazardous waste processing plant, said most of the residents have filed formal appeals and complaints at their Barangay Hall to stop the operations of the hazardous waste treatment facility, but failed.

“We have filed complaints against Clean Leaf, but our plight landed on deaf ears of our local leaders,” another resident said while pointing to thick black smoke emitting from the plant stack.

The company has yet to respond to requests for comment as of press time.

The Central Luzon regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau 3 has issued a permit to operate to Clean Leaf signed by Raldy Pagador, officer-in-charge of the Clearance and Permits Division.

HELPING EVACUEES. Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas (center), Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (3rd from left) and Taguig 2nd District Rep. Lani Cayetano (2nd from right) distribute relief packs to some 600 evacuees at the Aplaya Elementary School in Bgy. Aplaya, Sta. Rosa, Laguna displaced by the recent floods brought about by typhoons ‘Rolly’ and ‘Ulysses.’

Arcillas and the Cayetano couple also went to Macabling Elementary School to give food packs and cash aid to around 50 families affected by a fire. Roy Tomandao

15 ‘Warriors’ aid Davao City FIFTEEN volunteer healthcare workers, referred to as “Warriors with a Heart” Batch 2 from Cagayan De Oro were deployed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SMPC) last November 29 to assist in addressing the COVID-19 situation in Davao City.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Davao under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and as the COVID-19 tally in the city reached the 9,000 mark.

The volunteers were followed by 40 more nurses from different public hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Visayas (Cebu City), who arrived in Davao City the following day. To further help in the city’s response, nearby regions also pledged to succor the necessary health workforce.

Some 35 of these front-liners, which include 33 nurses and 2 medical technologists from Northern Mindanao, will be staying in SMPC until December 14, 2020, to complement the needed human resource for health in the city.

Meanwhile, the remaining 20 nurses from Cebu City were assigned to Temporary Treatment Monitoring Facilities and Hospitals with allocated COVID-19 dedicated beds in Davao City until December 31, 2020.

All 55 healthcare providers had arrived safely in Davao City and were welcomed by the Center for Health Development in Region XI. Health Secretary Francisco Duque expressed recognition to the healthcare volunteers.

“To our valiant frontliners, we deeply thank you for your tireless dedication to our nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and for continuously providing care to all, especially to COVID-19 patients. Your service to your countrymen will forever be appreciated,” he said.Willie Casas

‘No parades in Manila in January’ M

By Willie Casas

anila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday said that any form of parade and related activities for the religious festivities in January will not be allowed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domagoso, in an Interview on Dobol B sa News TV, asked devotees for understanding, explaining that he is only considering their safety from the disease.

“Ito po ang posisyon ng siyudad. Ito po ay nakausap na namin ‘yung mga tao sa simba-

han. Sinabi namin [na] any form of parade will not be allowed,” Domagoso said.

“Pagpasensiyahan niyo na ako. Patawarin nawa ako ng Diyos pero ang iniisip ko lamang ang kaligtasan niyo,” Domagoso added.

The festivities in honor of the Black Nazarene and Sto. Niño are celebrated annually in January, which usually involve processions. Both occasions are participated in by huge crowds.

Asked if the city government would allow the “Pahalik” or the kissing or wiping of the image of the Black Nazarene, Domagoso said the activity is also prohibited.

Domagoso encouraged those opposing the city government’s decision to consider the danger in conducting processions and other related activities amid the pandemic.

“Let’s be practical about our situation,” Domagoso said.

“There is danger. Let’s accept facts.

Taguig to residents: Pay taxes early, get discount

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Taguig City government on Wednesday urged real property owners in the city to settle their annual taxes before the deadline on Dec. 31 for them to get a 20 percent discount.

For health safety and be more spacious, the local government asked taxpayers to settle all payment transactions at the Taguig Offsite Payment Center at Vista Mall Parking Building, a few kilometers away from city hall.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano urged his constituents to

take the opportunity to pay their taxes early to avoid penalties and unnecessary inconvenience.

He reminded them to practice health and safety protocols such as wearing face mask, face shields, and practice social physical distancing when paying.

“Taxes are the lifeblood of the city’s programs and social services,” said Cayetano.

He said the collected tax translates into social services and the more the city can collect, the more social services the city government can render to Taguigeños.

Isabela village blames flood on impounding dam

Bataan SP OKs P3b ’21 budget BALANGA CITY, Bataan—The Bataan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) presided by Vice Governor Cris Garcia unanimously approved the province’s P3-billion budget for 2021.

In his message during the recent SP session, Governor Abet Garcia said the 2021 budget will prioritize the programs and projects of the provincial government of Bataan aligned to its vision of attaining the highest human development index in the country, report in 1Bataan website said.

“It means additional budget has been allocated for education, health, employment, livelihood, among others,” the governor said.

Gov. Garcia emphasized that a reasonable portion of the budget will go to the funding of health programs, operation of hospitals and similar facilities, and interventions with regards to preventive measures against COVID-19 and the recovery of the economy under the new normal.

He also assured continuous support to the agricultural sector, citing the contribution of farmers to the food stability and security in the province especially during the ongoing health crisis, report said.

New programs will be introduced to the agriculture sector in 2021 through modernization such as precision farming that would increase the competitiveness of local farmers, he added. Butch Gunio

Let’s accept science. Let’s accept reality.

Marami pang paraan para mapalapit sa Diyos,” he said.

The city government announced last month the cancellation of the Traslacion in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although Manila recorded below 400 new cases of COVID-19 for the past two days, there is still a risk of COVID-19 transmission in the city, Domagoso said.

Meanwhile, Domagoso appealed to shoppers in Divisoria to strictly observe minimum health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19, after it was reported that many of them were ignoring physical distancing.

SHABU BUST. Police Col. Andres Simbajon Jr., Director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, presents

to reporters seized illegal drugs and one of the suspects during a buy-bust operation at Xevera-Bacolor on Wednesday. About P1.3 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride was confiscated from two big-time illegal drugs traffickers following operations along Calle 26 and Xevera-Bacolor on Wednesday. Jess Malabanan

CABATUAN, Isabela—An aged water impounding dam in Barangay Namnama here has overflowed when heavy rains pounded the area on Saturday (November 28).

The flooding occurred after another onslaught of heavy rains in the region few days after Typhoon Ulysses displaced thousands of people and reportedly left 73 dead.

The waist-deep flood has destroyed houses, fishponds, and crops.

A video posted in social media by Jhoven Cabucoy Carig, a local resident, showed the

flood’s damaging effect. The post has since then gained more than 36,000 views.

“There is no typhoon, just heavy rains. This is first time in history, there are houses here that could not reached by flood before,” Cabucoy said in Ilokano.

Residents are pointing the blame on National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) neglect.

A photo taken by this correspondent after the floods subsided shows that the steel floodgates are worn out and rusty, and debris blocked the flood gates.

Comply with biz ease law, ARTA asks LGUs THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) urged the local government officials to effectively implement and comply with Republic Act 11032, known as Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018.

ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica made this call as he apprised the local government officials of Western Samar and Tacloban City during the launching of the Philippine Moral Transportation at Catbalogan and Calbayog City on November 26.

Belgica served as the guest speaker for the launch of the program, an initiative of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs.

Also present were representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government,

Department of Health, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Philippine National Police.

On November 27, Belgica paid a courtesy visit to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and conducted a surprise inspection of the city’s Business One-Stop Shop, one of the services offered by the city government through the Business Permits and Licensing Division in compliance with R.A. 11032.

“The process of reforms moves around different regions in the country to strengthen our campaign against red tape. We want to make the presence of Anti-Red Tape Authority felt and bring about reforms of East of Doing Business Law for our people,” Belgica said in a news release on Tuesday.

NEGLECTED. Dilapidated steel gates of the Macañao impounding

dam could not be opened when heavy rains fell in Isabela town, flooding three sub-villages in Barangay Namnama after another onslaught of rain since Typhoon ‘Ulysses.’ Macañao dam is irrigating thousands of hectares of rice fields in Cabatuan town and Cauayan City in Isabela. Abe Almirol

Opinion EDITORIAL

Give health workers their due

R

EGARDLESS of the fatigue all of us are feeling and the prospects of a vaccine arriving sometime next year, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over as more than 1,000 cases are still being reported every day.

Today, while some people have dropped their guard—taking off their masks and face shields in public or failing to maintain a safe distance from others—more than 8,400 Filipinos have died since the pandemic began—and more than 430,000 have been infected by the coronavirus.

Nobody is more acutely aware of this than our front-line health workers, who are regularly extolled as heroes, but who we have discovered, are not treated as such.

Nurses are planning to stage a protest Friday at the Philippine Heart Center to call for the timely payment of salaries and benefits of government health workers, just a week after employees of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) staged a demonstration to call for the same.

The Filipino Nurses United (FNU) says there has been no improvement in their situation in the past months, which is why they

need to speak out.

Since the start of the pandemic, various groups have expressed dismay about the treatment of health workers in both government and private hospitals. Besides being at risk for COVID-19, nurses and other health workers have reportedly complained of salary delays.

Let’s do better by them.

The PGH health workers who protested last week said they have not received their hazard pay and special risk allowance (SRA) for the last six months.

The Department of Health says the budget should come from the University of the Philippines PGH, but PGH officials say they have no savings to pay the allowances.

Karen Faurillo of the All UP Workers Union says PGH was already in dire need of funds before the pandemic, and it was disappointing to see that the national government was passing the responsibility on to the hospital.

Someone needs to be held accountable for the delay of our COVID hazard pay and SRA, Faurillo says.

“These government agencies have all the resources and power to implement the mandated salaries

and benefits for health workers, and yet they become culprits in exploiting the front-line health workers,” says FNU national president Maristela Abenojar.

Robert Mendoza, national president of the Alliance of Health Workers, says more than 16,000 health workers who have yet to receive their COVID hazard pay.

He also questions the government policy of giving COVID hazard pay only to those working inside the COVID ward of hospitals because all hospital employees are exposed to the risk of COVID-19 and should therefore receive hazard pay.

The Department of Health says it takes the issue of delayed salaries “very seriously” and understands how health workers might be demoralized.

Its spokesperson on the COVID-19 pandemic says the department would investigate the complaints at once and come up with a solution, because it values our health care workers.

Sadly, the department has not matched its actions to its words.

Efforts to deal with the deadly pandemic have been plagued from the start by delays in the implementation of special laws that provide benefits to health workers.

We need to do better by our health workers. In putting their lives on the line for us, they deserve more than finger pointing and excuses.

Vaccination plan WITH COVID-19 vaccines now just around the corner, vaccine Czar Secretary Galvez is in negotiations for the procurement of vaccines for Filipinos.

The best-case scenario for Filipinos to start getting vaccinated is June of 2021.

The ideal situation would be for all 109 million Filipinos to be vaccinated. The apparent intention is to vaccinate between 60 to 70 million of the population which will be enough to achieve herd immunity.

President Duterte’s guidance is for the following people to be vaccinated in the order of priority. First will be the front liners. These are the medical professionals, followed by the soldiers and police then the very poor and vulnerable. I take the word vulnerable to mean the elderly who have underlying medical conditions although this was not categorically stated by the President.

At the moment, three pharmaceutical companies have announced the successful trials of their vaccines. These are Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. Pfizer reported a 95-percent efficacy. Moderna just reported a 100-percent efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19 cases while AstraZeneca reported about 90 per cent efficacy rate.

Sinovac has applied for trial in this country although the vaccine has already been used to vaccinate all Chinese military personnel. I understand that AstraZeneca is making arrangements with the Philippine government for a trial as well.

What is important for Sec Galvez to be able to select the safest, most efficacious, and an affordable vaccine.

AstraZeneca has already stated that its vaccine will be priced at about $2 a shot, or $4 for the two-shot dose. Pfizer and Moderna on the other hand said that their vaccines will cost about $15 to $20 a shot which translates to about $30 to

$40 to complete the two doses. Johnson & Johnson, another vaccine developer, has not yet announced its results but its vaccine will only require one shot instead of two. So, Johnson & Johnson might end up cheap also. The price for Sinovac I understand is going to be more expensive but vaccine czar Secretary Galvez is still in negotiations with the Chinese pharmaceutical company.

This operation is not simple.

It would therefore be interesting to see the eventual picks of Galvez who has said that his team will choose about four vaccines. Since Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson& Johnson have not applied for trials in this country, I take it that our FDA will still give its seal of approval so long as these three are green lighted by their own governments.

For now, the government wants us all to believe that there is a prepared vaccination plan. But it is beginning to look like the start of the pandemic when the IATF decided on what to do from meeting to meeting. We never saw any detailed operation plan. By the looks of it, we might experience the same thing with the vaccine. We are only seeing a bird’s eye view of the government’s intentions but no published plan just yet.

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For the vaccination program to work efficiently, it is imperative that there is detailed planning to avoid a chaotic process. Every level of government must know and understand the role that it will play.

This operation is not so simple. Storing the vaccines alone requires detailed planning and there are other steps like procuring, withdrawal and administering the vaccines, not to mention identifying those who will be vaccinated. And to think that the government is thinking of doing this from two to five years.

One great advantage of a published plan is that it will give the public time to learn, understand and adjust accordingly when the time comes for the vaccination.

One issue that needs clarification is that what the government is currently saying and what it is doing with regard to the vaccine program do not seem to match.

This is especially true with regard to the money to buy the vaccines. Perhaps, the government should level with the public and categorically state how much is available for the vaccines. Also, what happens to the people not on President Duterte’s list? Will vaccines be available in the open market for them to be able to buy?

These all need clarification by the government.

So far, there have been many press releases about the vaccine but no categorical and official government statements.

What we are sure of right now is that Secretary Galvez has signed a deal to buy 2.9 million doses from AstraZeneca. We know that there were big private companies that also signed a deal with AstraZeneca to buy a quantity of doses. We do not know the exact number.

We know of the President’s guidance.

Apart from those, only media reports and still no published detailed plan.

EVERYMAN The significance of the Internet

By Ernesto G.Banawis

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

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

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

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Real estate sector bucked pandemic downturn (Second of two parts)

—Home Development Fund (Pag-IBIG), Social Security System (SSS) THE real estate sector and Land Bank—offer has again shown its special programs for social resilience during the housing, but the amount of present pandemic. A the needed financing is too number of factors on much for the public secboth the demand and the supply side account tor to accommodate. But the huge demand for the sector’s resilient character. is there, waiting to be filled either by private The No. 1 positive factor on the demand developers, with creative financing schemes, side is the fact that shelter is one of the ba- or by the government through a more detersic human needs. Every Filipino needs a roof mined social-housing financing policy. over his or her head, whether that roof be a The non-residential element of real-escondominium unit or a house and whether it tate-sector resilience is the continued strong be owned or rented. demand for space of the BPO (business proThere is an enormous unfilled demand for cess outsourcing) and POGO (Philippine residential units in the offshore gaming outlet) Philippines. NEDA and industries. Such is the It makes sense that position that the Philipthe National Housing Authority (NHA) have it should lead the pines now occupies in estimated the housing the world BPO industry backlog at 6 million way in the economy’s that the BPO companies’ units. Over the years this coming recovery. demand for space has total has not changed hardly been affected by much because of the the long lockdown. Howcomparatively high growth ever, the POGOs’ demand rate of the Philippine population, placed by for space has declined lately partly because of the Population Commission (Popcom) at 1.9 the ban on international air traffic and partly percent per annum. because of issues with this country’s tax auThe housing industry in the Philippines is thorities. When the tax issues are satisfactorily accounted for by three income groups, namely resolved—progress is apparently being made the high-income group, the upper-middle-in- —the POGO industry’s demand for space is come group and the combination of the lower bound to return to its former levels. middle-income group and the low-income Apart from the basic market factors that group. Philippine Institute for Development consumers take into consideration when Studies (PIDS) defines rich families as fam- mulling the purchase of a product or serilies with an indicative monthly income of at vice—especially factors relating to stabilileast P190,000; for poor families it is P9,520. ty of value—real estate has in its favor atOn the supply side, the explanation for the tributes that make it a resilient investment Philippine real estate sector’s resiliency lies option. The most important of these are real in the availability of reasonably priced cred- estate’s performance, durability, verifiability it for most of the sector’s needs. The leading and superiority as loan collateral. developers are well-capitalized, and are affilThe superior price performance of real estate iated with major Philippine banks and have vis-à-vis other investment options was shown good track records with the investing public. by the most recent Residential Real Estate Price The wealthy are, by definition, capable of Index (RREPI) of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas financing their real estate acquisitions with (BSP). At a time when the Philippine Stock their own resources, indeed the pre-selling of Exchange Index (Phisix) is trying very hard high-end residential structures has proceeded not to get too far below the 7,000 mark and the uninterruptedly during the lockdown. prices indexes of petroleum and other commodThe biggest slice of the real estate pie, in terms ities are displaying volatility, RREPI recorded, of both value and volume, is the slice pertaining during the second quarter of 2020, the highest to the upper middle-group of Filipinos. This year-on-year growth in four years, i.e., since slice has been financed largely by the billions 2016’s first quarter when RREPI made its deof dollars sent home to their families by the mil- but. The Q2 2020 growth rate was 27.1 percent. lions of Filipinos working and living abroad— Those index movements are reflected by the the Bagong Bayani. That inflow of funds has latest (October 2020) Global Housing Survey been steady over the years; in recent years the Report of the international real estate monannual inflow has hovered around $2 billion, or itoring company LeadingRE (Leading Real around P100 billion. There have been fears of a Estate Companies of the World). Worldwide, massive repatriation of Overseas Filipino Work- LeadingRE reported a 68-percent increase (26 ers (OFW), but the number of OFWs who have percent significant increase, 42 percent slight lost their jobs has been lower than projected. increase) in housing prices. In Asia-Pacific, A number of banks have special programs for one of the five regions into which LeadingRE lending to upper middle-income borrowers for has divided the world, the October 2020 Reacquisitions of homes. The funds of these pro- port recorded no-decrease situations in 48 pergrams supplement the OFWs’ own funds. cent of the regional markets (32 percent price The government has endeavored to make as increase; 16 percent prices holding up). much financing as possible available to housIt makes sense that the sector that has ing for the poor—social housing—which ac- displayed resiliency during the pandemic counts for the largest part of the housing back- should lead the way in the economy’s comlog. The government financial institutions ing recovery.

Stop Kaliwa Dam fear of the people living in these areas, we cannot discount the fact that people rely so much on the protection that the mountains of Sierra Madre give against strong winds and heavy rains. Pursuing Kaliwa Dam, given the adverse environmental impact it would cause to Sierra Madre, would take away this THE Province of Quezon takes a firm stand blanket of security. Worse, it will submerge against the construction of the Kaliwa Dam communities and hectares of agricultural for many reasons. I have been vocal about land which have been the primary source of livelihood by the residents. my reservations on More than the the implementation environmental, agof the Kaliwa Dam ricultural, and ecojoint project of the nomic damages it It is simply wrong Metropolitan Waterwould cause, the works and Sewerage to subject our people Kaliwa Dam project System and China takes a wrong turn to further danger Energy Engineering by seeking funds Corporation. This and loss. from ODA loans.

P12-billion peso We have private enproject, which will tities as competent be funded from Ofand as capable of ficial Development Assistance loans from China, is set to miti- completing dam projects at a lesser cost to gate the water crisis in Metro Manila. While the government. At this point where we are the project’s goal is laudable, I cannot con- in the middle of fiscal deficits, we cannot afsent to this if it will bring more harm than ford to go deeper into the pit.

Hence, I echo the opposition of the Quegood, especially in our own backyard.

There have been vehement oppositions zonians to this project. I reiterate my call to to this project from residents of the REINA the government to seriously reconsider and area (Real, Infanta, and General Nakar) in withdraw the implementation of this projQuezon, as well as from indigenous groups ect. It would be more prudent to reassess who have been living in the area for many and choose a more viable option that would years, and environmental advocates. There is better augment the supply of potable water a legitimate fear about the effects of this proj- to Metro Manila without putting so many ect. Recall that in 2004, the massive flooding lives on the line. Our Sierra Madre which and landslides caused by Typhoon Winnie in has been a blessing to this country from the REINA area took more than a thousand above must be protected. It is simply wrong lives. Quezonians will not forget that tragedy to subject our people to further danger and loss in the middle of a pandemic and a state 16 years ago.

As successive typhoons aggravate this of calamity.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

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World

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China moves to crush HK protest movement

Biden keeps trade-war tariff on China

J

OE BIDEN will keep Donald Trump’s trade-war tariffs on China for the time being when he moves into the Oval Office next month, the president-elect has told US media.

CHINA has moved to crush Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement after huge and violent protests rocked the finance hub last year, hammering the flickering freedoms and autonomy it promised the finance hub could keep after British colonial rule ended in 1997.

On Wednesday three prominent young dissidents were jailed for their part in the protests.

Here are the key developments from recent months in Beijing’s crackdown on dissent.

First confirmation of security law On May 22 China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), unveils plans to strengthen “enforcement mechanisms” in Hong Kong.

A draft proposal for a new security law is published saying it will “guard against, stop and punish any separatism, subversion of the national regime, terrorist group activities and such behaviours that seriously harm national security.”

In a major departure from norms, Beijing announces the law will not be debated and passed by Hong Kong’s legislature, which failed to bring in a similar law in 2003 following huge protests.

Instead it will be imposed by fiat, an unprecedented direct intervention by the Manila Standard central government.

TODAY The precise contents of the legislation are kept hidden from Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents. AFP

Rancor and recrimination have defined the relationship between the world’s two biggest economies over the last four years, with Trump slapping import fees on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods with tariffs.

Biden meanwhile has been a strident critic of China’s human rights record and analysts have predicted his administration will maintain a hawkish posture towards Beijing.

“I’m not going to make any immediate moves, and the same applies to the tariffs,” Biden told the New York Times in an interview published Wednesday.

“I’m not going to prejudice my options.”

Since winning last month’s CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK presidential election, Biden has hinted at a trade policy that would mend Washington’s alliances with Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

MONETIZING A RALLY. A vendor sells ballpons in the shape of ducks and dinosaurs at an anti-government rally by pro-democracy protesters at Lat Phrao intersection in Bangkok on December 2, 2020. AFP He has said the United States must join forces with other world EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT democracies to present a united OF THE ESTATE OF THE DECEASED front in global trade policy as a ADELAIDA MANAS CARRION counterweight to China.

Notice is hereby given that the Estate of the late Adelaida Manas Carrion was extra-judicially settled, Biden has targeted Beijing on Oyeyemi said two suspects, a physPOLICE in Nigeria have rescued 10 peo“Acting on a tip-off, our men partition and adjudicate by and among heirs as per Doc. several fronts and singled out Chiple, including four children, four preg- stormed the illegal maternity home and ically-challenged man and the daughter No. 401; Page No. 21; Book No. 3; Series of 2020 before Notary Public Atty. Luisito C. Deveza. nese President Xi Jinping during a nant women and two other women from rescued 10 people, including four kids of the owner of the clinic, were arrested.

(MStandard-Nov. 19, 26 & Dec. 3, 2020) debate with other presidential can“The operator of the centre is on the an illegal ma- and six women, four of whom are pregdidates in February. ternity home, nant,” police spokesman Abimbola Oy- run but we are intensifying efforts to ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. arrest her and bring her to justice,” he a spokesman eyemi told AFP. (O R M E C O, Inc.) “This is a guy who doesn’t have ✉Brgy. Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro said WednesHe said the women told police that said. a democratic — with a small d — ☎043.288.7801 / 288.7802 / 288.7803 Fax No. 043.288.7804 Oyeyemi said the operator had been day. the owner hired men to impregnate them E-mail: ormeco_coop@yahoo.com Website: www.ormeco-inc.com bone in his body,” he said then. previously arrested for the same ofThe opera- and then sell the newborns for profit.

“This is a guy who is a thug.”

INVITATION TO BID The “factories” are usually small il- fence. tion was carHis campaign also referred to “She had been standing trial for huried out at the legal facilities parading as private medi1.

ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ORMECO, INC.), the crackdown on the Muslim Uithrough its BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC), hereby intends to apply so-called “baby cal clinics that house pregnant women man trafficking after her arrest early this ghur minority in China’s Xinjiang the sum of Thirty-Six Million Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Two Hundred year but she was on bail when she went factory” in the and offer their babies for sale.

Twenty-Seven Pesos and 54/100 (₱ 36,390,227.54), inclusive of all applicable province as a “genocide,” provocataxes and fees, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), for the In some cases, young women have back to her usual business.”

Mowe area of procurement, supply, labor and delivery of materials/supplies/equipment for tive language to Beijing with poPolice raids on illegal maternity the southwest- been held against their will and raped the Technical Services Department; tential ramifications under internaern Ogun state before their babies are sold on the black units are relatively common in Nigeria, 2.

ORMECO, INC. now calls for the submission of Letter of Intent by interested tional law.

AFP market especially in the south. AFP on Tuesday. bidders thru email at ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com. The list of the ORMECO,

Nigerian cops rescue 10 from illegal maternity home

INC. Eligibility Requirements may be viewed at www.ormeco-inc.com, https:// web.facebook.com/OrmecoOGMOfficial, and may be requested through email ormeco_coop@yahoo.com, including the numbers listed above. An amount of two hundred fifty pesos (₱ 250.00) is required as Accreditation Fee;

3.

ORMECO, INC. now invites suppliers for the following: LOT

ITEM DESCRIPTION

ABC (INCLUSIVE OF VAT)

COST OF BID DOCUMENTS (NONREFUNDABLE)

I

Supply of Materials & Labor for Distribution Line Extension (36 Sitios of Congressional District 1 & 2)

₱ 32,585,507.54

₱ 25,000.00

II

Supply of Materials for House Wiring (36 Sitios of Congressional District 1 & 2)

₱ 3,804,720.00

₱ 5,000.00

4.

5.

6.

FUNDING SOURCE

2020 SEP GAA Subsidy

Due to COVID-19, in compliance with the Community Quarantine (CQ), Online/Virtual Bidding Conferences will be conducted. Stable internet connection is required to all prospective bidders during the conferences. BAC shall not be liable in any unexpected disruption due to poor/unstable signal which may cause loss of connection and inability of Bidders to engross with the conferences.

For Additional info please be guided in the following: (please refer to Online Bidding procedures) a.

Payment of bidding documents shall be deposited to BAC bank account (to be email by BAC secretariat). b.

Prospective bidders must submit to the BAC via email the scanned copy of validated bank deposit slip / screenshot of successful electronic fund transfer as proof of payment. c.

Scanned copy of Bidding Documents will be sent by the BAC secretariat upon validation that the payments are credited to the coop’s bank account. d.

ID number or link of the Online/Virtual conference will be provided

by BAC secretariat Online Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the NEA Memorandum NO. 2017-019: Revised Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures for Electric Cooperatives, IRR-RA 10531 (2017); All video conferences shall be recorded in CD/DVD for reference and other purposes.

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows: ACTIVITIES

SCHEDULE

Release of Invitation to Bid

03 December 2020 (Thursday) Available for viewing

Submission of Letter of Intent thru email / Availability of Bidding Documents

04 December to 09 December Office Hours, at ORMECO, INC. Office (ormeco.bac.official@ gmail.com)

Online/Virtual Pre-Bid Conference

10 December 2020 (Thursday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

9:00 am for Lot I & II

Deadline of Bid Submission (ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com), Opening and Evaluation of Bids (Online/Virtual)

23 December 2020 (Wednesday) at ORMECO, INC. Board Room

9:00 am for Lot I 2:00 pm for Lot II

Post-Qualification

28 -29 December 2020 (Monday and Tuesday)

Approval through Board Resolution and Issuance of Notice of Award

Board Meeting for the Month of January 2021

Delivery Schedule

To be announced during the Pre-Bid Conference

7.

Only those who have bought the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to attend or participate during the Online/Virtual Pre-Bidding Conference, where their presence is MANDATORY;

8.

All bids shall be opened and read in the presence of Bidders or their duly authorized representatives. All bids shall be accompanied by a scanned copy of validated bank deposit slip or screenshot of successful electronic fund transfer representing payment of bid bond equivalent to 2% of ABC.

9.

The winning bidder shall issue Performance Security in the form of Cash, Cashier’s Check, Manager’s Check, issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank, equivalent to five percent (5%) of the ABC; and

10.

ORMECO, INC. reserves the right to accept or reject any bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, INC. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

(Signed) VICENTE V. FERRERA Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)

(Signed) ATTY. NORBERTO M. MENDOZA Head Of Procuring Entity (HOPE) (MS-DEC 3, 2020)

Thai PM wins crucial legal battle to stay in office THAI Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, under pressure from months of street protests, Wednesday survived a legal challenge over his living arrangements that could have seen him thrown out of office.

The kingdom’s nine-member constitutional court ruled that Prayut was not guilty of conflict of interest by living in an army residence after leaving the military.

“The status of General Prayut Chan-O-Cha as prime minister and defence minister remains unchanged,” the head judge said.

The court ruled that Prayut’s status as prime minister entitled him to live in the house even though he stepped down as army chief in 2014.

The ruling, though widely expected, is likely to inflame the protest movement that has shaken Thailand since July calling for Prayut, who came to power in a coup, to quit.

As the judgment was read out, pro-democracy protesters massed for a fresh rally at a major intersection in northern Bangkok.

“I’m not surprised because I think the court received the directive from the top and the court is not fair,” Reeda, 26, a graduate student, told AFP as demonstrators gathered at Lat Phrao intersection.

“In the past they always decide decisions that contrasts with the feeling of the people.”

The judge said the military had changed the status of the residence from an army house to an guest house in 2012 “so technically, the defendant’s no longer living inside an army house”.

PM relaxed The main opposition party Pheu Thai brought the legal challenge, which if it had succeeded would have forced Prayut and his cabinet out of office.

The premier has previously argued his family must stay at the army house on a military base for security reasons.

He appeared relaxed on Tuesday ahead of the decision, saying he would send his lawyers to the court but would not go in person. AFP

CAMPAIGN RALLY. Ugandan musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine (center), greets supporters as he sets off on his campaign trail towards eastern Uganda, near Kayunga, on December 1, 2020. Bobi Wine is concluding his campaign rallies all over the country in preparation for the upcoming 2021 elections, where he will be challenging Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 35 years. AFP

Israel coalition gov’t nears collapse ISRAEL’S precarious coalition government was set to move closer towards collapse on Wednesday with lawmakers expected to approve a preliminary measure to dissolve parliament, raising prospects of elections next year.

In a primetime televised address on Tuesday, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, the key coalition partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said his centrist Blue and White party would back a bill to dissolve the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.

But Wednesday’s parliamentary vote on an opposition proposal marks only a first step.

A bill to dissolve the Knesset will require three additional successful readings

before new elections must be called.

But Gantz’s decision to side with the opposition, at least for now, highlights the widening cracks in Israel’s centre-right coalition, imperilled from the start by mistrust, infighting and public recriminations.

“I had no illusions about Netanyahu,” Gantz said in his Tuesday speech. he reminded Israelis that he battled the prime minister in three consecutive inconclusive elections that did not allow either leader to form a majority government.

Gantz said he decided to agree a unity government with Netanyahu, who he knew to be a “serial promise-breaker”, because he wanted to spare Israelis “an ugly and costly” fourth election, especially as the coronavirus pandemic was accelerating. AFP

Nike ad highlighting racism and bullying causes stir A NIKE advert highlighting racism and bullying in Japan has caused a stir on social media, with some users even calling for a boycott of the company.

Nike, which sponsors biracial Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka, released the two-minute commercial on Monday and it has since racked up more than 14 million views on Twitter.

The Japanese-language clip, titled “Keep Moving: Yourself, the Future”, shows three teenage girls of mixed or nonJapanese heritage being bullied at school

before finding confidence through their football prowess.

It had been liked more than 50,000 times on Nike Japan’s YouTube channel by Wednesday, but also disliked by over 30,000 viewers -- many of whom accused the sportswear firm of anti-Japanese sentiment.

One scene shows a girl wearing traditional Korean clothes being stared at by passing businessmen, while another shows a group of girls surrounding a classmate whose father is black and touching her hair.

Osaka, who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a father from Haiti, makes a cameo appearance as a biracial girl watches her on a smartphone.

The video sparked online debate, with some calling for a boycott.

“Goodbye Nike,” one Twitter user wrote in Japanese. “Our household won’t be buying any more products from you.”

Another Japanese user wrote: “Isn’t sport about having fun? Is it fun to use it to take out your frustrations?” AFP

Business

B3

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks advance; JG Summit, Metrobank up S TOP GAINERS PSEi December 2, 2020

1

MFIN

LAST PRICE 2.71

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.54 24.88%

2 3 4

LPZ IPM FPH

3.71 5 73

0.63 0.59 6.8

20.45% 13.38% 10.27%

5 6 7

FAF SLF REG

0.65 2000 3

0.05 150 0.2

8.33% 8.11% 7.14%

8 9 10

ATN ATNB CA

1.07 1.08 55.05

0.06 0.06 3

5.94% 5.88% 5.76%

TOCKS climbed for the second straight day on declining COVID-19 cases in the country, lifting prospects for further reopening of the economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 71.06 points, or 1 percent, to 7,080.62 on a value turnover of P8.8 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 116 to 108, with 39 issues unchanged.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group rose 5.5 percent to P72.25, while Dito CME Holdings Corp., the third major telecommunications company, increased 3.9 percent to P6.69.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the

second-biggest lender in terms of assets, climbed 2.9 percent to P49.20, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. added 2.3 percent to P849.

The rest of Asian stock markets were mixed Wednesday after the previous strong run-up, with profit-taking playing against vaccine prospects and renewed hopes for a fresh US stimulus.

Britain became the first Western country to approve a vaccine as it gave the go-ahead to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for rollout from “next week,” while several other pharma giants have submitted theirs in the US and Europe, fanning optimism that the world economy can finally get back on course in 2021.

And in a sign that the outlook is improving despite the coronavirus still

surging, the OECD said it expects this year’s contraction to be slightly less than previously forecast.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each surged to fresh records as traders returned to buying after taking a breather Monday following a blockbuster November.

Asia struggled to build on Tuesday’s strong gains. Tokyo, Sydney and Taipei rose, while Seoul and Jakarta put on more than one percent but Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Singapore, Bangkok and Wellington all fell.

Still, Kathryn Rooney Vera at Bulltick LLC told Bloomberg TV: “Markets are closing out a phenomenally volatile year in a euphoric manner. Markets are in a full bull scenario.”

Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare

Biden pledges help ‘on the way’ for US economy

TOP LOSERS 1

LFM

LAST PRICE 59.5

% CHANGE CHANGE -7 -10.53%

2 3 4

MWIDE VVT BHI

9.19 14.02 0.033

-0.72 -0.98 -0.002

-7.27% -6.53% -5.71%

5 6 7 8 9 10

COAL MB CYBR SOC TECH ALLHC

0.295 0.43 0.335 0.69 6.68 3.05

-0.015 -0.02 -0.015 -0.03 -0.29 -0.13

-4.84% -4.44% -4.29% -4.17% -4.16% -4.09%

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

MBT BPI ALI BDO SMPH AC DITO JGS MWIDE SM

VOLUME 13,310,100 7,691,110 12,510,700 4,031,010 9,239,800 391,140 48,950,000 4,486,050 28,342,900 241,950

VALUE (PHP) 647,265,090.00 616,408,438.50 500,265,385.00 422,503,439.00 350,740,610.00 329,930,110.00 324,790,931.00 314,634,649.50 262,509,008.00 248,884,905.00

Airbnb pursues valuation of up to $35b in IPO filing NEW YORK―Airbnb is seeking to raise some $2.6 billion in its upcoming share offering, which could give the home-sharing giant a valuation as high as $35 billion, an updated regulatory filing showed Tuesday.

The California group said its initial public offering would include some 51.9 million shares in a range of $44 to $50.

The latest filing appeared to confirm an upbeat outlook for Airbnb, which has claimed its home-sharing model has proved resilient during the global coronavirus pandemic with travelers seeking safer lodgings and avoiding crowded hotels.

Airbnb offered no date for the start of trading, which is expected sometime this month under the trading symbol ABNB. The company may still update its offering price, but at current levels the valuation would be as much as $35 billion including restricted stock and options. The IPO would raise between $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion at the current range.

The San Francisco-based startup released details of its finances last month as part of its regulatory filing.

It delivered a $219 million profit in the three months ending in September, but nonetheless lost $697 million in the first nine months of the year amid a 32-percent revenue drop as the COVID-19 outbreak crushed the travel sector.

Airbnb revenue slipped to $2.5 billion in the first nine months of 2020 from $3.7 billion a year earlier. Its losses for the nine-month period were roughly in line with last year’s level.

The company has had mostly losing quarters, according to the filing, but has reported profits in the third quarter of each year from 2018.

But Airbnb said its unique business model has proven to be valuable both for hosts and travelers seeking a safe environment during the global health crisis.

The Airbnb listing comes amid a flurry of public offerings, many from the tech sector and on-demand economy, which have seen resilience and growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week food delivery service DoorDash said it aimed to raise upwards of $2 billion in a stock market debut valuing the startup at more than $25 billion. AFP

products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the first vaccine Wednesday and it would be “made available across the UK from next week.”

The drug, which was shown to be 95 percent effective in trials, will first be given to care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

While vaccine hopes—and the expected economic recovery they fuel—continue to be the main driver for equities, investors were given an extra boost Tuesday when a bipartisan group of lawmakers offered a $908-billion compromise to pass a much-needed US rescue package.

The move comes amid fears that millions of Americans will lose crucial financial support over the festive period.With AFP

Pedestrians walk past a Debenhams department store in London on December 1, 2020. Debenhams and Topshop-owner Arcadia, two of Britain’s biggest clothing retailers, stood on the brink of collapse Tuesday following coronavirus fallout and fierce online competition, risking the loss of 25,000 jobs. AFP

Collapse of two British retailers puts 25,000 jobs at risk

By Ben Perry LONDON―Debenhams and Topshopowner Arcadia, two of Britain’s biggest clothing retailers, stood on the brink of collapse Tuesday following coronavirus fallout and fierce online competition, risking the loss of 25,000 jobs.

British department store chain Debenhams said it was set to close for business save for an unlikely rescue, meaning around 12,000 jobs were set to go.

The business, which had been struggling long before the pandemic, made its announcement after British clothing retailer Arcadia fell into administration late Monday, putting at risk a further 13,000 roles.

The news comes on the eve of England exiting a second lockdown which has battered in particular the nation’s retail and hospitality sectors.

Debenhams, whose history dates back to the late eighteenth century, said in a statement that it would continue to trade through its 124 UK stores and online to clear stock after retailer JD Sports pulled out of rescue talks.

“On conclusion of this process, if no alternative offers have been received, the

UK operations will close,” it added.

Debenhams, which has already been shedding thousands of jobs ahead of and during the pandemic, currently employs around 12,000 staff―mostly being paid by the government under its COVID-19 furlough scheme.

“All reasonable steps were taken to complete a transaction that would secure the future of Debenhams,” said Geoff Rowley, one of the administrators acting on behalf of the group.

“However, the economic landscape is extremely challenging and, coupled with the uncertainty facing the UK retail industry, a viable deal could not be reached.”

‘Tragic’ Debenhams collapse comes as the future of Arcadia hangs by a thread.

Arcadia, which owns a number of brands including Topman, Evans and Wallis which sell also in Debenhams’ stores, blamed its tumbling into administration largely on coronavirus fallout.

However like Debenhams, Arcadia has struggled to adapt from a bricks-andmortar business into an leading online company.

Senior government minister Michael Gove on Tuesday queried the nature of

Arcadia’s collapse.

“The Arcadia story is a tragic one, I’m not going to criticize any individual but there’s been a lot of reporting that points out some of the missteps by the management there,” the key ally of Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sky News.

“We know more broadly, to be fair, that the high street is facing unprecedented pressure, significant part of that of course is COVID.” ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ “A nightmare before Christmas is unfolding for 25,000 employees who will lose their jobs if buyers are not found for parts of both businesses,” said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

“Arcadia group’s collapse has set off a domino effect, with JD Sports pulling out of talks to buy Debenhams.

“Arcadia is the biggest concession operator in Debenhams and so its collapse into administration clearly put the frighteners on management,” Streeter added.

Arcadia owner Philip Green―once dubbed “the king of the high street”― already saw his reputation severely hit by the high-profile collapse of UK retailer BHS four years ago. AFP

WILMINGTON, Delaware―Presidentelect Joe Biden presented his economic team on Tuesday and pledged they would lead the charge on a plan to provide more relief for the faltering US economy, which his nominee for Treasury secretary called an “American tragedy.”

The diverse group, featuring women and minorities in key roles, is set to inherit the fallout from millions of job losses―including an ongoing wave of corporations laying off workers and small businesses shutting their doors as the number of virus cases spikes.

Even with good news on possible vaccines, economists warn they may not come soon enough to prevent further damage as an initial sharp recovery loses steam.

“I know times are tough, but I want you to know that help is on the way,” Biden said at the event to introduce the “tested and experienced” team led by former Fed chief Janet Yellen, his pick for Treasury secretary.

He called on Congress to rapidly approve a “robust” new relief package, but said anything accomplished by the lame-duck legislature will not be enough.

“We need to act now and we need to work together,” Biden said, promising to “build a new American economy that works for all Americans.”

He said his team already is working on a new plan that can be launched “on day one” to revive the economy and create more than 18 million jobs through investments in infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing.

The world’s largest economy shed more than 20 million jobs in the early weeks of the pandemic, and has regained only about half of those.

Yellen previously made history as the first woman to lead the Fed, and would score another first if confirmed as Treasury secretary, a job that has never been held by a woman.

She is well regarded for navigating the central bank through the aftermath of the global financial crisis, and said the country is facing another “historic” crisis that is hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest.

Yellen warned that “inaction will produce self-reinforcing downturn causing yet more devastation.” AFP

PH becomes dumping ground for obsolete Chinese steel technology THE Philippines is fast becoming China’s favorite dumping ground for an outdated steel technology that Beijing itself has banned in 2017.

The repercussions of the irresponsible shipment of steel plants using induction furnace (IF) technology to the Philippines are grave for the country― they stunt the development of a genuine steel industry and significantly contribute to air pollution.

It is a well-known fact that smog blanketed Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics mainly because of polluting factories that include obsolete IF facilities. China until 2017 had over 600 induction furnace producers manufacturing substandard quality steel products. The factories had a combined capacity of around 120 million tons, although their total output in 2016 amounted to just 30 to 50 million tons.

China finally banned steel plants using the IF technology in 2017, resulting in cleaner air in the northern Asian country.

That decision mothballed around 120 million metric tons of production capacity.

Unfortunately, China’s dirty junk is finding its way into the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The ASEAN Iron & Steel Council has expressed alarm over the unwanted transfer of technology.

“Our main concern arising from the above development is that ASEAN is becoming a dumping ground for these obsolete and outdated machinery and equipment, which, because of their inherent technology limitations and constraints, could adversely impact the orderly development of the iron and steel industry in the region,” says the council.

The induction furnaces, according to the council, “produce substandard quality steel products and are environmentally unfriendly as they emit uncontrolled harmful gases and particulates and consume higher electrical energy than electric arc furnace.”

The increasing shipments of IF plants to the Philippines are disturbing.

The country now has 13 IF plants from just five in 2015, or from just 200,000 MT of production capacity to over a million MT now. Thus, instead of having a state-of-the-art steel industry, the Philippines now have plants using obsolete and highly polluting technology. That means a lot of smog.

More alarming is the fact that IF produces steel products of inconsistent quality that explains the proliferation of substandard steel across the Philippines.

Test-buys from hardware stores by the private sector and examinations by a government laboratory have shown

that rebars and angle bars in the country do not comply with product standards.

These are apart from unmarked and unregistered products, possibly because of smuggling and the output of IF plants.

Official records have named errant IF companies like Real Steel, Philippine Koktai Metal, Metrodragon, among others, as the alleged source of substandard products.

Lax permitting rules How China’s IF technology ends up in the Philippines is interesting. It all starts in the permitting process where some lawyers found a loophole in the rules. IF companies apply with local government units for permits by underclaiming their production capacity at just 30,000 MT per year. A higher capacity will require the attention of the head office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, where vetting is stricter.

The loose rules have clearly resulted in the exponential rise of dirty steel facilities in the Philippines and the underdevelopment of the local industry.

Modern steel plants are actually sprouting all over the country but these efforts could be sabotaged by the flood of IF into the country.

Authorities should be reminded about the spotty compliance monitoring in Boracay Island, which virtually turned

into a cesspool because of the inept administration of the local government unit. The local steel industry is heading in the same direction unless the national government takes over the permitting process for IF. The ASEAN Iron & Steel Council has noted that IF plants have no process of removing the harmful elements in the liquid steel, resulting in inconsistent quality of steel products produced. This, in turn, is a safety hazard since these steel products are used in construction of buildings and infrastructures.

“The operation of these induction furnaces also harms their workers and surrounding communities since they generally do not have dust and emissions collecting equipment.

Harmful gases and dusts generated during the scrap melting are just allowed to be emitted directly to the environment,” the council said.

The Philippines has a disaster waiting to happen if authorities do not act fast.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

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

B4

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 71.06 PTS. 7,080.62

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

3,902,790,821 174,125 8,802,826,067.92 108 116 39

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.1100

Japan

Yen

0.009588

0.4613

UK

Pound

1.341800

64.5540

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129001

6.2062

Switzerland

Franc

1.111482

53.4734

Canada

Dollar

0.773276

37.2023

Singapore

Dollar

0.747887

35.9808

Australia

Dollar

0.736900

35.4523

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652309

127.6026

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266631

12.8276

Brunei

Dollar

0.745101

35.8468

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033058

1.5904

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.0990

Euro

Euro

1.207100

58.0736

Korea

Won

0.000904

0.0435

China

Yuan

0.152207

7.3227

India

Rupee

0.013609

0.6547

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.245218

11.7974

New Zealand

Dollar

0.706300

33.9801

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035072

1.6873 Source: BSP

SMC set to finish P352-m community in Sariaya, Quezon

Business Foreign chambers promise to deliver $50-b investments

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Joint Foreign Chambers on Wednesday renewed its commitment to deliver up to $50 billion in foreign direct investments and generate 3 million jobs over the next 10 years.

“As Arangkada Philippines starts its second decade, the Joint Foreign Chambers is setting a new target for the next decade of $50 billion in foreign investment and 3 million new jobs from the Philippines. After all, the word Arangkada means to accelerate,” American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines president Peter Hayden said in a virtual conference during the second day of the Arangkada Project Philippines 2020.

Hayden said the combined investments from companies belonging to foreign chambers reached $8.3 billion in the last 5 years from 2015 to 2019, almost hitting the $10-billion target set in 2010.

He said the government and investment promotion agencies were instrumental in achieving the previous targets and that the chambers would continue to expect the same level of commitment from the government to reach the full potential of the new targets.

“We’ve agreed to announce our new target for added for-

eign direct investment and jobs in the Philippines. Just 10 years ago, we targeted $10 billion in additional FDI and 1 million additional new jobs, assuming reforms are being made.

I’m pleased to announce that these targets were achieved,” he said.

Hayden said the JFC continued to believe in the enormous potential of the Philippines to generate FDI with the right policies for investment.

European Chamber of Commerce president Francis Nabil said that given the economic impact of the pandemic, the Philippines future was not canceled, but “it was postponed.”

“We are optimistic [of the target]. It’s important for us to be in a position to unfold this potential, and if we want to deliver, if we want to achieve this target, we will have to decisive, and to work hand in hand with the government as the JFC has always been doing. If we just sit at this, this will not be realized,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines said the lifting of the ban on open pit mining could unlock the potential of $1.8 billion in additional exports and about P12 billion in revenues for the government.

CMP president Gerard Brimo said an additional revenue stream was expected from three major open-pit projects that were forced to shut down when the ban was enforced.

“So you can imagine the social development that can take place in these areas in Mindanao,” he said in his remarks during the Arangkada forum.

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said Wednesday its planned P352-million sustainable community in Sariaya, Quezon, the site of an integrated agro-industrial complex, is nearing completion.

San Miguel said in a statement 127 families, who relocated from the town’s risky coastal areas, already transferred to SMC’s 5.4-hectare San Miguel-Christian Gayeta Homes while more families were expected to move to the subdivision in the coming weeks.

“We are building a community where people will have access to jobs and services and have the opportunity to make a difference. It’s a place that will stand the test of time, one where people of this and the future generation will want to live and work,” San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said.

“This housing community that includes the Fisherman’s Dock and the San Miguel Market is an integral part of our investment in Sariaya, Quezon. With our extensive experience in high-quality housing developments, we have designed a safe space that allows members of the community to sustainably farm and fish, and also provide them additional training so that they help us build our facilities in Sariaya together,” Ang said.

Aside from the 450-unit housing complex, the conglomerate also built the Sariaya Fisherman’s Dock and the San Miguel Market to provide families with the means to thrive and develop resilience in the face of challenges.

The multi-purpose fishermen’s dock, sitting on a 3.5-hectare property, aims to increase the resilience of fishing communities as it can secure more than 100 boats, particularly during typhoon season. The Sariaya Fisherman’s Hall can serve as a rest area and storage for 70 boat engines and other fishing implements.

The construction of the 450-unit housing community started in April 2019 and was formally turned over to SMC on Nov. 25, 2020.

Each housing unit in the community, built under Housing Land Use Regulatory Board standards, has a lot area of 54 square meters that can fit a bedroom, toilet and bathroom, kitchen, dining area and loft capability.

COLLABORATIVE PLATFORM. The

Gov’t prepares for dual-tranche benchmark-sized dollar bond sale

By Julito G. Rada CREDIT watchers S&P Global Ratings, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service on Wednesday assigned investment-grade scores to the Philippine government’s proposed dual-tranche and benchmark-sized US dollar-denominated bond offerings that will mature in 2031 and 2045.

The proceeds from the bond issuances are intended for general purposes, including budgetary support.

The Bureau of the Treasury did not comment on the size of the offering, but its bond offering in April raised $2.35 billion.

S&P said the new notes “represent direct, general, unconditional, unsecured, and unsubordinated obligations of the sovereign, and rank equally with the Philippines’ other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations.”

Moody’s said the rating mirrored the government of the Philippines’ issuer rating of Baa2 or investment grade. The Baa2 issuer rating was characterized in recent years by strong economic performance, a strengthening fiscal position and limited vulnerability to external shocks, although the global coronavirus pandemic will disrupt or potentially reverse these trends, it said.

Fitch said the rating was in line with the Philippines’ long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating of ‘BBB’ with a stable outlook. Fitch affirmed the Philippines’ rating on May 7, 2020 but revised the outlook to stable from positive.

Moody’s said structural credit challenges included low per capita income and some constraints to the quality of institutions, which stand in contrast to strong policy effectiveness.

IN BRIEF Mitsubishi gets deal to upgrade MakBan

BATANGAS PORT EXPANSION. Asian Terminals Inc. kicks off the Batangas Port expansion project in support of the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ flagship program and in line with its investment commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority.

Leading the soft groundbreaking ceremony are ATI vice president for Batangas and Laguna Rodrigo Sanchez (second from left), PPA Batangas port manager Joselito Sinocruz (third from left, along with representatives from NW Steel Technologies and PPA.

Megawide denies violating anti-dummy law in teaming up with Indian firm GMR

By Darwin G. Amojelar MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. on Wednesday denied allegations it violated the anti-dummy law when it teamed up with GMR Infrastructure Limited of India for the operation of Mactan Cebu International Airport.

“GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. denies all of the allegations … and it will vigorously defend itself and exercise all legal remedies to protect it from this contemptible action,” Megawide said in a statement.

“As of writing, GMCAC has not received any correspondence from the Department of Justice regarding the alleged complaint,” it said.

Megawide issued the statement after a website reported that its chairman Edgar Saavedra was facing charges before the Department of Justice for allegedly violating foreign equity restrictions.

“GMCAC is proud of its performance and its business success as the

airport operator of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Such malicious publicity does a disservice to Filipino airline passengers and to the many men and women who make GMCAC an outstanding company,” Megawide said.

“We, together with GMR, upon official receipt of correspondences, will answer such allegations, and we are confident that these will not prosper in court,” it said.

Megawide said it strictly adhered to pertinent laws, rules and regulations, including those relating to government bids.

“We have done so at the MCIA and will continue to do so for the proposed rehabilitation and transformation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” Megawide said.

“Attempting to bring down capable and qualified local players for their own vested interests at a time of crisis is anti-progress and anti-Filipino. Crab mentality is a roadblock to inclusive economic recovery that we must fight and overcome,” it said.

Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program in the Philippines, inaugurates the Enhanced Manufacturing of Protective Wear and Equipment for COVID-19 Response in the Philippines or EMPOWER PH project, a collaborative online platform to connect various stakeholders and manufacturers to facilitate and accelerate the production and distribution of personal protective equipment in the country. Joining the virtual event are (front row, from left) Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Philippines Deputy Resident Representative Enrico Gaveglia and DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group Rafaelita Aldaba.

NOW Group taps Nokia to roll out 5G services in PH THE NOW Group of Companies said Wednesday it tapped Finnish technology leader Nokia to roll out 5G or fifth generation standalone network in the Philippines.

Now Corp. and Now Telecom Company Inc. said in a statement they signed a memorandum of understanding with Nokia to introduce 5G network and 5G use cases in the country.

NOW Group founder and chairman Mel Velarde said the agreement would bring about the multi-gigabit broadband Internet era in the Philippine telecom, media and technology markets.

“NOW’s strategy is clear—to expand its current guaranteed service to high-end markets via 5G fixed wireless access and extend this compelling customer experience to consumers via 5G mobile cellular broadband service.

Having no legacy networks, NOW’s Stand-Alone 5G network shall rise above competition. With Nokia as our technology partner, we are confident NOW and its customers would succeed,” he said.

Under the MOU, the collaboration among the parties will focus on the expansion of NOW Telecom’s broadband telecom network by rolling out 5G standalone network in the Philippine market.

Joint development may be undertaken under the scope of the MoU which also provides a strategic direction for all parties leading to a commercial framework agreement.

The collaboration will also focus on the appropriate use cases of the 5G technology.

Nokia had 133 commercial 5G contracts worldwide as of end-November, positioning it as a global leader in the delivery of 5G solutions.

Nokia Philippine country manager Andrew Cope said that, “we’re delighted to support NOW in realizing the full vision of 5G. 5G SA, with its high speed, low-latency performance and edge computing will enhance business processes, bring new applications and benefits to consumers and the wider industry.” Darwin G. Amojelar

MITSUBISHI Power Ltd., a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, said Wednesday it received an order to upgrade the 458-megawatt MakBan Geothermal Power Plant in the provinces of Batangas and Laguna.

“The abundance of geothermal reserves in the Philippines makes it key to achieving the country’s decarbonization and energy security goals. As a world leader in geothermal power generating capacity and after-sales service, Mitsubishi Power is excited to partner with AP Renewables Inc. in upgrading the Makban Geothermal Power Plant and further unlocking the potential of this energy source to provide clean and reliable power to the Filipino people,” said Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. managing director and chief executive Osamu Ono. APRI owns and operates the Makban Geothermal Power Plant while Mitsubishi Power delivered the first geothermal power generating unit in 1979 with nine other units progressively installed over the next two decades until 1996.

Mitsubishi Power said it would supply a new set of steam turbine components with optimum design for Unit No. 1 in to optimize its performance and minimize geothermal steam consumption per power output.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Fruitas Holdings expands overseas

FRUITAS Holdings Inc., a leading food cart operator in the country, started its overseas expansion with the opening of a franchised store in Dubai on Monday.

Fruitas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its first franchised store under Fruitas House of Desserts brand is located inside BurJuman, a prime shopping mall in Dubai.

“We are excited to bring Fruitas to Dubai.

The Fruitas brand, with its suite of fresh and healthy products, is universal and exportable to a lot more territories outside the Philippines,” said Fruitas president and chief executive Lester Yu. The Fruitas House of Desserts outlet in Dubai offers several product lines such as fruit shakes, pearl shakes and milk tea, fresh fruit desserts, halo-halo and fresh lemonades.

It also offers fresh beverages and Filipino desserts to both locals and overseas Filipinos living in the city. Jenniffer B. Austria

PCC allows Marubeni’s stake in diesel plant

THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the acquisition by Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corp., a subsidiary of Marubeni Corp., of a 50-percent stake in the 150-megawatt diesel power plant in Pililla, Rizal owned

by ACE Endevor Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AC Energy Philippines Inc. ACEN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday it received a copy of the PCC decision finding that the transaction “will not likely result in substantial lessening of competition” and resolving “to take no further action with respect to the proposed transaction among Axia, ACEN, Endevor and Ingrid Power Holdings Inc.” ACEN signed a shareholders’ agreement with Endevor and Axia in July for the development, construction and operation of the 150MW diesel power plant which is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2021.

Under the agreement, Axia will acquire 50 percent of the shares and 50 percent of the economic rights in Ingrid Power Inc., the special purpose vehicle of the Ingrid project. ACEN will hold 50 percent shares and 45 percent of the economic rights, with Endevor having a 5-percent share of the economic rights in Ingrid. Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Superal wary but ready for 2nd Ladies PH Golf romp PRINCESS Superal is making it simple facing the difficult challenges in golf’s return in new normal, rewarding herself with a runaway five-stroke victory in the recent ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge, the first of two Ladies Philippine Golf Tour events slated after an eightmonth hiatus due to pandemic.

“I think the key (to every victory) is preparation,” said Superal, who shuttles to and from Orchard and Manila Southwoods to sharpen her skills and stay in competitive form.

Heading to next week’s ICTSI Riviera Championship, the 22-year-old reigning Order of Merit champion is taking the same approach—train hard, stay confident and have a positive mindset.

“During this pandemic, I’m able to refresh my mind and set new goals,” she said.

But she expects the rest to do the same or even prepare harder in their attempt to stop her from essaying a sweep of the bubble tournaments at the challenging Langer layout.

Abby Arevalo, who marked her pro debut with a runner-up finish at the Couples course, is toughening up for the 54-hole championship, also at Southwoods, with the likes of Pauline del Rosario, Chanelle Avaricio, Chihiro Ikeda, Marvi Monsalve, Cyna Rodriguez and Gretchen Villacencio likewise working double-time to reach competitive level by Dec. 8.

To make things simpler under strict Covid-19 protocols and new guidelines, Superal said she is toning down expectations but stressed the need for a strong start for the proverbial momentum.

“It’s really tough having to go through the process but we feel very safe with the health protocols,” she said. “While I feel upbeat, I don’t want to expect much although a good start would surely boost my confidence.”

Playing without the help of a caddie also makes each bidder’s campaign a lot tougher but the petite, talented shotmaker said she and the rest are getting through with the challenges and thankful for the opportunity to compete again.

“It’s hard doing it all from the tee to the green by yourself but we’re coping up and we’re happy to be able to play again,” she said. “We’re really thankful to the ICTSI and the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. for scheduling two tournaments to end this pandemichit season. These also serve as our warm-up tournaments for next year.”

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

Princess Superal: The key to every victory is preparation.

Kouame moves closer to Filipino naturalization

F

ORMER Ateneo Blue Eagles’ slotman Angelo Kouame is now a step closer to becoming a naturalized Filipino.

The 22-year-old Kouame received the news on Wednesday when the House Committee on Justice approved on first reading a measure seeking naturalization for the 6’10” center from the Ivory Coast.

The bill will go through second and third readings before being elevated to the Senate. After a Senate approval, the bill will lapse into law after 30 days, but President Rodrigo Duterte can sign it before the 30 days are over to speed up the process.

Only then can Kouame suit up for Gilas Pilipinas and possibly see action in the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers.

Kouame, who hails from Abidjan, was recently named to the Gilas Pilipinas pool, which recently swept Thailand in the November window of the qualifiers held in Manama, Bahrain.

Because he was still not eligible to play, Kouame

was not able to join the team on the trip to the middle east country.

“Gilas Pilipinas is in need of a new breed of players, and I am hopeful that we will be able to include Mr. Kouame to their roster. But of course, we need more

Angelo Kouame

like him to ensure not only an exciting start but more importantly a strong finish in the next FIBA World Cup,” said Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Deputy Speaker Roberto “Robbie” V. Puno, who sponsored the bill supporting Kouame’s naturalization.

Last Monday, the De Liano brothers Juan and Javi took turns in rattling their Thailand rivals with their outside shooting.

This allowed young Gilas Pilipinas side to post their third straight win in the qualifiers, repeating over an experienced Thailand squad, 93-69.

The Philippines now owns the solo lead in Group A. Congress has already granted Philippine citizenships to American cagers Andray Blatche and Marcus Douthit, who both hail from New York.

Under FIBA’s internal regulations,”foreign-born players with bloodline connection with the country they want to represent must prove their legal nationality through a passport obtained before turning age 16. Players who obtained their passport afterwards can still play but they would be considered as “naturalized” players by FIBA, rather than as a local. FIBA allows one naturalized player to be on the roster of a national team per game.”

Globe gives support to pro boxer Martin ALWAYS on the lookout for promising athletes and potential world champions, Globe pledges its support to boxer Carl Jammes Martin as he takes on a veteran fighter from the South in a bantamweight showdown in the Omega Pro Sports International’s two-part “bubble” boxing action on December 18 in Cebu City.

Martin, who hails from Hingyon, Ifugao and is fondly called, “Wonder Boy,” remains undefeated in 15 professional fights. 14 of these wins came via knockout as Martin promises to be the next big thing in Philippine boxing. He is being touted as the second coming of boxing icon and eight division world champion Senator Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is also the latest Globe Ambassador.

“We see the vast potential of Carl as the next Filipino world boxing champion. Despite his young age, he Carl Jammes Martin, who hails from Hingyon, Ifugao and is fondly called, “Wonder Boy,” shows discipline, humility and hun- remains undefeated in 15 professional fights. ger to be the best in his chosen sport.

We would be more than happy to ing glory and fame to the country quiao has done and continues to do help him realize his dream of bring- just like what Senator Manny Pac- so until now,” said Ernest Cu, Globe

President and CEO. Martin, who proudly shows his Ifugao roots when he enters the ring, is coming from impressive wins against an array of seasoned fighters in 2019 such as as Petchorchae Kokietgym (3rd round knockout) and Yuttichai Wannawong (1st round TKO) both from Thailand and Filipino veterans Venezer Alolod (7th round KO) and Philip Luis Cuerdo (3rd round KO) before the COVID-19 pandemic halted his rise in the packed bantamweight division for most of 2020.

He won the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation bantamweight crown after stopping Alolod in September last year. Martin retained his title three months later by knocking out Cuerdo. He is currently ranked number 39 by the World Boxing Council.

Aside from being undefeated, Martin is a social media sensation as his last four bouts posted by his fans on YouTube have generated millions of views.

Catalan wants to test Masunyane’s striking PHILIPPINE martial arts veteran and former ONE World Title challenger Rene “The Challenger” Catalan is on the comeback trail.

Catalan, no. #3-ranked strawweight contender, will take on undefeated South African stinger Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane at ONE: BIG BANG, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore this Friday, 4 December.

The 41-year-old is eyeing a return to title contention, and he wants to make a case for a rematch with Filipino compatriot Joshua Pacio, reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion, with a victory in his next contest.

“I feel excited to be back in competition. This is what I love to do. It’s where I belong,” said Catalan.

“My goal is to come up and take the

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top ranking in the division, so expect me to fight strong. I am hungry and I will fight like it so I can reach my goal of being number one again and challenging the champion once more.”

Against Masunyane, Catalan faces a top-ranked South African flyweight from Johannesburg who began wrestling at the age of seven. He is a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and a regional wrestling champion. “Little Giant” is known for his explosive style, featuring dynamic takedowns, smothering top control, and powerful right hand.

As such, Catalan has prepared himself with the right skills to combat Masunyane’s many strengths.

“Bokang Masunyane is a hungry young lion. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s really strong and has good wrestling skills. As soon as we scouted him, we

started working on how to defend his wrestling. It’s going to be an explosive fight. I know Bokang is really hungry to win this fight, but I am hungry to bounce back as well so I can get another World Title shot,” said Catalan.

“I’ve worked a lot on my wrestling over the past few years, and I’m at a point now where I am comfortable. But my strength will always be in my striking. I am a wushu sanda striker, and I will strike with him.”

ONE: BIG BANG is the first of ONE Championship’s live event offerings in the month of December.

The main event features a showdown between ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia of the Ukraine and challenger Murat “The Butcher” Aygun of the Netherlands.

Rene “The Challenger” Catalan

Suspension huge blow for netters, says Treat Huey THE clamor for the Philippine Tennis Association to get its act together in the face of a two-year suspension slapped on it by the International Tennis Federation, is getting stronger as tennis champions and many-time national team players Treat Huey and Johnny Arcilla have already voiced out their displeasure over the sports association for not addressing the issues that led to the ban.

“I have heard rumours about the ITF suspending PHILTA. If my fellow players are barred from Davis Cup and other international team competitions, it would be a huge blow to our livelihood in an already trying time.

The athletes should not suffer because of what’s happening behind the scenes that we have no control of and are not aware of,” said Huey.

“I really hope there is going to be an upcoming election that keeps the players informed and aware especially in the tough times we are in right now. I just want to have the chance and be able to get back to competing again after what was a crazy 2020,” Huey added.

“Kailangan ayusin agad ng PHILTA itong gusot na ito, make changes for the betterment of Philippine tennis, like programs for national athletes. Kawawa kaming mga players, especially the national team players and upcoming junior players na apektado nitong suspension na to,” said Arcilla.

These come from the heels of another national team player in Francis Casey Alcantara and a parent of an upcoming junior player expressing concern over the situation.

ITF President David Haggerty noted that the association is made up of an “exclusive membership base,” which does not qualify PHILTA to be a national sporting federation.

The events that transpired also prompted Haggerty to ask from PHILTA its plan of action in diversifying its membership so that an election may take place.

Haggerty also noted that NSAs must comprise of regional representatives of sports organizations and should be presided over by sporting clubs.

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Sports

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

Australian Open set in February; players to train in quarantine Mike Saguiguit

Saguiguit named Altas coach MIKE Saguiguit was officially appointed as head coach of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Tuesday night.

Anton Tamayo, the school board’s liaison officer in charge of the athletic program, made the announcement of Saguiguit’s new responsibility as the person handling both the high school and college basketball programs.

He took over from Frankie Lim, who resigned several months ago.

“He’s now the coach starting December 1,” said Tamayo, who played for the Altas for several years.

Saguiguit had actually been handling both squads on the interim basis since Lim left last September and should have the full coaching rein in leading the Altas back into Final Four conversation after missing the cut a season ago.

He, however, relinquished the high school team to Joph Cleofas, who is one of his assistants.

“He will be the new high school coach, but I will still look after them as we only have one program,” said the 46-year-old Saguiguit.

Aside from 6’7” sophomore Mario Barasi, Jr., Saguiguit said they have retained the core of the team from last season, headed by skipper Jielo Razon, Ben Adamos and Tonton Peralta.

A Michael Jordan 1984 signing day Chicago Bulls official NBA game jersey (estimate $200,000-$300,000) is displayed beside U.S. President Barack Obama’s 1978-1979 game worn high school basketball jersey from Hawaii’s Punahou School (estimate USD $150,000-$200,00) and a Lebron James gifted official rookie year NBA game worn and signed Cavaliers jersey (estiamate USD $100,000-$200,000) are displayed at a media preview of Julien’s Auctions Presents Icons And Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll, Hollywood and Sports in Beverly Hills, California. The auction will take place live and online from December 1-4 at a press preview of Julien’s Auctions Presents Icons And Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll, Hollywood and Sports in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Warriors, Wizards have players with COVID-19 W

ASHINGTON—Two players for the Golden State Warriors and another for the Washington Wizards have tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA clubs announced Tuesday as individual 2020-21 pre-season workouts began.

Warriors general manager Bob Myers said his club delayed the start of individual player workouts until Wednesday, with group sessions to start next week.

Wizards coach Scott brooks said an unidentified player on his roster has tested positive and will be unable to participate in training camp this week.

The NBA’s health-and-safety protocol says any player who tests positive, even if not displaying symptoms of the virus, must wait 10 days or test negative twice at least 24 hours apart and then be monitored in individual workouts for two more days before he can return to the club.

Solo workouts are set through Saturday with five days of group workouts starting Sunday before NBA pre-season games begin December 11 and the regular season starts December 22.

Among those starting work Tuesday were

the Brooklyn Nets, with Kyrie Irving and injured Kevin Durant set to take the court together for the first time later this month.

Durant, a two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and 2014 NBA MVP, has been recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals playing for the Warriors while Irving played only 20 games last season before a right shoulder injury shut down his season.

New Nets coach Steve Nash said the pair were “healthy, in shape and looking great” but it remains to be determined how they will be used in pre-season games.

Durant said he feels “good” and has worked out with Irving up to five times a week to prepare for the season.

“I am excited about the first day and putting on my practice jersey again,” Durant said. “It was a cool feeling.”

Meanwhile, Boston Celtics guard Kem-

ba Walker will miss the start of the 202021 NBA season after receiving a stem cell injection in his left knee, the team announced Tuesday.

Walker was an All-Star last season when he averaged 21.2 points, a teamhigh 4.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game for the Celtics.

The 30-year-old will be sidelined until early January as he works to strengthen his knee. The upcoming campaign begins on December 22 with pre-season contests starting next week.

Walker consulted with multiple specialists in early October and was put into a 12-week program to boost his leg strength.

While he is expected to start on-court work early in December, his status for games will not be determined until the first week of January at the earliest, the team said.

The Celtics also said second-year guard Romeo Langford, who had successful surgery in September on a torn right wrist ligament, continues rehabilitating his injury and forward Tristan Thompson suffered a hamstring strain during an off-season workout. AFP

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THE BOTTOM LINE LITO CINCO THE local horse-racing industry has been in the doldrums for the past years now with sales decreasing every year.

But do not tell that to former Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos, one of the top racehorse breeders in the country, as he has produced some of the best horses local race fans have seen.

I was very fortunate that he agreed to a rare one-on-one interview the day after his super horse Heneral Kalentong fashioned an impressive come-from-behind victory over Winner Bidder, and with it, capped this year’s pandemic-hit racing season with a Triple Crown victory.

Earlier this year, Heneral Kalentong, named after a busy street in Mandaluyong, where the Abalos family has reigned in the local political scene for close to four decades anchored on good governance, also won the previous two legs. The victory earned for

AthletesPro, the Official Distributor of the Under Armour brand in the PH, confirms that the sportswear brand’s in-demand mask is now available in select brand houses.

nearest Under Armour store near you, such as Under Armour Bonifacio High Street, Under Armour SM Mall of Asia, Under Armour Trinoma, Under Armour Megamall, Under Armour Greenbelt 3 and Under Armour Robinson’s Magnolia to check out its availability until supplies last.

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You may also join Under Armour Philippines’ official Viber Group via this link to receive more updates.

Benhur Abalos sets bar high Benhur his second Triple Crown, with his horse Hagdang Bato doing it first in 2012.

Truth is, it should have been the third for Benhur, as another super horse of his, Ibarra, was poised to win after the ruling the first two legs in 2007. But with a minor chip bone injury prior to the final leg, Benhur, mindful of the future of his his prized entry, decided not to enter Ibarra to avoid a possible careerending situation. And so it came to pass that after passing up that race, when Ibarra, an older sibling of Hagdang Bato returned to the race track, it won the prestigious Presidential Gold Cup the following year.

For those who have long been racing fans, it really does not come as a surprise at all as Benhur has already carved an impressive niche as a champion horse breeder since he went on to breed horses in 2004. I would say he has certainly set the bar high with what he has accomplished, attested to by the numerous awards he has received. And so the first question I tossed at him in our interview was what is the secret of his sustained success in breeding race horses. Of course, I had to ask him, too, why he even went into that, busy as he was with his political life that has seen him serve as Mandaluyong mayor for five terms and congressman for a term.

His reply was simple, the secret is no secret,

but a complete package of practical things guided by science and computers. The number one he told me was to look at the pedigree of each horse and see the winning history of its parents with records from way back easily available. Then, he studies the conformation of a horse, the little things that indicate that once in action, it will be a harmony of motion in running. There is also what he calls nicking, which is trying to fit the best match of parents through genes. What comes next is the rearing part, which actually starts with the mother’s proper nutrition while it is pregnant and all throughout the growing years of the offspring.

The environment, particularly in the weaning stage, which may psychologically affect the horse, is also taken into serious consideration by Benhur. Next is the patience on the part of the breeder—that he would only enter his horse in a race at the proper time, not too early, not too late to build its confidence. It goes without saying that one has to have a good team composed of trainers, groomsmen and jockeys, and all of these, Benhur has in his horse ranch in Lipa City, where I will shoot a future episode of The SWAB, My Sports vlog on You Tube. I even kidded him that I would like to interview Hagdang Bato, now happily retired. Unfortu-

MELBOURNE—The start of the Australian Open will be delayed until February 8 because of coronavirus prevention measures, a newspaper reported, as negotiations on players’ arrival and quarantine in Melbourne continued on Wednesday.

International players would be allowed by the Victoria state government to arrive from January 15-17, according to detailed plans seen by French sports daily L’Equipe, meaning the first Grand Slam of the year will be delayed by three weeks.

The proposals would allow players to train during a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

Tennis Australia would not comment on the report on Wednesday, which came a day after CEO Craig Tiley said arrangements for the tournament, originally scheduled for January 18-31, would be revealed soon.

“We are confident we will be in a position to finalise details for the Australian Open 2021 very soon,” Tiley tweeted Tuesday.

“Everything will require approval and agreement from the Victorian government before it can be confirmed,” he added.

Tiley had originally wanted players to fly in from mid-December so they could undergo quarantine before playing traditional warm-up events before the Grand Slam.

But state premier Dan Andrews reportedly only wants players to arrive from early January—making it impossible to play the build-up events before the original start date.

Andrews said Wednesday he remained committed to holding the tournament, but safety was paramount in a state that only recently emerged from a months-long lockdown to eliminate a second wave of COVID-19.

“Only the Australian Open is a tennis tournament in a city where it can likely be assumed that those players will bring the virus here,” he told reporters in Melbourne.

A February 8 start date for the Australian Open could allow for a week of warm-up tournaments after the players emerge from quarantine, but would likely mean the men’s flagship ATP Cup would be among the build-up events that have to be scrapped in 2021. AFP

nately, without any successor, unlike Ibarra, who has produced several winners already.

I just learned though that Ibarra had passed away a few months back.

How he got into horses is a similar story with others, he rode his first horse up in Baguio and he was fascinated by these creatures ever since. But it was only after Dandansoy, the first race horse that he and his initial partners bought and was a surprise winner in a big race, that he got hooked into breeding horses. Ironically, he does not bet on his horses, but targets instead the purses offered. Just this year for his Triple Crown victory, he would pocket close to P6 million and says he has more than recovered his investments from all his winnings in the past.

He admitted that every year is a challenge for him as new entries emerge, but his first Triple Crown win in 2012 for him had the bigger impact. He described that achievement as different, unforgettable and euphoric, and the fact that he is the one who breeds these winners and not just owning them, gives him a bigger sense of fulfilment.

But then he admitted, too, that the local race industry is facing very big challenges and in 2019, its gross annual sales dipped by around 50%. This year it got a double whammy with the pandemic.

But the dreamer that this man is, he has accepted the challenge. In fact, together with a group of other horse owners, Ben-

hur bought out the franchise of Metroturf owner Dr. Norberto Quisumbing, saying it was high time that horse owners themselves owned a race track. Well, not really own as they rent the facilities from Quisumbing, but the renewal of the franchise was handled by Benhur practically alone, representing his group in the Senate and Congress.

That does not end the problem though as he enumerated what ails the industry and on top of the list is the over taxation, hit particularly by the recent TRAIN Law. The continued operation of illegal bookies is hurting the industry, and the fact that racing fans are diminishing in number, affected by the co-relation of the sport with gambling, the younger generation, too, has not found horse racing an attraction. But if you think these problems discourage this guy, sorry. He says he is a dreamer and accepts the challenges.

Fact is, he has a plan already on what steps to make, but then that would be for a Part 2 as I also would be sitting down with another race horse owner Reli de Leon, who is now a commissioner of the Philippine Racing Commission.

Meanwhile, this Sunday, THE SWAB will have Ai Lebornio, the University of the East head coach of the women’s senior team and an assistant coach, too, of the national women’s squad. She will be our featured guest as we tackle the reasons why some athletes, who make it big in their heyday, still end up poor.

Entertainment A

GREAT voice deserves to record a great composition.

ALISAH takes on Cecile masterpiece

Alisah Bonaobra's latest digital single "Faithful" is a composition by Cecile Azarcon (inset), best known for her other spiritually-engaging piece, the classic "Lift Up Your Hands."

uplifting song given that the tunesmith is the same person behind the classic “Lift Up Your Hands” popularized by Basil Valdez.

Netizen Stuart Blackwell noted having experienced “intense goosebumps” listening to it for the first time. Someone from Malaysia, Shaf Vogue, to express approval, commented that “Faithful” “deserves more likes and views.”

The video, which features Alisah in the act of laying down her vocals with some poetic sunlight backdrop, was hailed by the singer’s fanbase stronghold Alisah Warriors themselves, commending, “Congratulations to the whole production behind this another successful music video.”

Despite the pandemic, Alisah's career is on a roll this year, releasing four songs empowered by her voice.

Last October, she ensured listeners of good days ahead with “Kahit Na Malayo Pa Ang Pasko.” Her first song under a new management, “Ginto Ang Sandali” came out in April, followed by “Gintong Tinig” last August.

The stars aligned as the RJA headquarters and Cecile AzarconInocentes happened to be both weaving magic in the San Francisco Bay area.

“Sobrang overwhelmed po ako sa blessings na dumarating sa akin kahit na may pandemic. Nagrequest po ako ng English song to interpret at ang binigay sa akin ay isang magandang composition na sinulat ni Ms. Cecile,” shared Alisah who recently chatted with members of the press via the zoom app.

The composer’s brilliance cannot be overstated. While that liturgical Basil classic may fit as her signature hit, other gems she scored are as memorable, including “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin” (Martin Nievera), “I Think I’m In Love” (Kuh Ledesma), “How

Did You Know” (Chiqui Pineda), “Even If” (Jam Morales), “Special Memory” (Iwi Laurel), “Reaching Out” (Gary Valenciano), and “Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga,” another Basil favorite.

The OPM icon related, “The music and lyrics just flowed together and fell into place as I reflected on the many times that I have experienced God's faithfulness in my life.

Even in those times when I have not been faithful to Him, He remained faithful to me. May this song remind us that whether we are in good or bad times, God’s caring presence and unfailing love will prove to be our greatest treasure, security, and blessing.”

With “Faithful,” Alisah is extra grateful she was able to further honed her skill under the stewardship of vocal coach Arnie Mendaros and Cecile herself.

“From a songwriter’s perspective,” the lady OPM stalwart added, “Alisah was able to capture my sentiments which is actually a testimony of my own personal walk with God.”

‘Project GO’ unveils Top 4 contestants competing for a million prize PROJECT GO, a reality show that gives Filipino entrepreneurs a chance to pursue their dream business ventures, has revealed in its latest episode the Top 4 contestants vying for the P1 million cash prize to help make their dream business a reality.

Presented by GoDaddy, the company empowering everyday entrepreneurs worldwide, in collaboration with AXN, the show named AO Innovations Tech (represented by Arnel Andal), Loop Store PH (created by Dominique Trinidad and Pocholo Espina), Mindoceo (founded

by Ryan Marcel Ibay, Calvin Lorenzo Borja, and Noelle Sofia Mison), and Staffz (represented by Pearl Janine De Guzman) to proceed to the next stage of the Project GO competition From hundreds of entries received from aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs during the Open Auditions held for three weeks in August, selected hopefuls with the most promising business ideas moved on to pitch directly to the show’s Mentors: Maggie Wilson (Owner, Acasa Manila); Bea Cupin (Lifestyle & Entertainment Editor, Rappler); the Tung Brothers: Mikko (CEO & Co-Founder, Odd Job Bob), Macky (Vice President of

Mindoceo, a digital private tutoring service for elementary and high school students, with founders Ryan Marcel Ibay, Calvin Lorenzo Borja, and Noelle Sofia Mison.

Advertising, Ligo and Co-Founder, Odd Job Bob) and Mark (Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Ligo); and Tina Shieh (Marketing Director for Asia, GoDaddy).

Derek Wong, KC Global Media Asia’s Vice President and Head for Production and Creative Services, said, “From the beginning, Project GO has hoped to seek out ingenious, innovative ideas that have

the potential to turn into fruitful and thriving businesses, and the hundreds of Filipino entrepreneurs that heeded the call did not disappoint. It was not an easy task for the Mentors to shortlist only four candidates out of the many promising ones that they reviewed. All of the contestants demonstrated a very high entrepreneurial spirit, which shone through despite the challenge of not being able to be physically present on set.”

Tina Shieh, GoDaddy Marketing Director for Asia and a Project GO Mentor remarked, “This whole process has deepened our understanding of the Filipinos’ admirable entrepreneurial spirit. With high hopes, we intend to further hone their skills, build on their ideas’ potency, and help them bring their dream ventures into reality. No matter what happens, they are all winners and we wish everyone the best of luck.”

Project GO airs every Thursday at 8:25 p.m. on AXN. Weekly simulcasts are also available on AXN Asia and GoDaddy Asia’s YouTube channels.

For more information on Project GO, visit the official website: www.axn-asia. com/ProjectGO.

Smart to stream 2020 MAMA live for Filipino K-Pop fans K-POP stans won’t have to miss the much-anticipated 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards (2020 MAMA) because, for the first time ever, mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. will exclusively online stream Asia’s biggest awards ceremony to Filipino audiences live via the GigaFest.Smart portal on Dec. 6, Sunday, at 5:00 p.m., Philippine time.

This year’s MAMA will crown the best of the best South Korean acts who have taken over the world in various categories, such as Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Worldwide Fans’ Choice, and more.

Aside from the awarding, the ceremony will also feature spectacular performances

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

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Elliot Page trends on Twitter after coming out as transgender

YUGEL LOSORATA

That exactly what had been achieved when crowd-pleaser Alisah Bonaobra, who wowed audiences in X-Factor UK and The Voice of the Philippines, interpreted a song called “Faithful” written by songwriting legend Cecile Azarcon.

The track, dropped in digital stores last week, quickly gained traction when its official music video was uploaded on YouTube by RJA Productions, which has well-managed Alisah in these hard times.

Simply said, it has all the marks of an

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

by phenomenal K-Pop groups, including Ateez, BTS, Cravity, Enhypen, (G) I-DLE, GOT7, IZ*ONE, Mamamoo, Monsta X, NCT, Oh My Girl, Seventeen, Stray Kids, The Boyz, Tomorrow X Together, Treasure, TWICE, and more.

All Smart Prepaid and Smart Postpaid subscribers can stream the show live on the go. Simply turn on your Smart mobile data, visit GigaFest.Smart on your browser, and click ‘Watch Now.’ While streaming, you can go all-out and turn on your light sticks, dance to the hits of your idols, and connect with fellow K-pop fans here and abroad.

Apart from bringing the 2020 MAMA live to fans, Smart continues to bring the K-drama and K-culture enthusiasts

closer to their love for all things Korean with GIGA K-Video 99, which comes with seven-day premium subscription to K-drama streaming service Viu, 1 GB for Viu every day for seven days, and 2 GB of open-access data.

To register to GIGA K-Video, go to GigaLife App and choose GIGA K-Video or dial *123# and select GIGA K-Video from the Giga offers listed.

For updates on the 2020 MAMA and the latest Smart promos and services, follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ SmartCommunications, and Twitter and Instagram at @LiveSmart and use the official hashtags #Smart2020MAMA and #SmartKLife Dubbed as Asia’s biggest music awards and global music festival, 2020 MAMA will feature performances from the biggest K-pop act like BTS and TWICE.

THE Oscar-nominated star of Juno has come out as transgender, introducing himself as Elliot Page Tuesday in social media posts that voiced joy at sharing the news—but also fear over a possible backlash.

The actor formerly known as Ellen Page thanked supporters in the trans community for helping him on his journey to "finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self."

"I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer," wrote the Canadian-born Page, who has recently starred in Netflix superhero series The Umbrella Academy.

Page, 33, burst onto the Hollywood scene with an Oscar-nominated role as a pregnant teenager in 2007 sleeper hit Juno.

The actor also appeared in the 2009 roller derby comedy Whip It, the 2010 science fiction hit Inception opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, and the 2012 Woody Allen comedy To Rome with Love.

Page came out as gay in 2014, quickly become a flagbearer for Hollywood's LGBTQ community, and married dancer Emma Portner in 2018.

While largely absent from big-budget Hollywood blockbusters since 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past, Page has repeatedly shrugged off suggestions of being typecast or shunned by Tinseltown.

"The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now... I'm scared of the

Heart

Evangelista’s best accessory FASHION, wherever you are in the world, changes as seasons shift. When summer transitions into the rainy season, trust the shortest of dresses to become the longest of clothes.

Fashion also responds to the call of the times. During this pandemic, PPE’s and face masks have become the current “in” thing to sport by Manila’s stylish set.

But while fashion adapts to changes, and addresses certain needs, one thing that never goes off season is the need to care for health. Luckily, the women of today have certainly learned to take a more proactive stance towards their health. Unlike a fashion emergency that may leave a gaping hole, or a loose button, they understand that it may take more than a minor stitch or a small patch to address health conditions.

Because 2020 has put us amid a terrible health war, immunity has become not just a buzz word, but the battle cry. And while immunity is something some women have invested in like a good piece of clothing or shoes, some have taken the extra step to put their hearts and minds to where their total health is concerned.

More and more women have learned not just to value a stronger immune system, but to give equal importance to caring for the other parts of their body, particularly their skin. Feeling and looking good on the whole, makes them feel healthier and more confident.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and it makes perfect sense to give it due attention. At about age 30, Filipinas start experiencing early indications of aging including dry skin and wrinkles.

The Oscar-nominated star of "Juno" has come out as transgender, introducing himself in social media posts as Elliot Page.

invasiveness, the hate, the 'jokes' and of violence," wrote Page in his post identifying as transgender.

Page also railed against politicians who "criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist," as well as influential public figures who use "a massive platform who continue to spew hostility towards the trans community." "(Y)ou have blood on your hands. You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community," added Page, noting high rates of attempted suicide among the community. AFP

Heart Evangelista is the face of adult Vitamin C brand Poten-Cee

Women do not realize it but these are actually telltale signs that their skin may be dehydrated, or lacking in moisture.

Other signs of dehydration could include dull, tight, sensitive skin, flaky skin, and at times, fine lines. Unbeknownst to many, even oily skin could be considered dehydrated skin.

With this in mind, adult Vitamin C brand Poten-Cee recently rolled out the red carpet for its Poten-Cee + C variant, with screen star and fashion icon Heart Evangelista as its brand ambassadress.

Heart is looked up to by many Filipinas for her beautiful skin, and the healthy habits she espouses.

Poten-Cee + C is a supplement that combines both Vitamin C and Collagen.

And because it is in a hydrolyzed or broken-down format, this protein can be easily absorbed by the body and help hydrate the skin and prevent the onset of wrinkles.

One cannot stress enough the importance of health, especially immunity nowadays. But with Poten-Cee + C, the chance to also achieve healthy, glowing skin is a plus! Healthy, hydrated skin, after all, is one that will always be “in,” no matter what’s “out” there.

Performances, games await Pinoy fans in BrightWin’s virtual fanmeet FANS who want to join the ultimate bonding experience with Thai heartthrobs and 2gether stars Bright Vachirawit and Win Metawin can still purchase their tickets to the BrightWin Manila Live: The Virtual Fan Meet happening this Saturday (Dec. 5).

Regular tickets, which can be purchased for P699 via KTX.ph, will allow fans to watch the blockbuster tandem in exciting games, song performances, and chat session.

Meanwhile, VIP ticket holders will also be able to participate in the games and a few lucky ones will get to ask BrightWin questions.

The event, which streams at 5:00 p.m., is exclusive for fans in the Philippines and is presented by Dreamscape Entertainment, ABS-CBN

Events, and Thai content company GMMTV. In June this year, ABS-CBN also brought BrightWin closer to their Filipino fans by organizing BrightWin’s first live interview in the Philippines where they were able to answer questions from the media and fans.

The trending Thai tandem shot to popularity this year with their romancecomedy series 2gether The Series and its sequel Still 2gether, whose Filipinod u b b e d episodes and original Thai version with English subtitles are currently streaming on iWant TFC. Thai heartthrobs and ‘2gether’ stars Bright Vachirawit and Win Metawin

Life

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

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HOUSEHOLD

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020

By Maricel D. Dantic, PhD

A

S WE experience the “new normal” during these trying times, blended learning is being implemented and students are taught using various means including online, television, radio, and printed materials.

Schools are limited to face-to-face learning to ensure social distancing and decrease the volume of people outside the home at any given time. This is a big challenge as the traditional face-to-face learning in the classroom would not be done.

Before, the students and the teacher are both physically present in the classroom, and there are opportunities for active engagement, immediate feedback, and socio-emotional development of learners.

Now, it is not possible in moderate and high-risk areas except in low-risk areas such as the geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict affected areas with no history of infection and very low and easily monitored external contacts, but with teachers and learners living in the vicinity of the school.

One of the applicable teachings is the Core/Specialized-Focused Teaching wherein only core and specialized subjects shall be taught in school. Applied subjects shall be using the home-based, life skill, modular approach.

The Department of Education resources revealed that Distance Learning may be initiated wherein the learning delivery modality takes place between the teacher and the learners who are geographically remote from each other during instruction. Modular Distance Learning (MDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), and TV/RadioBased Instruction are three types under this modality.

MDL involves individualized instruction that allows students to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format/electronic copy—whichever is applicable in the context of the learner— and other learning resources like Learner’s Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides, and other study materials.

CDs, DVDs, USB storage and computer-based applications can all be used to deliver e-learning materials, includ-

Teachers engage students’ active participation through various technologies accessed through the Internet.

Parents receive learning materials and other school supplies for their children.

Making ways to teach during pandemic Modular Distance Learning allows students to use self-learning modules in print or electronic copy.

Where possible, teachers shall do home visits to learners needing remediation or assistance.

ing offline E-books. The teacher takes the responsibility of monitoring the progress of the learners. The learners may ask assistance from the teacher via e-mail, telephone, text message/instant messaging, etc.

Where possible, the teacher shall do home visits to learners needing remediation or assistance. Any member of the family or other stakeholder in the community needs to serve as para-teachers.

ODL features the teacher as facilitator, engaging learners’ active participation through the use of various technologies accessed through the Internet while they are geographically remote from each other during instruction. The Internet is used to facilitate learner-teacher and peer-to-peer communication.

Online learning allows live synchronous instruction. It requires participants to have good and stable Internet connection. It is more interactive than the other

types of distance learning. The responses are real-time. The learners may download materials from the Internet, complete and submit assignments online, attend webinars and virtual classes. This is practiced effectively by using a Learning Management System or related technologies.

The TV/Radio-Based Instruction, on the other hand, uses SLMs converted to video lessons for Television-Based Instruction and SLMs converted to radio script for Radio-Based Instruction.

Distance learning modality is most viable for independent learners, and learners supported by periodic supervision of parents or guardians. The challenge will be in dealing with learners not capable of independent learning. This is the subject of further discussion within DepEd, and with partners and parents.

We know that this is not a walk in the park for both teachers and students. Teachers were given trainings on how to discuss

their lessons using limited time effectively and efficiently during online classes, a daunting task due to Internet connectivity issues in the country; while students have been struggling whether their chosen system is through printed modules, blended learning, or online class.

Hence, preparing lessons during this pandemic is way more challenging than before since the concern is not just limited to making sure that the learning will be transferred to the students, but also to making sure that this is actually delivered to them.

The challenge goes on and we are up to the call of this “new normal” brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The author is Principal 1 at San Antonio Elementary School in Aparri East, Cagayan.

Photos from Department of Education’s Facebook page.

Joy of togetherness in fast food’s Christmas campaign IN A year of distance and separation, fast food giant Jollibee highlights the joy of togetherness, of being with our family in its new Christmas campaign.

The short film, made in collaboration with its creative agency McCann Worldgroup Philippines and directed by Pepe Diokno, tells a heartwarming story of gratitude, joy, and love for family as seen through the eyes of a child Featuring a real-life family as talents and with an accompanying original song composition, the film, which can be viewed on Jollibee Philippines’ official Facebook page, captures what a typical Pinoy household looks like in today’s “new normal”—familiar scenes of parents working from home, students busy with online classes, and grandparents spending time in the house.

As the video progresses it reveals that this pandemic also comes with a silver lining: The renewed appreciation and rediscovered joy for what is most important—the priceless quality time that we can now enjoy with our family.

“It may be difficult to find joy in every day amid these trying times, and especially as we’re accustomed to festive gatherings during the Christmas season. But this period also reminded us to view what’s happening from the eyes of a child and treasure what we have in our lives right now—it’s family, the love and joy we share, and the heartwarming support we provide one another,” said Francis Flores, Jollibee Foods Corporation Philippines country/regional marketing head and concurrent PH marketing head.

Christmas campaign highlights the joy and love for family as seen through the eyes of a child.