Manila Standard - 2020 December 9 - Wednesday

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‘Triple shock’ adds 2.7m poor World Bank reports country's poverty worsens, economy to shrink to low 8.1%

By Julito G. Rada, Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

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OME 2.7 million Filipinos will join the ranks of the poor in 2020 due to the triple shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of jobs resulting from efforts to contain it, and a series of destructive typhoons, the World Bank said Tuesday.

This dire projection came as Congress appeared set to ratify a P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021 Wednesday aimed at addressing these problems.

In an online briefing, World Bank senior economist Rong Qian said the economy could contract 8.1 percent for the entire year, worse than the 6.9 percent decline in gross domestic product (GDP) it predicted in October.

She said the COVID pandemic was expected to slow down the pace of poverty reduction.

“The containment measures have disrupted economic activity resulting in income loss, decline in wage incomes, a slowdown in entrepreneurial activities and a fall in remittances. The poor and vulnerable are especially likely to experience significant welfare losses given their limited capacity to manage risks,” she said.

With the economy contracting and household income declining this year, poverty is estimated to increase from 20.5 percent in 2019 to 22.6 percent in 2020.

“The expected growth contraction in 2020 is likely to increase poverty in the short-term, resulting in 2.7 million additional poor people in 2020 compared Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 279 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte: Avoid Xmas parties, ‘crackers ban set next year

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

30% OF PINOYS DOUBT VACCINE NEWS / A2

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night urged the public to skip Christmas festivities this year to keep safe amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

In a taped public address, Duterte appealed to Filipinos to sacrifice holiday traditions this year to avoid spreading or catching the disease.

The President also said he was considering a total ban on firecrackers by 2021.

“I might ban firecrackers next December because it is really a dangerous thing and for reasons of public safety and health,” Duterte said in his weekly address aired late Monday night.

The Palace urged firecracker industry workers to look for alternative livelihood opportunities.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President’s warning Monday night was “an advance notice” to workers in the industry.

Duterte said he could impose the total ban by mid-2021.

"You had parties every Christmas.

Would you be kind enough just to skip the festivities? Avoid them for now. You avoid it because it is for your own good Next page

WITH PINAY CARE. Margaret Keenan (left) receives a dose of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine at University Hospital

Coventry and Warwickshire -- administered by nurse May Parsons from the Philippines – on Tuesday, making the 90-year-old British grandmother the first person in the world to receive the vaccine outside clinical trials, just days after the United Kingdom approved use of the drug (see story on A2). AFP

Cops still to use ‘yantok’ stick in case violators turn violent DESPITE a Palace directive thumbing down the use of rattan sticks or “yantok” to enforce social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Philippine National Police on Tuesday said they would still use the wooden tool for self-defense, while promising not to harm anyone with them.

“The instruction for our social distance

patrollers deployed in malls, markets, terminals, and train stations is they are required to carry a baton or yantok, whatever term you want. This will be used for social distancing to avoid contact because without it, the police would have to hold the violators,” PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas told reporters in a press conference at Next page Camp Crame.

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM DEC. 8)

442,785 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,400 25,325 NEW

ACTIVE

8,670

98

408,790

139

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Watchdog tags PH civic space as ’repressed’ A HUMAN rights watchdog has downgraded the Philippines’ "civic space" rating from “obstructed” to “repressed” this year, citing the passage of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act, attacks against the media, and the alleged killings and vilification of activists in the past year.

South Africa-based Civicus Monitor said in its People Power Under Attack report 2020 that it is “extremely concerned” of the recent attacks against journalists, human rights defenders, and the criminalization of activists.

The group is a global research collaboration of more than 20 organizations that rates and tracks respect for fundamental freedoms in 196 countries.

5he standard th the standard th the standard th

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HOUSE CHRISTMAS. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez,

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Ako Bicol Party List Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Cebu City Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (from left) lead the ceremonial lighting of the giant Christmas Tree at the main lobby of the House of Representatives on Monday night. Jun Cabasag

NBI anti-terror head shot dead

Marcos distances self from ouster move vs. Leonen

By Joel E. Zurbano

By Rey E. Requejo

AUTHORITIES are investigating the death of senior National Bureau of Investigation official—Raul Manguerra, head of the Counter Terrorism Division—who died of a lone gunshot wound in the abdomen early Tuesday morning.

NBI Director Eric Distor said: “We mourn his passing. He is one of our decorated CTD operatives who was instrumental in the capture of 39 Abu Sayyaf members and led his men in preventing attempted terror attacks in the country.”

THE camp of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has debunked insinuations it has something to do with the move to oust Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen from the judiciary through impeachment proceedings before Congress.

Lawyer Victor Rodriguez, who serves as spokesman of Marcos in the election protest case pending before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal and currently being handled by Justice Leonen, stressed

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NBI STALWART. In this photo from Wikipedia, NBI Supervising Agent Raoul S. Manguerra (center), chief of the bureau’s Counter-Terrorism Division, stands with Manila Police Director Chief Supt. Isagani F. Genabe as they help protect the University of Santo Tomas campus during the Bar Examinations in October 2013.

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TOLL HOLIDAY. A 'No Business Permit, No Toll Fee Collection' sign is posted at the North Luzon Expressway toll plaza in Valenzuela City after the city government served its suspension order on the toll road operator. A toll holiday means motorists can still pass through NLEX without paying toll fees. Valenzuela City PIO

NLEX told: No permit 'til sensors okay

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

(NLEX) could read the RFID tags on at least 95 percent of passing vehicles.

The mayor suspended the business VALENZUELA Mayor Rex Gatchalian permit of tollway operator NLEX Corp. said his city would not lift its suspension of NLEX Corp. until its automated toll Monday because its RFID sensors were Next page system for the North Luzon Expressway

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

30% in PH have vaccine doubts A Domingo, in an interview on GMA Network’s Unang Hirit on Tuesday, said the government should assure the safety and efficacy of vaccines to the public.

“There is still seems to be those who

doubt it. There is still what we call vaccine hesitancy of about 30 percent of the public. They are not yet sure if they want to be immunized,” said Domingo.

“We need to show and make them feel

safe, the efficacy data of vaccines and the importance of vaccination,” he added.

The entire population should be vaccinated to eradicate COVID-19, Domingo said. With an estimated population of 110 million, the Philippines eyes to vaccinate 60 to 70 million people in three to five years.

Pinay nurse shares limelight Meanwhile, A Filipina nurse administered the first COVID-19 vaccine to a 90-year-old British grandmother who became the first person in the world to receive Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine outside clinical trials, just days after the United Kingdom approved use of the drug.

Margaret Keenan received a dose of the vaccine at University Hospital Cov-

‘Triple...

ity of a second wave of COVID-19 infections, just like elsewhere in the world. He urged everyone to be vigilant.

"While addressing the pandemic, authorities must focus on structural reforms to improve the business environment and fast-track digitalization... The Philippines will bounce back," Diop said.

Socioeconomic Planning Acting Secretary Karl Chua agreed that “poverty likely went up in 2020 temporarily due to COVID and quarantine before starting to fall in 2021.”

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief earlier said that the government’s initial target of reducing poverty incidence to 14% by 2021 from P16.7% in 2018 will not be hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Key will be to open more of the economy to see income sources return,” Chua said in a text message to reporters.

The economy contracted by 10 percent in the first three quarters amid the pandemic. It went into a technical recession as early as the second quarter after the GDP in the first six months declined by 9 percent.

GDP contracted by 0.7 percent in the first quarter and declined further by 16.9 percent in the second quarter. The economy showed signs of recovery in the third quarter after GDP fell at a slower rate of 11.5 percent.

The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee―composed of

the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas―also projected a deeper contraction of 8.5 percent to 9.5 percent this year, taking into account the prolonged imposition of community quarantines in various regions to prevent the spread of the disease.

The previous GDP assumption of DBCC was a contraction of 5.5 percent this year.

The DBCC expects GDP to recover by around 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in 2021 and 8 to 10 percent growth in 2022.

On Tuesday, the chairman of the House committee on appropriations, Rep. Eric Yap, said the Senate and the House were expected to ratify today (Wednesday) the bicameral panel report on the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021.

"We are just finalizing a few details of the report... and then we will have it reported in plenary tomorrow (Wednesday) and in the afternoon (of that day), both houses will ratify it," Yap said.

After the ratification by both chambers, Yap said the printing of the ratified budget documents will take 10 days before it is submitted to Malacañang for President Duterte's signature.

Yap said the 2021 national government budget is “pork-free.”

"Most of the changes in the proposed budget for next year are institutional amendments," Yap said but he did not

give specific details.

He said the next year's national budget focused on providing more funding for the government's COVID-19 response and for the procurement of a working vaccine.

As for infrastructure projects, Yap said legislators reallocated funds for those that can be finished within 2021.

He also said that the budget contains funding for the rehabilitation of calamityhit areas including Cagayan.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco earlier sid the House contingent to 2021 budget bicameral committee would ensure that sufficient funding for the rehabilitation and recovery of communities affected by the recent typhoons will be included in the bicameral version of the budget bill, as well as for the other priority programs of the government like "Build, Build, Build."

"Our goal is to get the 2021 General Appropriations Bill on the President’s desk for his signature before the year ends, so we can prevent a reenacted budget that will not bode well for the economy and the entire nation," Velasco said.

The Palace said the Philippines will do better in 2021 as its economic managers have put together a recovery program.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque noted that the World Bank’s report meant more Filipinos will suffer this year.

“We can do this. We will rise above this. We will do better in 2021,” Roque said.

would be in your favor,” he said.

Duterte lauded health front-liners in the fight against COVID-19 and asked them to continue being dedicated to their jobs.

“For the workers, especially front-liners, the doctors and the nurses who have to face the sick people, we salute you many times and please continue to do so and may God bless you,” he said.

Last month, Duterte renewed his call to strictly follow minimum health protocols to prevent a post-Christmas holiday surge of COVID-19 cases.

Earlier, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Christmas parties might be a cause for a super spreader event.

“We do not want that to happen, because it might cause further infections in the community," she said.

The DOH recommended that gatherings must be exclusively with household members only.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque

reminded the public to refrain from highrisk celebrations during Christmas and New Year—including big parties and karaoke singing.

“For a change, let us opt to have a solemn celebration with joyful Christmas songs from our favorite artists played on radios or online music platforms,” Duque said.

According to a recent study published in the Aerosol Science and Technology Journal, loud singing increases viral particle spread by 448 percent compared to normal talking, Duque added.

Duque also called on all local government chiefs to strictly enforce and implement the minimum public health standards in their localities such as wearing face masks and shields, regular hand washing, and observing a one-meter physical distance to avoid contracting or transferring the virus.

The President also raised the pyrotechnics issue last year. In 2017, he signed Executive Order 28 that limited the use of

firecrackers.

The EO confined the use of the pyrotechnics to "community fireworks."

The EcoWaste Coalition, meanwhile, urged local government units to enact and enforce ordinances banning the use of firecrackers and fireworks to prevent accidental injuries, environmental pollution and COVID-19 transmission during the New Year revelry.

“With the safety of their constituents and the environment in mind, we urge our city and municipal officials to quickly enact ordinances that will prohibit the use of firecrackers, fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices in celebrating the New Year,” said Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner for the EcoWaste Coalition.

“The adoption and implementation of such ordinances, we believe, will prevent a repeat of the bloody and dirty tradition of heralding the New Year with explosives and noxious fumes,” he added.

toll operators were complying with the minimum performance standards set out in their concession agreements. He also called for a review of the powers and functions of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the government agency that regulates all toll roads in the country.

“There is a need to review the concession agreements of existing tollway operators to check if the operation of their toll collection system conforms to the minimum standard specifications for operations and maintenance under toll operations certificate or agreement,” the senator said.

He said the TRB should implement a toll holiday in the wake of an admission

by NLEX Corp. that there were glitches in their system, including malfunctioning RFID sensors.

NLEX Corp. Senior Vice President for Communications Junji Quimbo earlier acknowledged the veracity of claims of motorists about defective RFID sensors and vowed to remedy the situation and improve their operations in the coming days.

Gatchalian’s move stemmed from the numerous problems that became apparent when the toll system, in compliance with government regulations, went completely cashless.

Marcos...

Marcos lamented that it took Leonen 11 months since he was assigned to the case last October 2019, to issue his first order –requiring several pleadings and documents not only from Marcos and Robredo but also from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

The PET has denied Marcos’ plea for Leonen to inhibit in a resolution issued last November 18.

The delay in the resolution of Marcos’ election protest was cited as one of the grounds for his impeachment.

Aside from this, Leonen’s impeachment is being sought for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution for failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months as mandated by Section 15 (1), Article VIII, in relation to Section 16, Article III of the Constitution, which mandates the prompt action and speedy disposition of cases and for alleged betrayal of public trust for his failure to file his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth during his tenure at the University of the Philippines (UP) as mandated by Section 7, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.

By Willie Casas and Maricel V. Cruz

N ESTIMATED 30 percent or a third of the Filipino public have doubts about receiving vaccines, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo said Tuesday amid the government’s preparations for COVID-19 vaccination.

From A1

to 2019 estimates, measured against the lower middle-income poverty line of $3.2 a day,” Qian said.

On the other hand, the economy could start to recover next year, posting growth of 5.9 percent in 2021 and 6 percent in 2022, if improved efforts to bring down virus transmission are sustained.

"The Philippine economy will rebound in the next two years," Qian said, adding that the gradual reopening of businesses could help the economy gradually recover in the coming months.

She said the GDP growth in the next two years would be supported by the recovery of domestic demand.

Qian said the pace of global economic recovery would also help the Philippines, especially in the area of remittances, which account for about 10 percent of GDP. "The World Bank is positive about the remittances outlook. In the last few months, remittances rebounded compared to the previous months... We see this [trend] to continue," Qian said.

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, said the series of devastating typhoons in November made 2020 a more difficult year for the Philippines.

Diop also warned about the possibil-

Duterte:...

From A1

and for the good of the community and eventually for the good of the country,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He acknowledged how Filipinos loved hosting get-togethers but noted that they have had many occasions to celebrate in the past.

“Look at it this way, all of the Christmas[es] of your lifetime, it’s only now that the government is asking this from you. And this is for you, not for the government,” he said.

Duterte said the government’s mandate is to ensure that all Filipinos are safe and healthy.

Prevention is the best defense against COVID-19, he said.

“It is not a 100 percent guarantee that if you follow all of this you will not get COVID, but your chances of avoiding the contamination would be greater. The odds

NLEX...

From A1

not working and caused heavy traffic in Valenzuela City.

“It is important that they go to me so that we can agree on the expectations that we are looking for. For me perhaps the easiest expectation is that the readability should be 95 to 98 percent,” Gatchalian said in Filipino at a briefing Tuesday.

This would match the readability rate of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) toll system, he said.

He said the move of the Department of Transportation to automate the toll systems was a good idea, but the technology used in NLEX was poor.

"Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, faster and more efficient. The problem with them is our lives became harder because with the toll plaza, it's a guessing game whether or not the sensor could read you,” he said.

He said the ball was now in NLEX Corp.’s court.

“If you want the suspension lifted, you should do what is needed,” he said.

The mayor’s brother, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, asked the Senate to review if

Cops...

From A1

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he wanted policemen to return to using rubber batons to subdue criminals resisting arrest, promising he would look for the funds to buy them next year.

However, Sinas said: "You see, we have rattan sticks because we have run out of batons. Baton measures only about one foot so we preferred a longer one which is rattan sticks to determine physical dis-

tance. It won't be used to strike anyone.

Also, if one turns out to be violent, we can use that to subdue them instead of shooting them.”

But the human rights group Karapatan opposed Sinas' order to use rattan sticks to discipline physical distancing violators.

The Commission on Human Rights earlier cautioned the government over threats to use rattan sticks against violators, saying the use of force and actions that may lead to humiliation and trauma is unnecessary. Willie Casas

From A1

that Marcos “has nothing to do with the impeachment complaint filed against Justice Leonen.”

“We refrain from commenting on an event or case where we are not a party as it is inappropriate for anyone to make wild accusation on something that they have no basic comprehension of the allegations, have not read the complaint and are just but the usual ballyhoos,” Rodriguez said, in a text message.

The Marcos’ camp has sought the inhibition of Leonen from handling and participating in the deliberations and resolution of his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo for his alleged bias and being hostile against the Marcoses.

The former senator insinuated that Leonen was delaying the resolution of his election protest until it became moot and academic with the filing of candidacies for the 2022 elections in October of next year.

NBI...

From A1

Initial report suggested Manguerra was alone inside his office when he was shot Monday night. He was rushed to a hospital but he was pronounced dead while undergoing treatment.

The flag at the NBI headquarters along Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila is at half staff.

NBI spokesperson Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin told reporters: "The NBI is in a deep state of mourning...We condole with the family, relatives and friends of Chief Manguerra."

entry and Warwickshire, administered by nurse May Parsons from the Philippines, said British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce.

On a day dubbed "V-Day," health workers in Britain started inoculating people with a shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, with the country a test case for the world as it contends with distributing a compound that must be stored at -70C. Other cures sought The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to look for other offlabel drugs to treat COVID-19 patients after three medications in its clinical trials were ineffective, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

A police report said Manguerra's live-in partner Maria Rosario Bernardo received a phone call from the NBI's counter-terrorism division informing her the NBI official was rushed to the nearby Manila Doctors Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound, but was pronounced dead on arrival two minutes past midnight.

The report identified those who rushed Manguerra to the hospital as one "Bert," the victim's driver, and "Dads," a casual employee at NBI. NBI Director Distor has ordered a thorough investigation into Manguerra's death and has locked down the premises of the bureau.

Rody condoles with kin of slain Laguna mayor

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte offered his condolences to the family of slain Los Baños, Laguna Mayor Caesar Perez, who was among the politicians included in the narcolist, saying the drug list did not come from himself, but was a product of intelligence reports from drug enforcement authorities, police, and military.

"It's not mine, it was only given to me.

I'm not the one who makes the list. I'm not the police. I'm not part of the intelligence groups,” the President said in his weekly nationwide address Monday night.

Duterte apologized to the family of slain mayor Perez, whose son Aldous insisted that his father had no involvement in the illegal drugs trade.

The mayor was shot dead by still unidentified killers last Dec. 3 inside the municipal hall.

"I'm sorry if your father was there.

But really, most of those in the list are involved in drugs. Your father might be an exception," Duterte said.

“If you believe firmly that he was not guilty or liable of anything, well it's good.

But the problem is his name was in the list,” Duterte added.

Insisting that he did not personally know the slaim Laguna mayor, Duterte said the list was given to him adding “you just have to look for the killers. That‘s no from my office. Remember that you are fighting the forces of the Republic of the Philippines.

That’s what I can say to you. That’s not mine,” Duterte said.

Watchdog...

From A1

The watchdog made the downgrade after a year of regular monitoring and a thorough assessment of the state of civic freedom and places the Philippines alongside 43 other countries like Cambodia, Venezuela and Russia. African countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Togo also suffered a similar downgrade.

A “repressed” rating means democratic freedoms such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are “severely restricted” and is only one notch higher than the lowest rating of “closed” reserved to countries like Iraq, Vietnam, North Korea and China.

In June, the watchdog placed the Philippines on its watchlist due partly to the COVID-19 emergency powers given by Congress to the President, aside from the new anti-terrorism law, the attacks on independent media and red tagging.

“The Duterte government has incrementally chipped away at civic freedoms since it came to power in 2016 but this has further eroded over the last year. In 2020, we have seen systematic intimidation, attacks and vilification of civil society and activists, an increased crackdown on press freedoms and a pervasive culture of impunity take root,” Josef Benedict, Civicus Monitor’s AsiaPacific researcher, said in a report released Tuesday.

As this developed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncements Monday that there will be no longer any ceasefire with the communist terrorists during his term.

Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said they are thankful to the President for heeding their recommendation not to declare a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army during the yuletide season or even beyond.

"We are thankful to the Commander-in-Chief for heeding the AFP’s recommendation not to declare ceasefire this holiday season and beyond -- not because we do not want peace, but because what we advocate is a genuine and lasting peace," he said in a press statement.

Arevalo said this lasting peace cannot be achieved through a peace pact with the NPA as the communist terrorists are "notoriously insincere and unworthy of public trust".

Arevalo was referring to the NPA's penchant for attacking military and civilian targets in the past despite agreeing to a ceasefire agreement with the government.

The AFP earlier said it is not inclined to recommend any holiday truce with the communist terrorists as they have been demonstrating insincerity in previous agreements.

"This was the AFP’s painful experience where the communist terrorist group reneged from their own ceasefire declaration by attacking and killing soldiers on humanitarian and peace and development missions," Arevalo said.

In a public address Monday night, Duterte earlier declared that the ceasefire with the communist rebels as "dead" and said that he was forced to walk away from "peace talks" after the CPP and its political wing, the National Democratic Front asked for the formation of a "coalition government". Vito Barcelo

News

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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DOJ to ask NBI PAGASA: Easterlies could cause flooding, landslides in Aurora to hunt creators of fake news

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice will mobi-

lize the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate those who may be responsible for misinformation if it is intended to create public unrest or to sabotage the economy, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra warned on Tuesday.

Guevarra says he is not inclined, at the moment, to tap the resources of the NBI to trace the origin of the fake news that the government would impose a holiday lockdown.

The false information spread in the social media claimed that the government would place the country under an enhanced community quarantine from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 as a preventive measure against the possible increase of the coronavirus 2019 cases.

But Guevarra said that, at the moment, he would leave it to the regular communication channels available to the government to clear up the rumors being spread in the social media.

“For as long as the government could quash all of this false information through the usual communication channels, I will reserve the resources of the NBI for more urgent and critical investigations,” he said.

“However, if there are signs that misinformation about the COVID-19 situation are deliberate and coordinated to create public unrest or sabotage the economy, I will immediately deploy the NBI to intervene and find out who are perpetrating this malicious misinformation.”

Nonetheless, he appealed to the public not to disseminate the fake news.

“Regarding the so-called Christmas lockdown that was obviously fake news, I advise netizens to just wait for statements from official sources rather than pass the rumor around. The more the rumor circulates, the faster it assumes the illusion of truth,” Guevarra said.

From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBI was instructed to conduct case buildups and file appropriate charges against those behind the spread of false information.

In this particular instance of a holiday lockdown, Guevarra said, he was leaving the NBI out of it.

He would prefer to use the NBI for more urgent and critical investigations.

THE residents of Aurora province should brace for possible flooding and landslides due to the rain caused by the easterlies, the weather bureau said Tuesday.

The province’s soil may already be saturated due to previous rainfalls, said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hydrologist Rosalie Pagulayan.

“There’s big chance for flooding in Aurora,” she said.

But she said the spilling operations in Ambuklao Dam may not resume anytime soon as it could still accommodate water from the expected light rain.

She said the dam stopped spilling operations midnight Monday.

“If there’s no big weather system that can bring much rain over Ambuklao’s watershed, that dam will not yet open its gate to release excess water again,” Pagulayan said.

By Willie Casas

T

HE Department of Health said Monday it has tried its best to support the health workers, and that those directly caring for COVID-19 patients are being given priority in terms of benefits because of limited resources.

NEW COAST GUARD CHIEF. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administers the oath of office to Admiral George Ursabia Jr. as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard at the Malacañang Malago Clubhouse in Manila on Monday. Presidential Photo

Herrera one of 9 new deputy speakers, total now 28

By Maricel V. Cruz BAGONG Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera said she was “honored and humbled” to be elected deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

Herrera was one of the nine deputy speakers elected by the House during Monday’s session.

The appointment of these nine made the number of deputy speakers jump to 28, the highest number of elected deputy speakers in the history of the chamber.

Herrera also thanked her colleagues, particularly Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, for placing their trust and confidence in her ability to be one of the second-highest

ranking officials in the chamber.

“I’m truly honored and humbled by the trust and confidence my fellow lawmakers have placed in me, and I promise to do my best to meet their expectations,” Herrera said.

“It is my honor and privilege to accept the position of Deputy Speaker. I know it is a significant commitment, but I am prepared to contribute along with other House leaders to fulfill the chamber’s mission to support, promote and protect the interests of the Filipinos we represent in Congress.”

Velasco administered the respective oaths of the nine deputy speakers, including Herrera, on Monday.

The eight others were Arnolfo “Arnie”

Teves Jr., Negros Oriental 3rd District; Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc, Pampanga 4th District; Eric Martinez, Valenzuela City 2nd District; Kristine Singson Meehan, Ilocos Sur 2nd District; Divina Grace Yu, Zamboanga del Sur 1stDistrict; Rogelio “Ruel” Pacquiao, Sarangani; Weslie Gatchalian,Valenzuela City 1st District; and Bienvenido Abante Jr. Manila 6thDistrict The deputy speakers represent various political parties consistentwith Velasco’s style of leadership—one that is “shared by all.”

“Speaker Velasco strongly believes in the concept of shared leadership where every member takes ownership to contribute to the institution’s overall success,” Herrera said.

The department made the statement after health care workers complained about the Bayanihan Two or Republic Act 11494’s provision giving a special risk allowance to both public and private health workers “directly catering to or in contact with COVID-19 patients for every month that they are serving during the state of national emergency.”

Groups of health workers had previously said that even the non-health worker employees of hospitals were at risk for contracting the virus because of the nature of their work.

“Health workers are always on the top of our list. We are also looking at the resources that we have.,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing.

She said they chose to give the additional benefits to those directly caring for COVID-19 patients because they were most at risk.

“We were not able to include other health workers in the hospital. But you have to understand that you are receiving existing hazard pay, aside from other benefits that the government is providing for you as health care workers,” Vergeire said.

She says the hazard pay that all public health workers regularly receive is for the risk they take from working in the hospital.

As of Dec. 5, the number of COVID-19 cases involving health workers has climbed to 12,721, of whom 228 are active and 76 are deaths.

Nurses top the list of the infected health workers with 4,506, followed by physicians with 2,141.

Duterte tabs San Jose del Monte as newest highly-urbanized city

HAILING MARY.

Workers protest looming merger of Agriculture, DAR EMPLOYEES from the Department of Agrarian Reform in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon stormed their central offices on Elliptical Road in Diliman, Quezon City, and staged a peaceful protest against the looming merger of their department and the Department of Agriculture.

“No to merging of DAR and DA!” CALABARZON’s DAR Employees As-

to moderate rain and thunderstorms in the province.

“A number of the expected thunderstorms can be severe enough to bring rain that may cause some waterways in Aurora to overflow and flood nearby communities,” Pagulayan said.

The rivers and tributaries at risk for overflowing include Casiguran, Aguang and Lower Umiray, PAGASA said. Rio N. Araja

DOH tries to soothe health workers

Catholic devotees stand outside the Manila Cathedral during the morning mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is also a special non-working holiday across the country, at Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday. Norman Cruz

By Rio N. Araja

She says Aurora’s saturated soil can hardly further absorb water, thus increasing the chance of flooding.

She says such soil is already soft so it can easily dislodge during rainfall, resulting in landslides.

PAGASA reminded people, particularly those living near the mountain slopes in Aurora, to remain alert about possible rain-induced landslides in their areas.

On Tuesday, PAGASA forecast light

sociation said in a statement.

The group objected to the Senate’s proposed merging last month of the two agencies as one department to “right-size” the bureaucracy to save more funds amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the years the DAR had been championing the cause of small farmers in the countryside, the group said, adding their department’s merger with the DA might affect its delivery of support services to the farmers.

“The DAR is giving agricultural land to landless farmers. We provide them with support services such as livelihood assistance, agricultural infrastructure, farm machinery and equipment, among others, and we also empower farming communities and cooperatives to help improve their living conditions. The DAR also offers agrarian legal assistance and quasi-judicial services to farmers that other government agencies do not perform,” the group said in a statement.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has proclaimed the city of San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) in Bulacan as a highly-urbanized city, and San Jose Rep. Florida “Rida” Robes thanked him for it.

“We have long waited for this and we will work more to make us truly deserving of this proclamation for the people of San Jose Del Monte,” Robes said.

She led the inauguration of the City of San Jose Del Monte Convention Center in Sapang Palay village last Saturday, and said that the President, through Proclamation 1057, declared San Jose Del Monte as highly-urbanized city subject to ratification in a plebiscite by qualified voters in the city.

Robes and her husband, San Jose del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes, also led the inauguration of the CSJDM Convention Center, the first convention center in the city that is part of President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program. It is expected to encourage entrepreneurship and give full play to the development of more micro, small and medium enterprises in

the city and at the same time attract more investments in commerce and industry to create more jobs.

Robes also delivered her State-of-theDistrict Address to inform the city of the programs and plans and other development projects that have been in place to help the city cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte, under Proclamation 1057, said that under Section 453 of Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, the President shall declare a city a highly-urbanized city within thirty days after it has achieved a minimum population of 200,000 as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority and an income of at least P50 million as certified by the City Treasurer.

“The population and income of the City of San Jose Del Monte have been verified and attested to by the Philippine Statistic Authority and the Department of Finance’s Bureau of Local Government Finance, respectively,” Duterte said.

Maricel V. Cruz

Villar SIPAG search for poverty-reduction champions set

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia Villar announced Tuesday the Villar SIPAG’s (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) annual search to recognize the top organizations that have been working at the grassroots level to ease poverty and improve the lives of the people.

“This year’s search for poverty-re-

duction champions is more meaningful given the challenges that we are all facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Villar said.

“It is important to recognize these individuals and organizations who continue to give back to the community and work hard so that no one is left behind.”

Villar SIPAG is set to award 20 outstanding community enterprises that have

been contributing to the growth and prosperity of their communities.

Selected organizations will be given P250,000 each to help advance the development objectives of their organizations.

“These cooperatives allow individuals to pool together their resources and expertise to solve problems, identify common goals and address challenges to achieve lasting growth,” the senator said.

FREE TESTING. An elderly man approaches a health worker as the city of Manila continues its free mass swab testing for public transport drivers, market vendors, hotel employees and mall workers. The city government has so far tested over 53,000 Manilans as of Dec. 7. Manila PIO

LGUs

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

A4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FEELING CHRISTMAS.

Mayor Lourdes “Ody” Arcasetas leads the opening of the illumination of the Christmas lighting at the Nagcarlan municipal hall and other sites in the town in Laguna, featuring members of the Sanggunian Bayan and government staff (inset photos). ‘Bangon Nagcarlan against the pandemic. Despite COVID-19 we will continue to celebrate the holiday,’ Arcasetas said. Roy Tomandao

Joy to MMDA: Reopen EDSA interchanges

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte is urging traffic managers to reopen the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue-Muñoz interchange and EDSA-West AvenueNorth Avenue interchange to ease the worsening traffic in these areas.

She said she has sent a letter to the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, requesting the reopening of the two intersections.

“We made the request in response to the numerous complaints we received from motorists. While we fully support the national government’s transportation initiatives, particularly the EDSA bus carousel project, we must do a balancing act so that we won’t compromise the welfare of those using EDSA,” she said.

She also suggested to reopen several U-turn slots closed by the national government to give way to the EDSA bus carousel project.

After monitoring the Balintawak area, the city government determined that the bottleneck caused by the reduction of lanes from three to two, per direction, at the EDSA Balintawak Cloverleaf giving way to the exclusive EDSA bus carousel lane, has resulted in heavy traffic at times reaching EDSA corner North Avenue.

“We expect traffic to improve in those areas once our request is granted, especially with the Christmas rush and the easing of our general community quarantine guidelines. The city government is ready to work with authorities to find ways in improving the flow of traffic in intersections, U-turn slots and bus loading bays within the city,” Belmonte said.

The city government fielded additional traffic enforcers in the affected areas and coordinated with MMDA to open closed access roads so that vehicles coming from Quirino Highway to exit at North Luzon Expressway/ Camachile and divert vehicles exiting along EDSA toward Monumento.

Razon vows MORE Iloilo investments

I

LOILO CITY – Striving towards improving the efficiency of Iloilo City’s power sector, MORE Power has embarked on its first major investment critical to the modernization of its distribution system.

This was stressed by Enrique K. Razon, Jr., chairman and president of Prime Strategic Holdings, Inc., major shareholder of MORE Power, following the energization of the 10MVA mobile substation over the weekend at Iloilo Business Park at Megaworld in Mandurriao District here.

“The 10MVA mobile substation is not only a behemoth power-provider on wheels, but also the answer to the everpresent danger of overloading of the Mandurriao substation,” he said.

In recent months, despite having com-

pleted the comprehensive preventive maintenance on all its five substations, MORE Power has had to deal with trying to prevent overloading of its substations. Time and again it had warned of the Mandurriao substation working at critical levels reaching up to 90-95%.

With the mobile substation, the Mandurriao substation is expected to perform at a safer 70% capacity.

“The mobile substation will increase the capacity of the Megaworld area--one of Iloilo’s fastest-growing areas--by 6-8 megawatts. Moreover, it will decongest

the Mandurriao substation, whose usage has gone beyond safe levels, and will result in fewer outages,” Razon said, adding that the powering on of the mobile substation is the utility’s first major step towards doubling Iloilo City’s power capacity within the next five years.

“This, indeed, is a considerable investment on the part of MORE Power, but it is an investment needed to enable the utility to adapt to new challenges and maintain its system resiliency and reliability,” he said.

Scoring the “decrepit and antiquated” distribution grid of Iloilo City under the city’s previous distribution utility, Panay Electric Company, Razon vowed that MORE Power will modernize the system to give Iloilo City a world-class power distribution network.

SMC turns over land titles to ex-Taliptip residents SAN MIGUEL Corporation (SMC) has formally turned over land ownership titles to former residents of Sitio Kinse in Barangay Taliptip who are now starting a new life in their new concrete homes at a safer location in Barangay Bambang, Bulakan, in time for Christmas.

The new homeowners, part of the last batch of former residents to move out of the future site of SMC’s P740-billion world-class airport project, were able to buy land and build new homes with the financial assistance provided to them by SMC. The company also helped them find the property they chose, construct their houses, and secured for them electricity and water utilities connection. SMC also took care of processing the transfer of ownership and titling of properties to their names.

The turnover last Dec. 3 coincided with the blessing of the new houses by Fr. Ramon Garcia of former Taliptip residents Teody Bacon, Teodoro Bacon, Rodel Alvarez, Primitivo Canceran, Roberto Bantigue, Jose Roger Requinto, and their families.

PROUD HOMEOWNERS. Teody Bacon and other former residents of Sitio Kinse hold the land ownership title to their new homes in Barangay Bambang in Bulakan.

Pampanga, Angeles, Tarlac police chiefs move in C. Luzon revamp

By Jess Malabanan ANGELES CITY—Central Luzon police director BGen. Valeriano De Leon initiated a revamp affecting major police positions in the region including Pampanga, Angeles City and Tarlac, it was learned Tuesday.

The change in command includes Tarlac Provincial Police Office director Colonel Dave Poklay; Colonel Andres Simbajon Jr., outgoing Pampanga Police director and Colonel Joyce Patrick Sangalang of the Angeles City Police Office.

Poklay was replaced by Colonel Re-

Dar unveils Isabela agri complex

By Jessica M. Bacud

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela—Secretary William Dar of the Department of Agriculture graced the inauguration of the Swine Breeding Complex of Charoen Pokphand Foods Corp., the No. 1 Agro-Industrial Company of Thailand in partnership with Sagittarian Agricultural Philippines Incorporated in barangay Sta. Victoria in this city on December 2 this year.

Sec. Dar emphasized that the innovation is the first of its kind in Northern Luzon.

“The revolutionized Swine Produc-

nante Cabico while Simbajon and Sangalang relinquished their positions to their classmates Colonel Arnold Thomas Ibay Jr., and Colonel Rommel Batangan respectively.

Ibay and Batangan are both graduates of the Philippine National Academy and members of Class 96.

Poklay is also a member of the PNPA Class 96. His successor belongs to a lower class in the academy.

Batangan was formerly the chief of the Police Regional Office 3 - Personnel and Human Resource Division (PRO3-PHRD). He swapped position with Sangalang.

Learning kits sent to 1,087 Makati kids

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government has started the distribution of learner’s package to some 1,087 pupils aged four enrolled under the city’s Pre-Kindergarten education program.

Mayor Abigail Binay said the project is part of her administration’s thrust to ensure continuous education for the youth despite the pandemic, largely through strategic partnerships with the Schools Division Office of Makati (SDO-Makati) under the Department of Education.

“Our commitment to quality education encompasses preschool-aged Makatizens, given that they are at the crucial stage when they start to develop cognitive skills. Together with SDO-Makati, we have put together a learner’s package that contains tools that will stimulate their creativity and imagination, and help them learn new things and activities,” said Binay.

The city chief executive said each package contains different learning materials to aid in the growth and development of the recipients.

These include an alphabet puzzle set, alphabet flash cards, Math/Numbers flash cards, wooden magnetic drawing board, abacus, plastic building blocks toys, big crayons, clay, glue, popsicle sticks, scissors, construction papers, plastic ball, and jumping rope for kids.

Each customized pre-K transparent bag also contains a hygiene kit with soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and face towel.

The program, which will run for five months under the supervision of 10 teachers, will utilize the Localized and Enhanced Pre-K Curriculum aligned with the standards of the Early Childhood Care and Development.

Binay urged parents of Pre-K children to support the program by being actively involved in their children’s early education.

“We hope that parents of these 1,087 youngsters enrolled in our pre-K program will devote enough time and attention to engage them in daily learning exercises using the tools we have provided. Making it a part of their daily routine will go a long way in preparing them for formal education,” said Binay.

Tax discount for Manilans ends Dec. 10

By Willie Casas

MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Domagoso” Domagoso reminded real property owners in the city that they only have until tomorrow (December 10) to avail of the 20 percent discount for prompt or advance payments of taxes.

Domagoso said that the city treasurer’s office under Jasmin Talegon has also decided to continue operations and accept payments on December 8, even if it was a holiday, to lessen the expected surge of last-minute real property tax (RPT) payments.

The mayor thus advised the public to bring their last RPT payment receipt and wear face masks and face shields or they will not be allowed entry to the Manila City Hall.

According to Domagoso, the deadline for availing the 20 percent discount on total taxes due will not be extended, as the city government is following a payment schedule based on an ordinance passed by the Manila City Council under Vice Mayor and presiding officer Honey Lacuna Pangan.

The said discount is the biggest being offered by the city. It covers advanced payments for a full year and began first week of November.

Talegon explained that advance payments are those made a year before the due date while prompt payments are those paid before due date. The new schedule of discounts includes staggered payments on delinquent accounts. Covered are real properties such as land, building, machinery and other improvements.

tion in Cagayan Valley will be a replica of a modern agriculture in the future as it brings an economic impact in agriculture, Dar said.

Likewise, Secretary Dar signed the Memorandum of Understanding with City Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz for the establishment of the P250 Million Ilagan Corn Processing Center and a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture project.

Mayor Diaz expressed his gratitude to Secretary Dar and the agency’s sup- AGRI LANDMARKS. Agriculture chief William Dar graces the inauguration of the P500-million Swine Breeding Complex in Ilagan City, port to the farmers of Ilagan. then signs the memorandum of understanding for the Corn Processing Center in Isabela’s capital. Jessica Bacud

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THOUGHTS pertspoi a incumbent president’s corner.

And this services. incident reminds leader, as well as thelimited eventual budsman Samuel Martires had the also for regulators, government agencies more sored hackers in China and Iran, targeting then-candidate Donald Trump In with a latency of 27 ms.

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Hacktime, and where they perform othe expert, John Hultquist, senior execuUCPB, has seen brothers and deathwhich of the Bonifacio time, and where they perform tasks on “...Not surprisingly, an eventual disconthrown tons of garbage then PresChina, the Philippines has the lowest On NovemberIn 25, alarm bells the at Russian hackers An any KPK event, officials this heist deshouldproblems serve as rocking used toofsay, that accounts of events orother inciCovid-19 aidLuna, funds,the TONY LOPEZ case, or a Children request ismay made through the ferent. not have adequate the2la “gotcha” moments have become such lu-martial ing to make do with available technology to the adm “gotcha” moments have become such luto raiseraised expectations in over business and the commanders. down on March 15, tive ofjust the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has involve nottheir just of the security establishment but Trump ofare ers are around the corner and itsand top officials resigning en masse. stay.

They are here toArmy their own, respectively—educator tive ofinreach the cybersecurity firm FireEye, has its This top officials resigning masse.in the mass murders Samar during They are here to nect thelurking narrative surrounding Spanish ident Marcos and those who presided noting that while multiple cyber-espionage tained Minister of Maritime a wake-up call notAffairs only forand banks. is Chairman own, respectively—educators tryKPK Firli en Bahun advised dents, whether personal or historical rests We’re still far below Ombudsman’s field investigation office come cell site density in Asia, with one study terly useIn or functioning equipment.

The home out to their students and enable them to crative, even highly sought and developed In the case o crative, even highly sought and developed al race Microsoft itself is that Russian military hacking operations can be activated in no domestic economy. raised alarm bells over the Russian hackers In any event, this heist should serve as In 2019, the over Human Rights Watch reraised alarm bells the Russian hackers In Batubara any event, this heist should TWO confirmed cases ing topast make do with available tech theand Fil-American war, toserve nameas a few, the over actors have targeted organizations associalsoPrabowo for regulators, agencies Fisheries Edhy at the government capital’s that arrival in the notwithstanding Philippines developed as each thestay. country’s fate during those years two of his subordinates heavily on the story teller.

Inorganizations the case of for the purpose of aPhilippines fact-finding probe. with, ing tohave make do with available technology to would w may not be an ideal place to focus and to suggesting the only has a learn, the great challenges Tru undertakings in the few years.

HackTrump’s re-elec undertakings in the past few years.

Hackmost soo hackers targeted 200 US time at all.

Indeed, they have become part stay. global averages. tracker Ookla has been noting that while multiple cyber-espionage acall wake-up callfor not only for iscould noting that while multiple cyber-espionage arrival of the flotilla and This the banks. death itsIndustry awere wake-up only banks. is ofThis ated not with the upcoming election, the exand other companies doing and international airport upon his return fromessential accused ofnot accepting 17 billion rupiah country went onthese to construct their own na-talked reach out to their students and enab get over the fact that more and ported the Magellan and subsequent or sou Someone who requests asites copy ofbe an that “State security forces govall distre Philippines isserve the pand reach out toexpedition their students and enable them to learn new things.

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The incident reminds a working visit in the United The also leader, as well as the And eventual (US$1.2 in Magellan, kickbacks from compaactors have targeted organizations for million) regulators, government agencies tionalWhat identities.

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The Vice-Consul inBurt charge of Cultural DiploSALN granting the request.

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Students learn their lessons, work in the same manner for many The company based its on the comfort ofto their homes, but the time.” the Trump administration. “gotcha” moments have become aid such pres and wayward manner as what happened todefito be issued export permits. programme worth 5.9 trillion rupiah. and journalists.” president Tom and wayward manner as campaign’s what happened the comfort of their homes, but there is Finance Secretary Ca failed to contain the pandemic. pine economy slumped to its lowest ever in each changing with every narrative. “...One such example of this is the responsible for some of the most provocasanctions and high profile bashing mise digital devices, even entire systems, story to tell. and Asimposed some noted writers and ers, significantly far below the global 21.00 Mbps also falls below the global and even teach history in our schools and EM has had the time to reflect on his decision and that saB a click against the communications manufacturing or in power and utilities responsible for some of the most provocasanctions imposed high profile bashing mise digital devices, even entire systems, “...On educators will learn to teach better, and even decades, and then having to shift toUCPB an the results of its Speedtest utility that If these latest hacking attempts on othInSuch the case of the Russian operations for even highly sought and developed Part of the crative, bribe money was reportedly nitely nothing comfortable about ing which can unhinge the banking sysing that the init UCPB which can unhinge the banking sysnitely nothing comfortable about doing your is the nature of the beast, as we marked difference in the retelling of the academics have been saying lately, the Duterte has vowed to continue his “war tive and aggressive cyber operations of all these two countries have been getting from for financial or state gains or just plain “the decisive (lockdow the younger generations. this Mabayo Ten days before Duterte imposed the lockblatantly itwill goes against the avowed fight comed mobile internet speed of fixed broadband internet download tive and aggressive cyber all how these countries haveorganizations been getting for HackfinancialTrump’s or state gains orthejust plain the country’s -- aofOr, 16.5-percent conparents learn howIn best they can sup-memorat altogether newdownload wayhistory ofoperations teaching. secure infrom US soil re-election, reports coming out twoerwise undertakings in the items past few years. used by Prabowo to buy luxury inmeasures download speeds, upload cam tem.

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Anmartial law years were not as dark and uttime.” the Trump administration. piece, oft-repeated note—history is “gotcha” moments have lufor transparency.

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Dela Rosa system capacity to for doa widethe “d 23,000 below No.recession 20, Italy, that 288,761. down.

This lockdown –the the longest andcases severrecession with power weeks after the2020, Nov. 3, 2020 die. Half ernment-backed of our America is waiting vaccine.

In the second quarter of PhilipTWO confirm TW This means the Presid paramilitaries continue veloped—two to export of lobster hatchlings and larvae project in Sumatra. Then, in June of this cluded in the shortlist.

Otherwise, the Pres15.5 allies Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says pine economy slumped to–its lowest ever in seven US presidential election.

Too late to rescue The other half don’t want it. was named to head the Senate committee Philippines is Ph spread testing in our communities.

From just IN A previous column I talked about PresiTO THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, and in IN A previous column I talked about Presiest in the world has run for months. first semester drop in economic output of 9 Duterte imposed one of the earliest lockArmy commanders. than the -5.5 and -6.5 percent projected point Gierran unless he istions am cost the country 900 billion rupiah (around year, former Youth and Sport Minister ArmyNow, commanders. ident cannot legally appoint you asavert a conmemwell into the lockdowns will make half decli PRESIDENT Duterte has extended “the decisive (lockdown) helped us an 202 the country’s history -- a 16.5-percent con-ofdent Trump from defeat. now hastests 15.36 million COVID VIRTUAL 11-nation ASE 11some instances attack and kill political charged acdent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, downs in the world.

Still, evento1,282 if it wasThe the US Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, with police matters ber ofmade the Board of2020, Trustees PhilHealth, $64 million) in lost revenue. would traction in3.5 July andof-2 and -3.4 Nahrawi was also sentenced around actual PCR per day conIninvestigating 2019, the Human Rights Watch reIn This 2019, the Human Rights Watch rePOINT means half of the economic production percent.

It That is the worstImam recession in our histhe people poor. nila-b the state of calamity for one year until base. estimated 1.3 to million infections accordtraction in economic production.

On top of ordered cases; 290,443 have died from it.

Among lead- In Rodrigo Duterte’s case, he here tivists, environmentalists, community es. this It is No.es.

21 longest and strictest, the lockdown are his failures: much more as Please president and CEO.also here are his failures: not have happened at all if not forREALITY some seven years world’s imprisonment after he was percent contraction made in April, ported that “State security forces and govported that “State security forces and govand the “drug war.”

Davao Remittances—a mainstay of the Un Sept, 21, 2021. note: That is up to ing to researchers from our universities. The ducted in the218 lastcountries week of March, capacity the is 0.7-percent inHethehasn’t first quargone bycontraction now. That cannot recovered inanswer tory. which prompted found guiltyfailed only this December. re- be ravaged by our COVID, the US vaccines ers, and journalists.” to contain themoney pandemic. dislodged Ger Thus, the to the question of dis 1.

The Philippines’ greatest depression bureaucratic legerdemain 1.

The Philippines’ greatest depression of embezzling from EMIL year, for the whole of 2020. ernment-backed paramilitaries to enabled ernment-backed paramilitaries to continue Rosa, lockdown usbefore to reinforce our health economy iscontinue the onedrop that from eight months justthe the May 2022 • 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth 4.terFailure tobecause contain the communist inDuterte hasmillion vowedpeople, to continue his “war has grown totrillion about 32,0 leased a single centavo forthat his order.

Why? No.1. With 331.84 the US Ten Committee days whether orofnot appointment of Gierran four months.

For the whole ofLOPEZ 2020, the economy is before ex- Duterte 23,000 cases bc 23, KPK officials to conduct further inquiry a National Sports grant. imposed theis locksecond quarter 2020, thecapacity PhilipIn the second quarter of 2020, PhilipAand 9.5 percent contraction on awe P19 inimposed the first quarter of 2020, 16.5 perTO THE war,” TO THE harass, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, in harass, threaten, arbitrarily and in system and build upon our tothe do wideDuterte imposed one ofbythe earliest lockDuterte one of the earliest lockfuels

by In 4.2the perTONY perce presidential elections when choose of t means the consumption—fell country is nowJURADO inarrest, recession with i on drugs” which will be “as relentless and is legal depends whether his name was down on March 15, 2020, there were only has 4.25 percent of the world’s population The into this somewhat irregular development.

Finance Sec BeamingBizNewsAsia with confidence, Widodo surgency and the Muslim separatist moveF pine economy slumped to slumped its lowest ever inreasons this (August).” pine economy toproduction its lowest ever in was value of annual economic means Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez pected to decline by 10 percent. na cent in the second quarter, and by 9 perVIRTUAL VIRTUAL spread testing in our communities.

From just some instances attack and kill political acsome instances attack and kill political accent in the first half.

That 4.2 percent first semester drop in economic output of 9 downs in the world.

Still, even if it was the downs in the world.

Still, even if it was the were Duterte’s successor.

• b in that shortlist for the Board of Trustees. chilling on the day it began.”

He wants TWOhis confirmed cases. Atdrive this writing, the billion. Yet, US has 22.8 percent of POINT POINT of 7.8 KPK investigators found out that earlier vowed to pursue anti-corruption “the decisive ( “th the country’s history -a 16.5-percent conthe country’s history -a 16.5-percent cona reduction of P1.8 trillion.

If P2 million charge Without a vaccine cent in the first half.

We are having the around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day conment percent.

It is the worst recession in our histivists, environmentalists, community leadtivists, environmentalists, community leadAdds Dominguez: “W is equivalent to losing $1.4 billion of strict Another year of state of calamity Cor world’s longest and strictest, the lockdown world’s longest and strictest, the lockdown I HAVE been requested to repeat how my rea-much It’s pretty basic. explains that “no matter money for the whole m death67.938 penalty, bannedCOVID under thecases ConstituREALITY REALITY Philippines is the in pandemic epicenterthe in the IN estimates A previous Iontalked about world’s million ou this year, Prabowo reversedcolumn athe banGDP thecontraction evenPresimore rigorously, saying a statement estimated 1.3 est traction in oftraction economic production.

On top spelled of tht could create one job,restrictions loss ducted incontinuing the lastclearly week of March, our capacity economic On topofof and You will get your worst in our history. tory. sons for myand belief that the appointment your dollar income. and journalists.”

21.4 means and reguers, journalists.” sou *aproduction. *P1.9-trillion *rate failed to contain the pandemic. failed tothe contain the pandemic. tion forrecession most crimes, to1.55 be reimposed forers, ASEAN total of 265,888 casThe killings of political activists and althe of infections a dent Rodrigo achievements.

Now,respect EMIL EMIL and 18.7 percent of world’s million export of lobster larvae imposed by his precountries pump into their economies, their could beDuterte’s as large as 30that percent --11-nation assuming a with “We the ongoing legalafor process ing to research 4.

F ing 0.7-percent contraction inof theprime firstI suggested quargeneral use, the income GDP terms would mean 900,000 About 75 percent of the the economy was For thethere whole of 2020, the economy is ex- the contraction in the first former National Bureau of the Investigation Inin anPrices earlier column, thatquarthe Is hope in that bleak scenario? lations. commodities, act has vowed to continue his “war Duterte has vowed to continue his0.7-percent “war drug crimes.

Ten days before Duterte imposed lock- leged Ten days before Duterte imposed theDuterte lockw es. is No. 21it.inAnd the world.

The Philippines are his failures: COVID vaccine after five decessor in a here bidloss to protect the declining the law.

COVID deaths.

Every day, 1,508 Americans at each the KPK. WeIt respect I believe NPA leaders have failed to dent the been much worse. surgen lockdown enab JURADO GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway.

JURADO of P1.5 trillion for month of lockTONY LOPEZ TONY LOPEZ locil• chief Dante Gierran as president and chief pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia ter 2020, theter 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop jobs gone forrice, good.

With a GDP econecon President should create ashrinking “jobs policy” in The shut down.

Household consumption, 2020, the 16.5 -percent growth drop Well, yes.

Lift the lockdowns which especially corn, and fish, will be But the people love the President for on drugs” which will be “as relentless and on drugs” which will be “as relentless and dislodged Germany yesterday and is barely down on March 15, 2020, there were only down on March 15, 2020, there were only 1.

The Philippines’ greatest depression wild population of the crustaceans. Instead KPK implements transparency, open, and die from COVID (as of Dec. 7, 2020) —an Without a vaccine ment officer of isthe illegal. system bu the wake of many jobless people aspercent awith re-and trac the GDP contraction for whole could rage omy, unemployment more than doubled, sys providing three-fourths of GDP, byestimates means the country is now infact, recession years.

52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim anow little over 1laws, oi means the country ishas inwith recession have proved senseless and produced the the “drugscases. war.”

In this May 2019, two topchilling controlled.

Inso under current 23,000 cases below No.recession 20, Italy, 288,761.

Itexecutive is the sheer of stimulus package down.

ThisPrabowo lockdown thePhiliplongest andThe severonnot the day it PhilHealth began.”

He wants chilling on thesize day itthe began.”

He wants quarter of im2020,–the TWO confirmed At writing, thefell TWO confirmed cases.

At this writing, the of implementingIn a the totalsecond ban, professional work. government consisimprovement from the record 2,926 The Under Section of Republic Act 11223 sult of the COVID-19 pandemic. could be as large as 301The percent -- first assuming a first spread testing from 4.5 percent in 2019 to 10remembered percent bymy the 15.5 percent in the Q2 for adeaths 7.8-percent semester drop in economic output of 9 spr allies made it handily into the Senate elecfor general use, the semester drop in economic output of 9 opposite effect. lockdowns were the price of anything, and its supply, can Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says I HAVE been requested to repeat reaAS MARCOS haters “the I HAVE been requested to repeat I• economy slumped to its lowest ever in death penalty, banned under the Constituterrorists are on the warpath marked by a death penalty, banned under the ConstituPhilippines is the pandemic epicenter in the in the country are sever Philippines is pandemic epicenter in the posed a partialpine one, ostensibly tently supports the efforts to prevent and previous I talked about Presi-about IN Acolumn previous column I talked matters now but also it is actualest in the world – has IN runA for seven months. perPresiday2021. ondecline Dec. 3. in H1 2020, according to Ma-lossthat leged (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recThe Department of our Labor and Employof P1.5 trillion for each month ofwhether lockwell into around 1,282 second quarter of 2020.

PRESIDENT Duterte has usextended which solidified Duterte’s power percent.

It is the worst recession in hisaro “the decisiveachievements. (lockdown) helped avert an tions supposed toforofsave 4,000 people from be controlled by the government during sons for belief that the appointment of Cla percent.

Itwill ismy the worst recession inSeptember our his-appoint dark days of Martial Law,” on sons for my belief that the country’s history con- corruption.” th tion for most crimes, to be reimposed for Board of Trustees of PhilHeal to maintaintheIndonesia’s share--ina 16.5-percent the dent tion most crimes, to be reimposed for 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 caseradicate 11-nation ASEAN with a total of 265,888 casRodrigo Duterte’s Now, recession could rage dent Rodrigo Duterte’s achievements.

Now, ommendation the Board Trustees of PhilHow did the US, the world’s most ad52-yea ment deny this, for sure, but a survey new phenomenon—suicide bombers.

The tality ratio, on theofinother down.

This lockdown – thewould longestdie and severly saving the productive parts oftory. the economy.

This half of theOn economic production ducted the la• nila-based Asian Development Bank. the statebe1.3 ofable calamity foron one until has the economy shrunk so badly? base.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, anddrug estimated to 3.5 infections tory. duc dying, people who anyway, former a Why state of National calamity.

InNational ausual major election, traction inmeans economic top 21, they went on Bureau the spree, former Bureau Inves growing lobster larvae export production. market here Whether he will tomillion hold to yearaccordcrimes. drug crimes. es.

It is No. 21 world.

Philippines Health, the President shall the es.

Itinisthe No. 21 inThe the medicine, world. The PNP Philippines showed that almost half ofofbashing theInvestigation country's are of hishere failures: terrori are his2021. failures: There is nothing to any more.

Andmonths. onlyagenthe Board recommended his a vanced-inUnemployment technology, science, esthas in the world –buy has runlockdown, for appoint seven m tripled its anti-insurgency budget, Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela well into 2021. more than tripled, Sept, 21, Please note: That is up to Duterte has imposed the world’s longest and ing to researchers from our universities.

The per a hundred thousand the 0.7-percent contraction in the first quarchief Dante Gierran as president and chief For the whole of 2020, the economy is exlockdown or no because This is because the problem is not a systemic the price and supply of bellwether goods is gone by now.

That cannot be recovered in dev chief Dante Gierran as president portraying Marcos as the devil-incarnate.

For the whole of 2020, the economy is exmainly in Vietnam, China and Singapore this renewed to vigorously go after president and CEO thethe Board’s But thegovernment people love theupfrom President forPresident adultforlabor force of 60 million are jobless. new aP Butofthe people love dislodged Germany yesterday and isa barely p dislodged Germany yesterday and17.7 isThis barely 1. The Philippines’ greatest depression now is cy’s the lining the money, and military arsenal --come toApril such rut?

1.effort Themonths Philippines’ greatest depression means half the economic production the President.

Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug lockdown enabled us to reinforce our health from 5.1 percent in 2019 to eight just before the May 2022 harshest lockdown enforced by his generals ter 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop executive officer ofare PhilHealth isPhilHealth illegal. most of them already had fatal dislike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia executive officer of isand ilht But did not Shakespeare say: “The evil where they are four raisedmonths. and subsequently corrupt a288,761. worrying sign. officials andsecond their cohorts, ingrown and the non-ex-officio members. pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia Santa Banana, they the new poor!

He notes that per 100 has to about 32,000 average daily tests theis “drugs war.”

In May 2019, two top PNP contraction or a cyclical bust.

Simply, neces23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, 288,761. the “drugs war.”

In May 2019, two top 23,000 cases below No. 20, Italy, In the second quarter of 2020, the Philipgone by now.

That cannot be recovered in an initial P73 billion, most of it borrowed Simple answer: Incompetence, by its leader.

In the quarter of 2020, Philipwar,” were elected to the Senate.

Dela Rosa system and build upbe ourseen capacity to do wide- percent in April 2020 “when lockdowns eases With presidential elections when we choose all ofthat whom know no about pandemmeans the country in recession with Under 1better of Republic Actcru11223 Thus, before can bs• than COVID. But several supplies, medicines, and PPEs, are Under Section 1daily of Republic Ac men do lives after them.

The good is oft Thisother that the President cannot apestimates the GDP contraction for the whole sold for considerable margins.is now InvestiThe newest of the “new poor” are some out of government, remains giv-in estimates the GDP contraction forGierran the whole a worr has grown toSection about 32,000 average tests allies made itmeans handily into the Senate elecFinance Secretary Dominguez says most allies it handily into themilitary Senate elecmonths.

5.four Coddling ofmade the police and the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez says money.

Yet, Nature magazine, the USatiscommittee No. states average 31 death pine economy slumped to slumped itsto lowest this (August).” economy toever its lowest ever sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate Finance Dominguez was named toCarlos head the Senate spread in our justinper semester drop inSecretary economic 9 pine were widespread and their Duterte’s successor. ics than your ordinary taho vendor across (Universal Healthcare Act), upon the recpoint Gierran unless he is a member of the 119,000 to 140,000 retrenched teachers thousands more people are dying or will (Universal Healthcare Act), upon cial, especially in battleground regions, gators smelledfirst something fishy with that output of interred with their bones.” enCarlos theoffact that the testing arrested andcommunities. convicted From could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a President and CEO of PhilHe 5. could be as large as 30 percent -assuming a this (August).” which solidified Duterte’s power for gene Finance Secretary Dominguez “the decisive (lockdown) helped uspolice avert an ustions tions whichCarlos solidified Duterte’s power The world’s richest countries have 2 in the world in decisive doses ofthe anti-COVID vac“the (lockdown) helped avert an fC•t the country’s history -- ayear 16.5-percent conthe country’s history --state aparties 16.5-percent concharged with matters around 1,282 actual tests day conDuterte has employed more generals, percent.

It is thethat recession in our his- are Sweden 57, and the US Adds Dominguez: “Without lockdown, strict,” says investigating ADB. Exports declined by Another ofper calamity and staff, outommendation of the more than 700 private the street. ommendation of the Board Trustees of Phildemand.” explains matter how much money scheme wherein 30 percent ofworst the“no lobster die because of hunger, malnutrition, andloss of the Board Trustees ministers senior members ofofPCR the Ham and most especially, when the highest This brings me to ask, my gulay—Is loss of P1.5 trillion for each month of lockDut Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, of P1.5 trillion for each month of lockexplains that “no matter how much money base.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and be first appointed as a membe estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordbase.

Longtime aide, Christopher Go, and grabbed most of the vaccines to be produced cines ordered, per capita—2.2 doses for each estimated 1.3 to 3.5 million infections accordin traction economic production.

OnMarch, top of “drug war.” ductedsuper incontinuing the last week of our capacity economic production.

On top of and schools which will remain closed.

These 21.4the percent in thecould first half. means restrictions and reguHealth, President shall appoint the agenThe lockdowns killed consumption which recessio larvae which istory. huge by any reckoning was traction withineconomies, Widodo’s majority coalition.

Health, the President shall appoint diseases spawned byeconomists the lockdowns. produ post of the is ata–and stake. serrstt Marcos aland heel or hero? the military the police, than any 3.deaths Unprecedented hum from the rate of infections and deaths have down.

This lockdown –the the longest and severthe rate of infections could have Government earlier projected countries pump into their their countries pump intoand their economies, their down.

This lockdown the longest and severDavao’s former chief, Ronaldo dela ing to researchers from our universities.

The from between now and police 2021 and beyond.

DuterAmerican.

No. 1toinresearchers thetovaccine grab is Davao’s former police chief, Ronaldo dela 4.ing Failure contain the communist infrom ourCanuniversities.

The the 0.7-percent contraction inofthe first in quarwhole when of 2020, economy isheexthe contraction the first quarof Trustees. schools have lost income because of lack of other lations.

Prices commodities, cy’s president and CEO from the Board’s being earmarkedFor fortheexport thethe enis 73 percent of the economy.

Consumption How will be0.7-percent able to handle theprime expected cy’s president and CEO from the Said acting Economic Planning Secprodu What is not controlled during a state moa It depends.

If you look at his remarkabeen much worse.

The latest data suggest that est in the world –the has run for seven months.

GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. other before him.

More than 45 est inenrollees. world – has run for seven months.

The reasons What has legal made Dute been much worse.

The latest suggest that Rosa, who initially spearheaded the “drug well int surgency and the Muslim movete’s reaction, in effect, has been toare scare the ada,drop eight doses perreinforce Canadian.

Third lockdown enabled usdata to health Rosa, who spearheaded the “drug apresident recovery of 7initially percent to 8 percent in GDP GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. lockdown enabled usseparatist toourreinforce our health pected to decline 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia ter 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth drop terespecially 2020, the 16.5 -percent GDP growth rice, corn, and fish, will bewith tire exercise was supposed to by give time for non-ex-officio members. political fallout and regain public confiS• ishalf when you go out, eat, shop, enjoy enterWhat is/are the requir non-ex-officio members. retary Karl Kendrick Chua: the pw of calamity is how the government disstar-ra ble achievements and good performance, a little over 1 percent of all COVID-19 cases It is not the sheer size of the stimulus package This means of the economic production NAKED Without a vaccine This means half ofrepresenting the economic production ment war,” were elected tooccupy the Senate.

Dela Rosa The The group these teachers If you don’t give uselected vaccines, we will is UK, doses per person.

The rest ofwidethe star-rank and build upand our capacity tocases do estimates GDP contraction the whole war,” were to the Senate.

Dela Rosa system build up our capacity toworld. do widemeans the country is now recession with officers cabinet and civilthe vicious illegal drug little over system 1laws, percent of all COVID-19 means the country is a now intest recession with4.7 clearly spelled out in the spawning grounds tothe regain ground controlled.

In infact, under current dence in his administration will surely This means that the President cannot apgrowth rate in 2021.

That is now overly optiIt is not the lost sheer sizeforof the stimulus package tainment. lockdowns were supposed to This means that the President ca ian po “No one anticipated that the COVID Inv penses money.

The incumbent President pin he would be a hero.

For those, however, in the country are severe or critical.

Our morthat matters now but also whether it is actualGierran can be appointed is gone by now.

That cannot bethat recovered inrecovered The of political activists and aland staff claim the P500 million allois gone by now.

That cannot be inthe as1 was named toin head Senate committee infect you. could be as large percent -- first assuming a first Mr. President, world?

Zero.

That includes theour Philippines. spread inkillings our communities.

Fromlift just was named to head the Senate committee semester drop in economic output of 9output spread testing in communities.

From just the THOUGHT and ensure enough larvae for as the30growing for general the his whether mettle inthe the days toanything, come.

Suffice itsupply, drop inuse, economic of 9testing point Gierran unless he iswants a atmember of price of and can Des give the health system breathing space toahis point unless he is membe tality ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people pandemic will [strike] the global ian positions thethe government. cent can get allthem the money heof toand have Kid who envy his ingenuity, vision foregiven him one of ma in theits country are severe or critical.

Our morly saving productive parts of thefour economy. has grown to a mistic.

Without ainvestigating vaccine for general use, the matters butmonth also itsemester is actualthe law. months. cated to is notGierran enough. leged NPA leaders have failed to dentper thecharged has the Board Trustees? lossthat of P1.5 trillion now for lockfour months.

According to Nature, “the makers of the The Philippines, as of Dec. 7, has 441,399 with investigating police matters around 1,282 actual PCR tests per day concharged with police matters network of domestic cultivators in each aquapercent.

It is the worst recession in our hisaround 1,282 actual PCR tests day conto ofsay that with these latest arrests, “Mr. berecession controlled the government during percent.

It is thebyworst recession in our hisa genera per a hundred thousand.” treat and trace COVID victims.

The trouble the lockdowns.

They economy.

In the first three months of the perce his hands on and deploy it to whoever Ch sight, and those who desire revenge, he is This is because the problem is not a systemic could rage this (August).”

The jobs policyhuman that President Duterte 52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim Despite the overwhelming dominance of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez rights violations tality ratio, on the other hand, is at 2.5 people thi down.

This lockdown – the longest and severrecession could rage well into 2021. ly saving the productive parts of the economy.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez three vaccines that seem closest to wideCOVID cases (No. 27 in the world and No. and the “drug war.” ducted in theducted last week oflast March, capacity culture farms which would have V. provided tory.

Section 13 ofEUit.RA 10149 (Gs• Clean” hastory. somehow and war.”

CHARLIE in the weekour ofmarked March,by oura capacity proven a state of regained calamity.his In footing a major election, He notes that per 100,000, the member isand that the hastono health system quarantine, we“drug prioritized saving lives contraction or athe cyclical bust.

Simply, necesment wherever wants send definitely a he heel. has to Philippines adopt right away should not be an Domin terrorists are on the warpath Adds explains that “no matter how much money est in the world – has run for seven months. make no sense. spread distribution — AstraZeneca, Pfizer 2 in ASEAN) and 8,572 deaths (No. 29 in generals, explains that those “no much the Duterte administration has not 4. Failure contain the communist inwell into 2021. more employment to the locals andthe en-problem and trust for more than 27,000 the per a ishundred thousand.”

4.restrictions Failure tohamper contain the communist inless co Forthe the whole ofsystemic 2020, the economy ex- goods When the President came tostates power in sA This ishalf because ispublic’s not aprice the andnor supply of bellwether average 31 matter deaths, UK 70, Spain 61, in ance Act ofhow 2011) mandates tha For the whole ofnow.

2020, the economy is ex- new phenomenon—suicide sary mobility aggregate to speak against COVID. We used this time to Board ofto Trustees of PhilHealth, and unless dustr Combine powers—control ofmoney the eas emergency employment scheme.

For sure, MANALO bombers. The the rateare of inf This means of the economic production countries pump intoof. their economies, their thee The reasons are and Moderna — estimate acompetent total producthe world).

Per government announcements, countries pump into their economies, their surgency and the Muslim separatist moveThe reasons Wh Sweden 57, and the US 52. surgency and the Muslim separatist movelike rice, corn, fish, fuel, even school pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia the Board recommended his appointment to demand.” proven itself any more nor any the ranks of the unemployed can only worsYes, we have a Department of Health and pected to decline by 10 percent.

BizNewsAsia improve our health system capacity.” the pervasive illegal dru ment price and supply of any commodity or conHe notes that per 100,000, the EU member July 2016, he stumbled into theGDP greatest and PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, contraction orcannot a cyclical bust.inSimply, necesdirector shall beviolations appointed by• is gone by now. That be recovered been much wo GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. bee capacity of 5.3 billion doses for 2021, COVID vaccines will come to Manila at tion Without a vaccine would have shrunk massively, anyway. police ment 3.clearly Unprecedented human rights Without a vaccine the“By President. supplies, medicines, and PPEs, are cruen the poverty problem of the country for Government economists earlier projected ment estimates the GDP contraction for the whole a PhilHealth insurance.

Both are hobbled by the models of UP and Ateneo, const sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money firs estimates the GDP contraction for the whole a worrying sign. spelled out in has grown to about 32,000 average daily tests less corrupt than past administrations. foursary months. clearly spelled out in Human Rights Watc states average 31 deaths, 70,quarter Spain 61, which apackage little over from aofshort-list prepared by longest economic expansion inasItsheer the country’s mobility restrictions aggregate isand not the size ofsheer the stimulus package a1th liape could cover between billion and the earliest inCoddling the UK second of 2021, having isand not the size the What Duterte a stimulus strong president, Thus, Gierran can beIt appointed killings political activists almany years come. recovery ofbefore 7ofpercent to 82.6 percent in GDP cial, especially in-battleground regions, The killings of political activists al-has could hamper be ascould large as 30 percent assuming we averted some 59,000 to 171,000 incompetence and corruption andor by lack ofcountry ADB to anyone ormade anywhere, and the restrictions of 5. for of the police and the the military aThe be as large as 30 percent --a assuming ageneral this (August).” forthe use, the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez IstoPresident he aitlaw. heel a general use, inactualthe that matters now but also whether is actualWhen the chief of the national capital’s than 5 3.1 billion people, depending on whether between April and June.

It’s a token order, President and CEO of PhilHealth, he must 27,000 are “vigilante-st in Sweden 57, and US 52. the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also While the may have signed into the law.

Commission for Government-o that matters now but also whether it is growth rate in 2021.

That is now overly optihistory—70 consecutive quarters of growth. c• demand.” leged NPA leaders have failed to dent the the Hardest hit was Luzon island which and most especially, when the highest have failed dent loss money of P1.5loss trillion for each month of lockdeaths.leged Our NPA deathleaders rates reduced fromtotrust bythe the public. marg on flow of general goods and people under atality lock-ratio, Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, of P1.5 trillion for each month of lock- Duterte has employed more generals, explains that “no matter how much on beforce first appointed as a administered member ofMuslim the in Board ly saving themedia productive parts economy. lawhim Bayanihan 2, the billions allotted for his hibitin given one of of his major failures—massive AstraZeneca’s vaccine isinsurgency. just 2.6 million, good for 1.3violations million peohero? tali mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the recession could rage ly saving the productive parts of the economy.

52-year old communist produces 70 percent of total economic post of the land is at stake. police was caught on social recession could rage ed by police officers the 3.

Unprecedented human rights from the military and the police, than any trolled Corporations (GCG).

52-year old communist insurgency.

Muslim down.

This lockdown – the longest and severa high of 17 percent to just 1.6 percent Du down of whatever form or acronym—and the rate of infections and deaths could have Among the six major countries of ASE• Duterte himself added 14 quarters of problem growth Government economists earlier countries pump into their economies, their down.projected This lockdown – the longest and severof Trustees. project are violations. only stop-gap measures to alleper a hundred oneper plh human rights Critics sayahesystemic killed This is because the is not asuccessor—without systemic two doses or one and awarpath half.

And aWe vaccine in government and half intoMore the prirecession could rage well into 2021.

This is because the problem is to not production and is home 50 percent of What isrun notfor controlled during aple—half state terrorists are on the marked by a other president before him. than 45 been much worse.

The latest data suggest that or around 4,000 deaths. averted achie Duterte can pick his AN, the Philippines has spent the least, per • terrorists are on the warpath marked by a est in the world – has seven months.

GDP would have shrunk massively, anyway. having a breakfast birthday party with more est in the world – has run for seven months. this law, Gierran ca Under linked the authorities What has made Duterte a strong president, well into 2021. is/are the legal requirements before viate the27,000 people’s before itPresident went negative in the quarter of a recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP to fire well into 2021.

He notes tha more than in needs. the guise of eliminating came toCenter power in first contraction or aBoard cyclical bust.

Simply, necescreated atWhat thethe Gamaleya National of vate sector. happens to the rest of 109 Trustees of PhilHealth, unless theWhat population. of calamity how the disBoard ofthat Trustees PhilHealth, anehH star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civilcontraction or awhether cyclical bust.

Simply, necesnew When phenomenon—suicide bombers.

The a little 1 is percent of allgovernment COVID-19 cases some 1.3 to phenomenon—suicide 3.5appointed million cases, of which ingand regard asofCOVID to guy isof aand geniIt is not the sheer size of the stimulus package capita, for response-$202.95.

SinThis means half of over the economic production new bombers.

The Gierran can be as a member of This means half of the economic production What is essential and urgent is a longwould be a sure winner. pointed by the President as a the pervasive illegal drugs curse. than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prostates July2020.

2016, he stumbled theingreatest and saryrestrictions Authorities admit totm the illegal drugs campaign, also and Microbiology Moscow million According tohas a certain sary mobility hamper aggregate the recommended his appointment toachie rate 2021.

That is now overly opti-That sta ian positions in thecontracted government. the$15,809; recommended hisaverage appoin Investments by 53.5 Epidemiology permoney.

The incumbent President in the country severe orvicious critical.

Our mor-inFilipinos? mobility restrictions hamper aggregate TO THE PNP has tripled anti-insurgency budget, thatgrowth matters now butin also whether it is actual68,000 would be into severe and critical us, a Board technocrat, aBoard nincompoop, or even tion Let me quote Justice Manuel “Lolong” gapore has spent Malaysia $2,562; is gone by now.

That cannot be recovered PNP has tripled its anti-insurgency budget, the Board ofits Trustees? term jobs policy to prevent amany bigger probis penses gone by now.are cannot beinrecovered The envisioned international airport did biznew Human Rights Watch says of the longest economic expansion in the country’s Sweden 57, aneI the President. could cover another 500 million people per general, they may have to wait for as long demand.”

Board of Trustees of PhilHe Despite the overwhelming dominance ofa worrying gatherings ofsign. tenthe or more people in talityget ratio, themoney other hand, is at 2.5 people thewas President. ingrown the second quarter and byhibiting 36.6 can allon the he wants tohas have Sw the campaign.

Anyunem num given him one of hiscent major failures—massive ly saving the productive of thefour economy. demand.” sign. cases on the peak day, which willGovernoverameant dog.

So today, the people mustperpetratalready grown to about 32,000 average daily tests Begun 1999, expansion a$1,211; 4.2mistic.

Withoutparts a vaccine for use, the Lazaro, who the Government CorpoSection 13in of RA 10149 (GOCC Indonesia $432.54; and lem of poverty. months. a worrying has to about 32,000 average daily tests not pushgeneral through because San Miguel did four months.

27,000 are “vigilante-style killings POINT history—70 consecutive quarters ofGovernment growth. Thailand 3.

Unpreced Thus, before Gierran can be appointed as year outside Russia from 2021.” as five years. generals, the Duterte administration has not economists earlier projected per a hundred thousand.”

Thus, before Gierran can be appo percent in the first half.

“Private investhis hands on and deploy it to whoever This is because the problem is not anot systemic 3 ance Act of5. mandates that anmilitary appointing included inearlier the list prepared whelm our healthcare sector.”

5.

Coddling of2011) the police and the My gulay, ifduring there’s one element missing, Government economists projected evm decide—do they want more of Duterte, or ly nee rate Counsel the Marcos era.

“The thisviolations.

(August).”

Vietnam $277.40.

“May pera ako,” Duterte oneWith place atincrease the same Duterte refused Secretary Carlos human Dominguez Coddling of the police and the military classified as “homicides rights Critics say competent he Hang killedin thisthen (August).” know2021. yet its exact location.

But, soon ed by police officers themselves or by killers fold in14time), the size of Philippine econorecession could rage wellFinance into Finance Carlos Dominguez Duterte himself added quarters of growth President and CEO of PhilHealth, he must What has mhW proven itself to anyFilipinos: more norfor anyina“What delayed vaccine rollout, the PhilThe advice Hewherever notes Secretary thathe perwants 100,000, the EU member a recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP President and CEO of PhilHealth, contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, necesment slumped in Q2 with outlays and to send it. director shall be appointed by the President it’s an urgent and lasting jobs policy.

Sanwe find in the last six months, like less, or none at all? tion Duterte has employed more generals, beneficiaries of the February 1986 accidena recovery of 7 percent to 8 percent in GDP said while COVID raged.

Asan?

Adds Dominguez: “Without the lockdown, explains that “nodecided matter how much money by theas GCG to the President. enough, it explains was itmatter should be 70, amuch Duterte has more generals, linked to the authorities.”

Adds Dominguez: “Without theto lockdown, before it(from negative inbillion theemployed quarter of to that that “no how EMIL P. President fire the erring general.

Aside from the cent dru more 27,000 in the guise of be first appointed member of the Board less corrupt than pasteliminating administrations. l my $72.2 in 1998 $304.9 bilWhen the camein tostates power in31 average deaths, UKthan Spain 61,Don’t ippines top economic agencies—the Dethere. get sick and don’t die. vaccine vicious ille from awent short-list prepared byfirst the Governance sary mobility restrictions hamper flatland aggregate growth rate in In 2021.

That is now overly optibe first appointed as member of th ta Banana, Iadmit aa7,000 bleak future for the dustrial machinery andAcould transport equipCombine those powers—control ofmoney the the is that the lower quarantine restriction Duterte has imposed longest and com tal event of time, and personalities, from the military and the police, than any managing aforesee pandemic, there areathe basic growth rate in 2021.

That isthe now overly optirate of infections and deaths have the town of Bulakan by the economies, sea.

Authorities toplace deaths during countries pump into 57, their economies, their the from the military and the police, than any 2020. the rate of infections and deaths could have countries pump into their their dent cannot legally appoint Gpc When the chief of the national capital’s of Trustees.

Sweden and the US 52.

Commission for Government-owned or-Conpartment of Finance, Bangko Sentral ng is coming, after 2022, when a new PhilipPhilippines without any assurance that peogiven him one JURADO demand.” of Trustees.

Human Rights Watch mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. ment 62.1 percent lower and for private price and supply of any commodity or conlion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, July 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and has actually opened more sectors of the Bu most strict lockdown in the world—for giv alre have fashioned and sustained a litany and Ts—treat, trace, and trust.

Just like the vacother president before him.

More than 45 mistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the Some fishermen’s villages would have to be been much worse.

Thewas latest data suggest that campaign.

Any numbers above that are wouldGDP have shrunkhave massively, anyway.

Begun inCorporations 1999,president the of expansion meant a 4.2other before him.

Morethe than 45 get been much worse.

Theon latest data suggest thatDepartment shrunk massively, anyway. police caught social media What is/are the legal requirements beforelion 3.would Unprecedented human rights violations trolled (GCG). ple can employed when this pandemic Government economists earlierGDP projected Pilipinas, the Budget, and pine president isforce elected. ber ofinadequate the Board of Trustees, human What is/are the requirement construction percent lower,” says sumer goods, redirecting taxpayers money recession could rage well into 2021. economy helped bring back jobs.” more six months now from March me barrage of adverse publicity to legal efface Pres-rights hum biznewsasia@gmail.com cine, allthan three are in supply. classified aswith “homicides under investigation.” star-rank officers occupy and civilpolitically motivated dv Human Rights Watch says many ofall the recession could rage well into 2021. apackage little over 1 little percent of46.8 all COVID-19 cases fold increase inand the size ofcabinet Philippine econoand middle-income status for Filipinos, longestof economic expansion inItsheer the country’s Itrelocated. isinnot the size ofsheer the stimulus package star-rank officers occupy cabinet and civila over 1 percent of COVID-19 cases having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder finally ends! is not the size of the stimulus What has made Duterte a strong president, Gierran can be appointed asin a member ofa 27,0 a recovery 7 percent to 8 percent GDP NEDA—collectively have admitted to a How did the Philippines come to such a Gierran can be appointed as me more than ADB. Public construction slipped by a to anyone orthat anywhere, andaerothe restrictions When the President came to power a PhilHealth president/CEO, THE New Manila International Airport thatUnder Mr. President, lift the lockdowns. servi 15, 2020.

And what do we get after cle ident Marcos from the tapestry of history. the Senate bill passed, an Aside from the drugs war killings, the mo In the meantime, Duterte’s advice to ian positions in the government. mymor(from $72.2 billion inincome 1998 $304.9 bilthe of President to power inSenattm inactualthe country are severe orare critical.

Our mor-pro-Our matters now but alsonow whether it iscampaign, actualpointed by positions the President aseconomy. ato member of the When ian in government. * * came *of Trustees? than 50 guests (despite strict lockdown prominent critic, 27,000 areit has “vigilante-style killings perpetratin the country severe or critical. theof vicious illegal drugs also the Board Trustees? matters but also whether is growth in 2021. consecutive That isflatnow overly opti- that their per capita exceeding $3,000. history—70 quarters growth. much bigger contraction in thethe rut?

Simple answer: Incompetence. the Board the pervasive marginal 0.9 percent inatQ2. on flow of years. goods and people under atality lockworth P740 billion onrate a 2,500-hectare July 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and They make no sense.

I think even comm giving up most of our basic liberties? wh tropolis would last 50 The San MiThey pursued what notable poet Sir RichHuman Rights Watch has also noted the Filipinos: Don’t gather for this Christmas. theli lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, Take note that before the Despite the overwhelming dominance of July 2016, he stumbled into the greatest and ratio, on the other hand, is 2.5 people Board of Trustees of PhilHealth if he was I don’t know whoever had the idea of ly saving the productive parts of the economy. hibiting gatherings of ten or more people in given him one of hisform major failures—massive Despite the as overwhelming dominance of ecotality ratio, on the other hand, at 2.5 people Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC Governmistic.

Without a vaccine for general use, the lydown saving the productive of the economy.

This year, thethe economy, measured by At least, Duterte in Donald Trump’s case, he itor-isbut Section 13 of RA 10149 (GOCC removal in May 2018 editparts by police officers themselves or by killers may not know he of whatever or acronym—and Human Rig land is considered the most meaningful Today, Duterte presides over the worst Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth longest economic expansion in the country’s politically motivated detention of his most guel subsidiary that would handle would without lockdowns, you can win tainm Well, nothing—but misery and poverty. ard Maitland sharply observed: ‘The essenMa and middle-income status for Filipinos, with COVID, not carols, is in the air. included in the list prepared and submitted easing one-meter social distancing pro-shortliH generals, thegenerals, Duterte administration has not longest economic expansion inthat the country’s per a hundred thousand.” oneper place at the development same time), Duterte refused human rights violations.

Critics sayahesystemic killed This is because the problem is not asuccessor—without systemic clude your name in the the Duterte administration has not couldItrage into ance Actthe of 2011) mandates an appointing a hundred thousand.”

This is because the problem is to not the GDP growth rate, will contract bythebedered COVID vaccine as earance Act of 2011) mandates an“vi apI development inrecession the country. haswell four run-2021. achieved almost full employment durDuterte can during pick his 27,000 are prominent critic, Senator Leila deme Lima, thethat beinexempted from taxes the 10-year an election. history—70 consecutive quarters of growth. cially The Philippines today is the epicenter tial matter of history is not what happened their per capita income exceeding $3,000. ria Lourdes Sereno, th linked the authorities.” by the GCG to the President.

But Presitocol in public transport.

To it would nomic performance of the Philippines ever.

27, before it went negative the first quarter of proven itself any more competent nor any to fire the erring general. history—70 consecutive quarters of growth.

He notes that per 100,000, the EU member more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating When President came tocontraction power in contraction orregard a cyclical bust.

Simply, necesdirector be appointed theedof President proven itself any more competent nor anyinshall iP He notes thatOperation per an 100,000, the EU member ment asofshall ainor member the Boa or awhether cyclical bust.

Simply, necesdirector bebyJustice appointed by and the biznewsasia@gmail.com tween -8.5 cannot and -9.5 percent, much higher lygenias March 2020, under Warp ways – and its own storythe to tell. ing his presidency, unprecedented as to that guy is a removal May 2018 Chief Maperiod of construction, development, estabby police of Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecosv of COVID pandemic the whole of dent legally appoint Gierran a membut what people wrote said about it.’”

Duterte himself added 14 quarters growth be worsen the problem. ed(n the pervasive illegal drugs curse. less corrupt thancorrupt past states average deaths, UK 70,during Spain 61, Duterte himself added 14 quarters of growth nesty given Senator July2020.

2016, stumbled into the greatest and sary Authorities admit to 31 7,000 deaths from a short-list prepared by the Governance sary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate tn The slump isofadministrations. also the worst in ASEAN. The less thanPhilippines pastmuch administrations. states average 31 deaths, UK 70,when Spain 61, from a short-list prepared by the Gov mobility restrictions hamper or aggregate The aerotropolis whichhehas been labelled achievement.

Economists say that a technocrat, a nincompoop, even ria Lourdes Sereno, the revocation of amlishment andus, operation.

Under the approved ber of the Board Trustees, more as of Philhealth, the GCG first nomic performance the ever.

Mark my words, there will be a surge of linked to the au biznewsasia@gmail.com empl Asia, outside of India, Pakistan, and Lazaro also said that succeeding adof before it went negative in the first quarter of biznewsasia@gmail.com Human Rights Watch says many of the lin When the chief of the national capital’s longest economic expansion in the country’s Sweden 57, and the US 52. before it went negative in the first quarter of Commission for Government-owned or-ConPh demand.” chief ofmythe national capital’s Sweden 57,above and Trillanes IV who led as a game changer was actually conceived the campaign.

Anyunemployment numbers that52.arepractical-Theeconomic Commission for cases Government-owned demand.” nesty given Senator (now retired) franchise, the new would be exaslump PhilHealth gulay! hitsthe 5 US percent, ameant dog.airport So thealso people mustperpetratalready collapse makes the worst Begun in 1999, the expansion a today, 4.2COVID-19 cases in the3,000 country asAntonio aare result is When alsopresident/CEO, thethe worst inalso ASEAN. The him Authorities becau Bangladesh.

With over daily, ministrations have used laws even as they of pm hA 2020. mine whether you qualifie 27,000 are “vigilante-style killings history—70 consecutive quarters of growth. police force was caught on social media tap local and foreign equity and rely on debt 3.

Unprecedented human rights violations trolled Corporations (GCG).

2020.

Government economists earlier projected police force wasthe caught on social media 17 years ago during a meeting called by San empt from income 3.under Unprecedented trolled Corporations (GCG).

Takecollapse note ever that can in-1999, Trillanes IVtowho ledmeant mutinies in 2002 and of this nonsense. and real estate taxes until Government economists earlier projected needing a human job hasrights a job.violations It’seconomic decide—do they want more of or Duterte, or ly everyone alsobefore makes himGCG the worst home we are reaching 300,000 cases and will 2007, and the passage classified as “homicides investigation.” sought destroy or consign Marcos to the campaign. him Begun in the expansion a 4.2ed by police officers themselves by killers president in terms of economic perforfold increase in the size of Philippine econoDuterte himself added 14 quarters of growth financing.

In fact, the passenger capacity of the having a breakfast birthday party with more this law, Gierran can only be apUnder office. f has made a strong president, Begun in say 1999, the expansion meant a 4.27 percent percentto in8 GDP Miguel Corp.’s Danding Cojuangco and Ra- aitrecovery clude your name in the forperforappointThey the idea was tohis help operators having a breakfast birthday party with more 2007, and the passage of a new Anti-Terror this law, Gierran canasonl Under an airport has fullyaof recovered its investment cost.

WhatDuterte has made Duterte a strong president, president ever in terms of shortlist economic having a factory running at 95 perless, ortonone all? recovery ofto 7at8percent percent inWhat GDPFinally, Iro be No. 20by in number of COVID con oblivion, notwithstanding solid unprecclassified “h linked the authorities.” fold inpointed the size of Philippine econobefore it(from wentwas negative inbillion thebyfirstgrowth quarter of to new international airport would aslockdown Act (ATA).

Aside from the like drugs war killings, the President astotal avehicles. member ofathe cla than 50 guests strict lockdown promance. my $72.2 inIt1998 $304.9 biltheand vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also the fold increase inthe the size of Philippine economent asthan a (despite member of the Board ofbeincrease Trustees and drivers of public utility Intemon S. Ang. That meeting attended rate in 2021.

That is now overly optiAct (ATA).

My gulay, it’s a long proce pointed by the President as memb would be required to remit to the gov50 guests (despite strict promance. the vicious illegal drugs campaign, has also cent capacity.

Duterte has imposed the longest growth rate in 2021.

That is now overly optimillio cases in the world among 220 countries. the edented achievements for the good of Authorities admit to 7,000 deaths during we can all be proud Aside my (from $72.2 billion 1998 tohave $304.9 bilmuch as times thedue capacity ofsecond NAIA. Board ofin Trustees of PhilHealth ifPhilHealth he wasfrom of10 Philhealth, GCG needs to more deterrior and Local Government Secretary Eduhibiting gatherings of or more people insecond Fernando Poe,2020.

Jr.,lion Senator Edgardo aAngara, given him one ofin his major failures—massive my (from $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilRecently, there been sensational Recently, there hav Human Rights Watch has also noted the mistic.

Without a campaign. vaccine for general use, the ernment anymost amount in excess ofnumbers theinannual Board of Trustees ofpick ifSA And thathibiting isthat all the toall thefirst gatherings of ten or people inwe And isten due totobiggest the biggest in 2016), dramatic reduction in poverty, But April more 7.3 milstrict lockdown thegeneral world—for given him one2020, of his majorthan failures—massive ident cannot just anybo Without aAny vaccine for use,arethe the above that incom In fact, will be in Top 15, dislodging nation and its people.

Begunand in 1999, the expansion a 4.2- mistic.

Human Right Santa Banana, since Iaream already 93, I this lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, mine whether you qualified hold ardo Año said that if this is true, we should included in the list prepared and submitted e Tessie Aquino-Oreta Gregorio Hona- meant Hu one place at the same time), Duterte refused of. killings of known political activists, human human rights violations.

Critics say he killed 12-percent international rate of return.

For lion in 2016), a dramatic reduction in poverty, failure. included in the list prepared and su recession could rage well into 2021. one place at the same time), Duterte refused lion people lost their jobs—“largely in more than six months now from March human rights violations.

Critics say he killed killings of known poli classified as “homicides under investigation.” politically motivated detention of his most recession could rage well into 2021. bring even Bangladesh.

I could well repeat what Lazaro said so com fold increase in the size of Philippine econoand middle-income status for Filipinos, with politically mo Health president and CEO. hope I2.failure. would live mismanagement long enough to see inoffice. andanmiddle-income status for Filipinos, with add more jeepneys, buses, and other means by the GCG to and the President.

But the PresitT san. rights defenders, alleged New People’s to fire the erring general. pol many Bulakeños, this is a dream come true, Pandemic more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating and middle-income status for Filipinos, with by the GCG to the President.

But th When the President came to power in services—mainly trade, transport, ac15, 2020.

And what do we get after to fire the erring general.

Aside the fromPresident the drugs war killings, theinSenator more than 27,000 in the guise of eliminating perce The economy collapsed bydefenders, 0.7social percent mytheir (from who $72.2 billion inincome $304.9 bilWhen came to power chia that “good deeds, especially those ternational airport trulyprocess! be proud of.PresMy gulay,we it’scan a long The ofeloquently transportation—not ease the disprominent crit rights and prominent critic, Leila de Lima, the their per capita income exceeding $3,000. dent cannot legally appoint Gierran a memw 2.

Pandemic mismanagement per capita exceeding $3,000.

Much earlier, Ang, thought of1998 the to July manent Commissions of GCG but as envisioned by Ang and Cojuangco, pro the pervasive illegal drugs curse. dent cannot legally appoint Gierran theirtancing per capita income exceeding $3,000.

2016, he stumbled theofgreatest andgreatest restaurants, and entergiving up most our liberties?

Human Rights Watch hasbasic also noted the the pervasive illegal drugs curse. in 2016), dramatic reduction in poverty, beneficial to the nation and ecothe people, cannotasin Pol cannot picktravels anybody to be IPhilJuly 2016, heinto stumbled into the and commodation, protocol.

I must ident confess thatjust in my abroad, removal M ber of Duterte the Board ofthe Trustees, much more Today, Duterte presides over the worst idea, had beenlion coming up awith statements the projected date of the start of construcremoval in May 2018 of Chief Justice Mabiznewsasia@gmail.com rem ber of Board of Trustees, much ex-officio members (Secreta Human Rights Watch says many of the Today, Duterte presides over the worst ecoToday, presides over the worst ecocan come up with a facility that will comlongest economic expansion in the country’s politically motivated detention of his most tainment—but also in industry, espeWell, nothing—but misery and poverty. middle-income for Filipinos, with longest economic expansion in the country’s biznewsasia@gmail.com president and CEO. The three per- a(www.manilastandard.net) Health experts say this ismy dangerous.

Human Rights Watch says many of Health the and be effaced orpresident/CEO, expunged, Good survives and Sin get envious embarrassed because I am ria Lourdes S PhilHealth gulay! that there wereand alternatives to thestatus problem nomic performance of the Philippines ever. tion did notconsecutive materialize.

TheSenator Finance athe PhilHealth president/CEO, myexp gu ria are “vigilante-style killings perpetratpete the airports of the income prominent critic, Leila deepicenter Lima, thewith nomic performance of the Philippines ever. history—70 quarters of quarters growth. cially manufacturing.

The Philippines today isDethe per capita income exceeding Commissions of GCG andwith the two (www.manilastandard.net) ria Lourdes Sereno, theworld-class revocation ofLoweramWhat can happen here is that weGCG could lose Carlos Dominguez and DSC (www.manilastandard.net) able to manent compare the state of our airport triumphs in end.

Marcos’ place in history nomic performance the Philippines ever.

27,000 are “vigilante-style killings perpetrathistory—70 consecutive of 27,000 growth. besetting the their main gateway to the Phil- of$3,000.

Take note that before the can innesty given o partment wanted San Miguel to show its The slump is also the worst in ASEAN. The Former Chief Justice Reynat Take note that before the GCG world andand Asia.” removal in14May 2018 of in Chief Justice Manes ManilaStandard by officers themselves or by killers members (Secretary of Finance everything we have gained.

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The GCG is akin to the Judicial and Bar For many years, we have not gone to the fold in the size of Philippinethat econoBox 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website:failure. www.

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Post Office, Manila. Website: www. killings of kno mance. *** BANAYO million from as an cases in the world among 220 countries. kil Aside from the drugs war killings, the BANAYO Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Du varied and numerous legal issuances.” failure. my Soon (fromafter, $72.2 billion in 1998 to $304.9 bilmanilastandard.net nana!

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ex-officio members (Secretary of Today, Duterte presides the worst ecolike Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. This to, who pushed for the passage of a 50-year nomic west ofperformance Manila.

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Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associa Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard manilastandard.net Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Joyce Pangco Pañares News Editor MEMBER Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions at 6/FMakati Universal Building, 106 Paseo de Joyce Pangco Pañares News E MEMBER Roxas, corner PereaPublishing St., LegaspiInc. Village, City.Re Telephone Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Opinion Editor Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager Roxas, corner832-5558 Perea St., Legaspi Village, numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, (connecting all Makati City. Telephone Philippine Press Institute Adelle Chua Opinio The National Association Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. The National Association of Philippine Newspapers departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, 832-5550. P.O. of Philippine Newspapers Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila.

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EU citizens in UK retain rights after Brexit M ost EU citizens settled in the UK will retain their rights to live and work in the country after Brexit, but on January 1 a two-tiered system comes into force that may exclude thousands.

The right of EU citizens to move to and settle in Britain without a visa will cease to exist on January 1, when Britain no longer has to abide by the bloc’s rules.

EU citizens who have been living in the UK for less than five years have to apply for pre-settled residency status to allow them to live, study and work as well as claim healthcare and benefits.

Those who have lived in the country for more than

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM FOR YEARS 2018-2020, WITH MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2020-025 RC Promulgated:

ILOCOS NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. (INEC), Applicant. x--------------------------------------------------------------x

November 16. 2020

Total Available Cash for Disbursement CAPEX Plan Cost (from RFSC) CAPEX Plan Amortization -Existing Loans CAPEX Plan Amortization -2010-2012 CAPEX CAPEX Plan Amortization -2018-2020 CAPEX Amortization - TRANSCO Sub-Transmission Assets CAPEX Approval Fee Total CAPEX Plan Cost Net Cash Flow 9.

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 10 September 2020, Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) filed an Application dated 08 July 2020 (Application), seeking the Commission’s approval of its proposed Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) projects for the years 2018 to 2020, with prayer for provisional authority.

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

2.

INEC is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative, duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte; It holds an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission, to operate an electric light and power distribution service in the municipalities of Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Banna, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona and Vintar and the cities of Laoag and Batac, all in the Province of Ilocos Norte.

kWh Sales Forecast Current RFSC Rate per kWh Annual Collection from RFSC RFSC Beginning Balance Projected NEA Loan Proceeds Total Funds Available CAPEX Plan Cost Cash Flow Additional Revenue Requirement Additional Revenue Requirement per kWh Current RFSC Rate per kWh Adjusted RFSC Rate per kWh

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2009 and other laws and rules, and in line with its mandate to provide safe, quality, efficient and reliable electric service to its consumers, INEC seeks approval, confirmation and authority from this Honorable Commission to implement its Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Program for Years 2018 to 2020.

PROJECTS

Substation and SubTransmission Development Projects

Capacity/ Power Quality

3 4

Capacity

5

Power Quality

6 Safety 7 8

Primary Distribution Development Projects

Implementation Year

Title

Reliability

1

2

Type

Power Quality/ Reliability

2019-2020

181,258,472.51

Installation of 10 MVA, 69kV/23kV Power Substation at Brgy. Lanao, Bangui and Construction of 6gkV Sub-transmission Line from the nearest sub-transmission of Northwind Corporation to proposed location of substation

2018-2019

112,500,000.00

Installation of Additional 10 MVA, 69kV/i3.2kV Power Transformer at San Nicolas

2020

46,000,000.00

CAPEX for Medium-Voltage Distribution Lines

2018-2020

46,065,034.00

Conversion of Single Phase to Three Phase Distribution Line at Brgy. Pancian and Pasaleng, Pagudpud

2018

7,582,042.67

Installation of Distribution Protective Devices in Long Laterals

2020

6,307,608.00

Replacement of 15kV Switchgear for Batac Substation

2019

12,000,000.00

Conversion of 1.62-kilometer Two-phase to Three-phase primary line in Pila, Laoag City using #4/0 ACSR

2018

2018

10

Power Quality/ Reliability

Reconfiguration of Circuit-8 and Conversion of 5.172 kilometer Single-Phase and Two-phase to Three-Phase in Batac City

2018

3,148,267.91

11

Power Quality

Conversion of Single-phase to Three-phase Distribution Line of Circuit-4B in Brgy.

Manalpac, Solsona (from pole no. D2SL0252 to D2SL0279)

2019

6,056,903.49

CAPEX for Distribution Transformers

2018-2020

32,537,632.28

CAPEX for Low Voltage Distribution Lines

2018-2020

22,262,672.00

CAPEX for Secondary Service Drops

2018-2020

8,005,835-00

CAPEX for Metering Equipment

2018-2020

34,627,609.50

Rehabilitation of Duplex Wires into Low-Voltage Distribution Lines

2018-2020

25,787,281.40

Replacement of Rotten Poles

2018-2020

54,851,800.00

Replacement of Defective Kilowatt-hour Meters

2018-2020

15,342,465.00

Acquisition of Line Materials for Relocation of Lines

2018-2020

29,522,500.00 4,054,000.00

13 14 15 16

Secondary Distribution and New Customer Connection Requirements

Capacity

Safety

17 18 Asset Renewal Projects 19

System Efficiency Safety

Annex Markings

2019 (PhP) 315,528,871 0.2752 86,833,545

2020(PhP) 336,030,586 0.2752 92,475,617

124,224,974 332,490,188 208,265,213 0.7020 0.2752

127,379,847 5,948,179 295,406,296 289,458,117 0.9174 0.2752

207,828,939 10,846,439 200,016,142 189,169,703 0.5630 0.2752

TOTAL (PhP) 948,223,118 0.2752 260,951,002 42,583,135 335,208,786 638,742,923 827,912,626 189,169,703 0.1995 0.2752

0.9772

1.1926

0.8382

0.4747

Nature of Document Capital Expenditure Program for Years 2018 to 2020

A B B-1

Affidavit of Posting of Notice to Consumers Notice To Consumers

C

Affidavit of Undertaking that the corresponding application for approval of concerned agencies shall be filed, whenever required

D

Judicial Affidavit in Support of the Motion for Provisional Authority

E and series

Proof of furnishing of copies of the Application to the Sangguniang Bay an of Dingras and Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicant INEC respectfully prays of this Honorable Commission:

6,540,894.38

1)

2)

2,585,000.00

2018

17,670,000.00

Acquisition of Ultrasonic Inspection Device

2018

7,000,000.00

1) 2)

24

Acquisition of New Vehicles for Technical Services Department, Audit Department, Finance Services Department and Zone’s Operation and Maintenance

2018-2020

37,285,000,00

3)

25

Infrastructure Projects for INEC Offices

2018

9,982,000.00

26

Purchase of Advance Metering Infrastructure

45,000,000.00

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM 5.

The proposed projects are discussed in detail in INEC’s Capital Expenditure Program with supporting data presented in ERC-specified templates.

6.

Financing Plan. The proposed projects will be funded partly through INEC’S collections for its Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable CAPEX (RFSC) and partly through loans from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and/or other financing institutions, as follows: 2018

2019

2020

522,117,979

127,379,847

207,828,939

186,909,195

136,136,599 774,562,943

63,957,217 263,516,446

52,351,146 271,786,156

252,444,964 239,260,341

The petitioner’s name, mailing address, and e-mail address; The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and A statement of the relief desired.

Likewise, all other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may likewise file through e-mail at records@erc.gov.ph and records. erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com, their Opposition or Comment thereon at least five (5) calendar days prior to the initial virtual hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) 2) 3)

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION

Project Cost

This is a Petition for Declaration of Nullity of Marriage filed by petitioner ABIGAIL LAPUZ-SENINA on March 06, 2019, praying that her marriage to respondent EDUARDO B. SENINA, JR. be declared null and void under Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippine and that the permanent custody of their child, Nica Cris Angelie L. Senina, be awarded to the petitioner.

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

2018

The name, mailing address, and e-mail address of such person; A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from the Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, through any of the available modes of service, upon their agreement, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. In the alternative, those persons who wish to have an electronic copy of the Application may request the Commission for the e-mail addresses of the Applicant by sending an e-mail to records@erc.gov.ph and records.erc,gov.ph@ gmail.com, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal.erc.gov.ph@gmail.com. Nonetheless, any person may also access the Application as posted by the Commission in its official website at www. erc.gov.ph.

7.

Obtaining short term to long term borrowings to cover the cost of the projects is one way INEC proposes to minimize cash flow, a cost that will eventually become part of the cost of service to consumers. Amortization of NEA loan is computed based on a 6.5% interest rate per annum, 10 years to pay with 6 months grace period.

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

8.

Cash Flow. As shown in the following tables, INEC’s cash flow shows that it can viably pursue and implement the 3-year CAPEX Program without necessarily effecting a significant increase in its electricity rates. For years 2018, 2019 and 2020, it shows that there is a minimal indicative additional rate requirement to cover the costs of the proposed projects, new loan annual amortization, and approval fee.

WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 26th day of October 2020 in Pasig City.

2018(PhP) Projected kWh Sales Current RFSC Rate per kWh Cash Beginning Balance Projected Collection from RFSC Projected Loan Proceeds from NEA Loan

296,663,661 O.2752 42,583,135 81,641,839

2019 (PhP) 315,528,871 0.2752 (208,265,213) 86,833,545 127,379,847

2020 (PhP) 336,030,586 0.2752 (289,458,117) 92,475,617 207,828,939

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO

TOTAL (PhP) 948,223,118 0.2752 42,583,135 260,951,002 335,208,786

ABIGAIL LAPUZ-SENINA Petitioner,

after due notice and hearing, the Capital Expenditure Program for Years 2018-2020 be confirmed and approved accordingly.

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

Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Development Project

774,562,943.05

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 5-FC, Mandaluyong City

-versus-

The Commission hereby sets the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 08 January 2021 (Friday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), through a virtual hearing using the MS Teams Application as the online platform for the conduct thereof pursuant to Resolution No. 07, Series of 20201 dated 23 July 2020.

Acquisition of Computer Software

Grand Total

EIGHT Hong Kong democracy activists including three former lawmakers were arrested Tuesday for their part in a July protest, the latest in a broad crackdown by authorities under a sweeping new security law.

The detained include veteran activist “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, the former chief of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party Wu Chi-wai, ex-legislator Eddie Chu and Figo Chan, the organiser of an annual rally marking the British handover of the city to China in 1997.

Police said they are suspected of inciting, organising and joining an “unauthorised assembly” on July 1, for which they could face a maximum of five years in prison.

The arrests came hours after the United States sanctioned 14 top Chinese officials in retaliation for Beijing’s disqualification of pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s legislature last month.

Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong on June 30, a move aimed at crushing dissent in the international financial hub following months of huge and often violent protests last year.

It targets four vaguely worded crimes: subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets the day after its passage, leading to the arrest of over 370 people, including some for carrying banners and flags adorned with prodemocracy slogans. AFP

to allow the implemented projects and permit the implementation of other projects as may be deemed necessary and urgent under prevailing circumstances, even while the application is pending, to enable the cooperative to deliver a safe, quality, efficient and more reliable electric service to its consumers; and

Other relief, just and equitable in the premises, are likewise prayed for.

22

2018-2020

Eight HK democracy activists arrested

Proof of publication of the Application in a newspaper of general circulation in F and series INEC's franchise area or where it principally operates.

21

Source of Funds NEA and/or Other Financial Institutions RFSC Total

2018 (PhP) 296,663,661 0.2752 81,641,839 42,583,135

14. Finally, in compliance with the documentary as well as pre- filing requirements for the application, INEC is submitting herewith the following documents which are being made as integral parts hereof as follows, to wit:

2018

Service Efficiency

200,016,142 (189,169,703)

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTARY AND PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS

Purchase of Computers and Computer Peripherals

No n-Network Projects

295,406,296 (289,458,111)

13 In view of foregoing, INEC respectfully seeks the Honorable Commission’s confirmation of the implemented projects and its permission while the application is pending, to implement other projects as may be deemed necessary and urgent under prevailing circumstances, to enable the cooperative to deliver a safe, quality, efficient and more reliable electric service to its consumers.

20

23

5,809,222 332,490,188 (208,265,213)

PRAYER

Power Quality

12

4,432,800

12. Further, unforeseen situations or occurrences may arise which might necessitate the immediate implementation of any of the proposed projects.

589,924.91

Upgrading of 7.8 km Main Trunk Lines of Circuit-6 and Restructuring of 7.4kmTwo-phase line to Three-phase Line from Banna to Nueva Era and Installation of 3-75kVA AVR

9

4,432,800

11. The Table on the proposed projects as presented in paragraph 4 above shows the intended timeline for implementation of the projects. As such, INEC has been constrained to implement some of the projects as planned due to urgent necessity, subject to the Honorable Commission’s evaluation.

Project Cost (PhP)

Construction of Laoag-Burgos 69 kV Subtransmission Line

4,432,800

10. INEC repleads the foregoing allegations as may be material herein.

The CAPEX Projects subject of the instant application are summarized hereunder, as follows:

Category

10,846,439 113,643,892 2,138,888 20,985,306 58,815,256

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

CAPEX PROJECTS 2018 - 2020 No

5,948,179 234,540,901 3,335,751 20,985,306 32,111,537

(This space is intentionally left blank)

THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS 4.

124,224,974 289,739,603 11,523,257 20,985,306

him a credit card and insurance for his car. He can prove that he’s in and that’s enough,” he added.

Poles (773,840) and Romanians (670,600) have made the highest number of applications for settled status, followed by Italians (401,800), Portuguese (306,350) and Spanish (246,600).

As of September 2020, 3.9 million applications have been processed with 56 percent granted settled status.

Forty two percent were granted pre-settled status and two percent of applications were withdrawn, rejected or found invalid.

638,742,923 More than a third of the 17,000 individuals 637,924,396 16,997,896 rejected were from Romania, which has one of 62,955,918 the lowest GDPs per capita among EU member 90,926,793 states.

13,298,400 One of the main arguments made by proBrexit campaigners before Britain’s 2016 5,809,222 referendum was that leaving the EU would 827,912,626 (189,169,703) stop the arrival of migrants from poorer EU countries. AFP

Rate Impact. The CAPEX Plan was envisioned to bring the most value to consumers at the most reasonable and justifiable electricity rates, such that implementation of the proposed projects will have a reasonable rate impact per kWh. Based on the above Projected Net Cash Flow, the projected increase per kWh in RFSC is computed below, as follows:

LEGAL BASIS FOR THE APPLICATION 3.

five years can apply for settled status, which gives recipients the right to stay indefinitely.

Romeo Manciu, 39, arrived from Romania before Brexit and secured pre-settled status, as did his wife, daughter and father who joined him later.

“You just have to prove that you are in the UK, and this is very simple, for example with a bank statement,” he told AFP. “I included my father in my bank account and got

Civil Case No. R-MND-19-00548-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage

EDUARDO B. SENINA, JR. Respondent. x----------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

Petitioner is a resident of Unit 15-1 Tower 2 Dansalan Garden, Brgy. Malamig, Mandaluyong City, while respondent is last known to be a resident of Phase 2 Block 1 Lot 28 Deca Homes, Pavia, Iloilo. They are both Filipino citizens and of legal age. The parties’ property relations is governed by the regime of absolute community of property and have in common an undisclosed property in Quezon City and a motor vehicle.

They met sometime in 2003 and secretly got married on May 12, 2003. Petitioner claimed that respondent was previously invited in their barangay office for peeping at a woman who was changing her clothes. Petitioner also found videos of girls taking a shower in the respondent’s mobile phone. In both instances, the respondent denied the malicious assertions but the petitioner started to wonder whether he is a pervert. On April 09, 2010 or the day before their church wedding, the respondent slapped the petitioner’s mouth for intervening and appealing his traffic violation with a traffic enforcer. Despite this incident, they proceed with their church wedding. Petitioner also alleges that sometime in January 2011, respondent forced petitioner to have sex with him although she was very exhausted from work.

It was also claimed that whenever the respondent would return from his employment as a seaman, petitioner would suffer from urinary tract infection which the latter dismissed as mere infection.

However, around February 2011, the petitioner was confined in a hospital due to a urinary tract infection. Petitioner’s mother blamed the respondent’s extramarital affairs. Respondent got insulted and did not attend much to the petitioner. During their vacation in Boracay, the petitioner was informed that the respondent had bragged that Latinas are good in bed and that he does not use a condom when having sexual intercourse while he is on board a ship. In the same year, petitioner was diagnosed with uterine cancer and had her uterus and cervix removed. The physician revealed that she contracted Human Papillomovirus (HPV) from the respondent. The petitioner confronted the respondent about this, but instead of being remorseful he became angry and wanted to argue with her physician.

The parties later agreed that they would no longer have sex.

But sometime in 2012, the respondent was alleged to have tried to sexually attack their child’s nanny. As a consequence, petitioner told the respondent that she wants to separate from him but the respondent was more concerned about their properties. Since then, respondent had taken two (2) girlfriends.

In relation to this case, petitioner submitted herself to a psychological evaluation and respondent was found to be suffering from Antisocial Personality Disorder which was described as grave, severe, incurable, and marked by juridical antecedence.

WHEREFORE, finding the Petitioner to be sufficient in form and substance, and pursuant to Section 6 of A.M. No. 02-1110-SC or the Rule on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages and Annulment of Voidable Marriages, in relation to Section 15, Rule 14 of the Rules of Civil Procedures, let summons be served upon respondent EDUARDO B. SENINA, JR., by publication, in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, selected by raffle, once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks, at the expense of the petitioner, and a copy of this Summons be served upon the respondent at his last known address by registered mail.

Respondent EDUARDO B. SENINA, JR. is DIRECTED to file his Answer to the Petition dated March 05, 2019, which must be verified by himself and not by counsel or attorney-in-fact, within thirty (30) days from the last issue of the publication of this Summons.

SO ORDERED. March 03, 2020, Mandaluyong City.

(Sgd.) JOANNE G. HERNANDEZ-LAZO Presiding Judge

1

A Resolution for the Transitory Implementation of Legal e-Processes Pending the Adoption of the Interim Guidelines Governing Electronic Application, Filings, and Virtual Hearings Before the Energy Regulatory Commission.

M. Standard – Dec. 9 & 16, 2020

Copy furnished: 1. Office of the Solicitor General 2. ASP Josyll A. Tabajonda 3. CKC Law Firm 4. Abigail Lapuz-Senina 5. Eduardo B. Senina, jr.

6. RTC-OCC, Mandaluyong City

(MStandard - Dec. 2 & 9, 2020)

Business

B3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Asian stocks mixed; eyes on stimulus and vaccine HONG KONG—Stock markets swung Tuesday as investors weighed the rollout of vaccines and hopes for US stimulus talks against soaring virus cases and China-US tensions, while the pound dipped with post-Brexit trade talks on a knife-edge.

With Britain rolling out its mass vaccination program Tuesday and the US preparing to approve inoculations soon, the disease continues to run rampant across the United States and Europe while also flaring up again in parts of Asia.

Its resurgence has already forced governments to reimpose lockdowns or strict containment measures, putting fresh pressure on the global economy, which has been ravaged this year.

After a blockbuster November, traders are now taking stock ahead of what many predict will be a bright 2021 that could see a strong economic rebound and market rally.

On Wall Street, the Dow and S&P 500 retreated from records, though the Nasdaq hit another all-time high with tech firms the main beneficiaries of stay-at-home orders.

Analysts said the next leg-up for equities would be news that US lawmakers had finally reached an agreement on a new rescue package for the battered economy.

Democrats have largely thrown their support behind a bipartisan proposal worth $908 billion while there is optimism Republicans will also come on board soon.

“This is our last chance before Christmas and the end of the year to bring relief to families across America in the midst of a public health crisis,” Democratic senator Dick Durbin said.

“We’ve got a few remaining issues. I think we can work them out.”

Asia markets were mixed, with Tokyo ending lower as investors were unmoved by news of a more than $700-billion stimulus to kickstart the economy, the third rescue package this year. AFP

PSEi December 7, 2020

TOP GAINERS DFNN AR

6.35 0.0015

1.86 0.0004

41.43% 36.36%

3

PBC

22.9

3

15.08%

4 5

DITO ACEX

7.61 10

0.69 0.8

9.97% 8.70%

6 7

DMW SUN

6.78 1.85

0.49 0.12

7.79% 6.94%

8 9

CYBR APL

0.345 0.058

0.02 0.003

6.15% 5.45%

10

C

5.79

0.28

5.08%

TOP LOSERS

reforms at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border in Ghazipur on December 8, 2020. Story below. AFP

By Jean-Baptiste Oubrier LONDON, United Kingdom—Brexiteers have long argued that leaving the European Union, with or without a trade deal, would herald Britain’s so-called sunlit uplands of economic prosperity.

But the outlook remains uncertain, as the economy struggles to recover from a recession sparked by the coronavirus outbreak.

Despite eye-wateringly costly emergency state interventions, including the subsidy of private-sector wages, a bounce back does not look to be on the cards for months, if not years.

Britain will nevertheless embark upon life outside its main trading partner on January 1, 2021, leaving the EU single market and customs union that benefitted “UK plc” for decades.

The nation officially left the EU in January but is currently locked in a Brexit transition period that means the bloc’s rules still apply until December 31.

Many analysts predict Brexit will unleash even more painful economic damage, delivering another hammer blow just as the COVID-19 fallout begins to ease with the advent of vaccines.

Just how much harm it will do hinges on the outcome of fractious trade talks between Brussels and the government of Britain’s pro-Brexit Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which have gone down to the wire.

‘Inevitable disruption’ Capital Economics analyst Thomas Pugh says there will inevitably be disruption but predicts it might not be long lasting.

“If there were a deal it would probably mean no tariffs or quotas on goods, and trade in services would probably remain similar to how it is now,” Pugh said in a research note, also sounding optimism over a possible deal for key financial services.

In the absence of an agreement, Britain will revert to World Trade Organi-

zation rules which would see tariffs imposed on a wide range or products, from car parts to beef.

UK companies would face an overnight spike in their costs—which they are expected to pass on to consumers in the form of higher prices, particularly for imported fresh food products.

“There would be some inevitable disruption as firms get used to the new rules—there will be ‘rules of origin’ checks for the first time in many years,” predicted Pugh.

“But the period of disruption should be relatively short-lived.”

At the same time, even a Brexit trade deal would not be as advantageous as being part of the EU’s single market, which ensures a smooth flow of trade across the continent.

The Bank of England has forecast that slumping exports and supply-chain disruption arising from no-deal could send the UK economy shrinking by 1.0 percent in the first quarter of 2021. AFP

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

GENERAL STRIKE. Farmers block a highway during a nationwide general strike called to protest against the recent agricultural

Deal or no deal, Britain set to pay high price for Brexit

LAST PRICE

LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

PTC MAB

95 0.01

-11 -0.001

-10.38% -9.09%

3

OPM

0.01

-0.001

-9.09%

4 5

BMM IPM

71.35 4.51

-4.95 -0.29

-6.49% -6.04%

6 7

FPI LSC

0.205 0.96

-0.013 -0.06

-5.96% -5.88%

8 9 10

AEV I MWIDE

44.75 1.32 8.89

-2.75 -0.07 -0.4

-5.79% -5.04% -4.31%

MOST ACTIVE 1 2

DITO MBT

VOLUME 130417000 10184050

VALUE (PHP) 965289378 517329757

3 4 5 6 7

AC ALI BDO SMPH SM

559280 11488000 3882970 10097400 366925

479720695 456368175 422702668 389244335 383726780

8 9 10

ICT TEL BPI

3056130 217820 3170520

380739973 289491935 263126807.5

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Australia to force Nordic Harvest opens one of Europe’s giant ‘vertical farms’ in Denmark German industrial

By Camille Bas-Wohlert TAASTRUP, Denmark—A purple glow illuminates stacked boxes where lettuce, herbs and kale will soon be sprouting at one of Europe’s biggest “vertical farms” which has just opened in a warehouse in an industrial zone in Copenhagen.

Fourteen layers of racks soar from floor to ceiling in this massive, 7,000-square-meter (75,350-squarefoot) hangar used by Danish start-up Nordic Harvest.

The produce grown here will be harvested 15 times a year, despite never seeing soil or daylight. It is lit up around the clock by 20,000 specialized LED lightbulbs.

In this futuristic farm, little robots deliver trays of seeds from aisle to aisle.

The large aluminum boxes are mostly empty for now, but lettuce and other leafy greens will soon be growing.

Some 200 tons of produce are due to be harvested in the first quarter of 2021, and almost 1,000 tons annually when the farm is running at full capacity by the end of 2021, explains Anders Riemann, founder and chief executive of Nordic Harvest.

That would make the Taastrup warehouse one of Europe’s biggest vertical farms.

These urban facilities have unsurprisingly received a cool welcome from rural farmers, who have questioned their ability to feed the planet and criticized their electricity consumption.

But Riemann stresses the environ-

A robot, used to plant seeds and check the plants while growing, moves past vertical racks at the vertical plant farm ‘Nordic Harvest’ based in Taastrup, a suburb west of Copenhagen, on November 20, 2020. A purple halo runs over racks where lettuce, herbs and kale will soon be growing—in a commonplace warehouse in an industrial zone on the outskirts of Copenhagen is one of the largest ‘vertical’ farms in Europe, inaugurated this week. AFP

mental benefits of his farm, with produce grown close to consumers and its use of green electricity.

“A vertical farm is characterized by not harming the environment by recycling all the water and nutrition or fertilizer,” says Riemann, who uses no pesticides.

In Denmark, a world leader in wind farms, about 40 percent of electricity consumption is wind-based.

“In our case, we use 100 percent energy from windmills which makes us CO2-neutral,” he adds.

While he wouldn’t disclose how much Nordic Harvest’s electricity bill comes to, he said the power came with “wind certificates” registered on the Danish commodities exchange.

These legal documents guarantee that “the amount of electricity you consume in one year is equivalent to the electricity produced by numbered windmills offshore.”

Slow start in Europe First developed around a decade ago, vertical farms have taken off in Asia and the United States, which is home to

the world’s biggest.

The idea has slowly started to catch on in Europe.

Urban farming could even allow land exploited by single-culture farming to be reforested, Riemann said.

“We moved the forests in order to have fields,” he laments, noting that now farmers like him can bring “some of the food production back into the cities where you can grow on much smaller land and space optimized in height.”

His farm uses one liter of water per kilogram of produce, or 40 times less than underground farms and 250 times less than in fields, he says.

The names of his clients remain confidential, but they include caterers, restaurants and even supermarkets.

According to a poll conducted by the Danish Farmers Union, 95 percent of Danes are ready to change their consumer behavior to protect the environment.

Nordic Harvest’s products are however not labelled as organic.

“The EU regulation dictates that the word organic is linked to the word ‘soil’ so if you take soil out of the equation you can’t name it organic anymore,” he says.

But “we grow on the same terms as organic: we don’t use pesticides or insecticides.”

Meanwhile, Aarhus University agriculture professor Carl-Otto Ottosen notes that Denmark “doesn’t have a space problem” and companies like Riemann’s are largely a novelty that won’t threaten Danish farming traditions. AFP

Indian farmers launch nationwide shutdown against agricultural trade reform NEW DELHI, India—Indian farmers who have been blockading New Delhi on Tuesday launched a one-day, nationwide general strike to push their demands for the government to repeal reform laws opening up trade in agricultural produce.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been camped on the outskirts of the capital since November 27 in protest at the laws in what has become one of the biggest challenges to the Hindu nationalist government since it won a second landslide election in 2019.

Farmers have vowed to block major roads and rail lines across the country for several hours and have been given support by railway workers, truck drivers, teachers and other unions.

Authorities have put thousands of extra police on the streets in Delhi and boosted security in the rest of the

country in a bid to head off any trouble.

Five rounds of talks have failed to narrow differences between farmers and ministers. The growing numbers of farmers and their supporters camped outside the capital say they will not go home until the laws are repealed.

The laws will allow farmers to sell their produce on the open market—including to supermarket chains—instead of being forced to sell through state-run organizations that guarantee a minimum price.

The farmers say the industry will be taken over by major firms who will force prices down. The government insists the changes are necessary to give agriculture—still the backbone of the Indian economy—a long-term future.

The protests have already caused price rises for fruit and vegetables in Delhi because supplies are restricted.

Rakesh Tikait, a protest leader, said that people should not travel during the shutdown and all stores should close.

Balbir Singh Rajewal, another leader, said: “We want nothing less than a withdrawal of the new farm laws.”

The main opposition Congress party and about 15 other political groupings are backing the protest but the government has accused them of opportunism, rejecting measures that they had called for when in power.

The farmers are strongest in the north of the country, but even the government in the southern state of Karnataka suspended online school lessons for the day to show support.

Top athletes including wrestler Kartar Singh, who won gold medals at the Asian Games in 1978 and 1986, said they would return national awards in protest at the laws. AFP

Google, Facebook production jumped pay media units intoOctober—data

SYDNEY, Australia—Facebook FRANKFURT, Germany—Germanand Google could be required to pay news industrial output beat expectations in outlets for their content in “world first” October, official data showed Monday, legislation set to be introduced Ausreflecting a continuing rebound intoEutralia’s parliament on Wednesday. rope’s largest economy before the latIn one of the most aggressive moves est restrictions to control the pandemic to imposed. check the power of the US digital were giants, Canberra plansrose to compel Industrial production 3.2 per-the companies to pay media organizations cent month-on-month, federal statistheirDestatis platforms host their content ticswhen agency said, driven by a or face millions ofindollars in fines. strong performance Germany’s key Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the car industry. first mooted Itnew wasrules, the sixth month ininaJuly, row will that be introduced to parliament Wednesday production increased, and beat expecand are to rise comefrom intoanaeffect tations of aexpected 1.5-percent next year. by FactSet. lysts surveyed “This isoutput a huge reform.

This is a However, remains below prepandemic levels, with October figworld first.

And thethe world is watchureing 3.0what percent belowhere the in sameAustralia,” month happens in 2019. he said.

Output in Germany’s in- to The new media lawkey willauto apply dustry rose by “News 9.9 percent October Facebook’s Feed”inand Google compared searches.with September, although it is six down the pre-panThepercent firms will beon required to comdemic levels seen in media February 2020,inpensate Australian outlets, Destatis said. cluding public broadcasters ABC and Hoping to curb second coronavirus SBS, who wereainitially excluded from wave, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s plans. government introducedhas new measures The government decided to exforempt November targeting hospitality, other popular platforms such as culture and and leisure services, which YouTube Instagram from the rules. have Measures since been toextended to January force transparency 10.around the closely guarded algorithms But withfirms factories staying open, that tech use to rank content were manufacturing is not expected to be also watered down. severely impacted.

Frydenberg said the tech giants will “The the media German now bebackbone required toofnotify comeconomy is proving its stability in this panies only when “conscious changes” particular situation,” said Jens-Oliver to algorithms would have a “signifiNiklasch, economist at LBBW bank. cant impact” on search rankings, with “The October figures also help to 14 days’ noticeconcerns rather than theanoth28 days relieve the main about first suggested. er sharp economic slump in the final Australia initially proposed a volunquarter,” he added. tary code conduct, but toughened Last week,ofindustrial orders data— its stance after deciding the “unequal barpointing to future activity—topped gaining position” between traditional pre-pandemic levels for the first time news and digital since the media start ofbusinesses the health crisis. platforms would prevent fair deals Germany’s economy expanded by abeing struck. record 8.5 percent in the third quarter said the twolifted sides and would after Frydenberg tough measures were stilland be factories encouraged to reach commershops reopened. cial aagreements if that failed they But decline inbut economic output would bethe sentcards to binding may be on for thearbitration. last three Theof the initiative been closely months year, ashas restrictions hurt the consumer globe, as denews thewatched services around sector and media have sΩuffered in mand falls.worldwide AFP an increasingly digital economy where advertising revenue is overwhelmingly captured by big tech firms. AFP

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

Business

PSE INDEX

Monday, December 7, 2020

69.11 PTS. 7,203.67

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

45,271,122,182 209,553 9,555,044,393.27 122 114 37

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.033

Japan

Yen

0.009609

0.4615

UK

Pound

1.341

64.4123

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129027

6.1976

Switzerland

Franc

1.122712

53.9272

Canada

Dollar

0.782595

37.5904

Singapore

Dollar

0.748951

35.9744

Australia

Dollar

0.743

35.6885

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

127.4153

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

12.8068

Brunei

Dollar

0.746157

35.8402

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033167

1.5931

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.0777

Euro

Euro

1.2134

58.2832

Korea

Won

0.01355

0.6508

China

Yuan

0.246427

11.8366

India

Rupee

0.7041

33.82

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.035447

1.7026

New Zealand

Dollar

0.700500

33.6955

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035089

1.6879 Source: BSP

PH Resorts AllHome opens offoutlet, two Sta.tops Maria towersnetwork of Cebu expands project tocasino 49 nationwide

By Jenniffer B. Austria

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LISTED gaming company PH Resorts improvement Group Holdings said HOME retailerInc. AllHome Monday the construction of its flagInc. of the Villar Group said Tuesday it ship integrated recently opened ancasino outlet inand Sta.hotel Maproject in Mactan, Cebu remains ria, Bulacan, expanding its networkon to track following the topping off of 49 stores nationwide. two Thetowers. newest AllHome outlet in Bulacan PH AllDay ResortsSupermarket, said in a disclosure to houses AllDay RX, the stock exchange it recently conCoffee Project and Bake My Day which ducted off ceremony on are under athetopping Villar Group’s retail holding towers A and B of Emerald Bay amid firm AllValue Holdings Inc. difficulties due to the pandemic.

“Another distinct advantage to shop“Despite a very challenging pers is the unique AllValue retail ecoyear caused by the current shopCOsystem which offers a complete VID-19 pandemic, we were ping experience for customers. able The to achieve robust store many line-upproject caters and not comonly milestones.

Theneeds topping off topany the shopper’s home but also of the two towers in Emerald Bay their daily essentials—even including represent very major tangible the everydayacup of coffee,” said Alland visible milestone in itsJr. conHome chairman Manuel Villar struction,” PH Resorts chairman “With the AllValue retail ecosystem Dennis Uy said. present, customers can expect not only “Our timetables the scheda complete but also make an enjoyable and uled completion of experience the first phase of rewarding shopping during Emerald Bay ready by the time we every visit,” he said. anticipate a marked recovery in the The AllHome Sta. Maria branch is country’s tourism and gaming secthe group’s fourth store in Bulacan. tor,”group Uy said.

The has 38 stores in Mega MaThe of towers A andand B nila, sixtopping in otheroffparts of Luzon came after the company’s follow-on five in the Visayas and Mindanao. offering ofresumed primary store common shares AllHome openings in that enabled it after to raise P756 million the third quarter the company saw in proceeds. signs of recovery in terms of revenues “The toppingquarter off of which towerswas A and from the second afB represent a significant milestone in fected by the pandemic. the on-going construction of EmerAllHome registered a 133-percent ald Bay.inGoing one will see increase sales forward in the third quarter more construction accomplishment from the second quarter. on thecompany façade as well in the inteThe said its as aggressive exriors. We muchonexcited to pansion planare wasvery focused establishbe on the road to open Emerald Bay ing bigger and better branches in key on spec, on time andManila—making on budget,” PH cities outside Metro Resorts chief operating officer José it easier for engineers, architects, conAngel Sueiro said. tractors and designers based in these Under the a plan, Emerald Bay areas to access wide variety of matewill be constructed in two phases, rials and products that are guaranteed targeted completion of the towith be ofthe good quality. first phase the second of It said thatbywith the newquarter and im2022. proved store look that features higher Uponand completion phase, ceilings rackingsof forthe thefirst construcEmerald Bay will feature 122 gaming tion area, professionals get a better tables for mass, premium mass appreciation of what AllHome hasand in junkets, 600 electronic gaming mastore for them. chines and 270 hotel room bays.

n the ivate vern- any foreign monies the agencies have received,” the two lawmakers said in ng in the resolution. cific The inquiry stemmed from the admis-

AC Energy wins awards in WCO Summit 2020

AYALA Corp.’s power generation arm AC Energy Inc. won several awards for exemplary compliance at the recently concluded Wholesale Electricity Spot Market Compliance Officers Summit 2020.

AC Energy’s solar farms in Negros, namely Montel Solar Energy Inc., Negros Island Solar Power Inc. and San Carlos Solar Energy Inc. with an aggregate capacity of 143 megawatts, topped the solar category and ranked first, second and third place, respectively.

The company’s wind farms in the Ilocos Region, North Luzon Renewables Energy Corp. and NorthWind Power Development Corp., with a combined 133 MW of capacity, bagged the first and second place ranks in the wind category.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the PEMC for our efforts to achieve a high level of compliance with the WESM,” said Miguel de Jesus, AC Energy executive director and head of commercial operations.

“We are committed to ensure that we help the market work with renewable energy by highlighting the importance of current, accurate and dependable information,” de Jesus said. Alena Mae S. Flores

PMAP holds virtual job and HR summit

NEW TRANSMISSION LINE. With the successful energization of the San Jose-Quezon 230-kiloVolt Line 3, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines is expanding its transmission services in anticipation of increasing power supply and demand in the coming years. The project is part of the P1.644-billion program approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, which includes the transmission line and the upgrade and expansion of NGCP’s San Jose and Quezon 230kV substations.

NTC reports improvement in mobile, internet services

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE National Telecommunications Commission said Tuesday the mobile and fixed broadband services of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. improved substantially between July and November this year.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said based on Ookla Speedtest Result, the country’s fixed download speed increased 262.7 percent in November to 28.69 megabits per second from 7.91 Mbps in July.

The mobile download speed also rose 148.52 percent to 18.49 Mbps in November from 7.44 Mbps in July 2016.

Cordoba said despite the improvement in services, the NTC was still considering an increase in penalty on telecom companies from P200 per violation a day to P2 million per violation a day.

“We are also pushing for the start of the commercial operations of DITO Telecommunity in the first quarter of 2021 to force existing telcos to further improve its services and invest more,” he said.

“DITO is very aggressive,” Cordoba said.

Cordoba said the agency was also proposing to include fiber optic cable in the streamlining of permits to speed up the construction.

Globe Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu said the company would invest about P70 billion next year, higher from this year’s P50 billion.

“We will ramp up our investments to put up more than 2.5-times fiber to homes and over 2,000 new cell sites,” he said.

Globe will also aggressively roll out 5G to more cities and municipalities, he said.

Smart president and PLDT chief revenue officer Al Panlilio said they would invest more to improve mobile and fixed broadband services. “We will not stop investing,” he said.

“We are targeting to elevate the mo-

bile standard in the Philippines to global standard,” Panlilio said.

PLDT plans to increase the minimum average mobile speed to 30 Mbps next year and 60 Mbps by 2025. It also expects to increase minimum average broadband speed to 20 Mbps.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a news briefing Filipino consumers wanted world-class telecom services. He said the fact that the Philippines ranked 34th in Asia in terms of telecom service meant the local sector could not be considered world-class.

“At 34th in Asia, I don’t think we are world-class,” Roque said.

The Philippines’ fixed broadband speed was ranked 32nd in Asia as of October, while its mobile internet speed ranked 34th out of 50 countries in the region.

The report also showed that the Philippines’ internet speed was just a tenth of Singapore’s 229.42 Mbps for fixed broadband and 64 mbps speed for mobile.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered telecom companies to “improve the services before December.”

NLEX readies measures to fix RFID technical issues NLEX Corp. Tuesday said it will implement several measures to resolve the technical issues caused by EasyTrip RFID system after the Valenzuela City government suspended the toll operator’s business permit.

“We are reviewing the situation and are doing everything necessary to address the issues,” NLEX president J. Luigi Bautista said, including amicable and cooperative initiatives between the tollway company and the city government of Valenzuela.

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian on Monday served the city government’s suspension of NLEX’s business permit after it the toll operator failed to resolve issues on RFID. Toll will not be collected at KaruhatanMindanao Avenue, Karuhatan-Harbor Link, Karuhatan Harbor Link MacArthur

SAFE SHOPPING. Strict COVID-19 guidelines and open format make Christmas shopping safer at ‘The Outlets at Lipa’ in Batangas and ‘The Outlets at Pueblo Verde’ in Cebu. The Outlets’ outdoor mall format allows for social distancing to be properly implemented so visitors can better appreciate the fresh air, surrounding green parks and landscapes and al fresco dining spaces. Both mall complexes are thoughtfully integrated in the master planned Aboitiz JOB SUMMIT. Haidee Cabanag Integrated Economic Centers Enriquez (top row, center), chief people officer of Sitel PH-ANZ of the People Management Association of the Philippineswhereand theypresident are located.

Palawan Chapter, joins human resources experts and professionals for the first virtual PMAP Job Outsourcing and HR Upskilling Summit 2020. The summit brings together experts to share how people management practices have adjusted and adapted during these challenging times and how employees can remain employable amid uncertainties and disruptions brought about by the global pandemic. With Enriquez are (top row, from left) PMAP president Louisa Mila Echevarria, 2018 PMAP vice president Michelle Guce, (bottom row,contact from left) John mediate effect, all with all Clements afore- Consultants Inc. managing director Grace Sorsogon, foreign PMAP board secretary Fullido and HRM consultant Renato Serapio. mentioned groups and toEllen return

unds from foreign groups

IN BRIEF

Highway Exit, Mindanao Avenue Toll Plaza, Paso de Blas toll Plaza and Lawang Bato Northbound entry toll booths because of the permit suspension.

Prior to the implementation of 100-percent cashless transactions, NLEX said it undertook consistent monitoring and upgrade to improve its RFID system. Advanced reading of RFID tags was implemented by relocating RFID sensors 10 meters from their original positions and adjusted the system software for faster transaction times.

Overall RFID transactions totaled 291,642m with 98 percent read rate, since Dec. 1, it said.

Bautista earlier said the company was working to eliminate the inconvenience caused to customers by the new compulsory tollway cashless transac-

tion system using RFID as required by the Department of Transportation.

The tollway company said the cashless toll implementation experienced birth pains that unfortunately resulted in technical problems in some instances.

“These glitches that are occurring at the toll booths are simply a result of some adjustments that should be expected because the RFID implementation took effect only eight days ago,” Bautista said.

NLEX assured stakeholders that their concerns raised in various mass and social media channels were being heard and addressed as a top priority.

The company said it was accelerating the solutions to make it more convenient for the public to adjust to the new RFID system. Darwin G. Amojelar

DOTr hikes speed of MRT 3 trains to 60 kph THE Department of Transportation said Tuesday passengers can expect faster travel at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 after it raised the train operation speed to 60 kilometers per hour from 30 kph.

It said with the speed adjustment, travel time from North Ave. to Taft Ave. would be shortened to 50 minutes from the previous 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The improvement in train speed followed the rail replacement works in the rail line as part of MRT-3’s massive rehabilitation program which is being implemented by maintenance provider Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan.

The MRT-3 was able to complete its rail replacement works in September this year, several months ahead of scheduled completion in February 2021.

“The increase in train speed will provide our passengers a safer, faster and more reliable public transportation,”

MRT-3 director for operations Michael Capati said.

The rail line gradually increased its train operating speed since it embarked on the massive rehabilitation project from 30 kph to 40 kph in October and 50 kph in November.

The MRT-3 trains can now travel from North Ave. Station to Shaw Boulevard Station (both bounds) with a speed of 60 kph and from Shaw Boulevard to Taft Ave. (both bounds) with a speed of 55 kph.

“During the first week of December, we have been performing test runs to ascertain the alignment and safety of railway tracks. We are targeting to increase the train operating speed to 60 kph in the entire revenue line before this year ends, when all system checks have been performed to ensure compliance to safety standards,” Capati said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

THE People Management Association of the Philippines recently held the first virtual PMAP Job Outsourcing and HR Upskilling Summit 2020.

The summit brought together experts to share how people management practices have adjusted and adapted during these challenging times and how employees can remain employable amid uncertainties and disruptions brought about by the global pandemic.

Haidee Cabanag Enriquez, chief people officer of Sitel PH-ANZ and president of the People Management Association of the Philippines-Palawan Chapter, joined HR experts and professionals for the first virtual PMAP Job Outsourcing and HR Upskilling Summit 2020.

Enriquez opened the session by highlighting the continuing growth and employment prospects in the IT and business process management sector, citing a report by a leading online job board that more than 40 percent of the job openings available in the Philippines were in the IT-BPM sector.

She noted the industry’s shift from traditional jobs involving simple, entry-level, process-driven tasks to mid and high-skilled jobs requiring experience, abstract thinking, situational responses and autonomy.

VTI board reappoints Olivia, Leo Yanson

VALLACAR Transit Inc., the country’s largest bus company, held an annual stockholders’ meeting at its principal office in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City on Dec. 5, 2020.

Olivia Yanson, Leo Rey Yanson, Ginnette Dumancas, Charles Dumancas, Anita Chua, Arvin John Villaruel and Daniel Nicolas Golez were re-elected as members of VTI’s board of directors during the meeting.

Following the election of the directors, the board held an organizational meeting where Leo Rey Yanson was reappointed as chairman of the board and president of VTI while Olivia Yanson, the co-founder of the company, was re-appointed as corporate secretary and treasurer.

The company said despite the proper and timely notice, stockholders Roy Yanson, Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson-Lopez, Ricardo Yanson Jr., Juan Manuel Lopez and Ma. Susan Yanson did not attend the meeting.

VTI said despite all the turbulence experienced by the management in the past two years, the company remains strong and resilient as it continues to be steadfast in its goal to serve the Filipino commuters.

Lamudi observes strong real estate sales outside NCR

By Othel V. Campos ONLINE property portal Lamudi Philippines on Tuesday reported strong real estate demand in regions outside Metro Manila.

It said the southern part of Luzon and Cagayan de Oro City saw increased interest from property seekers.

Lamudi said areas south of Luzon emerged as viable alternatives to Metro Manila cities, while Cagayan de Oro sustained real estate demand as the regional center of Northern Mindanao.

It said that based on its third-quarter report, the number of people looking at properties in Southern Luzon increased by 27.68 percent in the third quarter from the second quarter.

Lamudi said that while there was a minor dip of 1.28 percent in terms of purchase inquiries during the period, there was a notable 71.45-percent growth in leads from the first quarter to the third.

The five most-searched cities in the Southern Luzon area in the third quarter were Antipolo, Bacoor, Imus, Santa Rosa and Calamba.

These provincial towns and cities are highly urbanized and host a range of developments, from upscale residential communities to sprawling malls and industrial parks.

Lamudi said that most property seekers were looking for houses. This online activity garnered 49.37 percent of the page views in Southern Luzon.

Vacant lots for sale were the next most popular real estate type, attracting 31.19 percent of the views.

The same locations registered the most number of leads.

Meanwhile, lot only properties received the most inquiries at 45.91 percent. This signifies that property seekers are eager to buy lots for sale in the urban areas of Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, it said.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

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G League to foot bill if Sotto plays for US school

By Peter Atencio

TNT Tropang Giga guard Jason Castro drives strong to the hoop against Ginebra defender Scottie Thompson. Ginebra tries to close out the championship series of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup tonight at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G. PBA

PSC backs women’s nutrition THE Philippine Sports Commission encourages a holistic approach to health and wellness, which includes a balanced mix of physical, mental, emotional, and nutritional care, in the sixth episode of their web series, “Rise Up! Shape Up!” Rise Up, Shape Up’s episode on nutrition aims to remind everyone, especially highly active individuals, and women, that the right choice of food impacts our body’s strength, energy, and performance.

PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez highlights that the episode on nutrition is PSC’s call to action for Filipinos to make conscious choices towards health and wellness, including eating the proper kind of food.

“While the agency is tasked to promote and develop sports excellence in Filipinos and Filipinas, we believe that such level of excellence can only be achieved through a body that is holistically healthy and well,” said Ramirez.

Commissioner for Celia H. Kiram also stresses that women especially must be mindful about their nutrition as their bodies have unique nutritional and dietary needs due to pregnancy or menopause.

She adds that “women have the potential to influence their families to eat healthy, so it is important that they set an example with their healthy eating habits.”

The episode, titled “A Taste of Women’s Soulful Nutrition”, highlights the importance of proper nutrition and diet and its impact on one’s performance.

Nutrition experts share tips on what to eat to optimize physical strength and performance as well as discuss eating behaviors and habits.

Ashly Villa, a registered nutritionist-dietitian and part of PSC’s Medical Scientific Athletics Services Team, shares her knowledge on proper nutrition and its impact on one’s body. Villa is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Holistic Nutrition with Culinary Arts from Manila Tytana Colleges.

She earned her online diploma in Sports Nutrition from Shaw Academy and has had several speaking engagements on sports nutrition.

Kings shoot for title; Giga try to stay alive

By Reuel Vidal

B

ARANGAY Ginebra goes for the jugular when they battle the undermanned TNT Tropang Giga 6 p.m., tonight, Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G. The Gin Kings, leading 3-1 in their best-of-seven playoffs, grab the championship of the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup with a victory.

Ginebra will try to follow up its 98-88 Game 4 victory over TNT last Sunday when LA Tenorio outdueled Roger Pogoy in a battle of sharp shooters.

Pogoy drilled back-to-back triples to reduce a 17-point Ginebra lead to just 3 points, 88-85, with 2:50 left to play. Tenorio countered with his own three-pointer to extend the lead back to 6 points, 91-85.

Pogoy drilled another triple to cut the lead back down to 3 points, 91-88. But

Tenorio again answered with his own triple to push Ginebra ahead by 6 points, 94-88.

Pogoy finally missed at the TNT offensive end and the Tropang Giga could not score after that. Scottie Thompson and Tenorio finalized the count, 98-88, after each scored a field goal.

Other than Tenorio and Thompson, Ginebra will also rely on high scoring guard Stanley Pringle. Also expected to contribute is the versatile Thompson – who narrowly missed submitting a tripledouble during Ginebra’s Game 4 victory – as well as athletic big man Japeth Aguilar.

Playing quality minutes are grizzled veterans Jared Dillinger and Joe Devance.

If those veterans play the most minutes, then Ginebra should be a cinch to win the crown tonight. TNT gets a chance if Ginebra coach Tim Cone elects to give major minutes to his younger players in Aljon Mariano, Arvin Tolentino and Prince Caperal.

TNT will be the heavy underdogs.

Team mainstays Ray Parks and Jayson Castro are listed as day-to-day and may sit out the possible close out game today.

Parks has a hurting leg while Castro has balky knees. Parks, the leading scorer for TNT, has not seen any action since Game 2. Castro limped out of Game 4.

Expected to pick up the slack for TNT are Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Simon Enciso.

The Tropang Giga will also need solid contributions from veterans Ryan Reyes and Jay Washington. The two cannot be limited to just providing lockdown defense on Aguilar and Pringle. They will also have to score points if the Tropang Giga hopes to extend the series to a Game 6 and possibly a Game 7.

KAI Sotto may wind up playing for a university or college in the United States with his Ignite teammates.

That’s because the National Basketball Association G League has offered to pay for the education of the G League players once they’re done preparing to become professional players in the future.

G League Brian Shaw said this is part of the long-term program that the G League has in store for the young players that they have taken in for its team of elite prospects known as Ignite.

“I don’t know what’s better than that, when you can train for your lifelong dream to play in the NBA, get paid for it, and still get your education paid for,” remarked Shaw.

NBA G League Ignite is focused on NBA Draft readiness and growth of professional life skills.

Since March, Sotto has joined top high school prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, and Isaiah Todd, along with NBA Global Academy graduate Princepal Singh in the team.

Also joining them is 6’5” guard Reggie Hearn.

For the last nine months, they have been receiving mentorship and life skills training as part of the G League’s professional development program.

The program will follow their development for the next four years, and hopefully, the players will be able to join an NBA squad or two for the next 10 years.

Shaw is serving as head coach of NBA G League Ignite, which is unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team.

McGregor is realistic fight for Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is committed to donate a portion of his purse to COVID-19 victims in a fight against Conor McGregor.

FIGHTING Conor McGregor remains the realistic boxing bout for Senator Manny Pacquiao next year, hopefully at a time when the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is contained, since he has nothing more to prove as a professional athlete.

For Pacquiao’s special assistant Jayke Joson, Pacquiao has been a world champion in eight different weight classes and was able to beat younger fighters like Adrien Broner and former world champion Keith Thurman despite in his age (early 40s).

So Pacquiao needs something bigger than boxing, Joson explained.

“The Senator loves his fellow Filipinos and he likes to entertain them by fighting not only the best, but what the people want — and that’s UFC star Conor McGregor. They (fans) deserve a bigger fight like this or should I say this dream fight,” said Joson.

In a story by Yahoo Sports journalist Kevin Iole last December 6, Pacquiao was said to be interested in fighting unified International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council champion Errol Spence Jr. after his remarkable unanimous decision win over Danny Garcia, according to MP Promotions’ President Sean Gibbons.

But Joson said Pacquiao — the defending World Boxing Association welterweight world titleholder (62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts)— does not need to fight the undefeated Spence to cement his legacy as one of the best ever fighters in world boxing history.

“Pacquiao versus McGregor is the dream fight that everybody wants to see. Other fights like Spence or (Terrence) Crawford are no longer realistic. The senator has been a world champion of those belts and has nothing to prove anymore in his career, so we need something bigger, like a fight with McGregor,” added Joson.

Pacquiao’s business manager Arnold Vegafria said the senator’s main priority right now is to help his fellow Filipinos in these desperate times. And it is obvious that Pacquiao, he said, can generate more money to help the people by fighting McGregor than Spence or Crawford.

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. Senator MP’s fight with McGregor will generate more funds to help his fellow Filipinos. It will give him the biggest payday in his last three previous bouts. A fight against the other boxers will not give him that kind of amount,” Vegafria said.

Superal grabs lead as Del Rosario falters PRINCESS Superal fought back strong from an early miscue then pounced on Pauline del Rosario last-hole misfortune to turn one-stroke deficit into a one-shot lead with a 69 at the start of the ICTSI Riviera Championship at the Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Del Rosario outshone Superal in the featured flight that included Abby Arevalo, gunning down three birdies to storm to a two-stroke lead after first 12 holes in cloudy, windy conditions. But just when she thought she got the challenging par-71 layout all figured out, she stumbled with a bogey on the 14th, recovered the stroke on the layout’s signature hole – par-3 17th, but dropped two strokes on the tricky par-4 closing hole.

She wound up with a 70 (34-36), enabling Superal to wrest control with a 34-35, spiked by three birdies in a five-hole stretch from No. 9 which more than made up for her missed-green mishap on the sixth.

“I actually missed a lot of greens but made some up-and-down pars, especially on a couple of long par-4s,” said Superal, on track for a sweep of the twin Ladies Philippine Golf Tour titles in new normal after romping off with a five-shot triumph over Arevalo at the adjacent Couples course three weeks ago.

Expecting a strong fightback from Del Rosario and the rest of the contenders for the top P72,000 purse in the 54-hole championship put up by ICTSI and organized by

Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., Superal said: “I’ll try to go under again tomorrow (today) and make more birdies.”

Despite her last hole mishap, Del Rosario said she was more than satisfied with her round but stressed the need to work on her putting in the last two days.

“I played pretty good although I had some errors with my putting,” said Del Rosario, who marked her rookie campaign in 2017 with four victories on her way to bagging the LPGT Order of Merit crown.

Putting herself in strong contention after placing a distant third in the ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge, Del Rosario vowed to come up better and wiser in the last 36 holes to gain a crack at the championship.

“My plan is to correct the mistakes I had today (yesterday) and stick to what I had been working on,” said the first Filipina to win on the LPGA of Taiwan Tour, also in 2017.

TLPGA veteran and former Junior World champ Daniella Uy shot two birdies but made five bogeys for joint third at 74 with Gretchen Villacencio, five strokes behind Superal, while Chanelle Avaricio and Chihiro Ikeda struggled with a pair of 75s.

Three-time OOM winner Cyna Rodriguez groped for a birdie-less 76 while Arevalo, who nipped Del Rosario with a birdie on the final hole to win here as an amateur in 2017, failed to recover from a wobbly start and ended up with a 76 in a tie with Marvi Monsalve.

Princess Superal

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Sports

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

Durant visits Dubs Feb. 13 as NBA unveils first-half sked NEW YORK—Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets will visit the Golden State Warriors, the team he led to two titles, on February 13 as part of the NBA first-half schedule released Friday.

The league announced its first days of season-opening showdowns December 22-25 on Wednesday, then followed up with the early portion of a lineup of 37 or 38 games per club through March 4, 2021.

The NBA will announce the remainder of the schedule of 72 games per club (March 11-May 16) during the latter part of the first half, allowing for potential Covid-19 postponements as it attempts to play in home arenas, mostly without spectators at the start, rather than the bubble used to complete last season.

Among the notable contests from the two months of the campaign revealed Friday will be Durant’s return to the Bay Area, having signed with the Nets as a free agent last year following a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the NBA Finals.

Durant was the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the Warriors in 2017 and 2018 when they beat the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the championship series.

The Nets will host the Warriors on December 22 in the first game of the 2020-21 campaign.

Washington’s Russell Westbrook will face his former Houston Rockets teammates in Texas on January 26 while Houston visits the US capital on February 15.

The powerhouse Milwaukee Bucks, featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo, will visit Brooklyn on January 18, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday that also sees Phoenix at Memphis and the Warriors at the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando at New York and Minnesota at Atlanta.

Teams will face each conference rival three times and each foe from the opposite conference twice during the season. Teams will play between 17 and 20 home games in the first half of the season, with 558 of 1,080 games announced Friday. AFP

Breakdancing debuts at Paris Olympics

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AUSANNE—Breakdancing was one of four new sports along with skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing to get the Olympic green light on Monday for inclusion at the 2024 Paris Games.

The four sports were included as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board met to confirm the Paris 2024 programme.

Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing have already been added to the programme for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which will take place in 2021 after being postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The introduction of breaking was “one of the results of the Olympic Agenda 2020”, Bach said. “We had a clear priority to introduce sports (that are) particularly popular among the younger generation and taking into consideration the urban-

isation of sport.”

Breakdancing, which grew up alongside hip hop in the South Bronx of New York in the 1970s and is officially known in sport terms as “breaking”, appeared at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, in the form of head-to-head “battles”.

Russia’s Sergei Chernyshev, competing under the nickname Bumblebee, won the first breakdancing gold medal for boys in that event, while Japan’s Ramu Kawai won the girls’ title.

“Today is a historic occasion not only for b-boys and b-girls but for all dancers around the world,” said Shawn Tay, president of the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF).

“The WDSF could not be prouder to have breaking included at Paris 2024... It was a true team effort to get to this moment and we will redouble our efforts in the lead-up to the Olympic Games to make sure the breaking competition at Paris 2024 will be unforgettable.”

- Paris podiums down to 329 Federations of sports that already have Olympic status were left disappointed in their bid to increase events within their sports as IOC president Thomas Bach said that none of the proposed 41 events would be included in Paris.

While some sports substituted in some events within their existing event numbers, Bach said medal events had actually gone down from 339 to 329.

He said the athletes’ quota for Paris had been fixed at 10,500, including those participating in the four new sports.

That represents a decrease of 600 from Tokyo Games, while gender equality would be attained for the first time in Brazil’s breakdancer Mateus de Sousa Melo aka Bart competes during the Red Bull BC One, the breakdance one-on-one battle world championship in Mumbai. The International Olympic Committee has chosen to integrate brakdancing into the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. AFP

1st PRURide Virtual Challenge on Pulse set WHILE the ongoing lockdown may have stood in the way of many of our fitness goals, Pru Life UK is helping everyone finish the year healthy and fit with the PRURide Virtual Challenge on Pulse.

Set to kick off this month, the virtual event serves as the inaugural online counterpart of PRURide PH, the country’s largest cycling festival. Powered by Pulse, Pru Life UK’s all-in-one health management app, the event invites cyclists, enthusiasts, and families to experience fun and safe cycling, wherever they are.

Open to all Pulse Android users who have subscribed to a FREE premium subscription, the virtual challenge is staged in partnership with Garmin smartwatch, a fitness band that can be easily synchronized with Pulse to track participants’ performances. By using Garmin or other Pulse-compatible wearables available on Android, even stationary bike users will be able to feel the adrenaline rush of an official rider.

“These challenging times have highlighted the benefits of cycling. Not only is the activity an antidote to our mostly sedentary lifestyle, but it is also an ideal mode of transportation that promotes social distancing. These advantages encourage us to go ahead with our annual PRURide PH, but in a way that is more

Jong right man for the job NO OTHER individual has served the national team longer than Jong Uichico.

The man has practically spent half of his life serving the Philippine basketball squad in different capacities beginning in the 1982 Asian Youth Basketball Championship won by the Filipinos. When the core of the youth squad was elevated to form the

attuned to the new normal,” says Pru Life UK SVP and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga.

To join the virtual rides, all cyclists need to do is download the Pulse mobile app on any Android device, sign up for a FREE premium subscription, and sync it with a Pulse-compatible wearable, such as a Garmin, Google Fit, and Fitbit.

Within the app, users can choose between different Distance Challenges. Soon, other challenges such as the Individual Elevation Challenge, Saddle Time Challenge and Team Challenges will be introduced. For more inclusivity, participants can also expect other challenges coming very soon.

Families can also join the community engagement activity in the Pulse Cycling - PRURider community for a chance to win special prizes such as Best Decorated Bike, Best Christmas-themed family photo with bike, and Best kid costume photo with bike.

PRURide PH celebrity ambassadors Gretchen Ho and Kim Atienza are expected to participate in this year’s event.

They will be joined by returning PRURide PH and Prudential RideLondon cyclists.

For the Individual Category - Distance Challenges, all cyclists who complete

nucleus of the men’s basketball program, Uichico was among those elevated to join the Northern Consolidated-backed squad coached by Ron Jacobs.

Of course, genetically, Uichico comes from a breed of sportsmen.

His dad, Tony, was the athletic director of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers and eventually became Danny Floro’s nephew when the former became the husband of the late team manager’s sister, Elena.

When Uichico embarked on a career in coaching, he continued to serve the national team as an assistant coach to Norman Black in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.

In 2001, when Jacobs was appointed as head coach, Uichico was among those tapped to become his deputy, but the latter had to take over the head coaching job while they’re preparing for the Busan Asian Games set the following year after the late great American mentor suffered a stroke.

When Chot Reyes assumed the head coaching post of the national team program all the way to the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship in Tokushima, Uichico was also there. Yeng Guiao, Uichico’s former high school teammate at La Salle

the routes will receive virtual medals, e-certificates, and five raffle entries to the PRURide Virtual Challenge Raffle, which will take place at the end of the event, for a chance to win exclusive Garmin items and other premium prizes.

PRURide PH early bird finishers shall receive a Rudy Project sling bag and a PRURide PH 2020 jersey.

As part of Pru Life UK’s “We Do Health” advocacy, the PRURide Virtual Challenge on Pulse is just one of the company’s ongoing efforts to promote cycling as an accessible and safer mode of transportation in the new normal. Pru Life UK decided to go virtual to make the activity easy, safe, and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their skill level.

“PRURide PH has always been an inclusive festival for all cyclists, from beginners to professionals. In addition to providing our participants with an extraordinary cycling experience, we also want Filipinos to have an opportunity to have fun even amid tough circumstances.

Cycling is an excellent way to start building holistic wellness management and healthy habits,” ends Tumbaga.

To register, simply download the Pulse app for free on Google Play. The event will happen until January 2021 and registration will be announced very soon.

Greenhills, was tapped as the new coach of the Philippine men’s basketball team for the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship and Jong helped out his young pal in an unofficial capacity serving as his scout in the William Jones Cup tournament.

Uichico was also there with Reyes during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, the World Cup in 2014 and the FIBA World Cup window events until the unforgettable bench-clearing incident that saw the veteran coach getting involved in the fracas, an incident he regretted in his colorful basketball career that saw him winning nine PBA championships and a last head coaching gig with the national team in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, leading the squad to a gold-medal finish.

When Uichico took a sabbatical in mainstream coaching, he devoted his time sharing his knowledge to people from all walks of life. He would go to different provinces, teaching the game to aspiring players and coaches. It was a path he needed to redeem himself, not minding sharing what transpired in the darkest moment of his life. For Jong, he is a living proof that fighting has no place in basketball and he

PRU Life UK SVP and Chief Customer Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga announces exciting updates on the upcoming launch of the PRURide Virtual Challenge on PULSE, the inaugural online version of the country’s largest cycling festival, PRURide PH

For more information, visit the www.prulifeuk.com.ph or the Pru Life UK Facebook page at facebook.com/prulifeukofficial.

has learned the ultimate lesson.

Uichico is now the current head of the SBP Coaches Commission, coaching the coaches from different parts of the country. It appeared that he is really destined for basketball and it wouldn’t take long to see him back on mainstream coaching.

Last year, he was included as one of the assistant coaches of Tim Cone and became a part of the gold medal winning squad in the Southeast Asian Games basketball men’s tournament. Just recently, he was tasked by Gilas Pilipinas management to take over as head coach of the second window of the FIBA Asia Qualifier in Bahrain.

It was a different situation for Uichico as he was used to coaching experienced players from the PBA. Here, he was tasked to coach a group of young men, mostly PBA aspirants, but the veteran bench tactician made the most out of the lack time to prepare by bringing out the best from his team under a difficult situation playing under a “bubble” set up arranged by FIBA. Uichico delivered just as expected and although there’s no clear plan yet as far as the future of the Gilas team for the next

Olympic history in Paris.

The question of gender equality led to the demise of the men’s 50km race walk, which first appeared at the 1932 Olympics.

IOC sports director Kit McConnell said the event would be replaced by a “mixed gender event”.

There was a decision to “reach gender equality by removing the men’s 50km race walk”, rather than introducing a women’s version, McConnell said, adding that the men and women’s 20km race walks would remain.

The replacement event will not, however, be a mixed cross-country, which World Athletics had been pushing hard for.

“The event had to fit into an existing Olympic venue,” McConnell said, explaining that a potential re-fit of the equestrian or mountain-bike venues to accommodate a cross-country was shown to be “too expensive and complex”. AFP

Luxury brands Hugo Boss, Bentley, TUMI back ONE’s ‘The Apprentice’ THE largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship, on Monday announced strategic partnerships with global fashion house Hugo Boss, the world’s most sought after luxury car brand, Bentley Motors, as well as leading international travel, lifestyle and luxury performance brand TUMI. The three brands and ONE will work together on category-exclusive marketing and branding activations for “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,” which is currently in production and is scheduled to air in early 2021.

Hari Vijayarajan, Chief Commercial Officer of ONE Championship, stated: “We are delighted to announce that category leaders Hugo Boss, Bentley Motors, and TUMI are working with ONE on a series of exclusive marketing and branding activations for ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’

These class-leading brands understand the value of building leadership and affinity with our massive audience of Gen Y and Gen Z, who are the luxury consumers of tomorrow.”

Steven Lam, Managing Director of Hugo Boss South East Asia, stated: “We are excited to partner with ONE Championship for ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.’ We believe the will to succeed is fueled by the confidence that enables us to achieve whatever we strive for. Regardless of the stage of life you are in, BOSS inspires people to succeed by fostering the most fundamental element of success: the confidence that you can. We partnered with ONE on The Apprentice to help build the cast and contestants’ confidence through impeccable style, superior quality, and a captivating brand experience.”

Calista Tambajong, Head of Marketing at Bentley Motors Asia Pacific, stated: “Bentley and ONE Championship both believe in unleashing modern real-life superheroes, celebrating values, and igniting dreams. When it comes to celebrating achievements in life, the two brands are not simply speaking about being financially successful, but also being driven in all aspects of life, and changing the world. Some of the brightest and most successful business leaders in Asia who will serve as guest judges on the show have gone through extraordinary journeys in their lives and embody the virtues of Life Achievers, which defines the customer of today and tomorrow for Bentley.”

window is concerned, the former PBA Coach of the Year made it clear that the arrangement with Gilas was just for the second window.

I would love to see Uichico being given the opportunity to coach Gilas Pilipinas for a long stretch. He was tasked to take over the head coaching chores since there was no available coach to handle the national team for the second window.

What Gilas Pilipinas needs is to choose the right man at the wheel and Uichico fits that billing. He has been with the national team longer than any other coach out there. What the Philippine men’s basketball team needs is a coach who can work with Gilas Pilipinas full time. Tab Baldwin, an Olympian and a World Cup veteran, has to worry about Ateneo, while Mark Dickel is very much busy with TNT. Uichico has served the national team, didn’t turn his back at any given opportunity and made it known to everyone that a Filipino coach can deliver and ready to take on the challenge. It’s time we saw a Philippine squad mentor who would devote to the preparation of the team full time.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

Enchong

not taking it against stars who jump ship

C3

Enchong Dee

SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES

VERY WANG

M

Jane de Leon, who was attached to play the title role in the Star Cinema’s postponed ‘Darna’ film, will still don the superhero’s costume, this time in a TV series airing in 2021.

NICKIE WANG

ORE than three months ago, Jane de Leon felt deeply saddened when Star Cinema announced the postponement of Darna film.

Although she said she understands that safety should come first, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 21-year-old actress, the latest star to take on the titular role, was emotionally affected. Thus, it was a big surprise for her when ABSCBN chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidane's announced on Dec. 4, during the special contract signing of several Star Magic artists, that the muchawaited ABS-CBN project Darna is set to fly as a TV series in 2021.

“Tuloy na tuloy na po ang paglipad ni Darna. Ngayong 2021 na po ang Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series,” said Vidanes.

She also announced that Jane de Leon will portray the iconic Filipino superheroine in the TV series during the event, wherein Jane was among the stars who renewed their contract with the network’s talent management arm.

“Everything flashed back when it was announced that I’m going to play the lead role in the movie version. The big bosses were present during the announcement.

The feeling is the same, the overwhelming feeling to know that the project is pushing through, not as a film, but a television series,” Jane said during a virtual interview during the contract signing.

“I’m overwhelmed by the happiness I feel. I am so excited for the next chapters of my life. It’s another dream come true.

I have so much gratitude for our bosses because until now, they still entrust me with Darna’s stone,” she added.

Apart from Jane, the artists who also renewed their ties with ABS-CBN were Kim Chiu, leading men Enchong Dee, JM De Guzman, and Joseph Marco, MYX VJ and host Robi Domingo, and teen actresses Andrea Brillantes and Kira Balinger. They were joined by Star Hunt’s newest P-Pop groups, BINI, and SHA Boys.

Kim, who led Star Cinema's horror offering U-Turn, will star in a new series titled Bawal Lumabas under Dreamscape Entertainment set to be released on Dec. 14. She is currently hosting It’s Showtime and can be watched regularly in ASAP Natin ‘To. Pinoy Big Brother Connect host, Netflix film Alter Me top-biller Enchong will star in an upcoming inspirational series titled Huwag Kang Mangamba with Gold Squad member Andrea. Joining them

JANE DE LEON still flies as

‘DARNA’

are the other Gold Squad artists namely Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, and Seth Fedelin.

JM, who last starred in Pamilya Ko is geared to be back on television with a new series titled Init sa Magdamag with Gerald Anderson and Yam Concepcion. Fans can also watch him in an upcoming Star Cinema movie.

Meanwhile, Joseph, who recently joined the Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin cast, will be part of two Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries this year.

Robi is currently hosting Pinoy Big Brother Connect, which kicked off on Dec. 6 on Kapamilya Online Live, Kapamilya Channel, A2Z channel 11, and Kumu. Apart from PBB, he is also the host of Game KNB? which streams worldwide across multiple platforms including TFC, TFC IPTV, and on the streaming app Kumu through the @gknb account.

Kira, who plays Hope in Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, also signed up with Star Magic.

Fans of Kira and Grae Fernandez can expect to watch the “KiRae” loveteam in a teleserye and online project to be announced soon.

On the other hand, Star Hunt’s new girl group BINI and rising talented boy group SHA Boys also signed up to be part of Star Magic. Comprising BINI are Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena; while the SHA Boys include Gelo, Mikki, Akira, Nate, and JL. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez thanked the artists for their trust and expressed optimism for the coming year.

“As a new year is about to begin, we remain hopeful and positive with our artists, our ABS-CBN leaders, our employees, and most especially our loyal followers. We know we will be able to soar to new heights

Star Magic head honcho Laurenti Dyogi (center) with stars Kim Chiu, Jane de Leon, Enchong Dee, JM De Guzman, Joseph Marco, Robi Domingo, Andrea Brillantes, and Kira Balinger.

Jane and film director Jerrold Tarog had finished 16 days of shooting when strict community quarantine was implemented due to the global health crisis.

as we continue to serve the Filipinos worldwide,” he said.

ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak, on the other hand, emphasized that being a Kapamilya is not just a job but a calling to serve. He thanked the Star Magic artists for standing by the network despite the challenges it is currently facing.

“Today, I want to thank the stars who represent ABS-CBN to the world outside.

Kayo ang nagbibigay ng liwanag at ligaya sa ating mga Kapamilya. Thank you for choosing to be part of our mission, thank you for believing in our company, and thank you for supporting us in our most difficult moments,” Katigbak said.

Katigbak ended his speech by introducing Laurenti Dyogi as the new head of Star Magic who also expressed his gratitude to the Kapamilya artists who stayed and signed up with the talent agency.

“Star Magic is known to produce, to hone, and to manage the brightest and most talented stars in Philippine show business, and today we continue this legacy and tradition,” said Dyogi, who assumes his new role in Star Magic starting January 2021 concurrent to his current position as head of TV Production.

“As we welcome new artists to the Star Magic family, we also want to express our deepest gratitude to the Star Magic artists who chose to stay with us as we continue to rebuild and explore new opportunities,” he ended.

IN A recent digital conference, Enchong Dee said that he understands fellow Kapamilya talents who opted to accept job offers from other networks. He stated that he can’t blame them for simply looking for jobs.

“They need to work in order to earn. A lot of my contemporaries are breadwinners.

Considering the shutdown of ABS-CBN and the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can’t take it against them if they do projects for other TV stations,” he related.

It is public knowledge that at present, many Kapamilya stars can be seen appearing in shows produced by other networks, particularly, TV 5. Some of these stars include Piolo Pascual, Maja Salvador, Catriona Gray, Billy Crawford, Jake Cuenca, Ian Veneracion, Dimples Romana, Alex Gonzaga, Pokwang, Ria Atayde, Beauty Gonzales, Miles Ocampo, and Maris Racal.

Meanwhile, some also decided to leave Star Magic like Julia Barretto and McCoy de Leon who recently inked a contract with Viva Artists Agency. Bea Alonzo has also sought new management after 19 years with the Kapamilya’s talent management arm.

As for Enchong, he still remains loyal to ABS-CBN. “Yes, for 15 years! But actually, during these critical times, I’ve realized that you can’t measure loyalty by staying in your mother studio. As I’ve said, times are hard and everybody needs to earn a living. It just so happened that I was able to prepare

before the pandemic hit.” *** Former ‘The Voice Kids’ champ now with Viva Remember Lyca Gairanod? She was adjudged as the grand champion in the maiden season of The Voice Kids Philippines way back in 2014 in which pop star royalty Sarah Geronimo served as her mentor.

Interestingly, the 16-year-old singer is the latest talent of Viva Artists Agency as she recently inked a contract with them.

She and Sarah are under one stable now.

“Actually, Coach Sarah and I are communicating. We update each other about the latest happenings in our respective lives. She was the one who told me that if I want to move to Viva, I should just let her know. I thought that it would be a huge opportunity for me especially when she said that she wants to include me in her future concerts,” she revealed in a recent virtual press conference.

Lyca is happy with her decision.

“I’m glad that Coach Sarah and I are together in Viva. I’m confident that VAA will really boost my showbiz career.”

The teen singer promises to do her best now that she’s officially a Viva talent.

“I want to show them who I really am.

I feel positive that my career will soar higher here in Viva. I vow to give my best this time. I dream of doing many things for my showbiz career. I know that my home studio will help me become successful as a singer, dancer, and actress,” averred Lyca.

GMA Network to air DepEd TV on digital channel for free

From left: GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, and GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.

THE country’s leading broadcast firm officially inks the agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the free use of its digital channel to assist in DepEd’s implementation of the blended learning program.

Putting great value in the importance of education amidst these uncertain and challenging times, GMA Network is providing nationwide airtime for DepEd TV from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, on its digital terrestrial TV (DTT) channel, Channel 7 on the GMA Affordabox.

The Memorandum of Agreement signing, held virtually on Dec. 4, was led by GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon, President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., and Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones.

Also present were GMA Senior Vice President for Finance and ICT Ronaldo P. Mastrili, SVP for Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development, Concurrent Chief Risk Officer and Head of Program Support Regie C. Bautista, VP and Head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, and VP for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz.

For DepEd, in attendance as well were Usec. Alain Pascua, Usec. Diosdado San Antonio, Asec. Alma Ruby Torio, Director Abram Y.C. Abanil, Director Atty. Marcelo Bragado, Jr., and Consultant Darlow Parazo.

“GMA Network recognizes the challenges our country faces in the middle of this pandemic and will do its part to support the country’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to enrich the lives of Filipinos in ways that we can. It is, therefore, our honor and privilege to join forces with the Department of Education and provide our TV platform for free to enable our young learners access to broadcast education while keeping them safe at home,” said Gozon.

With GMA as a key partner in promoting the best in the Filipino, Duavit affirmed, "This is part of our continuous effort to deliver Serbisyong Totoo to our countrymen, especially in these difficult and trying times.

We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve our youth by providing this added means by which to learn and grow."

Briones, on the other hand, expressed her gratitude to the Kapuso Network. “All these months that we have been struggling with a pandemic, we have sought ways with alternative learning modes. This has been leading us to the greater use of technology. And we are very grateful to GMA for offering their assistance, their services, and advice as we move on to much more effective ways of delivering blended learning, as well as the other modalities.”

Students and parents can catch DepEd TV via Channel 7 on the GMA Affordabox beginning mid-December (on test broadcast). For more updates, visit GMA Network’s official website at www. gmanetwork.com.

Win big by watching your favorite shows TV5’s lineup of original and adapted programs undoubtedly brings endless quality entertainment among Filipino viewers. As a way of spreading more cheer and expressing its gratitude, TV5 is giving viewers a chance to win big by simply tuning in and enjoying its programs.

“Tutok Saya Watch ‘N Win Promo” offers audiences a simple way to take home a sizable amount of prizes: Weekly winners can get P10,000, while Grand Draw winners will get a chance to take home P50,000. Mechanics are easy: Viewers must simply spot “Tutok Saya” stickers that will randomly pop up within the TV5 programs airing from 6:00

a.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Once spotted, they’ll have to indicate the specific sticker they spotted, what day, and within which show they spotted it in via TV5’s official Facebook page (via Messenger).

Interested participants must send “TUTOKSAYA” via direct message on TV5’s Official Facebook page. Further instructions will be given where they’ll be asked to fill in a onetime registration form. Once completed, they can submit the correct sticker spotted, the program it appeared in, and show’s telecast date for it to be considered as a valid entry.

Each week, five winners who answered correctly will

be randomly selected for the chance to win P10,000 each. All correct entries for the entire duration of the promo will be eligible for the Grand Draw where five lucky winners will get P50,000 each.

Participants must be 18 years old and above and reside in the Philippines. Weekly cut-off for submission of entries is from 6:00 a.m. Monday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Weekly winners will be announced on TV5’s social media accounts and on television every Monday, 9:30 p.m..

Get a chance to win as much as P 50,000 with this “Tutok Saya Watch ‘N Win Promo” is a simple and promo runs until Feb. 07, 2021. For more information effortless way to win big, while enjoying your favorite on how to join, visit TV5’s Facebook Page.

TV5 shows at the comfort of your own home.

Life

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

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FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

A ‘Paw-fect’ Holiday

‘PAW-SHIONABLE.’ Dogs take center stage in Italian leather goods label Tod’s holiday campaign, looking ‘paw-sitively’ adorable as they pose with the brand’s bags, shoes, and jackets.

By Monica Sanchez

T

HERE is arguably nothing quite like the heartwarming feeling a dog can give to a person it loves.

It envelops you with warmth and fills your heart with love—the very feeling a luxury brand wishes to convey with its holiday collection featuring our fourlegged best friends.

Dogs take center stage in Tod’s holiday campaign, posing amid cheery backdrop with classic pieces from the brand like the good boys and girls that they are.

“Imagine being enveloped by the warmth of down jackets or experiencing the thrill of a mini shoulder strap, being happily occupied playing with bows and

sleds, intrigued by trying to put on a pair of sneakers or concentrating on finding the gleaming Holly Bag, or even being groomed ready to present some new sunglasses and the bag of your dreams,” Tod’s said in a statement.

Simply put, the joy of giving and receiving these crossbody bags, pumps, and sneakers is as pure as the friendship with a dog.

Tod’s is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Shangri-La Tod’s ‘paw-fect’ campaign symbolizes the true friendship between a man and dog, and the warmth that envelops them.

Plaza.

BULLETIN BOARD

VANITY CORNER Care kits

Nivea Holiday gift sets

Giving the gift of care, or self-care, has become a bit easier with Nivea’s five holiday gift sets.

Each care kit consists of the brand’s bestselling products and exclusive gifts. The Care Essentials Set (P299) comes with Nivea Crème and Nivea Intensive Body Lotion perfect for starting a soft skin journey; the Dreamy Fresh Face Set (P189) helps skin breathe and rejuvenate with its Micellair Face Cleanser and Whip Face Foam combo; while the Smooth and Even Skin Set (P279) comes with Extra White Body

Blackwater Women’s Bloom Collection

Glow like snow

Bela Padilla’s Britory skin care brand offers its flagship products Britory Like Snow Serum and Britory Like Snow Cream in a holiday set that comes in a tin can packaging.

“This Christmas, whether you’re shopping for yourself or finding gifts for your loved ones, Britory’s Holiday containers is an easy way to make your loved ones happy and glowing this Holiday season!” enthused Padilla, who co-owns the Korean brand.

Britory Like Snow Serum (P899) promises to help skin achieve that snow-like glow with the help of skin loving ingredients niacinamide, glutathione, arbutin, ceramide, neem tree flower extract, walnut leaf extract, and galactomyces ferment filtrate.

Meanwhile, Britory Like Snow Cream (P990) is made with additional ingredients (panthenol, Lactobacillus ferment filtrate, niacinamide, glutathione, ceramide, and neem tree flower extract) that help soften and lighten the skin as it works its way into its layers.

The holiday gift set (serum and cream in tin container) is available on Shopee and Lazada until Dec. 25.

Britory Holiday gift set

and Deo Serums for healthy, even skin.

Nivea Fresh and Bright Set (P299), meanwhile, is composed of Nivea Men Black and White Fresh Deodorant and Nivea Men Whitening Acne Oil Control Face Scrub; and the Fresh and Smooth Set (P299) comes with Deep Deodorant Spray and Crème, both from Nivea Men. The gift packs are available in leading department stores, supermarkets, and online on Lazada, Shopee, and Beauty MNL.

Season of bloom

The sweet and refreshing scent of flowers and fruits are bottled in a local brand’s latest collection of body mists.

Inspired by nature’s colorful flowerbeds and the different blooming personalities of women, Blackwater Women’s Bloom Collection features four different but equally sweet scents for different moods and occasions.

Fresh Bliss features citrus-based fragrance mixed with subtle floral notes, for that clean and cool scent; White Jasmine has a velvety blend of delicate floral notes of ylang-ylang, heart of jasmine, rose, and lily, heavily infused with musk as the base; Lush Peach boasts a sweet and sultry concoction of green notes, blackcurrant, peach, plum, and nectarine; while Orange Blossom has a distinct oriental floral fragrance with dominant orange notes blended with bergamot, mimosa, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.

The body mists in this collection retail at P135 each and available in all leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide, and online on Lazada.

Tourism Congress elects new Board THE Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), the private sector consultative body which assists the government in the development and implementation of tourism policies, recently elected a new Board of Trustees which will serve until 2022.

The newly installed officers are Jose Clemente III, president; Lucas Nunag, executive vice president; Albert Banaag, vice president for Luzon; Peter Tay, vice president for Visayas; Harry Morris, vice president for Mindanao; Orlando Ballesteros, secretary; Marisa Nallana, treasurer; and Bob Zozobrado, public relations officer.

The other Trustees are Victor Martinez, Edgar Cases, Henry Oyao, Cindy Marie Verar, and Regina Amador.

Serving as the voice of the tourism industry on matters of national interest, particularly those affecting the private sector, the TCP is composed of representatives of tourism enterprises all over the country, including former secretaries of Tourism. It is also responsible for developing a strong and an institutionalized partnership between the government, through the Department of Tourism, and the private sector.

The Board of Trustees has equal representations from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in each of the following sectors: accommodation enterprises, travel and tour services, land, air and sea tourist transport services, conventions and exhibitions services and suppliers, tourism estate development and management services, and other accredited tourism enterprises.

The new members of the Board hit the ground running as they immediately met to discuss their plan of action for the next two years, aware that they are faced with the urgent and serious task of overcoming the effects of the pandemic on the country’s tourism industry and the economic impact on its stakeholders.

Owners and officers of tourism enterprises all over the country are encouraged to join the TCP and get involved, through established channels, in the formulation and development of strategies that will ensure sustainability of the tourism industry.

Information on membership is available at the Secretariat through 0917-890-9921 care of Ched Maglinte or through tourism.congress2014@gmail.com or tourismcongressmembership@gmail.com.

Champion to open more stores in PH next year FOLLOWING the opening of its first brick-and-mortar store at SM Megamall, lifestyle brand Champion announced its expansion plans in the Philippines.

The brand embarked on a series of store openings in the last quarter of 2020, with more scheduled next year.

In addition to its Megamall outlet, it is

now present at Shangri-La Plaza, Glorietta 4, SM Mall of Asia, and Ronac Art Center.

Managed by Anthem Group, Champion stores in the country and the brand’s online shop (www.anthem.com.ph) offer a full line of athletic apparel for men and women including activewear, tees, sports bras, and accessories.

Lifestyle brand Champion ends the year with a series of store openings in Metro Manila, including the Mond Gutierrez flanked by models one in SM Mall of Asia Andrew Smith and Jessica Yang.