Manila Standard - 2020 December 21 - Monday

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BRITAIN BARES NEW, 'MORE INFECTIOUS' COVID STRAIN; UK FLIGHTS BANNED THE British government has imposed a strict Christmas lockdown in southeastern England because a new strain of the coronavirus was “out of control.”

"We acted very quickly and decisively," British Health Secretary Matt Han-

cock told Sky News. "Unfortunately the new strain was out of control. We have got to get it under control."

News of the new strain led Belgium and the Netherlands to suspend flight arrivals from Britain from

midnight Sunday.

Germany was also considering banning flights from Britain and South Africa, sources close to the German health ministry said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

on Saturday announced a "stay at home" order for London and southeast England to slow a new coronavirus strain that is significantly more infectious.

Early data suggests the new strain could be "up to 70 percent more trans-

missible," Johnson said at a televised briefing.

He ordered new restrictions for London and south-eastern England from Sunday, saying that "residents in those

PH taps India for 30m doses

Next page

Galvez in talks with Covovax to make vaccine available by 3rd quarter

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

T

HE government is negotiating to acquire 30 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Covovax from India, which is now in the third stage of clinical trials, the Indian company's local partner said Sunday.

Covovax is the Indian version of the The country's vaccine czar, Carlito original vaccine formulated at the Serum Galvez, met with Dr. Luningning Villa, medInstitute of India (SII) in collaboration ical director of SII's local procurement partwith the US-based Novovax. ner Faberco Life Sciences Friday. Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 290 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US lawmakers agree on $900-b relief package US LAWMAKERS agreed on pandemic spending powers for the Federal Reserve late Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported, clearing the way for a vote on a roughly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package for millions of Americans.

The deal would maintain the central bank's ability to set up emergency lending programs without congressional approval, the Journal said, but the Fed would require approval to restart similar existing programs once they expire later this year.

Republicans had sought to limit the Fed's ability to provide credit for businesses and other institutions, while Democrats argued restricting its powers could compound the fiscal crisis in the world's largest economy.

The impasse had threatened to temporarily shut down the government, which would be disastrous given the worsening economy and record daily death tolls from COVID-19.

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‘Vicky’ leaves 3 dead, displaces 6K; LPA spotted COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM DEC. 20)

459,789 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,754 21,708 NEW

ACTIVE

8,947

36

DEATHS

NEW

429,134 8,080 RECOVERIES

NEW

EVACUATION BLUES. Residents of a flooded town in Agusan del Sur clamber up a military truck deployed by the 26th Infantry Battalion while Coast Guards help impose a forced evacuation of women and children from the flooded towns of Cantilla, Carrascal and Madrid in Surigao del Sur in the aftermath of typhoon 'Vicky'. Up north in Cagayan, Task Force Lingkod Cagayan assist in the forced evacuation of senior citizens and children in Gabut, Amulung which was inundated after Magat Dam opened four of its gates. #VickyPH

Task force deploys more cops to enforce protocols

By Willie Casas JOINT Task Force COVID Shield Commander Cesar Hawthorne Binag said Sunday the number of policemen deployed for the holiday season had been doubled to ensure citizen compliance with minimum health rules.

He told Dobol B Sa News TV that more police personnel had been assigned

LOCAL ROUNDUP to patrol crowded areas. “'Yung ating mga pulis, katulad ng binanggit ko dati, talagang doble na 'yung kanilang deployment lalo na doon sa matataong lugar,” Binag said.

Some of the additional police teams were deployed to assess people's com-

MODERNA VACCINE.

Boxes containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the McKesson distribution center in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Millions of doses of Moderna vaccine are being shipped to locations across the United States under the government's "Operation Warp Speed."

AFP

pliance with the health protocols to avert the further transmission of COVID-19.

Quarantine classifications The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is set to make recommendations to President Rodrigo Duterte on the new community quarantine classifications afNext page ter Christmas.

ABOUT 1,590 families or some 6,702 people living in 57 villages in Davao and Caraga were affected by the heavy rain and flooding spawned by Tropical Depression “Vicky”, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Sunday.

The agency made the statement even as the weather bureau said a low-pressure area was estimated 140 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, as of 10 a.m. on Sunday But the LPA was less likely to develop into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours, weathermen said as “Vicky” accelerated as it was about to exit the Philippine Area of ReNext page sponsibility.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

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Meralco hailed for users‘ reprieve “The extended grace period being given to our fellow Filipinos during the holiday season will provide much needed reprieve to those reeling from the devastating effects of the pandemic and natural calamities,” Velasco said.

“This good gesture on the part of Meralco will go a long way in helping our kababayans feel secure this Christmas.”

Velasco wrote to Meralco president Ray Espinosa requesting him to extend

the no-disconnection policy for the entire Christmas season until the end of January 2021.

To extend the no-disconnection period would help ease the burden of Meralco customers grappling with the challenges posed by the pandemic, he said.

“We appreciate that Meralco had extended the same courtesy during the height of the nationwide lockdown, and we expect that the company will be as considerate this yuletide season,” Velasco’s Nov. 30 letter read.

In his Dec. 14 response, Espinosa told Velasco that after “careful evaluation and in consideration” of his

PH...

centuries," Locsin said in a virtual interview.

"The proof of that is that almost every vaccine developed by the great power is immediately deployed on their armed forces. Do you think that anybody is so stupid as to inject their own armed forces with a defective vaccine? We can expect a coup d'etat," the country’s top diplomat added.

Locsin said critics should not doubt the efficacy of any vaccine regardless of what country it comes from.

"You hear people who are disgruntled with the government, 'That vaccine is inferior!' Come on, grow up. These vaccines are as good as they can get," he said.

He said it was “criminally irresponsible” to put down any of the vaccines being considered.

Locsin earlier said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would try his best to help the Philippines secure a deal with Pfizer, even for just a fraction of the 10 million doses that were initially planned.

A quick deal for the January delivery of 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine fell through after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III failed to submit a required document, a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA) on time, Senator Panfilo Lacson said.

Locsin said he does not want to talk about the "bungled" Pfizer deal anymore because this would only make government critics happy.

"If you talk about it, the people who wish our country ill, the people who wish our people ill because they hate the government, they'd be so happy," he said. "Well I don't want to make them happy.”

In defending himself, Duque said the Department of Health cannot sign the CDA on behalf of the national government, prompting him, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to sign separate CDAs. “When you go through a process, you cannot just be hurrying up things just like that. You have to be prudent and cautious especially because you are talking about a novel vaccine,” Duque said, in an interview.

Malacañang also said it saw no major lapse on the part of Duque.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said he could share the blame for the delay in the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer, because he didn't press Duque to submit the CDA right away.

Romualdez said the CDA is needed to assure Pfizer that the government procuring vaccine doses would not share the technology behind its development.

Nevertheless, the envoy said the procurement of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is still on track, albeit delayed.

Over the weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the

government, through the Department of Health, can apply for an emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo, in an interview on Double B sa News TV, said that so far, no COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have applied for an EUA. An EUA will reduce the processing time for the approval of the vaccines for local use from six months to 21 days, officials said earlier.

Domingo said manufacturers can apply for an EUA or the DOH, on behalf of the government.

“As the user of the vaccine in the public health program the Department of Health can apply for EUA,” he said.

A former government adviser on COVID-19 mitigation on Friday said Pfizer should register its COVID-19 vaccine with the FDA. Dr. Tony Leachon, who used to be part of the national coronavirus inter-agency task force, had worked at Pfizer for nearly 20 years and assumed the role of medical director for regulatory affairs.

If the Pfizer vaccine gets the FDA nod in January, the country could still receive the supply of vaccines in July or August, Leachon said.

Leachon, who had called on Duque to "make the supreme sacrifice" and step down as DOH chief, said he believed Romualdez and Locsin's account of the Pfizer deal.

on Friday.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford also announced new restrictions from Sunday, with festive "bubbles" limited gatherings of selected contacts -- allowed only for Christmas Day. In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a ban on travel to other parts of the UK for Christmas and said families in Scotland should mix only on Christmas Day. Currently people in Northern Ireland are set to enter a new lockdown after Christmas.

Under the new lockdown measures that take effect from Sunday morning, those living in the most severely affected areas will be advised not to go to areas with lower restrictions under the country's tiered system, and not to stay overnight. They can still travel for work, however.

Non-essential shops, gyms, cinemas, bowling alleys, casinos, hairdressers and nail bars will be closed in London and other affected regions, including Kent, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

Only one person from one household will be allowed to meet one person from another household in a public place, outside.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that the capital "faces its toughest Christmas since the war," referring to World War II. He urged the government to increase testing, give more compensation for lost income and make mask wearing compulsory outside in busy

public spaces.

The business community criticized the measure, with Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, warning that "many thousands of jobs could be at risk."

Vallance said that the new coronavirus strain "contains 23 different changes," including variants that are associated with how the virus binds to cells and enters cells.

By the week beginning Dec. 9, the new strain was accounting for 60 percent of cases in London, he said.

"We think it may be in other countries as well," he said.

England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty said earlier Saturday that the UK had informed the World Health Organization of its findings about the new coronavirus strain.

Downing Street said that it had also informed the leaders of the other regions of the UK. There was no evidence that the new strain causes more severe illness or higher mortality, Johnson said.

"Equally, there's no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant," he said.

The Dutch government on Sunday banned all passenger flights from Britain after finding the first case of a new, more infectious coronavirus strain that is circulating in the UK. The ban, from 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Sunday until Jan. 1, came hours after Britain announced a stay at home order for part of the country to slow

the new variant.

"An infectious mutation of the COVID-19 virus is circulating in the United Kingdom. It is said to spread more easily and faster and is more difficult to detect," the Dutch health ministry said in a statement.

The Dutch public health body, the RIVM, therefore "recommends that any introduction of this virus strain from the United Kingdom be limited as much as possible by limiting and/ or controlling passenger movements."

The health ministry added that a "case study in the Netherlands at the beginning of December revealed a virus with the variant described in the United Kingdom."

Experts were looking at how the infection happened and whether there were related cases.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte's Cabinet had now taken the "precautionary decision" to ban flights from Britain, the statement said, adding that other forms of transport were still under review.

He urged Dutch citizens not to travel unless strictly necessary.

"Over the next few days, together with other EU member states, (the government) will explore the scope for further limiting the risk of the new strain of the virus being brought over from the UK," the statement said.

The Netherlands is under a fiveweek lockdown until mid-January with schools and all non-essential shops closed to slow a surge in the virus. AFP

By Rio N. Araja

S

PEAKER Lord Allan Velasco on Sunday welcomed the decision of Manila Electric Co. to extend its nodisconnection policy for the non-payment of electric bills until Jan. 31 next year.

From A1

Villa said if negotiations are successful, the vaccines could be available in the Philippines by the third quarter next year.

In an online briefing Saturday, Galvez said India will play a huge role in the distribution of vaccines in the Philippines, citing the good partnership between the two countries.

Covovax has undergone the initial phases of the clinical trials in Australia, South Africa, and India, with the third phase of trials currently being carried out in the United Kingdom with 15,000 subjects, and in the United States and Mexico with 30,000 subjects.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. lashed out at critics of the Duterte administration for questioning the efficacy of available COVID-19 vaccines, saying the government will not allow defective vaccines to be injected into its people.

Locsin said no country would distribute a faulty vaccine for fear of losing the trust of its own people and its credibility in the world.

"No aspiring great power will ever, ever distribute a vaccine that they do not believe sincerely is the best. Because if they did that and it failed out there, the reputation will be destroyed for the next two, three

Britain...

From A1

areas must stay at home" at least until Dec. 30.

The measures will mean around a third of England's population cannot travel or meet other households for Christmas.

The aim of the new rules is to slow the spread of the new strain to areas where it is not yet prevalent.

Johnson and his scientific advisers warned the public that the virus can now spread much faster than previously and that existing measures were not enough to control it.

It was a dramatic step-up after Johnson said last week that it would be "inhuman" to "cancel Christmas" by banning family gatherings, though he urged people to have small celebrations.

"It is with a very heavy heart I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned," Johnson told the nation.

"Alas when the facts change, you have to change your approach."

The announcement came as Britain has seen rising cases and hospital admissions this month.

"This virus has taken off, it's moving fast, and it's leading inevitably to a sharp increase in hospital admissions," said Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser.

On Saturday there were 27,052 new cases in the UK, slightly less than

US...

From A1

Moderna vaccine now shipping The first of millions of doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine were being prepared Saturday for shipping to locations across the United States, a top official said, hours after it was authorized for use in the hardest-hit country in the world.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced late Friday that it had granted emergency approval for the vaccine, a week after it did the same with the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.

"Distribution of the Moderna vaccine has already begun," said General Gus Perna, who is overseeing the massive logistical operation as part of the government's Operation Warp Speed.

On Saturday, the first doses were being moved from the manufacturing center in Bloomington, Indiana, to warehouses operated by logistics firm McKesson in preparation for shipping

on Sunday.

Transparency a must Pharmaceutical firms must be "very transparent" about the risks and benefits of vaccines in efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic, the head of Asia's largest drugmaker said.

Takeda, one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies, is not developing its own vaccine but has contracts with several firms to distribute their jabs in Japan and is also testing a virus treatment.

"We have to manage the situation well, be very transparent and extremely educative in the way we introduce products," chief executive Christophe Weber said.

"Medicines or vaccines are never perfect... there are always some side effects," said Weber, who joined Takeda in 2014 and took the top job a year later after nearly two decades at Britain's GlaxoSmithKline.

But he is optimistic the industry can explain the risks and benefits properly.

AFP

Local...

From A1

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who co-chairs the IATF, made the remark on Sunday as he denied the rumors that Metro Manila would be placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine in an alleged memo circulating on social media.

He told Dobol B Sa News TV that the supposed imposition of MECQ in Metro Manila was "fake information."

Cases near 460,000 The Philippines’ COVID-19 tally increased to 459,789 on Sunday after the Department of Health announced 1,754 new infections as 12 laboratories failed to submit reports on time.

Quezon City tallied the highest number of new cases at 163, followed by Rizal with 104, Benguet with 83, Laguna with 83 and Bulacan with 61.

The total recoveries also rose to

request, Meralco would extend its no-disconnection policy for the nonpayment of bills from Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021.

He said the extended grace period would benefit more than three million Meralco customers consuming 200 kilowatts per hour and below during the billing month of December 2020.

The number represents around 47 percent of Meralco’s total customer base, he says.

Velasco thanked Espinosa for “showing a true bayanihan spirit and empathizing with the plight of our indigent countrymen.”

429,134 after 8,080 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease.

But the death toll also increased to 8,947 with 36 new fatalities.

Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 76 million people and caused nearly 1.68 million deaths since it first emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Emergency authorization The government, through the Department of Health, can apply for an emergency use authorization for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines with the Food and Drug Administration, the agency said.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo told Double B sa News TV that, so far, there were no COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers that had applied for an emergency use authorization.

Early this month, President Rodrigo Duterte allowed the FDA to issue an EUA for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

NAIA needs to be fixed quick—Poe

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe has urged the Manila International Airport Authority, the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Transportation to work together to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

She said the NAIA should be fixed quickly while passengers were still reluctant to travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.]

The MIAA recently revoked the original proponent status of Megawide Construction Corp. for the airport’s rehabilitation, so the chances of it being completed by 2022 continues to dim.

Megawide was given the project after it was taken from it in July.

“The Senate is just a little worried it took two years for MIAA and the DOTr to discuss with the first proponent. This is it again,” Poe said.

The start of the COVID-19 lockdown in March put the spotlight on the poor facilities of the NAIA when thousands were stranded at the airport for days.

Even before that, the congestion at the NAIA was already an issue for migrant Filipino workers, many of whom had missed their flights because of it.

The MIAA had cited the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee’s findings on Megawide’s equity as the reason for the revocation of its original proponent status.

However, NEDA skipped the Senate hearing and referred the questions on the NAIA rehabilitation project to the DOTr and the MIAA. Poe said the Senate had an oversight function.

“We are just wondering what happened here. We want to follow proper procedures. If there’s a violation, they should start again.

“In the meantime, don’t close the opportunity for this company to rectify the situation within a reasonable time.”

The NAIA rehabilitation project should be a priority. The MIAA is scheduled to have another board meeting before the end of the year and the DOTr said Megawide could still appeal or seek a reconsideration.

Poe expressed surprise over the unilateral decision to revoke Megawide’s original proponent status without seeking its side on the matter.

“I don’t know why you didn’t get their side from the beginning,” Poe told the MIAA. “If possible, instead of starting over, maybe you can give them a chance to rectify or clarify certain requirements.”

The Senate will conduct another hearing on the NAIA rehabilitation with specific instructions for the NEDA to attend and clarify matters.

Poe warned that NEDA would be sanctioned if it fails to attend the next hearing.

The revocation of Megawide’s original proponent status has been blamed largely on the NEDA’s doubts on its financial capacity to undertake the project.

Megawide will be undertaking the project with GMR of India, which has more than ample equity. Megawide had attempted to address the concerns on its equity by raising additional funds and earmarking more than P1.58 billion, specifically for the rehabilitation of the NAIA. The P1.58 billion is its computation for the additional equity it needs for its share in the project.

‘Vicky’...

From A1

The NDRRMC report, signed and released by Executive Director Ricardo Jalad, said about 1,328 families or 5,464 people were now being sheltered in 58 evacuation centers while 43 families or 275 individuals were being aided outside.

The agency said infrastructure damage was placed at PHP105 million in Caraga.

The agency also reported that six road sections and one bridge in Regions 8, 11 and the Caraga were affected by "Vicky".

Eighty-three houses were damaged, with 62 classified as "totally damaged" and 21 "partially damaged" in Cebu.

NDRRMC deputy spokesman Mark Cashean Timbal told DZMM radio they were still awaiting official reports on the three alleged fatalities attributed to "Vicky" in Mahaplag, Leyte.

He said the same for the three reported dead and other casualties in Agusan Del Sur.

News

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Vargas prods ‘More Filipino OFW nurses die of virus because of work ethic’ DSWD to prepare By Rio N. Araja list of vaccine candidates

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Rep. Alfred Vargas on Sunday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development to immediately prepare the list of individuals to be prioritized for the government’s coronavirus disease 2019 immunization program.

Interviewed over Dobol B sa News TV, Vargas cited the significance the DSWD and volunteers to be implementing of the COVID immunization program.

He was recently elected the committee on social services chairperson.

“What we did to first clarify things and told the DSWD that we need right now or even before or a week ago the list,” he said.

“We will fix everything because we do not want people to complain. The vaccine per vial should go to the right person,” he added.

He said local government units must play a key role in the identification of those to be prioritized for vaccination.

“As far as the LGUs are concerned, they rely their list at the barangay level. So there would be do much effort. From top to bottom, it must be coordinated. There must be preparation at this very moment,” he added.

He said the DSWD has still the time to come up with the list of priority individuals for the COVID-19 vaccination.

He said the government could tap private planes for the distribution of the vaccines, stressing local officials could be given the power to buy their own vials.

“I think that would be of big help to ease the burden from the national vaccination program,” he added.

FILIPINO nurses in the United States of America and other parts of the world are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic because of their exceptional work ethic that drives them to spend more days and longer hours in the hospitals where they serve, Anakalusugan party-list

Rep. Michael Defensor said on Sunday.

“Filipino nurses in America, for instance, won’t hesitate to perform additional work on weekends and holidays, or to work the graveyard shift, when their co-workers would prefer to be off duty,” he said.

“This is why they tend to be more exposed to the hazard of catching the coronavirus disease,” he added.

Defensor is the House health committee vice chairperson.

He was responding to reports that in America alone, up to 30 percent of the nurses that have succumbed to COVID-19 are Filipinos.

According to the National Nurses United, the largest nurses’ union in America, 74 of the 245 nurses who have died of the

coronavirus disease in the U.S. as of November are Filipinos.

“It is not unusual for a Philippine-educated nurse in California or Texas to be on call by two or even three hospitals. They make themselves available when needed, such as when co-workers are suddenly unable to report for work. So they really are more exposed,” Defensor said.

PH needs own refineries—solon

By Rio N. Araja

W

ILL the decommissioning of the country’s only two oil refineries have any effect on the nation’s long-term energy security?

FORCED EVACUATION. The provincial government is constantly conducting force evacuation through PDRRMO, TFLC in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard and local authorities in Centro 4 and Centro 11 Tuguegarao City. Meanwhile, other Cagayan PDRRMO TFLC ranks have been deployed in various towns in the province to assist local DRRMOs including force evac mandated in the province in preparation for the expected rising water levels in the Cagayan river.

Villar awards winners of ‘parol-making’ contest

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar awarded the winners of Las Pinas City’s annual parol-making competition as part of her commitment to support the city’s lantern industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I commend all our participants who, despite the challenging circumstances brought about by COVID-19, have continued to pursue their passion in creating unique and environment-friendly parols that make Las Pinas lanterns stand out among the rest,” Villar said.

“I am truly proud that we have once again risen up to the challenge of honor-

ing our annual tradition and spread holiday cheer and hope this season.”

Villar led the virtual awarding ceremonies at the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) Hall. Winners of this year’s competition are: Grand Prize winner Bryan Flores, who received P20,000 cash prize; 1st Runner Glecy Dela Cruz, who received P15,000; and 2nd Runner-up Fercival Santos, who received P10,000.

The competition is part of Villar’s advocacy to promote garbage recycling and efficient solid waste management. Entries from the Samahang Magpaparol ng Las Pinas used recyclable materials such as shampoo sachets,

SHOPPING IN DIVISORIA. Masked Filipino shoppers disregard physical distancing as they shop for gifts items at Ylaya Street in Divisoria, Manila, on 20 December 2020. Dr Guido David, head of the Octa Research Group based in the state-run University of the Philippines, estimate that Covid-19 cases could spike up to 4,000 a day, from a current average of less than 1,500, by end-January; which they called critical and alarming.Many Filipinos were observed disregarding health and safety protocols when Christmas shopping and holding gatherings this Christmas holidays. Norman Cruz

Bello lauds OFWs for their sacrifices, heroism LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III heaped praises on overseas Filipino workers for their sacrifices and heroism in the face of the global COVID pandemic.

In his message on the observance of International Migrants Day on Friday, Bello also paid tribute to OFWs who had died while serving in foreign soil despite the health crisis.

“In these difficult times, we take our hats off to our OFWs around the world for their selfless sacrifices. From being frontliners to back support in the global fight against COVID-19, they all deserve our accolades,” Bello said.

He also said, “I also commend the Filipino workers who were honored in their respective host countries — from Asia and the Pacific to the Middle East, and from Europe to the Americas — for their hard work and dedication that helped the world economy remain afloat.”

The labor chief was referring to migrant Filipinos who were given recognition in various parts of the world for their outstanding and exemplary performance at work and service.

“And to those who have fallen in the line of duty, they are truly our heroes. They fought a good fight because just like what our migrant

workers are known for, they worked tirelessly to make good for their families, and contributed enormously to our country,” Bello said.

He cited reports from the labor department’s foreign posts indicating that COVID cases among OFWs continue to be recorded daily with the highest number coming from the Middle East with 6,721 cases. There were 520 deaths in the region.

In Qatar alone for instance, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office reported that the POLO-verified positive cases of OFWs has increased to 3,712 as of Saturday, December 19.

Of this number, 17 OFWs had died. More than 200 cases were added since last month.

The POLOs in Europe and the Americas reported 1,994 cases with 254 deaths. In Asia, the foreign offices recorded 1,106 COVID cases with one dead.

The labor chief also said the POLOs are closely monitoring the condition of OFWs and are providing assistance in their respective jurisdictions.

“We continue to pray for the health and safety of our OFWs so that they can happily rejoin their families back home,” Bello said.

soap cartons, straws, pet bottles, cans, used cds, and corrugated cartons, as well organic items like clam and mussel shells.

“Now on its 15th year, this Parol Festival is our way of raising awareness on the importance of recycling. Participants made use of trash and other recyclable items, so they don’t end up clogging our waterways that result to flooding especially during the rainy season,” Villar added The Parol Festival was a brainchild of Villar when she was still the representative of Las Piñas in a bid to boost the city’s parol-making industry. Today, the city is considered as Metro Manila’s parol-making capital.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel is seeking answers to this question, and wants the House energy committee to look into the matter.

“Without any oil refining capacity of our own, is there any chance our supply of ready-to-use fuels might be disrupted to a certain degree sometime in the future, once our economy starts to recover? We want this and other questions answered by the Department of Energy and by the oil industry,” Pimentel said.

Refineries generate finished petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel and LPG, among others, out of crude oil.

Many refineries in other parts of the world—not just those in the Philippines— are also getting mothballed because of uncertain prospects for a recovery in fuel demand after the COVID-19 pandemic destroyed consumption, Pimentel pointed out.

“Could a sudden reduction in global refining capacity possibly upset our supply of finished fuels in the future? Do we have enough storage capacity here for ready-to-use fuels in the event of disasters or crises that might set back the operations of refinery hubs abroad? We want these concerns addressed,” Pimentel said.

“We are counting on the (House) energy committee to tackle these issues in a formal inquiry,” Pimentel said.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. has dismantled its 110,000 barrel per day refinery in Batangas City in favor of an oil import terminal. The company had initially suspended its refinery operations in May.

Opinion

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The pugilist IF WE test for awareness, there is hardly any Filipino from age 15 and up who does not know Manny Pacquiao, the “Pambansang Kamao”—PacMan to the rest of the world.

From a difficult childhood in Mindanao because his parents were dirt poor, Manny had big dreams, and used his fists, his physical prowess and agility, and his determination to become not only a world champion several times over, but a legend in the sport.

He has since parlayed that popularity, that heroic aura, into the field of politics. The first time he entered the political arena, he lost the congressional elections in his hometown General Santos City, but he persisted, moved to Sarangani, and was elected representative in 2010. After two terms, he ran for senator of the realm, and landed seventh place in 2016, at the young age of 37. He would only be 43

by May of 2022.

He has given this country a momentary splash of national pride each time he ascends the ring and knocks his opponent out.

Sometime last year, his boxing promoter, Bob Arum, an American, announced that Sen. Manny Pacquiao would run for president after the incumbent, Rodrigo Roa Duterte of Davao City, ends his single constitutionally-mandated term. This was followed by a denial from the senator, the kind one would describe as “jele-jele, pero quiere.”

Many celebrities, whether from the movie world or television, and even sports, have entered politics, some as a retirement job, and in the entertainment industry or sports, retiring early is the norm, because popularity dims as age ripens. Unless you are an FPJ or a Dolphy, 40 is old in the business of entertaining. Note that our Constitution requires those running for senator to be 35 years of age by the time they take their oath of office.

Some in fact have made politics a lucrative business, aside from mixing public service with their real passion or profession, whether sports or entertainment. One only has to recall the not-too-recent, but still unresolved scandals involving so many politicians in the Napoles pork barrel scams. Less scandalous but commonplace, are political fiefdoms which have become “vaca lecheras” for the business called politics.

But Manny Pacquiao is supposedly of a different mold. He made, and continues to make, billions in professional pugilism.

Not politics, although unlike fellow senator Ping Lacson, he partakes of the pork barrel.

Happily, one has not heard of any scandals in the usage of his pork allocations, first as congressman, and now as senator.

But he has begun to form his own political dynasty, with his brothers running for public office as well, and successfully on the strength of their kinship with the legend.

One would not be surprised if a son or two eventually turn into politics as well. Dy-

EDITORIAL

nasties are the lay of the land in Philippine politics, after all.

Estimates of Pacquiao’s net worth are in the vicinity of P3 billion to P10 billion. If he had not squandered most of his earnings in the ring in the early heady days of his career, he certainly would have more. Still, from one who grew up in a hovel in GenSan, Sen. Pacquiao and his family now live in a palatial mansion in Forbes Park, apart from owning many other mansions elsewhere in the country. His narrative is quite compelling, truly rags to riches.

In a country enamored with material success, that narrative can win millions of votes.

Most politicians make capital of a rags-toriches story, whether real or spruced-up.

Excepting those who have had middle-class origins at a time when surveys did not distinguish between poor and feeling poor, the only president who was really born poor in our history was Diosdado Macapagal, the poor boy from Lubao. Even Quezon, who was a “famulo” in San Juan de Letran, came from middle-class provincial origins. And Ramon Magsaysay was never poor, coming from landed gentry in Zambales who married a rich lady from Bataan. In fact, the rather aristocratic Elpidio Quirino, who the CIA demonized in favor of “Monching is my Guy,” was the son of a jail warden and a public school teacher. Working middle class who married into wealth because he had brains.

University of Makati’s expanded tertiary equivalency program gave the Pacman a bachelor’s degree in Political Science just about a year ago, when he was already a senator. His main proposed legislation, bringing back the death penalty, has yet to pass.

But Pacquiao shows a kind heart, which scores him highly in the compassion metric.

Together with his friend, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, he donated some 50,000 test kits at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. In his home provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani, people line up outside his mansion during special occasions for hand-outs.

What Manny has given this country though is a momentary splash of national pride each time he ascends the ring and knocks his opponent out. And the whole world cheers with us. Many in this globe in fact learned about a country called the Philippines only because of Manny Pacquiao.

Still, the problems of 2022 and the preceding year which is just around the corner, may, (and I really hope “may” comes to fruition in the next election) just knock more sense into the “masa” deprived of livelihood and hope, enough to look at Competence in greater degree than mere Compassion (which is also easy to contrive).

For the pugilist who has given this country so much pride, one hopes that he would find it in himself to have the humility to “aral pa more” through experience and not through books, before he runs for the highest post in the land.

As the great Dolphy once said, “Madali ang manalo. Ang mahirap, ano gagawin mo ‘pag nanalo ka na?”

Such simple wisdom.

Still, the Senate, if one is diligent, is not a bad place to “aral pa more.” And if exigencies in the art of the possible which is politics so dictate by October 2021 when COCs have to be filed, even a vice-presidential run may fit the Pacman best, for his sake and the people’s, while he does “aral pa more” in preparation for the real political championship in public service, which is the presidency of this benighted land.

More for others (Second of three parts) LAST week, I began my one-year service as National President of the Junior Chamber International Philippines. I would like to share my inaugural address delivered during my induction on December 13, 2020.

Our world today finds itself in the middle of a global pandemic that has significantly changed the way we live our lives. Unlike past national presidents who would address to thousands, the fact that I am speaking to no more than a hundred in this hall, yet to a much larger audience online, is a striking reminder of how much we have adopted and adapted to the new normal of doing things.

When I was writing our plan of action as national president, I was thinking about the direction to which I would want to bring our organization. The difficult experience we had all throughout this pandemic keep on coming into my mind. How does one become a leader in a time of crisis? Do we stay put and content ourselves with the status quo? Do we stay focused on steadily keeping things together? Do we as they would say— play defense, cautiously buying time and waiting for things to get better?

Then it dawned on me that in the darkest of nights, there is a higher measure for service. The most challenging of times often shape the best of leaders. Real leadership is often exemplified in midst of a crisis.

We are often reminded that JCI is not just

any other service organization. We are first and foremost a leadership organization. For JCI, our brand of service is leadership. For us in the JCI movement, to serve means to bring out the best in us. To be more, so that we can give the best of ourselves to others.

To serve the JCI way means to better ourselves so we can share the best of who we are to create an even greater good.

This is the inspiration behind this year’s call to action—more for others.

The goal isn’t just doing good work—it is doing the best work we can.

From my early days as a young leader, I have always believed in the fundamental premise that community and youth development go hand in hand, a community only prospers when its youth prosper, and the youth can only flourish in a flourishing community.

By developing our young people in the various areas of human growth, they are given the opportunity and capability to participate in community life and nation building.

Times have changed, and technology have evolved by leaps. Nowadays, it appears that usual ways of understanding the world around us seem to be no longer as relevant as before.

Has the culture of consumerism drowned the will for selfless service?

Has the politics of power debunked the need for purpose-driven leadership?

Has the economics of profit disproved the importance of social equity?

No glittery expectations

T

HIS year’s holiday season is decidedly different from those of previous years. The COVID-19 pandemic brought loss and danger to our wellbeing, changed our social patterns and made our economic future a lot less secure.

Then again, these hard times allowed us to appreciate the things we took for granted. The restrictions in movement and uncertainty about what lies ahead have made us recognize that so long as we had the basics—food, shelter, utilities, good health, tools to make us productive, the people who matter to us, and a little bit of hope—we can make it through this pandemic. Everything else is a luxury.

One of the lessons many of us learned during this difficult year is to be empathetic to others. We see the plight of those who risk their lives just to perform their duties. We understand how washing hands or maintaining a safe physical distance could be impossible for others who have no access to running water and who have to live in cramped quarters. We commiserate with those who have lost their jobs or who are not getting

Only the basics— decency, fairness and genuine compassion— remain. the proper compensation despite the effort and commitment they give to the workplace.

This is why it is good that our Labor officials have clarified what employees could expect from their employers this Christmas season.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said all businesses must release their employees’ 13th month pay as provided for by the law, regardless of any fi nancial difficulties companies may have due to the pandemic.

There are no excuses and no ex-

emptions, Bello said over the weekend during a TV and radio interview. The full amount must be released before Christmas Eve. The pandemic has made the situation difficult for both employees and employers. The latter, however, have the moral responsibility to look after and genuinely care about the welfare of the people who work for them.

During these trying times, it is people who carry an organization from one day to the next. They show up and do their work despite their personal crises.

And they know better than to expect glittery presents, lavish parties or handsome bonuses from their bosses. They are aware that businesses are suffering and that they are still lucky to have a job. Much wizened, employees understand that the pandemic has worsened already-challenging situations.

The usual festivities associated with the holiday season are the farthest from their minds. People simply want to keep body and soul together, and live with dignity for one more day, and yet another. Fairness, decency and genuine compassion from those they toil for— and whose leadership they look up to— are enough.

The importance of middle-power states “The 10 ASEAN nations could not even agree to a common communique several years ago. Complicating the matter is China’s preference for bilateral dialogue as against multilateral one,” Lorenzana said.

Mr. Ernest Bower, president and CEO of Bower Group Asia, for his part, expects continuity and more careful diplomacy with the new administration of US President-Elect Joe Biden and rebuilding alliances with ASEAN partners such as the Philippines, Australia, Japan, Thailand, and Korea will be top priority.

CHINA was again criticized by the US military last week for snubbing the senior-level meetings connected to the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement on maritime safety. This is yet another confrontational rhetoric between the US and China in the geopolitical climate in our region, an escalating threat on top of the health and economic crisis of the global pandemic.

The Department of Foreign Affairs for its part issued a statement recently urging the members of the ASEAN Maritime Forum and to work towards fulfilling their obligations under the 1982 UNCLOS for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our region and assured fellow ASEAN members that the Philippines remains committed to the completion of a Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea. The evolving dynamics in the South China Sea and crucial issues between the US, China, and the Philippines were the focus of regional policy experts during the 4th session of the online Pilipinas Conference on “A New Indo-Pacific: The Strategic Role of Middle Powers” held late November organized by the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute in partnership with Bower Group Asia and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was surprisingly forthright in his keynote speech, pointing out that tensions in the South China Sea would continue to worsen as China, the US and other countries throw allegations of provocation and more confrontational incidents occur potentially destabilizing the region and that conflicting interests of ASEAN nations will further confound and prolong resolution of issues.

The crisis we face today is a timely wake up call for our generation. For too long, many of our generation has stayed on the wayside waiting for our turn, often trapped inside their self-imposed limitations—if not by poverty, lack of opportunities or the fear of failure.

If JCI envisions itself to the leading global network of young active citizens, the question today is, does the call to active citizenship continue to be as true and relevant in our time?

To be a young active citizen for our times, the first step forward is to break out of this mindset of limitedness.

To lead, our generation must dream to be more. We must dare to be more.

But in order to live even more meaningful lives, we must first seek to better ourselves so we can do more for others—to be full contributors to the community.

Mahatma Gandhi once posed this challenge, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Seeing the increasing poverty, widening inequality, worrying disease and continuing wars happening around the world, one cannot help but be worried or hopeless about even the slightest possibility of change.

But if we continue to hold on to our faith in humanity, that people are inherently good, and are entirely capable of becoming more for others—the miracle that could

The government must take a pro-active posture in alliance with its formidable network of like-minded states.

He said, “I think that the US—China relationship will remain very confrontational rhetoric, and characterized by competition, but that rhetoric will be lowered. I expect the Biden administration to be less aggressive on Taiwan, more forward-leaning on Hong Kong, Uighurs, Zhenjiang, continuity on tough policy in the South China Sea with much more emphasis on ASEAN, and a return to a much higher level of engagement with treaty allies.”

“If the Philippines is willing, now or after 2022, Biden and the US will look for chances to expand investment in security cooperation, economic partnership, and deepening our strong ties across sectors,” Bower said.

Prof. Dindo Manhit, President of Stratbase ADRi said, “China’s emergence as a political and economic power has come with growing ambitions, including the attempt to position itself as a global leader and shape the international order. However, its rise is far from “peaceful,” with its questionable economic initiatives and aggression in the West Philiphappen inside the human heart can help in changing for the better the very communities that we live in.

As National President, this is the vision to which I would like to lead JCI Philippines.

For all of us be more for others. ‘Na tayong lahat ay maging higit para sa kapwa.

The call to be “more for others” is a challenge towards growth—in building depth of experience and operational capacity, implementing more meaningful and relevant programs and projects, in increasing and strengthening our membership and in optimizing a proactive organizational culture— for there is no better investment than ensuring the progress and growth of our members and furthering the work they do best in bringing together all sectors of society for real impact.

For JCI Philippines, to be more for others means to challenge the status quo and to set ambitious but realistic goals, and to track our progress towards realizing them. It necessitates that our organization ask itself whether our programs and projects are still relevant for our time—and to have the courage to correct, and if needed to change them.

This year, we shall work hard to inspire and encourage others to take meaningful action through our proposed programs and projects. The goal isn’t just doing good

pine Sea. Given the critical juncture that China is in today, its foreign policy direction will dictate the country’s global standing in the coming years.”

He stated that, “Middle-power countries should realize that even if the US presence in the Indo-Pacific is crucial to ensure a rules-based order, the region’s future should not be dictated by or charted under a unipolar hegemony. As the region’s political landscape continues to evolve, there is a crucial need for middle powers to recognize their role and the importance of creating a network of like-minded states to protect and maintain an open and multipolar Indo-Pacific region.”

“The Indo-Pacific states have an equal, if not greater, impact on how the regional order will be shaped because of their significant political, economic, military, and socio-cultural power,” Manhit said.

Security has gone beyond conventional external defense using weapons deployed in a digital battlefield of disinformation, data intrusion and even the real threat of sabotaging digital infrastructures wreaking havoc on the already battered industries and financial systems. This will be disastrous to all economies especially now that all are digitizing because of the pandemic.

It is clear from the experts of this forum that the South China Sea theater will be increasingly complicated and will be a protracted geopolitical problem that has now radiated its political and economic repercussions beyond the ASEAN region. The Philippines must step up its actions by leveraging its stature as the State that successfully won the arbitral court ruling that legally nullified Beijing’s baseless nine-dash line claim to rationalize its expansionist ambitions.

The government must take a pro-active posture in alliance with its formidable network of like-minded states to foster a rules-based maritime decorum and shape a regional order of cooperation and a prosperity that will reverse the economic suffering of this pandemic. work—it is doing the best work we can, the work that will have the largest, and longest-lasting, positive impact.

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Dropping the ball NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO

Hard pressed for defense

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LGUs

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

A5

Muntinlupa unveils own molecular lab T

RANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade and Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi led the inauguration of the city’s Molecular Laboratory and We Heal As One Center Isolation Facility in Filinvest, Alabang in celebration of Muntinlupa’s 103rd Founding Anniversary on Dec. 19.

CHRISTMAS @LGUS

Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman (2nd from right) leads the blessing and lighting of Tabaco’s Christmas decorations (right photo) at the City Hall grounds on Wednesday night. Norman Cruz

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and officials of the Korean Immanuel Church lead the distribution of food gift packs as a Christmas treat to tricycle drivers at the Agora Market on Saturday. Manny Palmero

Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas receives 1,000 grocery packs, water, masks, face shields, and Christmas gift items from Lazada and Lion Toys to support the local government’s fight against COVID-19 and the We Heal as One Program on Friday. Roy Tomandao

National and local government executives and Filinvest officials inspected the Molecular Laboratory in Ospital ng Muntinlupa and the 148-bed Isolation Facility in Filinvest Tent Parking Area last Saturday.

Attending the ceremony were Bureau of Construction director Eric Ayapana, Bureau of Fire Protection Sr. Supt. Jose Edgar Balita, Transportation Usec. Artemio Tuazon, Filinvest Alabang Inc. vice president for townships Don Ubaldo, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Ospital ng Muntinlupa director Dr. Edwin Dimatatac, and City Heath Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao.

The Muntinlupa City Molecular Laboratory is now operational after its accreditation from the Department of Health, strengthening the local testing capacity and COVID-19 response efforts.

Test results in the facility may be released within the day of the collection of swab samples. Under the approved pricing scheme, the RT-PCR swab test performed at the Muntinlupa Molecular Laboratory costs P3,800. Indigent admitted patients qualified in OsMun’s No Balance Billing scheme and patients with valid PhilHealth coverage can avail discounted prices.

Swabbing of out-patient clients will be accommodated from Mondays to Fridays, except holiday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. While the molecular laboratory will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. All other requests for in-patient and emergency request are subject to regular specimen collection.

Taytay among most competitive LGUs FOR the Municipality of Taytay, improving ease of doing business need not be as costly as many thought it is, and for delivering results for less, the locality landed on the illustrious list of the country’s most competitive local government units.

In the recently conducted search for the Most Competitive Municipality [first- and second-class towns category], Taytay was named the second over-all from a list of 1,480 municipalities in the archipelago.

During the 8th Regional Competitiveness Summit, the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) disclosed the annual results of the 2020 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) that saw Taytay, Rizal among those that achieved competitive advantage and inclusive growth in the country through its full participation in improving ease and cost of doing business, governance, and business environment.

Taytay LGU received sterling grades in

the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, which measured competitiveness at the local government level using 28 indicators grouped into three equally weighted pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, and Infrastructure. Scores on each pillar were combined to form the overall score used to rank cities and municipalities.

Out of 1,488 municipalities, Taytay notched the second highest score, while Antipolo City and Rizal Province won the top awards in their respective categories.

In a statement, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula cited the Department of Trade and Industry, the Board of Investments, the National Economic Development Authority for acknowledging their hard work in imposing measures which proved effective in easing doing business in their locality as reflected in the influx of investments in the municipality known as the “Garments Capital of the Philippines.”

DENR TURNOVER. DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining and Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna turns over to MENRE Minister Abdulraof Macacua national government documents and resource maps pertaining to protected areas in the provinces now constituting the BARMM. Looking on are DENR Region 12 Executive Director Felix S. Alicer, along with Ronald D. Gadot Assistant Director of Technical Services DENR Region 9, and OIC Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Aldrich S. Resma, who also handed over their corresponding regional documents, survey maps and other assets to the MENRE chief.

DENR turns over papers, resource maps to BARMM

VEHICLE DONATION. In support of the Philippine National Police and the San Pedro

local government’s public safety and peace and order programs, Undersecretary Dave Almarinez (2nd from right) turns over a Police Patrol vehicle following its blessing together with former San Pedro mayor Calixto Cataquiz (right) last Friday. Roy Tomandao

Isko: Sorry for PLM stipend mess

By Willie Casas MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Domagoso” Domagoso apologized to the parents of students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) headed by Emmanuel Leyco as its president, for the fiasco that attended the distribution of the P1,000 monthly allowance of its students recently.

On the other hand, Domagoso thanked and congratulated Universidad de Manila (UDM) president Malou Tyquia for the orderly and smooth delivery of the same financial assistance for UDM students.

“To the UDM family, to President Ty-

quia, to the men women and officers of UDM, thank you,” Domagoso said as he took the opportunity to apologize for what happened in the case of the PLM. “Sa mga nanay at tatay ng PLM students, ako po ay humihingi ng pasensiya sa inyo. Sa mga PLM students na nanonood, please share this broadcast... pasensiya na kayo, marami sa inyo naghintay nang matagal maghapon at inabot ng halos hatinggabi nung unang araw ng distribusyon... ako na po ang nahingi ng pasensiya sa inyong kainipan at matagal na paghihintay sa pila sa loob ng PLM,” Domagoso sighed.

BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua, during Friday’s turnover ceremonies. Macacua is concurrent BARMM Minister for MENRE. “We are willing to provide guidance in the administration of ENR (environment and natural resources) projects in the BARMM. That is what DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu told me, ‘Tulungan’ (to help),” said Sampulna. Nash B. Maulana

COTABATO CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has turned over all government documents and resource maps pertaining to protected areas located in the component provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Effectively, the BARMM’s Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) now officially over-

sees protected areas, following the official turnover by DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement, Mining and Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna to BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof A. Macacua.

“Now that Cotabato City and the 63 barangays of North Cotabato are officially part of the Bangsamoro community, we envision a society that features greener and more climate-smart values,” said

89k Navoteño families receive Christmas hams

Navotas queries DSWD on SAP pay

TO HELP make Christmas more joyful amidst the pandemic, the City Government of Navotas has started distributing hams to 89,650 Navoteño families.

Teams of local government employees have been deployed to deliver hams to each family-beneficiary.

“This year has been challenging for all of us. We hope our humble gift will remind us that despite the hardships we endure, there is always something to celebrate--we are still alive, and we still have our family and friends with us,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said.

“While we need to forgo some traditions, we can still celebrate Christmas in the safety of our homes. We can hold virtual parties or call those we have been meaning to catch up with,” he added.

Tiangco reminded that amidst the revelry, Navoteños should remain vigilant and careful. Jun David

By Jun David NAVOTAS Mayor Toby Tiangco has asked the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) to explain the removal of some beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) from the second tranche payroll.

In his letter to DSWD-National Capital Region Director Vicente Gregorio Tomas, Tiangco noted the case of Navotas residents, who received their first tranche of emergency subsidy but were excluded in the new payrolls for the second tranche.

“Every day, we receive queries and complaints from our constituents about their second tranche subsidy. They have been waiting for months now. What is the use of calling it an ‘emergency assistance’ if we cannot give it to them at their critical time of need?” Tiangco asked.

Navotas has 27,929 qualified beneficiaries based on the city’s liquidation report for the first tranche of SAP. DSWD-NCR sent only 26,699 names

for the digital payout of the second tranche. Of this, 11,439 have claimed their subsidy and 666 have been disqualified for being recipients of financial assistance from other agencies.

In addition, 9,104 beneficiaries, who initially experienced failed PayMaya transactions, are in the process of receiving their payout.

The remaining 5,490, who also encountered data error issues, are still waiting for an update on when they would receive their subsidy.

The names of the residents were nowhere to be found in any of the payrolls for the second tranche.

“It’s almost Christmas. The least we can do for those who are already suffering is to alleviate their burden and give them their due,” Tiangco lamented.

To help residents who were unable to receive the SAP subsidy, the city government distributed the financial assistance from the mayor’s donated April 2020 to June 2022 salary.

A6

World

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump says cyberattack under control PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed a massive cyberattack on US government agencies, declaring it “under control” and undercutting the assessment by his own administration that Russia was to blame.

“I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control,” Trump tweeted in his first public comments on the hack, adding that “Russia Russia Russia is the priority chant when anything happens” and suggesting without offering evidence that China “may” also be involved.

Trump’s response was in sharp contradiction to comments a day earlier from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about both the source and the severity of the attack. Pompeo had said the breach -- which cyber experts say could have far-reaching impact and take months to unravel -- was “pretty clearly” Russia’s work.

“There was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of US government systems,” Pompeo told interviewer Mark Levin, alluding to widely used security software from Texas firm SolarWinds.

“This was a very significant effort,” Pompeo added, “and I think it’s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity.”

Trump’s tweets left administration spokespeople scrambling to reconcile the conflicting takes.

CNN said White House officials had made plans Friday to release a statement directly blaming Russia, before it was abruptly pulled back for unclear reasons.

- Playing down threats It was far from the first time the president has played down apparent threats from Russia, starting with his refusal to recognize interference by Moscow in the 2016 election despite the clear finding of US intelligence agencies.

Russia has denied involvement in the latest attack, but several officials in and out of the US government have pointed the finger at Moscow, and none at Beijing. AFP

UN peacekeepers deploy in CAR U

N peacekeepers have deployed in the west of Central African Republic following surprise attacks by powerful armed groups involved in “a deliberate attempt to disrupt” upcoming elections in one of the world’s poorest and most troubled nations.

The UN mission to Central African Republic has 11,500 peacekeepers in one of the world’s poorest and most troubled nations. AFP

England, Italy brace for lockdowns as virus surges MILLIONS of people in England and Italy will celebrate Christmas under tough new coronavirus restrictions as Europe battles a winter surge including a more infectious new strain.

Europe has become the first region in the world to pass 500,000 deaths from Covid-19 since the pandemic broke out a year ago, killing more than 1.6 million worldwide and pitching the global economy into turmoil.

In England, where a lockdown-weary population had been looking forward to a temporary five-day relaxation of virus restrictions over the festive period, British

Prime Minister Boris Johnson instead announced a new “stay at home” order for London and southeast England -- an area including around a third of the country’s population.

The move follows alarm at the speed at which the virus was spreading and a new strain that Johnson said was “up to 70 percent more transmissible”.

“It is with a very heavy heart I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned,” he told the nation in a televised briefing on Saturday.

“Alas when the facts change, you have to change your approach,” he said.

Residents in the affected areas will have to go into lockdown at least until December 30, Johnson said, tearing up earlier plans that would have allowed up to three households to mix.

Hours later the Netherlands banned all passenger flights from Britain after finding the first case of the new, more infectious virus strain that is circulating in the UK. The ban is in effect from 0500 GMT Sunday until January 1.

The Netherlands is under a five-week lockdown until mid-January with schools and all non-essential shops closed to slow a surge in the virus. AFP

Brazil president under fire over vaccine rollout

Top US infectious disease official Anthony Fauci . AFP

‘Good to go’: Fauci gives Santa a virus vaccine SANTA Claus can safely deliver gifts to good girls and boys on Christmas, after a special visitor went all the way to the North Pole to deliver a coronavirus vaccine.

Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease official in the United States, said Saturday he personally gave Old St Nick his jab.

“I took care of that for you because I was worried that you’d all be upset,” he

said Saturday during a CNN and “Sesame Street” coronavirus town hall for families, after worried youngsters asked whether Santa could safely enter homes on December 25.

“I took a trip up there to the North Pole; I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go,” Fauci declared.

“He can come down the chimney, he can leave the presents ... you have nothing

to worry about.”

Fauci’s good news comes as countries around the world are experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases, with millions in England and Italy preparing to celebrate the holiday under tough “stay at home” orders.

The United States, the country that has seen the most deaths linked to Covid-19, launched its mass vaccination campaign this week. AFP

BRAZIL prides itself on its world-leading immunization experts, medical institutions and vaccine research, but President Jair Bolsonaro’s government has been accused of having a chaotic plan to inoculate against Covid-19.

Bolsonaro finally launched a mass immunization campaign on Wednesday that aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the population within 16 months, but the president has been accused of repeatedly sabotaging his own program.

On Thursday he released 20 billion reais ($3.9 billion) to buy vaccine doses in a country that has already lost more than 184,000 people to the coronavirus -- the second highest national total in the world.

Later that day, the government announced that daily deaths had risen above 1,000 for the first time since September.

Analysts say the country took too long to formulate an immunization plan, lacked a precise start date and has no clear vaccine purchase and distribution strategy.

Bolsonaro, who caught the virus in July and once described it as “a little cold,” announced he would not be getting an injection himself.

And he mocked the potential sideeffects of the vaccine type developed by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German biotechnology company BioNTech, which has already been rolled out in the US and Britain.

“In the Pfizer contract it’s very clear: ‘we’re not responsible for any side effects.’ If you turn into a crocodile, it’s your problem,” Bolsonaro said on Thursday. AFP

Graffiti explodes across New York AS DUSK becomes nightfall, graffiti artist Saynosleep takes a quick look around and then gets to work on a luxury store closed since it was looted in June during protests over George Floyd’s death.

“If you’re not painting right now, I don’t know what you’re doing,” says the 40-year-old, adding an expletive. “There has never been a time like this.”

The facades of hundreds of store that have shut because of the pandemic are “an invitation” to artists, says Marie Flageul, curator at New York’s Museum of Street Art (MoSA).

Walls, bridges, sidewalks and subway cars—34 of which have been painted since the beginning of the month—are canvases.

“It’s a big surge, a renaissance of graffiti,” enthuses Saynosleep, who uses a different pseudonym for his legal artwork.

Graffiti was first accepted by the art world in the 1980s when it moved into galleries.

Expressive street art then captured the imagination of the general public in the 2000s when it went from illegal to legal spaces.

But since March, it is the raw, illegal type of graffiti that has spread in a disorderly fashion.

“Everybody wants to express themselves,” says Saynosleep, who says he has seen a woman in her 60s drawing graffiti. “People are bored. They need something to do.”

The growth of the Black Lives Matter movement following Floyd’s killing at the hands of a Minnesota police officer in May has accelerated the trend, with protesters scribbling racial justice slogans Graffiti—part of New York’s history for over 50 years -- is flourishing during the coronavirus pandemic, a sign of decadence for some, but vitality for others. AFP and demands on buildings. AFP

The UN mission to the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) said it deployed forces on Friday following an offensive by the 3R, Patriotic Movement for Central Africa (MPC) and “anti-Balaka” militias.

“The mission emphasises that these coordinated attacks in well-identified areas involve a deliberate attempt to disrupt the elections,” said the mission, which has 11,500 peacekeepers in the country.

The militias have accused President Faustin Archange Touadera of seeking to fix the planned legislative and presidential elections—due to take place on December 27—and have warned of a violent response.

According to humanitarian and UN sources, armed groups have seized several localities along routes serving the capital Bangui, which is now threatened by a blockade.

“Reinforcement of the MINUSCA resources, including with air assets, is a response to the violence committed by these armed groups and which also affected Yaloke and Bozoum”, towns just over 200 kilometres from Bangui, killing two members of government forces, the UN mission said.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalating violence and called on all sides to work towards ensuring conditions conducive to the holding of credible and peaceful elections, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. AFP

IN BRIEF

French ‘Ice man’ sets new world record FRENCHMAN Romain Vandendorpe on Saturday set a world record for sitting immersed in ice cubes for the longest time, enduring the extreme challenge to raise money for childhood cancers.

The 34-year-old health worker remained buried up to his neck in ice in a plexiglass cabin for two hours, 35 minutes and 43 seconds, breaking the previous record by 40 minutes in the northern French town of Wattrelos.

He said he trained to “overcome human limits” by neuro-cognitive techniques based on “imagination and concentration” to put himself in “a state of daydreaming.”

The feat was performed before some 50 people and Vandendorpe’s mantra for success was simple.

“If we train, if we give our all, we can advance (and) obtain results that can improve things.”

His training techniques including sitting in an ice-cold jacuzzi, training in a 500-litre freezer and then remaining buried in snow in the French ski resort of Chamonix.

He aims to donate the money raised through his feat to the Wonder Augustine association founded in Wattrelos following the death of a four-year-old girl called Augustine two years ago from brain cancer.

“Everyone can donate one euro for every minute Romain remained immersed in ice,” said Steve de Matos, the head of the association.

Vandendorpe had met Augustine a few days before her passing.

His message to children battling cancer was simple: “Always be hopeful.” AFP

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Manila

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Bills clinch division title with big win over Broncos LOS ANGELES—The Buffalo Bills clinched their first AFC East divisional title in 25 years on Saturday with a 48-19 victory NFL victory over the Denver Broncos.

Quarterback Josh Allen—who was born the year after Buffalo last won the AFC East in 1995—passed for 359 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two scores as the Bills dominated at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

The rising star said the team would savor the moment, without forgetting about the task remaining: winning a Super Bowl title.

“It’s great that we’re able to do it the first time in 25 years,” Allen said. “To be the team and to be the quarterback on the team that does it, obviously feels really good.

“At the same time, that’s not our end goal. We set out to do this in order to get the chance to do what we really want to do, and that’s to win a Super Bowl championship.

“There’s still a lot on the table,” he said.

There was no let-down for the rapidly maturing Allen and the Bills, coming off a 2615 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Allen connected with a nine-yard TD pass to Dawson Knox and a 22-yard touchdown throw to Jake Kumerow.

He scrambled 24 yards up the middle for a touchdown in the first half and scampered one yard for another score in the second.

For the second straight game the Bills defense scored a touchdown—Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes grabbing a fumble by Broncos quarterback Drew Lock on his first possession of the second half and sprinting 21 yards for the score.

“We’re going to enjoy it on the flight back home, but we know the job ain’t done yet,” Hughes said. “We still have a lot more to accomplish.”

The Broncos had narrowed the deficit to 21-13 to close the first half, but the Bills responded with two touchdowns and a field goal in the third period as they turned it into a rout.

The Bills had 543 yards in total offense in the third quarter, Allen accounting for 392 of them.

Stefon Diggs had a big night for the Bills, catching 11 passes for 147 yards before leaving late with a foot injury.

The Bills win officially ended the New England Patriots’ 11-year reign atop the AFC East.

They’re back on top in the division for the first time since the days of team icons Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas, who starred as the Bills notched their sixth division title in eight years back in 1995.

The Bills were a dominant force in the AFC in the early ‘90s, winning the conference four straight seasons from 1990 through 1993—although they came up short in the Super Bowl each of those seasons.

In Saturday’s other game, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers notched another record in the Packers 24-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Rodgers threw his league-leading 40th touchdown in the first quarter, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 40 touchdowns in three seasons.

The record-setting throw went to tight end Robert Tonyan from 1-yard out to cap Green Bay’s opening drive.

Carolina’s defense pressured Rodgers the rest of the night, sacking him five times and limiting to a season-low 143 passing yards.

The Packers scored a touchdown on all three of the first three drives, Rodgers scrambling for a six-yard score.

Carolina’s defense clamped down in the second half but the Packers—already winners of the NFC North division—maintained their lead in the conference. AFP

Wizards’ Bryant fined $45K for contact with ref NEW YORK—Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant was fined $45,000 by the NBA on Saturday for “inappropriate contact” with an official in a pre-season game on Thursday.

The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Wizards’ game against Detroit, after Pistons big man Blake Griffin manhandled Bryant to the floor.

Bryant bounced up and tried to confront a laughing Griffin, but a game official got between them.

Bryant touched and shoved the official as he tried to get to Griffin, who was assessed a flagrant foul for his actions.

Bryant received a technical foul.

Bryant, entering his fourth season, is expected to be the Wizards’ starting center. Last season he averaged career highs in points (13.2), rebounds (7.2), assists (1.8), blocks (1.1), and minutes (24.9) per game. AFP

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

A7

Charlie Woods wows dad Tiger M

IAMI—Charlie Woods wowed his 15time major champion father Tiger with an impressive eagle for Team Woods in the PNC Championship family tournament in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday.

Charlie, 11, put his drive in the fairway at the par-five third hole of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, then hooked a five-wood approach around some trees.

The ball bounced short of the green and settled three feet from the pin, Charlie giving a fist-pump just like his old man’s before rolling in the putt.

A beaming Woods had a hug for his son, noting as they walked off the green “First eagle!”

Charlie, whose swing, so reminiscent of his famous father’s, has drawn

comment this week, drained another birdie putt in the first-round scramble format, following the ball as it rolled toward the cup and in at the ninth.

At the 13th, Charlie struck a sweet tee shot and signaled to his father— playing off the tournament tees further back—that he didn’t even need to hit a tee ball.

“It was some of the most incredible golf shots,” Woods said with a laugh.

“He had the best time to be out there in this environment. I’ve seen this all along. A lot of the shots he hit I’ve seen

this entire year.”

The Woods duo got off to a hot start, with six birdies and an eagle on the front nine.

They combined for a 10-under 62 that left them sharing sixth, four shots behind Matt Kuchar and son Cameron.

Vijay Singh and son Qass were in second, two shots adrift, with Australian Greg Norman and son Greg Jr. another shot back and tied with Tom and Sean Lehman and David and Brady Duval.

The two-day exhibition tournament features 20 teams of major champions paired with a family member.

Charlie Woods is the youngest competitor to take part, and Tiger Woods has stressed all week that the main aim was to have fun with his son.

“I really don’t care about my game.

I’m just making sure that Charlie has the time of his life and he’s doing that,” Woods said. “I’m making sure he is able to enjoy all of this.”

The duo played alongside Woods family friends Justin Thomas and his father, Mike.

Justin Thomas noted earlier in the week that the young Woods was already an accomplished trash-talker, and he trolled team Thomas with a note when they were in a bunker.

“It started in the pro-am. Charlie drove one through the fairway and my dad was playing in front of them and he’d hit it through the fairway and into the trees,” Justin Thomas said.

“My dad wrote on a piece of paper ‘draw hole’ on it and put it under his ball.

“In typical Woods fashion, he kept the piece of paper, and when my dad hit it in the bunker he put the exact same piece of paper behind his ball.” AFP

Tiger Woods of the United States and son Charlie Woods line up a putt on the 14th hole during the first round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 89, Quezon City IN RE: PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF THE MINORS ELMIRA EOJAN BARTOLOME SALISI AND PRINCE EMERALD BARTOLOME, SP. PROC. NO. R-QZN-20-00319-SP SPOUSES MARK EDU ATIENZA MACAS and RIZALYN SANCHOLEZ BARTOLOME, Petitioners. x--------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING This case is a verified petition for adoption of minor Elmira Eojan Bartolome Salisi and Prince Emerald Bartolome filed on January 8, 2020 by petitioners through counsel praying that, after due notice and hearing, Judgment be rendered approving the present petition.

Being sufficient in form and in substance, the petition is given due course. Set this case for initial hearing on March 10, 2021 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Room 401 4th Floor, Hall of Justice (Annex), City Hall Compound, Quezon City. Any interested person/s may appear on said date, time and place, and show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published, at the expense of petitioners strictly by raffle, once a week for three (3) successive weeks, in an accredited newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, particularly in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

Federer committed to play in Australian Open MELBOURNE—All the world’s top players, including 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, are expected to be in Melbourne for the coronavirus-disrupted Australian Open, tournament organizer Craig Tiley said.

The opening Grand Slam of the year, in front of at least 50 percent of normal crowds, has been pushed back three weeks until February 8 with all players to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival.

The delay could be pivotal for Federer, who admitted last week he was in a “race against time” to be fit as his recovery from two rounds of knee surgery takes longer than expected.

Tiley said he had been in touch

with the 39-year-old and he was going through his normal pre-season training routine in Dubai.

“Every player, including Roger, has made a commitment to travel to Melbourne to play,” he said after confirming the new start date on Saturday.

“We have been in touch with him and his team and it’s been three days now, he’s hit for the first time in Dubai. He’s in his normal pre-season training routine.

“He did say to us that February 8 was a more suitable date for him in terms of preparing for the Australian Open,” Tiley added. “But a lot will depend on how he responds to his surgery in the next two to three weeks of training.”

Federer has won the Australian

Open six times. But after losing in the semifinals to Novak Djokovic, missed the rest of the Covid-interrupted 2020 season following surgery and could only watch as Rafael Nadal matched his record 20 Grand Slam titles with a 13th victory at the French Open.

The men’s and women’s qualifiers will be held in Doha and Dubai respectively from January 10-13, with players arriving in Melbourne from January 15 on special charter flights for their quarantine.

Tiley said they would constantly be tested for COVID-19 but allowed to train for five hours a day in a bio-secure bubble, although with just one other player.

They will be shuttled between designated hotels and Melbourne Park, where the tournament is held and if anyone tests positive, they will need to isolate in their room. AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 221, QUEZON CITY

Further, petitioners are directed to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Caloocan City, Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and Office of the Civil Registrar General with a copy of the petition and to submit proof of service on or before scheduled hearing.

SO ORDERED. Given in Chambers, this October 2, 2020 at Quezon City.

(Sgd.) CECILYN E. BURGOS-VILLAVERT Presiding Judge (MStandard-Dec. 14, 21, & 28, 2020)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 230, QUEZON CITY ARISTEO G. PUYAT, Plaintiff, -versusCASE NO. R-QZN-19-16891-CV

For: Specific Performance HOMERO TANPINCO, JR. & FEVI L. TANPINCO, Defendants. x-------------------------------------x

SUMMONS To:

GREETINGS: You are required within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the complaint, copy of which is attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBPOCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated 12 March 2002, to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the answer. If you fail to file answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the reliefs applied for in the complaint.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court , this 1st October 2020.

(Sgd.) ATTY. GENELOU L. SAMPAGA Branch Clerk of Court

IN THE MATTER OF CHANGE OF NAME OF ASTRID MAMARIL MANAOG, A MINOR, represented by AILEEN M. MAMARIL, S.P. PROC. NO. R-QZN-20-06944-SP ASTRID MAMARIL MANAOG, Petitioner. x----------------------------------------------x

ORDER A verified Petition was filed before this Court on September 16, 2020 by petitioner, Astrid Mamaril Manaog, represented by her mother Aileen M. Mamaril, praying for the change of name in the Certificate of Live Birth of her daughter, Astrid Mamaril Manaog.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Court gives due course thereto.

Wherefore, let a copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City.

Initial hearing on the verified Petition is set on January 25, 2021 at 8:30 in the morning at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 221, Rm. 608, Hall of Justice Bldg.-Annex, Quezon City, at which date, time, and place all interested persons are required to appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of the petitioner:

Switzerland’s Roger Federer AFP Manila

LEGAL NOTICE

Standard

TODAY

Notice is hereby given to the public that Cadbury Marketing Services Pty Ltd under the business name Cadbury Confectionery– Philippine Branch has ceased all its business operations on 13 November 2019 per the Board Resolution of its Head Office and has officially begun its winding up procedures.

This notice is in compliance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(MS-DEC 16, 17, 18,21, 23, 25,28, 29 & 31, 2020)

1. At the main entrance of the City Hall Building, Quezon City; 2. On the Bulletin board of the Court, Hall of Justice Bldg.,

Quezon City; and 3. At the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resides.

Likewise, let copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City; the Philippine Statistics Authority; the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City, and the Office of the City Prosecutor, Quezon City.

Further, Petitioner thru counsel is directed to furnish the petitioner’s father, Arlan J. Manaog, a copy of this Order together with the petition and its annexes thereto at his given address, and to show proof of compliance hereof before the hearing date.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, October 28, 2020.

(Sgd.) JOCELYN A. SOLIS-REYES Presiding Judge Cc: Astrid Mamaril Manaog Rep. by Aileen M. Mamaril Petitioner Atty. Rod Criswin V. Formoso Counsel for the Petitioner

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 230, QUEZON CITY ARISTEO G. PUYAT, Plaintiff, -versus-

Philippine Statistics Authority Arlan J. Manaog 122 M.H. Del Pilar, Sto. Tomas Pasig City Office of the City Prosecutor (MStandard - Dec. 21, 28, 2020 & Jan. 4, 2021)

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-19-16891-CV For: SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE

HOMERO TANPINCO JR. AND FEVI L. TANPINCO, Defendants. x--------------------------------------x

ORDER On record is the plaintiff’s Motion for reconsideration, filed on 10 March 2020, seeking for the reconsideration of the Court’s Order, dated 6 February 2020.

On 10 March 2020 plaintiff filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s Order, dated 6 February 2020, denying his Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by Publication upon defendants Homero Tanpinco, Jr., and Fevi L. Tanpinco on the ground of the plaintiff’s failure to attach thereto the required supporting affidavit of the plaintiff.

Together with the said Motion for Reconsideration was an affidavit executed by plaintiff Aristeo G. Puyat.

With the submission of the required affidavit and finding the same to be well taken, the same is hereby admitted. The plaintiff’s Motion for Reconsideration is hereby GRANTED and the Order denying his motion for leave to serve summons by publication for resolution is hereby reconsidered and set aside.

Going now to the plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to Serve Summons

by Publication upon defendants Homero Tanpinco, Jr. and Feve L. Tanpinco.

In his Motion, plaintiff Puyat avers that defendants Homero Tanpinco, Jr. and Fevi L. Tanpinco do not reside and are not found in the Philippines. Their present exact whereabouts are unknown to the plaintiff and that the subject of the action is property located within the Philippines.

Summons is a writ by which the defendant is notified of the action brought against him. Service of such writ is the means by which the court acquires jurisdiction over his person. Section 14 Rule 14 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure provides: Section 14. Service upon defendant whose identity or whereabouts are unknown. – In any action where the defendant is designated as an unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his whereabouts are unknown and cannot be ascertained by diligent inquiry, service may, by leave of court, be effected upon him by publication in a newspaper of general circulation and in such places and for such time as the court may order. (16a) Perusal of the records would show, particularly the Complaint, Motion for Leave to Serve Summons as well as his affidavit that defendants Homero Tanpinco, Jr and Fevi L. Tanpinco do not reside and are not found in the Philippines, being residents of Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. and their present exact whereabouts are unknown to plaintiff Puyat. That the defendants are the registered owners of two parcels of land both located at 31 Sct. Bayoran St., South Triangle, Quezon City, which are the subject of the action.

Applying the aforesaid rule, plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to Serve Summons by Publication upon defendants Homero Tanpinco, Jr., and Fevi L. Tanpinco is hereby GRANTED. Let Summons be issued upon defendants Homero Tanpinco, Jr. and Fevi L. Tanpinco and seved upon them by way of publication in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, 30 March 2020.

Office of the Solicitor General Local Civil Registry of Quezon City Quezon City

HOMERO TANPINCO, JR AND FEVI L. TANPINCO Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

Cc:

(Sgd.) MARIA GILDA T. LOJA-PANGILINAN Presiding Judge

MAÑACOP LAW OFFICE ATTY. JOSE F. MAÑACOP Counsel for the Plaintiff Mission Garden Condominium 59 Scout Ybardoloza Street South Triangle, Quezon City

ARISTEO G. PUYAT REP BY: ATTORNEY-IN-FACT- POMPEYO PINEDA Plaintiff 31 Sct. Bayoran St., South Triangle, Quezon City (MStandard-Dec. 7, 14 & Dec. 21, 2020)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Sports

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

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

Clarkson eyes Sixth Man award next NBA season FIL-AMERICAN Jordan Clarkson is inspired to work harder to improve his performance in the 2020–21 NBA season, which begin its 75th season this Wednesday.

Last season, the 28-year-old Clarkson finished with an average of 15.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 season with the Utah Jazz.

His performance was better than in 2019 when he had norms of 14.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while on his final year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“When I got to Utah, I was hitting straight to the rim, making easy threes.

That was the biggest adjustment I made. That’s why you see my numbers going up and increased,” said Clarkson when he talked about his game on Zoom last Saturday.

Because of this, Clarkson said he will be working on getting the Sixth Man of the Year honors when the 20202021 season has ended.

“I want to win the Sixth Man of the Year award after having this opportunity to be with this organization,” added Clarkson.

His outstanding game with the Jazz last season was the reason why the 6’5” combo guard was asked to re-sign for a four-year contract.

The deal, which is a $51.52-million contract, will have Clarkson seeing action for the Jazz in the NBA for the next four years.

When he moved to the Jazz, coach Quin Snyder gave Clarkson chances to show his game, and show how good he is.

And Jordan said he was able to do this with opportunities that Snyder gave him.

“Coach put me in a position where I’m able to get to show my strength and focus on my shot distribution. I take a lot of bad long 2s, and short 2s out of my game,” added Clarkson.

Clarkson expressed his desire to show improvements in game on the day the Utah Jazz a change in team ownership.

Tech entrepreneur and Qualtrics founder, Ryan Smith, and his wife Ashley, are the new majority owners of the Utah Jazz and affiliated businesses following a unanimous vote of approval by the NBA Board of Governors. Peter Atencio

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) tries to score against Phoenix Suns defenders Devin Booker (1) and DeAndre Ayton (22) during a preseason game at vivint.

SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP

Substitute boxer Gaballo wins WBC interim crown S

By Peter Atencio

UBSTITUTE Filipino fighter Reymart Gaballo attacked fearlessly from the start and came away with a hard-fought split decision victory against sharp-shooting Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico Gaballo’s efforts earned him the World Boxing Council interim bantamweight championship on Saturday evening (Sunday morning Manila time) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville Connecticut.

Gaballo’s good fortune came after he replaced Nonito Donaire who submitted a positive COVID-19 test in early December.

Two of the judges in the 12-round

encounter scored it for Gaballo (116112 and 115-113) while the third put the fight, 118-110, in favor of Rodriguez.

This allowed Gaballo to maintain his unbeaten streak as he picked up his 24th win (with 20 KOs) without a loss.

Rodriguez, who suffered his second straight setback, dropped to a 19-2 winloss card.

The General Santos City pug started by being aggressive, forcing Rodriguez

to keep his distance, and just wait for the Filipino to come in.

The Puerto Rican then leaned on his jabs in his bid to keep Gaballo offbalance.

For the first three rounds, Gaballo kept attacking, and threw more punches while Rodriguez was more conservative.

The Puerto Rican was more accurate with his punches but the aggressive Gaballo eked out the victory.

The victory should pave the way for Caballo to take a crack at the regular WBC belt held by Nordine Oubaali.

Oubaali was originally set to defend his crown against Donaire, but also contracted COVID-19. That led to Rodriguez taking his spot in the title bout.

Yulo ranked number 1 in the world in floor exercises TOKYO-based Filipino Carlos Yulo is on top of the gymnastics world, literally.

The 20-year-old Yulo finished the year with a bang, sharing no. 1 spot the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) World Rankings for f loor exercises with Spain’s Rayderley Zapata.

Yulo was already in the top spot, after getting important points from world championships in Doha and Melbourne last year, and from Germany in 2018.

Zapata managed to tie Yulo with his Melbourne stint.

The 4’9” Yulo got two bronze medal finishes in the All-Japan Gymnastics Championships last week.

But Yulo was not able to earn any points from his performances.

Russia’s Kirill Prokopev is third with 64 points.

Yulo is among four Filipinos who have qualified for the postponed Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in 2021.

He won’t be going home for Christmas and will stay in Tokyo to keep on training with his coach Munehiro in his bid to seek the elusive gold medal in the quadrennial meet.

Last year, Yulo clinched the gold medal in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships men’s floor exercise to become the country’s first-ever world champion in gymnastics.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and pugs Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno are also part of the Philippine contingent to the Tokyo Games. Peter Atencio

Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo displays fine form atop the pommel horse in this file photo of the men’s gymnastics competition during the 30th SEA Games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. Ey Acasio

PBA ‘bubble’ facilities will be used in FIBA Asia THE same facilities used when the Philippine Basketball Association held the 2020 Philippine Cup under a bubble will be retained when the country hosts the third and last window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February next year.

Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios said this following talks with FIBA officials on how they will go about this when the games of Group A are held in Angeles City, Pampanga two months from now.

“FIBA asked us if we can host the games under the PBA bubble. They were looking for this arrangement under a FIBA bubble,” said Barrios in a Zoom huddle with officials of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the SBP. Barrios talked about the facilities to be used in the presence of SBP president Aldredo Panlilio and BCDA president and CEO Vince Dizon.

Because of this, the scheduled matches of the qualifiers will be done in the same gymnasium used in the Philippine Cup, which is the Angeles University Foundation.

The equipment used will be the same, except for the electronic scoreboard.

“The understanding is that we will host it under a PBA bubble, and there will be no equipment that will be supplied by FIBA except for the electronic scoreboard,” said Barrios.

Clark will host eight national teams from Group A which include the Gilas Pilipinas Men, along with teams from South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Games in Group C will also be held, and will include teams from New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and Hong Kong.

Tighter measures are expected in Clark now that it has been chosen to host another major sports event.

Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio said that FIBA will set its own guidelines for the qualifiers and will be closely linked with the existing protocols of the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“FIBA and IATF guidelines will be married here. This will make it a safe event,” said Panlilio. Peter Atencio

Alvarez overpowers Smith to claim two titles LOS ANGLES, United States—Mexican pound for pound champ Saul “Canelo” Alvarez ended the longest layoff of his career on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), capturing two world super middleweight titles by beating previously undefeated Callum Smith with a unanimous decision in Texas.

Three division champion Alvarez claimed the vacant WBC title and Smith’s WBA version of the 168-pound belt, overcoming a stark height difference as he moved up in weight class for the fight in front of a pandemic-limited crowd at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Alvarez improved to 54-1-2 with 36

knockouts, while Smith suffered the first defeat of his pro career and dropped to 27-1, 19 knockouts.

Saturday’s victory rekindles the possibility of a third fight between Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, who lost to Alvarez in a controversial majority decision in Las Vegas in 2018.

The 30-year-old Alvarez showed he is one of the smartest fighters in the sport, adjusting on the fly and managing to get inside the long reach of Smith to attack the body and head.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, that has killed 315,000 people across the US in the past 11 months, organizers were forced to limit the crowd size but

they still managed to get a permit to allow 12,000 people into the 32,000 seat venue.

They saw Alvarez land every punch in his arsenal during the glorified sparring session with Smith whose busted up face and blood spattered white trunks told the story.

Alvarez’s best punch was the right uppercut and he threw it with authority, imposing his will and almost knocking Smith out in the ninth round when the ropes appeared to be the only thing holding him up.

All three judges gave the fight to Alvarez with two scoring it 119-109 and the third 117-111. AFP

Canelo Alvarez flexes his muscles while on the scales in this file photo of the weigh-in for his fight against Gennady Golovkin in 2018. AFP

Market likely to trade in narrow range this week B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

B1

Tariff Commission questions DTI’s cement duty

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Tariff Commission over the weekend questioned the decision of the Department of Trade and Industry to increase the definitive safeguard duty on imported cement by P0.80 to P9.80 per 40-kilogram bag starting October 2020.

FOODPANDA PACKAGE. The country’s on-demand food delivery service, foodpanda, takes care of its riders this holiday season by giving them a special Noche Buena package as appreciation for their hard work and dedication this year. The special Christmas gift packs were repackaged by foodpanda employees themselves in Metro Manila, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro. A thousand of riders across the country received the Noche Buena package.

DBCC opts to keep inflation target at 2% to 4% until 2024

By Julito G. Rada INFLATION rate, or the movement in consumer prices, is expected to remain stable over the next four years as the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas decided to retain the inflation target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2021 to 2024.

Under the inflation targeting framework for monetary policy, the target is defined in terms of the average year-on-year change in the consumer price index over the calendar year.

“This announcement of the medium-term inflation target is in line with the BSP’s commitment to transparency and accountability as well as the forward-looking approach in the conduct of mon-

etary policy,” the BSP said in a statement over the weekend.

It said the inflation target range of 2 percent to 4 percent, as approved by the DBCC, “continues to be an appropriate quantitative representation of the medium-term goal of price stability that is optimal for the Philippines given the current structure of the economy and outlook of macroeconomic conditions over the next few years.”

“The assessment of factors that could influence inflation suggests manageable inflation environment over the near term,” it said.

The latest BSP forecasts indicated that inflation would settle within the target range for 2021 to 2022. Inflation expectations are expected to remain firmly anchored to the national government’s target.

IN BRIEF Meralco extends payment deadline

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said over the weekend customers received a one-month disconnection reprieve as it extended the no-disconnection policy for non-payment of bills from Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021.

Meralco president Ray Espinosa said in a letter to House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco it agreed to his request for the extension after “careful evaluation and in consideration.”

Espinosa said the extended grace period would benefit more than 3 million Meralco customers with consumption of 200 kilowatts per hour and below during the billing month of December.

The number represents around 47 percent of Meralco’s total customer base, according to Espinosa.

Velasco said Meralco’s move was very welcome in keeping with the spirit of bayanihan amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The extended grace period being given to our fellow Filipinos during the holiday season will provide much needed reprieve to those reeling from the devastating effects of the pandemic and natural calamities,” Velasco said. Alena Mae S. Flores

MPTC proposes ‘open road’ vision

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. said over the weekend it is eyeing an “open road” to all expressways for faster travel.

“Our common vision for the future is to bring tolling technology in the country to the modern age,” MPTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.

He said the “full RFID in the expressways, after whatever refinement will be mandated, is just the first stage.”

“We want to see in the second stage an efficient interoperable and seamless toll collection system in the country. The final stage is the vision of the ‘open road’ where there are neither barriers nor tollgates at all in expressways,” Franco said.

He said that all expressways were prepared for both cashless and cash payments at toll plazas.

“We are prepared to respond favorably to any initiative taken by the executive and legislative branches to make expressways even more convenient and safer for our customers,” Franco said. Darwin G. Amojelar

2 business groups support Megawide

TWO business groups in Cebu expressed support to Megawide Construction Corp. for its planned P109-billion rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Leaders of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. expressed indignation against a lawsuit which questions the legality of the partnership Megawide shares with GMR Infrastructure Inc., its minority partner in the operations and maintenance of Mactan Cebu International Airport.

These groups decried alleged attempts to smear the only Filipino company with a proven track record in building world-class airports.

Felix Taguiam, president of CCCI, said in a letter to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Dec. 15 that Megawide has the “credibility, experience and the drive” to deliver a topnotch airport.

“Megawide worked diligently with the Cebuanos, to achieve this dream of having a world-class gateway to more opportunities the world has to offer,” Taguiam said. Darwin G. Amojelar

“The DTI can’t do that. The schedule has been set. That’s the whole point because the industry should improve so the duty should go down,” TC Commissioner Ernesto Albano said during the public hearing through videoconferencing on the “Monitoring of the Philippine Cement Industry.”

Albano said the three-year schedule of safeguard tariff implementation should be followed according to the law. The safeguard tariff was supposed to drop from 10 per 40-kilogram bag in the first year of implementation to P9 per bag in the second year and P8 in the third year.

The DTI, however, set it at P9.80 per bag in October, which represented the start of the second year of the three-year schedule.

“I am not aware of the DTI order, but this is a schedule of definitive safeguards. By law, it should go down. We will ask if DTI increased the safeguard duties since the rates have been approved, therefore it should go down on the second year,” said Albano.

He said as a regulator, the TC should be on top of industry issues. Albano, however, said the commission did not know that the DTI increased the safeguard tariff on imported cement to P9.80,

when it should be at P9 per bag in the second year of implementation.

Cement importers said the DTI “may have committed abuse of authority” based on the statement of the commission.

The industry is now complying with the new cement memorandum order after the Bureau of Customs started imposing the collection of the new rates, said Philcement Corp.

The TC reiterated during the public hearing the need for safeguards to be competitive and to push through with the agency’s action plans even as some projects were pushed back by the pandemic.

Republic Cement said during the same public hearing that even as the situation improved in the second semester, “still, the year is quite abnormal with unprecedented events. But we hope to see better performance of investments.”

Holcim Philippines Inc. said while it benefitted from completed investments, “... the big investments are delayed which are supposed to install additional clinker capacity that would make us more competitive.”

Cemex Philippines said it had not yet seen the full benefits of their investments because the industry’s situation is not ideal. “The demand was severely impacted and the immediate target was to keep all employees,” it said.

“We are forced to look into every single cost and improve our cost structure,” it said.

Cement companies reported to the TC that they were managing operations with additional costs related to transportation, purchase of personal protective equipment and the cost of swab tests.

The TC subjected imported cement to safeguard tariff of P10 per bag in the first year of effectivity on Oct. 22, 2019 amid the influx of imports that hurt the local industry.

Business

B2

|| MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market likely to trade in narrow range this week

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

B3

SATURDAY, DECEMBERat19, 2020 || RADING the extrastory2000@gmail.com

Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to move in a narrow range

during the shortened trading week on concerns over the possible increase in COVID-19 cases in the country this holiday season.

PSEi December 18, 2020

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2.16

0.21

10.77%

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Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia. com said with experts projecting a “Christmas wave” in terms of COVID-19 cases in the country, investors were worried about the possible impact of this scenario in the economy.

“While economic managers seem to be not predisposed to imposing lockdown rules as demanding as that of second quarter of 2020, needless to say business and consumer confidence will

BRUSSELS―British and EU negotiators had dug in their heels and were each demanding more concessions from the other as postBrexit trade talks dragged on into Sunday, deadlocked on fishing rights.

Sources fromå both sides said that unless the other backed down on access to UK waters, Britain would leave the single market at midnight on December 31 without a follow-on deal on cross-Channel commerce.

“We’re continuing to try every possible path to an agreement, but SLACK RULES. A shopper wearing a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, carries shopping bags in in without a substantial shift from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in north-east England on December 19, 2020, on the last Saturday before Christmas. British Prime Minister (European) Commission we will Boris Johnson on Wednesday resisted calls to tighten coronavirus restrictions over Christmas, as London faced stricter measures and be leaving on WTO terms on 31 concern grew about rising case numbers. The government has been under mounting pressure to toughen proposals allowing up to December,” a British government three households to meet indoors during a five-day festive window from December 23, as European neighbours curb their easing source said. plans amid surging infections. AFP But an EU diplomat told AFP that Brussels had made Britain its last offer on fishing and it was down now to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to decide whether he wants a deal.

“If Britain doesn’t accept the latest Spain has chosen to rely on restrictions, midnight, house parties have become

By Hazel Ward with bars and restaurants in Madrid increasingly popular, Madrid police EU offer it will be a ‘no deal’ over fish,” he warned. A European official MADRID, Spain―“If you don’t open operating with a 50-percent capacity chief superintendent Jose Luis Morcillo the door, we’ll break it down,” shouts a limit and private gatherings limited to six says. said: “It’s very blocked.”

“Although the immense majority policeman, sparks flying through the night people.

The tough talk came as both sides But in some places―as in other are complying with the rules, there’s a as a circular saw cuts through the chained are engaged in intense―and tense― European countries―the party hasn’t minority looking for alternative ways to back entrance of a Madrid bar. negotiations to secure a pact before the Elsewhere, police force open the rolling stopped, with people drinking, dancing and have fun,” he told AFP. end of the month. No deal would risk “The average age is around 30, so shutters of a popular cocktail bar and sweating together, up close and personal chaos at EU and UK borders, where a they are no longer young, but they are storm into the dimly-lit interior, where 36 as if the pandemic never happened. pre-deadline rush has already caused Some gather in bars for an after-hours irresponsible.” people are drinking in the glow of neon long tailbacks of lorries.

Often events are organized by club bar signs. “Who’s the owner?” barks a lock-in, others have been invited to Observers, however, noted that the flats or houses rented for the weekend, owners whose venues are closed but who woman police officer. “Everyone line up fishing issue was about finding middle or joined a rave-type event in a park reach out to their guest lists. Secrecy is with your papers in hand.” ground between offer and counteroffer Although Madrid’s nightlife has or warehouse attracting hundreds of key and an entrance fee is “normal.” in an economically small sector, while “What’s more scary than the situation been shuttered since the summer, and a people, police say.

At most, masks are absent, capacity we’re living through with lockdowns, the much bigger other main issue, on midnight curfew has emptied the streets guaranteeing fair trade competition since October, such raids have become a limits ignored and all other safety restrictions and fewer and fewer precautions checked at the door. freedoms?” said one Halloween invitation regular feature in the city. rules is closer to settlement.

From lockdown to lock-ins with a 20-euro entrance fee and the venue While many European nations have “It’s all down to numbers now,” the With the streets off-limits after to be confirmed on the day itself. AFP languished under a second lockdown, European diplomat said. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Madrid police, partygoers play pandemic cat-and-mouse

Standard

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Finance SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, 1307

TODAY

ynasty y used

u, the ―the repliKong

afloat by switching to local tourists and MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT schoolchildren.

They readjusted routes and switched IN THE MATTER OF English commentary to Cantonese.: : “The locals are hearing more about us CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. : REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES this year because with no tourists, we have (Registrant) : (Unsecured Fixed-Rate Peso Denominated Retail Bonds) more time and money to spend on: promotion in Hong Kong itself,” Li said: before the new restrictions came on. AFP NOTICE Notice is hereby given that, on December 16, 2020, a sworn Registration Statement (“RS”) has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP INC. for the registration of Unsecured Fixed-Rate Peso Denominated Retail Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of ₱2,000,000,000, with an Oversubscription Option of up to ₱1,000,000,000, at an issue price of 100% of the face value:

DSECURITIES SECURITIES REGULATION REGULATION DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT According to the documents presented, the following persons are the directors and officers of the Corporation:

: : Name Position : :of Director S ES GROUP, GROUP, INC. INC. : REGISTRATION REGISTRATION OF OF SECURITIES SECURITIES Chairman of the Board, Amb.: Jose E.B. Antonio : : (Unsecured (UnsecuredFixed-Rate Fixed-RatePeso Peso John:Victor R. Antonio Retail Vice Chairman and Director : Denominated Denominated Retail Bonds) Bonds) : Jose:Marco R. Antonio President and CEO and Director Jose Roberto R. Antonio

NOTICE NOTICE

Co-Managing Director

Jose Carlo R. Antonio Co-Managing Director given ven that, that,onon December December 16,2020, 2020,a asworn swornRegistration Registration Ricardo Cuerva16, Non-Executive Director sfiled filedwith withthe theSecurities Securitiesand andExchange ExchangeCommission Commissiononon Rafael G. Yaptinchay Co-Managing Director ROPERTIES PROPERTIESGROUP GROUP INC. INC.forforthe theregistration registrationofofUnsecured Unsecured minated ominatedRetail Retail Bonds Bonds ininthe theaggregate aggregateprincipal principalamount amount ofof Hilda R. Antonio Non-Executive Director nanOversubscription OversubscriptionOption Optionofofupuptoto₱1,000,000,000, ₱1,000,000,000,atatanan Amb. Jose L. Cuisa, Jr. Independent Director fhe theface facevalue: value:

Stephen T. CuUnjieng Independent Director cuments ocumentspresented, presented,the thefollowing followingpersons personsare arethe thedirectors directors Carlos C. Ejercito Independent Director rporation: oration: Atty. Danny E Bunyi Corporate Secretary Position Position Domie S. Eduvane Senior Vice President for Legal and Corporate Affairs Chairman Chairman ofof the the Board, Board, o Carlos Benedict K. Rivilla, IV Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Assistant Corporate Secretary Vice Vice Chairman Chairman and and Director Director Ponciano S. Carreon President President and and CEO CEO and and Director Director Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Head Maria Theresa Fucanan – Yu Vice President for Corporate Communications o Co-Managing Co-Managing Director Director Atty.

Isabelita Ching Chief Information Officer and Compliance Officer Co-Managing Co-Managing Director Director Sales Ritchelle Director T. Director Cordero Head for Human Resources and Administration Non-Executive Non-Executive

In orderDirector to implement necessary health protocols consistent with the directives Co-Managing Co-Managing Director and guidelines of the Department of Health for the protection of its employees and Non-Executive Non-Executive Director Director the investing public, the Commission hereby suspends the physical inspection of the RSDirector and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively referred to as Independent Independent Director “Documents”) as well as (ii.) providing physical copies thereof to interested parties, Independent Independent Director Director until further notice. In lieu thereof, the Commission has adopted an alternative mode of viewing and/or downloading the said Documents and any subsequent Independent Independent Director Director amendments thereto by enabling interested parties to access the same through the Corporate Corporate Secretary Secretary MSRD corner of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (w ww.sec. gov.ph) or the Company’s website (http://www.centuryproperties.com.).

Senior Senior Vice Vice President President forfor Legal Legal and and Corporate Corporate Affairs Affairs

,la, IVIV Vice VicePresident PresidentforforCorporate CorporateAffairs Affairsand andAssistant Assistant Corporate Corporate Secretary Secretary

signed Chief Chief Financial Financial Officer Officer and and Investor Investor Relations Relations Head Head VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. –n Yu – Yu Vice Vice President President forfor Corporate Corporate Communications Communications Director

sles

Chief Chief Information Information Officer Officer and and Compliance Compliance Officer Officer (DEC. 19 & 21, 2020) Head Head forfor Human Human Resources Resources and and Administration Administration

necessary t necessaryhealth healthprotocols protocolsconsistent consistentwith withthe thedirectives directives epartment DepartmentofofHealth Healthforforthe theprotection protectionofofitsitsemployees employeesand and eheCommission Commissionhereby herebysuspends suspendsthe thephysical physicalinspection inspectionofof pers/documents rs/documents attached attachedthereto thereto(collectively (collectivelyreferred referredtotoasas sas (ii.) (ii.) providing providing physical physical copies copies thereof thereof toto interested interested parties, parties,

as investors focused on long-running US stimulus talks on Capitol Hill and whether Britain and the European Union can finally agree to a post-Brexit trade deal.

Major US indices pulled back from Thursday’s records as markets awaited resolution of congressional talks on another relief package for the coronavirus-ravaged US economy.

Lawmakers have said negotiations are in the home stretch, but there was still no deal Friday evening ahead of a midnight deadline to avert a government shutdown.

“While there’s a lot of optimism about stimulus, it’s important not to count on it,” said TD Ameritrade’s JJ Kinahan in a note Friday morning. With AFP

European Union, UK each demand concessions as Brexit talks stall

st true junk boat Manila

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK suffer the consequence, which in turn Foreign investors were net sellers cascade to listed firms’ valuation,” the for the week by P3.77 billion while the online brokerage firm said. average daily value traded stood at P9.9 Meanwhile, the optimism arising billion. from positive vaccine developments Weekly top price gainers were and further reopening of the economy Integrated Microelectronics Inc., could also provide a boost on the market which jumped18.7 percent to P8.45; during the last trading days of 2020.

AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Inc., The Philippine Stock Exchange Index which advanced 17.9 percent to P3.68; last week moved sideways after closing and Cebu Air Inc., which climbed 14.6 marginally higher by 0.4 percent to percent to P57.30.

7,272.80. The broader All Shares Index Weekly top price losers were Wilcon climbed 0.7 percent to 4,349.35.

Depot Inc., which dropped 4.2 percent Except for the property index which to P16.96; Puregold Price Club Inc., dropped 0.9 percent, all other sub- which fell 3.9 percent to P40.35; and SM indices ended higher led by mining and Prime Holdings Inc., which declined 3.3 oil which rose 2.6 percent; industrial percent to P37.90.

Global stock markets, meanwhile, which gained 1.4 percent and services retreated Friday along with the pound, added by 0.1 percent.

JERIC OLIVER

Green LiGht The Rise Enron’s birth happened in 1985 after the merger between Houston Natural Gas Corp. and InterNorth Inc. venturing into natural gas and power generation operations led by CEO Kenneth Lay. In 1990, Lay hired Jeff Skilling as the company’s top executive. The latter introduced the mark-to-market accounting method of recording to adjust the value of the assets from historical cost to its fair market value. This caused the assets to be overvalued, thus recognizing in the income statement unrealistic gains. They also booked revenues from deals even if they have not rendered the services yet.

Enron was successful in covering up their losses from the previous years by altering their financial statements with the help of the accounting firm, Arthur Andersen. They also operated fraudulently with some madeup companies to hide their losing assets. The stock prices went from $10 in 1992 to $85 in 2000, making it attractive investments from funds and instructional investors.

The Fall Speculations started during a comprehensive interview with the Fortune writer. By the fall of 2001, piece by piece, all the lies, deception and fraud continue to uncover themselves from malpractice of accounting standards, bank frauds, illegal wire transfers, inside trading, cover-ups and other unethical business conduct exposed by the whistleblowers.

A few weeks later, stock prices went from $85 to $0.50 per share. They filed for bankruptcy and caused a huge effect on Wall Street.

The Judgments Skilling was held the most responsible and was sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment.

Former chairman Kenneth Lay was sentenced in the 2006 trial but died before he could be sentenced. Andrew Fastow, former chief financial officer who pleaded guilty to fraud

Enron scandal...19 years later and schemed unethical deals and attested in damaged the reputation of those innocent contradiction to his ex-bosses was sentenced employees who were collateral damages.

They have lost not only their jobs as well as to 10 years of imprisonment.

Arthur Andersen went out of business, their pension funds and retirement benefits, and thousands of employees lost their job. It too. Maybe some of them were about to was found guilty of obstruction of justice by retire when the scandal happens. They were destroying all the shreds of evidence related left unguarded by the dangers brought by the CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK of the top management. malpractices to the case.

The same sentiments go to the employees Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, also known as SOX 404, was enacted. This serves as of Arthur Andersen. I am an accountant by standards for internal controls to ensure the profession; I can resonate with its 85,000 integrity of the company’s financial statement. fallen employees. I wonder how you can The management has to sign off the financial stand up from the fall when you know your statements and effectiveness of the internal career should be anchored and expected controls alongside the accounting firm’s sign to be performed with high integrity and compliance? How about investors who lost off.

At the time that this whole fiasco was their money? I want to know how they feel unveiling to the world, I was just an innocent knowing Skilling is out again trying to start a first-year accountancy student. We were really new venture. They might be so disappointed unaware until in our ethics class in our third with the injustice. Most of the financial and year of studies. I still did not fully comprehend investment institutions are still upset about what really transpired, but I can remember I the damages caused by the scandal. I know am more concerned for the people who lost that there are still numerous corporations their jobs. I thought justice should be served trying to file cases against Skilling for the to the abusive top executives. I supposed losses incurred due to Enron’s stock. This that Arthur Andersen should be dissolved scandal will forever haunt him for the rest and revoke its operation, which eventually of his life.

We do not know Skilling’s next steps and happened.

In early 2019, Skilling was released from plans. Only time can tell. A person as well prison after his term was reduced from connected as him might lead an organization 24 years to 14 years. He was reportedly again anytime soon, but he will never win the meeting with former colleagues to find a public trust back. Enron’s scandal was so huge way back into the energy business. Fastow and affected many lives to be left forgotten. served six years in prison after a reduced The only thing that we can do for now is to be term in 2011. Today, he works for an more watchful. Truth be told, after all, the law artificial intelligence company focusing prohibits him from engaging and holding any public corporation’s executive position. on investigative fraud.

Skilling is out yet again trying to climb The author is an MBA student at the up in the corporate world with maybe some help [of course] from his former colleagues in Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, Enron. What does this tell us? How do I feel De La Salle University. This article is part about this knowing he played a huge role in of his blog for the course on Leadership, Ethics, and CSR. the collapse of a once-respected institution?

I strongly disagree with the judge’s The views expressed above are those of the decision to release him too soon. I feel he does not deserve to receive a term reduction. He author. They do not necessarily reflect the should have completed the original sentence. position of De La Salle University, its faculty, He did not only destroy the company; he also and its administrators.

Entertainment

A gift of healing Biopic on ‘Healing Priest’ Father Fernando Suarez is among the top billed films in 2020 edition of MMFF.

B

IOPIC Father Suarez, The Healing Priest centers on the struggles and triumphs of a young man who eventually becomes a priest. Directed

by Joven Tan, screenplay

by Bernard Canabral with Saranggola Media Productions as its producer, the film is one of the intriguing stories included in the catalogue of Metro Manila Film Festival this year.

For the director, Father Fernando Suarez’s story has deeper layers that the audience needs to see. He dissects the life story of the priest as someone who is compassionate, kind, and full of wisdom.

“I have heard a lot of things about Father Suarez from way back, so when I got to read the script, I was intrigued and wanted to work on this material. During our meets, prior to and during the filming I remember him to be kind, straightforward, and sincere,” Tan shared.

Seasoned actor John Arcilla who

John Arcilla as healing priest Father Suarez.

portrays Father Suarez on-screen admitted that he was thinking of backing out from the project until he met with the famed priest and discovered the man behind the controversial news stories.

“I initially said yes to the project when they told me that I’m going to play a priest. It’s something close to my heart growing up in a family whose members are related to the church,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment.

“Whatever apprehensions I had before filming when I conversed with him personally during the initial story conference, I discovered that he is a simple normal person telling stories, not the priest using his magical words and charisma. The film is about his total trust in God that He will not be forsaken,” the actor carried on.

Arcilla said that the sincerity that he had

witnessed from Father Suarez was enough to embrace the project completely.

“Then I just found out that he’s a fan of Heneral Luna and he personally handpicked me to play the role. While filming, I decided not to try to mimic or copy him. I just took his essence and some of his demeanor but what I totally embraced was his unwavering trust in the Almighty,” Arcilla stated.

With nine other films in this year’s MMFF, Arcilla believes that the strength of the film lies in its theme, which is very relevant to the current situation the entire nation is currently in.

“People are getting anxious and sick, people are getting sad and losing hopes.

The majority are getting disoriented and some people are not even aware that they are. It is time to introspect and listen to the stillness in our core as humans,” Arcilla said.

“This film will remind us that we can find God in our stillness, that we can heal each other from all our hatred and heartaches if we just trust and have faith,” he ended.

Also part of the film are Dante Rivero, Troy Montero, Mario Mortel, Alice Dixon, Rosanna Roces, Jairus Aquino, Rita Avila, Richard Quan, Gina Pareno, and Jin Macapagal as the young Fr. Suarez.

Father Suarez, The Healing Priest is available for viewing on Dec. 25 onwards on Upstream.ph.

Finding Joy with KathNiel ON AND off-screen partners Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are the new brand ambassadors of Acer Philippines embodying the values that the tech brand is known for.

“Daniel and Kathryn have strong teamwork and are very passionate about their work. They make their fans happy because they are consistent in their actions but always have surprises up their sleeves.

Just like Acer, KathNiel has broken barriers in their field,” said Acer Philippines Managing Director Manuel Wong.

Daniel and Kathryn are among the celebrities in Acer Philippines’ holiday music video “Finding Joy,” which talks about being hopeful even in uncertain times. Powered by Windows 10 and 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors, the song talks about rising above challenges and remaining strong despite living through difficult circumstances.

Sang by Daniel, Janina Vela, Cong Velasquez, and Awi Columna with composition and lyrics by Mart Sam Olivades, Felichi Salva Cruz, and Penelope Ann Medrano, “Finding Joy” was released by Acer Philippines just in time for the holidays The song is upbeat, light-hearted, and will make people feel good.

Also appearing in the music video are Ivana Alawi, Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao, COLN Band, Junnieboy and Vien, KuyaNic and Luponwxc, TNC Pro Team DOTA 2, ArkAangel Predator PUBG, Een Mercado, Kang

Power couple Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo join Acer family in inspiring holiday music video.

Dupet, Armel Tabios, Kim “Gabbi” Santos, Tims Radrup, Damien “Kpii” Chok, Marlon Marcelo, Kuku Palad, and Reg Rubio.

It has been a challenging year for the whole world. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns and quarantines that resulted from it, Acer Philippines’ leadership in consumer and gaming PCs has remained unchanged.

In a year that has mostly been about uncertainties and challenges, Acer has remained steadfast in serving consumers, even opening an online store for those

who couldn’t go to physical outlets.

Acer Philippines hopes that “Finding Joy” is another way through which they can reach out to their customers and make them feel hopeful even when everything else is uncertain.

The music video premiered on Acer’s YouTube channel on Dec. 15 and played in leading FM Radio Stations, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, and Play FM 99.5.

You can stream “Finding Joy” on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer. Visit www.acer.com.for more details.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

DZBB airs consumer education program ‘Konsyumer Atbp.’

SUPER Radyo DZBB welcomes a new program and blocktimer via Konsyumer Atbp. (KATBP) anchored by Joel Reyes Zobel with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo.

The show is DTI’s consumer education radio program, where the hosts engage on timely and informative discussions on pressing consumer-related programs and issues. These include consumer rights and responsibilities, information about prices and supplies of basic goods, product standards and qualities, regular market monitoring, and consumer complaints.

Zobel is one of DZBB’s multi-awarded news commentators. Presently, he is co-anchor to GMA News pillar Mike Enriquez in Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide and is also the co-host of news com mentar y prog ram Anong Say N’yo? every Mond ay to Friday at 11:00 a.m..

His

DZBB anchor Joel Reyes Zobel

signature booming voice is recognized

by Filipino listeners and various awardgiving bodies for his work in the field of radio broadcasting for over 30 years.

Usec. Castelo, on the other hand, is a lawyer by profession, handling litigation as City Attorney for Marikina City for eight years before entering private practice in her own law firm.

After handling various legal concerns and cases, and appearing before all court levels in the country, she took on greater responsibilities for DTI and now serves as Undersecretary for the Consumer Protection Group (CPG).

For its pilot airing on Saturday, Dec. 19, Enriquez co-hosted on behalf of Zobel.

Catch Konsyumer Atbp. every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Super Radyo DZBB 594 kHz and on its simulcast via Dobol B sa News TV. Netizens can also tune in via Super Radyo DZBB’s official Facebook page or audio livestream on www. g manet work . com/radio/ streaming/ dzbb.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo

Lead cast Keann Johnson and Adrian Lindayag in a scene from the BL movie ‘The Boy Foretold by the Stars.’

When producers’ stars crossed paths ONE of the most anapprehension since ticipated offerings they are perfect for in this year’s Metro their roled. Their Manila Film Festival personalities fit their is The Boy Foretold characters, Luke and By the Stars.

Dominic, perfectly.”

Based on the play Since the most staged by Tanghalang popular Filipino film Ateneo’s Ang Hangal, the Filipino boy’s festival is now online, the maverick prolove drama will make us witnesses ducer shares his thoughts on the changed to that special journey of finding and viewing platform: “This is the new normeeting that one person given by God mal. We miss watching the movie inside and supported by the forces of the the theaters, but we have to sacrifice Universe to be your companthat for our viewers’ safety. But ion that you will share true at the same time, we can’t love’s kiss and spend your stop making movies. There happily ever with. are so many stories to tell Creative Minds Inc., through cinema. Screencomposed of awarding the film online is winning actress Jodi hard because it is a difSta. Maria, producferent platform or seters Omar Sortiup, but more than the jas and Derick hardships, I am bullish Cabrido, who is an of the fact that it opens a accomplished motion lot of opportunities. It is Creative Minds picture director are well, exciting and frightening Inc. film producer are the trio con brio who at the same time.”

Derick Cabrido put their faith, trust and Cabrido promises green-lighted Dolly Dulu’s that The Boy Foretold By the fresh cinematic take on this tale Stars is destined to make hearts about a different kind of romance flutter: “Believing in both fate and “The script itself is enough to pro- faith is valid; this is what the movie is all duce the movie,” answers Cabrido when about. We hope that through this film, asked why he dared to produce the BL we can spread the message of love this drama. “When I read the script, I fell in Christmas; how cliche it may sound, but love with it, and I know that through the love, whether it is the romantic or plahands of its director Dolly Dulu he will tonic kind, I believe is the best gift we be able to give justice to its story. Na- can all receive now.”

The Boy Foretold By the kakakilig kasi ang kwento.”

On casting relative newbies Adrian Stars streams on upstream.ph starting Lindayag and Keann Johnson as Dec. 25. Tickets are currently on sale leads, Cabrido explains: “I have no for Php 250.00 each.

Jose Mari Chan, Nico Bolzico’s unlikely holiday collab

Jose Marie Chan and Nico Bolzico team up for a holiday remix.

THERE are a number of powerhouse music collaborations, but the latest one featuring legendary crooner and Christmas icon Jose Mari Chan alongside funnyman Nico Bolzico may just be the most surprising -- a perfect way to greet the holiday season and double up on the festivities.

The Christmas mash-up entitled “Remix in Our Hearts,” may be the most unexpected of matches, but with 2020 being unpredictable, this awesome duo, brought together by famous snack brand Lay’s, may be just what we need to end the year on a high note.

The accompanying music video, now

posted on Lays Philippines Youtube channel, shows the pair clad in matching Rudolph sweaters, while performing a rap-sung duet and snacking on their favorite Lay’s Chips fun to double the fun on their small yuletide celebration. The two go from Christmas tune to boombox track, and even top the global charts, until it’s all revealed to be just a dream for Nico. Well at least, the delicious Lay’s he was munching on were real.

Just like Jose Mari Chan and Nico Bolzico, you can double the holiday flavor and double up on the #LaysOnHolidays fun, with Lay’s Duo Packs.

Enjoy the various combinations of the

potato chip brand’s signature flavors: Classic, Barbecue, Sour Cream and Onion, and Cheddar and Sour Cream.

With each duo pack, both your large online gatherings and intimate offline reunions will get two times more exciting and two times more delightful, making sure the spirit of Christmas lives on for 2020 and into 2021.

Double the holiday flavor with Lay’s Duo Packs, available for only P246 (Buy 2, save P40) in all groceries, supermarkets, and convenience stores nationwide and via e-commerce partners Lazada and Shopee. For more information, visit the Lay’s Philippines Facebook page. #LaysOnHolidays

Life

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

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FOOD

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

December delights Restaurant group introduces new menu items

A

S A holiday gift to diners, The Bistro Group launches new dishes across its restaurant brands.

Fish & Co.’s new Steamed Seafood Bucket (P745) consists of shrimp, clams, corn, and fish cooked in flavorful broth and is ideal for one to three persons. It also recently introduced its own take on Salmon Belly in Tamarind Soup (P695).

Denny’s, meanwhile, has New Diner Favorites: a plate of Chicken Teriyaki (P345) comes with two pieces of fluffy pancakes; while the Filipino Breakfast Platter (P1,395) is composed of bangus belly, crispy pork, sausage, eggplant, saba, side vegetables, and three pieces of pancakes.

Over at Modern Shanghai are new noodles and hotpots good for three to four persons. The Seafood Hotpot (P1,198) comes with shrimp, fish fillet, tofu, crabstick, fishcake, squid ball,

and vegetables; while the Beef Hotpot (P1,088) features tender beef, tofu, squid ball, fishcake, and vegetables. The Chinese restaurant’s new Beef Hofan is also available for P888.

Red Lobster’s Seafood Holiday Feast, namely Ultimate Feast (composed of tender Maine lobster tail, steamed wildcaught North American snow crab legs, signature garlic shrimp scampi and fries, wild rice, and snow peas) and Admiral Feast (Walt’s favorite shrimp, bay scallops, calamari, wild caught flounder, snow peas, cocktail, and tartar sauce) are both good for three to four persons and priced at P3,400.

Finally, Italianni’s serves new bold pizza and pasta flavors made by Chef Josh Boutwood. Truffle Mushroom

Denny’s new Diner Favorites: Pork Teriyaki, Chicken Teriyaki, and Filipino Breakfast Platter.

Pizza is topped with shiitake mushroom, mozzarella, Gouda, and parmesan cheeses and lathered with decadent truffle cream.

The Zucchini and Ricotta Pizza, meanwhile, is made with Alfredo sauce, and ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.

The Burrata is topped with plump and soft Burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and parmesan.

The Crab Caserecce Pasta is made with crab meat, crab fat, and lemon cream that coat every bit of the noodles; while the Spinach Gorgonzola pasta features slightly salty pancetta mixed with the unique rich flavor of gorgonzola cheese and spinach sauce.

Fish & Co branches are at Uptown Mall, McKinley, and TriNoma. Denny’s are open at TriNoma, Eastwood, Uptown, McKinley, Robinsons Midtown, Ayala North Exchange, and Vista Mall Sta. Rosa. Modern Shanghai is

Modern Shanghai’s Seafood and Beef hotpots and Beef Hofan.

DECEMBER DINING. The Bistro Group’s restaurant brands roll out new items on the menu this month. In photo are Fish & Co.’s Steamed Seafood Bucket and Salmon Belly in Tamarind Soup.

located at Evia, TriNoma, North Molino, and Mckinley. Red Lobster is at S Maison and Evia Lifestyle Center. Itallianni’s has branches at Alabang Town

Red Lobster’s Seafood Holiday Feast: Ultimate Feast and Admiral Feast.

Center, Evia, Vista Sta. Rosa, BHS, Robinsons Midtown, Eastwood, Greenbelt 2, Uptown Mall, Conrad, Newport, TriNoma, and Cebu.

Chef Josh Boutwood’s new Spinach Gorgonzola Pasta, Burrata Pizza, and Caserecce Pasta available at Italianni’s.

SIP

BITES Patty, pies, and everything nice FAST food giant Jollibee sure knows how to make fans of its bestselling items happy—by selling them in large sizes, that is.

First in the new and party-perfect offerings is the Burger Steak Family Pan that comes in six or eight pieces and generously drizzled with mushroom gravy.

“We know Filipinos absolutely love our Burger Steak, which is why we’re happy to help them share their favorite with their friends and family, with our new Burger Steak Family Pan,” said Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee marketing director for core and complementary category.

The Burger Steak Family Pan is priced at P280 for the

6-pc. To-Go Box pies

Heineken in 1.5-liter bottle

sixpiece p a n a n d Burger Steak P380 for Family Pan the eight-piece pan. As an added treat to Luzon customers, every order of either the two family pans until Dec. 25 comes with a free 1.5-liter Coca-Cola.

Meanwhile, Jollibee’s well-loved Peach Mango and Buko pies, which come in single order and three-piece in a box, are now available in six-piece To-Go Box. Customers can buy six pieces of Buko Pie or six pieces of Peach Mango, or combine them in one box with three pieces per variant for P175 per order.

Both Burger Steak Family Pan and six-piece Pie To-Go Box are available for dine, takeout, drive-thru, or delivery through the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, foodpanda, and LalaFood. The To-Go Box is first offered in Metro Manila and will be available in Jollibee’s Luzon provincial, Visayas, and Mindanao stores on Jan. 11, 2021.

Delectably naked treats CHRISTIAN Mark Jacobs’ pastry shop Naked Patisserie is serving beauty and flavors with its delectable holiday cakes and treats made with “naked and quality ingredients.”

First in the lineup is The King’s Crown (P6,950), a moist chocolate ganache cake finished with edible gold and Ecuadorian sugar roses. Strawberries ‘N Cream Wreath Cake (P2,850) is a festive spin on the brand’s bestselling Strawberries ‘N Cream Cake, made with moist strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting surrounded with premium strawberries, sprigs of rosemary, and edible gold dust.

Other cakes that make for a wonderful centerpiece in any feast are Luxe Chocolate Ganache Christmas Cake (P2,950), Choco-Berry Drip Cake (P4,150), and Strawberries ‘N Cream Cake (P3,650).

Other holiday offerings include Savory Holiday Snacker (P3,950), Sweet Tooth Holiday Snacker (P3,950), and Chocolate Cheesecake Truffles (P260-1,250).

Limited edition Heineken Magnum 1.5-liter bottle

ADDING fun and festivity to parties at home, beer brand Heineken rolls out its limited edition Magnum 1.5-liter bottle.

Made for sharing or gifting, the big bottle of pale lager beer is available at drinkies.ph and in supermarkets.

Johnnie in gift tins SCOTCH whisky label Johnnie Walker launches its limited edition Festive Gift Tins, featuring its Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, and 18 Years Old variants in one liter bottle packed in tin cans.

All variants are available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

Johnnie Walker gift tins

RECIPE FILES

Pineapple party pasta

Naked Patisserie’s Strawberries ‘N Cream Wreath Cake and Sweet Tooth Holiday Snacker.

The Luxe Whisky Set (P6,545) and Luxe Wine Gift Set (starts at P4,145) consist of a cake, Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake Truffles, and Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky

or premium wine.

Order through www.nakedpatisserie.com, store.nakedpatisserie.com, or message them on Viber at 0945468-5141 or 0965-139-6609.

HERE’S something sweet and savory in one festive dish.

Ingredients: 400g El Real Party Pasta 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup all-purpose cream 250g bacon, chopped 2 cans pineapple tidbits 2 tbsp. oil salt and pepper to taste Procedure: 1. Cook El Real Party Pasta in lightly salted boiling water for 8 minutes.

Drain and let cool.

2. Heat oil in a frying pan. Fry bacon until crispy. Cut into smaller pieces and set aside.

3. Once pasta is cold, mix in allpurpose cream and mayonnaise.

4. Top with crispy bacon bits. Serve El Real Pasta provides a base for a number of festive dishes. and enjoy.

Looking Forward to 2021

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

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Looking forward to what’s in store in 2021

By P. Y. Deligero

A

S 2020 draws to a close, Filipinos are excited to see what the next year has in store for everyone, especially after the many incidents that occurred throughout the year, which has gotten to some of the best of us and tested almost everyone’s grit, hardiness, and determination to survive a pandemic.

We can’t help but feel hopeful that a brand new chapter of our lives will give us better days ahead.

Yet aside from generally hoping that the start of a new decade is filled with positivity, there are some things that we can look forward to in terms of technology, health, fashion and more.

Improving the technology we have now Over the years, technology has evolved to meet the needs of consumers and make life easier and accessible for all. At the start of the new decade, new technology and gadgets can be expected especially since the internet has become a commodity The AEON Philippines Mobile App allows virtually that everyone benefits from. anyone with access to a mobile phone the possibility of A specific element of technology levelling up that we can look forward to in the folupgrades that many can enjoy. lowing years is artificial intelligence, which has become a valuable tool in helpTaking health measures more seriously ing people understand the world around us, Due to the health risk the pandemic has providing valuable information to help make caused, healthcare professionals, researchit better.

Besides providing machines and gadgets ers, and those involved have made it their with artificial intelligence, another thing to top priority to make sure that proper medilook forward to in 2021 is the automation of cine will be distributed to those who need it drones, robotics, and cars. Tesla CEO Elon and that research will focus on how to solve Musk has already begun creating such mod- new diseases should they become troublesome. els with his driver-free, automated cars.

Such measures have already been implePlus, there will also be new car models mented during the pandemic since health has that are set to make their debuts in 2021.

Yet one technological improvement that been the topmost concern since then.

One health development is the rise of virwe hope to achieve in 2021 is 5G and enhanced connectivity. Should this advance- tual consultations. Although different from ment become available in areas around the the usual face-to-face interactions that we country, it could help boost our internet con- have gotten used to, virtual care has been nection speed, making for better experiences beneficial to those who are limited to staying in certain locations for some reasons. and faster transactions.

Provisions of healthcare insurance are also given to the public to make it easier for them New entertainment, gadgets, to seek medical help whenever necessary. and vehicle models As for research on cures for existing and Machines, robotics, and connectivity aren’t the only things that are set to be possible diseases, those in the medical field improved in 2021 and the years to follow. are using everything at their disposal to make Gadgets and consoles are also expected to sure that proper and sufficient measures can be upgraded to accommodate better user ex- be carried out to those who are in need of medical attention. periences.

Strains of bacteria and viruses are also The passing year has seen new gaming consoles and upgrades released from various being studied to figure out what the right companies. Some examples include the new course of action works well in preventing its PS5, iPhone series, and more. It won’t be a spread and evolution to becoming fatal.

Many are considering 2020 to be a lesson surprise if the start of a decade heralds new on disaster-preparedness which is why the government and the public sectors are taking all necessary and preventive steps to secure everyone’s safety.

OtterBox launches new lineup of cases, antimicrobial feature for the Apple iPhone 12.

OtterBox cases for iPad Air (4th gen), Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch SE are also available now.

Bringing back mom jeans, boyfriend shirts, and other vintage fashion trends These fashion trends aren’t technically as new as it seems because these have already been in style some time during the 90s. But since these fashion trends are too good to be forgotten, mom jeans and boyfriend shirts are among the pieces that we can look forward to seeing more of in 2021.

Next page

Vials of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be administered to front-line health care workers under an emergency use authorization at a drive up vaccination site from Renown Health in Reno, Nevada.

AFP

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Looking Forward to 2021

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

2021 telco capital expenditure showdown looms

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S the country’s third major telco player is set to launch commercially in March 2021, incumbents Globe and Smart are preparing their war chest, significantly increasing capital expenditures.

Globe is set to spend P90 billion, while Smart has allotted P92 billion in 2021. Both investments are the highest annually for each telco for the past six years.

Since President Duterte directed LGUs to hasten issuance of cellular tower construction permits, average monthly construction permits issued to telcos have considerably increased. Since July 2020, an average monthly increase of construction permits issued to Globe rose by almost 600% and to Smart by almost 200%.

The network build-up of both Globe and Smart are expected to go on full gear in 2021 as third telco player, DITO, plans to go head on with the incumbents fulfilling its commitment of spending P150 billion this year for its infrastructure roll-out.

Globe claims that it wants to deliver first-world internet for every Filipino and indicated that it exceeded site rollout and network upgrade targets for 2020. The telco reported deploying 1,300 new cell sites and upgrading over 10,800 sites to Fourth Generation/longterm evolution (4G/LTE) this year.

It has also deployed 708 5G sites in Metro Manila, as well as certain cities in Mindanao.

Smart, meanwhile, plans to benchmark itself, not just with local competition, but with neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam. It said that it would like their network performance to be at par with global companies.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) concludes this year’s National ICT Month celebration with the launching of twenty (20) Wi-Fi sites in strategic areas of Isabela and Lamitan in Basilan. The launching was led by DICT Mindanao Cluster 1 (MC1) through the Free Wi-Fi for All Program.

PLDT’s fiber infrastructure is the most extensive in the country at more than 422,000 kilometers. This fiber infrastructure supports covers 96 percent of the population and are present in 95 percent of cities and municipalities.

Smart has also increased the number of its base stations to over 58,000 this year, increasing the number of base stations by 20 per-

Looking...

From C1 Another fashion statement that’s making its way back into popularity is the tie-dyed shirts. These colorful shirts are unique in their own way since there are many ways to go about

cent compared to end 2019. It has rolled out additional 5G sites as it accelerates its 5G commercial services nationwide.

Fiber internet company, Converge, is also expected to increase its capital expenditure from P19 billion to P23 billion next year as it aggressively provides pure end-toend fiber internet connection to its market.

when designing this particular clothing.

One of the reasons why these fashion trends are yet to become a thing of the past is that these pieces are comfortable and loose, making them suitable for almost any body type and easy to pair with other iconic pieces.

While on the topic of comfort and fashion,

DICT is optimistic of a faster rollout of telecommunications towers as local government units express their support in reducing permitting requirements and procedures for the construction of cell towers.

another clothing piece that’s gaining recognition are sportswears, specifically windbreakers. Not only are these comfortable and functional, sporting a windbreaker in bright or pastel colors can add a splash of vibrancy to any ensemble.

So for 2021 fashion, expect to see a good mix between vintage and modern clothing to make contemporary looks that will surely

Our Environment is our Responsibility Responsible Mining is our Legacy

catch anyone’s eye.

Continuing social responsibilities Throughout the pandemic, many have witnessed the social responsibility and the efforts carried out by corporations in helping others to Tod’s new top-handle bags feature creative director Walter Chiapponi’s reinterpretation of make the situation the house’s iconic pattern. as bearable as possible.

Some of these corporations offered infrastructures, provisions, and even free services to those who need it the most.

As 2021 fast approaches, the corporate social responsibility of businesses may have to take a new turn as the public is slowly adapting to the new normal.

With other pressing issues that arise such as environmental problems, the effects of a calamity, and more, businesses may begin starting new advocacies that promote safety, security, and the well-being of everyone—humans, animals, and even nature.

By this time around, we should all be aware that to make a better world for us to live in, we have to work together and make sure that nobody gets left behind.

These are some of the things we can hope to see. Although there are more out there that can happen since life is really that unpredictable. But whatever may come our way in the next year, it’s important that we keep an open mind and be prepared. And should good things come our way, we should remember to enjoy and make the most out of it.

HYUNDAI STAREX AMBULANCES FAN OUT TO FAR-FLUNG HOSPITALS. Eighteen Hyundai STAREX Cargo ambulance units complete with medical equipment were handed over to the Department of Health-Mimaropa by Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. These units make up the first batch of the 47 destined for the regions, and count among the close to 150 customized Hyundai Starex ambulances that passed the muster of the DOH and its adjunct agencies for mobilization in different parts of the country to ensure that essential services for non-communicable diseases are efficiently delivered amid the nationwide battle against COVID-19.

Looking Forward to 2021

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020

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ADB to scale up support for Philippine infrastructure, health, job recovery in 2021–2023

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HE Asian Development Bank’s sovereign lending to the Philippines is expected to reach $9.4 billion between 2021 and 2023, with at least two-thirds going into infrastructure, health, and employment recovery to help the government revitalize the economy following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Philippines’ Country Operations Business Plan 2021–2023 will support government programs and policies designed to repair damage to the business sector and labor market, accelerate economic recovery, and expand access to public health services.

“We have designed our new Country Operations Business Plan to help the Philippines overcome the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic. We are focusing on infrastructure projects that have large employment multipliers and support long-term economic growth through improved connectivity,” said ADB Vice-President Ahmed M. Saeed.

“Our Country Operations Business Plan is taking an integrated approach to business and employment recovery over the next three years through a combination of programs and projects supporting structural reforms to the business sector, facilitating youth employment, and upgrading skills development in the workplace,” said ADB Country Director for the Philippines Kelly Bird.

More than 52% of the sovereign lending will support transportation projects, such as railways, roads, and bridges.

About 12% of ADB’s financing will help the government expand the public

health system through the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act. The rest of ADB’s lending will support environmentally sustainable urban development projects in Palawan province, located in the Philippines’ southwest; expand social protection; and boost agriculture competitiveness, public sector management, and capital market development.

Nearly half of ADB’s lending program in 2021, or $1.75 billion, will fund the first tranche of the South Commuter Railway Project, which is part of the North–South Commuter Railway system—the biggest infrastructure project under the Philippine government’s “Build, Build, Build” program. Once completed, the 53-kilometer South Commuter Railway will connect Metro Manila with areas south of the capital, such as Calamba in Laguna province.

ADB has already provided financing for the Malolos–Clark Railway Project, which will construct part of the northern segment of the NSCR system. Five civil works contracts worth $2.5 billion were awarded this year.

Other infrastructure projects for 2021 include the Metro Manila Bridges Project, which will finance the construction of three bridges to help ease

NORTH–SOUTH COMMUTER RAILWAY. Artist rendering of the new Tutuban railway station. traffic congestion in the capital. The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project will establish a modern, efficient, and affordable public transport system in Davao City, the largest city in the country by land area. The sustainable tourism development project in Palawan will support tourism enterprises and finance improvements in urban facilities, including sewerage and waste water treatment and drainage.

Philippine business predictions in 2021 THE year 2020 will go down in history as a pivotal one for digital transformation, thanks in part to how COVID-19 has drastically accelerated digitization initiatives and the mass shift to remote work.

While there is no doubt that the impact of the pandemic will still be felt in the years to come, the difficulties faced in the past year will serve as valuable guidance for enterprises on how to future proof their business moving forward.

The following are predictions for the year ahead from Kent Nash, General Manager, Middle East, Asia Pacific & Japan at Solace.

PRODUCTION POST-COVID-19 WILL RELY HEAVILY ON REAL-TIME DATA TO OPTIMIZE OUTPUT In the past year the global supply chain has faced an unprecedented level of disruption and manufacturers are under significant pressure to keep up with rapidly changing demand, despite the uncertain economic outlook.

With the impact of COVID-19 likely to last for years to come, manufacturers need to rethink their operational strategies to ensure that they are sustainable in the long term. This would be a critical time for businesses to look into how automation tools and technologies can help to decrease worker density, facilitate proactive maintenance scheduling, and stabilize production. Enabling event-driven communications across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures will unlock the value of real-time data to ensure that manufacturers have the visibility necessary to optimize operations and elastically scale as and when required.

COVID-19 WILL PROPEL OPEN DIGITIZATION INITIATIVES FOR SMARTER CITIES When we hear the term ‘smart cities’ we tend to picture heavily urbanized, dense, concrete jungles- that might start to change in the coming year. Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest urbanizing countries, many of which are feeling the pressure of lagging behind their neighbors in implementing digital regulations and services, exacerbated by the pandemic.

For cities that already have already implemented some form of smart technology, the next barrier to overcome would be proprietary legacy technology. By embracing open source standards-based tools, we can ensure that all the components of our future smart cities will eventually meld into one seamless, interoperable unit for greater cohesion and effectiveness.

BANKS WILL TURN TO PERSONALIZED SERVICES TO DIFFERENTIATE THEIR OFFERINGS We’re in the midst of a digital banking revolution in Asia. In Singapore alone, the central bank is spearheading efforts to make open banking APIs available and facilitating data portability in the interim as demonstrated in the recent launch of the Singapore Financial Data Exchange (SGFinDex). Disruptors in the financial space like the upcoming fully digital banks will raise the industry’s bar in delivering innovative financial services and threaten the longstanding dominance of traditional banks.

For incumbent players to differentiate their offerings and remain relevant, they’ll need to relook at their technological infrastructure to see how best they can cater to customers’ demands for real-time responsiveness and hyper-personalized services. Not to mention, how they can best shorten the time-to-market for new offerings to stay ahead of the game.

In 2021, ADB is expected to provide a health sector loan worth $500 million to help the Philippine government provide comprehensive and affordable health care services for Filipinos under a Universal Health Care coverage program.

To help the government create more jobs and improve workers’ job skills next year, ADB is preparing a policybased Facilitating Youth School-toWork Transition Program, as well as a

technical and vocational education and training project for skills development.

ADB will also work with the government on a business and employment recovery program loan in 2022.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Keep your family safe when you go cashless this holiday season Use your Security Bank Debit Mastercard to fund your Christmas shopping and donations.

Bank at home when you enroll your All Access Account in Security Bank Online.

Manage your account Transfer funds Pay bills Download the mobile app for free!

Visit www.securitybank.com to know more.

Security Bank Corporation is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (+632) 8708-7087 | consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph Member : Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Deposits are insured by PDIC up to PHP500,000 per depositor.