Manila Standard - 2021 January 11 - Monday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

Saliva test finally begins Gordon gets first crack; 1,000 samples to be sent to DOH next week

By Willie Casas

T

HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will be conducting 1,000 saliva COVID-19 tests starting on Monday as part of its study, an official said Sunday.

The cheaper COVID-19 test has been found to have a "95 percent concordance rate" with the RT-PCR test, Dr. Paulyn Ubial, head of PRC biomolecular laboratories, said.

The non-government organiza-

tion presented this option to the Department of Health in October but received feedback just this month, he said.

“Now, they're allowing us to release 1,000 additional samples that

we'll begin with Senator Richard Gordon as our pilot in our implementation Monday,” said Ubial in Filipino in an interview on ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.

“We hope we'll complete the tests on the 1,000 samples, and send the results to the Department of Health next week,” she said.

Gordon, chairman of the PRC, said PhilHealth would be "relieved" by the cheaper COVID-19 test. The embattled state insurer's debt to Red Cross for coronavirus testing has again nearly reached P1 billion.

He said the new test would cost P2,000 instead of P4,000, and the price

PRC Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon

could go lower if many are tested.

Gordon said the PhilHealth made a partial payment of P265,000 last week, leaving over P651 million in outstanding debt to the PRC. The PRC has conducted over 1.6 million COVID-19 tests, as of Sunday, he said.

The country is using RT-PCR and antigen modes of testing to detect COVID-19.

The country logged 1,906 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total to 487,690, as five laboratories failed to submit their data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

Next page

SOTTO TOSSES PSG JAB ISSUE TO SENATE, FOCUSES ON VACCINE ROADMAP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 307 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BODY BAGS. Indonesian rescuers lay out body bags containing human remains recovered from the crash site of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 at the port in Jakarta on January 10, 2021, following the January 9 crash of the airline's Boeing 737500 aircraft into the Java Sea minutes after takeoff. Inset shows Navy divers holding plane wreckage from Sriwijaya Air. AFP

Oil price spike seen at P1/liter on Tuesday

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL prices will likely go up next week by nearly P1 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world market.

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week (January 12 to 18). Diesel should increase

by P0.30 to P0.35 per liter. Gasoline should increase by P0.80 to P0.90 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said in its advisory.

World oil prices trended upwards after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies announced a lower than expected increase in production.

On January 5, the oil firms also raised the price of gasoline by P0.45 per liter, P0.30 per liter for diesel and P0.40 per liter increase for kerosene.

These resulted to the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net increase of P0.45 per liter for gasoline, P0.30 per liter for diesel and P0.40 per liter for kerosene. Next page

Crashed jet's black boxes located in waters off Jakarta JAKARTA—Authorities have pinpointed the location of two black boxes from a crashed Indonesian jet, they said Sunday, referring to cockpit voice and flight data recorders that could help

explain why the aircraft went down with 62 people aboard.

The announcement came as divers pulled body parts, wreckage, and clothing from waters off Indonesia's

LAID TO REST.

Policemen serve as pallbearers during the Sunday funeral for Christine Dacera, the flight attendant who was found dead inside the bathtub of a Makati hotel room on New Year's day.

Questions arose over the choice of pallbearers since, according to government critics, the plane stewardess was not a member of the uniformed service. FB page photo

Devotees told: Isolate selves when virus hits

By Willie Casas THE Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday advised devotees who attended

Next page

capital Jakarta.

"We have located the position of the black boxes, both of them," said Soerjanto Tjahjanto, head of Indonesia's transport safety agency.

Next page

Dacera buried in Gensan amid calls for justice GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Alleged “rape-slay” victim, flight attendant Christine Angela Dacera, was laid to rest in a private cemetery in this city on Sunday morning amid calls for justice over her death.

Over 100 mourning family members and close friends of Dacera attended the funeral at the Forest Lake Memorial Park in Barangay Apopong here past 10 a.m.

“Please pray for us as we continue to fight for justice for Christine,” her mother, Sharon Rose, said during the interment program.

Next page

Villar lone Filipino in Bloomberg Billionaire Index

By Jenniffer B. Austria REAL estate tycoon Manuel B. Villar is the only Filipino to be included in the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, a daily ranking of the world’s top 500 richest people.

Villar, who derives his fortune from his real estate, retail, and death care businesses, was ranked by Bloomberg as the 382nd richest in the world as of January 9, 2021, with a total net worth of $6.76 billion.

Despite the pandemic, Villar man-

aged to increase his wealth slightly by 1.4 percent from the same period last year.

The Bloomberg list ranks Tesla’s Elon Musk as the world’s richest person with a total net worth of Next page

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III acknowledged Sunday that Monday’s hearing on the government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan could stray into the controversy over the early and unauthorized inoculation of members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), despite a warning from President Duterte to stay away from the topic.

“No need for me to prevent it. I will bring it to the body, to the floor, to the senators,” Sotto said in an interview over radio dzZBB Sunday.

“If the majority said yes, I can’t do anything about it. We will follow, but seriously, I doubt it that it (the hearing) will be diverted,” Sotto said.

Sotto said the hearing had been called to inquire into the government’s vaccination roadmap after Congress allocated P72.5 billion to buy the vaccines.

President Rodrigo Duterte has told the PSG not to answer questions about how they vaccinated themselves against COVID-19 as early as September, using an unauthorized vaccine.

The PSG commander has refused to say how many of the President’s bodyguards have been vaccinated or who provided the vaccines, said to have come from the Chinese company Sinopharm.

But Sotto made a pitch for keeping the focus on the vaccination roadmap.

“Why is there a need to focus on these soldiers? They didn’t use government funds nor public funds,” said Sotto.

Several opposition senators have called for an investigation into the case, saying the use of an unauthorized vaccine violated the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act and went against the stated government policy of inoculating health care workers and the elderly first.

Sotto said, however, that any pronouncement made by a few senators on investigating the PSG does not reflect the stand of the whole Senate.

Next page

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JAN. 10)

487,690 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,906 20,087 NEW

9,405 DEATHS

ACTIVE

8

NEW

458,198 8,592 RECOVERIES

NEW

Former senator Manny Villar

A2

News

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Lifestyle check on DOF execs on T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Department of Finance has been conducting rigorous lifestyle checks on its officials and employees and advocating a continuing review of processes and procedures in all its offices to further reduce opportunities for corruption, in step with President Rodrigo Duterte’s heightened anti-graft campaign, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said over the weekend.

Dominguez said that while the DOF has long been investigating allegations of dishonesty and corrupt practices in the DOF and its attached agencies, it has also been at the forefront of the government drive against “state capture,” which he described as “one of the worst forms of corruption” involving private individuals who attempt to influence policy-making and undermine the public interest for their own benefit.

The DOF has been sharing its knowledge about state capture with regulators and key government officials to help identify the manipulative schemes perpetuated by “these grafters and influence peddlers” and stop them in their tracks, Dominguez said in his message of sup-

port for the President’s anti-corruption campaign.

Dominguez’s message was aired during the weekend teleradyo program of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission over radio station DZRJ. Within the DOF, its Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) has initiated investigations against 403 officials and employees of the department and its attached agencies since President Duterte took office in 2016, Dominguez said.

“Public officials and employees should be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Rest assured, the Department of Finance will always be at the forefront of the institution of necessary reforms to achieve the President’s

Saliva...

Sotto...

From A1

The DOH reported 8,592 newly-recovered patients with the government’s “mass recovery adjustment,” bringing the total recoveries to 458,198, which is 94 percent of the total cases.

The DOH also reported eight new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 9,405 cases, which is 1.93 percent of the total cases.

The DOH also reported 20,087 active cases, which is 4.1 percent of the total cases.

Of the active cases, 83 percent are mild; 5.8 percent are asymptomatic; 6.8 percent are critical; 3.7 percent are severe; and 0.63 percent are moderate.

Dacera...

From A1

She reiterated they will not stop until all personalities allegedly involved in the death of her daughter, whom authorities and family members “strongly believed” was a victim of sexual abuse, will be jailed and convicted of the crime.

Sharon appealed for understanding and support for her family.

“We still don’t know who did this to her and we need ourselves to be protected also,” she said.

Christine, 23, was found dead in her hotel room in Makati City around noon last Jan. 1, several hours after joining a private New Year’s Eve party. Her family believes she was drugged and sexually abused.

Her friends, who were with her at the party, denied they raped and killed her, instead claiming that they cared for her until her final moments.

The initial autopsy conducted by the Southern Police District’s Crime Laboratory Office ruled the cause of death as “ruptured aortic aneurysm” but the Makati City police and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas, declared it as a “rape-slay.”

Forensic experts from the National Bureau of Investigation conducted another autopsy on Christine’s remains here on Saturday night as part of the ongoing investigation.

Janessa Villota, Christine’s friend and classmate at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Mindanao in Davao City, called her passing as “unjust, unfair and undeserved.” “(This) could happen to anyone and everyone if the people involved are not held accountable,” she said.

Villota said they are “devastated” at how the media has been framing their friend’s death based on speculation and claims from various parties.

“She is who deserves to live. We will not be silenced, we will not let this case be ignored or forgotten after this burial.

We will fight for the truth, we will fight for you,” she added.

Sharon said Christine, whom they fondly called “Lyca” or “Ica,” was a loving and good daughter who only wanted the best for her family.

“You know why she chose to become a flight attendant? It’s because she wants to take us for a tour around the world,” she said.

Christine’s aunt Mimi Dacera, who took care and acted as her “second mother” while she was studying at UP Mindanao, described her as “sweet, good-hearted and loving child.”

She said her niece lived a short yet full life that is worthy of celebration.

PNA, Rey E. Requejo

From A1

“If there is [sic] one or two senators who said that, that’s not the whole Senate,” he said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said the hearings are intended to clarify the government vaccination plan and targets.

Invited to attend the hearing requested by Pangilinan are: Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., vaccine czar; Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe from the World Health Organization; Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles; Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, chairman of Covid-19 National Task Force; Health Secretary Francisco Duque III; Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez; Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.; Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado; Budget Undersecretary for Procurement Service Lloyd Christopher Lao; Science Secretary Fortunato De La Peña, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año; Secretary Vivencio Dizon, testing czar and deputy chief implementer of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Managing Emerging Diseases (IATF); and Food and Drug Administration Director General Ronaldo Domingo.

Invited medical experts from the private sector are: Dr. Benito Atienza, president of the Philippine Medical Association; Rosie De Leon, RN, national

Crashed...

From A1

"Divers will start looking for them now and hopefully it won't be long before we get them."

The Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500 went into a steep dive about four minutes after it left Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo expressed his "deep condolences” and called on citizens to "pray together so that victims can be found".

But the frantic search involving helicopters and a flotilla of warships appeared to offer no hope of finding any survivors.

The search and rescue agency said it had so far collected five body bags with human remains as well as debris from the crash site in the Java Sea. A piece of child's clothing, a broken tyre and wheel, life jackets and wreckage from the plane's body were found, according to authorities and AFP reporters on the scene.

Among the passengers was Beben Sofian, 59, and her husband Dan Razanah, 58.

"They took a selfie and sent it to their kids before taking off," the couple's nephew Hendra told AFP.

Devotees...

From A1

the Black Nazarene Feast in Quiapo, Manila, on Saturday to isolate themselves should symptoms appear.

“If you attended the celebration, when you have symptoms after three to five days, you must report to the quarantine facility in the barangay,” Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said in Filipino in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV. “Devotees who went to the Traslacion yesterday, their health must be checked," he added.

Vega said the DOH took note of the fact that in some areas near Quiapo Church, social distancing was not observed by devotees.

Quiapo Church officials, however, said the devotees who flocked to the

goals of honest and efficient governance,” Dominguez said.

Created in 2003, the RIPS is mandated to detect and investigate allegations and prevent corruption in the DOF and its attached agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and of Bureau of Customs.

The anti-corruption probes of the RIPS have led to the filing of administrative and/or criminal cases against 60 errant public officers, of which 14 have already been dismissed from the service, Dominguez said.

To further strengthen its anti-graft campaign even amid the mobility restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dominguez said the DOF has also launched a “Sumbong” page on its website devoted to receiving information from the public about suspected corrupt practices.

Informants may submit evidence through the Sumbong page showing properties or lifestyles grossly disproportional to the pay levels of employees of the DOF and its attached agencies.

“Beyond penalizing offending public officers, the DOF is advocating a continuing review of processes and procedures in all its offices to reduce opportunities for corrupt practices,” Dominguez said.

He said the DOF is accelerating the adoption of digital technologies within

the department and in its attached agencies to further enhance transparency and reduce the margin of discretion that is ultimately the source of graft in the bureaucracy.

“The Department of Finance is also at the forefront of combating one of the worst forms of corruption called State Capture. Capturers of the State operate discreetly in order to lull the ordinary Filipino into thinking that whatever project they are pushing for will ultimately redound to the benefit of the public,” Dominguez said in his radio message.

He said these “capturers” are often “enterprising private individuals who use every resource at their disposal, including the media and political figures” to “solidify control over their respective private interests.”

“They employ a carrot-and-stick approach to influence politicians. Those who willingly accept grease money are paid off while those who refuse are threatened with litigation,” Dominguez said.

“These grafters and influence peddlers play the long-game nurturing a symbiotic relationship with public officers complicit with the capturers and bartering continued political support from powerful

president of the Philippine Nurses Association; and Mr. Rommel Saceda, RMT, president of the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists Inc. Pangilinan said the hearing will give Filipinos a clear picture of the government’s roadmap to obtain the vaccines and the resources needed to secure doses for the people.

The government’s total budget for the COVID-19 vaccination program is P82.5 billion, with P72.5 billion from the 2021 General Appropriations Act and P10 billion from Republic Act 11494 or Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).

At the same time, various local government units (LGUs) as well as business conglomerates have started to allocate budgets for the procurement of vaccines for their constituents.

The Department of Health said the top priority for vaccination are frontline health workers both in the public and private sectors, senior citizens, and impoverished Filipinos.

The country’s ambassador to the United States on Sunday said the country’s embassy in Washington is working with other government agencies to have the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the Philippines as early as April this year.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said that due to the delay in the procurement process for the Pfizer vaccine, the expected delivery to the Philip-

pines has been moved to mid-2021.

However, Romualdez expressed optimism that delivery could be sooner.

Meanwhile, Senator Christopher Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, urged the government to boost public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines by communicating sufficiently and clearly about its vaccination roadmap. He said an informed citizenry will also be empowered through the right information to contribute to efforts to overcome the pandemic.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said frontliners who have risked their lives amid the ongoing pandemic deserve to know the details of the government's overall vaccination plan - if there is one, Lacson said this is one of the points he will pursue when the Senate Committee of the Whole holds its first hearing on the matter on Monday.

"Do we have a clear vaccination plan?

Based on our conversations with doctors and frontliners, it appears we don't. But frontliners are waiting to know when they would be prioritized in the vaccination program," he said in an interview on radio dzBB. Senator Joel Villanueva reiterated the need to include workers in the government’s vaccination program, particularly those earning minimum wage, saying the ability to sustain the country’s economic recovery relies heavily on inoculating those providing essential services to the public.

All 62 people on board, passengers, and crew, were Indonesian, authorities said. The count included 10 children.

'Torn into pieces' Distraught relatives waited nervously for news at the airport in Pontianak, the city on Indonesia's section of Borneo island which had been flight SJ182's destination, about 90 minutes flying time over the Java Sea. "I have four family members on the flight -- my wife and three children," Yaman Zai said on Saturday evening as he sobbed. "(My wife) sent me a picture of the baby today... How could my heart not be torn into pieces?"

Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the airliner reached an altitude of nearly 11,000 feet (3,350 meters) before dropping suddenly to 250 feet. It then lost contact with air traffic control.

The transport minister said Saturday that the jet appeared to deviate from its intended course just before it disappeared from radar.

Poor weather, pilot error or a technical problem with the plane were potential factors, said Jakarta-based aviation analyst Gerry Soejatman.

"But it's way too early to conclude anything," he added.

"After the black box is found we can start putting the puzzle together."

Sriwijaya Air, which operates

flights to destinations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, has said only that it was investigating the loss of contact.

It did not immediately comment when contacted by AFP again on Sunday.

Reputation for poor safety In October 2018, 189 people were killed when a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX jet crashed near Jakarta.

That crash—and another in Ethiopia —saw Boeing hit with $2.5 billion in fines over claims it defrauded regulators overseeing the 737 MAX model, which was grounded worldwide following the two deadly crashes.

The 26-year-old 737 that went down Saturday was not a MAX variant.

"Our thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families," Boeing said in a statement, adding that it was in contact with the airline.

Indonesia's aviation sector has long had a reputation for poor safety, and its airlines were once banned from entering US and European airspace.

In 2014, an AirAsia plane headed from Surabaya to Singapore crashed with the loss of 162 lives.

Domestic investigators' final report on that crash said major factors included a chronically faulty component in a rudder control system, poor maintenance, and the pilots' inadequate response.

church on Saturday for the Black Nazarene Feast did their best to follow protocols set amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s not the intention of the devotees to violate [the rules]. They were not really close to each other," he added, despite photos of the event showing devotees packed together.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Brigadier General Vicente Danao Jr. on Saturday said the Feast of the Black Nazarene was generally peaceful.

However, he said that as devotees continued to arrive, the one-meter social distancing rule was barely being followed.

The OCTA Research team said this year's Black Nazarene feast, albeit without the Traslacion or the annual procession of the life-sized image of the darkskinned Jesus Christ carrying the cross, was a "superspreader" event amid the

COVID-19 pandemic.

Estimates by police of the number of attendees on Saturday was around 400,000.

Asked whether or not the Feast of the Black Nazarene is a “super-spreader” event, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, “We won’t know until cases are identified and analyzed.”

Manila Police District director Police Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco said minimum health protocols like wearing of face masks, face shields and social distancing were observed, even as photos from the event posted on social media showed otherwise.

The MPD, along with the National Capital Region Police Office and the Philippine National Police in are now preparing for another religious event in Manila, the Feast of Sto. Niño in Tondo, which also takes place in January.

Speaker sees Cha-Cha OK in 2022 polls

By Rio N. Araja SPEAKER Lord Allan Velasco is looking forward to the ratification of the Charterchange at the same time of the 2022 elections.

“I have instructed the House committee on constitutional amendments to open the discussions on amending the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, as stated within Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 2 that I have authored,” he said.

“When I filed RBH 2 in July 2019, the Philippines was poised to become one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

The World Bank gave the country a projection of 6.6 percent GDP growth in the years 2020 and 2021.

No one could have predicted the onset of a global pandemic, along with the devastation it has brought upon the economies around the world, he said.

“To set the stage for our economic recovery, Congress passed the P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021, which includes a P72.5-billion appropriation for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos.

We also extended the availability of funds appropriated through the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2 and the 2020 General Appropriations Act to help the country recover from the pandemic,” he said in a statement.

Abalos next MMDA chief, Go confirms FORMER Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. will replace Danilo Lim as the new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), two officials confirmed Sunday.

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia confirmed Abalos’ appointment in replacing former military general Lim, who passed away last week from a heart attack after contracting COVID-19 late in December.

Garcia, meanwhile, will remain as MMDA General Manager with a Cabinet rank of undersecretary.

Abalos served as the mayor of Mandaluyong City for a total of 15 years, from 1998 to 2004, and from 2007 to 2016. He also served as representative of Mandaluyong from 2004 to 2007.

Abalos’ wife, Carmelita, succeeded him as the city’s chief executive.

In a text message, Abalos said he has yet to see his appointment papers from Malacanang as MMDA chief. “I have not yet seen my appointment nor took an oath. It would be better once I have a copy of the appointment," he said.

Villar...

From A1

US$209 billion, followed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos with $186 billion, and Bill Gates with $134 billion.

Villar is the founder and chairman of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the largest home builder in the Philippines. The firm has built about 300,000 homes in more than 140 cities.

The former Senate president also owns stakes in Golden Bria Holdings, a property and death care company, and Vistamalls, a shopping mall operator.

Villar owns 89 percent of Golden Bria though Fine Properties, Cambridge Group and directly. He also owns roughly 75 percent of Vista Land through Fine Properties, Althorp Holdings, Manuela Corporation and directly.

The husband of Sen. Cynthia Villar and father of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar also owns majority interest in home improvement retailer AllHome Corp.

Oil...

From A1

Meanwhile, the country’s net oil import bill plunged 43 percent to $4.686 billion in the first nine months last year from $8.28 billion in the same period in 2019.

World oil prices have been on a downward spiral last year due to the impact of the COVID-19 worldwide as the movement of people become restricted thereby affecting demand.

Net import volume declined 20.9 percent to 15 billion liters during the ninemonth period last year from 18.97 billion liters in the same period in 2019.

The Philippines imports bulk of its fuel requirements annually.

As this developed, independent oil company Cleanfuel recently opened its fifth gasoline station in Mabalacat Pampanga.

Opinion

A4

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The son IT HAS been 35 years since Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, president of the Philippines since December 30, 1965, was ousted from Malacanang, shanghaied to Hawaii via US military aircraft.

He was in power for 20 years and a half, almost 14 of which were under authoritarian rule made possible by a coup against the 1935 Constitution and “legitimated” by his personally-branded 1972 Constitution.

A mutiny among the ranks of the military initiated four days of what has since been celebrated as “people power” where Marcos was ousted through a bloodless revolution.

That template in toppling authoritarian governments has been replicated thereafter in other countries such as in then Czechoslovakia, in what was dubbed as the “Velvet Revolution” at the end of 1989. The country has since freely divided itself into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The farce that is a democracy in form yet still dynastic and feudal in essence, characterizes the politics of this benighted land.

Marcos was replaced by the widow of his main political opponent, Benigno Aquino Jr., popularly called “Ninoy,” who would most likely have been the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party if martial law had not hijacked the regularly scheduled presidential election in 1973. The 1935 Constitution provided for a two-term limit of four years each, similar to the American system.

Marcos was freely elected as a Nacionalista in 1965, defeating the incumbent, Diosdado Macapagal of the Liberal Party, and then re-elected for his second and final term in 1969, defeating the Liberals’ Sergio Osmeña Jr. of Cebu.

But from September 23, 1972 onwards, he and his military stalwarts imposed martial law, closed Congress, and later, after a new constitution that gave him unlimited powers and a rubber-stamp legislature, ruled the country in what his followers hoped to be “forever and ever,” and name his successor as well.

But a section of the same military, backed up by “people power” ended all that on February 25, 1986, presaging the imprimatur of a new Constitution that restored democratic space and a system of checks and balances.

Many label the 1987 Constitution, fashioned by 49 appointees of Pres. Corazon Aquino, as the “Cory Constitution,” in much the same way that the 1972 Constitution which legitimated authoritarian rule was referred to as the “Marcos Constitution.”

Thirty-five years, or a generation and a half, is a long time within which to compare the benefits of authoritarianism under Ferdinand Marcos to the formal democracy initiated by Cory Aquino.

It is also quite a long time within which the country and its growing population have been hamstrung politically by a continuing narrative of Marcos versus Aquino.

Aquino was succeeded by Marcos’ cousin, Fidel V. Ramos, who along with then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, led the mutiny that in four days wrote finis to the rule of their own leader and patron while hundreds of thousands massed in Epifanio de los Santos Avenue between Camps Aguinaldo and Crame. This led to the mutiny being called the Edsa Revolution. Ramos was succeeded by the hugely popular Joseph Estrada, who thrived as mayor of San Juan in the national capital region while supporting Marcos.

EDITORIAL

A farcical second “people power” called Edsa Dos, where his military and defense secretary turned against Estrada, installed Vice-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in power, with the “nihil obstat” of the Supreme Court. She ruled for 9 and a half years, fi nishing a controversially won second term.

The widow who succeeded Marcos died less than a year before the presidential election of 2010, and after a period of national mourning that almost rivaled the outpouring of emotions when her husband was murdered in the tarmac of the international airport, the politics of grief brought the Aquino son, a rather lackluster performer as senator of the Republic, to power.

Six years thereafter, Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III, nicknamed “PNoy” failed to get his anointed, Mar Roxas, the third-generation heir of the first president of the Third Republic, elected in the elections of 2016.

Instead, a mayor from the deep South, Rodrigo Roa Duterte succeeded Aquino.

Duterte’s father, Vicente, was once governor of the huge undivided Davao province, and was appointed to the Marcos cabinet.

His mother, upon the other hand, Soledad Roa, was a public school teacher who led Davao’s version of people power after the murder of Ninoy Aquino. Rodrigo, called Digong or Rody, was elected as mayor of the largest city in the country term after term, as he brought peace and order and economic progress to a formerly troubled land. Now he is president of the Republic, the first from Mindanao.

And the son of Ferdinand Marcos, once governor of Ilocos Norte and once senator of the Republic under the Cory Constitution, almost became his elected vice-president, had not another widow of P-Noy’s secretary of local government, Maria Leonor Robredo, stopped his resurrection to executive power.

Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. contests Robredo’s close victory, and the case pends before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, a.k.a. the Supreme Court.

For the last four and a half years of the presidency of the man who preferred him to the Robredo widow, FM Jr., popularly called Bongbong, has held no public office, as he pursues his case before the bench and the bar of public opinion. And though that case has moved little before the bench, he and the Marcos loyalists have been using the bar of public opinion to press his case, and keeping alive the Marcos political brand.

Within that time frame, the Marcos brand, once almost universally discredited, has gained increasing public acceptance in a nation where forgiveness is easy, and forgetting is quick.

Meanwhile, in an amazing span of ten years since the hysterical outpouring of grief created the second Aquino presidency, that political brand has quickly dissipated in the public’s favor, the remnants labelled as “dilawan” by the au courant Duterte diehards. The 2019 mid-term elections was an almost complete rout.

Now, as another election draws near, Bongbong the son is looked upon as a potential presidential candidate. As his protest before the high tribunal is in limbo, his supporters will likely egg him to run come October of 2021, to “avenge” what they claim was his being “robbed” of his vice-presidency. And as things stand, he could face his opponent, the widow Robredo, in the same contest.

But other players are now into the presidential game, and with little activity other than pressing an election protest, the “son” is hobbled by an out of sight, out of mind situation amongst a public who easily forget.

Maybe it is time to put an end to the continuing political narrative of Marcos versus Aquino. Both have their share of loyalists and detractors, with the former having a more loyal core in the North. But will this be enough to make the “son” succeed as leader, in much the same way that deaths have succeeded in installing another “son” to power ten years ago?

Meanwhile, the farce that is a democracy in form yet still dynastic and feudal in essence, characterizes the politics of this benighted land.

Icons of encounter RELIGIONS often speak about man’s inherent yearning for God. In realizing one’s frailties and fragilities, there always comes the desire to find deeper answers to the underlying questions of one’s purpose in life.

But this is where Christianity tells a different story of faith - that of a God searching for man. The Bible is replete of stories where God meets us in the ordinary circumstances of our human experience— in the radical obedience of Abraham, in the selfless leadership of Moses, in the humble service of David and in the unquestioning hope of Daniel.

That encounter between God and man is made fullest in Jesus - in a God who actually embracing our human condition.

Many are probably unaware, but the modern-day Western calendar is actually counted from the birth of Jesus Christ. The familiar initials, “AD” actually means “anno Domini” or in English, “the year of our Lord.”

Numbering the years in reference to significant historical events was a common practice in ancient years. In fact, the ancient Romans would mark their years as “AUC” or “ab urbe condita”—meaning, from the founding of the city of Rome. Even other religions would have their own year numbering system. The ancient Jews would count their years, “anno mundi”—from the time of the creation of the world. Buddhists count their years from the so-called “Buddhist era” which begins with the day the Buddha achieved nirvana. Hence, the Christian year 2021 actually corresponds to the Buddhist year 2564. History’s youngest monotheistic religion, Islam, reference their years from the Hijra, marking the migration of the prophet Mohammed and his followers from Mecca to Medina. This happened in the year 622 AD. Thus, this year is counted as year 1442 AH, or “anno Hegirae”, which means “in the year of the Hijra.”

The practice of marking the years from the birth of Christ, as done in many Christian countries, is a reminder of that encounter between God and man. In Christ, God himself meets man in the plane of human existence. No longer was our humanity thought to be incapable of discerning divine truths, but our human existence

Faith in faith, faith in science

S

ATURDAY’S substantial turnout of devotees to the Black Nazarene illustrates what could be claimed as faith—defying the dangers of a still-raging pandemic to be physically present in the annual feast. if the COVID-19 vaccine were available.

Twenty-five percent of respondents said they would be willing to be vaccinated, while an even greater number – 28 percent—said they would opt not to be vaccinated.

Perhaps those faithful had complete confidence that their devotion to God is stronger than any risk of contracting the virus, or that the virus would not dare infect them while they are engaged in holy work.

The devotees have been advised by authorities to go on a 14-day quarantine should they start feeling any symptoms of COVID-19. Unfortunately, the symptoms might not show for a few more days even if they were infected among the crowd on Saturday. As we know, too, some of those infected could manifest no symptoms at all even if they could carry the virus and spread it to others.

All of them came home at the end of that day; many of them showed up for work again today. They took some form of transportation. Contact tracing is but a suggestion in this country. Who knows how the unseen enemy moved around during this event? It would take us many more days to find out.

Meanwhile, a survey by the Octa Research Group, conducted between December 9 and 13, revealed that nearly half of the 600 respondents cannot say if they would get themselves vaccinated or not,

A good number of Filipinos still have to be convinced that getting the vaccine would be for the good of everybody.

A similar survey by Pulse Asia released last Thursday revealed that 32 percent were willing to receive the vaccine, 47 would not get themselves vaccinated, while 21 percent remain undecided. The survey was conducted between Nov. 23 and Dec. 2.

These numbers are telling when many of us are pinning our hopes on a COVID-19 vaccine that would enable us

to return to our previous way of life. It appears, however, that a good number of Filipinos still have to be convinced that getting the vaccine would be for the good of everybody. An overwhelming 84 percent of respondents to the Pulse Asia survey said they were concerned about the safety of the vaccines.

What fueled the uncertainty about the safety of the vaccines was not discussed. Perhaps there was lack of confidence in the manufacturers, or at least the country where the vaccines are manufactured. We can also only speculate how much of the lack of interest was caused by perceptions created by the Dengvaxia scandal concerning vaccines against dengue.

What is certain is that the people need to be informed that vaccines, so long as they follow standard guidelines and that their procurement and rollout are all aboveboard, exist for a reason, and that is to create immunity in the body of its recipient. The assumption is that scientific processes were followed to the letter, and that no shortcuts were taken. We can all take refuge in the security provided by science. This is what we need to tell our people as part of our (unfortunately, still-unarticulated) vaccination program.

We need faith, indeed, to beat this virus.

Faith that we will be enlightened enough to trust facts and evidence, and not just be content to take the word of those who, themselves, are fallible.

Rationalize FIT-All there are already RE developers going forward with projects at rates much lower than FIT. Here are some eye-opening examples reported in the news that illustrate how expensive the Philippine FIT scheme is, which at that time was already at P8.69 for solar and P8.53 per kWh for wind, more than 50 percent higher than the following examples:

THE Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) recent decision approving the petition of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) for higher Feed-InTariff Allowance (FIT-ALL) rates this year is seen to again increase the electricity bills of consumers.

FIT-All is one of the items in the electric bill that subsidizes selected renewable energy power producers that all power consumers must pay. The FIT is a 20-year guaranteed rate to select renewable energy (RE) players to encourage more investments and clean technologies to supply our growing energy demand.

FIT-All is collected from consumers and businesses nationwide by Distribution utilities (DUs), the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), and Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES) then the proceeds are remitted to the FIT Fund which is administered by TransCo. On the other hand, consumer groups and industry observers have aired concerns on the lack of transparency in the FIT system. The amount of subsidy to RE generators are not standard and differs with each technology raising suspicions of influence by unscrupulous players.

Yes, the environmental objective of FIT is good given the need to cut carbon emissions in response to climate change, but are we implementing this at fair cost?

The ERC decision increases the FITAll charge to P0.0983 per kilowatt hour (kwh) from the current rate of P P0.0495 per kwh, adding an average of P20 for households consuming 200 kWh. Yet another burden that consumers have to bear on top of the rising inflation and deep depression our economy is in.

Disturbing is how these increases and retroactive adjustments are allowed when itself becomes the window through which see God himself.

True faith begins when we realize that we are in need of salvation.

More than 2,000 years may have passed, this encounter between God and man continues to repeat itself every day even in our time.

What even more meaningful reminder of that encounter of faith than the widely celebrated two icons of faith in our country—the Santo Niño and the Nazareno.

Both images are depictions of the incarnate Christ. One is a suffering Christ on the way of his passion to Calvary. The other is a serene and innocent child, hidden in the trappings of secular power. The Nazarene is an image of patient suffering. The Niño is an icon of exuberant joy.

This explains our almost fi lial attachment to these two icons of encounter.

These images mirror our own everyday life experiences—that of suffering and

It is more aligned to the all-of-society spirit of bayanihan.

In August 2017, Meralco invited power developers to a price challenge to the P3.50 per kWh offer by Citicore in compliance with the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) rules of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The CSP imposes transparency in the procurement of power supply by distribution utilities (DUs) for their captive markets. This low rate reflects a declining trend in solar power costs claimed by RE producers.

In another instance, Island Wind Corp. offered in February 2018 a 150-megawatt power-supply deal to Meralco at P3.50 kWh. It is now awaiting the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue its circular on the conduct of CSP via Swiss/Price Challenge.

In June 2019, the ERC approved Meralco’s 50-megawatt supply agreement with the PowerSource First BulacanSource First Bulacan Solar Inc. for P4.69 per kWh with a 2-percent annual escalation that in 20 years will only be P5.7516 per kWh, still below the current FIT. Announced recently is the joint venture for two wind farm projects of AC Energy of the Ayala group and UPC Renewables of Hong Kong that will be built in Vietnam. The FIT offered by the Vietnamese happiness—and beckons us to see Christ as someone who understands and shares our own grief and joy.

In a way, this echoes Christ’s own question to his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) The on-going coronavirus pandemic has made the difficult lives of many even worse.

Many have lost their source of livelihood, if not their own loved ones to COVID-19.

Many have begun to experience helplessness and hopelessness. Without a clear end in sight, there seems to be a lingering feeling of pain and frustration.

Then the unspoken question asked in the hearts of many, where is God in all of this?

During the Urbi et Orbi speech held in the early months of the pandemic, Pope Francis recalled the miracle of the calming of the storm at the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were already feeling worried and lost, and the boat in danger of sinking but Jesus continued to sleep at the stern.

Frantic and afraid, the disciples asked Jesus, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”

As millions of Filipinos are prevented from joining the annual observances in honor of these icons of encounter—the Santo Niño and the Nazareno—this is perhaps the unsaid prayer in the hearts of many today.

But as the Pope beautifully reminds us,

government for the 60-megawatt output of the two wind turbine plants is at 8.5 US cents or at current exchange rate, only P4.08 per kWh. With the issuance of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Resolution No. 6, Series of 2020, “A Resolution Approving the Adjustment to the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT)” dated May 26, 2020, we can anticipate seeing increases in FIT charges in our electricity bills.

This is a disappointing turn-around from ERC’s laudable move to lower FIT rates in 2020 and suspending FIT collection during COVID 19. It’s as if we were just given a little reprieve for the holidays before being hit anew thru an essential utility. For millions of ordinary consumers, this FIT burden is heartless and unacceptable.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) September 2020 survey confirmed the worrying reality that about 39.5 percent of the adult labor force or around 23.7 million Filipinos were unemployed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Just think of all those Filipino households whose breadwinners have lost their livelihood and forced to make do with some creative trade or odd jobs for daily subsistence.

People want to and must go out to work, but their jobs are gone, and the mobility needed to eke out some kind of income is sorely restricted and very expensives.

During the cautious occasions that I venture out to take sanity breaks from work from home anxieties, the low confidence and fear of the people of the life-threatening risk of COVID-19 is evident. We all want to survive this crisis and until we achieve herd immunity, economy recovery will be stymied.

Until we get to better times, suspending FIT-All and rationalizing it to balance consumer interests with the RE industry’s sustainability would be more aligned to the all-of-society spirit of bayanihan. true faith begins when we realize that we are in need of salvation.

Full version at www.manilastandard.net

MORE OPINION ONLINE (www.manilastandard.net)

Good men down NAKED THOUGHT CHARLIE V. MANALO

Does LTO really want to modernize?

TO THE POINT

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

EMIL P. Honor Blanco CabieJURADO Night Editor Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

News Court denies Bengzon bid to wrest TMC THE Court of Appeals has affirmed its decision to deny the camp of former Health secretary Alfredo Bengzon to regain control and management of The Medical City, which operates a network of hospitals and clinics.

The court’s Special 15th Division established that the management and control of TMC to the 2019 board led

by Bengzon’s nephew, Xavier Gonzales, who was elected by institutional investors and doctor shareholders in an uncontested election in July 2019.

In his motion for reconsideration, Bengzon sought to invalidate the Special Stockholders’ Meeting held in 2018 that voted him and his allies out of TMC. The court wrote that “our construction and application of corporate laws are geared toward ensuring stability and predictability…we veer away from uncertainty and unreliability and towards efficient corporate governance.

“By our lights, the holding of the election of PSI’s (Profession Services Inc.) 2019 Board of Directors on July 9, 2019 being left unquestioned, any ruling on the Sept. 13, 2018 Special Stockholders Meeting is now futile.”

PSI owns and operates TMC. The court’s decision toward better corporate governance may have a corresponding impact on the other cases of Bengzon, who has been trying to win back control despite having only 0.1 percent of TMC shares.

Bengzon and his daughter-in-law Margaret Bengzon were charged with alleged theft and estafa as an internal audit revealed that they issued TMC checks for non-hospital related transactions.

One check, for P2 million, was issued to Bengzon personally while another check, for P1.8 million, was paid to a law firm used by the Bengzons to file charges against TMC. Bengzon and his daughter-in-law served as the only two signatories of the checking account.

Since taking control of TMC, the Gonzales-led board and the management team, led by Dr. Ramos, has implemented reforms that resulted in “record-breaking” revenue for the hospital network in 2019, growing four times faster than what the previous management was able to do. TMC was also awarded Hospital of the Year

by HealthCare Asia Awards 2020.

A5

Sinas: Expand random drug testing P HILIPPINE National Police Chief Debold Sinas has ordered an expansion of the surprise drug testing of all police personnel in the internal cleansing program.

Sinas made the order after another last week. policer officer assigned in Region 13 “I have ordered to expand random tested positive for shabu during a ran- drug testing to all police personnel to dom drug testing in Butuan City early rid the organization of drug-using cops.

There is no place in the PNP for them,” Sinas said in a statement on Saturday.

He ordered Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., Regional Police 13 director, to expedite the pre-charge investigation and initiate dismissal proceedings against Cpl. John Rey Ibasco, who is assigned to the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division 13.

Caramat ordered mandatory drug

testing to 332 personnel stationed at the PRO-13 Regional Headquarters in Camp Col. Rafael Rodriguez.

On learning the results, Caramat ordered the RLRDD-13 leadership to disarm and place Ibasco under restrictive custody and to ensure his availability to face further investigation for his subsequent dismissal from the service.

A total of 16,839 police officers have been penalized since 2016 under the PNP’s internal cleansing program to rid its ranks of scalawags.

Data showed that 4,784 police personnel have been dismissed from the service, 8,349 have been suspended and 1,803 reprimanded.

The other punishments include demotion, forfeiture of salary, restriction and withholding of privileges.

Some 564 PNP personnel have also been removed for involvement in illegal drugs.

DOLE’s Aragon dies from COVID via heart attack

FALLEN CRANE. A portion of a tower crane falls from the 23rd floor of the Pasay City Lions Club in Pasay City on sunday at 1am during an

ongoing construction. No one was hurt in the incident although the office of the Lions club was damaged when the crane fell into it. Norman Cruz

Senators blast DICT, Dito ‘failures’ SENATOR Grace Poe has expressed dismay over the failure of the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Security Council to ensure the Philippines’ ability to fight the cybersecurity warfare already raging in other countries.

Poe also questioned the preparedness of the local Dito-China Telecom partnership to fulfill its commitment over the first five years to deliver its services and to fund its telco project.

She said Dito should have had a forecast of how much was needed to be spent before the firm applied for the franchise and agreed to the commitments as the third telco player.

“They should not have anticipated the renewal of their franchise unless they are able to produce the commitments without the additional funding,” said Poe. “I don’t want the [Senate] committee to be a hostage of that.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros has also noted the DICT’s warning that the government will revoke the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity granted to Dito if it fails to operate in 2021.

The initial failures in complying with its committed delivery of service do not

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

augur well for a franchise of 25 years, Hontiveros said, adding: “Besides, there are many issues with China evolving in the region for the coming years”.

A sword of Damocles appeared to hang over the Philippines’ third telco as the fears over China Telecommunications’ security risks had gained ground in the United States, the senators said.

The US Federal Communications Commission has moved to stop China Telecom (Americas) Corporation’s operation in the US for security reasons.

No less than FCC head Ajit Pail said the Chinese government mandates firms like China Telecom to covertly siphon sensitive information and to intercept US communications.

China Telecom and three other telcos have also been issued a show-cause order by the FCC “demanding evidence to prove that they are not at the behest of the Chinese Government.”

Aside from the FCC, the US Departments of Defense, Commerce, Justice and State and Homeland Security have also shared concerns on the Chinese government’s control over China Telecom and three other Chinese telcos. Macon Ramos Araneta

DISINFECTION. A Barangay Kaligayahan worker disinfects the areas in the village to prevent the spawning of viral diseases in the area Salvia Street, Quirino Highway, Fairview in Quezon City.

The activity is in compliance with the directives from the Department of Health to disinfect all areas to prevent the spread of viruses. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

LABOR Undersecretary Joji Aragon died of a heart attack on Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was 58.

“Please join us in praying for the eternal repose of the soul of Undersecretary Joji Aragon, head of the advocacy/productivity/legislative cluster of the Department of Labor and Employment,” the department said in a statement.

“The entire DOLE family, headed by Secretary Silvestre Bello III, grieves her untimely demise.”

The department said Aragon was believed to have contracted the virus last month.

“It is believed that she contracted the virus following a procedure she underwent in the second week of December last year,” the department said.

“DOLE and I lost a Jewel,” Bello said via text message when asked about his reaction to the death of Aragon.

A6

LGUs

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

lgu@manilastandard.net

Navotas gives schoolkids 3k smartphones

By Jun David

PHONES FOR KIDS. Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco (also inset) joins local government officials and parents as they distributed smart phones for the use of 3,057 public elementary and high school students for school year 2020-2021.

Mayor Toby Tiangco reported the city government set aside P4.5 million from our Special Education Fund and realigned P9.8 million for the programs of the Navotas City Council for the Protection of Children that enabled them to purchase 2,682 smartphones for local students.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tiangco donated 350 cellphones for the Tutor a Learning Child (TLC) and Support Our Students (SOS) programs. Andrew Rabulan

LCP to meet Galvez on vax plan ‘Caloocan not remiss in filing financial reports’ CALOOCAN City Treasurer Analiza Mendiola on Friday denied the claims of opposition councilors that the city government has been remiss in submitting financial reports on its disbursement of supplemental funds allocated for the city’s COVID-19 measures.

Mendiola said disbursement reports were submitted to the secretariat of the City Council in compliance with the reporting and transparency requirements of city ordinances that set aside more than P1 billion in supplemental funds to address the COVID-19 health crisis.

Mendiola said she has records that would prove that the reports were duly received by the City Council secretariat.

“We distributed almost 65,000 tablets to Grade 9 to 12 students, and two million food packs were given out from March to December. A total of P750 million in cash aid were also distributed to Caloocan City residents, including UCC students, and elementary and high school students at public schools,” Mendiola said.

Councilor Dean Asistio said he was surprised when he read the news reports as majority of city councilors knew that disbursement reports have been submitted by Mendiola’s office.

“Members of the minority in the city council were misled and given false information about the supplemental funds. Well, these things really happen when you engage in early politicking,” Asistio said as he assured residents of Caloocan City that the disbursement of COVID-19 funds were all done aboveboard and duly accounted for.

“It would be good for those who are raising baseless accusations to go around Caloocan so they can check for themselves how our administration is serving our people,” he added.

“Amid the continued threat of COVID-19 and the scare being caused by reports of a new and more contagious variant of the virus, the city government of Caloocan needs the cooperation and support of the entire City Council so we can effectively implement Mayor Oca’s programs to ensure the health and safety of our constituents. It would be insensitive for anyone to engage in politicking while the pandemic rages on,” Asistio said. Jun David

L

EAGUE of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) National President Bing Leonardia has called for a special online General Assembly of city mayors on January 12 to meet with the Vaccine Czar of the COVID National Task Force and the Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the availment of COVID-19 vaccines on top of the agenda.

Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez has confirmed his attendance to the meeting and will present the national government’s roadmap to coordinate and assist LGUs in securing vaccines.

Galvez had earlier met with Leonardia, who is mayor of Bacolod City, and the LCP Committee on Vaccine Availment last December 29 to discuss the timeline of vaccine availability, based

on ongoing negotiations with prospective pharmaceutical companies.

“During our talks with the Secretary Galvez, he explained what vaccines will be available and the specifications of each type. Since securing vaccines is a top priority concern of all city mayors, we find it necessary that we hold this LCP general assembly for them to get first-hand information and participate in the formation of

policies and procedures of the vaccine availment process,” Leonardia said.

Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo of the FDA is also expected to attend the meeting to provide updates on the emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines.

Meanwhile, the LCP vaccine availment committee led by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is set to push for the adoption of a resolution requesting for the LCP’s membership in the IATFEID to ensure proper alignment of national and local vaccination efforts.

The assembly comes after several city mayors had already allocated budgets for vaccines. Leonardia had also allocated P300 million for his Bacolod City constituents’ vaccine needs.

THE City Government of Navotas distributed smart phones for the use of 3,057 public elementary and high school students for school year 2020-2021.

The beneficiaries were among those who declared during enrolment that they do not have their own gadget for online classes.

“We set aside P4.5 million from our Special Education Fund and realigned P9.8 million of our budget for the programs of the Navotas City Council for the Protection of Children. This enabled us to purchase 2,682 smart phones for our students,” said Mayor Toby Tiangco.

Meanwhile, Rep. John Rey Tiangco donated 350 cellphones for the Tutor a Learning Child (TLC) and Support Our Students (SOS) programs.

TLC is Cong. Tiangco’s joint project with the Department of Education-Navotas intended to assist K-12 learners who do not have anyone to guide them through the modular lessons, have reading difficulty, or have no gadget for home-based learning.

SOS, on the other hand, is a donation drive to support the needs of K-12 students, including smart phones, tablets, internet load, school supplies, and others.

Aside from the smart phones from the city government and Rep. Tiangco, DepEd-Navotas also received 25 unitdonation from a private organization.

Man peddling students’ nudes nabbed by NBI

By Willie Casas

POLICE AID. Policemen and their supporters turn over essential needs for the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly

and other special cases (GRACES). The event was spearheaded by its founder PCpl. Christian Bryan M. Cruz of the Tau Gamma Phi KKK community chapter South Caloocan Council, with PLT Richard R. Davalos, PLT. Arlon Gregorio, and PLT. Glenn Magno. Others who attended were Joseph Reyes, Owie Reyes and Mary Joie Reyes at the event held in Bago Bantay, Quezon City. Jun David

OPERATIVES of the National Bureau of Investigation-Cybercrime Division on Saturday arrested a man in Tayuman, Manila who peddled nude photos of students by using his Facebook account.

The NBI identified the suspect as Bonifacio Cordero.

The suspect resisted arrest, but the NBI agents eventually overwhelmed him.

“At first, he only provides photos.

Then up to a point, there is physical meet-up. That’s the actual danger,” NBI Cybercrime Division chief Head Agent Vic Lorenzo said.

The NBI discovered several photos and profiles of various women used by the suspect in his operations.

Authorities also rescued an 18-yearold woman who has been trafficked by the suspect over 20 times.

“If they could convince our minors, our students to provide the photos, they could easily convince them in the actual meet-up,” Lorenzo said.

The suspect did not deny the accusation.

3 arrested for running ‘double-dead’ slaughterhouse

By Jess Malabanan

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Three persons were arrested by lawmen following a raid on an illegal slaughterhouse at Barangay Pritil, Guiginto, Bulacan, where dead hogs were brought and cut into “customers’ choice” before being distributed to dif-

ferent markets in nearby Metro Manila.

The slaughterhouse, police said is one of the sources of double-dead meat being delivered to markets in Bulacan and Metro Manila.

BGen. Valeriano De Leon, director Central Luzon PNP, identified the suspects as Richard Merez, 40; Nida Plamenco, 40; and

Renz Angelo Merez, 18, all from Bgy. Dulong Malabon, Pulilan, Bulacan.

He said the suspects were caught by the raiding team in the act of butchering hog meat.

De Leon added that members of Guiguinto police were earlier tippedoff by residents in the community on

illegal activities by occupants of the slaughterhouse.

Armed with a search warrant issued by a local court in Bulacan, De Leon said the raiding team barged inside the slaughterhouse compound where they found dead hogs on the floor ready to be butchered.

Angeles mayor vows humane treatment of livestock ANGELES CITY—No more animal torture and abuse will happen at the state-of-the-art Angeles City slaughterhouse (ACS) to be constructed soon.

A known champion for animal welfare, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. aims to eradicate animal cruelty in slaughterhouses as he actively pushed for the facility’s renovation.

He said a common criticism against slaughterhouses involves the inhumane treatment of animals – ranging from

workers kicking, punching, and slamming animals into walls. Some are even chained and dragged across the slaughterhouse, beaten with various tools, and sometimes hacked with an axe.

“We have always advocated for animal welfare ever since. Dito sa Angeles City, hindi lang kapakanan ng mga residente ang pinangangalagaan natin, kung di pati na rin ang mga hayop dito. With this new slaughterhouse, we want to promote a more humane treatment and handling of

live stocks and poultry,” Lazatin said.

The mayor’s Chief Adviser and Tactician Director IC Calaguas said the construction of the new slaughterhouse will be done through a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme in partnership with Angeles Dynamic Agroventures Inc. Calaguas explained under the agreement, the city government will lease their land for 25 years to the private partner that will pay the city monthly rent until the end of the contract. Butch Gunio

Group lauds Lazatin for stand on Sapangbato watershed

ANGELES CITY—The Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) lauded Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. for initiating a strong stand to protect the 560-hectare Sapangbato watershed.

The mayor earlier asked the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to entrust to the city the management of the former military reserva-

tion land so it can be developed into a protected forest park and watershed.

Renato “Abong” Tayag Jr., president of ARAW-ACI, said Lazatin’s initiative will strengthen the advocacy for the protection and development of the Sapangbato watershed.

“Mayor Lazatin’s action supporting the advocacy to protect the local water sources and to ensure the sustainable

supply of water in Angeles and Metro Clark is indeed commendable,” he said.

For a decade now, several private sector groups have been planting trees at the Sapangbato watershed and out of the 560 hectares, we were able to cover 100 hectares. But since the area is under BCDA and part of the former military reservation land in Clark, the equally crucial action is for it to be declared as a protected area,” Tayag said. Butch Gunio

Police Senior Master Sargeant Eddie Montallana of the Dasmariñas City Police holds a yantok or rattan stick to remind Black Nazarene devotees outside the Church of Jesus Nazareno to keep their social distancing and follow health protocols to prevent COVID-19 during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Saturday. JR Josue

World US, UK, Canada, Australia express concern over arrests in HK THE US, Britain, Australia and Canada released a statement Saturday underscoring “serious concern” over the mass arrest of Hong Kong democracy figures under a new security law, part of a mounting crackdown by Beijing.

More than 1,000 police officers detained 53 prominent figures—including a US citizen—in dawn raids Wednesday on charges of “subversion,” a new national security crime that carries up to life in prison.

The sweep was the latest salvo in Beijing’s battle to stamp out dissent in the semi-autonomous city after millions hit the streets in 2019 with huge and sometimes violent democracy protests.

Most of those arrested have since been released.

Western nations have accused Beijing of using its crackdown to shred the freedoms that were promised under the “One Country, Two Systems” setup when the former British colony was returned to China.

Washington has previously sanctioned multiple Chinese and Hong Kong officials, including city leader Carrie Lam. This week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the outgoing Trump administration would consider new sanctions in light of the arrests.

But the new statement from Pompeo and the foreign ministers of the UK, Canada and Australia on Saturday did not mention sanctions.

Instead it stated that they wished to “underscore our serious concern at the mass arrests ... in Hong Kong for subversion under the National Security Law,” calling it “a clear breach of the SinoBritish Joint Declaration.”

“It is clear that the National Security Law is being used to eliminate dissent and opposing political views,” it continued.

The foreign ministers called on Hong Kong and Beijing to respect rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, and for delayed local elections to be held “in a fair way that includes candidates representing a range of political opinions.”

Hong Kong’s 70-seat Legislative Council is only half directly elected, a system that all but guarantees progovernment control. AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Britain helps raise $1B vaccine donation

B

RITAIN said on Sunday it has helped raise $1 billion (818 million euros) from global donors towards the drive to help “vulnerable countries” access coronavirus vaccines, by match-funding contributions.

The UK said, in addition, it has committed £548 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), after matching with £1 every $4 pledged by other donors.

Canada, Japan and Germany are among the countries to make contributions that it matched, helping the AMC raise more than $1.7 billion in total so far.

The fund will allow for the distri-

bution of one billion Covid-19 vaccine doses to 92 developing countries this year, according to Britain’s Foreign Office.

“We’ll only be safe from this virus, when we’re all safe—which is why we’re focused on a global solution to a global problem,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

The announcement came as Britain marks the 75th anniversary of the first

meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in London, hosting UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a so-called virtual visit starting Sunday.

Guterres will on Monday meet Raab and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as Alok Sharma, who was this week designated full-time president of the UN’s next major climate summit, COP26, in November.

Sharma had previously done the role part-time alongside his UK government job of secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, which he left Friday.

Ahead of the virtual visit, Guterres said he was honored to “renew our cause of overcoming global chal-

lenges together, and celebrate a country that was instrumental in creating the United Nations.”

Also on Monday, Guterres and global leaders will try to reignite international environmental diplomacy with a biodiversity summit to launch a critical year for efforts to stem the devastating effects of global warming and species loss.

The One Planet Summit, a largely virtual event hosted by France in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank, will include French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Union chief Ursula Von der Leyen.

AFP

IN BRIEF 11 people killed in landslides in West Java, Indonesia

AERIAL DEATH. Health workers spray disinfectant over body bags containing human remains recovered from the crash site of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 at the port in Jakarta on January 10, 2021, following the January 9 crash of the airline’s Boeing 737-500 aircraft into the Java Sea minutes after takeoff. AFP

Germany’s coronavirus deaths reach 40,000 mark THE total number of deaths in Germany caused by the coronavirus crossed the 40,000 mark on Sunday, the centre for disease control announced.

Germany recorded 465 deaths over the past 24 hours, the Robert Koch Institute said, raising the toll since the start of the pandemic to 40,343.

More than 1.9 million people have been infected so far, with almost 17,000 new cases added since Saturday.

In her weekly video message on Saturday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the full impact of socialising

A7

over the Christmas and New Year’s period was yet to show up in the statistics.

She warned Germans that the coming weeks will be “the hardest phase of the pandemic” so far, with many doctors and medical staff working at their limits.

Germany fared better than many other European countries during the first Covid-19 wave in the spring but it has been hit hard by the second wave.

The nation of some 83 million people, the bloc’s most populous,

has imposed another round of restrictions to limit social contacts and help hospitals cope with a surge in patients.

More than 5,000 Covid-19 patients are currently in intensive care nationwide, with more than 80 percent of intensive care beds occupied.

Germany has closed schools and non-essential shops, culture and leisure facilities until at least January 31 in the hopes of slowing the outbreak.

Like other EU nations, it started vaccinating citizens against Covid-19 in late December using the Pfizer/

BioNTech jab.

More than half a million have received the jab so far.

Merkel acknowledged the vaccine campaign had got off to a slow start, “but the tempo will pick up”, she said.

“What’s important is that we can say: we will have enough of the vaccine available for everyone in Germany,” she added.

“Month after month we will inoculate more people and eventually we will be able to offer the vaccine to anyone who wants it.” AFP

Pence to attend Biden inauguration at White House MIKE Pence will attend the upcoming inauguration of Joe Biden, multiple media reports said Saturday, the vice president becoming the latest longtime loyalist to abandon an increasingly isolated President Donald Trump.

0Relations between Trump and Pence— previously one of the mercurial president’s staunchest defenders—have nosedived since Wednesday, when the vice president formally announced Biden’s victory in November’s election.

A mob of far-right demonstrators stormed the US Capitol the same day in a failed bid to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s win, in a riot blamed on Trump that left five dead.

Multiple media reports on Saturday cited senior administration officials as saying that Pence—who was forced to take shelter from the intruders during the riot—had decided to attend Biden’s inauguration on January 20.

The president-elect earlier in the week said Pence would be welcome at his formal swearing-in, due to take place in a scaled-down format due to the coronavirus.

“I think it’s important that as much as we can stick to what have been the historical precedents of how an administration changes should be maintained,” Biden told reporters.

“We’d be honored to have him there, and to move forward in the transition.”

In his final tweet before being removed from Twitter on Friday, Trump said he would not attend the inauguration.

AT LEAST 11 people were killed, including a six-year-old boy, and scores more were missing after deadly landslides hit Indonesia’s West Java province, authorities said Sunday.

Torrential rains triggered the disaster on Saturday evening in the town of Sumedang, where a second landslide buried residents and a rescue team that had been searching for the initial victims, said Bandung rescue agency spokeswoman Seni Wulandari.

“We’re still documenting how many are missing after the second landslide because there were many people who joined the original rescue effort,” she said.

At least one survivor was seriously injured, while 11 people were confirmed dead, Wulandari said.

Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the Indonesian archipelago, where seasonal downpours are frequent and relentless.

In September last year, at least 11 people were killed in landslides on Borneo island while a few months earlier, landslides in Sulawesi killed dozens. AFP

US ends restrictions on official contacts with Taiwan—Pompeo THE United States is ending restrictions governing official contacts with Taiwan, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday, a move hailed by Taipei as ending “decades of discrimination”.

Pompeo said the “complex internal restrictions” on contacts with Taipei by diplomats, service members and others had been imposed “in an attempt to appease the Communist regime in Beijing.”

Pompeo added, “No more.”

The declaration may be more symbolic than substantive in effect, but it nonetheless appears certain to anger China, which sees Taiwan as its own territory.

Taiwan’s government welcomed the move.

“Decades of discrimination, removed,” tweeted Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s diplomatic envoy to the States.

“A huge day in our bilateral relationship. I will cherish every opportunity.”

Foreign minister Joseph Wu said he was grateful Pompeo had lifted “restrictions unnecessarily limiting our engagements.”

“The closer partnership between Taiwan and the US is firmly based on our shared values, common interests and unshakeable belief in freedom and democracy,” he added.

It comes in the final weeks of the Donald Trump administration, and at a time of already heightened tensions between Beijing and both Washington and Taipei.

It was not clear what the change means in practice, with Pompeo saying executive branch communications with Taiwan will be handled by the American Institute in Taiwan, which is owned by the US government and serves as the de facto embassy.

The shift comes after a year of mounting US-Chinese tensions. AFP

Manila

JOINT SESSION. Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi preside over a Joint session of

Congress to certify the 2020 Electoral College results after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol earlier in the day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. Members of Congress returned to the House Chamber after being evacuated when protesters stormed the Capitol and disrupted a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. AFP

The outgoing president has been accused of provoking Wednesday’s violence, and now faces an unprecedented second impeachment, expected to begin on Monday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that Democrats would launch the process unless Trump resigned

or Pence invoked the 25th Amendment, in which the cabinet removes the president from office.

While Pence has not spoken publicly on the subject, the New York Times reported Thursday he was against invoking the mechanism, never used before in US history. AFP

Standard EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

TODAY with WAIVER and SALE of RIGHTS

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JUAN LLORCA ALIGADA, JR. has been extrajudicially settled among his heirs WITH WAIVER AND SALE OF RIGHTS consisting of:  One-half (1/2) Share of the following Real Properties: • TCT No. 140081 - City of Manila (Metro Manila District No. I); • House situated thereon – Tax Declaration No. AD-14806-00228 (Property Identification No. 117-14-806-001-039-B0001).

As per Doc. No. 68; Page No. 15; Book No. I; Series of 2017 before Notary Public ATTY. LINA G. FERNANDEZ. (MS-JAN. 11/18/25, 2021)

Sports

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

A8

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) tries to block Paul Reed (44) of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game between the two teams at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. AFP

Fil-Am pole vaulter resumes training

By Peter Atencio AFTER having recovered from an injury, FilAmerican pole vaulter and Tokyo Olympics hopeful Natalie Uy will now adjust her training program.

The 25-year-old Uy said this now that she is starting to train again after she hurt her left hand during practice last September.

Uy got injured when the pole she was using broke.

Now that she is done with a recent hand surgery and is now recovering, Uy informed Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico of her progress.

“I am now getting back into the swing of things and working through physical therapy and getting my form back,” said Uy. Uy added that she is 90 percent healed and will hopefully be able to start pole vaulting next month, or February.

And by March, Uy is confident that she can join the three-month indoor season in the United States.

Last July, Uy tied with two others after clearing 4.11 meters during the 19-29 years old age group women’s pole vault meet at the American Track League in Atlanta, Georgia.

Uy went on to claim the gold after she cleared the height on her first attempt.

Reaching the Olympic entry standard of 4.70 meters is Uy’s goal.

Nuggets beat short-handed 76ers as COVID-19 depletes NBA teams W

ASHINGTON, United States—The Philadelphia 76ers were routed 115-103 by the visiting Denver Nuggets on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time), with the team so badly depleted by Covid-19 protocols and injuries that they were forced to dress an injured player.

The short-handed Sixers were down to just seven healthy players, pushing coach Doc Rivers to activate Mike Scott, who had a left knee injury, just so they could meet the league requirement to have a minimum of eight players. Scott sat on the team bench but didn’t play.

“Covid created this but the concern is not Covid now,” Rivers said. “The concern is injuries.”

Elsewhere, LaMelo Ball became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-105.

The 19-year-old Ball is 177 days younger than Markelle Fultz when he set the triple double record.

Ball shot nine-of-13 from the floor

as the Hornets handed the struggling Hawks their fourth straight defeat. Ball was the third overall pick in the 2020 entry draft.

Tim Hardaway also scored 36 points and Trey Burke added a season-high 29 to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 11298 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic.

The Sixers were missing a number of starters, including Seth Curry, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.

Because of contact tracing, Covid-19 health protocols and injuries several other stars were also missing including Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris.

Before the game, Rivers said he felt it should have been postponed.

“I don’t think we should (play) but

it’s not for me to express that,” Rivers said. “I do worry about our player health.”

Also missing were Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton and Vincent Poirier.

“I trust the league and I trust the doctors as far as health-wise,” Rivers said. “I’m more concerned with health on the floor.”

Saturday’s (Sunday Philippine time) game had a chance to be the season’s second coronavirus-related game postponement. The Houston Rockets had their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder postponed because of a combination of positive tests and contact tracing for Houston.

Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 12 assists and Gary Harris scored 21 points to lead the Nuggets.

Jamal Murray and Will Barton had 14 points apiece for the Nuggets, who broke open a close game after halftime. JaMychal Green and Monte Morris added 12 points apiece.

Rookie Tyrese Maxey tallied a career-high 39 points on 18-of-33 shooting, Isaiah Joe added 13 and Dakota Mathias had 12 for Philadelphia, who

lost their second in a row and had their 20-game home winning streak snapped.

Cameroonian star centre Embiid was sidelined with back tightness while Australian guard Simmons was out with knee stiffness.

“With the minutes we would have to ask (from Embiid), it would be insane to play him,” Rivers said.

The Sixers started veterans Dwight Howard and Danny Green alongside rookie guards Isaiah Joe, Tyrese Maxey and Dakota Mathias.

The Nuggets were without Michael Porter, who is in quarantine due to Covid-19 safety protocols.

“They deemed it safe enough to play,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. “To be honest, I think we’re going to start seeing more of this.”

The Mavericks were without forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guards Josh Richardson and Jalen Brunson due to Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

Hardaway made eight of 13 threepoint attempts as the Mavericks defeated Magic for the 14th time in the past 18 meetings. AFP

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills end NFL playoff droughts LOS ANGELES, United States—Six-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady padded his postseason resume as both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills snapped long playoff win droughts with a pair of NFL wild-card victories on Saturday (Sunday Philippine time).

Brady completed 22 of 40 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns as the Buccaneers won their first playoff contest in 18 years with a 31-23 victory over Washington.

The Bills’ Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another as the Bills bagged their first playoff victory in a quarter-century with a nail-biting 27-24 wild-card defeat of the Indianapolis Colts.

“If you could win 100-0, it’s going to be the same result in the end,” Brady said. “It’s good to win and advance.”

In Buffalo, Allen finished with 324 yards from 26 of 35 attempts to send the Bills into next week’s AFC divisional round while the Colts were left ruing a decision not to kick an easy first-half field goal that ultimately proved the difference.

It was the second-seeded Bills’ first win in the postseason since December 1995, ending a run of five straight playoff losses.

The Colts, meanwhile, rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to come within a field goal of tying the game with two minutes remaining, only to

come up agonizingly short.

The Colts had one last chance to mount a gamewinning drive, but the game ended when a desperate Hail Mary attempt from quarterback Philip Rivers was batted away by Bills safety Micah Hyde.

“It doesn’t matter how it looks, it’s the playoffs, it’s win or go home,” a relieved Allen said afterwards.

Brady showed why the fifth-seeded Buccaneers brought him to Tampa as he got his new team to the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and their first win since the 2002 season Super Bowl.

Brady, whose nine Super Bowl starts are the most by any player in history, earned his NFL all-time leading 31st playoff victory.

“He is a fighter. He plays hard and studies hard and he is the man for the job,” said Buccaneers back Leonard Fournette, who had 19 carries for 93 yards.

Fournette added 39 receiving yards and a three-yard touchdown run. “It has been trying times for me this season. I got cut and now I am back in the playoffs,” Fournette said.

Washington’s emergency quarterback Taylor Heinicke performed admirably in his first career playoff start. He threw for 306 yards with a touchdown and added an eight-yard scoring run while starting in place of injured Alex Smith. AFP

Zambo Valientes win 2nd straight title in Australia

Quarterback Tom Brady (12) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) during the 1st quarter of the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. AFP

THE Zamboanga Valientes continued their historic ride in Australia basketball.

Proving they’re not a one-hit-wonder, the Valientes trounced the Clippers, 21-12, in the final Saturday night to rule the CLB 3x3 in Bendigo City and become the first Philippine team to win in the Champions League Basketball in Australia.

It was the second straight title for the Valientes, composed of Christopher Concepcion, Eric Miraflores, Duwom Dawan and Adam Kempton, who also topped the 3x3 Christmas Street Hustle in Canberra last December.

While the Valientes overpowered the local side, they barely survived the South Sudan team in the semifinals.

Trailing with three seconds to go, Zamboanga managed to force overtime at 17-17 on a Dawan conversion from a drop pass by Miraflores.

Team skipper Concepcion, pride of Tumaga, Zamboanga City, then took over by drilling in a jumper from rainbow territory for the 19-17 victory.

Training tirelessly even during the Christmas and New Year breaks under coach and team-co-owner VenezuelJunnie Navarro, the Valientes dumped Formosa, composed of players from Chinese Taipei, 21-5, in the opener then swept Group B with a 12-5 victory over the Australia-based Barbers Boys.

The Clippers, South Sudan and Australia Ginger made up Group A. “We are dedicating this victory to Zamboanga and Zamboanguenos all over the world,” said Navarro, a player of the Zamboanga team which topped the first NBA 3x3 competition in the Phillippines. “We proved we can excel against foreign competition in 3x3.”

Michael Venezuela, co-owner of Zamboanga Valientes MLV, said he is proud of the players’ character and resiliency, showing they’re worthy of their Valientes (Brave) moniker.

Many Zamboanguenos traveled from all over Australia to watch the Valientes live at the Bendigo Stadium while thousands more followed the games live on the Zamboanga Valientes’ and Mayor Beng Climaco’s Facebook page.

According to Venezuela and Navarro, Zamboanga Valientes has received an invitation to compete in New Zealand this year and they’re inclined to accept the offer.

The Valientes team was supported

by Smart, Chooks-to-Go, and MLV Accounting.

Alaska reached out to Manuel, says Aces head coach

By Reuel Vidal Alaska Aces big man Vic Manuel spins past Phoenix Super LPG defenders, from right: Justin Chua and Jorey Napoles. PBA

ALASKA Head Coach Jeff Cariaso clarified that the Aces did reach out to veteran Vic Manuel even before the expiration of his contract contrary to earlier reports.

Alaska management met with Manuel’s representative Danny Espiritu, on December 26, 2020 to make known its desire to resign Manuel. Then on December 31 Alaska followed-up its offer.

“Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that Alaska did not reach out to him. Alaska offered a twoyear, maximum deal with a clause for the second year. The reason behind is completely explained to Vic and which like any other

clause, considering the player’s history with the team,” said Cariaso in a report on pba.ph.

The Alaska mentor said he met with Manuel last Friday evening to discuss what would be in Manuel’s and the team’s best interest going forward.

“I will keep the details private to maintain respect. As always, I reminded him that doing things the right way will always be the best way—that honesty, integrity, and honor must never wither as we discuss plans while understanding each other’s situation, but all options were discussed,” said Cariaso in the same report.

Manuel joined the league as the ninth overall pick in the 2012 PBA Draft. Manuel

played for the GlobalPort, Meralco and Air21 Express before finding a home with the Aces.

Manuel scored an average of 15.58 points per game in the past PBA Philippine Cup. He also averaged 6.08 rebounds and 2.16 assists per game.

Manuel had his best scoring game when he had 24 markers to power the Aces to 105-97 victory over Phoenix Super LPG October last year. He also had 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal to earn Player of the Game honors.

Manuel was one of five double-digit scorers for the team during the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. The others were Robbie Herndon (12.5 ppg), Jeron Teng (11.25 ppg), Mike DiGregorio (10.833 ppg), and Abu Tratter (10.58 ppg).

Business

IN BRIEF Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

B1

Petron eyes 4-month refinery shutdown

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

ETRON Corp. plans a four-month economic shutdown of its refinery in Limay, Bataan starting February before making a final decision, its top executive said over the weekend.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor “[The decision is] still shutdown for Roderick T. dela Cruz,February.

Assistant Editor four months starting Maybe if business@manilastandard.net the situation improves, [in] July, [we can] re-start,” Petron president Ramon extrastory2000@gmail.com Ang said, when asked if the shutdown would continue, after the company secured an approval from the Authority of SATURDAY, JANUARY 2021 the Freeport of Bataan as one9,of its registered enterprises.

B4

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, January 8, 2021

170.27 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

25,127,713,782 191,242

TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

11,056,711,658.34 141 74 48

Petron registered the Bataan refinery as a economic zone enterprise with the AFAB to find ways to improve its financial situation. The refinery has a capacity of 180,000 barrels a day.

Oil companies including refiners were severely impacted by the low demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Petron said it was looking for ways to cut back on costs as the COVID-19 brought down oil prices worldwide.

Petron said it was also plagued by an uneven playing field against oil importers, which led management to shut down the refinery for economic reasons supposedly starting January.

The Department of Energy expressed support to the proposal to reclassify the refinery in Limay as part of the Freeport Area in Bataan.

“We want the PEZA zone to flourish in the country actively, as long as it is

positively, making a positive impact to our country, we want to promote that,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Cusi also assured that the country’s supply would not be affected despite the refinery shutdown.

“They will import the finished product and use their terminal as storage for clean product instead of crude oil.

Petron is also looking to keeping their market share, that will not affect the supply,” he said.

Ang earlier said the company would push through with shutdown of the Bataan facility amid the challenging market environment but the refinery might still reopen once the market situation improved.

He said Petron, the only remaining refiner in the country, also faced arduous taxation not encountered by fuel importers, aside from operating under a vola-

tile business climate.

“We have several tax-related concerns which we have already raised with the government. Under the current regime, refiners are faced with the burden of paying so much more taxes than importers making it more difficult for us to preserve the viability of operating a refinery in the country. Of course, we want to keep our refinery running and hopefully with the government’s support, we will be able to do this more efficiently,” Ang said.

Petron reported a net loss of P12.6 billion in the first nine months, a turnaround from a net income of P3.6 billion in the same period in 2019 because of the 40-percent drop in domestic volume and the P13-billion inventory losses in the first four months of the lockdown.

Petron has a network of 2,400 retail stations nationwide which captured about a third of the domestic market.

Business

Exports up by 3% in November, fastest expansion in 10 months

SMC unit to build P67-b power plant

EXCELLENT Energy Resources Inc., a unit of SMC Global Power Holdings Inc., is building a 1,700-megawatt combined cycle power plant in Barangay Dela Paz and Ilijan in Batangas City with investments of about P67.863 billion.

Documents filed with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that EERI proposed to construct and operate a re-gasified liquefied natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant with a total net capacity of 1,700 MW using highly efficient gas turbine.

The Batangas combined cycle power plant project will be constructed in two phases and each phase will have a capacity of 850 MW in a 40.87-hectare leased area from Ilijan Primeline Industrial Estate Corp.

The project is estimated to be completed in 36 to 40 months, with the first phase targeted to begin construction within the second quarter for completion in the next two years. The second phase is targeted to be completed two years thereafter. Alena Mae S. Flores

DTI expects firms to recover in 2021

THE Department of Trade and Industry supports the optimistic business outlook for 2021, citing the latest Social Weather Stations optimism report released in November.

“The Duterte administration remains committed in its thrust to assist local businesses build back better. This report shows that despite the setbacks that our enterprises faced during the height of the pandemic, Filipino resiliency and innovativeness will always prevail,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

The SWS report indicated that 42 percent of Filipinos were expecting the local economy to be in a better shape in the next 12 months.

It said only 18 percent of Filipinos were expecting the economy to worsen this year while 28 percent said it would stay the same for a net economic optimism score of +24, By Jenniffer B.asAustria which the DTI noted “high”.

The SWS described the November report as a “recovery” from negative rates of -9 in July FASTFOOD chain operator Jollibee and -5 in September 2020.

Foods Corp. said Friday it plans to open “DTI will continue to implement various 28 storesunder in North AmericaPH thiscampaign, year in programs the REBUILD or ‘Revitalizing Investments, line with its goalBusinesses, to have 300 stores in Livelihoods, and Domestic Demand,’ as we the by 2024. haveregion continuously done when we slowly eased said the target was to open stores intoItreopening the economy,” Lopez19 said.

Campos in the United States andOthel nineV.stores in

Jollibee to open 28 stores in US, Canada in 2021 to foster growth

Canada this year. The 2021 expansion PT&T tapslargest US firm will mark Jollibee’s addition to F oreign e xchange r ate for American digitalstore products its North network.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 PHILIPPINE Telegraph andthe Telephone Corp.

Jollibee said despite pandemic, it said over 16 the weekend it teamed upcountries with USCurrency Unit US Dollar Peso opened stores in the two dustrial machinery and equipment (-32.6 percent); and minBy Julito G. Rada based IT solutions provider Status Pros to United States Dollar 1.000000 48.0530 last year, including four in enable companies to work andDecember. manage the eral fuels, lubricants and related materials (-30.2 percent).

Japan Yen 0.009634 0.4629 workforce from stores anywhere their It opened in orSanoutside Antonio, UK Pound 1.356800 65.1983 The value of imports registered a negative annual growth traditional office amid the global pandemic.

XPORTS rose 3 percent in Texas; San Diego, California; Delano, Hong Kong Dollar 0.128977 6.1977 rate for 19 straight months since May 2019.

“As a telco and IT company, PT&T is Switzerland Franc 1.129816 54.2910 California; YongeinStreet in Toronone with theand industry fully embracing November from a year ago as the The higher exports and lower imports trimmed down the Canada Dollar 0.788208 37.8758 thisCanada digital last transformation of work, and to, month.

VDI [Virtual Desktop Instances] government further eased quarantine trade deficit in November to $1.73 billion, the smallest in five thruJollibee Singapore Dollar 0.754945 36.2774 it had storescompanies in North technology, said we are able 68 to assist months. It was also lower than the $3.65 billion shortfall regAustralia Dollar 0.776800 37.3276 restrictions and allowed establishments to America as of end-2020, including 48 in ensuring that technology extends Bahrain Dinar 2.655619 127.6105 istered in November 2019. well beyond the14confines of a traditional in the US and in Canada.

Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266581 12.8100 operate at higher capacity.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said office,” said PT&T president and chief The company said that while there Brunei Dollar 0.752106 36.1409 executive James Velasquez.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the the pickup in November exports might have been driven by Indonesia Rupiah 0.000072 0.0035 “Butchallenges we must emphasize that restaurant this is not were across the pace was the fastest growth in exports in 10 months, or since the strong outbound shipments to China and Taiwan, which a pivot toitcircumvent thebyrealities of the Thailand Baht 0.033333 1.6018 industry, persevered focusing on current situation, rather, the pandemic merely outbound shipments increased 9.4 percent in January before bounced back sharply after the COVID-19 challenges in the UAE Dirham 0.272272 13.0835 off-premise channels apart from dine-in accelerated what some are already into: Euro Euro 1.227400 58.9803 the government imposed a lockdown to contain the spread of first half of 2020. working from anywhere,” he said. services.

Korea Won 0.000914 0.0439 VDI allows users to securely access a COVID-19.

Mapa said the decline in imports was due to the sharp pullJollibee said it encouraged customers China Yuan 0.154371 7.4180 company-defined-and-managed virtual Exports fell as much as 49.9 percent in April at the height back in economic activity, in particular the lower capital forat the onset of the expericomputer where all pandemic applicationstoand data India Rupee 0.013620 0.6545 of the lockdown before gradually improving in the succeed- mation represented by the drop in durable equipment/machinreside.the VDIjoy bolsters the Workfrom from the Anywhere ence of Jollibee comMalaysia Ringgit 0.247831 11.9090 and Manage from Anywhere setups and can MERALCO-ASEANA TIEUP. Wenceslao but Group, Aseana City, and Electric Co. are set to break ing months. Exports rose 2.8 percentD.M. in September fellthe 1.2developer ery and ofraw materials usedManila for construction.

New Zealand Dollar 0.725400 34.8576 fort and safety their own homes via be extremely cost of effective and operationally ground Aseana-1 Substation Project in the first quarter of 2021 for completion by the second half of 2022. Aseana City, dubbed Taiwan Dollar 0.035675 1.7143 percenton in the October.

“The current trend of modest gains in exports coupled with call ahead pick-up, take-out and driveefficient in recapturing value. as the Bay Area’s ‘Next Generation City,’ is implementing the next phase of its masterplanned community through the construction Source: BSP Darwin G. Amojelar PSA saidfacilities merchandise exports amounted to $5.9 bil- weakness in imports will likely continue for atCity least thru. By April, Jollibee announced the of The critical power to provide quality, reliable and sustainable electric service to residents and locators.

Aseana is a the first lion in November, up development from $5.62 billion a year ago.Standard launch of its nationwide delivery serhalfComplex of the year the recent spike in COVID-19 cases like107-hectare mixed-use situated between the Manila Mall of Asia andwith the PAGCOR Entertainment City.

Seven of the 10 major commodity groups recorded annualTODAY vice via DoorDash. ly to sap momentum from the recent pickup in global trade, “We have remained nimble and opincreases led by refined copper, gold and coconut oil. Sales leading to softer export growth,” Mapa said. timistic which has led Jollibee to defy of electronic products grew 4.6 percent to $3.53 billion and Combined exports in the first 11 months of 2020 reached expectations amidst an extremely difaccounted for 60.9 percent of the total exports in November. $57.97 billion, down 11.1 percent from $65.18 billion in the ficult year and experience double-digit Meanwhile, imports 18.9 percent in November to same period in 2019. Total imports in the 11-month period to light the plight of tumbled the delivery drivers.

By Alena Mae S. Flores sales growth across North America,” $7.52 The billion fromin$9.28 billionposted a yearonago, pulled down by also fell 24.5 percent to $77.63 billion from $102.88 billion video question, Facesaid Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of shipments of transport (-42.7 percent), in- a year ago. book

by Estrang Vench equipment Alvarez, showed DELIVERY motorcycle riders expressedlower Jollibee Group North America, PhilipNotice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders dismay at online seller Shopee and its con- numerous individuals who were said to be pine brands. delivery riders for Shopee congregating outtractors for alleged delayed salary, unpaid “Make no mistake We incentives and benefits and non-payment of side Placer8 Logistics Express in Taguig and You are notified that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of though.

GLOBAL would not be weathering these hard

By Alena Mae S. Flores demanding their salaries and financial incenaccident insurance.

FERRONICKEL HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Company”) shall be held on Wednesday, without the support of our cusAround 600 delivery riders working for tives be paid.

February 10, 2021, 3:00 p.m. via webcast, to consider thetimes following: tomers.

They’ve showed up for us, The footage of the alleged riders was POWER retailer Manila Electric Placer8 Logistics Express and Shopee to and now we want to show up for them.

Co. announced Friday increase of com- shared over a thousand times. The post of deliver items ordered byan online buyers AGENDA We’re incredibly grateful for the continP0.2744ofpernon-payment kilowatt-hourofin salary the overall plained and ben- Alvarez went on to allege that the riders 1.

Call to Order; ued support we’ve received from across efits 2020, according to Sakay were instructed by Placer8 to claim their ratesince for a October typical household to P8.7497 2. Certification of Notice and the Existence of Quorum; payments from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. in Taguig. these regions and are thrilled to deliver Transport per kWh Cooperative. in January from P8.4753 per 3. Approval of the Minutes of the Previous Annual aStockholders’ held The inriders were allegedly not provided However, when the riders got to Taguig, they small spark of joyMeeting for them and their kWh December. on June 26, 2019; were told the payments would be handed out withThe accident insurance policy. families,” Dela Cruz said. rate is equivalent to an increase 4. Annual Report and Approval of the Audited Financial Statements as of are P55 gravely overof these in Pasay instead. of“We around in theconcerned monthly bill Estrella said the number of delivery and December 31,2019; mounting labor abuses on the growing deMeralco residential customers consumlivery ride-sharing gig industry workers. ride-sharing motorcycle riders serving on5. Election of Directors; ing anand average of 200 kWh. While there spokesman are no tailor-fit policies ensur- line passengers, bookers and buyers reached 6. Appointment of External Auditor; Meralco Joe Zaldarriaga ing protection to these type of workers, we around 100,000 in Metro Manila alone, fol7. Appointment of Stock and Transfer Agent; said despite the increase, this month’s have to invoke, for now, existing labor laws lowing the surge of contactless mobile-app 8. Other Matters; and ERC: 3rd party to audit overall rate was still more than P0.70 for these abused riders,” said Neil Estrella, transaction amid the quarantine restrictions.

9.

Adjournment. per kWh lower than January 2020’s rate past Meralco refunds “Many of these riders were workers from chairperson of Sakay Transport. ofThe P9.4523 per kWh. THE Energy Regulatory Commission said Fricooperative is an organization of de- the formal sector, unemployed by company The Company has, in accordance with the By-Laws, day fixed the the close Meralco consumers riders experienced a it engaged servicesofof business an independent shutdown and retrenchments resulting from livery and ride-sharing and an associon January 15, 2021 as the record date for the determination theElectric stockholders party to auditof Manila Co.’s refunds in series of power rate reductionsLabor in 2020 ate member of the Associated Unions. the pandemic economic and health crisis,” the previous years. amounting to P1.39 kWh the enentitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and on any adjournment thereof The circulation of aper video lastfor month brought he said.

ERC said in a statement Roxas Cruz Tagle tire year. (“Stockholders of Record”). and Co., an accounting and auditing firm, Zaldarriaga said mitigating this would look at whether the reported refunds of month’s rate increase was the inclusion In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the welfare and safety of ouror Meralco were fully accounted for, returned of Energy Regulatory Commissioncredited to customers’ accounts. stockholders, the meeting will be conducted virtually.

LAWMAKERS reiterated the call forHELICOPTER accountability to conduct an inquiry on the DONATION. The MVP Group of Companies donates a helicopter and several logistics support to the Armed ERC also ordered Meralco in previous years approved adjustments for Meralco’s an investigation on the Food and Drug questionable receipt of private funding byrescue and relief operations amid the destructive calamities that visit the country this Forces of the Philippines to help in the country’s to refund the bill deposit, meter deposit and inpass-through over/under-recoveries for Stockholders of Record may attend or participate via proxy, remote communication Administration’s questionable FDA and chairman other government agencies and come tax that it collected from its customers.

MVP Group Manuel Pangilinan (left) leads the ceremonial turnover of a helicopter from Pacific Global One, the aviation the period January 2017 to Decemberreceiptyear.the and vote in absentia.

Should you choose to participate in the meeting, notify, “Our bids and awardsplease committee has already of private funding from internationalgroup institutions in Group, exchange forcareful specific and preof the MVP after selection and assessment by the AFP’s trained pilots. Other items that were turned over were 2019. submit supporting documents or send accomplished proxy forms to the Office of the completed its bidding process and has awarded private groups, The Union and Bloomberg defined policies directed against a legitimate rescue boats and trucks from Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, One Meralco Foundation and MetroPac The ERC, in an order released Dec. the or contract the procurement of consultCorporate Secretary at asm2020registration@gfni.com.ph viaforcourier delivery at Initiative, in exchange for the issuance ofMovers industry and in complete disregard of the Inc. 29, directed Meralco to refund overing services for the audit andSt., verification of the 7th Floor, Corporate Business Center, 151 Paseo de Roxas comer Amaiz Makati pre-defined policies on e-cigarettes or vapor rights and welfare of consumers.

Meralco refunds to the bidder that submitted the recoveries in transmission and other City. The detailed registration and voting procedures maybe accessed at http://www. products and heated tobacco products.

According to the legislators, the evil highest rated and responsive bid and which has charges over a period of three months “Government policies and regulations they seek to address are scenarios where gfni.com.ph. also complied with all the legal, technical, and until and to collect shouldfully notrefunded be influenced by anyanvested private institutions could simply “purchase” financial requirements for the said procurement under-recovery in the rate for government policy, in circumvention of foreign interest.

It generation is incumbent ERC chairperson Agnes will Devanadera Stockholders who have successfully registered may project,” cast their votes and be for 24 months until fully collected.

Congress to investigate FDA’s receipt of existing laws, and in the furtherance of their said in a statement.

Alena Mae S. Flores provided access to the live streaming of the meeting.

For complete information on the “The funds initial from impactknown to residential private anti-tobacco, own private agendas and deliverables.

ASM, please visit http://www.gfni.com.ph. customers a net refundnicotine of around anti-ENDSis [electronic delivery The call for a House inquiry came after Century Pacific eyes in highlighting the importance of digital By Darwin G. Amojelar P0.1150 kWh,”anti-HTP Zaldarriagaorganizations said. systems]perand the FDA officials’ denial of receiving grants finance in society today and with this inThe Definitive Information Statement along with Notice andgrowth other information 15% in 2021 He how said the overall increase in the from foreign groups was refuted and actual and these couldratehave shaped vestment from Bow Wave, look for- can be accessed at http://www.gfni.com.ph related to thewemeeting andFood the Inc., PSE York-based investment CENTURY Pacific the Edge country’s January drivenpolicies. by higher generaagency’swas adopted Until the HouseNEW donor declarations showedfirm that Bow the agency AC ENERGY Philippines said Friday living out our vision of portal.

Capitalfunding Management is groups. infusing ward to further leading canned food manufacturer, said Friday investigation concluded, FDA shouldWave received from these tion charges. isThe January the generation it will conduct a stock rights offering finance for all, enabling democratized acit expects revenues to grow 10 percent to 15 than the $175highest millionpolicy into Globe not proceed withtoitsP4.4574 proposed guidelinesmore “As and Finlawmaking charges amounted per kWh, from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, subject to regupercent this year as the company continues to cess to payment and financial services to tech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), the finanCity of Makati, Metrolatory Manila, January 4,2021. andP0.3058 public higher consultations that have left body under the Constitution, Congress is or than the December approval. expand business domestically while looking every Filipino,” she said. cial technology arm of Globe Telecom many stakeholders dissatisfied and feeling duty-bound to ensure that any and all forms generation charge of P4.1516 per kWh. ACEN said in a disclosure to for more opportunities overseas.

GCash helped Filipinos get through ignored,” Ilocos Surrates Rep. Deograciasandof regulations thegovernment operator ofpolicies mobileand wallet GCash. are not Zaldarriaga said the of MeralCNPF executive vice president and chief opthe stock exchange it would issue their daily lives by providing them with Savellano beingsaid driven by any vested Mynt it raised over $175foreign millioninterest. erating officer Gregory Banzon said in a virtual co’s powersaid. supply agreements and in2,267,580,434 shares at P2.37 apiece. safe and secure digital paySavellanopower and Nueva Ecijaincreased Rep. Estrellitain fresh Sovereignty resides our peopleLP,and convenient, not capital from ASPinPhilippines press briefing while the company continued to dependent producers ATTY. POMARIN-CLARO The company initially setEVEART the offer- GRACE ment options last year.

Suansing on Dec. 2, 2020 filed House in any moneyed ideology or movement.

As expand its market in the country, it was also a limited partnership fund managed by

by P0.2723 and P0.2428 per kWh, reCorporate Secretary ing period from Feb. 1 to 5 to ensure setting sights on various international markets ResolutionasNo. 1396,peak directing theinHouseBowrepresentatives our people, ittois spur our duty As to more and more Filipinos turn to digWave CapitalofManagement spectively Luzon’s demand the widest dissemination and particito have a sustainable growth.

(MS-JAN. 11, 2021) committee on good government and publicthe ensure the resolution stated. growththis,” of financial inclusion and the ital services, GCash recorded gross transDecember decreased by 252 MW to pation in the SRO. But given the imAmong the overseas markets the company exdigitization of payments and financial ser- action value of over P1 trillion in 2020, minent ex-rights date and record date 9,634 MW from 9,886 MW on cooler pects to have significant growth in terms of sales spurred by services like online payments, vices in the Philippines. were North America, Asean and Australia. of Jan. 8 and Jan. 13, respectively, AC temperature and more non-working It said the fresh capital would be issued bank cash-in and sending money.

It said the company was also making inroads Energy found it prudent o finalize the holidays compared to November.

GCash empowered over 33 million in markets like Russia, Europe, Middle East, in multiple tranches, with post-money dates based on a regulatory approval

7,289.88

E

Meralco baresprotest over delayed salary Shopee drivers P0.27 per kWH rate increase

IN BRIEF

Gov’t policy on public health not for sale—solon

New York-based Bow Wave Capital investing $175m in GCash operator

AC Energy plans stock rights offer of 2.267b shares

Business

B2

|| MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 extrastory2000@gmail.com

IMF reduces Biden names China’s 2021 final economic GDP growth team choices goal to 7.9%

WASHINGTON―US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled his BEIJING, China―The International picks for commerce secretary, labor Monetary and Fundsmall on Friday lowered its secretary business admin2021 growth for China to 7.9 istrator to fill forecast his incoming economics percent, following a year of “signifiteam. cant and economic costs” IsinThehuman transition named Rhode flicted by the COVID-19 crisis. land Governor Gina Raimondo, BosfigureMartin is slightly 8.2 tonThe Mayor Walshbelow and the former percent the IMF earlier Obama official Isabel predicted, Guzman alas though China has three been pegged as the nominees for the positions, reonly major economy likely to expand spectively. in “With the face of dozen the coronavirus. two cabinet nominees After a record contraction Biden in the first announced, President-elect has threeforward monthsthe lastmost year diverse due to unprecput cabinet in American history,”and the factory Biden team edented lockdowns closaid in the a statement. sures, world’s number-two econohad bounced already revealed choicmyBiden has since back. es But for the part1.9 ofpercent his economic in full-yearteam growth early December, mostly of for 2020 that thecomposed IMF maintains, if women, minorities those who had confirmed, will be and its worst showing served underjust former president since 1976, before the startBarack of its Obama. economic reform era.

Most formercontinues Federal “The notable Chinese was economy Reserve chair Janet Yellen treasury its fast recovery from the as pandemic, secretary. helped by a strong containment effort “They belieftothat the midand swiftshare policymy actions mitigate the dle class built this country and impact of the crisis,” said the IMF.that unions built the middleisclass,” Biden “However, growth still unbalsaid of the group he has assembled, acanced as the recovery has relied heavcording to the statement. ily on public support while private The new officials’ priority will be consumption is lagging,” it added. “digging us out from the worst jobs With increased spending to support crisis in nearly a century by supportits economic recovery, China’s general ing small businesses, dramatically ingovernment deficit is projected to rise creasing union density, and rebuilding to 18.2 percent of GDP in 2020, up the backbone of America―our middle from 12.6 percent the year before. class,” the transition’s statement China’s economy is adjusting said. to the Last spring, the COVID-19 pandem“pandemic normal,” with help from ic triggered and the worst financialofcrisis technology digitalization sersince 1929, with millions of Amerivices, but the IMF cautioned that accans losing their jobs or seeing their tivity is expected to remain below cahours cut. pacity over the medium term.

If her nomination is confirmed by The warning comes as certain secthe Senate, Raimondo would take on tors ranging from hospitality to restaubusiness-government relations, hanrants remain affected by restrictions. dling issues such as trade wars insti“Until end-2021, some restrictions gated by outgoing President Donald and voluntary distancing will Trump and how social to regulate tech giants. continue to dampen person-to-person Walsh would be the first union leadservices said theofIMF’s er to headactivity,” the Department Labor rein port.

AFP 50 years, according to the Biden statement, and would take on such tasks as reviewing working conditions disrupted by the pandemic. AFP

Brexit deal’s ‘rules of origin’ Soaring COVID muddle trade

infections likely delayed hiring

LONDON―Many British businesses are swiftly discovering that they must now pay duties on exports bound for the European Union, despite the breakthrough Brexit freeintrade deal WASHINGTON―Hiring the Unitclinched Christmas. ed Statesover likely stalled at the end of The development, which already 2020, economists say, as has coronavihelped spark sliding traffic to rus infections soared freight and Washington Ireland, is part of tradeover disruption that lawmakers squabbled a massive has become evidentonly this spending bill increasingly that was approved year Britain’s Brexit divorce was at theafter last minute. finalized on December The Labor Department31. on Friday will Trade has also been badly hampered release the December jobs report, the by new COVID-19 border restrictions, final report for a year that saw the US with the unraveled roll-out ofbytesting for lorry economy the COVID-19 drivers as Britain races to curb pandemic, which continues to rage evena rampant variant of the deadly virus. as vaccines are being rolled out.

At the heart of the Brexit deal, Business closures to stop the virus which came into force on January from spreading sent the unemploy1, is the so-called “rules of origin” ment rate applied skyrocketing in April from condition to all goods crossing its record-low level, and though it has the border. since the forecast among Thedecreased, rules of origin, a key aspect of analysts for little improvement all majoristrade deals, can rapidlyfrom turn the percent jobless for ratebusinesses. reported in into6.7 a costly headache November.

Under the Brexit provision, any “I think things have down,” good will be subject to slowed a customs levy said chief economist if it William arrives Spriggs, in Britain from abroad of trade back union into federaandtheis AFL-CIO then exported the tion.

European Union.

“We’ll continueiftoa see what clothing we saw For example, British in November, which isChinese-made the bounceretailer imports back is really to have a halt,” he textiles, then it grinding would then to pay told AFP. charge if it ex-exports the a customs Theinto report follows Labor Departitems a member nation of the EU’s ment showing single data marketThursday and customs union. new Put simply, rulesbenefits therefore applications for the jobless redetermine whether is mained at a high level inanthe export final week considered of the year. British or not.

“It is clear that many businesses “The underlying storyUK here is clear. exporting to the EU are goingfear to beand hit A combination of COVID by tariffs,” said restrictions Michelle Dale, state-mandated on senior activmanager the Manchester office of ity in the at services sector is squeezing chartered accountants UHY isHacker businesses, and no real relief likely Young. until a sustained decline in pressure on “Businesses been hospitals emerges,”have said Ianalso Shepherdcompletely blindsided by the ‘rule son of Pantheon Macroeconomics. ofThe origin’ partgripped of thebydeal, US was twin which crises leaves them at a major competitive in 2020: the pandemic and its economdisadvantage when selling in the EU. ic fallout.

“Unfortunately, not enoughCOVwas The seemingly unstoppable done tooutbreak preparehas them for this.

It takes ID-19 infected more than years to build an effective supply 21.3 million people and killed nearly chain―and using non-EU suppliers is 362,000 as of Thursday, according to often the best option both in terms of Johns Hopkins University. cost and quality.”

Efforts to stop the virus by ordering The Brexit agreement, which was many businesses to close or sealed four and a half yearsrestrict after activities caused beBritons voted to massive leave thelayoffs European ginning in March that moderated over Union, grants zero customs duties if at the regulations were leastsummer roughlyas50those percent of an exported relaxed.

AFP product is made in the UK. AFP

B3

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market likely to consolidate amid rising virus infections BREXIT STICKING POINT.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange are expected to consolidate within the 7,000 to 7,300-point level over the near-term period as investors weigh rising COVID 19 cases and the availability of vaccine in the country within the first half of the year.

their constituents, however, is providing hope to investors.

Investors are also watching the trend on inflation rate, which rose to a 22-month high of 3.5 percent in December. The increase in inflation rate due to rising commodity and fuel prices could add pressure on the monetary policy.

“The index briefly breaking below 7,000 before bouncing back toward the multi-week resistance of 7,3000 on hefty turnover is a technical indication that momentum is skewed towards the belief that some semblance of ‘renaissance’ is still in the cards,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said.

“In the interim, policy changes for February and March, as new strain headlines and need to fully reopen are balanced. Trade the range,” it added.

Analysts placed the immediate support level at 7,100 and the resistance at 7,500.

The PSE Index last week jumped 2.1 percent to 7,289.88 on bargain-hunting by investors after the it traded briefly below the

French Seas Minister Annick Girardin (third from right) grabs a clam during a visit with representatives of the fishing industry in the harbor of Granville, 7,000 level at the start of the trading week. northended of France onled by All sectoral indices higher January 7, 2021. mining and oil (+4.84 percent), In property order to discuss the (+3.29 percent) andconsequences financials (+2.74 percent). of the The average Brexit dailyagreement value turnover on rose 10 percent toactivities P10.6 billion, but forof the fishing eign investors remained net the sellers for industry and the week by P1.4 billion.mechanisms support put in place by the Meanwhile, global stock markets Government, thea strong mostly rose Friday at the end of Minister met withand week for equities, with has Frankfurt local elected officials Wall Street continuing a record-breakand set visited ing run as investors theirseveral sightsport on a infrastructures. AFP

huge US stimulus package.

The dollar traded mixed as data showed the US economy shed 140,000 jobs in December―the first drop since April―in a sign the recovery from the pandemic’s damage has stalled.

“Today’s non-farm payrolls shouldn’t make too much difference to sentiment as investors are only really focused on the path forward with vaccines and stimulus,” noted Neil Wilson, chief analyst at Markets.com. With AFP

Stocks advance to extend rally; GT Capital, PLDT up S Analysts said investors were concerned the entry of a more contagious coronavirus strain in the Philippines could lead to the imposition of stricter quarantine rules that could delay the recovery of the domestic economy.

The move of several sectors and local government units to secure vaccines for

TOCKS extended their rally Friday along with the rest of Asia following another recordbreaking performance on Wall Street as investors set their sights on a further huge US stimulus after Democrats took control of Congress.

to push higher Friday. All three indexes again lock down as they try to quickly on Wall Street closed at records, with roll out vaccinations.

After Wednesday’s extraordinary scenes the Dow ending above 31,000 for the first time, and Asia picked up the baton. in Washington that saw a pro-Donald Trump Tokyo and Singapore each jumped mob storm the Capitol complex, the presimore than two percent, while Mumbai, dent said he would allow for a smooth tranTaipei, Jakarta and Bangkok all piled on sition of power to Joe Biden and later called more than one percent. There were also for “healing and reconciliation.” healthy gains in Sydney and Wellington, While the violence shocked the world, though Shanghai edged down. investors brushed it off and analysts said Seoul climbed four percent, helped Trump’s comments would provide a litby a jump in Samsung after it reported tle more reassurance. strong fourth-quarter earnings, while car Traders are now looking forward to giant Hyundai rocketed 19.4 percent on hearing what Democrats propose to do The Philippine Stock Exchange Index the back of reports it was in talks with with their new powers, with expectajumped 170.27 points, or 2.4 percent, to Apple for a joint project to manufacture tions they will try to revive their titanic spending plans that were cast aside last 7,289.88 on a value turnover of P11 bil- self-driving electric vehicles.

Hong Kong was up more than one year to push through a second stimulus lion. Gainers beat losers, 141 to 74, with percent, but telecom giants fell again with Republicans just before Christmas.

48 issues unchanged.

Among the first pieces of legislation PLDT Inc., the largest telecommu- after MSCI said they would be removed nications firm, surged 5.5 percent to from its benchmark indexes a day after could be a drive to increase the cash P1,424, while Bank of the Philippine Is- having their New York shares delisted in handout included in that rescue package lands, the third-biggest lender in terms response to a Trump administration call from $600 to $2,000.

Observers also said earlier worries on to bar Americans investing in them. of assets, advanced 5 percent to P87.

The prospect of another massive trading floors that Democrats would try GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty Group soared 7.2 percent to P579, while splurge in the world’s biggest economy to hike taxes and pursue tighter regulahelped divert attention from soaring tions would likely disappear as lawmakMegaworld Corp., largest 31, lessor This picture taken onthe December 2020,ofshows the walls of an abandoned house in the Omani village of Wadi al-Murr, about 400 ers focus eliminating theexisted, virus and COVID-19 infection and have deathleftrates office spaces, 4.6 percent P4.29. kms (250 miles)rose southwest of theto capital Muscat.

Encroaching desert sands little evidence thatonWadi al-Murr ever but reviving the economy.

With AFP that have forced governments to once The rest of Asian markets continued former inhabitants, while resigned to its destruction, are trying to preserve its memory. AFP

PSEi January 8, 2021

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

BCP IS

18 0.166

6 0.03

50.00% 22.06%

3

SGP

300

52.2

21.07%

4 5

T PHA

1.2 1.65

0.18 0.24

17.65% 17.02%

6

SUN

2.09

0.26

14.21%

7

BKR

1.05

0.12

12.90%

8

SOC

0.84

0.09

12.00%

9 10

PBC ORE

22.95 1.26

1.9 0.1

9.03% 8.62%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2

OPM DWC

0.011 2.39

-0.001 -0.2

-8.33% -7.72%

3

PPC

5.14

-0.34

-6.20%

4 5

AR BMM

0.0035 73.75

-0.0002 -4.2

-5.41% -5.39%

6

CAB

54.9

-3.05

-5.26%

7

FJP

3.28

-0.16

-4.65%

8 9 10

MACAY FAF AB

8 0.67 7.49

-0.38 -0.03 -0.31

-4.53% -4.29% -3.97%

MOST ACTIVE 1

ACEN

VOLUME 215130900

VALUE (PHP) 1,584,403,981.00

2 3

DITO BPI

69530600 6610700

918,436,828.00 564,074,799.00

4 5

APL PHA

2368210000 286210000

467,648,790.00 443,869,540.00

6 7

SMPH BDO

9232000 3400800

369,755,885.00 367,229,587.00

8 9

GTCAP MBT

622270 6523900

350,459,840.00 318,062,055.00

10

ALI

6714900

276,612,200.00

Omanis revive memory of houses, France plans mass duck slaughtervillage as birdswallowed flu hits foie by grasdesert

By Khalid Orabi

By Myriam Lemetayer

WADI AL-MURR, Oman―Encroaching sands have left little evidence that gras the PARIS―French producers of foie Omani al-Murr ever called village ThursdayofforWadi a mass preventive existed, but to former inhabitants cull of ducks try to halt the spreadand of curious visitors coming to rediscover a severe strain are of bird flu that is ripping the hamletpoultry engulfed by the desert. through farms in the southwest of Salem al-Arimi, originally from the the country. area,The looked outpathogenic nostalgically overvirus the highly H5N8 expanse. was first detected in a bird in a pet shop According to local island elders,of“all the on the Mediterranean Corsica houses in the village were invaded by in November before spreading to duck the sandonthat them 30 years ago, farms theassailed mainland in December. forcing the European inhabitants to leave Several countries havetheir rehomes,” he said. ported cases of infection, five years after tops andprompted sections of wall aBuilding major outbreak thestone slaughter emerge here and there,inbearing of millions of ducks France.witness to those“The whovirus once lived here. than us. New is stronger Deserts are are constantly expanding emerging,” all over the clusters the world, on byCIFOQ climatefederation change, and head pushed of France’s of foie gras producers, Marie-Pierre Pe, told AFP. The numberDENNIS of outbreaks had now L. BERINO, risen to 124, the Ministry of Agriculture DBA said on Thursday, adding that around 350,000 ducks had been slaughtered since December 24. thisthis week the government’s ASEarlier I write column, there were chief veterinary officer, Loic Evain,cases said almost 89 million COVID-19 over 200,000The ducks been worldwide.

UShadhadalready the most slaughtered and22that a further 400,000 reported with million, followed by birds were set to be culled, out of around India with 10 million and Brazil with 35 million reared each year.

8 He million.

ThethePhilippines reported described virus, which is not almost andaswill soon breach harmful490,000 to humans, “very, very conthe half a million mark. It was in the tagious.”

30th spot worldwide second Officials in Belgiumand saidtheThursday highest ASEAN after Indonesia’s they had in culled three contaminated poultry flocks―one in Menin, in the west close to 800,000 cases. There is a of the correlation country, another in Dinant in the strong between the reported south and a third inwith Dixmude in western cases worldwide the size of its Flanders. population. But a compounding effect federal foodmovement safety agency of Belgium’s population is the of AFSCA, which has ordered poultry own-

Green LiGht

affected populations have few weapons to fight back.

Wadi al-Murr’s inhabitants, who mostly relied on pastoral activities, had to give up their village, swelling the ranks of those migrating to towns and cities.

Nostalgia Located at the bottom of a valley nearly 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of the capital Muscat, Wadi al-Murr is cut off from main roads and only reachable via a long, rough track.

Its isolation, including from the electricity and water grids, contributed to its slide into obscurity.

But that has not prevented erstwhile residents from returning to visit, along with trekking enthusiasts who take desert hikes in the region.

Mohammed al-Ghanbousi, a former inhabitant, said the moving dunes had re-

exposed some dwellings after they were covered by sand.

This phenomenon has prompted “nostalgic people to visit the village, whose structures still stand because they are built from stone,” he said.

“The village has recently been included in trekking tours and also attracts photography enthusiasts,” he added.

A mosque that sits within the village, which in its heyday had about 30 houses and 150 inhabitants, is one building that has resurfaced.

Mohammed al-Alaoui said that when his mother learned some homes had reappeared, she asked him to take her back.

“She often wants to go, and she likes to be there while she relates her memories of the old days, and sheds a few tears,” he said.

Tourism Rashed al-Ameri is among the Omani In this file tourists who have come to discover the taken hamlet swallowed by thephoto desert.

December He travelled fromonSur, hundreds 10, 2015, of kilometers away, with two friends who were also keen ducks to seeroam Wadi alin an outdoor Murr. enclosure in a its Oman, which is trying to diversify farm in Benesseoil-reliant economy, is seeking to develop Maremne, on its its tourism industry―capitalizing southwestern rich heritage, scenic coasts and stunning mountain geography. France. Faced with three an The sultanate attracted million outbreak the foreign tourists in 2019, but likeof almost number of farms everywhere else, the novel coronavirus contaminated pandemic reduced visitors to a trickle in by bird flu in 2020. the southAmeri is among those who believe west, gras on Wadi al-Murr could easily befoie included professionals on Oman’s tourist trail. AFP

January 7, 2021 urged the health authorities to carry out preventive culling of ducks to adhere to the strict implementation on a larger scale. of the prescribed health AFP and safety

Festivals and COVID-19

conveyances (jeeps, taxis, FX, to be creative and responsible in the TNVs) are still controlled to limit the way they plan to hold the festivals movement of people, which may also so as not to endanger the community protocols. contain the spread of the virus. and participants to the events. Take, These three examples are not what Aside from the mobility of people for example, the celebration honoring we used confidence to in how intheexport festivities ers to lock up their animals to avoid con- meter radius of an infected flock. Free- try toarerestore marbeing controlled, gatherings crowds the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, weresuch conducted in theannounced past. Butthis in tamination, said that 20 cases and of the virus range chickens and turkeys withinwhere that kets as China which are strongly discouraged.

Government, range thousands usually join the annual week recognition of the current health had been found in wild birds. have also been slaughtered. it was suspending French poultry Herve Dupouy, a French producer CIFOQ saidwhich Thursday government over thetovirus. business, social, and family eventswho that procession, this that year has been imports condition due COVID-19, we have heads the localthe poultry section of of the FN- officials hadwith. shared plans to the toProducers foie gras, pate made necessitate gathering people done away Instead, theexpand parish has adapt our of festivities anda celebration SEA farmers federation thein Landes de- culls over a masses wider area. of force-fed ducks or are encouraged to be in held a virtual organized with limited access from so as the not livers to contribute further to the partment, a bastion of the foie gras indusThe bird flu clusters have been detected geese, fear a repeat of the devastaenvironment. as well as disciplined lines, so the spread of the virus. It will certainly try,The saidPhilippines “the situation is out of control.” poultry farmsthem and in shops in the tion previous creativity waves of collectively celebrate on faithful joining willpetobserve social bringwrought about by the two organizers’ He called on the state to cull all poul- Landes department and the neighbouring bird flu in the winters of 2015/2016 and over 42,000 festivals every year. aThat’s distancing with proper face masks and (live streaming, mixed-mode, try flocks in the area and impose two- Gers and Pyrenees-Atlantique departments. 2016/2017. more than 100 every day in one year! shields and registration for contact controlled face-to-face interactions) in month production freeze.

Chinese market in jeopardy Over 25 million ducks were culled in Most localnofestivities are religious They havechamber live-streamed holding the events.

What isbyimportant “There’s other solution,” he said. or tracing.

The head of also France’s of ag- the first outbreak, followed 4.5 milcultural, with many festivals honoring masses so those who cannot physically is keeping the celebration alive–modest So far the authorities have been culling riculture, Sebastien Windsor, called lion the following year, causing a steep theducks local and Catholic saint or historical Wednesday come to thefor church can measures” participate to in decline in scalein and activities but being all geese within a three-kilo“radical foie gras production.

AFP true people within the country’s borders periods of time in the Philippines. Some them. to affirming our faith–in the case of as well as cross-country travel. It can festivals celebrate the local harvest or Another big event―the Sinulog Black Nazarene and Señor Sto. Nino– be shown that there is also a strong community products, like Baguio’s Festival in Cebu with its day-long float or affirming the product–in the case of correlation between the number of air Panagbenga in celebration of the city’s parades and dance competition has flowers in Panagbenga and lanzones– travel passengers in a country with its flowers or the Lanzones festival of been scaled down with competitive which has given pride and economic number of COVID-19 cases. of Pennsylvania.

“If a team has been winning for too long, NEW YORK―Whether the topic is trans-Camiguin. presenters being asked to submit their benefits to the community.

Hence, of the things that werethe Festivals By 25, he had created Zip2, an online adthey do tend get a little complacent, little forming theone automobile or conquering aretocommunity activities a presentations in video format which can vertising platform, a millionaire then they win theofchampinext frontieratofthe space, ElonofMusk has shown athatentitled, curtailed outset the country’s foster and oneness anddon’t a sense be shared to the public andand be was the basis Dr. byBerino is an Associate age 30 after selling the company to Compaq onship anymore,” Musk said at a conference knack for captivating an There audience quarantine was travel. wasbeyond a time in-pride among the hosts. It also creates of judging. The festival anchored its Professional Lecturer with the Computer in 1999. church-based Decision Sciences and Innovation hosted by thetoWall Street Journal. vestors andship science geeks. air and travel was not allowed. opportunities generate income for activities on its root―the He followed that success with the creation “California has been winning for a commemoration long The brash TeslaareCEO, now there the world’s Now that they allowed, are the host communities and draw tourists to honor Señor Sto. Department of the Ramon V. del of the online bank, X.com, which was later wealthiest person following the electric auto- time... and they are taking it for granted.” various restrictions for people taking to their locales to participate in the Nino with churches set up to observe Rosario College of Business, De La On Thursday, Musk surpassed Amazon merged into PayPal which eBay bought in maker’s meteoric rise, health was thecertificates, quintessential time, like having festivals.

Tourists participation has a social distancing and health protocols. Salle University. He can be reached at Chief Jeff Bezos as the world’s 2002 for $1.5 billion.

Silicon Valley disruptor―except he no longer swab tests, limited capacities, use of multiplierExecutive impact in terms of livelihood The But Panagbenga Festival in stratosphere dennis.berino@dlsu.edu.ph.

Musk has entered a new person. lives California. faceinmasks and shields, among other andwealthiest revenues for communities Baguio–another major event–will do over the last few years as Tesla has grown and “How strange,” Musk said on Twitter when The norm-shattering entrepreneur, who has health measures. away famous floral afloats, expressed here are the come the closer to achieving mission heThe said views is informed of the distinction. “Well, back to with more than 41 million followers on Twitter andconcerned.

Provincial buses crossing provincial The advent of COVID-19 has either which draw crowds from all over–and author’s and do not necessarily reflect not purely economic. a fortune now estimated at more than $180 bil- work... “ boundaries are still limited. Metro complete the observance of will on a mixture virtual and for thethe official success isofvery important fu- position of DLSU, its faculty, 49,stop wastoborn in South Africa andfocusTesla’s lion, announced last month he had relocatedput a Musk, festivals or hasfrom made faceofgatherings willsaid have and its administrators. the world,”that Musk in 2018.

“It’s passports thethe USorganizers and Canada face after to ture toManila Texas andbuses could notand resistother one last public dig at thetheholds

Brash billionaire: Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk is world’s wealthiest person

West Coast state.

completing his studies in Ontario and the state

very important for all life on Earth.” AFP

Musk

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

B3

Bold move for Garrett Bolden

Soul balladeer Garrett Bolden welcomes 2021 with his newest single and original composition “Our Love.”

WRITING his own songs and compiling them onto an album is one of the ultimate dreams of Garrett Bolden. And he is serious about this goal.

The balladeer welcomes the New Year with his newest single and original composition “Our Love” under GMA Music, it is available for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other digital stores worldwide beginning Jan. 11.

“Writing my own song was indeed an adventure I took during the pandemic. I had the time to be alone and reflect on everything that is happening around me, emotions from my past experiences, and also experiences that my friends shared with me in the past years,” he shared.

“As I was writing it, I felt the same feeling when I lost my father. I was really sad and longing and through the song, it felt as if I could turn back time, see him, and spend more time with him.”

According to the Kapuso singer, “Our Love” is a song that relates how love is something that should not be taken for granted. One should always cherish the time and the memories he or

Ageless

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

A

T 40, Jose Sixto Raphael Dantes III can give his younger counterparts a run for their money. Was it his genes, his lifestyle, his positive outlook in life, or Dingdong really has a secret to slowing down his march to aging?

she shares with people they love.

“Nakaka-relate ako nang sobra kasi it’s a song that aids one’s longing for someone. It is from my heart and I dedicate it to everyone who is going through the same feeling of love,” said the AllOut Sundays mainstay.

Garrett, who was one of the top 5 finalists of the first season of The Clash, is humbled by his experiences and feats he’s had so far in his music career as a Kapuso. He was named “New Male Recording Artist of the Year” at the 11th PMPC Star Awards for Music, "People's Choice Award - Favorite New Male Artist" at the Awit Awards 2020, and “Outstanding Achiever in the Music Industry” at the Philippine Top Choice for Excellence last year.

Now, Garrett is looking forward to telling more stories to his avid supporters and listeners as a songwriter beginning with “Our Love.”

He quipped, “I know I am new in this field of songwriting, but after I finished doing this song, I felt that it is ready to be shared and be heard.”

DINGDONG

The answer could be all of the above.

Just a few days into the new year, the Descendants of the Sun PH star has already scored a product endorsement, and in the set of promotional photos sent to Manila Standard Entertainment,, we couldn’t agree more that Dingdong has defied aging. Indeed, he looks much younger for his age.

Dingdong was welcomed by Beautéderm Corporation to its illustrious roster of A-List endorsers as the official brand ambassador of Cristaux Supreme, “a powerful FDA-Notified potion” that increases collagen synthesis that lifts and moisturizes the skin. The product also promises to whiten the skins, minimizes puffiness, alleviates eyebags, provides glass skin, and defies aging.

“We men should take care of our skin, too. The product is an essential part of my daily skin regimen.

As an actor, I use it daily to maintain the youthfulness of my skin. For me, it is really age-defying,” says the award-winning actor who joins his wife, Marian Rivera, as a Beautéderm ambassador.

Beautéderm President and CEO Rhea AnicocheTan explains the expected effects of the product Dingdong is endorsing, “It erases two years’ worth of wrinkles in just two months of regular use.

Dingdong is very hard-working and the long hours he spends on the set of his film and TV work will really give his face unwanted lines and wrinkles, and Cristaux Supreme is the most ideal serum for his lifestyle.”

“I’m very much aware of the long-term effects of

‘Descendants of the Sun’ star Dingdong Dantes credits his ageless look to a powerful ‘beauty potion’ that erases fine lines and promotes a youthful glow.

Dingdong joins wife Marian Rivera as Beautederm product ambassador posing in a promotional shoot with the brand’s CEO and president Rhea Anicoche-Tan (center).

my work on my skin especially now that I turned 40. I encourage every man to use an effective skin regimen as it will surely keep us looking fresh and youthful,” adds Dingdong.

Beautéderm marks its 12th anniversary and the launch of Dingdong as a brand ambassador is only the first of many surprises that the company has in store for the new year.

“I am so happy that Dingdong is now part of the Beautéderm family. The day is finally here that we can proudly say that Dingdong is officially a Beautéderm brand

ambassador,” says the company CEO and President.

On joining his wife as one of the ambassadors of the beauty and lifestyle superbrand, Dingdong says he can now see and feel what Marian is gushing about.

“Beautéderm really is a happy and fun family. Aside from my wife, a lot of my friends are part of the brand as ambassadors. I can’t wait for all the promotional activities that we will do this year. It’s going to be an unforgettable partnership,” Dingdong ends.

Regine still reigns even on digital scene THE first digital staging of Regine VelasquezAlcasid’s sought-after Valentine’s concert via ktx.ph proved to be a highly-anticipated event as all VIP tickets were sold out just 12 hours after the selling started.

The biggest online concert of the “Asia’s Songbird” to date, Freedom: Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Digital Concert, also crossed the P500k ticket sales mark merely 10 minutes after the tickets went on sale and the P1 million sales mark less than 12 hours after tickets were released.

Due to the outstanding sales of the limited VIP ticket (P2,500) which includes concert access, virtual meet-and-greet, behindthe-scenes peek, and the Zoom after party

with a request portion with Regine— additional 100 VIP slots have been opened to accommodate more fans. Meanwhile, viewers can still avail of the access pass sold at P1,200.

Presented by ABS-CBN Events and IME, Freedom will be under the stage direction of Paolo Valenciano and musical direction of Raul Mitra and promises the same electrifying concert experience full of great music and exciting surprise guests.

It will be streamed worldwide via the digital platform KTX.ph, following previous exclusive and successful musical events like Jed Madela's New Normal and Apollo: A Daniel Padilla Digital Experience.

Keann Johnson (left) and JR Versales top bill 'Run,' a BL movie helmed by Mel Magno.

Running for love ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO

I’M DEFINITE, Boys Love drama is not just a fad or a passing fancy. It is here for good.

Some noteworthy recent successes of BL are Gameboys and Gaya Sa Pelikula that are taking center stage with their international streaming on Netflix.

Fanatics of XavMi are eagerly awaiting the movie adaptation’s playdate of Hello Stranger.

The other most-watched boy-on-boy offerings such as Ben X Jim and Boys Lock Down are shooting their second season.

To herald the year with a BL bang on ktx.ph is Mel Magno’s Run, written and helmed by the seasoned theater director and filmmaker.

“Run’s story is close to my heart. Yes, it is about running, not just the competition kind of running, but on how a person runs his life, how he accepts and deals with its many givens and realities, how a person runs the game called life,” says Magno.

Its lead characters, Gene and Mark are played by JR Versales and Keann Johnson.

“They were natural and honest with the emotions they gave to their characters,” the director enthuses. “You not only see but feel that these two men need and wanted to love and be loved. With this pair of actors, the tenderness, kindness, the way they look at each other, the romance and the kilig you feel is instantaneous because they never faked it.

Totoong naging sina Glen and Mark sila. They were wonderful.”

Johnson opens up being Mark. He says that he is a very strong and independent, openminded, trusting character.

“His biggest strength is his optimism. I also love the fact that he is courageous. You will see in the drama how much Mark loves Gene.

He knows that love is what brought them together,” the rising actor says.

“Gene loves his family so much that even with the extreme pressure from his father, he never took any bad blood to his dad,” Versales speaks about his role. “I sensibly empathize with that emotion as we know, our parents aren't perfect but we still love them as much.

Gene loves profoundly. Although he came from a previous hurtful relationship, he didn't use it as an excuse not to trust and love.”

To him, his co-actor Johnson is the utmost professional, “We mutually support each other.

We depend on each other's emotional sincerity in every scene which made our work easier.”

Why must we watch Run? “In this day and age of instant relationships, seldom that you find people who will be completely selfless for the happiness of the person they care about, This is what everyone will view and experience in this drama,” replies Versales.

“Run is something sensible, real, and powerful. There is more to it than just kilig.

You'll fall in love. I'll bet on that,” Magno avers.

Fourteen original songs by director Mel Magno are part of its soundtrack.

Trailer is now playing on YouTube.

Run begins its screening on ktx. ph this Jan. 22.

Regine Velasquez stages a Valentine concert entitled ‘Freedom.’

Life

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

B4

FOOD

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

By Steph Llarena

W

HO has the time to bake pan de sal or chocolate chip cookies when you can easily get them at a store, right?

Apparently many of us had.

More time in hand plus days spent cooped up at home equals a boom in baking, as seen in the increased sales of baking goods flying off the shelves faster than the supermarket could replenish them during the first few months of lockdown.

While many embraced their inner bakers, so much so as investing in baking equipment and tools, those who are still dipping their toes into the scene can try their hand at a co-baking space on the second floor of SM Aura Premier.

Hong Kong’s first and only co-baking studio Bakebe recently opened in the Philippines. Its founder, Cantonese food blogger and social media personality Venus Chi developed a user-friendly app with step-by-step guide that allows guests to bake at their own pace using all the necessary tools and ingredients provided by the store.

According to Bakebe, even first-time bakers get a 95-percent success rate following the intuitive guide complete with detailed instructions, graphics, and videos.

Bakebe PH at SM Aura in Taguig is a millennial pink wonderland complete with ovens, mixers, and all baking tools necessary to create “Instagrammable” unicorn cakes, macaroons, piñata cakes, cake pops, and other themed cakes whose recipes are from global pastry chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants.

The co-baking space offers a variety of packages for those who want to celebrate by baking cakes. The Bridal Shower, Birthday Party, Gender Reveal, School Tours, Team Building, and Photo shoot packages all include a choice of cake to bake, exclusive use of venue, party favors, party host, games and prizes, and set meals.

A party for few people are also hosted at Bakebe PH. There’s Bake with your Squad for a fun bonding with family and friends, Bake with your Bestie for a productive day of learning, or Bake with your Bae on your special day.

Bakebe PH also has an interesting way to help broken hearts move on—Break Up and Bake Up.

Baking made easy BAKING AND BONDING. Co-baking space Bakebe PH in Taguig offers various packages for guests who want to try their hand at baking cake using the step-by-step guide and tools and ingredients provided by the store.

Even first-time bakers can make (from left) ‘Instagrammable’ unicorn cake, Atlantis gem cake, Shakespeare’s chocolate cake, and buttercream unicorn baby cupcakes with the help of the intuitive app that provides detailed information, photos, and videos of each recipe.

LET’S GET DIGITAL

Apps and online platforms provide more ways to order food

Fruits and leafy vegetables are good sources of dietary fiber and prebiotics.

What to eat for a healthy gut likewise contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus, while kefir is high in lactic SEVERAL studies demonstrate the acid bacteria, which link between gut health aid digestion. and overall health.

Fermented food Microbiota is the - Miso, sauerkraut, community of microkimchi, tempeh, organisms that thrive and pickles are rich in the gut and influence sources of probiotone’s health. By ferics. These may boost menting non-digestible intestinal immunity food components, they and relieve diarrhea, contribute to the proabdominal pain, and duction of nutrients and constipation. energy and strengthen Fiber and prebiotour immunity. ics - Dietary fiber are Negative impact on complex sugars which gut micriobiota may include inulin, frucbe caused by antibiotto-oligosacchar ides, ics, other medications, and other oligosacemulsifiers, and high- Cheeses deliver intact probiotics. charides. Fruits, leafy intensity sweeteners. vegetables, cereals, Even pesticides sprayed and whole grains on produce may conare good sources of tribute to this undesirthese, as they aid in able effect growth and diversity One of the ways to of these helpful mipromote better gut croorganisms. health is incorporating Polyphenols - Didietary fiber and pro- Kimchi, a popular side dish in etary polyphenols are biotics in one’s diet. Korean cuisine, is an example of natural compounds The following food fermented food. present in coffee, tea, choices may aid in and wine, as well as overall gut health: berries, cereals, dark Dairy products chocolates, and cocoa Cheeses such as Swiss, powder. They may Gouda, cheddar, and likewise be found in parmesan deliver invegetables such as artact probiotics because tichokes, olives, and of their ideal pH level asparagus. These ward that facilitates surviv- Dark chocolates are a good off unwanted elements al and growth. Yogurt source of polyphenols. inside the body.

“AS WE find ourselves adjusting to this new normal, we see more the importance of saving time given the many things we need to manage in a day. It’s really a faster-paced world now.” Joseph Aruta, senior marketing manager for value platforms category at Jollibee states as the fast food chain introduces a new ordering feature on its app.

The “Order and Pick Up” feature on the Jollibee app allows on-the-go individuals to place their orders ahead and claim them at their preferred branch at their most convenient time.

Using the feature, customers can select a store, specify their preferred time and date of pick-up, and choose their orders using their phone. Upon arrival at the store, they can go directly to the claiming area to collect their orders, or stay in their car while the store crew hands them their order.

For added convenience, Jollibee also offers cashless modes of payment via debit or credit card.

Customers can also use the Order and Pick Up service via Facebook Messenger, or by texting or calling their preferred branch. Check out www.jollibeedelivery.com/store-directory.

The new Order and Pick Up feature on the Jollibee app lets customers place their orders ahead of time and claim them at their preferred branch.

By Teddy Manansala, RND

Food directory

FoodPH is Viber’s official food directory that includes micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Instant messaging platform Viber enables Philippine users to easily search and purchase homemade dishes and delicacies from micro, small, and medium enterprises through FoodPH. FoodPH is the official food directory of Viber through which buyers can discover and look for a specific type of food and safely transact with sellers. The directory also allows subscribers to filter suggested food choices based on their location.

On the other hand, FoodPH also supports local MSMEs by helping them get more reach and visibility on a larger platform.

The enterprises that are part of the directory are sourced and accredited by Viber as merchants. Some of them also got to be listed through the help of Globe MyBusiness “We hope that we’ll be able to help MSMEs bounce back from the effects of the pandemic with this new feature,” says Anna Znamenskaya, chief growth officer of Rakuten Viber.

“FoodPH is just a realization of Rakuten Viber’s long-time commitment to create easier and more positive mobile experiences for our users.”

SIP

Shack’s new drinks

SHAKE Shack’s new beverage offerings for the new year are refreshing and sweet.

The chain’s bestselling lemonade gets a twist, blended with lychee puree to make the refreshing Lychee Lemonade (starts at P130).

Meanwhile, the new Strawberry Cookies and Cream Shake (P190) smells as sweet as it tastes. It’s made with vanilla custard blended with

strawberry puree and vanilla cookies, topped with whipped cream and vanilla cookie crumble.

Both beverages are now available at Shake Shack branches in Central Square (8255-3240), Megamall (83621450), and Greenbelt (7933-6724).

Shake Shack’s new Lychee Lemonade and Strawberry Cookies and Cream Shake.