Manila Standard - 2021 January 27 - Wednesday

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Cordillera new virus hotspot Region reverts to GCQ Feb. 1-15, records 'exponential' surge in cases

By Dave Leprozo and Willie Casas

T

HE Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will be placed under a general community quarantine (GCQ) from February 1 to 15, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong confirmed on Tuesday.

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 323 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Magalong, as the government’s contract tracing czar for the coronavirus crisis, said the region will be downgraded from its current Modified GCQ or MGCQ status, the government’s lightest lockdown level amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stricter border control will also be implemented between Benguet and Mountain Province, which has seen a rash of cases of the more contagious United Kingdom variant of the coronavirus, during the same period.

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EMPTY OUTSIDE, FULL INSIDE. As the streets of Bontoc

are practically deserted amid the transmission of the more contagious UK variant of the coronavirus, health workers and contact tracers perform free swab tests on Tuesday on 2,200 residents of five barangays in the municipality – plus 1,600 more outside Bontoc -- to ensure the virus that causes COVID-19 doesn’t spread. Dave Leprozo

• Rody to get jab on backside ‘Trust gov’t in COVID fight or follow opposition’ • Unregistered vax from UAE NUMBERS RISING. This graphic from the Mountain Province Provincial Health Office shows the number of new cases in the area, with the capital Bontoc having the most cases at 37.

By Vito Barcelo. Willie Casas the pandemic efficiently through its coordination with local government units and and Macon Ramos-Araneta the private sector, saying if ever there are people who want to believe what the opPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has said position says, follow them, otherwise folthe government is seriously addressing low the government.

Duterte made the statement during his televised public address Monday night, expressing hope that the pandemic would end soon as the vaccine was ready to roll out in the coming months.

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MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said that President Rodrigo Duterte will have his COVID-19 vaccine in private because he’s going to be injected in his buttocks.

“It’s final, in private, because he is going to be injected in the ass; it cannot

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III urged lawmakers to help jumpstart the country’s recovery by acting swiftly on “doable” priority measures such as longdue reforms in the corporate income tax and fiscal incentives system and easing restrictions on foreign ownership in certain sectors of the economy.

These priority measures include the proposed Corporate Recovery andTax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) and amendments to “anachronis-

tic” laws such as the 84-year old Public Service Act, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Foreign Investments law, Dominguez said at Tuesday's hearing of the House committee on constitutional amendments.

With only 17 months left before President Duterte ends his term of office, Dominguez asked members of the Congress “to act on something that is doable.”

“What is most important is to undertake what is immediately achievable,” said Dominguez during the hearing of this House committee chaired by AKOBICOL partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. Next page

AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM JAN. 26)

516,166 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

1,173 30,357 GUARD UP. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on Monday night. Presidential Photo

By Rio N. Araja, Rey Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

PHILHEALTH: P15B RODY MULLS OVER NOW 'LIQUIDATED' FOOD PRICE FREEZE NEWS / A2

NEWS / A3

NEW

ACTIVE

10,386

94

475,423

18

DEATHS

UP hits military over illegal use of its seal, hues

NEW JUSTICE. New Supreme Court Justice Jhosep Lopez (center) is sworn in by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta (right) on Tuesday after President Rodrigo Duterte elevated the erstwhile Court of Appeals Associate Justice as the 190th magistrate of the High Court.

See story on A2.

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COVID-19 PH

'Fire up recovery with doable bills'

By Julito G. Rada and Maricel V. Cruz

be done in public,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in his daily press briefing.

“It was the President’s decision to get vaccinated privately,” he added.

Earlier, Vice President Leni Robredo,

OFFICIALS of the University of the Philippines Diliman on Tuesday asserted academic freedom as they denounced the red-tagging that followed the end of the accord that kept the military out of its campuses for three decades.

The UP Diliman Executive Committee said no less than the 1987 Constitution guarantees academic freedom for all institutions of higher education.

The UP community is protesting the unilateral abrogation of the university's 1989 agreement with the Department of National Defense, which barred state forces from entering campus without prior notice to school officials.

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RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

Labor union quits Red-tagged group THE labor union of government social welfare workers has withdrawn from the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) after the latter was tagged as a Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in a recent Senate hearing.

The national council of the Social

Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines (SWEAP-National) on January 21 passed a resolution discontinuing its affiliation with COURAGE after 13 of its 17 council members voted to leave the recognized umbrella organization of public sector unions in the country.

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NEW DEPUTY SPEAKER. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco flank and congratulate new Deputy Speaker and Davao Rep. Isidro Ungab (center) during the oath taking ceremony at the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Ver Noveno

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

PhilHealth says P15b ‘liquidated’ Former PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales resigned in 2020 after he and other officials were accused of pocketing P15 billion, approving alleged overpriced projects and releasing funds to supposedly favored hospitals.

Meanwhile, the House of Representa-

tives is poised to approve on final reading soon a measure seeking to grant the president of the Philippines the power to suspend the scheduled increases in PhilHealth’s premium contributions.

This came after the House passed on second reading House Bill 8461 that

would amend Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Healthcare Act by giving the President the power to defer the scheduled PhilHealth contribution increases in times of national emergencies or when the public interest so requires.

Morales' successor Dante Gierran said lawmakers instructed him to find the allegedly stolen funds.

“In truth, that was not lost, it's just there on record. Ninety-two percent has been liquidated. Only a little is missing. I will not allow the funds of the Filipinos to disappear,” Gierran said The 8 percent that PhilHealth is yet to account for will be about P120 million.

Mt. Province...

growth rate of the virus in the last two weeks, which indicated an alarming surge of infections.

Given the spike in infections, Pangilinan said that the DOH sought help from Magalong, who has had success with contact tracing in Baguio City.

Some members of Pangilinan’s contact tracing team will establish an incident command post with an enhanced database system that will be based in the Bontoc municipal capitol.

Pangilinan said the exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 cases was the “utter disregard” of public health standards—such as the wearing of masks and social distancing—over the Christmas holidays.

The health official also said provincial and local epidemiology and surveillance units must be more vigilant in their monitoring and reporting of new cases.

She commended the Mountain Province surveillance unit for the early detection of the more infectious UK variant of the coronavirus in the province.

Pangilinan said barangay health emergency response teams must be mobilized to monitor cases and ensure that those under home quarantine are really isolating themselves.

LGUs, she said, should also have safety officers who will ensure that minimum public health standards are observed.

She recommended that people who do not wear masks and establishments that allow social gatherings that do not enforce social distancing be penalized.

She also urged provincial and local of-

ficials to set the right example by following minimum public health standards.

“Everything boils down to discipline.

Let us start in our own homes, offices and then let it radiate to the community where we are,” she said.

Bontoc is at a standstill as the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) imposed a lockdown to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.

The surge in COVID-19 cases in the town has led to a shortage of hospital beds and health care workers, Dr. Ruby Constantino, director of the Cordillera Center for Health Development, said.

A new building intended for drug rehabilitation will be used to accommodate 75 mild and asymptomatic patients, she told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo, as the province awaits approval for the emergency hiring of more health care workers.

Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsey issued an executive order mandating free mass testing in barangays Bontoc III, Caluttit, Poblacion, Samoki, and Tocucan.

The DOH confirmed Monday evening that there was local transmission, and not community transmission, of the new and more transmissible UK variant of COVID-19 in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

“The Department of Health confirms local transmission in Bontoc of the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 as identified through genomic sequencing,” the DOH said in a statement, referring to the variant first detected in the United Kingdom.

“To date, all identified cases with the

UK variant can be epidemiologically linked to cases coming directly from outside the country (importation) or from specific cases or exposures that can still be identified (local transmission),” the DOH said.

“We have found no strong evidence of community transmission based on the following WHO definitions for community transmission,” the DOH said.

Community transmission refers to the appearance of a large number of cases, occurrence of case clusters in multiple areas, and inability to link cases to known sources of infection, the World Health Organization says.

The DOH also revised the initial information it released Monday morning that the “index case” or possible source of infections in Bontoc was a Filipino who came from the United Kingdom.

The DOH clarified that the man, who arrived in Bontoc in December, tested positive for COVID-19 but negative for the new variant. His wife, who accompanied him to Bontoc, tested negative for COVID-19.

The cluster of cases in Brgy. Samoki in Bontoc was previously reported to have begun with the man.

A total of 46 contacts linked to the man, who “mingled with relatives and neighbors” and attended a traditional ritual in Bontoc, tested positive for COVID-19.

But while the man was negative for the UK variant, 12 of the 46 had the UK variant in their samples. There are 28 more that are awaiting genome sequencing.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases' (IATF) move to lower the age of individuals allowed to go out has drawn criticisms from the OCTA Research Team and other health professionals, especially with the arrival of the UK variant of the coronavirus, which is more transmissible.

Duterte, in his weekly public address on Monday, said he reversed the IATF's decision as "a precaution."

Metro Manila gets past holiday surge Metro Manila is past the expected surge of COVID-19 cases following the holidays, the OCTA Research Team said on Tuesday.

OCTA, an independent group of researchers, saw last month a spike in COVID-19 cases as Filipinos went out to shop and gather for the holidays.

“Yes, we're past it. The number of cas-

es increased in the first week of January but this was because our testing during the holidays halved so when it resumed the cases increased,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

“We did not see the effect of the holiday surge in Metro Manila, same with the Traslacion,” David said.

The daily average of virus cases in the capital region remains the same before the holidays at around 400, David said as he noted cases in other regions such as Cebu have increased.

Other areas such as Mt. Province, where the more contagious COVID-19 variant first detected in the UK was recently reported, had doubledits cases in weeks, he added.

Unregistered vaccines came for UAE An official of Sinopharm’s local distributor MKG Universal Trading

Corp. on Tuesday said the unregistered COVID-19 vaccine used in the Philippines was from the clinical trials in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

MKG President and CEO Mark Tolentino, in an interview on CNN Philippines, said they are investigating how about 20 vials of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines reached the country. He said they have not found out yet who brought the vaccines here.

In December last year, President Rodrigo Duterte said that many have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 using the Sinopharm vaccine, which is not registered yet with the Food and Drug Administration.

Tolentino said based on information they gathered, only a few of Sinopharm vaccines, 10 to 20 vials, reached Philippine shores illegally. Willie Casas

The decision of Galvez is not, I said, the sum total of it all. It has to be reviewed,” Duterte said.

“And finally for me, I will take a look and ask around if it is really reasonable pricing for us,” he added.

The price of the COVID-19 vaccines purchased by the government is among the contentious issues tackled in a recent Senate inquiry.

Some lawmakers have pressed officials to reveal the price for the sake of transparency but Galvez declined to do so owing to the confidentiality deal with the manufacturers.

The Palace earlier dispelled concerns about the alleged high cost of the vaccine, saying a dose developed by China’s Sinovac only costs more or less P600.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military would play an important role in the government COVID-19 vaccine rollout through the use of its facilities and its personnel know-how.

In his report to President Duterte on Monday, Lorenzana said they accepted the offer of businessman Joey Concepcion to train military-medical personnel in conducting vaccination drives especially in the provinces.

The training will start next week in time before the first vaccine delivery arrives, Lorenzana said.

‘Fire...

“It is preferable, of course, to achieve the liberalization reforms in one blow.

But if there are things that we can do to open up the economy through administrative measures, we must implement them. If there are areas that we can liberalize by amending our existing laws, then let's do that,” added Dominguez, who heads President Duterte’s economic team.

Easing restrictive provisions in the Constitution would be a significant way to rev up the economy, but Dominguez declined to talk about constitutional amendments.

“The means for amending the Constitution, however, is a political question.

And I would not dare advise our legislators on the matter,” he said.

Dominguez said his proposed investment liberalization strategies that involve the immediate congressional passage of CREATE and the relaxation of the restrictions on foreign ownership, except land, “should accomplish enough to enable our rapid economic recovery.”

As a result of restrictive provisions in the Constitution, the Philippines has received vastly less foreign direct investments than its neighbors in Southeast

Asia, Dominguez said.

Starting the process towards a more liberalized investment climate, he said, would send a strong signal to the international community that the Philippines is open for business.

“Immediately, the Congress can help in restarting our economy by acting on our pending priority economic bills,” Dominguez said.

He said these measures would complement the reforms that the government is now implementing, such as the "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure modernization program and the Ease of Doing Business law, Dominguez said.

He said the ban on foreign ownership of educational institutions has only led to the closure of several private schools during the pandemic.

“High-level skills development in the country should be opened to foreign equity. The Philippines' strategic location and proficiency in English undeniably make it a highly viable site for future offshore campuses of internationally recognized learning institutions,” he said.

Dominguez said those who insist on keeping the economy’s protectionist policies should learn from the liberalization of the rice trade through the implementation of the rice tariffication law.

administration through its Media and Public Relations Office reacted to a recent post going around social media emanating from the AFP’s Civil Relations Service Facebook account, featuring one Michael Eric Castillo, which the post identified as a UP professor.

In a series of Facebook posts, the AFP CRS quoted Castillo, who supposedly expressed his support for the abrogation of the UP-DND agreement.

In one of the posts, Castillo was also

quoted saying that a “silent majority” in the UP community was supporting the termination of the accord signed in 1989.

The university stressed it respects and upholds the right of all its constituents to freedom of expression and academic freedom.

“In relation to the said post, we would like to clarify the following: First, as of writing, Mr. Castillo is no longer affiliated with the University as a faculty member.

He served as a part-time senior lecturer

of UP Diliman from 2013 to 2017. The use of the title of ‘UP Professor’ to refer to him is inaccurate and misleading,” the university said.

“Secondly, this post violates the rules and policies of the University of the Philippines regarding the unauthorized use of the UP seal, the UP Oblation, and the UP colors. This is not an official UP post, and the use of official UP symbols is inappropriate and improper,” it told the AFP.

By Maricel V. Cruz

S

TATE medical insurer PhilHealth said Tuesday it had "liquidated" most of the P15 billion that former officials were accused last year of pocketing.

From A1

Magalong said this means that travelers seeking to enter Benguet and Mountain Province must present a medical clearance to authorities.

Only essential travel will be allowed, he added.

This coincided with a regional health official saying Tuesday the surge of COVID-19 cases in the region was “exponential,” but told provincial and local officials that with discipline, they could get the spread under control.

Amelita M. Pangilinan, assistant regional director of the Department of Health (DOH)-CAR, led a team of contract tracers from Baguio City and other DOH regional offices to help contact tracing efforts in Bontoc town, Mountain Province.

Mountain Province recorded 56 new confirmed cases Tuesday with its capital Bontoc accounting for 37. The other confirmed cases are from the municipalities of Sabangan (9), Sagada (4), Sadanga (2), Tadian (2), Bauko (1) and Paracelis (1).

The Provincial Health Office reported 465 active cases.

The Cordillera has 10,491 confirmed cases as of Tuesday, and the DOH last week tagged the region as a “high-risk” area for the coronavirus due to the increasing virus attack and growth rates.

Records from the DOH-Cordillera showed CAR recorded a 199-percent

• Rody...

From A1

one of his vocal critics, had said that if the Chief Executive gets a public jab, the Filipino people might be convinced about the efficacy and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. Vito Barcelo DOH welcomes rule on kids The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to reverse the policy allowing children aged 10 to 14 to go out with their parents or guardians amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the DOH said the President's decision "will give us time for at least two cycles of genome sequencing with adequate representation from all regions to determine the extent of the transmission of the variant of concern."

‘Trust...

From A1

“The only salvation, actually, for those who have not been sickened with COVID-19 and pending the rollout of the vaccine is really that you follow the (health) protocol imposed by the government,” the President said.

“Again, to the Filipino people, ‘for those who want to believe the opposition and to people trying to make an impression, go side with them and if not, you’re with us,” Duterte, partly in Filipino, said.

“If you follow them (government), then you have great chances of not getting it or at last when you get it, there’s already the vaccine, then it will somehow mitigate the (sickness and) give you the relief of the propensity of this microbe to multiply, to increase,” Duterte said.

The President also vowed to personally look into the prices of the coronavirus vaccines secured by the government to determine if they were “reasonable.”

Cost of vaccines Duterte said he intended to “take a look and ask around” about the cost of the vaccines, saying the government’s supply arrangements made by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. would still undergo a review.

“That’s not the end of everything.

UP...

From A1

University officials also called the attention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the unauthorized use of the state university's seal, Oblation and colors in the military's campaign against the supposed breeding grounds of communist groups in big colleges in Metro Manila.

Posted on its official website, the UP

From A1

Around 13 PhilHealth personnel had been suspended over supposed anomalies, Gierran said.

Last year, PhilHealth's nearly P1 billion debt to the Philippine Red Cross temporarily forced the humanitarian organization to halt its screening for the novel coronavirus. At that time, the PRC was responsible for about a quarter of all the COVID-19 tests in the country.

PhilHealth still owed the PRC about P400 million, which would be settled “subject to validation,” said Gierran.

"We have money," he added, saying PhilHealth had P132 billion as of November last year.

Rody elevates CA justice Lopez to High Court

By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has promoted Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez as the 190th magistrate of the Supreme Court.

Lopez will fill the post vacated by Justice Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla, who retired last year at 62, eight years ahead of the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges.

The SC approved Baltazar-Padilla's application for disability retirement last November.

The Judicial and Bar Council has shortlisted Lopez several times for an SC post.

He served as City prosecutor of Manila before being appointed to the Court of Appeals in May 2012.

Lopez’s appointment completes the 15-member bench, but another seat will be vacant when Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta retires in March.

The JBC has opened applications for Peralta's successor.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte signed Lopez’s appointment papers on Monday.

“The President expects Justice Lopez will ensure judicial independence and rule of law as well as continue the reforms in the court process,” Roque said in a press briefing.

Senate OKs bills suspending SSS contribution hike

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEPARATE Senate committees on Tuesday approved proposed measures which seek to suspend the Social Security System contribution hike, but it was unclear if the approvals included provisions for the President to suspend the increase or it will be made through legislation.

The Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises and the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, in a joint hearing, tackled 3 bills on the postponement of increasing monthly contributions of the SSS to 13% of the salaries of members from the current 12% to be implemented this month and giving the Philippine President the power to do so.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on government corporations, said the President should still be given authority to make a decision on the matter.

Labor...

From A1

This was after National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) DirectorGeneral Alex Paul Monteagudo, in a Senate hearing on red-tagging last November 3, 2020, identified COURAGE along with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) as “CTG front organizations that undertake infiltration of the government.”

COURAGE has yet to respond to queries from Manila Standard seeking comment. The group has more than 200 affiliate unions and employees' associations, according to its official Facebook page.

SWEAP National, which represents the employees' association of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and all its chapters had been affiliated with COURAGE since the year 2000 through its National Council Resolution No. 00-007.

But under SWEAP-National Council Resolution No. 001 series of 2021, the social welfare workers’ group said 13 of their chapter presidents “voted for the discontinuance of the affiliation, three others voted for its continuity, while one abstained” and agreed to stop paying monthly dues to COURAGE. In its two-page resolution, SWEAP National said its affiliation with COURAGE was put in question in recent years owing to latter’s “collection of fees and its utilization,” as well as “the activities being engaged” and “the service provided to affiliate members.”

These issues, SWEAP said, led to the clamor among their members, “including members of the National Council which then led to the discussion and evaluation of the affiliation.”

The social welfare workers debated the issue in SWEAP’s 4th Quarter National Council meeting last December 16, 2000, when it was agreed that the council could debate on their membership with COURAGE and put it to a vote. Jimbo Gulle

News Salceda files bill to abolish ‘cedula’, ease registrations

By Maricel V. Cruz AN OFFICIAL on Tuesday filed a bill seeking to streamlines government processes, abolish the Community Tax Certificate and order that business registration be reduced to one day.

The bill would also provide that social services be made accessible anywhere in the country.

Albay Rep. Jose Clemente Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, filed House Bill 8455 titled “Government Services Modernization Bill,” which would streamline inefficient government processes and abolish redundant government processes and requirements.

Among the reforms in the bill are the abolition of the cedula or community tax certificate, one-day business registration and the “portability” of all social benefits including Philhealth, Social Security System, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and other social programs.

“The cedula has become obsolete for almost all intents and purposes. It’s time we phased it out as it adds nearly an entire day to most government transactions that require it. The cedula was established when the use of government identification cards was not yet widespread. That is no longer the case. As a government requirement, punitin na natin ang cedula,” Salceda said.

Salceda’s bill would allow the President to suspend requiring the Community Tax Certification or cedula in government transactions.

“The cedula has been found to be an inadequate form of identification and an ineffective tool for local government collection, and is hence redundant in most occasions,” Salceda explains in his bill.

The use of the modern community tax certificate as a form of identification is prescribed in the (Aquilino Jr.) Pimentel Law, the Local Government Code. Section 163 of the LGC requires individuals to present a CTC when Acknowledging a document before a notary public, taking the oath of office upon election or appointment to government service, receiving licenses or permits from public authorities, receiving money from a public fund, transacting official business and receiving salary or wages from a person or corporation.

“The cedula is obviously redundant for all of these transactions. It’s time for it to go,” Salceda said.

Salceda’s bill would also provide that social benefits be linked with the National ID system to prevent them from being used in politics as in the case of certain benefits that are linked to specific local governments or territorial jurisdictions.

A3

Rody mulls over food price freeze

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will act on the Department of Agriculture’s proposal to impose a price ceiling on pork and other food products in a bid to temper the soaring retail prices of farm commodities, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Let’s just await the decision of the President],” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual Palace press briefing.

The DA, along with other government agencies and Metro Manila mayors, have agreed to recommend to Duterte to impose stricter price measures on food items

such as pork, chicken, fish and vegetables.

The recommendation came as consumers continued to bear the brunt of the rising cost of food amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Jan. 21, Agriculture Secretary William Dar expressed hope that Duterte will

issue an executive order imposing a price cap on select food items in public markets.

Roque said the President needed time to decide on the proposal.

“It was a recommendation made by the authorized Cabinet secretary and it’s a matter of time before the President acts on it,” he said.

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s price monitoring report, the prices of meat and vegetables this month rose by 50 to 275 percent compared to January last year.

The DA, the Department of Trade and

Industry, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Metro Manila Mayors have signed a resolution seeking Duterte’s go signal to impose a price cap on pork at PHP270 per kilogram for kasim pigue and PHP300 per kilo for liempo.

They also suggested a price ceiling of PHP160 for dressed chicken.

The last time a price freeze was imposed was in November last year following the declaration of a state of calamity in Luzon in the wake of Typhoon Ulysses.

KIDS’ TIME OUT.

Volunteers from Bless the Children Foundation collect the height data of children during their feeding program at Baseco compound in Manila on Tuesday, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte reversed a government decision allowing children aged 10 to 14 years old to go outside their homes due to the new COVID-19 variant.

Norman Cruz

Locsin halts DFA blood money payments to Villavende family

By Rey E. Requejo FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday ordered the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait to stop the payment of P7.5 million in blood money to the family of slain Filipino worker Jeanelyn Villavende.

Locsin expressed disapproval over the possibility of entertaining the payment of blood money by the convicted employers of Villavende in exchange for withdrawing the charges against them.

He ordered Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Noordin Pendosina Lomondot to ensure that the death penalty for Villavende’s employer would be carried out.

“Lomondot to report in writing the shenanigans going on there and what he’s done about it, what he’s done to stop it.

We had this; he lost it; he’s gotta get it back. All trips to Middle East for photo ops and palabas stopped. Travel money needed to match blood money,” Locsin said, in a Twitter post.

“Malacañang is on to this ignominy. There

must be hell to pay if anyone on our side shows ambivalence and a lack of total commitment. This is unforgivable,” he added.

In an earlier post, Locsin said any offer of blood money must be rejected.

“There will be blood. I renounce [and] reject any offer of blood money for her torture/murder. I want two lives for the life they took. The top-notch lawyer hired by the Department of Foreign Affairs to prosecute is not authorized to suggest or accept blood money from her killers,” Locsin said.

“If I catch anyone in DFA making that suggestion they’re fired. I will not accept an improvement in Kuwait’s labor standards either. All I care about is blood for blood. Meanwhile, I will post her autopsy photos in the halls of DFA.” Philippine and Kuwaiti officials earlier met and expressed hope that the issues on the rights and protections for the 150,000 Filipino domestic workers in Kuwait would be resolved through the soon-to-beconvened Joint Committee Meeting on the 2018 Agreement on Domestic Workers.

BI: 3k Chinese deported in 2020

MARIAN DEVOTION. A

woman puts a bouquet of flowers in the hand of the icon of Santa Maria Jacobe, the patron saint of Sitio Buisan, which was included in the procession of the Feast of San Pablo Apostol in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Monday.

Despite the pandemic, Filipino Catholics do not forget their vows to their saints. JR Josue

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration deported last year more than 3,000 aliens who were found to have violated immigration laws.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Chinese deportees, who totaled 3,009, comprised the bulk of the 3,219 aliens who were sent out in 2020.

“Deported aliens are automatically placed in our blacklist, and are banned from re-entering the Philippines,” Morente said.

He said many of the deportees were arrested for working without a permit, involvement in unauthorized online gam-

PNP: More evidence in Dacera case THE police are set to present additional pieces of evidence before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday for the continuation of the preliminary investigation on the death of flight attendant Christine Dacera.

“Tomorrow is 27. We will be submitting all available evidence. I hope the fiscal will appreciate it for finally filing the information against the suspects, but if there is none, definitely the case will be dismissed,” National Capital Region Police Office Chief Vicente Danao Jr. told reporters on Tuesday.

Danao, however, refused to provide details regarding the matter.

“We will reserve it for now,” Danao said.

Danao says he has yet to implement Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas’ order to relieve four Makati City

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

police officers due to their possible liability over the handling of Dacera’s case.

“We will deal with it later,” he said.

The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management has recommended the relief of Makati police chief Col. Harold Depositar, two investigators of the case, and a medico-legal officer and Scene of the Crime Operations personnel from the Southern Police District pending the investigation on their possible lapses and negligence.

Sinas earlier directed the DIDM to conduct a separate inquiry and recommend their findings on any liabilities of Makati police officers involved in the ongoing investigation of the Dacera case.

Danao says it will be very unfair to immediately relieve the Makati policemen without waiting for the outcome of the case.

Maynilad finishes 6.7km of pipelines

By Rio N. Araja

WEST zone Maynilad Water Services Inc. has completed the realignment, replacement and relocation of around 6.7 kilometers of water pipelines in 2020 to help speed up the implementation of several government infrastructure projects.

The reconfiguration of these primary and secondary pipelines were done in portions of Caloocan City, Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Parañaque City and Las Piñas City to give way to the ongoing construction work on new railways, drainage lines and other vital installations.

These include the construction of the Philippine National Railways North, MRT-7 and LRT1 Extension, which would help to ease travel for hundreds of commuters once completed.

ing operations, telecommunications fraud, economic crimes, investment scams and cybercrime activities.

“We have arrested big batches of aliens in the past years through the joint operations of BI operatives with other local law enforcement agencies,” said Morente.

But he noted that due to the pandemic the number of aliens deported last year was lower compared to the more than 6,000 who were expelled in 2019.

“This was a result of the travel restrictions imposed by the government, wherein very little number of aliens were able to enter the country,” he said.

SIMULATION. With Mayor Rex Gatchalian (right) watching, a volunteer for the

Valenzuela City government simulates the local government’s vaccination program against COVID-19 on Tuesday at the Malinta Elementary School, one of the 17 designated vaccination sites in the city. Andrew Rabulan

Murder of Malaybalay priest condemned

By Macon Ramos-Araneta OPPOSITION Senator Leila M. de Lima has condemned the murder of a priest from the Diocese of Malaybalay in Bukidnon and whose death, she said, showed the worsening culture of killing under the Duterte regime.

De Lima said the recent killing of Rene Regalado, 42, was just another manifestation of the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of killings in the country.

“The unabated killings in the country—from priests to farmers, activists, lawyers and citizens from the vulnerable sector of society-are the result of the impunity and violence propagated by this murderous regime who show no regard for human life,” she said.

“Assassins targeting priests had been a no-no in PH modern history.

Ngayon lang sa ilalim ng isang berdugong Pangulo.”

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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(MS-THIRD PUBLICATION JAN. 27, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

SMC hits 55k kilos of food in Tondo support NOT letting up on its pandemic response efforts, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) reported that its food assistance program for families in the poorest districts of Tondo has reached 55,000 kilos of staple goods, distributed weekly to families since the health crisis struck in March last year.

The program is just one of several initiatives undertaken by SMC’s Better World Tondo feeding and community learning center.

SMC president Ramon S. Ang said for the past ten months, some 465 families have been receiving grocery products every week from SMC’s Better World Tondo community center. The grocery packs consist of meat and other frozen products and various canned goods from SMC’s food unit, San Miguel Foods, as well as fish and vegetables.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck last year, the center shifted its operations from providing daily meals to handing out weekly groceries for children attending its after-school program and their families.

“Through our SMC Better World Tondo, we’ve been able to have a direct impact on the day-to-day lives of our families there. Even if the children are not able to attend daily classes and have their meals at the center, every week, we provide grocery products for their entire families, to make sure they stay healthy, and also help keep more of them at home,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang.

Novaliches set to use churches as vaccine sites QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday thanked the Diocese of Novaliches for allowing the use of their big parishes as inoculation sites ahead of the arrival of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in the country.

At their breakfast meeting, the Diocese of Novaliches, led by Bishop Most Rev. Fr. Roberto Gaa, expressed their willingness to let the city use their facilities as vaccination sites.

“The city is grateful to the Diocese of Novaliches, especially to Bishop Most Rev. Fr. Roberto Gaa, for letting us use their parishes’ facilities for our COVID-19 vaccination drives.

Since the community quarantine was implemented, they have been working closely with us and they do whatever they can for our city,” Belmonte said.

“With some of our residents expressing hesitancy to be inoculated, the strong support and active participation of the church in the government’s vaccination drive will definitely help raise the confidence and trust of our people in vaccination,” she added.

The Diocese also agreed to use KyusiPass, the city’s contact tracing application, in their parishes to help the city government in its contact tracing efforts.

Apart from the facilities, Diocese of Novaliches Vicar General Fr. Tony Labiao Jr. said the church would also help the city in mobilizing its parishioners to take part in its vaccination.

“Malaki ang impact kapag nakiisa ang simbahan sa mga ganitong programa ng pamahalaan lalo na sa mga parishioner. The Diocese is always willing to help the city especially if it is for the common good of the community,” Fr. Labiao said. Rio N. Araja

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

AIDING TONDO. SMC’s Better World Tondo facility has been helping some 465 families in Manila’s poorest districts for more than a year now, providing meals and after-school tutorials for children. Since the start of the pandemic, it has been providing weekly food supplies for these families, with grocery donations reaching 55,000 kilos to date.

People’s Council eyed for every LGU

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE House of Representatives has approved the creation of a People’s Council in every local government unit as a way to provide a mechanism by which citizens’ views and opinions in different areas of governance may be heard and considered.

The chamber approved on third and final reading House Bill 7950 or the People

Empowerment Act by a 217-0 vote. The bill is principally authored by Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco, and Reps.

Florida Robes, also chairperson of the House Committee on People’s Participation which tackled the bill, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Francis Gerald Abaya, Alfonso Umali Jr., Rosanna Vergara, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Solomon Chungalao, Macnell Lusotan and Manuel Cabochan III. Under the bill, a People’s Council

shall be created in every local government unit. Its members shall be composed of civil society organizations (CSOs) that will be accredited by the local Sanggunian upon proof of submission of several requirements which include proof of existence for at least one year, proof of activities, list of membership, officers, among others.

The People’s Council shall also elect among themselves their representatives to all local government bodies, boards,

councils, committees, task forces, special government bodies and other similar work groups which the local government or national laws may create. They may participate in the conceptualization and evaluation of government activities, activities, and programs of the LGU, propose legislation and participate at the committee level of the local Sanggunian.

The bills also create a Provincial People’s Council (PPC) in every province which shall be composed of representatives from the municipality and city People’s Council within the province’s jurisdiction. Members of the city and municipal council shall elect among themselves a representative to the PPC who shall sit as member of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan and shall exercise the duties and powers of a Provincial Board member.

REDS SURRENDER. PBGEN Manuel M Abu, Acting Director of the Integrated Police Operations-Southern Luzon, receives a rifle from a former New People’s Army rebel, one of 75 who have surrendered to the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) 4A. Abu represented PNP Chief General Debold Sinas, as Calabarzon Police Regional Director PBGEN Felipe R Natividad (right) lauded the communist rebels for returning to the fold of the law. Roy Tomandao

8 Pampanga hospitals get P1m each from PCSO

By Jess Malabanan CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Eight government hospitals in Pampanga received P1 million financial aid each from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for procurement of medicines and other medical needs of patients.

PCSO-Pampanga General Manager Ma

Lourdes Soliman turned the checks to Governor Dennis Pineda during simple rites held at the Provincial Capitol Tuesday.

Among recipients are the Domingo B. Flores District Hospital, Dr. Andres J. Luciano District Hospital, Jose Songco Lapid District Hospital, San Luis District Hospital, Escolastica Romero District Hospital, Mabalacat District

Hospital, Romana Pangan District Hospital, and Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz, Sr. Memorial Hospital.

Soliman said the PCSO also allocated another P2 million intended for two district hospitals in Pampanga. “Actually, sampo ‘yan. May dalawang district hospitals pa ang hindi nabibigyan, pero susunod na rin ‘yan.”

LGUs share climate strategies

CDC DONATION. Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan (3rd from left) leads the turnover of various protective materials to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Regional Director PBGen. Valeriano T. De Leon (4th from left). Joining them are (from left) Deputy Regional Director for Administration (DRDA) PCol Narciso D. Domingo, Melanie Dea Lambang, DIPO-NL Deputy Director PBGen. Domingo S. Cabillan, RIAS 3 PBGen Francisco Esguerra, and DRDO PCol. Pedor Soliba. Jess Malabanan

LOCAL government officials shared their efforts to make their communities resilient from both climate change and COVID-19 in today’s launch of a webinar series for the online international Climate Adaptation Summit hosted this year by the Netherlands.

The three-webinar series, “Climate Change and COVID-19: Adapting to Two New Normals,” is organized by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Manila with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.

Representatives of the local governments of Coron, Palawan; Mandaue City, Cebu; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar shared how the climate resilience plans and multisectoral networks they have been lead-

ing in their respective cities and towns became instrumental in their localities’ response to the pandemic.

“Communities and local governments must have the tools and means to strengthen their resilience and must have a say in how national policy is designed and implemented. Through your work, you have experienced building strong, healthy, and resilient communities. Now, it’s time to share these experiences with other communities in the Philippines and the wider global community through the Climate Adaptation Summit,” said Pieter Terpstra, the Netherlands Embassy in Manila’s Deputy Head of Mission for the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Joy: Academic freedom for UP assured in QC

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON Mayor Joy Belmonte assures all faculty and students in the University of the Philippines Diliman of the City Government’s support for academic freedom in the embattled University.

“I was a lecturer at the UP before, and I know how important academic freedom is in an educational institution,” Belmonte said.

“True learning will only happen in an environment where there is a free discourse of ideas by all members of the community,” she added.

Quezon City is known as a bastion of higher learning being host to many prestigious universities and colleges.

“In Quezon City, academic freedom will always be protected and upheld,” the city mayor said.

Belmonte taught MA students at the University of the Philippines’ Archaeological Studies Program after completing postgraduate degrees in Archaeology and Museum Studies in the United Kingdom.

The Executive Officer of the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), or the people’s court for erring policemen, vowed that any abusive conduct of policemen that may be done in the UP Campus will be dealt with accordingly.

“We pledge that disciplinary action awaits possible abusive conduct by policemen inside the UP Diliman campus. Please be reminded that we all live in a democracy where basic freedoms, including academic freedom, must be upheld,” said PLEB lawyerhead Rafael Calinisan, also a UP Diliman alumnus.

NBI arrests 5 for occupying Antipolo site

By Willie Casas OPERATIVES of the National Bureau of Investigation-Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) have arrested five suspects for illegal occupation of a protected area in Antipolo City.

NBI OIC-Director Eric B. Distor identified Subjects as Milanio Resureccion, Zernan Villafranca, Jojo Mallorca, Marwin Lleavanes, and Erwin Intela.

OIC-Distor said that on January 12, 2021, a request from DENR-PENR Rizal was sent to the NBI-EnCD requesting assistance and joint operation in Sitio San Ysiro, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City.

The area located within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) has illegal occupants who constructed infrastructure without Protected Area Management Board clearance.

During the verification and inquiries, a report was received that a certain “ELIO”, one of the five identified illegal occupants within UMRBPL, is allegedly involved in selling the other portions of the land also falling within UMRBPL.

Opinion A sneak attack on academic freedom

IS THIS administration hell-bent on destroying the University of the Philippines as a citadel of academic freedom and critical thinking and transforming it into, well, sort of a Duterte Diehards School or DDS? That’s what it looks like from where we sit, with the Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) ganging up on the premier State University.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a former army general, delivered the opening salvo against UP by unilaterally abrogating an agreement between the government and the university; the agreement bars the unauthorized presence of police and military on UP campuses. In a press conference, he showed pictures of UP students who he said had been killed by government troops in encounters with anti-government rebels.

He even referred to the UP Police Force as a “private army.”

The AFP then charged that UP has long been monitored as a recruiter of members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA). The abrogation of the agreement was needed, a spokesman said, as this would give them the chance to conduct seminars among students and faculty and wean them away from the influence of the CPP-NPA. The PNP, for its part, joined the fray by claiming that the barangay where the university is located is also a “crime hotspot.” The PNP spokesperson said Barangay UP Diliman ranked the 20th among the 142 barangays that have been “in the peace and order indicator” of Quezon City since 2016.

Quoting figures from the National Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System, the Camp Crame spokesman said index crimes in Barangay UP Diliman from 2016 to 2020 included 250 drug-related offenses, 106 thefts, 72 robberies, 36 physical injuries, 21 rapes, 14 murders, 23 car thefts and two robberies with homicide. The non-index crimes were illegal gambling, malicious mischief, violence against women and their children, direct assault, forcible abduction, homicide, acts of lasciviousness, estafa, child abuse, public health violations and obstruction of justice.

But the PNP appeared to be engaged in not-so-subtle gaslighting. Linking UP Diliman Campus to adjacent barangays and claiming that it is a hotbed of criminality is not only malicious but dangerous as it endangers the lives and safety of the UP community. In fact, a UP spokesperson later clarified, the main UP Diliman campus is distinct and separate from the parts of seven other barangays—Krus na Ligas, San Vicente, Botocan, Culiat, Old Capitol Site, Pansol and Vasra —that comprise the 493-hectare UP Diliman property.

Besides, the UP Diliman campus is the responsibility of the UP administration, while Barangay UP Diliman is under the supervision of the Department the Interior and Local Government and the Quezon City local government.

But we prefer to listen to what lawyers have to say about the crux of the matter.

The agreement between UP and the barring the unauthorized presence of police and military on campuses, according to Domingo Cayosa, national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), specifically provides that “nothing herein shall be construed as a prohibition against the enforcement of the laws of the land.”

Cayosa, a UP alumnus, reminded the administration that recruitment to communist groups and other organizations opposing the government did not only happen in UP. “Diverse groups, including those who oppose government, conduct recruitment in U.P. as they do in many other schools. Nevertheless, what truly impels and fuels dissent is not U.P. or its tradition of critical thinking and activism but the injustice, corruption, incompetence, abuse and oppression, poverty or hopelessness that citizens may experience or discern,” he explained.

Students should be encouraged to engage in open discussion and debate on critical issues, as this is necessary for our democracy to flourish.

The IBP is correct in pointing out that the DND should have conducted talks with the UP administration before unilaterally revoking the agreement.

“With or without the UP-DND agreement, academic freedom and all the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws of the land should be enjoyed in UP, or in any other university. UP can continue to responsibly use public funds to develop the best, brightest and critical minds, allow free expression of different ideas without fear of persecution, do outstanding research, meaningful extension and social work for nation-building,” he explained.

Still, he maintained that the government should respect UP’s autonomy as a center for academic freedom, as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Considering its institutional autonomy as a National University under R.A. 9500, primary authority and responsibility for effective security, safety, and welfare of the students, faculty and employees of UP rests with the officials of the UP System, not with the Department of National Defense or other government agencies/units,” he emphasized.

We agree completely with the stand of the national lawyers’ group. UP should be given free rein in asking questions about what’s happening in Philippine society. Students should be encouraged to engage in open discussion and debate on critical issues, as this is necessary for our democracy to flourish.

More than this, we unequivocally support UP’s untrammeled exercise of freedom of speech and expression and the right to peaceably assemble for redress of grievances as guaranteed by the fundamental law. ernhil@yahoo.com

Let sleeping dogs lie

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana should consider sidelining whoever advised him to end the 1989 DND-UP agreement that, among others, “prevents soldiers and policemen from conducting operations inside UP campuses without prior notice to school officials” without as much as educating the public specially UP officials and the UP community about the need to do so.

In fact, he should have just let the accord stand, as it was not even worth acknowledging by either of the parties under the present circumstances, save perhaps if there was an overt effort on the part of the security forces to cordon off the entire Diliman campus for whatever reason. Or, conversely, if some UP students and faculty with some groups in the wide expanse that is known as the UP community reprise the 1970 Diliman Commune which prompted days of rage and police action in the campus prompting nationwide protests.

It also led to the radicalization of the youth and student movement then.

In any event, this agreement was more of a publicity stunt by then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos during the Cory administration as part of his overall plan to run for president in 1992. He was trying to soften his image as a long-time military officer, particularly as the principal martial law ad-

ministrator being in charge of the national police, which at that time was described as the AFP’s “most sadistic and corrupt” service command. He needed to burnish his image with the youth and students so what better way than to ingratiate himself with the UP students, considered the most vigilant and vocal among the studentry, and, of course, the larger community composed of the faculty, administrative officials and even alumni a good number of whom were holding high positions in government, business and socio-civic organizations. With this “peace offering” of sorts, he and his campaign staff thought they could easily work on the other state universities and colleges and, of course the private educational network to highlight his ‘better side.”

Why did Lorenzana even mount this high-profile operation?

There was really no need for such an agreement in the first place. Despite its charter, and its known militancy, UP is not an island unto itself governed by its own laws and outside that of the land. There is no such thing as a Diliman or UP Republic. There is nothing UP officials could do to prevent the military and the police, for example, from going into the campus in hot pursuit of criminals and other law breakers

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

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EDITORIAL

The skunk at the picnic E

IGHTY-YEAR-OLD Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he never once entertained the idea of quitting his post even at the height of the pandemic, even with former president Donald Trump’s epic denial, minimization and mismanagement of the virus, and even when he and his family were being threatened for contradicting Mr. Trump’s outrageous claims in public.

In an interview with the New York Times, Fauci, who is keeping his role in the new Biden administration—the seventh administration he has served— described what it was like to work under Mr. Trump. Even then, Mr. Fauci remained faithful to facts, narrating events as they happened and using the words that were actually exchanged— nothing more, nothing less.

For instance, Trump, who constantly played down the virus and its effects, always asked Fauci why he was being so negative.

Trump was also prone to believing people who called him to say this or that substance was effective, based not on data but mere anecdotes. Fauci felt he had to explain that there was a process and a standard for establishing whether drugs did work.

While Fauci never went out of his way to contradict Trump, he knew he had to speak up when the public, through reporters, sought his expertise. “It isn’t

Genuine public service does not have to take on a political hue all the time. like I took any pleasure in contradicting the president of the United States. I have a great deal of respect for the office.

But I made a decision that I just had to.

Otherwise I would be compromising my own integrity, and be giving a false message to the world.”

Trump’s close associates lashed out at Fauci, and he was being egged to lash back—he chose not to do that.

And then there were the threats: His wife and children were harassed through their phones, and in their homes, and one time Fauci himself received a powdery substance in an envelope in the mail. “It

was a benign nothing,” he said. “But it was frightening.”

Despite this, he stayed on, knowing he would leave a void if he stepped down. “They would try to play down real problems and have a little happy talk about how things are OK. Someone’s got to not be afraid to speak out the truth,” he said. This was how he came to regard himself as the skunk in the picnic—still a better scenario than the skunk not being in the picnic at all.

Dr. Fauci’s decision to stay on, his decent demeanor and his unflappable fidelity to science shows us that it is possible to simply serve and resist being engulfed in petty infighting and wheeling and dealing.

While he worked from within and chose to serve alongside a president for whom everything was political, Dr. Fauci kept things objective—calling out Trump when he uttered falsehoods, toning down his dangerously positive rhetoric, and yet refusing to join the chorus of those denouncing Trump for his role in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Genuine public service does not have to take on a political hue all the time. Politics is fleeting and arbitrary, while science—or any other field of expertise—that is built through decades of painstaking work and reliance on the facts will outlast the names and faces of populists who come and eventually go.

An infra powerhouse

ON Jan. 14, 2021, at the 67th birth anniversary of Ramon S. Ang, President Duterte did something extraordinary. He motored to the South Expressway in Manila, checked the status of the 19-km (Buendia-Balintawak) segment of San Miguel’s 38-km Skyway 3, and then proceeded to the stage where inauguration ceremonies were to be held.

After Ramon Ang’s brief welcome remarks, Duterte stood up, approached his lectern, and just before ending his speech, he urged the audience to join him in a spirited singing of a happy birthday song for the vice chairman and president of San Miguel Corp.

Duterte praised the ordinary Filipino laborer who helped build San Miguel’s showcase expressway, “for his toil and sweat in making all of this possible. They may not be earning much pero ang trabaho pinakita nila will last for generations. [applause] So kung sino man ngayon ang mga trabahante dito, tanggapin po ninyo ang mainit kong pagbati.”

Then, he said he “would like to specially greet Mr. Ramon Ang” and of course, also Manila North Exressways’ Manuel V. Pangilinan of the PLDT Group “for all of these grand infrastructures without compare.” He likewise thanked those who financed and “gave us a very magnificent Skyway.”

Ang built the Skyway 3 and Pangilinan agreed to connect it to his North Expressway, allowing for a seamless drive from Alabang, then NAIA to Clark Airport in Pampanga, a distance of 106 kms.

Duterte recalled his marching order to his cabinet at their first meeting: “Just make the life of the Filipino comfortable.”

To achieve that, the President launched his unprecedented Build, Build, Build, with

including suspected members of the underground. If a riot or a rumble breaks out on campus for whatever reason, would anybody bother to read the accord to the police or the security forces out to quell the disturbance to prevent it spiraling out of control?

That would be the most stupid thing to do.

Definitely, even the majority of students, the anyfaculty and the community will censure any body who would stand in the way of these officers doing their job.

On the other hand, that harangue of socalled human rights activists about spying and intelligence agents roaming around the hapcampus bears nothing. Those activities hap pen with or without any accord. Any intelligence officer worth his salt will target UP and other schools known for their history of militancy or even just anti-government biases or simply anti-social tendencies (drug usage, sex havens, gambling, trafficking, etc.) to gather data and related information to secure the peace and well being of each and every citizen.

Anyway, now that he has pulled out of the accord, Secretary Lorenzana can start

spending exceeding P800 billion a year and hitting 5 percent of the value of the economy or GDP. Initially, only 56 projects were listed under BBB. But the projects hit snags and many had little, if any, supporting project studies, they ran the risk of not being begun at all nor inaugurated during Duterte’s six years in office.

Duterte’s bright boys thought of expanding the BBB portfolio to include road projects being undertaken by the private sector, with or without government financing or participation. When it comes to Duterte’s infra, failure is not an option.

With a 55-percent share of the nation’s tollways, SMC’s infra generated P23 billion in revenues and P11 billion in profits in 2019 alone.

Thus, many major SMC infra projects became part of the government’s BBB portfolio. The government BBB projects now number 156. To his credit, Duterte cut red tape for infra projects. He told the judges not to issue TROs. He told corrupt contractors to go home or die. “Do not hinder the progress of the country,” he declared. He told Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to rid his department of the corrupt through a total revamp.

Publicly listed San Miguel, of course, is the best private company in the infra business. Before Ang came to San Miguel in 1989, as the one-man think tank of Chair Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr., infra was zero business for the beer, beverages, food and packaging products conglomerate. Taking

discussing with UP and the larger public the reason or reasons that prompted him to take this action in the first place. Instead of letting sleeping dogs lie, as we earlier noted, with the accord already well on its way to the archive, why did he even mount this highprofile operation?

If, as he says, it was his patriotic duty to protect students from being inveigled into joining the NPA and other armed groups out to destabilize the government and do damage to lives and properties, there are other and probably less problematic ways to do so. He could have simply called out the UP President and the Board of Trustees about the creeping recruitment being undertaken by identified “enemies of the state,” if they have such a list, advising them in no uncertain terms that such activities would invite government action under the just passed anti-terror law. He could have cited instances where UP professors openly advocate antigovernment or other related initiatives meant to romanticize taking up arms against the duly constituted authorities. In a word, there is no need to even mention that there is an ac-

over as its chief operating officer, RSA (his initials) expanded San Miguel’s business beyond anyone’s dream to include petroleum refining and marketing, power generation, and infra. These three now contribute 60 percent of total sales.

Today, infra is a fast growing business and a money spinner. With a 55-percent share of the nation’s tollways, SMC’s infra generated P23 billion in revenues and P11 billion in profits in 2019 alone. That is 2 percent of total SMC sales of P1.1 trillion and 10 percent of total operating profits of P111 billion.

The pandemic proved that infra is well, pandemic-proof in the long run. In the first nine months of 2020, there was a hiccup.

Infra net sales fell 42% to P10.27 billion while operating profits declined 76% to P2.14 billion.

At RSA’s 67th birthday which coincided with the inauguration of his Skyway 3, Duterte was justifiably proud and grateful. “I am honored to join all of you today as we officially open Stage 3 of the Metro Manila Skyway Project,” he said.

“For many years, our people have greatly suffered from the perennial problem of road congestion in the National Capital Region,” the President recalled. With the completion of all of Ang’s Skyways, he said, the suffering of the people will be cut by a third, “it will cut the inconvenience and it will make you comfortable.”

“Connecting with Skyway Stages 1 and 2, we now have a continuous 35-kilometer elevated expressway that directly connects Alabang to Balintawak. This, beyond doubt, will significantly contribute to the efficient movement of goods and people from north to south, and within Manila,” Duterte stressed.

He credited his BBB. “The successful completion of the Skyway is a testament to the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of our Build, Build, Build Program.”

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The backburner cord preventing government security forces from doing work in the campus without advice from school officials.

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World

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

US confirms first case of Brazil COVID variant M INNEAPOLIS—The first case of coronavirus variant from Brazil has been confirmed in the United States, health authorities in the state of Minnesota said Monday.

Twin Cities metro area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, tested positive for Covid-19 in early January and was advised to isolate, the statement said. Further lab information revealed the case to be the Brazil variant.

This case, as well as the discovery of three cases of the British coronavirus variant in Minnesota in the past few weeks, underscores “why it is so important to limit travel during a

The Minnesota Department of Health Brazil P.1 variant in a specimen from a said in a statement that the “Public Minnesota resident with recent travel Health Laboratory has found the variant history to Brazil.” of the SARS-CoV-2 virus known as the The patient, who is a resident of the

16. The rate impact simulation shows that if this Joint Application is granted a Provisional Authority or Interim Relief, CEDC’s captive customers would enjoy a reduction in power generation rates by as much as PhP0.2479/kWh. This can greatly help the investor-locators in the Clark Special Economic Zone sustain their operations in the Philippines and be more competitive in the global market.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN CLARK ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION AND STRATEGIC POWER DEVT CORP. WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY OR INTERIM RELIEF AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

Energy (kWh) ERC CASE NO. 2020-045 RC

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 29 December 2020, Clark Electric Distribution Corporation (CEDC) and Strategic Power Development Corp. (SPDC) filed a Joint Application dated 28 October 2020, seeking the Commission’s approval of their Power Supply Agreement (PSA), with prayer for provisional authority or interim relief and motion for confidential treatment of information.

2.

CEDC was franchised by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) to construct, own, operate and maintain a power distribution system within the Clark Special Economic Zone. It is represented herein by its President and Chief Executive Office, Redel M. Domingo.

A A-1 B-1 B-2 C-1 C-2 D-1 D-2 E

SPDC is the Independent Power Producer Administrator (“IPPA”) of the 345 M W San Roque Hydroelectric Power Plant in Barangay San Roque, San Manuel, Pangasinan (the “Plant”) by virtue of an IPP Administration Agreement it executed with the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (“PSALM”).

5.

CEDC and SPDC can be served with summons, orders, correspondence, and other processes by the Honorable Commission through the respective addresses of their counsels as stated below.

6.

This Joint Application1 seeks from the Honorable Commission the approval of the Power Supply Agreement (“PSA”) entered into between CEDC and SPDC and was filed pursuant to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act 9136 otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (the “EPIRA Law”) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (the “IRR of EPIRA Law”) and the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (the “ERC’s RPP”) as well as all the applicable issuances in relation thereto.

F G-1 G-2 H-1 H-2 I J

Nature of the Application

K L

M M-1

Factual Antecedents

M-2 N

CEDC is currently sourcing its mid-merit power supply requirements from SPDC under a Power Supply Agreement, which will expire on 25 December 2020. This current PSA was provisionally approved by the Honorable Commission in its Order dated 16 December 2019 issued in ERC Case No. 2017-045 RC (Annex “L”), the dispositive portion of which is quoted below for reference:

O P Q U V

WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, the Extremely Urgent Motion for Confirmation of PSA Extension filed on 10 December 2019 by Clark Electric Distribution Corporation (CEDC) and Strategic Power Development Corporation (CEDC) is hereby GRANTED, subject to the following conditions: a.

CEDC and SPDC arc authorized to implement their PSA under the same terms and conditions and in accordance with the Commission’s Order dated 18 December 2019;

b.

The period of extension of the PSA shall only be from 26 December 2019 to 25 December 2020; and

c.

Within one year from the approval of the said urgent motion, CEDC should conduct and conclude the required Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for its forecasted demand requirements.

W Y

Z

AA BB CC

SO ORDERED. In compliance with the directive of the Honorable Commission, CEDC conducted a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for the procurement of its 25 MW of mid-merit power supply requirement for a contract term of five (5) years commencing on 26 December 2020.

DD EE FF GG HH

In response to CEDC’s public invitation to bid, six (6) Generation Companies (GenCos) purchased bid documents, namely: 9.1. AC Energy Philippines Inc. 9.2. SEM-Calaca Power Corporation 9.3. GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. 9.4-SPDC 9.5. Therma Luzon Inc.

II JJ

9.6. Solar Philippines Power Holdings Inc. 10. The GenCos who submitted their bids were the following:

Strategic Power Development Corp.

SEM-Calaca Power Corp.

Therma Luzon Inc.

KK Submitted Bid (Php/kWh) P4.1512 P4.6194 P6.4516

LL MM

(6) the extent to which the information could be easily or readily obtained through an independent source.”

23. The interest of the consumers of CEDC is sufficiently protected by the review and evaluation of the rates under the PSA by the Honorable Commission, without the need to disclose the contents of Annexes “EE”, “FF” and “GG”.

The reasonableness and transparency of the prices of electricity is to be assured by the Honorable Commission through its own review and verification of the foregoing documents sought to be afforded confidential treatment in the evaluation and handling thereof. One copy each of the mentioned annexes will be placed in a sealed envelop which will be tagged as “Confidential” coupled with a narrative3 for that purpose will be submitted as integral parts hereof.

0.0000 0.0000 5.1577 5.1577 0.7363

24. Lastly and corollary to the foregoing, SPDC would like to implore the discerning wisdom of the Honorable Commission to include in its issuance for this purpose the “procedures for the handling or returning the confidential information, as appropriate, upon the close of the proceedings or at the end of the period for which the information is to be treated as confidential4”.

13. Corollary to the foregoing and in support of this Application, below is a rate impact simulation of the winning bid of SPDC which shows a reduction in CEDC’s pass-through power Generation rates to its captive customers, as follows:

With Prayer for the Issuance of Provisional Authority or Interim Relief coupled with a Prayer for Confidential Treatment of Information.

a.

a Provisional Authority or Interim Relief allowing the Joint Applicants to immediately implement the PSA subject of this case in its entirety;

b.

an Order affording Annexes “EE”, “FF” and “GG” confidential treatment in the handling and evaluation thereof from the time these annexes are received by the Honorable Commission up to the termination of the instant case; and,

c.

an Issuance concerning the procedures for handling the confidential information upon the close of the proceedings and its return/delivery to SPDC.

After due notice and hearing, ISSUE a Decision approving the instant Joint Application in toto which will thereby allow/authorize CEDC to charge and collect the fees from its customers reckoned from the commencement of the supply to the latter by SPDC.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the circumstances are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the instant Joint Application for the determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and online platforms for the conduct thereof, pursuant to Resolution No. 09, Series of 20205 dated 24 September 2020: (This space is intentionally left blank) Date

Platform

09 March 2021 (Tuesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Microsoft Teams

16 March 2021 (Tuesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Microsoft Teams

Activity Determination of compliance with jurisdictional requirements and expository presentation Pre-Trial Conference and Presentation of Evidence

Accordingly, CEDC and SPDC are hereby directed to host the virtual hearing at CEDC’s principal office located at Bldg. N2830, Bayanihan Street, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, as the designated venue for the conduct thereof, and ensure that the same is open to the public and the community quarantine guidelines are observed at all times. Moreover, Applicants shall guarantee that, during the conduct of the expository presentation, the participation of the public shall not be impaired.

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

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

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

2)

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

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

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

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

Annex “FF”- SPDC’s Operating Expenses;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

c.

Annex “GG”- SPDC’s Annual Cap Fees.

3)

The grounds relied upon.

A trade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. 4 The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of trade having a commercial values.

A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that: (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. 6 Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous use in the operation of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. 7 It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute 2

2.

Before and during the pendency of the proceedings/scheduled hearing(s) and the final resolution/approval of this case, that an Order be issued for the GRANT of:

Annex “EE” - SDPC’s Generation Rate Using Cost-Based Methodology;

“In the same case, trade secret was defined, as follows:

Allegations in support of the prayer for the issuance of Provisional Authority or Interim Relief

1.

b.

22. Under the circumstances, these are trade secrets that exclusively belong to SPDC which were afforded by the prevailing jurisprudence a mantle of protection against unauthorized disclosure to third persons or other participants in the industry which will definitely compromise SPDC’s competitiveness. As echoed in the case of Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell (“Pennswell Case”):

14. Further, it must be stressed that the PSA at hand was entered into by the Joint Applicants to ensure the continuous supply of power to the customers of CEDC which will be benefited by the outcome of the CSP in terms of reliability and competitive rates as offered by SPDC.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Joint Applicants CEDC and SPDC most respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:

a.

21. The subject annexes contain important information and data involving SPDC’s power rate calculations and financial model, as well as the manner by which these are derived. The foregoing items as mentioned are products of the extensive, meticulous and arduous analysis and discussions amongst the responsible personnel of SPDC and which are not publicly available, and must not be disclosed to the public before, during and even after the conclusion of this case.

Generation Rate (Php/ Charge (Php) kWh) 2020 Existing Generation Rate (with SMEC at Php4.0459/kWh 100%LF and SPDC at Php4.3000/kWh) SMEC 173,382,449 761,612,688.68 4.3927 SPDC 57,465,779 247,102,850.61 4.3000 WESM 17,712,089 90,283,262.19 5.0973 Total 248,560,318 1,098,998,801 4.4215 Rate Impact with SPDC only 2021 Forecasted Generation Rate (with SMEC at Php4.0459/kWh 100%LF and SPDC at Php4.1512/kWh) SMEC (Existing PSA) 208,916,516 882,000,706.98 4.2218 SPDC (Midmerit) 73,500,000 305,113,200.00 4.1512 WESM 9,963,954 33,140,122.43 3.3260 Total 292,380,471 1,220,254,029 4.1735 Gen. Rate Savings (Php/kWh) 0.2474 Energy (kWh)

15. CEDC’s customers consist mostly of export-oriented industries and commercial enterprises operating in the hospitality sector. In 2019, CEDC’s energy (kWh) sales to its Industrial customers accounted for 45.3% of its total sales, while sales to its Commercial customers accounted for 53.2% of total sales.

Judicial Affidavit of CEDC Chief Operating Officer ERC Order dated 16 December 2019 issued in ERC Case No. 2017-045 RC SPDC SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Big Bucks Realty Corp. (BBRC) 2003 Articles of Incorporation and By-laws and SPDC (Formerly BBRC) 2009 Amended Articles of Incorporation and By-laws SPDC Certificate of Filing of Amended By-laws SPDC Certification Stating the Applicability or Nonapplicability of a Shareholders Agreement BBRC SEC Certificate of Incorporation SPDC 2020 General Information Sheet Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. and Subsidiaries SPDC Board of Investment Certificate of Registration San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam Project Environmental Compliance Certificate San Roque Power Corporation Certificate of Compliance Certification on the Consistency and Inconsistency of the San Roque Multi-purpose Hydroelectric Power Plant (San Roque Plant) with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Philippine Development Plan Certification on the Non-applicability of a Renewable Energy Service/Operating Contract and Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Commerciality by an RE Developer from the DOE Certification on Transmission/Grid Connection Projects of SPDC SPDC Certification on the IPPA Project Justification for Physical Submission of Documentary Requirements SPDC Explanation on the Non-Applicability of the Fuel Procurement Process SDPC’s Generation Rate Using Cost-Based Methodology SPDC’s Operating Expenses SPDC’s Annual Cap Fees SPDC Relevant Technical and Economic Characteristics of the Generation Capacity; Installed Capacity, Mode of Operation, Dependable Capacity; Auxiliary Load; Scheduled and Unscheduled Outages; Basis/Justification of Day Used SPDC 2019 Audited Financial Statement Certification on the Non-applicability of the Net Heat Rate Certificate Explanation on the Non-Applicability of the Minimum Energy Off-take Provision Certification on the Non-applicability of the Net Heat Rate Certificate Related Water Permits issued for the San Roque Plant

20. Pursuant to Section 1 Rule 4 of the ERC’s RPP, SPDC hereby seeks the discerning wisdom of the Honorable Commission for the confidential treatment of the information contained in the following annexes which must only be disclosed or made available to the duly designated officers and staff of the ERC for the sole purpose of the corresponding review and evaluation thereof, thus:

12. Thereafter, on 23 October 2020 CEDC executed a PSA with SPDC for the supply of 25 MW Contract Capacity and Associated Energy beginning 26 December 2020 until 25 December 2025. The salient features of the PSA between CEDC and SPDC are contained in the Executive Summary attached as Annex “A-1” hereof.

25. This is guided by the fact that SPDC will seek for the return of these sought to be declared confidential annexes after its utilization as evidence in this case and/or at the close of the proceedings hereof, so as to relieve the Honorable Commission of the burden of safekeeping the trade secrets of SPDC enclosed in the subject annexes.

CEDC SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Power Supply Agreement between CEDC and SPDC dated 23 October 2020 Executive Summary of the PSA CEDC 1997 Articles of Incorporation CEDC 2014 Amended Articles of Incorporation CEDC 1997 By-Laws CEDC 2014 Amended By-laws CEDC GIS 2018 (amended) CEDC GIS 2020 CEDC Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption issued

by CDC CEDC Demand Side Management CEDC 2020 Distribution Development Plan CEDC 2020 Power Supply Procurement Plan CEDC Average Daily Load Curve CEDC Supply and Demand Scenario CEDC Proof of Conduct of CSP CEDC Secretary's Certificate for CEDC and SPDC PSA filing

Allegations in support of the Motion for the Confidential Treatment of Information

11. CEDC selected SPDC as the winning bidder for submitting the least cost bid to supply CEDC’s mid-merit power supply requirements.

1

(5) the amount of effort or money expended by the company in developing the information; and

19. CEDC and SPDC submit the following documents in support of the Joint Application:

SPDC is a private corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine law, with principal office address at 2/F, 808 Bldg, Meralco Ave. cor. Gen. Lim St., San Antonio Village, Pasig City. It is represented herein by its General Manager, Elenita D. Go.

GenCos who participated in the bidding:

(4) the value of the information to the employer and to competitors;

Annexes submitted in support of the Joint Application

CEDC is a private electric distribution utility duly organized and existing under Philippine law, with office address at Bldg. N2830, Bayanihan Street, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines.

9.

(3) the extent of measures taken by the employer to guard the secrecy of the information;

18. It is for this reason that CEDC is urgently praying to the Honorable Commission for the grant of Provisional Authority or Interim Relief pursuant to Section 32 of the ERC’s RPP immediately upon the filing of this joint application to spare its customers from the volatilities of WESM prices.

The Joint Applicants 1.

8.

(2) the extent to which the information is known by employees and others involved in the business;

Rate (Php/kWh)

Rate Impact with WESM only 2021 Forecasted Generation Rate (using 2019 WESM Prices) SCPC (Baseload) SPDC (Midmerit) WESM 292,380,471 1,508,020,443.86 Total 292,380,471 1,508,020,444 Gen. Rate Increase (Php/kWh)

The pertinent provisions of the said Joint Application are hereunder quoted as follows:

7.

(1) the extent to which the information is known outside of the employer’s business;

2020 Existing Generation Rate (withSMECat Php4.0459/kWh 100% LF and SPDC at Php4.3000/kWh) SMEC 173,382,449 761,612,688.68 4.3927 SPDC 57,465,779 247,102,850.61 4.3000 WESM 17,712,089 90,283,262.19 5.0973 Total 248,560,318 1.098,998,801 4.4215

x-----------------------------------------------------x

4.

Generation Charge (Php)

already establishing themselves in the United States.

The new president last week tightened mask wearing rules and ordered quarantine for people flying into the United States, as he seeks to tackle the country’s worsening coronavirus crisis.

More than 25 million Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the US since the pandemic began, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. AFP

proprietary rights. The inventor, discoverer, or possessor of a trade secret or similar innovation has rights therein which may be treated as property, and ordinarily an injunction will be granted to prevent the disclosure of the trade secret by one who obtained the information “in confidence” or through a “confidential relationship.” American jurisprudence has utilized the following factors to determine if an information is a trade secret, to wit:

17. In the absence of a Provisional Authority or interim relief, CEDC’s captive customers will be exposed to the price volatilities in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) as the existing Power Supply Agreement of CEDC with SPDC will expire on 25 December 2020. Using 2019 WESM data, CEDC’s Generation rates could increase by as much as PhP0.7363/kWh, to wit:

CLARK ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION (CEDC) AND STRATEGIC POWER DEVT CORP. (SPDC), Applicants.

3.

pandemic as much as possible,” state epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield said in the statement.

President Joe Biden on Monday reimposed a travel ban on most non-US citizens who have been in Britain, Brazil, Ireland and much of Europe.

Biden also extended the ban to travelers who have recently been to South Africa amid warnings that new, more transmissible coronavirus variants are

Acting on the Motion - Motions for provisional authority or interim relief may be acted upon with or without hearing.

The Commission shall act on the motion on the basis of the allegations of the application or petition and supporting documents and other evidences that applicant or petitioner has submitted and the comments or opposition filed by any interested person, if there be any”;

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Joint Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Joint Application and its attachments, through any of the available modes of service, upon their agreement, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Joint Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

In the alternative, those persons who wish to have an electronic copy of the Joint Application may request the Commission for the e-mail addresses of the Applicants by sending an e-mail to docket@erc.ph, and records@erc.gov.ph, copy furnish the Legal Service through legal@erc.ph. Nonetheless, any person may also access the Joint Application as posted by the Commission in its official website at www.erc.gov.ph.

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, FLORESINDA G. BALDO-DIGAL, and MARKO ROMEO L. FUENTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 8th day of January 2021 in Pasig City.

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO

3 4 5

Annex “CC”; Letter (d), Section 4, of the ERC Rules and Practice and Procedure; Entitled: “A Resolution Adopting the Guidelines Governing Electronic Applications, Filings and Virtual Hearings Before the Energy Regulatory Commission”..

M. Standard – Jan. 20 & 27, 2021

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Business

Standard

TODAY

B3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market falls below 7,000; Merrymart dips Business models S The three pillars of business viability: marketing, operations, and finance.

THE pandemic and the resulting quar- consumer, either individuals or instituantines resulted in many new home tions, or can go through distributors, inbusinesses. However, even prior to the cluding retailers but the heart of the busipandemic, there has been a trend of indi- ness is the simple transaction. For these viduals setting up businesses. Three fac- businesses, often referred to as pipeline businesses, the heart of operations lies tors contribute to this.

First, internationally, governments re- in managing the supply chain efficiently alize that encouraging entrepreneurship to generate a profit. The ability to create helps build economies. Second, the avail- relationships with the correct partners, able tools and services now make it much whether suppliers or distributors, is critieasier for individuals to establish and cal to these businesses.

A slightly more complicated business operate a business even for a very niche market. Advances in e-Commerce and model than the straight transaction model is global logistics mean that entrepreneurs the business that relies on advertising. For can reach markets far from home. Third, traditional media, the business model relied the younger generation is much more either on generating revenue from ticket comfortable online and is also much more sales (such as for movies) or on generating likely to want to be independent and want enough of an audience for advertisers. In to run their own show. So, I thought that the case of live shows such as for concerts, an examination of basic business models income revenue could also be generated through merchant concessions. would be a good way to end January.

Where the business can create a franThe basics First, a clarification. It must be clear chise property, such as for example, the that, for our purposes, the primary goal marvel universe, then licensing the rights of business is to make money – that is to to the use of character images also promake enough of a profit on capital em- vides a potentially lucrative revenue stream. ployed.

In businesses reliant on advertising, This is important because there are many so-called businesses that are simply revenue follows the size and quality of self-supporting hobbies. These business- the audience.

Revenue generally comes from advertises make the owner happy. The company CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK does not lose money. However, the com- ers who pay for the opportunity to put their pany does not make enough of a profit message in front of an audience. In many ways, traditional media was also a pipeline either.

In the extreme situation, the owner business, relying on managing a pipeline of does not even pay himself a salary. Many content to keep content consumers such as retirement businesses are like this. They readers, listeners, or viewers coming back. are essentially hobbies. Some businesses However, one critical difference between are vanity businesses. They are less about media and traditional product businesses is allowing the owner to engage in a plea- the visibility of talent.

While virtually all businesses rely on surable activity. Instead, they exist so that the owner can point to the business and talent in some manner, in media, the talsay they own it. Some restaurants and ent is visible to the consumers and often determines the size and quality of the bars fall in this category.

I should point out that there is noth- audience. This is especially apparent in ing wrong with either of these variants of entertainment where we see how imporenterprise. They are simply not what we tant on-screen talent are to maintaining an audience. However, what quickly became will be talking about here.

Whether your business began as a apparent to major studios is that the inhobby, a lucky accident or born of a well- dividual who can generate the ideas and researched plan, the early days of a busi- make them come to fruition are just as, ness require the business owner to ad- and often even more important, than onscreen talent. dress a few key imperatives.

For these companies, talent and relaPerhaps the easiest way to think about starting a business is to think of the three tionship management is even more critipillars of business viability: marketing, cal. While some television franchises end operations, and finance. Until these three because the audience grows tired, some critical building blocks have been suffi- end simply because a critical actor deciently addressed, there is no real busi- cides to bow out of the series.

What the internet has made possible for ness being built.

Essentially, this means there needs to entertainment is consumption on demand. be a clear path to sustainable revenue, a Whereas television relies on schedules, method for producing the product or ser- online streaming means that content can vice at scale and at a profit, and a mecha- be accessed at any time. The beauty of nism for ensuring that the capital required this system is that the same content can to keep the business running is available. continue to make money for years.

For these businesses, there are generFor today, we focus on marketing, operaally two basic revenue sources: advertistions, and profitability.

Before the rise of online businesses and ing or access for a fee. For many of these the occasionally irrational exuberance in- models, building an audience is key to volved in corporate buyouts, the heart of success and creating a pay wall is a barbusiness was relatively simple: generate rier to building an audience. To address sales. Offer a product or service that is ap- this, businesses can resort either to the free trial or the two-level access (freepealing to enough consumers.

In a competitive marketplace, this mium) approach with some free content means that your product or service must and some (premium) content behind a be competitive, meaning that consumers pay wall.

The critical matter to understand in choose your market offer over other alternatives. In business model lingo, this these businesses is that the key to busiis called the unique value proposition. In ness success for these businesses is mainthe language of strategy, we expect this taining the audience. This, in fact, is the value proposition to stem from a sustain- heart of the success of the building of able competitive advantage. This means platform businesses such as Facebook or it is rooted in an asset or capability that Amazon. It is not simply about the techthe enterprise owns and that is difficult to nology. It is about creating and maintaining the community. copy or emulate.

Next week, we discuss platforms.

Basic business models For many businesses, the simple transReaders can email Maya at integraaction of product or service for revenue is still at the heart of the business model. tions_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her These businesses can sell directly to the site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIA L SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late OFELIA R. ANGANGCO has been extrajudicially settled by her heirs per Doc No. 416, Page No. 85, Book No. II, Series of 2020 of Atty. Pauline Marie R. Gairanod, Notary Public for Taguig City, Metro Manila.

(MS-JAN. 27, FEB. 3 & 10, 2021)

TOCKS tumbled Tuesday, dragging down the benchmark index below the 7,000-point mark for the first time in two months, as investor sentiment was jolted by the prospect that US President Joe Biden’s huge stimulus could be watered down and not even be passed for several weeks.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company bellwether, fell 94 points, or 1.3 percent to close at 6,977.16, the lowest in nearly two months since it settled at 6,791.46 on Nov. 27, 2020.

The broader all-share index also lost 81 points, or 1.9 percent, to finish at 4,168.96, on a value turnover of P11.56 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 209 to 29, while 31 issues were unchanged.

Eighteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the red, with Apollo Global Capital Inc. plunging 29.6 percent to P0.197 and MerryMart Consumer Corp. shedding 12.2 percent to P6.89.

Meanwhile, Asian markets sank into the red following the previous day’s healthy run-up, with sentiment jolted by the prospect that Joe Biden’s huge stimulus could be watered down and not even be passed for several weeks.

Investors have been on a buying spree since November, when Biden won the presidency and vaccinations began to be authorized, with the usual support also coming from central banks’ loose monetary policy and government spending.

But while the general feeling on trading floors is of op-

timism about the long-term outlook, confidence is being tested by surging virus infections and deaths, lockdowns and problems in rolling out inoculations.

The biggest driver of the market rally in recent weeks has been hope for Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic rescue plan.

But there is a growing concern that it could be whittled down in Congressional negotiations, with Republicans and even some Democrats concerned about its size in the wake of a $900 billion deal passed at the end of last month.

“I don’t expect we’ll know whether we have an agreement or to what extent the entire package will be able to pass or not pass until we get right down to the very end of this process -- which will be probably in a couple weeks,” Biden said Monday.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill would likely not be ready until March, just as benefits from the previous package wind down.

“We’ll try to get that passed in the next month, month and a half,” he said in a call with New York City masstransit advocates.

While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both ended at new record highs on Wall Street, the Dow slipped.

And Asian traders were in a selling mood Tuesday, with Hong Kong and Shanghai suffering big losses after the People’s Bank of China tightened liquidity in mainland financial markets.

Seoul shed more than one percent after data showed the South Korean economy suffered its worst year since 1998, when the Asian financial crisis rocked the region.

Taipei aalso lost more than one percent while there were sizable losses in Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta. Wellington was marginally higher. Sydney was closed for a holiday. With AFP

Hyundai Motor’s net profit jumped 78% in Q4 SEOUL, South Korea—South Korean automaker GM, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler all reported doubleHyundai Motor defied the coronavirus pandemic to digit declines in US sales last year. post a surprise 78-percent surge in fourth-quarter profits And total US auto sales for 2020 are projected to drop Tuesday, as robust domestic sales offset weak overseas 15.3 percent to 14.4 million, making it the worst year demand. for the industry since at least 2012, according to a DeNet profit in the October-December period jumped to cember forecast from Cox Automotive.

1.38 trillion won ($1.24 billion) from 772 billion won Going into 2021, Hyundai said it will focus on “future a year earlier, Hyundai, which along with its affiliate business strategies” by producing electric and hydroKia is among the world’s top 10 automakers, said in a gen-powered vehicles and aim for an up to 15 percent NOTICE OF statement. increase LEGAL in revenue. NOTICE EXTRAJUDICIA L SETTLEMENT OF Domestic sales in the final three months rose five perThe firm has already rolled out fully-electric cars inESTATE cent, driven by its luxury Genesis line, whileNotice foreign is cluding the Ioniq and the it seeks hereby given to Kona the Electric publicasthat anto Notice isthe hereby given said. sales dropped by 6.6 percent, company win a slice of the growing market. that the estate of the late the late BARON UY “Robust sales of SUV models and Genesisestate luxury of Reports this month that itBEANCROFT was in talks with Apple OFELIA R. ANGANGCO was extrajudicially settled has been extrajudicially models as well as declining incentives helped CHUAHIONG lift rev- to form a partnership to manufacture all-electric cars settled by her an heirs per enue in the fourth quarter despite adverse economic prompted its shares to spike nearly 20 percent. among his heirs as per Acknowledgement Doc No. 416, Page No. environment,” it said. 85, Book No. II, Series of it had received requests to co-operdated 26Hyundai June, said 2020 of Notary Public Atty.

2020 of Atty.

Pauline Full-year profits came to 2.12 trillion won, down 33.5 ate on self-driving electric cars from various comMarie R. Gairanod, Sheryl B. Meneses-Macavinta Doc No.4 percent from 2019, demonstrating the financial toll the panies, but did not confirm it with was in discussions Notary Public for Taguig Metro Manila. pandemic has taken on City, global carmakers. with Apple.

AFP Page no. 2 Book No. 2 series of 2020.

(MS-JAN. 27, FEB. 3 & 10, 2021)

(MS-JAN. 20, 27 & FEB. 3, 2021)

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an estate of the late BARON BEANCROFT UY CHUAHIONG was extrajudicially settled among his heirs as per Acknowledgement dated 26 June, 2020 of Notary Public Atty.

Sheryl B. Meneses-Macavinta with Doc No.4 Page no. 2 Book No. 2 series of 2020.

(MS-JAN. 20, 27 & FEB. 3, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

Business

Economy sank 9.6% in 2020, says IMF

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE International Monetary Fund said Tuesday it expects the Philippine economy to rebound 6.6 percent this year, after sinking by an estimated 9.6 percent in 2020 because of the prolonged global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMF resident representative to the Philippines Yongzheng Yang said the 2021 growth forecast was lower than the previous assumption of 7.4 percent. The economy is expected to expand by 6.5 percent in 2022, according to the January 2021 World Economic Outlook Update released by the IMF Tuesday.

“For the January 2021 WEO, real GDP growth for the Philippines is projected at -9.6 percent in 2020, 6.6 percent in 2021 and 6.5 percent in 2022,” Yang said in an e-mailed response to a query.

“The downward revision for 2020 mainly reflects the larger-than-expec-

tation year-on-year contraction in third quarter. The projected rebound in 2021 and 2022 is primarily driven by a renewed infrastructure investment push and a gradual recovery of the private sector, supported by accommodative monetary policy and global recovery,” Yang said.

Yang said the Philippines benefited from a steady flattening of the infection curve since end-September 2020. He noted the authorities’ efforts to prepare for the rollout of the vaccine.

“However, like in most other countries, vaccination is a gradual process

and social distancing will persist in 2021. Overall, we expect a robust recovery in 2021-2022 as shown by numbers above, with progress on vaccination and a steady reopening of the economy,” Yang said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the gross domestic product declined 10 percent in the first three quarters of 2020.

The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee announced the revision of its own GDP target in 2020 to a range of -8.5 to -9.5 percent, deeper from the previous estimate of -5.5 percent.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, January 26, 2021

-94.34 PTS. 6,977.16

TOTAL VOLUME

74,525,289,338

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

234,827 11,558,020,726.20

ADVANCES DECLINES

29 209

UNCHANGED

31

Foreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.0670

Japan

Yen

0.009640

0.4634

UK

Pound

1.367700

65.7412

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129012

6.2012

Switzerland

Franc

1.125873

54.1173

Canada

Dollar

0.785053

37.7351

Singapore

Dollar

0.753523

36.2196

Australia

Dollar

0.770800

37.0500

Bahrain

Dinar

2.657949

127.7596

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

12.8148

Brunei

Dollar

0.750694

36.0836

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033378

1.6044

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

13.0869

Euro

Euro

1.214100

58.3581

Korea

Won

0.000907

0.0436

China

Yuan

0.154326

7.4180

India

Rupee

0.013706

0.6588

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247341

11.8889

New Zealand

Dollar

0.719600

34.5890

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035736

1.7177 Source: BSP

CYBERSECURITY CENTER. The Philippine Air Force is building a state-of-the-art cybersecurity center in partnership with PLDT-Smart, the country’s leading telecommunications network. The MVP Cybersecurity Center for Excellence aims to boost the military’s cyber defense capabilities. Attending the groundbreaking ceremony at Villamor Air Base are (from left) PLDT Inc. chief revenue officer and Smart Communications president Alfredo Panlilio; PAF deputy assistant chief of air staff for C4S Lt. Col. Derrick Ablog; AFP deputy chief of staff for CEIS (J6) Major Gen. Vener Odilon Mariano; Smart assistant vice president Francisco Ashley Acedillo; PLDT-Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan; PLDT chief information security officer Angel Redoble; PAF commanding general Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes; 520th Air Base Wing commander Brig. Gen. Michael Lorenzo; PAF multi sectoral governance council member Atty. Michael Toledo; Air Force inspector general Brig. Gen Stepeh Parreno; and Air Force chief of CYAN engineer Col. Pio Gomez.

Manila

Standard

TODAY BALANCE SHEET As of DECEMBER 31, 2020 ASSETS

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit of Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivable - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables- Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries,Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitutes d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Soubordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Share s Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies/(Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES

CURRENT QUARTER 985,873.07 64,364,821.80 564,656,648.35 0.00 0.00 15,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 2,496,763,149.11

AMOUNT PREVIOUS QUARTER 1,674,053.29 65,082,426.08 632,894,784.78 0.00 0.00 15,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 2,376,786,442.80

2,529,541,390.64

2,409,564,684.33

32,778,241.53 121,973,203.75 0.00 25,410,881.25 3,119,402.59 225,599,170.51 5,998,059.73

32,778,241.53 132,050,369.81 0.00 24,024,247.38 3,128,400.34 214,528,606.25 15,474,242.85

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FR. ANTONIO CECILIO T. PASCUAL Chairman ATTY. MICKEL M. BORIGAS Vice-Chairman

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PATRIA T. CHIONG ROMEO A. DE JESUS NORMA G. GUHITING SEGUNDO R. LANUZA, JR. EDITA S. LAURON GARIBALDI O. LEONARDO ROBERTO C. MASCARINA FR. SERAFIN F. PERALTA DIVINA C. QUEMI PEDRO E. RIEZA, JR. JUANITO P. ROSINI NICOLAS H. VERONILLA

PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. on Tuesday announced the interest rates for its P10-billion fixed-rate peso bond offering approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the interest rate for the peso-denominated Series M, 2.5-year retail bonds was set at 2.4565 percent per annum while the Series N, five-year retail bonds would carry an interest rate of 3.8547 percent per annum.

Under the plan, SM Prime will issue an aggregate principal amount of P5 billion in bonds with an oversubscription option for an additional P5 billion.

The retail bonds will be offered to investors from Jan. 25 to 29 this year.

The retail bonds will be issued and listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on Feb. 5, 2021.

“The proceeds of the retail bonds will allow SM Prime to continue its expansions plans in its core business, which will further drive the company’s growth,” SM Prime chief finance officer John Nai Peng Ong said.

The proposed issuance is the second tranche of SM Prime’s P100billion debt securities approved by the SEC last year.

It said that similar to previous bond issues, the Series M and N bonds were rated PRS Aaa by Philippine Rating Services Corp.

PRS Aaa is the highest rating assigned by PhilRatings. The rating is given to long-term debt securities with the smallest degree of investment risk. It also indicates SM Prime’s strong capability to meet its financial commitment.

The property giant assigned BDO Capital & Investment Corp. and China Bank Capital Corp. as the joint issue managers and BPI Capital, First Metro Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. as the joint lead underwriters for the offering.

0.00 3,523,871,210.16

0.00 3,480,643,573.58 BOARD SECRETARY

0.00 2,132,914,821.09 0.00 550,000,000.00

0.00 BOARD TREASURER 1,992,880,356.81 Doris R. Dorigo 0.00 645,000,000.00

550,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 19,155,540.54 19,416,906.27 2,721,487,267.90

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock 701,269,377.65 Other Capital Accounts (2,298,958.17) Retained Earnings 103,413,522.78 Assigned Capital 0.00 TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 802,383,942.26 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 3,523,871,210.16 CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued 0.00 Financial Standby Letters of Credit 0.00 Performance Standby Letters of Credit 0.00 0.00 Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees 0.00 Commitments 0.00 Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts 0.00 Securiites Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper 0.00 Trust Department Accounts 0.00 a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts 0.00 b) Agency Accounts 0.00 c) Advisory/Consultancy 0.00 Derivatives 0.00 Others 16,021,091.72 TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS 16,021,091.72 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross Total Loan Portfolio (TLP) 2,603,252,169.28 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 73,710,778.64 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 342,985,098.33 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 13.18% c. Net NPLs 269,274,319.69 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 10.34% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) 31.05% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losseson the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) 21.49% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross allowance for credit losses 45.00 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance for credit losses 345,433,087.50 Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) 13.27% Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables 0.00 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Small Enterprises 14.31% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 44.88% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 4.00% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR 22.51 b. Tier I CAR 21.58 c. Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 0.00 Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00 Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instrument Received 0.00

SM Prime prices P10-b fixed-rate bond offering

ATTY. Simeon T. Asia

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

645,000,000.00 IGNACIO A. MANIPULA 0.00 President & Chief Executive Officer 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 26,804,056.81 45,734,895.51 2,710,419,309.13

683,839,898.06 12,489,730.74 73,894,635.65 0.00 770,224,264.45 3,480,643,573.58 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16,021,095.72 16,021,095.72 2,475,794,049.97 66,229,365.64 306,178,535.55 12.37% 239,949,169.91 9.69% 32.34% 21.63% 45.00 345,945,994.25 13.97% 0.00 0.00% 14.62% 44.48% 2.00% 21.42 20.48 0.00 0.00 0.00

Republic of the Philippines ) Makati City ) s.s.

I/We, RODA L. CRUZ and IGNACIO A. MANIPULA of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

RODA L. CRUZ IGNACIO A. MANIPULA Finance Head President & CEO SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 20th day of January 2021 at Makati City, affiant affiant exhibiting his/her/their Passport No. P1057056A , issued at DFA NCR EAST on December 01, 2016 and Passport No. P6986875A, issued at DFA NCR South on April 30, 2018.

NOTARY PUBLIC Doc. No. 74 Page No. 16 Book No. 55 Series of 2021

GMA Network to launch mobile receiver

By Darwin G. Amojelar GMA Network Inc. said Tuesday it will launch digital TV mobile receiver this year after selling a million units of GMA Affordabox in just seven months.

The broadcasting network said the digital TV mobile receiver, GMA Now, would allow users to watch TV on the go for free.

“We, at GMA Network, express our gratitude to our Kapuso viewers for their continued trust and for wholeheartedly welcoming GMA Affordabox into their homes,” said GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon.

“Rest assured that we always aim to provide superior quality content across all platforms and improve our digital TV products that are accessible to many Filipinos,” he said.

GMA Network is expanding digital broadcast coverage in Misamis Oriental (including Cagayan de Oro City) and Camiguin.

It is also available in selected towns/cities ib Metro Manila, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte.

“We believe that every Filipino home should be able to enjoy digital viewing, which is why GMA endeavored to bring GMA Affordabox to our market,” said Regie Bautista, senior vice president for corporate strategic planning and business development, chief risk officer and head for program support of GMA Network.

“Quality digital TV viewing is now made accessible to the majority of Filipino homes. It’s exciting to hit the one million mark only months into its launch, and we are very grateful for the support of our Kapuso viewers,” Bautista said.

IN BRIEF SM gets third gold in sustainability report SM INVESTMENTS Corp. attained a gold rank for the third straight year for its 2019 Sustainability Report from the Asia Sustainability Reporting Rating organized by the National Center for Sustainability Reporting in Indonesia.

Sustainability reporting provides key stakeholders with an understanding of the impacts of key business activities to future needs and the strategic actions taken by companies in response to these impacts.

“We are grateful for this recognition by our international partner, the National Center for Sustainability Reporting. This demonstrates our commitment to integrating sustainable practices in the way we conduct all of our businesses,” SMIC president Frederic DyBuncio said.

Established in 2005, NCSR is the first independent organization to develop sustainability reporting in Indonesia. In 2011, it was appointed by the Global Reporting Initiative as the official GRI Training Partner for Southeast Asia.

SGV commits to cut carbon emissions

ACCOUNTING firm SGV & Co., a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Ltd., announced Tuesday its commitment to be carbon negative in 2021.

The announcement comes as EY targets to significantly reduce its absolute emissions and offset more carbon than it emits.

“As a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited, SGV & Co. will further strengthen our own carbon reduction and sustainability programs, such as our SGV Goes Green Movement, to align closely with EY’s carbon-negative ambition,” said Wilson Tan, SGV chairman and managing partner.

EY set out the seven key components of its plan to not only become carbon negative, but to reduce total emissions by 40 percent consistent with a science-based target and achieve net zero in 2025.

“With EY’s quantifiable and actionable science-based targets, our over 5,000 professionals will be further inspired to find creative approaches to making a sustainable difference that will redound to future generations. This program also falls within the ambit of SGV’s Purpose to nurture transformative leaders who can reframe our future and help create long-term value for stakeholders,” Tan said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

PEZA investigates cigarette smuggling

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority commended Tuesday the Bureau of Customs for the immediate apprehension MAGENTA of shipment YELLOW containing BLACK smuggled cigarettes, allegedly bound to a PEZA-registered enterprise in Cavite.

“We thank BOC for their immediate action on their discovery. We at PEZA do not tolerate violations by a PEZAregistered enterprise to custom rules and regulations. PEZA has already issued a show cause order to the said company and is conducting its own investigation on the incident,” said PEZA director-general Charito Plaza.

The Manila International Container Port apprehended on Jan. 18 two-by-forty-foot containers of undeclared cigarettes allegedly bound to the First Cavite Industrial Estate Special Economic Zone.

Based on preliminary investigations, the shipment which came from China was consigned to YJC International Corp., a PEZA-registered export enterprise.

Othel V. Campos

Duterte asked to allow duty-free pork imports to ease meat shortage

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. on Tuesday asked President Rodrigo Duterte to authorize the importation of pork at zero tariff to immediately address the shortage of meat in the country.

PAMPI, in a letter to Agriculture Secretary William Dar dated Jan. 26, recommended for the president’s approval three emergency measures to ease the tight supply and high prices of pork.

“To mitigate and/or control the deepening pork shortage, and to provide an alternative to the MAV Plus mechanism to import pork, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. strongly recommends to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, through the Department of Agriculture, the following emergency measures,” said PAMPI president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. The group’s first recommendation for the Bureau of Animal Industry is to allow accredited hog farmers and producers to directly import as much as 50,000 metric tons of pork, and more if necessary, at zero tariff.

Its second proposal is for state-run Land Bank of the Philippines to provide financing/trade credit to qualified hog raisers/producers at concessional rates.

PAMPI, in its third recommendation, said the Department of Agriculture’s National Meat Inspection Service should temporarily suspend the implementation of the policy prohibiting the sale and /or display of frozen meat products in public markets which are not equipped with refrigeration facilities during the duration of the shortage.

“The foregoing is intended to provide fiscal support to hog farmers/producers to afford them the opportunity to generate income and compensate for huge losses arising from the ASF decimation of their hog farms,” Tiukinhoy said.

Sports

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

C1

Harden fuels Nets past Heat; LeBron carries LA Lakers

3-HEADED MONSTER. James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets high-five each other after coming off the court during the second half against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 98-85. AFP

Vaccine a must for PH athletes going to Tokyo

Calvin Oftana

NCAA MVP Oftana joins elite cast of PBA hopefuls

By Rey Joble HOURS after the announcement of the cancellation of the hosting of the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Calvin Oftana decided to submit his PBA Rookie Draft application on Tuesday.

And the former San Beda Red Lions stalwart is making himself available for the regular draft, and not the Gilas draft.

His agent, PJ Pilares, confirmed this to Manila Standard in a texted message.

“Calvin Oftana has submitted his draft application and he will join the regular draft,” wrote Pilares.

Like William Navarro, who submitted his draft application a few days ago, Oftana was given option whether to join the regular PBA draft or the special draft for Gilas players, but Pilares confirmed he’ll join the former.

With Oftana now a part of the regular roster of rookie hopefuls, he’s now throwing himself as a potential first round pick.

The 6’4” forward from Dumaguete has contemplated of joining the Rookie Draft as early as a few weeks ago, but remained uncertain as he has yet to talk with San Beda management.

With no clear indication on the resumption of the NCAA’s new season coupled by the cancellation of the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, joining the PBA Draft became a lot easier for the former San Beda team captain.

F

ILIPINO athletes must be among those prioritized by the government in its vaccine rollout plans.

Confident that the Tokyo Olympic Games will push through this year, House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero on Tuesday cited the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine for Filipino athletes preparing for the quadrennial event.

“Vaccine is a must for the Tokyo Olympics, so I’m espousing a House resolution prioritizing Philippine athletes,” said Romero in a special appearance Tuesday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online Forum.

Romero, a team owner in the PBA and member of the Philippine polo team, said even those gearing up for the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in November must get the vaccine.

“This is a chance of a lifetime for

our athletes and the country to win an Olympic gold. And what we can do is to give them vaccines,” Romero told the weekly sports forum.

Romero said national athletes should be among those being prioritized for vaccination, including the medical frontliners, senior citizens, the police and military, and the less-privileged.

The sports-minded congressman said the vaccines of various brands should arrive in the country in March or April, and will cover 80 million doses for 40 million Filipinos on two doses each.

To make sure that the athletes are prioritized, Romero said he is “espousing a House Resolution.”

“Dapat bigyan sila,” he told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and powered by Smart with Upstream Media as webcast partner.

Romero is wishing the Olympic ath-

letes the best in their bid to deliver the elusive gold medal despite the global pandemic that has pushed the Summer Games from last year to this year.

“It’s a chance of a lifetime for these athletes. I hope we win the gold after 100 years of trying. It’s long overdue,” said Romero, who mentioned weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Caloy Yulo and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial as those with solid chances.

“With the vaccine, I think all of our athletes will be safe. They all need the vaccine,” said Romero.

Also gracing the forum was NorthPort representative to the PBA board of governors in Erick Arejola, who expressed the readiness of the Romeroowned team for the next season that unfolds in April.

“We are currently signing the players (contracts). They are doing individual training and we’re only waiting for the go-signal for team practices to resume.

Our players are observing the health protocols,” he said.

LOS ANGELES—James Harden believes the best is yet to come after producing a late burst of scoring to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 98-85 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday.

Harden—who joined the Nets in a blockbuster trade from Houston earlier this month—produced a dazzling burst of fourth-quarter scoring as Brooklyn finally overpowered an under-strength Miami team.

The 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player poured on 16 of his 20 points in the final period to lead the Brooklyn scoring alongside Kevin Durant, who also had 20.

Harden and Durant’s contributions in the fourth quarter proved decisive, with the duo making a succession of threepointers as Brooklyn reeled off 15 unanswered points.

Kyrie Irving had 16 points, while Joe Harris finished with 12 and DeAndre Jordan 11. The victory improved the Nets’ season record to 11-8 in the Eastern Conference.

But it was Harden who caught the eye with his game-changing late cameo that swung the contest in Brooklyn’s favor.

“I was in a role for eight years (in Houston) where I was controlling the ball, dominating the ball,” Harden said.

“Now it’s a different experience for me but it’s still great.

“It’s still basketball at the end of the day. It’s fun. Once we get a rhythm and flow it will be a lot easier for us.

- ‘One of the greatest’ Nets coach Steve Nash showered praise on Brooklyn’s star new recruit.

“He was great,” Nash said of Harden.

“We’re starting to see a glimpse of the things he can do scoring the ball.

“He’s one of the greatest offensive players to ever play the game. He’s so effective manipulating the defense that he’s a positive even when he’s not scoring.”

Brooklyn are also starting to see the best of Durant, who delivered another consistent performance in the latest chapter in his return after a year-long injury absence. Durant has now scored 20 points or more in 14 straight games.

“Man, I feel good,” Durant said.

“Mentally I feel like I’m still catching up to the speed of the game, but physically I feel solid. AFP

Pagdanganan aims for more Top 10 placings in US LPGA

By Peter Atencio BIANCA Pagdanganan is feeling confident following a great start in the United States’ Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour.

Making it to the top 10 in the Women’s PGA Championships and entering the tournament proper of the US Women’s Open made her feel positive about her game.

“It made me feel confident about my own game. I am hoping to get more top tens than last year,” said the 23-year-old Pagdanganan, who was recently included as Smart Communication’s brand ambassador.

Next month, Pagdanganan will begin her second year on the Tour by taking part in its opening event on Feb. 25--the $2 million Gainbridge LPGA in Orlando, Florida.

What follows is the $2 million LPGA Drive On Championship at Golden Ocala, also in Florida, from March 4 to 7.

“I have a long way to go. These tournaments are based on your standing and career money list,” she added.

Pagdanganan’s preparations with coach Carito Villaroman focuses more on ball control in an effort to get her to play better and improve her ranking.

The tournaments will also help her qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Pagdanganan is in the reserve list with Yuka Saso, who has a higher placing at no. 2. Pagdanganan ranks at no. 41.

Qualification for Olympics is restricted to 60 players for each of the men’s and women’s competitions.

“It’s important to know your goals, so that you will know what are working for,” added Pagdanganan.

Bianca Pagdanganan’s training focuses more on ball control.

The Bouldering Hive is Back! Experience safe climbing in Makati

The Bouldering Hive offers a host of immersive features and fully-stocked amenities, perfect for experienced and first-time climbers.

THE Bouldering Hive (bhive), the only gym in Metro Manila dedicated to bouldering, has resumed operations following a temporary six-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Located at Ayala Malls, Circuit Makati, The Bouldering Hive offers a host of immersive features and fully-stocked amenities, perfect for experienced and firsttime climbers. The Bouldering Hive first opened in September 2019 and quickly became a favorite weekday spot among climbers throughout the metro.

Bouldering, a unique form of rock climbing that requires only two things: chalk and climbing shoes. Ropes and harnesses are

not necessary, making bouldering a relatively simple and inexpensive activity for anyone to pick up. Climbs can be up to 15 feet (4.5 m) tall or relatively low, with a one foot-thick safety mat that allows climbers to return to the ground with a soft landing.

“Bouldering is a modern approach to climbing,” said Christoph Bastin. “It is a 3D puzzle you solve with your body. This is a way people can try something new and overcome their limits, like a fear of heights.

We have a saying in the climbing community, ‘feel the fear, but do it anyway.’ You can climb at your own pace and experience the joy of overcoming your limits.”

Adapting to the Pandemic

Gyms in Metro Manila have begun to reopen following six months of governmentsanctioned community quarantine. With this, Bastin and his team implemented numerous measures to provide climbers with a safe environment against COVID-19: ● All climbers must submit health declarations and temperature checks upon entry ● Mask must be worn at all times. Free masks are provided in case the mask gets too wet ● The gyms capacity is limited to 30 visitors per time slot ● 3 separate time slots are allotted per day to reduce the risk of exposure among

visitors ● Each slot is 3 hours long, with 30-minute breaks in between to sanitize the gym ● Climbing walls and holds are routinely disinfected every day ● All climbers must wash their hands before and after their workout ● Only liquid chalk (a mixture of climbing chalk and alcohol) is permitted on-site to keep hands dry and also disinfect hands regularly during climbing ● Showers are currently closed and unavailable for use ● CO2 levels are monitored at the gym and a high level of ventilation inside the gym is maintained

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

Sports

Sports faces IF TOKYO BACKS OUT vaccine woes ahead of Tokyo games, Euros

Florida offers to host Olympics

PARIS—As Olympic organizers deny reports that the Tokyo Games this summer will be postponed again, they, and other sports bodies, are wrestling with the issue of vaccinating participants for Covid-19 at international events.

On Monday, Denis Masseglia, the president of the French National Olympic Committee, said there was no choice but to vaccinate and that “holding the Games is at stake”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially has been more cautious ahead of the Tokyo Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 8. It encourages the vaccination of athletes but says it cannot impose inoculation.

IOC president Thomas Bach has said there would be “neither a vaccine obligation nor a priority to athletes” for this summer’s Olympics.

Bach cannot impose tests “for legal reasons”, said Masseglia.

The Games will be on agenda of the IOC Executive Board on Wednesday.

“For those who do not wish to be vaccinated, it is important to know that the precautions for participation will be extremely tough,” said Masseglia in a video press conference, warning of “quarantine of a fortnight” and “tests in the mornings and evenings.”

While vaccination programmes are kicking into gear around the globe, they are still focusing on those facing the highest risk, so the question of whether elite athletes should be a priority is, for now, awkward.

“This is not an issue about the Olympics, it is about an issue of how we use a scarce resource to try and combat what has obviously been one of the most devastating health crises of our time,” said World Health Organization senior advisor Bruce Aylward.

There is also the question of the impact of international visitors. In Japan, which reportedly plans to start mass vaccinations in May, a quarter of the population is over 65 and 12.5 percent are over 75. AFP

M

IAMI—Florida’s chief financial officer on Monday told the International Olympic Committee that the state would be happy to host the Olympics Games amid speculation that current hosts Japan may back out.

Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to Thomas Bach, the head of the IOC, “to encourage you to consider relocating the 2021 Olympics from Tokyo, Japan to the United States of America, and more specifically to Florida.”

“With media reports of leaders in Japan ‘privately’ concluding that they are too concerned about the pandemic for the 2021 Olympics to take place, there is still time to deploy a site selection team to Florida,” he said.

The letter, signed by Patronis and posted online, cited the supposed strength of state’s vaccination rollout, its economic re-opening and sports events it has hosted during the pandemic, as well as the fact that its theme parks, including Disney World, are open for business.

But Florida has struggled badly in the coronavirus pandemic, with over 25,000 deaths so far in the state as the US death toll nears 420,000.

“Whatever precautions are re-

quired let’s figure it out and get it done,” Patronis said.

Last Friday, parties responsible for organizing the Tokyo games -- scheduled for last year but delayed for a year because of the global health crisis -insisted they would be sticking to the planned dates of July 23 until August 8.

“I am determined to realize a safe and secure Tokyo Games as proof that mankind will have overcome the virus,” said Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Meanwhile, Italy’s Olympic Committee CONI sent out a warning on Monday that the country may be sanctioned by the IOC for not respecting the sporting body’s independence.

Two days before an IOC Executive

Fernandes gem knocks Liverpool out of FA Cup

The logo of the Japanese Olympic Committee is displayed at an entrance of the Japan Olympic Museum in Tokyo. Florida’s chief financial officer told the International Olympic Committee that the state would be happy to host the Olympics Games amid speculation that current hosts Japan may back out. AFP

NFL inviting 7,500 health care ‘heroes’ to Super Bowl LOS ANGELES—The NFL is inviting roughly 7,500 health care workers vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend next month’s Super Bowl in Florida, the league confirmed in a statement on Friday.

NFL Commissioner said the workers -- mostly from hospitals and health care centres in Tampa and Florida -- were being invited in recognition of their service during the pandemic.

In addition, all 32 NFL teams will invite a small number of vaccinated healthcare workers from their respective markets to attend the February 7 showpiece at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium.

“These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude,” Goodell said in a statement.

“We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes. This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing masks in public settings.”

The invited healthcare workers will

EASL a good platform for PBA

IF YOU are a basketball team in the PBA, imagine your brand being carried across the Asian market.

Be it a liquor brand, a telco company, utility services, cosmetic business, manufacturing firm or a locallymade automotive trying to penetrate the Asian market, the East Asia Super League is definitely an ideal platform

Committee in Lausanne where the Italian situation will be on the agenda, CONI President Giovanni Malago, an IOC member, urged the Italian government to take urgent legislative measures to avoid a potential Olympic ban for the country.

“We can still find a solution by Wednesday, there is still time”, Malago said on Monday during a parliamentary hearing.

Global governing body IOC, which warned Rome in the summer of 2019 of the risks of government interference in the management of CONI, puts great emphasis on the independence of national Olympic committees, a key element of its Olympic Charter. AFP

join an additional 14,500 fans due to be in attendance at the Super Bowl, which is taking place against the backdrop of a nationwide coronavirus crisis.

The NFL has dramatically reduced capacity for the championship game after a season where many teams have played in empty stadiums due to Covid-19.

The NFL said Friday that its plans for spectators at the Super Bowl had been drawn up in consultation with public health officials including the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida Department of Health and local hospitals and health care systems.

“These officials reviewed and provided feedback on the NFL’s comprehensive plans that will enable the league to host fans and the vaccinated health care workers in a safe and responsible way,” a statement said.

The statement said fans would be subjected to rigorous Covid-19 protocols which included mandatory maskwearing, social-distancing, and other measures such as “podded seating” and touchless concessions, restrooms, and security checkpoints. AFP to get your brand exposed.

The PBA, being Asia’s pioneering professional league, now has a growing number of counterparts across the Asian region. Back in the late 1970s to early 80s, the PBA has become a destination of choice for imports. Outside of America, the Philippines is the ideal stopover for reinforcements, who continuously want to make a living playing ball.

Now, pro leagues in Japan, China, Korea and Middle East countries had been luring imports by providing them more lucrative offers and long-term contracts as opposed to the PBA’s shortened import-laced conferences where teams had restrictions getting reinforcements under a required height limit.

Through the years, we’ve also seen Filipino ballers playing as imports. Thirdy Ravena is the present day Pinoy import playing for the San-en NeoPhoenix in the Japanese B. League and Filipina Jack Animam is seeing action for her Taiwanese collegiate team The creation of the East Asia Super League gives every professional league

Volunteers remove debris as Pepsi Stronger Together with Force Blue, and NFL Green Team Up For Reef Reconstruction Ahead Of Super Bowl LV in Holmes Beach, Florida. AFP

in the region an opportunity to meet and match. Here, the PBA will have a chance not just to expose the team’s brands, but also get the experience of competing against the best teams in Asia.

This will certainly be more helpful for Filipinos, who will have an up close and personal look at their potential rivals in the region.

Which is why it’s essential for the PBA to partner with EASL and allow its top two teams in between conference breaks or off season to compete in the fastest growing basketball and entertainment showcase in the region.

Not only does it provide participating teams from different region world-class level of games, it also guarantees free accommodation, large appearance fees and prize money for a group stage win. It also offers a $1-million cash prize for the champion team.

I was able to experience covering one of the legs of the EASL Super League two years ago in Macau and the entire delegation were billeted at the Ritz-Carlton in Macau. We’ve seen Ben Mbala,

who after a glorious campaign with La Salle and led the Green Archers in the UAAP, move on to play as an import for a Mexican club before playing for the Seoul Samsung Thunders, the team he played for in the EASL. We’ve also seen controversial former PBA import and NBA veteran Daniel Orton playing for the Taipei Fubon Braves and several more other ex-NBA players competing.

The EASL is definitely a great platform for the PBA -- for its teams and the league in general.

This early, there’s already a growing consensus from PBA personalities, past and present, to allow teams to compete in the EASL in between breaks to enjoy this great experience of competing against the best club teams in Asia and get them more exposed to regional basketball action.

Thursday’s PBA board meeting will be crucial as this will give the EASL a chance to make a presentation that is expected to be beneficial for both camps.

The new home and away format which

LONDON—Bruno Fernandes’ superb free-kick sent troubled Liverpool crashing out of the FA Cup as Manchester United beat their bitter rivals 3-2 in the fourth round, while Tammy Abraham’s hat-trick eased the pressure on Chelsea manager Frank Lampard in a win over Luton on Sunday.

Fernandes struck with 12 minutes left at Old Trafford to cap a thrilling clash that left Liverpool searching for answers after another painful defeat.

Jurgen Klopp’s side took the lead through Mohamed Salah’s first-half goal, but Mason Greenwood equalised before the interval.

Marcus Rashford put United in front after the break and, although Salah equalised, Portugal midfielder Fernandes came off the bench to fire his free-kick past Alisson Becker.

After slumping to fourth in the Premier League following Thursday’s shock 1-0 defeat against Burnley -- their first league loss at Anfield since 2017 -- Liverpool have to lick their wounds again.

The English champions, who trail leaders United by six points, have won only one of their last seven games in all competitions and that lone success came against Aston Villa’s youth team in the FA Cup third round.

Liverpool struck in the 18th minute when Roberto Firmino threaded a pass to Salah, who lifted his shot over Dean Henderson.

United levelled in the 26th minute when Rashford sent Greenwood clear for a low strike past Alisson Becker.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men netted again in the 48th minute as a mistake from Liverpool’s young defender Rhys Williams allowed Greenwood to race clear and score.

Firmino’s cross was converted by Salah for Liverpool’s 58th-minute equaliser, but Fernandes won it with his sublime set-piece after Fabinho fouled Edinson Cavani.

United will host West Ham in the fifth round as their momentum continues to build.

“You know when you go a goal down the reaction of everyone was really good. We played some really good stuff, good goals. We have to defend well against them and we managed to react well,” Solskjaer said. AFP

begins on October 20, brings a new hope to rejuvenate basketball in the region.

Known as the hub of Asian basketball, the EASL gives a better opportunity not just for the PBA, but to Philippine basketball in general in promoting the sport, the business, the travel, leisure and lifestyle as the country prepares for the 2023 hosting of the FIBA World Cup. EASL has already inked a 10-year exclusive agreement with FIBA and in October of this year, it will stage a first of its kind tournament for professional club teams from China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines.

Teams will be divided into two groups of four, with each group playing in a round-robin format where each club plays teams within the same group in a home and away format. The two teams in each group will advance to the Final Four.

In 2018, Blackwater and NLEX participated in the EASL’s Summer League Super 8. This was followed in 2019 as three PBA teams -- San Miguel Beer, Blackwater and TNT -- joined in the Terrific 12.

Entertainment

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 nickie.standard@gmail.com

Local news matters GMA Regional TV (RTV) takes pride in staying true to its “Local News Matters” campaign. With stations strategically located in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the regional arm of GMA Network consistently enables viewers to access local news in various communities outside Metro Manila.

Its unparalleled commitment to producing local news programs and specials that are more attuned to stories, voices, and viewership in the regions has earned the trust of Filipino viewers all over the country.

In 2020, GMA RTV’s regional morning shows and local newscasts tallied a combined reach of about 64 percent of all TV households throughout the country, with an estimated total of 46.8 million viewers, based on Nielsen Phils. TV Audience Measurement’s Total Philippines data (January to December 2020).

Further, in the last two years, GMA RTV posted increased viewership for all of its regional news programs based on 2019 and 2020 Nielsen Phils. Metro Cities TV Audience Measurement (MCTAM) data. And amid the challenges brought about by the pandemic in 2020, GMA RTV launched pioneering morning programs in key regional hubs in the Philippines.

In GMA RTV’s North Central Luzon hub, GMA Regional TV Balitang Amianan remains as the leading local newscast. In 2020, the award-winning unified weekday newscast registered an enormous viewer growth of 170 percent in Metro Dagupan. Balitang Amianan is co-anchored by seasoned broadcast journalists CJ Torida, Joanne Ponsoy, and Jasmin Gabriel-Galban with Ivy Hernando, King Guevarra, Russel Simorio, and Claire Lacanilao as regional correspondents, and a wide network of local news stringers all over North Central Luzon. GMA RTV also introduced the unified weekday morning show in North Central Luzon, Mornings with GMA Regional TV, last September, co-hosted by Ralph Guieb with Ara Hanesh.

Meanwhile, in GMA RTV’s Central and Eastern Visayas hub, the unified weekday newscast GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak continues to be the viewers’ top choice since 2019.

MCTAM’s data even showed that Balitang Bisdak grew its average number of viewers in Metro Cebu by 48 percent in 2020 relative to 2019.

Balitang Bisdak is bannered by trimedia personality Bobby Nalzaro and co-anchored by award-winning broadcast journalists Alan Domingo and Cecille Quibod-Castro. Reporting from different parts of Metro Cebu are regional correspondents Lou-Anne Mae Rondina, Nikko Sereno, Fe Marie Dumaboc, and local news stringers based in different parts of Central and Eastern Visayas. Morning viewers in Central and Eastern Visayas are also treated to GMA Regional TV Live!, which was launched in April last year, and co-hosted by Sereno and Quibod-Castro.

In GMA RTV’s Western Visayas hub, flagship weekday unified Hiligaynon newscast GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas continued to increase its viewership in the span of two years since its launch. It recorded a 165-percent viewership growth in Metro Bacolod, while earning 174 percent viewership increase in Metro Iloilo from 2019 to 2020. One Western Visayas is co-headlined by broadcast journalists Sedfrey Cabaluna, Adrian Prietos, and Kaitlene Rivilla. Together with them are award-winning regional correspondents Zen Quilantang, Darylle Marie Sarmiento, and John Sala along with news stringers across Western Visayas. In August 2020, GMA RTV pioneered the first-ever unified weekday Hiligaynon TV morning show in Western Visayas dubbed GMA Regional TV Early Edition co-hosted

by Cabaluna, Prietos, and Rivilla.

Further, in Mindanao, pioneering unified weekday local newscast GMA Regional TV One Mindanao more than doubled its viewership reach in 2020 compared to 2019. The program, produced by Mindanaoans for Mindananoans, recorded a remarkable 137 percent viewership growth in Metro Davao. Similarly in Metro Cagayan de Oro, One Mindanao posted a 110 percent increase in viewership.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao

is co-anchored by Gandingan Awards’ Best Anchor Tek Ocampo, seasoned broadcast journalists Sarah HilomenVelasco and Real Sorroche with regional correspondents Sheillah Vergara-Rubio, Rgil Relator, Jandi Esteban, and Cyril Chavez as well as various local news stringers based across North, Central, South Central, and Southern Mindanao. Last June 2020, GMA RTV launched the first and only unified weekday morning program in Mindanao via At Home with GMA Regional TV co-hosted by Relator and Chaves.

At the same time, GMA RTV’s flagship national newscast GMA Regional TV Weekend News was awarded the Catholic Mass Media Awards’ Special Citation as Best News Program, as it continues to make the top stories from the regions available to more viewers nationwide every Saturday on GMA News TV. Launched in 2019, GMA Regional TV Weekend News airs news and other special features delivered by no less than the roster of award-winning broadcast journalists from RTV’s local newscasts.

This year, viewers can be assured that GMA RTV is committed to bring relevant news and stories from the regions to the local and national levels as it launches its sixth flagship newscast — GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia on Feb. 1.

“Since day one, we have taken to heart our campaign ‘Local News Matters,” said GMA Regional TV and Synergy Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso. “It has been our driving force in every program and every initiative we come up with.

The past few years saw the need for more news and information on and from the regions and GMA Regional TV is committed to work harder to consistently deliver this.”

“Amid the ever-changing landscape of community journalism and challenging times, our Kapuso viewers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao can be assured that GMA Regional TV will be there for them, bringing them relevant news, features, and other initiatives that they need the most,” he added.

With 2020 being one of the most challenging years to date, GMA RTV remained committed to providing Serbisyong Totoo—being at the forefront of delivering the biggest news all over the regions. During calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes, these local news teams are on their feet, reporting directly from ground zero. Regular news updates are also provided to viewers through GMA RTV’s series of special coverage such as “Coronavirus Pandemic Alert,” “Bantay Bagyo,” “ASF Watch,” “Linog sa Mindanao,” and “Baha Update.”

GMA RTV also rolled out its “Kapuso Barangayan on Wheels,” providing families from different barangays with food packs, rice, and groceries, as well as locally produced vegetables. The campaign has been able to reach more than 6,000 families since it was launched in May 2020.

It is no surprise that GMA RTV initiatives and efforts have been recognized by various award-giving bodies.

In 2020—for the fourth time in a row—GMA RTV was named the “Best Regional TV Network” at the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards. At the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards, its programs and initiatives received Special Citation merits: GMA Regional TV Weekend News (Best News Program category); GMA Regional TV's Kapuso Barangayan on Wheels (Best TV AdPublic Service), and Byaheng DO30, which airs on GMA Regional TV Channels in Mindanao (Best News Magazine Program).

Online, GMA RTV has been strengthening its presence as well thru its official website: www. gmaregionaltv.com.

Its official YouTube channel has been a recipient of the Silver Play Button Award after having reached the 100,000-subscriber mark on the online video platform last year.

In the coming years, expect GMA RTV to remain steadfast in its commitment to delivering local news that matters and stories that inspire— enriching the lives of Filipinos in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao every step of the way.

GMA Regional TV and Synergy leadership team led by its Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso.

JOLO ESTRADA

gives showbiz another try

Jolo Estrada (center) with mom Precy Ejercito and now talent manager Leo V. Dominguez (left) during his contract signing with LVD Management.

F

IVE years since he last appeared on screen, Jolo Estrada, the second among Jinggoy and Precy Estrada’s four children, is dipping his toes into show business once more.

Ang Tatay Kong Sexy, shot in 2013 and was commercially exhibited in 2016, topbilled by his actor and former politician dad, was his last showbiz assignment before he had steered his wheels in a different direction.

For the next five years since leaving the limelight, Jolo, now 27 years old, would focus on his studies and putting up his own business—he’s into food/restaurant and fitness business. But no matter how focused he was in his other endeavors,

showbiz kept knocking on his doors.

At the height of the pandemic in May last year, talent manager Leo V. Dominguez got in touch with him and tried to convince him to give showbiz another try.

“When I saw Jolo, I told myself, ‘He’s a leading man material. He has a lot of potentials.’ So, I tried to contact him,” the talent manager who manages the careers of Janine Gutierrez, Ogie Alcasid, Lovi Poe, and Paolo Avelino told Manila Standard Entertainment in an intimate lunch over the weekend.

“He was honest, he said he’s busy with his business, he’s not ready yet.

He initially declined my offer, but I was persistent until he said yes,” the talent manager added.

At the contract signing of Jolo Estrada with Leo Dominguez’s LVD Management, the aspiring actor-singer, and fitness enthusiast was accompanied by his mother and younger brother Julian. The intimate event was intended to be a quick one but Jolo showed so much enthusiasm answering the questions of some select members of the entertainment press.

“He’s naturally shy. He was really nervous coming here,” his mom Precy revealed.

Talking about his showbiz re-entry, Jolo

Jolo Estrada is reestablishing himself as a serious actor, now willing to do challenging roles, the 27-year-old actor-singer and fitness enthusiast opens his door to numerous challenges and projects his showbiz return has to offer.

explained that he really wanted to carve a different path and be successful at it before joining the entertainment industry again. And now, equipped with a better experience and deeper passion to share his talent with the public, Jolo aims to explore numerous genres that would test his skills as an actor.

“I wanted to do challenging roles, dramatic roles preferably. But I would be willing to accept whatever project that will land on my lap,” Jolo told Manila Standard Entertainment adding that he doesn’t mind even going the popular Boys Love route or kissing another guy on the screen.

“A true actor is willing to do whatever it is that his character requires and I think I will accept any roles that will challenge me as an actor. I trust my manager that he would help me achieve my goal as a returning talent,” he added.

For his future projects, Jolo lists Ivana Alawi and Angelica Panganiban as the actresses that he wanted to work with.

“Ivana Alawi is the fantasy of so many men right now. And she’s very sexy. I have worked hard to achieve my current physique so I guess bagay naman kami.

With Angelica, she’s a very good actress, napakahusay. That’s the reason why I wanted to work with her,” he ended.

Binibining Pilipinas finally happening, resumes with the National Costume Photo Exhibit BINIBINING Pilipinas has formally reopened the postponed 2020 pageant with an onground and online launch of the Binibining Pilipinas National Costume Photo Exhibit on January 22, 2021.

A physical photo exhibit was opened in the morning at the Gateway Mall, featuring the life-size pictures of the Binibini candidates wearing their intricate and colorful costumes. The photos were earlier released online via the official Facebook page of Binibining Pilipinas, and are now presented in an onsite gallery that will allow fans to see the pictures up-close.

The opening of the photo exhibit was attended by Binibining Pilipinas - International 2019 Patch Magtanong, Binibining Pilipinas Executive Committee member Raymond Villanueva, Uniprom Inc. OIC Irene Jose, and Binibining Pilipinas official photographer Raymond Saldana.

The onground exhibit was accompanied by a Facebook live show in the afternoon, with Patch Magtanong as host. The online show discussed each of the candidates' national costumes, with reviews provided by Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental - 2019 and Best in National Costume winner Emma Mary Tiglao, and pageant writers/bloggers Voltaire Tayag and Jesson Capuchino.

On both the onground and online events, the reigning Binibining Pilipinas - International titleholder read the message of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc (BPCI) chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta, who warmly welcomed all excited fans and supporters in the pageant's resumption.

"Our tradition of identifying and crowning our new queens will be done in a 'new normal' and safe setting. We share your excitement as we see the candidates in action again, and we look forward to your continuous support," she said.

Araneta also announced in her message that the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night is expected to take place on April 17.

Pageant fans can visit the Binibining Pilipinas National Costume Photo Exhibit at the activity area of Gateway Mall until Jan. 31, and at the Upper Ground floor of Ali Mall from Feb. 1 to 14.

The opening of the photo exhibit at the Gateway Mall was attended by Binibining Pilipinas - International 2019 Patch Magtanong.

Life

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

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FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

In your skin

Kelvin Morales explores the anatomy of human body

“W

HAT if the human skin can be used as material for clothing without the judgmental social hiss on cannibalism? What would it look like in the modern day?”

Fueled by this curiosity and passion for materials, avant-garde fashion designer Kelvin Morales launches a thought-provoking experimental collection that explores the anatomy of human body by showcasing the beauty and essence of human skin.

“Clothes should be an extension of one’s self, and with this collection I took that literally,” noted Morales, who formally honed his skills under the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

“I interpreted skin as clothes and translated it into clothing that mimics that concept. This contextualizes the human body and the function of fashion in a different way, dismantling the stereotyping of beauty.”

Human Leather, Morales’ collection, was the result of his extensive research on fabrics, silhouettes, and colors.

The 14-piece collection features a seamless incorporation of tattooinspired embroideries, colorized human hair, manual hand embroidery, traditional beauty of local fabrics, and nifty bespoke details that embody the conceptual and tactile qualities of individuals.

HUMAN IN HUMAN. Morales’ Human Leather collection incorporates tattoo-inspired embroideries, colorized human hair, and bespoke details to showcase the beauty of human skin. The 14-piece collection includes (clockwise) barong embroidered dragon tattoo, black pleated top, Fix Your Hair top short version, and corduroy jacket hand pocket.

Fashion designer Kelvin Morales is known for his innovative and unorthodox creations.

“I wanted to highlight the diversity of human skin and equality of different races and colors,” he reiterated.

Morales is currently gearing up for the incoming PHX 2020-2021, an incubation project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and the Department of Trade and Industry for young and emerging Filipino designers to showcase their original creations and collections in Tokyo.

His works are displayed on www.kelvinmoralesph.com and his Instagram account (@kelvinmmorales).

VANITY CORNER Beautiful dream

Inspired by product inventor Mark Constantine’s quest for a good night’s sleep, Lush launches the newest addition to its Sleepy range—an indulgent face mask that pampers and nourishes skin while resting.

The Beauty Sleep face and body mask were personally tested by co-founders Constantine and Helen Ambrosen for over a year.

“Have a bath, and use this face mask to sleep like a dream when you go to bed,” shared Constantine.

It is made with sleep-inducing lemon verbena and valerian root (extracted in honey sourced from the Barro Vermelho community in Brazil), hydrating mullein, linseed decoction, gently polishing ground organic adzuki beans, and a dollop of Lush’s most exquisite facial moisturizer, Gorgeous.

To use, apply on a cleansed face and leave on for 10 minutes to give the ingredients time to soften and moisturize, and the essential oils to relax the senses before the skin has a gentle exfoliation from the adzuki beans.

Lush Beauty Sleep face and body mask

The decadent face and body mask is available at 125g for P875 and 315g for P1,595. It is sold at Lush branches at Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street, Estancia in Capitol Commons, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, and TriNoma. It’s also available online on Zalora and Trunc.com.

Blackwater Lip Balm

Spotlight’s bullet matte lipstick in Scream Queen (top) and lip crayon in Blazing Star

Color me red

Local makeup brand Spotlight Cosmetics highlights the classic red lipstick with its range of red in various shades and formulas.

For liquid matte finish, it has the red-brownish Liquid Lips in Fiery Star and the bright red Liquid Lips in Stunning Icon. Spotlight also offers bullet matte lipsticks which come in an intense berry shade called Sultry Siren and pinkish-red Scream Queen.

Those who prefer a softer and more dewy finish may opt for the brand’s Creamy Lipstick in World-Class Diva. The Lip Crayon, meanwhile, is made for precise application and comes in various shades of red like Blazing Star and Edgy Princess.

All Spotlight lip products are currently P99 off on Watsons online and at all Watsons stores and SM Department Stores until Jan. 31.

Lip balm for men

Grooming products brand Blackwater launches a lip balm designed for men.

The new Blackwater Lip Balm for Men protects, deeply moisturizes, and smoothens the appearance of the lips. It has SPF 20 for added protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

This new lip product is available at all leading supermarkets, department stores, and drugstores nationwide for P120.

From left: Midsole cleaning kit, outdoor footwear cleaner, natural wax oil, and waterproofing spray from Ecco.

Danish footwear label shares 3-step shoe care system CLEAN, care, protect. Follow these use the Gentle Leather Lotion or the three steps, a Danish footwear brand Daily Care Cream. suggests, to preserve the look and Step 3: Protect. This line works as a quality of your shoes. protective coating to keep rain and stains Step 1: Clean. Ecco’s water-based away. The Ecco Repel spray—a non-aerClean products effectively remove osol, gas-free, and PFC-free spray—probuilt up dirt and instantly revive vides an invisible and breathable protecleathers while enhancing freshness. tive coating that resists water and stains.

The Foam Cleanser has a It is ideal for a wide range water-based self-foaming of materials. formula developed to shift The Ecco shoe care grime and salt stains. It is range is tailor-made for the suitable for smooth leathbrand’s shoes. According ers, nubuck, suede, and to its makers, each shoe fabrics. When used alongcare product is developed side the Shoe Refresher on a similar technology Spray, the two help revive as skincare products using the inside of shoes. only the highest quality For gentle and effective natural ingredients. This cleansing and re-buffing of manufacturing technique delicate suede and nubuck, ensures that the products the brand offers the Nubuck will restore and maintain and Suede Eraser. the unique finishes found Step 2: Care. The on the brand’s footwear. brand’s Care products The aforementioned work like lotion to soften, products in the three-step moisturize, and improve shoe care system are availelasticity. They are formu- Leather shoes require able at Ecco stores in SM the right cleaning lated to shine, help retain Megamall and SM Mall products to preserve suppleness, and prevent their look and quality. of Asia; at shop-in-shop leathers from drying out. concepts in SM Store Mall The Nubuck and Suede of Asia, SM Store Makati, Conditioner Daily Care blends refined SM Store North Edsa, SM Store Aura, oils and waxes to keep the shine on SM Store Megamall, SM Store Souththese types of particular materials. To mall, and SM Store Estancia; and at its revive and protect delicate leathers, flagship store on Lazada.