Manila Standard - 2021 February 26 - Friday

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Duterte vows probe into PNP-PDEA shoot-out, justice for victims

By Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo, shootout, which left two policemen dead, in Quezon City between Philippine NaMaricel V. Cruz, tional Police anti-illegal drug operatives and Macon Ramos-Araneta and agents of the Philippine Drug EnPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed forcement Agency, Malacañang said.

Next page justice to victims of a controversial

VOL. XXXV • NO. 16 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LOOKING FOR CLUES. NBI agents Thursday search for pieces of evidence in the scene where members of the Quezon City Police District

and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency engaged in a shoot-out around 6 p.m. at a fast food parking lot along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City Wednesday after a supposed drug buy-bust gone wrong. Inset shows PNP chief Debold Sinas (left) and PDEA Director-General Wilkins Villanueva conducting a press conference a day after the shootout which saw two policemen killed and 3 other persons injured. Manny Palmero

Vaccine rollout hangs

Sinovac arrives Sunday but gov’t undecided which sector gets first jab

By Vito Barcelo and Willie Casas

REVOLT REVISITED. Quezon City Mayor

HE country’s first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China’s Sinovac is expected to arrive Sunday, but their rollout will have to wait until the allocation of the 600,000 doses is firmed up, Malacañang said Thursday.

Joy Belmonte leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the People Power Monument during the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the People Power Revolt at EDSA. Manny Palmero

T

“We expect the Sinovac vaccines to arrive this coming Sunday so we are all excited,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a press briefing aired on state television. He thanked China and Sinovac for the donation.

Medical frontliners will remain on top of the priority list of those to be vaccinated, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), citing varied efficacy rates, said the Sinovac vaccine is not recommended for use by them or the elderly.

Aside from the Sinovac shipment, 10,000 doses of a vaccine developed

by Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned company, will arrive soon, having been approved for “compassionate use” for President Rodrigo Duterte’s security detail.

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COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM FEBRUARY 25)

568,680 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,269 32,437 NEW

ACTIVE

12,201

72

524,042

738

DEATHS

RECOVERIES

NEW

NEW

• Survey: 1 out of 5 adults wants jab • Express lane for vaccine imports percent, said they will not have themselves vaccinated, even if a safe and effective vaccine is available.

ONLY 19 percent OCTA Research of adult Filipinos, conducted the or only one out of Tugon ng Masa five adults in the (TNM) survey country, are willing to be inoculated against COVID-19, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 through facea recent survey by OCTA Research to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, with a Team showed.

The OCTA survey also showed that ±3% margin of error. nearly half of adult Filipinos, or 46 Next page

By Willie Casas, July Rada, Macon Ramos-Araneta

Rody urges vigilance as PH marks Edsa’s 35th

By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja versary of the Edsa People Power Revo- sary of the People Power Revolution in-

lution, Duterte hoped his countrymen spired by the valor of those whose sacPRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on would be inspired by the past valiant rifice made the liberties we enjoy today Filipinos Thursday to be vigilant in pro- heroes who fought “countless battles” possible,” Duterte said. for the Philippines’ liberty.

“May this serve as a constant reminder tecting their rights and to stay united.

Next page “Today, we mark the 35th AnniverIn his message during the 35th anni-

LOCAL ROUNDUP

Volunteers egg on Sara to run for president

Palace: China vax for Rody based on ‘compassionate use’

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte could be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine made by China’s state-owned Sinopharm, which has been approved for “compassionate use” by the Food and

Drug Administration (FDA), the Palace said Thursday.

“The Office of the President is studying whether the compassionate use license can be a basis for the [inoculation of the] President, who is the chief-of-staff

By Rio N. Araja

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AUSTRALIA’S TECH LAW MAKES FACEBOOK, GOOGLE PAY FOR NEWS

Story on A5

INDAY’S ALLIES. Volunteers of “Alyansa ni Inday” movement stage a motorcade to express their support for the 2022 candidacy of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Manny Palmero

SUPPORTERS of President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged presidential daughter Sara Duterte to run for president in the 2022 national elections.

At a media briefing in Quezon City, Dr. Alvin Sahagun, president of Alyansa ni Inday Movement (AIM), said all they just wanted was to “show to Next page

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News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Manila, Jakarta make a plea to HK T

HE Consulates General of the Philippines and Indonesia sent a joint demarche (political initiative) to the Office of the Ombudsman of Hong Kong, calling for the improved living conditions of foreign domestic helpers (FDH) staying at boarding facilities there.

In a report dated Feb. 23, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the document was submitted last Feb. 11 and was received by Assistant Ombudsman Sara Tse. “The joint demarche mainly called for improved living conditions for

boarding facilities and sought the Hong Kong government’s assistance in ensuring that appropriate health and safety standards are put in place to ensure the well-being of FDHs among others,” the DFA said.

There was no immediately available

Palace:...

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of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to get the Sinopharm vaccine,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

The FDA earlier issued a compassionate use license for 10,000 doses for Sinopharm’s vaccine to some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

The government has yet to receive the vaccines, however.

Duterte has expressed a preference for the Sinopharm brand, even though it has yet to obtain an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA. “The President can still opt to use Sinovac for the COVID-19 even though it is not recommended for senior citizens. So it’s up to the President if he wants to get the jab,” Roque said.

The Palace announced that 600,000 doses of the vaccine from Sinovac are expected to arrive on Sunday, Feb. 28.

Newspaper columnist Ramon Tulfo, who also served as Duterte’s special envoy to China, said on Feb. 20 that the President was able to talk to the “Sinopharm representative in the country” and even made a request for samples of vaccine shots for him and his family.

Roque, however, denied Wednesday that Duterte directly negotiated with Sinopharm.

He also said Tulfo was no longer a special ambassador to China, so he is not covered by the country’s antigraft laws.

Roque made the remark after Tulfo admitted getting inoculated against COVID-19 with a smuggled vaccine and even considering putting up a Sinopharm distributorship in the country.

“I have no personal knowledge about what Mon Tulfo said, so I really cannot comment on something I don’t know anything about,” Roque said.

“But what is clear is that Mon Tulfo is no longer the special envoy to China and he is no longer covered by antigraft laws,” he added.

Tulfo clarified that when he got the vaccine shot, his appointment as special envoy to China had expired.

The FDA and the National Bureau of Investigation are investigating the issue on the Sinopharm vaccination.

“The NBI has an ongoing investigation on the alleged importation, entry, sale, and administration of unregistered COVID19 vaccines in the underground market. I will leave it to the NBI to determine if it’s necessary or relevant to invite Ramon Tulfo to shed light on the matter,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

On Tuesday, the Palace distanced itself from Tulfo after the latter claimed he was vaccinated with smuggled doses of Sinopharm in October last year.

“We have no opinion whatsoever with regards to Mon Tulfo’s write ups.

The Duterte administration does not patronize smuggled products and the use of unregistered COVID-19 vaccines is not a government policy,” Roque said at the time.

Doses from AstraZeneca will arrive in March, Roque said.

The delivery of the Sinovac vaccines was delayed a few days due to the lack of regulatory approval.

Roque touted the safety and efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine, however, saying that many world leaders have taken it.

He added that the government has done everything to ensure the arrival of Western vaccine brands, including the passage of a proposed indemnity law sought by the drug manufacturers.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) said Thursday that specific details as to the allocation and subsequent rollout of the 600,000 donated Sinovac doses are still being evaluated pending the official recommendation of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and its approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The Department of National Defense earlier said that out of the 600,000 doses, 100,000 will go to its employees and members of the military.

The FDA said Thursday that while it did not recommend Sinovac for front-

Rody...

From A1 for all of us to remain vigilant in safeguarding our democratic institutions, preserving our values, and upholding our rights as Filipinos.”

“As we contemplate the relevance of this occasion, let us proceed with renewed hope and optimism towards the realization of our shared aspirations for our nation,” he said in a statement.

“May this serve as a constant reminder for all of us to remain vigilant in safeguarding our democratic institutions, preserving our values, and upholding our rights as Filipinos,” Duterte added.

For her part, Vice President Leni Robredo called for unity similar to what Filipinos displayed during the People Power Revolution to fight the “constant threat” to the country’s democracy and also amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement commemorating the

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From A1 Among those not willing to be vaccinated, Balance Luzon and Visayas registered the highest percentage at 47 percent each, while Mindanao and National Capital Region recorded 43 percent each.

The study also showed the intent to be vaccinated is lowest in Balance Luzon at 14 percent, while a quarter of those from the NCR and Mindanao, at 25 percent and 26 percent, respectively, are willing to have themselves vaccinated.

In the Visayas, only 20 percent of Filipinos expressed their intent to get vaccinated.

Quick processing OK’d for vaccine imports

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and lack of vaccines, Sahagun stressed the movement was not an early election campaign.

The other day, the Commission on Elections said paraphernalia urging the President’s daughter to run – criticized by some social media users – in the 2022 polls did not violate election laws.

“Technically, there is no violation because in order for premature campaigning to be committed there should be an official candidate,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told ANC. “And no official candidate exists right now. In fact, we are not even filing the certificate of candidacy yet. So, since there is no official candidate, there can be no crime or should we say offense of premature campaigning.”

President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday his daughter was not running for the country’s highest post in 2022.

“Inday Sara is not running. I have really, really put my foot down.

Naaawa ako sa anak ko. Ang politiko

dito, kababuyan,” he said in a briefing in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. “... I pity my daughter. The politics here is dirty.”

Last month, the Davao City mayor also appealed to her supporters to wait for her to run for president until 2034.

Jimenez said the “Run Sara Run” banners, which have been slammed by several social media users as early campaigning, was “a matter of free expression.”

“These people have the right to actually promote the candidacy of anyone that they want. They could put up a banner that says ‘Christian Run’ and it won’t make a difference because it’s a matter of free expression,” he said.

However, the poll official noted such activity skews the playing field.

“You are putting a premium on the ability to go out and campaign this early, which means you have a bigger war chest, which means you have more money, which means that ultimately candidates with more resources are in a better position to win the election,” he said.

said domestic helpers were allowed to stay in boarding houses for two weeks while looking for jobs.

Some accommodations, however, were allegedly overcrowded and violated building usage, risking transmission among tenants.

In January 2021, the Hong Kong Ombudsman initiated an inquiry to evaluate government regulations on these boarding houses.

The joint demarche was a response to the Ombudsman’s request for recommendations regarding the issue.

line health workers, those who wished to take it could do so.

The FDA caveats have muddled the rollout of vaccines, since frontline workers in health care facilities were supposed to be first in line for inoculation.

In a briefing, Roque said the order in which people are vaccinated had to be adjusted.

“For the purposes of Sinovac, ...the order of priority will have to be amended because obviously it cannot be given to health care workers and it cannot be given to senior citizens.

I anticipate it will be first given to the Armed Forces and to the economic frontliners before we go to the indigents. But we are only talking of 600,000. So, I think we will prioritize the military for the 100,000 and the economic frontliners for [the rest].”

Roque explained that economic frontliners would include farmers, miners, fishermen, transport workers and those working in export-oriented industries and business process outsourcing companies.

Meanwhile, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) said it is ready to receive any brand of coronavirus vaccine.

“Whatever vaccine will arrive first, we will accept it, and our basis for receiving it is the EUA [emergency use authorization] provided by our FDA),” said hospital director

Dr. Gerardo Legaspi.

“We all know that if the FDA gives any vaccine the EUA, the safety and efficacy are assured,” he added.

Legaspi said the PGH has prepared the infrastructure and logistical requirements for vaccines.

The hospital director earlier reported that 94 percent of PGH personnel surveyed expressed willingness to get vaccinated.

At the time the survey was taken, however, the hospital staff had the Pfizer vaccine in mind, since this was supposed to be the first shipment.

Legaspi also allayed fears that the Sinovac jab offers little to no protection for health workers, stressing that all vaccines approved by the FDA so far— Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac—offer 100 percent protection against severe COVID-19.

A nurses’ group on Thursday said a survey among their members found that while most of them are willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine, they want one that has gone through Phase 3 of the clinical trials and peer review.

Maristela Abenojar, president of Filipino Nurses United, said 76.5 percent or 494 of their 646 respondents want to be administered coronavirus shots.

Abenojar said their survey did not ask which brand of vaccine the nurses prefer to receive.

increased to 568,680 on Thursday after the Department of Health reported 2,269 new infections, the third time in the past week that new cases breached 2,000.

Recoveries now total 524,042 after 738 more patients recovered from the respiratory disease, while the death toll climbed to 12,201 with 72 new fatalities.

That left 32,437 active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 88.5 percent of which are mild, 0.78 percent of which are moderate, 6.1 percent of which are asymptomatic, 2.3 percent of which are severe, and 2.4 percent of which are in critical condition.

nurses to the United Kingdom and Germany if they would guarantee that the health workers and other overseas Filipino workers in those countries would be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Senator Joel Villanueva also voiced his opposition.

“We simply do not swap people for products,” he said. “But the big question is how did we reach this situation?”

Some health care workers have yet to receive their hazard pay and other benefits for battling COVID-19 in the frontlines, a group of nurses said Thursday.

The DOH had in December extended the deadline set for health workers applying for COVID-19 hazard pay.

Some medical frontliners only received their benefits on Jan. 29, said Maristela Abenojar, national president of Filipino Nurses United.

Some 16,467 health workers had yet to receive their benefits as of November, Abenojar said, citing data from the DOH during a Senate hearing.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has approved the inclusion of all importations of COVID-19 vaccines in the “Mabuhay” or express lane of the Department of Finance to allow the quick processing of the tax and duty exemptions of these vital shipments.

Dominguez also approved the waiving of filing fees for COVID-19 vaccine applications under the Mabuhay Lane and the use of the Tax Exemption System Online Filing Module in processing the vaccine imports “to further support the government’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Senators slam nurses COVID-19 vaccine tax exemption apfor vaccine plan plications in the Mabuhay Lane, which is Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday under the DOF’s Revenue Office, will be urged the government not to barter nurses processed within 24 working hours. in exchange for COVID-19 vaccines.

“What a useless and demeaning offer!

Over 2,000 new Stop it!” she said of a proposal by the Department of Labor and Employment infections logged The Philippines’ COVID-19 caseload that would lift travel restrictions for anniversary, Robredo acknowledged that the promise of EDSA had yet to be fulfilled completely, as she noted “efforts to revise history for the personal agenda of a powerful few.”

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, chief of the Philippine Constabulary during the EDSA uprising and a second cousin of Marcos, said the spirit of the People Power revolution “is not over” 35 years after it toppled what some call authoritarian rule.

Filipinos have to continuously “work” to “enjoy the freedoms and rights embodied in our Constitution,” said Ramos, who, along with then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, played a key role in the Catholic Church-backed gathering at EDSA. “The revolution is not over and the work remains unfinished until every Filipino enjoys the freedoms and rights embodied in our Constitution, our democracy secure, and we regain our seat in the community of nations,” Ramos said in a statement made public.

The DOH said on Thursday that testing, tracing and isolation will be ramped up in Pasay City starting this week after the city saw a spike in COVID-19 cases.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, DOH NCR director Corazon Flores said that health authorities met with Pasay officials and the Metro Manila Development Authority to address the city’s case increase.

The presidential commitment came as Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation would conduct its own investigation, separate from the probes being mulled by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs is considering a legislative investigation following the shootout in the Ever Gotesco Commonwealth area Wednesday night.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chair of the Senate committee on public order, said he would also conduct a Senate investigation, while Senator Risa Hontiveros is set to file a resolution for the conduct of a Senate inquiry on the matter.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President ordered a deep investigation to uncover the truth in the deadly shooting.

“The President of course expressed both sadness and concern why the shootout between government personnel happened,” Roque said during a televised press briefing Thursday.

“The President has assured us...we will get to the bottom of this incident. There will be an impartial investigation and justice will be done,” Roque said.

“We are confident that with PNP and PDEA forming an investigation panel, and the Justice Secretary ordering the NBI to conduct its own parallel investigation, we will know the truth behind this incident and justice will be done,” he said.

Both camps claimed they were holding a legitimate anti-drug operation in the area.

Guevarra told reporters in a text message: “I have ordered the NBI to conduct a parallel investigation on the alleged misencounter between PNP anti-illegal drug operatives and PDEA agents at Commonwealth Avenue.

“This is separate and distinct from the probe to be conducted by an ad hoc joint PNP-PDEA Board of Inquiry earlier announced by PNP chief Debold Sinas.”

The joint PNP-PDEA Board of Inquiry was created by Sinas to look into the details surrounding the incident that left two police officers dead and several others wounded.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will be the lead investigating body of the joint probe while National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director, Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. has been designated to speak on any updates from the PNP to keep the public informed of accurate and relevant information.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said: “Both police and PDEA claim their respective anti-drug operations in Ever Gotesco Wednesday are legitimate.”

If this is so, Barbers said, there could be no firefight as there should be coordination between them as required under Section 86 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) before any legitimate anti-drug operation could be carried out.

Under this section, Barbers said the police should properly coordinate with PDEA but it appeared that the police did not.

Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo backed Barbers’ call for a congressional inquiry into what she described as the deadly “misencounter” in her district between operatives of the QC police and the PDEA .

Castelo said her proposed inquiry in aid of legislation would focus “on the adequacy or inadequacy of the law.

statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Manila what the Consulate General of its home office had said in the joint demarche.

Last August 2020, a significant number of coronavirus infections were recorded among domestic helpers who stayed in boarding facilities in Hong Kong.

The COVID-19 infection involving domestic helpers reportedly accounted for around 5 percent of total cases in Hong Kong in January 2021 alone.

The local paper Hong Kong Standard

Hazard pay, benefits still unpaid

Volunteers...

From A1 the President and (Davao City Mayor) Sara how much we love them.”

“This is our freedom of expression and choice for her to run in 2022,” he told reporters.

The group launched “Run, Inday, Run” and held a motorcade along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Pasay City until Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City involving luxury cars.

“This is in recognition of what the President has done to the country. This is just our opinion for continuity of the President’s achievements,” Sahagun said.

But he clarified their effort was out of volunteerism, and not a paid movement.

“I do not personally know the President and Sara. I haven’t met them in person,” he said.

“We understand the President does not want his daughter to run. That’s why we are here,” he added.

Duterte...

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Travel precautions should stay – DOH

A negative COVID-19 test, alongside other health-related requirements for local travelers, should remain in place, the DOH said..

Dr. Rontgene Solante, of the DOH Vaccine Expert panel, made the response in connection with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s plan to waive such requirements as the country prepares to transition under eased COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

“I don’t think we’re ready to remove these health certificates and the requirements. Because, first, we know our history that there are a lot of COVID-19 cases in the provinces as well as other areas with high COVID-19 cases,” Solante said.

Pasay testing ramps up amid spike

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IN BRIEF Venezuela expels EU envoy over sanctions Xi boasts China ‘miracle’ in tackling poverty CHINESE President Xi Jinping on Thursday declared his country had achieved the “human miracle” of eliminating extreme poverty, though questions continue to surround the Communist Party’s criteria for making the claim.

In a glitzy ceremony in Beijing, Xi bestowed medals on officials from rural communities, some wearing traditional ethnic-minority attire, and promised to share this “Chinese example” with other developing nations.

“No other country can lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in such a short time,” Xi said.

“A human miracle has been created that will go down in history.”

China last year claimed it had achieved its long-trumpeted goal of lifting all of its people above a poverty line of $2.30 in daily income.

That is slightly above the World Bank’s lowest threshold of $1.90, but below what is recommended for higher income countries.

The World Bank says China has lifted more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty since turning to market reforms in the 1970s, after decades of state planning and ill-advised Maoist campaigns that had stifled the economy.

China is now “providing help to developing countries” still struggling with poverty, Xi said. AFP

VENEZUELA on Wednesday expelled the European Union’s ambassador to Caracas in response to new sanctions, giving the Portuguese envoy 72 hours to leave the country and raising the bloc’s renewed ire.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza announced the move against ambassador Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa two days after EU foreign ministers agreed to sanction 19 Venezuelan

officials for “undermining democracy.”

“Today, by decision of President Nicolas Maduro, we presented to Mrs Isabel Brilhante... her declaration as persona non grata,” Arreaza told journalists.

“She has been given 72 hours to leave Venezuelan territory.”

In Brussels, the EU demanded Venezuela reverse its decision.

“The EU profoundly regrets this decision, which will only lead to further international isolation of Venezuela. We call for this decision to be reversed,” said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali.

“Venezuela will only overcome its ongoing crisis through negotiation and dialogue, to which the EU is fully committed but which this decision undermines directly.” AFP

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister presented EU Ambassador Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa with a letter declaring her ‘persona non grata’ and giving her 72 hours to leave the country, AFP

Australia passes landmark law F

ACEBOOK and Google will be forced to pay for Australian news under legislation passed Thursday that is being closely watched globally for precedents in the battle between Big Tech and media companies.

Saudi crown prince has surgery for appendicitis SAUDI Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, has had successful surgery for appendicitis, state media reported late Wednesday.

The 35-year-old prince had “successful laparoscopic surgery (Wednesday) morning for appendicitis at King Faisal Specialist Hospital” in Riyadh, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

SPA tweeted footage of the prince walking out of the hospital with an entourage and getting into the front passenger seat of a car.

The prince has overseen the most fundamental transformation of Saudi Arabia in its modern history, shaking up the ultraconservative oil giant with an array of economic and social reforms.

But he has also presided over a crackdown on critics including prominent clerics, activists, and royal family members.

He faced a storm of condemnation over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate in October 2018.

A US intelligence report -- soon-to-be released -- is believed to have concluded that Prince Mohammed was behind the killing.

The White House has said President Joe Biden will speak with King Salman, not his son the crown prince, when he makes his first telephone call to Saudi leaders.

Biden has not yet spoken to the king but is expected to do so “soon”. AFP

Facebook has said it will invest around US$1 billion in news around the world over the next three years. AFP

Biden has seen intel report on journalist’s murder US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he has already seen a soon-to-be released intelligence report detailing the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

“Yes I have,” he told reporters when asked if he’d read the intelligence assessment.

Earlier, the White House said the unclassified report would be out “soon.”

Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden was also “soon” due to speak with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman for the first time since taking office in January.

Psaki would not confirm a report in Axios that the Biden call with Salman would take place Wednesday and that the unclassified intelligence report would be published Thursday.

Asked when the call would take place, Biden only said: “We’re going to be talking to him, I have not spoken to him yet.”

Khashoggi, a Saudi who wrote for The Washington Post and was a US resident, was killed and dismembered in 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The CIA has directly linked Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder.

He has accepted overall responsibility, as his country’s leader, but denies a personal link.

Biden has stressed he will “recalibrate” the US relationship with Saudi Arabia.

This will mean steering away from former president Donald Trump’s reliance on Prince Mohammed and dealing

directly with the king, the White House says.

However, there are clearly limits to how far the Biden administration is ready to go in punishing oil-rich Saudi Arabia, a strategic ally in the Islamic world.

“He will speak out when there are human rights abuses, about the lack of freedom of speech, or the lack of freedom of media and expression,” Psaki said.

“At the same time, we have a long relationship with Saudi Arabia. They are being attacked in the region and that is certainly an area where we continue to work with them.”

The contents of the intelligence report will pile pressure on the Saudi leadership, which got little pushback from the Trump administration. AFP

The world-first law passed easily after the Australian government agreed to water down elements most fiercely opposed by the tech giants, in return for both agreeing to negotiate paid deals with local media.

It paves the way for Google and Facebook to plough tens of millions of dollars into struggling local media companies, and could provide a model for resolving tussles with regulators worldwide.

The government said the law would ensure that news businesses “are fairly remunerated for the content they generate, helping to sustain public interest journalism in Australia”.

Google has already brokered deals worth millions of dollars with Australian media companies, including the two largest: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Nine Entertainment.

A more reluctant Facebook—which briefly slapped a site-wide ban on Australian news in protest at the law—has inched towards a first deal with Seven West, and said more negotiations are on the way.

So long as these deals go ahead, the tech firms will avoid being told who and what to pay by an arbiter, and their most profitable products such as “search” will be ringfenced.

The agreements mark a new foray into content payment for Facebook and Google, who became two of the world’s largest and most profitable companies largely by organising, curating and indexing others’ content cost-free.

Facebook and Google have each said they will invest around US$1 billion in news around the world over the next three years. AFP

Iran vows response to crash ‘ambiguities’

Rescue teams work on January 10, 2020 amidst debris from Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, which crashed two days earlier shortly after take-off from Iran’s capital Tehran killing all 176 people aboard. AFP

137 NGOs seek UN arms embargo against Myanmar NEARLY 140 NGOs from 31 countries signed an open letter Wednesday calling for the United Nations Security Council to urgently impose an arms embargo on Myanmar after the military coup there earlier this month.

“The United Nations Security Council should urgently impose a global arms embargo on Myanmar in response to the military coup and to deter the junta from committing further abuses,” the letter said.

It went on to say, “Govern-

ments that permit arms transfers to Myanmar -- including China, India, Israel, North Korea, the Philippines, Russia, and Ukraine -- should immediately stop the supply of any weapons, munitions, and related equipment.”

Three of the named countries are currently members of the Security Council: permanent members China and Russia -- who both hold veto power in the body -- and non-permanent member India.

“Given the mass atrocities against the Rohingya, decades of

war crimes, and the overthrow of the elected government, the least the UN Security Council can do is impose a global arms embargo on Myanmar,” Human Rights Watch (HRW) director Kenneth Roth wrote.

“The Security Council should also impose targeted sanctions, global travel bans, and asset freezes on the leadership of the junta and military-owned conglomerates,” said the signatories, which also included dozens of Asian NGOs. AFP

IRAN will provide “detailed responses” to accusations by a UN expert over Tehran’s accidental downing last year of a Ukrainian passenger jet, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.

On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 crashed shortly after take off from Iran’s capital Tehran killing all 176 people aboard, including 55 Canadians.

The Islamic republic admitted three days later that its forces mistakenly shot down the Kiev-bound Boeing 737-800 plane after firing two missiles.

But Agnes Callamard, a special UN rapporteur on extra-judicial killings, on Tuesday said the Iranian explanation of what went wrong is full of contradictions and amounted to lies.

Iran “has prepared detailed responses to the questions and ambiguities raised which will be handed over” before March 20, foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement Wednesday.

The UN expert had relied on “erroneous, biased and non-pertinent information,” he added.

He also criticised Callamard for getting inManila volved in a topic that “has nothing to do with Standard TODAY

her mission or competence”.

Callamard had told reporters the Iranian version of events was “contradicted by the facts, by the technical assessments of many experts.”

“Why does Iran lie? Because there is no other term to use,” she alleged.

Iran’s civil aviation authority has said that poor tuning of an anti-aircraft unit’s radar was the main human error behind the tragedy.

Tensions between Iran and the US were soaring at the time of the downing of the Ukrainian jetliner.

Iranian air defences were on high alert for a US counter-attack after Tehran fired missiles at a military base in Iraq that was used by US forces.

Those missiles were fired in response to the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, who headed the foreign operations arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a US drone strike near Baghdad’s international airport.

Iran said in December that it would pay $150,000 in compensation to each family that lost a loved one in the crash, a move heavily criticised by Ukraine, which has demanded the investigation finish first. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for its consent on the nomination and for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), namely: Nomination: 1. Ms. MARIA LUMEN BANZON ISLETA

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Ad Interim Appointments: Mr. VICENTE VIVENCIO TEJAMO BANDILLO Mr. MEDARDO ANTONIO GONZALES MACARAIG Mr. EDUARDO RAMOS MEÑEZ Mr. ALFONSO AGBAYANI VER Ms. CHARMAINE ROWENA CAOILE AVIQUIVIL Ms. EVANGELINE T. ONG JIMENEZ-DUCROCQ Ms. GRACE T. CRUZ-FABELLA Mr. ROBERTO GUTIERREZ MANALO Mr. SENEN TIEMSIN MANGALILE Ms. FLERIDA ANN CAMILLE PUZON MAYO Ms. MARIA ANGELA ABRERA PONCE Ms. AILEEN S. MENDIOLA-RAU Ms. ELIZABETH TAN TE Mr. PAUL VINCENT LUNA UY Mr. REGINALD SANGLE BERNABE Ms. MARIA ALNEE ARUGAY GAMBLE Ms. DONNA CELESTE FELICIANO-GATMAYTAN Mr. EMMANUEL DONATO KOCH GUZMAN Mr. ROUSSEL REMO REYES

Chief of Mission, Class I as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Sweden with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Finland Chief of Mission, Class I Chief of Mission, Class I Chief of Mission, Class I Chief of Mission, Class I Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Chief of Mission, Class II Career Minister Career Minister Career Minister Career Minister Career Minister

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Mr. JIM TITO BALGOS SAN AGUSTIN Ms. LENNA EILLEEN C. DE DIOS-SISON Mr. HANS MOHAIMIN LIM SIRIBAN Mr. KERWIN ORVILLE CASANO TATE Mr. RALPH VINCENT CLAR DE JESUS ABARQUEZ Ms. IRISH KAY L. KALAW-ADO Mr. NOMER BLEVENS ADO II Ms. MA THERESA MILALLOS ALDERS Ms. JOHANN VERONICA MADULID ANDAL Mr. OLIVER CUTAMORA DELFIN Ms. HELEN ANNE SAYO GAN Mr. REDENTOR DIAZ GENOTIVA Ms. RIA EUGENIO GOROSPE Mr. JOHN FRANCIS SOLANO HERRERA Ms. KRISTINE MARGRET MENDIOLA MALANG Mr. JIM GABRILLO MINGLANA Ms. CARLYN ANDRINO MONASTRIAL Mr. NORMAN ESCUETA PADALHIN Ms. ANALYN DE LEON RATONEL Ms. JOYLEEN ESPINOSA SANTOS Mr. RODNEY JONAS LUCIDO SUMAGUE Mr. MAURICE ARCAMO TIEMPO Mr. ERIC PETALLANA VALENZUELA Mr. DUKE APALISOK VILLANUEVA

Career Minister Career Minister Career Minister Career Minister Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I Foreign Service Officer, Class I

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty - two (32) copies of the above nomination and ad interim appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 8834-2706 and 8551-1989.

25 February 2021.

(MS-FEB. 26, 2021)

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary

A6

News

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Retired officer recalls EDSA Revolution

By Ben Cal

Then Philippine Constabulary Gen. Fidel Ramos (right) gives instructions to then Col. Rey Velasco, commanding officer of the Special Action Force who risked their lives during the People Power revolution in February 1986.

RETIRED Police Gen. Rey Velasco, the first commander of the famed Special Action Force, made public his memoirs as one of the co-authors of a book recounting the untold heroism of SAF troopers.

These were the troopers who risked their lives during the People Power Revolution in February 1986.

“To tell the story of EDSA and the Armed Forces and Police Special Action Force not from a spectator’s point of view, but from the key players themselves, the unsung heroes, the ones often unheard of,” Velasco wrote in the book “Silver Linings: The Continuing Saga of the 1986 People Power Revolution.”

As co-author, Velasco wrote an elaborate detail of what the 500-man SAF troopers did to protect and defend Camp Crame, the headquarters of the defunct Philippine Constabulary and Integrated

National Police or PC/INP, the predecessor of the Philippine National Police.

That was where the key players of the revolution—then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, and then Army Col. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan established the headquarters of rebel soldiers against the forces loyal to then President Ferdinand Marcos during the critical four-day peaceful revolution that ousted Marcos from power.

The four-day revolt that occurred on Feb. 22 to 25, 1986, mesmerized the world.

The other co-authors of the book are former Local Government Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III and Melandrew T. Velasco, a veteran journalistpublisher.

In the book Velasco, who now serves as MWSS Chairman, relates his story of the revolution that was covered live by the media, both local and foreign, and beamed throughout the world.

Police rescue four kidnapped Chinese Manila

Standard

TODAY

A

UTHORITIES have rescued four Chinese nationals and arrested 11 suspected kidnappers in a series of operations in Quezon City and Pampanga, the Philippine National Police said on Thursday.

Citing reports from the Anti-Kidnap- Avenue, Quezon City, around 6 p.m. on ping Group, PNP Chief Debold Sinas Wednesday. said a woman was rescued at a medical Based on the information provided diagnostics clinic along N.S. Amoranto by the supervisor of the establishment,

IN BRIEF 14 arrested in Taguig for illegal gambling FOURTEEN people were arrested in a crackdown led by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group regional chief P/Col Randy Glenn Silvio against illegal gambling.

The suspects were nabbed due to the intensified campaign or Oplan Bolilyo after reports that illegal gambling proliferated in Taguig.

Based on the report submitted by P/ Lt.Col. Dennis V. Rodriguez to CIDG director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, the suspects were arrested at 11 a.m. on February 23 in North Signal, Taguig, while collecting bets inside the house of the maintainer Danilo Bagio, 53, married and residing at Pahinga Norte in Candelaria Quezon.

Nabbed with him were bet collectors Alan Reyes, 52, married and residing at 4 Victoria Village, San Miguel, and Clemente Blanco, 53, married and residing at 175 Apitong Street in Creekland, Hagonoy, both from Taguig City.

Traffic officers praised for helpfulness, honesty THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Thursday commended eight traffic enforcers for their services and honesty in the line of duty.

Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. awarded certificates of commendation to Traffic Enforcers Ernesto Bungay Jr., Junathan Salmingo and Charmaine Balmores when they surrendered a lost wallet and ATM cards to its owner in Quezon City on Jan. 4.

“We commend our traffic personnel for their exemplary and admirable character of truthfulness. Their act is worthy of emulation, “said Abalos.

Enforcers Mark Anthony Aguilar and Romero Owen were also recognized when they returned a lost wallet to its owner in Makati City on Jan. 24. All are assigned at the Central Traffic Enforcement District 1.

Meanwhile, MMDA Mobile Patrol Unit members Roel Bayaua, Marlon Natada and Eddie Rosal received certificates for assisting a family whose car tire went flat in EDSA-Munoz on Feb. 9. Joel E. Zurbano

Manhunt for the killer of Tempo writer ordered THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security has ordered the Philippine National Police to intensify its manhunt for the suspected killer of Remate columnist Jupiter Gonzales and his friend, Christopher Tiongson, after an alias warrant was recently issued by a Regional Trial Court for double murder.

Responding to the call, the Pampanga Police Provincial Office created special tracker teams to hunt down the accused Armando Maglaya Velasco a.k.a., “Ambet”, said to be a carnival operator and primary suspect in the twin-murder.

Judge Mary Jane Dacara Buenaventura of Branch 43 of the RTC of San Fernando City issued the alias warrant under Criminal Case 29647.

“They may run and they may hide, but the PNP will be undeterred in their duty to apprehend these criminals. There is no escaping the law especially in this Administration.” PTFoMS Co-Chair and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin M. Andanar said.

the victim was scheduled for a swab test as a requirement for air travel.

AKG agents rushed to the clinic and rescued the victim from her three captors identified as Malaysian nationals Liang Khai Chean, 28; Mou Yun Peng, 35; and Benjie Labor, 43, a Filipino.

The rescued Chinese woman said several other kidnap victims were being held in a safe house where she was earlier detained in Barangay Sta. Cruz in

Mexico, Pampanga.

Around 10:30 p.m., the AKG operatives conducted an operation where they rescued three more Chinese kidnap victims and eight more suspects—two Chinese nationals and six Filipinos.

“This successful rescue operation only goes to show the dedication and commitment of the PNP against organized crime,” Sinas said in a statement.

Also on Wednesday, Sinas said 37

Plea aired to set aside Charter change

By Maricel V. Cruz A LAWMAKER on Thursday ap-

pealed to the leadership of the House of Representatives to set aside economic Charter Change when senators appear in no mood to tackle the measure in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic shocks.

“It’s practically dead in the water,” Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said of the Resolution of Both Houses 2.

Villafuerte’s statement came in reaction to a media report that no less than Senate President Vicente Sotto III was quoted as saying that the Senate does not intend to take up constitutional reform at

the moment.

“So what’s the point for the chamber’s leadership to fritter away the time and attention of House members on RBH 2 when it seems that Cha-Cha has a zero chance of making it to first base in the Senate?” Villafuerte said.

“We in the House would do well to rather focus at this time on the measures to help the national government deal with the priority concerns of Covid-19 response and economic recovery.”

After a two-week deferment, the plenary discussions in the House were opened this week on RHB 2, the measure primarily sponsored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco that seeks to amend

the 1987 Charter, particularly its restrictive economic provisions believed to have handicapped the flow of foreign direct investments.

Sought for comment on whether the Senate would follow the House in tackling Cha-Cha, Sotto was quoted in a media report as saying, “Not at the moment.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon were also quoted in the same report as opposing Cha-Cha at this point, while Senator Imee Marcos reportedly doubted if there was the same House support to amend the Constitution at this time in the Senate.

wanted persons, including three drug suspects, were nabbed in Eastern Visayas during an anti-crime sweep in the region.

Based on the report of the Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas), the 34 wanted persons were arrested in the provinces in Samar, Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte while the three drug suspects were nabbed in buy-bust operations in Southern Leyte, Samar and Leyte.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 97, QUEZON CITY

IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM MA. PHILLINA SANTOS TO MA. PHILLINA SANTOS SEÑORON MA. PHILLINA SANTOS, -versus-

Petitioner, SP Case No. R-QZN-21-01086-SP

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF THE CITY OF MANILA, Respondent, x----------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

In her verified Petition, Petitioner Ma. Phillina Santos prays, among others, that, after due notice, publication and presentation of evidence, an Order be issued directing the respondent Local Civil Registrar of the City of Manila to change the name of Petitioner from Ma. Phillina Santos to Ma. Phillina Santos Señoron in her record of birth, the same to be regarded as her true and correct name, for all legal intents and purposes.

The Petition being sufficient in form and substance, is hereby given due course and set for initial hearing on March 24, 2021 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning before this Court sitting at Room 409, 4th Floor, Hall of Justice Annex Building, City Hall Compound, Quezon City, at which date, time and place, all interested persons are required to appear and show cause why the Petition should not be granted.

WHEREFORE, let copies of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner for at least once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to initial hearing in a newspaper of general circulation. Accordingly, let a copy of this Order be forwarded to the Office for raffle to pick from among the newspapers or periodicals which will publish the judicial notices as prescribed under P.D. 1079.

Furthermore, let copies of this Order together with the Petition and its annexes, be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General; Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City; the Local Civil Registrar of Manila City; and the Philippine Statistics Authority for their comment and information.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Metro Manila, February 4, 2021.

(Sgd.) RICHELLE S. MANUEL Presiding Judge Copy furnished: OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR OF QUEZON CITY LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MANILA CITY PHILIPPINE STATISCTICS AUTHORITY ATTY. ROBERTO F. DIVINAGRACIA DIVINAGRACIA, SOLIS AND ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICES Counsel for the Petitioner Suite 1108 Ermita Center Building 1350 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

(MStandard - Feb. 26, Mar. 5 & 12, 2021)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 225-QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF IVEE LAINE SOFISTA DURAN Case No. R-QZN-20-08920- SP SPOUSES LIONEL CHRISTOPHER RAMESH DE CABRAAL WIJETUNGE AND MELANIE MABANES SOFISTA, Petitioners. x--------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

A verified petition was filed by petitioners through counsel on November 20, 2020 praying that after publication, notice and hearing, a Judgment be rendered as follows: 1. Granting this petition for adoption and declaring Ivee Laine Sofista Duran the legitimate child of herein petitioners, with all the rights and privileges of an adopted child under the law and shall henceforth carry petitioner Ramesh’s surname de Cabraal Wijetunge; 2. Directing the Local Civil Registry of Quezon City and the Philippine Statistics Authority to record the decree of adoption and to issue a new Birth Certificate of the adoptee who should be known and registered as Ivee Laine Sofista de Cabraal Wijetunge.

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

WHEREFORE, let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at petitioner’s expense, upon coordination with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Quezon City. Hearing on the verified petition is hereby set on March 25, 2021 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at 7th ‘Floor, Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, at which time and place, any person having interest in the petition may appear.

Let copies of this Order be posted by the Branch Sheriff, thirty (30) days before the hearing date at the following places at the expense of petitioner: 1.

2.

3.

at the main entrance of the City Hall Building of Quezon City; on the Bulletin Board of the Court, Hall of Justice Annex Building, Quezon City, and at the Barangay Hall of the barangay where the petitioner resided.

Let copy of this Order together with the copy of the petition and its annexes be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City.

SO ORDERED. December 7, 2020, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

*/w CC:

(Sgd.) MARIA LUISA LESLE G. GONZALES-BETIC Presiding Judge

Atty. Narcisa H. Guevarra - 95 Desiderio St., Don Jose Hgts. Subd., Quezon City Sps. Lionel Christopher Ramesh De Cabraal Wijetunge and Melanie Mabanes Sofista - Both at B1 29 L50 Palma Nova St., Neopolitan 5 Casa Milan Subd., Greater Lagro, Quezon City Office of the Solicitor General-Makati City Office of the City Prosecut0r, Quezon City Embassy of the Republic of Singapore - 505 Rizal Drive, BGC, Taguig City

(MStandard - Feb. 19, 26 & Mar,5, 2021)

News ATM fee hike ‘oppressive,’ —Defensor

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

‘Lawmen nixing anti-drug protocols’

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

M

ANY LAW enforcement agents involved in the government’s anti-drug operations failed to follow standard protocols, including proper coordination with other agencies and processing of the crime scene.

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday denounced what he called the “oppressive” increase in interbank automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawal fees that the country’s 58 million cardholders are set to shoulder starting April 7.

“The banks should use some of their excess capital to enlarge their ATM networks, instead of punishing cardholders with higher user fees to fund their expansion,” Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor, a member of the House Independent Bloc, said.

The banks now have plenty of surplus capital amid the decline in lending due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Defensor pointed out.

“In fact, one bank is so awash with capital, it is paying out a record P18 billion in special dividends to shareholders next month, even after setting aside P41 billion in reserves against potential bad loans,” Defensor said, without naming the bank.

“They clearly have the money to build up their ATM networks without having to add to the burden of cardholders who are already saddled with miscellaneous bank charges,” he said.

Banks are poised to simultaneously jack up their interbank ATM withdrawal fees – mostly to P18 per transaction – on April 7.

Most banks are currently charging only P10 to P11 per transaction, with no more than five exacting between P12 to P15.

Banks need the extra fee income to grow the national ATM network, which currently has only 21,762 terminals, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

Cardholders who want to avoid paying the higher fee can simply cancel the transaction and look for an adjacent terminal offering a lower charge, the industry group said.

A7

WEED FARM. Operatives of the Cebu Provincial Police Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency hold up a banner to denote their seizure of two marijuana plantations in Barangay Kaluangan, Asturias, Cebu on Wednesday. The farms held plants with a combined estimated value of P8.7 million. Two suspects, however, eluded arrest. CPPO Photo

First permanent shelters turned over to Marawi IDPs

By Rio N. Araja HOUSING czar Eduardo del Rosario, as Task Force Bangon Marawi chief, on Thursday spearheaded the first turnover of permanent shelters to Marawi City’s internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Lanao del Sur. He witnessed the distribution of permanent house ownership certificates from the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) to 109 IDP families during the inauguration of the Marawi resettlement site and permanent houses (phase 1) in Barangay West Dulay.

Erected on a 100-square-meter lot, each two-story house has a floor area of

42 square meters and is equipped with toilet and bathroom, a kitchen, basic lighting, and outlets, as well as a sewage piping system. The subdivision-like resettlement has electric and water supplies, Del Rosario said.

He said the activity symbolizes the government’s full commitment in helping those affected by the siege get back on their feet in partnership with UN-Habitat, along with the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) and the TFBM, as well as its implementing agencies.

“The government, through the TFBM, remains steadfast in helping our Maranao brothers and sisters affected by the 2017 siege rebuild their lives in coordination

Lab schools to test in-person classes

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto said the Department of Education (DepEd) should set up laboratory schools that will test the safety of limited face-to-face classes.

“That is the science lesson DepEd should study,” said Recto. “Debates on whether to open classes should now move from theory to trials.”

He called on the Education department to work with the Department of Health, local government chiefs, local school boards, and “the country’s best scientific minds” to design several “classroom settings safe for our children and teachers.”

“For example, begin with 10 students in a room that is well ventilated. Then all will be wearing mask. Constant handwashing. Temperature check. And instead of whole day in

school, cut it to half, and limit to 2-3 times a week. Teachers with medical clearance. Complete safeguards. Will this work?” Recto said.

He said these “closely monitored trial classes” can be held in COVID-free areas, possibly in remote barangays or self-contained communities which have not recorded a single case of COVID-19 in months.

Citing the need for immediate experience to help fine-tune the reopening of face-toface classes, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan proposed that DepEd pilot an initial 100 schools instead of the suggested 1,065, as the department had suggested.

DepEd cited an internal survey that the clamor “is from the learners themselves.” According to DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan, 1,065 schools, or five schools per division, have been chosen for the pilot reopening.

IBP QC members called to vote on Sat. MARIA Angelica “Angie” de Ramos, incumbent secretary of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Quezon City Chapter, is calling on all its members who are in good standing to come out and vote for new officers this Saturday.

Lawyer Lennard Constantine “Leng” Serrano joined de Ramos in the list of distinguished members of the IBP who are active and are currently holding elective posts in its QC Chapter.

IBP QC, the biggest in the entire country, said that due to the pandemic, voting options are either in person or via online voting.

However, nominees who will vie for any position must be physically present at the venue to accept the nomination and be eligible to be elected in the position aspired for, as online or electronic acceptance of nominations are not allowed, according to lawyer Maria An-

dreameda “Maida” Catubay.

Only those who have paid their annual dues for the current year, have no arrears, and are considered in good standing shall be allowed to vote, as the deadline to settle dues have expired, lawyers Alton C. Durban and Frances Mae “Cherryl” Ontalan explained.

QC chapter member Arbie C. Buenaflor is advising IBP members who will be voting in person to come early and avoid congestion.

The election proper runs from 8 am until 4 pm at the lobby of the Quezon City Hall, and those who have registered for online voting must likewise send their votes in early.

To ensure order and strict compliance with health protocols, particularly proper social distancing at the site all throughout the process, volunteers will be physically present at the voting site to assist all eligible and participating chapter members. Rey E. Requejo

Bahraini wanted for sex crimes arrested

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities arrested a Bahrain national wanted for sex crimes in his country.

Arrested was Alsendi Waleed Abdulla Hamad, who was nabbed in Bgy. San Francisco II, Dasmariñas, Cavite by operatives of the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said he issued the mission order for Hamad’s arrest on orders of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which instructed the BI to verify the presence here and status of the Bahraini.

Hamad is the subject of an arrest warrant by the public prosecutor’s office of Bahrain for

sexual assault and possession of pornographic materials. Consequently, an Interpol red notice against him was issued two years ago, Morente added.

“He will be summarily deported as his presence here and record as a sex offender poses a serious threat to our people,” the BI chief said.

Information from the bureau revealed that Hamad fled to the Philippines in March 2016 after being accused of sexually assaulting a female victim in his apartment.

He is now detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending issuance of the order for his deportation by the bureau’s board of commissioners.

with the implementing agencies and partner-organizations like UN-Habitat,” Del Rosario said.

“Having a house that the IDPs can now call their own is part of our commitment in ensuring Marawi’s overall rehabilitation,” he noted.

The IDP families were from various Marawi villages that were severely affected by the five-month siege laid by Daesh-inspired terrorists that began in May 2017.

They were the first batch of Marawi IDPs to be entitled with permanent shelters, while over 3,000 permanent shelters are currently in various phases of construction in the city.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed this Wednesday after it was discovered by the Department of Justiceled Inter-Agency Review Panel.

In his speech before the 7th meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Guevarra said a contingent from the DOJ had examined available records in certain key areas and cities where most of these deaths during illegal drug operations occurred.

Guevarra stressed that initial and preliminary findings by the review panel of some 5,655 “nanlaban” cases confirm that in many of these cases, law enforcement agents asserted that the subject of the antidrug operations resisted arrest or attempted to draw a weapon and fight back.

“Yet no full examination of the weapon recovered was conducted. No verification of its ownership was undertaken.

No request for ballistic examination or paraffin test was pursued until its completion,” the DOJ chief lamented.

“It was also noted that among others, in more than half of the records reviewed, the law enforcement agents involved failed to follow standard protocols pertaining to coordination with other agencies and the processing of the crime scene,” he said.

Guevarra assured the UNHRC member-states that appropriate government agencies had already been addressing the findings of the review panel and that several policemen have been recommended for criminal prosecution and administrative procedures.

Sports

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

A8 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Jazz thump Lakers, Dort powers OKC past Spurs LOS ANGELES, United States—The Utah Jazz manhandled the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time), improving on their league-leading record with a pitiless 114-89 victory.

Donovan Mitchell, headed for his second straight All-Star Game, scored a modest 13 points but added 10 rebounds and eight assists.

All-Star French center Rudy Gobert and Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points apiece as six Jazz players scored in double figures in the dominant performance against the injury-depleted Lakers.

“We’re playing consistent basketball right now,” Mitchell said after the Jazz notched their 22nd win in 24 games.

“That’s the biggest thing, to continue to play consistently for each other and do the little things. We got away from that in the playoffs and (now) we’re doing it every night.”

Meanwhile, Lu Dort was the hero in Oklahoma City, draining a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer in the Thunder’s 102-99 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 42 points for the Thunder, who had 16 each from Al Horford and Dort.

San Antonio had tied it up at 99-99 on Lonnie Walker’s layup with 29.9 seconds left. But the Spurs turned the ball over with 3.9 to play to set the stage for Dort.

“It felt good when it left my hand, and I was just staring at the ball the whole time,” said Dort, who flopped on his back after the shot fell. “When it dropped in, I just dropped too.”

Hawks’ Gallinari shines It went to overtime in Chicago, where Zach LaVine scored 35 points to help the Bulls overcome the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-126.

LaVine made 14 of his 21 shots and the Bulls connected on 59% of their shots from the field as they won their third straight game.

In Atlanta, Italian veteran Danilo Gallinari set a Hawks record with 10 threepointers, delivering 38 points off the bench to help the hosts to a 127-112 victory over the struggling Boston Celtics.

Gallinari broke the club record of nine three-pointers set by Steve Smith in 1997 and the Hawks surpassed the franchise record with 23 three-pointers. AFP

Donovan Mitchell (45) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers defenders, from right: Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso and Marc Gasol at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP

DepEd wants to discover e-gamers at 2021 Palaro D

By Peter Atencio

ISCOVERING talented video gamers in the mold of Efphraim Jueinno Sambrano is among the goals of the Department of Education when the 2021 Palarong Pambansa is staged through online platforms this year.

Sambrano is considered one of the top e-gamers in the country after recently helping a Philippine team grab the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M2 World Championship title.

Department of Education undersecretary for administration Mark Llego said Sambrano’s exploits is among the reasons why the Deped its reviewing the guidelines for the Palaro this year.

Llego explained in a radio interview on DZBB that Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is among the esports that they are planning to

add to the coming Palaro.

“Kapag nasama ito sa Palaro, makikilala ang mga esports players sa ating bansa. At makakakita tayo ng katulad ni Ejhay Sambrano,” said Llego The disciplines that will be played continue to be discussed by school officials who are involved in the planning of the Games.

Deped officials said the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has compelled Palaro organizers to scrap their plans to hold outdoor events of annual meet.

Organizers are now focused on doing competitions that can be recorded on video with its participants confined to their homes.

Also affected will be those who are joining from the grade 7 and 8 levels, and this because the student-athletes in this categor y are now allowed to join high school competitions.

The final approval of the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will allow them to finally let virtual competitions take place.

If the Games do happen, this will be first Palaro that will be held online for the first time in 75 years.

Unlike in the past years, participants need not travel to other places to join the Palaro under this setup.

Palaro officials said measurable and timed sports are not possible at this time and events that are into forms and styles are in their minds.

PSL launches 2021 Gatorade Beach Volley

Javen Sabas and Jonah San Pedro of Toby’s are ready to play in the 2021 Gatorade-Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup starting Friday at the Subic Bay sand courts.

SUBIC—After 11 months of inactivity, volleyball is finally back.

The Philippine Superliga (PSL) formally makes a historic return as eight teams clash for pride and glory in the 2021 GatoradeBeach Volleyball Challenge Cup starting Friday at the Subic Bay sand courts here.

With no reported case of coronavirus infection out of 56 players, coaches and league staff, it’s all systems go for this special bubble tourney that is being held in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Region 3.

Action fires off at 8 a.m. with Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete of Sta. Lucia 2 coming in as heavy favorites when they collide with Arianne Luna Alarcon and Christina Canares of Kennedy Solar EnergyPetroGazz in Pool A. Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo will carry the colors of United Auctioneers, Inc. with Ella Viray and Therese Ramas seeing action against Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva

of Abanse Negrense 2 at 9 a.m. in Pool B while F2 Logistics fields Jenny Mar Senares and Kyla Angela Gallego against Alexa Polidario and Erjan Magdato of Abanse Negrense 1 in the 10 a.m. battle in Pool A. Matches will be streamed live on the YouTube channel of the PSL. The tournament also has Cherrylume, Ube Express and Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel as sponsors and Cocolife, Cocogen Insurance, Data Project and Genius Sports as technical partners.

PSL president Ian Laurel said the PSL is honored to become the first non-professional volleyball tournament to restart its season after securing the IATF nod thorough Resolution 79 dated Oct. 15, 2020.

“We are very happy that volleyball is finally coming back, especially with the help of SBMA and IATF Region 3. Even if there’s a pandemic, with the help of the IATF and the LGU (local government unit), we were able to bring back the sport,” Laurel said.

“We can actually share the message to all leagues that they

Perez, Black lead PBA Press Corps’ awardees CJ PEREZ and Aaron Black lead the initial batch of players to be recognized in the PBA Press Corps virtual Awards Night on March 7 at the TV5 Media Center.

The 27-year-old Perez gets his second straight Scoring Champion award, while Black banners the All-Rookie Team to be feted by the group of reporters covering the PBA beat during the event that will honor the top performers of both the 2019 season and the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble, respectively.

The one-hour program is presented

by Cignal TV and to be shown on PBA Rush on March 8.

Perez, the former NCAA MVP out

of Lyceum, averaged 24.4 points during the all-Filipino conference last year while still with Terrafirma, to lead the league in scoring for the second straight season. He normed 20.8 points as a freshman that saw him run away with the Rookie of the Year honor and a place in the Mythical Team.

Meanwhile, Black, 24, leads the AllRookie team following his stellar performance with Meralco in the bubble, where the Bolts made the semifinals of the Philippine Cup for the first time in franchise history. He went on and win the season’s Outstanding Rookie Plum.

Joining Black in the All-Rookie unit are Arvin Tolentino of Barangay Gine-

bra, Terrafirma’s Roosevelt Adams, Barkley Ebona of Alaska, and Renzo Subido of NorthPort.

Other distinct awards to be handed out for the short 2020 season are the Outstanding Coach of the Bubble, Mr. Executive, President’s Award, Top Bubble D-Fender, All Bubble D-Fenders, Mr. Quality Minutes, and Game of the Bubble.

Awardees of the 2019 season will also be honored during the special rite led by 2019 Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year Leo Austria of San Miguel, Danny Floro Executive of the Year PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, and Presidential Awardee Vergel Meneses, the current Bulakan, Bulacan mayor and 1995 league MVP.

should not be discouraged. Our athletes should continue their training because there will come a time that tournaments would be allowed with the help of the IATF and the LGU.” Aside from Pineda and Sabete, also tipped to dominate is the pair of DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia of Sta. Lucia 2 following their back-to-back bridesmaid finishes in the past editions of this tournament.

Demontano and Estoquia kick off their title bid against Jonah San Pedro and Javen Sabas of Toby’s Sports at 11 a.m. before returning to action at 5 p.m. against Abanse Negrense 2.

“We’re a little nervous, but we remain positive and we’re excited to play again. We will do our best in every game and we know that everyone is eager and hungry to win,” Estoquia said.

“We feel blessed since beach volleyball was given a chance to compete in a bubble setting. We will make sure to be always ready physically and mentally. In every game, we will give everything to win.”

Tiger’s crash injuries cast doubt on future LOS ANGELES, United States— US golf legend Tiger Woods was recovering in hospital Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) after surgery for serious leg injuries sustained in a car crash that have raised fears for the 45-year-old’s career.

Law enforcement officials said the 15-time major champion, who has been plagued by injury in recent years, would not face reckless driving charges for the crash which didn’t involve any other cars.

Woods was driving alone Tuesday morning in a Los Angeles suburb on a road notorious for fatal accidents when his SUV hit the center median, crossed into the opposing lane, struck a tree and then rolled over several times.

“A reckless driving charge has a lot of elements into it, this is purely an accident,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters.

He added that the most Woods could face would be a low-level offense known as an infraction if investigators conclude that he was speeding or not paying attention.

Investigators hope the new vehicle was equipped with a “black box” data recorder that will help shed light on the cause of the third high-profile car incident involving Woods in recent years.

Woods underwent surgery to repair “significant orthopedic injuries” to his lower right leg and ankle, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center chief medical officer Anish Mahajan said.

This included the insertion of a rod into Woods’s shin bone and the use of “a combination of screws and pins” to stabilize his foot and ankle.

In the same statement posted on Woods’s Twitter account, his representatives said he was “currently awake, responsive, and recovering in his hospital room.”

The crash comes just two months after the golfing phenomenon underwent his fifth back operation.

‘Hotspot’ Woods has had three procedures on his knee too during a career that has also seen him bounce back from high-profile scandal in his personal life.

In 2019, he completed an astonishing comeback from four back operations between 2014 and 2017 to win the Masters, his first major title since 2008.

News of his latest injuries has cast doubt on Woods’s ability to compete at the top level again.

“He’s not Superman,” four-time major champion Rory McIlroy said ahead of a tournament in Florida Wednesday. AFP

CJ Perez (7), then with the Terrafirma Dyip, dribbles past Blackwater Elite defenders Roi Sumang (right) and Ron Dennison during a game between the two teams. PBA

Business

IN BRIEF Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

B1

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 -58.72 PTS. 6,755.95

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

36,101,421,044 254,173 14,704,460,240.06 58 174 37

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.7010

Japan

Yen

0.009502

0.4628

UK

Pound

1.411400

68.7366

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128971

6.2810

Switzerland

Franc

1.104972

53.8132

Canada

Dollar

0.794470

38.6915

Singapore

Dollar

0.757576

36.8947

Australia

Dollar

0.791000

38.5225

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655126

129.3073

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.9869

Brunei

Dollar

0.754717

36.7555

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.033311

1.6223

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2599

Euro

Euro

1.215000

59.1717

Korea

Won

0.000901

0.0439

China

Yuan

0.154703

7.5342

India

Rupee

0.013816

0.6729

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247402

12.0487

New Zealand

Dollar

0.734000

35.7465

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035912

1.7490

PACIFIC Global One Aviation, the aviation arm of PLDT Inc., is embarking on a major rebranding ahead of the anticipated global air charter business take-off in the next three years.

“Pacific Global One Aviation is sending a clear message that the company is constantly evolving, striving for perfection, and positioning itself ahead of the competition. We will be working on mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations with companies whose target market also aligns with PG1,” said PG1 general manager Arnold Picar.

The rebranding starts with the logo—modern look with bold colors, solid lines and aviation elements that speak of the company’s legacy and ambitions.

PG1 said the colors blue, gold and white represent the characters that PG1 embodies—trustworthiness, sophistication and safety, while the striking text leaves a strong impression, something customers will experience after flying with the company.

Transitioning from a classic design, the updated badge signals a new era in PG1’s business as the company heads into the horizon with the mission of becoming the gold standard in private air transport leading the industry in operational safety, service excellence and customer satisfaction.

“We have been getting a lot of inquiries, especially from corporations, on our air transport services. Companies are looking for a safer way to travel as the government gradually eases restrictions and opens up the economy,” PG1 officer-in-charge Leo Gonzales said.

His update is validated by a Business Wire report, citing the impact analysis by global technology and market research firm Technavio.

According to Technavio, the global air charter services market will grow by more than $7 billion through 2024.

The biggest driver will be the passenger segment but there’s a growing demand for cargo services as well.

The report said that, in a worst-case scenario, the impact of the pandemic is expected to normalize in the first quarter of 2022. The global health crisis has crippled air travel, hitting carriers and air taxi operators all over the world in 2020.

Darwin G. Amojelar

COURTESY CALL. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (left) and Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko discuss economic cooperation initiatives during the diplomat’s courtesy call at the BSP head office in Manila. The meeting tackled bilateral agreements between the BSP and the Bank of Japan; the establishment of a Philippine Peso-Japanese Yen Direct Settlement Framework; and the development of a credit risk database for small and medium enterprises.

PNR annuls P921-m contract with CRRC Zhuzhou of China

By Darwin G. Amojelar

S

TATE-RUN Philippine National Railways cancelled a P921million contract with CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co. Ltd. of China to acquire new trains after the Commission on Audit questioned the procurement process conducted by the state railway company.

“The PNR board decided to cancel the contract. We are in cancellation proceedings with CRRC Zhuzhou,” PNG general manager Junn Magno said in a virtual briefing.

“We will rebid the project. We are in the pre-procurement process,” he said.

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corporation on Thursday defended its offer to pay the capacity charges for its 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas power plant two years ahead of schedule, saying it was a gesture of good faith.

San Miguel said the prepayment would help boost government resources needed to address the immediate social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said the turnover of the Ilijan power plant in Batangas to power unit South Premiere Power Corp. “is a natural consequence of prepaying the remaining

Magno did not provide details about the rebidding of the project.

The COA, in its 2019 audit report of PNR, questioned the procurement of train sets (standard gauge diesel multiple unit) amounting to P921 million from CRRC Zhuzhou.

The report said CCR Zhuzhou failed to submit post-qualification bidding requirements, which should have disqualified it from winning the bid.

CRRC Zhuzhou was declared the winning project bidder on Oct. 23, 2019 for the delivery of standard gauge DMU trains to the PNR. The project consists of three train sets of three-car formations. These train sets, which were supposed to arrive in June 2021, would be initially deployed for long-haul service from Calamba, Laguna to Naga City in Camarines Sur and eventually to Legazpi City in Albay.

The DMU trains will feature business class, first-class and second class accommodations. The trains can accom-

modate 168 passengers with 36 seats for business class, 52 seats for first class and 80 seats for second class.

PNR used to cover 479 kilometers of tracks from Manila to Bicol until it stopped operation in 2014 because of the right-of-way issues and lack of trains.

The PNR’s metro line runs from Tutuban in Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.

Aside from the P921-million contract with CRRC Zhuzhou, COA also questioned the P44.5-million contract for the retrofitting of piers and abutments of various bridges (Naga Division); P40 million procurement of Computerized Maintenance Management System; and the P31 million supply and delivery of rail wood sleepers.

China is becoming one of the largest sources of official development assistance loans in the Philippines, particularly for the development of “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration.

THE Philippines posted a balance of payments deficit of $752 million in January 2021, significantly lower than the $1.36-billion shortfall recorded in the same month last year, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

Data showed it was the first BOP shortfall recorded in a year on a monthly basis.

“The BOP deficit in January 2021 reflected outflows mainly from the foreign currency withdrawals of the national government from its deposits in the BSP to pay its foreign currency debt obligations,” BSP said.

The outflows, however, were partly offset, by inflows from the BSP’s foreign exchange operations and income from its investments abroad.

The BOP position reflects a decrease in the gross international reserves level to $108.67 billion as of end-January 2021 from $110.12 billion as of end-December 2020.

“The latest GIR level represents an adequate external liquidity buffer, which can help cushion the domestic economy against external shocks. This buffer is equivalent to 11.6 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income,” it said. Julito G. Rada

Salceda eyes broader satellite tech coverage THE House Committee on Information and Communication Technology has passed House Bill 70812 that proposes the development and broad use of satellite technology in the digital economy to serve even the remotest areas in the country.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chair of the House Ways and Means and the bill’s author, said “satellite based-internet broadband as one of the country’s modes for making internet access more inclusive and more diffused, is an alternative that can be quickly and easily deployed.”

Salceda said satellite liberalization was important because “in some far-flung areas, it’s too expensive for companies to set up broadband or fiber, but satellites don’t have that problem; Satellite-based internet will help bring prosperity to the countryside.”

“The farther a community is from a main island like Luzon or Mindanao, the less likely one is to have internet access. That is a source of inequality in wealth among regions, especially now that many economic opportunities are tech-based,” he added.

Meralco refund schedule set to lower power bills of consumers next month ELECTRICITY rates of Manila Electric Co. may go down next month following the P0.1528 per kilowatt-hour refund approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Meralco vice president and spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said while the utility is still awaiting final billing from power suppliers, “based on initial projections, there is a strong likelihood that power rates for March 2021 will go down.”

This will be the second consecutive month of rate decrease in 2021 for Meralco’s more than seven million consumers.

“Notably, the March power rate will already include the average refund rate of P0.1528 per kWh, as part of Meralco’s distribution rate true-up,” Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco on Feb. 19 received a copy of the ERC order dated Jan. 27 granting the application of Meralco for the refund of P13.885 billion to consumers in 24 months starting March 2021.

Meralco, in its application, sought the ERC’s confirmation of its actual weighted average tariff against the ERC-approved interim average rate to determine if there was any over or under recovery.

San Miguel defends offer to pay capacity charges on Ilijan power plant in advance

By Alena Mae S. Flores

AYALA Land Inc. said it plans to file for another three-year P50-billion bond shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ayala Land chief finance officer Augusto Bengzon in a press briefing said the fresh bond shelf registration program would replenish its bond shelf registration program approved by SEC in 2019, which only has P12.75 billion worth of bonds unissued.

Ayala Land this year plans to raise up to P41 billion through the issuance of retail bonds or corporate notes for listing on Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp..

Bengzon said the company would use proceeds from the planned borrowings to refinance high-interest rate loans.

“We are actively pre terminating high cost debts and replace it with lower cost debts to take advantage of low interest rate environment,” Bengzon said.

Bengzon said the company initially planned to offer P6.25 billion worth of four-year bonds over the next few months.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Balance of payments yields deficit of $752m

Source: BSP

PLDT’s aviation unit announces rebranding amid recovery hopes

Ayala Land selling new P50-b bonds

P20 billion capacity charges (now down to P14 billion as of January 31, 2021).”

The company said since the start of the independent power producer administration (IPPA) agreement with the government, SPPC has already paid approximately P83 billion in capacity charges and P260 billion in generation charges as of end January.

“If all the capacity charges are paid then the selling price of the Ilijan power plant would have been deemed paid. In fact, SPPC would have overpaid, as P98 billion would have paid for a brand new, and not a 25-year old, power plant,” San Miguel said.

The power distributor sought approval to implement the refund as the actual rate Meralco was able to collect was higher than the computed average rate which ERC determined in the approval of the in-

terim rate.

Meralco’s refund rate will be reflected as a separate line item in the bills of the customers during the refund period.

“This projected decrease in power rates

will continue the downward trend in the cost of electricity, with overall rates having decreased by more than 1 peso per kilowatt hour since the start of 2020,” Zaldarriaga said.Alena Mae S. Flores

SEWAGE PLANT. Manila Water Company Inc. holds a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the commencement of Mandaluyong West Sewerage System Project at the Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant in Barangay Old Zaniga, Mandaluyong City.

Attending the ceremony are (from left) Megawide Construction Corp. president and chief executive Edgar Saavedra, Manila Water president and chief executive Jose Rene Almendras, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System co-deputy administrator for innovation and technology Ronald Abrigo, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos, Mandaluyong Mayor Carmelita Abalos, Manila Bay Coordinating Office deputy executive eirector Jacob Meimban, MWSS-Regulatory Office chief regulator Patrick Ty, Barangay Old Zaniga chairman Alex Lacson and Suez International authorized managing officer Christian Javier.

Cyberattacks from China threaten PH economic interests CYBERATTACKS from China along with its growing business influence and military presence in the Philippines are posing a threat to the Philippines’ economic interests.

The Philippines already filed about 60 diplomatic protests against China under the Duterte administration, including Beijing’s new law that allows the Chinese coast guard to fire on foreign vessels plying the disputed South China Sea. Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, expressed alarm over the government’s questionable capability to counter Chinese cyberattacks.

Citing the lack of sufficient mechanisms in place to combat the raging

cybersecurity warfare, Poe said, “we’re talking about the franchise of DITO Telecommunications and one of the issues being brought forth–and I think fairly–is how to protect ourselves, knowing that a certain percentage of ownership is owned by a foreign national.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros also aired concerns over the presence of “statesponsored hacking in foreign countries, mainly China-based groups that are carrying out attacks on behalf of the Chinese government.”

Hontiveros said that “by allowing a proxy of the Chinese government to set up networks in the country, as well as facilities in our military camps, it is reasonable to conclude that a state-spon-

sored hacking group can easily get one foot in our door.”

Vice President Leni Robredo focused on the important question of “what is China’s interest in our national affairs?”

This was triggered by the move of Facebook to take down two disinformation networks: one with alleged links to the Philippine military and police and another originating from Fujian, a province on the southeastern coast of China.

Both were flagged for “coordinated inauthentic behavior”.

Facebook specified in a statement that they “flagged both disinformation networks for potentially engaging in foreign or government interference, which is CIB-conducted on behalf of a foreign or government actor.”

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

B2

Tickets to Kapamilya stars contract signing event sold out in one day ALL tickets to the anticipated Kapamilya Strong event of ABS-CBN have been claimed, a day after it was announced by the Kapamilya network.

Fans were quick to show their support by grabbing tickets on ktx.ph to witness Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Francine Diaz, Donny Pangilinan, Arjo Atayde, and Gary Valenciano ink new contracts with ABS-CBN today. They also have the chance to be featured on the video wall of the event

S

CREEN star Nathalie Hart has been the subject of hate comments on Twitter, specifically from the LGBTQ community, even if she has already apologized due to her remarks on her Maalaala Mo Kaya episode airing tomorrow night on A2Z. The lesbian-themed episode of the drama anthology also stars Jane Oineza.

Nathalie made it clear that she’s not a homophobe playing a gay character on TV. In fact, she loves gay people.

“My close friends and family know how much I love gay people. I’m sorry if I offended the LGBTQ community for the remarks I made which were taken out of context. I regret my actions and I truly apologize to the people I have offended.

I’m truly sorry,” she said in an Instagram post.

Speaking to Manila Standard Entertainment, the 28-year-old actress said that when accepting projects either on television or in film, she always considers the material.

“For me, I really talk to my management. It’s all about the project and the character. If it’s a good character then I’d be willing to do it. Not because I’m already a mom, I will already change my ways. It’s really all about the material, that’s my major consideration when choosing a project,” she admitted.

In the MMK episode about “millennial queer women,” Nathalie said that it’s one of the most challenging roles she’s played in recent years since it’s her first time to play a lesbian character.

When asked if she and Jane kissed in the MMK episode she said, “We didn’t really kiss but you have to watch it for you to see how that scene is going to turn out,” alluding to the controversial scene where she is seen about to lock lips with her co-star.

Given the theme of the episode, Nathalie got quizzed if she would ever consider having a relationship with the same sex.

“I think I’d prefer a gay man rather than having a relationship with a lesbian.

It’s easier to fall in love with a gay man if he’s honest, if he’d tell that he’s gay.

I can accept that. At least we have the same preference,” she said.

Apart from her MMK stint, Nathalie is currently filming a movie entitled Kunwari Mahal Kita with Joseph Marco and Rysa Cenon.

“The movie was 40 percent finished before the pandemic. There are sexy scenes in the movie but due to the current restrictions, some adjustments will be made once we resume production in a few weeks’ time,” she said.

Nathalie is also busy promoting Gayatree organics, a business she founded in June last year.

“I had a lot of time during the height of the pandemic. So, I thought of doing something productive. Our products are

as virtual audience.

Viewers will also witness special surprises for the stars from people close to their hearts, as well as a grand warm welcome from ABS-CBN executives.

Meanwhile, the “Kapamilya Strong” event and the media conference after the contract signing will also be streamed simultaneously on the Facebook pages of ABS-CBN and Star Magic, as well as on iWantTFC. Even fans abroad can witness their

Arjo Atayde (left) wtogether with Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Gary V, Francine Diaz, and Donny Pangilinan are renewing their contract with ABS-CBN today.

Did Nathalie Hart kiss a girl in MMK?

EXTRA INTERNATIONAL

Chinese cinemas are largely back to normal after the country wrestled down coronavirus infections to a comparative trickle.

Tear-jerker Chinese film proves massive box-office success

AUDIENCES are cramming into Chinese cinemas to watch a sentimental comedy that has rapidly become one of the most popular films of all time in the country and marks a triumphant debut for its female director.

Since its release a fortnight ago, Jia Ling’s Hi, Mom has become the fourth best-selling film ever in China with ticket sales of at least 4.3 billion yuan ($670 million), according to box-office tracker Maoyan.

If it continues its monumental success, Hi, Mom could become the highest-grossing movie ever by a female director.

Jia also plays the lead role as the daughter who travels back to 1981, before she was born, and tries to give her mother a better life than the one she had the first time around. The film is partly biographical and an ode to Jia’s mother, who died in an accident when Jia was 19.

Chinese cinemas are largely back to normal after the country wrestled down coronavirus infections to a comparative trickle, and the film has given many a renewed appreciation of their mothers. AFP

•••

Bruce Springsteen, shown here in 2016 during ‘The River’ tour, will pay a small fine for illegally drinking in a US national recreation area.

Springsteen fined for drinking tequila in US national park

Tomorrow night, Nathalie Hart will be seen in ‘MMK.’ She stars opposite Jane Oineza in an episode about millennial queer women.

FDA approved and we had several people who used them during some series of tests.

I even tested the product on my baby. That’s how confident I am that our products are safe because they are organic,” she stated.

Gayatree is a range of high-quality, chemical-free, and effective organic and plant-based skincare products. The company’s mission is to create healthy, sustainable lifestyles, and beauty routines

with minimal impact on the environment.

“These products provide clean and balanced skincare from natural ingredients which are rich in antioxidants and minerals,” she ended.

BRUCE Springsteen has been fined $540 after pleading guilty to consuming alcohol in a national recreation area where drinking is banned, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

The “Thunder Road” superstar was arrested on Nov. 14 for drinking what he said in the Zoom court hearing was “two small shots of tequila” in New Jersey’s Gateway National Recreation Area.

Springsteen was also charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence, two charges the court dropped on Wednesday, with the government saying it would not be able to provide sufficient evidence to prove them.

Appearing in a black jacket and sweater over a collared button-up shirt, the 71-yearold rock icon was calm and cordial as he acknowledged consuming the alcohol in the park despite knowing it was illegal.

After he initially entered a not guilty plea to all three charges, the defense and prosecution agreed Springsteen would plead guilty to the drinking in a closed area charge in exchange for dismissing the others and avoiding a trial.

The judge ordered him to take care of the fine within a week.

In a statement via his publicist sent to AFP after the proceedings, Springsteen’s lawyer said the songwriter was “pleased” with the outcome. AFP

DZBB, Barangay LS remain Mega Manila’s top AM, FM stations

DIGITAL MEDIA Breaking barriers at Smart 5G Experiential Zone MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is making it simpler and easier for subscribers to experience and enjoy next-level speeds at the Smart 5G Experiential Zone in Molito, Alabang until Feb.28.

The first in a series of caravans around the country, the Smart 5G Experiential Zone features special discounts, rebates, and premium treats when you avail a Smart Signature 5G Plan.

Customers may also get exclusive freebies and as much as P2,000 discount on a variety of Smart 5G-certified phones including Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Huawei, and Vivo.

Smart subscribers can also head to the zone to upgrade their SIM for free and participate in exciting activities like a one-of-a-kind VR experience powered by Smart 5G. The Smart 5G Experiential Zone is just one of the ways the mobile services provider enables Filipinos to experience 5G, the latest evolution of wireless communications which offers superfast data speeds and fiber-like low latency.

With Smart 5G, subscribers may upload and download heavy files in seconds, stream highresolution videos seamlessly, play online games without noticeable lag, and benefit from other cutting-edge apps and services on their smartphone.

favorite Kapamilya stars ark another milestone in their career through livestreaming on TFC IPTV today.

Meanwhile, there will be a delayed airing on TFC Cable and Satellite on Feb. 27 in the US, Canada, Latin America, Saudi, London, (10:30 p.m.

PST), Rome, Hong Kong, Singapore (11:30 p.m.), and in Guam on March 1, 1:30 a.m.. The event will also be available on TFC IPTV Video-On Demand starting Feb. 28.

Smart is at the forefront of the 5G revolution in the Philippines with the continued nationwide roll-out of its ultrafast 5G network, which includes strategic sites in Metro Manila, Boracay, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, New Clark City in Pampanga, and Rizal.

Smart’s 5G rollout complements the mobile services provider’s extensive 4G/LTE and 3G network in the country, already considered the fastest in the Philippines by third-party mobile internet analytics firms such as Ookla and Opensignal.

To know more about Smart 5G, visit 5g.smart and follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

DZBB and Baranggay LS, GMA Network’s flagship AM and FM radio stations, respectively, continued to dominate the airwaves as the listeners’ top choice in Mega Manila.

Nielsen’s Radio Audience Measurement data for January 2021 has shown that Super Radyo DZBB 594 led all AM stations in Mega Manila with an average total day audience share of 52.5 percent – even gaining more audience by 10.6 points from the previous month.

Recording a total reach of 2.36 million listeners in the said period, DZBB’s main ratings driver was still the morning block, which includes the simulcast on GTV, now dubbed “Dobol B TV.” Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide anchored

by Mike Enriquez with seasoned broadcaster Joel Reyes Zobel emerged as the overall toprating AM program last January. Next in the top programs rank was Melo del Prado sa Super Radyo headlined by Melo del Prado, and followed by Saksi sa Dobol B, with Mike anew.

Listeners can catch the new DZBB morning programs One-on-One, Walang Personalan with Arnold Clavio and Rowena Salvacion weekdays at 9:00 a.m.; followed by Usap Tayo hosted by Susan Enriquez and Mark

Salazar at 10:00 a.m.

In the afternoon, Barangay LS DJs Papa Marky and Mama Emma get to be heard on DZBB via Dear Dobol B at 1:00 p.m. followed

by Super Radyo Nobela at 2:00 p.m..Weng dela Pena and Rowena Salvacion partner for W Dobol Team at 4:30 p.m..

Following the 24 Oras simulcast in the evening, Orly Trinidad gives a recap of the day’s headlines on Round-up kasama si Orly Trinidad at 8:00 p.m. while Glen Juego and Henry Atuelan banner Riding in Tandem sa Balita at 9:00 p.m..

Every Saturday, join Mark Makalalad on the new program Markado at 3:00 p.m.

On the other hand, DWLS or Barangay LS 97.1 ruled among all FM stations in January 2021 with an audience share of 33.8 percent or a total reach of 5.02 million listeners.

Barangay Love Stories hosted by Papa Dudut was the station’s highest rating program during the weekdays as well as on weekends with Barangay Love Stories Premiere and Barangay Love Stories Backto-Back, respectively.

Meanwhile, Barangay LS reminds listeners that every night is a chance to fall in love even

From left: DZBB anchors Susan Enriquez, Melo del Prado, Arnold Clavio, Mike Enriquez, Rowena Salvacion, and Joel Reyes Zobel. beyond the Valentine’s season via its “Gabi-gabi, Valentine’s Day” block. Papa Bol helps listeners find ‘the one’ in Wanted Forever, weeknights at 9:00 p.m., followed by Lady Gracia sharing sweet nothings and stories that will tug at their heartstrings via Goodnight Philippines at 11:00 p.m.. And on weekends at 9:00 p.m., hearts will beat along with Barangay Love Songs.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 advertise@manilastandard.net

Rep. Villar seeks more jobs, online career fairs to help workers W ITH record unemployment and many Filipinos left without jobs brought by the impact of the pandemic, Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar believes the need for more virtual recruitment fairs is urgent in an effort to help displaced workers and everyone seeking a job.

Rep. Camille Villar

Through House Resolution 1597, Villar urged the Labor department, Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other relevant state agencies to intensify online job fairs to further ease unemployment in the country, accelerate the economy and keep families afloat during the economic crisis.

“Various government agencies must

innovate in generating job opportunities during the pandemic and health crisis,” Villar said, pointing out that there is an increasing demand for virtual career platforms resulting from the pandemic.

Philippine unemployment rate soared to 10.4% last year or about 4.5 million Filipinos became jobless, the highest in 15 years, as thousands of establish-

ments were forced to shut amid quarantines and plummeting activity. At one point, 7.2 million Filipinos were jobless in April 2020, the height of the government-imposed lockdown to contain the virus, while many more workers and businesses saw their incomes collapse.

Additionally, sectors with most displacements included manufacturing, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service, as well as the arts, entertainment and recreation.

“Virtual career platforms assist job applicants in finding unique opportunities and job vacancies,” said Villar.

Over 21,000 jobs were available in an online job fair spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment and

the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration with mynimo.com in December last year. A total of 600 domestic firms and 15 licensed recruitment agencies participated.

The CSC, for its part, also held an online job fair in coordination with Jobstreet.com.

“With vaccination in the country to rollout in the next few days and as the economy is expected to rebound and gradually reopens, a roadmap on employment, jobs and opportunities must be set in place, taking into consideration health protocols and government restriction on mass gatherings,” she added.

Negros Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (3rd District) also co-authored the resolution.

Filipino builders see construction sector rebound this year THE domestic construction industry is poised for a modest rebound this year as the government ramps up its major infrastructure projects and with sustained support for small and medium contractors who were the most affected by the global pandemic.

This is the outlook of the Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) which groups not just the highest-rated construction companies in the country but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and suppliers through its chapters and affiliates nationwide.

According to PCA President Wilfredo Decena, the construction sector will contribute strongly to the recovery of the domestic economy this year after slumping 26% last year, sending the national gross domestic product (GDP) to a steep 9.5% year-on-year drop.

Fitch Solutions recently upgraded its growth forecast for the Philippine construction sector to 9.5% this year, near to its average 10% annual growth before the COVID-19 crisis that battered economies around the world in 2020.

PCA President Wilfredo Decena

Decena said that timely public spending on infrastructure would boost the industry despite soft pri private construction investments as the national government has allocated a sizeable P1.1 trillion of the P4.5 trillion national budget this year to infrastructure projects.

“We are hearing of contractors, particularly the small and medium companies, being unable to close any projects at this time.

Public investments need to fill the gap until investor confidence is restored,” he said during the recently-held PCA regular membership meeting.

As part of the ten-point industry trends and challenges discussed during the meeting, Decena called for the prompt payment of contractors, especially the SMEs, since they were already absorbing extraordinary costs related to COVID-19.

The PCA also noted that there’s a need to rethink the supply chain conditions and address the cause of spiraling costs of materials. On top of these, there are sectors that had been pushing for the unrestricted entry of foreign contractors that could further displace Filipino con-

tractors, particularly SMEs which comprised 97% of all registered contractors in the country.

“This is happening while other countries have taken steps to protect and support their local industry amid the global pandemic,” Decena said.

He added that the current quarantine conditions have exacerbated the shortage of skilled labor force and skills mismatch. As part of its thrust for the year, PCA is further expanding its knowledge and skills development program nationwide.

On top of all these, PCA reminded members to be prepared to continue complying with evolving health and safety protocols to make construction sites virus-free.

Also identified as among the top trends in the construction industry this year are the acceleration of digitization and other emerging technologies to increase efficiency and productivity, and the move towards sustainable infrastructure which is not just green but also resilient.

WINFORD MANILA ON STANDBY TO FULLY REOPEN

By Jami Ledesma

I

N THESE uncertain times, companies all over the world have had to make adjustments as a result of the global pandemic brought about

by COVID-19. In the interest of everyone’s health and safety, Winford Manila Resort & Casino (WMRC) has strictly complied with directives issued by health authorities that prohibit any kind of mass gathering.

During this interim while we remain temporarily closed to leisure guests, WMRC has been designated by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Tourism (DOT) of being a “Quarantine & Essential Stay” hotel.

This special privilege is aligned with the advocacy of WMRC to be of service to our countrymen during these challenging times, as we open our doors to front-liners and OFWs in need of a safe haven as they go about their duties.

In light of recent developments in the government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, WMRC is optimistic that we, along with other hotels and resorts in the country, will be given the go signal by authorities to reopen our doors to the public very soon.

“The health and safety of our guests and employees remain our top priorities,” says Jeff Evora, President and Chief Operating Officer, WMRC. “With the possibility of the government permitting hotels and resorts to resume full operations imminently, we are well-prepared to welcome back leisure guests— whether they are visiting tourists or local residents simply looking for a luxurious staycation.”

In anticipation of this, WMRC has reopened its Poolside Dining area on the 11th floor. Our open air deck not only provides guests with a panoramic 360-degree view of the city, but allows for added safety

precautions as diners may enjoy delicious freshly-grilled barbecue dishes, among others, in an al fresco setting for their peace of mind. Poolside Dining is now open daily from 4PM to 11PM, with BBQ at Poolside every Friday and Saturday from 6PM to 11PM. Interested diners may call (02) 8528-3600 for reservations.

In line with WMRC’s mission to prioritize the safety of its guests and employees, the casino hotel continues its partnership with ECOLAB, the global leader in hygiene technologies that protects people and resources. Through this collaboration, guests can always be assured of the highest disinfection standards in the industry to keep their health and wellness above everything else.

In the meantime, guests and members of WMRC may continue to experience the flavors of the luxury hotel’s food & beverage team via Poolside Dining or its food delivery service, Winford on Wheels. Among the bestsellers are the Winfredo’s Pizza lineup, which stays true to its Manileno roots by fusing each pizza variant with a distinct local flavor.

Sisig Pizza is a delightful Filipino dish made from parts of pig-head and chicken liver, seasoned with calamansi (Philippine lime), onions, chili peppers, and served with a sunny-side up egg; Quattro el Quezo is a rich combination of mozarella, cheddar, quezo de bola, and kesong puti, served with a helping of truffle honey for that irresistible sweet and salty taste; and Pizza

con Salpicao is a delicious stir-fry beef dish seasoned with Worcestershire, butter, red chili pepper flakes, and garlic confit.

Currently, WMRC is offering a buy one get one promo, wherein diners may avail of a free Margherita Pizza with a purchase of any Winfredo’s Pizza.

“Aside from our continuous efforts to serve our loyal patrons a wide array of quality meals, we continue to invest a lot of time and money in sanitizing the entire property for everyone’s safety as we await the green light from health authorities to fully resume our operations,” added Evora.

For inquiries, interested parties may call the Winford hotline at (02) 8528 3600, or send a text message to 0917 878 8670 or 0917 872 8583.

Jeff Evora, President and Chief Operating Officer, WMRC

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No virus can stop these Olympians

By Peter Atencio

F

OR Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, training and competing has never stopped for them even when the world is on its knees coping with a pandemic.

Wherever they in the world, they have continuously stayed fit and in shape for the Tokyo games, believing that they cannot be stopped from training for thire Olympic dreams, not even by the scourge of COVID-19.

Ernest John Obiena Since the lockdowns began last year, the 25-year-old Obiena remained in Formia, Italy, training with Rio Olympics gold medallist Thiago Braz and their coach Vitaly Petrov.

While following health and safety protocols imposed by authorities in Europe, Obiena has managed to compete in numerous pole vault events, whether they are in an indoor setting or in an outdoor setup.

Because of this, Obiena has broken the national record many times.

During the indoor season, Obiena ended his one-month stint by trying to reach the height of 5.87 meters.

If he did, Obiena would have gone one millimeter higher than his gold medalErnest John Obiena winning effort of 5.86 two weeks go.

Obiena eventually settled for the bronze medal in another showdown with world champion Sam Kendricks of the United States and seasoned veteran Piotr Lisek of Poland in the men’s pole vault event of the Copernicus Cup 2021 indoor athletics meet in Torun Poland.

Obiena cleared the same height of 5.80 meters with Kendricks and Lisek, making a clean attempt on his third try and this put him in third place.

Kendricks, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, collected the gold medal after clearing the elevation in one try.

Lisek, with podium finishes in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 World Championships, also cleared 5.8 meters, just like Obiena. But since Lisek took the 5.72-meter height in just one go, the Pole earned the silver on the countback.

This year, the 6’2” Obiena will continue maintaining his form, now that the indoor season is over, and that outdoor meets in Europe will begin in the next two months.

Obiena’s conditioning coach James Lafferty said he is now getting into the groove at the 5.8-meter level.

“He is coming along nicely, 5.80 is becoming a regular. With now 6 months more of training he is in a great position for Tokyo,” said Lafferty.

Two Saturdays ago, Obiena used a new pole when he broke the national record for the second time in a week, clearing a height of 5.86 meters to earn the silver medal during the Orlen Cup 2021 Indoor Athletics meeting.

Obiena’s performance is regarded as the best that was done by an Asian

athlete since 2005 in the trackfest’s 88-year history when action ended at the Atlas Arena in Łódź, Poland.

This was 6 milimeters higher when Obiena smashed his own national record in the ISTAF Indoor Athletics Meet in Berlin, Germany, where he cleared a height of 5.80-meters.

Eumir Marcial Last December 16, Eumir Marcial won his first professional boxing match after pulling off a unanimous decision victory over American boxer Andrew Whitfield.

All three judges, Don De Verges, Ron Scott Stevens and Damian Walton scored the bout, 4036, for Marcial when action ended at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles.

“Matagal ako walang training dahil sa pandemic kaya struggle din ako na makuha ‘yung tamang kondisyon,” said Marcial, who has been training Eumir Marcial with legendary trainer Freddie Roach since his arrival in the United States last October.

He left the country to train in the US for his first professional fight and the Olympics.

Turn to D2

LIST OF AWARDEES FOR THE YEAR 2021

The men and women of Manila Standard— the foundation of the newspaper—who, faced with unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, had to adapt and innovate to survive and thrive under the so-called new normal.

Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. (PMSPI) 10 Years in Service GARCIA, ROZEL J. ARANETA, MA. CONCEPCION R. TINAO, ROBERT C. CRUZ, MARICEL V. 15 Years in Service VELASCO, JOAN C. 20 Years in Service AUSTRIA, JENNIFER B. 25 Years in Service ARAJA, RIO N. 30 Years in Service SANTOS, FELINO M. KPPI 15 Years in Service CONSTANTINO, ALFONSO MA. U. 30 Years in Service SAPITULA, RODRIGO O. GUINTO, AMADO G. MASANA, CESARIO E.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

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Vaccine rollout: A race to beat a mutating enemy

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

A

QUICK rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, with an eye on achieving herd immunity before the end of the year, is crucial to supporting the country’s economic recovery.

The easing of lockdown measures, especially in Metro Manila where business and financial hubs are located, is dependent on the start of mass vaccination program, as seen in the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to defer the shift to a Modified General Community Quarantine until the doses have arrived.

“President Rodrigo Duterte gave his directive that the Philippines would not be placed under modified general community quarantine unless there is a rollout of vaccines. The Chief Executive recognizes the importance of reopening the economy and its impact on people’s livelihoods. However, the President gives higher premium to public health and safety,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

According to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, placing the entire country under MGCQ – the least stringent lockdown level – would have allowed as much as 95 percent of economic activities to resume.

“The whole of government will work hard, in cooperation with various sectors, to roll out the vaccine so that we can further open the economy,” Chua said.

Under the administration’s national vaccination plan, at least 148 million vaccine doses will be secured this year, enough to inoculate some 70 million Filipinos which represent 60 percent of the population – the benchmark estimated by experts to reach herd immunity against COVID-19.

The Philippines is set to receive 9.4 million doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca through the Covax facility within the first quarter.

Acknowledging the delay in the arrival of the doses, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez has asked for patience,

Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia unveils the local government’s vaccination plan during Wednesday’s webinar entitled ‘Getting Cities Ready for the Vaccines.’

saying there are several variables that affect the delivery and that some 130 countries have also yet to start their mass inoculation program.

But already, local governments are stepping up: snapping up doses following Duterte’s order allowing LGUs to make advance payments, preparing their own vaccination rollout, and even procuring cold storage facilities for COVID-19 vaccines that require thermal shipping containers or refrigerators.

“We are willing to go for broke, using anything and everything we have in the budget to get everyone vaccinated,” said Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia.

The local government made a downpayment on Monday for the 650,000 doses of Astrazeneca that it secured, which will cover at least 76 percent of the vaccinable population in Bacolod City.

“They say the test of the pudding is in the eating. And as far as preparation for the vaccine rollout is concerned, we are ready to eat in Bacolod...We will be back on business and Bacolod will continue to ba a fast-growing city once things have normalized,” added Leonardia, who is also the president of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, for her part, said the local government has set aside P1 billion to inoculate over half a million people, or about a third of the population that need to receive the jabs.

At least 24 vaccination centers have been set up in the largest and most populous city in Metro Manila.

“The target is to vaccinate 1.6 million by the end of the year. Our hope is really to achieve herd immunity for 80 percent of our population,” Belmonte said.

“The vaccine will be given for free and we will try to buy as much as we can with the alloted budget that we have. Given the demand, we strongly encourage our citizens to be vaccinated by any brand given that all of them will have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration,” she added.

In Makati City, Mayor Abigail Binay urged residents not to be afraid of the vaccine, adding that mass inoculation is key to spurring economic activities.

“I know some people are thinking twice about getting vaccine. Let me assure you we have dedicated doctors and medical staff to respond to any emergency. We have technology-enabled solutions to ensure you are safe,” she said.

“Economic resiliency is imperative so we will do what we can and all that we can,” Binay added.

Strict sanitation and disinfection protocols for everyones safety

Splash about in the never-ending summer at the Vega Pool Club

Live it up at Resorts World Manila

By E.E. Castillo

T

ake a break from the monotony and get much needed R&R at Resorts World Manila (RWM). It has almost been a year since the Metro has been put on lockdown, and recently, a new hope springs as we gear toward more lenient measures to be put in place to continue protecting the public while also supporting businesses.

Guests can breathe a sigh of relief, because RWM has put in place world-standard protective and cleanliness measures for everyone’s comfort and safety.

State-of-the-art safety and sanitation technologies are installed within the property, including smart disinfection and temperature chambers, MultiQuat sanitizers, and escalator

Nightly entertainment at the all-new Bar 360

handrail sanitizers.

For guests craving a change of scenery, look no further than RWM’s Grand Wing Hotels.

Hilton Manila and Sheraton Manila Hotel are DOT-accredited leisure hotels that offer the best of both worlds. Satisfy your

wanderlust with the lush views and amenities of The Vega Pool Club while also enjoying the luxe comforts of five-star hotel accommodations. What’s more is that other world-class thrills are well within your reach.

Over at the newly renovated

Arts by the Garden exhibit at the Newport Mall all February

Garden Wing, brand-new thrills await. The latest section of Newport Mall to be opened is fast-becoming one of the Metro’s newest art destinations with different artists exhibits every month. And to whet appetites of dining connoisseurs, RWM has opened to the public its best-kept-secret Asian restaurant, Happy 9, and has also reopened the well-loved Japanese-Korean restaurant, Ginzadon.

And if it’s unique entertainment you are seeking, then both The Grand Wing and The Garden Wing have you covered. The Grand Wing has The Grand Bar and Lounge with nightly entertainment and The Garden Wing has brought back the Bar 360. Guests can unwind without worry because gaming floors at both wings are equipped with Japanese nanoAce disinfection technology.

Explore a world of amazing deals with RWM’s new online

Crowd-favorite Japanese and Korean restaurant Ginzadon returns

retail channel, RWM Exclusives.

The online retail portal is RWM’s latest innovation to thrill a wider audience. Sign up for free and find the best staycation offers from international and local hotel partners, indulge in the most satisfying dining deals from RWM’s signature restaurants, add color and style to life with a wide selection of exciting fashion and homeware pieces, and even get special ticket bundles and offers to watch the best shows and concerts. To know more about RWM Exclusives, visit www.rwmexclusives.com To stay updated with RWM’s latest offers, visit www.rwmanila.com or follow RWM’s official social media accounts, @rwmanila on Facebook and Twitter, and @resortsworldmanila on Instagram.

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Farmer earns more than P300K in 3 months from Cagdianao Mining’s greening program Bernie C. Fruta earns more than P300K by simply growing seedlings for CMC. He’s shown here in his nursery with Jean M. Litang, Community Development Coordinator of CMC’s Community Relations Department.

IN 2019, the year before the pandemic hit hard on the communities, Cagdianao Mining Corp. (CMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), initiated a seedling production program that continues to benefit residents in the Dinagat Islands financially and proves that there is money in ‘greening’ and in environment protection activities.

To date, CMC’s “ECOmmunity Program” has already paid up some P4.4M to participants of this livelihood program from the mining company’s 5 host barangays – Boa, Cuarinta, Diegas, Legaspi and Valencia – who produced more than 1 Million seedlings and planting materials that CMC uses for its various mine rehabilitation and greening programs.

One of the participants to the program is 38 year old Bernie C. Fruta from barangay Diegas, who received P326,340.00 for producing 37,000 seedlings, mostly fruit trees and native shrubs, which he and his subcontractor, Diosdado Duhiling, 48, grew in their own nursery over a period of 3 months.

CMC initiated the “ECOmmunity Program” to directly engage community stakeholders in the company’s rehabilitation and reforestation commitments. Fruta and Duhilig are only two among the ‘71 contractors and 124 sub-contractors’ carefully vetted to be part of the said program.

The program also aims to uplift the lives of beneficiaries through contracted seedling production, raising awareness about the environment, its protection and conservation.

“We are reaching out to the communities for this program where residents operate their own seedling nurseries from where they grow planting materials that they will provide for our reforestation and rehabilitation needs, we buy each seedling for P9 pesos each and the residents can grow thousands of them in a few months,” says Engr. Arnilo C. Milaor, CMC’s Resident Mine Manager.

Nathalie G. Radaza, CMC’s Community Output-Based Program Coordinator, testifies that many “ECOmmunity” participants have not had the chance before to hold in their hands such huge amounts of money. Radaza, who recently graduated in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Science from CARAGA State University, is proud to have joined CMC right after graduation to be a part of the company’s environmental protection and reforestation initiatives which she considers a dream come true.

“Involving the communities in CMC’s greening programs is heart-warning, it is so satisfying to hear personal stories of how the company is helping the mining communities become financially independent,” shares Radaza.

“Pangpagawa po ng bahay and other expenses, we feel blessed because of CMC’s ECOcommunity,” Bernie Fruta proudly says of his earnings.

The CMC mine site is located in the municipality of Cagdianao, at the Northeastern side of the province of Dinagat Islands. Its area of operations is within the Surigao Mineral Reservation.

Nathalie Radaza with one of the ECOmmunity participants: ‘It is heart-warning to hear personal stories of how CMC is helping members of the mining communities become financially independent.’

Congratulations

on your

34th Anniversary GREETINGS FROM:

Governor Danilo Suarez Congresswoman Aleta Suarez Congressman David Suarez Congresswoman Anna V. Suarez Board Member Donaldo Suarez Atty. Joanna Suarez Former Vice Mayor Danilo Suarez Jr. Executive Assistant Jenny Suarez Lopez

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The Philippine economy: Pulling through, starting anew (An excerpt from the speech delivered

by Governor Benjamin Diokno for the Tuesday Club Press Event)

T

HE year 2020 was a memorable one because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was more than a health crisis, as the country also felt its debilitating impact on lives, livelihoods, and inequality.

The Philippines, however, was in a position of strength before the dawn of the crisis as its strong macroeconomic fundamentals prior to the pandemic— manageable inflation, a strong and resilient banking system, a prudent fiscal

position, and a hefty level of gross international reserves—cushioned the economic impact of the crisis.

Pulling through Thinking ahead, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas swiftly deployed a set of comprehensive measures aimed to support the economy during this critical situation.

The Monetary Board cut the policy rate by 200 basis points and the reserve requirement by another 200 basis points.

This action resulted in the country’s interest rate hitting a historic low.

To calm the market and inject liquidity into the system, we also adopted a wide range of measures that deployed almost two trillion pesos, equivalent to

about 10 percent of the 2019 GDP. The peso appreciated by approximately 5.67 percent—from P50.74 to the US dollar as of end 2019 to its current rate of P48.021. It was further supported by the gradual recovery in external accounts such as foreign direct investments (FDI) and overseas Filipino remittances.

By the end of November 2020, the country’s gross international reserves, or GIR, hit an all-time high of US$105 billion—three times the import requirements of the country.

It also helped that the Philippines received its highest credit ratings in history before the pandemic began. As such, the country accessed financing

with low-interest rates and a long repayment period.

We likewise made loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) count against banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR). This move directed capital to a sector that employs two-thirds of Filipino workers.

Embracing digitalization and financial technology has helped most of us adapt to these changing and challenging times.

Even before the pandemic, the BSP actively promoted financial technology and the shift to digitalization.

The fruits of this advocacy have become a survival tool during the lockdown and enabled us to continue with

our transactions within the safety of our homes.

We expect the economy to bounce back by 6.5 to 7.5 percent next year based on available information.

With the easing of restrictions, improvements in the healthcare system, and the full cooperation from us to do what it takes to keep viral transmission under control, this growth target is easily attainable.

With the expanding economic activity, we expect the unemployment rate to fall from a record-high 17.6 percent in April—the height of the lockdown—to 7 percent in 2021.

Starting anew Deep into the pandemic and during the strictest part of the lockdown, we have exhibited fortitude and resilience as individuals and as a nation.

But resilience is not enough. We must collect and harness significant lessons from this experience so when we find ourselves in a similar situation in the future, we will be more prepared and know exactly what to do.

We should keep in mind that famous quote: tough times don’t last; tough people do.

Finally, as with any other significant disruption in our history, it is my fervent hope that this crisis will usher in a new economy—one that is more robust, more inclusive, more technologically-savvy.

As soon as this pandemic fades, I expect the Philippines to become nothing less than an economic champion.

34TH ANNIVERSARY ECONOMIC REOPENING BOUNCE BACK BETTER

ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher ANITA F. GREFAL Operations Head RAMON L. TOMELDAN Managing Editor JOYCE PANGCO PAÑARES News Editor JIMBO OWEN GULLE City Editor RAY S. EÑANO Business Editor RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ Assistant Business Editor RIERA MALLARI Sports and Tech Editor BERNADETTE LUNAS Life Editor NICKIE WANG Entertainment Editor BALDWIN FELIPE Advertising Sales Head PAULA REYNOSO Supplements Head MERCE PASCUAL SHIRLEY UMALI JANNA MATEO BESSIE GOOD Sales Team MARICEL V. CRUZ RANDY CALUAG PETER PAUL DURAN NATHANIEL DELA CRUZ PETER ATENCIO P.Y DILIGERO Writers MARIA VICTORIA R. AYENG Layout Artist SHIELA SUAREZ ERIC JUTIC JOAN VELASCO EDELYN ELAMPARO Advertising Desk

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

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Vaccine checklist for local governments L OCAL officials opened the new year with policy announcements that spelled out their top mission for the year: securing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines to their communities.

From cities hit hardest by the spread of the disease, mayors across the country launched registration sites and allocated millions of pesos to ensure their residents would receive vaccines for free.

Except for a few cities that started talks with pharmaceutical companies and only involved the national government when negotiations progressed, most local government units (LGUs) were awaiting clear guidance on how they could secure vaccine deals or what their responsibilities would be.

The Duterte government, through vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., only said LGUs were given the clearance to secure deals with vaccine companies, with the oversight of the national government.

Since the announcement of several LGU-led deals early in January, the government slowly outlined detailed procedures that local governments could follow when entering into tripartite vaccine deals.

Tripartite format With limited funds to procure COVID-19 vaccines, the government has identified tripartite deals as one way the country could increase its orders for vaccines and secure doses for more Filipinos.

The parties involved in tripartite vaccine agreements are the vaccine manufacturers, the national government, and either local government units or the private sector.

The national government entered its first tripartite deal in November 2020 with AstraZeneca and a number of private groups, which pooled together nearly P700 million to purchase 2.5 million doses.

Before the agreement with AstraZeneca was signed, the national government had no framework to follow and which it could share with LGUs. The agreement became the basis for similar deals entered into by more private firms, and later set the foundation for LGUs’ own negotiations with vaccine firms.

As more local officials sought clearance to negotiate with pharmaceutical firms,

President Rodrigo Duterte finally gave blanket approval for LGUs to choose their suppliers and enter into tripartite deals.

Despite this green light, not all LGUs will have the funds needed to buy pricey vaccines.

Galvez said the national government would still be responsible for ensuring that second- or third-class municipalities would receive vaccines for their communities, along with prioritizing distribution across the country.

The government’s tasks In the recent Senate hearings on vaccines, Galvez detailed a process that interested LGUs could follow when ordering vaccines: LGUs consolidate orders at the provincial or regional level.

The National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 processes these orders.

NTF, through Galvez, endorses orders to vaccine manufacturers for further negotiations.

According to Undersecretary Epimaco Densing, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was considering limiting the number of vaccines an LGU may procure to up to 50% of their population only.

He told the House of Representatives the cap would be placed to ensure LGUs

did not spend all their funds on COVID-19 vaccines, as resources were still needed for other pandemic or emergency response measures.

Galvez said the national government would take care of supplying the remaining doses for LGUs to ensure herd immunity would be reached in the different localities.

Scientists currently estimate about 70% of a population needs to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to reach herd immunity.

For this subsidy for LGUs, the national government will source doses from those it has secured through direct purchase agreements or from quantities donated by the private sector.

What LGUs need to do In the case of deals with AstraZeneca, which has so far been the only vaccine company involved in tripartite deals, the obligations are the following: LGUs will need to commit a portion of their available budget for the purchase of vaccine doses.

LGUs will shoulder a “purchase price” set during negotiations and ensure prompt payment is given following schedules listed in signed agreements.

LGUs will need to reimburse AstraZeneca for “all costs associated with delivery, distribution, storage, and destruction” if needed prior to the delivery

of vaccines to their final destinations.

The reimbursement will include “foreign exchange losses incurred by AstraZeneca” during the term of agreements.

LGUs will need to develop a local vaccination plan that is in line with the national government’s distribution and deployment plan.

LGUs will need to follow the prioritization list of vaccines laid out by the national government though the Department of Health (DOH).

LGUs will need to craft COVID-19 vaccine plans that do not compromise the implementation of regular vaccination activities under the National Immunization Program.

Galvez said only AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Novavax so far were willing to enter into tripartite agreements. Discussions on adopting this setup is ongoing with Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Gamaleya, and Sinovac.

Galvez said all doses ordered by local officials will be transferred to their respective LGUs, unlike deals entered into by the private sector, which required them to donate doses to the national government.

In the case of LGUs, the national government will only handle receiving these vaccines from manufacturers once they arrive in the Philippines.

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LGUs ready to pay for vaccine

T

HE League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive order allowing their local government units to make advance payments to drug manufacturers for the COVID-19 vaccines they contracted ahead of a Feb. 24 deadline.

This developed as a panel in the House of Representatives approved the tax provision of a bill filed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco authorizing LGUs to directly purchase vaccines against the coronavirus from manufacturers without having to go through the long process of a public bidding.

In a resolution passed on Feb. 4 but released to the media on Monday, the LCP appealed to the President to authorize their members to pay for the vaccines they ordered from drugmakers, particularly AstraZeneca, under the government’s “A Dose of Hope” Program last Jan. 14.

The advance payments for these orders, signed by 24 LCP member-cities under a tripartite agreement with the National Task Force for COVID-19, is due on Feb. 24, the group said.

They noted that according to Presidential Decree 1445 issued by Duterte, cities need the express authorization of the President to allow them to procure jabs and pay the vaccine manufacturers, including any advances.

“The LCP members seek the urgent action of the Office of the President to issue the necessary Executive Order at the soonest possible time,” added the resolution attested by the group’s president, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia.

The resolution came after the League’s Special General Assembly on Jan. 12, attended by mayors of 114 cities. Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco moved for the resolution seconded by Pagadian City May-

or Sammy Co and certified by Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan, the LCP’s Secretary General.

Leonardia said Bacolod’s COVID-19 vaccination plan will be as comprehensive as possible to ensure that everyone gets inoculated.

“I’m excited to share the progress we’ve made in Bacolod ever since I approved the creation of a CoVac Council and signed a deal with AstraZeneca for 650,000 doses of their vaccines,” Leonardia said.

The mayor was one of the first local government executives to set up a local COVID-19 Vaccination (CoVac) Council as early as December last year.

“We are comprehensive in our approach such that we’ve considered every step in the process of getting all Bacolodnons vaccinated against COVID, from the logistics and storage down to awareness campaigns and simulation exercises,” Leonardia added.

The mayor presented Bacolod City’s vaccine plan during a webinar entitled “Getting Cities Ready for the Vaccines” on Feb. 24.

Leonardia, as president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, has been at the forefront of advocating the local procurement of vaccines to ensure timely delivery.

He underscored the need for “teamwork” between the national and local governments in implementing the massive vaccination drive.

LCP Vice-President and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, LCP PRO and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay will be joining the

Bacolod mayor at the webinar.

The event is part of a series of online sessions organized by the Liveable Cities Challenge together with the LCP and Globe Telecom.

The series aims to gear up cities with insights to design better solutions for their communities under the new normal.

Meanwhile, The House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, said Section 6 of House Bill 8648, or the proposed Emergency Vaccine Procurement Act of 2021, provides tax exemptions for the procurement, importation, storage, transport, distribution, and administration of COVID-19 vaccines by LGUs. These vaccines will be exempted from customs duties, value-added tax, excise tax, and other fees provided that the shots to be acquired by LGUs “shall only be used for their residents and constituents, and not for commercial distribution,” Salceda said.

HB 8648 provides exemptions to compliance by LGUs with the procurement requirements under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act in the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines and other much-needed supplies during the pandemic.

As an additional exemption to the guidelines of RA 9184, concerned LGUs are authorized to engage in an advance payment mechanism for purposes of procuring COVID19 vaccines from foreign manufacturers.

The bill allows provinces, cities, and municipalities to make advance payments not exceeding 50 percent of the contract amount for the procurement of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines, unless otherwise directed by the President.

Under the bill, the LGUs may only purchase vaccines that are registered with the Food and Drug Manila Administration or issued with Standard an emergency TODAYuse authorization (EUA) status.

The deployment of vaccines in every province, city and municipality must be in accordance with the national guidelines implemented by the Department of Health and the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

Happy 34th Anniversary

No virus...

from B4

Marcial, who signed up with Manny Pacquiao’s promotional outfit, used to stay in shape while inside his home in Imus, Cavite during the lockdowns meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Since qualifying for the Olympics in early 2020, Marcial has been receiving major offers from professional boxing promoters and this became a catalyst for him to turn pro.

Irish Magno

Irish Magno

At first, training at home and in her hometown in Janiuay, Iloilo was good enough for Irish Magno.

In January, the 28-year-old Magno has since left home and gone inside a training “bubble” at the Inspire Academy in Calamba.

Magno has been at academy since the second week of the month with the rest of her teammates at the national team. She is waiting for word when she can go back to Manila to resume regular training.

“Tuluy-tuloy pa naman ang training ko. Sana payagan na akong makabalik sa Manila,” said Magno, who was able to return to Iloilo last Aug. 3, 2020 after coming down from Baguio City, with a 13-member national squad from the national training camp.

Since then, Magno has been undergoing supervised, online workouts with the coaches of the Alliance of Boxing Association of the Philippines.

Last March, Magno became the fourth Filipino qualifier to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

She was no longer in contention after her fight in the Round of 16 in the women’s flyweight box-off yesterday in the 2020 Asia/Oceania boxing qualifying tournament in Amman, Jordan. But she still turned back Tajikistan’s Sumaiya Qosimova via unanimous decision, 4-1, in the the box-offs.

Carlos Yulo Since August, gymnast Carlos Yulo has found a chance be able to continue training five times a week.

This was made possible after Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion was able to secure more help and financial assistance for the 20-year-old Yulo.

The release of P2 million from the Philippine Sports Commission has helped Yulo to keep on availing of two training halls in Tokyo for his workouts.

Carrion said one training hall is available for Caloy for three times a week, while the other one can be used two times a week because of coronavirus restrictions in Japan.

Since gymnastics officials in the Philippines have made arrangements with their Japanese counterparts in Japan, Yulo is able to go into training for up to five times a week.

The assistance was part of a request of P4.2 million allocated to the GAP. Earlier, the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation has also reached out to Yulo with an additional funding of P800,000.

The amount was meant to help Yulo for his studies.

Because he is in good shape after a five-month layoff, Yulo earned a share of the bronze medal in the vault exercises to finish 12th overall in the 53rd All-Japan Seniors Gymnastics Championships.

Yulo tallied a total of 83.398 points after completing six events, sharing the third position in vault with 11-time world champion, Kenzo Shirai.

Competitions were finally held after six months of postponement in Takasaki, Japan, and with almost all of the country’s top gymnasts joining in.

As Shirai’s performance was considered subpar after he eventually placed 24th overall, Yulo tried to impress when he improved his routine with a double twisting double layout.

It was Yulo’s coach Munehiro Kugimiya who introduced and instructed him to do a double twisting, double layout during the meet.

Keisuke Asato, who eventually took 72nd place overall, claimed a share of the gold in the vault with Wataru Kanigawa after both tallied 14.9 points.

Overall, Kazuma Kaya ruled the men’s division after displaying an excellent form and consistency on all six events, snaring the title with an impressive 86.998.

Wataru Tanigawa placed second with 85.965 and Kenta Chiba took third with 85.166.

Carlos Yulo

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES HOUSE OFOF REPRESENTATIVES REPUBLIC THE PHILIPPINES QUEZON CITY

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES QUEZON CITY

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Filipino nation.congratulations to the Manila Our warmest celebrates its 34th anniversary of reliable Filipino nation.

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The Manila Standard stands today Your legacy in news reporting as the exemplification of fidelity to the has definitely resonated in journalistic tenets of truthful reporting everyone’s lives and has touched Since 1987, the Manila Standard hasofbeen respon and informed analysis events athat many people throughout the unfold in our It national community. years. You have come a long media institution. dependable has immensely con way, and it has not been the It has become an authentic medium towards strengthening the pillars democracy easiest journey, but your for meaningful social of change by commitmentsociety to abide in truthful contributing the deepening of public by delivering timely toinformation, fair repor and sincere news writing has understanding of social issues, thereby become thesharp foundation that commentary.

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Spread faster than the virus

By JV L. Arcena DR. JONAS del Rosario lost both his parents to the novel coronavirus last year. The spokesman of the Philippine General Hospital, in fact, joined his father Bonifacio and mother Carmelita in the PGH ward for COVID-19 patients when he himself contracted the disease while looking after them. He survived the dreaded respiratory disease, but had to bid his parents a final farewell.

Now, days before the start of the vaccine rollout in the country, Del Rosario will be the first to get the jab among the personnel of PGH, which has been identified as the hospital to receive the first batch of vaccines once the doses arrive.

If there is anything that needs to spread more quickly than the novel coronavirus, it is the confidence of the likes of Del Rosario on the vaccine as a solution to the pandemic.

But in a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia, only a third of the 2,400 Filipino adult respondents said they are willing to be vaccinated. That left 47 percent who do not want to get inoculated, while 21 percent remained undecided. The primary reason was concerns about the safety of the vaccines.

This was followed by concerns on whether they will have to pay for the doses and whether the price will be exorbitant.

Five percent of the respondents said they believe the vaccine is unnecessary to combat the virus.

We are not downplaying the concerns being raised. It is but proper for people to exercise critical thinking when it comes to something as essential as getting vaccinated. That the virus is mutating and with certain strains proving much more difficult to battle makes it even more worrisome. However, outright denying the need for a vaccine and refusing to even consider evidence backed by science is not sound, at best, and irresponsible, at worse.

Vaccine efficacy varies. Some pharmaceutical firms have put their efficacy at 95 percent while others were at the 50 to 60 percent efficacy level. Some may be less effective against the new variants, but even then, these vaccines remain very effective in preventing severe cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

There are possible side effects. Like any medication, any vaccine, not just those for COVID-19, may cause side effects which are usually minor and go away after a few days (fatigue, headache, fever, nausea, or diarrhea, among others). According to the Department of Health, severe or life-threatening reactions are extremely rare. The benefit of protection outweighs the risk.

You will not pay for the vaccine. Under the emergency authorization issued by the Food and Drug Administration, it is only the government that is allowed to procure vaccines.

Thus, any COVID-19 vaccine that arrives in the country cannot be sold to the public until full market authorization is approved.

Whether or not you are part of the priority groups that will first get inoculated, the government will continue negotiations to ensure adequate supply for all Filipinos. And while getting vaccinated is not mandatory, would you really want to risk not just contracting the virus, but infecting your loved ones as well?

The government is now in the thick of implementing an information campaign to address legitimate concerns and even misinformed views on the COVID-19 vaccines. The target is tall and the deadline is pressing: inoculate at least 70 million Filipinos this year, or 60 percent of the population which scientists estimate was needed to reach herd immunity.

By doing so, we lower the overall amount of virus able to spread in the whole population, breaking the chain of

COVID-19 transmission.

But a vaccine is not a magic pill, and achieving herd immunity does not make COVID go away. A vaccine is one of the solutions, but it is not the only solution. Go get the jab, but adhere still to minimum public health standards and practice safe behavior. Wear your mask. Observe social distancing. Getting a vaccine is not a passport to throw all caution to the wind.

I can only imagine how Del Rosario must have felt the need to do more than be PGH’s public face to explain the

need for a vaccine and an effective vaccination program. His decision to get the first shot is proof of the strong confidence of the medical community in the existing COVID-19 vaccines, which have led to fewer infections, hospitalizations and deaths in countries that have started the rollout earlier.

After all, Del Rosario is not just an orphaned son with a fervent hope that other people would not have to experience the pain of losing a loved one to the pandemic that has left more than 2.3 million people dead worldwide. He is foremost a doctor – a man of science – giving his seal of approval to a

means to stem the spread of the invisible enemy that gives no quarters and kills without discrimination.

JV Arcena is the Assistant Secretary for Global Media and Public Affairs of PCOO. Prior to joining the Philippine government, he previously worked for the U.S. Department of State’s Asia-Pacific Regional Media Hub. A former journalist and Palace reporter of TV5, JV covered politics, elections, global and regional issues, calamities, the judiciary, among others.