Manila Standard - 2021 March 2 - Tuesday

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1m more Sinovac doses eyed • Rollout covers 6 hospitals • UP PGH exec gets 1st shot • All frontliners set in March

VOL. XXXV • NO. 20 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FIRST JABS. Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi flashes a thumbs-up sign while he gets vaccinated with CoronaVac -- the first person to get the jab in the country -- shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday in Manila, opening a new chapter in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Also getting jabs are vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and FDA Director General Dr. Eric Domingo, while Health Secretary Francisco Duque III administers the Sinovac vaccine to Eileen Aniceto, Medical Doctor of the Lung Center of the Philippines, in Quezon City (inset, clockwise from top). PNA and AFP photos

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MARCH 1)

578,381 TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES

2,037 31,708 NEW

12,322 DEATHS

534,351 RECOVERIES

ACTIVE

4

NEW

86 NEW

By Willie Casas

T

HE Philippines is negotiating the delivery of another 1 million doses of CoronaVac, manufactured by the Chinese firm Sinovac Biotech, the firm's general manager said Monday Sinovac GM Helen Yang also told ANC Headstart Sinovac is private and not run by the Chinese government.

She also described Philippine officials as “tough negotiators.”

This developed as vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez on Monday said the country is planning to vaccinate at least 1.4 million health workers in a month’s time.

The rollout started at six Manila hospitals a day after the government, under fire over delays in vaccine pro-

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas FOUR people were reported feeling unwell after receiving the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center Monday, reports said Monday, but two have been discharged and two are still being monitored.

This as the Philippines officially

started its vaccine rollout afte the arrival of 600,000 CoronaVac vaccines Sunday.

One report heard nationwide on Super Radyo dzBB, said one of them was a VMMC staff who developed rashes and redness after vaccination. But the employee has since been discharged.

A male staff of the Department of National Defense was also taken by an ambulance after having a headache and

high blood pressure while a female DND personnel also experienced rashes.

The last vaccine recipient, whose name was not immediately available, reported feeling unwell and had palpitations.

The attending physician, also unidentified, said the reported symptoms could be considered mild side effects only if they were proven to have been caused by the Sinovac shot.

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Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte, in his weekly televised briefing, thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for helping the Philippines get its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Sinovac.

"If President Xi Jinping is listening now, President, from the bottom of my heart, and with immense gratitude, I thank you, the Chinese people and government, for being so generous. Maybe someday I can repay you if I would still have enough time in this planet," Next page Duterte said.

DIZZY SPELL. An auxiliary staffer of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center is taken away on a stretcher after being injected with the Sinovac vaccine on Monday. He was later discharged. VMMC via Facebook

VAX PROTEST. Health workers hold a sign calling for free and safe COVID-19 vaccines during a a protest outside the Lung Center of the Philippines in Manila on Monday. AFP

No Pfizer, COVAX supplies sked yet THE vaccine-sharing COVAX Facility has yet to give a new schedule for the arrival of 525,600 COVID-19 doses from Britain's AstraZeneca, an official said on Monday.

The country launched its inoculation drive against the coronavirus using jabs

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4 people unwell after receiving vaccine shots Trade dept. issues

PH to get 13m more jabs by yearend THE Philippines will get at least 161 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of 2021 -- 13 million more jabs than previously proposed, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday, hours after the country began its immunization program against the deadly disease.

More than 700 health workers were inoculated with the coronavirus vaccine during the first day of the country's COVID-19 vaccine rollout on Monday using donated doses from the Chinese drugmaker Sinovac Biotech, Department of Health spokesperson Usec. Maria Rosario

curement, received 600,000 donated doses of the Sinovac jab from Beijing.

Of these doses, 500,000 are allocated for medical frontliners and a total of 100,000 are for military personnel.

Health authorities are looking to complete the rollout of the Sinovac

from China's Sinovac Monday, a day after 600,000 doses arrived from China..

The AstraZeneca product, initially set to arrive Monday, could have been the Philippines' second vaccine supply.

However, supply problems pushed back Next page

3 SC justices seek top position on CJ’s retirement

By Rey E. Requejo THREE Supreme Court associate justices have applied for the top job in the tribunal when the position opens up with the early retirement of Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta on March 27, 2021, Cout spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka identified the three aspirants as Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe and Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Ramon Paul Hernando.

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rules on reopening of business sectors

By Othel V. Campos THE Department of Trade and Industry has prescribed the recategorization of certain business activities from Category IV to Category III, which gradually reopens the operations of driving schools, traditional cinemas, museums, and tourist attractions under the General Community Quarantine.

In a statement, officials said this was pursuant to the earlier approval granted by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Following the earlier agreement at the IATF, DTI issued the circular that will guide the implementation of a safe and gradual reopening of more businesses and economic activities. This is part of our mandate to ensure that as more businesses reopen to provide more jobs and sources of income for our countrymen, the strict health protocols are enforced," said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

With the reopening and the recategorization of businesses, the Memorandum Circular stipulated the maximum operational capacity and recognized the oversight function of the appropriate regulatory agency and the local government units (LGUs) where they might be.

The Circular will take effect on 05 March 2021, upon its publication and filing with the University of the PhilipNext page pines Law Center.

'Nomadland' makes Globes history LOS ANGELES— "Nomadland" made Golden Globes history Sunday (Monday in Manila) as Chloe Zhao became the first female director to win the awards' top prize for best drama, putting her film about marginalized Americans roaming the West in vans into Oscars pole position.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

‘PCA award now part of int’l law’ The ruling invalidated Beijing’s massive claims over the hotly-contested South China Sea and upheld the country’s exclusive economic zone, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, del Rosario noted.

In his speech after receiving an

award conferred by De La Salle University, in coordination with Jose W. Diokno Foundation, Del Rosario stressed that the Philippines’ victory over China at the PCA has also served as guidepost for other states “to consider the dispute settlement mechanism under UNCLOS

(United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) as an option for resolving disputes in a peaceful manner.”

“The UNCLOS Award is a remarkable document. It will not only stand the test of time, it will be a model for ages.

It is remarkable in many ways, most especially for its moral strength. It is a compelling rebuke to those who doubt that international justice does exist and will prevail,” said Del Rosario, chairman of the ADR Stratbase Institute.

Besides Del Rosario, also conferred last Friday with the “Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Award” in a virtual awarding ceremony sponsored by the De La Salle University (DLSU) in part-

1m...

more than 90 percent of PGH workers said they preferred a different vaccine.

Meanwhile, testing czar Vince Dizon and four medical personnel were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (DJNRMH), formerly Tala Sanitarium, in Caloocan City Monday.

Dr. Alfonso Victorino Famaran, DJNRMH, medical center chief, was the first to get inoculated with CoronaVac there.

He was followed by the hospital’s nursing service chief Samuel Sumilang.

Dizon followed and then two more nurses. A report by PTV-4 said Dizon’s blood pressure slightly went up so he rested a little before the inoculation.

The Philippines is the last Southeast Asian country to receive initial vaccine supplies, fueling concerns over recovery prospects for a consumption-driven economy that suffered its worst slump on record last year, hit by lengthy coronavirus lockdowns.

Sinovac has an efficacy rate of 65.3 percent to 91.2 percent based on vaccinations in Indonesia and Turkey but its efficacy rate among health workers in Brazil was only 50.4 percent.

While this is above the World Health Organization benchmark of 50 percent, it is significantly lower than other vaccine frontrunners like Pfizer and Moderna, which have 95 percent efficacy.

The Philippines has issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for Sinovac, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca.

Galvez said he was personally instructed by President Rodrigo Duterte to be vaccinated at PGH to address the low confidence of health workers towards Sinovac.

“Yesterday he ordered me to be vaccinated so at least it will make the health workers feel that our government is importing vaccines that are safe and effective,” he said.

Health workers are the first in line in the Philippines’ priority framework for COVID-19 vaccines.

Surveys from different hospitals showed high confidence in the vaccines.

However, some showed a much lower rate of confidence in the Sinovac vaccine.

Galvez, however, said that while efficacy rate in preventing COVID-19 may only be at 50 percent, there is 100 percent protection against severe illness and death.

Key aides of President Duterte, who were among hundreds to get jabs, de-

scribed getting inoculated as a moral duty.

“It kindles hope that, after nearly a year in darkness, the light is back on,” Roque said.

The Philippines has recorded more than 576,000 virus cases and 12,000 deaths, with infections at a four-month high as the vaccine rollout began.

The donated doses represent a fraction of the shots Manila has been negotiating with seven manufacturers to secure.

The bulk of the supply is not expected until later this year. But the challenge is not limited to stock.

Low public confidence in vaccines remains after the country became the first to deploy the dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in 2016.

A botched rollout led to claims that several dozen children had died from the jab, and recent surveys showed almost half of the population were unwilling to be inoculated against coronavirus.

Galvez lashed out at critics who he said were spreading “fake news” that the Sinovac jab, called CoronaVac, is no good.

“Getting a jab is a moral obligation for everyone. We must not wait for the so-called best vaccine because there is no such thing,” he said.

CoronaVac only obtained regulatory approval for emergency use days before the doses arrived, and the regulator initially did not recommend it for healthcare workers due to its comparatively low efficacy.

The government later allowed it to be offered to those willing to take it, but many nurses and doctors have opted to wait for other vaccines.

The only available COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines so far is made by Sinovac which has been issued emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA last Feb. 22.

Based on Philippine FDA evaluation, Sinovac has an efficacy rate of 65 percent to 91 percent among healthy individuals aged 18 to 59.

The FDA, however, recommended against the use of Sinovac on health workers since its efficacy rate only reached 50.4 percent in clinical studies involving that group.

But the DOH and the Vaccine Experts Panel (VEP) eventually recommended use of Sinovac on health workers anyway, saying it will be beneficial and safe for them.

Based on data reviewed by the DOH

and VEP, Sinovac's efficacy rate against moderate COVID-19 symptoms is 78 percent and 100 percent against severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said they are prepared for the scheduled start of the government's vaccination program.

Vergeire, in an Interview on Unang Balita, hours before the first symbolic vaccination, said the vaccines had already been delivered to seven priority hospitals in Metro Manila.

The seven priority hospitals in Metro Manila are: PGH, Lung Center of the Philippines, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (Tala Hospital), PNP General Hospital, Pasig City General Hospital, and V. Luna Medical Center.

Vaccination in the provinces, particularly in Cebu and Davao, are expected to start this week, Vergeire said.

Vergeire said the initial run of the vaccination was focused in Metro Manila as it is the "epicenter" of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

It took 40 minutes before V. Luna General Hospital's pharmacist officially received the 600 doses delivered to them, but Vergeire said this would not affect the efficacy of the vaccines as they are contained in properly secured transport boxes.

PGH’s Legaspi said about 100 personnel from the government hospital would be inoculated with the Chinese vaccine.

Legaspi said 96 people were vaccinated in an hour, higher than the expected turnout of 20 to 50 personnel for the first day.

Legaspi expressed optimism that more PGH staff will get vaccinated in the coming days after their internal surveys showed low interest in Sinovac.

Only 8 percent of PGH frontliners are willing to receive the Chinese Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine as its staff await the results of a Department of Health (DOH) panel assessment, a PGH spokesperson said PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said the DOH's Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) was expected to release its recommendation on the use of Sinovac's vaccine on Monday evening.

The hospital received CoronaVac doses at around 2 a.m. Monday, he added.

“If the recommendation is positive, we're expecting more health workers will want to get vaccinated,” Del Rosario said.

Huang made this assurance following the arrival of the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines as part of the China’s donation to the Philippines to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“Tens of millions of people in China and a host of countries have been inoculated with Chinese vaccines, and their efficacy and effectiveness have been well tested and proven,” Huang posted in his Facebook account.

The Chinese ambassador said he was delighted to join the turnover ceremony with no less than President Rodrigo

Duterte in attendance to welcome the vaccine donations that arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at around 4:10 pm onboard a Chinese military aircraft Xi’an Y-20.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Duterte for gracing this ceremony. My special thanks go to the teams from both sides who have been working round the clock to make it happen,” Huang said.

The Chinese envoy expressed confidence that the Philippines would be able to beat the virus and return to normal

life in earnest.

The Chinese-made vaccine is the first anti-COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in the country.

“The path towards vaccination in the face of the pandemic has now opened up for the Philippines! With the arrival of the donated Sinovac vaccines, the country will start its vaccine rollout (yesterday),” Huang said, noting that the Sinovac vaccines are now being distributed to different hospitals and set for mass inoculation as soon as it reaches the target facilities.

161 million doses," he said.

Galvez said COVID-19 vaccines will be delivered to Cebu on March 3, and to Davao on March 4. Metro Manila is still the top priority of the country's immunization program among regions due to its large number of COVID-19 cases, the former military general said.

Duterte also said he was able to talk to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, who whispered something to him during Sunday's turnover ceremony for the CoronaVac vaccines.

"Let me thank again, Ambassador Huang Xilian whispered something to me.

I just don't want to say it, but he told me something when we shook hands before we left the stage. Very encouraging, and I said thank you. You know what it is, but I would not want to preempt. I want the benefactor to announce that, they wanted to do it. So we are thankful," the President said.

Trade...

by the President if the rest of the restricted industries and sectors were opened fully within the same framework of stricter health protocols.

“We respect the decision of the President to wait for the vaccines before we totally open the economy. The initial rollout is happening now and this can only bring heightened optimism to all,” he said Monday.

He stressed that the government’s decision to unlock the remaining closed sectors once the vaccine had arrived was never a reckless decision which contrary to mass perception.

The enforcement of a unified transportation system is also seen to help reopen the Department economy without optimizing the quarantine level to modified general community quarantine.

Zhao also bagged the best director Globe, making her only the second woman to do so in the history of Hollywood's traditional awards season opener, which was a mainly virtual ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The late Chadwick Boseman won best actor for 1920s blues drama "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," six months after his death from cancer at age 43, in a night of emotional moments interspersed with technical glitches, awkward jokes and a row over the lack of diversity among event organizers.

Semi-fictional film "Nomadland" stars Oscar winner Frances McDormand alongside a rag-tag bunch of non-actors who truly live on the open road, working mostly menial jobs to scrape by off the grid.

"For everyone who has gone through this difficult and beautiful journey at some point in their lives -- this is for you. We don't say goodbye. We say see you down the road," said Beijing-born Zhao, 38. AFP

submit the required documents.

The other two senior justices who did not accept their automatic nominations were Associate Justices Marvic Leonen and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Bernabe will reach mandatory retirement on May 14, 2022; Gesmundo on Nov. 6, 2026; and Hernando on Aug. 27, 2036.

Late last year, Peralta announced his early retirement or one year ahead of his compulsory retirement at age 70 on March 27, 2022. It was approved by the full Court early this year.

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implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, said Filipinos should refrain from anticipating COVID-19 shots from US-based Pfizer anytime soon.

A negotiation for the Philippines to get Pfizer's jabs is "ongoing", including an indemnity agreement that protects vaccine makers from suit in case of adverse effects, Galvez said.

He added: "We are waiting for them because we have long informed them of our indemnity agreement. The ball is in their court.

"The supply of Pfizer is really in demand. We should not expect that Pfizer will arrive soon. Almost all countries get Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.”

The Philippines will get Pfizer shots from vaccine-sharing COVAX Facility in the second quarter of the year. Shots that the country will buy from Pfizer could arrive in the third or fourth quarter, said Galvez.

COVAX was supposed to send 117,000 Pfizer doses in mid-February, but the lack of an indemnification agreement delayed their arrival indefinitely.

Pfizer did not mention its requirement of this deal in initial negotiations, and only informed Philippine officials of this in mid-February, said Galvez.

Vito Barcelo, Dave Leprozo, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Willie Casas

By Rey E. Requejo

F

ORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Monday the arbitral ruling rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 in favor of the Philippines “is now an integral part of the international law.”

From A1

COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines in two to three weeks, as the country begins its first vaccinations to stop the spread of the virus.

“We will try to do the vaccination of all health workers nationwide by March,” Galvez said during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout at PGH in Manila.

“Nobody will be left behind,” he said in Filipino.

On Monday, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UPPGH) director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi became the country’s first official recipient of a vaccine against COVID-19.

Legaspi received a shot of CoronaVac, during a symbolic vaccination ceremony at the UP-PGH grounds attended by top government officials.

In a live feed of the vaccination through state-owned PTV-4, Legaspi received the CoronaVac vaccine from PGH nurse Sherlock Santos.

After being inoculated, Legaspi was presented a certificate showing that he received the vaccine.

The second to be vaccinated was Dr. Edsel Salvana, who is part of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group and also a PGH doctor.

He was followed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo.

Legaspi and the other vaccine recipients were monitored for 30 minutes for possible side effects.

Also vaccinated at the PGH were Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.

Before being vaccinated, Galvez said there was no such thing as a “best vaccine because the best vaccine is the one that is effective and efficient and that arrived earlier.”

PGH spokesman Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, who was earlier reported to be in line to be the first to receive the dose, said he was not vaccinated after latest tests showed he had a high amount of antibodies after recovering from COVID-19 last year.

Del Rosario said he expected more health workers to receive the vaccine after

4 people...

From A1

There was no immediately available comment from the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

But Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian has guaranteed for the “efficacy and effectiveness” of the Sinovac vaccine because he said it had been tried and tested by millions of people in China and in several countries around the world.

PH...

From A1

Galvez, also National COVID-19 task force chief implementer, told the President during the briefing that of the 161 million, 44 million will be procured from the COVAX Facility, an initiative which aims for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all.

This is 13 million more than the previous proposal to procure 148 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from seven pharmaceutical companies.

The Philippines will have about 20 million doses of COVID-19 shots by the second quarter of 2021, according to Galvez.

"In the third quarter, the vaccines which we'll buy will be available … We'll have 68 million additional doses in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, we'll have 69 million. All in all … we'll have

3 SC...

From A1

The Judicial and Bar Council, the constitutional office that accepts, screens and nominates appointments to the judiciary, will start the public interview of the three aspirants on March 10.

Under the rules, the five most senior justices are automatically nominated for chief justice, the most coveted post in the judiciary. However, they must accept their automatic nominations and

From A1

Thus, it allows the appropriate agency, the LGUs, and the Department of Health to develop additional guidelines that will ensure an effective health protocol system as these sectors are gradually reopened.

"There is shared objective in restoring economic activities while keeping the health protocol fully enforced, to prevent unnecessary surge of COVID-19 cases.

This has been the working formula in previous reopening of economic sectors to bring back jobs,” the trade chief said.

Lopez said the recovery to pre-pandemic levels could be possibly accelerated even before the-year timeline announced

No... the supposed delivery, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

AstraZeneca has been granted emergency use authorization in the Philippines, as well as Pfizer and Sinovac.

"Beyond pesos and cents, I think the arrival of the vaccines (Sunday) gives all Filipinos hope that this pandemic will end,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque told in a televised briefing.

Waiting for Pfizer Meanwhile, Carlito Galvez Jr, chief

nership with the Jose W. Diokno Foundation were former President Benigno S. Aquino III, retired Justice Antonio Carpio, and former Ombudswoman Conchita Carpio Morales.

“As Secretary of Foreign Affairs, I was made responsible for bringing China before an international tribunal.

While the challenges of enforcing the Tribunal’s Award remains formidable, by gaining the UNCLOS Award in 2016, we as a country have taken a significant step towards upholding the Rule of Law and defending what is rightfully ours in the face of unlawful aggression by a foreign power,” the country’s former top diplomat said.

Duterte, Go to take jab together

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday said he and President Rodrigo Duterte will be vaccinated together in public to demonstrate the vaccines’ safety and efficacy.

“It's not a question anymore if the President is willing to be vaccinated in public or not because we all want to be vaccinated,” said Go. “We are doing this not because we are a priority. We will do this to show to the public that they should trust the vaccines,” he said.

“We will be vaccinated in public together. We are just waiting for his doctor’s choice of the vaccines considering his age and health,” noted Go. Go said that once Duterte’s physician has recommended a vaccine, they will be inoculated together in public.

“Once meron na pong napili, willing kami sabay in public na magpabakuna,” assured Go, a former aide of the president before becoming a senator.

Go also shared that several public officials have agreed to be vaccinated in public to allay apprehensions about getting inoculated due to safety concerns.

Go said that only the success of the vaccination program can restore normalcy in the country. “‘Wag po kayong matakot sa bakuna, matakot po kayo sa COVID-19,” Go urged the public.

He acknowledged that many frontliners remain hesitant but stressed that medical and other frontline workers must be prioritized in the vaccination in order to preserve the healthcare system.

Rody dismisses Brazil envoy for maltreating help PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the dismissal from government service of Marichu Mauro, the Philippine Ambassador to Brazil who allegedly maltreated her household helper.

Mauro is facing charges after being caught on video hurting her helper.

In his nationally-televised address on Monday night, Duterte said Mauro’s eligibility will be cancelled and she will no longer receive retirement benefits.

She is also barred from holding any public office and taking the civil service examination.

Mauro had been the Philippine envoy to Brazil since March 2016 and had been in foreign service since February 1995.

In October last year, the Department of Foreign affairs recalled Mauro after a Brazilian media outlet published CCTV footage showing her pulling her helper’s hair and ears and throwing objects at her.

The Filipina helper, who is now in the country, had been with Mauro and her family for years, the DFA said. The nonprofit Blas F. Ople Policy Center has offered her legal and livelihood assistance.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. has earlier vowed that the department’s response to the matter would be severe “to the fullest extent of the law.”

‘Nomadland’...

From A1

News Isko observes ceremonial jabs

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

De Lima questions witnesses O

By Willie Casas MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday observed the ceremonial COVID-19 vaccination for frontline workers of the Philippine General Hospital together with national government officials in the health sector.

Domagoso was joined by Manila City Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah ‘Honey’ Lacuna-Pangan to observe the ceremonial vaccination.

“This is where our dream of living a secure life begins in the coming weeks, months and whole year of 2021,” Domagoso said in his speech before PGH frontline workers.

“I will respect your beliefs, your views, but if you ask me as your father in the city—do not postpone it, do not risk your safety. It is important that you get protection as soon as possible.”

Likewise, the Mayor reiterated his willingness to be vaccinated in the coming days, while also stressing that medical frontliners should be vaccinated first.

“We will get vaccinated so that I can divide your fears somehow. I will accompany you in your fears, we will join you in your fears. Let us save lives,” Domagoso said.

Also present at the event were National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementor Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.; Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.; Department of Health Undersecretary and Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo; Dr. Paz Corrales, assistant regional director of the National Capital Region DOH-Centers for Health Development; and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos.

Galvez said getting vaccinated was a “moral obligation” that everyone needs and in order to help the economy survive.

“Our economy will not be able to recover, we will not be able to restore our former life if we do not get vaccinated,” the NTF chief implementor said.

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PPOSITION Senator Leila M. de Lima has questioned whether the Prosecution team committed subornation of perjury or dereliction of duty when they allowed convicted murderer Joel Capones to be presented in court as their witness against her.

TIGHT WATCH. Marikina Police stand guard at the Metro Pac Movers Inc. facilities in Marikina City, where the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine was to be stored upon its arrival from the airport Sunday. Manny Palmero

Safe way to get married designed in Taguig

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Taguig City government has designed a safe way to get married in the time of pandemic.

Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano led the launching of the city’s new normal wedding setup in a socially-distanced mass wedding held on Feb. 26 at the scenic Mercado Del Lago in Barangay Lower Bicutan.

“The Kasalang Bayan is one of the happiest events which we await yearly, but it was cancelled several times because of

the pandemic. Now we have a secure way to keep the tradition going and to wed couples in Taguig,” he said.

He added: “This is a great template for weddings in the new normal, so this event is not only romantic but also historic. It is only further proof that we can go about life in Taguig.”

To keep the event safe for all attendees, the city’s Office of the Civil Registry opened slots for only 30 couples. Every pair and witnesses from their own household each occupied one kubo at Mercado

del Lago.

Through this, each couple got to make the most of the solemn ceremony which included wine and cake rituals as well as a kiss to conclude the ceremony.

Cayetano, who also officiated the mass wedding, noted that the program was part of a broader change in the new normal where residents, workers and visitors can safely do things.

“I am so happy that we can come together and celebrate a wondrous and inspiring occasion,” he said

In a Manifestation before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 dated Feb. 24, De Lima, through her lawyers, said it was important to know whether or not the Prosecution believed their own witness.

“If the Prosecution does not believe that Joel Capones was telling the truth, and yet they presented him as a witness before the Court, then the Prosecution would have committed the offense of subornation of perjury or, at the very least, violated their lawyer’s oath,” De Lima said.

“On the other hand, if the Prosecution does believe that Capones committed illegal drug trading, then they are currently in the act of committing the criminal offense of dereliction of duty, punishable under Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code.”

Article 208 of the RPC punishes “any … officer of the law who, in dereliction of the duties of his office, shall maliciously refrain from instituting prosecution for the punishment of violators of the law, or shall tolerate the commission of offenses.”

In his testimony before the court, Capones confessed that he committed illegal drug trading within the New Bilibid Prison together with his 13 mayores in the Sigue Sigue Sputnik Gang from January to October 2014. Yet, Capones was not included as an accused in the said case or any drug case for that matter.

Official toasts Women’s Month

By Rio N. Araja

ART FESTIVAL. Franz Lopez, Born In Film Founder; Dindin Araneta, Member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Arch. Renee Bacani, Vice President for Ortigas Malls; Jun Bisnar, Chief Operating Officer of Ortigas Land; Renato Habulan, Exhibit Head; Helen Mirasol, Consultant; Chair Liza Diño, Chairperson and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines; and Jaime Ortigas, representing the Ortigas Family (from left) lead the ribbon cutting of the Ortigas Art Festival at the Estancia Mall in Pasig City. Norman Cruz

HOUSING czar Eduardo del Rosario on Monday spearheaded the celebration of the National Women’s Month at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in Quezon City with a series of activities throughout March.

With the theme “We Make Change Happen for Women” focusing on “Juana Laban sa Pandemya, Kaya!,” the celebration aims to support the national advocacy on gender equality and women empowerment, and to highlight women’s participation in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today, we salute and honor our strong women who play an important role in nation-building, those who lead us, and those who support us, not only as a member of DHSUD or the government workforce, but as wives, mothers and sisters, daughters and friends—women who give

us strength, inspiration and direction— our anchors, our guide, our partners and the wind beneath our wings. On behalf of all of the men of DHSUD, I thank you,” Del Rosario said.

The month-long activities are designed to inform and engage women stakeholders of government programs and services, create and facilitate platforms to discuss good practices, gaps, challenges and commitments in pursuing gender and development as well as inspire and empower women to be agents of change.

“We, in DHSUD, shall ensure that our programs and activities contribute to achieving these objectives. This year’s celebration is a declaration of DHSUD’s Gender and Development policy to promote and implement housing and urban development policies that will uphold, protect and empower women, and mainstream gender equality and development,” the housing czar noted.

Sardine fishing season reopened

Bill on preventing diseases hurdles committee level

By Othel V. Campos

A COMMITTEE in the House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill proposing the creation of the Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

The House committee on health, chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan,

The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources officially lifted on Monday the 10th closed fishing season for sardines in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The closed fishing season has been implemented in accordance with Bureau Administrative Circular 255 as a marine conservation measure to help protect and conserve sardine species in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Beginning every December 1, the closed fishing season bans the catching of sardines for 3 months using purse seine, ringnet, bagnet and scoopnet within a conservation area covering the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay. The closed season enables sardines fish stocks to replenish and recover, ensuring the abundance of sardines and other fishery resources in the area.

Data from Region IX’s National Stock Assessment Program showed an upward trend in sardine production with the volume reaching an all-time high of 297,683.49 metric tons in 2020 since 2011.

This is a significant indicator especially in sardine-rich Zamboanga waters, which account for an average production of 49.25 percent of the country’s total sardine from 2010 to 2020 based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

By Maricel V. Cruz

passed the measure, noting the country is try’s capabilities for public health emerill-prepared to address the challenges of gency preparedness and strengthen the pandemics such as the COVID-19. current bureaucracy that is mandated to Tan, one of the principal authors of the address communicable diseases in the bill, expressed hope that the House lead- country through organizational and instiership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco tutional reforms”, Tan said.

Manila will prioritize its passage.

“To better prepare against public health “The bill seeks to modernize theStandard coun- TODAY emergencies, we need to embark on two

Favor ATL, LIPI asks High Court THE group Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI) on Monday asked the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Law or Republic Act 11479 as oral arguments on the measure entered its fourth day.

In a statement, Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia, LIPI Secretary-General, said: “We leave the decision to our discerning Magistrates to rule in favor of the government and the people. We will not deal on the merits of the case as we already know that the petitioners’ arguments are weak and have no basis.”

“What is important is the rationale why this Act is of extreme importance to our country’s national security and the global fight against terrorism,” he added.

Goitia cited Mike Smith, the former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, who “appropriately summarized the

global situation” as: “Terrorism did not begin on 11 September 2001, but that terrible day did change the world. The attacks on the United States that claimed the lives of nearly three thousand innocent people showed us that terrorism had morphed into a global phenomenon that could cause massive pain and destruction anywhere.

“The magnitude of the attacks meant that no one could stand on the sidelines anymore. The fight had become global because the impact of terrorism was being felt everywhere.”

“The human values we share and work to uphold are derided by terrorists. The promotion of peace, equality, tolerance, and dignity for all are universal values that transcend our national differences.

They are the glue that binds us together. United as nations and people of the world, we must come together to protect our common humanity.”

essential initiatives: health modernization and institutional reforms. We cannot merely keep on rearranging the boxes within our health organization without capacitating our health personnel and resources. That will not work. We need to modernize and reorganize our health system at the same time to protect the public from health risks.”

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 nominations and for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following senior officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), namely: 1.

2.

Nominations: CIRILITO E. SOBEJANA GERARDO M. ZAMUDIO JR.

to the rank of General to the rank of Brigadier General, (PAF)

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Ad Interim Appointments: RONALD M. BAUTISTA GEORGE P. CABREROS ANGELO Z. LUTERA JASON V. JUMAWAN GRACIOSO D. MERIOLES DEXTER A. MACASAET JOSE MARI F. TORRENUEVA II OMAR V. OROZCO ROLANDO P. GOMEZ GREMEL B. BRUAL ALVIN G. IYOG VON ALBERT M. SUMERGIDO JONES BRISAL P. OTIDA GILBERT ROMBOS ALARIC AVELINO P. DELOS SANTOS JOSE NOEL T. ROMERO IVAN V. SAN JOSE EROS JAMES M. URI JAMES B. FERNANDO NARCISO B. NABULNEG MANUEL LEO Q. GADOR RHODERICK L PARALLAG THOMAS DOMINIC B. BALUGA REX BANJO Q. BUMANGLAG CHARLES D. CASTILLO GEORGE M. BERGONIA XERXES A. TRINIDAD DOMINGO B. MESTIOLA JR. FRANCISCO L. MOLINA JR. MARLOWE E. PATRIA NORBERTO P. AROMIN ALFONSO D. MATIAS JR. DIOSDADO CARLOS D. PAMBID RONALD ALBERT P. GENETE JONATHAN S. MANIO JONJIE C. JUGUILON SISENANDO A. MAGBALOT SERGIO P. MACARANDAN JR. FERDINAND B. RONDINA SILAS D. TRASMONTERO RONALD M. ILLANA DOMINGO G. DULAY JR. MARLO S. JOMALESA JESUS C. PAGALA RIMRAD B. FERAER JORRY L. BACLOR RODEL L. TAN GLENN LORETO T. CABALLERO JOHN OLIVER F. GABUN DENNIS S. CAÑA OSCAR B. BALIGNASAY JR. MOH-YUSOP R. HASAN MARCEL D. FIGURACION ELMER JAY C. ANIBIGNO II CONSTANCIO M. ESPINA II

to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA)

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JULIUS A. CABARLOC WILFREDO P. AMOMA JOEL BENEDICT G. BATARA VICTOR R. DEL FIERRO JR. FREDERICK A. ANCHETA YASSER R. BARA DANILO G. AMBE MARIO LITO I. RETIRVA ARNULFO C. DE VERA RAMIR J. REDOSENDO EDGAR ALLAN S. VILLANUEVA JEARIE BOY P. FAMINIA IAN NOEL P. IGNES ANTHONY O. SAMONTE LEO E. BONGOSIA ARCADIO S. POSADA FRANKLIN F. FABIC LAWRENCE A. ANINAG JOEY T. FONTIVEROS FREDERICK M. SALES RUBEN B. GUINOLBAY ISAGANI O. CRISTE JAMES C. SABABAN JOEL N. SOBRERA ROLLY B. FIGUEROA FERNANDO BALONA RONIE T. EBARITA ARNULFO B. CEREÑO BENJAMIN A. DAO-ON JIMMY B. LUCQUIAO LEBRITO L. OLMOGUEZ CAESAR MARTIN B. VILLAREIZ DEAN B. RAMOS OSCAR P. PARTUZA EUGENE M. VILLARUZ ROWEL D. QUIGAO EDDIE Z. RADAZA SAUDI E. NUR REMIGIO A. DULATRE ARLENE A. EPE REGIMOR G. REYES LEO JIMMY G. MARTE JOSE O. AYCARDO JR. EDMOND P. ABELLA RODEL V. PANGILINAN JOHNGIE N. TISON MARIO J. IGMEN JULIUS D. PAMITTAN RICNON U. CAROLASAN FREDDIE E. EUROPA ROMEO C. JIMENEA BERNARD T. RAGUS CRESCENCIO M. MOGADO JOSE RAMER F. MEGIO SR. LEONARDO A. SORATOS PATRICIO P. ALEJAGA ROBERTO A. BREBONERIA ASNAWI P. MUTI

to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.) to the rank of Colonel, (PA) (Res.)

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty - two (32) copies of the above nominations 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.

1 March 2021.

(MS-MAR. 2, 2021)

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary

A4

News

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

Solon seeks drug law review to prevent ‘misencounters’

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE chairman of the House of Representatives committee on dangerous drugs on Monday batted for a review of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to prevent a repeat of the deadly shootout between operatives of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said amending the law could have prevented Wednesday’s shootout that led to the deaths of two policemen, a PDEA agent and an informant.

Barbers earlier filed a measure to strengthen the law but it was not passed under the 17th Congress.

Upon the resumption of the 18th Congress, Barbers refiled the same bill and was able to have it passed on 2nd reading on Tuesday, a day before the deadly encounter happened in Quezon City.

In the proposed amendments, body cameras will become mandatory equipment to be worn by law enforcement operatives during actual anti-drug operations.

“This could have aborted any seeming illegal activity that were intended to be perpetrated by any personality against law enforcers or could have recorded all activities during the entire operation.

Palace defends reduced holidays M

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ALACAÑANG has defended the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to lessen the number of special holidays this year, saying the move will “boost economic productivity in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The rationale there is because of COVID-19, there were times when our workers were not able to report for work.

So now that we have the vaccine, we need to recover lost time,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday.

On Friday, Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1107 declaring three November 2 (All Souls’ Day), December 24 (Christmas Eve), and December 31 (New Year’s Eve) as special working days.

“For the country to recover from the

adverse economic impact of the COVID-19, there is a need to encourage economic productivity by, among others, minimizing work disruption and commemorating some special holidays as special (working) days instead,” Duterte said in his proclamation.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, said the new holiday policy was “counterproductive and harmful for the workforce.

Hontiveros said this would mean reduced holiday pay which is granted to workers during special non-working holidays.

“While we understand the need to in-

crease economic productivity, demoting special Filipino holidays to special working holidays will only burden and demoralize Filipino workers, many of whom are already underpaid and struggling with high prices of goods,” she said.

“Why are we taking away an opportunity for our fellow citizens to earn more, especially now that many are facing hardships?” Hontiveros added.

On Sunday, Vice President Leni Robredo also criticized the decision to lessen the special holidays.

“There are so many ways (to boost economic reopening), but why did they settle with this?” she said.

Rody: Kick out US troops with nuclear weapons

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Duterte said he would immediately seek the pullout of the American forces in the Philippines if they bring nuclear weapons into the country.

The President made the announcement during the arrival of Sinovac vaccines from China on Sunday, adding he would terminate the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States the moment he receives proof that American troops have brought nuclear armaments into the country.

The presence of nuclear weapons is prohibited under the country’s Constitution.

“I am warning you that if I get hold of hard information that nuclear armaments are here brought by you, I will immediately ask you to go out and I will terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement ahora mismo,” the President said.

The President claimed US troops have installed arms depots across the country.

“The arms are stored everywhere in the Philippines, in case you don’t know.

They have depots all around the Philippines,” he said.

RECOGNITION. The Senate has adopted a resolution commending Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto (center) for being recognized by the US Department of State as one of its international anti-corruption champions. Photo shows Senate President Vicente Sotto III (5th from left) and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri (7th from left) as well as Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, Panfilo Lacson, Pia Cayetano and Lito Lapid. Senate PRIB)

BI to probe illegal entry of 7 Chinese nationals P70b budget cut

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration will conduct an investigation on the entry of seven Chinese citizens despite COVID-19 restrictions being implemented by the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

According to the bureau, the seven foreigners who arrived on board China Southern Airlines flight CZ 3091 from mainland China were held at the NAIA 1 after they were found to be holding tourist visas.

Foreigners are still not allowed to travel to or enter the Philippines due the pan-

demic unless they are holders of residents visas or are diplomats or married to Filipino citizens.

The foreigners were found to be workers of an online gaming firm in the country hired by the Huayi Group Inc. The Chinese nationals reportedly shelled out money for an exclusion order that enabled them to enter the country.

Meanwhile, the BI said foreigners with valid visas and whose reentry permits have expired may now re-enter the Philippines upon payment of the required fees at the airport.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new rules apply to foreigners who

have been issued immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and who are returning to the Philippines after being stranded abroad due to the pandemic.

Morente said the new rules were adopted on orders of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra who instructed the bureau to allow the reentry of aliens with expired reentry permits (RPs) and special return certificates (SRCs) instead of sending them back to their port of origin.

An RP is issued to a holder of an immigrant visa who is a permanent resident here, while the SRC is obtained by a nonimmigrant such as holders of 9(g) working visa and 9(f) student visa.

DOJ indicts 4 Customs men over illegal Canada garbage

By Rey E. Requejo

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez

(left) chats with Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go before the wedding ceremony of Ozamis City Mayor Sancho Fernando Oaminal and Rouslia Alfaro at the Manila Cathedral Sunday afternoon. Ver Noveno

P30b lost yearly to cigarette smuggling

By Maricel V Cruz A MEMBER of the House of Representatives on Monday disclosed that at least P30 billion is lost to cigarette smuggling annually.

The chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority to crack down on illicit trade of cigarettes.

“I want a crack down on the illicit cigarette trade. We are losing P30 billion annually due to this, from the laxity of enforcement,” Salceda said.

“I am invoking my oversight powers to have BOC conduct a program similar to

the Run Against Tax Evaders or RATE of BIR,” he added.

During a hearing Monday, Salceda also invoked congressional oversight powers to have BIR reverse Revenue Regulation 9-2015, which exempted cigarette manufacturers from tax stamps for exports, and instead requires them to have unique identification codes.

Salceda said given that this system relies on self-declaration and regulation, it is highly prone to abuse.

“It’s a regulated product. And a violation of tax and trade rules on cigarettes is bad on its own. So, we have to be stricter with the regulatory pressure. We are very strict with crude. Cigarettes are also excised. The push of the thumb should be just as strong,” Salceda said.

THE Department of Justice has recommended the indictment of two Bureau of Customs examiners and two appraisers in connection with the illegal importation of hazardous solid waste from Canada in 2013 and 2014.

In a resolution, a DOJ panel of prosecutors ruled it found probable cause to prosecute Customs examiners Benjamin Perez Jr. and Eufracio Ednaco as well as appraisers Matilda Bacongan and Jose Saromo for violation of Republic Act No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.

The prosecutors stressed that respondents “knew, or were supposed to know, that the items entering the Philippines were hazardous materials and not plastic scrap materials.”

“After all, they claimed to have physically examined the subject importations.

When they re-routed these shipments to ‘green,’ they effectively facilitated the importation of hazardous waste into the Philippines,” the DOJ prosecutors said.

The DOJ, however, cleared Environment Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna and three others of criminal charges over the shipments of 103 container vans of hazardous wastes from Canada for lack

in military, police pension blamed on Cayetano

By Maricel V. Cruz

A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Monday accused the previous leadership of the House of Representatives of allegedly manipulating the 2020 national budget which resulted in budget cuts totaling P209 billion, including the more than P70 billion slashed from the pension and gratuity fund of retired military and police personnel.

This was revealed by Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab, who was the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations when Congress approved in 2019 the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 under the leadership of then Speaker Alan Cayetano.

“I think this is the proper time to reveal what truly happened, everything that has happened. The version that was finalized at the bicameral conference committee report was not anymore the chairman’s (of the Committee on Appropriations),” Ungab said.

“It was finalized by the Office of the Speaker,” he added.

Cayetano has yet to make a comment on the matter as of press time.

Ungab made the clarification after Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, a known ally of Cayetano, accused Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of having a hand in the the alleged P20-billion decrease in the military’s pension and gratuity fund in the 2021 General Appropriations Act.

WOMEN’S MONTH.

Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Cecille Romero lead the Stop and Salute monthly flag raising ceremony in celebration of the National Women’s Month held at Rizal Park on Monday.

Norman Cruz

B2

World

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump airs gripes, teases 2024 run ORLANDO―Donald Trump told conservatives Sunday he was considering running for president again in 2024, as he reasserted dominance over the Republican Party and warned of a “struggle” for America’s very survival.

Echoing the grievance politics of his 2016 campaign and the harsh rhetoric of his one-term presidency, the 74-year-old fired up an enthusiastic crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando.

In a keynote speech—his first since leaving the White House on January 20—he repeated his false claims that he won the election instead of President Joe Biden, and hammered establishment Republicans who voted against him in the latest impeachment drama.

But while he teased his future plans, he left the crowd guessing about whether he will challenge Biden in a rematch.

“With your help we will take back the House, we will win the Senate, and then a Republican president will make a triumphant return to the White House—and I

wonder who that will be?” Trump said to a raucous cheer.

“Who knows?” he boomed about his potential plans. “I may even decide to beat them for a third time, OK?” Banned from Twitter and other social media, Trump has maintained a low postpresidential profile at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

At CPAC, he walked on stage to revel in a lengthy standing ovation by cheering loyalists, the vast majority maskless despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Like he did so often during his two campaigns, he painted a pitched battle against as Democrats’ “socialist” agenda to remake the nation.

“We’re in a struggle for the survival of America as we know it,” Trump said. “This is a terrible, terrible, painful struggle.”

But he said the “incredible” populist movement that propelled him to victory four plus years ago is just beginning, “and in the end, we will win.”

Trump also put to rest the rumors that he might take his base of support to create a new political party. AFP

TEASING TRUMP. Former US President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in the Hyatt Regency on Sunday in Orlando, Florida as he teased a political comeback in 2024. Begun in 1974, CPAC brings together conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders to discuss issues important to them. AFP

Suu Kyi hit with 2 new criminal charges

Y

ANGON—Ousted Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi was hit with two new criminal charges when she appeared in court via video link on Monday, a month after a military coup triggered relentless and massive protests.

Suu Kyi has not been seen since being detained on February 1, and her appearance came as demonstrators took to the streets again across the country in defiance of an escalation of deadly force from the junta.

At least 18 people died on Sunday as troops and police fired live bullets at demonstrators in cities across Myanmar,

according to the United Nations, which cited its own credible information.

Suu Kyi, 75, was already facing obscure criminal charges for possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies, as well as violating coronavirus restrictions by staging a campaign event during last year’s election.

She is now also accused of a violation

of communications laws as well as intent to incite public unrest, her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw said.

“We can not say for sure how many more cases Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will face in this period,” he told reporters in Naypyidaw.

“Anything can happen in this country at this time.”

Myanmar’s ousted president Win Myint is also facing the same intent to incite public unrest charge in addition to coronavirus restriction breaches.

Suu Kyi has reportedly been kept under house arrest in Naypyidaw, an isolated city that the military built during a previous dictatorship.

The military has justified its takeover,

ending a decade-long democratic experiment, by making unfounded allegations of widespread fraud in last November’s national elections.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won the election in a landslide.

The generals have hit Suu Kyi with two charges the international community widely regards as frivolous -- relating to importing walkie talkies and staging a campaign rally during the pandemic.

Monday’s court proceedings were preliminary matters in the case, including with Khin Maung Zaw seeking to formally represent her.

Uprising Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to streets regularly over the past

UK jabs top 20m; Czechs on Sputnik LONDON—Britain said Sunday more than 20 million of its people have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while the rest of Europe lagged behind, with the hardhit Czech Republic turning to Russia’s Sputnik V jab as it fights the world’s highest infection rate.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the landmark “a huge national achievement” and praised National Health Service staff and others for their “tireless work”.

London says it plans to offer a first jab to the whole adult population by the end of July.

Only Israel and the United Arab Emirates have vaccinated more people per capita.

But Israel, despite having administered both doses of the Pfizer vaccine to more than a third of its population, is still in its third lockdown, with restrictions easing gradually.

On Sunday, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews defied the lockdown to mark the Purim holiday. Some threw stones at police in Jerusalem as tensions persist between authorities and a deeply devout community accused of repeatedly flouting coronavirus restrictions.

‘Vaccines have no ideology’ Czech President Milos Zeman meanwhile said he had written to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to request a supply of Sputnik V doses after a slower than expected vaccination rollout, and expects a supply to arrive “in the next few days”.

Zeman said he would also welcome China’s Sinopharm vaccine in the country that has recorded over 1.2 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and more than 20,000 deaths, arguing that “vaccines have no ideology”.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Sunday he received the Sinopharm jab days after Hungary became the first EU member to use the vaccine, which has not been approved by EU regulators.

On Saturday, the United States authorised Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine for emergency use, offering a glimmer of hope though President Joe Biden said the nation’s battle was far from over. AFP Manila

Standard

TODAY

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that GENNEXT LAND DEVELOPMENT INC., with office address at Arbortowne Bldg., 394 Shaw Boulevard, Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as a New Developer of Economic and Low-Cost housing project (Carmenchu Heights) with a capacity of 111 economic and low-cost units on a Non-Pioneer status with project site at Brgy.

Duhat, Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-MAR. 2, 2021)

month to oppose the coup.

While the military has steadily increased the type of force used to try to contain the uprising, beginning with tear gas and water cannons, this weekend’s violence saw the biggest escalation.

One person was shot while crouching behind rubbish bins and other makeshift shields, and had to be dragged away by others, with the incident filmed by media.

AFP independently confirmed 10 deaths in Sunday’s violence, although there were fears the toll could be much higher.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a reliable monitoring group, estimated that about 30 people had been killed by security forces since the coup on February 1. AFP

In historic first, Pope to visit Iraq

FREE THE LADY. Protesters hold posters with the image of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup in Naypyidaw on Sunday. AFP

HK dissidents charged; Crowds gather outside court HONG KONG—Hundreds of democracy supporters gathered outside a Hong Kong courthouse on Monday chanting slogans and flashing protest symbols as some of the city’s best-known dissidents appeared in the dock charged with subversion.

Beijing is battling to stamp out dissent in semi-autonomous Hong Kong after swathes of the population hit the streets in 2019 in huge and sometimes violent democracy demonstrations.

It has blanketed the once free-wheeling finance hub in a sweeping national security law, while anti-coronavirus

measures ban public gatherings of more than four people.

Police on Sunday charged 47 leading dissidents with conspiracy to commit subversion in the largest use yet of the security legislation.

Monday’s hearing sparked a resurgence of defiance from members of the public in a city where protest has been all but outlawed.

Hundreds queued up outside the law courts in one of the biggest gatherings in months as a heavy police presence looked on.

Some chanted slogans including “Re-

lease all political prisoners” and “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” the latter a slogan authorities say is now illegal under the security law.

Others flashed the three-finger “Hunger Games” salute that has been embraced by fellow democracy campaigners in Thailand and Myanmar.

Tensions rose and fell throughout the afternoon as police raised banners warning that an illegal gathering was taking place and that protesters were breaking the national security law with their chanting. Crowds did not disperse. AFP

BAGHDAD ― Pope Francis is to arrive Friday for the first-ever papal visit to conflict-torn Iraq, aiming to encourage the dwindling Christian community to remain in their ancient homeland, and broaden his outreach to Islam.

Among the most extraordinary moments of the trip will be his one-on-one meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the highly reclusive cleric, who is a top religious authority for many of the world’s Shiite Muslims.

Despite a second deadly wave of coronavirus infections, renewed violence and notoriously poor public services, Francis is fulfilling the dream of a predecessor, late pope John Paul II, by visiting Iraq.

Amid war and persecution, the country’s Christian community -- one of the world’s oldest -- has fallen from 1.5 million in 2003 to just 400,000 today.

The 84-year-old pontiff, who will be on his first foreign trip since the start of the pandemic, plans to voice solidarity with them and the rest of Iraq’s 40 million people during a packed three-day visit.

From central Baghdad to the Shiite shrine city of Najaf, welcome banners featuring his image and Arabic title “Baba al-Vatican” already dot the streets.

From Ur, the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham in the southern desert, to ravaged Christian towns in the north, roads are being paved and churches rehabilitated in remote areas that have never seen such a high-profile visitor. AFP “The pope’s message is that the Church stands beside those who suffer,” said Najeeb Michaeel, Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of the northen city of Mosul. AFP

Tehran deflects blame for ship attack JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday accused Iran of a recent attack on an IsraeliManila owned ship, noting his country was Standard regularly “striking” its arch-foe in TODAY comments that followed an overnight raid on Syria.

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tween the sides came as the international community has been trying to salvage the troubled 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

“It is indeed an Iranian act, that’s clear,” Netanyahu told public broadcaster Kan. “As for a reaction—you know my policy,” he continued.

“Iran is Israel’s greatest enemy, I’m determined to block it, we’re striking at it throughout the region.”

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh responded swiftly to dismiss Netanyahu’s claims.

“We strongly deny this accusation,” Khatibzadeh told reporters, adding that “the source of this accusation itself shows how invalid (the claim) is.”

Netanyahu’s remarks came hours after Syrian air defences intercepted what they said were Israeli missiles over Damascus. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN

SHOPS OPEN. A hairdresser cuts the hair of a client sitting in a space separated by transparent panes at the hair salon ‘Harmony’ in Dortmund, western Germany on March 1,on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than two months due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

Business PSEi March 1, 2021

TOP GAINERS 1 2

LAND BKR

LAST PRICE 1.03 2.04

% CHANGE CHANGE 0.34 49.28% 0.42 25.93%

3

ACEX

25

4.2

20.19%

4 5 6

LRW CDC RLT

2.4 0.91 0.33

0.4 0.14 0.04

20.00% 18.18% 13.79%

7

VUL

3.11

0.36

13.09%

8 9 10

ATN PAL T

0.95 6.74 1.47

0.1 0.69 0.15

11.76% 11.40% 11.36%

TOP LOSERS 1 2

MAXS MAH

LAST PRICE 6.37 3.05

% CHANGE CHANGE -0.51 -7.41% -0.2 -6.15%

3

MFC

850

-46

-5.13%

4 5 6

PAX MAHB IMI

2.21 2.96 12.58

-0.09 -0.12 -0.5

-3.91% -3.90% -3.82%

7 8 9 10

DIZ PRF2B LTG BCB

12.36 1011 13.82 2.73

-0.42 -34 -0.46 -0.09

-3.29% -3.25% -3.22% -3.19%

B3

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks cheer PH vaccine arrival; Ayala, BDO climb T he stock market rallied Monday as investors welcomed the arrival of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China, fueling hopes of a faster economic recovery.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 78.11 points, or 1.2 percent, to 6,872.97 on a value turnover of P8.3 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 149 to76, with 48 issues unchanged.

President Rodrigo Duterted on Sunday presided over a ceremony marking the arrival of 600,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine at Villamor Air Base.

A shipment of 525,600 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by AstraZeneca was also scheduled to arrive Monday through the World Health Organization-led COVAX Facility.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. advanced 4.3 percent to P780, while property unit Ayala Land Inc. rose 2 percent to P39.85.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, climbed 3.7 percent to P109.40, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest bank, added 1.8 percent to P51.60.

The rest of equities rose in Asia on Monday as investors took a breather following last week’s heavy selling, with a drop in US Treasury yields giving markets some much-needed stability, while the passage of Joe Biden’s stimulus through the House provided some cheer.

However, observers warned that trading floors were still gripped by fears the expected global economic recovery will fuel inflation and force a hike in interest rates earlier than previously thought, removing a key pillar of the surge in world markets for the past year.

In a bid to calm markets, several central banks—including in Japan, South Korea and the European Union—sought at the

weekend reiterated their pledges to maintain their ultra-loose monetary policies for as long as needed. Australia’s led the way by ramping up its asset purchases to keep government yields low.

The steep losses last week provided an opportunity for bargain-buyers Monday, sending Asia rallying with Tokyo up more than two percent, while Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Mumbai and Jakarta put on more than one percent.

Wellington and Bangkok also saw gains.

Seoul and Taipei were closed for holidays.

News that Johnson & Johnson’s oneshot vaccine had been given the green light by US regulators—paving the way for a quicker rollout of inoculations— added to the positive sentiment.

However, fears about a spike in inflation continue to linger, and while the imminent passage of Biden’s vast rescue package is expected to bring crucial relief to the economy and struggling Americans, many traders see it as likely to add to the upward surge in prices. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SM DITO MBT BDO ALI LRW PHES PHA SMPH URC

VOLUME 670320 34370000 9051540 3683520 8698200 101366000 368353000 79127000 6325300 1756440

VALUE (PHP) 684420960 563996264 465313587.5 401498215 344759080 247501870 237986010 236058070 229691190 226842090

BACK IN BUSINESS. Staff members launch a confetti cannon at the hair salon Marco Trapani at its reopening after being closed due to the pandemic as clients wait outside in Dortmund, western Germany on March 1, 2021. AFP

China factory activity grows at slowest pace in nine months BEIJING, China—Factory activity in China grew at the slowest pace in nine months in February, as business operations slowed over the country’s Lunar New Year holiday, according to official data released Sunday.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a key gauge of manufacturing activity, fell to 50.6 last month from 51.3, said the National Bureau of Statistics, with slowdowns seen in production, new orders and foreign trade.

Although this was the lowest reading overall since last May, when manufacturing PMI also came in at 50.6, the figure remains above the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction.

“Lunar New Year fell in midFebruary this year, and the holiday factor showed a greater impact on the production and operations of enterprises this month,” said NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe.

Zhao added that both the new export order index and import order index were in contraction, affected by slower production and purchasing activities during the festive period.

But market expectations remained bullish and the purchase price index of key raw materials remained relatively high.

Official figures also showed that even as smaller firms were more affected by seasonal factors, expectations for sectors such as specialized equipment, automobiles and some electronics remain in a higher range—with some surveyed firms indicating March will be a “peak season” for them.

Meanwhile, the non-manufacturing PMI was 51.4 this month, down from 52.4 the month before, said the NBS. It noted weakening in the service industry and construction activity, also impacted by the nationwide holiday. AFP

Europe is less ‘Never bet against America,’ billionaire Warren Buffett advises investors at risk of inflation and rate fears PARIS, France—Investors are watching inflation carefully, worried that a boiling over of prices will ruin the expected strong pandemic recovery although analysts believe Europe faces much less of a risk than the United States.

Fears that US President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan—which was passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday—will stoke up the economy too much have unnerved investors in recent weeks.

A rise in yields on 10-year US Treasury bonds—a key indicator of expectations—shows the markets believe prices are set to rise much more sharply than last year’s gain of 1.4 percent, which could force the US Federal Reserve to hike interest rates earlier than it says it plans to do.

Bond yields have risen elsewhere too, with 10-year French government bonds turning positive on Thursday for the first time in months while the benchmark 10-year German Bund has also risen although it remains negative.

European inflation data for January showed a jump in prices of 0.9 percent compared to a minus 0.3 percent reading in December, as increased costs of raw materials fed through into services and industrial goods.

After having slowed considerably in 2020, inflation is expected to rise this year in Europe as the economy picks up following the relaxation of measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But it is not so much a spike in inflation that worries investors but that the Fed would raise interest rates faster than it has communicated.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell pledged Tuesday that the US central bank will keep benchmark lending rates low until the economy is at full employment and inflation has risen consistently above its 2.0 percent target.

But bond yields continued to rise, indicating investor concern about a rise in interest rates that would make borrowing and investment more expensive and slow the economy. AFP

WASHINGTON—Ninety-year-old billionaire Warren Buffett reaffirmed his fervent belief in the American Dream in a letter to investors published Saturday—advising them never to bet against the country despite its many problems.

“In its brief 232 years of existence, there has been no incubator for unleashing human potential like America,” he said in the message to investors in his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate.

Even after a particularly difficult 2020—when the COVID-19 pandemic plunged the world’s largest economy into recession and pushed millions into poverty—“our country’s economic progress has been breathtaking,” he

said.

The man known as the Oracle of Omaha added: “Our unwavering conclusion: Never bet against America.”

Buffett’s annual letter is always highly anticipated by the business world because of his reputation as a prudent investor with a canny view to long-term trends.

But in his latest letter, Buffett did acknowledge a mistake made in 2016 that became evident last year: Berkshire’s purchase of Precision Castparts (PCC), which led to an “ugly $11 billion writedown.”

“I paid too much for the company,” Buffett wrote. “No one misled me in any

way–-I was simply too optimistic about PCC’s normalized profit potential,” an error laid bare when the company’s aerospace customers fell on hard times last year.

Buffett also announced that Berkshire’s annual meeting, which in normal years draws thousands of shareholders to Omaha, Nebraska will take place in a virtual format on May 1, as it was last year because of the pandemic.

He said he and partner Charlie Munger would answer shareholders’ questions.

Last year, Buffett wrote, the conglomerate they led met neither of two goals: “Berkshire made no sizable acquisitions

and operating earnings fell nine percent.

“We did, though, increase Berkshire’s per-share intrinsic value by both retaining earnings and repurchasing about five percent of our shares.”

He voiced confidence that Berkshire’s capital gains from its investment holdings would be “substantial” over time.

Looking ahead, Buffett said Berkshire would remain “a collection of controlled and non-controlled businesses.”

He said shareholders’ capital would be invested in “whatever we believe makes the most sense, based on a company’s durable competitive strengths, the capabilities and character of its management, and price.”AFP

DITO Telecom faces daunting challenge as upstart firm DITO Telecommunity Corp. is confronted with many challenges in its infancy stage. For one, the financial requirement of being the third major telecommunications player is enormous. Much bigger rivals have enlarged their footprints in the industry and established strong connections in the banking community. DITO must contend with these factors, like a runner trying to outsprint an opponent with a big head start.

The Senate Public Services Committee is watching the telecom race, albeit with caution, mainly because of the unproven financial track of DITO. It has deferred for the meantime the approval of its franchise renewal.

Senator Grace Poe, the committee’s chairperson, laid down the primary basis for the deferment, noting that “when Dito applied for this franchise and made all these commitments, they should have had the forecast of what they were going to spend already.”

DITO has been forced to turn to ChinaTelecommunications Corp.

and the state-owned Bank of China for financial help. It had to borrow its first drawdown of $500 million from Bank of China. Over a period of five years, DITO must cough up P283.7 billion (including cost of bidding) to fulfill its commitment to the government as the third major telco player.

DITO’s parent firm –the Udenna Group–must be be feeling the pinch of funding an ambitious undertaking. It has sought a government guarantee to cover a P700-million loan. The government guarantee is on top of the P16billion loans that the Udenna Group had obtained from the different financial institutions.

DITO could also be falling into the China debt trap. The debt-trap diplomacy is a theory to some, but China or its financial institutions seem to be saddling DITO and the Philippines in general with enormous debt in order to increase their leverage over the borrowers.

The Bank of China has become one of DITO’s the primary sources of credit. The dependence on China’s state-owned bank could eventually result in DITO’s stock dilution in

favor of Bank of China. DITO’s loan could eventually be converted into equity and raise ChinaTel’s stake, Sen. Francis Pangilinan warned about investments and infrastructure projects funded by China, as well as “debt exposure, geopolitical risks and sovereignty issues.” The Philippines, he says, should not be blinded by money and exchange the Philippines for a few pieces of silver.”

DITO’s emergence started with the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqian, for a Chinese telecommunications giant to be the Philippines’ third telco player.

The request is fraught with suspicion and danger. DITO’s partner is a key part of China’s intelligence network. ChinaTel reports to the Central People’s Government in China and has links to the People’s Liberation Army.

ChinaTel’s mandates are covered by the 2017 National Intelligence Law of China, which states “that any organization or citizen shall support, assist and cooperate with the state intelligence work in

accordance with the law.”

This conflict of interests has already been affirmed by the New York Stock Exchange in delisting China Telecom and two other Chinese telcos – China Unicorn Hong Kong and China Mobile–for being connected to the operations of the Chinese military.

Twelve Chinese stocks were also delisted due to national security risks stemming, in part, from China’s insistence to bar the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to conduct audits.

The Philippine Senate continues to probe DITO’s actual links with ChinaTel and possible allegiances to foreign countries in renewing the local telecom franchise.

Meanwhile, DITO has passed the technical audit by an independent party as it prepares for commercial rollout this month. DITO is expected to deliver its commitments of 37.03 percent national population coverage with a minimum average broadband speed of 27 megabits per second in its first year of operation.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

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

B4

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

Business

IN BRIEF ABS-CBN divests from fintech unit

First Pacific submits Malampaya bid

By Alena Mae S. Flores

A

CONSORTIUM led

by First Pacific Co. Ltd., Philex Mining Corp. and other partners offered to acquire the 45-percent stake of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. in the $4.5-billion Malampaya gas-to-power project in northwest Palawan.

“We’re looking at acquiring the Shell stake. When we say ‘we’, it is really First Pacific. We have submitted a final non-binding offer to Shell. Let’s see what they’ll say,” First Pacific managing director Manuel Pangilinan

told reporters during a briefing Monday on the financial results of Manila Electric Co. Pangilinan said Philex Mining Corp., which controls PXP Energy Corp., is also part of the group that made the offer to acquire the shares of Spex. Pangilinan sits as chairman of both Philex Mining and PXP Energy.

“Actually, it’s not just First Pacific, but also Philex Mining was part of that group that made a joint offer because Philex Mining is part owner of PXP Energy, which owns 70 percent of Forum,” he said.

PXP Energy owns Service Contract 75, while Forum (GSEC 101) Ltd. operates SC 72 (Recto Bank). Both areas said to be rich in oil and gas.

PXP Energy and Forum can utilize the Malampaya platform to deliver gas from their service contracts to the end users, if successfully proven to contain natural

gas of commercial quantity.

Pangilinan said one or two other banks joined the “group effort that made an offer” for Spex’s shares.

Spex announced in September last year it would dispose of its 45-percent stake in Service Contract 38 or the Malampaya gas project.

Pangilinan did not provide more details but said they were guided by the terms of reference for the sale of Shell’s stake.

“We made our offer. It’s up to Shell to conclude whether those terms are acceptable to them or not,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan earlier said they were in talks with JP Morgan which has been advising Spex on the sale of its stake in Malampaya.

Udenna Corp. and state-run PNOC Exploration Corp. own the remaining 45 percent and 10 percent of SC 38,

respectively. Udenna Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy bought its stake from Chevron Philippines LLC. Udenna earlier said it wanted to exercise its preemptive rights and acquire the stake of Spex.

Spex earlier called on the government to extend the service contract of the Malampaya gas project, which is set to expire by 2024, to allow the consortium to look for more gas supply opportunities.

Gas from the Malampaya field is expected to be depleted by 2024 but, Spex officials earlier said it could still produce gas until 2027 to 2030.

The Malampaya-gas-to-power project is the second biggest source of electric power in the Luzon and supplies fuel to five power plants in Luzon with combined installed capacity of 3,200 megawatts, representing about 21 percent of the national demand for electricity.

PSE INDEX

Monday, March 1, 2021

78.11 PTS.

TOTAL VOLUME

8,722,193,624

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE

159,574 8,337,250,093.20

ADVANCES DECLINES

6,872.97

149 76

UNCHANGED

48

F oreign e xchange r ate Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.6530

Japan

Yen

0.009388

0.4568

UK

Pound

1.395300

67.8855

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128924

6.2725

Switzerland

Franc

1.103996

53.7127

Canada

Dollar

0.785793

38.2312

Singapore

Dollar

0.750638

36.5208

Australia

Dollar

0.771000

37.5115

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654844

129.1661

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.9738

Brunei

Dollar

0.747831

36.3842

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.033190

1.6148

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.2468

Euro

Euro

1.207300

58.7388

Korea

Won

0.000890

0.0433

China

Yuan

0.154605

7.5220

India

Rupee

0.013528

0.6582

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.246792

12.0072

New Zealand

Dollar

0.723800

35.2150

Taiwan

Dollar

0.035886

1.7460 Source: BSP

Manila

Holcim’s net profit slid to P2b last year CEMENT manufacturer Holcim Philippines Inc. said Monday net income fell 42.4 percent in 2020 to P2.06 billion from P3.58 billion in 2019 as demand weakened amid the pandemic.

Holcim Philippines said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net sales reached P26 billion last year, down 22 percent from P33.4 billion in 2019 on lower volume and prices.

The company said the lockdown implemented by the government from March to May to contain the spread of the coronavirus and the severe weather conditions in the fourth quarter affected business operations in 2020. These hampered delivery of raw materials and services to production sites and dispatch of products to customers.

Holcim said responded to the pandemic by implementing aggressive cost reductions in production, distribution and support process costs that partially mitigated the topline decline.

“We improved efficiency and sustainability of operations. We also introduced new building solutions and enhanced digital tools to better serve the customers. With our committed employees and loyal business partners, these improvements make us ready to help drive a faster recovery and deliver great value to all our stakeholders,” outgoing Holcim president and chief executive John Stull said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

DBP gets ‘BBB’ rating for US dollar notes

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021

Currency

ABS-CBN Corp. said Monday it sold its entire stake in a financial technology company to Greenergy Holdings Inc. ABS-CBN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a legally binding term sheet with Greenergy and iBayad Online Ventures for the sale of 51-million fully-paid common shares in U-Pay Digital Technologies Inc. The transaction would result in GHI owning 51 percent of the outstanding capital stock of U-Pay and iBayad having 49 percent.

“Under the term sheet, the execution of the definitive agreements is conditioned on a satisfactory legal, financial and environmental, social and governance due diligence by GHI,” ABS-CBN said.

GHI was given 45 days from execution of the term sheet to complete the due diligence.

The transaction is also subject to approval of authorities. Darwin G. Amojelar

BSP REPORT. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (center) says digitalization has kept the gears of the economy running amid the pandemic in his ‘Ulat ng BSP sa Bayan’ at the Philippine International Convention Center. Joining Diokno during a toast are Monetary Board members (from left) V. Bruce Tolentino, Anita Linda Aquino, Felipe Medalla and Peter Favila.

Finance Secretary and MB board member Carlos Dominguez and MB board member Antonio Abacan Jr. attended the event online.

BSP Deputy Governors Maria Almasara Cyd Tuano-Amador, Francisco Dakila Jr. and Chuchi Fonacier also delivered messages virtually.

CYAN

Standard

HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD OWN STOCKS IN GLOBAL COMPANIES TODAY

TODAY

Perhaps you’ve already been trading in the local market for some time now and are looking into diversifying your portfolio. Going beyond the Philippine market and investing in global companies is not only good for your savings and investments but is also not as hard as you think.

As a general rule in investing, it’s best to spread out your funds in various kinds of investments to minimize risk. When it comes to equities, most Filipinos tend to limit their exposure to local markets and by doing so, miss out on the opportunity for possible bigger returns through global investments.

Why should you invest globally?

According to Shrikant Bhat, AIA Investment Management (AIA IM) Head of Funds, there are 3 main benefits on why you should invest globally. First is the increased opportunity to enhance returns by tapping into global trends such as digitalization of services, advances in the medical field, and development of new technologies.

“By diversifying your portfolio to include international markets, new doors of opportunities for higher returns will open for you. You get the chance to access strategies not readily available in the local market,” said Shrikant.

Second is the ability to spread out risk by allocating across regions and asset classes while reducing local market concentration. He added, “It’s better to distribute your assets to different investments to not only minimize risk, but also to benefit from the economic growth of other markets.”

Lastly is the access to top Fund Managers who specialize in different asset classes and can help grow your investments. “Global investing can be done through partnership with best-in-class managers who have proven track record. They are professional managers who can guide investors to avoid pitfalls in global investing, and possibly grow one’s assets over the long term to help them reach their savings goals,” he expounded.

Having said that, how can Filipinos invest in the global market? The best way is through a trustworthy and reliable partner that can help you build your wealth and grow your assets.

Recently, AIA Philam Life expanded its offerings with the launch of AIA Elite Funds in collaboration with AIA Investment Management Pte. Ltd. (AIA IM), its Singapore-based affiliate which serves as the hub for regional investment management of the AIA Group.

With these new funds available through AIA Philam Life products, Filipino investors now have access to global investments managed by reputable fund managers.

“AIA IM’s partnership with AIA Philam Life gives Filipinos access to global portfolios managed by bestin-class fund managers that can help them grow their money for long-term investments,” said Shrikant. “With our team of experienced investment professionals, the Elite Funds combine various strategies to match client risk profiles and focus on delivering long-term investment returns so that our clients can expect

LRT Line 2 Masinag Extension project to begin partial operations on April 27

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Light Rail Transit Authority said Monday the P2.27-billion LRT Line 2 Masinag Extension will start partial operations on April 27 this year.

LRTA spokesperson Hernando Cabrera said the extension project, spanning from Marikina Station to Antipolo Station, would be inaugurated on April 26 and commence partial operations the next day.

The project had a 96.29-percent progress rate as of Jan. 31, 2021.

The government earlier awarded the construction of LRT 2 Masinag Extension project to D.M. Consunji Inc. for P2.27 billion.

The project involves adding 4.2 kilometers to LRT 2 from the Santolan Station at Marcos Highway, Pasig to the intersection of Marcos and Sumulong highways in Masinag, Antipolo.

It is expected to cut travel time from three hours via bus or jeepney to just 40 minutes via rail transit. It also aims to increase the

reassurance and consistency with their investments,” he further explained.

Simply put, AIA Philam Life offers three different Elite Fund Portfolios customers can choose from depending on their financial profile and risk appetite namely, Adventurous Fund, Balanced Fund, and Conservative Fund. Each portfolio has an Equity and Fixed income allocation which can be achieved through a combination of funds.

Each fund is uniquely created for AIA and are submanaged by leading global investment managers such as Baillie Gifford, Wellington Management and BlackRock.

“By providing our clients with global investment options, we are helping Filipino investors grow their wealth and achieve their long-term savings goal. With this, we are able to bring our brand purpose to life by helping Filipinos live Healthier, Longer and Better Lives,” said Arleen Guevara, AIA Philam Life Chief Investment Officer.

Going global with AIA Philam Life Investing in foreign markets is a great way to diversify your portfolio and reach your long-term saving objectives. When done right, investing globally can reap great financial resources for you. If you’re interested, now is the best time to make your money work for you without hassle by investing in AIA Philam Life Elite Funds, available through Family Provider and MoneyWorks.

To know more about AIA Philam Life Elite Funds, visit www.philamlife.com or visit AIA Philam Life’s Facebook page, email philamlife@aia.com or call (02)8528-2000.

DEBT watcher Fitch Ratings assigned an investment grade or “BBB” rating to Development Bank of the Philippines’ proposed US dollar senior unsecured notes, which will constitute direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations.

The bank was earlier rated by Fitch with an investment grade score of “BBB” with a stable outlook.

Fitch said in a statement the senior unsecured instruments were rated at the same level as DBP’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating, in accordance with Fitch’s criteria.

“We expect a high probability of extraordinary state support for DBP, if needed, due to its strategic policy role, full state ownership, systemic importance as the second-largest stateowned bank in the Philippines with around 5-percent share of system assets, and the state’s ability to provide support as indicated in the sovereign rating of ‘BBB’/stable,” Fitch said.

DBP earlier said it was eyeing to increase its authorized capital from P35 billion to P100 billion to enable it to broaden credit assistance to priority sectors.

Julito G. Rada MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

rail line’s ridership by 80,000 passengers daily.

Once completed, the project would provide commuters from Manila to Antipolo a more comfortable, convenient and better train ride experience, according to LRTA. Meanwhile, Department of Transportation-railways sector project development officer Anna Tayag said the partial operations of LRT-Line 1 (Cavite) Extension Project Package 1 would start in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The 11.7-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension project, which will extend LRT line 1 from Baclaran to Niog, Bacoor in Cavite, is expected to reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 25 minutes.

It is also expected to increase the line’s capacity to serve 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily.

The remaining stations between Las Piñas and Niog are scheduled to become fully-operational by 2022.

Meralco’s core income fell 9% to P21.7b in 2020 ELECTRICITY retailer Manila Electric Co. said Monday consolidated core net income declined 9 percent in 2020 to P21.7 billion year from P23.8 billion in 2019 following a 7-percent drop in sales amid the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Overall in 2020, the lower CCNI was mainly because of the 7-percent decline [in sales] which was due to the combined effects of the Taal Volcano eruption, COVID-19 and the three major weather disturbances that hit the franchise area,” Meralco chief finance officer Betty Siy-Yap said.

Meralco’s reported net income, adjusted to exclude the effect of foreign exchange gains or losses, impairment charges, markto-market adjustments and other one-time and exceptional transactions, also dropped 30 percent to P16.328 billion from P23.285 billion.

Energy sales fell 7 percent last year as the economy shrank 9.5 percent.

Meralco said consolidated energy sales volumes, which included volumes distributed by Clark Electric Distribution Corp., reached 43,572 gigawatt-hours, down 7 percent from the 2019 volume.

It said residential volumes accounted for 38 percent of total sales, commercial, 34 percent; and industrial, 28 percent. These were different from the pre-pandemic share of 30 percent, 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The decline in energy sales volume was exacerbated by three typhoons, which ravaged the Meralco franchise area last year.

Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said he was encouraged by the consumption trends starting January 2021.

“We are committed to enabling the re-opening of the economy which we hope happens this year. We are encouraged by Meralco’s January 2021 operating trends, including energy sold to commercial customers starting to regain traction,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said Meralco joined the government in containing the outbreak of COVID-19 by ensuring that its 5,700 workforce were regularly tested, supplied with the necessary personal protective equipment, provided supplements to boost their immunity and given prompt medical attention at the first sign of symptoms or infection.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Gavina is new Painters’ coach; Garcia to head cage operations

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

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By Rey Joble CHRIS Gavina is back in the PBA head coaching scene as he takes over as new mentor of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, but that doesn’t mean Caloy Garcia is headed elsewhere.

Under the new set up made by Rain or Shine management, Gavina will be the head coach while Garcia was promoted to his new role as head of basketball operations, team owner Raymond Yu confirmed in a telephone interview.

“When you look at the landscape of basketball now, ibang-iba na,” Yu said. “Kasi ‘yung team, hindi na siya basta team ngayon katulad nu’ng araw na may coach, may assistant, may manager. Ngayon, ang tawag basketball organization na and you need more capable people to do certain tasks.”

Gavina has been involved previously with Kia, working as coach on an interim basis and handled the squad during the times when eightdivision world champion and then Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao was coach of the team in 2014.

When Chito Victolero resigned as Kia coach, Gavina returned and coached the team, then joined Rain or Shine to become the team’s coaching consultant in 2018.

Outside of his PBA duties, Gavina also worked as head coach of the Bacoor Strikers in the MPBL, a squad which he led to a solid playoff run two years ago, the same season when he coached Gab Banal in his MVP year.

Banal is now back playing in the PBA for the Alaska Aces.

“I welcome this new challenge,” added Gavina. “One good thing about this organization is we’re like a family, so when I was appointed head coach of the team where I’m already a part of was easy to accept.

We’re a playoff contender, but we look forward to winning championships in the future.”

For Gavina, he believes the four draft picks they have in the first and the second round of the coming PBA Rookie Draft would shape up the team’s future.

“Regardless of what’s going to happen on the eligibility of some Fil-Ams, we still believe we can get the best talent at No. 5 and we will fill up the roster with three secondround picks, so that will give us young talents who can build our future.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee dunks during the second half of the Bucks’ game against the LA Clippers at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AFP

Tracksters’ training pushed back to May

By Peter Atencio

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HILE venues remain unavailable, members of the national athletics team will have to wait until May before they can shift to physical training.

By then, the vaccines which can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, may be available and the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases would have given its green light for numerous sports activities to finally resume.

Officials of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association said this after their plans to go into early preparation for the Southeast Asian

Games got pushed back by two more months.

“Unfortunately, there’s none (venues) available. Eventually, if the government agencies and the venue owners will allow it, they (athletes) will probably end up at the New Clark Clark City, sometime in May,” said PATAFA secretary-general Terry Capistrano.

Venues that are under the management of government agencies

like the Philippine Sports Commission have not been available since the beginning of the lockdown in March last year.

This includes the Philsports Complex in Pasig and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Both venues are still being used as quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients.

There are plans for national athletes to take part in the rescheduled 2020 Ayala Philippine Athletics Championships in the same venue from March 19 to 21.

But the national meet is also being considered to be held in September.

“The training of these athletes will then continue until they depart for the SEA Games,” added Capistrano.

US call for Olympic boycott snowballs WASHINGTON—The US should boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley said Sunday, becoming the latest Republican to join a growing furor over the Games and Beijing’s rights record.

“We must boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in China,” Haley, a one-time close ally of former president Donald Trump and herself a presidential hopeful, tweeted.

“It would be a terrible loss for our athletes, but that must be weighed against the genocide occurring in China and the prospect that empowering China will lead to even greater horrors down the road.”

The Games are scheduled to begin on February 4 next year, just six months after the delayed summer Tokyo Olympics, but preparations for both have been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

China is facing global scrutiny

over a range of issues, notably the mass internment of Uighur Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang, which the US has said amounts to genocide.

It is also under pressure for its rights clampdown in the former British colony of Hong Kong, and for its stance toward Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island which Beijing considers part of its territory.

Republican congressman John Katko earlier this week wrote to President Joe Biden to urge a boycott.

“Participation in an Olympics held in a country that is openly committing genocide not only undermines those shared values but casts a shadow on the promise for all those who seek free and just societies,” Katko wrote in the letter, posted on his House website.

And earlier this month a group of US senators introduced a resolution seeking to remove the Games from China, urging the International Olympics Committee to allow new bids so the Games can be “hosted by a country that recognizes and respects human rights.”

A government official carries a bag with the logo of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games during a meeting between Tokyo’s governor Yuriko Koike and president of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Organizing Committee Seiko Hashimoto at the Tokyo metropolitan government building in Tokyo. AFP

Earlier this month, a coalition of 180 rights organizations also called for a boycott.

The White House has signaled no change in approach.

In a statement to AFP earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee said that concerns raised by campaign groups, including over rights, “were

and are raised with the government and local authorities.”

China’s foreign ministry has previously dismissed the concerns, calling them “politically motivated” and “very irresponsible.”

Beijing has been under growing pressure, particularly over the fate of its Uighur minority. AFP

Giannis’ 36 points power Bucks to 5th straight win LOS ANGELES—Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 17 of Milwaukee’s last 22 points Sunday as the Bucks roared home for a fifth straight NBA victory, 105-100 over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Down by seven early in the fourth quarter, the Bucks took a 101-100 lead on two Antetokounmpo free throws with 1:57 remaining.

With 10.3 seconds remaining, Khris Middleton found Antetokounmpo for a one-handed slam that made it 103-100 and after Kawhi Leonard’s potential game-tying three-pointer bounced off the front of the rim Middleton grabbed the rebound and made two free throws to seal the win.

The Clippers went scoreless over the last four minutes, with Leonard and Paul George both coming up empty on multiple possessions.

Two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo finished with 36 points—his fourth straight game of 36 or more.

“Just being aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said of his mindset after the Clippers out-scored the Bucks 33-24 in the third quarter.

“I wasn’t playing the best basketball in the third quarter,” he added.

“I was just trying to be aggressive and I knew it was going to work out, tried to find my teammates, just go downhill and create opportunities so my teammates can have an open shot or I can go all the way to the rim or make something for myself.”

He added 14 rebounds and five assists and Middleton scored 19 points with eight assists for a Bucks team that welcomed back point guard Jrue Holiday after a 10-game absence because of NBA coronavirus protocols.

Holiday played 17 minutes off the bench, scoring two points.

Leonard led the Clippers with 25 points and nine rebounds and George added 16 points for Los Angeles. AFP

PBA staff to be lauded for bubble hosting

PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro

THE entire Philippine Basketball Association staff will be recognized with a special citation in the PBA Press Corps virtual Awards Night on Sunday at the TV5 Media Center.

The 17-man league personnel, headed by Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, will be cited for the admirable, round-the-clock work they’ve done to ensure the efficient staging of the Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, Pampanga last year.

The March 7 event is presented by Cignal TV and to be shown over PBA Rush on March 8.

The special citation is the latest special bubble awards to be announced by the group of men and women covering the PBA beat.

Other awards still to be named are the Outstanding Coach of the Bubble, Mr. Executive, and President’s Award.

Previously announced were Justin Chua (Top Bubble D-Fender), Calvin Abueva, Chris Ross, Mark Barroca, Christian Standhardinger, and Chua (All Bubble DFenders), RJ Jazul (Mr. Quality Minutes), CJ Perez (Scoring Champion) Barangay Ginebra-Meralco Game 5 semis (Game

of the Bubble) and the quintet of Aaron Black, Arvin Tolentino, Roosevelt Adams, Barkley Ebona, and Renzo Subido (All-Rookie Team).

During the hour-long program, awardees of the previous season will also be recognized led by 2019 Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year Leo Austria of San Miguel and Danny Floro Executive of the Year PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, Presidential Awardee Vergel Meneses, mayor of Bulakan, Bulacan and one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, and Defensive Player of the Year Sean Anthony of NorthPort

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Sports

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

Morikawa wins WGC, pays tribute to Woods

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IAMI—Collin Morikawa fired a threeunder-par 69 to clinch a three-shot victory at the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship in Florida on Sunday.

The 24-year-old PGA Championship winner—who led by two after Saturday’s third round—relied on accurate iron play and nerveless putting to close out victory at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton.

Morikawa’s final round saw him finish on 18 under with a 72-hole aggregate 270, three shots clear of Viktor Hovland, Brooks Koepka and Billy Horschel on 15 under.

After an early stumble when he bogeyed the par-four second, Morikawa recovered his composure to play flawlessly thereafter.

A 195-yard second shot on the fifth hole left him with a seven-foot birdie putt which he duly rolled in to return to even for the round.

A deft bunker shot on the seventh set up another birdie chance which he converted and he made the turn at two under after making an 11-foot birdie putt on the ninth.

Another birdie putt on the 12th saw him move to 18 under overall and he then rattled off six straight pars down the stretch to bag the fourth PGA Tour win of a professional career that is still less than two years old.

“It shows that I can come out here and compete,” Morikawa said after prevailing against a strong field that included nearly every player in the world’s top 50.

“What a week. I was working on so much these past couple of weeks.

My game felt so good, I’m just so excited right now.”

Morikawa is now only the second player after Tiger Woods to win both a major and a WGC title before turning 25.

‘Thank you, Tiger’ Woods is currently recovering in hospital in Los Angeles after a

Sporting a red shirt, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks up the 16th hole during the final round of World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession on February 28, 2021 in Bradenton, Florida. McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Tony Finau at the WGC and Phil Mickelson at a PGA Tour Champions event were some of the players who turned out wearing Tiger Woods's iconic color combo. Woods, recovering in hospital after surgery for serious leg injuries received in a solo car smash, tweeted thanks Sunday for a show of support from fellow pro golfers. AFP

serious car crash on Tuesday left him with serious leg injuries.

The Los Angeles-raised Morikawa, who grew up idolising Woods, paid tribute to the stricken former world number one.

“Tiger means everything to me,” Morikawa said. “Yes, he had the crash and thankfully he’s okay and will make a quick recovery.

But I don’t think we say thank you enough, so I want to say thank you to Tiger.”

Earlier, Norway’s Hovland had looked poised to challenge Morikawa at the top of the leaderboard after a wild round that included five birdies and a bogey on the front nine.

Two more birdies on the 12th and 13th holes put him at six under for the day but his charge stalled with bogeys on the 14th and 16th.

Koepka meanwhile was unable to put pressure on Morikawa over the closing holes when he missed an easy birdie putt on the 17th which could have put him within two of the lead with one to play.

Koepka, who had been battling neck pain and stiffness since Saturday’s third round, closed with a twounder-par 70.

Scottie Scheffler finished alone in fifth on 14 under after a rollercoaster four-under-par 68 which included eight birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey six.

Scheffler was one of several players who took to the course on Sunday wearing Woods’ signature Sunday colours of red and black, in a show of support for the 15-time major winner.

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Phil Mickelson and Tony Finau were just some of the players who turned out wearing Woods’ iconic colour combo. AFP

Dy fights to keep world title dream alive SEEF DISTRICT, Bahrain -- Rolando “The Incredible” Dy is approaching a pivotal moment in his professional mixed martial arts career.

The Filipino hard-hitter desperately wants a shot at the BRAVE CF Lightweight World Championship after getting a new lease on life in the 155-pound weight class by defeating top-level opposition last year.

On March 11th, Dy will return to action as he is set to battle Kyrgyz powerhouse Abdysalam Kubanychiev. The classic striker-versus-grappler matchup is the main event of BRAVE CF 47: ASIAN DOMINATION in Bahrain.

The headlining affair has been announced as an official Lightweight World Title eliminator, and the only outcome that Dy ardently desires is him walking out with his hand raised in triumph.

“I know what’s at stake in this fight.

It’s my dream, the dream of fighting for the title. That’s on the line here. I am here to fight for it. I believe I deserve that title shot, and the best way to show everyone that I am real the title contender is by winning. That’s the only option,” he stated.

Though he is more than willing to fight tooth and nail for an opportunity to share the cage with division kingpin Amin

Rolando Dy: Dream lives on

Ayoub, Dy acknowledges the tall order in front of him.

Abdysalam is riding high on a ninebout winning streak and has not tasted a single defeat since December 2017.

The Kyrgyz mauler’s last three outings

S O M E H O W, it felt like the sun has set on the New York NATHANIEL Knicks and for DELA CRUZ a long time refused to rise again, perhaps refusing to watch at what the Knicks have become.

Swallowed by a blanket of darkness, it felt like basketball fans and the basketball world have ignored, forgotten even, the Knicks. I guess that is the bitter and unfortunate nature of competition. You lose the interest of the people the moment you start losing.

If ever anyone is inclined to think that the recent years of this New York franchise mired in the doldrums is Knicks’ karma for implementing the Superstar Solution without thought, without wisdom, without caution, and without foresight, well, here is the upside: the fee, it would seem, has been paid in full. Finally, a new dawn is rising.

Obviously, the New York Knicks would want to regain the adulation and respect of the fans. How they are doing it right now is a great start. Instead of crowning a superstar, they are molding leaders. Instead of banking on the fabled bright lights of Madison Square Garden for instant fame, they toil hidden in the shadows, embracing the grind, and pocketing only what is earned. Instead of feeling privileged thinking that they deserve a Playoffs spot simply because they are the New York Knicks and they have a superstar, they start from a point of humility.

And it is somewhat fitting that a quiet man, a player without a big ego, someone who was never pegged as

FREE THROW SHOOTER

took place under the BRAVE CF banner, scoring a pair of destructive first-round stoppages over Joao Paulo Rodrigues and Vagif Askerov, and then submitting Jahongir Saidjamolov in the second round with a rear-naked choke this past January.

The 29-year-old adopted son of Dasmariñas, Cavite is well aware of his opponent’s ability, which is why he refuses to take him lightly.

“Abdysalam, in my opinion, is the toughest fighter I will ever face in my career. He is a top-rated fighter in his country and in Russia. If you have that kind of rating as a fighter, it means you’re a monster,” Dy explained. “I consider this fight as a very important fight.”

While Dy can never guarantee how any contest is going to play out, he is confident that his skills will be on par with Abdysalam when they collide less than two weeks from now.

“I see weakness in him, and I know how to beat him. My advantage is I am smarter. I am a thinking fighter. With his grappling background, he is more of a grinder in the cage. I am prepared for it, and I know I can handle it,” he said.

Dy will be locked inside an unforgiving steel structure opposite a dangerous foe like Abdysalam, but he also recognizes what he has to do to get the job done.

“Unlike my last two fights, I have a full training camp this time around. I am 100% ready,” he declared. “I will try my best to be the more active fighter. If there’s a chance to finish the fight in the first round, I will take it. If I have to go the distance and dominate him every round, then so be it. I will give everything I have to win.”

New York and old tales of woe a franchise player, a man without the taste for drama, is at the forefront of this New York Knicks renaissance: Julius Randle.

A lot of players would kill to have that position—the go-to guy of a team (with pedigree and esteem) that is finally showing signs of success. Who doesn’t want to be the Cinderella in a Cinderella story? Thankfully, it was not just given to any player—it was earned, and Julius Randle, now a first-time All-Star, deserves it. How this rise to superstardom affects how he plays and how he approaches his duties and responsibilities in this team is the next challenge for Julius Randle. This will challenge his maturity as a professional basketball player.

As for the Knicks, I think the next challenge for management is keeping themselves from making another Superstar Solution. At the close of March 1 action, New York is (surprisingly) fourth in the Eastern Conference, ahead of favorites Miami, Boston, and Toronto. There are a lot of games left to be played still, and New York’s fate remains undecided. But assuming they make the Playoffs, somewhere on the path to the Eastern Conference championship, they will falter and fall, and that is reasonable and expected. They are strong but they are not strong enough.

Another year perhaps, and they’ll be stronger.

When this failure happens, what I hope I don’t hear is chalking up their failure to the lack of superstar to get them over the hump, how another superstar is the “missing piece”. This is not a machine with missing parts— this is a complete machine that needs fine-tuning. If New York finishes this season with a playoff appearance, the

team instantly becomes a desirable destination for prima donna “superstar” players who want to leave their current teams hoping to have their way in a new team that deals or trades for them. It would be tempting. And if they give in, they would be cursed.

This will be a mistake for New York. If they want to sign a superstar, then sign Randle to a new contract once his ends after the 2021-22 season. If they want to add new pieces, I say add role players. Add players with high defense IQ. Add players that can make the team more lethal and at the same time more unpredictable. Put your scouts to work. Find guys who are great playing under a system, especially a system as demanding as Tom Thibodeau’s.

I’d like to believe this is not a fluke season. They can do it. They are successful now because they saw the benefits of grinding out games and trusting their teammates and the system. This builds character. What they will learn next is that the culture of winning that they are trying to build in New York will not be made complete in just one season. Part of the grind is losing and learning from those defeats. What New York should realize and embrace is that success comes in two forms —an unprecedented rise to the top that is no less than an act of god and is without question a rarity, or the slow row of becoming better and better and better. Winners have a great sense of perspective. I hope to see this in New York, but only if they stay the course.

Otherwise, it will be just like before—New York and old tales of woe.

Zamboanga Valientes stun Supersonics for 4th straight title ZAMBOANGA Valientes MLV stunned the highly favored Sydney Supersonics, 17-14, in the final on Saturday, February 27, to bag its fourth straight title in the Champions League Basketball 3x3 in Australia.

Proving their 8-6 victory over the Supersonics, a 2-time CLB champion and one of Australia’s strongest 3x3 teams, in the preliminary stage was no fluke, the Valientes showed poise and cohesion in the thrilling final to clinch the Champions League Basketball Hamilton 2021 crown in Hamilton, Victoria.

Skipper Eric Miraflores, a former Valientes mainstay in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, sustained his fine form from the preliminaries, hitting clutch baskets and issuing timely assists to stretch Zamboanga’s victory run and enhance its legacy in Australia 3x3.

The Valientes earlier ruled the 3x3 Christmas Street Hustle in Canberra, the CLB 3x3 in Bendigo, and the CLB 3x3 Portland Opens, a feat that earned them recognition from the Zamboanga City Council headed by Mayor Beng Climaco on February 9.

Bucking the absence of go-to-guy Ping Concepcion and acting coach Junie Navarro, who are both in the Philippines to prepare the Valientes for the upcoming NBL-Pilipinas season, Zamboanga MLV opened up its campaign with a 15-8 conquest of Fades for the Babes, followed by the 8-6 shocker over the Supersonics and a 15-6 conquest of the Tech Wool Turkeys.

In the semifinals, the Valientes, co-owned by Michael Venezuela, thwarted the Melbourne Magic, 1512, to forge the title duel with the Supersonics.

Sans Concepcion, Miraflores took charge and got plenty of help from 6-foot-10 Sudanese-Australian Duom Dawan.

Venezuela, filling in for Navarro’s roles, provided the support and inspiration as the Valientes continued their climb in the “Land Down Under” 3x3 basketball.

Abanse Negrense A asserts PSL dominance SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Alexa Polidario and Erjane Magdato of Abanse Negrense A had their eyes on the prize the moment they agreed to join the 2021 Gatorade-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup at the Subic Sands Court here.

No wonder, Polidario and Magdato took the tournament by storm as they asserted their dominance in this historic battle that served as the first volleyball event in this time of coronavirus pandemic.

Polidario rose to the occasion, knocking down the clutch hits in the winnertake-all finals to help the Negrense squad in beating the tandem of DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia, 21-15, 21-17, to claim the crown of this event that was made in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Task Force Region 3 and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“We really wanted the championship that’s why we went here,” Polidario said. “”We’re happy and we feel blessed for winning the title even if we were just first-timers in the PSL. I hope we made the whole Negros proud.”

Abanse Negrense A was a picture of dominance right from the start of this tourney that has Cherrylume, Ube Express and Subic bay Peninsular Hotel as sponsors and Cocolife, Cocogen Insurance, Data Project and Genius Sports as technical partners.

Despite having no serious training due to the pandemic, Polidario and Magdato swept the pool play before sending Javen Savas and Jonah San Pedro of Toby’s Sports packing in the quarterfinals.

They clashed with the seasoned pair of Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete of Sta. Lucia B in the semifinals, but were hardly threatened as they pulled off a 21-18, 21-12 win to punch a ticket to the finals.

Magdato said she hopes that their victory would etch Negros as the hotbed of beach volleyball in the country.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

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ABS-CBN Entertainment now Southeast Asia’s most subscribed, most viewed Youtube channel ABS-CBN Entertainment has achieved another milestone by becoming the most subscribed and most viewed YouTube channel in Southeast Asia, as the media company strengthens its digital presence to make its content more accessible to audiences in as many platforms.

The YouTube channel topped all channels in the region after racking up 32.7 million subscribers and over 43 billion lifetime views as of February 2021, according to Tubular Labs, one of the most trusted global video measurement and analytics platforms.

“We thank everyone who subscribe to our YouTube channel and continue to watch ABS-CBN entertainment shows. We share this milestone with all our Kapamilyas who continue to love and support our programs. We will continue to create compelling stories and engaging experiences that give joy and inspiration to our audiences as we find more ways to reach and serve our Kapamilyas,” said Cory Vidanes,

ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer for broadcast.

The channel’s subscribers can look forward to upcoming ABSCBN shows this year, such as the inspirational series Huwag Kang Mangamba, Erich Gonzales’ La Vida Lena, Tagalized episodes of Jerry Yan ’s Count Your Lucky Stars, Init sa Magdamag, and Almost Paradise, the first American TV series shot entirely in the Philippines and co-produced by ABS-CBN. All of these will be made available on Kapamilya Online Live, which offers livestreaming and on-demand viewing of ABS-CBN shows and Kapamilya classics for up to seven days to allow them to catch up on the latest episodes.

“Kapamilya Online Live is a major contributor to the success of ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and offers a new viewing experience in the digital platform. We are grateful to our subscribers for regularly tuning in and appreciating the authenticity of

‘Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin’ topbilled by Jodi Sta. Maria, Maricel Soriano, Sam Milby, and Iza Calzado is among the most watched shows on ABS-CBN Entertainment.

interactions during the live chat and gap shows,” said Richard Reynante, ABSCBN’s digital content publishing head.

What Heart desires

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ULTIHYPHENATE Heart EvangelistaEscudero uses social media in a way that is similar to other brands and celebrities—to connect with other people either to promote her showbiz projects or share well-meaning causes.

In similar way, she’s been harnessing the power of social media to strengthen her fan base while at the same time engaging and entertaining them.

“Eversince I was young, I felt that people like me because of the character I play but they don’t really know me as a person. I feel social media has given us the platform, the stage or the channel to reintroduce ourselves, the person that we really are,” Heart told Manila Standard Entertainment in an exclusive interview.

“I’m not the type of celebrity who has a lot of crazy fans, parang di nila ako bet,” she added in jest.

With her social media accounts, Heart is able to talk to her fans, sometimes real time via Instagram Live. This gives her the ability to give people a glimpse of her life, or what she’s willing to share with the public.

“I’m really glad that I was given this platform where people, who are curious about me, can relate with me. I was only able to do that with My Myx,” the actress said alluding to her stint in a music channel.

“I used to read letters from senders.

So, right now, I feel like I’m doing My Myx but with my own channel. I really get to talk to the people who follow and support me,” she related.

For someone who has a reputation for being a reliable brand endorser, Heart feels honored whenever brands and organizations take her on board to be their ambassador.

Recently, she appeared in a huge billboard on New York Times Square.

She is seen posing with a handbag from sustainable fashion brand Ia’s Threads.

“I was surprised. They named the bag after my dog Panda. That was for the first billboard. I thought it was good opportunity. Actually when I did the shoot I didn’t give too much attention to it because I didn’t want to expect. Then one day, I woke up and it was there and then they release the second billboard on my birthday,” she revealed.

Adding another year to her already “blooming” life, Heart could only hope for nothing but good health.

“My birthday wish is just to stay healthy for me and my loved ones. It’s still a crazy year but I feel I’m one of the blessed ones and I’m very grateful for that and I feel that people are blessed to be a blessing to others. So, I always

Some of the most watched currently airing ABS-CBN shows on the YouTube channel include FPJ’s Ang

Heart Evangelista is thrilled of the collaboration projects she has with RLC Residences, giving her the chance to showcase one of her many passions – love for visual arts.

From left: Eri Neeman, Arch. Henry L. Yap (General Manager and Senior Vice President of RLC Residences), and Heart Evangelista.

remember to do my part whenever I can. Amid the troubled year, it’s still a blessing because I have work and I’m able to do the things I do because of that. But I really wish that this would be a better year for everyone,” she said.

Meanwhile, Robinsons Land Corporation recently named Heart as its celebrity ambassador. The new brand takes property development to the next level as it promises an elevated lifestyle experience, fittingly brought to life by the artist and screen personality. Heart translates this by continuously raising the game in her many engagements.

As a mainstay in international Fashion Weeks, Heart consistently works on her craft making her a true icon of style and beauty.

“RLC Residences understands that all of us lead a very busy and multifaceted life,” Heart shared. “(And) What I love about RLC Residences are the innovative facilities and services that make our lives so much easier!”

Future projects under the RLC Residences brand will offer innovative storage solutions for condo-dwellers, smart home features, dedicated spaces for work-from-home nooks, allocated areas for daycare or learning and many more.

Connecting with loved ones For Heart, finding a home that is close to where the action happens, is also crucial.

“The pandemic has made me rethink the importance of having a home in a central address,” Heart conveyed. She shares further that having a strategic address in the metro, means not wasting her precious time in traffic which in turn gives her energy to do more of the things she loves and spend more time with her family and friends.

Like her, homebuyers of RLC Residences developments will experience city living with much convenience. RLC Residences projects are either smartly placed in destination estates or the bustling CBDs. All projects are also transit-oriented. Most importantly, folded into these standout developments are rest and recreational amenities suited for bonding and relaxation. Pieced together, all these elements allow one to be swiftly in places and with people that matter to them most.

“Home is a place that I share and open up to others, and my home is really an extension of who I am, what I like and my aspirations. I am happy to have found home at RLC Residences and to be part of this very important journey,” Heart shared.

In the coming months RLC Residences and Heart will be working on a number of collaborations never before seen in the Philippine property scene. Stay tuned for updates on the exciting things up ahead for the brand and Heart by liking and following RLC Residences official pages: Facebook @ RLCResidencesPH and Instagram @ RLC_Residences

Probinsyano, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, and It’s Showtime,” shared Reynante.

While ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel serves to augment the network’s total reach in the country beyond cable, satellite TV, and free TV, its success also proves that ABS-CBN’s content is able to cross borders and meet the growing demand for content online, said its digital head Jamie Lopez.

Other ABS-CBN YouTube channels that rank among the most subscribed and most viewed in the Philippines are ABS-CBN News (11.8 million subscribers and 7.4 billion views), Star Music (6.2 million subscribers and 2.5 billion views), “Pinoy Big Brother” (4.2 million subscribers and 2.3 billion views), Star Cinema (4 million subscribers and 1.2 billion views), “The Voice Kids Philippines” (2.6 million subscribers and 1.4 billion views), and The Squad Plus (2.8 million subscribers and 245 million views).

Thai actor Mario Maurer stars in the Lakorn series ‘The Blooming Treasure,’ airing now on GMA.

Mario Maurer is an ambitious man THAI actor Mario Maurer is once again set to make hearts flutter in the Lakorn series The Blooming Treasure.

It follows the story of a young, ambitious man named Win (Mario) who never cared about anything else than himself. Because he is set to inherit a large sum of money from his grandfather, he grew up to become arrogant and always blamed others for his shortcomings.

After the death of his grandfather, Win gets shocked as the last will states that he has to work in Pudchompoo’s Chrysanthemum nursery, while the farm’s owner, Pia (Toey Jarinporn), has to take care of his company for one year. Since she is indebted to his grandfather, whom she respects, she is forced to agree with the terms of his will, and their relationship develops from there.

Will this young and optimistic lady help make a better man out of Win? The Blooming Treasure airs Monday to Friday at 11:30 a.m. and every Saturday at 10:45 a.m. on GMA-7.

How Alden deals with disagreements IN A RECENT YouTube vlog, Alden Richards admitted that he also experienced working with fellow actors whom he had disagreements with in his decade-long showbiz career.

“I had a fair share of co-stars whom I had a smooth-sailing relationship with and also the opposite. I guess it’s just normal,” the bedimpled screen star shared.

Asked how he deals with rifts on set, the 29-year-old actor stated that being

professional is key.

“At the end of the day, I just thought of reporting to the set, then, there’s that co-worker whom I don’t really like. I would be the one who’d suffer. If I would let that person affect my work, I’d be the loser. So, I decided to just be professional about it. I don’t know but I’m not really confrontational when it comes to that.

All I know is I am easy to deal with and I also get along well with others easily,” he elaborated.

Meanwhile, many are already excited about his teaming-up with Bea Alonzo in the Filipino adaptation of the hit South Korean romance drama movie A Moment to Remember.

“It’s a dream-come-true on my part to be doing a movie with her. I’m a fan of

her love team with John Lloyd (Cruz). It feels great that now, we’ll be paired in a film and I’ll get to share the screen with her,” he admitted. *** Actress Rhian Ramos remains a Kapuso as she recently renewed her contract with the network.

“I’m really grateful to GMA for their continued trust and confidence in me,” she avers. “Looking back, I was just 15 years old when they got me to be the leading lady in ‘Captain Barbell.’ From then on, I was able to do a lot of unforgettable projects. I’ll always be thankful to GMA for giving me the break.”

Rhian feels “very lucky” due to the fact that GMA gives her the opportunity to continue to unleash her creative side.

“They always give me the chance to learn more, to improve myself. I’ve made all kinds of projects with the station and it feels exciting to continue to create.”

Almost half of her life she spent with the Kapuso.

“I’m already thirty years old now and remain loyal to my home studio. It’s a very interesting and colorful life to live.

To be honest, it’s not perfect, but I will be forever grateful that GMA changed my life forever since I entered show business.

It was a long time ago and I’m happy to share my interesting journey with anyone who can learn from it.”

At present, Rhian is part of the hit drama series Love of My Life, which also stars veteran acting stalwart Coney Reyes, Carla Abellana, and Mikael Daez.

Alden Richards reveals how he deals with disagreements with fellow artists while on set.

Life

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

C4

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021

The CDC experiment found the unknotted surgical mask blocked 56 percent of cough particles.

MAKE IT DOUBLE

When and where should you wear two face masks

with only a few people; greater protection helps in crowded areas with poor ventilation.

In an article on prevention.com, Christopher Sulmonte, M.H.A., project administrator at the Johns Hopkins Biocontainment Unit, said double masking was recommended in a crowded indoor locations such as grocery stores, public transportation, and other high-traffic areas.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Steven Gordon of the Cleveland Clinic, meanwhile, said, “if your mask already has multiple layers and fits tightly, it’s not necessary to double mask,” which aligns with the World Health Organization’s recommendation of wearing fabric masks with three layers (an inner layer that absorbs, a middle layer that filters, and an outer layer that is non-absorbent).

LIFE INSURED Allianz PNB Life provides ‘Shield’ against the unexpected

TWO IS BETTER. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found wearing a fitted surgical mask underneath a well-fitting cloth mask reduces the wearer’s exposure to coronavirus by over 90 percent. (Infographic from the CDC)

By Bernadette Lunas

I

T WAS not until the last day of February 2021 that the Philippines, which currently has the second-highest coronavirus infections and deaths in Southeast Asia, finally received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines.

It goes without saying that the arrival of the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from China does not mean we can let our guards down. Experts advise the safety precautions we have adopted and integrated into our lives, such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing, must be maintained while we await for our turn to get the jab and when the country finally achieves herd immunity—the exact proportion of vaccinated population remains undefined, however.

The rapid rise of fast-spreading variants of SARS-CoV-2 emphasizes the importance of protecting ourselves. Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention released a study that showed wearing two masks—a surgical mask underneath a fitting cloth mask—increases protection against coronavirus by over 90 percent. The CDC also recommends knotting the ear loops of the surgical mask near the facial covering to further reduce aerosol and droplets leaking out of the mask.

“The effectiveness of cloth and medical procedure masks can be improved by ensuring that they are well-fitted to the contours of the face to prevent leakage of air around the masks’ edges,” said the CDC research The study compared no mask, a poorly

fitted surgical mask, cloth-only mask, and double masks in a simulation of respiratory droplets between two people—a source and a receiver. It found the receiver’s exposure reduced by more than 95 percent when both the source and the receiver were both fitted with a modified surgical mask plus cloth mask.

“These laboratory-based experiments highlight the importance of good fit to optimize mask performance. Until vaccineinduced population immunity is achieved, universal masking is a highly effective means to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 when combined with other protective measures,” the CDC pointed out.

Experts, however, posit wearing two masks depends on the person’s comfort level and situation. In an interview with Business Insider, epidemiology professor Stephen Morse recommended not to force wearing two masks if the person can no longer breathe through or is not comfortable.

It also depends on the location and situation: For example, one mask is enough when biking solo through a neighborhood

Infratherapy offered at a resort TAGAYTAY-BASED Anya Resort becomes the first resort to offer an infrared spa therapy.

The AHG-managed resort has been offering since March 1 far-infrared ray therapy using Vital Dome machine.

“Anya is the first resort in the country to bring in this healthful technology and we hope that other hotels and resorts will follow suit,” says Katherine Alejar, chief executive and chief innovator for i3, Vital Dome’s exclusive distributor in the country.

Apples Aberin trying out the Vital Dome machine which uses far infrared rays that enables the body to sweat out toxins and other impurities.

“Anya isn’t just the first resort in the country to have the Vital Dome,” Alejar is quick to add, “there may already be a Dome in place at Hong Kong’s W Hotel, but our presence at Anya is also the first-ever for any Southeast Asian hospitality destination.”

Patented and manufactured in France, the Vital Dome uses Far Infrared Rays (FIRs) generated by carbon panels within the device to give users a sense of relaxation and renewed well-being.

Unlike traditional saunas or massage machines, the Vital Dome’s FIRs penetrate deep into the skin, accelerating regeneration on a cellular level as it safely raises the body’s core temperature. The process enables the body to sweat out toxins and other impurities as a way to stay healthy and keep infections at bay.

According to the makers of the machine, the regenerative action of FIRs reduces internal inflammation which, in turn, helps in long-term pain management. It is also instrumental in healthy weight management and body shaping.

Guests who wish to try the latest addition to Anya’s fitness and wellness amenities can try it out at the resort’s Niyama Wellness Center as a standalone treatment. Use of the Vital Dome will be included in future suite and staycation packages.

Combining health and wellness with relaxation is becoming popular among tourism establishments. Among those that already have a Vital Dome in place are the Hotel Prince of Wales in Paris, the Hotel Barriere Le Royale in Deuville, and the Hotel Sassongher in Badia BZ, Italy.

INSURER Allianz PNB Life offers a “well-rounded” plan that protects policyholders against diagnosis of a critical illness or accidental death and dismemberment.

The Allianz Shield is a regular pay, unit-linked insurance plan that gives customers, for example a 30-yearold female with quarterly premium of P6,000 payable in 10 years: P1 million coverage upon death, P1 million coverage upon diagnosis of a critical illness, and another P1 million coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.

It covers at least 10 times the annual premiums depending on the insured’s age upon application for as low as P15,000 annually.

“The previous year showed that many Filipinos are vulnerable to health and financial crises. Not everyone has a backup plan in times of need. And unfortunately, many have been challenged economically because of the domino effect of COVID-19,” said Allianz PNB Life chief

marketing officer Gino Riola.

According to Riola, the plan also comes with an additional rider coverage “that waives succeeding premiums until age 65 of the insured upon diagnosis of a critical illness or upon contracting total and permanent disability.”

“It gives our clients the option to withdraw their investment funds, which are free of charge for up to four times in one year,” he added.

Allianz Shield also comes with a Loyalty Bonus, giving funds a boost every five years as long as the policy remains in force and the premiums are paid regularly.

A complimentary Life Event Benefit Rider credits back to the policyholder a part of the insurance charges they have paid in the event of marriage, birth of a child, demise of a family member, involuntary loss of employment, divorce, or separation.

More details are available on www. allianzpnblife.ph.

The Allianz Shield protects policyholders against diagnosis of critical illness or accidental death and dismemberment.

Malayan launches protection plan for pet dogs AFTER receiving the greenlight from the Insurance Commission, Malayan Insurance now offers a protection program for pet owners and their canine friends.

The Pet Care Insurance provides pet dogs coverage such as reimbursement for any veterinary treatment or confinement in a vet hospital if the insured dog gets into an accident or acquires sudden illness. It also includes a personal accident (PA) and owner’s liability coverage for dog owners.

Payment for incurred expenses from

any third party damages that the insured pet becomes legally liable will also be covered, for instance, if the pet dog accidentally bit other people.

Furthermore, the PA protects the insured dog owner in the event of accidental death, disablement, and dismemberment while the policy is in force.

Dogs qualified under Pet Care have to be between six months to eight years old, and currently vaccinated as prescribed by the Philippine Animal Hospital Association.

Malayan Insurance’s Pet Care Insurance provides coverage for both the pet owner and their dog.